Barry again hits the mark with his latest effort
580721
Read DAVE BARRY HITS BELOW THE BELTWAY by, you guessed it,
Dave Barry . . . I've liked just about everything he has written, only
regretting the fact that his columns don't appear in my local
paper . . . this latest effort, designed to be "a vicious and
unprovoked attack on our most cherished political
institutions," succeeds at being that--for the most
part . . . there are some parts that just aren't very
funny, but others more than make up for them.
Even the book jacket had me laughing, especially this one portion:
True, his best-selling collections of columns are legendary, but it is his wholly original books, like this one, that reveal him as an American icon. DAVE BARRY SLEPT HERE was his version of American history. DAVE BARRY DOES JAPAN was a contribution to international peace and understanding from which Japan has not yet fully recovered. DAVE BARRY'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO GUYS is among the best-read volumes in rehab centers and prisons. And now, with his take on American politics and, especially, Washington, DC, he takes his place with de Tocqueville and Larry King as a truly infamous explicator and commentator on the process by which we find, fun, and . . . (fill in your own four-letter word here) our pols and public servants.
There were many other passages that had me laughing; among them:
Democrats frankly cannot imagine giving and of it back to us; they would infinitely rather invent new programs that they feel we need.  When there's a debate between two Democratic candidates, it sounds like this:
FIRST DEMOCRAT: I would guarantee affordable medical care for every American!
SECOND DEMOCRAT: Well, I would guarantee free medical care for every American!
FIRST DEMOCRAT: Oh yeah?  Well I would guarantee free medical car for everybody in the United States and their pets!
SECOND DEMOCRAT: Oh yeah?  Well I would also guarantee free medical care for everybody in Mexico and Canada!
FIRST DEMOCRAT: Oh YEAH?  Well I would guarantee free medical care even for people who didn't need it!  I would have squads of armed federal employees burst into healthy people's homes and forcibly remove their spleens!
SECOND DEMOCRAT: OH YEAH?!  Well, I would dig up dead people and
give them . . .
I'm not saying that sex is the only thing that happens on class trips. As a student visiting the capital, you also learn many important educational lessons, such as:
1. How to moon pedestrians from a moving bus.
2. How to stand in your hotel doorway, teetering back and forth and reeking of beer, and attempt to convince the physical education teacher, Mr. Bomperman--who is wearing, on his left shoulder, a semidigested piece of the pizza you had for dinner--that it may have been a student who looked exactly like you, but it was not, in fact, you, who barfed on him out the hotel window.
3. How important it is--you realize this as the US Capitol police are stripping you for a cavity search-to believe the signs stating that bomb threats, even highly amusing bomb threats, will be taken seriously.
And he book's last paragraph is "classic" Berry:
I also want to state that, despite the sometimes-critical tone of this book, I really do think that the United States is a great country. And despite the good-natured "ribbing" I have given to the US government, in reality I have nothing but the greatest respect for our federal workforce, especially the decent, hardworking, and--in my opinion--grossly underpaid employees of the audit division of the Internal Revenue Service. Thank you.
991452
I took a chance buying this CD as I wasn't sure how he was going to treat these songs and I've heard so many songs by artists done with deceased singers but his choice of people to duet with intrigued me. Who else would duet with Jimmy Durante, Marilyn Monroe or Judy Garland?
On every song Barry's arrangements are fantastic. His voice is in top form and he pays respectful tribute to each artist as he joins them singing their hits. I want to emphasize 'he joins them' rather than tries to out-sing them.
This is an album I'll play a lot and really cherish. I'm so glad I bought it Barry has really given a whole new aspect to the term duet.
Do not hesitate to buy this you will not regret it.
10000
Dave Barry is consistently entertaining and his humor is in fine form in Best. State. Ever. Dave dives right into the eccentricities and foibles of his home state of Florida. Even as he revels in the absurdities, his love of the state shines through.

Barry points out that many critics of Florida come from places that also do ridiculous things, but admits that Floridas reputation is well-earned. He interestingly points out the change that Florida underwent, both in real terms and reputation, when Disneyworld opened in the early 1970s. This fueled a massive influx of tourists as well as a stream of retirees that has continued pretty much unabated ever since.

In Best. State. Ever. Dave tours a mermaid attraction, hunts for the legendary skunk ape, and visits a hot night club, a clothing optional bar, a gun range, and one of the countrys largest (and arguably most sexually active) retirement communities.  Dave brings the same irreverent and salient observations to all these venues. His dry humor works especially well because the ridiculousness of these places usually speaks for itself.

The audio version of this book is narrated by Dick Hill. The verbal delivery of humor writing is as much dependent on timing and cadence as it is on the language. The narrator and the material in this case were not as well-matched as they could have been.

Dave Barry always manages to be entertaining and Best. State. Ever. is now different. This book is a quick read (or listen at under 5 hours) and is certain to please his many fans.

I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this audiobook.
1910958
Amazing song in the style of the original with current lyrics for the times. Barry voice is strong and melodic!
3248038
Another good chapter in the new series with new attributes.
1186074
I have been a barry Manilow fan forever.......i just got this "gem", besides the outstanding selection of songs, arrangements and presentation of the album....Barry,s voice is in top shape, cest magnifique!!!......his rendition of "cant take my eyes out of you" goes silky smooth...great arrangement !!!........my favorite one is "Cherish/windy" with the association.......WOW what a combination!!!.........there is no doubt in my mind that this wiill become a classic for all Barry fans......how he does that magic ? i really don't know ..but i surely enjoy it..Barry looks great and the album is a most ......i cannot wait for songs of the 70,s ..it will be a manilow album as he has performed or composed all the greatest songs of that era!!!........Barry, all my blessings and keep on recording great music as only you can do it!!!
1912654
Another great piece of work from John Barry. Thunderball has the some of the best music for film scores. John Barry has his orchestra and brassy tunes. This fits the movie perfectly and this CD has a lot of great music and John Barry fans will not be disappointed.
970991
What can I say, I like Barry Eisler books.

Barry endeared himself, to me at least, when he walked away from a reported half million dollar advance from St. Martin's Press in order to go the self-publishing route in 2011. From my limited understanding, not only will his income improve consistently, but I (and any kindle reader for that matter, get a bigger bang for our buck cutting out the high priced, set by the publisher middle men.

I have switched to kindle purchases for all of Mr. Eislers books.

As with the Bond series, some stories are better than others, but collectively they rate a five.

Thanks Barry, Ill keep reading
4269029
Out of the few '90s albums that Barry White recorded, his The Icon Is Love from 1994 is his best. It recaptures the best of his '70s bedroom ballads with modern '90s sounds that fit with his voice. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Gerald Levert and Edwin Nicholas, Chuckii Booker (who is related to Barry) provided some dynamite numbers on here. Even Barry and his longtime producer produced some songs here too, with the Barry stamp all on them. When Gerald Levert recalls his music to his future grandchildren, he'll definitely tell them about the time he produced the Maestro's Practice What You Preach.  The Jam/Lewis numbers are superb, especially the trendy sounds of Come Over, Sexy Undercover and others. Sexy has shades of Janet Jackson-like dance grooves on it. One of my favorite songs is the gorgeous Baby's Home. And this 8:17 ballad even got nominated for a Grammy Award! Proof that the other songs off the album get more respect than the hit single!  Another surprise is There it Is and its rollicking groove. I liked the slow closing song, Whatever We Had, We Had, too. Most of the album consists of ballads and lengthy 7-, 8-, and 10-minute songs but the handlers were smart enough to know that this is Barry's album, not theirs. This album's songs still hold up 11 years later, far more than his '80s albums and the next album he made alive, the more contemporary sounding Staying Power. It's best to be played going on a road cutting through the mountains. I did so with hearing this album on an interstate through the mountains of West Virginia in spring 1995. Barry made an album that rivals his best '70s efforts and continues his theme of love songs and his dominance in the bedroom.  This is still a classic R&B album in the best sense.
1600722
Anything Barry does is 5-star.  He is the greatest, most well-rounded, entertainer in the world.
901099
August 20,2008

In an age where the amateur game show vocalist is the emblematic preference of a big slice of music industry listeners, please lets not forget the the most significant and influential recording artists like Barry White. Barry White never had to stand up in front of court jester judges, his fans across the planet judged him as a get up out of your seat artist and arranger and groove and clap your hands performer that was one of the best there ever was. Johnny Rivers and Bruce Springsteen share that ability to create through their music an electric field of rock or rhythm and blues right through the air of the arena that generates sheer frenetic excitement. I have chosen these three selections on this CD to highlight, Can't Get Enough of your Love, Babe, Just the Way You Are (The best Billy Joel cover ever) and The Love Unlimited Orchestra Theme. which in concept was reminiscent of Mantovani and Jackie Gleason albums and maybe the Do It To Red Fox material of yesteryear and that in theory only. Barry started out young and poor with kids in Central LA and sometimes had to walk up to Western Avenue in downtown to go door to door and try to break in. He was success oriented and driven to win and along with his inborn talent he made it just like he knew all the time that he would.

Jay Adler, Music Critic
3863614
Leeyes, Sloan & Crosby are back with an intriguing plot, breezy dialogue, and deft characterization. Aird's style improves with practice.
333894
Another great Barry Manilow duets, also a very good CD
4371235
Although the kitchness of the movie cannot be overlooked, I personally consider this one of the finer Bond soundtracks to come from John Barry. I think what impresses me the most is the subtle use of synthesiser and the creative use of harp and strings. The clash and thunder of Barry's characteristic horns is not absent either, coming into play in just the right moments with just the right amount of force to keep the dramatic elements of the music going. An awesome listening experience. I only wish that Disney would stop pouting over the Black Hole and release his soundtrack. I would love to compare the this and the Black Hole soundscapes to each other.
82300
Excellent compilation with superb Barry music. I keep playing it over and over. It never gets boring! Highlights are the bits from The Tamarind seed, The specialist, and The cotton club. They don't come any better than  this..!
498163
I've been a Barry fan from the beginning days and this is the first album I ever owned.  I played it constantly!  I was so hapy to see the anniversary issue and have this album in CD so I can start loving it all over again.  For any die-hard Barry fan, this is a CD you NEED!  Sing, Barry, Sing!!
4227475
Earth 2's wonders, Green Lantern, the Flash, and Dr. Fate prepare to engage the forces of Darkseid now led by Steppenwolf. Their sense of responsibility bumps heads with the World Army whom has plans of their own, and at the same time Batman has returned despite everyone knowing he died five years earlier. -summary

Collecting Earth 2 issues 13-16, 15.1 and Earth Annual #1 written by James Robinson. The world building continues as the World Army and the Wonders prepare to engage Steppenwolf, whom for whatever reason has decided to simply pop up and reveal that he has conquered an entire nation. The World Army takes him up on his challenge, despite one of their leaders being heavly concerned with Steppenwolf's boldness. Soon the sparks will fly and the casualties will mount up.

This volume features more sub plots receiving build up and additional characters such as Atom and Captain Steel receiving development. One's enjoyment is going to be determined on how they feel about these characters. Robinson focuses on others such as Hawkgirl, and the new Batman sees some face time coming with a twist.

One of Earth 2's biggest criticisms is that the story and plot moves quite slow or way too slow, plus it does not feature any major star power. I'm not going to lie to you folks. There is still some slow development for probably about half the book, and it didn't bother me because I gave this world and characters a chance; but there is some pay off long before the ending comes around through some seriously violent action and brutal encounters that are worth the wait, and it really isn't gore for the sake of it either. This world is indeed an ugly place and the war is clearly reflecting that along with the savage personalities of these villains. There is an attempt for some star power with Batman, but he doesn't make that huge of an impact until next volume.

Earth 2 still boasts some of the New 52's best artwork; the carnage is well displayed and delivered in bundles. The flashy inks brings out the best in these well drawn designs. There is a real sense of urgency across these glossy pages, and there's indeed an epic feel. I tell you, everything looks great and it's clear DC wanted this title to succeed.

Earth 2 volume 3 is an excellent follow up that not only continued the world building, it also delivers a cliffhanger ending that although predictable keeps things moving in a very promising direction. I recommend to give this one a shot; but if this book doesn't do it for you especially if the first two came off disappointing, then my advice is to stop here because nothing in this world is going to please you.

Pros: Very nice artwork and narrative continues to grow

Cons: First half is quite slow, cliffhanger may bother some