Editorial Review

At the age of 5, Malika Oufkir, eldest daughter of General Oufkir, was adopted by King Muhammad V of Morocco and sent to live in the palace as part of the royal court. There she led a life of unimaginable privilege and luxury alongside the king's own daughter. King Hassan II ascended the throne following Muhammad V's death, and in 1972 General Oufkir was found guilty of treason after staging a coup against the new regime, and was summarily executed. Immediately afterward, Malika, her mother, and her five siblings were arrested and imprisoned, despite having no prior knowledge of the coup attempt.Read more

Reviews (226)

Absorbing and real
I found the book exciting and moving. Of course any book can not describe all events in great detail . But what it chooses to describe, it does well in a straightforward approach. The narration is simple and to the point, which is what I like.

A GREAT STORY BUT POORLY WRITTEN AND POORLY EDITED...
This is a book that on its face held a lot of promise. Any story in which a mother and her children, as well as faithful family retainers, are unjustly imprisoned in squalid conditions for twenty years for an ostensible crime comitted by the familial patriarch would certainly be of interest. Wrong! This is a tepid and disappointing book, poorly written and, most certainly, poorly edited. It is so filled with contraditions and inconsistencies, as to create somewhat of a credibility gap for the reader.
Engrossing story worthy of notice--but horribly written
I honestly didn't finish this book.
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Subjects:  1. 1953-    2. Africa - General    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Literary    8. Morocco    9. Oufkir, Malika,    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Women    12. Women political prisoners    13. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (49)

Five Stars
A wonderful book about extraordinary real women who deserve their own spot along side the Founding Fathers. The bravery and the guts of these women surprised me. Each one was heroic in her own way and has made me want to learn more about each one.

History Comes Alive ...
This is a very fascinating book and I am glad that I was able to buy it not too long ago. I remember reading the back of the book at the bookstore and thinking, "I have to have it." That first thought hasn't changed.
LOW-KEYED, INFORMATIVE AND PLEASING READ
I rather enjoyed this low-keyed take on history.The reading was easy and it was fun and I did indeed learn some facts I was unaware of.This by no means is "hard core history" and I doubt if it was ment to be.The book of course take a look a the wives of some of our founding fathers and the role they played at the time.The book appears to be reasonably researched, as any book of the nature can be, and the author uses an easy and informative style.On the otherhand, I doubt if this work will satisfy the hard core reader of history any more than it will satisfy the reader who is wanting a cozy sort of read...it sort of falls in the middle somewhere.I read it for pleasure and did receive that from it.Recommend this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. 19th century    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Historical - U.S.    6. History    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. United States    10. United States - Revolutionary War    11. Women    12. Women in politics    13. Women's Studies - General    14. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Reviews (47)

extraordinary American memoir
I read the book (536 pages) in 4 or 5 sittings. To me it's a masterpiece. Yes, it is a bit slow going in the beginning but then the story takes off. I found Jentz's book to be overwhelmingly rich in symbolism of the forces between good and evil. Also present are the themes all of us can relate to in small town everyday American life. I couldn't stop reading it. I found myself completely drawn into the awesome horror, bewildering twists and eyebrow-knitting circumstances that occurred during and after the attack. The research done for this book is compelling by itself.
an exploration of evil and violence
Strange Piece of Paradise is true crime with a supremely ironic twist-the true crime story is written not by an investigative reporter or a psychologist, but by the victim. Terri Jentz has managed to cope with the absolute horror of an incredibly vicious attack by facing the situation head on. Her assailant was never apprehended, and many years later she returned to the small town where she and a college roommate experienced such extreme violence that the roommate refused to ever discuss it. The result of Terri's investigation is a profound book exploring a society that promulgates violence and evil.
Read In Cold Blood
I am on the last leg of this book, much to my relief.It is terribly over-written, redundant and irritating to read. Jentz could learn a few lessons from Capote about creating a compelling narrative with an economy of words.Ever meet one of those people who insist on telling you in great excrutiating detail about how they were wronged?How every nuance, ambiguity and off-hand comment was a significant episode in their victimization? Even if they are factual, you reach a point where you just don't care anymore.Jentz went through an unbelievable horrible experience.Her recounting of the experience, is barely readable.Go buy In Cold Blood and read it again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography And Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Case studies    5. Criminal investigation    6. Oregon    7. Other Miscellaneous Crimes    8. Personal Memoirs    9. True Crime / Espionage    10. Violent crimes    11. Women   

Reviews (16)

Boring - no rock star insight
I bought this book thinking I'd get some candid behind-the-scenes insight into what it would be like to hang out with the rock stars of the 60's and 70's. No luck. Just Pamela obsessing about finding the next band member to lay and wondering why she wasn't a star. I'd recommend Zep's "Hammer Of The Gods" or Aerosmith's "Walk This Way".

Fun, fast read.
This book was fun, even if I got the feeling Miss Pamela down played some of her antics. Good book.

This dish I definitely enjoyed!
I usually don't care for tabloid dish on others but this book was so enchanting she doesn't really have a bad word to say about her rockers that she followed as a groupie.She kind of sounded like "Penny Lane" in the movie "Almost Famous".She was a comfortable groupie that all the bands liked having around and she spoke about them with nothing but love.I liked that part of it.Most of them ridicule their lifestyle and dish the bad dirt.Even though she didn't slash their reputations, it is a page turning read that you won't be able to put down.Her second book was a bore though, get this one instead, I highly recommend it to all of you kids and baby boomers that want the behind the scenes blow by blow of 60's and 70's rock stars and concerts and bedroom dish galore with drug and alcohol chasers to boot. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    3. Genres & Styles - Rock    4. Music    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Rock Music    7. Specific Groups - General    8. Women    9. Biography: film, television & music    10. Music / Rock    11. Rock & pop   

Editorial Review

Picking up the thread where her debut memoir-in-comics concluded, Read more

Reviews (35)

Awesome!
This book was great! I found myself laughing sometimes as well as intrigued. This is a kind of book that once you start reading it, you can't put it back down. If you read and liked Persepolis 1, you'll like this one.

More scenes from one woman's life
This time, the scenes are drawn from her teen years through young adulthoood. Some of the moments should be familiar to anyone - like that pre-adult growth spurt where all the parts seem to be in the wrong places. Other themes will sound familiar, though not in such literal ways. For example, Satrapi describes living in peaceful Europe, herself a daughter of war; at the same time, she describes holding western views about freedom in a country where a pair of red socks is grounds for adminstrative discipline. That sense of being an alien everywhere will ring true for many readers, whether or not their reasons are as overwhelming as hers.
Surprisingly interesting
It causes wonder with its sensitive and prudent style and, ultimately, by its incredibly smart, honest and thoughtful result. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Comic books, strips, etc    7. Ethnic Cultures - General    8. Fine Arts    9. Literary    10. Middle East - General    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Satrapi, Marjane,    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (69)

The title is very misleading
This book was a huge disappointment.I checked it out of the library (thank goodness I didn't spend money on it) thinking I would learn about one woman's struggle to spend less and live more simply.Honestly, I learned all I needed to know about Judith's year-long "journey" from her 5 minute interview on Oprah. It starts off ok, but quickly descends into a rant against Republicans, the Iraq War and George W.Not that I'm a fan of George W and Co., but her views were quite boring and I found myself barely able to finish. I really felt as though I had suffered a "bait and switch", which use to be a favorite tactic of retailers.I guess Ms. Levine learned something from them during all those years of shopping.

Don't Waste your Time or Money
The author had a good idea but executed it poorly.This book was more about politics than abstaining from purchasing.
Not buying this book
The author had a BRILLIANT idea writing this book, however she couldn't accomplish and develop a chain of reasoning. She is PROLIX and way too boring. The reading has to be dragged.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Consumer Behavior    3. Consumer Behavior - General    4. Consumer education    5. Personal Memoirs    6. Shopping    7. Social Movements    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. Women    12. Consumer issues    13. Social & cultural anthropology    14. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Reviews (13)

DianeMoneyd
I respect June's love for her mother but I don't think her mother deserved it.Larry was never a big star and his career wasn't so great that She had to give up a black daughter and a white son.She gave away three children and she called herself a mother.June should had more love for the woman who raised her.

Intriging Story of a "special" little girl
This is the story of June Cross (the author).As a little girl she is forced to live with that fact that she is different, but non the less she's that little girl that is like every other little girl her age.In the early stages of her life she innocent and unfortunately she has to grow up fast during to a time of segregation and oppression.Overall it's about June's journey as a bi-racial girl who goes through ups and downs, and how she prevails against all odds.This is definitely a book that you can't put down!

Racism & Relationships in this Generation
The story is compelling in its complexity. That it starts with the author's birth in 1954 the book highlights the recent events and history of the US I have grown up in and witnessed. As the adoptive mother of two bi-racial children I found her mother's actions perplexing and hard to understand...but her daughter wants the reader to understand. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abandoned children    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Discrimination & Racism    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Race And Ethnic Relations    8. Race identity    9. Racially mixed people    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful
It's a beautiful book, the pictures are wonderful.I haven't gotten down to reading it yet as I just received it, but it's worth it for the Edie end papers alone.One thing is I don't see are any rare photos of Sienna as Edie, as the description touted.Not that I care or wanted that but it's strange that it says it contains them and as far as I can see they're not there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Motion picture actors and actresses    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photography    6. Photojournalism    7. Sedgwick, Edie    8. United States    9. Women    10. Photographs: portraits   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Encyclopedias    3. Ethnic Studies - Hispanic American Studies    4. Hispanic American women    5. Reference    6. Sociology    7. Women's Studies - History    8. American studies    9. Latin America    10. Social & cultural anthropology    11. USA   

Reviews (9)

Wonderful Book
Healed by Horses is a wonderful book that gives hope and encouragement to anyone who reads it! It reaffirms the fact that life is a gift, and, if you allow it, struggle can make you better. As Carole states on page 230: "It's working with horses that heals, by developing discipline, courage, patience, and perseverance. You may come to horses -- as I did -- unable to walk, unable to cope, disfigured and in despair, but what I learned is that horses do not judge by looks or class or reputation. Still, you must earn their trust and cooperation, and out of that comes self-esteem."

The True Story of Carole Fletcher
Healed by Horses is a must-read; a fantastic book that leaves readers entertained, educated and... changed.
Fanning the Flames
As a fan and student of Carole Fletcher's Trick Training techniques, I was familiar with the bio behind this book before reading it.So it was with a literary mindset that I opened the cover, expecting to view the entire book with a critical eye; curious, mostly, to learn just what did Larry Scanlan do to bring the ashes of Carole's past back to life.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Burns and scalds    6. Fletcher, Carole    7. Horses - General    8. Patients    9. Pets    10. Rehabilitation    11. Treatment Of Burns    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (3)

Deeply Moving Memoir
In this poignant,intensely personal and informative memoir Nahid Rachlin traces her life from her childhood under the Shah, through the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which she witnessed from America, where she was living at that point, to a bittersweet reunion with a family both shattered and healed by the tragedies that have befallen them. The way her life goes in a different direction from that of her beloved sister, as she remains in Iran and she comes to the U.S., offers great insights into the dynamics of the culture they lived in and how it affected each. It is a story of painful separations, heartbreaking losses, and hard-won freedoms. It has the same mesmerizing power as her novels, lingering in the mind after we have finished reading the book.
A Powerful Memoir
This book kept me up all night. Among other things it gave me a glimpse into the inner workings of Iranian family life and the author's creative development. As a fan of Nahid Rachlin's fiction, I wanted to know more about her own life; Persian Girls has given me an insight into that life and its emotional conflict. It reveals the suffering that many women, among them her sister, and the aunt who raised her as a child, endure in many Islamic cultures--the limitations imposed on them by the legal system and their families, especially the husbands who rule over them with tyrannical power. The oppressiveness and the pain of separation the author endured when her father took her away from her aunt the only mother she knew as a child (and forced her to live with him and her biological mother and siblings) are deeply conveyed. And so is the strength the author found within herself that allowed her to break away from these restrictions and create another life in America.

A Riviting Story of Oppresion and Hope.
During my careful read of this extraordinarily meaningful and important book written by respected author Nahid Rachlin, a deep forboding feeling of gloom and heavy weights continued to cover my spirit. So powerful is the tale of the two Iranian sisters Rachlin writes about: one who is able to essentially flee Iran to America to persue the freedom of her artistic desires, while the other sister is tragically confined to a similiar fate of many oppressed women post-Shah: pre-determined marriage, mental and physical abuse by an arrogant husband suitor, divorce, seperation from children, and the downward spiral of loss of self dignity and hope for a better tomorrow.
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Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Cultures - General    7. Iran    8. Iran - History    9. Iranian American authors    10. Iranian American women    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Social conditions    13. Women    14. Women In Islam    15. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (4)

Ambiguities and the Fog of War
After the retreat from Dunkirk in 1940, Britain knew that it would be fighting again within Europe, but until an invasion could be made by regular forces, a secret war had to be waged.For this purpose the Special Operations Executive was formed, with the object of clandestine insertion of agents to oppose the advancement of the Nazis.It was a perilous assignment, and agents were told to expect a fifty-fifty chance of dying; as it turned out, they fared better, a 75% survival rate.The section of the SOE devoted to activities within France was the assignment of Vera Atkins, where she was staff officer to the head of the section.Atkins was devoted to the highly secret operation, and only recently have the truths about the work of the SOE (including its many failings) emerged.Atkins took many of the secrets to her grave when she died in 2000.Sarah Helm, an investigative reporter, was able to interview her two years before her death."She didn't tell me much," Helm says."She never told anybody much."There was, however, quite a story, and it involved Atkins's personal secrets as well as military ones.In _A Life in Secrets: Vera Atkins and the Missing Agents of WWII_ (Nan A. Talese / Doubleday), Helm has described her efforts to understand the secrets in a long and frustrating search for what made the brilliant and wary Atkins averse, beyond all callings of duty, to letting some secrets go.
A brilliant account of SOE and one of its spies
I've read a lot about World War II and SOE, and this outshines most books. Ms. Helm puts human faces on the dead and betrayed agents, and doesn't mince words when it comes to skewering those who sent them to their deaths. This is brilliantly researched and written, provoking outrageous anger at the novice spy handlers who ignored numerous warnings that networks had been penetrated and who continued sending agents to horrible deaths in concentration camps. Further, it shows their callous nature in covering up their stupidity and never admitting mistakes. There are many lessons here for today's times. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It will stay with me for a long time.

The incredible tale of a true heroine
Both the NY Times (William Grimes) and the Washington Post highly praise this book. It tells the story of two great searches . The first is of the heroine of the book, Vera Atkins who after the War searches in Europe to learn of the fates of the 117 of 400 agents she had helped prepare for their missions of gathering Intelligence for Great Britain against the Nazis. The second is the search of the author Sarah Helm to get the details of the story of her subject, a research which also involved extraordinary effort.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography And Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. France    6. General    7. Great Britain    8. Historical - General    9. Intelligence Operations    10. Military    11. Military - World War II    12. Missing in action    13. Secret service    14. Underground movements    15. Women    16. World War, 1939-1945    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (12)

A womans heart ...laid out boldly in words for all to see.
ANAIS has been someone who has carried me through some tough times in the past...I read her at twenty...and twenty-three and twenty-six. Her troubles were my own and we were kin. She is meant to be read by anyone who loves life...in it's full fleshy sometimes heart rending reality. She writes with the open-heart of a poet, and leaves the reader feeling more than fed. READ ANAIS NIN!

A great read
I recomend reading Anais Nin's diary. The book is such poetic prose. Some sentences really took my breath away, the way she can captivate something so beautiful and human in simple words. Since it is a diary, its main focus is her life, but its not selfish, infact she mentions herself very little. The main focus is Henry (Miller) and June, his wife. When Ananis Nin falls inlove with someone, so does the reader. Her descriptive skills gave me goosebumps, you really can see it in your minds eye, hear the music or feel the softness of skin. I highly recomend this to anyone thinking about reading this book, you will come away with a slice of life from 1930's France.

Wonderfully delicate and erotic
This is one of the most profound works of literature I have ever read.Nin leads you directly into her life, the nature of the people around her, her feelings and internal conflicts.She writes delicately and powerfully and womanly.Everyone should have a chance to read this. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1903-1977    2. 20th century    3. Authors, American    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Diaries    7. Literary    8. Nin, Anais,    9. Nin, Anaèis,    10. Women    11. Biography & Autobiography    12. Biography & Autobiography / Literary    13. Inter-war period, 1918-1939    14. Novels, other prose & writers: from c 1900 -   

Reviews (28)

A compelling story of abuse in the search for Divine Love
I applaud Karen Armstrong for having the guts to write this book. Although I am guessing that it was cathartic for her to review this period in her life, she wrote quite dispassionately about her experiences. It is remarkable to me that she did not play the role of victim. In fact, she showed more love and compassion to those who abused her than those who were supposed to guide her on the path to love.
A harrowing inside look
Karen Armstrong has written a compelling memoir of her time in the convent in formation to become a nun.She wants this life so badly that she will forsake everything, including her own mind, to attain a perfect relationship with God.This is what she was told she must do.She did this despite gut feelings to the contrary, despite physical illness, and despite slowly dying inside.In fact, she believed this was a sign of progress.
Difficult to read at times...
but well worth getting through the gritty parts.
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Subjects:  1. 1944-    2. Armstrong, Karen,    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Ex-nuns    6. Institutions & Organizations    7. Religion    8. Religious    9. Women   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Case studies    3. Korea    4. Shamanism    5. Women   

Reviews (1)

STILL AN ENIGMA
Valerie Lawson has done something P. L. Travers claimed she didn't want anyone to do: write her biography.It's a very good book.Travers discouraged personal questions in interviews, and preferred to discuss her work and, in later years, her philosophy of life -- the essence of experience as opposed to the mundane details of living.Lawson makes the case that if Travers had been serious about this she would have destroyed her papers -- which she decidedly did not do.Whatever her true feelings on the matter, this is a fascinating book, filled with insights into Travers' life and work, and with a respectable amount of attention to the work itself, especially the meanings and importance of the Mary Poppins books.
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Subjects:  1. 20th Century English Novel And Short Story    2. 20th century    3. Australians    4. Authors, Australian    5. Authors, English    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Biography/Autobiography    10. England    11. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    12. Literary    13. Women    14. Women As Authors (English Literature)    15. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (11)

chickens calm a new life in this memoir
Who knew a memoir mainly about chickens could be so interesting? Catherine Goldhammer starts her life over in a house by the sea which might not look that appealing but has charm nonetheless. She divorces and her daughter, Emma who is 12, move about 1 1/2 mile from their old home and begin a new life. The only thing to ensure Emma's happiness at moving is to promise the purchase of chickens! There is heaps to do with setting up a new home and the caretaking of chickens is no small task.
Goldhammer's Got Game
Catherine Goldhammer's Still Life with Chickens delivers its promise of being a story about starting over, or restarting--after the author realizes that her life isn't working, and that she needs or wants another life: a different one, a better one.
Better than I hoped it would be!
I'm very new at raising chickens & can't get enough info about them.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Divorced mothers    6. Farm Management    7. Farm life    8. Farmers    9. Massachusetts    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Regional Subjects - New England    12. Women    13. Women In The U.S.    14. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (145)

despite some other reviews.....
this is a very good book.it's basically an auto-biography and gives the reader an insight into sylvia's early life and early psychic adventures.also, shows childhood pics and pics of her sons and grandchildren...definitely a good read!!

Save your money
One star is too much. I didn't know much about Sylvia Browne before I read this book, but I now know all I want or need to. This book left a distinct bad taste. The first 60 pages were devoted to chronicling the young Sylvia's social life and the succession of beaus that were supposedly in love with her, as well the various outfits she wore and how she styled her hair before going out on a date. Gifted or not, the whole book seemed boastful and conceited. Plus I really question the spirituality of a person that could dismiss her mother's death as "no real loss" and refer to her ex-husband as "evil" andproceed to slander him at every turn. She constantly wanders off in her anecdotes focusing more on details of crimes rather than psychic ability. This is a vanity book. Save your money and find something else to read.

What those with lost loved ones want to hear
The name Sylvia Brown sounded vaguely familiar to me when a friend of mine told me about this book and borrowed it to me so that I could read it.She grew up in a non-religious household and seemed eager for something to believe, and so she enthusiastically recommended it to me.I suppose I fit comfortably into that category of people that "believers" classify as "skeptics," and I am amazed by some of the reviews for this book that recommend it to all skeptics, saying that it will make a believer out of them.It will not.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Browne, Sylvia    6. Channeling    7. New Age    8. Parapsychology    9. Parapsychology - ESP (Clairvoyance, Precognition, Telepathy)    10. Psychical research    11. Psychics    12. Social Scientists & Psychologists    13. United States    14. Women    15. Biography: general    16. Parapsychology, psychic powers, ESP    17. Spirit communication & mediumship, spiritualism   

Subjects:  1. 1897-2003    2. Asia - China    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Chiang, May-ling Soong,    9. China    10. China - History - 20th Century    11. Historical - General    12. Political    13. Presidents' spouses    14. Women    15. History / China