Rating: 
Summary: A little predictable
Review: The Charm School was my first DeMille book. After having spent some time in Russia, it was recommeded to me by a friend. While I enjoyed the story, the reviews I have heard (and read) overrate it a bit. I don;t want to tell you too much about the plot, but to briefly summarize, it involves a school in the USSR for training KGB agents to behave like Americans.As one would expect from a novel in this genre, there is plenty of action, intrugue and double-crosses. DeMille does a great job of keeping the reader's attention, if not exactly keeping them on the edge of their seat. The story was good, but I found it a little too predicatable in spots. I was, however, disappointed by the climaxes resolution - I found it to be terribly unimaginative and a little bit far - fetched in an otherwise believeable novel. I will read other DeMille books, to be sure - he is an entertaining writer. But I felt that The Charm School was hardly worth the rave reviews I had imagined it to be.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic book...almost as a good as a trip to Moscow
Review: Can't afford a trip to Moscow? Charm School is the next best thing. The sense of place in this book is unbelievable. The entire time I was reading the book I felt as if I were really there. On top of that, the plot if engrossing, the characters well drawn and for me the pages kept turning into the night. Although I'm not a hard core fan of spy novels and thrillers, Nelson Demille's books always hold my interest. And of all of them, Charm School is the one I recommend as a first read for anyone who hasn't read his books.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: This was the first DeMille book I've read. His style and ability to draw the reader into the very midst of the action is a rare and appreciated quality. This book resonated with me completely; perhaps because I've always believed there might just be a "Charm School" out there. After this book, I went back and read each of DeMille's books. This one remains among the top 2 of my favorites by this author. Don't let this one get away, it will interfere with your daily functions because you won't be able to stop reading - then you'll want more...
Rating:
Summary: Riveting but far-fetched
Review: I happened to read this book just before I read The Years of Crisis: 1960-1963, by Michael Beschloss, a 1991 book on the actual contest with the Russians. It was so much more real and was just as tense an expperience, even tho I knew how it would come out. I was some annoyed by the protagonists of The Charm School, very much impressed with the importance of religion--and eager to commit adultery every chance they could, and never a hint that the religion to which she was so attached had anything to do with whether she should commit adultery or not. But the book holds one's interest, even if on reflection one wonders if the time spent reading it was well-spent.
Rating:
Summary: Unimaginable!
Review: Having just been to Russia and Siberia this past winter and seeing the gloom & doom of the people, this book is a sad actuality of the way their minds think and work. Although at one time a powerful country which threatened the world, one can see through this writer's accurate accounting their real, agonizing & disorganized world and brings you a story that you cannot put down for even one minute. Your heart races and breaks at the same time. A must read adventure.
Rating:
Summary: This is a tell-a-friend book.
Review: I read a lot of books...and trade only good books with several friends. This story entices you while you read and stays with you. The premise is so good and told with such depth that this book just stands far above anything I've read recently. You will definitely want to share DeMille's work with friends! Plum Island, Gold Coast and Spencerville are all wonderful books as well.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing! Please read this book!
Review: This novel was recommended to me by someone who said it was her favorite book of all time. I can see why! DeMille does not disappoint. His writing is vivid and realistic and his characters are rich. Only Lisa Rhodes, the female, was a bit off the mark, but what can you expect from a man? He did a good job at making her believeable and likeable considering . . . The plot was excellent and the element of surprise was present. This book will leave an impression on you.
Rating:
Summary: Read It
Review: I'm not kidding, I am very picky with spy novels. I like a selct bit of Clancy, Russian stuff the most. This is the best book I've read!
Rating:
Summary: How Could You Not Like This One
Review: This has adventure, action, romance and Russkies !! The interaction of the two main characters (lisa and Sam) is so well written. I really enjoyed reading this one !!
Rating:
Summary: Just kept turning the pages.....
Review: I finished this book 5 minutes ago, and came immediately upstairs to write my review. The only thing I have to say is "Read It." This only thing bad about his book is the fact that I am afraid to start another book, knowing that it couldn't ever come close to The Charm School. I'll just have to make sure it's another DeMille novel and roll the dice that it compares. Espionage, humor, suspense, mystery, love, deception, and characters as deep as the ocean. Enjoy.
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