Book Description

White House press secretary Jim Schmidt is a master of spin, with the skills to cajole and otherwise persuade the nation's most powerful jounalists. Jim's younger brother Bill is the charismatic captain of the USS Winston Churchill, and leader of its expert but rambunctious crew. When the United States uncovers a Libyan chemical warfare plot, the brothers, along with beautiful and savvy Washington reporter Sue O'Dell, are plunged into a crisis of international terrorism -- in which controlling the facts is essential in keeping the upper hand...and in which the standard rules of engagement no longer apply. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (36)

Write soon, Bill Harlow!

Circle William is a thoroughly enjoyable read, technically gripping witha plot that is at times chillingly prescient.

Some of the male charactersseem like fugitives from central casting, and the females tend to be either ciphers or super-achievers.Harlow's spelling is at times inconsistent or downright incorrect. If BillHarlow writes a second book (and I earnestly pray that he does, although it's been eight years since Circle William) I hope he will have a copy editor look it over before publishing.In general, readers might not care, but the print media will appreciate it and take it that much more seriously.And, dare I say it? Inthis book there should be more frequent, or at least more intense, encounters between the fella and the girl.
Yet it all doesn't matter, somehow, because the book is witty and funny and terrifying enough to override its flaws.

There is such hubris, and at times such hilarity, that if I were a producer I would be doing my best to turn this into a hit movie.Starring, hmm,Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.We have computer technology now.We can do that, can't we?And possibly Jimmy Stewart for Jim Schmidt. Maybe I have touched on something.There is a refreshing, old-fashioned quality here that makes the reader believe that Americans are really keeping the world safe without ulterior motive.

Still, it's more than that andhard to pinpoint exactly why this book is so gratifying.There is the obvious, of course:there are good guys pitted against wonderfully pompous types.Harlowwrites with authority about the upper strata of the military, politics, and government--always a seductive combination.The technical side is fascinating and frightening.

Provoking laughter deliberately, even with all the other good things going on in the book, isn't easy. For that reason, if I had to choose just one achievement in Circle William, it would be the humour.Harlow's curriculum vitae in the Navy and in public affairs reads as extensive and daunting. So, mawkish as it may sound, thank you for sharing, Bill Harlow.Please write again soon.

Page burner
This is a great read. I could not put it down till the end. Seeing that I have served in the Navy for 14 years, some would think it odd that I care to read this pulp. On the other hand, I like to see how other people see the Services. The story/plot is a great one for when it was written. In '99, we had no clue that we could be an actual target to terrorists.
Now, you may ask, "If you liked the book enough to read it in two days, why only three stars?" Well, I do not like to see ex-sailors, be it enlisted or officer, make total mistakes on the day to day life in the service. Mr. Harlow, for the most part, does a good job of showing the reader a little of our lifestyle. He did have problems with a few things, a few simple little details. I did like his portrayal of the LDOs (Limited Duty Officers) and the kiss butt XO (Executive Officer) as I have seen these types myself.
Overall, great read with minor mistakes.

Highly enjoyable military novel!
I loved the Schmidt brothers.The story was engaging and entertaining.It was believable and I could handle the abbreviations etc. once I got into its rhythm.I hated Ellsworth - which is probably what the author wanted.I wish Ellsworth got his due at the end.I'll watch for new books by this author.

A remarkable and thoroughly engaging read!
It's amazing to me how a handful of major book reviewers with an attitude can affect the market's reception to an otherwise stunning work.It's hard for me to believe that the reviewer from "KIRKUS" and I read the same book called "Circle William." As a longtime fan of Tom Clancy, Michael Crighton and John Grisham, I'd like to think I have a nose for hugely commercial works."CIRCLE WILLIAM" is the greatest undiscovered political-military-terrorist-White House-suspense thriller in the past ten years.Someone at Scribner Publishing has a great eye for talent with Bill Harlow.But someone in Scribner's publicity and marketing department should be reassigned to Libya for allowing this terrific read to end up on a "remainder's table" at [local store].With the right marketing and publicity, this should have been one of the top ten bestsellers of 1999.If you ask me, I think some jealous and bitter wanna-be novelist at "Kirkus" unfairly excised their bile on this great novel, and this may have tempered the publisher's enthusiasm to support the book.What a shame for book consumers, and what a shame for Kirkus.Will somebody out there please get Bill Harlow to write another superb thriller?

Kirkus Is Krazy!`
I took the time to write this review because I thought the reviewer from Kirkus is way off base.

I READ A LOT. I bought this book at a dollar store for one dollar. That does not speak well for it. I bought it because it came well recommended from people who have been on the inside-- Navy Secretaries, Press Secretaries. They couldn't put it down.

I think it is the best piece of modern fiction I have read in a long time. It is funny. It is way beyond those Tom Clancy dreary soap operas where everyone has such cute, perfect and extremely well-documented lives. It is about PEOPLE who are well sketched (in a brief format of a 300-page novel). The story is just part of the lives of these people.

I think I know why this book has struggled. It is politically incorrect. He slams National Public Radio for being a bunch of windbags. Now, how are you supposed to get reviewed by effete pace setters if you slam them in your book? Also, Mr. Harlow makes the outrageous suggestion in 1999 that America could conceiveably come under attack by a bunch of crazed terrorists. Admittedly, this is far-fetched. At least it was far-fetched in 1999.

This is an outstanding work for a first novel, yea, a one hundredth novel. Note: it is not Henry James. Thank goodness, it is not Tom Clancy either. ... Read more

Book Description
Designed for the busy home cook, Food Made Fast is the latestcollectible series from Williams-Sonoma. Using a straightforward approachto everyday cooking, Food Made Fast is about delicious food, simplyprepared, with easy-to-follow recipes and tips. Each book emphasizeskeeping a well-stocked pantry, planning ahead, and using fresh ingredients.Dedicated to a single subject--from Grill to Asian to Seafood--each volumemakes it simple to plan, cook, and enjoy great-tasting food throughout theweek. ... Read more