Take a photo of a barcode or cover
laurieb755's Reviews (785)
I've been anticipating this book since it was first announced, about 8 or 9 months ago. I was also hopeful that the author's voice would mimic his presentation style rather than the last book of his that I tried to read, Out of Our Minds (which I couldn't get through at all). Happily, despite the many typos (around 12!), Ken's humor, narrative and story telling expertise all came though.
This is a book about not only finding your passion, but also about the importance of doing so – both for yourself and for the benefit of society. It is also about how the nature of education has to not just change but actually TRANSFORM in order to better serve those who engage in the process. Robinson's point is that in way too many instances, our educational systems discourage students from pursuing their passions – or worse yet, do not provide environments that foster finding one's element. He relays a slew of stories about prominent people who found their element DESPITE their "education", in some instances choosing to forego finishing their formal education.
There were a number of ideas which resonated strongly with me, two in particular I'll share. (1) "The future for education is not in standardizing but in customizing; not in promoting group think and 'deindividuation' but in cultivating the real depth and dynamism of human abilities of every sort." (2) Finding your element, especially if it is NOT your job, will probably enhance how you do your job.
Getting back to item (1), Robinson suggests we need to (a) transform curriculum and "eliminate the … hierarchy of subjects; (b) instead of "subjects", curriculum should be based upon disciplines, and (c) curriculum should be personalized. Agreed! Now when can we start!
This is a book about not only finding your passion, but also about the importance of doing so – both for yourself and for the benefit of society. It is also about how the nature of education has to not just change but actually TRANSFORM in order to better serve those who engage in the process. Robinson's point is that in way too many instances, our educational systems discourage students from pursuing their passions – or worse yet, do not provide environments that foster finding one's element. He relays a slew of stories about prominent people who found their element DESPITE their "education", in some instances choosing to forego finishing their formal education.
There were a number of ideas which resonated strongly with me, two in particular I'll share. (1) "The future for education is not in standardizing but in customizing; not in promoting group think and 'deindividuation' but in cultivating the real depth and dynamism of human abilities of every sort." (2) Finding your element, especially if it is NOT your job, will probably enhance how you do your job.
Getting back to item (1), Robinson suggests we need to (a) transform curriculum and "eliminate the … hierarchy of subjects; (b) instead of "subjects", curriculum should be based upon disciplines, and (c) curriculum should be personalized. Agreed! Now when can we start!
I suppose one mark of a well-written book is how powerful an impression it makes on the reader. The premise behind SPARK was not a surprise – I've heard John Ratey make his case at last Fall's Learning & the Brain conference, and my years of dedicated swimming have already proved the points first hand. Rather, it was Ratey's earnest discussion of how exercise boosts the brain, and his explanation of the biology, coupled with chapters covering everything from learning to stress to depression to AD to hormones to aging – all of this almost begging (cajoling) us to take notice and don't just site there but DO SOMETHING about it!
Ratey begins by sharing the story of Naperville Central High School in Chicago, which implemented a pays ed program (over 17 years ago) that completely changed the dynamics of school gym class. Instead of a focus on sports teams, the focus became Getting & Staying Fit. A major component of the program was the use of heart rate monitors so students could exercise at the intensity level best for their individual health.
Two other pieces of the program are over seventeen choices of activities (climbing wall, DDR, kayaking, volleyball, basketball …) coupled with fitness planning (in conjunction with/by the students) to cover all four years of high school. Student choice and student participation in controlling their class – their plan. This is a powerful combination and enablement of teenagers. Now add to this th proven benefits of sustained and regular exercise on the brain, and you have a SPARK of enlightenment.
Rate's biology is clearly presented. I wanted to sit down and draw pictures of the brain representing his words. (Maybe a vacation activity …) On a personal note – I am happier moving – or after moving. I love to dance – swim – walk. The sedentary days of winter do little to boost my endorphins or pump my spirit. I get out and walk but there are too many remaining hours of insufficient stimulation. I need to change this as I age, or my brain will start to neutralize instead of revitalize.
Ratey begins by sharing the story of Naperville Central High School in Chicago, which implemented a pays ed program (over 17 years ago) that completely changed the dynamics of school gym class. Instead of a focus on sports teams, the focus became Getting & Staying Fit. A major component of the program was the use of heart rate monitors so students could exercise at the intensity level best for their individual health.
Two other pieces of the program are over seventeen choices of activities (climbing wall, DDR, kayaking, volleyball, basketball …) coupled with fitness planning (in conjunction with/by the students) to cover all four years of high school. Student choice and student participation in controlling their class – their plan. This is a powerful combination and enablement of teenagers. Now add to this th proven benefits of sustained and regular exercise on the brain, and you have a SPARK of enlightenment.
Rate's biology is clearly presented. I wanted to sit down and draw pictures of the brain representing his words. (Maybe a vacation activity …) On a personal note – I am happier moving – or after moving. I love to dance – swim – walk. The sedentary days of winter do little to boost my endorphins or pump my spirit. I get out and walk but there are too many remaining hours of insufficient stimulation. I need to change this as I age, or my brain will start to neutralize instead of revitalize.
Keith is the proprietor of Keith's Farm in Orange County, NY. He is also from New Zealand, married to Flavia, and an early vendor at the Union Square Market in NYC. He "quit" the city life and his desk job back in the 1980s for a chance to stake out a life in farming. Flavia, his wife and book illustrator, struck my fancy purely for her Italian name – as in Flavia diStefano Iain Pears heroine in his Art History mysteries.
Somewhere along the line Keith turned his farmers eye to writing essays and vignettes about farm life. He paints what I feel is an honest set of portraits about tilling the land, becoming part of the farming community, and making it all work. He is a proud organize farmer, with a tough love approach. Every since 1989 he has taken in teens and twenties to intern for the farming season of 7 to 9 months. They are his only help – he trains them each year, and they provide labor in exchange for room, board and moderate wages.
He writes about his dogs, especially his old friend Kuri, who came to stay as a stray and remained for 18 years until his death. He writes a bit – a little bit – about some of his neighbors, and relays the sad story of a milk farmer who died due to a freak accident at the young age of 46, while clearing fallen trees from his land. It's clear Keith loves what he does.
Yet, to my ear, there's definitely a bit of the taskmaster in him, at times not very compassionate sounding. I guess, though that these certain qualities stand hi in good stead as an organic farmer trying to make it in these days of big agribusiness. And we are certainly grateful that he and farmers like him are willing to practice sustainable organic farming and share their produce with us all.
Somewhere along the line Keith turned his farmers eye to writing essays and vignettes about farm life. He paints what I feel is an honest set of portraits about tilling the land, becoming part of the farming community, and making it all work. He is a proud organize farmer, with a tough love approach. Every since 1989 he has taken in teens and twenties to intern for the farming season of 7 to 9 months. They are his only help – he trains them each year, and they provide labor in exchange for room, board and moderate wages.
He writes about his dogs, especially his old friend Kuri, who came to stay as a stray and remained for 18 years until his death. He writes a bit – a little bit – about some of his neighbors, and relays the sad story of a milk farmer who died due to a freak accident at the young age of 46, while clearing fallen trees from his land. It's clear Keith loves what he does.
Yet, to my ear, there's definitely a bit of the taskmaster in him, at times not very compassionate sounding. I guess, though that these certain qualities stand hi in good stead as an organic farmer trying to make it in these days of big agribusiness. And we are certainly grateful that he and farmers like him are willing to practice sustainable organic farming and share their produce with us all.
I gobbled up this Victorian novel 30 years in the making, 18 months in the writing, and published in 2006. First heard of the novel when reading the author's obit in The New York Times earlier this year. He was compared (actually, his book was compared to Wilkie Collins's Moonstone and The Woman in White, both rich Victorian novels that I've read (and have on my home bookshelf).
Close to 700 pages, I was determined to read just a chapter or two at a time, thinking this would be a wonderful story to soak up during the summer. Well, I was right, but Cox's writing pulled me in on every page, and I was soon reading larger and larger portions. Alas, it is done (the deed and the book), but happily, Cox's follow-up book awaits at home, having purposely not brought it to the Cape (where we are vacationing) so I can enjoy and relish it during more of the summer.
The story – Edward Glyver raised, but not born as, becomes Edward Glapthorn as he dedicates his life to finding out his heritage, which might have been as Edward Tansor son of the Lord & Lady Tansor.
Cox presents this tale of love in many guises, revenge, detective work, betrayal, passion, deceit, and intellect as a richly detailed written confession by Edward Glyver. Locations give themselves up as real, as do the characters, thanks to Cox's thorough research into the period, and the mulling over of this tale for 30 years before he committed it to paper – done when he was on medication (steroids) to help prepare him for surgery to combat an illness he had been living with and for which he though he might lose his vision. Intense motivation, eh!
Close to 700 pages, I was determined to read just a chapter or two at a time, thinking this would be a wonderful story to soak up during the summer. Well, I was right, but Cox's writing pulled me in on every page, and I was soon reading larger and larger portions. Alas, it is done (the deed and the book), but happily, Cox's follow-up book awaits at home, having purposely not brought it to the Cape (where we are vacationing) so I can enjoy and relish it during more of the summer.
The story – Edward Glyver raised, but not born as, becomes Edward Glapthorn as he dedicates his life to finding out his heritage, which might have been as Edward Tansor son of the Lord & Lady Tansor.
Cox presents this tale of love in many guises, revenge, detective work, betrayal, passion, deceit, and intellect as a richly detailed written confession by Edward Glyver. Locations give themselves up as real, as do the characters, thanks to Cox's thorough research into the period, and the mulling over of this tale for 30 years before he committed it to paper – done when he was on medication (steroids) to help prepare him for surgery to combat an illness he had been living with and for which he though he might lose his vision. Intense motivation, eh!
Having taken Michael Cox's suggestion in choosing this book, I was not disappointed. The Dead Secret precedes The Woman in White (which I read several years ago) and is shorter in length, but it has plenty of restrained suspense and plot twists.
It took me a few pages to become re-accustomed to the verbiage of a Victorian novel – detailed descriptions, proprietary dialogue, and a determined pace. However, once I settled into the flow, I gobbled the story and, especially during the second half of the book, had to pace myself so as not to finish too soon!
I did manage to sustain my curiosity for one week, finishing the book at the end of our Maine exploratorium. The characters were enjoyable and even likable. At first Rosamund seemed a bit too flowery for my taste, but her spirit for adventure and her immense energy add the necessary dimension to her character.
Sarah has more than one hidden secret and continued to surprise me to the end. I only managed to partially guess her history. Her Uncle Joseph was endearing and very wise in his plain speaking. Lenny Franklin, Rosamund's blind husband, has a good head on his shoulders and a strong sense of fairness.
The servants of Porthgenna are described, perhaps as stereotypes – one a pompous, self-inflated ego, the other a young curious lass, and the third a sometimes deferential and something "it's not my faulty" housekeeper. There are a number of other characters, primary among them Andrew Treverton and his servant Shrowl. They have a very odd relationship, to say the least, and Shrowl's name is indicative of his personality – verbal scowls. Well, this book was the first of two by Collins. Awaiting me now is No Name.
It took me a few pages to become re-accustomed to the verbiage of a Victorian novel – detailed descriptions, proprietary dialogue, and a determined pace. However, once I settled into the flow, I gobbled the story and, especially during the second half of the book, had to pace myself so as not to finish too soon!
I did manage to sustain my curiosity for one week, finishing the book at the end of our Maine exploratorium. The characters were enjoyable and even likable. At first Rosamund seemed a bit too flowery for my taste, but her spirit for adventure and her immense energy add the necessary dimension to her character.
Sarah has more than one hidden secret and continued to surprise me to the end. I only managed to partially guess her history. Her Uncle Joseph was endearing and very wise in his plain speaking. Lenny Franklin, Rosamund's blind husband, has a good head on his shoulders and a strong sense of fairness.
The servants of Porthgenna are described, perhaps as stereotypes – one a pompous, self-inflated ego, the other a young curious lass, and the third a sometimes deferential and something "it's not my faulty" housekeeper. There are a number of other characters, primary among them Andrew Treverton and his servant Shrowl. They have a very odd relationship, to say the least, and Shrowl's name is indicative of his personality – verbal scowls. Well, this book was the first of two by Collins. Awaiting me now is No Name.
I prefer to only add books to my Goodreads feed if I have read them from cover to cover, beginning to end. Otherwise, I feel like it's a personal cheat to myself because I haven't really read the book, so why add it to the list.
However, as a result of reading a review of The Art of Grace: On Moving Well Through Life in today's (actually, tomorrow's, but we get half of Sunday's paper delivered on Saturday) New York Times Book Review, I decided this book needed to be added to my list.
The reviewer, Toni Bentley, expressed the majority of my sentiment, and be forewarned, it is not positive. I did not like the book. It seemed pompous, light-weight, and worshipful of those Sarah Kaufman deemed to have grace. I, too, am a fan of Cary Grant. But to suggest he is the epitome of grace and devote as many pages to him as she did, well, that took a leap of faith, and my leap was nowhere near as graceful as Kaufman's idolatry!
Now that you've been forewarned, here is Bentley's review.
However, as a result of reading a review of The Art of Grace: On Moving Well Through Life in today's (actually, tomorrow's, but we get half of Sunday's paper delivered on Saturday) New York Times Book Review, I decided this book needed to be added to my list.
The reviewer, Toni Bentley, expressed the majority of my sentiment, and be forewarned, it is not positive. I did not like the book. It seemed pompous, light-weight, and worshipful of those Sarah Kaufman deemed to have grace. I, too, am a fan of Cary Grant. But to suggest he is the epitome of grace and devote as many pages to him as she did, well, that took a leap of faith, and my leap was nowhere near as graceful as Kaufman's idolatry!
Now that you've been forewarned, here is Bentley's review.
Thank you to whoever recommended this book - not sure if it was Palfreman's opinion article The Bright Side of Parkinson's in the NY Times Sunday Review or Dance for PD. I am glad to have found and read it.
Palfreman writes with grace and with a story teller's eye, demystifying the complexities of brain science and pharmaceuticals. He traverses the history of Parkinson's research all the way from its initial discovery by James Parkinson to the many scientists currently working on myriad approaches to preventing, curing and reversing the disease.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any connection to Parkinson's or Alzheimer's or any of the other neurodegenerative diseases that abound. I found myself breathing a curious sigh of relief just knowing that there are so many people who are trying to resolve these diseases, and there are many more people trying to live with these diseases. My Dad was one of them, with the double whammy of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Not knowing what my future will hold, I take solace and advice from books like this one. And I leave you with two of the most interesting facts that Palfreman shares.
How a person with Parkinson's chooses to live may be as crucial to his well-being as which medicines he takes. Research supports the idea that patients who exercise regularly (as I explored in chapter 7) and who keep a positive attitude and remain socially and mentally engaged do much better than those who withdraw from the world. Whether this is because of the neuroprotective effects of exercise and engagement or a robust placebo effect is still to be determined.
Everything, and I mean everything that I have ever read about promoting a healthy aging brain states the same results: EXERCISE and SOCIALIZE. And engage in novel, challenging activities.
The second highly interesting fact that Palfreman mentions is the placebo effect, which I find amazing and suggestive of the human power of optimism and determination. Hmm, those last two sound like the "positive attitude" noted in the first interesting fact!
It turns out that many times people who received a placebo, instead of some of the actual treatments described in the book, wound up having a positive effect that often lasted for a considerable amount of time. The questions this raises are twofold – Why can placebos be as powerful or more powerful than actual treatment? And what does this mean for certain invasive treatments if the placebo can do as much or more good than the invasive surgery?
…the Rush University neuroscientist Christopher Goetz mentioned in an update to the Parkinson's community the intriguing and somewhat controversial topic of the placebo effect… Goetz the clinical neurologist believes it is an effect worth keeping. As he puts it, "I use the placebo effect when I greet my patients, when I encourage them, when I tell them we're a partnership… [I] would never want to eliminate it in the clinic." But Goetz the scientist sees the placebo effect as a liability. "In a trial, if the patient gets just as good effect with sham surgery as having some kind of foreign cell implanted, then we have a problem." That's the conundrum in a nutshell.
Palfreman writes with grace and with a story teller's eye, demystifying the complexities of brain science and pharmaceuticals. He traverses the history of Parkinson's research all the way from its initial discovery by James Parkinson to the many scientists currently working on myriad approaches to preventing, curing and reversing the disease.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any connection to Parkinson's or Alzheimer's or any of the other neurodegenerative diseases that abound. I found myself breathing a curious sigh of relief just knowing that there are so many people who are trying to resolve these diseases, and there are many more people trying to live with these diseases. My Dad was one of them, with the double whammy of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Not knowing what my future will hold, I take solace and advice from books like this one. And I leave you with two of the most interesting facts that Palfreman shares.
How a person with Parkinson's chooses to live may be as crucial to his well-being as which medicines he takes. Research supports the idea that patients who exercise regularly (as I explored in chapter 7) and who keep a positive attitude and remain socially and mentally engaged do much better than those who withdraw from the world. Whether this is because of the neuroprotective effects of exercise and engagement or a robust placebo effect is still to be determined.
Everything, and I mean everything that I have ever read about promoting a healthy aging brain states the same results: EXERCISE and SOCIALIZE. And engage in novel, challenging activities.
The second highly interesting fact that Palfreman mentions is the placebo effect, which I find amazing and suggestive of the human power of optimism and determination. Hmm, those last two sound like the "positive attitude" noted in the first interesting fact!
It turns out that many times people who received a placebo, instead of some of the actual treatments described in the book, wound up having a positive effect that often lasted for a considerable amount of time. The questions this raises are twofold – Why can placebos be as powerful or more powerful than actual treatment? And what does this mean for certain invasive treatments if the placebo can do as much or more good than the invasive surgery?
…the Rush University neuroscientist Christopher Goetz mentioned in an update to the Parkinson's community the intriguing and somewhat controversial topic of the placebo effect… Goetz the clinical neurologist believes it is an effect worth keeping. As he puts it, "I use the placebo effect when I greet my patients, when I encourage them, when I tell them we're a partnership… [I] would never want to eliminate it in the clinic." But Goetz the scientist sees the placebo effect as a liability. "In a trial, if the patient gets just as good effect with sham surgery as having some kind of foreign cell implanted, then we have a problem." That's the conundrum in a nutshell.
Bobbler. A dome that appears over an area (or an individual – it can vary in size from small to large enough to envelop a city) and freezes the contents in time, until it bursts, and inhabitants emerge, a bit dazed. Developed by Paul Hoehler, who never intended its negative use, the Bobblers were coopted by "The Peace Authority" in an attempt to prevent nuclear war and tamp down insurgent countries.
Really, they were a quasi-benign dictatorship, who Naismith (Hoehler) has been trying to derail for 50 years. What's left of those who enjoyed tinkering with electronics and digital devises (the "Tinkerers") have banded with Naismith, along with Wili (a young black teenager who needs medical attention), Mike Rosas (a "cop" of sorts, who plays things both ways), Jill (Naismith's hologram), and Allison (Naismith's bobbled romantic interest - upon who Jill was modeled - who emerges from a popped bobble 50 years later) to attack the Livermore Center, where the "Peace Authority's" power supply is housed for creating bobbles.
And then there's the "Peace Authority" plays – Della Lu (tough lady with a past) and Hamilton Avery (head guy with an intense desire to get Paul Naismith). So now you know the characters just a wee bit, but what about their story? Typically not a Sci Fi reader, I was absorbed by Vinge's tale written in 1984 and reissued in 2003. I read into it a bit of worldly commentary on the state of global affairs, not much improved in 2009 from 1984, sadly. Fred (my husband) called Vinge a good writer, which is probably why I enjoyed the story.
Now I'm primed to read another of his books that Fred bought. Vine coined the term "singularity" which I believe is what brought him to Fred's attention in the first place. Go on – look it up on the Internet!
Really, they were a quasi-benign dictatorship, who Naismith (Hoehler) has been trying to derail for 50 years. What's left of those who enjoyed tinkering with electronics and digital devises (the "Tinkerers") have banded with Naismith, along with Wili (a young black teenager who needs medical attention), Mike Rosas (a "cop" of sorts, who plays things both ways), Jill (Naismith's hologram), and Allison (Naismith's bobbled romantic interest - upon who Jill was modeled - who emerges from a popped bobble 50 years later) to attack the Livermore Center, where the "Peace Authority's" power supply is housed for creating bobbles.
And then there's the "Peace Authority" plays – Della Lu (tough lady with a past) and Hamilton Avery (head guy with an intense desire to get Paul Naismith). So now you know the characters just a wee bit, but what about their story? Typically not a Sci Fi reader, I was absorbed by Vinge's tale written in 1984 and reissued in 2003. I read into it a bit of worldly commentary on the state of global affairs, not much improved in 2009 from 1984, sadly. Fred (my husband) called Vinge a good writer, which is probably why I enjoyed the story.
Now I'm primed to read another of his books that Fred bought. Vine coined the term "singularity" which I believe is what brought him to Fred's attention in the first place. Go on – look it up on the Internet!
Whoa – perhaps this book is even more of a page turner than Collins' The Woman In White and The Moonstone, having been written between the two. This was a 700 plus page drama of one 18 year olds determined efforts to reinstate the inheritance which, by all standards save the legalities of the Victorian era, were due her and her 26-year old sister.
Magdalen Vanstone and her sister Nora became orphans within the span of a few short months, only to discover that due to a twist of legal fate and timing, they are forbidden from inheriting their parents home and income. This creates a glitch in Magdalen's pending marriage plans and further sets her to devote her young years to seeking return of the family fortune from a crusty, embittered uncle (who inherited it by law, yet already has plenty of his own money, so is not in need of it.)
Magdalen's two year path is filled with drama, some characters who provoked this readers sense of humor (Captain and Mrs Wragge), despair, cunning, heartache, and finally resurrection. There were some plot twists and multiple character-degrees-of-separation, all handsomely tied up by the end.
Collins is a master of his genre, and I am game to try my hand at some more of his stories.
PS Quite enjoyed Collins' device of separating the scenes, and forwarding the plot, with letters sent between various characters. In a book as dense with words and descriptions as this, the letters provided a nice change of pace and balance.
Magdalen Vanstone and her sister Nora became orphans within the span of a few short months, only to discover that due to a twist of legal fate and timing, they are forbidden from inheriting their parents home and income. This creates a glitch in Magdalen's pending marriage plans and further sets her to devote her young years to seeking return of the family fortune from a crusty, embittered uncle (who inherited it by law, yet already has plenty of his own money, so is not in need of it.)
Magdalen's two year path is filled with drama, some characters who provoked this readers sense of humor (Captain and Mrs Wragge), despair, cunning, heartache, and finally resurrection. There were some plot twists and multiple character-degrees-of-separation, all handsomely tied up by the end.
Collins is a master of his genre, and I am game to try my hand at some more of his stories.
PS Quite enjoyed Collins' device of separating the scenes, and forwarding the plot, with letters sent between various characters. In a book as dense with words and descriptions as this, the letters provided a nice change of pace and balance.
Similar to his An Instance of the Fingerpost, Stone's Fall tells the parts of a story form the eyes of three people – Matthew Braddock (1909), Henry Cort (Paris, 1890) and John Stone (Venice, 1867). Braddock is a newspaper man hired in 1909 by Elizabeth Stone to ostensibly write a biography of her recently deceased husband, John Stone, who wound up dead on the street after a fall from his second floor office in his home.
A prominent behind-the-scene arms dealer and financier, shrew in his dealings, and in "it" for the love of a good challenge, Stone's death has left two puzzles behind. The first is an empire that has questionable stability, of which Stone was very well aware. The second is Stone's will, which stipulates leaving money to a child he may have parented some 20 or more years earlier. It is this mystery Elizabeth Stone wants Braddock to unravel, for without its resolution Stone's will cannot be carried out.
Matthew Braddock, himself somewhere in his 20s, tells his story of being hired, falling captive to the aura of Elizabeth Stone, discovering more about Stone's business and Elizabeth's clandestine if then he ever imagine or wanted to know, and some 40 plus years later, in 1953, receiving Henry Cort's sealed papers (upon Cort's death) to illuminate the past and tie up the many loose ends.
Henry Cort, whose "voice" I found most interesting, told the tale of Elizabeth's "beginnings" in Paris in the 1890s, how she rose through the ranks and eventually became Mrs John Stone, Lady Ravenscliff, in a marriage marked by love and mutual admiration. But it was John Stone's tale that filled in many gaps, going back even further to Venice, 1867. This tale of love runs side-by-side with growing armaments, pending changes in world peace, growing anarchy, and a look inside the ruthless world of politics, political stability, and governments. Intertwined stories and characters come alive on the page, all of which makes for exceptionally fine story telling.
A prominent behind-the-scene arms dealer and financier, shrew in his dealings, and in "it" for the love of a good challenge, Stone's death has left two puzzles behind. The first is an empire that has questionable stability, of which Stone was very well aware. The second is Stone's will, which stipulates leaving money to a child he may have parented some 20 or more years earlier. It is this mystery Elizabeth Stone wants Braddock to unravel, for without its resolution Stone's will cannot be carried out.
Matthew Braddock, himself somewhere in his 20s, tells his story of being hired, falling captive to the aura of Elizabeth Stone, discovering more about Stone's business and Elizabeth's clandestine if then he ever imagine or wanted to know, and some 40 plus years later, in 1953, receiving Henry Cort's sealed papers (upon Cort's death) to illuminate the past and tie up the many loose ends.
Henry Cort, whose "voice" I found most interesting, told the tale of Elizabeth's "beginnings" in Paris in the 1890s, how she rose through the ranks and eventually became Mrs John Stone, Lady Ravenscliff, in a marriage marked by love and mutual admiration. But it was John Stone's tale that filled in many gaps, going back even further to Venice, 1867. This tale of love runs side-by-side with growing armaments, pending changes in world peace, growing anarchy, and a look inside the ruthless world of politics, political stability, and governments. Intertwined stories and characters come alive on the page, all of which makes for exceptionally fine story telling.