New Releases by David Weiss

"A 900 page edifice erected atop and around the life and nigh incredible achievements of the 17th century architect, astronomer and mathematician who served under five monarchs and the Commonwealth. In the beginning -- when Weiss deals with Wren''s childhood, as the son and nephew of highly placed clerics, as bewildered schoolmate (at four) of Prince Charles at Windsor, as hard-working student at Westminster -- the author''s patient, loving detail promises the reader of commercial historicals a comfortable stretch of winter reading. However, there is no strong emotional focus, except possibly Wren''s determination to rebuild St. Paul''s (a 33 year obsession) and as Weiss picks his way through the politics, religion, science, arts and notables of Wren''s 90 years on earth, there is simply no keystone to hold the whole mess together. Also there are implausible moments -- the monarchs and Cromwell all tip their hands to Wren at one time or another and just about anybody who was anybody files by -- from Pepys to Milton ("Cromwell like(d) the way he writes"), Van Dyke to Newton (who makes his "great ocean of truth" observation in casual conversation to guess who), to Nell Gwynn who compliments Wren on his theater design: "Charles, this theater is a great improvement. Spacious, comfortable, light. The town talks of nothing else." As for the architecture, the little learning here is not enough (was "Gothic" referred to as such in the 17th century?): In referring to St. Paul''s, the author has King William remark: "Don''t bring it up again Mary. If you''ve mentioned St. Paul''s once, you''ve mentioned it a dozen times." Sound fellow, William..."--Kirkus

Abe Burrows'' adaptation from Jane Austen''s Pride and Prejudice and Helen Jerome''s play Music and Lyrics by Robert Goldman Glenn Paxton and George Weiss Characters: 14male 12female 7 sets. Mrs. Bennett rural prosaic and the matriarch of five daughters has her gaze on the social whirl of London while her husband and farm languish. The eldest headstrong Elizabeth has her own ideas on life and love. With her eyes on the ''prize'' and "a house in town" Mrs. Bennett sets about bringing stubborn Elizabeth into the social orbit of upscale snob William D''arcy with classic hilarious results. The original cast on Broadway included Polly Bergen Hermione Gingold and Farley Granger as D''arcy.

In which we learn the sordid secrets of superstars Sylvester and Tweety; Bugs Bunny writes a monster into a favorite fairy tale; and the stork delivers a big Tasmanian Devil surprise to the Three Bears.

Come back with us to the days of the Wild West, when men were men and ducks were deputy sheriffs, with disastrous results! And speaking of disasters, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam try to work together with power tools.

Coyote''s building a pyramid to trap the Roadrunner! Plus, Bugs defends Earth''s carrot crop from Marvin the Martian.

Bugs Bunny trespasses on Yosemite "Strongman" Sam''s turf; Porky Pig gets big trouble instead of his mail; and Daffy Duck "fowls" up Elmer''s TV show.

A classic Looney rivalry hits prime time as Elmer hosts a TV fix-it show and Bugs throws a monkey wrench into the mix! Plus, Daffy and Porky become superspies, and Sylvester is forced to guard Tweety with his life!

Daffy Duck the detective!