Reviews Written By: A3HOWFKT1ELU2Jprovided by Amazon.com |
 | ||
 | Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches | |
 | "Invaluable for researchers and PhD students" | 2009-05-23 |
| I initially bought this book when I writing the proposal for my PhD about three years ago and Cresswell's little gem proved invaluable during that time. The book is very well written and unlike other books on the topic, Cresswell is not content with explaining theory and providing examples but goes further to provide excellent templates for the process, writing, structure, and format of every phase of the research process. These 'templates,' coupled with a clear writing style and an excellent, logical structure, elevate the book from 'very useful' to 'invaluable' in my opinion. For example, in chapter 4: The Introduction, he begins by explaining the purpose of the Introduction and its importance and then provides models for writing introduction in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. This format is mirrored in almost every chapter including Chapter 2: Review of the literature where he provides an excellent process for maximizing the effectiveness of the initial literature review process. In Chapter 5, he simplifies purpose statements with step-by-step guidelines for the three methodologies while in Chapter 6 he does the same for the research questions and hypotheses. While Cresswell is an Educational Researcher himself, he does not limit the examples in the book to his field but endeavors to include samples from the social and human sciences including justice, management, psychology, sociology and marketing. These numerous examples throughout every chapter of the book serve to illustrate the templates and guidelines effectively, leaving little doubt in the reader's mind on the 'how' of applying the guidelines. Overall, this is the best of the pick if you need clear, straightforward guidelines on writing a proposal or planning your research project. If you are considering a Mixed Methods methodolgy, then I would strongly recommend Creswell's other book, written with Vicki Clark, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. | ||
 | The Essentials Of Finance And Budgeting (Business Literacy for Hr Professionals) | |
 | "Financial know-how for the HR professional" | 2009-05-04 |
| This is a good primer for non-finance professionals covering all the essentials of Finance and Budgeting. The book is co-published by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is part of a series of books called "Business Literacy for HR Professionals." Accordingly, there are several chapters written exclusively for HR professionals such as the chapter on measuring human capital and the chapter on the balanced scorecard. What I liked about this title is its use of recurring examples that are explored in greater depths as the book progresses; this created a sense of continuity for me and I was able to link the different concepts and ideas effectively despite the 'dryness' of the topic. The only reason this book does not warrant a 5-star for me is two-fold: The order of the topics didn't really make sense and the book is extremely plain. I am a visual person and better graphics and colors would have helped me focus and maintain attention. As an HR professional, I found the book covered all the aspects of Finance and budgeting I need to understand in order to operate effectively in the corporate world. I especially appreciated the practical implementation suggestions that are included in almost all the chapter. For example, there is a detailed methodology for implementing a balanced scorecard system in Chapter 4 as well as a step-by-step process for developing a budget in Chapter 9. There are 14 chapters in total as well as several appendices for templates: 1- Finance and the HR professional 2- Financial statements 3- Finding meaning in financial statements 4- From financial measures to a balanced scorecard 5- Important accounting concepts 6- Taxes 7- Financing operations and growth 8- Money and capital markets 9- Budgeting 10- Practical tools for management decisions 11- Measuring and reporting human capital 12- The time value of money 13- Business valuation concepts 14- Developing and using your financial know-how | ||
 | How to Measure Human Resource Management | |
| "The pioneer in HR Metrics" | 2009-04-17 |
| Jac Fitz-enz is the man who started the "HR Metrics" revolution in the early 1980s and in this book he introduces the topic is a simple, easy manner that will appeal to the beginner and advanced readers. This is a book written primarily for the HR professional and therefore, some basic understanding of the various HR functions is assumed. If you're considering a primer on HR metrics or looking to buy just one book that will provide the basics as well as serve as reference, then this is the book. You may also want to consider the more advanced "The ROI of Human Capital: Measuring the Economic Value of Employee Performance" if you want a more in-depth understanding of the topic. Fitz-enz divides the book to seven parts with the first part of the book (Part 1) focusing on "Why measure HR." These are arranged in 4 chapters that present a compelling picture for using and implementing HR metrics as well as several pointers on implementing viable and effective HR systems. In each of the subsequent six parts, one of the main functions of human resources is discussed with specific chapters on all relevant HR activities and numerous metrics and detailed examples to demonstrate how to use and apply the metrics. The areas covered include: Part 2: Hiring and staffing including workforce planning, recruiting and the hiring process. Part 3: Compensation and benefits divided into a chapter on compensation and another on benefits. Part 4: Training & development including e-learning; knowledge management; leadership and management development; career management; and organization development. Part 5: Employee relations and retention with chapters on orientation; absenteeism and turnover; and labor relations. Part 6: e-HR. The chapter on workforce analytics is excellent and probably the best introduction to the topic I've come across. There's also a second chapter on communicating and reporting outcomes. Part 7: Alternative methods such as outsourced call centers and employee self-service. | ||
 | Leadership: Theory and Practice (4th Edition) | |
| "Excellent primer" | 2009-04-16 |
| Northouse writes engagingly and clearly and presents an excellent primer on managerial leadership. The book covers all the main elements needed to gain an understanding of the topic as well as the general progress of leadership theories and their application in a managerial context. Each Chapter is dedicated to an approach starting with the Trait Approach in chapter 2 (after an introduction to leadership in chapter 1) and culminating with Contingency theory. All the chapters are organized in a consistent and logical manner starting with (1) a description of the theory; (2) how does it work; (3) its strengths; (4) weaknesses; (5) applications and then some (6) case studies. This makes Northouse's treatment very straightforward and combined with his writing style, both an enjoyable and educational read. However, while this book is probably the best introduction to the topic, readers looking for more in-depth information or a more academic treatment would probably be better serve with Yukl's "Leadership in Organizations (7th Edition)." | ||
 | Leadership : Theory and Practice | |
| "Excellent primer" | 2009-04-16 |
| Northouse writes engagingly and clearly and presents an excellent primer on managerial leadership. The book covers all the main elements needed to gain an understanding of the topic as well as the general progress of leadership theories and their application in a managerial context. Each Chapter is dedicated to an approach starting with the Trait Approach in chapter 2 (after an introduction to leadership in chapter 1) and culminating with Contingency theory. All the chapters are organized in a consistent and logical manner starting with (1) a description of the theory; (2) how does it work; (3) its strengths; (4) weaknesses; (5) applications and then some (6) case studies. This makes Northouse's treatment very straightforward and combined with his writing style, both an enjoyable and educational read. However, while this book is probably the best introduction to the topic, readers looking for more in-depth information or a more academic treatment would probably be better serve with Yukl's "Leadership in Organizations (7th Edition)." | ||
 | Leadership: Theory and Practice | |
| "Excellent primer" | 2009-04-16 |
| Northouse writes engagingly and clearly and presents an excellent primer on managerial leadership. The book covers all the main elements needed to gain an understanding of the topic as well as the general progress of leadership theories and their application in a managerial context. Each Chapter is dedicated to an approach starting with the Trait Approach in chapter 2 (after an introduction to leadership in chapter 1) and culminating with Contingency theory. All the chapters are organized in a consistent and logical manner starting with (1) a description of the theory; (2) how does it work; (3) its strengths; (4) weaknesses; (5) applications and then some (6) case studies. This makes Northouse's treatment very straightforward and combined with his writing style, both an enjoyable and educational read. However, while this book is probably the best introduction to the topic, readers looking for more in-depth information or a more academic treatment would probably be better serve with Yukl's "Leadership in Organizations (7th Edition)." | ||
 | The Hr Answer Book: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals | |
| "Good for manager, needs more depth to be useful for HR professionals" | 2009-04-16 |
| This in excellent primer on all things HR for HR professionals as well as managers. The 10 chapters covers all the major areas of HR including selection; policies; performance management; training & development; employees relations; as well as compensation and benefits. The chapters are Witten in a Q & A format: common questions relating to the chapter's topic are answered in a fairly straight-forward manner and with enough details. Most concepts are explained succinctly and clearly without boring the reader. I especially liked the fact that the questions deal with both conceptual and practical elements of each topic. For example, in the chapter on HR policies, one of the questions is "should our company have an employee handbook?" and the answer explains both the legal and practical need for the handbook. Another question focuses on the "stylistic considerations in writing the manual." The only complaint I had with the book is in the depth of the material covered. In targeting both HR professionals and managers, the authors may have had, by necessity, to "tune-down" some of the content and therefore, as an HR professional this was a little too basic for me to be as useful as it could've been. | ||
 | The Talent Management Handbook: Creating Organizational Excellence by Identifying, Developing, and Promoting Your Best People | |
| "Introductory, intermediate & advanced - all in one!" | 2009-04-16 |
| This may very well become the standard reference for Talent Management due to its coverage of all diverse threads that contribute to effective talent management in organizations. As an external HR consultant I find myself referring to it again and again and I've recommended it to several clients who also said the same thing. Berger and Berger have done an excellent job of putting together this comprehensive reference and the introductory chapter written by Lance Berger simplifies the myriad of activities that collectively constitute talent management. In the second chapter, Lance further develops these concepts into an effective action plan that almost any organization can implement. I was also quite impressed with the chapter on competencies (Chapter 5) and succession planning in family businesses (chapter 24). The chapter on competencies is a simple, straightforward introduction that will appeal to both the novice and the experienced professional. It covers the basic concepts and presents a step-by-step plan for developing and implementing a competency model in an organization. Edwin Hoover in Chapter 24 (Succession Planning in a Family Business) is a brilliant solution to what is, at best, a thorny issue with several excellent pointers and ideas for overcoming these issues. | ||
 | HR Answer Book, The: An Indispensable Guide for Managers and Human Resources Professionals | |
| "Good for manager, needs more depth to be useful for HR professionals" | 2009-04-16 |
| This in excellent primer on all things HR for HR professionals as well as managers. The 10 chapters covers all the major areas of HR including selection; policies; performance management; training & development; employees relations; as well as compensation and benefits. The chapters are Witten in a Q & A format: common questions relating to the chapter's topic are answered in a fairly straight-forward manner and with enough details. Most concepts are explained succinctly and clearly without boring the reader. I especially liked the fact that the questions deal with both conceptual and practical elements of each topic. For example, in the chapter on HR policies, one of the questions is "should our company have an employee handbook?" and the answer explains both the legal and practical need for the handbook. Another question focuses on the "stylistic considerations in writing the manual." The only complaint I had with the book is in the depth of the material covered. In targeting both HR professionals and managers, the authors may have had, by necessity, to "tune-down" some of the content and therefore, as an HR professional this was a little too basic for me to be as useful as it could've been. | ||
 | Riding The Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in Global Business | |
| "For Business Poeple and Managers" | 2005-06-30 |
| This is a shorter, and more condensed version of the authors' earlier book 'Building Cross Cultural Competence'. In this book, the authors' target managers and business people who are looking to understand cultural differences and how to deal with them in a variety of circumstances and situations. Each chapter begins with am introduction to one of the dimensions, a discussion of how the differences manifest themselves and concludes with 'tips' on how to deal, and how to do business, with the different culture explored in that chapter. The authors use the same six dimensions of culture introduced in their earlier work (universalism vs. particularism; individualism vs communitarism; specificity vs. diffusion; achieved status vs. ascribed status; inner direction vs. outer direction; and sequential time vs. synchronous time), but they present these dimensions in a much more accessible and simple manner with more emphasis on what each dimension actually means for business people and how it affects business-related situations. This book has become the reference for business people and managers in the area of culture. Simple and very well written without losing credibility; this is a book that will enlighten and guide any manager in dealing with people from other cultures. While in some ways it is a 'western-centric' book (targeted to Western - especially US - managers), it remains very useful for managers from other cultures since the authors have attempted to keep the examples and discussion culturally neutral. | ||
 | Building Cross-Cultural Competence: How to Create Wealth from Conflicting Values | |
| "An good introduction to Cultural Dimensions" | 2005-06-30 |
| Building and expanding on Hofstede's five dimensions of culture, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner present a model of culture and cultural differences that is both sensible and eminently useful. While Hofstede may be the man who pioneered cultural research in management, Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner are the men who popularized it within the business world.
The six dimensions of culture proposed are simple to understand and relate to. With the numerous examples given throughout the book, cultural encounters suddenly make sense and previously taken for granted 'issues', annoyances, and differences when dealing with other cultures are explained and analyzed. While some of the six dimensions introduced are in some ways similar to Hofstede's, five cultural dimensions (for example individualism vs. communitarism); however, the authors also introduce additional dimensions and sometimes expand Hofstede's in ways that make it easier for the reader to understand the differences among cultures. While many scholars claim that the authors' research is not rigorously scientific as that of Hofstede for example, however, it remains a landmark in the field of culture research in management. Perhaps more importantly, it is more accessible to managers and trainers due to the simplicity of the writing style and the numerous examples scattered throughout the book. Overall, a highly readable and useful book that should become essential reading for students of International Business. For people in a hurry and looking for a 'tool box' for dealing with cultural differences; 'Riding the Waves of Culture' by the same authors may be a better option. | ||
 | Creative New Employee Orientation Programs: Best Practices, Creative Ideas, and Activities for Energizing Your Orientation Program | |
| "Everything Orientation" | 2005-06-21 |
| This is a compendium of almost everything that one might need to create or improve existing orientation programs. From best practices in orientation videos, small businesses, intern & buddy programs to case studies from companies like Ford and Alcatel. The book also includes numerous useful lists, tools and aids that can be reproduced or used as a basic template for planning new orientation as well as evaluating and improving existent programs. In other words, this is a practical book filled with implementable ideas and suggestions guaranteed to make your new hires feel 'special' and at the same time, taking them through all the knowledge and information bits that they need to learn in a fun and engaging manner. I found the case studies chapters very informative and particularly enjoyed Part 5 of the book: Orientation Games & Activities which includes 18 very useful and effective games like the hunt for company policies which turns a normally boring part of any orientation program into a really fun activity. Also quite useful was the Part 6: Orientation Checklists & Surveys covering such areas as 'Before the Employee's First Day'; 'I'm New Here - What Should I Learn?'; and 'A 90-day New Employee Survey'. | ||
 | Project Management for Trainers | |
| "Practical and relevant project management for Trainers" | 2004-05-29 |
| For trainers and learning professional, this is indispensable reading as it helps systemize and organize any training and learning project in a manner that ensures delivery on time and stakeholders' satisfaction: two things that I previously thought were almost impossible to achieve simultaneously! This book assumes a basic knowledge of project management and helps focus the reader's attention on how to apply and customize this knowledge to learning and training projects. Beginning with defining the project and communicating it to stakeholders to the final evaluation stages; no aspect of the project has been ignored. Lou Russell liberally provides tools, templates, and ideas that can help organize the whole project from A - Z as well as practical exercises and activities at the end of every chapter that "do the work for you" should you have picked the book to help you through a particular project. In fact, I highly recommend using it while in the process of planning and delivering a training program. Russell takes you through the project management process in nine chapters: 1: Beginning the project - an introduction to key concepts and ideas. | ||
 | The Minx of Mayfair | |
 | "Unbelievable, but the romance was good" | 2002-03-19 |
| Well, if you can get over the fact that in the first few pages you'll see a cat turn into a woman, then you'll probably enjoy the book very much. In all fairness, I must say that I did not mind the supernatural aspect that much. At some points, it was even enjoyable, especially the part about Georgiana's 'strange' behavior around catnip! Cat aspect aside, the book is quite good. The romance between the main characters was very well developed and written and the 'intrigue' side added the right touch of danger. Fate turns Georgiana from a cat into a beautiful woman so that Georgiana can find her deceased master's killer. She ends up married to the Viscount Seybourne and in love with her husband. In between murderers, jealous women, dealing with her 'new body' and momentary catnip insanity, Georgiana's life has suddenly become very hectic and difficult. | ||
 | In My Lady's Chamber | |
 | "Predictable and boring..." | 2002-03-14 |
| Forget this book unless you absolutely have nothing else to read. The plot is interesting, but very badly handled and the characters have no fire between them. No chemistry at all between them.. not even in the so called [hot] scenes! You read about them with the same sort of involvement and passion you have when you read comic strips. At times, they actually do seem like characters out of a comic strip!... | ||
 | Joining | |
| "Not bad, but not that good either..." | 2002-03-14 |
| Johanna Lindsey is of course superb, and if the book was written by anyone else, I would have given it one star. However, Lindsay can write beautifully, even when the plot and characters are boring or stereotypical. I found Milisant's character annoying and completely out of character for the era she lived in, at times she truly irritated me to the extent that I would have slapped her had she been real. Her independence seemed pointless and more like pig-headedness than anything else at several points in the story. Her insistence on having her way simply makes her more annoying. Overall, she must rate as one of my least favorite heroines. Wulfric is not as bad as Milisant, but he could have done with some improvements as well. The book does not lack 'fire' between the protagonists, who usually manage to end up at each other's throat, but I found most of the scenes repetitive and the antagonism dragged on much too long. Overall, this is not one of Lindsay's landmarks. Stick to the Malory series by the same author if you want a really satisfying and enjoyable read. | ||
 | Color Me Beautiful Make-Up Book | |
 | "Forget it!" | 2002-03-13 |
| If you know your season and your best colors (from any other Color Me beautiful book) then forget this one. You're much better off buying Bobbi Brown's or Aucoin's book, both of which will offer you much better make-up tips and ideas. The book is badly presented with boring pictures and graphics and an uninspiring layout that does nothing to attract your eye. When you go through Brown's or Aucoin's books, you find yourself itching to put some make on, with this one, you'll close the book and wonder what's on TV. | ||
 | VIOLETS IN THE SNOW | |
| "Funny, enjoyable and totally unbelievable" | 2002-03-13 |
| This is a Cinderella story set in Regency England, complete with the wicked stepmother and the fairy Godmother. You will still enjoy the humor and the funny, funny, dialogue in the novel despite the magic and the guardian godmother parts. The handsome, arrogant Duke of Avon is Isabelle's prince, revealed to her by her guardian angel years ago. She hates him.. and at the same time, she's inexplicably drawn to him! He thinks she talks to herself.. that she is mad.. especially with all this talk of guardian angels.. but she is so very sweet.. so irresistible and he can't help his growing attraction to her. The rakish Duke and the eccentric Isabelle make an odd couple indeed.. Grasso has a wonderful sense of humor and a love of the ridiculous that will appeal to almost all readers. this is a lovely book and definitely worth the few mistakes and historical inconsistencies. | ||
 | A Season of Virtues | |
| "Three virtues and Whit" | 2002-03-13 |
| No one can keep so many characters and so many sub-plots so well coordinated and so perfectly in balance like Judith Lansdowne. The woman is amazing in her ability to organize and manage her novels so that they read like a snap-shot of reality with a million things that are going on at the same time, and all making perfect sense. Judith Lansdowne writes with her usual humor and originality. Her characters always have that little extra something that removes them from the realm of the ordinary and elevated them to wonderfully amusing beings that you'd love to meet and befriend. Whitshire and Honor fall in love gently, logically and naturally, like most people in real life.. only they are not so average or normal at all, even if they don't fight all the time! | ||
 | Merely Married | |
| "Totally original" | 2002-03-12 |
| The Duke must count as the most self-centered, self-absorbed and arrogant man I've read of in a romance, unless he was the villain! He needs to get rid of match-making women and he comes up with the perfect solution, marry a dying woman, she dies and he adopts the 'grieving widow' act: He lives his life happily, women don't bother him any more, the bride is dead... As it odd as it may seem, he somehow manages to find the perfect woman. Leah is very gravely ill indeed.. dying.. her younger sister will be left penniless and homeless.. on her death-bed, she agrees to marry the Duke and the first part of his plan is accomplished. A while later, Leah miraculously recovers and shows up in London with the aim of marrying off her younger sister Christina. The Duke finds himself cornered and stuck. he cannot annul the marriage because that will look very bad on his record.. and his plans are going up in flames.. In the country, his plans tumble further and further when he finds himself attracted to the lovely Leah who finally admits that she loves the arrogant Duke... Wonderful, original, different, entertaining. Definitely a book worth reading, and keeping. Prepare for a thoroughly enjoyable time with Leah and Adrian. The characters are very well developed and they are always behaving and talking true to type. The plot original and the dialogue... what can I say? | ||
 | Lord and Master | |
| "Wonderful humor" | 2002-03-12 |
| The humor and the wit are definitely worth the few historical inaccuracies that you'll come across in this book. The book contains everything from an ailing tiger that turns out to be a cat with laryngitis, to a cat-worshiping manservant. Along the way, there is a hateful woman, who ends up conveniently dead, a charming but deadly thief, and of course, the growling cat! The kind-hearted and beautiful Daphne is saddled with a spiteful woman who is scaring away all eligible suitors. When the woman finally dies at the hands (or should I say feet?) of a startled elephant, Daphne hires an eccentric, but adorable woman who falls in love with the Egyptian manservant of Lord Ravenswood. The two plot to get their employers together and along the way, they need to deal with stubborn minds and jealous hearts as well as thieves, cats, deaf butlers... Wonderful book and very entertaining that you'll enjoy reading even if it has a historical accuracy here and there. | ||
 | The Reluctant Bride | |
| "Good Read" | 2002-03-12 |
| The story, is of course completely implausible, but the characters are so very funny, that you just don't care. Josephine is struggling to get her family out of debt, and the family is struggling to get her to marry the fabulously wealthy and fabulously eligible Alexander. Josephine refuses Alexander's suit and he, of course, feels obliged to help her out of her troubles, which includes researching how to be a mistress and masquerading as a man to gamble in a hell. This is a funny book. The scene where he goes to propose to Josephine is probably among the funniest you're likely to read outside of a Heyer book. The humor is fantastic and the storyline will grip you. | ||
 | The Big Book of Flip Charts | |
| "The Best one there is" | 2002-03-08 |
| Don't even consider any other flip chart book, they don't come close. This one has it all.. designing flip charts, arranging them, writing them, making them visually interesting. Tons of useful and helpful information. This book, together with Picture's Worth 1,000 Words: A Workbook for Visual Communications by Jean Westcott and Jennifer Hammond Landau are all you need to become an effective visual communicator, even if you can't draw anything! If you think you're just not good with flip charts, buy these two and prepare to amaze yourself with the transformation! | ||
 | Lord of Midnight | |
| "Very Good" | 2002-03-08 |
| Can you live with the man who killed your father? Jo Beverley believes that you can, that love can conquer anything - even that. That is probably the main reason I gave this book 4 stars only.. everything else about it is excellent, but I found the central theme too difficult to swallow. The characters are very well written.. Renald is hard, tough, unyielding.. but oddly vulnerable in his attraction to Claire.. she is defeated, heartbroken and vulnerable, but beautifully strong in her pride and dignity.. Very well written.. the twists and turns will surprise you and delight you.. funny at time, heart wrenching at others.. what else can you ask for from a historical romance? | ||
 | Gabriel Knight Mysteries: Limited Edition | |
| "It doesn't get any better" | 2002-03-08 |
| Gabriel Knight is probably the best adventure game ever created. The story is fantastic, as good as any movie you can watch. The characters are extremely well written, the dialogue funny, dark, surprising, erotic. Everything you can wish for and everything you do not expect in an adventure game. Gabriel Knight is a bookshop owner and a struggling writer who is haunted by odd dreams. Suddenly, he finds himself in the middle of a mystery involving the 'voodoo murders' in New Orleans, he investigates both the murders, and his dreams and the result are surprising to both him and the player! Gabriel Knight 2 sees Gabriel is Germany, a best-selling author and hunting 'werewolf' murders this time. Gabriel Knight II is just as good. The game incorporates real-video scenes, which I truly enjoyed, they make the game so real, almost like a movie that you control. The story takes off where sins of the fathers ended, and as usual, it is fantastic.. Jane Jensen (the writer) has the ability to grip your mind so that the game takes over.. This is one of them games that you'll feel sorry is over! Don't buy these games if you're addicted to point-and-shoot games, you won't enjoy it. But if you're looking for an enjoyable, and sometimes educational, experience that requires more than just manual dexterity, don't even hesitate. | ||
 | Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned | |
| "Adventure at its best" | 2002-03-08 |
| The third installment of Gabriel Knight is simply fantastic. The amount of puzzle solving is extremely satisfying.. the storyline is totally engrossing and the characters are their usual entertaining lovable self. Gabriel is the best-selling author who likes to solve 'mysteries' as a hobby.. the shadow hunter. This time he's off chasing vampires and the story will definitely surprise and might even shock you.. but then, that's the way Gabriel Knight is! If you don't know who or what Gabriel Knight is, get the first two installments of the game, they're among the most enjoyable games you're likely to play ever. Jane Jensen has the wonderful ability of mixing reality with fiction and the stories are all based on real events and set in real locations. This is a wonderful game with a real storyline and characters, and dialogue that you'll enjoy listening to (and reading). The story will absorb you completely and you'll feel sorry when it finally ends, you'll be even sadder when you know that Sierra does not plan on producing more Gabriel Knight games. | ||
 | The Longest Journey | |
| "Very Good Game" | 2002-03-08 |
| This is a wonderful game. The story is well written and the puzzles the right degree of difficulty that challenges without putting you off the game. The graphics are quite good and so are the sounds. However, I didn't like the ending, it was a little disappointing and that's the main reason I did not give 5 stars. It's not the ending is unexpected, it just seems that the story built up to something different and when you get to the end, you feel that the writers needed something fast, so they came up with this. All in all, it's definitely worth playing. | ||
 | After the Kiss | |
| "Not all that bad if you forget the details" | 2002-03-03 |
| The story, once you get over the errors and the inaccuracies, is not all that bad. I found the relationship between Julian and Eliza touching and their friendship very real and down to earth. The first part of the book is quite enchanting. The relationship between Eliza and Marcus is odd to say the least. Why would a person who is so badly scarred emotionally and physically force a woman to marry him? Why resist her so much if he wants her that badly? Why does she agree to it all? What is the secret she is hiding? There are many things wrong with this book, but it does compel you to finish it! Despite the inaccuracies that will frustrate and irritate you... You still find yourself turning page after page, so... there must be something in it to merit a good rating!! | ||
 | For Love Alone | |
| "Not bad, but not that good either..." | 2002-03-03 |
| The first pages promise a good book, unfortunately, they fail to deliver. Sophy never seems 'right' somehow, alternating between strong willed and yielding.. Her character has promise that is never really fully developed in the book. The hero, Ives wants revenge, then he forgets about revenge and decides he wants Sophy, then he wants revenge again, then he wants the spy..?? It seems that the author never really managed to get it all together. There are a lot of loose ends throughout the book and too many questions left unanswered.. Overall, I found the plot too thin and too unbelievable. The bit about the spy was obviously forced to add an 'interesting dimension' and had the writer managed to tie all the pieces together, the story would have been excellent.. I did manage to finish the book since it did have its moments and it does get better towards the end, so it's not a total write-off. | ||
 | That Scandalous Evening | |
| "Fabulous" | 2002-03-03 |
| Jane has a gift with clay and in her first season, she falls for Blackburn and decides to model him. Unfortunately, being an innocent school-room miss, she misses some 'vital' detail and when the statue is exposed by a malicious rival, both Jane and Blackburn are in shame.. but of course, for different reasons!! Years later, Jane is chaperoning her niece to town when their paths cross one more time and the story begins... This is NOT your everyday Regency story, so don't expect to be bored or to go through the pages looking for the 'juicy' parts. The whole book is 'juicy parts' and Christina Dodd will never allow you to flip through a page without reading every word in it! Excellent reading, different, original, and very-well written. | ||
| © 2009 GoSale.com (S2) |