Amazon.com
Now published in one paperback volume, these three mysteries are exciting and insightful looks at life inside Nazi Germany -- richer and more readable than most histories of the period. We first meet ex-policeman Bernie Gunther in 1936, in
March Violets (a term of derision which original Nazis used to describe late converts.) The Olympic Games are about to start; some of Bernie's Jewish friends are beginning to realize that they should have left while they could; and Gunther himself has been hired to look into two murders that reach high into the Nazi Party. In
The Pale Criminal, it's 1938, and Gunther has been blackmailed into rejoining the police by Heydrich himself. And in
A German Requiem, the saddest and most disturbing of the three books, it's 1947 as Gunther stumbles across a nightmare landscape that conceals even more death than he imagines. (For a review of Kerr's latest novel, The Grid, see our Thrillers section.)
Customer Reviews:
too much of a good thing.......2007-07-30
How many metaphors can you cram into a single sentence? Read this book to find out. How many Berlin street names do you really need to know? NOT this many. The atmosphere of prewar Berlin under the Nazis rings true, but the story is as far fetched as the character. It IS good enough to keep you reading to the end, but that's about all.
Good, but hmmm..........2007-06-18
Berlin Noir is made of three books that have the same "hero", Komissar Bernhard Gunter. The title is a little bit missleading, for the last book is staged in Vienna.
"March Violets" is the best of the three. Bernie is here cynical and a delight to read about. The plot is typical for a "noir" story. For some reason, Kerr is killing everyone in the story one after the other, using deaths to tie lose strings of the story. I would wish for the writer to rethink this method that is making the story a little bit shallow.
"The Pale Criminal" is a bit dissapointing. It reads like Kerr wrote the book in mid'30s German (Berlin) slang and then "tried" to translate it to everyday english. In this case Kerr should keep the original German Slang words (and don't translate "nagel" to "nail"). A very typical whodunnit with nothing much of twists and turns. And at the end all that SS related stuff doesn't help the story at all.
"A German Requiem" is more a spy novel than a noir story. It has spies, girls, even casinos. The vodka is cold and straight. The only line missing is "my name is Gunter, Bernhard Gunter". The story starts in Berlin but very soon moves to Vienna. It moves from a murder investigation to a spy story, where you cannot trust anyone and everyone is corrupted. All that "bad commies vs good amis using some nazis" is just bad propaganda.
Nazi Germany crime noir .......2007-05-16
What a fertile setting for some great crime noir drama. Germany at that time was being seduced by Nazi nationalism and we get a sense of the people's different reaction to this period of history. Our guide is a hard boiled ex-cop private eye who knows the ins and outs of the landscape. I recommend this series.
Great Fun!.......2007-04-05
The concept ---a Raymond Chandlerish private detective operating in Hitler's Third Reich --- is terrific, and Kerr hits all the marks of the genre while staying in the historical period. This is not as refined in its writing or plot (it's detective noir, after all) as Alan Furst, but it's a most worthy place to go when you've run out of Furst's books. Highly recommended
Good fun.......2007-02-11
Hooray for Philip Kerr - it was so obvious yet no one saw it but him! What a trope! Place a Philip Marlow/Mike Hammer character as a private dick in Nazi Germany. The good German, true to his own code, cynical, hard drinking, tough guy with a soft heart, likes the dames, unlucky in love, doing the best he can while surrounded by a horrible corrupt and evil society. Think of the trouble Marlow got into with the LA cops and now turns those cops into Nazis. Yet, Kerr threads the needle and it works. "Tough day, Willi, give me a shot of Snapps and keep it comin' til I say stop and then don't listen to me."
Book Description
Film Noir: From Fritz Lang to Fight Club explores the murky world of a genre responsible for many of film's most enduring images. Mark Bould discusses problems of definition and the often ambiguous nature of film noir and looks at modern films that could be called neo-noir. Iconic and enduring, film noir attracted great stars (Bogart, Bacall, Mitchum, Lancaster), many of the best directors of the era (Wilder, Lang, Preminger, Hawks, Siodmak, Welles) and this book is an indispensible guide to this popular genre.
Average customer rating:
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Berlin Noir
Philip Kerr
Manufacturer: Penguin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K7NNKM |
Amazon.com
There's nothing cute or coy about the relationship between Jill McGown's two high-ranking British police officers--Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd (whose first name has never been mentioned) and Detective Inspector Judy Hill of the (fictional) Bartonshire cop shop. They have been together for many years, and still maintain separate residences. She is smart and ambitious, determined to succeed on her own, even though her present unplanned pregnancy might slow things down; he is supportive but secretly wishes for a more old-fashioned kind of relationship. They know each other well: she tolerates his smugness and flair for dramatic effect; he appreciates her cool logic and occasionally brilliant insights. Together, Lloyd and Hill make up one of the most interesting and believable detecting duos in current crime fiction--the kind of people you can actually imagine having dinner with.
In Plots and Errors, McGown uses that hard-earned believability to anchor a complicated story as full of plot twists and false leads as any Agatha Christie play. (She even constructs it like a play, with acts and scenes set off by appropriate quotes from Hamlet).
The book opens with the suspicious suicide of two middle-aged private detectives, Andy and Kathy Cope. A short time later, their only client, a member of the wealthy (and dysfunctional) Esterbrook family, is found murdered. It seems all the deaths are somehow connected. As we shuttle between the Esterbrook family estate in Bartonshire to a yacht anchored in Cornwall, we rely on the solid comfort of Lloyd and Hill to help us achieve closure. --Dick Adler
Book Description
When the owners of a struggling detective agency are found asphyxiated in their car, Detective Chief Inspector Lloyd rejects the majority opinion that they committed suicide. And his theory--that they were murdered--becomes even more likely when the doomed couple's one client, wealthy Mrs. Angela Esterbrook, is found shot to death.
Why would someone with her sort of money employ an untried agency to carry out an investigation? The super-rich Esterbrook family is a puzzle that Lloyd and his partner, Judy Hill, must solve before it's too late. For the curtain is rising on a tragedy of Shakespearean grandeur. But no one, not even the cunning killer, anticipates how the plot will take on a lethal life of its own-- beyond everyone's control . . . .
Customer Reviews:
And I thought my family was strange.......2007-04-02
I discovered Jill McGown through an Amazon recommendation and am I ever glad I found her! Her detectives, Lloyd and Hill, are by turns witty and brilliant and always very likable; her plots are deviously cunning.
McGown uses an unusual style for this tale. After giving the reader five corpses in the first 50 pages, she then takes one back eleven weeks earlier and begins to unearth the secrets of the Esterbrooks, an extremely wealthy, extremely dystunctional family. Additionally, McGown structures the book like a play, with multiple acts and scenes.
This is not a straightforward story; it requires that the reader pay attention. Despite all the misdirection, McGown never cheats; she even has one of the characters warn "Never trust anything an Esterbrook says."
McGown has become one of my favorite mystery writers, and "Plots and Errors" is one of her best.
BOOKWORM.......2007-02-13
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO READ THIS SERIES FROM THE FIRST TO THE LAST. EACH BOOK IS A MASTER PIECE IN PLOT AND DEVELOPMENT. HER CHARACTERS NEVER STRAY FROM THE PERSONALITY SHE HAS PRESENTED THROUGH OUT THE SERIES. IT'S A PAGE TURNER THAT KEEPS YOU GUESING TO THE LAST CHAPTER!
THE BUILDING RELATIONSHIP OF HILL AND LOYD IS WORTH THE PRICE OF THE BOOKS!
A Little Too Much Maybe?.......2003-05-12
I love Jill McGown's books and I'm a real fan of Lloyd and Hill, but this book is a bit too much. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but it just got a bit too complicated with the plots and counterplots, blind and double-blind. This did take away from the story somewhat. In this book we have a lot of murders and it's up to Lloyd and Hill to try to connect them all and to determine motive and opportunity for each of them. At first a couple are found dead in their vehicle in their garage, apparently from suicide, but there are a number of "little Puzzles" about the deaths. Why are their groceries put away in the wrong cupboards, for example? Then there is another body - this time a very rich matriarch, found shot in her home. Lloyd and Hill, in their quest to find the killer encounter a truly disfunctional family and enough hate and animosity to sataisfy anyone looking for motive, but all is not as it seems. It just takes a little too long for the reader to get to the solution this time.
Tedious.......2002-07-09
I, too,was looking forward to another Lloyd and Hill mystery and enjoyed the beginning 72 pages of the "police procedural" but I was dismayed to discover that on page 77 I was going to be thrown backwards in time into the world of the "already dead" via a series of long flashbacks. After groping my way through the next fifty or so pages, I realized I was being given way WAY too much information via these flashbacks, and that they were going to go on and on ... and on. I wanted to discover all about the crimes and the characters involved in these intriguing murders ALONG with the police and other "outside" characters. Why oh why are we being forced to choke down more and more massive volumes of 500 pages that could (and should) have been written with greater clarity, crispness and tension in under 300 pages? Terribly disappointing. Even strong writing is weakened by lengthy over-written repetitive passages such as the ones in this novel. Too bad. I had to quit half way through. I just didn't care enough to keep plugging on.
intriguing but eventually tiresome.......2000-10-30
I stumbled upon this book, not having heard of Jill McGown. But it was a happy accident. I'm not much of a fan of British police procedurals (too convoluted) but I was completely taken by this book, particularly her literary device of changing the timing in the various acts. It caught me by surprise, I didn't think I'd get into it and ended up fascinated. Unfortunately, by the last 1/4 of the book, I was tired of the plot twists and was reminded again of why I don't much like this genre.
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The Doctor Who Error Finder: Plot, Continuity and Production Mistakes in the Television Series and Films
Richard H. Langley
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Genre Films | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Doctor Who | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Reference | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0786419903 |
Product Description
In its long television run, the low-budget but beloved science fiction serial Dr. Who featured numerous bloopers that producers could not afford to reshoot. Today, spotting and discussing those bloopers has become a favorite pastime for fans seeking answers to penetrating questions: When was the First Doctor on a slight exploitation? What does the Second Doctor call the sectional supply unit? When does the Third Doctor mistake a silicate rod for a silicon rod? What is hanging from the Fourth Doctors nose when is in a cell on Traken? How does the Fifth Doctor accomplish his disappearing hat trick? Where does the Sixth Doctor believe Peris heart and liver are located? What does the Seventh Doctor do when Ray asks what he is doing? Why does the Eighth Doctor not know the difference between Twelve and Thirteen? This work is the largest existing collection of errors appearing in Doctor Who, from every episode of the original television series, the movies, and the spin-offs. Presenting over 4000 errors and about 1500 other items of interest to fans, it includes transmitted bloopers such as microphones or equipment visible in a shot, obvious strings, anachronisms, unsteady sets, and actors having trouble walking. This book not only presents previously unrecorded bloopers, but also corrects errors in others lists and even refutes well-established blooper claims. The work guides the reader through the stories of each Doctor (first to eighth). Information on each story begins with the official BBC code and title, alternate titles, writers and directors, media examined in creating this list, running times, highlights, questions to keep in mind, and then information on the individual episodes. For each episode, the work provides information on the date of first transmission and a list of errors and trivia, each with its approximate time within the episode. The book also lists errors from the untransmitted parts of the pilot episode and Shada, and concludes with the Forgotten Doctor and related programs such as K-9 and Company, Dimensions in Time, and The Curse of the Fatal Death.
Average customer rating:
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Plots & Errors
Jill McGown
Manufacturer: Fawcett Crest
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OR2WXM |
Average customer rating:
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Plots and Errors
Manufacturer: PAN (MACM)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H9MPV6 |
Book Description
It's one thing to deal with attention deficit disorder in the doctor's office, or at home-but quite another "out there," in the workplace. This unique guide focuses on adults living with ADD, and illustrates various ways to initiate and maintain the best possible work situation. Kathleen Nadeau brings her vast experience to bear on this central concern of adult life. The book is packed full of helpful advice and practical suggestions on everything from day-to-day problems to career issues that can affect a lifetime-and it emphasizes that people with ADD can be just as successful in their jobs and careers as anyone else.
ADD in the Workplace features a user-friendly large, open format with summaries at the beginning of each chapter-perfect for ADD adults. It offers an easy-to-follow progression from a general understanding of the situation to various specific issues, including ADD and social skills, job performance, and career choices for young adults with ADD. No ADD adult should be without this clear, comprehensive guide to succeeding in the workplace!
Customer Reviews:
A good guide to raising questions on the right career match for an ADDer.......2007-01-14
Don't expect this book to give you the answers to your struggles with ADD in the workplace. This book is not a cookbook on the issue,and it rather encourages introspection to discover who you really are and then take some action: your job has to match your skills and your interests, and it has to be an activity where your downside shows as little as possible. It is the only way to overcome ADD in an easier way and to achieve success. The author shows, with some story telling, different possibilities for different people. Some advice is also given about optimizing performance at work taking into account ADD traits (I wish she had been a bit more comprehensive in this part). Overall a very good book and an important addition to the ADD library.
ADD in the Workplace.......2006-12-29
This is a succinct book with a very logical structure/layout, making it super-easy to find your way around. Kathleen Nadeau emphasizes the individuality of people with ADD and how ADD affects people differently, (e.g. when combined with various different personality types. She uses the Myers Briggs type indicator throughout the book - an interesting touch). A necessary accommodation for one ADD-er could be unneccessary or a hinderance for another. Within broad topics, she focuses on specific characteristics/ difficulties of people with ADD.
For example, in chapter 3, on job performance, there are clearly deliniated subsections on specific difficulties, such as:
-Distractibility: external distractions
-Distractibility: internal distractions
-hyperfocusing
-impulsivity
-hyperactivity
-memory problems
-need for stimulation (intolerance of routine)
-difficulty coordinating simultaneous tasks
-etc.
She gives some ideas on how to work with each of these (and other) common ADD difficulties.
Nadeau encourages readers to investigate their personality types and interests, when trying to improve their workplace issues, rather than focussing solely on their ADD symptoms - as these other aspects have an effect on how effective different techniques will be.
This is still a useful book, even though it's almost 10 years old.
ADD in the Workplace ADDS a lot of info for people with ADD.......2000-10-21
In the Annotated Bibliography of "Learning A Living" A Guide to Planning Your Career and Finding a Job for People with Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorder, and Dyslexia, I wrote:
A comprehensive book, explaining the positives and negatives of ADD in the workplace. The book is written for people who are already working and does not include job hunting informaiton. Personal coping skills and accommodations for employers are described. The book covers possibilities for self-employment, telecommuting, an other ways of "customizing" your own job. Two combinations are covered in separate chapters: women with ADD and people with ADD who also have learning disabilities."
I would like to add a few other points:
1. The book is beautifully laid out in an "ADD-friendly" manner that makes it easy to read.
2. The author speaks in a respectful tone to the reader.
3. She is very positive about ADD.
If you have ADD, this book will add to your repertoire of skills in handling work issues.
VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS ADD.......1999-11-09
Kathleen Nadeau's book ADD IN THE WORKPLACE addresses those issues and problems which arise at work. It gives reliable information, and good suggestions. It not only helps the ADD adult understand and improve his or her work experiences but also gives them a better understanding of ADD and its effects on their lives. It is an easy to read, 'user friendly' book which I recommend to all my adult and college aged clients who are either in the workplace or wanting to get there.
Thanks Kathleen for writing a great book!
Interesting but of limited application to most adults.......1999-04-24
I found this book interesting but it came up short in application to a wide population of people who have not been in therapy. A lot of the content seems to relate to the author's own experience (and she claims to have ADD herself) and does not cover a broad research-based area or cover the issues in depth.
Books:
- Born in Shame: The Born In Trilogy #3 (Born in Trilogy)
- Boss Lady: A Novel
- Casting The First Stone
- Cold Mountain: A Novel
- Comanche Moon
- Dead Man's Walk : A Novel
- Dopefiend
- Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters
- Escape Clause (Berkley Prime Crime Mysteries)
- Everything's Eventual : 14 Dark Tales
Books Index
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- Angry White Male and the Horse He Rode in on
The One from the Other
Hitler's Peace
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