Book Description
A great bestseller starring Travis McGee, a real American hero--and maybe the star of a new movie franchise! Reissue.
Customer Reviews:
Darker Than Amber.......2007-08-11
Ahh! What a delightful read! Travis sure does get himself in deep doo-doo from time to time, but typically, rises above the goop to salvage the broken lady. Good work, Trav!
Introducing Meyer on a little fishing jaunt that hauls up a girl.......2005-07-10
"In that light the color of her eyes surprised me. Light shrunk the pupils small. The irises were not as dark as I had imagined. They were a strange yellow-brown, a curious shade, just a little darker than amber...She looked across at me and accepted the appraisal with the same professional disinterest with which the model looks into the camera lens while they are taking light readings."
- McGee sizing up Vangie, a very professional new acquaintance
I began reading the Travis McGee series at the wrong point - THE DREADFUL LEMON SKY - so it's a bit difficult for me to quite grasp the notion that Meyer, McGee's closest friend and a neighbour in the Bahia Mar marina, wasn't built into the series from the beginning. DARKER THAN AMBER introduces Meyer to the series as an already long-time friend, obscuring the fact that he's a new character, participating for the first time in one of McGee's cases from the moment a joint fishing jaunt turns into the rescue of a very tough pretty girl dumped off a bridge with a concrete block wired to her feet.
"I'm in the logic business, McGee. I deduce possibilities and probabilities from what I can observe. My God, man, compared to the mists and smokes of economic theory and practice, the world of actual events seems almost oversimplified. A corporate financial statement is the most nonspecific thing there is. If a man can't read the lines between the lines between the lines, he might as well stuff his money into a hollow tree."
Neither Meyer (whose preferred dealings with women are described here and seldom referred to again) nor McGee (who's just finished a short fling with a woman fleeing a bad marriage) are interested in a relationship with Vangie, but having saved her life and being impressed by her calm endurance, they'd like to help her if they could. A sometime call girl who turns out mysteriously to take frequent jaunts on cruise ships, she's been used as bait in a very complicated and profitable scheme a few too many times, and was being disposed of before her vestigial conscience could inconvenience, let alone threaten, some slick operators. Unfortunately (though perfectly in character), Vangie doesn't open up to Meyer and McGee, and McGee only begins uncovering the truth in the wake of a supposed hit-and-run, frustrated at the waste of someone he rather liked and wished well. "You feel good to do a thing like that. And then when they take what you saved and see how high they can splash it against a stone building, you get annoyed."
The first third of the book sketches in McGee's immediate past and introduces Meyer, then details their first successful rescue attempt, including a lot of analysis in passing about what type of situation Vangie must be mixed up in for such a murder attempt to occur, McGee's odd streak of prudery about women, and Meyer's coexisting cold-blooded analytic turn of mind and his ability to make friends with nearly anyone, anywhere. Investigating Vangie's place and her acquaintances turns up the only story elements that really fix it in time at 1966: a member of the housekeeping staff who's an undercover civil rights activist.
McGee's self-image as a knight in somewhat tarnished tomato-can armor fits well with this story, as the damsel in distress has been involved in the seamy side of the entertainment industry most of her life and the scam that brought about her death is *very* sleazy indeed.
Notable story elements:
- Florida's cruise ship industry is featured quite a bit, since it's integral to the scam Vangie was involved in.
- Oddly enough, Vangie's short stay on the Busted Flush isn't the point at which MacDonald brings in one of his standard sex scenes; that's done earlier in flashback as McGee reviews his recent first-aid fling with a newly separated woman.
- Interesting contrast between Noreen Walker, maid by day and civil rights activist by night, and various characters of color in THE GIRL IN THE PLAIN BROWN WRAPPER, a few books on.
- Some very clever bits of detective work, from Meyer and McGee's joint analysis of Vangie's character to McGee's location of Vangie's financial stash to the solving of the main puzzle.
"Time for one game?"
"If you promise if you get white not to open with that infuriating queen's gambit."
- McGee and Meyer
Stronger and stronger..........2004-10-09
Travis McGee is at it again in John D. MacDonald's 7th book in the McGee series, Darker Than Amber. McGee and his sidekick, Meyer, are minding their own business when a case is pretty much dropped in their laps. As the two men are fishing while tied up to a bridge, a woman is thrown off the bridge and sinks right in front of them like a stone. McGee dives overboard and is able to rescue the woman-despite the fact that her feet are wired to a cement block. The woman, Vangie, turns out to be a high-priced prostitute who was involved in a scam gone bad. It takes sometime, but McGee and Meyer are finally able to get the gist of Vangie's story, and they of course decide to help.
MacDonald does his usual job of providing a great tale of mystery, murder and intrigue. But one of the things I most enjoyed about Darker than Amber is that after having several cameo appearances in earlier books, we finally get to meet a fleshed-out Meyer. McGee and Meyer perform a good Dr. Watson/Sherlock Holmes routine, and their camaraderie rivals many of the other detective-sidekick combinations including Spenser and Hawk, and Poirot and Captain Hastings.
I am now 1/3 of the way through this 21 book series, and I have not been disappointed in a one. In fact, MacDonald just gets stronger and stronger with each subsequent book. It won't be long until I finish the entire series.
Love that Travis!.......2004-07-12
While I still find "Flash of Green" to be my favorite MacDonald book, there's something so appealing about the Travis McGee series that keeps me coming back to them. And "Darker than Amber" has such a quick pace, that you cannot put this mystery down. And Travis, well, he's just Travis--you gotta love this guy! I just hope that MacDonald continues to gain in popularity, as I feel he is horribly overlooked.
A Travis McGee novel........2004-04-23
The Travis McGee series is a very extensive (21 books) series by John D. MacDonald; the main character is a delightful personality, something of a cross between a standard hero and a con man antihero, and the books are all well-written and enjoyable, something of a cross between action-adventure and detective-mystery. There are certain similarities between the plots of the books, but there are generally enough differences to keep them from being truly formulaic.
The books are all capable of standing on their own; a new reader can start with any one of them without feeling that he is missing anything, and this book is a perfectly good place to start, although it is the seventh written. The stories were set in the contemporary world, and are thus a bit dated now as they were written in the sixties and seventies, but this book is less jarringly so than some of the others.
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Darker Than Amber
Manufacturer: Fawcett Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H0BARU |
Product Description
Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.
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Darker Than Amber
Manufacturer: Fawcett Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000H0T13U |
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Darker than Amber
John D. MacDonald
Manufacturer: Very Good Fawcett Paperback R1957 Novel E-2
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UQXV1E |
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- Another Stellar Piers Anthony Series
- Key to Chroma a great sequal to read!
- A new highlight in my library
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Key to Chroma
Piers Anthony
Manufacturer: Mundania Press LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1594260184 |
Customer Reviews:
Another Stellar Piers Anthony Series.......2007-02-21
Key to Chroma is the second book in the Chromagic Series. This series was refused publication by many companies until Piers went to Mundania Press. Those previous publishes are fools indeed and i am sure they feel that way by this point. This is another killer series from Piers Anthony. If you love his Xanth series then you will also enjoy this series. Piers weaves an amazing story with some truly original concepts in the fields of magic. (Sorry no spoilers) Fans of his other series will notice some familiar concepts, sex being the most obvious of those. However in this series sex in not just a byplay in the novel but a fully integral part of it. This is another example of Piers amazingly complex mind with an incredible penchant for originality. The "No Fault" concept he introduces will shock and amuse many. By no means a cheap side series the story and plot-line are awesome. That this series was turned down is still a fact i have trouble believing. The sceneries and landscape painted in this novel are so varied and original that it could never be made into a movie. Only the imagination could ever give credit to this books descriptive magnitude. This book Key to Chroma is not just an interlude between the conclusion and the beginning of the story. Piers writes in enough background information that this could be a stand alone book without making readers of the series get a feeling of redundancy. Not the best series ever written and not the best Piers has ever written, but definitely a must read. I enjoyed it immensely.
Key to Chroma a great sequal to read!.......2004-06-18
Key to Chroma, is a fantastic follow-up for its sequel, Key to Havoc. Not only do we learn more about the changelings but also about the "all powerful" Glamours. This novel has more adventure, action and romance than the first one and as a bonus there is all this small short stories inside the main storyline that can stand all by itself. My favorite is in chapter 5, titled "Dancer." It is one of the sweetest story ever that Piers has written. It is really in the tradition of the Arabian Nights stories. Sex is still a made component of the series and this novel doesn't lack on steamy sex scenes but also have sex scenes that really make you realize the different between just having sex and making love, so it is really nice to find a balance between romance and sex in this novel.
Also, this sequel really expand in the nature of the Chroma magic and Glamour magic and the challenges and the conclusions are very satisfying to read.
I highly recommend this novel and I can't wait for the next one, Key to Destiny! It is so nice to read something totally new from Piers that is not Xanth. I love Xanth but I do miss his SF/Fantasy novels like the Incarnations series or the Apprentice Adept series. This novel follow the Piers' tradition of great storytelling. If you want an adult novel full of fun and action, buy Key to Chroma and read it, you will not regret it.
A new highlight in my library.......2004-02-14
I didn't know Piers Anthony was even writing this series of books but when I found the first book in the series and read it, I had to have the second. After having finished the second, I can't wait for the third. The characters develope before your eyes and you need to know what is going to happen next. It is one suprise after another to keep you guessing. If you love to read Piers Anthony books, this series is a must read.
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High Performance Liquid Chromatography: Fundamental Principles & Practice
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0751400769 |
Book Description
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has long been recognized as one of the most useful and versatile analytical techniques. It has now progressed from being a highly expensive method of analysis to a routine technique with wide applications. Consequently there is a requirement in many chemistry and chemistry-related courses for students to acquire a detailed understanding of the principles and practice of HPLC. Written in a manner suitable for undergraduate students studying analytical chemistry and learning about chromatographic analytical techniques applied to pharmaceutical analysis, biochemistry and related disciplines, High-performance Liquid Chromatography: Fundamental Principles and Practice introduces the fundamentals of HPLC. Loosely structured in three parts, the text begins with a thorough introduction of the subject and then progresses through the essential knowledge of the instrumentation needed for HPLC. The final part covers with the applications of HPLC in real-world situations. Developed by a team of international experts from a wide cross-section of disciplines, the text is relevant to a wide range of courses.
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You Go Now
Chroma Key Cdfig 404
Manufacturer: F I G Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD
Subjects | Books | Arts & Photography | Biographies & Memoirs | Business & Investing | Calendars | Children's Books | Comics & Graphic Novels | Computers & Internet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Entertainment | Gay & Lesbian | Health, Mind & Body | History | Home & Garden | Law | Literature & Fiction | Medicine | Mystery & Thrillers | Nonfiction | Outdoors & Nature | Parenting & Families | Professional & Technical | Reference | Religion & Spirituality | Romance | Science | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Sports | Teens | Travel
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ASIN: 630614529X |
Amazon.com Reviews
T. Berry Brazelton is a knowledgeable physician with years of experience with thousands of children, and he brings that experience to bear on virtually every issue faced by families with kids, from birth through age 3. In this sterile age of managed care, Brazelton provides the kindly, reassuring approach of your own family physician--a physician living in your own home, on your own bookshelf. Touchpoints provides chronological accounts of the basic stages of early childhood, presents (in alphabetical reference form) the challenges to development, and explores the important role of each person--father, mother, caregiver--in a child's life.
Customer Reviews:
Wise Words from a Sage Doctor.......2007-07-26
Of all the parenting books I have, this is the only one I return to again and again. It's excellent counsel through and through, and you can hear the relaxed wisdom from a doctor who has been around a long time. Dr. Brazelton understands the way young children think and learn, and that informs his approach to them- always respectful, yet firm, reasonable, and loving. He addresses every stage of development by the child's age/main doc visits, which is so great. The book helps me to think about why my daughter does what she does, not just trying to stop her. I highly recommend this as part of every parent's parenting library.
what would i do without this book?.......2007-05-27
indeed, essential reading!! for any parent who wants to understand their child (and most do), this is the book. it tackles this from a behavioral pov, and dr brazelton gives many, many examples found during his practice and clinical trials. very practical, and in many ways, comforting, becuase i go into parenthood feeling like i'm armed with much more understading of how my baby will develop, the touchpoints he/she will hit, why, and how they are best dealt with.
i love this book! it's my favorite of all the parenting books i've read.
Berry Brazelton is the Best!.......2007-03-17
Dr. Brazelton's books guided my through the first years of my son's life twenty-six years ago. His books continue to be my top choice as a gift for new moms. His advise is caring and practical and takes into account (broadly) the different types of personalities babies come with and how best to nurture and cope with the unique needs of each child.
Love it! .......2007-02-18
I just love brazelton & sears when it comes to parenting advice...those are the two best Docs out there!!! IMHO.
If you need some guidance in child rearing this book is for yoU!!!
Very helpful, especially with a difficult toddler.......2006-11-29
I bought this book along with a few others (what to expect when you're expecting, etc.) prior to having our first son. My wife and I have used it many times to help us out with difficult behaviors. When we reach a point with the kids where we're getting the same results no matter what we try -- we look it up in Touchpoints. In most cases, we've used the advice almost word for word (even the touchy-feely stuff) and the results have always been positive. The book always provides perspective from the child's point of view, which is very helpful. This one should be on the book shelf of any young child's parent.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent survey of true classic dishes and lore. Buy It........2006-02-27
`The Scottish-Irish Pub and Hearth Cookbook' by Scottish / American culinary writer, Kay Shaw Nelson is another cookbook offering by the relatively low-priced, low profile publisher, Hippocrene Books, Inc. which has a large selection of cookbooks about many of the lesser world cuisines in `The Hippocrene Cookbook Library' as well as several books on Scottish and Irish subjects.
I have reviewed a few of these Hippocrene Books and compared to those offerings, this volume is superior to most, although it may not be the very best source for traditional Irish or Scottish recipes. On the other hand, I especially like this book for the fact that it seems to have very good versions of many recipes that may be so common that many flashier cookbooks may not even deign to cover them. My favorite here is the recipe for Scotch eggs, which recently came to fame as a dish prepared on `Iron Chef America' by the `Too Hot Tamales' (Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger) in a battle against Bobby Flay. The recipe made such an impression that while I remember it, I don't remember the secret ingredient or who won the battle.
I also like the fact that there is a much greater similarity between the two Celtic culinary cultures of Scotland and Ireland than there is between, for example the modern cuisines of Spain and Portugal, which some have lumped together. The biggest difference between the two may be the time at which each was influenced by contact with the French. For the Scottish, during the era of Catholic Mary, Queen of Scots, when Scotland and France were active allies against Protestant England. For the Irish, it seems to be much later, beginning in the early 20th century, when Ireland first became independent, and preferred to trade with France than their former colonial masters, England.
While every culinary tradition on earth seems to make a case that they are more congenial entertainers and friends of travelers than anyone else, the Irish can document the fact that not only do they really enjoy a good gathering over beer or spirits, there were actually LAWS passed, the Brehon laws of the Gaelic Celts of the 5th century AD, enforcing hospitality toward strangers and travelers.
The chapters in this book are a great reflection of what is important to these Celtic cuisines:
Starters, including meatballs, lots of oysters and prawns, and the famous Scotch eggs. I'm surprised to find a perfect recipe of the shrimp cocktail, which may have come to these shores from Scotland or Ireland instead of the more easily suspected French.
Soups, especially featuring leeks, which seem to be a native and not a French import. The most famous, of course, is Scotch broth, which is heavy with lamb and barley.
Egg and Cheese Dishes, featuring many dishes from the famous Scottish and Irish breakfasts, including that mysteriously named cheese dish, Scotch Rabbit.
Barley, Oats, and Cornmeal with lots of porridges and cold cereals, such as Muesli.
Seafood, including lots of finny animals from freshwater lakes and streams such as salmon and trout. The most famous recipe here may be kedgeree, a rice, fish, and egg casserole. I just wonder exactly how old this recipe actually is, as two important flavorings are Worcestershire sauce and curry powder, two very British ingredients which may be not much more than 150 years in the British Isles.
Poultry and Game recipes look suspiciously like recipes from southwest France (See Paula Wolfert's great study of recipes from this region). This may either be primordial Celtic influence from Europe or later emigration from Protestant France to the British Isles.
Meats includes a lot of beef as in corned beef and cabbage, corned beef hash, and beef tartare, plus lots of lamb dishes and, oddly enough, several hamburger recipes. Makes me think our favorite meaty fast food came from Ireland rather than northern Germany, as its name suggests.
Vegetables is lots of mashed potatoes and what to do with mashed potatoes the day after. It also shows that the Gaelic cuisine is one of the very few outside Japan that features seaweed.
Bread, especially quickbread based scones and soda bread, which don't use yeast, plus boxty, that famous refuge of day-old mashed potatoes.
Cakes and Cookies, oddly, is separated from desserts, possibly because these are recipes for things served at tea and not after a late supper. The highlight is oatmeal cookies and Scottish shortbread.
Desserts features lots of apples, pears, and berries, especially the classic blackberry fool
Drinks, of course.
As a source of both culinary lore and classic recipes, this may be the best available book I have seen on Scotch / Irish comfort food. It may not be quite as good as `Irish Traditional Cooking' by leading Irish cooking school owner, Darina Allen, which the author recognizes as one of the leading authorities on Irish culinary practice, but for a nice little inexpensive package, this book is very, very good. For more information on the intertwining of culinary lore and ancient Celtic celebrations, see `Celtic Folklore Cooking' by culinary writer and folklorist, JoAnne Asala.
Perfect!.......2006-01-16
The recipes are great! I've done extensive research on Celtic dining and spoken to many a Scottish friends that grew up with the old Celtic Traditions and they agreed this cookbook is great! So far, the recipes i have tried have been outstanding! If you're looking for authentic recipes and enjoy great food... try this cookbook out!
Real comfort food.......2001-01-15
This book is easy, warm, and satisfying. Reminds me of home with family, freinds, good food and good conversations. If you like good "pub" feel, buy the book.
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