The Vampire Armand (The Vampire Chronicles, Book 6)

Amazon.com

In The Vampire Armand, Anne Rice returns to her indomitable Vampire Chronicles and recaptures the gothic horror and delight she first explored in her classic tale Interview with the Vampire (in which Armand, played by Antonio Banderas in the film version, made his first appearance as director of the Théâtre des Vampires).

The story begins in the aftermath of Memnoch the Devil. Vampires from all over the globe have gathered around Lestat, who lies prostrate on the floor of a cathedral. Dead? In a coma? As Armand reflects on Lestat's condition, he is drawn by David Talbot to tell the story of his own life. The narrative abruptly rushes back to 15th-century Constantinople, and the Armand of the present recounts the fragmented memories of his childhood abduction from Kiev. Eventually, he is sold to a Venetian artist (and vampire), Marius. Rice revels in descriptions of the sensual relationship between the young and still-mortal Armand and his vampiric mentor. But when Armand is finally transformed, the tone of the book dramatically shifts. Raw and sexually explicit scenes are displaced by Armand's introspective quest for a union of his Russian Orthodox childhood, his hedonistic life with Marius, and his newly acquired immortality. These final chapters remind one of the archetypal significance of Rice's vampires; at their best, Armand, Lestat, and Marius offer keen insights into the most human of concerns.

The Vampire Armand is richly intertextual; readers will relish the retelling of critical events from Lestat and Louis's narratives. Nevertheless, the novel is very much Armand's own tragic tale. Rice deftly integrates the necessary back-story for new readers to enter her epic series, and the introduction of a few new voices adds a fresh perspective--and the promise of provocative future installments. --Patrick O'Kelley

Amazon.com Audiobook Review

Die-hard Anne Rice fans will enjoy listening to this unabridged version of her latest installment of The Vampire Chronicles--the tale of the soulful, eternally young, Botticelli-faced Armand. Reader Jonathan Marosz instills a lot of effort as well as time--a mind-blowing 16 hours--as he uses several voices to take us from modern-day New Orleans back through 500 years of history in this bodice ripper without bodices. Marosz deftly handles the anguished conversations, the bloody feedings, and the ripe homosexual erotica that is bound to turn ears red. Familiarity with Rice's earlier Vampire Chronicles works will help; new Vampire Chronicles listeners may find themselves hitting rewind frequently as they try to discern dialogue, character relationships, and history. (Running time: 16 hours, 10 cassettes) --Kimberly Heinrichs

Book Description

See the difference, read #1 bestselling author Anne Rice in Large Print

* About Large Print
All Random House Large Print editions are published in a 16-point typeface

In the latest installment of The Vampire Chronicles, Anne Rice summons up dazzling worlds to bring us the story of Armand - eternally young, with the face of a Botticelli angel. Armand, who first appeared in all his dark glory more than twenty years ago in the now-classic Interview with the Vampire, the first of The Vampire Chronicles, the novel that established its author worldwide as a magnificent storyteller and creator of magical realms.

Now, we go with Armand across the centuries to the Kiev Rus of his boyhood - a ruined city under Mongol dominion - and to ancient Constantinople, where Tartar raiders sell him into slavery. And in a magnificent palazzo in the Venice of the Renaissance we see him emotionally and intellectually in thrall to the great vampire Marius, who masquerades among humankind as a mysterious, reclusive painter and who will bestow upon Armand the gift of vampiric blood.

As the novel races to its climax, moving through scenes of luxury and elegance, of ambush, fire, and devil worship to nineteenth-century Paris and today's New Orleans, we see its eternally vulnerable and romantic hero forced to choose between his twilight immortality and the salvation of his immortal soul.

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting back story, difficult read.......2007-09-24

I wouldn't say I'm a huge Rice fan (the only Rice books I've read are Interview With the Vampire and this one), so my opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. This book provided me some interesting information about Armand, Lestat, Louis, etc. However, I thought Rice had a tendency to veer off into extraneous details. I also found the descriptions of the gay sex to be a little stomach churning for me, but I can deal with that. I did enjoy reading about Armand's childhood and family. That being said, it was still a difficult read for me. I probably should have gotten the second installment before jumping into this story. Die hard fans will probably enjoy this book.

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Thankfully, the Vampire Armand is somewhat a return to form after the terrible previous book. Armand has been seriously injured by the sun at the end of the previous novel, and is stuck, unable to move while he recovers.

An ideal device to delve into his back story, his discovery by Marius, their love of art.

Armand, while recovering, uses his abilities to get two children to bring him a drug dealer, so he can do the bloodsucking thing to restore some strength. He takes the two kids as proteges, much as Marius did for him, and eventually Marius turns them into vampires, provoking some argument.

A good read for any Armand fan........2007-07-14

For me the "secondary characters" such as Louis, Marius, Armand, Pandora, Santino and even Daniel are the more interesting of Anne's vampires. Lestat bores me. Armand is one of my favorite characters because he's so complex, menacing and yet seemingly innocent. I enjoyed reading about his past very much. The only problem I had with the book was I found the characters Sibyle and Benji very trite and dull.

WOW.......2007-05-19

"The Vampire Armand" By: Anne Rice
First, let me say that I love this book. Anne Rice has excellent word choice in this book. Everything about this book is great. The chapters had excellent endings and made me keep on reading, I actually had to make myself stop reading so I could go to sleep at night. This book also has an awesome lead in the beginning. The genres of this book are romance/adventure/inspirational.
Again, I can't stop complementing on the word choice, with almost every word that was written here's an example; "Strident perfume rose from the gardens right and left, from purple Four O' Clocks as mortals called them here, a rampant flower like unto weed, but defiantly sweet, and the wild irises stabbing upwards like blades out of the black mud, throaty petals monstrously big, battering themselves on old walls and concrete steps." I could easily picture all of these things in my head. It was practically like a movie playing because all of the words flow together. Anne Rice does such an excellent job in this and deserves 10 stars for this book.
If you like romance in you novels, along with a little bit of adventure, you should defiantly get this book and read it! A+ to this book and the author! This book will keep you up for hours. Anne Rice has the main character, Armand write his life story out for people to read it, and she has an excellent set up with the whole thing.

Intresting........2007-05-10

This book really clears up alot of missing info that we needed from Armand.

The Vampire Armand (Rice, Anne, Vampire Chronicles.)

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The Vampire Armand (Rice, Anne, Vampire Chronicles.)
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QEZQ18

The Vampire Armand - The Vampire Chronicles

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The Vampire Armand - The Vampire Chronicles
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000TW2HJG

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The Vampire Armand the Vampire Chronicles
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QHEA9E

The Vampire Chronicles: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, Memnoch the Devil, The Vampire Armand, Merrick, Blood and Gold, Blackwood Farm, Blood Canticle (Set of 11 Vampire Horror Novels)

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The Vampire Chronicles: Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, The Queen of the Damned, The Tale of the Body Thief, Memnoch the Devil, The Vampire Armand, Merrick, Blood and Gold, Blackwood Farm, Blood Canticle (Set of 11 Vampire Horror Novels)
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: Ballantine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints (Unboxed Set of Books)

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7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints (Unboxed Set of Books)
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000VK2X86

Product Description

7 Book Collection of Anne Rice: The Tale of the Body Thief, Servant of the Bones, Vittorio The Vampire, The Vampire ARMAND, Merrick, Taltos, Feast of All Saints, Shipped in one package to save on shipping costs.

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Vampire Armand :Vampire Chronicles 6
Anne Rice
Manufacturer: ALFRED A KNOPF
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QBUAGC

Book Description

Darkest Desire by JC Grey: Morgan believes the three Cs--calm, control and celibacy--are the keywords to a successful and serene life, but right at the moment she has neither. As if a stressful new job wasn't enough, she suddenly has not one but two men in her life--the earthily attractive archaeologist, Hunter Riley, and the Celtic warrior-god who invades her suddenly very carnal dreams.. The Djinn by Marie Morin: Dark, dangerous, exotic, and all too irresistible, the djinn, Raheem wreaks havoc on Elise Beauchamp's ordered, uncomplicated life the moment he appears. There's no doubt in Elise's mind that he can create a fire in her blood, but can he grant her the one wish her heart truly desires? Gypsy Nights by Mandy M. Roth: Thirty years ago, Gypsy missionaries fought back against the demons. In the midst of the struggle between good and evil, a new type of vampire surfaced--one who was capable of feeling compassion, love, remorse. Master vampire, Sebastian Rolle disobeyed direct orders and tried to save a pregnant gypsy's life. Upon her death, the woman confessed that she was carrying the child that would one day mate with a demon, forming a union that would end the war between their races. Rating: Stories in this collection contain mature situations, graphic violence, strong language, and explicit sex. Some also contain a threesome, anal sex, and oral sex. It is not intended for the faint of heart.

Customer Reviews:

*SUPER EROTIC*.......2006-07-28

This was a great book! I just received it today and finished it tonight. It was super erotic and held my attention. The first and third were my favourites and must admit I did not like the second. It bored me quickly and I did not finish it. I highly recommend it for a good SPICY read! Hot, Hot, Hot!

Demon Lovers and Strange Seductions - Tales of Lust and Terror By Masters of the Supernatural

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Demon Lovers and Strange Seductions - Tales of Lust and Terror By Masters of the Supernatural
Robert Bloch , Theodore Sturgeon , Arthur Machen , J. Sheridan Lefanu , Marion Zimmer Bradley , Jerome Bixby , Algernon Blackwood , Robert Hichens , and Fredric Brown
Manufacturer: Fawcett
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J55E7U

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How to Be a Supernatural Lover
Sherron Mayes
Manufacturer: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Marriage | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ESP | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0340734604

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Passionate 18th century ghost bring 20th century trouble
Benefits of air travel
It was a train wreck!
Intriguing
Hot and Steamy!

The Lover's Knot
Jana G. Oliver
Manufacturer: Magespell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0970449003

Book Description

Mariah Summers has found her dream lover at an old inn in rural Britain, a highwayman from the eighteenth century. But there's one hitch . . . he's a ghost, albeit a lusty one, forever in search of his own true love. The roguish specter of Andrew Domine has haunted the Inn of the Green Dragon for centuries where he has seduced women with coal black hair, at least those that resemble his lost love, Bess. And now he has found Mariah and their nights of passion have nearly rivaled those he once shared with his own black-haired beauty. But their joy is fleeting, for he can only spend four nights in her arms and then he will resume his endless cycle of love and loneliness, forever seeking the woman who sacrified her life to save him.

The ghost's wrath descends upon Mariah when he believes she has betrayed him with another. He curses her to a life without love, a curse that drives her to his modern-day counterpart, a brooding and arrogant Dartmoor financier with a strong appetite for brothels and Irish whiskey. A man who fears love more than he fears death. As they try to find the courage to embrace love once more, an old enemy arises, one with a two-hundred year old score to settle.

Based on Alfred Noyes' tragic poem "The Highwayman."

Customer Reviews:

Passionate 18th century ghost bring 20th century trouble.......2006-02-12

18th century ghost, Andrew Domine has haunted the Inn of the Green Dragon reliving history and spending 4 passionate nights with any black haired Elizabeth [Bess] who stayed in that room. Mystery writer E. Mariah Summers was visiting England and had first hand experience of this ghostly lover. Later she moved to England and through matchmaking friends, meets Dartmoor financier Andrew, a descendant of the ghost. Circumstances and misunderstandings destroy their budding relationship. Plots and intrigues by Andrew's enemy draw both him and Mariah together to fight for their lives and a second chance at love.

The author ties the many segments of the plot together in an engaging fashion. I enjoyed the ghost being ancestors instead of dealing with reincarnation and seeing them through to the end of the tale. The secondary characters all have full love lives and focus within the story. I think this would appeal to those who want a spicier contemporary version of Lynn Kurland's ghost stories.

This is an interesting suspense with randy ghost and outspoken characters. I must admit that 'modern erotic romance' is spicier than I usually read. The seduction scenes in this book definitely rate the erotic label; so I would not recommend it to the more conservative reader. Sexual attitudes and phrases were distracting on occasion. I found myself overlooking 'modern' rough language that I found unromantic but not objectionable. A more Cosmo reader would not note this as difficulty; it is just my personal preferences.

Cy Korte © Copyright November, 2001
for eBOOKISLE.com

Benefits of air travel.......2004-06-09

I found a copy of this book in the seat pocket of an airliner so I took it along to read. I enjoyed the book, although I will admit that it had some faults. When I checked in to leave a review I was amazed at the breath of the reviews that had been posted. It occurs to me that you either like this book or you hate it. I guess it comes down to if you will allow the author to suspend reality in order to present the story. When I read paranormal, I not only allow that liberty but come to expect it. There were some outrageous situations in the book but it was interesting to see how the characters react. I feel that the author spends a bit too much time describing some of the character motivations rather than allowing me to experience them, yet that is a just stylistic preference. I liked the complexity of the story as it had a mystery element as well as the romance. All of the main characters were well developed and there were a LOT of minor characters that kept the story moving forward. The pace was well done with all of the plot threads coming together in the final pages of the book. The sexual elements were well handled without being crude or contrived- and yes- there was a lot of sex. (...)

It was a train wreck!.......2004-04-24

I read the whole thing and laughed through most of it. It was poorly plotted and not even close to well-written. As I read it, I just kept thinking 'it has to get better...it can't get any worse!' I was wrong on both counts. She wrote this book based on the poem The Highwayman, but it doesn't really have that much to do with the original story therein. The sex scenes are poorly written and are not really conducive to advancing the story (okay...except maybe one). This book is really good for a laugh. It's kinda like a train wreck - you just can't look away.

Intriguing.......2002-04-24

I found Jana G. Oliver writing style intriguing and the story itself unique; in short, this was not a book that I wanted to put down. While acknowledging the occasional typos in the first printing, the narrative overpowers these and the "steamy" style supports rather than detracts from the plot. This is the perfect book for a rainy afternoon and a box of chocolates. I look forward to seeing more from this author.

Hot and Steamy!.......2002-04-16

I read the book in less than 3 days, which isn't bad considering they were work days! The two main characters (Mariah and Andrew Clare) are very well developed and make you want to really care about them and all that they go through. The supporting cast is well written too (aside from the villian in the story - but I don't think that was the author's point - the rest is too overpowering). Overall, I found myself laughing, crying and dreaming with the entire cast.

A word of warning, there are some typos in the copy (first printing) that I have but think the story overpowers the faulty spell check on the type setters computer.

Finally, without giving anything away the storm and turret scene was a fantasy come true for me and worth the price of the book ten times over! You will have to read it to find out!

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Enchanted Holidays

Manufacturer: Hard Shell Word Factory
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0759947171

Product Description

In FATE'S LITTLE TRICK, can Gemma McKenzie Fuller learn from a troubled child that you can go back again, or will she have to suffer yet another Christmastime loss? Can psychic Lottie Baldwin, the MISTLETOE MEDIUM, and the handsome new man in her life pool their talents and solve the mystery before the bandit strikes again? Will Lana Malloy solve the twenty-year-old double murder of her great aunt and her great aunt's fiancé by Valentine's Day? If she can, they'll spend eternity together; if she can't, they'll be stuck as HAUNTED HEARTS for another year. When a stranger and a stray cat appear at VALENTINE'S INN one cold February morning, will Rianna Gordon realize it's the past that holds the key to her happiness? Is the CURSE OF SETH just a legend? Four years after breaking her heart, Zane Ryan is back and determined to protect Alexis Hart from the 3,000-year-old mummy who has designs on her and the future of all mankind. In GHOSTS OF AULD LANG SYNE, Stacey Christian and Peter Mansfield reunite to celebrate New Year with friends at a remote New England homestead. Are the incidents that befall the guests only accidents, and why does the specter of a young woman walk the halls? Romance, mystery, danger and paranormal encounters...authors Kim Cox, Elizabeth Delisi, Chris Grover, Elaine Hopper, Maureen McMahon, and Sheryl Hames Torres provide them all in this intriguing collection of holiday magic.

Lenderman's Adventures among the spiritualists and free-lovers: Explaining how the "rappings," "table tippings," playing on the instruments, etc., are ... by these infernal systems of deception

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Lenderman's Adventures among the spiritualists and free-lovers: Explaining how the "rappings," "table tippings," playing on the instruments, etc., are ... by these infernal systems of deception
Lenderman
Manufacturer: People's Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Spiritualism | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00089BN5Y

Book Description

A new alternate history of America from the author of The Peshawar Lancers, the bestselling novel the Chicago Sun-Times called "a pleasure to read" and Harry Turtledove hailed as "first-rate adventure all the way."

1945: An ex-marine has discovered a portal that permits him to travel between the America he knows-and a virgin America untouched by European influence. 21st century: The two realities collide...

Customer Reviews:

Civilization preserved in an alternate universe!.......2007-09-03

Too high a percentage of science fiction presents a future that is either a dystopian tyranny or else is ripped off from Star Trek, high-tech worlds of independent individuals actualizing their potential and living together in enlightened democracy. Suggest that some other variation is a possibility - for instance, the kind of societies that have existed for nearly all of known human history - and many will scoff; barring a Darth Vader-style dictator, we are marching unstoppably towards PC utopia.

Which makes "Conquistador" a welcome change of pace in addition to being a well-written, well-plotted story. Stirling does not assume that human nature is going to suddenly change, abandoning nepotism, hierarchy, sincere values (untainted by postmodern irony), the need to be part of something larger than oneself, codes of behavior, religion, different roles for the sexes, and virtually everything else that humans have displayed since we reared up onto our hind legs.

On the contrary, "Conquistador" is the story of a World War II veteran who, in the 40's, discovers a portal to a parallel universe in which Europeans never discovered America. He and several friends colonize this parallel America themselves, transplanting Western civilization before the cultural and moral collapse of the 1960s. The society they create is not a utopia or a dystopia, two things we have seen entirely too much of in science fiction; it is simply a *civilization*, with all the aforementioned elements which all civilizations have had and no fictional utopia has.

In this intriguing setting, the storyline is about rogue colonists attempting to take over, putting the secret of the portal at risk. Though we know about the parallel universe from the beginning, the plot is full of twists and suspense as the colonists strive to save the civilization they have created.

Here's hoping Stirling sees fit to give us a sequel to this, which has become my favorite science fiction novel.

Formulaic.......2007-07-22

Another reveiwer called it "well-researched, well-paced, well-told adventure tale" and I guess that's my problem. A bit too glib, stereotypical charcters doing stereotypical things. I haven't finished this but I want more edge, more surprises, not so much paint by numbers

One of the best alternate history sci fi's I have read.......2007-03-18

This was my intro to Stirling's work. One of the most detailed and intriguing of alternate history - alternate universe novels I have found since I got hooked as a kid on Heinlen. It has been a few months since I read this for the 3rd time, and each time I read it, I am caught up in the lives of these complex and well fleshed out characters....where is the sequel???????

Lee Hough

Imagine............2006-12-06

That Alexander the Great did not die in 323 BCE but instead lived another 40 years. His empire expanded even further and was maintained by his sons. Rome never rose, all the tribes of the Middle East (including the Jews) were either eliminated, assimulated or exiled. Christianity and Islam never happened. The Enlightment and Industrial Revolution never occured. Now imagine that this all took place in an alternate universe, one that was discovered in 1946 by a WWII vet fooling around with his ham radio in his Oakland California basement. Just what would happen?

Stirling speculates that the vet would let just a select few in on this discovery and that this group of former army buddies would attempt to shape a world without the mistakes that they perceived as causing the horros they had endured over the past few years. The story then goes forward to the 'present day' 2009. Another young war veteran has stumbled on the secret of the 'Gate' and finds himself embroiled in the politics of this alternate reality.

This is an excellent story, one that is generally well thought out and logically developed. The founders of the new society were young American men who reflected the thoughts and prejudices of their time and social classes. They populated their new world with like-minded individuals and attempted to create a world with all of the virtues and none of the flaws of the world they left behind. They also kept a foothold in the original universe, attempting to take the best it had to offer while keeping it's problems out.

There are a few flaws with the book. Stirling does go on at great length about details, particularly those concerning food. Coincidences tend to be just a bit too convenient, particularly toward the end. There are a few continuity errors and this 582 page book would be a better 450 - 500 page one. Still it is an intriguing story, most of the characters are compelling and the end begs for a sequel.

A Feast For The Eyes.......2006-07-10

Just don't read this if you're hungry.

Warning, there will be spoilers near the end. But pretty lame ones that you can figure out just by reading the back of the book.

I admire Stirling's attention to detail, but there is a definite line between detail-oriented and obsessive-compulsive. He manages to cross that constantly. The book took me a long time to get through. Now, I'm the sort of person that will read a paperback this size in less than a day, but I had to keep stopping and wash out my brain while reading this book. The images were overpowering and it wasn't just nice descriptive imagery, it was literally every possible tiny figment of info about the smallest detail that isn't even necessary to the story.

Did we really have to have a full-length description of every item of ever course of every meal that every character had? Even when Tom, Adrienne, and the others were riding hard on the trail in the middle of nowhere, somehow their meals had to be described in perfect detail. Hardtack and water? Oh no, that's not sufficient. Stirling must describe how they killed the game animal using which weapons and then how it was prepared, down to the FLAVORS of the food. Here's a hint: If you have to describe how lettuce tastes, it's a waste of time.

The "villains" at one point had a meeting between the emissaries of various Families and the spread described was fantastic. So fantastic that despite having just had lunch, my mouth was watering and I was getting hungry. I don't even remember what they were meeting about; I just remember the buffet-style lunch that would make my farm family's Thanksgiving supper look sparse by comparison.

Stirling can't just describe the food and flavors, oh no. He has to tell you all about the spices as well. There also has to constantly be references to where each item of food came from and why it's so much better in New Virginia than Firstside. And don't forget to make the New Virginia-born characters grimace every time they eat anything or even so much as drink bottled water Firstside. Otherwise how would you know it was better in New Virginia (other than the constant depictions of fat dripping off some leg of lamb that's so good, it causes orgasms in Tom and Tully whenever they eat anything).

Seriously, this is what I remember most from the book. I'm not a food-obsessed person, but I got the distinct impression that Stirling is.

What I remember next is the constant descriptions of every particle of clean air in New Virginia and how superior it is to anything Firstside. I get it. New Virginia isn't as populated and polluted as Firstside. Anyone would have to be a moron to not get that in the first few pages. I get the social commentary of how we're making the environment stinky and nasty. Why, oh why, must Stirling beat me over the head several times a chapter with this? If I didn't get what he's saying about the degradation of the environment in the first couple of chapters, then I probably have poor comprehension skills.

After the constantly descriptions of food, lack of pollution, and browbeating, what I remember next is the scenery. I'm thinking his mother must have been similar to mine. Every trip we took, she had three or four cameras and a camcorder slung about her neck. She couldn't enjoy the trip if there wasn't a picture of every tree, cloud, and rest stop in the photo album. I managed to escape my upbringing and enjoy the trip itself, but Stirling has transferred that into his writing with nauseating detail. Yes, we already know that California would look different without development. Yes, you already told us that there were wetlands and the bay was different. Please stop.

The fourth thing I remember about the book is the plot. It's a very simple one, really. Man and partner uncover conspiracy with an alternate dimension. They get kidnapped and forced to live there. They, along with sexy heir to the whole shebang, uncover a plot to take over New Virginia. They foil plot. They come to terms with being marooned in New Virginia and marry, have lots of kids and everyone is happily ever after.

The whole plot could have easily been accomplished with good detail in 1/3 of the size the book is without losing anything. It would have been a less clunky read, definitely. Stirling keeps getting so bogged down in describing someone's salad or some giraffe running majestically across the plains, that by the time the description is ended, the reader forgets what the characters were doing. I had to flip back many times just to recall what was going on. Sure, I remember in general, but when there's a long, drawn out buffet scene after a hard day of farming (complete with OCD descriptions of every tool, person, plant life, animal, and narrations on how it's different from Firstside), I forget why the characters are there or what they're doing. "Why are they on the farm?" I ask myself. "Where did that mansion come from?" I wonder. "Who the heck is that guy and what's he doing with an automatic weapon? Where did the roving bands of hostiles come from? And what's with the mountain lion?"

In short, Stirling is a talented writer, but his habit of describing the most pointless items in nauseating detail made it hard for me to enjoy the book as much as I could have. I made it through this one all the way, but it took time, effort, and more than a few pages of written notes as bookmarks to keep things going.

Book Description

For fifteen years groups all across the world have gathered together to study and apply the life-changing principles of Free To Be Thin. This biblically based program has helped thousands of men and women find their way to freedom from overeating and food abuse by bringing a lifestyle approach to diet, nutrition, health, and body image.

Using The All-New Free To Be Thin book as its text, the Lifestyle Plan is divided into thirteen weeks of study lessons that are developed into a single personal-journal format. It can be used by individuals or in group settings, within churches and informal Bible studies.

This new approach builds on the foundation of the original Free To Be Thin, incorporating the related nutrition and metabolism information of recent years. The focus is not on weight loss or body size per se, but on changed habits and attitudes that lead to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

The study materials, group guidelines, and leader's notes draw the best from all the previous Free To Be Thin materials into one handy workbook.

A new way of living and eating.

Customer Reviews:

THE BEST WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM I HAVE EVER USED, IT WORKS........1999-11-10

I believe this is the best weight loss book for several reasons. First it is bible based and I know that God cares how I take care of my body and how healthy I am. Where diet doctors and weight loss programs are there to make money first and if you fail they know you'll come back or try something else. This is a no fail program if you rely on God. It is a book that you can take with you no matter where you are. Short chapters to read and concentrate on. It is a gradual process. I lost 15 pounds on it. I was only 25 pounds overweight but I am only 5 foot tall. Every pound shows on a short person. This book can be done by a group of people or just one, it is very versatile. Good Luck and God Bless You.

Average customer rating:

The original Free To Be Thin is much better.
All New Free To Be Thin
The All-New Free to be Thin = Grace
the best weight loss program on the market!!!
Excellent weight loss program - it works!!!

The All New Free to Be Thin
Neva Coyle , and Marie Chapian
Manufacturer: Bethany House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 1556615345
Release Date: 1994-11-01

Book Description

The totally revised and updated successful weight-management plan. Million-copy bestseller!

Customer Reviews:

The original Free To Be Thin is much better........2007-02-06

I bought the original Free To Be Thin back in the '90's and loved it.
Recently, I purchased the All New Free To Be Thin for my daughter. In looking through it, there are quite a few differences. For one, in the first book you do count calories. In the new book, you don't. There is an added section on exercise in the new book; in the older book, exercise, while extremely important in any weight loss program, was left up to the reader. You were instructed to let God tell you what kind and when to begin it. Though the goals are the same, the approach is different. I just much preferred the original book.

All New Free To Be Thin.......2001-01-08

This book was an answer to prayer. Not only did the authors teach me how God could free me from the bondages of obesity -- but the book is EDUCATIONAL!! When you really know what food consists of, and how your body responds - it is so much easier to make better choices.

The All-New Free to be Thin = Grace.......2000-05-16

I have never been more than 20 pounds overweight, but this book buttonholed me-up and down, tons of diets, diet pills! I have never been happy with my body. This book has lifted a huge burden off of me, teaching me that the goal is not to be thin, but to be healthy. To see that God wants me to obey and have self-control in the food arena was eye-opening, as I've always thought that eating anything was okay, it never hurts anyone and no one really could see how much I ate (I've always exercised a lot). I am now focused on eating healthy rather than depriving myself and it's working! I feel that God has blessed me with this special body, just like He has blessed all of us. I will always be referring back to this book to keep me inspired to obey.

the best weight loss program on the market!!!.......1999-07-09

this book not only touches the lives of overeaters but is helpful for anyone that is experiencing a compulsive disorder. the teaching on the Holy Spirit is wonderful and can be applied in so many areas of your life. thank-you neva and marie for such an inspiring study!!!

Excellent weight loss program - it works!!!.......1999-06-17

I have taught this weight loss for several years and it really works if you are serious about losing weight. This a behavior modifcation type of weight loss plan. It is designed to be taught in a small group setting or just between two friends. It examines your motives for over eating. It is a very positive type of program. There is no beating yourself up if you fall of the wagon. Along with the practical weight loss tips, this program focuses on the spirtitual side of a person's life. It all ties together to show how & why we overeat. She emphasized that there are times when we all fall down or face a set-back, but we are free to begin again and succeed.

2 LITLE THE ALL-NEW FREE TO BE THIN & CLIFF SHEATS' LEAN BODIES

Average customer rating:

2 LITLE THE ALL-NEW FREE TO BE THIN & CLIFF SHEATS' LEAN BODIES
CLIFF SHEATS , and NEVA COYLE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V3SC0G

Product Description

TWO BOOKS * CLIFF SHEATS' LEAN BODIES THE REVOLUTIONARY NEW APPROACH TO LOSING BODYFAT BY INCREASING CALORIES. 1995. * THE ALL-NEW FREE TO BE THIN THE SUCCESSFUL WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT LINKS HOW TO EAT WITH HOW TO LIVE.1993.

Average customer rating:

The All New Free To Be Thin
Coyle & Chapian
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers, MN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAF96U

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