Product Description

One May evening in London, Adam Kindred, a young climatologist in town for a job interview, is feeling good about the future as he sits down for a meal at a little Italian bistro. He strikes up a conversation with a solitary diner at the next table, who leaves soon afterward. With horrifying speed, this chance encounter leads to a series of malign accidents, through which Adam loses everything—home, family, friends, job, reputation, passport, credit cards, cell phone—never to get them back.

Customer Reviews (39)

Good read
This book starts out a little slowly but really builds up as it progresses.I like that better then authors that seem to get out all their ideas in the first half.I was so concerned for the hero that it seemed quite painful at first, but got over that hump as did the hero :).

Excellent Novel about Little Known, Contemporary London
Engrossing read. Elegant, stylish writing. A journey through a London little known to many of us, into the belly of the underworld and of the working poor. Also, a journey down the Thames where we are treated to a close look at the tides, the flotsam and jetsam, the very waters - their color and substance - that lend credence to the Thames still being the hub of London life.

Importantly, what drives the story is the transformation of genteel academic Adam Kindred who, with hopes of an interview for a top job, inadvertently becomes a murder suspect after being embroiled in the assassination of a stranger. From posh to lower class, he turns into a homeless in hiding at the edge of the Thames, a hobo wandering and rediscovering the city, before growing in street smarts, assuming another identity, and outwitting an assassin. During his journey, Adam, in essence, reinvents himself and builds a new, more fulfilling life.

Pretty Good
This was my first time reading Boyd (thanks Stephen King for the suggestion) so I intitially thought this was going to be a serious thriller.I was dissappointed the Adam character wasn't a stronger, more courageous protagonist.But before too long, I realized that every character in this was just that- a character.When examined from your own point of view, their eccentricities are at times pretty hilarious.Sort of like a Carl Haissen novel- only less overtly humourous.Even the hired killer has likeable, funny qualities.
I do agree that I could have done with a more complete ending.Two pretty major situations are left unresolved.

potboiler boyd
Any Human Heart and New Confessions were great books by Boyd, but this is almost a pot boiler. Once read, easily forgotten.

thriller with social commentary
I enjoyed this well written novel.The characters are well drawn and elicit sympathy.Though the ending might not ring true, it's been great fun along the way.The author brings London and its less glamorous side vividly to life.The themes--corporate corruption and greed and the individuals victimized by them--are hardly new, but neither are they tiresome.I enjoyed the author's novel, Restless, a bit more, but felt I had wasted neither time or money reading this one. ... Read more

Product Description
During a big thunderstorm, Mom and Dad find lots of ways to comfort Little Critter and his sister. Mom makes a fun dinner and Dad lights the candles as they both share their wisdom about thunder, lightning—and rainbows! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Sweet, Warm Story
"Just a Thunderstorm" by Gina and Mercer Mayer is intersting in that it's told from the perspective of Little Critter's little sister, rather than Little Critter himself. The two are playing outside when it starts getting windy and their Mom says that a thunderstorm is coming. Sure enough, it starts raining soon, but Little Sister says that she's not scared because there's only a little thunder. A power outage is turned into a campout and for a while things are all right. But when it comes time to go to bed, Little Sister is scared because the thunder is really really loud. Little Sister tries all sorts of things to keep from being scared, but nothing helps. Then, her Dad tells her some of the good things about thunderstorms, but it still doesn't help. Ultimately, Little Sister comes to accept her fear of thunderstorms.

All pages in this book are fully illustrated and the story is fairly short and easy to follow. Kids can read this themselves, or have it read to them. There are a couple of ongoing gags as well to add visual interest.

Great for helping young children process fears
Last night in the midst of a loud and scary storm my two-yearold kept asking me for something. It took me a few minutes tounderstand that she was saying, "Thunder book." So we went to our bookshelves in search of this book, which has been a favorite of hers since it first came into our home. (She also loves her little critter CDrom of "Just Grandma and Me") Last night I read the book three times and my husband read it twice, before my daughter said, "Thunder all gone" and was ready to move on to another book. This is the first time I've seen her use a book to process/normalize fears, and I think it's wonderful. Even though this is supposed to be for the 4-8 year old, all young children are fascinated by storms. The book doesn't minimize the scary aspects, but does give examples of ways of dealing with fear (reading a book, listening to a tape, climbing into bed with a brother) and talks about the positive aspects of thunderstorms (the adventure, roasting marshmallows in the fireplace when the lights go out, splashing in puddles the next day, and the fact that storms help flowers grow).My only complaint is that the children do end up sleeping in their parents room which is something we're currently trying to discourage. But I'm very grateful for this book. ... Read more

Product Description
When his animal friends offer amusing explanations for thunder and lightning, Franklin overcomes his fear of such storms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good Book!
My step son is 5 and he's starting to learn how to read...I'll read to him and he'll re-read what I jsut read. It's helping him learn words. The story is great and easy to follow!

Very helpful
My 3 yr old son really enjoys this book.At the time we purchased this he was afraid of loud noises.This book has helped to ease his fears.The book is well written and the characters are cute.I would recommend this to anyone.

"WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF."
FRANKLIN AND THE THUNDERSTORM is a colorful, entertaining, imaginative young reader book dealing with a relevant issue--FEAR.We all have them so this young reader book is sure to grab the child's attention.There is conflict and character growth, the formula for a great story a child will remember and ask for again.

Franklin's mother sends a reluctant and nervous turtle dressed in galoshes and a rain hat, carrying an umbrella, over to his friend, Fox's house as a storm begins to brew.When he arrives, there are three other animals there sharing their opinions about the approaching thunderstorm such as: "My fur feels funny," says Fox. "My feathers get all ruffled," says Hawk. "I can smell a storm coming," says Beaver sniffing. No one seems to be scared but Franklin. But he is scared enough for all four of his buddies! The storm hits full force and they all run inside.When the power goes out Franklin is so terrified he retreats inside his shell and no kind of coaxing on anyone's part, even treats from Mrs. Fox, will get him out. So Franklin's friends use their imaginations and begin talking about the CLOUD GIANTS.Whether the Cloud Giants are bowling or playing drums in the sky (thunder,) swinging from chandeliers or turning their lights on and off (lightning,) the illustrations are what make the story so great.Beaver quotes Mr. Owl's factual definition of thunder and Franklin, by this time, is out of his shell and smiling.Fox and his friends go back outside and Franklin discovers a rainbow. What Franklin say at the ending rounds out this very special story.

*You should buy this for the funny illustrations of the Cloud giants and what Franklin says about rainbows alone.Wonderful short story for ages 4-8. I got a set of 4 Franklins in a book club for my young daughter and this is her favorite.

Afraid
It helps children to deal with fears. In this book Franklin is afraid of thunderstorms. His friends help him thru it when they find out and are supported. This is an excellent book for any child that has a fear.

Children Will Enjoy It
Franklin is leary about journeying to his friend Fox's house as an eminent thunderstorm is brewing in the skies above. Through understanding and encouragement from his friends, Franklin learns to deal with the inevitablestorm and gains comfort from his friends. ... Read more

Product Description
Hans thinks people expect a lot of him because he is the son of Martin Luther and wonders what he can do to fulfill their expectations. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (9)

Some really interesting data
"Never Shower in a Thunderstorm..." is easy to read no matter what your background is. The scientific info is given in succinct but complete passages. The author uses the latest data available, which can be a double-edged sword. While the advice is good... for now, the data may need to be changed in future publications due to new information. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know whether or not their mother's directives were based in scientific fact or superstition.

I will never shower in a thunderstorm again!
If you love Tuesday's Really Claim in the NYTimes, you will enjoy this book as much as I did. I thoroughly recommend it!!

Never shower in a Thunderstorm;
Lots and lots of good tips. It was so interesting that I read the whole thing in one sitting then passed it along to my kids.

Pretty poor book
I bought this book to entertain me for a trans-pacific flight, and boy was I disappointed.Most of the questions are answered along the lines of: "Maybe, but it can't hurt to [blah]..."

Nothing is really backed up, and you're just supposed to trust the author.At some point in the book, it was talking about hair loss caused by tight hair styles.And it made the statement of Andre Agassi wearing hats all the time and then suddenly he was bald.So the hats must have caused him to lose his hair. Uh, maybe he wore hats because he had thinning hair?

I was not happy with this purchase at all.

Lacks Sources
About: Facts and myths about health explained. Includes such topics as "Is too much sleep bad for you?" (yes) and "Can you swim right after eating?" (also, yes)

Pros: Quick read, interesting.

Cons: Sources are not cited, a large downside when debunking myths or providing facts.

Grade: B ... Read more

Product Description
The mountains are dark and looming as the lightening splits across the sky. The forest offers shelter and in the distance the traveller spots a lamp. Rushing towards the door he doesn’t realize that someone has planned this journey – there is a woman in the house who needs to hear about her loving Savior, Jesus Christ. God has sent the traveller to tell her about himself. There are lots of stories in this book. Read about the thunderstorm, some hidden treasure and a Bible in a suitcase as well as many other stories about how we should live for God and read his word. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A must-have resource for those who work with children
We purchased every book in this series. One student (11) goes to the bookshelf and reads through them on a regular basis. This same student marks the stories he likes and insistently says, "Please read this one & then share it with the class". Every book has numerous stories tagged for my attention with Post-It Notes. If that isn't a glowing endorsement of the series, I don't know what could be better.

Great read-aloud book for the younger ones and excellent for independent reading with the older students during choice or reading time.

Great for Devotionals
I bought the whole set of these a couple years ago.We read them for devotionals at night.They have short little stories that usually didn't take long but they make you think.So they are great if you have a family of mixed ages.Once in a while there will be a long story but all the stories are marked whether they are short or long.
The stories are also based in the past so you are learning a bit of history as well.We learned a lot through reading them.
... Read more

Product Description
Thunderstorm, a four-act play by China's leading playwright Tsao Yu, has held the stage since it was first produced in 1933, and is a classic of 20th-century drama. Its wide human appeal has drawn audiences from every walk of life. The setting is the home of an industrialist in northern China, where a family has come together with the inexorable fatality of a Greek drama. This is a play of tensions, and in the 24 hours in which the action takes place, we watch these tensions mount as the climax swiftly approaches. The emotional conflicts and stresses, which Tsao Yu handles with remarkable finesse, are skillfully interwoven in such a way that suspense is sustained to the very end. The play is an accomplished example of the Western form of drama in China. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Recommendation
Every one will feel unsatisfied upon reading such a drama full of
variety of contradictory and fluctuation.

Here I recommend another drama "The Whildeness" to you,go to
try another flavor.

Recommendation
No one will feel unsatisfied upon reading such a drama full of
variety of contradictory and fluctuation.

Here I recommend another drama "The Whildeness" to you,go to
try another flavor. ... Read more

Product Description
This is no regular rainstorm. After the lightning, sounds rumble and boom. It's a thunderstorm! Learn more about the giant flashes of light and what makes thunder crashin this book about a building thunderstorm. ... Read more

Product Description
What makes the earth quake, rivers flood, and volcanoes blow their tops? How do natural forces become natural disasters? Buckle yourseatbelts and get ready for a bumpy ride to the center of the earth for a look at some of the wildest phenomena in the history of earth science! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gentle and relaxing
Two wonderfully recorded CD's that you will enjoy time and time again.

The Songbird Sunrise:It's a thoughtful and gentle recording of morning bird songs, not punchy obnoxious squawking bird noises like some of the other nature discs out there. I keep the songbird cd in the living room looping over and over throughout the day (brings the outdoors in, very relaxing to close your eyes and lay on the couch pretending your are outside but without all the bugs!The dogs love it too, seems to soothe them). :)

The thunderstorm CD I only play on occasion because, well, I don't need it to storm every day. :) Again it's not overpowering, it's a nice mix.They definitely put love into recording both of these discs with 3-D realism.If you shut your eyes and relax, it will feel like you are there in the storm.I use a stereo for both, but I'd imagine that a headset would be even more of an intense experience.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Sweet, Warm Story
"Just a Thunderstorm" by Gina and Mercer Mayer is intersting in that it's told from the perspective of Little Critter's little sister, rather than Little Critter himself. The two are playing outside when it starts getting windy and their Mom says that a thunderstorm is coming. Sure enough, it starts raining soon, but Little Sister says that she's not scared because there's only a little thunder. A power outage is turned into a campout and for a while things are all right. But when it comes time to go to bed, Little Sister is scared because the thunder is really really loud. Little Sister tries all sorts of things to keep from being scared, but nothing helps. Then, her Dad tells her some of the good things about thunderstorms, but it still doesn't help. Ultimately, Little Sister comes to accept her fear of thunderstorms.

All pages in this book are fully illustrated and the story is fairly short and easy to follow. Kids can read this themselves, or have it read to them. There are a couple of ongoing gags as well to add visual interest.

Great for helping young children process fears
Last night in the midst of a loud and scary storm my two-yearold kept asking me for something. It took me a few minutes tounderstand that she was saying, "Thunder book." So we went to our bookshelves in search of this book, which has been a favorite of hers since it first came into our home. (She also loves her little critter CDrom of "Just Grandma and Me") Last night I read the book three times and my husband read it twice, before my daughter said, "Thunder all gone" and was ready to move on to another book. This is the first time I've seen her use a book to process/normalize fears, and I think it's wonderful. Even though this is supposed to be for the 4-8 year old, all young children are fascinated by storms. The book doesn't minimize the scary aspects, but does give examples of ways of dealing with fear (reading a book, listening to a tape, climbing into bed with a brother) and talks about the positive aspects of thunderstorms (the adventure, roasting marshmallows in the fireplace when the lights go out, splashing in puddles the next day, and the fact that storms help flowers grow).My only complaint is that the children do end up sleeping in their parents room which is something we're currently trying to discourage. But I'm very grateful for this book. ... Read more

Product Description
Thunderstorm is a tragic play involving complicated blood relationships and numerous inevitable tragic coincidences that occur in the 1930s in China. It is a dramatic feat with profound connotations and heart-stirring artistry.The story unfolded around Zhou Puyuan, a male character who had been to Germany to study. Cold-blooded, selfish and hypocritical, he was like a dictator of a dark dynasty in his home. Zhou Puyuan is a well-portrayed character in Thunderstorm. All sinful acts were attributable to his domestic autocracy. The profound significance of Thunderstorm lies in its exposure of the close political and ideological bond between Chinese capitalists and the deep-rooted feudal traditions. ... Read more

Product Description
The First Place Award Winner for The 1989 NationalWritten & Illustrated By...Contest for Students, this is a lyricalblend of poetry and photographs.

This outstanding book of poetry offers a wide range of sensitiveinsights, thought-provoking ideas, and amusing whimsies.

A lovely book to be savored and enjoyed again and again. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Delight for All Ages
Inspiring and thought provoking, this beautifully written and photographed work of poetic art is one to be treasured by young and old alike.If you have been turned off by poetry in the past, I strongly recommend you give it a second chance with this book.If you are a lover of poetry, this is an important addition to any collection.Each poem is brilliantly coupled with an equally moving photograph.I've been sharing this book with my literature courses (for future teachers) for years, and my students are always amazed to find that the author of this perspicacious book was only 16 at the time of publication.Truly, this book is a "must have" for any classroom or home where poetry is to be enjoyed.

Incredible talent
Once in a blue moon, a person of tender years shows ability far beyond what one would expect. Mozart, for example, wrote brilliant music at the age of 5. The author of this work, only 16 when she put it together, is one such talent. Her poetry shows a wisdom and experience far beyond her years. Her photographs convey such feeling and depth, and complement her words beautifully. In the past decade, I have read this book over and over. Bits and pieces of the poems, and images from the photographs, come back to me often, and I will suddenly finding myself asking a friend if he or she has ever seen the book We Are A Thunderstorm, or if he or she has ever heard of Amity Gaige. And each time, it is an opportunity to share this marvelous work with others. I can't recommend it highly enough. ... Read more

Product Description
Thunderstorm, a four-act play by Tsao Yu, one of China's leading playwrights, has held the stage since it was produced in 1933.Its wide human appeal has drawn audiences from every walk of life all over China and it has even been made into a folk-opera.

Here, for the first time, is an adequate English translation.

The setting is the home of an industrialist in north China, where a family has come together with the inexorable fatality of a Greek drama.It is a play of tensions, and, in the twenty-four hours in which the action takes place, we watch these tensions mount and tauten as the tragic climax swiftly approached.

Here, in miniature, we witness the disintegration of the fabric of the old society and the birth-pangs of the new.The head of the house, a self-made man whose preoccupation with success has made him in sensible to the ties of blood and affection, still bears within him the stifling weight of the old feudal society. The younger generation are in rebellion against the decaying order which the older generation stand for, and the intensity of their reaction reveals new facets in the dramatic situation.

The play is an accomplished example of the Western form of drama in China.The emotional conflicts and stresses which Tsao Yu handles with such finesse are skillfully interwoven and counterpoised in such a way that suspense is sustained to the final curtain.

We are confident that English speaking readers will accord this play the welcome that one of the classics of twentieth-century drama deserves. ... Read more

Product Description
Written from the perspective of a developmental editor advising an author with a newly completed book draft, this article details a step-by-step method for revising and editing novel-length fiction or creative/narrative non-fiction manuscripts. It is a holistic, integrated process that applies to writers at every skill level and at any stage of their project. Writers may follow the system completely or selectively.

Based on the premise that writers benefit more from undertaking this work on their own than from hiring professionals to do it for them, The CT Method explores concepts and logistical details relevant to writers who plan to seek an agent or publisher as well as those who may choose to self-publish.While most of these self-revision and self-editing strategies and tactics will be relevant to writers working on shorter pieces, the process will be most useful to long-form stories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent resource for authors
I recently finished the first draft of a book I've been working on for several years.I wanted to do all the editing I could on my own before sending my manuscript to a professional editor.After doing a lot of research I purchased 3 books to help me in that process - one of them was "The CT Method" by David Schlosser.I love this book for its simple and practical format.Schlosser has done all authors a tremendous service by providing these useful and insightful editing steps.The couple of bucks spent on this book will save me hundreds, if not more, in professional editing services. ... Read more

Product Description
The farmer working in his barn could sense it. So could the fox watching him from a distance. A thunderstorm was coming. In clear prose that is as poetic as it is informative, Tripp describes the changes in the atmosphere caused by the movement of different weather fronts. Powerful and beautiful watercolor illustrations build in intensity along with the storm. ... Read more

Product Description
What happens when a plane is hit by lightning? Why does lightning look like a streak one time and a ribbon or row of glowing balls another? How do rocket ships create lightning as they fly? These questions and many more are answered in this book that also includes unforgettable personal accounts by people who have been struck by lightning. Chock full of fun facts, fascinating activities, colorful photographs -- plus so much more! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

When lightning strikes
This 60-page early reference book is great for 3rd and 4th graders wondering how lightning and thunder happen.

It removes their fear.

The book opens with a chapter inaptly labeled Drama, which provides myriad facts about lightning and thunder. For example, at any given moment 2,000 thunderstorms are happening on Earth, which adds up to about 16 million thunderstorms a year. Like fingerprints, each lightning bolt differs from all others. Kids also learn here about Zeus and his mythic temper and Thor, the Viking God of lightning and thunder, who threw hammers at his enemies. Three brief sections discuss Ben Franklin's famous kite-flying experiment, weather forecasting and storm chasers.

Kids next learn how clouds form. Clouds can be small or huge, reaching 60,000 feet--taller than Mount Everest. Thunderstorms require warm air, which explains why many storms occur near the Equator. Indonesia's Java Island typically has thunderstorms on 223 days out of the year. The Southeastern U.S. also gets lots of thunderstorms. Kids also learn in this chapter the three stages of thunderstorms.

The third chapter discusses the types of electricity, including the static variety that causes lightning. Kids learn about the various types of lightning--sheet, ribbon, bead, ball and fork--as well as what causes thunder. When lightning flashes, the air through which it travels heats up to about 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which quickly causes rapid loud shock waves that make huge booms. There are several types of thunder, too.

Chapter 4 discusses what happens when lightning strikes. It includes 10 pages of beautiful photographs.

Next kids meet two young survivors of lightning strikes. Chapter 5 also provides several websites that discuss lightning strikes and storm safety. The latter is also covered in Chapter 6.

A fine book. Alyssa A. Lappen

Learn about lightning
The book is about lightning and thunderstorms and what they can do.One strike from a bolt of lightning could easily kill you.Very few people have survived getting hit from lightning.

I enjoyed reading the bookbecause it is interesting.It shows stories about people who survivedlightning.It tells you how to be safe in a thunderstorm.

I wouldrecommend this book to a friend because you would learn a lot aboutlightning.I wanted to read it because lightning is fascinating.I thinkits cool.

The pictures were colored photographs of thunderstorms.Therewas not a lot of pictures, but they were good ones.

What I have learnedfrom this book is that there is lightning that you cannot see.Withinvisible lightning, you can see the clouds light up.You still hear thethunder, the lightning is inside the cloud.The thunder might also bebecause of the sonic boom that the lightning makes.When something goes atthe speed of sound, or faster, the sound waves get messed up and make thisbooming sound, called a sonic boom.

There is ball lightning that hasbeen claimed to have been seen many times.Not much is known about balllightning, it stays there for a couple of seconds in a ball.

After alllightning occurs, there is a smaller strike that comes up from the ground. It is very high voltage electricity.The static electricity forms from theclouds rubbing together and makes the high voltage electricity that we calllightning.

You can protect yourself from lightning by crouching down, notlaying down because if you lay down, the counter strike from the ground canhurt you.If you stand up, the going down lightning hits the tallest thingpossible.You should be away from any water because water conductselectricity and therefore if you're near water, the electric bolt can beduplicated and can hurt you.

The safest place to be in a thunderstorm isinside a house or inside a hard top car.On every house or building, thereis a lightning rod that conducts electricity and sends it straight to theground.In the car, the rubber from the wheels won't let the lightning getinto the car.

The thunderstorm is created when ice and water mix and mixinside clouds creating static electricity and lightning.There needs to bea lot of ice and water to start raining, they keep on building up into theclouds until the cloud is too full and they fall out. Only certain kinds ofclouds that create thunderstorms.

There is a story about a boy namedNathan.His mom and dad were out and he had to watch his younger brother. His mom called and told him about the thunderstorm that was going to come,so he went to get his kitties out of the garage.He didn't want them toget hurt.When he was going out, he touched the door knob and got struckby lightning.He didn't think he went unconscious.He thought he wasgoing to die.Everything was numb and burnt on his body.He tried gettingout of the garage again and it worked.He was able to open the door.Whenhe told his younger brother to call 911, his younger brother thought it wasa joke.When he took his shirt off, his brother believed him and called911 because he was all burnt.Nathan thought he was going to die for thefirst couple of days in the hospital.After a month or two, he was able togo back to school.He was 12 years old at the time.

Storm Safety
Great book to teach everyone storm safety.I am especially partial to the book because my son was struck by lightning and his story is featured in this book!Most people do not understand the dangers oflightning and this book helps others understand the importance of weathersafety. ... Read more