The Target by Bill Bowen

I found "The Target" by Bill Bowen to be an interesting and suspenseful novel that I enjoyed reading. It did not have the "action" that many thrillers have, but made up for it with the suspense and a group of characters that I wanted to know more about and desired to see how their plan would unfold. The mixing of the American plot and the sister of the terrorist made a unique contrast that added to the story in a way that made me want to better understand cultures and politics different from my own.Bowen holds degrees in foreign affairs from the United Air Force Academy and Georgetown University, and this education, along with his service in military intelligence and in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs provides a solid background to write about the events in this novel. The back of the book states that "The Target" reflects Bowen's concern about the combination of terrorism and nuclear weapons and the missing element of deter
rence in that equation. Reading the book, I too found myself thinking of terrorism, nuclear weapons, and how terrorist could be deterred from committing terrorist acts. I join Bowen in his hope that leaders of Iran, Pakistan, and other countries will understand the danger of uncontrolled proliferation.While, as I previously stated, the book didn't have a lot of "action," I still found myself eager to read and see what would happen next. I connected with the character Mike Curran, and wondered what I would do if I faced the same situations and opportunities that he was presented with at the beginning of the book and then throughout the story. Maybe one of the reasons I enjoyed this book as much as I did was because it made me think. Several times I actually stopped reading and thought a bit about what might really happen and how the events of this story might actually play out. I found Bowen's writing to be direct, thought provoking, and informative. Sure, it's a novel, but I
learned some things and found myself wanting to learn even more as I read.I would have liked to have seen a bit more action, and those scenes that did have action could have been a bit more detailed and exciting. There were also a few things that I'd have liked to have seen more developed, but I also understand that you can only put so much between the front and back cover.Overall, this first novel by Bill Bowen was an enjoyable read that made me think a little. I recommend it to anyone looking for a suspenseful read that makes you think about the times we live in and what could happen.

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Cake Decorating Books - Three Best Methods

When looking at various cake decorating books I discovered that there are many options available ranging from very detailed technical books to ones that included simple how to instructions. These books ranged from the level of culinary textbooks on sugar crafting to ones that were no more than coffee table books full of beautiful pictures of cakes.When researching the various books describing cake decoration and outlining the various techniques to decorate a cake, I found that three main books came highly recommended for any aspiring cake decorator.The most expensive of these books was "The Lambeau Method" which I came to find out was a highly detailed book that is used primarily by students studying culinary arts. It is for more advanced decorators and gives really good instructions but it was way above what I was looking for.Another book that I kept reading about was the "Australian Method" which is also an advanced book and this one is hard to find. From the description of
the book, it was also not what I was looking for.The one that I finally settled on was the "Wilton Cake Decorating Course" that is designed to take beginners to an advanced level of cake decorating skills. It comes in a three volume set and is updated with a new yearbook every year that provides new techniques and cake decorating designs every year.Another great resource I stumbled across was an on line course "The Art of Cake Decorating" that had a lot of good information and also discussed all of the three methods mentioned above. What I really liked about it was that it had a lifetime membership to an extensive forum for cake decorators and sugar crafters. It is one thing to get information from a book and it is another to have people to ask when you have a question about something you have read and are trying to implement.This course also included instructional videos and extra recipes for making candy and other confections, cookies, and puddings which could come in use
ful. There is also a section that is on taking the skill of decorating cakes to the next level and how to start your own business doing this. It sounds like it could be profitable, I am just not there yet.

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Great Magazines

What makes a great magazine? We all know there are thousands of them currently in print today, yet only a select few fall into the category of greatness. It is these great magazines which sum up the culture of the time. Readers all over the world look to these magazines for information, the latest trends, entertainment and advice. These have been known to span a huge spectrum of themes and interests. There is a magazine for everyone.A great magazine root itself with the content it presents. It all boils down to the writing despite the topic. Magazines like TIME, The New Yorker, etc. all take pride in writing with credibility. Readers are drawn in by their trust in the information. Magazines such as Cosmopolitan give its readers the information they want to know on fashion and trends. Another factor is presentation. The layout of the magazine is also of utmost importance. The content should be organized and visually appealing in order to depict their message to the reader. In
other words, the magazine should grab the reader's attention at first glance. By having the reader's interest, the magazine has their business. A great magazine also has fresh material that relates to its audience especially if the magazine is written towards a certain topic. It also continues to supply its readers with the fascination in the way that something was learned after reading. The magazine is a type of media. Media's purpose is to communicate information to the general public. A reader must feel they are interacting with the magazine. A connection on a personal level is made between the reader and the magazine. It is this connection which makes magazines different from newspapers and all other forms of printed media.Most importantly, a great magazine also has an impact on its crowd. A magazine is a glimpse into one's present society. One can always look at a magazine more like a window into the times, or also as a time capsule. It imparts a timeless character onto
the reader. Great magazines have this character for all have stood the test of time themselves.

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