Amazon.com
If the only side of Lawrence Block you know is the dark and gloomy Matt Scudder books, such as the noir classic When the Sacred Ginmill Closes, then you might be surprised to hear that he's also one of the most delightfully droll writers in the mystery business.
"I hurried uptown and changed into chinos and a short-sleeved shirt that would have been an Alligator except that the embroidered device on the breast was not that reptile but a bird in flight. I guess it was supposed to be a swallow, either winging its way back to Capistrano or not quite making a summer, because the brand name was Swallowtail. It had never quite caught on and I can understand why." That's Bernie Rhodenbarr, used book dealer and gentleman burglar, making a literary fashion statement in this latest return to print of one of Block's best books about him.
As with the other entries in this admirable series--The Burglar in the Closet, The Burglar in the Library, The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza, The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart, The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams, Burglars Can't Be Choosers--Block manages to be very amusing, moderately suspenseful, and impressively erudite all at the same time. The plot is a complicated tangle of double-cross and deceit surrounding the theft of a valuable painting and two murders. Mondrian isn't the only artist being framed here: Bernie has to use all of his skills--as burglar, lover, and art expert--to prove his (relative) innocence. --Dick Adler
Book Description
It's not that used bookstore owner and part-time burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr believes the less legal of his two professions is particularly ethical. (It is, however, a rush, and he is very good at it.) He just thinks it's unfair to face a prison term for his legitimate activities. After appraising the worth of a rich man's library -- conveniently leaving his fingerprints everywhere in the process -- Bernie finds he's the cops' prime suspect when his client is murdered.
Someone has framed Bernie Rhodenbarr better than they do it at the Whitney. And if he wants to get out of this corner he's been masterfully painted into, he'll have to get to the bottom of a rather artful -- if multiply murderous -- scam.
Download Description
"
It's not that used bookstore owner and part-time burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr believes the less legal of his two professions is particularly ethical. (It is, however, a rush, and he is very good at it.) He just thinks it's unfair to face a prison term for his legitimate activities. After appraising the worth of a rich man's library -- conveniently leaving his fingerprints everywhere in the process -- Bernie finds he's the cops' prime suspect when his client is murdered.
Someone has framed Bernie Rhodenbarr better than they do it at the Whitney. And if he wants to get out of this corner he's been masterfully painted into, he'll have to get to the bottom of a rather artful -- if multiply murderous -- scam.
"
Customer Reviews:
Acquired taste.......2007-07-30
Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries are an acquired taste. If you like pulp fiction with plain old escapism, these are the books for you.
I Love Bernie Rhodenbarr.......2005-12-06
I just LOVE Bernie (the burglar) Rhodenbarr. He is so rodent-like -- an aptly named character. His dialogue with gay gal-pal, Caroline, is inspiring to all who appreciate sustained wit. I also adore the oafish policeman who insists on pronouncing Mondrian "Moon-drain." I laughed all through this goofy mystery.
I give any and all of Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries my highest recommendation.
The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian.......2004-10-13
"The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian" is the fifth of the Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries by Lawrence Block, who also writes the Matt Scudder novels. Gordon Onderdonk hires Bernie to appraise his book collection. Onderdonk resides in The Charlemagne, a very upscale co-op. While there Bernie notices a painting on Onderdonk's wall by the Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian. Archie, Carolyn's cat, is catnapped, and the ransom is a Mondrian hanging on exhibit in the Hewlitt Museum. Bernie decides that the painting on Onderdonk's wall will do and plans to take it. When he gets there, the painting is missing and later Bernie is framed for Onderdonk's murder. He is later framed for the murder of a small time artist. He must prove his innocence and does it in Nero Wolfe style by gathering all the suspects together to give the solutions to all the crimes. This was my 7th Bernie Rhodenbarr novel, and my least favorite to date. The plot was complex and some of the aspects were hard to believe. Don't start the series with this one. This one is for true fans of Bernie Rhodenbarr.
Too complicated.......2003-07-14
Don't get me wrong. I love the burglar series. But this one was a bit too complicated to enjoy. When I read a Rhodenbarr book, I don't want to have to think too hard, but this one has too many twists and too many paintings to keep track of. The story starts out nice enough, with a kidnapped cat and a ransom call (in a Nazi voice) requesting a Mondrian painting. Unfortunately, the catnapping story loses steam and after awhile, I think Lawrence Block almost forgot it, then suddenly tried to wrap a bow around it. Bernie reveals the twisted details in the end, but he doesn't sufficiently explain how he solves the mystery. He rounds up the suspects into one room for the showdown, and the suspect list includes characters heretofore unseen. I wish all the suspects could have been introduced to the reader before hand, so we had a fighting chance to figure out the mystery ourselves.
Bernie Straightens Out the Curves and the Frames.......2003-05-11
Lawrence Block is one of our most talented mystery authors. In the Bernie Rhodenbarr series he explores how an ordinary, but intelligent, "honest" person might go about pursuing a life of crime as a fastidious and talented burglar who isn't proud of what he does, doesn't like to hang out with criminals, and really gets a big thrill out of breaking and entering . . . and removing valuables. As you can see, there's a sitcom set-up to provide lots of humor. But the humor works well in part because Mr. Block is able to put the reader in the Bernie's shoes while he breaks, enters and steals . . . and evades the long arm of the law. To balance the "honest" burglar is an array of "dishonest" and equally easy-money loving cops. As a result, you're in a funny moral never-never land while your stomach tightens and your arm muscles twitch as tension builds. To make matters even more topsy-turvy, Bernie at some point in every story turns into an investigator who must figure out "who-dun-it" for some crime that he personally didn't do. It's almost like one of those "mystery at home" games where the victim comes back as the police investigator, playing two roles. Very nice!
So much for explaining the concept of the series. The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian is the fifth book in the series. I strongly suggest that you begin the series by reading Burglars Can't Be Choosers and follow it up with The Burglar in the Closet, The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza and The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling. Each story in the series adds information and characters in a way that will reduce your pleasure of the others if read out of order. Although, I originally read them out of order and liked them well enough. I'm rereading them now in order, and like it much better this way. The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams comes next in the series.
Book dealer Bernie has been hired by a wealthy collector to come to his apartment to value his book collection. Bernie is happy to do this for two reasons. He gets paid more for his time than he does by selling books in his store, and, more importantly, because it gets him into one of the highest security apartment buildings in New York City at a time when a wealthy stamp collector is away in West Virginia. After the appraisal is completed, Bernie sneaks up the fire exit to burgle another apartment and comes away with some choice and salable items. Just when everything seems perfect, Bernie finds himself inexplicably wanted for murder. Soon every cop in New York is looking for him. Even Ray Kirschmann's paid-for help may not save him this time!
This story has some of the most offbeat and unexpected situations in it of any that I remember in detective fiction. Each element seems to be so outlandish that you cannot help but smile. In essence, the book is a spoof of the whole detective fiction genre, and it works as humor very well. For example, a cat is kidnapped by someone demanding a quarter-million dollar ransom and cat whiskers are delivered to prove that the cat is being held. Bernie meets someone unexpectedly in one of his burglaries and you will be totally amazed by what comes next. Bernie is confronted with three seemingly impossible thefts and his ultimate methods to secure the goods will keep you chuckling for hours. Bernie conferences with his attorney while running up and down hills after his old attorney succumbs in an unusual manner to the Grim Reaper. The complications among lovers, ex-lovers and potential lovers remind me of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Here's the fly in the pigment in this hilarious tale. If you know nothing about art, the story works perfectly and you will remember it for years as one of the best detective books you have read. If you totally suspend your disbelief about art, it also works well. If you know about art and insist on accuracy in details, you will know that the story's resolution does not work. It is full of more holes than most Swiss cheese. If you find yourself in one of the first two categories, you will think of this as a five-star book. If you think of it in the last category, you will think it is hopelessly flawed. My grading reflects a balance between those views. Decide in advance how you want to read the book.
The theme of this book focuses on the seemingly insignificant differences between what is genuine and what is not. Mostly, the differences lie in the mind, rather than in reality. A good question to ask yourself after reading this book is where nongenuine, but well-done, substitutes should be used in preference to what is scarce, expensive and genuine.
Donald Mitchell
Co-author of The 2,000 Percent Solution, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
Product Description
4 Mass Market Paperback Titles in Bernie Rhodenbarr Series - The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza - Burglar in the Closet - Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian - Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling
Product Description
multiple books ship as one item. save on shipping/handling charges.
Amazon.com
The Four Witnesses by Robin Griffith-Jones, Master of the (Anglican) Temple in London, attempts to clarify the distinctions among the four gospels' quite different visions of Jesus. The four witnesses, as Griffith-Jones describes them, are the rebel (Mark), the rabbi (Matthew), the chronicler (Luke), and the Mystic (John). Griffith-Jones asks, "Who were these four writers? Where did they write and when? For whom?" and proceeds to give straightforward, balanced, intelligent answers. The Four Witnesses is most intent on making the point that each gospel was first written to speak to the situation of a particular religious community. For many readers, that will come as very good news, because it will help them to hear the particular messages that the gospels hold for their own communities today. For this reason, The Four Witnesses will also be a useful resource for Christian education programs in churches of many denominations.
Book Description
"Who Do You Say I Am?"
Four Witnesses Offer Strikingly Different Testimony to the Life and Death of Jesus
Bringing the stories of Jesus to life for the contemporary reader, Robin Griffith-Jones revives the origional power and intent of each of the four gospels. He presents a lively discussion of how and why each gospel was written, considering the substance and style of the testimony itself as well as the unique context of each story. Mark's gospel tells the rebel's story of Jesus as a failed revolutionary whose mission mysteriously succeeds. For the rabbi Matthew, Jesus is the long-awaited fulfillment of Jewish expectation. For Luke, Jesus is a heroic, compassionate social revolutionary who confidently and mercifully dies on behalf of all humanity. John's gospel is a mystic's interpretation of the divinity of Jesus told in powerful poetic language.
"Who do you say I am?" Each gospel offers its own answer to Jesus' question, influenced by the context of its writing and the personality of its writer. All four gospels taken together provide what one alone could not: a remarkably full and compelling presentation of Jesus and his message.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent study on the Four Gospels.......2007-03-15
I believe that this is one of the most informative and honest looks at the Four Gospels I have yet to see. It seems that most of the time, you get either one of the two extremes in the spiritual community: the right-wing conservatives who discourage any "new" interpretation of Scripture, or the conspiracy theorists who more often than not, attempt to "balance" the teachings by trying to make it appear more ultra-feminist. Fortunately, the author takes that elusive middle ground, attempting to remain true to the Greek translations of the Four Gospels (thus the unusual names for the various books, such as "Visions" in place of "Revelations", etc.), while at the same time, critcally viewing each of the Four Gospels as they were meant to be viewed--separately and on their own merits.
It is in fact a long read (even though it is only 300 pages long), mainly due to the fact that there is such a huge amount of fascinating information to cover. And as for some others' criticisms that he never "gets to the point", I believe he is trying to let the reader come to their own conclusions concerning each of the Four Gospels, and the central question of each: "Who do you say I am?" Not an easy question to answer for any of the four, and least of all, for the laymen who have joined this ever-growing "new sect" since those early days nearly 2,000 years ago. As the author constantly pointed out, in the case of the Four Gospels, we are to decide what Jesus meant in that seemingly simple question...WE are the jury who must weigh the evidence for or against this teacher from Galilee. I would recommend it for ANYONE who is interested in studying the Four Gospels more intensely. Read this book, and then go back and read the actual Four Gospels. It will take more than one sitting to soak it all in...
The 4 story tellers of Christianity.......2006-12-22
Prof. Robin Griffith-Jones is an Anglican Church Chaplain in presenting his research on the four Gospels in answering Jesus's question "Who do you say I am?". He is a knowledgeable powerful scholar in connecting the Testaments of Old with New in defining Jesus as the expected Messiah against the unjust, unequal and brutal Roman oppression on Jewish people.
He showed Mark: The Rebel's story, Matthew: The Rabbi's story, Luke: The Chronicler's story, John: The Mystic's story. The Tao of the Gospels works well in the mysterious way of life and death, winning and defeat, hope and despair. His powerful epilogue ended the book.
He uses the term witness as the title of the book. Jesus movement ended in his crucifixion in 30s. The oral tradition kept the epic story alive with Paul, the missionary and the first Pope Peter in Jerusalem. Jesus Seminar scholars concluded that Mark was the first Gospel written by 80s followed by Matthew and Luke. John was believed written a decade later. Did the four witnesses get CNN to record every detail? Can we qualify any visitor to the hi-tech Lincoln Museum in Springfield Illinois to be the witness of Civil War?
The four Gospels are records collectively remembered so that you will believe. The post Easter belief of resurrection created Christianity that in a mythical way succeeds the failed revolution.
Lao Tzu said in Tao Te Ching Chapter 33: One who died but does not perish, has everlasting life. Jesus certainly achieves this status.
Christmas question - what would happen if it had been three wise women instead of men?
Answers:
1. They would have asked for directions
2. They would have arrived on time.
3. They would have brought a hand made quilt crib
4. They would have cleaned the stable
5. They would have delivered the baby
6. They would have made a casserol and chicken soups
7. They would have given motherhold guidance
8. There would be PEACE ON EARTH!
Surprisingly Interesting.......2004-10-11
Even though I rarely read religious books, I picked this book up on a recent trip to the US. I was very pleasantly surprised: I thought the contents extremely interesting. We all know that each story of the gospel was written in a different context, but I have never understood just how much this affects our image of Jesus and his life and death. I found this book simply gripping. The author spends much time bringing back the atmosphere of these early Christian communities when the gospels were written, and he does it in a very colourful style. This may be unconventional, but it is certainly effective. This is a world that is so easily lost otherwise, and it prevents a challenging book from simply being dry and monotonous. This is a book that I think I will want to read again. Having read it from start to finish, I think that over the coming months I will want to dip into different chapters: because this is a book that has changed my understanding of the gospel as such, but each chapter also has so much to say about individual parables and stories.
In short: I found this a great book to deepen my understanding of Christ, and one that has encouraged me to go back and re-read the gospels from a fresh perspective.
Four Views of Truth, Amplified.......2004-02-18
Here is a book to sink your theological teeth into. Robin Griffith-Jones takes the reader on a journey of discovery as he compares and contrasts the four chief sources of our understanding of Jesus Christ.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say I am?" And they present us with Jesus in such a way that it demands a response from us. Even so, each of the Gospel writers answers with a distinct voice. We are so used to hearing bits and pieces of all the Gospels; we often merge their messages.
Griffith-Jones invites us, instead, to see Jesus in the distinct ways he is presented in each.
The subtitle of the book tells us we will look at Jesus as: the Rebel, the Rabbi, the Chronicler, and the Mystic. If these are attributes of Jesus you have not yet considered, you will want to read more about each.
The author is a former chaplain and professor of New Testament at Lincoln College, Oxford, now serves as Master of the Temple Church in London, one of the most influential positions in the Church of England. He gives us the state of the world and the state of the fledgling Christian community, so we may better understand the concerns each Gospel writer addresses in their individual portraits of Christ.
Just as artists have cast light on particular aspects of Jesus ministry and message, so too, says Griffith-Jones, those inspired witnesses. The Rebel who turned the world upside down, the Rabbi who taught in the tradition of Judaism yet with an authority unlike any other, the Chronicler who told the wonders of God's kingdom, and the Mystic who helped us the eternal realities behind everyday living.
If you want to delve into these aspects of our Lord, you will find Griffith-Jones the perfect guide. The book is not a quick read; and you will want to keep your New Testament open as you study the contributions of the Gospel writers.
No bueno.......2003-12-26
While I learned some things about what it was like in Rome and surrounding communities when the early church was forming, I will second, third, fourth and fifth the other reviewers who say he would tell us what he was going to say and then not tell us. He was long-winded, and I found no real conclusion to the entire book, though it felt like he was trying to lead up to one. Perhaps I missed it.
Average customer rating:
- Judge this book by it's cover!
- MYSTIC REBEL IS AS GOOD AS DOOMSDAY WARRIOR
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Mystic Rebel
R. Syvertsen
Manufacturer: Pinnacle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Darkness Descends (Mystic Rebel, No 3)
ASIN: 1558171045 |
Customer Reviews:
Judge this book by it's cover!.......2003-08-13
I stumbled across the Mystic Rebel series while on a jaunt to my local used book store. I had found book five - and the cover of the hero Bart holding a sword wrapped loosely by a crimson cloth was simply stunning. I soon found out that story was just as intriging as the cover. I managed to find all but book #1 and I hope to get my hands on it soon. The Mystic Rebel series delves deep in to Asian mythology and poses many questions on the origins of man. A great adventure with colorful chracters! Certainly a 'must read'!
MYSTIC REBEL IS AS GOOD AS DOOMSDAY WARRIOR.......2000-03-04
Listen, Ryder Syvertsen is the best -- This book is second best in the series--MR # 2 is the best one of tyhe lot, --hey its exciting! the mystic rebel is about an ex CIA agent in contemporary tibet, fighiting communists and sorcerers with muscle, brains and later on some mystic powers he absorbs in tibet -- the dalia lamas best (violent) friend, Bart Lasker IS the mystic rebel for six books in this series--its as good a series as C.A.D.S. and DOOMSDAY Warrior. CADS #2 and DW #2 are the best of those series, and it is odd that MR #2 is also the best in THIS SERIES --
Average customer rating:
- This book is a worthy companion to those of Rumi and Hafiz
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Quarreling With God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey
Manufacturer: White Cloud Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Middle Eastern | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Turkey | Middle Eastern | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Sufism | Islam | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1883991684 |
Book Description
This collection presents, for the first time in English, a compilation of seven centuries of the mystic hymns of Turkey's rebellious Sufi poets, the popular folk counterparts to Rumi whose poems are characterized by a passionate and unorthodox commitment to Truth. At the time Rumi was writing, many other great mystics in the region were also composing wild, ecstatic and controversial poems which were circulated among the people as spiritual songs called nefes and illahis, still played and sung today in sacred dervish ceremonies and gatherings. These poems were meant to swiftly and easily penetrate the heart of the spiritual aspirant, and awaken the human heart to its divine inheritance. The poems present a spiritual tradition from the Islamic world emphasizing universal mystic love and tolerance.
Customer Reviews:
This book is a worthy companion to those of Rumi and Hafiz .......2007-07-28
I am a helpless renderer, but paraphrasing seems to work best here.
From the opening poem in this book, to give one a sample of the fine, fine, flavor (my rendering/expounding of part of that poem):
"I was asked how the Beloved and me were getting along these days?"
I responded, "Don't be nosey, because -- what of it? For any events that come my way Infinite Knowledge and Compassion sent. All that has entered my ken has become precious, sacred ... and is treated as such. Thus every war -- every internal or external war -- for me has ended."
Sorry to any scholars about that rendering, also who would know who Nesimi is, whose name is mentioned in the original verse. He was new to me. And as said, I just can't help but to frolic with good music, jam and tamper with it. Why not - "what of it", Nesimi might say!
Whatever cracks in your walls and cages Rumi & Hafiz & Kabir may not have broken more open for you so that God -- the Sun -- can seep in ... this book can help rend that veil. "Quarreling with God" is an excellent work, an important contribution to intelligent, spiritual poetry.
Daniel Ladinsky
Best-selling Penguin author of several poetry collections
Customer Reviews:
a wonderful adventure.......2007-03-04
I first purchased the 5 books from local Seattle stores in 1988 and '89. I found the 6th book in the series in 1995 here. I'm old now, but it is a lovely bit of escapism.
More entertaining than any fiction books I have read, I could never sell them. I was especially interested to learn of the myth of
Jesus and his apostle Thomas, traveling to India and Dying there in fact. I thought it possible 15 years ago and I haven't changed my mind, since. I wish I had read the series before I went to India. I would have been more alert for these little bits of fact/myth.
The style of writing is meant for teens, but I found it enjoyable and refreshing. If you hold little interest in buddhism, it may become boring. There is mild swearing and mild sexual situations.
A little fantasy, a little history and a little mythology. Fascinating.
Average customer rating:
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Darkness Descends (Mystic Rebel, No 3)
R. Syvertsen
Manufacturer: Pinnacle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Mystic Rebel
ASIN: 155817141X |
Average customer rating:
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Bob Marley, Soul Rebel--Natural Mystic
Vivien Goldman
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General | Instruments & Performers | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0312087276 |
Books:
- The Butcher's Theater
- The Doorbell Rang
- The Good Husband of Zebra Drive: The New Novel in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (Random House Large Print (Hardcover))
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- The Lamp of the Wicked (Merrily Watkins Mysteries)
- The Merchant of Menace (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #10)
- The Outside Man
- The Pearl Diver: A Novel
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Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, The (Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries)
The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries)
The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza
The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart
The Burglar in the Closet (Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries)
