Book Description
She's one of America's finest contemporary novelists, winning many awards for her work--including a Pulitzer Prize. Anne Tyler is both literary and popular, one of the few writers whose high sales match her critical acclaim. Now you can enjoy three of her more recent bestsellers in one low-priced, attractively packaged hardcover.
Customer Reviews:
Great summer read.......2007-05-11
This is a great, easy, summer read. The characters are fun, quirky and surprisingly easy to relate to.
A Pathchwork Planet.......2004-05-03
This was the first book of A. Tyler's that I read. I thought the most beautifully written. Somehow the title suits the book and a beautifully crafted work. The characters are human, a bit sad and you find yourself cheering them on. This book enticed me to read her others. I also liked Ladder of Years, but not as much. Breathing Lessons for which she won the Pulitzer I felt was not as good as her later works.
Amazing bargain.......2002-03-21
This volume is a collection of three novels by Anne Tyler: "A Patchwork Planet" of 1998, "Ladder of Years" of 1995, and "Saint Maybe" of 1991. Hardbound and durable, this volume is a better option for a reader who has started reading Anne Tyler, and even for the reader who already owns one or two paperbacks with novels contained in this volume. This volume is simply beautiful. Pleasant serif typeface, good, bright paper, nice cover artwork, and finally, amazingly low cost. You get three hardbound novels for a price of one paperback. In addition, all three novels of Anne Tyler belong to the more interesting subset of her literary heritage, so there is really nothing to be suspicious about here. Psst, do not tell anyone I have said that, but such bargains are possible only in North America. Nowhere else I would be able to get hold of three interesting novels combined in one hardbound volume for almost nothing. Do not hesitate, dear reader, and rush to purchase this collection. Now!
Amazon.com
Tyler makes things look so easy that she never gets enough credit, yet she portrays everyday Americans with such humor, grace and, ultimately, emotional force that her books are always deeply satisfying. In
Saint Maybe her protagonist Ian Bedloe, stricken with guilt over the death of his older brother, raises three children unrelated to him by blood. He is strengthened in this Herculean task by the storefront Church of the Second Chance, to which he devotes himself with equal fervor. Someone once said all great writers are comic writers. Among living Americans, Tyler is exhibit A.
Book Description
9 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list!
"A novel that attests once again to Ms. Tyler's enormous gifts as a writer."
--THE NEW YORK TIMES
"Captivating . . . . Compelling . . . . There is a kind of magic at work in this novel."
--THE WASHINGTON POST BOOK WORLD
In 1965, the happy Bedloe family is living an ideal, apple-pie existence in Baltimore. Then, in the blink of an eye, a single tragic event occurs that will transform their lives forever--particularly that of seventeen-year-old Ian Bedloe, the youngest son, who blames himself for the sudden "accidental" death of his older brother.
Depressed and depleted, Ian is almost crushed under the weight of an unbearable, secret guilt. Then one crisp January evening, he catches sight of a window with glowing yellow neon, the CHURCH OF THE SECOND CHANCE. He enters and soon discovers that forgiveness must be earned, through a bit of sacrifice and a lot of love...
A New York Times Notable Book
Customer Reviews:
Personal atonement.......2007-05-12
Anne Tyler captures the essence of atonement as Ian Bedloe realizes his error for making a false accusation very early in his life. He spends the rest of his life atoning for this error. The fascination is that no one else seems to blame or even believe Ian is at fault. How often does this occur in our own lives when we take on the guilt of something we know we have done but others fail or refuse to recognize our fault. Ian Bedloe does the "right" thing and we are left wondering just why he makes this difficult sacrifice all in the name of reconcilliation. We only hope we would be as noble and charitable. Once again the novel informs us of who we are and how our culture treats us; we are not alone and we need such reminders of what life is all about. Anne Tyler kindly reminds us.
The World's Greatest Living Author.......2007-04-16
I leaped from her ninth book straight into this, her twelfth. She's so masterful it's downright scary, folks. The sense of awe that great authors give me was one thing that drove me to write. But if I'd read Anne Tyler's best novels, such as this one, long ago, it might have scared me right back to washing dishes and bussing tables.
I'm writing this review on a laptop in Malaysia and I know I have about 6 more of her novels back home, unread and waiting. That's something to be very happy about.
Complex, compelling tale of a family thrust together by tragedy and some intense religion.......2006-10-17
A young man (Ian Bedloe) believes he has caused his brother to commit suicide, as a result of which his brother's wife also commits suicide. Weighed down by guilt, he encounters a little congregation, The Church of the Second Chance, which changes the whole trajectory of his life. If this book weren't by Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Tyler, the plot summary might fool us into believing this is inspirational Christian fiction: it's not. Tyler shies away from simple conclusions: the church certainly transforms Ian's life, but the end result is complex and fascinating.
Although the first part of the book is from Ian's perspective, Tyler eventually shifts and tells the story from the viewpoint of various key characters. I missed Ian's perspective further on, but we receive a rounded view of this fascinating family (Ian, his girlfriend, his parents, his brother's children). As Ian's family seeks to deal with his intense, newfound religiosity, I was reminded of Nick Hornby's How To Be Good (although Saint Maybe is much better), which explores the question of what it means to be good, just as Tyler here explores what it means to be forgiven.
Tyler does a wonderful job of capturing family life, interpersonal relationships, and internal struggle. The book took too long to get to the first pivotal event (the suicides), but after that, I couldn't put it down. Jay Parini, in his New York Times review, concluded with these remarks: "In many ways [Saint Maybe] is Anne Tyler's most sophisticated work, a realistic chronicle that celebrates family life without erasing the pain and boredom that families almost necessarily inflict upon their members. Ian Bedloe, for his part, sits near the top of Ms. Tyler's fine list of heroes. Exactly how she makes us care so much about him remains a mystery to me. That is, perhaps, the mystery of art" ("The Accidental Convert," 25 August 1991). And in his review of Tyler's most recent novel, The Washington Post's Ron Charles claims Saint Maybe as his favorite Tyler novel (no small feat, given that there are 17) ("The Roads to Home," 30 April 2006).
This book would be an excellent read for a Book Club. After finishing it, I spent a long time discussing it with the friend who gave it to me.
DISAPPOINTING, DISAPPOINTING, DISAPPOINTING!.......2006-08-18
I have enjoyed many of Anne Tyler's books, particularly, "Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant," "Breathing Lessons" and "Back When We Were Grownups". "Saint Maybe" was a huge disappointment. The plot and characters were mediocre at best, and a bizarre religion, The Church of the Second Chance, played a major part in the story. By the end of the book, it had completely taken over. The Church of the Second Chance fell somewhere between a strict religion and a cult. Yes, Ian Bedloe was close to a saint for looking after three children for the best part of his life, but why the book was named, "Saint Maybe" is still a mystery to me. One of the children in Ian's care made reference to Ian as perhaps being "Saint Maybe," but who the heck is Saint Maybe?? The closest I could come up with is "MAYBE you will finish the book... and MAYBE you won't!"
An amazing story about a regular family.......2006-07-15
Believing he's directly responsible for the deaths of his brother and sister-in-law, 19-year-old Ian takes on the responsibility of raising his infant niece and two young stepchildren. He grounds the children in his newfound faith, courtesy of a strange Church of the Second Chance. But as the years pass, Ian learns that despite sacrificing his own life for theirs, his nieces and nephew will stubbornly insist upon being the people they ultimately want to be -- leaving Ian to realize that his own life may have been empty and meaningless by comparison.
As always, Tyler's descriptions of regular people living regular lives are flawless and compelling.
Average customer rating:
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Saint Maybe a Novel
Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000I7VKJ0 |
Product Description
four mmpb books. 4 Titles By Anne Tyler : Searching for Caleb Earthly Possessions The Accidental Tourist Saint Maybe
Product Description
4 Titles By Annne Tyler : Breathing Lessons The Accidental Tourist Saint Maybe Dinner At the Homesick Restaurant. Four mass market paperbacks.
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
Average customer rating:
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The Maybe Saint
Manufacturer: Granite Publishing and Distribution
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1932280413 |
Product Description
Chad Cameron is charming, intelligent and handsome. Theres only one problem. And its a big one. Hes Mormon. College junior Hayley Winters decides to handle the problem in her own way--by pretending to be the perfect Mormon . How hard can it be? This hilarious plot thickens as she develops real feelings for Chad--and a conscience.
Average customer rating:
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Saint Maybe
Anne Tyler
Manufacturer: KNOPF, ALFRED A
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WDSCA0 |
Average customer rating:
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Saint Maybe
Manufacturer: The Franklin Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000EVCRJ2 |
Product Description
Signed by Anne Tyler
Average customer rating:
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Saint Maybe
Tyler
Manufacturer: Alfred A Knopf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HF0WRY |
Book Description
According to Michael Barkun, many white supremacist groups of the radical right are deeply committed to the distinctive but little-recognized religious position known as Christian Identity. In Religion and the Racist Right (1994), Barkun provided the first sustained exploration of the ideological and organizational development of the Christian Identity movement.
In a new chapter written for the revised edition, he traces the role of Christian Identity figures in the dramatic events of the first half of the 1990s, from the Oklahoma City bombing and the rise of the militia movement to the Freemen standoff in Montana. He also explores the government's evolving response to these challenges to the legitimacy of the state.
Michael Barkun is professor of political science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. He is author of several books, including Crucible of the Millennium: The Burned-over District of New York in the 1840s.
Customer Reviews:
Typical Jewish Attack Book.......2006-12-09
Barkun recites a Talmudic workmanlike account of Identity recent history, but he is intentionally selective in omitting material which is damaging to his worldview, he is a Russian jew living in USA. In the book, Barkun seeks to downplay the real genealogy of (just what he is) an Ashkenaizic "jew". He omits scholarship such as Prof Wexler of Tel Aviv which shows that the Ashkenazi jews are not at all "Bible Jews". This alone verifies the core teaching of Identity preachers: the illusive Identity of the dominant "jewish" group. What else does Barkun, who is clearly a bright fellow, what else does he conceal in his book and which would undercut his thesis? He speaks of Dispensationalism but he never goes on to tell us that Scofield who concocted a very popular Bible commentary ca 1900, was largely funded by Zionist jews such as Schiff. Schiff was the same Russian jew who through his Wall Street brokerage virtually funded the "Russian Revolution" which resulted in the killings by Russian jews of over 50 million Christians in Russia and Ukraine. You could either attribute these deaths (Christians murdered by jews) as being of Satanic or earthly origins, but they clearly are a part of history. The recent book The Black Book of Communism, which is clearly not "an evil Christian Identity book", lavishly documents these crimes.
What else does Barkun selectively omit from his book. He glosses over Identity persons and groups which he apparently realizes are helpful to the cause of jewish zionism. For instance, he says at the outset that he will have little to say about Herbert Armstrong. Any man who lived through the era of 1930 through World War 2 and on through the 1970s surely remembers listening on the radio to The World Tomorrow --Armstrong and his son Garner Ted Armstrong. But, Armstrong clearly taught Identity and Armstrong LOVED the jews. He cheered on Roosevelt and his jewish advisors who faked the "surprise attack at Pearl Harbor" to bring America into WW II and the deaths of many million Christians --all for the benefit of the jews. The reason Barkun has very little to say about Armstrong is because: here was a Christian Identity preacher whom the jews used to advance their goals of eliminating Germany and creating the marxist experimental State called "Israel". Another Identity preacher of today who serves the jews is Pastor Arnold Murray of Arkansas. In fact, the leading Identity preacher now in 2007 is Murray and his Shepherd's Chapel. He is on TV, radio, Internet, and shortwave. There is no stronger supporter of the jews and Israel. No mention of Murray in Barkun's book. Can you guess why? There are several other very significant omissions in this book. And, it is both obvious that Barkun was shrewd both in making conclusions and in failing to connect the dots in many areas.
Religion and the Racist Right.......2006-07-03
This is a good history of the Christian Identity movement. The biggest fault this book has is it barely touched on the huge influence the old Mormon faith (before it became pc) had on Identity doctrine. As much of a kook religion as it is Identity theology has always fascinated me. I do find it rather odd that some of the biggest foaming at the mouth Jew haters are people who either practice religions that have roots in the Jewish culture or even claim that they are Jews themselves. Its like they have Jew envy or something.
A Good Research Tool.......2003-03-26
This book does a very good job of attempting to trace the origin of Chrisitan Identity up to the current day. While it does cover material that is already common knowldege amongst those familiar with Christian Identity, and it doesn't address fully the current members of this right-wing movement, I would suggest this book to anyone who has a rudementary understanding of Christian Identity but who would like to learn more.
A Valuable Contribution.......2002-06-01
This book is a valuable contribution in refuting the falsehoods spread by the so-called "Christian" Right, and particularly by the far Right Christian Identity movement which is even more extremist. It is a good companion to a wonderful new book titled Real Prophecy Unveiled: Why the Christ Will Not Come Again, And Why the Religious Right Is Wrong, by Joseph J. Adamson. And another good book is A Pilgrim's Path, by John J. Robinson. Thank God for books like these, because they shed light in a world made dark by "religious" bigotry, hypocrisy, and aggression. They give me faith that the humble and meek shall inherit the earth after all.
Tour of one region in America's chaotic religious landscape.......2001-02-23
While I highly enjoyed this book and found it meticulously, yet engagingly, researched, I will try to refrain from repeating what other reviewers have already stated. What I would like to add, is that I was unexpectedly impressed with the tortuous connections Barkun unearthed between the Identity/British-Israel sects/movements and other strains of Protestants and Pentecostals. I felt that I learned not only about Identity, but also gained a wider perspective on America's colorful religious history. Barkun also did an admirable job of maintaining a degree of objectivity and emotional distance from his subject, preventing a preachy or moralistic tone from overwhelming the book.
Customer Reviews:
terrific environmental vs. development tale .......2005-07-15
When a Tainer, Skelton, and Goldstein lawyer was unable to attend a public hearing the firm sends Molly Ferguson. Her job is for the most part is to remain silent, but if needed sell how much the mining will mean for the community. Molly calls her boyfriend to break a date because she will be at the hearing at Moose Horn, Montana adult population 27.
The attorney for the Native Americans, who oppose the mining of their mountain, Steven Young Bear gives a lift to a stranded Molly. At the meeting site, he scoffs at the claims of Ken Manning from the mining company. Though very attracted to one another, Molly and Steven are on opposite sides of the issue as she emphasizes jobs and he points out heritage.
This is a terrific environmental vs. development tale starring two ethical attorneys (and this is not a fantasy) falling in love but differing on what is best for the locals. The story line is at its best when the disagreeing dynamic duo dispute with one another. Though an intrigue involving questionable deaths add suspense and enables the lead couple to meet, that subplot seems unneeded as Nadia Nichols packs her contemporary tale with plenty of super romance within a complex keenly developed societal issue.
Harriet Klausner
Average customer rating:
- An Indifferent First Effort
- GUN CONTROL
- What a coincidence
- Hogan Humanizes Armed Conflict
- Read this book and form your own opinion
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The Standoff
Chuck Hogan
Manufacturer: Doubleday
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Big Law
ASIN: 0385477163
Release Date: 1995-03-01 |
Book Description
A white supremacist, barricaded with his family on an isolated Montana mountaintop, holding off the cops with assault rifles.
A brilliant hostage negotiator who has failed to come to terms with his personal demons, reluctantly taking leadership of the one case he can't afford to lose.
A virtual army of state and local cops, national guardsmen, U.S. Marshals, and the FBI's elite hostage rescue team, clawing for jurisdiction, vowing vengeance
for fallen comrades.
A growing crowd of onlookers, sympathizers, and troublemakers, some willing to turn an isolated battle into an all-out war.
A mixture as explosive and unstable as nitroglycerine...
The Standoff. A stunning debut from a major new talent.
Customer Reviews:
An Indifferent First Effort.......2004-11-18
I am glad that I read Mr. Hogan's second book, Prince of Thieves, before I read his initial effort. Had I not done so, I probably would have not bought the second book, based upon my view of the first. That would have been my loss.
This book is loosely based on the events at Ruby Ridge and the Weaver family. Hogan clearly shows what pitfalls and difficulties await those in charge of managing such confrontations and weaves throughout it the various personalities and prejudices that are present at such confrontations.
John Banish is the FBI hostage negotiator in the middle of things with some skeletons in his past and something left to prove. He has to manage the various law enforcement agencies, angry residents who are sympathetic to the holed up family and others on both sides with itchy trigger fingers and short tempers.
This is probably much like what a hostage negotiaion is all about, but I'm not sure having read about it I find that it was really worth the effort. Go for his second book. That is a winner.
GUN CONTROL.......2004-03-17
If THE STANDOFF does nothing else, it again proves how our constitution has been "adopted" by people who use it for anything to justify their psychotic and anarchistic behavior. Here we have this guy holed up in his cabin in the Montana mountains, arming even his children with aforesaid guns, and accusing the Federal Government of instigating the war which is about to take place. Considering the fact that a US marshal was killed, and that the whole thing started when the redneck anarchist shot at a sheriff simply doing his duty. John Banish, the antihero of this book, has a past few characters would ever want to claim, and Hogan uses the book to show just how frustrating it is to uphold the law and save lives. The media, stupid supporters of this redneck, and countless others get into the melee. Hogan's problem: Why did he have to have baddies in the picture? Ables is simply a no good racist who uses his own family as protective shields.
This book angered me with its portrayal of gun-crazy fanatics who claims their right to bear arms gives them the right to shoot lawmen. That's why it's so good. Hogan succeeds in exposing these racists for what they really are---guntoting cowards.
What a coincidence.......2001-08-19
What can I say. Either this guy can have decent premonitions or he just got inspiration from the event at Ruby ridge and the Weaver family. The only bit that changed was the last few pages. Apart from that. What a load of c**p.
Hogan Humanizes Armed Conflict.......2001-05-21
An absolute gem! This story of a white supremacist's confrontation with the U.S. government could be taken from the headlines but is described on several levels. Chuck Hogan, in his initial published novel, humanizes the difficult concept of armed conflict. The mesmerizing quality is found in the realism of dialogue and the differing perspectives of all the main characters representing different branches of government and law enforcement. The different points of view and agendas come into conflict with each other and are driven by their personalities, past experiences, and personal demons, especially of the chief hostage negotiator, Special Agent Banish of the FBI. He fights his own personal Hell as he attempts to secure a safe surrender while manipulating the situation so the US Marshall or Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will be blamed if anyone is killed or if anything goes wrong.
This is fast-paced, thrilling and suspenseful with enough depth and surprises that you'll think about it well after you've put it down. As added enjoyment, I suggest you also listen to the audio tape. Stacy Keach does a yeoman's job; his voice along with the accompanying music makes this a listenning experience of the first order. Both book and audio are highly recommended.
Read this book and form your own opinion.......2000-09-09
If Hammond Innes (e.g. "Campbell's kingdom") and Donald Harstad (e.g. "Eleven Days") had written a book together; this book could have been the result of their effort. Chuck Hogan's novel mixes police procedural with a high-tension drama up in the remote mountains of Montana. The main character FBI Special Agent John Banish is not only trying to save the innocent people taken as hostage, he must also handle the local police and population as well as trying to come to terms with himself and the tragic events of his past. This is a book that you remember afterwards and it is good enough to read a second time.
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Books Index
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Anne Tyler: Four Complete Novels
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Anne Tyler: A New Collection: Three Complete Novels
The Accidental Tourist: A Novel (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
