Kane and Abel

This is my first novel from Jeffrey Archer. The story is about two gentlemen from their childhood. The story is too god but it took 4 days of 2 hours to finish this 512 pages. I could say the story involves World Wars and lot of European and American facts. If you haven’t read yet, then don’t miss it. The plot of the story goes as follows.

Wladek Koskiewicz was born in a forest and brought up in a poor family. And along with his sister, Florentyna, he joined Baron Rosnovski in Baron’s Castle to compete with latter’s son, Leon, in studies. There, he and Leon were became close and always lived together. During Word War I, German captured Poland and Baron. In the prison, Baron taught Wladek foreign languages and also about his grandfather’s history. Before dying, he handed over his silver band to him and declared him as his son. Florentyna was raped and killed by Russian army in front of little Wladek. Then he moved to Serbia and escaped to Turkey after facing so many problems. There he met a English man, with the help of him, he transferred to Poland and then he migrated to America as Abel Rosnovski. He started his new life as a waiter at Hotel Plaza and graduated in California University. Davis Levoy, owner of the Richmond group, impressed in his work and appointed him as a manager of his hotel. He turned the hotel into a profit making assert. Due to Davis’ debts and other loss making hotels, Davis killed himself with the note stating that ‘Kane and Cabot’ bank didn’t support him. Abel, then, built a revenge plan for Kane. Latter, Abel married a Polish girl Zaphia. They gave birth a girl and named her, after his sister, Florentyna.

William Kane, son of Richard Kane, followed his father’s path as a banker after he died in Titanic disaster. His mother married Henry and spend her money for him. With the scholarship from Harvard and hated Henry, he depart himself from home (his mother). After his mother’s death, he threw Henry out from his house and with the graduation, he started himself as a banker. Latter, he fell in love with Kate and married her. They gave birth a boy, named Richard, and two girls, Lucy and Virginia.

The remaining story is about the quarrel between their father, World War II and Florentyna Rosnovski love with Richard Kane and lot more. You will definitely enjoy the story.

I’m looking for other Jeffrey Archer novels viz. his first “Not a Penny more, Not a Penny less” and “The Prodigal Daughter”, the sequel of Kane and Abel.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

After First Things First, this is my second book from Stephen R. Covey. This books focuses on principles or habits rather than behavior. Each chapter elaborates each habits.

Private – Centric (State of changing from dependence to independence)

1. Be Proactive – It means we are responsible for our own lives and he says our behavior is a function of our decisions. And also talks about taking the initiative, stimulus and response, circle of influence w.r.t circle of concern.
2. Begin with the End in mind - It applies to many different circumstances of life. This says we have to begin today with the picture of the end of our life as our frame of reference. And also talks about Leadership and Management
3. Put First Things First – The same time management matrix, which he said in his book ‘First Things First’.

Public – Centric (State of changing from independence to interdependence)

4. Think Win/Win – It is the habit of effective Interpersonal leadership. He discuss the 6 paradigms of interaction such as Win/Lose, Lose/Win, Lose/Lose, Win, and Win/Win or No Deal.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – This is the habit of effective Interpersonal communication. And explains about the importance of communication.
6. Synergize – It catalyzes, unifies and unleashes the greatest powers within people. In simple, it means the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It shows teamwork is greater than the sum of individuals.

Renewal

7. Sharpen the Saw - focuses on balanced self-satisfaction

I’m looking for his book ‘The 8th Habit: Effectiveness to Greatness’.

Kuselan Review

I went along with my friends to see Kuselan at Fame.

Storyline: Departed friends are meeting at one day.

Plus:
1. Climax
2. Some comedies
3. Songs (Om Zararae, Chaaral)
4. Pasupathi’s acting

Minus:
1. Praising Rajini throughout the film.
2. Clearly shows it is directed by Vasu.
3. Very slow

For climax, I can give pass mark (35/100). Soundarya Rajinikanth proved her excellence in visual effects. But don’t expect in Hollywood range. For e.g. Dolphins are swimming and jumping in a village pond.

Vadivelu, I got bored with his body language. Some comedies are good. But others didn’t make me laugh.

Nayanthara is looking gorgeous. Here is a sample.

Being Kamalahasan’s fan, I didn’t satisfy.