The Power Broker, Robert Moses and the Fall of New York, by Robert A. Caro

This biography of Robert Moses, (1888-1981) was required reading for all Urban Planning students. It may not have wide recreational reading appeal, but it is an extremely fascinating read. Robert Caro details all the political maneuvers made by Moses and others around him during his time of influence.

Robert Moses had a greater impact on the physical character of NYC than any other individual. He started out as government reformer and from there managed to create & control the all powerful Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. He also was the Parks Commissioner and a member of the Planning Commission. He is credited with constructing many city bridges, expressways, state parks, the United Nations Headquarters, Lincoln Center and Shea Stadium, to list a few. He is also credited with re-locating and up rooting hundred of thousands of people by demolishing their homes to make way for his innovations.

A visit to the current exhibit on Robert Moses running at the Museum of the City of New York prompted me to re-read the book, (reading still in process). The exhibit is divided into three segments. The Queens Museum of Art has a World’s Fair focus; Columbia University Art Gallery highlights slum clearance and the super-block solution. The City Museum details urban change, both the successes and failures. These are not permanent exhibits and I am unsure of their closing date.

MABC

Guilty Pleasures & Dance Macabre by Laurell K. Hamilton

Guilty Pleasures is the name of a night club. It is also the title of the first Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novel. This first book, written in 1993, casually introduces legalized modern day vampires. It manages to combine horror, fantasy and mystery all in one tale, with a bit of sexy private eye appeal.

Dance Macabre, a book much further along in the Anita Blake novel chain, had much less of a story line but a lot more action.

MABC

Slew of Reviews by Ernie

Colorado. Dennis Lehane. Lehane's most recent effort. An engrossing collection of five short stories and a play. Lehane is best known for his outstanding novels. He lives in "Boston". These short stories and play are a a collection of creepy characters and plots. The end notes tell us to anticipate class struggle, search for freedom and violence. Good heady stuff.

Hollywood Station. Joseph Wambaugh. Welcome back to Sgt. Joseph Wambaug. The long wait is over - this is his seventeeth book, in 2004 wambaugh was named Grand Master by the Mystery Writer's of America. Hollywood Station describes all the varied characters at this unique police station in Los Angeles. We also meet the bizarre collection of criminals and "actors" from the famous Hollywood streets. A funny, exciting and interesting read.

White Sister. Stephen J. Cannell. The latest in the Shane Scully series of novels which continues to satisfy Cannell's fans. Once again, the scene is LA and the surrounding areas of Southern California. "Gangsta" and rap music dominate an exciting plot. Cannell fans will really enjoy this edition of contemporary LA.

The Suspect. John Lescroat. Lescroat has done it again. His eighteenth book once again is hard to put down once you begin reading. Like many of his recent novels, this one involves murders and the San Francisco scene. A lady lawyer is the heroine having been a "bit player" in earlier books.

Reversible Errors. Scott Turow. Readers of Scott Turow will enjoy this long story of brutal action. Triple murder and an extended evaluation of the death penalty. An excellent read worthy of Turow.

Vicious Circle. Robert Littell. WONDERFUL! For those who want up to date information on the Middle East's struggle, this is it! Israel and Palestine and all that those two entities involve. Hard to put down.

Flags of Our Fathers. James Bradley. Non fiction that reads like an exciting war novel. I believe it is one of the best accounts of the battle of Iwo Jima. I plan to view the motion picture but it can never match this book.

The Alexandria Link. Steve Berry. this is Berry's fifth books. For those who have read the Templar Legacy, you will enjoy numerous characters who make a return in the Alexandria Link. Another exciting historical novel. This one brings into question basic truths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Read it, you will enjoy it!

2 Reviews From Pamela

The Ranchers Heart by C.H. Admirand
"I read this because she will be one of the authors appearing on April 11th at the Denville Library. A western Irish romance. A good & quick read."

The Book of Names by Jill Gregory & Karen Tintori
"You will not be able to put the book down. A fast pace fiction on saving the world from evil, with Jewish mysticism, tarot, murder, hero trying to save his
step daughter life, taken place in different countries, & a little romance."

The Watchman by Robert Crais

Latest noivel by best-selling author Crais provides plenty of action and well-drawn characters.

The Trial Of Elizabeth Cree by Peter Ackroyd

Early historical novel by one of the most English of English authors Peter Ackroyd. Ackroyd skillfully weaves history, theatre, mystery, murder and fantasy into a compelling story.

The School For Husbands by Wendy Holden
"The book is as good as the title"

Book reviews - Pamela Cummins

Is Your Pet Psychic? Richard Webster.
A must read for all animal lovers and pet owners.

The Barefoot Princess. Christina Dodd.
An okay smut book.

The Devil and Miss Prym. Paulo Coelho.
An interesting book on the effets of good and evil on human nature.

The Privilege of the Sword. Ellen Kushner.
An adventurous novel with female swordswomen! Very enjoyable.

posted by Ilene Lefkowitz for Pamela Cummins

The End of the Affair, by Graham Greene

This book is certainly not a romance novel. It is only the story of the end of an adulterous love affair, as told by the male partner. It takes some bizarre and surprising twists and turns, but brings out strong feeling of love and hate.

According to the book jacket, there is also a film by Neil Jordan starring Ralph Fiennes, Julianne Moore and Stephen Rea.

MABC

Helen's Top 3 from 2007

I have actually read quite a few books so far this year- a long plane ride and a week sick in bed gave me more book time than usual. Here are three favorites so far:
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell: My bookclub did this and it led to a lot of discussions. I especially liked learning about the broken window theory and the law of 150.
Friday Night Knitting Club byKate Jacobs: I cannot knit but a positive review in Redbook Magazine still made me interested. There was a good mix of characters and the more I read it, the more I liked it. I would think if you are crafty or a knitter, you would like it even more.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer: Not really a survivor tale since the guy dies, but still a very interesting book that makes you think about the advantages of a minimalists lifestyle. My favorite line: (Paraphrased) GO see the beauties in this world and the less you spend, the more you will enjoy it.
Current Read_ Three Cups of Tea, so far, so good. More when I complete it. I am also waiting for my bookclub book to arrive: Then we Came to the End

Two Reviews from Pamela

Mistress of The Art of Death by Ariana Franklin
"The best book I read all year! I didn't want it to end. If you like history, different cultures & religion, murder mystery, science and even romance, then this book is for you."

The Richest Man In Babylon by George Clason
"Ancient financial wisdom that applies to today."

A slew of reviews - Ernie Aiello

Wild Fire. Nelson DeMille - DeMille's latest is a rambling account of today's events as an aftermath of 9/11. Some parts are exciting, but too much of it drags on and on. In my opinion, it is not up to his previous efforts.

Acts of Treason. Vince Flynn - Vince Flynn is once again is at the top of his game. Another very good account of the violent contemporary scene. Flynn is on the top of my list.

The Afghan. Frederick Forsyth. Forsyth continues to produce exciting stories. This one deals with today's world of terrorism. A good acacount of the continuing sturggles in Afghanistan. Worth reading.

The Hunters. W.E.B. Griffin - This is part three of the Presidential Agent series. It is as good as it can get. castillo is now a Light Colonel and just as impressive as he was before. GREAT read. it is leading up to #4.

War Stories II. Oliver North - The subtitle is : The Heroes Who Defeated Hitler. It covers the Allied efforts (1938 - 1945) through many eyewitness accounts. Well mapped and illustrated. Exciting and fairly good history.

Manhattan Hunt Club. John Saul - A very "creepy" story about life undergroun in Manhattan. At the same time an engrossing detective and horror story about the Hunt Club.

Rising Tide: A Novel. Jeff Shaara - The first leg of a trilogy of WW II. From the build up of the invasion of North Africa to the fighting in Italy. Very well done. On a level with Shaara's other books.

Path of the Assassin. Brad Thor - Thor's second book. I think it was better than his most recent effort. However, he is not Vince Flynn.

Take Down. Brad Thor - An exciting read! Good novel however, Thor is a second level writier. An aspiring vince Flynn, but has a way to go.

Ordinary Heroes. Scott Turow - Turow fans all know how well he writes about the law. This 2005 novel is all about the law. BUT, it is more abotu the experience of an American soldier in WW II. I believe it is Turow's best.

Lost Soldiers. James Webb - the new senator from Virginia wrote a compelling novel of post war Vietnam. The return and search of a V.N. Vet. not much like his previous books, but just as well written.

Posted by Ilene Lefkowitz for Ernie Aiello

The Uses of Enchantment by Heidi Julavits

This would be a great book for a discussion group. I've been thinking about this story a lot (I read this book in January) and -honestly- I can't decide if the protagonist faked her abduction or not. It's hard to tell how much of this story takes place solely in the main character's (Mary Veal - interesting name with lots of symbolism!) head. It would also be interesting to read Bruno Bettelheim's The Uses of Enchantment in tandem and draw parallels to Julavits book.
Has anyone read Julavits' book? I'd love to know what you think.

Valley of Silence, by Nora Roberts

"High above the castle peaks, the three symbols of Geall, the claddaugh, the dragon, and the sun flew..."

In this, the third book of the circle trilogy, the final battle is fought. Spending a little time with the sorcerer, the witch, the warrior, the scholar, the shape-shifter and the vampire was a pleasant distraction. If you would like to try out a little medieval fantasy, this set would be a good start.

MABC

Dust by Martha Grimes

In Martha Grimes' detective fiction the murder occurs in the first two page chapter. We are then introduced to the facts by several uniquely British characters. The most interesting aspect of Grimes' writing is that it is very British and Martha Grimes is very American.
Richard Jury mysteries.

The Last Temptation by Val McDermid

Police profiler Tony Hill has moved in the world of Academia after his involvement with a horrific serial killer. However, his relationship with a women police detective his his ability to profile the most heinous criminals soon have him back doing what he swore he would never again do.

McDermid skillfully weaves several stories, taking place in England, Scotland, Holland and Germany into a tight psychologica thriller. Not for the squeamish.