The Runaway Brain: The Evolution of Human Uniqueness

Customer Reviews:

I can't believe only one person wrote a review on this book!.......2007-07-12

Quite simply, this is one of the best books on not just evolution, but the brain and many other areas of science which are deeply involved with one another. I cannot praise Christopher Wills' writing and his knowledge and ability to tie all this information together. If I were not living in PIttsburgh finishing my PhD on science education, I'd probably go out to San Diego and beg for a job from this guy.

I picked up the book years ago while getting my BS and MS in neuroscience. I put it aside for whatever reading, then this winter got sick and started in on the book. It took me a long time to read which is very unusual for me as a speed reader, but it was more than worth the time. The thing is so much of what he wrote and taught, the reader has to back away from the book and assimilate it, so that it can make sense, especially the parts of science such as archaeology and anthropology that I did not have classes in, or much exposure to. Wills has whetted my appetite in many of these areas, and unlike many of my other books, this one will not be resold. In fact, I intend to reread it again, so I can understand more of what he teaches. So much of the science makes sense where many of my professors were totally incapable of rational explanations for certain things concerning the brain and why it developed the way it did. Wills answered many of my questions that I had. The book is not as easy to read as say something from Oliver Sacks, not because of the writing but due to the sheer amount of information Wills managed to fit into the book.

This book should be a definite required reading in neuroscience as well as anthropology. As a deaf person I especially enjoyed the fact that he included information and research on deaf done by Bellugi and Neville, that shows that we are not as stupid as the world has previously assumed us to be. It also demonstrates that research into people with differences help us to understand how the brain works and rewires itself.

This book is not the typical book on the brain, but rather one that explains the evolution of the brain from microorganisms from millions of years ago, to the current status of our brains. I am sure that if we are not stupid enough to ruin our planet within the next few years, our brains will continue to evolve, and things which we would considered either odd or miraculous now, will become things that we take for granted in the future...

Now I have to go find his other books to read, and he better well not quit writing!

Karen L. Sadler

Hard Science for the Rest Of Us.......1997-10-10

Okay, this is not my typical light-reading fare. I was browsing the Harvard book store in Cambridge, MA and saw it in the bargain bin and grabbed it. It may be the best buy I ever made.

Wills walks us down the evolutionary path of mankind explaining the paleontology and genetics involved in tracing man's lineage through the years. He has a knack for writing in an entertaining style and explaining the hard science in a way that us lay-people can understand without insulting our intelligence.

Though the book is several years old now, it is possibly more timely than ever as the popular press pushes the pop-science of genetics down our throats with little regard for the accuracy of the science involved. The press would have us believe that there is a "happy gene" and a "sad gene" and even a "good Mom" gene. Pure bunk as Wills makes clear.

He also lays to rest the myth that we are all descended from a single "Eve" as was reported in the late 1980's. Instead, he explains what the real science was. He explores the mitochrondial genetic materials that is passed down through the female lineage of our species and how we attempt to trace our species back to "Eve". She was most likely more than one person though possibly a small number. "Eve" most likely lived in the Rift Valley of Africa though it is possible that she may have lived in Asia.

We explore the fossil evidence and told some unforutately sordid tales of racism by scientists through the years that has clouded our thinking of evolution. Wills walks us through two plausible genetic scenarios of how we are evolved from "Eve" without delving himself into racist science. He also walks us through the myths and realities of genetic mutations, fossil evidence of human ancestors, and even unravels the DNA strands of genetic material making it clear what the Human Genome project is really all about.

I found it especially revealing when I attempted to locate Wills' title. Eventually, I did find that he is, indeed, a Ph.D. in his field. Not that it was easy. Wills is not on an ego-trip; he is not overly impressed with his intellectual prowess. I am convinced that this is from whence his down-to-earth writing style emanates.

It is always nice to put down a book knowing that not only were you entertained, but also walked away a little better informed than when you opened up the book. Thank you Chrisopher Wills.

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RUNAWAY BRAIN: THE EVOLUTION OF HUMAN UNIQUENESS
Christopher Wills
Manufacturer: Harper-collins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H4L5US

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Runaway Brain: The Evolution of Human Uniqueness
Christopher Wills
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000NZWOF6

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Key to The Future: The History of Earth Science (Science Spectraseries)

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Key to The Future: The History of Earth Science (Science Spectraseries)

Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0415278767

Book Description

Here is a book for everyone who has an interest in how our planet works, what has happened during its 4,550 million year history and what might happen in the future. It tells how Earth scientists study the pattern of events that have shaped the planet and guided the evolution of life on Earth. In clear and simple language it describes how the effects of these events are measured and the careful detective work needed to unravel the extraordinary complexity of Earth history. The latest advances in dating methods, including the detection of regular patterns of global climate change, are explained and illustrated with real case histories. Our environment is unexpectedly unstable. Dramatic and catastrophic changes in the environment have directed the evolution of life and the rise of Man, and we can expect similar events in the future. If we are to control their effects, we will have to understand what to expect - and what could happen if we try to intervene in the 'natural' development of our home, the Earth.

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Workshop Physics Activity Guide, Module 2: Mechanics II
Priscilla W. Laws
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Workshop Physics Activity Guide, The Core Volume with Module 1: Mechanics I: Kinematics and Newtonian Dynamics (Units 1-7)

Workshop Physics Activity Guide, Module 4: Electricity and Magnetism

Workshop Physics Activity Guide, Module III: Heat Temperature and Nuclear Radiation

Understanding Physics, Student Solutions Manual

RealTime Physics: Light and Optics, Module 4 (Preltime Physics, Module 4)

ASIN: 0471641553

Book Description

The Workshop Physics Activity Guide is a set of student workbooks designed to serve as the foundation for a two-semester calculus-based introductory physics course. It consists of 28 units that interweave text materials with activities that include prediction, qualitative observation, explanation, equation derivation, mathematical modeling, quantitative experiments, and problem solving. Students use a powerful set of computer tools to record, display, and analyze data, as well as to develop mathematical models of physical phenomena. The design of many of the activities is based on the outcomes of physics education research.

The Workshop Physics Activity Guide is supported by an Instructor’s Website that: (1) describes the history and philosophy of the Workshop Physics Project; (2) provides advice on how to integrate the Guide into a variety of educational settings; (3) provides information on computer tools (hardware and software) and apparatus; and (4) includes suggested homework assignments for each unit. Log on to the Workshop Physics Project website at http://physics.dickinson.edu/

Workshop Physics is a component of the Physics Suite––a collection of materials created by a group of educational reformers known as the Activity Based Physics Group. The Physics Suite contains a broad array of curricular materials that are based on physics education research, including:

Understanding Physics, by Cummings, Laws, Redish and Cooney (an introductory textbook based on the best-selling text by Halliday/Resnick/Walker)
RealTime Physics Laboratory Modules
Physics by Inquiry (intended for use in a workshop setting)
Interactive Lecture Demonstration
Tutorials in Introductory Physics
Activity Based Tutorials (designed primarily for use in recitations)

Amazon.com

What do you call someone who refers to any given objet as a "dingus," takes calls on a "blower," takes a "Nixon" rather than moving his bowels, and uses "ankles" as a verb? Try Kinky "Big Dick" Friedman, the fictional star of The Mile High Club, 1999's Spanking Watson, and 11 earlier amateur detective novels by the real-life musician-turned-novelist Kinky Friedman. As The Mile High Club opens, the Kinkster is holding forth with his gorgeous Middle Eastern seatmate, Khadija, on a flight from Dallas to New York City. As the plane begins its landing approach, Khadija rises to visit the loo, neither returning to her seat nor deplaning with the rest of the passengers. And Kinky's left holding her bag.

Unable to reach her and intrigued by several callers claiming that they, in fact, had Khadija's bag, Kinky and his real private-eye friend, Rambam, (Rambam, writer Mike McGovern and the Watson-like Ratso are the series's "Village Irregulars") jimmy open the bag to find, among other things, a vibrator.

"It has three gears apparently."
"Does it have four-wheel drive?"
"We have some slinky black lace panties, stockings, and lingerie."
"Many terrorists shop at Victoria's Secret."
"We have men's socks, undershirts, underwear."
"Boxers or briefs?"
"Extremely brief briefs. Khadija may be a little kinky. Pardon the expression."
"If that's all that's in there, what's the big fuss about? That's pretty much standard contents for most carryon luggage when the final destination is the Village."
"Yes, but they don't all include this," said Rambam, holding up a large plastic Baggie full of enough passports to make a customs agent put in for overtime.

And so it jauntily goes until its nifty surprise ending. Here, as in earlier cases, the plot is marginal and intentionally laughable. It's the straight man, really, enabling Kinky's well-done paeans to Sherlock Holmes, Dashiell Hammett, and Raymond Chandler, his three-page dissertations on outdoor urination, ruminations on Talmudic proscriptions against indoor nail-clipping, and, most appreciably, his obvious facility and fascination with the language. --Michael Hudson

Book Description

It all starts with a casual flirtation, two people on a flight from Dallas to New York. She's gorgeous and mysterious; he's a private detective. When the plane lands, the detective -- our hero, Kinky -- finds he's been left holding the bag, literally. The woman, having asked the Kinkster to watch her luggage while she visits the can, has taken a powder and somehow vanished. Mystery Woman does turn up again, but not before Kinky has claimed the interest of an array of suits from the State Department, been party to a thwarted kidnap attempt by Arab terrorists, and found a dead Israeli agent parked on the toilet of his downtown Manhattan loft.

Employing the able-bodied assistance of his usual sidekicks, the Village Irregulars, Kinky eventually gets to the bottom of all the comings and goings of the many visitors to his loft, including two late-night visits by the mysterious and suddenly affectionate woman from the plane and one not-so-late-night visit by her angry brother.

Raunchy, offbeat, and hilarious, The Mile High Club, complete with a surprise ending, is Kinky at his considerable best.

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On a flight from Dallas to New York, a private detective meets a gorgeous and enigmatic woman who resists all his attempts to plumb her depths. When the plane lands, the detective - our hero, Kinky Friedman - finds that he's still holding the woman's bright pink suitcase, which she asked him to watch, but the beautiful passenger has disappeared. Confident that hell find the mystery woman again, Kinky holds on to the bag. Sure enough, she does turn up, but not before Kinky has excited the interest of an array of "suits" from the State Department, been party to a thwarted kidnapping attempt by Arab terrorists, and found a dead Israeli agent parked on the toilet of his downtown Manhattan loft. Employing the able-bodied assistance of his usual sidekicks, the Village Irregulars, Kinky attempts to discover the secrets behind the many visitors to his loft, who include the suddenly affectionate woman from the plane and her very angry brother. No other writer combines intriguing mystery with bawdy one-liners quite like Kinky Friedman. Rauncy, offbeat, and hilarious, The Mile High Club, complete with a surprise ending, is Kinky at his considerable best.

Customer Reviews:

Kinky is Stinky.......2006-11-06

The Mile High Club has a minimal plot and a maximum of annoying Kinky aphorisms. One soon gets tired of both. Our Book Club was unanimous in declaring "Thumbs Down" on this read.

FILE UNDER 'CHILDISH'.......2006-02-26

Iive just finished reading this and for only the second time('rainbow' was the first) i found it something of an endurance test even skipping parts. Sad to say the Kinkster writing prose has got rather tired. Now those early books were brilliant. Witty, stylistic and with a ready laugh out loud wit that was pretty unique. I didn't care that the stories were all pretty similar and they took second place to the gags. They were all a good read. Now this. Well, dare i say it i felt the humour pretty childish and repetitive. Most of it was schoolboy level and the plot was pretty dumb (well they all were really-but the writing made up for it) and parts of it meandered. So has the Kinkster lost his touch? I hope not. But i think i'll wait for the books to turn up second hand in future.

This book is worth reading. Parts of it are great........2006-01-10

Friedman has a unique gift as a mystery writer. That is as a master of his own form of prose, which stands alone against all others. A few writers might have a more elegant sense about themselves than Friedman, and a few writers might be able to string a story along a little more coherently. But in his own little Hunter S Thompson/Carl Hiasann niche, Friedman stands close to the top of the heap.

That aside, this is the least inspired work by Friedman that I have yet read. The eternal musings are here as always and that makes for a very enjoyable read. But the story... the plot... they are very half arsed and kind of read like a filler. Friedman brings up Jimmy Buffet's songs a couple of times here and I totally equate this work to one of those songs. I think that Buffett concocts a nice little melody that floats along but never really reaches the realm of say Lennon/McCartney. That's because Buffett never pushes himself to greatness and is content to let things stop at half-mast. I think that sadly, this is what happened with Friedman here.

But... this is still a fun book. You will enjoy following the zany mind of Friedman's as the pages unfurl.

Guys in Suits and a Dead Guy on the Toilet, oh My!.......2006-01-08

Kinky gets left holding the bag, literally, a very bright pink bag, when he runs into a mysterious vamp on an airplane, when said vamp vanishes. Soon all kinds of people in suits are visiting Kinky and all of a sudden he needs to solve the mystery before he winds up like an Israeli he found on the john in his apartment. Oh yes, I forgot to say that he found the agent dead. Is Kinky in trouble? Pick up this super story and find out, you won't be disappointed.

The dialogue is pure Kinky but the story lags behind others.......2003-03-10

I got hooked on the series a few years ago with "A Case of Lone Star." I have read every one since and love them - Kinky, please keep writing. The wise cracks, the plot, and Kinky's Krazy Kast of Kharacters made that one a hoot - I loved every word. This edition still has the highly irreverent dialogue and nutsy group of irregulars but, still, there was something missing. The basic idea of the passports as McGuffen seemed way too unbelievable to catch and hold me. At any point, a more reasonable man would have collected them and dropped them on the desk of your local FBI agent. By being too clever in this one (and Kinky is very clever) he lost me and that's too bad. Still, I'll buy the next and next and next and read every one in the hope that Mr. Friedman hasn't run out of good ideas.

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Humorous and sweet
3 stars
Steel Magnolia version of You Can't Take It with You

The Mile-high Hair Club
Naomi Neale
Manufacturer: Leisure
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0505526638

Customer Reviews:

Humorous and sweet.......2006-04-29

This is an funny, sweet story. The author's Southern heritage and love of the region is on display here, in the pages and in all of the characters. The heroine and her potential beau are appealing, but the real fun to be had is with the colorful supporting characters - the eccentric aunts and the must-read-to-be-believed character of Shirley Jones. (And I don't mean Mrs. Partridge, y'all.)

The book also manages to, in the midst of all of the fun, make a few insightful comments about the beauty pageant world. It comes together at the end in a fizzy blur, just as a nice glass of champagne should.

3 stars.......2005-09-05

Following her mother's stroke, Bailey finds herself pulled from her fast lane life back to her slow moving small town. It's hard to tell which is hardest on her, the culture shock or family shock. Her once vibrant mother is trapped in an almost alien body. Bailey's younger sister is back at home, unwed and pregnant, and her two aunts, Bits and Bubbles, are consumed with beating out Shirley Jones; not the former Mrs. Partridge, a man who manages beauty pageant contestants, at the Miss Butter Bean Competition. Their main hope of a victory lies in a young woman with an acerbic tongue and enough arrogance to fill three contests. Before she knows what's hit her, Bailey finds herself helping her two slightly daffy aunts in this event, and making it her project to help a young girl with technicolor shaded hair and a desire to shock, become the Butter Bean Queen. Somewhere in the chaos, Bailey begins to find love, but that is a secondary consideration at best; crises take priority.

*** Peppered with cultural references to eighties television and Southern vs. Northern humor, this book takes readers on a wildly rambling, yet not unrealistic ride through a small Southern town. Sharp observations are toned down with laughter. Seeing a bit more romance might have been welcome, but if you enjoyed Steel Magnolias, then you will like this as well. ***

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

Steel Magnolia version of You Can't Take It with You.......2005-07-27

Bailey Roberts left Crestonville, Virginia for New York City several years ago to make her mark in the theater. Though she nearly succeeded as an actress, she has fine job as the talent producer at Expedition Network and has a boyfriend for four years who fails to get the message of what an empty drawer in her apartment means.

With her mother recovering rather oddly from a stroke, Bailey goes home to help her younger sister Jeanne with their mother, but her sis is missing in action. As usual home is chaos, assisted by her Aunts Bits and Bubbles competing against Shirley "not the Partridge" Jones to sponsor the winner of the Miss Butter Bean Competition and by her sibling who has come home pregnant and man less. However, this time beleaguered Bailey finds herself attracted to the agronomist next door Taylor Montgomery, which makes her stay more than palpable; it makes it lovingly divine.

The Roberts extended family is the Steel Magnolia version of You Can't Take It with You. Bailey is the "normal" one in a sea of likable nutcases, but the "runaway" soon gets caught up in the zaniness and becomes a born again convert to the world of the southern small town eccentric. Though the acerbic satirical scrutiny is somewhat abated by the amusing situations, readers will enjoy this slice of Southern lifestyle.

Harriet Klausner

Efficiency and Co-Operation. Speeches of Chas E. Hughes Before The Mile High Club, Denver Col., Aug, 26, 1916 ... (etc.)

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Efficiency and Co-Operation. Speeches of Chas E. Hughes Before The Mile High Club, Denver Col., Aug, 26, 1916 ... (etc.)
Charles E. Hughes
Manufacturer: Washington?: Republican National Committee,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IU2PTQ

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THE MILE HIGH CLUB- A NOVEL

Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H3WWN8

Mile High Club: First Class All the Way With the Rich and Famous

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Loopy, funny, but not to be taken too seriously
definately not first-class--the author, her book, MGM Grand
A Vulgar Waste
DIANA, YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS--GO GIRL!!!!
Don't Waste Your Money

Mile High Club: First Class All the Way With the Rich and Famous
Diana Benson
Manufacturer: Dove Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0787111813

Customer Reviews:

Loopy, funny, but not to be taken too seriously.......2003-01-07

Decadence and debauchery at 35,000 feet would sum up this book, a rather screwy and hilarious account of the ultimate customers from hell. I can see why a lot of people might be turned off from this, but it's brain candy for anyone who deals with the public -- dishing dirt and naming names. As someone who's worked retail for years, I can say I appreciate much of this book, and the dirt dished is by turns shocking, depressing, and just flat out hilarious.

That said... well, the fact that so many names are named tells me that a lot of what's said here is either fish stories or falls into the "you can't make this up" category -- celebrities behaving badly, celebrities behaving well, and incompetent management. Yes, it's all incredibly low-class, but that's what the author (who was known in those days by the nickname "Dirty Diana" herself, even though she claimed she didn't engage in all of those things... yeah, right...) wants you to think.

Those who have never worked service jobs probably can't appreciate this except as a highly questionable, if extensive, piece of celebrity gossip; therefore, you might decide on a read to agree with those who gave it one star. That's understandable; it's not a book for everyone. Prudes and those with no sense of humor need not apply. As for me, I'd very much like to know who the attendant she referred to as "Body Beautiful" who went on to her own sitcom was...

definately not first-class--the author, her book, MGM Grand.......2002-10-03

Basically its a gossipfest about celebs who throw tantrums and get real drunk on the MGM Grand airline (now defunct). Oh and her coworkers who seemed to service every celeb at the snap of a finger--it's just plain sad. And for some reason, MGM Grand flight attendants made great sport of constant farting in the plane. How stupid can it get...I had the feeling that the author was trying too hard to appear cool and witty often throughout the book. And I realized I didn't like the author much--she was cruel in her writings more than once for no reason other than to gossip about an aging flight attendant who was trying to stay youthful (and preserve her job)--the nickname she gave her was just plain mean. The author is the kind of person I usually avoid in favor of people with better and kinder things to say. If you are thinking of reading this book, buy the National Enquirer, it's cheaper and you can line your bird cage with it. PS: Diana, "Kujo" has more class in her vaseline jar than you'll ever have in your little finger. Meow.

A Vulgar Waste.......2002-06-22

What a waste of time!! I have no time for a vulgar, decadent woman. Unless you are human slime yourself, stay away from this book!!

DIANA, YOU TELL IT LIKE IT IS--GO GIRL!!!!.......1999-09-26

After hearing your radio interviews (I laughed my butt off) and hearing the flight attendants and pilots talking about your book, I just had to get a copy. If you're still out there flying some where I'd love to pat you on the back. The stories and views of catering to the celebrities in flight were right on girl. Anyone with seniority in the airlines will always pick Coach to work to avoid the egos, arrogance, rudeness and tantrums of the rich and famous. Your tongue in cheek outlook will not be picked up by many. Life as a flight attendant, your fellow crewmembers, the behind the scene antics and even the foul language is right on the mark. I'm sure the corporate suits at the airlines are still cringing but rest assured we applaud your guts and honesty. I just re-read your comments on Diana Ross since she just hit the headlines with more of her ATTITUDE. You called that one didn't you?

Don't Waste Your Money.......1999-08-11

This has got to be one of the most stupid books I've ever started to read. It wasn't even cleverly bawdy. It seems as if the author thinks she's a literary giant by using the "F" word at least once, but usually more, on each page. She and her cohorts must have put this book together in a couple of hours. Certainly there is no substance to speak of. To sum it up...White Trash.

Gene Fatur.: An article from: ColoradoBiz

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Gene Fatur.: An article from: ColoradoBiz
Lynn Bronikowski
Manufacturer: Wiesner Publications, Inc.
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This digital document is an article from ColoradoBiz, published by Wiesner Publications, Inc. on January 1, 2000. The length of the article is 733 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

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Title: Gene Fatur.
Author: Lynn Bronikowski
Publication: ColoradoBiz (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2000
Publisher: Wiesner Publications, Inc.
Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Page: 71

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Mile high lap of luxury. (attitude/altitude).(Invesco Field at Mile High ): An article from: ColoradoBiz

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Mile high lap of luxury. (attitude/altitude).(Invesco Field at Mile High ): An article from: ColoradoBiz
Stephen Titus
Manufacturer: Wiesner Publications, Inc.
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This digital document is an article from ColoradoBiz, published by Wiesner Publications, Inc. on November 1, 2001. The length of the article is 586 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Mile high lap of luxury. (attitude/altitude).(Invesco Field at Mile High )
Author: Stephen Titus
Publication: ColoradoBiz (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2001
Publisher: Wiesner Publications, Inc.
Volume: 28 Issue: 11 Page: 15(1)

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High Stakes, By Dick Frances, Winifred By Doris Miles Disney, the Fourteenth Dilemma By Hugh Pentecost

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High Stakes, By Dick Frances, Winifred By Doris Miles Disney, the Fourteenth Dilemma By Hugh Pentecost
Detective Book Club
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Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OTPC1E

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Mile High Club

Manufacturer: FABER & FABER
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ASIN: B000GS665O

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Mile High Club 8 Pack
Inc Velocity
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Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 5550601249

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