1 comments about The Oxford Companion to the Brontes (Oxford Companion To...).

1. This book supplements other books about the lives, works and legacies of the Bronte sisters. It includes entries on sequels and adaptations of the works of Charlotte, Emily and Anne as well as coverage of their juvenilia.
   
   The book itself is organised alphabetically, has indexes, cross-references and contains over 2000 entries.
   
   Highly recommended for those of us who can never have too much information about the Sisters Bronte.
   
   Jennifer Cameron-Smith

5 comments about After All.

1. Mary has a flair for writing which makes this book more interesting that your average celeb biography. Her life is fascinating, and she spares nothing in this engrossing book.



2. I read every word of this book (in about half an hour) and wish the white space at the end of two or three page "chapter" was filled and then some. This is an exceedingly superficial, detached treatment of very personal, sometimes revealing stuff. Yet why do I feel MTM managed to pull it off--telling me her secrets while keeping herself at armslength. Then again, she seems to keep at armslength from herself... There is information about The Dick Van Dyke show, the The MTM Show, MTM's alcoholism, diabetes, pregnancies and marriages, the deaths of her son, sister, and brother, her audience with the pope, her visit to Israel...all these things, yet not very much. Possibly one of the most fascinating lives in modern American entertainment, and so many details left out! Maybe Ms. Levine will write another book--maybe a book about each of the highlights (or lowlights) by themself.



3. In "After All" Mary Tyler Moore writes openly about her
   childhood,growing up in Brooklyn NY, then Hollywood.Her life
   in showbusiness.Personal tragedy,loss,regrets and finally
   being able to find the happiness within.You will feel her joys
   and sorrows.You will laugh and you will cry.As I finished the
   book this morning I felt I had lost my best friend.
   Truly a remarkable book on a remarkable woman.



4. Mary Tyler Moore displays a great talent for writing. She holds nothing back in her book, and is brutally honest. I can't imagine a person being more honest with themselves than she is in her autobiography.
   It is a great read for all MTM fans.



5. I read this book in a sitting,admittedly skimming certain parts.Although I am a big MTM fan, it whetted my appetite without satiating me...there is definitely a vague "arm's length" quality to this book noted by previous reviewers...MTM obviously suffered from a lack of connection with either of her parents as well as a lack of any kind of spiritual connection...I found the "vegetarian" chapter oddly placed and suspect readers might be more interested in how she keeps such an enviable physique.All that drinking and never a hangover,wow,what a charmed life...it was hard to picture squeaky clean Laura Petrie or Mary Richards smoking like a chimney, too.Although she states she's nothing like her TV characters, in the end the book made her seem a little one-dimensional,like a television actor.I still admire Ms Moore but I think some professional writing help would have greatly improved the quality of this work.True fans will probably enjoy it , but others should pass..

5 comments about Crystal Woman: The Sisters of the Dreamtime.

1. When i first picked up this book it was by accident, but the title intrigued me so I checked it out. Boy I was in for a surprise! As I read this book I was amazed at how much power that a female possesses inside of herself. I was so into this book I read it in 2 days. After this first book I was hooked on all the rest of her books. The thing that got me the most was that these books were based on her real life experiences. From then on I have been trying to find my spirituality, this and the other books has inspired me



2. I have read most of Lynn Andrews books (I started with Medicine Woman) and even though her first experiences and journeys were quite fascinating, this particular narration explains much more about female spirituality and what a woman can give to herself and those around her. Through Andrews different experiences in the Australian aboriginal landscape (they are many), we see that once you start on your spiritual quest, you receive/acquire more and more gifts that are directly related to your spiritual courage. "Crystal Woman" truly moved me - and I've been into New Age studies since for the past twenty years!



3. I have most if not all of lynn's books and they are the most informative and interesting books I have ever had the Honor of reading. There is one book I do not have. That Is Crystal Woman. I work with crystals in my daily life I feel this book will help me on this journey of crystals and as always Lynn's books are always my favorite to read. Thank you, Michele



4. As a work of fiction, this book may have some merit. But, please be informed that this book IS fiction and not fact. It is currently being protested by the aboriginal community of Australia as a fabrication and outrageous exploitation of their culture. Please see their website on this matter at www.dumbartung.org.au/report2.html



5. An enthralling read a must for those who Lynn Andrews fans, and for all who are following a feminist spiritual path.

5 comments about Gellhorn: A Twentieth-Century Life.

1. Martha Gellhorn was a controversial journalist, and as anyone can see, this biography is either loved or hated without a lot of opinion in between.I fall in the love camp.The book is a good job at capturing the subject, warts and all.The author has clearly gone to great lengths to gather information that allowed her to capture the public and private essence of Gellhorn.Moorehead backed up her presentation many times with quotes from Gellhorn's voluminous correspondence.This is not the author's first biography and it shows;it is a first class job at piecing together the subject's long and complex life.The author is frequently clever in her wording and general handling of the book.If I have any criticism it is that the narrative occasionally moves forward without preparing the reader for a change in subject.
   I did not find this book boring.It is a book that would interest most readers that enjoy reading about 20th century history.Gellhorn's strong personality,wartime reporting,travel episodes ,love and sex life,marriage to Hemingway,and general passage through life offer a lot of spice for the reader. Though Gellhorn was a bit prickly or "difficult" at times,she was a witness to a substantial number of historical events.Her reports were first class and continue to be popular today within the reading public (The Face of War,Travels with Myself and Another, etc).Unquestionally she was a controversial character, but she counted and is an appropriate subject of interest.



2. Caroline Moorehead captures the passion of trend-setting journalist Martha Gellhorn in this biography. She follows Gellhorn through the Spanish Civil War, a turbulent marriage to (fellow friend of Spanish loyalists) Ernest Hemingway, and Gellhorn's success in breaking tradition by accompanying the invading Allied armies in World War II. Moorehead's sense of history is acute and she avoids the pitfall of over-dramatizing.
   
   The book falls short only in its failure to resolve the contradictions of Gellhorn's personality...the promiscuous woman who was ambivalent toward sex...the egalitarian who cultivated the high and mighty...the compulsive wanderer and adventurer who cherished the companionship of her mother and close friends. We want to like Gellhorn, but we don't understand her well enough to get there.



3. I found this book thoroughly absorbing, a meal for the intellect and the soul.
   
   Martha Gellhorn was a woman ahead of her time. Carolyn Moorehead does a good job of chronicling each chapter of Gellhorn's illustrious life as a war correspondent and writer. And what an amazing span of history Martha witnessed, from the Spanish Civil War up to the invasion of Panama. A rather fearless woman who "ran with the wolves", Gellhorn had friendships and love affairs with legends. Of course, she is known for having been married to Ernest Hemingway... but she was also friend and confidant of H.G. Wells, Eleanor Roosevelt, Leonard Bernstein... and she crossed paths with Diego Rivera, Colette, Adlai Stevenson, and many other notables of the 20th Century.
   
   Marha really had two great loves in her life: being where the action was, where the great issues of the century were being decided, and secondly , escaping to colorful places where she could find solitude. She best loved the places that afforded freedom and sun, like Mexico, Cuba and Kenya.
   
   Of course,she was full of contradictions, personally, and unsuited for motherhood. I wish only that this book had exposed more of her acute observations about the way that the world works, and her true courage. This is a woman who at 85 yrs. of age, suffering from macular degeneration and other maladies, made a valiant effort to continue speaking for the oppressed.
   
   She was sharp until the end of her days. Moorehead has of this writing published a book of Gellhorn's letters which better illuminates Martha's character, and should serve as a good companion to this biography.
   
   Christiane Amanpour, Lara Logan et. al. owe a great debt to this woman, though they can hardly hope to match her reportorial savvy and brilliance. As Moorehead acknowledges, Martha inspires nostalgia for the days when a reporter went to the core of things, with words honestly written in simple notebooks--words that could be believed.
   
   She believed all governments inexorably abused power. She said of Lyndon Johnson: "Never trust a Texan further than you can throw a rhino."
   
   Martha, you rocked.



4. I have been reading Gellhorn's non-fiction and am generally dispondent that I have found myself at the end of what is readily available. I picked up a copy of Travels with Myself and Another at random and became fascinated by Gellhorn. On the strength of another reviewers recommendation, I selected this book rather than others. I was not disappointed. It is a strange thing to read someone through their own eyes and then to see them without their own filter. Her own professional writing portrays her as a strong woman at ease on her own, while excerpts of her private letters suggest that she was very lonely. In any event, I zipped through the book and was surprised at the manner in which her life ended. Although, on reflection, I shouldn't have been.



5. Outward calm, inward extreme disorder of mind were characteristics of Gellhorn's self-description. In her sixties she stopped traveling and determined to live in London in Chelsea. She liked people who shaped their own lives. She hated liars and sitting on the fence. She was a bad cook. Her metaphors belittled unhappiness. She was beset with self-doubt, a strain of failure, loneliness. The Gellhorns of St. Louis had been a talking family. Martha left Bryn Mawr after her junior year and became a cub reporter to the ALBANY TIMES UNION. In the same year, 1929, she returned to St. Louis, moved on to New York City, and by spring, 1930, she was in Paris. France was the leading economic power of Europe.
   
   In 1934 Martha returned to America and was hired by the Roosevelt administration to investigate the conditions of the textile workers. Seeking to turn her material into a book, Martha stayed at the White House. She grew distracted, however, and moved to New Hartford, Connecticut. By 1937 Martha was back in Paris, the jumping off place to cover the war in Spain. She wrote for COLLIER'S. When she studied the Munich Pact, she felt she had uncovered dishonesty, cowardice. Czech democracy was lost.
   
   In 1939 Martha stayed with Hemingway in Cuba and Sun Valley, Idaho. She became fond of the three Hemingway sons. She wrote a ninety thousand word novel, LIANA, and dedicated it to her mother. Gellhorn sought to report on World War II even without formal military accreditation. She returned to Europe, England, in 1943. The city was full of journalists and many American ones. She became friends with Irwin Shaw. Except for Edmund Wilson and Cyril Connolly, the writers had succumbed to having a sincere and earnest tone.
   
   COLLIER'S appreciated Martha's gift for showing vivid images. After writing six articles she departed for Algiers. When she returned to Ernest Hemingway the couple fought over money, drinking, work, and the house in Cuba. They were openly unhappy. In order to witness the Normandy Invasion, Martha crossed secretly on a hospital ship. When found out, (she wrote two articles about the crossing), she was arrested by the military authorities. Afterwards she used energy and charm to travel with the regiments to glean information for her stories.
   
   After its liberation, Paris wasn't much changed except that everyone was starving. Martha was drawn to absolute professionalism and to James Gavin, the youngest divisional commander. She reported that she understood the true evil of man at Dachau. She covered the Nuremberg trials. Later Martha Gellhorn settled in Mexico for several years, followed by Rome, Africa, Wales and England. She married again, in 1954, and before that date adopted a son, an Italian war orphan. By 1998 she could no longer read, work, or travel. Her need to witness and record events had become impossible.
   
   This is an excellent book about a distinguished writer.

1 comments about The Women of Azusa Street.

1. Alexander has done a marvelous job putting together these biographies of Azusa personalities. The stories are fresh, focused, and well documented. She has a command of her subject and her writing style is easy to read. Highly recommended.

4 comments about Alfreda's World.

1. The book is wonderful, it is easy to read. This book is breath taking.



2. A heartwarming true story for all ages, with incredible color paintings by a talented Charleston artist.

   This would be a great gift for moms, sisters, grandmoms. A must-read for anyone who loved When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, or The Secret Life of Bees!

   Here's to Alfreda and to all the wise women at the Hebron Zion Church on John's Island. You are an inspiration!




3. My mom, an artist, received this book as a gift. I was intrigued by the paintings, started reading it and found I could not put it down. The life lessons spoken/lived by Alfreda and her friends touched my heart. If only we could all live accordingly. A deeply moving book. A wonderfully inspiring gift of encouragement.



4. I really do not have words to describe my feelings about this book. It has absolutely wonderful paintings to illustrate it and the writing is sensitive, understandable, and a tribute to women and a way of life that I knew nothing about. It celebrates the human spirit in words and images from the artist/author. I've lent this book to people I know and each one has been impressed.

3 comments about Revealing Jewel: An Intimate Portrait from Family and Friends.

1. This book gives a very fresh and surprising view of who Jewel really is and the many fascinating aspects of a very complicated yet simple person. By that, I mean she has many complicated ways about her but she needs the basic things to make her happy in life (This book will explain what I mean by that and more!) The book has little trivia tidbits,interviews with people who know jewel, and many new pictures. Did you know that Jewel has a dark and twisted sense of humor or that she was friends with Moby? Find out this and lots more in this excellent, in depth book! A+ Plus don't forget to check out Jewel's newest album 0304! It's great!



2. Yes, I know I just gave this book 3 stars, but despite the rating, I like this book and I enjoyed reading it. It's not a personal book, though, so don't expect a biography or memoir.

   This book is set up in a "did you know?" fashion. Let me explain. This book is 90% a compilation of quotes and commentary from the people who know Jewel personally. The other 10% comprises of responses from Jewel to various questions (i.e., "What were your worst performance experiences?") This is why I say it's more of a "Did you know?" foundation under this book. It's full of insights and facts we never knew about her. This is a book about what the people who surround Jewel think and know of her.

   You really have to have an interest in not just Jewel's music, but Jewel herself to appreciate this book. That's why I rated this item 4 stars instead of 5 because of its limited appeal. I am a long-time Jewel fan, so I loved this book. It's too bad, though, that non-Jewel fans probably won't be attracted to this book, because it reveals so much about her character that fans have known for a while, but the public is oblivious to. For instance, Moby talks about how she has the most twisted, blackest sense of humor, and how contrary to popular belief, she'd fit in with the kids in South Park perfectly. He also mentions that Jewel's told him the most disgusting jokes he's ever heard and has the mouth of a sailor that "would make Eminem blush." (I have to admit that I was giggling all throughout Moby's commentary.) Another bandmate admits that "[he has] sarcasm coming out of [his] pores, but she's worse." Another roadie comments, "Jewel hawks the biggest loogies."

   Plenty of attention is given to the side of Jewel's personality the public is familiar with, though, such as her honesty, integrity, and kindness.

   What impressed me the most about this book is how more attention was given to her "boyishness." After reading this, you see that she's definitely NOT the simpering, wilting flower so many people believe her to be. In fact, most her friends are amazed that she hasn't been butchered by the media for her jokes (which can easily come across as offensive by those easily offended by direct sarcasm, and many, many people are).

   I'm not going to say non-fans are going to be interested in this book, because that really depends on how they feel about Jewel. If you're a fan or just someone wanting to understand the woman who is Jewel better, then this is the book for you.

   I think, also, that this book is a wonderful addition to anybody interesting in learning about a very modern and complex woman. Jewel is sexy, smart, kind, and possesses a very sharp wit. She's a paradox in that she's an honest individual who is uncomplicated, yet very complex at the same time. She's feminine yet is definitely "one of the boys" and can stand her own with men. She's definitely kind, yet she's probably the most sarcastic person I've ever read of. On top of that, she's optomistic yet her humor can be very dry. This book covers all of these facets and has been an absolutely delightful read for me.




3. This is an interesting little book. I'll admit it is only for the fans, and the hardcore fans at that (those like me, who might have a little obssession for Jewel). The book isn't even written by her. What it is is various remarks made by those who know Jewel. Nothing great, but it has a great cover photo.

5 comments about Longing to Tell: Black Women's Stories of Sexuality and Intimacy.

1. Take a literary journey with Tricia Rose, author of LONGING TO TELL,
   and read some revealing, heartbreaking, and inspiring narratives from
   a host of women of color who talk about sexuality, race, and their
   coming of age as a woman.

   Tricia Rose begins by sharing with readers the purpose and reason for
   this unusual project which opened up doors to allow these unknown and
   unspoken women of color to tell their stories. The women outlined in
   the book is of various ages, economic, and educational backgrounds. The extensive research and countless interviews propel this author's thought-provoking narratives from women breaking through a sexuality barrier that has always been unspoken of through generations of people of color.

   LONGING TO TELL rises to the occasion, orchestrating a context that speaks from the voices of women on their sexual relationships, and intimate clichés that thrust many into a naive state of ignorance and misinterpreting the art of intimacy.

   The women's names were changed along with other details to protect
   their identity due to some very graphic details in which they
   outlined their exposure to sexuality. It was a hard lesson for many
   and a rude awakening for others. They speak on growing up in
   dysfunctional surroundings, exposure to drugs, and going from one
   relationship to another. Several grew up with the pretense that if
   you had sex it meant love.

   They explain how their families and children had to endure their

   unorthodox and self-destructive behaviors that sometimes lead to
   tragic consequences. One woman speaks of how her young son was
   beaten to death by her boyfriend, and never realized the warning signs
   because she stayed in a haze of drugs. They speak candidly about their first sexual encounters with men and women. They speak on where they were and where they are today. They explain their process of healing along the path to finally taking control of their lives.

   All the women's narratives speak volumes on the depth and courage that made them survivors. In the end, the author sums up very eloquently the overall dynamics of the sexual ramifications that women of color encounter today.

   LONGING TO TELL by Tricia Rose is a well written book. Tears came to my eyes several times reading some of the stories, and I wanted to jump into the book and hug and congratulate each woman on revealing their personal journey. I applaud Ms. Rose for her insight and courage to develop, research, and talk with so many women who are sisters, mothers, aunts, wives, and friends offering them an outlet in which to speak. A must read for everyone because knowledge is the key to understanding and awareness. (...)




2. Tricia Rose turns academic research into a literary masterpiece. She interviewed 20 African American females with various ethnic backgrounds, broad range of age, and socioeconomic upbringing. Rose organized the real life commentaries on sex, intimacy, relationships, and race into a narrative that will carry you through a broad range of emotions. The women speak truth to situations that happen in every day life but are considered taboo in the African American community. 
   Rose starts the book with a discussion about the negative stereotypes in regards to sex and intimacy that are portrayed about the African American female in the media. The purpose of the book was developed as an attempt to answer the question, "how has the history of race, class, and gender inequality in this country affected the way that black women talk about their sexual lives?" Rose answered this question and much more. Longing to Tell is a mirror image of African American female sexuality in contemporary society as well as an oral history that serves as a vibrant presentation for everyday readers and scholars alike. 
   The stories are captured and categorized into three different areas: Through the Fire; Guarded Heart; and Always Something Left to Love. The women, whose names and locations have been changed to protect their anonymity, openly discuss their sexual history; how they learned about sex, masturbation, orgasms, and experience of first menstruation, virginity, pregnancy, and motherhood; sexual abuse, rape, sexism, sexual fantasy and sexual orientation. Some of the tales in the book are horrendous such as incest, rape, domestic abuse and sexual harassment but while knocked down these women were not knocked out. Many tell about the love from friends, family and at times even the smiles of strangers brought them back from the depths of despair. The stories are all different and engaging as their experiences were dynamic while thought provoking. Does your definition of sexuality characterize how you live life? 
   Longing To Tell is an extraordinary account on how African American women survive despite the incredible odds against them. As an adjunct professor of African American Studies, I highly recommend this book as a study into the mind of black women. As an avid reader, I strongly encourage you to read this book as a motivational guide on finding your way out of the struggle. African American women are the cornerstones of modern society and this book proves that!
   Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review



3. When I say "Hard", I mean this book is so strong! This book took me a while to read because I had to take breaks in between each woman's story...I could identify with more than one woman's story (I'm sure a lot of people will be able to) and that's what makes this book worth every page...I recommend it to anyone who feels as though the struggles they deal with are only theirs...



4. I was interested in reading this book because I am a latino male who's been involved with African American women since I can remember. I watned to read this book to inform mysself about how it was like to be an African American woman in America. I've discovered that they are very strong and have gone through alot in their lives from the stories of the many women in this book. I had read this book about a two or three years ago and it was very informative, but I know that there is still much to learn.



5. 20 stories by 20 black women, 2 of them separated, 2 of them married, which leaves 16 single black women. of those 16 single black women, the number of them who have children...math is tiring, i don't want to do the work. so without pleading a problematic here, let's just say 'it is what it is'. still, might conclusions, for some folk, be reached, there are no good black men as husband material, and marriage isn't all that important for black folk? such conclusions remain a vicious circle. hopefully, her, rose's, book proves a starting point, an inspiration and a calling for and a telling of more stories.

1 comments about Lucia Joyce: To Dance in the Wake.

1. This review is based in good part on Joan Acocella 's comprehensive review which first appeared in 'The New Yorker'. It also makes use of information provided by D.T. Max in a story on Joyce's grandson , Stephen Joyce and his efforts to protect the family from too close public scrutiny.
   Shloss worked for many years on this book, and her aim is to both rehabilitate Lucia Joyce from the image given of her by Joyce scholars Richard Ellmann( The great Joyce biographer) and Brenda Maddox( Biographer of Nora Joyce).
   As Schloss sees it Lucia Joyce was herself a creative artist who was not simply an inspiration but a real collaborator with her father in the creation of 'Finnegan's Wake'. This claim is one Acocella believes there is no real evidence for, and is in fact the major exaggeration of the book.
   Other claims of Schloss however are given greater credibility. The primary one is that Lucia Joyce was victimized, institutionalized unnecessarily through the treacherous actions of her brother Georgio. As Schloss sees it James Joyce was Lucia's defender in the family , loved her and believed in her genius. But in his dedication to his work, especially to the completion of 'Finnegan's Wake' he did not take the time and effort to stand up to his wife Nora and son Georgio who worked against Lucia.
   Lucia's sad story, her schizophrenia, her rejection by three assistants of Joyce, including Beckett and Alexander Calder, her failed efforts at a dancing career, her tale of childhood wanderings with an indigent father artist, her language difficulties , her long period of institutionalization is told here in great detail.
   Schloss has tremendous sympathy for her subject.
   Unfortunately she in trying to make Lucia Joyce a subject of interest is unable to change the fact that the reason most people have had or will have interest in her is because of the possible light her life throws on that of Joyce itself.
   Certainly the illness of his daughter was for Joyce a major source of worry grief and frustration.
   Yet in the way Schloss tells the story Joyce himself too appears a victim, both of his other family members, and of his genius.
   He also appears as an often neglectful but nonetheless largely caring father who could not prevent his child from having a life of great pain and suffering.

5 comments about The Woman Who Defied Kings: The Life and Times of Dona Gracia Nasi.

1. This story of a Renaissance heroine reads like a novel: A brave young Jewish widow takes over her husband's international banking business, lends money to kings and dukes, exacts the freedom to flee from one country to another to escape the Inquisition, and rescues thousands of Jews. Yet the story is true, based on documents discovered by Andree Brooks in Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, Italy, Jerusalem and Istanbul. Her research is tucked seamlessly into a racing narrative that takes the reader into the life and turmoil of the 1500's. It's the stuff movies are made of--we hope.



2. Acclaimed journalist Andrée Brooks has painstakingly delved into the deepest recesses of European history to produce a compelling account of the life of Doña Gracia Nasi, an extraordinary and powerful businesswoman of the Renaissance. I was utterly swept away by the story of this courageous humanitarian who managed to rescue thousands of her people from the terror of the Inquisition. Fascinating reading for the layperson, this definitive work of scholarship is enhanced by more than sixty pages of notes and an extensive and carefully prepared index. Brooks' engaging prose makes the sixteenth century come alive as few other books do. This dramatic page-turner should be made into a movie!



3. The subject of this book is a reasonably interesting person, even though the book is not that well done.

   Garcia Nasi (aka Beatrice de Luna) was a woman of a well to do Jewish merchant family who married into one of the great banking families of her era, the mid 16th century (born 1510 -- died 1569). Her husband, Francisco Mendes, and brother in law, Diogo Mendes, were very successful bankers. Garcia Nasi was an asset to her family business and after her husband and later her brother in law died, she took on greater and greater responsibilities in running the business. She was also a generous patron to fellow Jews and conversos in a time of inquisition and repeated expulsion. Her ability to stand up to powerful authorities in matters of commerce, and in her own legal struggles is laudable. Her travels through the great commercial centers of the age give a good picture of the activities of members of her class of society.

   The virtue of this book is that it is thoroughly footnoted and has an extensive bibliography. Therefore, if you have further interest in this lady, you have a list to take to the library.

   One problem I have with this work is the same one I have with any historian with an obvious mission. For example, a Marxist historian sees everything in terms of economics and class warfare. The author of this work is a Jewish historian and sees everything in terms of Jewish history. While Jewish bankers and merchants were a great factor in the commercial changes that paid for the Renaissance, not all bankers and merchants of the time were Jews or conversos. You would not know that if this work were your only source of information.

   The other points that remove my faith in the extent of the author's background knowledge of the period are three glaring mistakes.
   1) She drags out that ancient canard that pepper was widely used in the cooking of the time to cover up the taste of rotten meat. Bushwa.
   2) She says that serfs were used for military levees. I'm not sure whether she doesn't realize that there is a difference between serfs and peasants or that she doesn't realize that military skills were the last thing a landowner would encourage his low level tenants to acquire. But, it is a jarring note.
   3) She says that the Portuguese invented Marine Insurance in the 15th century. I've been working in the Marine Insurance business for longer than I care to admit and I know that the Phoenicians invented Marine Insurance in classical times.

   If you have an interest in commercial arrangements, litigation, the situation of Jews and conversos in Portugal, Antwerp, Italy and Turkey, or in Garcia Nasi, then you should read this book. If you want an entertaining read from an author who knows her history (rather than one who falls down when she strays too far from her footnotes) find something else.




4. This was a great read for many reasons: it is an inspiring tale of a courageous and intelligent businesswoman who knew how to "work the system" as well as any modern politician; it allows those interested in the time of the Inquisition to learn some details about the period without seeming like a history lesson; it allows you to imagine what life may have been like, especially for Jews, in the time of the Inquisition as well as any work of historical fiction (though it appears to be more fact than fiction); and it is an enjoyable read simply on the basis of its enticing writing style. Do not be discouraged by the length of the book -- despite its bulk it is a fast read.



5. Imagine my thrilled surprise when I saw a thorough biography written about one of my favorite Jewish heroines, Gracia Nasi.
   
   I felt the book was very well-researched. For example, it discusses the mysterious figure of David Rubeni who pops up in Jewish history texts. Based on linguistic usage of the time, the author makes a strong case for Rubeni having been an Ethiopian Jew. Light is shed expansively and objectively on the difficult relationship between Gracia and her younger sister, Brianda. Also, the medallion often labelled as a profile of Gracia is actually of her niece who shares the same name.
   
   Though the author covers the subject in detail, even the most complicated parts read as pleasantly as a novel.
   
   The descriptions of how Gracia held on to her Jewish identity during the Inquisition are impressive and inspiring. Throughout all her personal trials and business challenges, she never forgot her people and maintained a courageous generosity toward them at all times.
   
   There were only two aspects that bothered me:
   1) Lack of pictures. There are some, but I would've liked to have seen more graphics of 15th/16th century Spain, Turkey, etc. and the kind of dress, utensils, homes, synagogues, churches, etc, to get more of a sense of those times.
   2)The author tries to spice things up by indicating love affairs even where there is no evidence for them. While the author gives good evidence for assuming that, as a young widow, Gracia may have fallen in love with her late husband's brother (who married Brianda), there isn't any evidence of affairs regarding her or anyone else. To me, this is a cheap trick to make the reading more exciting, something that's done a lot nowadays. For example, the author mentions that Gracia's niece was pseudo-married to a cousin and rumors were spread that the marriage was consummated - both actions taken in order to save the niece's life, something the author herself states was a common ploy in those times. But then, the author implies that they actually had this one-night stand. Since the male cousin would likely not dishonor a close female cousin this way, and since he would know that the girl (following the set marriage pattern of the family) would likely be married off to his own brother (as she certainly was at a later date), it is illogical and even insulting to assume that they would've had this fling. Given the close and respectful family ties, it is clear that they would've done nothing dishonorable to each other or to their family members.
   
   But overall, I did love the book, and I highly recommend it.