Book Description

Into a memoir that is gripping, funny, heartbreaking, and unforgettable, Walter Dean Myers richly weaves the details of his Harlem childhood in the 1940s and 1950s: a loving home life with his adopted parents, Bible school, street games, and the vitality of his neighborhood. Although Walter spent much of his time either getting into trouble or on the basketball court, secretly he was a voracious reader and an aspiring writer. But as his prospects for a successful future diminished, the values he had been taught at home, in school, and in his community seemed worthless, and he turned to the streets and his books for comfort. Here in his own words is the story of one of the strongest voices in children's and young adult literature today.

Reviews (11)

The Rode Not Taken By The Bad Boy
Bad Boys by Walter Dean Myers would receive 4 stars for reality, suspense, flare, and an on the edge of your seat story line.Bad Boys is about a young boy named Walter whose life really only revolves around his family, school, friends, and his secret love of literature. Walter has a big problem with getting into mischief. He is always sitting in the corner or having his mother?s request to come in. But, his biggest problem is that when he gets home his mother is never happy with him, and her being an abusive alcoholic sometimes she would get rough with Walter. Walter is an exceptionally bright student but with one problem, he has a speaking impairment. This impairment cannot be detected by Walter, but to everyone else it is a large distraction. Despite his speaking, Walter gets excepted to a higher grade and excepts the request. Through his new grade Walter learns the difference between being white and being black. Although Walter is black, he never knew that, that was looked at as a bad thing to most whites. Besides Walter being taunted about being black, he would also be taunted if everyone knew he loved literature and poetry.
At Walter?s new school, he begins to slowly grow up. He begins to skip school sporadically and begins to hang around a new friend. He slowly is persuaded by his family to change his ways.

N8Dawgs Review on Bad Boy
Walter Myers is a troubled African american growing up in Harlem in the 1960's, where mos tof his life is fighting with other boys, the other half is spent reading books and writing poetry. Through he's teenage years and through school being 12 years old and entering high school he notices that he's speech is not up to standards and gets picked on for it. He runs into a litte touble for awhile with his new friend delivers a certain package. Through books and poetry Walter Myers finds out how to be a man, what he wants to be when he gets older, and how blacks play a role in harlem society in the 1960's.

The style of the book BAD BOY by Walter Dean Myers is a very slow paced book for the first couple of chapters, so for people who like to get into a novel and get to know all of the charactors and know what goes on in thier lives you can figure it out very easy. Than it dramaticlly gets very exciting with all of the fighting happens and the characters make mistakes and pay for them. It exploits the mind of the main character and gets into what he really thinks is right and wrong in society today and in the 1960's. You must have to get into these parts to further understand the novel Bad Boy. The beginning of this book is not very exciting nore moving, the book somewhat ends in a mystery which is very clever and unique, it ends and it makes you think about what could have happend to the character and where he/she is now.

I believe in my own mind that this book is very unique in the way that it doesn't give you to much information about the characters but just enough to always keep you on your guard and guessing what happens next. THe book does have some uninteresting parts that slow your reading down and bore you a little bit, but quickly something happens to a character that gets you write back into the book so you cant put it down. The plot was very good and so was the setting of the book, I like how it takes place in a rural area like Harlem. I would deffinitly recommend this novel to any one who think there are tough or anyone who likes poetry and dramatics, and you will get a roud awakinning and not be able to put the book down.

Nicholas Richview Middle
The story was about a boy born in a crowd of people. The boys mom died when he was 8 . years old. The boy was adopted and lived in a little town called Harlem. The boys name was Walter Dean. He was always in a fight at school in Mr. Conroys class. This caused the boy to miss so m up to write this book school that they were going to put him in a juvinele faciliy. The boy learned to stop fighting and that is how the story ends.
I liked the book because I was like the boy in a way,I was always getting in trouble. I would get my friends to rend this book because the boy had a hard life and was adopted and poor and grew up to write this book

Bad Boy, but good book
Walter Dean Myers, award winning writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, describes his life by saying, 'All in all it has been a great journey and not at all shabby for a bad boy'. Myers uses matter of fact descriptions, in a partisan tone, to allow the reader to 'see from the inside' his 1950's journey to becoming a popular and recognized writer for young adults. Chronologically, he tells his story of life in Harlem, where he struggles with his alcoholic mother, and depressed, illiterate father. Young Myers secretly has a great passion for reading and writing, and ashamedly uses this to escape his difficulties at home and school. Ultimately his struggles overwhelm him and he quits school and writing. At age 17 he joins the army, barely avoiding arrest by the police and abuse by gang members. After many desertions of his love of literature, he returns to it, following his English teachers advice, 'Whatever happens, never stop writing' and continues writing today. Myers innovative style is represented in this book, as he presents his life as a journey with literature, rather than a bland account of his childhood. The medium typeface and plenty of white space, make this book appropriate for readers in grades 6-12. Although Myers' literary references within the text may present some confusion for young readers, it also provides the encouragement that Myers considers his readers intelligent. This book is an excellent choice for minorities, young boys, as well as a true inspiration to all young writers.

A good book for teens.
The book Bad Boy by Walter Dean Myers is a memoir of the author's life. Set mostly in Harlem, the book follows Myers' troublesome childhood and the challenges he faced with his family life, his adoption, and his behavior. Though a bright child, he had a quick temper and a speech problem. This got him into many bad situations and unfortunately partly led to his "downfall" in school.
In Bad Boy, I loved how the setting of the book is in Harlem, where I have visited many times. I am familiar with many of the places he "relaxed" in and feel connected to him somehow. The book is wonderfully written and shows that in the end, even a "troubled" boy can succeed. The author was adopted by Herbert and Florence Myers and many times talks about his and biological and natural families in the book. He gets the Dean in his name from his biological father and the Myers in his name from his adoptive father. The book shows the world of poverty, something that I am not acquainted with at all. It showed me that everyone does not have the things that us "middle class" kids have. All in all, he was raised in a bad situation, but turned out good in the end. In a teenager's view, parents are wrong. Period. In reality, they are only wrong sometimes, not all the time, or, just don't understand. In the end of the book on page 205, his father says, "You wrote stories when you were a boy. You're a man, now." This shows that his father didn't understand his passion for writing, and thought that writing was not "man's work".
I believe there were many small themes in the book. Bad Boy highlighted racism, teenage hood, and poverty just to name a few. As an African American teenager, I have experienced some, but not all of the things he has. I think that the main theme of the book is misunderstanding. When he spent all his time reading and writing his mother didn't understand him. When he skipped school, no one really understood him and he was sent to a social worker. Racism is product of misunderstanding. Even now, I don't understand why he skipped school, but then again, I haven't been adopted, or live in Harlem, or have a passion for reading. I have not walked in his shoes. That is one of the reasons I read this book, so that I could see what his life was like. So that I could enter an unfortunate teenager's life and realize that I am truly blessed.
All in all, this book is one of the best books I have read. I would recommend it too anyone in the hallway at school, or passers by on the sidewalk. His writings are geared toward children and teenagers, so it is a more appealing book to that group than to adults, but adults should read this too. Maybe they can venture into the life of a teenager, or a child in poverty. Maybe they can remember their childhood and how the world was so different then.
A lot can be learned from this book, but I think that the most important thing is the acceptance of ideas and others. ... Read more

Book Description

Now, in his most daring act yet, E. Lynn Harris writes the memoir of his life--from his childhood in Arkansas as a closeted gay boy through his struggling days as a self-published author to his rise as a New York Times bestselling author. In WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED, E. Lynn Harris shares with readers an extraordinary life touched by loneliness and depression, but more importantly, he reveals the triumphant life of a small-town dreamer who was able through writing to make his dreams--and more--come true.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

A Page-Turner Destined to Be a Book Club Hit
E. Lynn Harris's novels about black middle class homosexual and heterosexual life have captured the fancy of thousands of readers. His success is remarkable because his honesty about gay, bisexual and "confused" African American men hasn't turned off women readers and has sparked discussion about male secrecy, sex and lies.

Many of his readers, myself among them, have wondered about the relationship between Harris and Raymond Tyler, the protagonist of his first novel and some of his subsequent work. Because the novels are written in such a straightforward, conversational tone, it's easy to imagine that the author is telling his own thinly-veiled story.

With his new memoir, WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKENHEARTED, Harris both dispels and confirms the questions about whether or not Raymond is really his doppelganger. As Harris tells it, Raymond's perfect middle class upbringing with loving parents is a far cry from his humbler and, often, more cruel beginnings. But the character's life experiences closely mirror those of the author's adult life, including their search for love, sex, and a path out of depression.

Like his popular novels, Harris's memoir is a page-turner that feels more like a long, confessional letter or an all-night conversation. Its principle merits are as a record of the modern gay black man's experience and an insider text for his legions of fans.

Having read all of Harris's novels, I was very curious about the who's who aspect of his memoir and pleased to meet some of the real-life people who inspired his fictional characters. However, his conversational style was sometimes disappointing because the memoir occasionally fails to fully explore various experiences. And while it seems he wrote some of the last pages earlier this year, Harris chooses to keep some secrets to himself. Unfortunately for the reader, he only hints at the happiness he has found in the last decade and keeps those tales undercover.

His honesty about battling depression and "lying Lynn" are also important aspects of his story. As his novels forced women to face facts about male sexuality and gave gay black men their own serial, his memoir will help raise the veil from the issue of depression.

Harris's first nonfiction work will likely be another book club and talkabout hit. Hopefully, it will also open hearts and minds as his novels have for the last decade.

--- Reviewed by Bernadette Adams Davis

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted : A Memoir
Harris is one of America's top writers, chronicling the experiences of gay and heterosexual African Americans through books such as Invisible Life and Just as I Am. His first nonfiction offering provides listeners with a glimpse into his life, starting with his childhood in Little Rock, AR, with an abusive father and loving mother. The author discovers his sexual identity in high school and college and has bouts with depression and alcohol abuse. Harris pulls no punches, and listeners will want to reach out and touch the little boy who must deal with the daily whippings from the man who turns out to be his stepfather; the young man who wants to find love with another man but must hide his feelings from other blacks at his college; the man who goes into sales at IBM and deals with the pain of disastrous relationships with drinks and late-night parties; and the man who realizes that writing his story can help his people learn the truth about the homosexuals they live with and love. Read by Richard Allen, this wonderful book is full of passion and joy and provides a message of hope to those within the gay community and those fighting depression. For all libraries, especially those with collections in African American, gay, lesbian, and transgender studies and in mental health

Humble beginnings
E. Lynn Harris gives the reader a thorough background understanding of where he was born, to whom, and his struggles to overcome feelings of inferiority & insecurity. What's missing is how he became a writer and what drove him to write. Most of his adult career was as an IBM and computer sales rep, which was a surprise, but it's not until near the end that he discusses writing and publishing.

The first half of the book is very engrossing, as he talks about his two fathers and his mother. But the second half does not divulge much about the man. He discusses going to college, dating, and successes as a school office holder. His homosexuality is widely known. He recounts chance encounters, pickups, lovers, heartbreaks, it's almost like reading a romance novel. Surprisingly, he glazes over the AIDS epidemic and how it effected he and his friends. Only 1 page is devoted to AIDS. The second part could have been more poetic and in-depth.

A BOOK YOU DON'T WANT TO PUT DOWN
This is the first E. Lynn Harris book I've read - I TOTALLY ENJOYED IT!! I am always looking for a GOOD book that I just can't put down and this was it. It gave me more of an understanding about the "Gay" life. It also MAKES ME WONDER -ARE THE MEN I SEE EVERDAY THE MEN I THINK THEY ARE?:-) BUY IT!

ALL THAT AND A BOWL OF GRITS & BACON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MR. HARRIS HAS DONE IT AGAIN.......... THE BOOKS THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN HAVE INSPIRED ME TO WRITE. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS BOOK, I CRIED. I HAD A VISION THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE LAST GREAT WORK FROM A GREAT MAN... THEN I THOUGHT, THATS JUST CRAZY.. WHY WOULD A WRITING LEGEND GIVE UP AT HIS HEIGHT OF GREATNESS...THATS WHY I READ THE BOOK AND CRIED SOME MORE AND THEN I REALIZED THAT E. LYNN HARRIS IS A STRONG FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH FOR MANY YEARS/DECADES/CENTURIES TO COME. IF YOU KEEP IT COMING, I'LL KEEP BUYING........ THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INSPIRATION.. MAD LOVE FROM YOUR #1 FAN....LOVE FROM DOWN SOUTH! ... Read more

Book Description

The Exhilarating Family Saga That Began In The Widely Acclaimed Bestseller Rain of Gold Continues

Reviews (12)

Had not read "Rain of Gold"
I too was moved to read "13 Senses" by a PBS radio interview. What a great story. I apreciated the fact that Victor Villasenor did not list the thirteen senses but uses the story to illustrate what they are. An extremely mature writing style that I enjoyed.

After reading "13 Senses" I then read "Rain of Gold". Thirteen Senses is to me by far the better book. It is not just reporting facts and dates; it is reporting life and feelings. Victor Villasenor in this book believes, not just reports. The many years between the two books reflexes his attained maturity and sureness.

INCREDIBLE!!
Victor Villasenor has done it again. He brings the gift of his family's continuing history once again. We meet up again with Lupe and Salvador on their journey through life together. I can say that this book along with Rain of Gold has touched me like no other. I have finished the book and already miss the characters. I applaude and thank the author for his wonderful gift...

Mucho Macho
I read "Rain of Gold" in 2 days and *RAN* to Barnes & Noble to buy Thirteen Senses. However, it's been nearly two weeks since I opened Thirteen Senses and have only managed to complete 3/4 of it. I find myself sighing (heavily) and gritting my teeth through each and every chapter because it's LOADED with underlying male chauvinist concepts like "men are weak therefore women must be strong" crap. See page 407 where Dona Margarita sums it all up for her "daughter in love":

" . . . but, -- desgraciadamente, he is a man and so he will drift away from you with dreams of power and riches and maybe other--" (women, of course)." "Oh, no, mi hijita, men have been men for millions of years! What they are, they are already! So we, women, must face this and--".

Although Villasenor attempts to characterize Dona Margarita as an enlightened, independent, progressive, and strong woman for her era, he ultimately insults her and all women by placing her in the role of the clean-up lady.

Lupe's role is even worse! She is portrayed as a pure and innocent virgin . . . which of course is what ALL men naturally seek. I found it insulting that any attempts by Lupe to step into adulthood were characterized as "cute" and "innocent".

Was I the only person who thought it a bit strange Villasenor chose to include explicit details of his mother's honeymoon?

Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining book and I don't want to downplay the much deserved success of a fellow Latino. When a book elicits this type of response it is only because it has succeeded in stirring up emotions. Toward that end, bravo Villasenor. But, let's edit out the virgin and the clean-up lady images. Roxanne Ocampo

Villasenor is Magnificent!
I was truly excited to hear Villasenor had written a continuation to Rain of Gold! I could hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of Thirteen Senses, and I'm so happy I did. Rain of Gold did so much to change my perspective on the Mexican experience in this century, and I felt a longing to know what happened to Lupe and Salvadore after their marriage ceremony. This story really came through, showing their growth as a couple along with their individual spiritual growth. This story is about growing into real adulthood and loosing our childish self centeredness. It's about discovering how incredible a person can be, and how far limits can be pushed.

Daughter-in-Love
I think the sequence where Lupe is talking with her mother-in-law an Idigeneous Mexican Indian was very moving. Finished the book on our way to San Francisco were we visited our daughter-in-love" and our son and grandchild. Have been struggleing with the "Thirteenth Sense" all my life, and if I can't make it on a beautiful barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico, with my husband of 37 years, there is no hope for the rest of us. Buying the book for Christmas gifts to give all the people who give meaning to my life. Beautifully written and with such sensitivity it makes you want to invite Victor for dinner. ... Read more

Book Description

"We all need a hero or two to help us stand fast and think right," says William J. Bennett, author of The Book of Virtues, the #1 bestseller that millions of American families turn to for moral inspiration. A new treasury chosen for young children, presents splendid tales of the valor and indomitable spirit. This lasting testament to our cherished values features performances by:

• Elayne Bennett
• André Braugher
• Patricia Kalember
• Campbell Scott

The Children's Book of Heroes is a celebration of the endurance, sacrifice, courage, and compassion that characterize truly heroic deeds. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

An interesting mix of historical and fictional heroes
William J. Bennett and Michael Hague, having teamed together to produce the national bestseller "The Children's Book of Virtues," now offer up "The Children's Book of Heroes," which celebrates heroic deeds, both historical and fictional, as appropriate inspiration for children. Certainly it is interesting to see the dozen-plus heroes, from Christopher Columbus and Jackie Robinson to the legendary Sir Roland to a young girl named Tashira, who are presented in this volume.

People might be surprised as to how few religious and political figures are included in this volume given that Bennett is the editor. For the former there are just the Biblical story of "David and Goliath," the story of "Father Flanagan" of Boys Town, and "Mother Teresa" as the epitome of the modern-day heroine. The only political figures, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, appear in episodes well before they each became president with "A Prayer at Valley Forge" and "Honest Abe" respectively. However, one of the better aspects of this book is that some of the stories and poems are not about famous people but rather about a mother ("About Angels"), dads ("Only a Dad"), and even how kids can be heroes by putting themselves on the line for someone they love ("The Hero of Indian Cliffs") and showing moral courage in order to avoiding temptation ("Our Heroes").

Because of my academic interest in mythology I was especially interest in the two classical myths that were selected. The story of Theseus and "The Minotaur" is given as an example of doing the right thing even when afraid of danger while the story of Oedipus and "The Sphinx" is used to remind us that heroes use their brains. This is certainly an interesting pair given what happens to each hero after their defeat these monsters: Theseus and Ariadne never make it back together to Athens and as for Oedipus, well, you probably know what happened to him once he became king of Thebes.

"The Children's Book of Heroes" does indeed present a diverse collection of role models, which at the very least, should expand a child's notion of what constitutes a hero. Each story begins with a brief comment on what the particular life lesson is from that story, for example Jackie Robinson represents "keeping your cool and doing the best you can in a bad situation," which arguably present values that transcend the ideological spectrum.

My Kids are Enthralled
Bennett has edited another fine book that introduces young children to values and charactor while making reading interesting.

This book of heros combines mythical and historical figures with everyday folk (moms and dads) whose actions and charactor speak to the better values that should be taught to children. The book is fairly accessible to ages 4 and 5 -- the gist of the story will usually be understood and there are enough new concepts / words to prompt meaningful discussion. The illustrations are rich and invite children into the story by providing an attractive visual introduction to each vignette.

Bennett continues to provide a great service to parents and children with the series of which the Book of Heros is a part.

More Cultural Bigotry from a Drug War-Criminal
It's not surprising that Bill Bennett has ignored some of the more marginalized of society. Here's some folks YOU WON'T find in Bill Bennett's "heroes"

Saladin: who gave Christians in his domain greater tolerance than the Christians did the Muslims

Ashoka: whose (real) legendary beneficient government is sitll to be matched by the West

I could go on... but suppose, just suppose your "real mom and dad" is a child abuser.

Not all real moms and dads *can or should* be looked up to, and Bennett expresses is profound lack of humanity with such jingoistic nonsense. To suggest that simply because 2 people are have a contract that is ratified at an atavistic ceremony, and have sexual intercourse resulting in the birth of life human somehow makes them "heroes" (when in reality they may be *Republicans*) is obscene.

I wouldn't let my kid near this man's work.

But this isn't surprising- the policies carried out on his watch have needlessly imprisioned *thousands* of real people.

Now there's some heroes he could have put in- the people who are standing up to the tyranny created by Bennett's "War on Drugs."

My kids really love these stories!
I know some of these stories but not all. My 3-year old and 5-year old really sit and listen. They even ask questions about them later.

A must for all parents, forget the politics, buy the book
Has the old with the new, learned along with my children, great book ... Read more

Book Description

He had many names: Ol' Blue Eyes, the Chairman of the Board, the Sultan of Swoon, the Voice.Ultimately, we will all remember Frank Sinatra as the World's Greatest Entertainer.The Voice lives on in this commemorative pictorial tribute to the life and 50-year career of the man who changed the face of music and movies from a humble beginning in Hoboken, New Jersey to his death on May 14, 1998 at age 82.In addition to being written by Nancy Sinatra, Frank's first-born daughter, this is the ONLY book done with the full cooperation of the Sinatra family.Reviewers rave "priceless," "a visual knockout," "a must-have for any Sinatra fan."Rare or previously unpublished photos and dozens of private stories told by his most intimate friends separate myth from the real deal and make this an extremely revealing--and truly poignant--testament to the legend who did it his way.Also features a complete discography and filmography. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Excellent portrait of the 'real' Sinatra, 'warts and all' .
Bernard Barton (BBarton@worldnet.att.net) An excellent portrait by Frank's beloved daughter Nancy;( A bit of trivia, in honor of Nancy, Phil Silvers of Sgt. Bilko fame wrote a song in Nancy's honor called 'Nancy'. One of the best lines in the song is "Picture A Tomboy In Lace, That's Nancy, with the laughing face"; which Frank performed and recorded several times in his career.) My uncle Ben Barton was partners with Frank in a music publishing venture. I met Frank several times. My uncle and I had many conversations over the years about Mr. Sinatra. Nancy presents an accurate, compelling portrait of an American Idol. Nancy does, of course project her Fathers views on how Frank was treated over the years by the congress and particularly the "media". But she also acknowledges Franks personality traits that serve as a counterpoint or explanation of why certain elements of the United States Congress and the media have treated Frank over the years. An excellent value for such a detailed, well illustrated book full of family pictures that we generally never get to see of one so famous as Frank Sinatra. A solid 9 out of ten.

Everything you want to know about Frank is in this Book
I had to get this book after seeing how low the price came down.The original price was 40 dollars. Nancy Sinatra's book on her Father has everything in here.I couldn't believe Frank weighted 13and a half pounds when he was born on December 12,1915.The Doctor ripped and scarred his ear,check,and neck,plus puncturing his eardrum.Frank wasn't breathing,so his grandmother Rose held the baby under cold running water until he gasped his first breath and cried.This book is like a Diary.It goes from year to year,sometimes month to month.All of Franks movies,records,concerts,TV shows,songs,and the name of the songwriters are in here,plus hundreds of pictures,starting with Frank's baby photo, ending with a touching family photo taken in 1996.There's a wonderfull picture of Marilyn Monroe taken with Dean Martin sitting ringside at the Sands..All of the stars are in here,and family pictures we've never seen before.If you are a Frank Sinatra fan,you have to get this Book.Its huge,and the pictures are fantastic.

The ideal family album
No wonder this book is so thick- it's filled with numerous photos of Frank Sinatra, his family, and friends over the years. I love looking at these pics, and so will any other Sinatra fan. There is detailed info throughout the book as well. This is one worth having in your collection.

Sinatra-Viewed Naked & Still Beautiful
Here is Sinatra stripped of everything who leaves me knowing he has deserved my love and admiration all these years. With Sinatra, he drove himself through life going after whatever he wanted and risking the consequences. We get to look at his ups and downs and his prides and his falls. We see him suffer at love and sing about it. We see him finally, after all the aborted tries, finally sink himself into a relationship with his last wife that kept him happy until he died.

Life for Sinatra was all or nothing at all and he did life his way and fell into lots of tender traps and led some into his own tender traps, like one famous movie star I will let you discover on your own.

What so special about Nancy's book is that she is amazingly organized and objective in her account of her father's life. And the CD, well the CD is everything. You get to hear Sinatra on Sinatra, unabashed.

Everyone on the planet needs to buy and read this book to learn what life can be when you go for it all every day!

Kudos to Nancy for a biography well, well done.

The Review
This book has excellent pictures with the most vital information for a biography project. A great buy and great read for interested fans of Ol' Blue Eyes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A very enjoyable introduction to Mozart
It seems the most popular budget classical music label, Naxos, not only makes most of the Western musical output available at very reasonable prices (no top stars who demand absurd fees make this possible), but it has also issued three very nice boxed sets of recordings on cassettes and CDs (I have the latter) that together give you a quick, fairly accurate, and quite enjoyable survey of three major topics. Perry Keenlyside's (NA 314412) is on three tapes or CDs and more or less delivers what the title promises in about 3 hours and 40 minutes. The text is considerately divided into sections--"Mozart, the child prodigy," "January 1762, the first journeys," "Paris and London, 1763-4," and so on--with tracking cues for each section. The narration and quotations from letters and journals of the time are accompanied by the appropriate music drawn from the bottomless Naxos catalogue. Nigel Anthony is the narrator, aided by Paul Rhys (Mozart), Edward de Souza (Leopold Mozart), with David Timson and Anna Patrick in "other parts." I have not seen the original books to see how much of an abridgment this is, if at all, but that is immaterial. The voices are personable, the information digestible, the whole project very worth while, especially at the price. My only objection to the Naxos recordings of books in the low recording level that makes it a bit difficult to hear on a walkman set up on (say) a noisy train. But this should offer no problem to home hearing or even in your car. These sets are really perfect listening for long trips. ... Read more

Book Description

Frank McCourt's glorious childhood memoir, Angela's Ashes, has been loved and celebrated by listeners everywhere for its spirit, its wit and its profound humanity. A tale of redemption, in which storytelling itself is the source of salvation, it won the National Book Critics Circle Award, the Los Angeles Times Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Rarely has a book so swiftly found its place on the literary landscape.

And now we have 'Tis, the story of Frank's American journey from impoverished immigrant to brilliant teacher and raconteur. Frank lands in New York at nineteen, in the company of a priest he meets on the boat. He gets a job at the Biltmore Hotel, where he immediately encounters the vivid hierarchies of this "classless country," and then is drafted into the army and is sent to Germany to train dogs and type reports. It is Frank's incomparable voice -- his uncanny humor and his astonishing ear for dialogue -- that renders these experiences spellbinding.

When Frank returns to America in 1953, he works on the docks, always resisting what everyone tells him, that men and women who have dreamed and toiled for years to get to America should "stick to their own kind" once they arrive. Somehow, Frank knows that he should be getting an education, and though he left school at fourteen, he talks his way into New York University. There, he falls in love with the quintessential Yankee, long-legged and blond, and tries to live his dream, But it is not until he starts to teach -- and to write -- that Frank finds his place in the world. The same vulnerable but invincible spirit that captured the hearts of listeners in Angela's Ashes comes of age.

Frank McCourt's 'Tis is one of the most eagerly-awaited audiobooks of our time, and it is a masterpiece. ... Read more

Reviews (528)

Frank McCourt is a brave, brave man . . .
Writing a memoir invites accusations of myopia and self-indulgence. Writing a sequel begs comparison (with novelty often tipping the scales in favor of the first work). Along comes Frank McCourt who combines the two and manages to succeed admirably. Picking up where Angela's Ashes leaves off, 'Tis recounts young Frankie's impoverished early days in New York, his broadening stint in the Army, and his subsequent development from an unschooled laborer to a teacher of creative writing able to inspire others to make that same arduous climb.

McCourts narrative voice is a paradoxical wonder. Muscular prose and keen observation lay bare dire circumstances and woeful ignorance. Financial poverty stands in sharp contrast to an abundance of imagination and desire. Indeed, it is his driving hunger--both physical and metaphorical --that spurs him to read and write his way out of despair.

McCourt's style captivates with his underlying Irish lyricism and his overlay of poetic repetition. Young Frankie's incredulous tone reveals a touching, often frightening, lack of sophistication. It's a wonder the lad survives his youth. Ever so slowly, he trades that innocence for a college degree, a young wife, and teaching jobs that range from thankless and intimidating to purposeful and rewarding. Never stooping to sentimentality, McCourt evokes plenty of genuine emotion, a skill that serves his reading public as well as it must have served his students.

It is in the final quarter of the book that McCourt stumbles. His hard-won (and much described) sweetheart mutates quickly into a difficult wife, then fades to near obscurity. That they eventually divorce is no excuse for this disappearing act. McCourt needn't have trashed the ex-wife to expose his own grappling. His daughter, with whom he ends up on better terms, suffers similar abridgement, aging years in the space of two pages. Subtext (not to mention the character of the author) suggests a backing off due to pain and guilt but that's an inexcusable squeamishness in a memoir. This abbreviation and lack of candor give the reader a sense of having been rushed through important territory.

His relationship with his parents is drawn with a bit more detail but then it's generally easier to focus on others' failures than to examine your own. Case in point--McCourt spoke of the abysmal effects of his father's chronic alcoholism and admitted he saw himself making some of the same mistakes, yet his reactions seemed to stay on the surface. I kept hoping he'd make peace with his father's fallibilty even as he came to grips with his own but he retains his judgemental tone till the end, missing a valuable connection that might have shed some light on a man he regarded as something of a mystery.

Despite these deficiencies. McCourt's story vibrates with honest intensity and the great ache of anyone whose passion intially exceeds his eloquence. Whatever he turns his hand to next (surely this isn't the last we've heard of him), the lad with the bad eyes, the bad teeth, and the gnawing belly grew into a man with much to be proud of.

A really good book for different reasons than Angelas Ashes
I really enjoyed the book and was disappointed when I read a New York Times book reviewer who panned it for being too cynical and bitter. The innocence, openness and hope that came out of Angelas Ashes reflected the child and youth of Frank McCourt during the time about which he was writing. In 'Tis, Frank confronts the reality of adulthood on his own, in the multi-cultural, and multi-spectral world of NYC - as an immigrant Irishman, Paddy-off-the-boat. His humanity shows. He describes with a lot of humor but not too much rancor, his envy, bitterness, anger, a tendency toward irresponsibility, and occassionally confusion about life's travails as they came his way. He also doesn't lose his ability to laugh at himself and see the humor and humanity in the situations and adventures he describes. It was about Frank's real life as an adult. It was written in the same lyrical,humorous and extremely perceptive style as Angela's Ashes and was just as much fun to read. I STRONGLY recommend it.

AMAZING STORY
Sequel of "Angela's ashes", I was not disappointed a second. The book starts exactly when Angela's...finished. It's written with talent. We hear about what happen to the dad & mum afterwards(You can also learn more on Malachy's first book...Read it).
By the way you'll learn of anything happened to Frank in USA, his return to Europe (after war as a soldier) and in Ireland.
A life that could have finished in an Irish lane fortunately made it in USA successfully.

WE WANT MORE!
What a follow up. His life was so bad is was good and he tells it the way only Frank could. You practically fall in love with him and pray to God to send you back in time to meet up with him when he steps into America. It was a good ending to a good beginning.

Tis is a must read for everyone
I read Angela's Ashes at the suggestion of a very good friend, Louis it was his favorite book and I have say I could see why. When a friend at work saw me reading it she told me about the sequel "Tis a Memoir", I just had to get it and I have to say that when I did, I could not put it down! It is an excellent book, Frank McCourt has such an engaging way of keep his reader hooked! Superb! I love his sense of humor, his triumphs a wonderful and give us all hope, a must read for all ages! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (92)

A Sobering Look At Sobriety
Augusten Burroughs showed how funny dysfunction could be in the excellent biography "Running With Scissors". Anyone who read (and enjoyed) "Running" can't be suprised that the next step for Burroughs would be rehab, which is the core of his new book "Dry".
The cast surrounding Burroughs in this novel comes with its own set of baggage, which gives him new avenues to explore, new failures to ridicule and new situations to extract both humor and pathos. Again, Burroughs makes laughing at his own missteps central to the book's theme, allthough a running second story involving a best friend who is dying of AIDS really turns the reader against Burroughs (until the necessary near-book's end epiphany, which always seems to be a common theme in alcohol-recovery stories).
Burroughs makes a funny, and tragic drunk. His confusion over dates and times, his lying and deceiving friends and co-workers lead to some laugh-out-loud tales. And the long overdue intervention will make a great movie scene someday. But this book hits its stride with Burroughs exiting rehab, and trying to cope in the real world without a drink. Here his yearning for understanding of his own condition, set against a number of incidents (his friend's eventual death, scripting a beer advertising campaign) lead to humor, sadness and understanding, and show us the heart and soul that we suspect is there, but are rarely given a chance to see until the end of the story.
Anyone who has experience with sobriety, or with twelve-step programs will especially enjoy Burrough's experiences in rehab and meetings, but there may be a few too many in-jokes for those not familiar with a sober lifestyle.

Depth, reality, humanity
For someone who doesn't fancy himself a memoir reader, I'm glad to find books in the genre such as this which shine. Anyone who read Running with Scissors, Burrough's first memoir, and enjoyed it well past the hilarious "and then there was the antique ECT machine under the stairs" line into the ups and downs of that life...well, you'll also want to read this book. It's not a 'follow up' any more than Time Regained is a follow up to Swann's Way; Dry stands related but on it's own merits. Nor is the book a 'rehab' book because it transcends that kind of labelling as well. The author doesn't have to resort to edgey posturing. Burroughs privileges us with an honest look at his life and so tells us a bit more about what it means to be human. And check out his website...: from his bio you just know there's more to come, which is pretty amazing for someone who isn't 40 yet.

Honest Memoir
<br /> He admits hes a drunk, admits he fails to come home...admits that he is basically forced to under go rehab. But deep within the book you understand the reasons why he got to that point. He is honest about the difficulties in returning back to where he once was, only he has to do it sober. This is a moving memoir, funny and at times heartbreaking. More importantly it is real and courageous. Courageous like other books I have read, Nightmares Echo and A Child Called It,including but not limited to his other book, Running With Scissors, Dry is the story of love, loss,and finding your way back when everyone else gave up.<br />

Can Get In To The Heart Of It
This was an easy book to get in to the heart of. Excellent style of writing. The author takes you through the painstaking journey of the different forms of abuse and how it drives the adult in to addictions that are so difficult to control. There are many books out on the market that deal with abuse, and yet only a few such as 'Dry','Running With Scissors' and Nightmares Echo' allow the reader to understand without to much of the physical look in to that side of their lives.

A Real Story You Can Relate Too
One of the most authentic books I've read on addiction. Never falls into that 'preachy' mode that turned me off to so many before. Tells it how it is: warts and all, but with an entertaining flair. Best addiction book I've read since Rikki Lee Travolta's "My Fractured Life." It's something I can actually relate too. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

The Worst Book I have even Read
If you are not a big Elvis fan this is not the book to read because there is so many untruths in it, you will get the wrong impression of the man Elvis was.I have read a great number of books on Elvis and this one has to be the worst one.No one that knew Elvis even knows who this guys is???He made numerous errors in telling his story.Such as he said Gladys, Elvis's mom went to Germany with him and then died in 1960!!Untrue - she died in 1958 before he left for Germany.He dated Dixie Locke before he made it big but was still dating her when he was signed to Sun Records.She did not break up with him because he asked her to marry him. They had talked of marriage but unforuntaely it did not last long because he was gone so much.He dated Anita before going to the army and for a while after he was discharged.He did not play in Vegas while he was making movies in the 1960s!!! And so on and so on.There are to many to mention here but I can say that this was a BIG DISSAPPOINTMENT and a waste of my money.DO NOT WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY ON THE PIECE OF TRASH BELIEVE ME YOU WILL BE SORRY.

Not what I had hoped for
I've read many books on Elvis as I'm always trying to gain new information to help me understand his complex personality.I had high expectations for this offering because of its focus on Elvis' early life and relationship with his mother.However, I found the general tone of the book to be sensational.The sex "revelations" don't seem to be anything more than lurid details the like of which can be found in any tabloid.Everyone knows Elvis was a wonton womanizer.It's hardly news at this point.I found there to be many mistakes and inconsistancies throughout the book.One is so careless as to describe Elvis' first girlfriend, Dixie Locke, as a blond then two pages later she is in picture showing a girl with black hair.The whole thing just read like a trashy novel to me.

Zig-Zag Elvis
I read Mr. Greenwood's book and found it very informative and personal.The book takes the reader through Elvis' personal life and marriage andnumberous love affairs. It depicts the Colonel's control over Elvis andpossible black mail. It depicts how the people he was associated with overthe years were mainly there for the gravy. An excellent book.

a wonderful and sympathetic portrayl of the Rock 'n' roll
EARL GREENWOOD PRIMARILY FOCUSES ON ELVIS' HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AND HIS TRAGIC CHILDHOOD FROM THE PERSPSCTIVE OF SOMEONE WHO KNEW THE FAMILY INTIMATLEY. HE EXPLAINS ELVIS' GUILT OVER HIS TWIN BROTHER'S DEATH AND HISINCONSOLABLE SADNESS OVER HIS MOTHER'S DEATH. GREENWOOD TELLS OF AN ELVISWHO NOBDY REAALY KNEW, A BOY WHO WAS BULLIED AND RIDICULED AND WHOEVENTUALLY BECAME ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS ARTISTS IN HISTORY. IN SHORT THISBIOGRAPHY IS TOLD WONDERFULLY. ... Read more

Book Description

For many years the name Anais Nin was associated with the avant-garde and the literary underground. During the liberated 1960s she became widely recognized as a daring and innovative artist. Her work, at once familiar and exotic, is today considered among the important achievements of twentieth-century literature. Here she reads excerpts from her famous diary and answers questions. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A MUST for Nin Fans.....
To hear Ms. Nin's sweet voice after reading her works for 25 years was mesmerizing and unexplicably delicious and delightful! She brought the selections to life as no other reader could have. If you love Anais Nin, this is a must-have!! ... Read more

Book Description

He was told Mickey would never work-a giant mouse on the screen would terrify women! Fascinating Walt Disney tells the thrilling tales behind virtually all of Walt's most famous creations. You'll hear how Disney dramatically acted the story of Snow White in front of a tough-minded banker to raise the money he needed to complete the 1937 picture. Discover the surprising story behind the creation of Mickey Mouse and the huge emotional price Walt paid to have a character he could call his own. And find out the real story of Disneyland which he built despite the fact that Fantasia, Pinocchio and Bambi all failed in their first releases.

Fully orchestrated background music and sound effects enhance each story!

Filled with excitement and humour, Fascinating Walt Disney is an inspiring, unforgettable listening experience! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Recommended for Disney Nuts
"Fascinating Walt Disney" makes a good addition to any Disney library. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the genius who made The Magic, and can be conveniently listened to while you're in your car.

That's not to say that it's perfect. While offering some interesting insights and anectdotes that I hadn't heard before, a number of the stories about Walt have already been covered elsewhere. But a bit of overlap is to be expected, considering how many people have already written about him.

I had trouble following the chronology of the book, as it would occasionally skip forwards and backwards in time for no apparent reason. While not a show-stopper, it was mildly annoying.

The music and sound effects in the background were high-quality and helped to set the mood for the stories. Sometimes the use of music to punctuate the punchline of a story went a bit overboard, but overall it was rather well-done.

I also have a complaint about the track layout of the CDs. The narration on each CD consisted only of a single track. This can make things difficult if you want to stop listening to the CD at some point and then come back later. You have to manually "fast-forward" all the through the track to the point where you left off. And folks with CD players that don't have a fast-forward button (the player in my car doesn't) will have to listen to parts that they've already heard in order to get to the point where they left off. It would've been great if every 10 minutes or so of audio was its own track, but "Fascinating Walt Disney" certainly isn't the only CD to fall into this trap. Patrick Stewart's "A Christmas Carol" does the same thing.

So to sum up... I feel comfortable recommending this CD as an addition to the library of those who are fans of Walt Disney. Long-time students of Walt's life probably won't find any earth-shattering revelations, but "Fascinating Walt Disney" still makes for some good listening while you're driving down the road.

Superb Presentation!
Fascinating Walt Disney is a throughly entertaining and extensively researched presentation. Although there is an incredible amount of information present, the narration is easy to listen to, and flows nicely. I had no idea that Disney wasn't always the huge success it has become today. I respect Walt Disney more and feel, in a small way, that I have met him through listening to Fascinating Walt Disney

The Most Entertaining Story Telling!
This Audio book truly inspires people. You get to truly understand the dynamics of Disney's success. A must for the American family.

By the end, you feel as if you met old Walt or perhaps you'll want to meet him.

Truly enjoyed it! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Millions have read Maya Angelou's national bestseller The Heart of a Woman, and now you can hear her fascinating story in the author's own voice. Angelou exposes a turbulent period of her life as she struggles to raise a child, fulfill her goals as a writer, and fight for civil rights in an age of social injustice; Angelou's rich and resonating voice draws the listener into the unexpected details of her life. Working as a nightclub singer in Los Angeles, Angelou decides to move to New York with her son Guy in hopes of building stronger ties with the black art community. In an attempt to find stability for Guy and make a name for herself, her love life takes wild turns. Should she marry the bail bondsman who's as dry as stale bread or run away with the African freedom fighter? Her heart takes her to Africa, where her writing career blossoms but her marriage sours. The Heart of a Woman is filled with beautiful prose and songs; Angelou displays her music talent in several vignettes, most memorably in a scene with Billie Holiday: Angelou is performing at a nightclub when Holiday shrieks, "Stop her, stop her... she sounds like my mama!" ... Read more

Reviews (41)

An excellent portrayal of Maya Angelou's life during the 60s
This book makes note of Maya Angelou's life and struggles during the 60's. She discusses her membership to the Harlem Writer's Guild, her singing/theatrical career, and her lively travels to Africa. She discusses marriage, her relationship with her son and her mother. I recommend this book to everyone woman who is learning, while experiencing the ever-so-changing journey that life will take you on. After reading, you will be prepared to overcome all fears and achieve your dreams.

You never know what's in a woman's heart
Maya Angelou impresses me. What a life! So many lives at the same: it's crazy. I've just watched a movie (featuring Wesley Snipes) that she has recently directed and which reminded of the kind of woman that I thought she was when I read her "Heart": compassionate, human...

Reading Angelou made me aware of what it is was to be a woman and a mother in America. I've read about fictional characters that had comparable difficulties and faced them with astonishing courage and endurance, but reading Maya made it more real for me. Doing that while one has so many commitments at the same time certainly compels admiration.

Words are inadequate to express how I felt to enter the heart of a woman that has so many experiences to share and read a book that is so simply and yet masterfully written.

In this review, I didn't want to be academic and all (commenting on the themes, the syntax, the structure, etc.). I just wanted to communicated what Maya's heart has put in my heart. Go for it, it's humanizing and worth-reading.

Nice.
More than the story itself I think that I was more impressed by Maya's style of writing. I have always said that give me ten random paragraphs from different authors and I will always tell you which one is by Angelou. It's a very interesting story. It's a good read. However, I have read works by her that are better, which is why I give it 4 stars. She narrates about her life in Egypt, Ghana, and America. We are also given a closer look at her relationship with her son, her trials and difficulties. Go get it!

Maya Angelou The Heart of a Woman: Oprah Book Club
As a reader of this wonderful book, I feel as if a part of me goes along with maya on her journey to survive in a world that is so unjust.As she tells her story, this biography seems to come to life as her powerful words take you, the reader, for a ride.

It all begins in the city of New York where she tells of her son Guy and herself living in a small apartment.Her musical ways get her to a place where she feels comfortable as far as living-wise.Her singing and acting career seem to really come out in the beggining of this novel.She tells of performing in the Apolo Theatre, which is a very famous Negro-American theatre.Maya's talent for the stage lands her a job in producing and acting in small caberets and plays.Maya begins to feel that something is missing in her life.That thing she needs is a man to support herself and her son.At a local bar, where she often went to get away form it all, Maya's hopes of having that gap filled seems to come true when she met a nice man by the name of Thomas Allen.They become aquainted and meet more times after. Eventually Maya and Thomas hit it off and become engaged to be married. Frineds along the way such as the killenses, who where the reason in which Maya and Guy moved there in the first place, encouraged them and were supportive of the marrige plans.Life seems to work in funny ways especially for Miss Maya Angelou.A speaker who came all of the way from Africa was at a friends house one afternoon for a party.This famous freedom fighters name was Vusumzi Make(pronounced mah-kay). Maya attended this party that afternon while her fiance was at work.Maya had gotten one look at this man and she knew right then and there that he was the one, he was everything she'd hoped for in a man."...I had not met such a man..." said Maya.Make later offered Maya to lunch several times.Maya thinking nothing of it while her fiance was off at work accepted each invitation. She began to have strong feeling for the man.One particular evening, Make asked her to marry him and to move out of this city to Africa where her son would grow up to be a wonderful African man.Of course Maya felt torn and thought long and hard but came to a conclusion in which to accept his offer; but to break the news to her fiance, that was another story.She told him the not so good new and like any person would he was upset and that was it.

Maya and Make then got married and now they could make thier plans to move to Africa.They followed through with those plans and started to what they thought was a better life. In fact life does not work that way at least not in Maya's case. Life seemed good for a while having thier expensive apartment with oriental rugs and royal furniture.But as life went on and Vus, Vusumzi, had more job that were not so close to home he would return with the scent of other girl and the make-up smudged all over his collar.Now Maya didn't jump to conclusions right off but after a while she new something was up and confronted about it numerous times.He explained that she was the only one he loved. But finally it got old and vus would come home very late sometimes not at all. This time when confronted Vus confessed to all of those girls in the past.He told her that being an African man he could have more than one wife to fulfill his needs.Maya was more hurt than anything, but she dealed with it like any women would she told Vus that she was taking Guy and leaving him and that she no longer had any romantic feeling for him anymore.

Time pressed on and a meeting with friends got Maya to stay for six months. When those six months were up She packed her things and headed off to Ghara.At this time Guy had graduated high school and was ready to go to collge. Maya herf that Ghara's college was a great one and only wanted the best for the one who ment the world to her.Maya would go and work as a writer at the Liberian Depeatment of Info.This all seemed like it would work out after all.Again something threw their planns off this time a little more serious.Guy had been involved in a severe car accident and had broken his neck and was put into a neck, arm and body cast.Guy recovered after in time and he headed off to be a man in college while Maya had to deal with the fact that her little bot was all grown up ready to face the world and to make a difference in someone's life!

An incredibly fascinating continuation of her life
I just finished "Heart Of A Woman". I had read "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" last year. Several weeks ago I decided to read the rest of her books. Thus, I've read "Gather Together In My Name", and "Singin' and Swingin' and Gettin' Merry Like Christmas" in succesion. This book is one of the best that I've ever read, and I read alot of books! Her life is so interesting and eventful. Even though she relates her trajedies as well as her joys, you don't feel sorry for her, because through everything she remains true to herself and thereby comes out on top. Her tender devotion to her son is very touching. Through a childhood of constant changes he is depicted as a wonderful human being, equally devoted to his mother. There are parts of the book where I was laughing out loud at situations she gotten her self into and how she handled them. What a woman! I've just ordered "Travelin' Shoes", which I think is the last in the series of autobiographical books. I will continue to read her poems and whatever works she has produced. She is a woman to be respected and admired. ... Read more

Book Description

In 1988 a troubled young man and his flamboyant mother were arrested for murdering a wealthy widow in her New York City mansion. Suddenly, America was transfixed by a pair of real-life film noir characters, an Oedipal team of scam artists who left a trail of blood, lies, and larceny from coast to coast. The media couldn't get enough of the twisted relationship betweenSante Kimes and her twenty-three-year-old son Kenny.

But the most chilling story of all was never told -- until now. Kent Walker, Sante's elder son, reveals how he survived forty years of "the Dragon Lady's" very special brand of motherly love and still managed to get away.

As a child Kent watched his mother destroy his hardworking father, Ed Walker, and then -- with Kent's painful collusion -- snare what Sante called "my millionaire." When she married seemingly respectable real-estate developer Ken Kimes, it was a match made in hell.

For the next two decades Kent's mother and stepfather indulged in a globetrotting orgy of criminal behavior, laying waste to each other and anyone who got in the way. Kent, their would-be recruit, was privvy to the family business -- torching houses, defrauding friends, crashing White House parties, "shopping" for trunkloads of fur coats -- and Sante's self-serving style of adultery. When Kent's half-brother, Kenny was born, Kent was twelve years old -- old enough to know that he was his younger sibling's only protector. Kent tried desperately to save Kenny from his mother's sinister bidding. His failure haunts him to this day.

Here, with shocking and sometimes brutal frankness, Kent explodes the romantic Hollywood image of the grifter as antihero and exposes the truth about Sante Kimes behind the headlines. Sone of a Grifter poignantly chronicles what it means to love somebody despite your better instincts, your worst fears, and even your most forbidden hopes.

Read by Kent Walker ... Read more

Reviews (56)

Son of a GRIFTER
To Most people when you hear the words Memoirs you think of some cheese autobiography that you know will be self servent,at least thats what I think,but not in this case. Son of a GRIFTER is a all to real and consuming story that keeps your fingers flipping and your heart breaking. A grifter is cold blooded person that is indifferrent to passion or pain such a person can clean your bank account out and not even care that you have kids to feed. Kent Walker takes you in deep into the mind of a grifter in this case the grifters are his family,his mother Sante Kimes,Ken Kimes(his step father)and Kenny Kimes his half brother. They say you are a product of your environment, well read the book and then ask your self what would I have done given the same siuation,its easy to sit back and say right is right but when your own mother is cunning,greedy,evil and those are her good qualities its a wonder how this man survived. This book details how one son was lucky enough or was graced with a gardian angel that would whisper in his ear and the other was victemized by his maternal mother,murder,sex,the jet set life and money all mixed into one cocktail that was consumed by two of the most notorious con artist in america. Its amazing how much we humans can love and that quality is in Mr.Walker instilled in him is his love for his brother and mother that touch my soul, If theres a Hollywood big shot out there give me a call all mortgage the house and well get this to screen. out!

Eating Her Young
I had been waiting for a book on Sante and Kenny Kimes for some time. SON OF A GRIFTER was fascinating at first, disgusting at finish.

I was disgusted that the police apparently ignored Kent Walker for years when he attempted to turn his amoral mother in.

Walker deserves credit for trying to stop her, or rather use other people to stop her, and he does appear to have broken away from Sante's malign influence (would a con man run a vacuum cleaner distributorship? The things have to WORK) but I was disturbed at some of the subtexts in the Silverman murder.

Sante Kimes apparently taught her son Kenny that 'other people were not important' but Walker describes her as a bigot and anti-Semite. Irene Silverman was Jewish. No mention is made of how this might have marked her as a potential victim to these people.

Walker also glosses over the probable fact that his brother and mother committed incest. The implications are there, however.

Sante Kimes is a woman with a hole in her soul who destroyed everyone and everything she touched. Ken Kimes was little better--this is really a story of TWO sociopaths who raised one monster and one human being. I can recommend this book to fans of true crime, if that is a legitimate term, but it will make you despair for the human race.

If you thought your life was bad, read this!
This was one of the most gripping books I have ever read. Written by the other son of Sante Kimes, it is a true tale of surviving against the fierce burden of a severely dysfunctional family. I have nothing but admiration for Kent Walker, who had to go through such a wierd life with his sociopathic mother. But, the real value of this book is that it helps to see how difficult it is to find your own path in spite of all the family attachments we grow up with. Of course Mr. Walker's life is an extreme example, and one that I would not wish on anyone. However, it is such a gift that he wrote this book, and it took great courage. I wish I could personally thank Mr. Walker for writing this book, and I encourage everyone to read it.

The Boy Who Could Not Say No
Interesting, wittily written tale of the "other", elder son of Sante Kimes. Kent Walker tells the story of his upbringing by a psychopathic monster. Sometimes his story is inconsistent, even hypocritical. Mr. Walker states he is sure that his mother loves him and would do anything for him - she sometimes threw him huge birthday bashes, threatened to have a boy who beat him up expelled from school (although never followed through) and intervened by schmoozing with Army big wigs to have him accepted into Flight School - although six months later she demanded that he leave his dream to come to her "rescue" (she was arrested for enslaving maids).

Mr. Walker also claims that his mother is "hot-blooded", not cold-blooded - although she punched him in the mouth when he was eight years old (requiring stitches and leaving a numbness that never went away) because Sante had been caught shoplifting. She blamed the assault on the store manager who caught her and had the audacity to demand her merchandise back. The police for some reason bought Sante's story and arrested the innocent woman, while Sante went on her merry way with her stolen merchandise.

In the habit of burning down houses for insurance money, Sante sent her young son back into a house for a folder she "forgot" - the explosion came as he was coming down the steps with the requested item. Sante also beat him with wire hangers, tried to destroy the relationship between Mr. Walker and his girlfriend (later wife), poisoned his wife, and endangered his child. However, Mr. Walker continued his relationship with his mom.

Mr. Walker states that his mother was great 95% of the time; it was only one day a month that things were horrible - however, every day, she and his step-father drank and had heated arguments. Sante enslaved, physically, mentally and verbally abused illegal aliens, stealing their passports and identification. Mr. Walker even helped a few of them escape, but he really didn't think she was that bad, although the trial later proved he must have been in la-la land. Sante stole her own best friend's wallet while she visited. Sante Kimes ruined both close friends' and stranger's lives and reputations, destroying their credit and sending innocent people to jail. She is a liar, thief, con artist, and multiple murderer - yet Mr. Walker felt compelled to laugh when she verbally abused an overworked waitress. He belittles others (his father, his step-father) for enduring her abuse and manipulations for so long - but it seems that Mr. Walker endured it for the longest - for these admitted reasons: love and greed. His stepfather was a millionaire and backed him in business. However his stepfather was also a thief, and an admitted murderer (Sante's accomplice). He wouldn't "give" Sante a checking account - so she continued to shoplift, run scams (he participated), manipulate her son's life, and alienate her husband from all of his relatives. Sante insisted that they were trying to kill her and kidnap Kenny, the "heir". After Ken Kimes died (was he poisoned by Kenny and Sante?) first Mr. Walker tells us there WAS money in the stepfather's accounts, found out there was NO money, then towards then end, there is money in the accounts - which Mr. Walker believes he is entitled to. Did he ever pay back all those loans or the money he stole out of Mr. Kimes pants' pockets?

First, Mr. Walker lays the blame for how Kenny turned out squarely on Kenny's dad - as Sante was in prison when Kenny was 10 - 13 years old, and "according to shrinks" that is when a child's moral code is formed. Later when Kenny is actually committing crimes (murder etc.) with his mother, it's his mother who is to blame for Kenny's actions - he is being manipulated! And even though Mr. Walker tried numerous times to get Kenny to leave his mother, and start his own life, even offering him a job, Kenny refused saying he enjoyed the lifestyle and luxury comforts the scams gave them. Kenny made fun of Mr. Walker's "holier than thou" attitude, and told him he should join them. Suddenly, when Kenny was in prison, it was all Mr. Walker's fault that Kenny ended up there. Mr. Walker was the one guilty for his brother turning out the way he did. He said it was all his fault, and he should have tried harder!

One discrepancy that bugged me was Mr. Walker's description of the dress his mother wore to several parties one certain night in D.C. He describes it as white "fringe" over her décolletage. However, the picture clearly shows a white dress with a high ruffled neck, ruffled bodice, and long, leg-of-mutton sleeves - sort of a Little House on the Prairie in White look. If Mr. Walker can't see this dress for what it is, what else is he not seeing clearly?

There is not enough in the book about Sante's background, because apparently he either didn't try to get interviews with relatives, or they refused. Mr. Walker doesn't really know what the truth of Sante's childhood is, but something pretty bad had to have happened in order for her to become what she did. But what? Since Sante is nothing but a liar or until somebody reliable from her past talks, I guess we'll never know.

Mr. Walker believes the sentences are too harsh for the crimes committed by his brother and mother. After at least four murders and countless other ruined lives, including both of her sons, it appears that Sante and Kenny got off easy.

After reading this book, one can tell that Mr. Walker still has issues that need to be addressed. If you are interested in the study of psychopaths, I suggest "Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us," by Robert D. Hare. Sante fits right in with the rest of them, especially her reasoning, or lack thereof.

A truly dysfunctional family...
Written with insight by Sante Kimes eldest son, Kent Walker, this is a story of an extremely dysfunctional family. Sante Kimes and her youngest son, Kenny Kimes, committed various crimes, starting with shoplifting and fraud, and working their way up to murder. It is an unbelievably sickening and twisted tale, but fascinating nonetheless. It is indeed fortunate that Sante and Kenny were both convicted of their many crimes, and will probably never see the light of day. ... Read more