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Paving The Way to Power- A Female's Journey
If you, like me, are curious about America's foreign policy, you will find this 512 page autobiography of the first female secretary of state, good insightful reading.It is written in an easy to read manner, very detailed and inforative, and you will wonder, as I did, how this woman managed to work so many long hours for the White House, flew all over the world to meet and eat with other diplomats, and still maintain her composure.What exactly motivated her?She clearly did have the background for this job, dearly loved the power and prestige, and like her or not, you will enjoy her memoirs. Yes you will!
Great read
I don't care what side of the fence you are on, this book is a great life story. This is one smart lady. It is not your boring autobiography.I have travelled through Europe and lived and can relate to the many places that she talks about within the book, which also makes it great to read.I highly recommend it.

When grownups ran the world
The first female American Secretary of State narrates her life story with emphasis on her unexpected rise from refugee from European tyranny to the highest councils of the land.
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Subjects:  1. Albright, Madeleine Korbel    2. Ambassadors    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Cabinet officers    8. Government - U.S. Government    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Political    11. United States    12. Women cabinet officers    13. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

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Mr. Lord, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Mr. Lord could have written a good book.He has the tools and the know-how, and he did his research.He made one fatal error, however.Actually he made not one, but two mistakes.The first mistake is that his starting point is wrong.As a trained journalist, he does as a journalist does - he keeps trying to find "dirt", or rather manufacture dirt - all in order to give us a "balanced view".One can't help feeling, as one reads interview after interview, that Mr. Lord has somehow picked only the disgruntled, caustic and jealous remarks to print.The second mistake was in underestimating "James Herriot"'s fans, and familys goodwill towards him.He treats his subject manner as just another subject, as routine grist for the gossip mill, but Alf Wight was not that kind of person. He was a person totally out of Mr. Lord's scope and understanding.He underestimated Mr. Wight's fans and family's tolerance for having his name besmearched, and, indeed, his son wrote another book in response, a beautiful book about his father, and in it he easily refutes all Mr. Lord's accusations - and turns Mr. Lord into a laughingstock.Because anybody who has read the two books side by side - which I just did - would realize that Mr. Lord has indeed made a laughingstock of himself.
PROBABLY THE WORSE BIOGRAPHY I HAVE EVER READ
This book is not even worth turning the first page!This is one of those books where you actually feel embarrassment for the author.The book is poorly researched, poorly written, poorly edited, and well...... words just fail me.While I am not a great Herriot fan, I do have to give him, Herriot his due, the man could write well and could tell a great story (isn't that what authors are suppose to do?).This guy though, Graham Lord, I suspect, has problems feeding the paper into his typewriter!The entire book is such a obvious ploy to make some quick money on the shirttail of a "dead" but popular author it is rather nauseating.Shame on the publisher for accepting such shoddy work!I did finish the book though (thank God I did not purchase the thing) because each page became worse and worse and I could not stop, my thinking being with each turn of the page "well it just cannot be any worse than that last page/chapter."How wrong I was!If you must read the thing, borrow it or check it out of the library.I would hate to see a person waste their money, and I certainlywould not want the author and his publisher to be rewarded for a work such as this.Herriot's life, warts and all, could be such a fastinating subject.I do hope someone will turn out a good study of him eventually.We certainly did not get it here.I just hate having to give this one even one star.DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK!

A complete waste of time.
I couldn't agree more with the other reviews posted about this book.It reminded me of the biography of John Lennon I once tried to read. After reading a very short time I put down the book never to reopen it, feeling as if I needed a shower.It's as if the author is trying to elevate himself by bringing down the subject by exposing all his "faults" to the world.Researching would seem to be the most important component to writing a biography (along with the ability to write), and neither are in evidence here.Graham Lord relies on information and viewpoints from only a few sources and none of them close family or friends.Much of the writing is spent on exposing Wight's inconsistancies between his real life and his writing.Why this is so important is beyond me.I believe Wight started every story with an idea based on experience, and expanded it into the charming chapter he presented to us in his books.I also believe many of the stories were accurate retellings of episodes in his career with only names and exact circumstances altered.Instead of focusing on what would be the central core to Alfie Wight's life and writing, Graham Lord has seemingly gathered all the peripheral innuendo and "juicy" tidbits surrounding that core and for some reason presented them here in his book.A real laugher for me is the chapter ending with the dramatic announcement of Wight's nervous breakdown.Simply awful, awful writing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Career/Job    5. England    6. Historical - British    7. Large print books    8. Medical    9. Medical - General    10. Veterinarians    11. Yorkshire    12. Harriot, James   

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An Honest Perspective of Chrisitanity
I can understand why some people would not be able to relate to this book or think that Don Miller is not devoted to God. But, for anyone who has ever wondered why they believe in God, anyone who has ever questioned God's existence or, more importantly, anyone who has only seen horrible examples of Chrisitianity, this is a great read. It's an honest and fresh approach to Christianity and spirituality. His stories are funny and his writing style is engaging. I think it's fine time that someone wrote something honest about Chrisitianity and God. I think too many Christian writers market books that offer Jesus as some sort of fad-diet, just call on him and all your problems will be solved. Being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ is a difficult walk and being a good example of God's love each of every day is hard work. Everyone wants to act like it's so easy to believe God all of the time and believe every single word of the bible. Don Miller points out in each chapter the scrunity that we are under as Chrisitans (real Christians--not religious people) because so many people that proclaim to know God have done such awful things and promote ideas that are not of God at all.
Leading People to the Person of Jesus
As a Christian who was choking on "churchy-ness" I was refreshed by this book and how relevent it is in reaching out to today's culture. I guess its "controversial" as I read in some of the other reviews, but that surprises me, because it seems like a great tool to use in reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ, who may not otherwise be receptive...and to opening up my own eyes to LIVING a LIFE that is really A LIGHT in the world and not just "doing church". Jesus is real and He really does "happen" to people and change lives. He is LIVING and ACTIVE and very RELEVENT to people today.

"Spiritual, Not Religious"
It's a phrase I hear all the time from people who call themselves Christians without caring for the Bible or attending church.I've always thought it an infuriating phrase, because it sounds so good but it really means "I'm a dead Christian, if I'm one at all".Because I had this idea in my head, I was a little wary of the subtitle of this book:"Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality".
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Christian biography    3. General    4. Inspirational - General    5. Large type books    6. Religion    7. United States   

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Raymond Arroyo
I am not recommending this book. The author emphasizes so much on the problems inside the Catholic Church and misses to write about the beauty and unity of the Church. For all the non-Catholics who decide to read this book: Going through all that this Church has gone through, is another testimony that this is the Church Christ established and He is taking care of it.

she is a living saint
Amazing story on faith and trust. The impossible can be achieved with a little faith and persistance, even in the difficult times there is hope. This is a wonderfull book anyone with problems with faith. Arroyo sure knows how to capture a personality and put it in writting. 5 stars for the book and 5 more for the writer!!

SURPRISINGLY AWE INSPIRING--WHAT A WOMAN!
Who'd have thought that the elderly, cute nun had once (while a teenager) attempted to murder her uncle in a fit of rage?This and many other fascinating details from the life of Mother Angelica and how she was finally "led" by God to build the EWTN worldwide television and radio network.What A Woman! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Mary Angelica),    2. 1923-    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Christianity - Catholicism    6. Inspirational - General    7. Large type books    8. M. Angelica    9. Mother,    10. Poor Clares    11. Religion    12. Religious    13. United States    14. Women   

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On things that really matter
I found Nevada's book to be honest, well written, with a subtle sense of humor so needed in works dealing with religion and enlightenment. One of my favorite lines: "... I would occasionally run across someone who seemed to truly know God, and I realized that religion, like a bad toupee or a face-lift gone sour, is only obvious when it's done badly." This book did not do well commercially because honest well-written books dealing with things that really matter don't sell. But this book is very good, very important. It helped me on my return journey to God.
Mystery Writer Shares Her Spiritual Musings
In this collection of short essays, Ms. Barr shares her spiritual experiences which are sometimes witty and sometimes thought-provoking. Some of the stories may even inspire readers to do some soul searching of their own, as they relate to some of the deeper issues Ms. Barr shares.These issues include social conciousness and responsibility to the global community; the importance of keeping commitments to others as well as tooneself; and striving to be a good person, not only for the hope of redemption of one's soul in the hereafter, but for the benefits received during one's lifetime.
Not on the road to Damascus
For Nevada Barr, her faith journey started in a church that was close to home, had light shining through a stained glass window and was open at the moment she responded to an inner impulse.As she describes herself..."I was a godless heathen and proud of it. According to the priest as the Epsicopal church, I am still a heathen but no longer godless." The description of her coming from no childhood experience of a church and hearing church members criticized to eventually joining a church is told in a very readable and quite touching.Most of the book is a series of thoughts or anecdotes about judgment,sin, gratitude etc.It is the type of book to read one ot two chapters at a time and to return to at a later time.One thing is for certain; Nevada Barr can flat out write well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Alternate Spirituality    3. Barr, Nevada    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Large type books    8. Literary    9. Novelists, American    10. Religion    11. Spiritual life    12. Spirituality - General    13. Spirituality - Women's   

Editorial Review

Was the fall of Communism a direct result of a covert confederation between the U.S. government and the Vatican? So claim reporters Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi in Read more

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Critically objective but respectful
Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi have written an excellent portrait of Karol Woytyla - both the man and the pope.The authors are objective about John Paul II's world vision, triumphs, shortcomings and place in history while being respectful at the same time.
The Political Part was OK
Among the many books written about Pope John Paul II, the book by Carl Bernstein and Marco Politi, His Holiness, stands out. That's because it's focus is on the role played by the Pope, working along with the Reagan Administration, in causing the fall of communism.
Boring and biased
It is just too difficult to sort out the ideological agenda of the author from the facts. Bernstein utterly fails to understand one of the most interesting people of our time. This book has all the trappings of a serious work but when I read about the Pope I want to know what inspired the man. This tedious chronological and "investigative" work fails to provide that and thus we are left with a very boring read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1975-1985    2. 1985-1995    3. 20th century    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Catholic Church and world politics    6. Christianity - Catholicism    7. History    8. Large Print    9. Religious    10. World politics    11. John Paul   

Editorial Review

Most Americans know her only as the 42-year-old seamstress who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus. Her quiet act of defiance is often considered the beginning of the modern civil rights movement, but historian Douglas Brinkley reminds us that it was neither the beginning nor the end of Rosa Parks's quest for justice. On that fateful day in 1955 she was already a veteran civil rights activist, married to a charter member of the NAACP's Montgomery chapter, and a devout member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the many black churches whose congregants organized and fought to desegregate the South. Brinkley gives a thorough account of Parks's political life in the South and in Detroit (where she moved in 1957 to escape death threats), capturing her majestic personal dignity. Yet he also places her activism within a vivid historical context, anchored by extensive interviews with her peers and Parks herself as well as scholarly research. His subject is now a frail octogenarian, but Brinkley conveys the power of her legacy in a moving final scene when Nelson Mandela, just four months out of a South African jail in 1990, embraces Parks as a comrade and a beloved mentor. Read more

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Rosa Parks
An inspirational story about the life of Rosa Parks, a mulatto woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery AL on Dec 1, 1955. Her courageous act became known as the beginning of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Her quiet and non violent action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycot, provided the NAACP with a model case to end Jim Crow laws in the South and gave opportunity for young minister, Martin Luther King, Jr. to display his enormous leadership potential. The story reveals little known facts about the quiet and demure seamstress. It tells of her personal struggles with racism, poverty and chauvinism. It is a heroic story of an ordinary person with incredible inner strength.

Mariah Sanchious
True Life: Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks
I do not think this is a very good book for a book report on Rosa Parks.Despite the fact the title is "Rosa Parks", I received more information on other things that were happening at the time and about other people than you did about Rosa Parks.However, this is a good book if you are doing a report or want to learn about African American History in the late 1800s and 1900s. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1913-    2. 20th century    3. African American women civil r    4. African American women civil rights workers    5. African Americans    6. Alabama    7. Biography    8. Biography & Autobiography    9. Biography / Autobiography    10. Biography/Autobiography    11. Civil rights    12. Civil rights workers    13. History    14. Montgomery    15. Parks, Rosa,    16. People of Color    17. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    18. Women    19. Parks, Rosa   

Editorial Review

Dave Eggers is a terrifically talented writer; don't hold his cleverness against him. What to make of a book called Read more

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Self-indulgent writing
I have to agree with the many who did not like this book. I got it from the library and tried to read it, but couldn't get past the self-indulgent writing style. It almost seems like someone was too lazy to edit this book or make it readable for the reader. Any writer can put down stream-of-consciousness thoughts, but it takes hard work and effort to edit and revise with the reader in mind. A writer should want the reader to enjoy the process of reading a book. A book is written to express oneself, but also for the reader. Without the reader, the book is nothing.
Wonderful
Ridiculously amazing read. Couldn't put it down. Snide, cynical, heart-wrenching, and joyous all at once. A raucous rollercoaster of insight and observation. It's been a while since a book made me laugh out loud and burst into tears all in the same reading... But that's just me... If you've gotten this far, give this book a shot. I highly doubt you'll regret it. And if you do, something may very well be wrong with you.
Get to the Point!!
Once I saw the numerous reviews coating the inside and outside of this book telling me how much I was going to like it, I was already dubious.Perhaps I like to be contrary, and that may be why I was irritated by this book.I understand that this is his way of dealing with the passing of his parents and the growing up he was "forced" to do, but his style of writing came off as abrasive, narcissistic, and smug.This is a memoirs of sorts, so it's hard for me to criticize his need to put this out, but if I was supposed to gain anything from it, I didn't. I didn't find his wordplay sparkling, I don't find him droll or charming, and I felt like he was trying too hard for me to do so.Plus he yammered on so much it was hard to understand the message(s) he was trying to convey to the reader, if any. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Brothers    6. Death    7. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    8. Eggers, Dave    9. General    10. Large type books    11. Parents    12. Personal Memoirs    13. Psychological aspects    14. United States - 20th Century   

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Really enjoyed it
Previously I would never have read a biography of Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, or Livingston but thanks to Edna Healy I am now interested. She has written an incredible account of the lives of 3 remarkable women and introduced me to their husbands. Had difficulty putting it down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. Large Print   

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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Comedians    6. Diller, Phyllis    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Comedians    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Large type books    10. Personal Memoirs    11. United States    12. Women    13. Fiction   

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Sidney Poitier wrote Read more

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A True and Honest Measure of Oneself
Sidney Poitier has always been one of my favorite actors and he has meant so much to me personally as a lover of the cinema. He is one out of a handful I can say that about. His autobiography is impressive and he is ever so modest about many of his accomplishments.
A story well told
Sidney Poitier's autobiography illuminates not only why he is true hollywood royalty, but why he is also to be considered a royal man.There is nothing pompous or egotistical about his journey from the island to Hollywood, but rather it is a very human story told with humility and grace.

Insightful into a surprisingly diverse number of areas
Poitier recounts his very humble childhood on Cat Island in the Bahamas. He then tells us stories about coming to the USA, making it into Hollywood, his experience with racism and civil rights, his reflections on life and spirituality, and the making of his movies. The book is a little uneven: I loved his stories about getting started in acting and making his films, while I got impatient with some of his thoughts on the nature of the world. But overall, this memoir is insightful and entertaining.
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Subjects:  1. Actors    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Large type books    9. People of Color    10. Poitier, Sidney    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / General    13. Biography: film, television & music    14. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

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Behind the scenes at our 20th century Camelot!
Although Sally Bedell Smith's "Grace and Power" cannot compete with Arthur Schlesinger's "A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House" nor with Theodore Sorenson's "The Kennedy Legacy," the author makes absolutely no pretensions of doing so. Far from a political history of the Kennedy years, Ms. Smith has drawn on private letters, personal papers and 142 interviews with those close to John F. and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy to illuminate the personal lives of the martyred president and his First Lady. Her take on the couple's complex relationship, including his compulsion to take numerous lovers and her manner of coping with this problem, are mainstays here.
Exquisite and containing information I've read nowhere else
What a unique way to weave the story of the politics, history, friendships, relationships, marriage into one finely written work.It's as if you can pick any day from January 1961 to Nov 25, 1963 and there, as if opening a long forgotten datebook, is the gem containing an intimate picture of a special family party, a state dinner, a cruise on the Honey Fitz, Jackie's White House school--name it, if it's personal and human (yet without judgement) you'll find it in Sally Bedell Smith's cultural/social history of the Kennedy years.It's not all fine dining and socializing because important history and the toll it takes is playing out all the while--a deft tapesty!

Grace and Power: Jack and Jackie reign at the top of the White House Hill
Washington insider and biographer Sally Bedell Smith opens the doors to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during the Kennedy administration. This is a revealing look at the private passions, joys, griefs and lives of those people who were stars
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Subjects:  1. (John Fitzgerald),    2. 1917-1963    3. 1929-    4. 20th century    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. First Ladies    10. Historical - U.S.    11. History    12. Kennedy, John F    13. Onassis, Jacqueline Kennedy,    14. Political culture    15. Presidents    16. Presidents & Heads of State    17. Presidents' spouses    18. U.S. Federal Government    19. U.S. History - Post World War II Period    20. United States    21. United States - 20th Century    22. Biography & Autobiography / Presidents   

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A Pioneer
Here is a man that not only made the world laugh, he could poke fun at himself.Sid Caesar set an example for countless comedians to follow.He makes the history of early television come alive. This is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.

HAIL, CAESAR!...
This is a wonderful memoir that takes the reader down memory lane. As anyone one reading this biography knows, Sid Caesar was one of the foremost comedians of his time. In fact, he was actually ranked the third all time greatcomedian (after Jackie Gleason and Lucille Ball) by a documentary about the greatest comedians of all time, which documentary was featured on the A & E cable television channel.
Tells how his routines were fashioned and performed
Sid Caesar was the star of Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour, two of the most innovative and popular programs in the Age of Television and a creator of some of the greatest comedy writers of his times. This informative autobiography tells how his routines were fashioned and performed, and examines the methods and creations of the writers who made him famous. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1922-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Caesar, Sid,    7. Entertainers    8. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    9. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    10. General    11. Personal Memoirs    12. United States    13. Fiction   

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AWESOME! This book is dope.
I couldn't put this book down. What a great look into the mind of your average New York City cop. I was very sympathetic with them. They really seemed like nice guys! I felt their sense of self-disgust that they had to rat out their fellow corrupt cops. It puts you right inside the patrol car and you feel like you're a corrupt cop going along for the adventure. This is one of the best true crime books I've ever read. If you want a look at New York City when it was bad, look no further than this book about New York's "finest." Whoa! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Corruption investigation    3. Criminals & Outlaws    4. General    5. Large Print    6. New York    7. New York (State)    8. Police corruption    9. Police internal investigation    10. Winter, Henry   

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Statement of a great man.
Joseph Cardinal Bernardin made a very large impact on the City of Chicago. A simple, humble, very human being, he was greatly loved by all Chicagoans. At the end of his life, two huge events impacted his life, being falsely charged with sexual molestation by a young man, and learning that his life was soon to end as the victim of cancer. This book is a moving, eloquent statement of how he dealt with these and how his faith in God was tested and ultimately made rock solid. It is an inspiration to all who who are faced with burdens beyond their strength.

The perfect gift
I have purchased this book several times and recommended it on numerous other occasions. I bought it first for myself, and on the other occasions for friends, family members and acquaintances who were dealing with serious illness and end of life issues.The feedback received from each recipient has been very positive. Cardinal Bernardin leads the reader through his last days of life as he deals in a very graceful and touching way with terminal cancer, li