Book Description
This is the astonishing tale of June and Jennifer Gibbons, identical twins whose silent, antisocial exterior hid a rich, vast, creative life. From early childhood through their twenties, they spoke only to each other in a secret langauge, building an elaborate fantasy life. Then, from their self-imposed isolation, they were catapulted into the hormonal havoc of adolescence, plunging into a wild spree that led to their incarceration in a hospital for the criminally insane. A profoundly powerful and moving story.
Customer Reviews:
A Twin Tragedy.......2004-05-12
I recently read this book, having started it several years ago and found that it so distrubed me that the lives these young women seemed to be so expendable, I could not finish reading their story. I recently picked up the book again and this time I finished it. I still feel that the world let June and Jennifer Gibbons down. I especially feel that their parents failed them. But placing blame is not helpful, is it?
I found Marjorie Wallace's research admirable, but not nearly as in-depth as it could have been, especially in delving into the family dynamics outside of the twins themselves. It is hard for me to believe, as a mother of four sons, two of whom are fraternal twins, that these girls were left to their own devices for so long or that they held the entire household in their grip. All with the seeming acquiecence of traditional West Indian parents and a military dad to boot!!??? Baffling! I think Wallace could have shed some needed light on their story if she had looked at this side of the family closer.
I was moved by some of the twins' journal entries, able to gain incredible intimacy into their minds, their world. I think we all are facinated by the secret lives and languages of twins, how they seem to have a bond that transends mere sibling connections. In other entries chosen by Wallace, I felt that she was guilty of one of the most freshman of journalistic flaws: inserting yourself and your opinions into your story. At times I felt she manipulated their words and pain to move her story along. I think this was a dis-service.
Both sisters, in my opinion were brilliant, creative, visual, and incredibly insightful observers of human behavior, strengths and weaknesses. But in the end, because society--starting with their own family's desire to 'fit in' with the white 'Proper British' world-- and ending ultimately with the failure of the English educational, mental health care and judicial systems to deal with these girls--sadly, it is painfully obvious that race played a role in the tragedy that was the Gibbons Twins' lives.
Wallace herself alludes to the failure and selective ignorance of authorities through the years and the overall treatment of the girls because they were 'coloured'. And these perceptive young women on numerous occasions recognized and manipulated others' prejudices in order to attempt to belong and ultimately to survive.
The book has some weaknesses, but those are easily forgotten as one lives the loneliness, desolation, isolation and despair right along with June and Jennifer Gibbons. I found myself silently screaming along with June and Jennifer that someone, anyone would save them from each other.
I truly think that these were wasted lives; lives that did not have to be lost to such pain, violence, abuse and neglect.
After I finished the book I was left with a haunting need to know what became of the two sisters. I did a Google search and I cried as I read that just hours after being released from Broadmoor, Jennifer had died. Just hours before her release and her death, joyfully accepted her fate by confiding in Wallace that "We have decided that I must die!". They had decided that one must die in order for the other to thrive. Indeed, Jennifer had pulled the short straw which meant that one of them had to choose death, in order for the other to live.
This was a distrubing book, but nevertheless a very good read!
"Vulnerable as flowers in hell".......2004-01-08
The author means well, but I think the girls might have been better served simply by reprinting relevant entries from the voluminous diaries, with a minimum of commentary. As other reviewers have pointed out, Wallace seems quite confused by the girls and her narrative lacks important details as a result.
June and Jennifer stayed in Broadmoor hospital until 1993, when they were to be remanded to a more appropriate facility. Originally, they had had an understanding that if one of them should die, the other must begin to speak normally and tell their story to the world. By the time of their release, they had come to believe that they not only needed to be physically separate, but that in order for one to live a normal life, the other would have to die.
In an Observer (Guardian Unlimited) article following the deaths of the Bijani sisters, July 13, 2003, Wallace reports having tea with the Gibbons girls just before their release, at which time Jennifer informed her that she had decided to die, leaving the way open for June. Ten days later, they left Broadmoor, and Jennifer promptly leaned on June's shoulder and went unconscious. She died at 6:30 that evening. The autopsy showed a virulent inflammation of the heart. The doctors were unable to identify the source. To this day, Jennifer's death is a mystery, and June lives in their old hometown, near their parents. She revealed their complete story in an issue of Harper's magazine in late '93, with a followup called "We Two Made One", reprinted in the New Yorker for 12-4-2000. The song "Tsunami" by the Manic Street Preachers is based on their story.
We should love to see "Pepsi-Cola Addict", "Discomania", "Taxi-Driver's Son" and especially "The Pugilist" published in America.
Couldn't put it down.......2004-01-03
As the mother of identical twin daughters (and a fraternal twin myself), I had heard of the Gibbons twins before. Their story is both tragic and fascinating - truly, I could not put the book down. For the other reviews claiming the author is not as talented as the twins' writing, I would say that THEIR subjects are more flexible -- and FICTION! Considering the subject-matter I thought this book was well-written and thoughtfully put together. The author seems to care about the twins and tried to be honest about their struggles. The numerous excerpts of the twins' writings became very tiresome and I honestly skipped a lot of them.
I feel the same frustration with the twins' actions as others, including the author, and I think the girls' lives were a game they invented to fill the many dull hours in their lonesome bedroom. I think the parent's actions (or lack of) should have been explored more. The author seems to defend the parents at all costs, but the parents' inability to deal with the twins problems are the root of the tragedy and should have been addressed. Still, if you enjoy true-crime and psychological thrillers, you'll love this book.
Intriguing subject, flat writing.......2000-06-26
The story of the twinnies (as they are called in the book) is interesting on its own, which is the main saving grace of this tiresome work. The author doesn't hesitate to admit that the twins fascinated and confused her, and that fact shines through in her lack of style. The book jacket describes the twins' lives as being mired in arson, drugs, and sex, yet the only events that are dealt with great detail are the acts of arson. The reader is given no more detail about the twins once they reach the psychiatric hospital, where both girls believe they'll have the chance to communicate with others and maybe even begin a normal life. There's more hope in the twins' voices than there are from the author. The passages from their diaries are an alarming testament to their mental disease, but they are so lucid at times that the reader almost questions if the twins are the ones with the problems. Both girls realized they were their own worst enemies, but they were also one another's best friend. Their writings and diaries are highly accomplished, richly described pieces of writing. What a shame the author couldn't achieve the same.
A gripping study of mentally ill twins.......1999-09-18
This book details the lives of a pair of identical twins who kept silent their entire childhood, never speaking to anyone, not even their parents. I think they may also have been schizophrenic, because I know lots of identical twins and most lead perfectly normal lives. But this book is fascinating.
Average customer rating:
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Silent Twins
Manufacturer: VINTAGE (RAND)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GTPP0K |
Average customer rating:
- thumbs-up for the subject matter
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The Silent Twins
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9994770934 |
Customer Reviews:
thumbs-up for the subject matter.......1999-03-03
I became interested in the Silent Twins when I saw a brief portion of a documentary dedicated to them. As this is the only information I found concerning the pair, I have to rate it highly. This book is not that well written, but EXTREMELY intruiging. Dark at times and very chilling---that's what makes it great.
Average customer rating:
- Interesting, but requires effort
- A report on intelligence
- A solid examination of naval intelligence 200 years ago
|
Most Secret and Confidential: Intelligence in the Age of Nelson
Steven E. Maffeo
Manufacturer: Naval Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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The Man Who Broke Napoleon's Codes
ASIN: 1557505454 |
Book Description
In today's world of satellites and electronic eavesdropping it is hard to appreciate the difficulties involved two centuries ago in collecting and disseminating secret intelligence in time of war. This book treats readers to a close-up look at the ingenious methods used to obtain and analyze secret material and deliver it to operational forces at sea. It brings together information from a variety of sources to provide the first concise analysis of the use and development of intelligence in the days of fighting sail. The British experience from 1793 to 1815 is the book's main focus, but it also includes French and American activity. In addition the book examines how commanders used the information to develop strategy and tactics and win--or sometime lose--battles.
A naval intelligence officer himself, author Steven Maffeo illustrates the role of this "dark craft" by concentrating on the experiences of Lord Nelson and his contemporaries. A profoundly complex figure, Nelson epitomized the active acquisition of intelligence and the bold execution of decisions based on an understanding of the material, and Maffeo offers fresh and illuminating information that supports the admiral's high regard for intelligence work.
Reading at times like a cloak-and-dagger mystery, the story is filled with examples of how Nelson and his associates dealt with intelligence obstacles and how the outcomes affected their own futures, and, in some cases, the history of the modern world. Maffeo's anecdotes give marvelous insight into the thoughts of the era's important figures, Bonaparte, Pitt, Spencer, and Cochrane--not to mention C.S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower and Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin. The author's winning combination of vibrant narrative and zeal for accuracy assures this book a place in the libraries of military and intelligence professionals, historians, and Forester and O'Brian aficionados.
Customer Reviews:
Interesting, but requires effort.......2001-07-03
This is not a book that is easily read in a weekend. That is not to say that it is not good, or that it is boring; simply that to get the benefit out of it requires a considerable amount of concentration. There are reasons for this, the most important of which is that it is cramed with detail from one end to the other. This is typical of a thesis which has been sent to commercial print, but if you are not forewarned you could be disappointed. For serious scholars of naval or military intelligence (for the book has much content which is not purely naval in character) it is probably worth five stars. For those who want a good read without too much effort, it is probably a three star book.
A report on intelligence.......2001-06-01
Dull and boring. Written as if it were a report requested by a high ranking officer. Factual? Yes, but has a certain choppiness to it that is more prevalent in a "report." Needs to be "smoothed-out" to make the reading more pleasant and interesting. Contains too many quotes from letters/persons (a habit that too many of today's journalists persist in following), instead of incorporating those personal observations into the text. As a research document, it has merit. For general reading purposes, the form needs smoothing out.
A solid examination of naval intelligence 200 years ago.......2000-07-05
Steven E. Maffeo has served for over twenty years in the US naval reserve intelligence program and this book is an expansion of his thesis for a master's degree from the Joint Military Intelligence College. "Most Secret and Confidential" starts by surveying the intelligence collection and distribution systems at the national and Admiralty levels, then looking in greater detail at such topics as naval signals, the role of frigates, deception, and the duties of a naval commander (ship's captain and admiral), including being his own intelligence officer. Finally, the book focuses upon three particular case studies: the Battle of Oulo-Aur where the East India Company fleet successful bluffed the French naval squadron commanded by Linois (and used as the historical basis for part of Patrick O'Brian's novel "HMS Surprise"), the Copenhagen expedition of 1801, and the campaign ending in the Battle of the Nile.
A good deal of attention is devoted to Nelson as an extremely effective Intelligence Officer. In the Nelson Era, fleet and ship commanders, aided by minimal or no staff at all, basically acted as their own intelligence officers, coordinating collection efforts and analyzing the information themselves. Maffeo repeatedly reminds us of the severe restrictions under which these men operated, almost unimaginable in today's electronic world. There were no radios, fax machines, computers, reconnaissance satellites, patrol aircraft, etc., and information dissemination was no faster than a courier vessel subject to uncertain winds.
This is not a book primarily of derring-do tales of midnight landings of secret agents from boats with muffled oars, although Maffeo does recount the exploits of such naval officers as Lord Cochrane and his raids against enemy communications. But it is an unparalleled look at the secret world behind Royal Navy operations during the Age of Sail.
A special bonus to fans of O'Brian, Forester, Pope, and Kent: To provide illumination of various points discussed, Maffeo frequently quotes from modern nautical fiction, showing how Jack Aubrey, Horatio Hornblower, Nicholas Ramage, and Richard Bolitho were subject to the very real restrictions upon and from naval intelligence.
Book Description
The Routledge Companion to World History since 1914 is an outstanding compendium of facts and figures on World History. Fully up-to-date, reliable and clear, this volume is the indispensable source of information on a thorough range of topics such as:
- the Arab-Israeli conflict
- anti-semitism and the Holocaust
- all the world's major famines and natural disasters since 1914
- whether all countries of the world have a king, president, prime minister or other governance
- GNP of the world's major states, year by year
- biographies of key figures
- civil rights movements
- the Vietnam War
- the rise of terrorism
- globalization.
Thematically presented, the book covers topics relevant from the First World War to the Iraq war of 2003, and from post-colonial Africa to conflicts and movements in Southeast Asia.
With maps, chronologies and full bibliography, this user-friendly reference work is the essential companion for students of history, politics and international relations, and for all those with an interest in world history.
Book Description
This beautiful book is a photographic guide to the birds of Madagascar--260 species, including 108 that are endemic to the island. The book details the plumages, vocalizations, habitat and behavior, range, status, and habitat zones of each species. "Where to watch" advice and a gazetteer to birdwatching locations provide invaluable information for visitors planning to see the avifauna of Malagasy.
Copublished with Pica Press For sale in North and South America
.
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant - a Model for Field Guides!.......2007-06-01
After I received my copy of this book, I was blown away by how good it is!
The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The warblers in particular are so life-like they are looking straight into your eyes warily, seemingly ready to fly off the pages at any moment!
Editing is well done, with clear range maps and all the info you might need about the birds found on the pages right opposite the colour pages where each species is illustrated.
Before these species accounts, the book has an excellent chapter on birdwatching in the region, with detailed information on the key sites of every single country covered, even accompanied by good maps of every island worth visiting. Such a good combination of a field guide and a site guide is very rare indeed.
All in all: perfect!
Whether you are thinking of visiting several or only one of the the countries covered here, this is THE book to take.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding Resource.......2005-01-25
Which probably isn't surprising, considering there aren't many books specifically for the birds of Madagascar.
The color plates in this book are in the middle, with numbers which correspond to detailed descriptions of each species before and after the plate section. This can make for a lot of flipping for the casual bird watcher, as you try to match a picture with a description/known region.
However, the behavior descriptions and text are very good. The color plates are high in quality and a pleasure to reference. Importantly, the book itself is sturdy enough to hold togther while being dragged through Madagascar!
It's fairly pricey, but for anyone who's planning to make a Madagascar trip, I'd definitely say it's worth it.
Average customer rating:
- durrell continues
- Aye-aye!
- Durrell has gotten old and it shows
- loquacious lemurs make good
- Aye-ayes are wonderful!
|
The Aye-Aye and I
Gerald Durrell
Manufacturer: Arcade Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1559702044 |
Book Description
Here is the riveting tale of Gerald Durrell's adventures and misadventures in the enchanted forests of Madagascar, in search of the elusive Aye-aye.
Once thought to be extinct, the Aye-aye, the beast with the magic finger, still lurks, though in fast dwindling numbers, in the forests of Madagascar. Durrell's mission to help save this strange creature turns into a madcap journey in which you will meet not only the enigmatic Aye-aye, but the catlike Fosa, the Flat-tailed tortoise, the Gentle lemurs of Lac Alaotra, and the Malagasy chameleons, among others. Truly nothing escapes Durrell's sharp eye, whether he is describing the great zoma (market), the village dances, the treacherous bridges and river crossings, the strange foods and stranger music, or the vagaries of local officialdom.
As the San Francisco Chronicle noted, "It is impossible for Gerald Durrell to write anything that is less than exuberant, eccentric, and amusing." And in his account of this "rescue mission", Durrell is, quite simply, at his superb best.
Customer Reviews:
durrell continues.......2006-10-29
This book is another interesting as well as entertaining product from Gerald Durrell, drawing on his lifetime as a collector and conservator of endangered and unusual wildlife. Well worth reading - several times!
Aye-aye!.......2003-12-08
With a career spanning decades and continents, and with a gift for writing witty and articulate accounts of his animal-catching adventures in so many different times & places, it seems predictable that the originality and enthusiasm which Gerald Durrell offers should vary from story to story or from book to book. And they do; some volumes are ecstatically joyous and quite fast-paced, while a few stories drag a bit or feature rather sarcastic caricatures of certain persons. Overall, however, I find Durrell's writing some of the most amusing and informative stuff that I've encountered in the last year. Therefore I have bought a copy of every Gerald Durrell title that I've located. It's quality stuff that I intend to keep long-term and reccomend to friends. "The AyeAye and I" is no exception, and I am pleased to have a hardcover edition. Thanks, Amazon!
Durrell has gotten old and it shows.......2003-11-20
I have always admired Gerald Durrell as a writer; his zoological/ecological achievements, while very noteworthy, have not been so important to me when reading his books.
From this standpoint, 'Aye-aye and I' was a great disappointment; the sparkling humor of 'Three Tickets to Adventure' and especially 'My Family and Other Animals' has all but disappeared. The author has gotten old and bitter and it really shows throughout the book. He keeps complaining about the degrading ecological state of Madagascar, his own health and other issues, and while his environmental concerns are undoubtedly valid, it makes the book a somewhat depressing read.
Now if you have actual interest in lemurs, Madagascar or Durrell's scientific work, by all means go ahead and by this book. However, if you are looking for something entertaining, skip it and get some of his older works instead.
loquacious lemurs make good.......2002-08-24
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, being already more than sold on the value proposition presented by lemurs of all shapes and sizes. I'm convinced that the lemur is destined to become the most popular primate of the millenium, and this book should be at the top of the charts for those wishing to catch the rising tide of lemur fanatics. The San Francisco Zoo's new Lipman Family Lemur Forest exhibit presents two of only twelve Aye-ayes in the United States, and having visited it recently I now plan to return next weekend to apply the newfound in-depth Aye-aye background I've gleaned from my reading of this book. Moreover, lemurs are but the tip of the iceberg here! Rife with hilarious descriptions of Giant Jumping rats, tortoises, and grubs of all shapes and sizes, Durrell's personal tone, dry wit, and entertaining presentation kept me amused and reading until the wee hours of the morn. I'll be seeking out more of his works, and would happily recommend this to anyone with an interest in lemurs, obscure regions of the world, travel, conservation, the Aye-aye, and furry or reptilian critters, period.
Aye-ayes are wonderful!.......2001-01-09
This book was absolutely fabulous. As a college student interested in someday studying aye-ayes in the forests of Madagascar, reading this book was sheer pleasure. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested at all in lemurs, Madagascar, or simply in animal anecdotes or conservation.
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