Cracks in My Foundation: Bags, Trips, Make-up Tips, Charity, Glory, and the Darker Side of the Story

Book Description

Go further under the covers and stay in bed a little longer with Marian Keyes in this winning follow-up to her smash essay collection, Under the Duvet. Written in the witty, forthright style that has earned her legions of devoted readers, Cracks in My Foundation offers an even deeper and more candid look into this beloved author's mind and heart, exploring such universal themes as friends and family, home, glamour and beauty, children, travel, and more. Marian's hilarious and thoughtful take on life makes her readers feel they are reading a friend, not just an author.

Marian continues to entertain with her reports from the trenches, and throws in some original short fiction as well. Whether it's visiting Siberia, breaking it off with an old hairdresser, shopping (of course!), turning forty, living with her beloved husband, Himself (a man beyond description), or musing on the F word (feminism), Marian shares the joys, passions, and sorrows of her world and helps us feel good about our own. So grab a latte and a pillow and get ready to laugh your slippers off!

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Customer Reviews:

Hurray for Marian Keyes.......2007-02-06

Fantastic - fantastic - fantastic.

I am now a loyal fan of hers!!!

She writes so well - so funny. I can hear every word inside my head and even as I'm working hard at the office her words run across my mind and I find laughing to myself. I have one book at the office and during lunch hour I lock myself in an empty office and read, slowly as to savor every word, every laughter and every believable detail.

Please keep writing and I'll keep buying!!

Quite enjoyable.......2006-02-21

Having read all of Marian Keyes' other books (except "Under the Duvet") I decided to gove this a try while I wait for her newest work of fiction arrives. I didn't expect to like it. I thought that I really would not be interested in the personal essays. Turns out that I was wrong. A good writer is a good writer whether she is writing long fiction or a short story or a 4 page essay on finding a great hairstylist. If you enjoy Marian Keyes you will enjoy this book.

I admit that I haven't devoured this book like I do most other books. I just keep it around and read a little bit at a time. But, that works out quite nicely for me some days.

A Wonderful Treat.......2006-01-26

What is it about Marian Keyes that makes her so absolutely delightful to read? A good way to find out is to run, not walk, to buy (or order!) her latest collection of essays and stories (her first such collection was "Under the Duvet," an equally fabulous treat).

As in all her novels, Keyes combines Irish wit and wisdom, unbelieavable humor, pathos, romance, and, yes, dead-serious accounts of her successful battle with alcoholism (which, as terribly serious as it is, she manages to convey in a lighthearted manner), all in a perfect package. And as a special added treat: An advice column from the formidable Mammy Walsh, whom readers know from many of Keyes' previous novels. What more could one want?

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Keyes is an experience not to be missed!

Good/Not Great.......2006-01-15

I adore Marian Keyes. Her novels are among my favorites. Her writing style is just so hysterical, while at the same time heart wrenching! Sometimes I wonder, "How did this woman nail how I feel about this/that so well?" If you also adore her, read this book! It's very much a companion book to "Under the Duvet" - so if you enjoyed that, then you'll enjoy this.

However, don't let this be the FIRST Keyes you read. I think after reading some of her novels and getting a feel for her style/characters then the essays are eye opening and touching. But if you have no connection with her fictional stories, you may ask yourself, "So what?"

Read some of her other books first - all are pretty great - and then come back to her essays.

A witty novel every woman can relate to.......2005-10-21

If you are already a Marian Keyes fan, having devoured her modern and witty novels such as SUSHI FOR BEGINNERS, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY and LUCY SULLIVAN IS GETTING MARRIED, as well as her collection of essays titled UNDER THE DUVET, then you know what I know --- Marian Keyes has wit, style, verve and intelligence. If you're not familiar with her, get ready for a great read and an introduction to an author whose other books you'll want to run right out and grab from your local bookstore.

CRACKS IN MY FOUNDATION echoes thoughts shared by women everywhere --- thoughts on beauty, health, family, friends, home, and just about anything else of interest to the gentler half of the population. Keyes says out loud what a lot of us only dare to think, and it's liberating to know we're not alone.

For instance, her love of cosmetics is shared by women the world over. "The love affair has never waned: makeup always makes me feel better. With it I am more confident, more articulate, more amusing. Without it, I'm like Samson without his hair." Truer words were never spoken. What woman doesn't feel a boost of confidence with her face on? Remember the time the plumber made it to the door before you were properly made up? It's an awful feeling!

What about the dilemma of whether to leave one's underwear on at a spa or take it off? Who among us hasn't struggled with this? Of course there are some who are not afraid, who willingly fling their panties aside and let complete strangers see their bare bum, but then there are the rest of us who debate the issue. "A vexed area, without a doubt: to leave on or take off. If you leave them on, discomfort could mar your enjoyment, but if you take them off, there's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide -- - every bit of you will be on display, in all your cellulitely glory (if you're me)."

What about cooking? While cooking used to be something every woman did and took pride in, those days are gone. Cooking is something you either love or hate. There's no in-between, and those of us who do it grudgingly are a growing majority. "See, we all have our gifts and cooking isn't one of mine. But it's not just the thought of sticking my hand up inside a turkey that I dread, it's the coordination involved in preparing a meal --- having to have everything ready at the same time gives me a knot in my stomach." Amen.

When I read this book, I wanted to be Marian Keyes: a successful writer, a world traveler, a spa patron, even Irish! While Keyes is funny in a self-deprecating way, you can tell that she basically likes herself. She knows that we all have our issues and that hers are what make her unique. I love that in a person.

My suggestion to you: Pick up this book, gather up the chocolate, potato chips, or whatever your favorite splurge is, call in sick to work, and climb into bed with this book and enjoy yourself. We all have cracks in our foundation. Why not make the most of them?

--- Reviewed by Amie Taylor

Cracks In My Foundation : Bags, Trips, Make-Up Tips, Charity, Glory, And The Darker Side Of The Story: Essays And Stories By Marian Keyes

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Cracks In My Foundation : Bags, Trips, Make-Up Tips, Charity, Glory, And The Darker Side Of The Story: Essays And Stories By Marian Keyes
Marian Keyes
Manufacturer: Avon Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEWD2K

Book Description

The setting is Hong Kong, 1963. The action spans scarcely more than a week, but these are the days of high adventure: from kidnapping and murder to financial double-dealing and natural catastrophes -- fire, flood, and landslide. Yet they are days filled as well with all the mystery and romance of Hong Kong -- the heart of Asia -- rich in every trade... money, flesh, opium, power.

Customer Reviews:

A MASTERPIECE WORTHY OF THE TAIPAN!.......2007-09-28

James Clavell was a WONDERFUL Writer (yes, with a capital W) and NOBLE HOUSE was a gift he left to us!

Through his eyes we visit Hong Kong in the 1970's. Clavell, like a virtuoso connaisseur of the human condition he is, manages to interweave a multitude of stories into a continuous carpet of a city living fast, taking risks, winning and loosing but never giving up.
Heads of huge conglomerates on the verge of foundering - yet never letting go of their rival's throat; dirt-poor Chinese maids striking it rich by a sudden turn of their joss; photographer-Wo and his trophy collection; drug-running smugglers asking for favors-you-can't-refuse; cold war spy networks riddled with double and triple agents; an American stock-market runner trying his hand in raiding Hong Kong companies; ladies getting "pillowed", men getting wooed, fortunes made and lost in the 10 days these all take place. Will the Noble House survive?

To quote Balzac, behind every great fortune lies crime. Noble House is a thinly veiled reference to Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd, a real company. Anticlimactically for an historic British company operating in China, it is nowadays incorporated in Bermuda - and trying to forget its opium-running past (like so many City of London companies respectable today yet founded on drugs and dead natives).

All these stories are presented masterfully, without ever loosing the reader's interest or dropping the ball of building tension. There were less than a dozen writers who could do this - starting with Homer.

My copy was so worn I had to replace it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

PS:
There is a 1988 TV mini series based on this book - of comparable merit. (The mini-series are currently available only on VHS). The major casting was excellent (having suave Pierce Brosnan and beastly John Rhys-Davies go head-to-head was a stroke of genius). Although it run for 6 hours total, it barely scraped the surface of the complex story-lines. Truly beautiful production.
Nevertheless, my advice is to first read the book and only THEN watch the TV version.

Wonderful!.......2007-02-09

James Clavell was an excellent writer ... I'm always glad to read (and re-read) his material. Just finished Noble House. The way the author ties, weaves and overlaps centuries of stories and people and families is simply astounding.

Highly recommended!

Another Great Entry in the Asian Saga.......2006-08-14

The characters in this book are just so real. This book, like the others, isn't packed with incredible action and suspense but it's an amazing story all the same and a very enjoyable read.

An interesting look at high powered business in Hong Kong.......2006-08-03

This is a long but very enjoyable story. It captures the plots and dangers of business and finance in Hong Kong in a way that makes it so the story never gets boring. Clavell has a knack for historical fiction and insight into Asian culture that few if any western authors seem to. Clavell's personal experiences as a prisoner of war in world war II form the basis for King Rat and perhaps help explain his fascination with Japan and Hong Kong. Shogun met with great success despite it also being a rather long novel and Noble House builds on this story several generations later with the same vibrant and multidimensional character development that makes this book a great read as well.

Read It & Then Read It Again and Again.......2006-06-06

This is quite simply the best story I've ever read. Yes, it's insanely long and expansive, but it's well worth the time and effort it will take to read it. I first read it in 1992 while I was travelling - I was looking for a good long book to help me cover empty hours on trains and buses. I ended up finishing it in a week, so riveting it was that putting it down was not an option. At first you may find yourself confused because of all the characters and intersecting story-lines, but that confusion quickly abates and you'll find yourself immersed in a world of political intrigue, big business, clashing cultures, love and loss, espionage, natural disasters, and one of the most compelling main characters you'll ever meet. And it all takes place in the span of one week!!!

Like I said, I first read this book in 1992, and I've probably read it fifteen times since and enjoyed it just as much every single time. Clavell's 'Asian Saga' is monumental in scope and each book is a masterpiece, but this is the pinnacle of them all. You don't have to read the other books in the saga to enjoy Noble House, but you'll find yourself compelled to read the others once you're done with it and you won't be disappointed with any of them.

How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business (Home-Based Business Series)

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It covers the basics
Great Resource Guide !!
A good "get started" book
This book covers all the bases ...

How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business (Home-Based Business Series)
Dawn Noble
Manufacturer: Globe Pequot
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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Home Based | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0762742453

Book Description

Establish a business and begin taking clients immediately with this complete guide to starting a home-based professional organizing business.

Customer Reviews:

It covers the basics.......2007-09-24

It covers the basics. I also bought Everything You Need to Know About a Career as a Professional Organizer by Sara Pedersen and found that to be easier to read (more to the point) and more inspiring.

Great Resource Guide !! .......2007-09-19

I am always skeptical about buying books online. But this one was a great surprise. It has answered all my questions about starting a homebased organizing business. And here list and sample sheets were so helpful. Step by Step Resource. I love it and its my main manual for my business.

A good "get started" book.......2007-09-04

This book was a very easy read and a great resource if you are looking to start your own organizing business. I refer to it often and would recommend it.

This book covers all the bases ..........2007-07-16

I checked this book out from my local library. Because it has been such a great resource I kept renewing it - over and over. I finally broke down and bought my own personal copy to keep handy. Dawn covers evaluating your readiness to be an entrepreneur to determining business growth strategies. Similar to Sara Pederson's book but more thorough. Great tips and forms to get you started.

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The pink maple house;
Christine Noble Govan
Manufacturer: Aladdin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Noble Households: Eighteenth-Century Inventories of Great English Ho

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Noble Households: Eighteenth-Century Inventories of Great English Ho
Tessa Murdoch
Manufacturer: John Adamson Dist A/C
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Museums & Collections | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0952432250

Book Description

Published in memory of the architectural historian John Cornforth, these great house inventories, document the taste and lifestyle of leading aristocratic patrons and the households that supported them.

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A MASTERPIECE WORTHY OF THE TAIPAN!

NOBLE HOUSE VOL 1 & 2
JAMES CLAVELL
Manufacturer: DELCORTE PRESS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000GKX9D4

Customer Reviews:

A MASTERPIECE WORTHY OF THE TAIPAN!.......2007-10-01

The House of the Dead and Poor Folk (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (Barnes & Noble Classics)

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The House of the Dead and Poor Folk (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (Barnes & Noble Classics)
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 1593081944

Book Description

Arrested in 1849 for belonging to a secret group of radical utopians, Fyodor Dostoevsky was sentenced to four years in a Siberian labor camp—a terrible mental, spiritual, and physical ordeal that inspired him to write the novel The House of the Dead.

Told from the point of view of a fictitious narrator—a convict serving a ten-year sentence for murdering his wife—The House of the Dead describes in vivid detail the horrors that Dostoevsky himself witnessed while in prison: the brutality of guards who relish cruelty for its own sake; the evil of criminals who enjoy murdering children; and the existence of decent souls amid filth and degradation. More than just a work of documentary realism, The House of the Dead also describes the spiritual death and gradual resurrection from despair experienced by the novel’s central character—a reawakening that culminates in his final reconciliation with himself and humanity.

Also included in this volume is Dostoevsky’s first published work, Poor Folk, a novel written in the form of letters that brought Dostoevsky immediate critical and public recognition.

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Noble House, volume 1
James Clavell
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Tai-Pan

ASIN: 034025954X

The House of Mirth (Barnes & Noble Classics)

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"Is there any test of genius but success?"
A Gilded Bird, With A Noble Heart, In A Cage Of Steel
The House of Typos

The House of Mirth (Barnes & Noble Classics)
Edith Wharton
Manufacturer: Barnes & Noble Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Books & Reading | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1593081049

Book Description

Edith Wharton’s dark view of society, the somber economics of marriage, and the powerlessness of the unwedded woman in the 1870s emerge dramatically in the tragic novel The House of Mirth. Faced with an array of wealthy suitors, New York socialite Lily Bart falls in love with lawyer Lawrence Selden, whose lack of money spoils their chances for happiness together. Dubious business deals and accusations of liaisons with a married man diminish Lily’s social status, and as she makes one bad choice after another, she learns how venal and brutally unforgiving the upper crust of New York can be.

One of America’s finest novels of manners, The House of Mirth is a beautifully written and ultimately tragic account of the human capacity for cruelty.

Customer Reviews:

"Is there any test of genius but success?".......2006-06-09

Published in 1905, The House of Mirth offers a blistering social commentary on the lifestyles and behavior of super-rich society. Having grown up in this society, Wharton evaluates it here as an insider, and her trenchant observations give this early novel a liveliness and verisimilitude not characteristic of "aristocratic" novels written by outsiders. Set at a time in which the old, moneyed aristocracy was being forced to admit newcomers who had made their recent fortunes through industry, the novel shows moneyed society in flux, the old guard ensuring their exclusivity against parvenus who are not the "right type," at the same time that their sons and daughters were often securing large fortunes through marriage into some of these new families.

Lily Bart, a beautiful young woman of good family whose father lost everything when she was only nineteen, is left dependent on wealthy relatives in this society until she can charm a financially secure suitor into marriage. At age twenty-nine, she is no longer a debutante, and the pressure is mounting for her to marry, though she lacks the unlimited financial resources of social rivals. Still, her wit and charm make her a delightful companion, and she is never at a loss for suitors. Intelligent enough to want a real marriage and not just a merger between families, she has resisted making a commitment to date, though the clock is ticking.

As Lily tries to negotiate a good marriage and future for herself, she is aware that the competition is fierce. Women "friends" pounce on the latest gossip and spread rumors to discredit rivals, and Lily's reputation is tainted with hints of impropriety. Her opportunities for a good marriage begin to dwindle, and when her aunt, Mrs. Peniston, dies and leaves her a bequest that covers only her debts, Lily is no longer able to compete in the society so attractive to her and begins her downward spiral.

Author Edith Wharton creates a complete picture of turn-of-the-century New York society and its "important" people--their lack of morality, their opportunism, their manipulations, and their smug self-importance, characteristics one may also see in Lily when she is part of this society. But Wharton also shows how quickly a woman may become an outcast when the money runs out and she is thrown on her own resources without any training for any other kind of life. A well-developed melodrama filled with revealing details, this novel established Wharton's reputation as a novelist/commentator on the manners and morals of high society and those who would participate in it. Mary Whipple

A Gilded Bird, With A Noble Heart, In A Cage Of Steel.......2005-07-12

Edith Wharton's "The House Of Mirth" is a sad, but brilliant commentary on the closed, repressive society of the rich, upper class, New York nobility, at the dawn of the 20th century. It is also the story of the downfall of one woman, who attempts to live by her own rules, with no sponsor and no money of her own. Her parents are dead and she lives with relatives.

The Barnes and Noble Classic Series Edition of "The House of Mirth" contains an excellent Introduction by Jeffrey Meyers, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, who received his doctorate at Berkeley, and has worked as a professional writer since 1992. A distinguished biographer, Meyers has published 43 books and 520 articles on modern American, English, and European literature. This new edition also includes criticism, legacies, and study questions. I found the text to be edited well - only one typo, that I found.

Lily Bart is one of society's most eligible women, at the height of her powers, when the novel opens. Though she has little money, she has family connections, good breeding and the hope of coming into an inheritance. Beautiful and very charming, Lily has been brought up to be an ornament, as were most women of her class at that time. She is a gilded bird with a noble heart, but clearly she is not aware of the restrictions of her cage. Part of Lily's tragedy is that she does have character, spirit, and a conscience. However, she does not know how to align these attributes, with her ornamental avocation, and her ambitions to marry a wealthy man of good birth.

As expected, Lily is popular with both bachelors and married men. Most of the bachelors propose marriage at on time or another. The only man she has real affection for is her dear friend, Lawrence Seldon, a barrister, whose lack of income makes him entirely unsuitable as a husband. Lily had developed a gambling habit to support her lifestyle, and supplement her allowance. An unfortunate losing streak has put her into debt. In her naivete, she forms an unsavory business alliance with a married man. Later, she is unjustly accused of having an affair with him and their business arrangement also come to light.

Her family cuts her off without a penny. Society friends and connections reject their former darling, trying to extricate themselves from any repercussions Lily's indiscreet behavior may have on their reputations. Former friends turn vicious. The irony is that Lily has never committed any of the sins she is accused of. Several of her friends have, and frequently...but their sins are committed with the utmost discretion. Lily's crime is indiscretion. Her beaus disappear, as do her marriage prospects. The hypocrisy of her class becomes more apparent to her, as she searches for a means to survive, with all the familiar doors closed in her face.

Lily seeks employment as a seamstress in the New York City slums, and lives there also, in a humble room with no refinements. Having no formal training and no real ambition, (her ambivalence about work is obvious), she sinks into deep depression and begins to decline. Laudanum helps her to sleep, and she becomes dependent on the drug.

Lily's descent, from society's beautiful darling to a disheveled, desperate woman living in a shabby hotel room, addicted to drugs, is disturbing reading, to say the least. Her decline seems inevitable, especially after we read of her many poor and self-destructive decisions. She seems to sabotage herself. However, Lily Bart is ultimately the victim of a cruel society that sacrifices anyone who does not conform to its expectations.

After reading "House Of Mirth," for the first time several years ago, Lily's character has remained clear in my mind. I think of her from time to time with great poignance and a sense of personal loss.
JANA

The House of Typos.......2004-07-01

I'm not going to comment on the novel itself here. I'm just wondering whether they have proofreaders up at Barnes & Noble Classics. I love the return of inexpensive mass paperback editions of classic literature, but you shouldn't have to put up with a shabbily prepared text just because you don't want to - or can't - pay the price of a trade paperback or hardback volume. This thing is lousy with typos. It's a disservice to readers and to Wharton herself.

This House of Noble Deeds: The Mount Sinai Hospital, 1852-2002

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This House of Noble Deeds: The Mount Sinai Hospital, 1852-2002
Jr., Arthur H. Aufses , and Barbara Niss
Manufacturer: NYU Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Social History | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

Health Care Delivery | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Hospital Administration | Administration & Policy | Medicine | Subjects | Books

History | Special Topics | Medicine | Subjects | Books

How Doctors Think

ASIN: 0814705006
Release Date: 2002-12-01

Book Description

View the Table of Contents. Read the Preface.

"The portrait that emerges from this volume is a mixture of scientific and personal striving."—American Jewish History

On January 15, 1852, nine men representing various Hebrew charitable organizations came together to establish the Jews' Hospital in New York with a vision of offering free medical care to the indigent Hebrews in the City who were unable to provide for themselves during their illness. This was the beginning of The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Now, a century and a half later, This House of Noble Deeds celebrates the scientific and medical achievements of The Mount Sinai Hospital. From its original 45-bed building, the Mount Sinai Medical Center has developed into a state-of-the-art facility comprising a 1200-bed hospital, a major medical school, and a research enterprise with a faculty of almost 3000.

Arthur H. Aufses, Jr. and Barbara J. Niss have identified and documented the most important scientific contributions of Mount Sinai over the past 150 years. They present histories of each major department and division, rich with anecdotes, biographical sketches, and photographs. In addition, they share the fascinating story of the hospital's creation and development, a story that ultimately transcends the parameters of the hospital itself and speaks to the broader matter of Jewish and medical history in New York.

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JAMES CLAVELL - 2 VOLUMES - NOBLE HOUSE

Manufacturer: Delacorte Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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James Clavell's Shogun

ASIN: B000GQOBBC

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