Kerry Jacobson

Books (303)

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- I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced (18)
- By Delphine Minoui, Nujood Ali
- Finished on Dec 28, 2010
  
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I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced

Another reminder of how fortunate I am to live in America. The absolute disregard for females in so much of the world is something Americans, and Western nations, have managed to overcome. Any woman who still believes that, here, our rights are repressed, should travel to some of the Mid-eastern and ... (continue)

Another reminder of how fortunate I am to live in America. The absolute disregard for females in so much of the world is something Americans, and Western nations, have managed to overcome. Any woman who still believes that, here, our rights are repressed, should travel to some of the Mid-eastern and Asian countries to experience first hand the total worthlessness attributed to our sex. Unbelievable to read and know that these conditions still exist and that they are supported by the governments.......made up of men, of course! Truly, this little girl had tremendous courage to walk away from her deplorable conditions and seek help. An inspiration to all.

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— Dec 30, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Disputed Passage (1)
- By Lloyd C. Douglas
- Finished on Dec 19, 2010
  
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Disputed Passage

After one failed attempt, this,at last, is the book I read while in high school that, not necessarily influenced me, but, certainly, made enough of an impression on me, that I remembered it after all these years and wanted to revisit it. Having just read "Magnificent Obsession", by this same author, ... (continue)

After one failed attempt, this,at last, is the book I read while in high school that, not necessarily influenced me, but, certainly, made enough of an impression on me, that I remembered it after all these years and wanted to revisit it. Having just read "Magnificent Obsession", by this same author, his literary objectives are re-enforced upon me. He does have an agenda.....essentially a forum to expound on the virtues of Christianity.It is now clear to me why it took me so long to complete reading it so many years ago.......many, MANY long paragraphs of philosophy comparing practicality vs spirituality, science vs humanism, concerted focus vs open appraisal. These philosophical discourses are woven into a story of a medical student striving to achieve under the tutelage of a mentor monster to the exclusion of a wider life experience. It was this story that intrigued me initially, and, I'm sure, I did not have the patience nor maturity for the philosophical aspect. I'm glad to have re-read it now, with the vision of a more life-experience adult.

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— Dec 27, 2010 | Add your feedback
- The Kill Artist (32)
- By Daniel Silva
- Finished on Dec 17, 2010
  
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The Kill Artist

Having read "The Rembrandt Affair", I decided to go back to the beginning and follow the whole story.Silva's developement of the plot and character are most intriguing. An atypical story line for a spy-thriller, and a "cover" which is thoroughly novel and well researched. Many character interactions ... (continue)

Having read "The Rembrandt Affair", I decided to go back to the beginning and follow the whole story.Silva's developement of the plot and character are most intriguing. An atypical story line for a spy-thriller, and a "cover" which is thoroughly novel and well researched. Many character interactions lending authenticity and complexity. This particular chapter has an ending which was unexpected and annoying, but, certainly, realistic. I'll continue with this most compelling series.

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— Dec 22, 2010 | Add your feedback
- The Last Jew (28)
- By Noah Gordon
- Finished on Dec 4, 2010
  
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The Last Jew

A very engrossing portrayal of the Jewish plight during the Spanish Inquisition period of 1489-1509. Not as thoroughly satisfying as "The Physician", but certainly a treasure trough of insight into Jewish culture and history.

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— Dec 9, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Magnificent Obsession (5)
- By Lloyd Douglas
- Finished on Nov 26, 2010
  
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Magnificent Obsession

I thought this was a book I had read many years ago, only to discover that, although by the same author, it was not the same book. Story line had some similarities; young man enters medical school with an agenda that finds resistance and struggles with his awarenesss of self and soul. This story was ... (continue)

I thought this was a book I had read many years ago, only to discover that, although by the same author, it was not the same book. Story line had some similarities; young man enters medical school with an agenda that finds resistance and struggles with his awarenesss of self and soul. This story was predictable, even through all the hoops the author constructed. Undoubtedly, the former occupation of the author (he was a minister) determined the tone of his work to be spiritually uplifting and inspirational.

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— Nov 27, 2010 | Add your feedback

- The Rembrandt Affair (16)
- By Daniel Silva
- Finished on Nov 23, 2010
  
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The Rembrandt Affair

My first impression was that this was another in a seemingly interminable number of Holocost stories. I'm glad that I stayed with the plot long enough to discover how well the author moves the story and developes his characters and intricate details. Honestly, I could not put it down once I'd reache ... (continue)

My first impression was that this was another in a seemingly interminable number of Holocost stories. I'm glad that I stayed with the plot long enough to discover how well the author moves the story and developes his characters and intricate details. Honestly, I could not put it down once I'd reached the final one hundre pages! I was captured by the title! Now, I have every intention of going back to the beginning on this series and discovering what I missed and how the protagonist got to where this story starts. I LOVE finding new authors and series that capture my complete attention. This one is a winner!

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— Nov 27, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Poison (4)
- A Novel of the Renaissance
- By Sara Poole
- Finished on Nov 17, 2010
  
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Poison

1 person find this helpful

I enjoyed almost everything about this book, except the premise. The author would have the reader believe that the heroine was so impassioned by the lack of revenge extracted by Rodrigo Borgia for the death of her father that it drove her to the extremes of becoming the poisoner of the title. I find ... (continue)

I enjoyed almost everything about this book, except the premise. The author would have the reader believe that the heroine was so impassioned by the lack of revenge extracted by Rodrigo Borgia for the death of her father that it drove her to the extremes of becoming the poisoner of the title. I find that thought too fragile to attribute to the motives portrayed; however, if one just accepts it as the means to develop the story, then the remainder of the plot is of merit. I've read a couple books of the Borgia era, so was not surprised at the exteme corruption and, yes, wickedness, depicted here, but, it was interesting to have a glimpes into that papal world where privacy is so gaurded and coveted (somewhat against the commandments). I believe the history was accurately given with the obvious addition of the fictional elements. According to the author's notes, this is the first in what is expected to be a series (or, at least, a trilogy), so I'll look forward to future adventures.

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— Nov 18, 2010 | Add your feedback
- Murder in Grub Street (3)
- By Bruce Alexander
- Finished on Nov 8, 2010
  
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Murder in Grub Street

A very entertaining and enjoyable tale of the Bow Street Runners and Sir John Fielding with his ward, Jeremy. A most delightful and pleasant evening diversion.

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— Nov 10, 2010 | Add your feedback
- A Question of Belief (4)
- A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery
- By Donna Leon
- Finished on Nov 2, 2010
  
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A Question of Belief

It's always enjoyable to reaquaint myself with the further adventures of Commisarrio Guido Brunetti and his cohorts in Venice. The author has gone to great lengths to give Brunetti the full endowment of the gentlemanly qualities, with depth of character to display emotional sensitivity, in addtion t ... (continue)

It's always enjoyable to reaquaint myself with the further adventures of Commisarrio Guido Brunetti and his cohorts in Venice. The author has gone to great lengths to give Brunetti the full endowment of the gentlemanly qualities, with depth of character to display emotional sensitivity, in addtion to the requisite skills required in the field of crime investigation. All of the characters are wonderfully defined and such a fine supporting cast. I look forward to each new chapter knowing that I'll not be disappointed.

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— Nov 4, 2010 | Add your feedback
- An Irish Country Courtship (2)
- By Patrick Taylor
- Finished on Oct 31, 2010
  
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An Irish Country Courtship

Nothing earth shattering here........just plain fun! Taylor has captured the small country aura of a charming Irish village with all its varied and eccentric inhabitants The reader is only sorry to come to the end of each chapter. I await with anticipation for the continuing saga of Drs. O'Reilly a ... (continue)

Nothing earth shattering here........just plain fun! Taylor has captured the small country aura of a charming Irish village with all its varied and eccentric inhabitants The reader is only sorry to come to the end of each chapter. I await with anticipation for the continuing saga of Drs. O'Reilly and Laverty, and all their adventures and comrades.

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— Nov 1, 2010 | Add your feedback

- The Serpent in the Garden (4)
- A Novel
- By Janet Gleeson
- Finished on Oct 28, 2010
  
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The Serpent in the Garden

I have mixed feelings regarding this work. It certainly contains a great series of mysteries and unusal happenings which keep the reader moving forward to reveal the answers, but the actual premise that an artist would be charged with the responsibility of solving these mysteries defied my credibili ... (continue)

I have mixed feelings regarding this work. It certainly contains a great series of mysteries and unusal happenings which keep the reader moving forward to reveal the answers, but the actual premise that an artist would be charged with the responsibility of solving these mysteries defied my credibility. If you can go beyond this seeming absurdity and enjoy the complexities devised to delude you, then, the story is at least deversional. I would give it a lukewarm reconmmendation........as it does serve as an entertainment.......just not a spot on great one.

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— Oct 30, 2010 | Add your feedback
- The Thief-Taker (2)
- Memoirs of a Bow Street Runner
- By T F Banks
- Finished on Oct 24, 2010
  
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The Thief-Taker

Compared with the immediate predecessor (the Palliser book), this was a light, quick and fun tale with engaging characters and a plot with just enough intrigue to keep the reader guessing. A throughly enjoyable read totally designed for escapism.....or a night in front of a warm fire while rain is a ... (continue)

Compared with the immediate predecessor (the Palliser book), this was a light, quick and fun tale with engaging characters and a plot with just enough intrigue to keep the reader guessing. A throughly enjoyable read totally designed for escapism.....or a night in front of a warm fire while rain is assualting the windows!

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— Oct 27, 2010 | Add your feedback
- The Unburied (10)
- By Charles Palliser
- Finished on Oct 19, 2010
  
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The Unburied

Heaven knows, I have nothing against books that really make you think, I've read many, but this one is beyond the edge! The story is interminally SLOW to develope. I found myself wondering why the author found it so necessary to include long excerpts of historical records, rather than just give the ... (continue)

Heaven knows, I have nothing against books that really make you think, I've read many, but this one is beyond the edge! The story is interminally SLOW to develope. I found myself wondering why the author found it so necessary to include long excerpts of historical records, rather than just give the pertinent info. Why I stuck with it at all, is a mystery. Not one, or two, but three separate mysteries are attempted to be solved in this four day venture, and other distressing aspects elucidated along the way! The protagonist is not a particularly endearing character and the enumerable "false starts" confusing. Even the ending is not readily gratifying. If a reader really wants to go through the mental hoops here presented, then, by all means do, otherwise, find another more entertaining book.

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— Oct 22, 2010 | Add your feedback
- The Invisible Bridge (21)
- By Julie Orringer
- Finished on Oct 15, 2010
  
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The Invisible Bridge

At first, I mentally tallied this in with the myriad of other WWII, Jewish atrocity stories. But, as this tale evolved, I could see another side of the whole tragedy not before fully explored in my experience.........the issue of the forced labor gangs. So many sad, harrowing epics of the concentrat ... (continue)

At first, I mentally tallied this in with the myriad of other WWII, Jewish atrocity stories. But, as this tale evolved, I could see another side of the whole tragedy not before fully explored in my experience.........the issue of the forced labor gangs. So many sad, harrowing epics of the concentration camps.....this was a new perspective of the abominations man deals to fellow man. Offsetting this gruesome aspect is the haunting delicacy of a love for family, parents in particular, and the sustaining ability true faith imparts. The fact that this is based on the actual experiences of the author's relatives attests to the validity and accuracy of the details. The author's prose and descriptions are pure and unembellished. The details with which the Budapest area are described certainly speak to the authenticity of the author's knowledge and research of the area. I do recommend this book with high marks.

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— Oct 16, 2010 | Add your feedback
- DEATH AND RESTORATION (13)
- A Jonathan Argyll Mystery (Jonathan Argyll Mysteries)
- By Iain Pears
- Finished on Oct 8, 2010
  
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DEATH AND RESTORATION

A most entertaining light mystery. Engaging characters and just enough complexity in plot to keep me guessing right up to the last couple pages. As this is one of the series, perhaps I'll go back and start at the beginning. An Art professor and an Art theft detective in Rome make a winning combinati ... (continue)

A most entertaining light mystery. Engaging characters and just enough complexity in plot to keep me guessing right up to the last couple pages. As this is one of the series, perhaps I'll go back and start at the beginning. An Art professor and an Art theft detective in Rome make a winning combination.

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— Oct 9, 2010 | Add your feedback