http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/cchead Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:39:51 GMT Reviews by cchead http://www.viewpoints.com/Showboat-review-01680 I started collecting Edna Ferber when I realized how many of her books had been made into films that I really liked. — — I had seen the two musical versions of "Showboat" numberous times and examined the difference between them based on the difference in times. I just read the book and saw total differences between both musical versions and the actual text. — — this book is not Politically Correct in our present day. However, it is a depiction of the way things were and I think that is important for people to know. Too many young people have no clue what America was like 100-150 years ago (much less 400) and why freedoms were fought for by the black race. Though this is not a Race book, the negros are an essential part of the book. — — It is mostly the writing, it stirs and moves you and creates memorable characters. With the background of showboat players and life on the Mississippi, we have the story of Magnolia Ravenal, raised on the... Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:39:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Showboat-review-01680 cchead 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Margaret-Forster-The-Ladys-Maid-review-4aef1 The Lady's maid is Wilson, maid to Elizabeth Barrett.  Without her help Elizabeth never would have read Robert Browning.  What Forster has done is taken what facts were known and created a whole life.  As Forster was a biographer of the Brownings, they are much in play in this book. — — It is a large book, around 500 pages and I was surprised how quickly I read it.  I bought it on Ebay as I had searched for Forster's bio of Daphne DuMaurier and this book popped up .  I love biographies and, thought the premise of the book so interesting I bought it. — — We first meet Wilson in her teens when she is on here way to the Barrett household, unhappy and afraid..  She and Elizabeth (an invalid) bond and they stay together on and off for years.  They travel back and forth to Italy, France and other parts of Europe.  Wilson appears to be a true mother to Elizabeths child and she had 2 of her own.  Her own marriage to an... Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:42:18 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Margaret-Forster-The-Ladys-Maid-review-4aef1 cchead 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Agatha-Raisin-Series-review-c5e93 Agatha Raisin is around 50 in the first book of the series (Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death).  She was a very successful publicist who only cared for her work and very few people liked her.  She sells her business, moves to the Cotswolds in England and there discovers her first mystery. — — Agatha is a romantic at heart (though not in her demeanor) and is desperate to find someone to love.  She is not a beauty but has great legs, mouth and hair and a sexual magnetism.  She is abrasive and speaks her mind but through the series manages to capture the interest of several men - none of whom seem like good husband material. — — Somehow she manages to bump into murder after murder whether in other parts of England or abroad.  Beaton makes this all seem credible and she blunders into more solutions than by true detective work. — — I call these types of books my "Bon-Bons".  They are quick reads and keep me interested... Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:24:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Agatha-Raisin-Series-review-c5e93 cchead 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Tivo-Digital-Video-Recorder-review-fd3e0 I have loved TIVO since I got my first one (I am now on number 3). I got the 40 hour for my Bedroom and the 40 hour for my living room. Than upgraded to 80 hours and being able to record two shows at one time. — — I was disabled 2 years ago and because of all the search features I hav found all my favorite starts, directors and movie classifications I love. I've also discovered shows I never heard of by putting in my interests. It has kept me sane during this enforced lay-down period. I also have the benefit of retrieving shows for when a friend drops by and I say "here is something you need to see" — — My sister has a DVR and I find it doesn't do half as much as my TIVO and it is more difficult to manuver on, difficult to find shows and to retrieve them. — — I don't think their fees are out of line, I have 2 tivos and together it comes to around $20.00. You also can find deals where you get the box and set-up free for a guaranteed... Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:01:39 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Tivo-Digital-Video-Recorder-review-fd3e0 cchead 5