Buy Shadow of the Giant

Title: Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card

Pages: 367.

Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 0 Days.

Days spent reading it: 3 days.

Why I read it: Shadow of the Giant is the fourth book in the Ender's Shadow series by Orson Scott Card, I figured I would finish up this series before I left to go to Thailand. I'm glad I did.

Brief review: Shadow of the Giant is the final (as of right now, and probably ever) installment of the Ender's Shadow series. I have enjoyed this particular series quite a bit. It recounts the events on Earth after the events in Ender's Game. We follow Bean and Petra, but the real star of this show (and perhaps the real "Shadow" of Ender) is Peter Wiggin. We follow as Peter continues in his quest to become the Hegemon (the world leader) and to have actual authority over the whole world. The political and military maneuvers and manipulation that make this a reality for Peter are fun to watch unfold.

This series has been easy to read, but still full of great ideas by Card. Shadow of the Giant makes us think about contemporary events, even though it discusses them in playful science fiction. Card brings up issues about Muslim, Chinese, and United States politics from current headlines and stretches them to their logical conclusion. What if the Muslim world united under one head? Or if the massive Chinese population began an offensive against an almost equally massive Indian nation? In this book Card examines these possible political situations, but he does so within a very entertaining novel.

Shadow of the Giant is clever and thought provoking. If you have not read any of the rest of the series, this would not be a good place to start. But I would highly recommend picking up Ender's Game and then Ender's Shadow, because these books (and especially Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow) have been worth it.

Favorite quote: "Life is full of grief, to exactly the degree we allow ourselves to love other people."

Stars: 4 out of 5.

Final Word: Huge.Get more detail about Shadow of the Giant.

Purchase Home for the Holidays: Creative Ideas for Making the Holidays Memorable (Hallmark Occasions)

Let me preface this by saying, I have TONS of Christmas books. They are inspiration each year as I head into the holidays. Sometimes they give me encouragement to shake things up, sometimes they remind me how important tradition is. This book does both!

It is a beautiful book (it's from Hallmark after all), but it has great ideas for parties, wrappings, decorations. And even if you've seen it all before, somehow the editors have given them a slight twist that makes it fresh and exciting.

So, at the top of my box of Christmas books is this lovely title. I'll probably get it out BEFORE Thanksgiving next year (something I never do) and get inspired anew.

I looked at it last year on Amazon, but decided against buying it after having been stung a few times by "holiday books." When it went on sale this year, it went on my short list.

Now, having seen it, I'd probably buy it even at full price. The photos are gorgeous, the paper is beautiful (doesn't it make all the difference when a book feels like a good book should -- not rough and bumpy pages with blurry text?), the ideas are helpful and unique.

It's like one of those Hallmark commercials on TV -- sometimes I laughed and sometimes I cried when I read it. I think you will, too!Get more detail about Home for the Holidays: Creative Ideas for Making the Holidays Memorable (Hallmark Occasions).

Order Creating Cards with Scrapbook Embellishments

I looked through the book, however I found the ideas it has I have all ready used or familized my self with. Its a good book as far as showing some techniques. The book shows you several different type of cards you can make, and you wont run out of ideas.Get more detail about Creating Cards with Scrapbook Embellishments.

Where To Buy Flower Spirit Cards

These cards are wonderfully inspirational--especially for those of us to whom spirit and nature are closely linked. I have used them with friends of many religious backgrounds and all could relate.Get more detail about Flower Spirit Cards.

Shop For Eric Carle Animal Flash Cards

YES, these cards are good! They are not flimsy. These are sturdy boards. I love how big they are, just right for an infant or toddler.
The art work is great. Bright colors.
I am going to order other Eric Carle flashcards!!
LOVE THEM!!!!!Get more detail about Eric Carle Animal Flash Cards.

Gifts of the Goddess: 36 Affirmation Cards

Great for first timers in "tarot". But even better to change one's way of thinking to a more positive and pro-active light.Get more detail about Gifts of the Goddess: 36 Affirmation Cards.

Petals Notecards (Deluxe Notecards) Review

These cards are lovely- the photos are gorgeous and the lined envelopes lead to a highly sophisticated look. They are great for simple notes, thank yous and general correspondence. I highly recommend this product (in fact, I have purchased these cards multiple times!).Get more detail about Petals Notecards (Deluxe Notecards).

The Dream Deck: 50 Cards to Interpret and Inspire Your Dreams Top Quality

I bought these cards thinking cool! and when I opened the card deck, I found images more likely to cause unhappy dreams than joyful ones. Make your own dream cards by clipping out images from magazines and catalogs. The author seems very Freud inspired.Get more detail about The Dream Deck: 50 Cards to Interpret and Inspire Your Dreams.

The Twelfth Card (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel) This instant

I was really surprised that this book was so poor in content since I have read many of Mr. Deavers's books. The
worst part was the reader trying to imitate the black characters accents. Too long, he really stretched this novel
out.Get more detail about The Twelfth Card (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel).

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Absolutely loved this novel, the third in a series whose titles refer to cards in the Tarot Deck. The protagonist amateur sleuth is an ex-Weather Underground fugitive who assumes fake identities and reads cards on Telegraph in Berkeley. The plot to "The Star" involves family members of the man: his deceased father's ex-lover shows up with a family secret while his bipolar daughter involves him in a murder investigation. It's all very genial without being corny. It's also fast-paced, funny, and original. Will appeal to anyone who has an affection for the fringes of the counterculture.Get more detail about The Star: A Tarot Card Mystery (Tarot Card Mysteries).

Ender in Exile Best Quality

I am currently in Afghanistan and came across Ender's Game, the first book in the series about Ender. After Reading it I purchased the entire series. Orson Scott Card is a great writer and captures your attention through out the entire series. I can see why he won awards for his first two books. It was a pleasure to read.Get more detail about Ender in Exile.

The Bellini Card: A Novel Get it now!

Not bad, but if you are a fan of mysteries set in Venice, read Donna Leon and Michael Dibdin.Get more detail about The Bellini Card: A Novel.

French Kitty Breakfast at Tiffany's Pocketbook Note Cards Buy Now

Audrey Hepburn fans would like this twist on Holly Golightly - a french kitten with a fun, sophisticated attitude. Adorable. Good quality notecards, too.Get more detail about French Kitty Breakfast at Tiffany's Pocketbook Note Cards.

Sweet Dreams: 36 Bedtime Wishes Right now

I purchased these cards for my 5-year old daughter. We were getting into "I'm scared." every night, so these cards seemed like a good choice to try.

Each night after we say bedtime prayers, she picks a card and we read the poem/line/story on the back and look at the picture. We decide what kind of a good dream we're going to have and off she goes to dreamland. Since we started reading these cards, she's not been 'scared' or had a bad dream. They're wonderful and magical.

The illustrations are amazing and the prose on the back of the card is beautiful. I will be purchasing more to give as gifts for friends with children to share. Truly worth each and every penny!Get more detail about Sweet Dreams: 36 Bedtime Wishes.

Lowest Price Meditations on Middle Earth: New Writing on the Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien by Orson Scott Card, Ursula K. Le Guin, Raymond E. Feist, Terry Pratchett, Charles de Lint, George R. R. Martin, and more

I love anthologies where I read *every single* item.. I bought this originally for the essay by Diane Duane, one of my favourite authors. I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked every single essay, even the ones with conflicting points of view, even the one by Poul Anderson.. (although I did find that one the dryest). That said, these are all by professional authors, so the disease that so often blights academic collections, i.e. wonderful ideas completely killed by inedible prose, is not present. The subjects of the essays vary greatly; there are lots of personal recollections of reading Tolkien for the first time, Esther Friesner talks about how hot people with pointed ears are, Orson Scott Card talks about critical approaches to Tolkien (and it's *fun*!), Ursula K Le Guin talks about rhythmic pattern in Tolkien's prose. There are essays by: Raymond Feist, Poul Anderson, Michael Swanwick (another funny one!), Esther Friesner, Harry Turtledove, Terry Pratchett, Robin Hobb, Ursula Le Guin, Diane Duane, Douglas Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Charles de Lint, Lisa Goldstein, Glenn Hurdling (interviewing the Hildiebrant brothers), and Terri Windling, along with two introductions by Karen Haber and George R R Martin (they had to get the author with the most similar name to J R R Tolkien..). Anyway, if you like the fiction of any of these, you'll probably like the essays.Get more detail about Meditations on Middle Earth: New Writing on the Worlds of J. R. R. Tolkien by Orson Scott Card, Ursula K. Le Guin, Raymond E. Feist, Terry Pratchett, Charles de Lint, George R. R. Martin, and more.

Save Magic the Gathering: Official Encyclopedia : The Complete Card Guide (Magic the Gathering Official Encyclopedia; The Complete Card Guide)

Volume 2 covers Mirage, Visions, 5th Edition, Weatherlight, Portal, and Arena League (only 1 page for this last). As always, this volume covers ONLY those expansions released between the publication of the 1st and 3rd volumes of the encyclopedia, and ends with a "Deckbuilder's Indexes" section. This last is the only reference to other expansions of Magic, so it actually isn't useful anymore; the deckbuilder information for the most current volume should be used instead. Frankly, this volume should not have been released until a few more expansions were out; it's skimpy, but if you want complete coverage of all Magic expansions, you're pretty much trapped; the 2 stars are for the material not available in other volumes.

The introductory material (i.e., the section before the expansions are presented) is a bare minimum in this volume: "How to Use this Guide" and "A Visual Guide to Magic Cards". The book isn't intended to teach a newcomer to play the game, or to explain much of Magic strategy; seek elsewhere for that sort of thing. On the other hand, each expansion covered in Volume 2, as usual, is provided with its own introduction, describing any new twists added for that set (including new types of decks that came about as a result), any noteworthy cards in that set, and a very brief description of the storylines affected by the expansion). Consequently, the entertainment value of the introductions is in inverse proportion to the number of broken cards in the expansion and the severity of the flaws, so the introductions in this volume are much more bland than those of Volume 1.

For example, Mirage's introduction, the longest in the book, covers the introduction of "instant enchantment" and "Charm" cards, and two special abilities introduced with this expansion, "flanking" and "phasing". The descriptions of these characteristics compare them with pre-existing (i.e., volume 1) spells and game mechanics, so you need to be familiar with Magic to get anything out of this. Similarly, new cards introduced as toned-down versions of old spoiler cards don't come with a detailed description of the old card (e.g. Final Fortune vs. old Time Walk). The story line description is given in 4 paragraphs, padded with lots of white space, followed by two equally padded pages of details of famous Mirage cards: Grinning Totem, Celestial Dawn, Hammer of Bogardan, Maro, Tombstone Stairwell, and Political Trickery.

After each expansion's introduction, all its individual cards are listed in alphabetical order, shown at about 3/4 actual size. The versions of Magic that included those cards (at the time of printing) are specified, as well as any errata. The artwork came out fairly well, but the flavor text for red cards is hard to read. My copy suffers from other printing problems as well (the non-flavor text came out blurred for some Mirage cards). Each card's name is printed separately below the card, but it's annoying to pay money for this.Get more detail about Magic the Gathering: Official Encyclopedia : The Complete Card Guide (Magic the Gathering Official Encyclopedia; The Complete Card Guide).

Cheapest Shadow of the Hegemon (Ender)

This story follows Bean and Peter Wiggin after all of the battle school graduates come home to earth and find that world war is about to break out. Old rivalries reignite between nations and things get really twisted when the dark nemesis Achilles is found working for any ambitious country willing to hire him for his genius battle strategies for world domination. Achilles is so evil that one of the main characters says, "The Chinese no doubt think they are using him, but I know Achilles, and my guess is that within a year, the Chinese leaders will find themselves dead or taking orders from him." Bean and Peter team up to try and bring world peace to the warring nations, while at the same time avoid assassination.

This book is definitely science fiction and occasionally hard to swallow since most of the characters are younger than 15 years old. The battle school kids are too smart, and are so perceptive of other characters that they almost appear to read minds. It is a little unbelievable and could certainly be a weakness. Another weakness of this book is the fact that you never see or hear what the parents are doing. The story follows the battle school graduates closely, and when the children are reunited with their parents, the parents were not taken into confidence. The kids are adults in children bodies. If you can get over the fact that these kids are calling all the shots, then it is a great story.

Orson Scott Card does a great job showing the battle strategies through the eyes of children. He also does a good job of character development and throws in tons of inner turmoil. It is a pretty easy read and I didn't find the plot too hard to follow even though it moves quickly. It has a lot of military action and draws you in with subtle comic relief from the characters. At some points it has mystery and you find yourself trying to figure out the "who-done-it" along with the characters.

This book follows some of the characters you already know from Enders Game and Enders Shadow. It is best read after Enders Shadow since it picks up right where Enders Shadow leaves off, but you could read it after either one. I recommend this because this book throws you at the characters and the plot right away. This is a great series that I propose to those who enjoy a fun action story.
Get more detail about Shadow of the Hegemon (Ender).

Cheap Design for Impact: Fifty Years of Airline Safety Cards

This is an excellent survey of the history and design of safety cards. I thought that the cards selected were an excellent choice and it would have been impossible for it to be comprehensive. Overall, an excellent book.Get more detail about Design for Impact: Fifty Years of Airline Safety Cards.

Buying Trading Card Treasures: Sharing Cherished Photographs

What to do with all those great photos you have taken? Don't want to just keep putting them into albums? Then TRADING CARD TREASURES is the book for you.

This book shows you how to create a "trading card" - you know like the ones that used to come in Bubble Gum? Following the instructions given, you can create great trading cards or just keepsakes to give to others.

By joining the skills learned as a scrapbooker, rubber stamper and photography with paper, ribbon, ink, and assorted embellishments, you will come up with a card that is unique to you. It will contain memories of an event or show an upcoming event. It can announce a party or a birth or any other idea you wish.

The patterns includes a list of materials needed to create that card and has photos of what the finished card will look like. Step-by-step instructions walk you through the process needed to complete the card. With 50 ideas given, you may have a hard time picking one to start with.

Gather up your scrapbooking and rubber stamping tools and the photos you have taken and create your own trading cards.
Get more detail about Trading Card Treasures: Sharing Cherished Photographs.

Buy Mark Wilson's Greatest Card Tricks

The book has step by step illustration that can help you understand the tricks better. You will be an instant magician after reading the book just onceGet more detail about Mark Wilson's Greatest Card Tricks.

Purchase Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things: How to Make a Boomerang with a Business Card, Convert a Pencil into a Microphone, Make Animated Origami, Turn a TV ... Create Alternative Energy Science Projects

Simply put, this book is meant to put first graders to sleep. The projects are simple, impractical, and boring. How do you create a "sneaky" mini-boomerang out of cardboard? Cut a "V" out of the cardboard and there you go! Plainly uninformative. How do you create a robot? 4 ice cube trays, 12 Pringles containers, and an electric clock. That's not science!

I read MAKE magazine and I suppose I was looking for something along those lines when I ordered this book. Based on the title, I ordered the book as a gift for a kid, but never gave it. It was just a disappointment. Just because you put "sneaky" in front of a word, like oragami or jacket, does not make it so.Get more detail about Sneakiest Uses for Everyday Things: How to Make a Boomerang with a Business Card, Convert a Pencil into a Microphone, Make Animated Origami, Turn a TV ... Create Alternative Energy Science Projects.

Order Making Medicine: A Guided Journal for Medicine Cards

There is NO guidance in this so called Guided Journal! If anythng they could have at least made it a spiral bound book but they did not even do that. Just page after page of blank lined nothing with A Blk& Wht. Picture of the Animal with little saying that are supose to bring great wisdom.. What a shame! These cards are GREAT and have been a source if inspiration to me for years. They added animals to a new deck which I do not have... And it costs a bunch..why did they not offer the extra cards in a seperate packet instead of just re-doing it? Money? If you REALLY want to Write about what you get extra from the cards then buy a notebook, Spirial Please. I am so disapointed in this 200 some page "book" I would not want anyone one else to have to find out the hard way as I did...Too bad David Carson, Shame falls on you.Get more detail about Making Medicine: A Guided Journal for Medicine Cards.

Where To Buy Vintage Greeting Cards with MaryJo McGraw

I find this book full of ideas for making new things look old. I like to do my art work such as ATCs in Victorian themes and this is so full of techniques that I didn't know. The greeting card ideas are easily reworked to fit anyones personal craft scraps and old photographs or with a family page in a scrapbook section of our ancestors.Get more detail about Vintage Greeting Cards with MaryJo McGraw.

Shop For The Fantasy Sex Deck: 50 Erotic Role-Plays for Adventurous Couples

Wifey and I didn't understand the fascination with cheating and rectal sex with this deck. It was rather dopey and written by a woman with a poorly endowed man.Get more detail about The Fantasy Sex Deck: 50 Erotic Role-Plays for Adventurous Couples.

Weber's Art of the Grill Deck: Recipes for Outdoor Living (Discerning Tastes)

I don't know why I expected more from this but I did. Iguess because i have become accustomed to receiving interesting esy recipes from the makers of cooking equipment. There are many standard recipes here and all seem like they will be good. I am wondering if the cards won't blow all over my deck. BUT, it is a good standard grilling book.Get more detail about Weber's Art of the Grill Deck: Recipes for Outdoor Living (Discerning Tastes).

The Amazing Mackerel Pudding Plan: Classic Diet Recipe Cards from the 1970s Review

This book is funny. I saw some of the cards on the author's website, and I had to buy the book. The comments on the recipes are especially witty. This little treasure is best enjoyed *after* a meal, lest it put a damper on appetites.Get more detail about The Amazing Mackerel Pudding Plan: Classic Diet Recipe Cards from the 1970s.

100 Great Ways To Make Cards Top Quality

I have always loved making cards but needed some help. I found this on Amazon and I'm glad I bought it. There are tons of ideas and it would also make a great gift.Get more detail about 100 Great Ways To Make Cards.

Seasons Discovery Cards (Baby Einstein) This instant

I love these and all the Baby Einstein Discovery cards. They are durable and my daughter loves looking at the pictures especially at meal times. A valuable learning tool that is fun and interactive...much better then any video.Get more detail about Seasons Discovery Cards (Baby Einstein).

Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers (Memory Makers) Immediately

A friend once showed me how to make cards. I was in awe at all the hard work that went into a personal card and decided I needed to know more. What a treat to be able to make a home-made card and give it as a special gift to a friend or family member. If you're creative and want to know more--buy this book.Get more detail about Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers (Memory Makers).

My A to Z Recipe Box: An Alphabet of Recipes for Kids Best Quality

This box came undamaged. I was expecting more recipes. Children will need help from their parents to use this product.Get more detail about My A to Z Recipe Box: An Alphabet of Recipes for Kids.

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This is a great book with lots of neat ideas and patterns. In addition, there are two vellum pages with sayings which can be cut out and used on your tags.Get more detail about Its All About Cards And Tags (Leisure Arts #3623).

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We love this product and feel it will add alot to our trip this year.
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Really cool "book". The card format is great, very convenient to carry just the info that you need on the trail. Highly recommended.Get more detail about City Walks with Dogs: San Francisco.

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The Fortune-Telling Book is a really attractive book, suitable as a gift. It has a quaint, personal touch with little notes of advice, use of everyday objects, and a ribbon for marking your place.

If you're looking to develop your sixth sense, or just like lovely things, The Fortune-Telling Book; Reading Crystal Balls, Tea Leaves, Playing Cards, and Everyday Omens of Love and Luck by Kemp is well-worth your time and money.Get more detail about The Fortune-Telling Book: Reading Crystal Balls, Tea Leaves, Playing Cards, and Everyday Omens of Love and Luck.

Save Tuttle Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Kit Vol 1 Simplified Character (Tuttle Flash Cards)

I received this as a gift before my family and I moved to Shanghai for one year. It was just as helpful to me as it was to my children. The flashcards are well-organized and the layout of information on the back is extremely informative, but not overwhelming. The enclosed booklet contains a helpful Learning Guide, lyrics to songs, vocabulary, and character radicals. The accompanying CD is also well-done...just listening to it as we went through the flashcards was very productive for us. The few songs on the CD are all well known songs by Chinese children. The kit also helped me learn pinyin and improve my pronunciation. When we lived in China, I hung up the poster in our playroom and the kids and I referred to it often. I also bought Volume 2 while I was there. I can't say enough good things about these sets, they are an excellent first step into learning Mandarin.Get more detail about Tuttle Chinese for Kids Flash Cards Kit Vol 1 Simplified Character (Tuttle Flash Cards).

Discount House of Cards: Love, Faith, and Other Social Expressions

David Ellis Dickerson's 'House of Cards' is an unexpected, confrontational read that you'll either love or hate. Stylistically his writing is smooth, effortless and natural making one feel as though they're taking part in a face to face conversation. The recorded interactions, events and personal thoughts shared by the author are sharp and biting, ultimately forcing the reader out of the comfortable position of objective reader/observer and into his dilemma, either for or against. I found Dickerson's musings on faith, family, romantic relationships, education and corporate social interactions in a often alienating 21st world to ring honest and true although at times harsh and mean spirited. Some readers will relate to the authors existential dilemma, others quite possibly to those who come in contact with him. Whatever side of the equation you find yourself you'll discover something to stir an emotion or two and hold your interest to the end.Get more detail about House of Cards: Love, Faith, and Other Social Expressions.

Cheapest The Tantric Sex Deck: 50 Paths to Sacred Sex and Lasting Love

I can recommend this card deck to everyone who has an interest in Tantra and wishes to do the techniques as used in Tantric sessions.
It also does tell about the basics of Tantra and it's a wonderful tool for people who want to enter a new level in their lovemaking.
Not those floppy cards, but real quality...



Get more detail about The Tantric Sex Deck: 50 Paths to Sacred Sex and Lasting Love.

Cheap Invasive Procedures

A virologist with military training, Dr. Frank Hartman, must find a way to stop a genetic scientist's insidious plan that goes beyond healing genetic disorders. This scientist, George Galen, believes he has the science to take humanity to their next step in evolution. His followers' physical advancements make them formidable opponents and the stakes our heroes have to overcome to avoid unleashing a catastrophic virus, let alone maintain their sanity, make this story a thrilling ride.

I picked up this book as a research tool into genetic therapy, but was instantly hooked by his characters, writing style, and the way he kept me guessing which way the story would turn. I felt more like I knew his characters than that I simply knew what they looked like, and that added a personal touch that kept me engaged in their lives from page one straight to the end. I walked away from this book planning a second read to further study his craft and because I just loved the feeling of such a flawless delivery of a well-crafted story.Get more detail about Invasive Procedures.

Buying Keeper of Dreams

I liked Maps in a Mirror better than this book, but this one still had quite a few good stories. I am an amateur writer, and some of the tales in this book gave me a springboard for my own creativity. I WOULD recommend this to other OSC fans.Get more detail about Keeper of Dreams.

Buy Inside Straight (Wild Cards Novel)

I picked up this book because I had just finished A Storm of Swords and want to save A Feast for Crows until A Dance with Dragons is closer. It was a wonderful idea, too, because this is a very enjoyable book. My favorite element is being introduced to fantastic new writers I would never have come across otherwise. Daniel Abraham, Carrie Vaughn, and Caroline Specter all deliver A+ material. The mosaic novel concept is a lot of fun, too. Every chapter is interesting both from getting the newest developments in the story as well as experiencing a different writer's talents.

I'm not a genre fiction fan. A lot of people enjoy it, but in my experience, the writing isn't as good as an author who's trying new things with fiction. That being said, I think I can see myself becoming a fan of the Wild Card series. The mosaic approach is a lot of fun and I'm enjoying the bite size samplings of different writers.Get more detail about Inside Straight (Wild Cards Novel).

Order The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life

Ok. First off, I haven't bought the book ( I will be purchasing it however), but I read a few pages and here is my opinion. I do agree with the individuals out there who do feel that this book is focused on Ivanka and seems contradictory and self absorbed at times. However, I like her. Yeah she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but that doesn't mean she didn't have to feed herself and get her own food. Too many times we see millionaires/billionaires or just plain everyday people who are wealthier than us and we discredit them because of what they have. I am a PK kid. I had a very priveledge life as well, but when you take a minute to look on the inside of my life, I had it alot harder than most people. I didn't receive any scholarships or any special passes that people may have thought I received seeing the college I went to. It was me,myself, and I and not my daddy that made those SAT scores and paid for my application, tuition,books, room and board. The point I am trying to make is that although she's Donald Trump's daughter doesn't mean she had everything handed to her. You only see the outside. You don't know if Donald only treats her priveledged because of the money he makes off of her. You don't know whether her house is paid for or her clothes are rented. You only are going by what you see. Often times, children of rich and famous people have it alot harder than most people. Everybody thinks my father paid my way through school, gave me a life full of luxury, etc etc when truth be told I had to do everything on my own. In the public eye he would portray that image that his kids never had to want for anything, but behind closed doors it was a completely different story. If I didn't work I didn't eat. And that is to be taken literally. I think people should be more understanding of people whether young or old rich or poor. As for her being on the board of directors, put yourself in Donald Trump's Shoes. Who wouldn't put their kid in that type of position? As caniving as business is and the other board of directors could possibly be. Any business owner will tell you that when you can find someone you can trust to handle your business affairs for you when you are occupied with other businesses and ventures, it is a blessing and a miracle..as one mistake or one overlooksee can have you out of business or no longer in ownership. Even though Ivanka may lack knowledge on finances and real estate she is experienced in running a business. She's had a good 18+ years worth of experience in it. I mean her entire life has evolved around business. I may not know how to preach a sermon or know the bible as well as the many Dr's and theologians out there who have studied for centuries, but I do know how to operate a church and that qualifies me to be on the board of directors-if you catch my drift. You have people who have their degree in real estate and finance who would fail at launching a business or keeping a striving business afloat. The board of director's job is to do whats best for the company. To take the company in a new direction or to keep the company at the forefront of the industry. The position doesn't require Ivanka to make the reports or to do the marketing material. That is what everyone else gets paid to do...her job is to read the reports and make sure the goals of the company are being met and the income/expense numbers are hitting goal. Yeah it would help if she knew how to create financial statements and annual budgets but its not required in that position. That's something she can learn along the way or consult the chief financial advisor about. As far as her marrying a millionaire...what did you expect? Usually girls measure their boyfriends to their father. Meaning she will only accept a guy that can do what her father has done for her or better. Very seldomly do you see a girl marry a guy who cant provide her the things her dad did. I am 24 and am in the process of launching a million dollar business and a multi-billion dollar empire. I have business advice. I had business advice since I was 18 and developed the companies that I am now in the process of implementing. Because of my age and lack of experience compared to others, people shouldn't listen to what I have to say? That's ridiculous. I do agree that her business advice is vague but I think its because of the pressure she received by marketing experts. I don't think she wanted to do a business book but its what people in her circle would expect of her, its what daddy would expect and so forth. I wish she would've branched out and wrote a book that she was interested in. You can tell in the book by how she goes a little off subject with all the metaphors,etc. that this is something she was told to produce. I think a book on how she really felt about her Dad's decisions wouldve been great. Nothing bad but how she really hates listening to him after so long or the flaws of the Trump family. You know cute stuff. But ending here, I didn't plan to write all of this but I was pulling an all nighter and said what the hell. I find this book to be inspirational and not so much factual. I hope to one day have my kids on the board of directors at my company. I hope they become millionaires and marry millionaires. I hope their expectations in their personal and business life is just as high as their expectations of me being the best mom in the world. Don't be so judgemental of wealthier people and their kids. The more you have, the harder it is to keep and maintain it.
Get more detail about The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life.

Where To Buy Suicide Kings (Wild Card Series)

At times it feels as though I'm one of the seemingly few readers who gave this newest Wild Cards triad a chance. As good and entertaining as both Inside Straight and Busted Flush were, it's a pity that so little noise has been made about them. Having enjoyed its two predecessors more than I ever thought I would, I was curious to discover how George R. R. Martin and co. would close the show in Suicide Kings.

The action occurs not long following the events chronicled in Busted Flush. The forces of the People's Paradise of Africa clash with the armies of the Caliphate of Arabia. But the PPA, aided by Tom Weathers, have begun a nightmarish program to help them turn the tide of the war. The Wild Cards virus is being injected into thousands of child soldiers, in an attempt to create a new army of powerful aces and jokers. In the aftermath of the nucear explosion in the heart of New Orleans, Michelle Pond remains unconscious. But a little girl named Adesina invades her dreams and beckons. Noel Matthews, spy and assassin, swore never to get involved in international intrigue now that Niobe is part of his life. Yet he realizes that the world needs him for one last mission. Without the UN's blessing, Rustbelt and Gardener embark on a journey which will take them into the heart of Africa to save a boy's life, while committees are bogged down in procedures as they assess how to deal with the PPA. And amidst all the international turmoil, Bugsy manages to make things go from bad to worse every time he opens his mouth.

As always, Suicide Kings was edited by George R. R. Martin and Melinda Snodgrass. This latest mosaic novel was produced by Daniel Abraham, S. L. Farrell, Victor Milán, Caroline Spector, Ian Tregillis, and Melinda Snodgrass.

I feel that Suicide Kings was more political than the first two volumes of the triad. The People's Paradise of Africa's storylines reminds us of the First and Second Congo Wars. Yet the United Nations' inability to deal with such tragedies in a timely fashion also brings to mind the terrible genocide in Rwanda. Which demonstrated yet again how much of a travesty the UN Security Council truly is. Bill Clinton, François Mitterand, Kofi Annan, and various other politicians deserve to be shot in the belly and left to die of a gut wound for letting such atrocities take place during their watch. But I digress. . . In any event, I felt that the politicking between the PPA, the West, and the Middle East was particularly well-done. There are never fully back or white answers to such questions, and I think that the shade of gray which always shrouds such matters was handled adroitely.

I mentioned before that one of the problems with Busted Flush was that the book was all over the place in terms of plotlines. Not so with Suicide Kings, however. There are fewer storylines and a tighter focus on how they are linked to one another.

The characterization remains my favorite facet of the Wild Cards mosaic novels. At times funny, at times touching, and at times butt-kicking, a pretty good balance was struck in this third volume. With a number of all-star characters having been killed and others turning their backs on the Committee, two unlikely heroes emerge in this one. Realizing that both Rustbelt and Gardener would take center stage in Suicide Kings made me raise an eyebrow at the beginning, but they made me a believer early on. We witness a lot of character growth where these two are concerned, which makes their storylines as heartbreaking as they are entertaining.

There are a few touching moments between Noel and Niobe, and the relationship between Tom Weathers and Sun Hei-lan takes a few unexpected turns. But it's the poignant finale that makes this one special. Bittersweet, yes (Would you expect anything less from GRRM?), yet a satisfying ending to a solid trilogy.

Although tragic in many ways, Suicide Kings leaves the door open for a lot of things to come. And judging by the quality of this newest Wild Cards triad, I think it's safe to say that the franchise is in very good hands. Which bodes well for the future of this long-running series!

To all the authors involved in this latest Wild Cards project, kudos for a job well-done! You've made me a Wild Cards fan!
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