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Covert-One, the president's personal, super-secret agency formed after some recent virus-driven chaos (The Hades Factor, cowritten with Gayle Lynds), is staffed by an unknown number of international covert operatives, including Dr. Jon Smith, late of the USAMRIID. And a good thing, too, because someone's helped themselves to Russia's share of the world's last two stores of the smallpox virus, an eradicated yet hideously deadly bug with no ready vaccine.
That the pox was nabbed and who nabbed it is clear enough early on. Why such a seemingly large and disparate cadre of global citizens (keeping the players straight puts one in mind of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" routine) chose to pinch the bug and for what end are the novel's driving questions. Freelance Serbian uber-nasty, Ivan Beria, is among the apparent perpetrators as are Dylan Reed and Adam Treloar of NASA, Tony Price, the head of the super- secret NSA, and a bunch of Russians. The good-guys roster claims Smith; Covert- One's head, Nathaniel Klein; Briton and ex-SAS man, Peter Howell; Smith's deceased girlfriend's sister and CIA operative, Randi Russell; the girlfriend's best friend, backup shuttle astronaut Megan Olson; and another bunch of Russians. Suffice it to say that Smith and company trot the globe, cat-and- mousing after the pox and in so doing careen through a classically speedy and Ludlumesque (if coincidence dependent) plot leaving large numbers of efficiently dispatched corpses in their wake.
Most authors of international thriller-mysteries would give their right trench coat to make The New York Times® Best Sellers list. Of the late Robert Ludlum's 21 novels, 21 have resided upon that list. Where The Cassandra Compact, written with bestselling thriller author Philip Shelby (Gatekeeper, etc.), winds up is anyone's guess, but a few hundred thousand nightstands is a good place to start. And stay tuned for more installments--Ludlum may be dead, but he's not done yet. --Michael Hudson
Book Description
For over thirty years, Robert Ludlum has been acknowledged as the master of international suspense and intrigue. In 2000, Ludlum managed to raise the bar yet again with his widely acclaimed bestsellers The Prometheus Deception and The Hades Factor, the first novel in his exciting Covert-One series. Now Covert-One is back, in a novel that could only have come from the imagination of the world's greatest storyteller. "What they're going to do, I never would have believed it. It's insanity!" They were the final words spoken by Yuri Danko, an officer in the medical division of Russia's security service, before his body was ripped apart by a spray of assassins' bullets. In possession of Danko's classified papers, Covert-One operative Jon Smith and CIA undercover agent Randi Russell have unearthed a terrifying global conspiracy that threatens to unleash a plague of immeasurable proportions. A Serb terrorist has been dispatched from Russia to spirit hazardous vials of deadly bacteria into the United States. His mission: deliver it to an unknown American government agent-- a shadowy figure whose own motives for acquiring the bioweapon are made all the more unfathomable when both men are found murdered, and the strain is stolen. Now Smith and Russell must track it down, find the madman who possesses it, and stop him before he holds a defenseless world hostage with the power to render the human race extinct.
Customer Reviews:
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03
The second of the Cover One series, again featuring the doctor-spook Jon Smith. He, and a group of allies must stop an opposing group of crazies doing bad things with a version of smallpox.
The tiny ultra-clandestine agency again tasks Smith to look into this and stop it.
Amazing Book .......2006-12-05
Dr. Jon Smith was sent deep into Venice to bring out a man named Yuri Danko, a Russian General who got his hands on vital information he thought the United States should know. As Jon was going to the meet him Danko was shot and killed right in front of him with out a passing of information. They discovered that a virus was going to be stolen out of Russia. At Bioaparart in Russia the world's most deadliest virus was kept, SMALLPOX. Unfortunately the virus was stolen. It was brought to America, all the people who helped get the virus to America were killed by an assassin named Beria.
Viruses in space grow a lot faster and bigger in space as they do on land. There was a space shuttle that is leaving to go up into space to run tests on viruses. On the shuttle there was a man by the name of Dylan Reed whose plan is to secretly test the smallpox virus and makes it much more deadly on earth than it used to be. After making the virus stronger he released it in the shuttle and used the astronauts as human guinea pigs. They remote controlled the landing into a secrete decontamination center. Bauer discovered were the decontamination center is located and got there before Jon. Bauer rushed inside got a sample of the smallpox virus and punctured Dylan's suit so he would get infected with the virus...They turned on the burners and the shuttle was burned...
The book pleased me... It was action packed with something new every time you turn the page. There is another gun fight, chase or someone getting killed or kidnapped. The way the author describes what is happing is amazing. The detail and the mood he sets is amazing. I loved it's theme about chemical warfare with corruption and the need to go around the world to get information.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes an action packed book with something new happening every time your turn the page.
The Cassandra Compact: A Covert One Novel.......2006-03-03
Another very good book by Ludlum, a little busy in the begining but plays out in the end. Worth a listen
Good book but a little drawn out.......2005-01-03
*Spoilers below*
I listened to the Abridged 7-hour CD version of the book. I've enjoyed movies based on Robert Ludlum's books, namely the Bourne series, and thought this might be a good read. I was not disappointed.
The book's plot was interesting. Captivating storyline. It is fairly standard international spy-thriller material, but well done. I found myself engrossed in the book and was very interested to watch the story unfold, and find out what was happening to the story's main characters.
There are a few problems with this book:
1. Simply too long. Although the first 75% of the book flew by, the last 25% dragged. The entire "space" section didn't add much to the quality of the book. I understand the need for the smallpox to be used, the nasty effects illustrated, etc -- but the entire section was just too drawn out.
2. Although this is expected and common in a lot of books, movies, in the media, etc the authors were sloppy in describing technical things. Example: Jon talking about the "firewall" on the computer. Get your terms straight and do research before using them. You can't try to be "high-tech" AND confuse basic terms -- sticks out like a sore thumb. The fact that this was written early, was it 2001?, is no excuse.
3. Even though Jon Smith and others poured over the passenger manifests for the three flights from Russia, Jon never noticed Adam Tralore's name on the list? He had already met Adam Tralore earlier, and certainly someone involved in Megan/Dillan/Jon's line of work should stick out. Why were they not looking for a bald guy on the flights after they arrived? (yes, I know JS was on the same flight, but that doesn't mean Heathrow would stop/should stop looking) Even if the bald guy had nothing to do with it, it can't hurt to question all the bald guys on all the flights, especially given the magnitude of the situation.
These problems didn't detract from the overall quality of the book, and I would suggest it to a friend.
Good book, but.......2004-09-02
This was a good book, but I'm obviously not the only person who became increasingly frustrated by the close calls of the authorities trying to catch the bad guys and missing by fractions of a microsecond. These are shallow spoilers, so be warned:
1) Authorities realize that a train is set to arrive in 15 minutes. As such they're unable to have more than a half dozen agents in place. The small number of agents are overpowered. BTW, why didn't the general in charge here signal to police, in case they needed backup? The police could have stayed back out of the train station even.
2) Authorities see the key suspect with another person of interest in the airport. They figure that the KS is on one of three planes, and alert anti-terror units to intercept when the planes land. They are unable to find the KS on either filght, so they let all passengers go, _but are too freaking stupid to look for the other guy_. They didn't have a good picture of him, but since the smallpox had already been transferred once it doesn't take Newton to think that maybe this other fellow has it. How's about searching all passengers?
3) That fellow is finally identified TWO MINUTES after he goes through customs. A chase commences and he gets into a limo and speeds off, just as the person chasing him catches up to him. He was literally 10 seconds too slow.
4) A drag net is about to be put over the entire nation to intercept incoming people, but it's EIGHT MINUTES too late.
The first case here may not bother you. The second will interminably piss you off, and the third and fourth are just like WTF is going on here. CATCH THEM PLEASE.
That said, it was a good book and will tide you over on a plane ride.
Product Description
Set 4 Covert-One Series Titles Trade Sized - The Hades Factor The Cassandra Compact The Paris Option The Altman Code. Four Trade Sized Softcover books.
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9 Cassettes
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All 6 trade paperbacks in the Covert-One Series shipped for one low price!!!!
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- Riveting!
- Weapon of Flesh - a Reveiw by author Deborah Cullins Smith
- Action packed and sure to please
- Ethical issues in Weapon of Flesh
- Innocence vs. Soul-consuming Evil
|
Weapon of Flesh
Chris A. Jackson
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1419607952
Release Date: 2005-05-13 |
Book Description
A boy born in the care of a wizard, without parents or any proper upbringing, is imbued with magic and trained as the perfect assassin. But why, and for whom? Then his master, the wizard, is killed, and all the boy knows is that he is a weapon, and was made to kill.
Customer Reviews:
Riveting!.......2007-09-08
I purchased this book from the author at DragonCon. I don't get a lot of time to read, although I used to be an avid reader, so I was hesitant to buy books because I knew I'd be hard-pressed to find the time to read them. I only bought one and I couldn't be happier that I did!
Not only is the story gripping, the author's writing style is exquisite! Never dull, he develops the characters with style and panache, and I can't wait to read his other books. Having tried my hand at writing, I can't say enough about this book... I spent four hours at DragonCon reading instead of attending the myriad other things that were going on and I don't regret a minute of it.
Weapon of Flesh - a Reveiw by author Deborah Cullins Smith.......2007-05-03
Kidnapped from his mother shortly after his birth, a child grows up under the tutelage of an aged master of magic. The child is known only as "the boy" as his early years are filled with the physical training and skills that will transform him into the crowning achievement of the Master's life: an undefeatable assassin, a weapon of flesh. The Master weaves magic spells into the child's skin and hires a parade of tutors in every conceivable art of attack known in the world. The boy progresses through each phase until he is crafted into a virtual killing machine. Deep in the halls of Krakengul Keep, the Master bled magic into the boy's skin with needles and ink, creating a tool fit for the Grandfather of Assassins, who paid a fortune for this experiment. In the Boy's sixteenth year, the Master announces they are ready to set out on a journey - a journey that holds the boy's destiny.
However, the Master meets his death along the road, and the boy is left with questions that no one can answer. With no one to guide him, the boy assumes the name of "Lad" and follows the road to the city of Twailin. He can only hope that his destiny will find him somehow.
Taking refuge with an innkeeper named Forbish, Lad is put to work and allowed to bed down in the stable. Here, Lad learns his first lessons in decent humanity, kindness, trust, and love. Wiggin, Forbish's daughter, awakens Lad's sense of conscience and shows him that there is more to life than obedience to the Master, more choices to make than blindly accepting the destiny handed to him.
But the hunt is on, as the Grandfather of Assassins sends his servants out to find this missing weapon. The trick could be staying alive when they do find the weapon though! Can they capture him, returning him to the Grandfather, before his training kicks in and cuts them to pieces? Can this undefeatable weapon be contained? Or is there another road open to Lad, another destiny, one of his own making?
Mr. Jackson has crafted an amazing tale of one boy's journey to maturity, complete with unforgettable characters. But watch out! You might see yourself around a corner or two! In a world where conscience is often seared with a hot iron, Mr. Jackson challenges the reader to look beyond what we're told we should do to see all we can be. Thanks for the trip, Chris! What a ride
Action packed and sure to please.......2006-09-15
The weapon is ready. Vested with magical powers, trained in every aspect of mortal combat, and devoid of all emotion, it's ready to be delivered to those who will use it to destroy thier enemies. But something goes wrong. Through a chance of fate the weapon is left to fend for itself, to find its own destiny. The weapon discovers through contact with kind strangers that a large part of the human experience is unknown to him. His quest to discover who he is and learn what it means to be human, as he struggles against those who would reclaim him and use him only as a weapon, will have you turning page after exciting page.
Ethical issues in Weapon of Flesh.......2006-08-25
Chris Jackson raises interesting ethical issues in Weapon of Flesh. I used to be a straight-out sci-fi fan (rockets, black holes, time warps and such) but Jackson has finally broadened my horizons.
In this book, the Weapon slowly discovers its dark side and struggles to overcome it. The resolution (as so frequently in life) is negotiated rather than triumphant and readers will find themselves oddly sympathetic with this killing machine. In all, a great tale.
Try it, and if you like it, get Jackson's other fantasy struggles of character: Death Mask and Soul for Tsing.
Innocence vs. Soul-consuming Evil.......2006-02-17
In the city of Twailin a power struggle has been heating up for years. The fate of the city hangs in the balance as the Duke, others of the noble families, and factions of the Guilds ruthlessly vie for supremacy. The chessboard is cluttered with numerous pawns, but one very special pawn might sway the battle. But who will control this pawn?
Per the exacting instructions of the mysterious Grandfather, a weapon is fashioned. Through the painstaking labor of the wizard, Corillian, a perfect killing machine is created. Over the span of years, an innocent babe is transformed into a flawless, nameless assassin. He is simply "the weapon." As a result of the wizard's magic, the weapon has no emotion, feels no pain, moves silently, leaves no traces of his passing, and enjoys enhanced senses, agility, and strength. Grievous wounds knit and heal in moments. The weapon is trained by masters of the various martial arts in all forms of combat, armed and unarmed. His training does not include the clutter of social skills or human emotions. He has but one purpose: to kill.
This weapon is readied for delivery to a new master who will wield it to his advantage. But Corillian fails to deliver the weapon to this new owner, and a nameless young man, who knows nothing of the world and thousands of ways to end a human life, finds he must find his destiny on his own.
Based on his first brief encounters with society, the weapon makes the assumption that his name must be Lad. He thrills in his newfound autonomy, but Lad is unaware that the Grandfather's hunters track him, intent on locating and capturing him alive-at any cost-by any means. After nearly two decades of waiting, the Grandfather is impatient to try out his new weapon. The Grandfather's agenda remains a secret, even to his closest underlings, but there is no doubt that Lad, the weapon of flesh, is integral to the plan's success.
Lad, through the controlled process of his creation, is like no other young man this, or any other, world has known. This fact was not lost on the author, who offers his readers the stark realities of a world rife with magic, intrigue, assassins, and death. This is not a tale for children, nor is it for those of meek demeanor. It is an often-dark exploration of man's emotions, desires, hopes and downfalls. It is a clash of a wizard's arcane spells and the magic of love, a battle of innocence against soul-consuming evil. The author's treatment of the book's characters is both consistent and insightful, allowing one to easily empathize with the heroes and loathe the villains. Some of Jackson's characters fit neatly into one of those categories. Others, however, occupy that grey area between, adding spice to this tale as we struggle to sort them out. "Weapon of Flesh" is a fabulous tale of medieval fantasy that will leave readers begging for more from author Chris A Jackson.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from The American Enterprise, published by Thomson Gale on June 1, 2006. The length of the article is 716 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Secret weapons of the flesh.(Scan: Short news and commentary)(arab-Israeli conflicts)(Critical essay)
Author: David Gutmann
Publication:
The American Enterprise (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 17
Issue: 5
Page: 8(2)
Article Type: Critical essay
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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- Baby Boomer Transition Manual
- Encouragement for those post-retirement years...
- What to do with the rest of my life?
- Spotlight On Boomer Retirement Issues
- Wrong direction for the rest of your life
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The Power Years: A User's Guide to the Rest of Your Life
Ken Dychtwald , and
Daniel J. Kadlec
Manufacturer: Wiley
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ASIN: 0470051329 |
Book Description
Do you want to stop worrying about money and start having more fun? Do you wish you had more time to spend with family and friends? Do you want to live the life you always envisioned? Then it's time for your Power Years.
The Power Years is your step-by-step guide to repowerment and personal reinvention after forty. In this unique guidebook, world-renowned psychologist and leading authority on aging Ken Dychtwald and award-winning journalist Daniel J. Kadlec combine their decades of cutting-edge research and reporting to reveal how you can make the Power Years the best years of your life—by far. As we baby boomers move into the next stage of life, we now have the opportunity to experience a mold-shattering period of reinvention and personal growth, career liberation, nourishing relationships, and financial freedom. The Power Years helps us envision and embrace this new chapter of life as we develop a carefully thought-out plan for personal fulfillment.
Sharing the inspiring stories of fascinating people as well as plenty of prescriptive advice, the authors reveal how you can:
- Rediscover your life's purpose
- Find a new balance between satisfying work and enjoyable leisure
- Thrive in the home and location of your dreams
- Rekindle long-held passions and/or find new interests
- Rediscover and forge vital relationships
- Keep your financial life running smoothly
- Contribute to society and leave a lasting legacy
- Have fun again!
From staying connected with your kids, family, and friends to going back to school for the fun and challenge of it, from finding new companions to volunteering, from exploring a new career to traveling the world, The Power Years is your complete road map to living your best possible life—right now.
The Power Years is a step-by-step guide to repowerment and personal reinvention after forty. In this unique guidebook, Ken Dychtwald and Daniel J. Kadlec combine their decades of cutting-edge research and reporting to reveal how readers can make the Power Years the best years of their lives. The Power Years helps readers envision and embrace this new chapter of life as they develop a carefully thought-out plan for personal fulfillment. Sharing inspiring stories of fascinating people and plenty of prescriptive advice, the authors reveal how to rediscover life’s purpose, find a balance between work and leisure, rediscover and forge vital relationships, keep finances running smoothly, and more. The Power Years is a complete road map to living the best possible life–right now.
"My life keeps getting better, not just because I've enjoyed success in the business world, but because I wake up every day with a passion for what I do. You can—and should—discover that feeling too. Let Dychtwald and Kadlec show you how. They've written a crisp, actionable guide to a great rest of your life."
—Donald J. Trump, Chairman of Trump Enterprises and author of Trump: Think Like a Billionaire: Everything You Need to Know About Success, Real Estate, and Life
"The Power Years, brimming with insights culled from decades of leading-edge research, turns conventional notions of retirement upside down. This upbeat, thoroughly enjoyable book will help you both envision and fund your dreams. Truly, it's a 'user's guide to the rest of your life.'"
—Jane Bryant Quinn, author of Making the Most of Your Money
"Are you going to live longer—or will it just feel like it? The Power Years is a wonderful guidebook that helps us realize our potential by redefining our expectations as we mature and grow more powerful. An exceptional resource for anyone ready for a new view of their coming decades."
—Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., Professor of Surgery at Columbia University and author of YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger
“For anyone beginning the second half of life, The Power Years will psyche you up for the great adventure ahead.”
--Po Bronson, author of What Should I Do With My Life?
“In the field of ‘middlescence,’ as he calls it, Ken Dychtwald is the master. I count on his brilliance, his pioneering ideas, his courage, and his optimism and we would all be poorer without him. I recommend The Power Years without reservation. It is a must read.”
--Richard N. Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute?
“I have been learning from Ken Dychtwald for years and am convinced that he is today's most original thinker on this important subject.”
--President Jimmy Carter
“While powerful and complex currents of demographic change are sweeping the globe, little has been said about what the post-World War II generation wants from later life. In The Power Years, Dychtwald and Kadlec provide a well-informed and optimistic roadmap for how this new chapter of life need not be a period of retreat and decline, but instead holds the potential for becoming a time of renewal and personal reinvention.”
--Sir John Bond, Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc
“If you want to make your future years the best years ever--to feel ageless and experience a dynamic, purposeful, joyful, and full life--read The Power Years.”
--Mark Victor Hansen, co-creator of the #1 New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series and coauthor of The One Minute Millionaire
“Ken Dychtwald and Daniel J. Kadlec have written a fantastic book filled with compelling data and anecdotes that show that the so-called declining years are anything but. The Power Years helped rid me of much of my worry about what lies ahead and gave me specific, solid ideas for how to make the next 50 years top the first 50 for financial success, career satisfaction, and overall fun.”
--James J. Cramer, author of Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World, CNBC commentator, and cofounder of TheStreet.com
Download Description
Do you want to stop worrying about money and start having more fun? Do you wish you had more time to spend with family and friends? Do you want to live the life you always envisioned? Then it's time for your Power Years. The Power Years is your step-by-step guide to repowerment and personal reinvention after forty. In this unique guidebook, world-renowned psychologist and leading authority on aging Ken Dychtwald and award-winning journalist Daniel J. Kadlec combine their decades of cutting-edge research and reporting to reveal how you can make the Power Years the best years of your life by far. As we baby boomers move into the next stage of life, we now have the opportunity to experience a mold-shattering period of reinvention and personal growth, career liberation, nourishing relationships, and financial freedom. The Power Years helps us envision and embrace this new chapter of life as we develop a carefully thought-out plan for personal fulfillment. Sharing the inspiring stories of fascinating people as well as plenty of prescriptive advice, the authors reveal how you can: Rediscover your life's purpose Find a new balance between satisfying work and enjoyable leisure Thrive in the home and location of your dreams Rekindle long-held passions and/or find new interests Rediscover and forge vital relationships Keep your financial life running smoothly Contribute to society and leave a lasting legacy Have fun again!
Customer Reviews:
Baby Boomer Transition Manual.......2007-02-13
This book is a must read for any baby-boomer actively planning the "second career" phase of their life. Full of thought-provoking questions on career moves, health, learning and loving. Engaging prose and an easy-to-read style.
Encouragement for those post-retirement years..........2007-01-11
All too often the thought of "retirement" brings to mind growing old, playing cards, and sitting around waiting to die. But it doesn't have to be that way, nor should it. In The Power Years: A User's Guide to the Rest of Your Life by Ken Dychtwald, Ph. D. and Daniel J. Kadlec, you'll see how you can actually look forward to this time of less responsibility and more time to enjoy life.
Contents: Welcome to the Power Years; New Ways to Have Fun; Rediscovering and Forging Vital Relationships; Creating Your New Dream Job; Lifelong Learning Adventures; Where and How to Live; Achieving Financial Freedom; Leaving a Legacy; Author's Note; Notes; Index
Dychtwald and Kadlec explore the time of your life between 55-ish and beyond, referred to as the "Power Years". The kids are out of the house, retirement is looming, and you no longer have the daily demands on your time and attention that you had in your 30s and 40s. Instead of looking at this time period as one of "checking out" and rocking on the porch, they advocate a complete mental shift. You can now explore parts of your personality and interests that were logistically difficult before. Maybe it's going back to school or taking a few classes in an area that interests you. It could be travel or house-swapping with someone else in order to see other parts of the country or world. It may even involve the continuation of your working efforts. But the thought is that you can either work at something else without the demands of advancement, or you can continue what you currently do because you have a passion for it. The key is being able to do something that you *want* to do, not that you *have* to do.
Most of the approaches in the book work much better if you've been planning financially for your power years. If you get to 65 with nothing but Social Security, your options are limited to a degree. But that doesn't mean that you can't volunteer your time to a cause that sparks your interest, nor does it mean you can't start exploring relationships that you've not had time for in the past. In some cases it might be easier said than done, but it's still a choice. The best time to get ahold of this book would be when you're in your late 30s or early 40s, and you have time to plan for the future you want (instead of the future that just happens).
I'll admit there were a few times I sorta wished I could fast-forward my life and get to the power years a bit sooner. But I'm much more encouraged now that my power years will be valuable and full, and not just marking time until the obituary gets written up...
What to do with the rest of my life?.......2006-07-30
Yes, I'm one of those baby-boomers contemplating moving into the "third-age" - when the kids have left the nest, the mortgage is paid off, the college accounts have been funded, the husband is semi-retired, but I'm still working, contributing the max to the 401K, and starting to wonder "what next"? No more ladders to climb career-wise, finally the time to think about pursuing hobbies, traveling and the freedom to "re-invent" myself. But, as what? I still haven't figured that out, but I'm sure it will evolve over time. The answers weren't laid out in the book, however, it definitely gave food for thought, and it is a good starting place for those contemplating such a life passage.
Much of the content of Dychtwald's book validated what I already knew about the "third-age" - we'll be living longer and healthier, we'll have new freedoms, we'll have clout in the marketplace (as members of the largest population bubble - the boomers), we'll be open to change, we can't depend on Social Security, etc. Some of the chapters gave me something to look forward to "See, Feel, Taste and Touch the World", "Lifelong Learning Adventures". The chapter on "Achieving Financial Freedom" wasn't particularly helpful, but maybe that's because I've already spent a considerable amount of time researching and considering that topic already.
If you're entering your "Power Years", hoping to rediscover life's purposes, find a balance between work and leisure, find new interests, leave a legacy or any of the latent desires and wishes we hold for our later years, the book is a good primer, will provide plenty of food for thought and ideas, and will kick-start your journey into the "power years".
Spotlight On Boomer Retirement Issues.......2006-05-17
I was given this book as a gift, and really didn't know what to expect. The book focuses on the issues facing baby boomers in all facets of their lives, and particularly stresses educational and volunteering opportunities, employment after retirement, and longer life expectancy issues, which of course in turn leads to a discussion of financial planning.
The book is generally good, although a lot of the subject matter is common knowledge (people are living longer, Social Security is in a financial pit, etc.), it does seamlessly blend the social and societal impacts of longer life with the financial issues involved. Although I don't agree with the authors on everything, their points are well taken and worth listening to.
The book is very good at citing websites that contain much valuable information for people interested in business and retirement related lifestyle changes, and is especially strong with the theme of education. Chapter seven concerns financial planning and is a good, but very general overview. If you really want to understand this subject, you will need to buy a separate book. I also urge readers to be very cautious about the recommendations the authors make regarding annuities.
I was born in late 1964, so demographically I get lumped in with the baby boom generation. The friend that gave me this book was also born in 1964, and while we both are technically baby boomers, we both identify far more with the succeeding generation. One of the detractors of this book (and indeed some other books that I have read by boomers) is an occasional smugness about being a boomer. I noted that tendency a couple of times early in the book, but I was pleased when near the end of the book the authors made the following statement during a discussion of volunteerism and legacy: "Unless you find ways to give something back and keep contributing in your later years, you will help cement our generation's reputation as a bunch of narcissists." I was glad that the authors frankly acknowledged this perception, which while it is not applicable to all boomers of course, is widely held, especially by younger generations.
This book is a good summary of some demographic trends in American (and world) population, notably the trend toward working in retirement. The book does offer some insight into the future, but offers no specific planning advice for an individual. The strength of this book is in the resources it points out, most of which are available on the Internet, and in getting the reader to think in unconventional ways about retirement. This book is an interesting place to start, but it must be viewed as just that: a starting point on the map to retirement.
Wrong direction for the rest of your life.......2006-03-29
This guy is totally out of touch with reality. He is trying to rewrite reality so that the we give HIM power through the money he hopes we will spend on his book. Don't make the mistake of buying this book and don't make the huge mistake of following what he writes. There is no need for power in life. Especially at our ages. We need peace and happiness. We can get this by a walk in the woods. Don't loose the rest of your life by running after happiness where it is not. Happiness is inside yourself, try to find it before looking elsewhere. It will not come from anywhere or anybody else. Get peace with yourself instead of creating chaos.
All chapters are poorly written with bad advices.
Amazon.com
French cakes comprise a luscious repertoire. From the simplest pound and sponge cakes to more elaborate confections like the Délicieux (génoise layers filled with Grand Marnier-flavored buttercream and topped with a dark chocolate glaze) or the Moka (vanilla cake brushed with espresso, layered with coffee buttercream, and capped with roasted almonds), each gâteau is heaven to eat.
But how to reproduce these marvels at home? Recognizing the need for a technically comprehensive yet approachable introduction to French cake making for the home baker, cooking-school owner Bruce Healy and French pastry chef Paul Bugat have created a true teaching book. The Art of the Cake will appeal to anyone interested in French cake making, but will be of particular importance to serious bakers who have, perhaps, sought just this kind of work.
In the first of three parts, the book explores plain cakes, sponge and nut-meringue gâteaux, bavarians, charlottes, mousse cakes, logs, loaves, and more. Healy and Bugnat then offer more than 40 recipes for fillings, frostings, and finishes; notes on ingredients and equipment; a discussion of general techniques; and source listings. More than 400 step-by-step illustrations help readers assemble a sponge log or pipe meringues, for example, and 32 pages of color photos reveal the finished products in all their platonic glory. The authors occasionally overdilate on procedures and other matters, but in general provide just the right balance of detail and concision. Dipping into this near-encyclopedic but seductive guide, it would be difficult not to feel the call of the gâteaux and make a beeline for the kitchen. --Arthur Boehm
Book Description
French cakes are among the most luscious and spectacular in the pantheon of cake baking. In The Art of the Cake, authors Healy and Bugat simplify the art form and bring together more than 100 classic cakes, from the Marquis (kirsch-soaked chocolate genoise cake rounds stuffed with ripe peaches and whipped cream) to the Moka, made from vanilla genoise brushed with espresso, filled with coffee buttercream, and topped with chopped roasted almonds.
There are recipes for poundcake-, spongecake-, and meringue-based gbteaux,in addition to bavarians, charlottes, mousse cakes, and loaf and log cakes (like the classic Chocolate Yule Log). There are also over 40 recipes for frostings, glazes, sauces, and fillings. In addition, there are detailed ingredient and equipment sections, and comprehensive instructions on general baking techniques--everything from separating and whipping eggs to working with a pastry tube to the correct way to temper chocolate. The more than 400 step-by-step illustrations (penned by Paul Bugat) that accompany the recipes and the 32 pages of color photographs of these magnificent cakes will be enough to tempt any baker, amateur or pro, into the kitchen.
Customer Reviews:
Not Just for Serious & Dedicated Bakers.......2006-08-14
This is a book about creating French and European cakes. The recipes have virtually no resemblance to American Layer Cakes, Bundt Cakes, or the "Wilton School of Cake Decorating". Most French cakes are made with a base sponge cake known as a Genoise. This is NOT an American sponge cake. A Genoise contains far less fat than American cakes and is, therefore, drier. A Genoise is typically brushed with a simple syrup which is often augmented with liqueurs or other flavorings. The cake is usually embellished with Buttercream, Marzipan, Meringue, Nut Pastes, Chocolate, Fruit, Bavarian Cream, Glaceed Chestnuts, Mousse, and Praline, among other components. There are some simple recipes in this book, including pound cakes, that can be executed without much difficulty, but most present some challenges and require patience. They are also time consuming. Once you have completed one of these beauties, you will either feel a great sense of accomplishment or tell your family and friends that henceforth, you will be using recipes off the back of a box of cocoa or tin of baking powder. The authors assume that you are at least somewhat experienced, that you and your stand mixer are old friends, and you own a pastry brush.
NEVERTHELESS, THIS BOOK IS STILL A WONDERFUL REFERENCE TOOL EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A SEMIPRO IN THE KITCHEN! The reference section is full of recommendations and useful information for and about ingredients and techniques. For example, I have always used Grand Mariner when I wanted an orange flavor in desserts. The authors suggest a less-expensive Curacao, saying it has a more intense orange flavor, "making it ideal for flavoring fillings and frostings." Moreover, learning to prepare some of the basic components - buttercreams, pastry creams, rolled fondant, Creme Anglaise, and so forth - are helpful, if not indispensable, in the preparation of American style cakes, as well. Some of the methods for decorating with chocolate are not at all difficult and employ equipment that can be inexpensively purchased at the hardware store! If you're a serious cookbook collector and enjoy reading them as much as gleaning recipes from them, this book should be an acquisition. It is as much cultural enrichment as a compilation of recipes. One of the authors, Bruce Healy, is a former theoretical physicist - one of the main reasons I initially borrowed the book from the library! Such a fascinating integration of careers was too delicious (no pun intended) to ignore.
Become a pastry chef the french way.......2005-09-15
Excellent book, teaches all the fundamentals of making french cakes. You can learn the basics and then select what filling you wish to use with a particular cake. There is a chapter on making simple cakes but most of the recipes are for cakes that require a bit of effort.
When You Are Bored by the Cake Bible..........2005-06-11
This is a wonderful book. No, it's not for the very beginner, but as with any "real" cooking, it does takes time. The steps may be numerous, but they are not difficult. If you are game for for an all day process, you can make the most delicious cakes you've ever tasted. Recipes range from the superb and simple Croix de Lorraine, a one layer almond cake dusted with powdered sugar, to the incomparable Pave aux Pruneaux, a challenging genoise with cognac-soaked dried plums layered with custard and topped with marzipan. Hands down, some the the best cakes I have ever eaten in or out of a restaurant.
Best French buttercream recipes ever!.......2005-05-18
I'm a French cake enthusiast & home baker. I've been spending a lot of time trying to find the perfect French cake & buttercream recipes, and after reading & trying recipes from several books on the subject, I have to say "The Art of the Cake" is the best.
The book does not have lots of pretty pictures, but trust me, the taste of your first successful "Moka" or "Clichy" would give you enough inspiration to go on.
It took me several tries to perfect the genoise recipes, just because I didn't follow the recipe to the letter. The genoise is drier than the American sponge cake, but it's exactly this dryness that makes it go so well with the heavy syrup & buttercream. I also like the fact that all of the cake recipes call for regular flour, NOT that cake flour that can give such an artificial (or cake-mix-like) taste to the finished cake. However it would have been nice if the author had provided a "white genoise" recipe as well. The coffee & praline buttercream recipes are easy to make and taste just as good as the buttercream from the best local French bakery here. Some of the layered cakes in the book are pretty time-consuming to make, but the end results are well worth it.
One thing about the instructions that I don't like is that they don't give you a time estimate on most of the steps, for example, how long to beat the eggs, how long to stir the egg/milk mixture on the burner, etc. Granted that they tell you the mixture would look a certain way when it's done, but still it would be nice to know how long it usually takes to achieve such state so you don't have to wonder if you're there yet all the time. Also giving a time estimate for every step, or even just a single estimate for the entire recipe, would help you to plan much better.
Still, this is the most usable French cake baking book I've ever owned. It's too bad that the authors do not have more books on cakes, must be because that all of their best recipes are already here!
A Book for the Professional Baker.......2004-08-24
I recently bought this book,after reading several reviews about it and decided to give it a try.For my surprise is a 600 page book with barely no pictures,Its a book for professionals,I am a mom trying to make a nice cake for my son's b-day.If you are NOT a Professional Baker with LOTS of experience DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK.The book is a beautiful example of the french methods ,but at times you can't even find the ingredients to make the recipes here in the US.Be aware!!!
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