Shawn S. Sullivan

2 of 3 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Another great novel by Wharton. I still think her finest are the Age of Innonence and her novella, Summer. But Custom of the Country along with the House of Mirth are her seminal works, and all truly great writings. The fact that she was so good AND so prolific is astounding and, quite often, overlooked by critics and readers alike. ”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Tuesday, February 27, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“There is no better book on the United States from 1929 to 1945, period. David Kennedy, a professor of history at Stanford, wrote this for the terrific series, Oxford History of the United States. Many readers will be familiar with another entry in this series, Battle Cry of Freedom, by Princeton's James McPherson. Also terrific. Go on Amazon, and read the first few pages, for free. You will be hooked. It is very well researched as he is one of the most authoritative historians in the field of 20th Century American History. But its brilliance lies in the flow of its narrative and its style of writing about what life was like for ALL Americans, not just those "making history". One of the best books on history I have ever read. Perhaps the best. This book will NOT bog you down. I have never had a complaint after giving it or recommending it. And Kennedy, also a pilot, owes me lunch for being his PR man! READ THIS, love it, and learn. -Shawn”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Friday, February 23, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“This is simply a delightful book of growing up in the 60s. Two boys and their dad rebuild a Piper J-3 Cub and are the boys are taught how to fly it. They eventuually fly it across the country, from NJ to San Diego and maverously tell the story of that flight, pre GPS, radios, weather reporting, all in a very slow but wonderful aircraft. You don't need to be a pilot to love this book. IF you have friends who are pilots, give it as a gift. Most haven't ever heard of this, no less read it. They will thank you forever for the gift. But read it before you give it! -Shawn”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Friday, February 23, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“A timeless book on flying an airplane. It is actually funny, not meaning to be, in its sketches of the pilot, a man ofcourse, in a business suit, and his doting wife in a dress. Next time you go to a general aviation airport with "those little planes" take a look at the outfits. And girls are flying today! That said, I have had all my students read at least sections of this book when learning to land. No better explanation in the world. A must read for pilots and student pilots. The rest, well unless you are unusually curious about the dynamics of flight, well, don't bother. -Shawn”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Friday, February 23, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 1 stars

“I might be in a very small minority, but ARE YOU KIDDING? This is a terrific book for kids. But not adults. I wanted to see what all the hype was about and the hype is about, well, the hype. Move on. ”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Wednesday, February 21, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“This is about as good as historical fiction gets. Burr, part of this series by Vidal is a close second. Two things stand out in Vidal's writings. One, he really puts you there in a believable way. His knowledge of history in immense. Secondly, for those who have not studied the period in depth, it is stil quite easy to know where the fiction line is and where you are really learning about history - in this case A. Lincoln and his administration and prosecution of the Civil War. ENJOY! - Shawn”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Wednesday, February 21, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“I read this book while living in New York City and taking the bus (yes, so take busses in Manhattan!) and could not stop laughing out loud. Caused quite a scene on the Old M31 going up York Avenue. THIS BOOK IS IMPORTANT, now let me call my lawyer!”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Thursday, February 15, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

3 of 5 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Simply MAGNIFICENT. Some feel Rand overhyped as a writer. I feel her underhyped as a social philosopher. Like what she says or not, she INSISTS you think, never a bad thing.”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Monday, February 12, 2007. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )

1 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 1 stars

“So much about so little. Dan Brown struck gold on utter crap. I had to read it to see what all the talk was about. No surprises here - like a lot of best sellers, LONG on plot, short on even reasonable prose. ”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Wednesday, February 7, 2007. ( reply | permalink )

2 of 2 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 5 stars

“Elvis is awesome. It is that simple. For women, his sidekick, Joe Pike, is a misogynist to some, but damn funny. Robert Crais is truly one of a kind. All of his Elvis Cole novels are fun reads but not the trash one gets from pulp "writers" like James Patterson. I would rather read the airline magazines in the seatpocket in front of me than that crud. Yes, I do have an opinion. But trust me, a cyberstranger, read Robert Crais. - Shawn”

Shawn S. Sullivan wrote this review Sunday, January 28, 2007. ( reply | permalink )