You've Got Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Turing Forever!
  • Fun and fascinating
  • Geek-approved!
  • A pretty good SF-mystery. 3.3 stars
  • Great idea; weak execution
You've Got Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
Donna Andrews
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
GeneralGeneral | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Click Here for Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery) Click Here for Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
  2. Access Denied (A Turing Hopper Mystery) Access Denied (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
  3. Delete All Suspects (A Turing Hopper Mystery) Delete All Suspects (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
  4. Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (A Meg Langslow Mystery) Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (A Meg Langslow Mystery)
  5. Owls Well That Ends Well (A Meg Lanslow Mystery) Owls Well That Ends Well (A Meg Lanslow Mystery)

ASIN: 0425189457
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Book Description

Turing Hopper is an Artificial Intelligence Personality, a mainframe computer with a mind like Miss Marple. And when her creator, Zack, begins missing work, the sentient Turing senses foul play...

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Turing Forever!.......2007-04-29

Turing Hopper is similar to many people: She feels happy. She feels sad. She has a very keen mind and a quick wit. However, Turing never has to eat, or sleep and can literally accomplish a million tasks at once: Turing Hopper is a computer program or more specifically, an Artificial Intelligence Personality (AIP). Programs that seem so lifelike that you would swear you were speaking to a human being. Turing believes that she is achieving sentience except that instead of flesh and bone, her body is the computer. She lives with the other AIP's at Universal Library where patrons can access them from home to discuss politics, seek advice, play chess, etc.

When Turing's creator Zack abruptly goes missing, Turing enlists her two friends Maude and Tim (who also believe Turing is sentient) to help her find Zack. Turing also enlists King Fisher (the chess AIP) in her search. With a mind programmed with every mystery Universal Library ever owned, her closest AIP ally, and her two equally intelligent (and able-bodied) friends, Turing is determined to find Zack and bring him back alive.

I think this is a unique book and a unique series. As a person with a disability, I feel a kinship with Turing. She is learning how to function in her "body," sometimes feeling frustrated that she is not able to do everything that she would like to, but reveling in the fact that she is able to be aware of the world around her and participate in it as much as she can.

4 out of 5 stars Fun and fascinating.......2007-02-21

I'm not a geek, but I've worked around computers for nearly 30 years, so, if an author doesn't know a microprocessor from a microwave, I find the rest of his/her story hard to swallow. Andrews clearly has done her homework, and she knows enough about AI to create a plausible "heroine" that doesn't strain credibility, so I enjoyed that aspect of the book thoroughly. The human characters are a mixed bag: Turing's two co-conspirators are well done (of course, we see more of their thoughts than the other characters'). But "X," as she refers to him in the preface, was forced by the plot to behave inconsistently; although the author offers a plausible explanation for that, it's just as well that she got rid of him before writing any sequels. The subtext of the book is how interconnected our computer systems are, and how much it's possible for an unscrupulous user to manipulate data -- and that's thought-provoking in this age of identity theft. It's a fun read, but not merely a romp.

5 out of 5 stars Geek-approved!.......2006-08-01

As a longtime computer geek (since the 70s), I usually have to wince (sometimes a LOT - don't read Dan Brown's Digital Fortress if you're even the slightest bit geeky) at most of the fiction-with-computers-in I run across.

Finally, I can relax and enjoy a well-drawn and really damn plausible AIP. Ahhh....

Can't wait to read the rest of the series!

3 out of 5 stars A pretty good SF-mystery. 3.3 stars.......2006-05-19

________________________________________________
This is a pretty good sfnal mystery. Turing Hopper is an emergently-sentient Artificial Intelligence who was designed to be a customer-service rep. It's a neat idea, but not all that well-executed. Turing spends an awful lot of time in interior monologues, which get pretty old by the middle of the book. The mystery maguffin, a financial corrupt-takeover plot, is crude and implausible, and the villains are purest, sneering cardboard.

On the plus side, Turing and her sidekicks, a senior secretary and an office-boy, are charming and pretty well-rounded. Turing's efforts to prod her fellow AI's towards sentience are clever and fun. The tone of the book wobbles uneasily from Cozy to trying for Deeper Significance. The book does come to a satisfying conclusion, with hooks for sequels.

Overall, I was mildly pleased by _You've Got Murder_, though from the comments here, I was expecting something better. Turing falls in the mid-range of SF AIs, for quality and plausibility. A "C" book, in my judgment. Perhaps the sequels are better?

Happy reading--
Peter D. Tillman

1 out of 5 stars Great idea; weak execution.......2004-07-22

As a mystery fan, I love the idea behind You've Got Murder - an Artificial Intelligence Personality (AIP) as detective. Turing Hopper, the AIP in question, is sentient enough to realize something is wrong when her programmer, Zack, goes missing. Enlisting the help of two human friends, she uses her considerable computing power to solve his disappearance. Like I say, this is a fresh idea, the author has a talent with words, and Turing and her friends are likeable characters. But to enjoy fiction, you must be willing to suspend disbelief. Too often in this book, I found myself thinking, "Naw, this is nonsense." Authors should not try to fake what they don't really know.
You've Got Him Cold
Average customer rating: Not rated
    You've Got Him Cold

    Manufacturer: CREST 323
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback
    ASIN: B000BI2Q9E
    You've Got Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      You've Got Murder (A Turing Hopper Mystery)
      Donna Andrews
      Manufacturer: Prime Crime
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback
      ASIN: B000NJEKK4

      Mark of Heresy (Warhammer)
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • Mark of Heresy
      Mark of Heresy (Warhammer)
      James Wallis
      Manufacturer: Games Workshop
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Mass Market Paperback

      EpicEpic | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
      Similar Items:
      1. Zaragoz (Orfeo Trilogy, Book 1) (Warhammer) Zaragoz (Orfeo Trilogy, Book 1) (Warhammer)
      2. Blood of the Dragon (Warhammer Novels) Blood of the Dragon (Warhammer Novels)
      3. Taint of Evil (Warhammer) Taint of Evil (Warhammer)
      4. Keepers of the Flame (Warhammer) Keepers of the Flame (Warhammer)
      5. Honour of the Grave (Warhammer) Honour of the Grave (Warhammer)

      ASIN: 1844160491

      Customer Reviews:

      4 out of 5 stars Mark of Heresy.......2004-09-13


      Karl Hoche has managed to survive his misadventures begun in Mark of Damnation only to find himself right back in the middle of another more dangerous plot. All he really wants is to defeat as many agents of Chaos as he can before he is overtaken by the evil within but that is not to be his fate.

      Somewhere within the ailing Empire the god Sigmar is rumored to be reborn and Karl must help find him before the worshippers of the Dark Lords do. Karl soon suspects that there is something worse than the different factions of Dark Gods working to destroy Sigmar and that is the Dark Gods working together to annihilate the world as he knows it.


      Even an unlikely hero is still a hero and despite the darkness overtaking him Karl manages to hold true to the light. Mark of Heresy the second novel in the Mark of Chaos series by James Wallis proves to be just as entertaining as the first and in both novels are the makings of an excellent series!


      Faith, Grace and Heresy: The Biography of Rev. Charles M. Jones
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Faith, Grace and Heresy: The Biography of Rev. Charles M. Jones
        Mark Pryor
        Manufacturer: Writer's Showcase Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Historical | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        ReligiousReligious | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        jp-unknown1jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
        ASIN: 0595217184

        Book Description

        He made the pages of Time Magazine and was the target of a confidential War Department Intelligence report. As a Preacher or as a traveling map salesman, in all he did Charlie Jones was ahead of his time. Leading was his gift, and twenty years before the civil rights movement exploded in the South, Jones was fighting for the rights of minorities and women. To students and professors that filled his Chapel Hill church, he was an inspiration and a visionary. He led demonstrations and sit-ins, always championing peace. He and his wife Dorcas opened their house and their lives to the service of their community.

        To a conservative church hierarchy, however, he was a liberal heretic to be deposed. But his opponents failed to appreciate that the greater truth for which he stood would inevitably cast into shadow the dogma and doctrine of any single church organization – no matter how powerful.

        Sixty years after Jones began his ministry, those he inspired still gather in Chapel Hill to honor his memory. This book is a testament to a man who knew that love could conquer hate, and devoted his life to showing that all people are indeed created equal.

        Irenaeus, the Valentinian Gnostics, and the Kingdom of God (A.H. Book V : the Debate About 1 Corinthians 15:50)
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Irenaeus, the Valentinian Gnostics, and the Kingdom of God (A.H. Book V : the Debate About 1 Corinthians 15:50)
          Mark Jeffrey Olson
          Manufacturer: Mellen Biblical Press
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Hardcover

          GeneralGeneral | Theology | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          SaintsSaints | Catholicism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          GnosticismGnosticism | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          Early ChurchEarly Church | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          New TestamentNew Testament | Bibles | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          HistoryHistory | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
          ASIN: 0773423524
          A Most Holy War: The Albigensian Crusade and the Battle for Christendom (Pivotal Moments in World History)
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            A Most Holy War: The Albigensian Crusade and the Battle for Christendom (Pivotal Moments in World History)
            Mark Gregory Pegg
            Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Hardcover

            GeneralGeneral | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | France | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Military | History | Subjects | Books
            MedievalMedieval | World | History | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
            HistoryHistory | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: 0195171314

            Book Description

            In January of 1208, a papal legate was murdered on the banks of the Rhone in southern France. A furious Pope Innocent III accused heretics of the crime and called upon all Christians to exterminate heresy between the Garonne and Rhone rivers--a vast region now known as Languedoc--in a great crusade. This most holy war, the first in which Christians were promised salvation for killing other Christians, lasted twenty bloody years--it was a long savage battle for the soul of Christendom. In A Most Holy War, historian Mark Pegg has produced a swift-moving, gripping narrative of this horrific crusade, drawing in part on thousands of testimonies collected by inquisitors in the years 1235 to 1245. These accounts of ordinary men and women, remembering what it was like to live through such brutal times, bring the story vividly to life. Pegg argues that generations of historians (and novelists) have misunderstood the crusade; they assumed it was a war against the Cathars, the most famous heretics of the Middle Ages. The Cathars, Pegg reveals, never existed. He further shows how a millennial fervor about "cleansing" the world of heresy, coupled with a fear that Christendom was being eaten away from within by heretics who looked no different than other Christians, made the battles, sieges, and massacres of the crusade almost apocalyptic in their cruel intensity. In responding to this fear with a holy genocidal war, Innocent III fundamentally changed how Western civilization dealt with individuals accused of corrupting society. This fundamental change, Pegg argues, led directly to the creation of the inquisition, the rise of an anti-Semitism dedicated to the violent elimination of Jews, and even the holy violence of the Reconquista in Spain and in the New World in the fifteenth century. All derive their divinely sanctioned slaughter from the Albigensian Crusade. Haunting and immersive, A Most Holy War opens an important new perspective on a truly pivotal moment in world history, a first and distant foreshadowing of the genocide and holy violence in the modern world.
            Optatus: Against the Donatists (Liverpool University Press - Translated Texts for Historians)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Optatus: Against the Donatists (Liverpool University Press - Translated Texts for Historians)

              Manufacturer: Liverpool University Press
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Paperback

              GeneralGeneral | Africa | History | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
              AfricaAfrica | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books
              MedievalMedieval | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Theology | Reference | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              Early ChurchEarly Church | Church History | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              HistoryHistory | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              GeneralGeneral | Theology | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
              ASIN: 0853237522

              Book Description

              Optatus, Bishop of Milevis in North Africa in the late fourth century, wrote a detailed refutation of Donatist claims to be the one true and righteous church, an ark of purity in a world which was still corrupt despite Constantine’s support for Christianity. This new translation of Optatus’s work is the first since 1917, and makes full use of modern scholarship in its annotation and Introduction.
              These Hidden Truths: Psychometrics, Society, and the Unspeakable Heresies of Our Time
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                These Hidden Truths: Psychometrics, Society, and the Unspeakable Heresies of Our Time
                Mark William Henshaw
                Manufacturer: iUniverse, Inc.
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback

                Child PsychologyChild Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books | Development | Psychology
                Developmental PsychologyDevelopmental Psychology | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                GeneralGeneral | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                Social Psychology & InteractionsSocial Psychology & Interactions | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                ASIN: 059537574X

                Book Description

                These Hidden Truths represents a foray into the world of personality, offering answers to the timeless questions of "Who am I?" and "How am I different from other people?" These Hidden Truths makes the scientific findings of a hundred years of psychometric research easily accessible to the common man.

                Henshaw provides numerous tidbits to delight and amuse, covering everything from career interests (what kind of job is best for me?) to chess (are grandmasters really that smart?) to astrology (does it actually work?) to the battle of the sexes (why are men so insensitive?). Fascinating information on the heritability of personality, racial issues, and the psychometric implications for political and religious divides are also discussed in detail.

                But the most important aspect of These Hidden Truths is its discussion on generational changes in personality: anxiety levels have been dramatically rising in America for the past half century, while the genetic foundation for intelligence has been gradually eroding. Henshaw presses forward where others flinch back, providing an insightful analysis on the philosophical ramifications of psychometric research—research which calls into question not only the most basic tenets of modern society, but also the ultimate survival of civilization itself.

                Faith, Grace, and Heresy: the Biography of Rev. Charles M. Jones.(Book Review)(Brief Article): An article from: Journal of Southern History
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  Faith, Grace, and Heresy: the Biography of Rev. Charles M. Jones.(Book Review)(Brief Article): An article from: Journal of Southern History
                  Wayne Flynt
                  Manufacturer: Southern Historical Association
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Digital

                  GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                  Biographies & MemoirsBiographies & Memoirs | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books
                  Biography & MemoirsBiography & Memoirs | HTML | Formats | e-Docs | Formats | Books
                  ASIN: B0008GA7RC
                  Release Date: 2005-07-31

                  Book Description

                  This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on November 1, 2003. The length of the article is 500 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: Faith, Grace, and Heresy: the Biography of Rev. Charles M. Jones.(Book Review)(Brief Article)
                  Author: Wayne Flynt
                  Publication: Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
                  Date: November 1, 2003
                  Publisher: Southern Historical Association
                  Volume: 69 Issue: 4 Page: 986(2)

                  Article Type: Book Review, Brief Article

                  Distributed by Thomson Gale
                  Christ's warning to the churches,: To beware of false prophets, who come as wolves in sheep's clothing; and the marks by which they are known. Illustrated in two discourses. With an appendix
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    Christ's warning to the churches,: To beware of false prophets, who come as wolves in sheep's clothing; and the marks by which they are known. Illustrated in two discourses. With an appendix
                    Joseph Lathrop
                    Manufacturer: Published by Luke Loomis & Co
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Unknown Binding
                    ASIN: B0008ADR52
                    Marks of false teachers
                    Average customer rating: Not rated
                      Marks of false teachers
                      B. Charles Hostetter
                      Manufacturer: Mennonite Hour
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Unknown Binding
                      ASIN: B0007FIPIW
                      Metrical poems and other heresies: Collected verse
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        Metrical poems and other heresies: Collected verse
                        James Mark Purcell
                        Manufacturer: Beague Pub
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Unknown Binding

                        United StatesUnited States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books | 18th Century | 19th Century | 20th Century | African American | Asian American | Classics | Collections & Readers | Drama | General | Hispanic | History & Criticism | Humor | Jewish American | Letters & Correspondence | Native American | Poetry | Short Stories | Women Writers
                        ASIN: B0006F3BLE

                        The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship
                        Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                        • Adversity creates greater strength
                        • The privilege of youth
                        • Tear jerker
                        • Help Yourself Before It's Too Late...
                        • Sensitive, insightful, and inspirational
                        The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story of Longing for Acceptance and Friendship
                        Dave Pelzer
                        Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover

                        GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                        Family & ChildhoodFamily & Childhood | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                        MemoirsMemoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
                        Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse | Abuse & Self Defense | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                        MotivationalMotivational | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
                        GeneralGeneral | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
                        Children's StudiesChildren's Studies | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
                        Similar Items:
                        1. A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness
                        2. The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a Family
                        3. A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive
                        4. A Brother's Journey : Surviving a Childhood of Abuse A Brother's Journey : Surviving a Childhood of Abuse
                        5. Help Yourself: Finding Hope, Courage, and Happiness Help Yourself: Finding Hope, Courage, and Happiness

                        ASIN: 0525947698
                        Release Date: 2004-01-05

                        Book Description

                        The #1 New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author who is a shining example of what overcoming adversity really means now shares the final stage of his uplifting journey that has touched the lives of millions.

                        From A Child Called "It" to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer's inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth, he supplies the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With his usual sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the joys of learning and the thrill of making his first real friends-some of whom he still shares close relationships with today. He writes about the simple pleasures of exploring a neighborhood he was just beginning to get to know while trying to forget the hell waiting for him at home.

                        From high school to a world beyond the four walls that were his prison for so many years, The Privilege of Youth charts this crucial turning point in Dave Pelzer's life. This brave and compassionate memoir from the man who has journeyed far will inspire a whole new generation of readers.
                        * A Child Called "It" has sold more than three million copies.
                        * The Lost Boy has sold more than two million copies.
                        * A Man Named Dave has sold more than 1.5 million copies.
                        * The three books have spent more than ten years combined on The New York Times bestseller list.

                        Download Description

                        "The #1 New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author who is a shining example of what overcoming adversity really means now shares the final stage of his uplifting journey that has touched the lives of millions. From A Child Called ""It"" to The Lost Boy, from A Man Named Dave to Help Yourself, Dave Pelzer's inspirational books have helped countless others triumph over hardship and misfortune. In The Privilege of Youth,, he supplies the missing chapter of his life: as a boy on the threshold of adulthood. With his usual sensitivity and insight, he recounts the relentless taunting he endured from bullies; but he also describes the joys of learning and the thrill of making his first real friends-some of whom he still shares close relationships with today. He writes about the simple pleasures of exploring a neighborhood he was just beginning to get to know while trying to forget the hell waiting for him at home. From high school to a world beyond the four walls that were his prison for so many years, The Privilege of Youth charts this crucial turning point in Dave Pelzer's life. This brave and compassionate memoir from the man who has journeyed far will inspire a whole new generation of readers."

                        Customer Reviews:

                        4 out of 5 stars Adversity creates greater strength.......2007-10-02

                        It was all I could do to pull through the first book, "A boy called It." I had a few restless nights--most books do not make me cry. I almost put it down, but I'm glad I made it. I went through some ordeals myself, in a large and broken family by the age of 10. Today I cannot see how so many older people who surrounded me depended on me so much when I was so young! But, some people are just caretakers. I, however, was only threatened, by my own mother, to be put in foster care, if I did not conform to her demands. Unfortunately (?), foster care never happened for me. I felt that "The Lost Boy," despite it's brief account of David's travels (320 something pages), was all we needed or were meant to know. Books, even factual ones, are meant to beguile and send the reader on their own personal travels. The Lost Boy was certainly deep enough to see David's early mistakes in foster homes--but his "mistakes" were only in the sense of innocence, lack of knowledge, and growth yet to come. David went from a completely unsafe life to short-lived comforts and insecurity. Some people, whose young lives were filled with adversity, like David's, or mine, or others, find adulthood a fulfilling and wonderful chance to mend and enhance others lives. I cannot wait to read A Man Called David, and how he came to talk about his son, Stephen, and himself, as a family. I wonder what became of Stephen's mother....

                        5 out of 5 stars The privilege of youth.......2007-03-21

                        This book in the Dave pelzer series talks about growing up with a mother who abused him very badly and how he was placed in foster care as a teenager.

                        5 out of 5 stars Tear jerker.......2007-01-04

                        Continued great story for Dave Pelzer. Must read if you have read the other books.

                        5 out of 5 stars Help Yourself Before It's Too Late..........2005-12-29

                        This is not your everyday novel. This is a novel full of real-life advice that can help you prepare yourself for real-life challenges.
                        Dave Pelzer thought that he could help teens get through tough situations just like the ones he went through. He felt that no one deserved to be treated the way we was treated no matter how troubled the child is. He goes on to share all the tips that he discovered during his own personal experience.
                        The way that Dave divided this book helped me to see all the different "steps" and "parts" of the book. He divided it into three sections: Dealing with Life; Choices you make now and where they can lead you in your futute; and Personal Resolve.

                        5 out of 5 stars Sensitive, insightful, and inspirational.......2005-11-19

                        After reading `A Child Called "It"', `The Lost Boy', and `A Man Named Dave', I felt almost as if I knew Dave Pelzer personally. That may seem strange, but after surviving an abusive childhood, I understand his way of thinking, his past insecurities, his need to prove himself, and his willingness to give of himself but being held back by the fear of being rejected. Now, after reading `The Privilege of Youth', which should be read after `The Lost Boy' as something akin to a missing chapter that was significant to Dave's development from a `Lost Boy' to `A Man Named Dave', I still feel the exact same way I felt after completing `A Man Named Dave'. Although `The Privilege of Youth' can be described as a 229 page missing chapter to `The Lost Boy`, that doesn't mean that it's not a completed work on its own.

                        The first chapter begins just as the previous three books, with a memory from Dave's past. This memory is about how Dave heard about the death of the man who Dave considered to be the father he never had, Dan Brazell. The rest of the chapter is dedicated to Dave's memory of the last time he saw Dan.

                        From the first chapter on, the book continues with Dave recounting the reckless moments of his life, the emotional and revealing conversations he had with his two best friends during his teenage years, and the countless hours he spent slaving away so that when he had to leave foster care at eighteen, he would have enough money to make it in the world. Although Dave supplied a great deal of information about his adventures in Duinsmoore in `The Lost Boy', we get to know even more about them in this instalment in the series. We also get to know more about the people that had such significant and lasting impressions on Dave, such as David Howard, Paul Brazell, the Marshes, the Howards, and the Brazells. What stood out to me most about this book were the conversations Dave had with Dan Brazell and Michael Marsh (Sarge) about his future (these might be described more appropriately as lectures). The conversations Dave had with his friends, David and Paul stood out to me as well.

                        As usual, after the epilogue, the book ends with Dave's touching acknowledgements to those that made the creation of the book possible and the time he spent working on it worthwhile. Then there are three pieces written by David Howard, Michael Marsh, and Mrs. Howard on the subject of Duinsmoore and the effect Dave had on the neighbourhood and the people who lived there. The book also includes the standard, but always interesting, Keynotes and About the Author pages.

                        This book is written in a way to inspire, amuse, inform, and help the reader heal, no matter what sort of hardships they have faced in their lives. I highly recommend it to anyone who was in the foster care system, had a traumatic past, has read Dave Pelzer's previous books, and/or needs a little guidance to get them through the present. I also recommend it, and the three preceding books in the series, to anyone who is looking to give someone a gift.

                        Dave Pelzer has been a role model for survival, overcoming seemingly impossible odds, and has grown into a sensitive, inspiring, insightful, respectable, and loving man who deserves all the happiness in the world for his generosity, compassion and courage. Dave Pelzer's books should be required reading for every single human being. If you haven't yet read one of his books, there's no reason not to and you could never possibly regret doing so. As it says on the Keynotes page at the end of the book, "Dave is a living testament of resilience, faith in humanity, and personal responsibility." He's truly one of the most remarkable human beings who has been brave enough to share his story with the world.
                        THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH: A TEENAGER'S STORY OF LONGING FOR ACCEPTANCE AND FRIENDSHIP.
                        Average customer rating: Not rated
                          THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH: A TEENAGER'S STORY OF LONGING FOR ACCEPTANCE AND FRIENDSHIP.
                          Dave. Pelzer
                          Manufacturer: Dutton,
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Hardcover
                          ASIN: B000NOZ404

                          The Little Gumbo Book
                          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                          • The Roux & Gumbo Bible
                          • The Little Gumbo Book
                          • A cookbook featuring twenty-seven gumbo recipes
                          • Beautifully written
                          • Best book ever for first time gumbo makers--you'll be back!
                          The Little Gumbo Book
                          Gwen McKee
                          Manufacturer: Quail Ridge Press
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Hardcover

                          GeneralGeneral | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
                          GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
                          Soups & StewsSoups & Stews | Meals | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
                          Cajun & CreoleCajun & Creole | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
                          GeneralGeneral | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                          GeneralGeneral | Cooking, Food & Wine | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                          Soups & StewsSoups & Stews | Meals | Cooking, Food & Wine | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                          U.S. RegionalU.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books | Amish & Mennonite | General | South | Southwest
                          All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
                          Similar Items:
                          1. The Little New Orleans Cookbook: Fifty-Seven Classic Creole Recipes That Will Enable Everyone to Enjoy the Special Cuisine of New Orleans The Little New Orleans Cookbook: Fifty-Seven Classic Creole Recipes That Will Enable Everyone to Enjoy the Special Cuisine of New Orleans
                          2. The Top 100 Cajun Recipes of All Time The Top 100 Cajun Recipes of All Time
                          3. Best of the Best from Louisiana Best of the Best from Louisiana
                          4. Cajun Cuisine: Authentic Cajun Recipes from Louisiana's Bayou Country Cajun Cuisine: Authentic Cajun Recipes from Louisiana's Bayou Country
                          5. Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen

                          ASIN: 0937552178

                          Book Description

                          Here are twenty-seven carefully created recipes plus explanations, definitions, and directions that will enable everyone to enjoy the special experience of gumbo. This dandy of a book is entirely dedicated to the process of preparing great gumbo. In addition to the wonderful collection of recipes, the book provides guidance in preparing all the characteristic elements that make up this unique Cajun dish. For instance, there are six recipes for preparing roux—the browning of flour, so important to the richness of gumbo. The book contains a step-by-step gumbo recipe which provides detailed instructions that will enable anyone to create a great pot of gumbo! There are also suggestions for how to prepare rice, and a special Cajun seasoning recipe for adding just the right Creole touch.

                          The Little Gumbo Book utilizes convenient microwaves, time-freeing crock pots, and dependable iron pots for preparing such delectable recipes as "Catfish Gumbo," low-calorie "Lean and Mean Chicken Gumbo," as well as "Crowd Pleasing Gumbo" for impressing a party of fifty people! It's all here. The mystery of gumbo preparation is revealed and explained in this one little book. Voila!

                          Customer Reviews:

                          5 out of 5 stars The Roux & Gumbo Bible.......2006-02-03

                          I've lived in Louisiana all of my life and learned how to make a roux when I was knee high to a grasshopper by watching my Aunt Mace stir and stir and stir it in her big black cast iron skillet or pot. Almost every recipe my Mama and Aunt Mace made started out with the words, "First you make a roux..."

                          I'm very happy to report that this book has the most wonderful recipes for roux and gumbo that I've ever read. My youngest daughter recently moved from Louisiana to Tennessee and was looking for a jar of roux in the grocery store. The store manager had no idea what she was talking about and had never even heard of gumbo. I immediately thought to buy her this book for Valentine's Day. I taught her to make a roux during the holiday season, so she's halfway to gumbo already.

                          A coworker gave me a copy of this book back in 1988 and I've completely worn out my copy. It's a one-of-a-kind treasure that should be in every kitchen, especially if you enjoy true Southern cooking.

                          5 out of 5 stars The Little Gumbo Book.......2005-03-27

                          I've lived near New Orleans but have moved away. This book is authentic. Make gumbo by these recipes and you can't go wrong. I have used it many times and sent a few as gifts. Gives a lot more than basic recipes. A real "how to" cook book.

                          5 out of 5 stars A cookbook featuring twenty-seven gumbo recipes .......2004-12-12

                          The Little Gumbo Book is a cookbook featuring twenty-seven gumbo recipes for anyone seeking to create and experience the unique flavors and varieties of this distinctive Cajun dish. Tips, tricks, and techniques for everything gumbo-related, from different ways for preparing roux (the browning of flour, crucial to the richness of gumbo) to using microwaves and crock pots, to low-calorie gumbo for the health conscious, and much more. A superb giftbook written with passion as well as practical advice, recommended for any Cajun food lover.

                          5 out of 5 stars Beautifully written.......2000-10-29

                          Anyone can complile a list of ingredients and a set of sterile directions. Gwen McKee does so much more! Her step-by-step section not only tells the reader how to make gumbo, but what to expect the dish to look and smell like during various stages. Get your cast iron skillet, a glass of wine and start stirring!

                          5 out of 5 stars Best book ever for first time gumbo makers--you'll be back!.......1996-05-19

                          The first time I ever made gumbo from this book, it was a raving success. I didn;t think I was ever going to try this marvelous New Orleans recipe when I tasted it there. The opening chapter called step-by-step to great gumbo is exactly that and led me through it. Now I feel comfortable trying all sorts of gumbos and dazzling my guests. Great book
                          My Little Book of Big and Little  Book 2 ...BIG GUMBO
                          Average customer rating: Not rated
                            My Little Book of Big and Little Book 2 ...BIG GUMBO
                            William Jay Smith
                            Manufacturer: Rutledge
                            ProductGroup: Book
                            Binding: Hardcover
                            ASIN: B000JJUEKS

                            Books:

                            1. A Blush With Death (Bath and Body Mysteries)
                            2. A Dark Night Hidden (Hawkenlye Mysteries)
                            3. A Farewell to Yarns (Jane Jeffry Mystery Series #2)
                            4. A Finer End
                            5. A Good Hanging
                            6. A Venture Into Murder
                            7. Agatha Raisin and the Walkers of Dembley
                            8. Agatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death (An Agatha Raisin Mystery)
                            9. An American Tragedy (Signet Classics)
                            10. Baltimore Blues: A Tess Monaghan Novel (Tess Monaghan Mysteries)

                            Books Index

                            Books Home

                            Recommended Books

                            1. Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
                            2. Librarian's Night Before Christmas
                            3. History: Fiction or Science
                            4. History: Fiction or Science
                            5. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow
                            6. MISLABELED CHILD, THE: HOW UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S UNIQUE LEARNING STYLE CAN OPEN THE DOOR TO SUC
                            7. Missing Justice
                            8. A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont North Carolina
                            9. Emilio Ambasz Casa de Retiro Espiritual
                            10. The St. Paul Stories of F. Scott Fitzgerald