Average customer rating:
- Sliding Through This One
- Fun and substance!
- Flying thru the pages at the edge of my seat.
- Another great story by Scottoline
- Fantastic!
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Daddy's Girl
Lisa Scottoline
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
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ASIN: 0060833149
Release Date: 2007-03-13 |
Book Description
Natalie Greco loves being a law professor, even though she can't keep her students from cruising sex.com during class and secretly feels like Faculty Comic Relief. She loves her family, too, but as a bookworm, doesn't quite fit into the cult of Greco football, headed by her father, the team captain. The one person she feels most connected to is her colleague, Angus Holt, a guy with a brilliant mind, a great sense of humor, a gorgeous facade, and a penchant for helping those less fortunate. When he talks Nat into teaching a class at a local prison, her comfortably imperfect world turns upside down.
A violent prison riot breaks out during the class, and in the chaos, Nat rushes to help a grievously injured prison guard. Before he dies, he asks her to deliver a cryptic message with his last words: "Tell my wife it's under the floor."
The dying declaration plunges Nat into a nightmare. Suddenly, the girl who has always followed the letter of the law finds herself suspected of a brutal murder and encounters threats to her life around every curve. Now not only are the cops after her, but ruthless killers are desperate to keep her from exposing their secret. In the meantime, she gets dangerously close to Angus, whose warmth, strength, and ponytail shake her dedication to her safe boyfriend.
With her love life in jeopardy, her career in the balance, and her life on the line, Nat must rely on her resources, her intelligence, and her courage. Forced into hiding to stay alive, she sets out to save herself by deciphering the puzzle behind the dead guard's last words . . . and learns the secret to the greatest puzzle of all—herself.
Filled with the ingenious twists, pulse-pounding narrative drive, and dynamic, flesh-and-blood characters that are the hallmarks of her bestsellers, Daddy's Girl is another wild, entertaining ride about love, family, and justice from the addictively readable Lisa Scottoline.
Customer Reviews:
Sliding Through This One.......2007-10-06
Lisa Scottoline has a long line of fast-moving thrillers filled with gutsy female protagonists and clever one-liners. This one has what turns out to a female law professor who becomes brave, and a number of somewhat half-clever lines, like the very first one: "Nat Greco felt like an A cup in a double-D bra." Dare I say that falls flat?
But for me the most serious problem was that the book didn't seem to move; it dragged along. Quickly yes. But nonetheless, it dragged. This may be because of no solid base. Was anything near believable? Again, maybe halfway. And I think one has to go right over the top into never-never land or stay rooted. This one hedges, and thus left me unsatisfied at the end. I have to say that not wanting to give away endings, I will only add that it bothers me that there was really no good guy anywhere here. That may be life sometimes but, hey, this wasn't reality to begin with! She's done much better!
Fun and substance!.......2007-09-20
I only discovered Scottoline this year, and I am really enjoying her works. My life is busy, stressful, and hectic, and these stories about brave (and nosy) female protagonists are fun, quick reads. This one was my favorite so far because of Nat Greco's fun, interesting family dynamics and her passion for teaching and justice.
The thing that I am liking most about Scottoline's work is that she writes an exciting novel that is easy to follow and to read -- so much so that I don't want to put it down -- but there is always something positive and substantive about the "lessons" that the character is learning. In DADDY'S GIRL, the distinction between what is "just" or justice and what is "legal" turns up over and over again, in the law school, in the police procedures and investigations, in the discussions of legal history and legally related literature, and in the discussions of the the Underground Railroad. This repeated theme give the novel a passion and a purpose that lets me forget that I am reading a murder mystery.
Overall: A fun, easy weekend or vacation read and a real page turner.
Flying thru the pages at the edge of my seat........2007-09-10
This is the first Scottoline novel I have read and it certainly won't be my last. This was an action packed, suspenseful, romantic novel that was very hard to put down. Natalie Greco is a law professor who accompanies a colleague to a prison for a class he gives as part of a program affiliated with the law school. While they are there, a riot breaks out and Nat finds herself fighting for her life. She receives a dying wish from a CO who is fatally wounded. The wish is a message to give to his wife. "Tell my wife It's under the floor". This sets off a wild and action packed tale with twists and turns that will have you at the edge of your seat. Mix that with a very protective family and boyfriend. Add a little bit of lust for the colleague and you have yourself a great thriller.
Another great story by Scottoline.......2007-08-20
I can only say good things about this story----it's exciting,couldn't put it down and the best part was that I didn't predict the ending. I was shocked by the last twists and turns at the very end. It was awesome. I love to have surprises like that when it catches you and you say to yourself "wow, I didn't see that one coming". This was a fun read. I don't know how anyone could have been bored with the story nor could they predict the outcome. I read a lot and this one was one of the best for me. Enjoy!
Fantastic!.......2007-08-19
This was my first time reading this author and I loved it! Like James Patterson, it keeps twisting and turning and it is a book you can't put down. Now I am starting to read all her books. If you like James Patterson or Harlan Coben you will absolutely enjoy this author.
Average customer rating:
- Calculations are only as good as your numbers
- Pants on fire?
- Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
- Very Interesting
- History as Science Fiction
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History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 2913621058 |
Book Description
Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Book Description
It’s me! It’s me!It’s Junie B.!Ha! That was a happy rhyme by me!And here is another happy thing:
This is boxed-set number three!It has four of my funniest books inside! (Their names are books 9—12 I believe.) Ihope you like them!Books in this set include:Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook (#9)Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal (#10)Junie B. Jones Is a Beauty Shop Guy (#11)Junie B. Jones Smells Something. Junie B. Jones’s Third Boxed Set Ever!
Customer Reviews:
Junie B. Jone's Third (& Fourth) Boxed Set Ever!.......2007-05-16
My granddaughter was thrilled. Absolutely devoured the books, in the 3rd and 4th series! I can only hope that Barbara Park continues to write the series, so, I'll know exactly what gift my 10 granddaughters' will adore.
My daughter loves it, but I had reservations........2007-05-07
Junie B. Jones is a character, and has a unique voice. However, she exercises a pet peeve of mine in that she "talks wrong." I had a lot of resistance to a character that continually coins words and makes grammatical errors (ones that a child that age should be overcoming), but then I loosened up and used the way she speaks as a launching point for discussions with my daughter on how something she said should be phrased, or could be expressed better.
So, that coupled with the fact that my daughter just tears through these books and wants to read them over and over adds up to a thumbs up for me. But do balance this out with books that are grammatically correct.
Junie B. Jones's Third Boxed Set Ever! (Books 9-12).......2007-03-08
Great books! My 7 year old loves them, and wants to share them with all of his friends. Also, the whole family laughs at the stories of this little girl. The author, Barbara Parks, really does an incredible job of describing life through the eyes of a child.
Junie B. Jones's Books.......2007-01-18
Although the language can be difficult to decipher, my daughter loves reading these books out loud. They are great for kids who are decoding words and at the medium level of beginning to read and it is easy to check their comprehension of what they have just read.
Excellent.......2007-01-15
This collection of books is wonderful. I just wish they had 16-20 in a set other than audio. I bought them seperately but the series are wonderful.
Amazon.com
In the spring of 1988, Boston Globe reporters Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill set out to write the story of two infamous brothers from the insular Irish enclave of South Boston: Jim "Whitey" Bulger and his younger brother Billy. Whitey was the city's most powerful gangster and a living legend--tough, cunning, without conscience, and above all, smart. Billy, president of the state Senate, was a political heavyweight in Massachusetts. These facts alone make for an intriguing story, but as Lehr and O'Neill found out, this was only the beginning.
John Connolly, a rising FBI agent and fellow "Southie," had known the Bulgers since boyhood when Whitey rescued him from a playground fight. After investigating organized crime in New York, Connolly was reassigned to the bureau's Boston office in 1975, and was determined to make a name for himself by relying on his old connections. He succeeded in a big way by lining up Whitey as an FBI informant in an effort to bring down the Italian Mafia--a major coup for both the FBI and Connolly. In exchange, Bulger received protection. Though heavily involved in extortion, intimidation, assassination, and drug trafficking, Connolly's "good bad guy" did not receive so much as a traffic infraction for over 20 years. In time, however, the deal changed, and information began flowing the other direction, with Bulger manipulating Connolly and a small group of corrupt FBI agents to further his nefarious network. The criminals and the lawmen eventually became virtually indistinguishable.
Black Mass expertly details the twists and turns of this complex story, painting a vivid portrait of Boston's underbelly and its inclusive political machine, as well as exposing one of the worst scandals in FBI history. It's also an examination of loyalty--to family, home, and heritage--and "a cautionary tale about the abuse of power that goes unchecked." As a final favor, Connolly tipped off Bulger that he was to be indicted on racketeering charges in 1995, allowing him time to go on the lam (he's reported to have access to secret bank accounts across the country). He was added to the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted List" in 1999. --Sharon M. Brown
Book Description
John Connoly and James "Whitey" Bulger grew up together on the streets of South Boston. Decades later, in the mid 1970's, they would meet again. By then, Connolly was a major figure in the FBI's Boston office and Whitey had become godfather of the Irish Mob. What happened next -- a dirty deal to being down the Italian mob in exchange for protection for Bulger -- would spiral out of control, leading to murders, drug dealing, racketeering indictments, and, ultimately, the biggest informant scandal in the history of the FBI.
Compellingly told by two Boston Globe reporters who were on the case from the beginning, Black Mass is at once a riveting crime story, a cautionary tale about the abuse of power, and a penetrating look at Boston and its Irish population.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect.......2007-03-14
This item was exactly what i ordered in the exact condition that i ordered it in. Would definitly do business with seller again! Thank you
The First Book.......2007-02-23
This book was the first book to be written on the Bulger/FBI scandal. For those who don't know; James "Whitey" Bulger ran Bostons Irish mafia for almost 20 years. He also was a Top Echelon Informant for the FBI. As such, they let him get away with all types of crimes, including murder. Making matters worse, his younger brother Billy was the Senate president of the Mass. state Senate. Another brother, Jackie, was a juvenile court judge. This family took corruption to new heights. Eventually they fell. Whitey is now one of the top 10 fugitives. This book by two Boston Globe reporters, details the Bulger brothers, their history, Boston politics, and how they all came together. This is a good book. The only problems are because it was written in 1998-1999, some things have changed ( For example, Bulgers partner in crime, Steven Flemi, has pleaded guilty to several murders, and is doing life without parole ). Also, there wasn't enough written about the Top Echelon Informant program and all the problems with it. I'd recomend getting 2 other books along with this to get a complete picture. 1 is Dangerous Alliances by Ralph Ranelli; the other is The Brothers Bulger by Howie Carr. All 3 books should give you a complete view of this scandal.
Frightening account of corruption.......2006-10-20
Black Mass is an unbelievable account of the illicit relationship between two Irish mobsters from South Boston (Whitey Bulger and Stevie Flemmi) and their FBI handlers (John Connolly and John Morris).
The book begins with background on South Boston and the "us against them" mentality of the residents. As a young boy, John Connolly looked up to and admired Whitey Bulger, a local gangster, and left an indelible impression on Connolly one day when Bulger rescued Connolly from a fight. Years later, when Connolly was assigned to the Boston FBI office, he sought out Bulger to turn him into an informant, hoping to make a name for himself. Bulger's younger brother was president of the state senate and Whitey by this time was head of the Irish mob in Boston, both highly regarded in their own circles.
Though Connolly may have begun the relationship with good intentions, it very quickly turned corrupt, and the information Bulger supplied Connolly was self-serving, and Connolly, never having grown out of his idolization of Bulger, did all he could to keep Whitey's record clean. The Irish and Italian mafias had a tenuous relationship, so for Bulgur, informing on his competition got them out of his way, and as long as he worked with the FBI, he was untouchable. Bulger's partner in crime, Stevie Flemmi, as it turned out, had been an informant for several years before Bulger. Rather than the FBI handling them, Bulger and Flemmi cultivated a bond with Connolly and Morris to ensure that they could do anything without fear of punishment. Reports were made up, lost, or taken; phone calls from other law enforcement agencies were ignored; Bulger and Flemmi's importance was inflated; and they were always one step ahead of a sting. Under the protection of the FBI, Bulger and Flemmi were involved in racketeering, gun running, drugs, and over a dozen murders - and got away with it.
What amazes me is that supposedly Connolly and Morris only benefited by $7000 during the two decades that Bulger and Flemmi were informants. Initially I believe that Connolly just wanted notoriety, but he is also flamboyant and likes living the high life, which it appears he did.
Eventually Morris' conscience bothered him enough to start talking, but it still took several years before Bulger, Flemmi, Connolly and Morris were indicted. Connolly warned Bulger, enabling him to escape. Flemmi, on the other hand, still thought that Morris would tell the court that this was all a mistake, and get Flemmi off as he had done for so many years.
As far as I know, Bulger is still a fugative and on the 10 Most Wanted List. I hope that regulations are now being followed to ensure FBI handlers are accountable for their action or inaction, and that the chain of command is aware of what the agents are doing. This was a well-written and engrossing story.
Incredible Book.......2006-08-19
I've had an interest in Boston and the organized crime around Boston for a while. I've actually had a big interest in the mafia in general. This is a great book with a lot of information that is very useful in understanding how corruption in the system allows organized crime to become more powerful and almost unstoppable.
More to come??.......2006-08-05
One might ask after reading this excellent book whether 2 kids,say brothers, were groomed to follow in the Bulger's footsteps but perhaps something went awry??
I know of 2 brothers from Massachusetts. Both were raised in state care during Bulger's reign. The older brother went into the army and a couple years later the younger was being harassed by activities a man who bore the same name in the same town, as if the younger brother had another identity created and which was made to look bad to hurt him in the identity confusion following. It is speculated the older brother set up the younger brother, both from Woburn,Mass and that the older brother after a name change went into FBI service at his younger brother's constant expense.Wherever the younger brother went the older followed and bad thingsalways happened to the younger as a result. There is a lot that went on but it looks as a duplicate of the Bulger's good guy/bad guy pairing for controlling different levels of influence was going on.
Book Description
Courageous Souls explores the premise that we are all eternal souls who plan our lives, including our greatest challenges, prior to birth for purposes of spiritual growth. The book contains ten true stories of people who planned physical illness, having handicapped children, deafness, blindness, drug addiction, alcoholism, losing a loved one, and severe accidents. Because very different life challenges are often planned for similar reasons, readers who have not faced these specific challenges will nevertheless see themselves - and their motivations as a soul - in these stories. As readers come to realize that they themselves planned their lives, suffering that once seemed purposeless becomes imbued with deep meaning. Wisdom may be acquired in a more conscious manner; feelings of anger, guilt, blame, and victimization are replaced by acceptance, forgiveness, peace, and gratitude.
Customer Reviews:
So that's why . . ........2007-10-08
If you ever want to get into the backside of your pre-birth planning of your life challenges, read Courageous Souls by Robert Schwartz. Want to know why you attract illness, accidents, birth defects? Want to know why you chose a life of alcoholism or drug addiction, or are around someone who has? Read this book. The stories, while may start out slow at first, are powerful and insightful. Just stick with them. Robert uses mediums who are able to access multiple guides at one time, and your primary guide and listen in on conversations between you and your soul group.
not credible.......2007-09-30
I got to p. 300 and started reading another book. I found this book painstakingly slow to read, the information provided by the mediums: farfetched, and the conclusions drawn by the author, hard to swallow. Often, when mediums are tired, their accuracy rate diminishes. I never heard of any of the mediums used in this book. Robert Schwartz makes everything so complicated when the subject matter is really quite easy to understand. The book just doesn't flow easily and it's not a page turner in my opinion. I'm a believer, but this book really is a waste of time and money. Read Journey of the Soul by Michael Newton, PhD. Instead of using mediums, he enters the superconsciousness of his clients and elicits information from them directly about their experiences on The Other Side.
An Empowering Way to Reframe Painful Challenges in Our Lives.......2007-09-17
It has been said that asking oneself the question, "Who was I before I was born?" can teach us the most about our true spiritual identity -- yet few of us have been so enlightened as to have heard the full reply. COURAGEOUS SOULS takes this starting point one step further by exploring just how we may have crafted our entire life around all of our life circumstances -- both the high and the low points.
What sets Robert Schwartz's book apart from other books about spirituality, reincarnation and the afterlife is his organized use of intuitive readings as companion pieces to accompany the various life stories he includes. These intuitive sessions provide a deep sense of interconnectedness and unconditional love shared in our lifetimes which we sometimes lose sight of, as well as insights into how we continue learning life lessons from one life to the next. The stories include descriptions of people who have experienced tremendous suffering who are greatly inspired and relieved to see an underlying sense of purpose and meaning to all they have gone through.
COURAGEOUS SOULS is an exceptional book for anyone interested in exploring the true nature of their spiritual identity, who is willing to keep an open mind regarding the value of some of the most painful challenges we humans face in our lives on Earth; this is highly recommended reading for anyone seeking to reframe and find deeper meaning from the painful challenges, setbacks or hardships in their lives.
Some of life's challenges explained........2007-09-06
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Before I even finished reading this book, I ordered more and had them sent to my friends. This book is amazing.
Told through many soul journies, Robert Schwartz brought in the talents of true mediums who were able to discover decisions that these people made before they were born - again. He did not use just one medium, but several, and they are listed in the back of the book. The individuals who shared their stories are also listed with email addresses -- and if they are able and have the time they will answer your questions.
This book came to me at a time I really needed to be reminded of my own experiences through many lives and the time between our next life. The stories are beautiful because they are able to explain why certain tragedies happen to a person.
I highly recommend this book, especially to those with open and searching minds.
Why Human Challenges Exist!.......2007-08-28
Courageous Souls is highly recommended to anyone trying to understand the suffering, tragedy or loss that has caused them to question life, death and/or God. And who among us is not inflicted by such challenges and questions in our lifetime? In my eight years researching life after death, spirituality and life purpose, I have discovered no better explanation of why human challenges exist than what is so eloquently written in Robert Schwartz's book.
Bob Olson, [...]
Book Description
From Harold S. Kushner, the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People, a book that shows us how to be our best selves even when things don’t turn out as we had hoped—that is, how we can overcome life’s disappointments.
Kushner turns to the experience of Moses to find the requisite lessons of strength and faith. Moses towers over all others in the Old Testament: he is the man on the mountaintop to whom God speaks with unparalleled intimacy, and he leads his people out of bondage. But he is also deeply human, someone whose soaring triumphs are offset by frustration and longing: his people ignore his teachings, he is denied entrance to the Promised Land, his family suffers. But he overcomes.
From the life of Moses, Kushner gleans principles that can help us deal with the problems we encounter. Through the example of Moses’ remarkable resilience, we learn how to weather the disillusionment of dreams unfulfilled, the pain of a lost job or promotion, a child’s failures, divorce or abandonment, and illness. We learn how to meet all disappointments with faith in ourselves and the future, and how to respond to heartbreak with understanding rather than bitterness and despair.
This is a book of spiritual wisdom—as practical as it is inspiring.
Customer Reviews:
Helpful, Hopeful, and Healing........2007-04-23
Serendiptitously I came across this book at a key juncture of my fast approaching mid-life; a time when I felt that I had finally righted the wrongs of my past, made ammends with my soul for opportunities lost, and a new script was about to take on flesh. In short, I was sure that I had successfully authored my own comeback, resurrection, starting-over-point.
However events would soon interfere and these best crafted, thought out plans were not to be so, nor, does it seem, will they ever be. I found myself instant robbed of meaning at age 46--in short, on the world's stage with no script and, hence, no part.
Rabbi Kushner's work is a deeply moving and profound look at the ultimate "what if..." question that haunts humankind; "What if things don't turn out for good?" His book is spiritual without being mystical; practical without being profane; humane without being overly humanist.
After reading and praying over this book, I've come to the realization that life is precious; that it is something more than to be mastered or even tolerated. Life itself is a sacred mystery, and whether we win or suffer defeat, gain or lose, achieve or fail, truly, that which does not destroy us makes us stronger. This, according to the good and blessed Rabbi, is our goal.
Helpful and Healing.......2007-03-08
Who among us hasn't had a disappointment or two? Or three or four... OK, I'll stop counting. In this book Rabbi Harold S. turns his attention to how we can use disappointments to help us be better people. Using the story of Moses to illustrate his points, Rabbi Kushner explores all aspects of disappointment. When we aspire to achieve something, and fall short, we need to understand why we wanted it in the first place. Was it our authentic dream, or the dream our father had for us? Was the ideal really in our best interest? Did we work for it, or subversively against
it? Did we fully commit and keep our promises? Can we let go of dreams, yet keep their memory with us, knowing something better is yet to come?
Here's an excerpt:"What can we do with the dreams we have learned we must shed? Can we simply discard them as the embarrassing fantasies of immature youth? I don't see how we can or why we should. They were too much a part of us for too many years for us to pretend we never dreamed those dreams. When life gives us the inevitable message that our marriage will not be the 'happily ever after' we hoped it would, that our children will be other than who we dreamed they would be, that our careers will grind to a halt somewhere short of our imagined goal, and that the only road to sanity and happiness involves freeing ourselves from the tyranny of those dreams and the feelings of failure that accompany their nonfulfillment, what do we do then? We do what Moses did when he realized that his dream of teaching people to walk in Gods' ways would not be realized as easily as he had hoped, when the shattered fragments of the commandments written by the hand of God lay in pieces at his feet. He lovingly gathered up the pieces and carried them with him in the same Ark in which the whole stones of the replacement tablets rested..."Broken dreams, broken hearts, hopes unrealized should not be seen as emblems of shame, badges of failure. If anything, they are tokens of courage. We were brave enough to dream, brave enough to long
for so much, and when we did not get it, we were brave enough to carry the fragments of those dashed hopes with us into the future, telling us who we used to be as a prelude to our discovering who we might become."
Unhelpful for at least 50% of humankind .......2007-01-23
If you are of the male sex, a tragedy happened in your life, and you are coming to this book for confort you are in for a continued tragedy. This book is full of sexism, preconceived ideas about males, and antimale bigotry to levels never before seen. For example Kushner starts by stating that the positive qualities of God and Moses are all maternal/feminine while the negative qualities of God all are paternal/masculine. Then the book advertises that it is helpful for divorce victims. However if you, like most males, have been victim of discrimination in divorce losing custody of your kids and all your money to unethical lawyers, under the pretext that all males are bad, and are coming for this book for confort against that injustice, you will be even more crushed by Kushner. He will run along to all the stereotypical biggoted idiotic ideas against 50% of human kind, stating that only men cause others to suffer in this world. The victims in this book are always women who have been cheated by their husbands who leave them for a younger wife (what an original stereotype), loving wifes who are not appreciated by their husbands, etc. Men are continuously bashed: they are bad ungrateful cheating husbands, bad politicians, bad kings, you name it. How did it come to be socially acceptable to discriminate 50% of humankind by a so called religious person even in a self-help book is unbelievable and it shows that humankind has not evolved much since Moses times. If you are a divorced man stay away from this book and sexist bigots like Kushner. If you are a women that understands that people can be good or bad regardless or their sex, creed, or race, stay away too. If you are a biggoted sexist that wants to blame men for all the problems in the world go ahead buy the book and give me an unhelpful review comment. Amazon I hope you too don't censor this valid comment presenting the point of view of 50% of your readers.
A Thoughtful Read.......2007-01-04
This book is full of information you can use to understand your actions and the actions of others as we face the unpleasantness of everyday life. More importantly, the information can help you develop responsibility for your actions in the face of adversity in a way that is mature and positive using Moses as a model.
This is a book to read now and then to return to again and again. It would make an excellent study for a Sunday School or church group, too.
overcoming life's disappointments.......2006-11-12
This book was especially helpful in viewing the curves that are thrown at you as you live your life. Nothing at times seems to go right , but this book helps to put things in perspective. Helps you look at things with more enlightenment. I recommend this book to those who are experiencing major events in their lives.
Book Description
In 1998, William Queen was a veteran law enforcement agent with a lifelong love of motorcycles and a lack of patience with paperwork. When a “confidential informant” made contact with his boss at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, offering to take an agent inside the San Fernando chapter of the Mongols (the scourge of Southern California, and one of the most dangerous gangs in America), Queen jumped at the chance, not realizing that he was kicking-starting the most extensive undercover operation inside an outlaw motorcycle gang in the history of American law enforcement.
Nor did Queen suspect that he would penetrate the gang so successfully that he would become a fully “patched-in” member, eventually rising through their ranks to the office of treasurer, where he had unprecedented access to evidence of their criminal activity. After Queen spent twenty-eight months as “Billy St. John,” the bearded, beer-swilling, Harley-riding gang-banger, the truth of his identity became blurry, even to himself.
During his initial “prospecting” phase, Queen was at the mercy of crank-fueled criminal psychopaths who sought to have him test his mettle and prove his fealty by any means necessary, from selling (and doing) drugs, to arms trafficking, stealing motorcycles, driving getaway cars, and, in one shocking instance, stitching up the face of a Mongol “ol’ lady” after a particularly brutal beating at the hands of her boyfriend.
Yet despite the constant criminality of the gang, for whom planning cop killings and gang rapes were business as usual, Queen also came to see the genuine camaraderie they shared. When his lengthy undercover work totally isolated Queen from family, his friends, and ATF colleagues, the Mongols felt like the only family he had left. “I had no doubt these guys genuinely loved Billy St. John and would have laid down their lives for him. But they wouldn’t hesitate to murder Billy Queen.”
From Queen’s first sleight of hand with a line of methamphetamine in front of him and a knife at his throat, to the fearsome face-off with their decades-old enemy, the Hell’s Angels (a brawl that left three bikers dead), to the heartbreaking scene of a father ostracized at Parents’ Night because his deranged-outlaw appearance precluded any interaction with regular citizens, Under and Alone is a breathless, adrenaline-charged read that puts you on the street with some of the most dangerous men in America and with the law enforcement agents who risk everything to bring them in.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Book.......2007-10-07
I never knew the details about the Mongols. It was fascinating to learn about this motorcycle gang. The book is so well written that I finished it in 1 day. Recommended.
Revealing.......2007-10-06
William Queen presents a straightforward and compelling look at life within the most violent outlaw motorcycle gang in the United States. I found the most disturbing thing to be the movement of the gang across the United States, establishing locations in areas where local police have no experience dealing with them. Seeing the gang from the inside is a revealing and eye-opening story.
Awesome book.......2007-10-03
This was a great read. I do not read as much as I use to but was fascinated with the title at an airport bookstore so I purchased it. Needless to say, I completed it roundtrip from East Coast to West Coast and the time flew by.
A good, quick, entertaining read. .......2007-10-01
William Queen was an ATF agent who spent two and a half years living under cover as Billy St. John, a member of the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Mongols, an international motorcycle gang. In his two years working the case, he "patched in" (became an official member of the gang) and worked his way up the ranks to an executive position, gaining unprecedented access to the inner workings of the gang, including its finances and official records. His case eventually led to the indictment of 53 Mongols on counts ranging from illegal possession of firearms to drug trafficking and murder.
While it's interesting to see how Queen worked himself out of predicament after predicament, weaving lies together to cover himself, you know he's going to make it out alright simply by the fact that he lived to write the book. So there's not a much tension in those moments in retrospect. To me, the interest of the book is in learning about the outlaw biker culture, and in the moral dilemma Queen faces when he has to testify against his "brothers." While he knows he's doing the right thing, he's also grown close to many of his fellow gang members, and he can sense that they really care for him too.
The writing sometimes lapses into the sort of gun-ho speak you find in war novels, but the story tears along at a ferocious pace and is in the end a quick, easy, fun read. And Queen should be commended for the sacrifices he made and the danger he repeatedly put himself in to serve his country.
Under and Alone.......2007-09-17
I saw a friend reading this book in Sturgis at the 2005 bike rally. When he put it down for a break, I picked it up and read the preface. I was drawn in from that point on. I started reading and could not put the book down. Managed to get through the first chapter before my friend took it back. How the government was able to infiltrate a bike club and climb their ranks for two years being undercover really fascinated me. I highly recommend this book to bikers and others who are fascinated by this lifestyle.
Book Description
The inside story of the ATF's infiltration of the Hell's Angels, one of the most notorious and violent outlaw motorcycle gangs in history.
Customer Reviews:
Running with the Devil: The True Story about the ATF's infiltration of the Hells Angels.......2007-10-05
This book was the largest load of horse puckey I have ever read. It should have listed as fiction.
While the accounts detailing the operational activities of the ATF agents may or may not have been accurate, the depiction of bikers and their lifestyle couldn't be farther from the truth.
It seems that the author did her background investigation of the biker lifestyle by watching bad "B" biker exploitation movies from the 70's
For Example, "When the agents arrived at Too Broke for Sturgis, They found outlaw bikers pounding down beers and parading their women around like prized pigs"
I've been to the rally in question and have found it to be a very mellow gathering of friends and families who happen to ride motorcycles.
It pains me to think of the ill will the author is perpetuating by such false depictions of motorcyclists
Couldn't wait to put it down........2007-09-09
After having read "Under and Alone", which was a well written and fascinating read, "Running with the Devil" was an utter disappointment. "RwtD" read more like a script to a B grade movie rather than an account of actual events. Save your money...
MC Club?.......2007-08-05
This doesn't sound like a "club" to me. Good book. Under and Alone by William Queen is a 5 star book on this subject.
M
Sonny Barger once boasted the Hells Angels would never be infiltrated.......2007-08-04
Sonny Barger once boasted the Hells Angels would never be infiltrated - but the ATF sting proved him wrong, with undercover agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives penetrating the mystique and clan. The author's access to confidential information allows her to follow ATF special agent Joseph Slatalla as he originates the idea and injects an ATF agent named Bird into the Hells Angels chapter. Bird's work would lead to the arrest of 50 people and seizure of some 650 guns: RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL: THE TRUE STORY OF THE ATF'S INFILTRATION OF THE HELLS ANGELS tells how in a riveting account which reads with the drama of fiction and will mesmerize general-interest readers at the public library level.
Not bad. An easy read that leaves some questions..................2007-07-24
I wasn't sure I should order this book after I read the reviews. But, I did and overall it was a good book. Yes, it does have some errors, like calling the Nazi Low Riders a biker gang. (They are a white, prison based street gang) But, those are few and forgivable.
The book does a good job of showing the difficulty in running what by its' nature has to be a mostly, "Seat of the pants," operation with the strings being controlled by a huge Goverment agency. Not a recipe for success, but the agents in Operation Black Biscuit did the best they could with what they had. The book did a good job of showing this to the reader.
I have a unique perspective on the biker subculture, crime, and society in that I was raised around bikers and biker gangs, yet today I am a 20 year Law Enforcement veteran. I have seen those bikers that lived the life, but actually were good people. But, most I met were out to take what they could get, as cheap as they could, even if someone else was victimized. This book showed that, even when the "victim" was another gang/club member. What a way to treat, I mean "honor" a fellow member.
In the end Operation Black Biscuit did not get the type of convictions you would think. And, many in the biker subculture are quick to point this out. I would like to have seen more info in the book on the who, what, when, where and why that happened. The popular answer is because of over zealous, sloppy, power happy Goverment agents and the agencies they represent. But, the answer is not that easy. The answer lies in the fabric of our society itself, in that how do you play by the rules established in the name of fairness in order to take down those who claim to not play by our rules. Just once, we should do it according to their rules.
This, and any other book about the biker subculture that I have read always will raise the question of why do those who claim to be wanting to live life outside of the everyday rules of society, quickly hide behind those same rules when they are applied to them ? Ex- Hells Angel turned informant Anthony Tait posed that question in his book, but nobody has really delved into it. If you think this isn't true, just try to use their copyrighted logo.
So, overall the book was fun andd interesting to read and it is well worth the time and money that I invested. However, it and other books like it leave questions that I think need to be answered. Not just because we need to effectively deal with those in the biker subculture who victimize the innocent (not all do), but because I would find it interesting to read about.
Book Description
In this true story of our nation's love affair with firearms, Clayton E. Cramer debunks the myths and takes readers along a winding historical trail full of surprising revelations and riveting anecdotes, explaining the roots of America's gun culture.
Customer Reviews:
The Story of Guns in Early America.......2007-10-06
Clayton E. Cramer has an MA in history from Sonoma State University and has taught history in Boise State University. He published several academic books on history and firearms. His knowledge allowed him to reveal the lies in Bellesiles' book. The 'Acknowledgments' thank those who helped to make this book more entertaining. Cramer notes the changes from the Julian to Gregorian calendar in 1752. Cramer's discussion on Bellesiles' revisionist history begins this educational book. Bellesiles misquoted the historical record to provide false facts for his now discredited book (p.xii). Bellesiles used probate records that were destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake (p.xv)! Another scandal was the dishonesty of university historians (p.xvi). [Upton Sinclair wrote a book in 1922 on corporate control of universities.] Cramer explains the difficulty of evaluating written records from 300 years ago (pp.xviii-xx).
Part I deals with Colonial America (1607-1775). America followed the English tradition of a militia, people armed for their protection against Indians and England's enemies (p.3). Gun ownership was required by the 18th century (p.4). Chapter 2 tells of the class and race prohibitions on gun ownership. Some whites were distrusted for religious reasons. Indians were banned from owning guns (Chapter 3) but acquired them through commerce. They were armed for their fights with other tribes (p.42). Chapter 5 tells of the probate records that record personal property; there are problems with these records (p.55). Ads in newspapers may be more reliable, as well as gunpowder import records (p.56). Chapter 5 lists the hunting practices. Murder rates were higher then (p.78). Fights occurred over political concerns (p.80), and tenant uprisings in NY. Pistols were common (p.83). So too were accidents (p.86). Part II documents the Revolutionary War. There are many detailed records on gun ownership. These chapters cover Guns in New England, the Middle Colonies, the South, and the Continental Army and Militias. "Guns were the great equalizers of social status" (p.166).
Part III covers the Early Republic (1783-1846). There are chapters on Militias, Ammunition, Pistols, Guns and Sport, and Guns and Violence. The militia system was superior to a regular army in three ways (p.178). They were low-cost, they were plentiful, and they were widespread. The militia was politically reliable (p.180)! There were arguments against a standing army (p.183). Gunpowder mills were common in most states (Chapter 11). Chapter 12 examines the availability of pistols in America. Hunting was very common and universal on the frontier (p.201). Violence was all too common because of an "honor culture" (p.224). Dueling was quite common, the laws against it nearly useless (a jury would not convict if it conducted honorably). "Regulators" enforced the laws (p.229). Violence was common, often because of slander (p.232). [No mention of the rate of violent death in England or Europe.]
The 'Epilogue' notes that America was a society where guns were common for military defense, defense of a home and family, as a symbol of citizenship, and for violence. Newspapers, law books, memoirs, travel accounts, and advertisements documented the common ownership of guns. The 'Bibliography' lists the Primary and Secondary sources (pp.244-255).
[Neither Bellesiles or Cramer tell how America was a peaceful refuge from the wars and oppressions of Europe.]
Who will debunk the debunkers?.......2007-07-28
Michael Bellisiles wrote a book that, for some reason, scared the NRA. Bellisiles argued that America's gun culture didn't develop until around the time of the Civil War. He did not argue that America does not have a gun culture. Why the right got so exorcized about whether gun lust has a 17th century or 19th century origin is beyond me. But anyway, Mr. Cramer, we are told, figures prominently in the anti-Bellisiles crusade. This is not a good omen. Yes, Bellisiles lost his post at Emory -- that's in the liberal stronghold of Georgia, folks, where their idea of a historian is Newt Gingrich (can you say 'political pressure?' I knew you could.) Yes the Bancroft prize was withdrawn (ditto). Does any of this lend credence to the claims of Mr. Cramer and his NRA allies that Bellisiles work has been revealed to be a complete 'sham' and discredited in toto? Not at all. The official disciplinary committee that backed his dismissal from Emory took issue with only a few items in Arming America, notably one specific chart of probate data that proved to be in error. The vast majority of professional historians though, however they may feel about the bits of Arming America that have been repeatedly challenged, concede that the vast bulk of this large book is accurate. That leaves Cramer more or less alone in trying to debunk the whole enchilada. As the other negative reviews here indicate, there's a lot of questionable assertion going on here. If Cramer draws different conclusions from the same facts Bellisiles notes, we might compare the logic behind the arguments. Both authors note that laws in early America encouraged gun ownership for the purpose of strengthening militias -- lest the Brits return etc., as they did in 1812. Cramer seems to think this proves guns were popular. Bellisiles argues that the fact people had to have all this coaxing to acquire guns indicates the public was not keen on acquiring them of their own accord. Did the laws passed in the 1960s and 1970s encouraging the addition of safety devices and improved fuel economy in automobiles indicate that these features were in demand, or the opposite?
I wonder how many of the folks who laud Cramer's expose of Bellisiles have actually read Arming America and compared the two cases, and how many only have Cramer's version of Bellisiles to go on. This seems to me a pretty common phenomenon on both right and left: we tend to take reports of someone else's supposed outrageous conduct for granted and join the outrage, without carefully examining whether the actual facts fit the outraged reporter's description.
Interesting ideological footnote: look at the Amazon 'Better together' feature that offers to pair the book on the page you're viewing with another similar book. For Armed America, Amazon suggests another pro-gun book. For Arming America, Amazon suggests... Armed America. Not a bad idea if was reciprocated, eh. So go ahead and buy this book if you're interested in the topic, but buy Bellisiles book as well, and try to think for yourself.
Good book, but it won't convince those who "know" it isn't so.......2007-07-16
A few years ago Michael Bellsiles wrote a book claiming that early Americans didn't own guns, didn't have them, and that historical documentation proved it. He was widely discredited even by many of his anti-gun peers when it was found that much of his research was false or totally inaccurate.
Clayton Cramer spent five years researching the same records Bellesiles "used" and found totally opposite results, guns were very common all over the colonies (the book covers a period from the 1600's to the 1840's). Divided into 3 sections, Colonial America, the Revolutionary war, and the early Republic- Cramer gives exhaustive detail on what America was really like. The author is even careful to note that sometimes a modern reader can't be sure just what some statements from the past meant.
There are a lot of footnotes (unfortunately he gives no indication of just how hard it is for the average person to get at the original documents to read them, he does mention that Bellesiles usually reported just the opposite of what sommething actually said in print.) and a 12 page bibliography to back up his statements.
My worst problem with the book was that the few included photographs are too dark, hard to get any detail from them. It's a good fascinating book that I don't regret owning, it just won't convince anyone who doesn't believe it is true.
Excellent scholarly work.......2007-05-13
This is definitely a book for people who enjoy history through original sources. Mr. Cramer brings together a wealth of material that many "professional" historians can't seem to be bothered with.
Guns and Apple Pie--You left out Baseball and Mom, Mr. Gun Nut!.......2007-05-11
The title alone is so over the top and ridiculous as to invite uncontrollable laughter. Cramer is the almost perfect incarnation of the type "Creepily gun obsessed loner" of which we see many poorer examples in the cheerleading reviews posted here.
Really, these people are to be pitied, lonely and frightened little boys trying to be men and failing so utterly, caressing their rifles in the darkness in the absence of human warmth and comfort, fantasizing psychotically about being John Wayne or Rambo and constantly being drawn back to the cruel truth that they are merely anti-social, hateful, angry, psychologically unbalanced hermits, many of whom will never know emotionally real human companionship, and who are far more likely to use their guns to intimidate or kill their family members or blow their own brains out than to heroically defeat Evil in the form of a 15 year old kid trying to steal a ten speed bike off their front porch at night. What a sad bunch.
Book Description
One L, Scott Turow's journal of his first year at law school introduces and a best-seller when it was first published in 1977, has gone on to become a virtual bible for prospective law students. Not only does it introduce with remarkable clarity the ideas and issues that are the stuff of legal education; it brings alive the anxiety and competiveness--with others and, even more, with oneself--that set the tone in this crucible of character building. Turow's multidimensional delving into his protagonists' psyches and his marvelous gift for suspense prefigure the achievements of his celebrated first novel, Presumed Innocent, one of the best-selling and most talked about books of 1987.Each September, a new crop of students enter Harvard Law School to begin an intense, often grueling, sometimes harrowing year of introduction to the law. Turow's group of One Ls are fresh, bright, ambitious, and more than a little daunting. Even more impressive are the faculty: Perini, the dazzling, combative professor of contracts, who presents himself as the students' antagonist in their struggle to master his subject; Zechman, the reserved professor of torts who seems so indecisive the students fear he cannot teach; and Nicky Morris, a young, appealing man who stressed the humanistic aspects of law.Will the One Ls survive? Will they excel? Will they make the Law Review, the outward and visible sign of success in this ultra-conservative microcosm? With remarkable insight into both his fellows and himself, Turow leads us through the ups and downs, the small triumphs and tragedies of the year, in an absorbing and throught-provoking narrative that teaches the reader not only about law school and the law but about the human beings who make them what they are.In the new afterword for this edition of One L, the author looks back on law school from the perspective of ten years' work as a lawyer and offers some suggestions for reforming legal education.
Customer Reviews:
Troubled water.......2007-08-18
The topicality of attorney Scott Turow's law school horror story "One L" may be in dispute, but its entertainment value is not. You don't even have to contemplate a future career in law to draw from Turow's tale those feelings we all get when we encounter a challenge before we even muster a step past the entrance, and from there it all piles up: There is uncertainty, exhaustion, pressure from life-threatening but unavoidable exams, and that particular teacher who EVERYONE whispers about. Of course, my personal favorite is the passionate and burning thirst for competition lurking in the darkest depths of each student. The real nasty part is that everybody tries his or her utmost best to conceal it, but make no mistake. That Law Review position looks mighty fine when you are combing through future areas of employment.
"One L" chronicles Mr. Turow's, indeed, "turbulent true story" at one of the most prestigious and influential legal coliseums in the United States, and his journey there constitutes endless opportunities to torture him and his classmates while the readers giggle in fiendish delight. Even more colorful are the characters we meet, including those in Turow's study group and the wickedly brilliant Professor Pereni.
The book approaches the almost holistic mysticism of Harvard Law School, turns the concept upside down, and reveals the nitty-gritty of the whole enterprise. Obviously, Harvard Law today and the Harvard Law of Scott Turow are as radically different now as night and day. Take this then as a window to the past, populated with creative creatures as its students (Hothschild comes to mind) and professors (the great Mr. Pereni), and those dreadful stories about pre-exam nights. Just don't let it keep you away from Harvard!
Comments from a Law Professor.......2007-07-29
I had my wife purchase One L for me because I wanted to be reminded of what it was like to be a law student again. It has been a long time and quite honestly, I had forgotten.
I had forgotten about study groups and the terror of the Socratic Method. I had forgotten about that law students can be terrified of their Professors, and that they are intrigued by the fine points of law which seem so new and unique to them.
Pushing back the frontiers of ignorance. It is what I do. It is what I hope to do better.
Empathy. One L has given me empathy for my students.
Mixed Bag.......2007-06-25
I read this book because the law student at Northwestern mentioned that although it was dated, it's an important book in terms of understanding what law school was/is like. As a person who will be attending law school next fall, I was somewhat disappointed with the book, but most likely for reasons out of Turow's control. If the book was meant solely as a description of his first year and nothing more, then it would be a tight account of many of the difficulties this person had as he navigated what he describes as the toughest year at arguably the best law school in the country. But that being said, Turow's account seems to take a slightly different angle in that it aims to primarily critique the collective law education process while being critical of the professors and other students (pseudo-fictional amalgamations of the actual people he went to school with and was taught under) at Harvard. I think what got to me was the constant oscillation between the pride he had at being at so prestigious an institution with the shame he almost exhibited as he slowly changed as a person as the year progressed, becoming as competitive and almost bitter as those around him. It's a tough sell when much of the book comes out as whining and because it's so time specific, the whining doesn't seem like the kind of thing that can sustain the book for readers from this decade let alone readers in the future. I think the book is important as a period piece, an insider's guide to law school, but there's just something that it lacks for a broader audience. If I wasn't going to law school, I would have said the book was a waste of my time, since it doesn't seem to do enough other than provide the perspective of a very neurotic, though intelligent and successful writer's take on his tough transition from being a graduate professor of literature at Stanford to a law student. If this review seems a little confusing, suffice to say that if you want to go to law school, go ahead and read it, if not, take a pass. You may as well read a blog online.
okay...but a bit melodramatic.......2007-05-25
Turow's One L in an interesting read. His easy prose style will keep you engaged with the 'characters' in the story, and his penchant for drama will keep you turning pages. I gave the book 4 stars because of Turow's writing style and his inclusion of legal terms, description of classes, exams, and study groups. It is apparent that he wrote this book for those who were contemplating law school. Even though his perspective is dated, I think he successfully channeled the highs and lows of the trials of obtaining an advanced degree at a top university. Turow's bleeding heart sentiments about the perils of the HLS education and his open disdain for the pedagogy of certain professors were the weakest areas of the work.
With that said, I did feel that Turow and some of his acquaintances should have been put on suicide watch or given a valium. Most of them appeared very uptight, and overly sensitive to the competitive nature of the class environment and criticism of the professors, which is often the custom in any graduate/professional class. As a former graduate student and lecturer in English at another prestigious university--Stanford--Turow should have been more amenable to the teaching styles and challenges presented, jmho. But I did read this over 25 yrs later so my Gen-Y student experience would naturally clash with the student experience of the late 70s. Warning: Be mindful of the generation gap!
As a student who is thinking about law school, I was not frightened or put off by One L. A good read but by no means my only source.
ACCURATE DEPICTION OF LAW SCHOOL EDUCATION.......2007-05-21
I have read this book twice. A very rare thing for me to do. I have practiced law for over 30 years and this accurately portrays the trials and tribulations of law students. I volunteer as a career mentor at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Another attorney and I place this at the top of our suggested reading list for students who are curious about the legendary legal education environment. Good stuff.
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