5 comments about Developing Your Company Culture: The Joy of Leadership.

1. Teaching by clear and helpful examples is the strength of `Developing your company culture'. Dr Phegan in less than 150 pages provides valuable insights on understanding the decision making process in corporate cultures, the nature of power sharing, the importance of feedback and the benefits of listening to each other. In terms of implementing consensus management and increasing productivity through creating friendly work environments his practical tips clearly come from someone who has "been there" and learned from his experience. I found this a very useful book for all levels of leadership from project management to CEO level. Highly readable with no fancy jargon. Peter Robinson, Editor "San Francisco Books and Travel."



2. Teaching by clear and helpful examples is the strength of `Developing your company culture'. Dr Phegan in less than 150 pages provides valuable insights on understanding the decision making process in corporate cultures, the nature of power sharing, the importance of feedback and the benefits of listening to each other. In terms of implementing consensus management and increasing productivity through creating friendly work environments his practical tips clearly come from someone who has "been there" and learned from his experience. I found this a very useful book for all levels of leadership from project management to CEO level. Highly readable with no fancy jargon. Peter Robinson, Editor "San Francisco Books and Travel."



3. As a teacher and practitioner of organization development I recently re-read this book and found it especially germane given today's acceleration of mergers, acquisitions, and pace of life in general. Work is more challenging yet less fulfilling than ever. Change sometimes seems to be expected if not immediately, then soon thereafter. The quick fix solution is sought all too often, typically in the form of a high profile "program" which does not adequately address underlying issues and therefore is doomed to failure. This includes culture, a label that in popular use has been hung on everything from common behavioral patterns to espoused new corporate values that senior management wishes to inculcate. The metaphor nevertheless has considerable relevance for developing organizations, particularly in regards change and change management. Language-including communications, understanding, relationships, and teamwork-is usually the weakest area in organizational cultures, particularly so with the increase in computer-mediated communication. Thus the book provides a critically needed counterpoint. For example, one of its practical tools, "the cultural interview," reveals common themes which provide the basis for discussion, thereby opening and directly developing the culture and enabling the possibility of people finding new meaning at work and life such that change actually can become welcome.



4. At some point in your career either in an organization or as an external consultant you are likely to be handed a "golden baton" and asked to facilitate or create change within the corporate culture. On one hand you may be delighted that the organization has seen the value in this sort of initiative and recognizes the need. On another hand you may be aware of the task at hand and wonder, "Does this organization really understand what it is asking for. Is it truly ready to make the necessary changes to create this `said' desired outcome." If in fact you accept at this endeavor, ( and I choose this word lightly-as many are not asked but assigned to the undertaking) I recommend you read two useful resources. The first you are probably already familiar with, John Kotter's Leading Change; the second I will be sharing with you here, Barry Phegan's Developing Your Company Culture-The Joy of Leadership.

   John Kotter's Leading Change is very useful as a pragmatic guide to the strategic steps necessary in creating change. Strategy, alone, cannot ensure cultural change. What Phegan does is put strategy in the context of what he calls the "Five Levels of Evolution, Culture, and Leadership." According to Phegan, there are five areas in organizational culture that require balance: physics, life, competition, language, and experience. In most companies the organizational cultures are strong in some areas, weak in others. In order to align a "cultural change" strategy in a way to create meaningful change, there must be leadership to balance out these areas.

   5. Experience-feelings, trust, fear, caring, values, involvement, satisfaction There is always experience, but in most organizations the quality of it is poor. You cannot get to this directly, only through actions at level 4.

   4. Language-communications, listening, meaning, understanding, relationships, teamwork, consensus, win-win This is the thinnest area in most organizational cultures. Communications, understanding, relationships, and teamwork are usually weak. +

   3. Competition-economics, authority, control, politics, win-lose, rules, information, productivity, profits, decisions Although not always discussed, openly, this level is overemphasized in most organizational cultures.

   2. Life-systems and processes, biology, operational procedures and methods, training, software, efficiency Operating systems are often poorly developed. There is usually plenty of room for process improvements. *

   1. Physics-chemistry, equipment, hardware, engineering, technology In most organizations, this level is fine. It is easier to talk about equipment than the more productive areas of processes (2), or communications (4). The table below (page 53 of text) points to the fact that the largest opportunity to develop changes in the work culture lies in language-which has been broken down into communications, listening, meaning, understanding-basically relationship building. The next largest opportunity lies in tackling problems in processes and procedures.

   While I am sure that this makes intuitive sense to you, the task becomes how to document and put together a means to actively measure the actions you are taking and how they affect the bottom line or the goals and objectives by which you are to be measured while leading this imitative. Phegan does not offer any solution to that dilemma. What he does, however, is offer a template to improve the areas that need the attention. The most effective strategy that Barry Phegan advocates is the use of an informal interview. He provides a template for an interview format that will allow organizational leaders to get clearer understanding of the framework of the organizations employees. It is from these "non-agenda-conversations"-not "fireside chats" relationships are built, the "true" picture of the existing culture can be drawn, and human beings can feel individual and valuable. This is where he claims you get the biggest return on your cultural change investment.

   The book is full of information regarding group dynamics, the art of negotiating, and skillful tips to managers. What is somewhat discouraging is that after several pages of information, guidance, and helpful hints, he ends his book with a section called Reflections where he points out that "work cultures are very stable. Sometimes they would rather die than change." He outlines why managers resist employee involvement in cultural change initiatives. Perhaps the knowledge of why there is resistance is helpful, but he does not offer any solutions to this aspect of human management nature. He even encourages external consultants to work in teams, "culture consultants should always work as a team. Work cultures are simply too seductive."

   As you go forward with the task at hand to lead or create cultural change, don't get discouraged. Remember, each positive conversation, change, meeting does have a ripple effect. Phegan encourages you as a cultural leader to look for "pockets of readiness" and to encourage them. Work and gain momentum with those who "get it" and allow the change to evolve over time. It cannot be forced.




5. At some point in your career either in an organization or as an external consultant you are likely to be handed a "golden baton" and asked to facilitate or create change within the corporate culture. On one hand you may be delighted that the organization has seen the value in this sort of initiative and recognizes the need. On another hand you may be aware of the task at hand and wonder, "Does this organization really understand what it is asking for. Is it truly ready to make the necessary changes to create this `said' desired outcome." If in fact you accept at this endeavor, ( and I choose this word lightly-as many are not asked but assigned to the undertaking) I recommend you read two useful resources. The first you are probably already familiar with, John Kotter's Leading Change; the second I will be sharing with you here, Barry Phegan's Developing Your Company Culture-The Joy of Leadership.

   John Kotter's Leading Change is very useful as a pragmatic guide to the strategic steps necessary in creating change. Strategy, alone, cannot ensure cultural change. What Phegan does is put strategy in the context of what he calls the "Five Levels of Evolution, Culture, and Leadership." According to Phegan, there are five areas in organizational culture that require balance: physics, life, competition, language, and experience. In most companies the organizational cultures are strong in some areas, weak in others. In order to align a "cultural change" strategy in a way to create meaningful change, there must be leadership to balance out these areas.

   5. Experience-feelings, trust, fear, caring, values, involvement, satisfaction There is always experience, but in most organizations the quality of it is poor. You cannot get to this directly, only through actions at level 4.

   4. Language-communications, listening, meaning, understanding, relationships, teamwork, consensus, win-win This is the thinnest area in most organizational cultures. Communications, understanding, relationships, and teamwork are usually weak. +

   3. Competition-economics, authority, control, politics, win-lose, rules, information, productivity, profits, decisions Although not always discussed, openly, this level is overemphasized in most organizational cultures.

   2. Life-systems and processes, biology, operational procedures and methods, training, software, efficiency Operating systems are often poorly developed. There is usually plenty of room for process improvements. *

   1. Physics-chemistry, equipment, hardware, engineering, technology In most organizations, this level is fine. It is easier to talk about equipment than the more productive areas of processes (2), or communications (4). The table below (page 53 of text) points to the fact that the largest opportunity to develop changes in the work culture lies in language-which has been broken down into communications, listening, meaning, understanding-basically relationship building. The next largest opportunity lies in tackling problems in processes and procedures.

   While I am sure that this makes intuitive sense to you, the task becomes how to document and put together a means to actively measure the actions you are taking and how they affect the bottom line or the goals and objectives by which you are to be measured while leading this imitative. Phegan does not offer any solution to that dilemma. What he does, however, is offer a template to improve the areas that need the attention. The most effective strategy that Barry Phegan advocates is the use of an informal interview. He provides a template for an interview format that will allow organizational leaders to get clearer understanding of the framework of the organizations employees. It is from these "non-agenda-conversations"-not "fireside chats" relationships are built, the "true" picture of the existing culture can be drawn, and human beings can feel individual and valuable. This is where he claims you get the biggest return on your cultural change investment.

   The book is full of information regarding group dynamics, the art of negotiating, and skillful tips to managers. What is somewhat discouraging is that after several pages of information, guidance, and helpful hints, he ends his book with a section called Reflections where he points out that "work cultures are very stable. Sometimes they would rather die than change." He outlines why managers resist employee involvement in cultural change initiatives. Perhaps the knowledge of why there is resistance is helpful, but he does not offer any solutions to this aspect of human management nature. He even encourages external consultants to work in teams, "culture consultants should always work as a team. Work cultures are simply too seductive."

   As you go forward with the task at hand to lead or create cultural change, don't get discouraged. Remember, each positive conversation, change, meeting does have a ripple effect. Phegan encourages you as a cultural leader to look for "pockets of readiness" and to encourage them. Work and gain momentum with those who "get it" and allow the change to evolve over time. It cannot be forced.

2 comments about Atlantic Cruising Club's Guide to New England Marinas (Book & CD-ROM).

1. This Atlantic Cruising Club Guide to New England Marinas is well organized, laid out and easy to navigate. The book and CD are complimentary to each other - plus allows the skipper to use one medium while the first-mate uses the other! ;-)



2. Very good. Lots of info CD erxcellent as a reference

5 comments about The Edge of Winter.

1. Like a beautifully woven tapestry, The Edge of Winter brings together a multitude of disparate strands to produce a deeply satisfying finished product that glows with warmth and meaning. Any of these strands would lmake a good story in itself - the gorgeous, threatened snowy owl, the gifted artist destroyed by memories of wartime cruielties, the coming of age of two sensitive kids wrestling with misunderstanding and life-changing dedication, the loss and discovery of love, the putting to rest of old wartime hatreds, the battle between greed and environmental preservation- what a rich, evocative range of tapestry threads! Even at their most stubborn, Rice's characters are likeable, and we want them to succeed, both in the larger drama that involves them, and in the personal rekindling of faith and passion. One of my favorite books of the year!



2. I have chosen this book for my book club to read. It will be interesting to see if the reviews are as varied as here. I loved the story and the characters, and still think about them. I read alot of books, and this one really stuck with me.



3. This was a nice little story but slow. No real climax and though it was uneventful it wasn't bad. It was kind of refreshing to read something that wasn't trying to shock you each page. Although, I will say that Rice's writing style leaves something to be desired. This book is a must read if you are into war history and/or birds.



4. Though at the beginning of the story, I was inclined to believe it was written more towards a younger audience, I plunged ahead and was surprised to see myself speeding along. Luanne Rice does a brilliant job of making the main characters believable. I love the relationships that form between the young teenagers, their parents and the other influential adults- though I still believe 14 is too young to have a romantic relationship.
   I had trouble understanding why the snowy owl was so important to the characters, but believe it was due to "everything falling apart" in their lives that they just wanted "one thing" to go right. The snowy owl parts were a bit too detailed and I found myself skimming over them- which I never do in books.
   Also, though it was essential to the plot of the story, I still failed to grasp just how important the U boat was- it became aggravating to read so much commotion about it, when I just couldn't see what the big issue was- it turns out the U boat important information was as the near END of the book. It took a little too long to get to it, I think.
   
   Overall, I was hooked on the story. It has written toward a younger audience, I think, but overall it was a good and easy read.



5. I have read two other Luanne Rice books and was looking forward to another compelling story...this was NOT it. The dialog was stilted and very contrived. After reading Beach Girls I thought Rice was a gifted author, but this book sounded completely different -- like it was written by an amateur.

5 comments about Restless Virgins: Love, Sex, and Survival at a New England Prep School.

1. The only reason why I read this book is because I'm an alumna of Milton. I had to force myself to get through this book. It's extremely poorly written, and that is particularly disappointing since the authors are also supposedly alumnae of Milton (a school that emphasizes writing and English grammar). Plus, the book's jacket says that they both worked at the Atlantic Monthly. I find it hard to believe that they actually wrote anything that was published in the Atlantic!
   
   There is little to no character development, so the characters are almost indistinguishable from one another. Plus, it's very poorly researched. The authors have really lowered themselves by trying to titillate the reader with something sexual on every page. They miss the point. High school is tough for a lot of kids: everyone wants to fit in. Clearly, not all of the students at Milton feel compelled to have sex. What is really unique about this group of students that gets caught up in the scandal? We never really learn that.
   
   More questions came to mind while I was reading this... Where are the students who weren't in this clique? What were they into? What did they think of this group? Plus, how could these students have been so naive to the law? Don't they have an understanding of the world around them? These are supposed to be educated teenagers.
   
   I don't recommend reading this, unless you happen to be connected with this story in some way. It's much too painful.



2. One of the worst books I have ever read. How these young authors were able to secure a publisher is beyond me - or perhaps it was only because they worked at the Atlantic (if so, Atlantic, you've shamed yourself). Furthermore, did they HAVE an editor? The writing was particularly atrocious and makes me question what sort of guidance the authors were actually given, for clearly their Ivy degrees were not in English. What could have been an insightful look into the lives of teenagers is instead a rambling, incoherent, irrelevant waste of paper. Don't waste your time.



3. I think that the authors intended to lure readers to their book by appealing to prurient interests, and then to give the reader a real understanding of what senior year in a high school might be like today. The book profiles the lives of a handful of private school seniors, and does a good job of that. As a high school teacher, I feel that I have a better understanding of the lives of some of my students. As a teenager myself during the sexual revolution and women's liberation of the 60's and 70's, I was saddened to see where we have come to. It's not great for guys and even worse for girls. The epilogue, though, left me with hope for these kids. In spite of this book's flaws (coming up shortly), I think this book is an important book for teens and adults to read.
   
   Did I enjoy reading the book? Yes, much of it was a fun read. It started out very strongly, getting me very interested in the year ahead for this group of senior girls and boys. The middle of the book got a bit repetitive: more hookups, more drinking, more (mostly oral) sex. But as springtime arrived and graduation approached, kids made changes and decisions (some good, some not) which drew me back into caring about the lives of these kids.
   
   I believe that the authors captured the lives of these students fairly well, but the flaws are that a small and non-random group of kids were picked to be profiled. While there was a certain cross section of kids chosen, it was skewed to include only students with sex lives consistent with the book title, "Restless Virgins." Not a single student profiled had a steady, monogamous relationship. There was not even a mention of one hockey player with a girlfriend. Meanwhile, I teach at a competing school, and a good fraction of the boys on our school's team have real girlfriends. Was Milton that different, or were those other students ignored because their stories were less interesting?
   
   The other flaw was that there was so little focus on anything outside of these kids' social and sex lives. Vague mention was made towards how important some teachers, coaches and classroom experiences were to these kids. Yet, there are almost no details in these matters. A recital in the spring was one of the few specifics of school life which was delved into. While I do understand that the focus is on sexuality, there was a lot of specific family background, which added a lot to the stories. Comparable school background would have painted a fuller picture of the lives of these kids.
   
   Overall, in spite of the trashy feel of this, "Restless Virgins" was an interesting read and did give the reader a good look at what the social and sex lives of kids today can be like.



4. The fact that virtually every reviewer loved or hated this book, may be reason enough to read it. What surprised me about the negative comments were that some suggested this excellent book was "boring" while others seemed to want more discussion of the unfortunate consensual sex that turned into a public scandal, only because it became known outside the circle of teens who saw it as just one more "story." The authors (significantly, recent Milton grads)clearly spent an extraordinary amount of time with the book's subjects and won their trust as the thoughts that are shared throughout the narrative are clearly embarassing, painful,heartfelt, and most importantly,real.Most books about teens sensationalize, infantalize or condescend to the subjects. This is the first book I've read in forever that made me believe I was learning what the kids were thinking and feeling, rather than what they wanted adults to think they were thinking and feeling. For those who felt the authors were prurient, I couldn't diasgree more. They did an amazing job of conveying different teens thoughts on sex, from the guys who took as much as they could to show off, to the girls who felt obligated to engage in activities because it was expected. The toughest part was how much sex led to so little caring and surprisingly so little joy.I think every parent should read this book as their child is already growing up in a world where no actual teenager would be surprised by anything written here.



5. Don't waste your time. There was no character development and I could not distinguish one character from another. I expected to get insight into the characters' minds.... but got nothing. It is poorly written. I tried to make the best of it, but toward the middle I gave up and skipped through the rest of it.

No comments about River Guide: Maine, 4th (AMC River Guide Series).

1 comments about The Berkshire Hills & Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts: An Explorer's Guide, Second Edition (Explorer's Guides).

1. This book is very informative (...but not that kind of "lonely planet") I came last year to study at UMass Amherst. I used this book to travel around the area... love it very much especially in dining and accomodation sections... .very good info for planning the trip :-)

3 comments about Edward Hopper's New England (Essential Paintings).

1. EDWARD HOPPER'S NEW ENGLAND is a collection of some of Hopper's works of art inspired during his travels in New England. Though Hopper was primarily a New York artist, he spent many summers in New England and produced many of his most memorable paintings during his visits. Some of his visits were to New England's best known artist colonies such as Gloucester, Monhegan Island in Maine, and Provincetown. People familiar with current Cape Cod artists will see the way in which Hopper inspired a good number of them when they see his paintings of Truro and Provincetown, two of Hopper's favorite locales. Many of the locations can still be found today, though they have changed over the years. The paintings of Gloucester bring the simplicity of this old fishing community alive. The pictures from Maine are some of Hopper's famous depictions of lighthouses and sailing vessels. Some nature scenics are also included in this volume. The landscapes, architecture, boats, and people depicted in Hopper's work show his range as an artist.

   People who love Hopper's work will appreciate this book because it contains not only some of Hopper's better known works from various museums but also works in private collections.

   Hopper's subjects are not complex, nor are they glamorous in and of themselves, but with an artist such as Hopper, we are able top see beauty in places we might otherwise miss. This book is a must for people who love and appreciate artists' renditions of New England. It is also a perfect gift for people who love New England.




2. "Edward Hopper (1882-1967), one of the most important American painters of the twentieth century, spent nearly every summer of his long artistic career in New England. This book presents many of Hopper's finest paintings of the region and examines the crucial role New England played in Hopper's development as an artist. Carl Little is author of Paintings of Maine and is a regular contributor to Art New England and Art in America.
   
   "88 pages, 35 full-color reproductions, 21 black-and-white illustrations, size: 10 x 10 3/4". Casebound book, with dust jacket. ISBN: 1-56640-315-4."--© Pomegranate



3. This book give just enough images, just enough text -- perfect! It's beautiful and nicely done.

No comments about Acting With an Accent/Down East New England.

1 comments about Transforming Women's Work: New England Lives in the Industrial Revolution.

1. In his book, Dublin explores the demographic changes that occurred as women's work went from crafts at home to textile mills to work in the larger cities. He argues that at first women benefited from industrialization, but as they became increasingly more dependent of men, women's status declined in society. I enjoyed the book because it combined demographics and statistics with detailed descriptions to provide both a broad and narrow sampling of women's work in the nineteenth century. I especially appreciated Dublin's approach and analyzation of women's outwork (crafts at home). However, the book's focus on just the women means little is included regarding how women's work affected their relationhips with those in their households.

5 comments about Pastime.

1. The beginning chapters of PASTIME used a dramatically different stye from previous books I've read in the Spenser series. As other reviewers have helpfully described, this one's personal, and as such, to me it felt warm and "homey" (though, after the first chapters, the Spenser/Hawk/mob grit got going with full guts and grandeur... then paused periodically for more cozy "cookie" breaks).
   
   Loved the story opening featuring Pearl's entry into the Spenser/Silverman family. Parker has a knack for drawing dogs to life on paper, in their cuddly, lapping, mysterious ways. I have to admit that I love animals, and any story which realistically captures their caricatures usually has me hopelessly hooked.
   
   In fact, pets work so well to draw me into a book, that I was shocked, yes, to read the concluding statement of a delightfully edgy-eloquent review on this novel. I was so impressed, I was ready to click the "Yes" vote, wishing I could click it repeatedly and have each mouse tap add to the tally. Then, oh my. I read the final statement in the review: "But I still hate that damn dog."
   
   I could not do it. Couldn't click "Yes" on a review which ended with that comment. You have no idea how much conflict I felt, wanting so badly to praise and honor that review. But, to vote against a dog? Could not.
   
   Also could not vote "No." The review was too exquisite, and to love or not to love a dog is not the question; it's a matter of taste and heart, not of reviewing talent, or of a review being helpful or not.
   
   BIG sigh. I almost went into a rash of hives of "does not compute" with that click-or-not conflict.
   
   Maybe this is a good place to note that I'm beyond impressed with the variety of customer review posts on Amazon, including many of the spitting, hissing ones. It's this priceless collection of contrasting opinions (some of them profound, most of them interesting) on products which brought me to Amazon's pages; it's what keeps me here (in addition to Amazon's entertaining, colorful, graphics lush, public-carnival atmosphere, of course).
   
   That out of the way, I'll slip out of my moody reverie mode and continue on with a review.
   
   Laughed out loud at the "Boink Brain" term Spenser used for Susan's ex, and a couple clips describing Pearl antics.
   
   Had a difficult time connecting my habitual reading rhythm for a Spenser novel to the first scenes including Paul Giacomin. The mood of those scenes seemed like Spenser might have allowed a somewhat "in process" character, like a son in his late teens, early 20's, to work/write with him on the Paul parts. At first I felt a loss with the seemingly diminished spark, snap, and sizzle of Parker's style, though there were a few perky passages:
   
   >> "I was sixteen," I (Spenser) said. "And she sat in front of me in French class."
   "Sixteen," Paul said. "You had a childhood?" <<
   
   Then I began to contemplate the significance of the title using the word "Pastime" which, beyond the obvious allusions to Parker's welcome and interesting inclusions of Spenser's personal history, hinted at how one passes his time (usually meaning personal, leisure, home-life time, a quality of which most P.I.'s do not possess in any card count, and certainly not in Spades). At that point, I almost achieved a consciousness-shift into the home-base of "duh."
   
   What's more, after reading into the scene from which Paul was excluded, between Spenser and Vinnie Morris, I began to see what was happening with the subtled-down-syntax, the artistic demand of it. I enjoyed the warm humor around Vinnie's attempts to understand and reconcile Paul's (e-mo-tion-al) need to find and understand his mother, and Spenser's support of that process.
   
   "She got something he wants?" (Vinnie's question)
   "His past," I (Spenser) said.
   Vinnie looked at me some more and tossed his foot some more.
   "His past." Vinnie said.
   I nodded.
   "What the f... is that supposed to mean?" <<
   
   In contrast to the ooie-gooie, warm-fuzzy personal parts in this one, the tense bar scene was all the more effectively enthralling, with Spenser, Hawk, Gerry Broze-and-bodyguards being brought up to and down from a sit-u-a-tion of guns-drawn-every-which-way. Vinnie, you done good with your timed entry and smooth actions there!
   
   In fact, all scenes including Vinnie were an effective contrast to the increased personal lives drama in this # 18 Spenser offering. Possibly the most telling of these was Vinnie's difficulty attempting to understand (or NOT to understand?) Paul's need to find his mother (see quote above). Psychobabble not being a part of the gangster-mob-mystique, Vinnie's puzzlement around Spenser's concern for Paul's emotional struggle was comical. What? The kid's not in mortal danger, not playing for mortal stakes, and Spenser has dropped everything to help him find a worthless woman who doesn't want to be found?
   
   As to Spenser's childhood info, I enjoyed all of it, especially the explanations he gave on why/how he became a good cook, and why he continues to cook for himself, which tied in perfectly to his unique but so appropriate childhood.
   
   As to some of the more typical macho male machinations (yet even this one was warmed by Pearl's presence) I became deeply engrossed in the struggle-through-the-wilderness scene, the wet, drippy forest with a leg-wounded Spenser and domesticated Pearl making their slow, heavy, water-logged way away from the stalking, tracker-enhanced bad guys.
   
   PASTIME was a rainy day heaven, raining every-which-way, from peaceful, to harsh-in-a-marsh, almost constantly throughout the plot, ... AFTER the Sunny Scene One with Spenser, Susan, and Paul's variation on Ozzie & Harriet, kid, dog, and picket-fence-in-progress, with the requisite pretty pitcher of iced-tea brewing in the house. Yeah, Susan was doing that! Also, with awkward intensity, she cooked a meal for Paul and Spenser; the concoction was some type of honey-marinated, chopped-up chicken.
   
   Iconic dichotomies of Ideal Vs Real in this plot were prime, posed perfectly:
   
   -- From the impotent face off of Ozzie Dear to Mommie Patty.
   
   -- From Spenser's parenting of Paul paired off with Joe Broze's unsung, unplaced, bio-son, Gerry (contrasted to Joe's "true" son, Vinnie).
   
   -- From the architectural "glory" of The Commons, Formal Gardens, Designer Parks, manmade (from tax-dollar-dues) ponds stocked with loons; to the some-pastimes-never-die, all-night-diner, coffee-and-pie-house, open-24-hours (featuring hard-cooked apples w/core pieces, but good cherries, and thick, heavy, white-porcelain mugs).
   
   -- From the backdrop of a Capitol building glowing through the pinnacle of night, to "fragrant bums" covered in newspaper, shedding rain with cardboard tents:
   
   >> To our left Beacon street went up the hill to the State House, its gold dome lit and visible from everywhere, its Bulfinch front pretending that what went on inside were matters of gravity and import. The wind that had, in the late afternoon, slanted the rain in hard as I left police headquarters, had died with the daylight, and the rain, softer now, came down in near perfect silence. <<
   
   Having finished the book and reflected upon the unique style of PASTIME featuring an Ozzie side of Spenser being exposed to his favorite gangster types, confusing the heck out of them to the point of increasing the normal edges of comedy; I realized that I had enjoyed this book even more than I had thought, as I was skipping through the lighter read of it, even as it took place mostly in the rain (not in Spain; but in and around Boston).
   
   Loved the ending scene with Spenser and Susan. I began marking passages to quote, but the marks wouldn't end until every word in the scene was included. So, I suppose you may have to read the book to get it.
   
   With ongoing ruminations of respect for this fascinating series,
   Linda G. Shelnutt



2. I've read most of Robert B. Parker's books, and this is definitely one of the better ones. This novel is technically a sequel to an earlier novel called EARLY AUTUMN, but you don't have to read that book to enjoy this one.
   
   The plot of this novel is nothing special, but PASTIME is unique because it reveals a lot of details about Spenser's early life. This novel also marks the first appearance of Pearl the Wonder Dog, who has appeared in many subsequent Spenser books. Parker obviously loves dogs, and the passages of this novel describing Pearl's behavior are very funny.
   
   I'm not a huge fan of most of the Spenser books after 1990, but this is definitely one of the stronger ones. If you like Parker's writing style, you should find this book a lot of fun, and it's short enough to read in one sitting.



3. In this somewhat haunting note in the Spenser series, Paul Giacomin comes to Spenser asking for help in tracking down his mother, who has gone missing. Never the best of mothers - having often abandoned Paul to his own devices when he was younger, causing Paul to develop as a very neurotic youngster before Spenser took him under his wing in Early Autumn (as Paul says at one point "she used to literally hide under the bed . . . but I would find her") - Patty Giacomin had nonetheless kept in at least loose contact with her son through the years. However, when he had recently left several messages on her machine and then stopped by her house to find no one there, he became concerned. Spenser also suspects that Paul is seeking some resolution of the issues from his childhood, as he is now engaged to his significant other Paige and planning on marrying in the next year or so.
   
   When Spenser begins investigating, he becomes concerned that he will learn something about which Paul would rather not know. Paul nonetheless insists on being involved every step of the way. Because of the nature of the investigation and the strain it puts on Paul, Spenser finds that talking about his own background and history to Paul helps distract the boy. (Up until now, much of this information has been a mystery to not only the characters, but also the reader.) Susan manages to get even more out of him. This makes for fascinating reading.
   
   When Spenser's investigations lead to evidence that Patty's new boyfriend may have been involved with Gerry Broz, things begin to turn ugly.
   
   This is a very revealing book, in many ways. We learn a great deal about Spenser; we learn a few things about Hawk. We see that Paul, despite all his hard work over the years, is inside still very much the insecure young boy yearning for his mother's affection and attention. We see some great interactions with Joe Broz and his son, Gerry - there are several very interesting parallels and contrasts which can be drawn between Joe Broz and Gerry's relationship vs. that of Patty Giacomin and Paul. Although Patty is not around by the end of the book, because of her dysfunctional approach to relationships (and as predicted by both Spenser and Paul in the book), I suspect this is not the last we will be seeing of her.
   
   I have to say that my heart almost literally broke for Vinnie Morris, for the decision he had to make toward the end of the book. Vinnie may be a crook, but he is a crook with honor and I felt bad for him being put into the position he was in. I hope we'll see him again in the future, in a better situation.
   
   A very strong recommend from me for any fans of Spenser, not to mention anyone who is a fan of a well-crafted action/suspense tale. I would also STRONGLY recommend that, if you are new to the series, you NOT start with this book; not that it necessarily would be impossible to follow the plot without having read the earlier books, but it would ruin some of the thrill of reading the earlier books and speculating on why Spenser is the way he is.



4. The actual plot of this novel felt more than a little thin, puffed up with a great deal of extraneous information about Paul's and Spenser's childhoods, along with annoying descriptions of what everyone was wearing and what color their garments were. It isn't necessary for a writer to tell every detail about a character or his furniture or his drinks or his food. The story does pick up somewhat in the end, but not enough to save the book completely.
   
   The characters are OK--no better than that. Paul is boring. Hawk is a minor figure in this book. The gangsters are OK, with the exception of Gerry who is quite good. Ditto for the atmosphere. Some of the dialogue is excellent, if not quite attached to the plot. Doing tricks and funny asides with the dialogue doesn't mask the thin nature of the story.
   
   P.S. I did like the dog. She appears in subsequent Spenser novels.



5. I pick up Robert B. Parker whenever I want a solid plot that comes out of well-developed characters. Pastime is the follow up of "Early Autumn." Ten years after Spenser had rescued Paul from his inept parents, Paul's mother has gone missing, and he wants Spenser's help finding her. Their detecting leads them to believe she might be caught in the crossfire between mob figures who don't care if she gets hurt.
   
   Spenser is a hound for truth, even if he could get killed looking for the answers. My only complaint with Parker's writing (and I'm nit-picking) is "he/she/I said," tags at almost every line. Although you never have to wonder who's speaking, you have to push the tags into the background to enjoy the otherwise seamless storytelling. Parker writes out of the depth of human character, and his stories always come out resonant.