Title: great read, references to self is too conceited Review: I like Wilbur Smith's writing style.I think he does a great job of creating a compelling fictional story intertwined with plenty of true historical references and with placement in real-life locations and other real-life artifacts.I read the book in about a month of on and off reading and enjoyed the characters.The drawbacks of this author are that: 1) he can name-drop too much in describing the rich lives the characters lead and how they accessorize their material lives, and 2) the most egregious thing about the book is that Wilbur references 'River God,' in the book and himself too. I would never do that and find it offensive that an author needs to actually refer to himself in a fictional novel. That's just tactless and ruins what could be a superlative fictional book.If you don't mind these too much - and I guess I didn't - and love Egyptology, then I'd recommend the book. Is the review positive or negative?
Positive

Title: Not a history, a broad brush overview of the Greek world Review: After reading Gates of Fire, I wanted to delve into classical Greek culture. This book is a great intro to Greece from Homer to Alexander. The book covers the history, culture, philosophy, arts, and "mind" of the ancient Greek - all in about 250 pages. It does a marvelous job of introducing the reader to the subject. It would be difficult to read this book and not be astonished by what this civilization accomplished. My only complaint is a nit: the author includes many references to 1950's England that I did not understand. Is the review positive or negative?
Positive

Title: frustrating! Review: Why can't Graham come up with a female character that isn't naive, spineless, and lacking in common sense? Or at least having enough gumption to defend herself against unjust accusations and unfair treatment? The worst thing about Eden's character was a weakness in moral fiber: she withheld information about her husband's sister-in-law's adulterous behavior because she was the only from that branch of the family who seemed kind to her. ...and that goes to show her relationship with her husband that she couldn't even trust him with her feelings. The distant Italian husband, naive English/Scottish girl bit is old. Is the review positive or negative?
Negative

Title: What better time for "Healing Conversations?" Review: At this time when thousands of people are responding to HurricaneKatrina, "HEALING CONVERSATIONS" offers us invaluable suggestions and guidelines for how toask for, offer and, yes, especially, accept help during difficult, sometimes mind-numbing, circumstances. Thesestories enable any one--whether you are a volunteer, teacher, doctor,student, government leader, lay counselor, or even just a friend, family member or confidant--to be more at ease whendealing with the unimaginably difficult situations BOTH survivors andresponders are encountering during this massive recovery effort. If there ever was a time when this book can speak volumes to all of us, this is it.David W. Oberdorfer, M.D., F.A.C.S., M.F.A.Emergency Room Physician & Immediate Past President, "Society for Humanism in Medicine" Is the review positive or negative?
