A man you loved to hate.
933276
Pillow was a key player in the early stages of the war but very few people know his story. This book offers a very good insight to the vain Pillow, the man, politician and General. He is also an example of never giving up. He lost a lot during the war but never really believed he was "wrong." A good book to read.
28038
My first memory of him was his McArthur episode. My parents hated that weakling. I wondered why he is considered one of our better presidents. A wonderful portrait showing both sides of a strong leader.
168207
Excellent book I loved the story line and how the background of the characters was explained enough to make you hate the bad guy and rout for the good ones.
1097244
It's MacGyver.  To dislike him is unAmerican.  :)
4105912
The CEO you love to hate.  I thought this book was fantastic.  It kept my interest so much that I could not put it down.  There were times I couldn't decide it I wanted him to get caught, or I just wanted to see how he got away with what he had done.  Can't wait to read the Revenge of the CEO.
Susan, Tampa, Florida
2607843
Great Movie! He plays a not so nice guy, but you end up liking the character in the end.
4596193
An autobiography that is an assault to your emotions.
4133955
Richard VanRyan is definitely the type of character one loves to hate. How could you not? I hated this man from the very beginning. A selfish, haughty, self-centered man who only cares about his self and his goals and could care less about those who support him or stand in his way.

One of the fascinating things about Melanie's writing style and Richard's character is that over the course of the story, one finds themselves changing their opinion of Richard and his character. He evolves into a loving, supportive and more balanced individual.

This book was entertaining to say the least. A rollercoaster of a ride. Fast paced and quick to read. Unfortunately, it was over way too quickly.
4714532
Wow! I have never liked someone then hated at the book! He was such selfish, egotistical in his previous life. A manwhore, I'm amazed that she loved him through all the hurt he put her through.
He kissed her, but she was still nervous and unsure so she ran. Couple hours later she returned to him but fount him having sex with Lillith. That is when Lillith got pregnant with his kids. That broke her heart but still loved him and kept being his friend. (After a while I disliked her as well for taking all the crappy way he treated her and she still loved him and waited for him) She found out about the kids and watched over them. He found out about the kids and she knew about them. He had the galling nerve to accuse her of betrayal and seduced her as revenge and left her as soon as finished screwing her telling what poor lay she was. Okay now she is becoming pathetic that she just accepts it and later goes as a double agent in hell and suffer through eternity to protect his kids. He does something and as punishment loses his memory as is cast out to earth. That is when he serves in the demoniac hospital.
When he learns that she was a double agent and goes to rescue her, he still hasn't recovered his memories. And when he does, he actually has to fight the hatred that he remembers feeling before. I mean come on! What right has he to feel hatred toward her? And she feels that he has a right to hate her, that she didn't tell him about the kids. Pathetic!!! After this all revelations I basically started skimming now through the last bit of the book. How he forgave her (vomiting here) and she forgave him and got together as a somewhat happy couple.
Through all this angst and hatred between them both, he never deserved her and should have had balls to get over him and accept the love of someone else. Basically in the end almost hated them both!
2697955
Well written biography, shines a light on his other-worldy musical talent and his problematic life. Seems Lenny was basically your worst nightmare. A virtuoso who could serenade you out of your time/energy and your money under the guise of "genius". A genius that would ultimately pay dividends, what a joke. As the book plainly spells out, Lenny misused and abused everyone with whom he came into contact. Are we surprised his wife killed him? Fully dependent on the generosity of family and friends, Lenny would inevitably let them down. Then when high carry on about his "genius" in conversation and interviews-embodying the the old adage, " the greatest egotist, amongst the egotists, is the humble man". Lenny was a brilliant musician but scum as a father and a human being. I am glad I never knew him.
2454627
Poor Prince Leopold. And the worst part is that much of his pain could have been avoided or remedied, if not for his stubborn old mother, Queen Victoria. By way of letters from Leopold, the Queen and many others, we hear about untold cruelties and denials to Leopold, mostly done in order for the Queen to maintain her obsessive insistence that she would keep him at home as as far from pleasure, as possible, his entire life. Especially horrible is her insane refusal to acknowledge any faults in John Brown and his fiendish brother, who she assigned a body servant to Leopold against his will and closed her ears to any complaints. Leopold endured both emotional and physical distress by this man for years. Later QV took to punishing him by removing from the household anyone who he liked and felt close to, due to her jealousies. His illness brought him much isolation, even from his own beloved siblings. What a witch of a mother QV was...truly horrid. By the time she would give in, the damage was done and all of her children feared her. When PL died, he had not communicated with her in months. However PL was a fighter and despite his rank and his mother, and his ill health, managed to grab every chance at real life, enjoying a few years at Oxford, a marriage and birth of his daughter Alice before drying at the young age of thirty-four.
2497216
I survived the 6th grade with Stanley Hoss sitting behind me.  He was older than the rest of us, having been retained twice.  Stanley was already big, mean and intimidating.  He stole my wooden ironing board that was used as a toboggan at recess and I had to confront him to get it back.  I still remember the point when he relented and handed it to me.  He was quiet for a moment and I feared that he was thinking of how to exact revenge because I had embarrassed him in front of his buddies on the playground.

This was just the beginning of his storied criminal life, and he was already very frightening.  He had perfected the stare that would terrorize all of his victims.  In his school photos, he looked like a sweet, smiling kid with big ears, but it was just a facade for the camera.  It was the same smile that he later wore at his trials, the smile that would charm his mistresses.

James Hollock's story picks up a few years after my encounter with Stanley.  By then he was an experienced liar and thief, ready to become a major felon.  I was shocked when I heard that Stanley had shot the police officer in Verona, but not surprised.

This book follows Hoss and his victims as he escalates his evil attacks: rape, kidnapping, murder and, finally, the barbaric slaughter of the prison guard.

I knew Stanley Hoss.  I was afraid of Stanley Hoss.  Stanley Hoss should have suffered the death penalty.  James Hollock proves that point.
1641291
Excellent movie!!! I grew up a little bit with the killer when I was young I remember him being thr quite type and unloved by his parents well I never saw them, we were only his family my mom would give him a shower cause he was always dirty but he was always respectful to my mom and my siblings and when we left PR I know he had no one he was truely a lonely child and Im crying as I type this up because if u r not loved by your family how can u love back ... Feel bad for all his victims God bless them and Matias.
3321885
This man causes me the most profound stress while trying to decide whether I love him or hate him. He's sarcastic and bitter and downright cruel, but he's lived a life that's caused him to disconnect from his emotions in order to survive. So my options are to throttle him or hug him I just and can't make up my mind which would be the better choice. Ren undergoes some pretty extensive personal growth during this book. The two previous books hinted that something major was coming but I admit I wasn't expecting this. I consider it a prime example of the author's skills that she can give us such a thoroughly unlikable character that we love anyway.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
2762357
A character you loved to hate and an exciting new character introduced,  well delivered.  Eargerly waiting for the culmination of them all.
4455526
This might be one of my favorites . he was the ultimate douche but you had to love him , he made me dislike her for waiting so long and that's just horrible . love love love
2827628
Has characters that you love to hate. Predjudist  people were around in the  1750's, also. For readers who love stories during this time period when there were Indian raids in the out-lying area. Loved this book.