Epstein divides his essays into the literary and familiar. The former examine lives of writers and the lives of their books, while the latter are more personal and introspective along the lines of autobiography.

The recurrent theme in this latest crop is aging and death and I'm unclear on whether Epstein has decided to go gently. In one, he mourns the bodily changes that accompany maturity, in another the discomfort, physical and otherwise, associated with a heart bypass operation. We see him scan the obituary pages and sadly note the passing of friends. Perhaps if I were closer to Epstein's age, I would find these reflections less morbid. As things are, I doubt I can reach his degree of understanding in such matters, or do them justice, without having walked in his well-worn shoes.

There's a brief look at Epstein's friendship with Albert Goldman, who achieved a small bit of fame for his biographies of Elvis and John Lennon. Goldman emerges as a sad type, a hippie liberal still trying to be hip at an age when that word has no meaning. By contrast, Edward Shils, in a moving tribute, is shown to be a man devoted to the fundamental.

In his chatty way, Epstein treats us to more essays about lengthy books, name dropping, name-pronouncing, and napping. I'm especially fond of the last one, "The Art of the Nap." Albert Jay Nock wrote an essay called "The Art of Snoring," which suggested that the world's problems were usually caused by busy people who could not mind their own busy-ness. His prescription: more naps.

Is Epstein still at the top of his game? I'd say so.

Joseph Epstein is out of step with the times; so much the worse for the times. But you wouldn't expect one of our best essayists to share the hyperkinetic spirit of our quick-cut, crisis-of-the-week, information overload age, malnourished as it is on fast food and fast thought. Epstein's readers, used to his erudite and soothing literary voice, will conclude that he's, square peg or no, comfortable in the world. Epstein is a clear, deliberate thinker and graceful writer who won't be rushed. He knows his way around an idea, an anecdote, a philosophical question. He creates intimacy, interest, and assent without being the least polemical or didactic (see above re one of our best essayists), and demonstrates that as well as being useful, intelligence can also be a sheer joy. Narcissus Leaves the Pool -- the sixth essay collection of Epstein's 13 books - will only add to his reputation. The 16 pieces here repay the serious and the playful mind (if the same mind, so much the better). In his surefooted style -- serious but not solemn, humorous but never trivial, deep but always accessible. Epstein ponders what distinguishes a point of view from a grab-bag of opinions; shows how the role of popular music has changed in our lives; counts the ways professional sports offend these days, ("Watching Monica Seles play Arantxa Vicario, two players who grunt with every stroke, I feel that I am inside a hernia testing center.") and laments how hard it is for one who's loved the games to chuck the increasingly hard to justify habit; praises napping and disparages name dropping. He comes to terms with turning 60 in "Will You Still Feed Me." The title of the book and of the lead essay means to suggest the writer has reached an age where the preening and overreaching are done, where possibilities are relinquished. He's not exactly asking what to make of a diminished thing, but conceding that the future, while still pleasing at 61, is contracted. He's reached the age where when reading a good book he feels obligated to do a good job of it as it's unlikely he'll read that book again. An age where every trip to the doctor's office carries the real threat that the doctor will find what he has been poking around looking for these many years. Epstein admits squeamishness, but denies being a hypochondriac, "..only your normal thanatophobe." He ponders the question of how to maintain dignity in the physician's office. "While respecting what they do and realizing the need for them, I have tried to the best of my ability to steer clear of physicians. I find that, given a chance, they discover things I would rather not know about." Once such discovery led to one of life's experiences Epstein would have as soon skipped, heart surgery. He describes it in "Taking the Bypass." Epstein might not think to label himself a conservative. In part because the breathless clamors that fill political journals -- elections, legislative maneuvering, the routine changes of government -- do not interest him much. He's aware of the overall seriousness of politics, especially where it's very bad. He is friends with people who lost family in Hitler's death camps. But his principle concern is the with the workings of the human heart, not with the routine insolences of office. His skepticism regarding all Big Ideas and his rejection of all causes that individuals must be sacrificed in the name of put him, literary temperament and all, on the right side of the angels. A conservative in all but registration. Not one to diminish literature by hitching it to any ideological wagon, Epstein has no patience with tenured Philistines who flog their agendas with the literary masters. In "The Pleasures of Reading," he nails these villains. "What wide reading teaches is the richness, the complexity, the mystery of life.I have come to believe there is something deeply apolitical something above politics in literature, despite what feminist, Marxist, and other politicized literature critics might think. If at the end of a long life of reading the chief message you bring away is that women have had it lousy, or that capitalism stinks, or that attention must above all be paid to victims, then I'd say you just might have missed something." Epstein takes his reading seriously (though not solemnly, as you'll see). He's amused by profiles of people who list reading as a hobby. "I should as readily list under my hobbies, tennis, travel, and breathing." Epstein notices how few grownups there are these days and parses this matter in "Grow Up Why Dontcha." No accident that Seinfeld and Friends became so popular in the land of the perpetual adolescent. Role models in arrested development come with the substantial tuitions at America's colleges in the person of paunchy professors, certifiably past fifty, wearing blue jeans, hiking shoes, and even in some cases, God help us, backpacks. "In our own day one still sees what are essentially sixties characters in their fifties, walking the streets, tie-dyed, long-haired, sadly sandaled, neither grateful nor dead, waiting for the magic bus to the past." Epstein manages to combine literary insights of the literature professor (Northwestern) that he is -- you'll encounter Proust, Montaigne, T.S. Eliot, and Solzhenitsyn in these pages -- with the acute observations of the street smart Chicago boy he also is. You'll also run across Joe Montana, Mike Ditka ( I did say Chicago), Floyd Patterson, and former welter weight Carmen Basilio. Epstein delights in all precincts of Vanity Fair. Epstein, like your average French desert, is pretty rich stuff and probably is better read an essay or two at a time. Those who've read A Line Out For a Walk, Once More Around the Block, With My Trousers Rolled, or The Middle of My Tether know this already. It probably wouldn't do anyone actual harm to read an entire book of Epstein essays at one sitting. But why take a chance? Larry Thornberry - Tampa LTBerrywtr@aol.com

Loved it. Have converted all my friends to Epstein enthusiasts

Tells us how with Jesus we are never alone. It goes ito depth of his closness and assurance to call on and trust in him. It was one of the best and better then most self help books.

Joseph Girzone is a retired priest. He has become a world famous author with his inspiring Joshua series, which I am just now starting to read. He shares with us his personal way to God in this book.

This is not a stuffy, strict, demanding book. It does not condemn you for your mistakes or faults. It is a peaceful and loving approach to faith that shows you God loves us all how we are. We are none of us perfect and the author emphasizes the fact that we are loved no matter what and if we open our hearts all will be well. He talks of how people in our age have been put off by religion. He tells us how religion and spirituality are not the same thing, and if we follow Jesus's life and example rather than do as is dictated by religion's leaders then we will be on the road we should be. God has a plan for all of us and our lives. He loves us even if we do not love him. He will wait for us to come to him and then he will open his arms. The author explains all of these things and tells of a God that loves so much rather than condemns.

I found this book to be touching and rather simple in what it had to say. Simple in a good way. Anyone can understand what the author is trying to say, and I found it all to be wonderfully inspiring and thoughtful. I love inspirational books and sadly most that I find are very boring, stiff, untouching. This is a great exception. I recommend it to anyone who wants to meditate on God and their own spirituality.

A book for those really wanting to grow spirtually, Father Josheph those an execellent job at helping those currently in many churches starving for GOD. He provides the roadmap, in a simple to understand format. "May God Bless, Father Josheph"

The book is beautifully written and easy to read, with emphasis on geometric picture instead of abstract nonsense. By far the best introduction to algebraic geometry for string theorists.

This is an amazing book with an amazing subject (complex algebraic geometry). Every section presents something interesting and wonderful. I've only read chapters 0 (Complex manifolds, Hodge theory), 1 (Divisors & line bundles, vanishing theorems, embeddings), and 2 (Riemann surfaces). I had had a bad experience with alg geom before this book. Required reading for mathematicians in complex manifolds, algebraic geometry, or string theorists. There are some very trivial typos scattered, but nothing problematic in the least (like capital lambda instead of a big wedge, or indices). If you read the book carefully you will get a lot out of it.

This book is fabulous - it is an indispensable reference for complex algebraic geometry. It is very clearly written and ideas are always motivated by examples and problems. Moreover, if you want to learn modern algebraic geometry, it's imperative to learn the classical case (over the complexes - which in practice is easier to work in) in order to understand the generalisations a la Grothendieck.

A very impressive first novel and the perfect summer read. Plot, characters, fabulous Aegean location, non-stop action, love interest, I don't see how it can miss as a movie; the screenplay writes itself. If this doesn't end up on the screen, the author needs to find himself a new agent. I like face-paced books, and this one is warp speed all the way. Hang on!

While I usually prefer American-set mysteries, skimming 'The Pythagorean Solution' gave me confidence to buy it - and I am glad I did. A distinctive, literate prose style and interesting, diverse characters that continually reveal themselves are what I look for in any book - and Badal delivers on both counts. The mystery itself has a compact, well-told story that never disappoints and has enough twists to keep you going without ever feeling forced. The Greek setting is a big plus; if you have ever visited the Greek Isles, it will bring back memories and if you have not, it will make you want to go. On the dust jacket, Tony Hillerman says he's looking forward to this novice novelist's next book. Well, so am I.

If you are an avid mystery reader, THE PYTHAGOREAN SOLUTION is a must!!! Its an adventure that will keep your interest from the first page to the last. Mr. Badal has the unique ability to transport his readers thru vivid mind-pictures into a land of exotic peoples and their culture. He weaves a great love for and knowledge of the Greek people and their history into a mystery spanning decades whose solution is to be found in the "Mind" of the distant past. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading Mr. Badal's next book due out in early 2004. -------- Norma Senn, a mystery buff from Albuquerque

Ritual & Sacrifice in the Corrida
For many Americans bull fighting is the one of the most misunderstood phenomena. The title of this fine book by Allen Josephs best explains bullfighting to the uninitiated Bull fighting, or toreo as Josephs correctly prefers to call it, is a ceremony of ritual and sacrifice.

The relation between man and the bull is lost deep in the fog of prehistory. Some say it was the bull not agriculture that domesticated man. The corrida is one aspect of that relationship, a sign of respect and honor to a noble enemy and friend.

The book is much more than a story of bullfighting. It is a classic saga of courage and perseverance as Cesar Rincon, a Colombian, against all odds succeeds in a foreign sometimes hostile land. From the plains of southern France, across the mountains of central Spain to the difficult rings of Andalusia, Allen takes us on a whirlwind adventure that criss-cross the breath and depth of Spain as he follows Rincon in his quest for the perfect corrida.

Josephs writes in a lyrical style more in the mode of Garcia Lorca than Hemingway.

Josephs, author of the White Wall of Spain, has an innate understanding of Spain and the Spanish which he imparts to the reader.

Read Hemingway, yes, but Ritual and Sacrifice in the Corrida is a must read for anyone even vaguely interested in that most Spanish of Spanish phenomena.

As made clear by the subtitle, this is the story of the César Rincón, arguably the best Colombian torero in history, one of the best ever to emerge from the Americas, one of the best -- without respect to origins -- performing anywhere in the second half of the twentieth century.

This is the story of César Rincón the torero (not a biography; we learn little here about César Rincón the man -- quite possibly the only aspect of the book that leaves the reader wishing for more, though we learn plenty about César's view of toreo, his personal take on its hows and whys, the nature and price of the vocation and its demands) who, in 1991, burst onto the taurine scene from nowhere (or, seemingly so -- he was so little known on the day of his first triumph in Madrid that the program listed him as Venezuelan), managing performances that saw him carried out through the Puerta Grande in Las Ventas on four consecutive appearances, a feat unequaled by anyone, before or since.

Just how good was César Rincón? The inescapable impression given by this book is that he was a taurine epiphany:

Josephs is without doubt a full-blooded Rincóncista, but Ritual and Sacrifice in the Corrida is no tendentiously edited hagiography. The judgments it contains are not just his -- they're from the pens of some of the most important taurine critics of Rincón's day (Andrés de Miguel, Vicente Zabala, Norberto Carrasco, Joaquín Vidal, Michael Wigram and José Carlos Arévalo), writing with Rincon's performances still vivid from the previous days' events. Josephs gives us his eye-witness accounts whenever possible, but generously supplements them with the opinions of other commentators.

This is a stunningly successful book, unlike any taurine work published in English in decades. Without question, Josephs has given us a work that will, for years, sit comfortably alongside the best of Hemingway, the best of Conrad, the best of Fulton and Tynan -- destined to be one of the more re-read works in any taurine bibliophile's library.

Rincón was essentially unknown to Josephs in 1991, and the germ of this book took root slowly as Rincón began to stun the Spanish afición (and Josephs) with his performances during that year's Iberian temporada. The idea for the book chrystalized in the spring of 1992, in Plaza Santa Ana -- a Madrid neighborhood dripping with taurine history and activity -- during a chat with Michael Wigram. Josephs set out to follow Rincón, documenting his career trajectory, from Spain back to the Americas, back to Spain, to the Americas, over and over until the end of the 1995 season when Rincón, suffering from a resurgence of hepatitis "C," announced his retirement, intending to swap the role of torero for that of ganadero.

Written with the aid of unusual access to a torero's inner circle, this is not simply an insider's view of the taurine circuit (as might be, for example, a detailed diary kept by a torero). Josephs didn't travel as part of Rincon's entourage. But it is likely as intimate a view as anyone will soon provide. Josephs shadowed Ricón, his manager and cuadrilla for four years -- benefitting greatly from their assistance, attending every corrida he could manage, describing in great detail what he saw (how the public reacted, and how the authority and critics judged). He had access that only a personal relationship with a torero can provide -- to hotel suites before and after successful and disastrous corridas, to sorteos, to the callejon, to tientas, to family gatherings on ganaderias and in Rincon's home, to hospital/infirmary rooms, to post-corrida de-briefings with critics and ganaderos, and more.

Faenas are described in near photographic detail, both the good, the bad, and the all-too-commonly mundane. Although the degree of taurine detail may prove more-than-a-little daunting for anyone outside or new to the mundo taurino, Josephs has seized on a clever way of avoiding bad translation of taurine terms while simultaneously keeping the narrative clear of repeated explanatory asides. All terms that would not be done justice by clumsy translation into English are left in their Spanish forms, accompanied by explanatory asides only the first time they appear in the text. Supsequent appearances remain in Spanish and an index of defined appearances is provided for readers who didn't absorb the meaning of a term the first time around.

Althouh this is Rincón's saga, Josephs' eyes aren't focused on Rincón alone. Had they been, no proper assessment of Rincón would have been possible. Though bullfighting isn't a contest between matador and bull, one can't really judge a matador's mettle without seeing him alongside his peers, each trying to tease the best out of the unpredictable complexity of the animals drawn each afternoon. Fortunately, Josephs doesn't slight Rincón's rivals (most noteworthy among them, Enrique Ponce and Joselito), giving everyone their due. We're provided a very balanced view of years of performances, the good and the bad, solidly retained in the natural context. To back every judgment we're given dates and locations (no need to take Josephs' word alone for the quality of performances observered; we're everywhere pointed to sources that can confirm the observations made) and detail that could only be noticed by one steeped -- as Josephs is -- in Spanish history and geography, taurine lore and fact.

All this is done without any of the dry, ponderous, academic heaviness that made Josephs' last major work (White Wall of Spain (c) 1983) so nearly impenetrable. Here the writing often seems to dance along with the improvisational pas de deux between Rincón and his partners of the afternoon.

I can't recommend this book too highly.

You will never get a more in depth understanding of the Corrida and its participants than you will from reading Allen Josephs' book,Ritual and Sacrifice in the Corrida.To understand the last rite on earth that pits wild animal against man, armed only with a sword,in a modern age where little thought is given to the ceremony of ancient rituals, could only be done by a man like Joseph who has devoted his life to exploring the nuances of the bullfight. Joseph is an outsider and so is Cesar Rincon the Columbian matador who he follows, mostly around Spain, for four seasons.It is the devotion of the author and protagonist to the Corrida that gives them a perspective and a story that could never be told by a Spaniard. From poverty, to tragedy, to triumph, the story of Cesar Rincon, has all the ingredients that make a blockbuster movie. The reflections of life embodied in the ritual, persued with the knowledge of the ultimate end, are found in the myth of Sysaphus in his attempt to achieve life's greatest achievement that never comes. Cesar takes you to a place where his mother's spirit is watching over him and his success, and the ever presence of death, is kept at bay because of her as much as it is because of his talent. For those unfamiliar with bull fights Allen takes you step by step through the ritual. The description , unlike so many books that try to sell the uninitiated on the glory of bullfighting, is true to the typical fight. In fact it is not a fight, it is a sacrifice.Hemingway would have wished that he had penned this book.

Searching for Heroes is a beyond excellent story. Joe Carrieri's experience being a Yankee batboy is every boy's dream and for him to actually live it must have been a feeling thats undescribable. He lived a childhood life with the greastest legends in baseball history. EXCELLENT!!!! Theres heroes and theirs legends, heroes get remembered and legends never DIE.

Joe Carrieri's book, "Searching for Heroes, The Quest of a Yankee Batboy" is a wonderful picture of a great era in Yankee history. He was in a unique position as a youngster, some would say a dream spot. When he is instructed by Brother Columbo, his principal at St. Jerome's Grammar School, to interview baseball's most successful players as to the meaning of greatness in their own lives as a requirement to being excused from school, the reader is transported into a fantastic

world. Any youngster reading this is bound to be inspired and I can attest to this as a retired teacher.

I understand Mr. Carrieri has written another book entitled, "The Promise." It focuses on Joe Dimaggio. How perfect. The inspiration of Joltin Joe is legendary. Hopefully, Amazon will include "The Promise" in your catalogue and by doing so will help to inspire readers, young and old. Any chance of this happening soon?

While unlike many other people who have read this book by seeing it on the shelf or being told how good it was I was told to read it by the author of it...Joe Carrieri. I met Joe on many occasions as I would work the morning shifts at the local Foodtown/Shoprite in the neighborhood and he would always be in every weekend. One day while talking about the yankees he told me about his bok and the next time I was in the book store I happened to see it so I bought it. It sat on my shelf for a few years and I forgot about it. But last night I happened to see it and had nothing to read and picked it up. Ti put it mildly I have never ead a book so fast in my life. The Book was absolutely amazing!!! I would reccommend this book to anyone! Joe if you read this I was the guy that always worked with Maria from about 1994-1998 my name is Louis Mancini and you did a great job!!!

Provides a concise and creative discussion of the economic and political dimension of global financial reform. --David Hale, Global Chief Economist, Zurich Group

Examines G8 policy dynamics over the last 30 years with rare vigour and insight. Both a sensible blueprint for a new international financial system, and the definitive handbook for a new kind of governance within the G8 architecture. --Dr Yoichi Funabashi, Deputy Editor for Economic Affairs, Asahi Shimbun

A welcome addition to the literature on this important global network. Significant and accessible contributions to the study of the G7/G8. --Millennium: Journal of International Studies

I, too, read this book long ago - in my early 20's - and have never been able to forget it. Unfortunately i judge other books weak in comparison. I still wonder if this guy is locked up, and what happened to his poor kid? He is now an adult - and a good cause for worry. It should be deemed a classic in this genre, and kept on the shelves.

This book I think is awesome just because i know my mother lived next to this man and i was eager to see what it was like great book

I also read this book years ago in my early teens. As an adult, this book has left a large impression on my mind. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in psychology or serial killers.

Private Yankee Doodle, the diary of Joseph Plumb Martin, is an excellent account of the Revolutionary War told from the soldier's view.

Martin campaigned almost continuously from the beginning of the War through Yorktown (with the exception of the first winter after his initial three month service). He lived much of what have become the hallowed tales of our epic struggle for nationhood. He was at the Battles of Brooklyn, Harlem Heights and White Plains, endured Valley Forge (though for most of that winter stationed away from the camp as a forager), Monmouth, the other terrible winter encampments and Yorktown to name a few. Through it all, Martin marched, froze, starved and suffered for his service. It is remarkable that he kept at it for most of the war. (One reads of the constant lack of food (often for two or days) and is amazed that more soldiers didn't simply just quit.) It is more remarkable that he kept at it in fairly good humor - though he did parade with the Connecticut troops who conducted a minor mutiny over the lack of provisions. (An incident that Washington reported to Congress as more worrisome to the cause than the British force occupying New York.)

Martin is a good storyteller and raconteur. The reader will not find detailed accounts of battle here. In fact, battle is mentioned rather matter-of-factly. What is delightful to find is an account of the day in and day out hardships of life in Washington's army. Stories abound of camp life, foraging, marching, guard duty, scrapes with Torries, the hunt for clothing and the other ever-present challenges that soldiers had to endure and perform to simply survive between battles.

This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

A fascinating low-level perspective from the eyes of a soldier. Mr. Martin has a terrific sense of humor and shows how much in common modern day people have with our Revolutionary ancestors. The Editor George Scheer provides a high level view of the same events through footnotes. The dialog can take a little getting use to but the reader will find themselves comfortable with it in short order.

It is unfortunate your format allows only five stars; on a scale of one to five, Joseph Martin's memoir is an eleven! As a university history professor, reenactor and volunteer at Brandywine Battlefield, I have been recommending "Private Yankee Doodle" for many years to anyone with any interest in history at all. It is the best account of the American Revolution by any participant on either side. To really know the War of Independence, you should read Joseph Plumb Martin's great memoir. Almost anyone who has ever read the book will say that.

Too many of the great events of history were either unreported, or told only by leaders bent on demonstrating their own greatness. "I came. I saw. I conquered!" We all know Caesar did it by himself without the Roman legions. Luckily, sometimes someone else who had no particular reason to flatter or even like the leader wrote about what happened. The Spanish conquest of Mexico is best seen through the blind eyes and extraordinary recollections of Bernal Dias de Castillo, who despised Cortez. The court of Louis XIV lives in the jaundiced memories of the Duc de Saint Simon. Martin, Dias and Saint Simon, despite differences in time, place and language, speak with similar literate, irreverant, funny, cynical, and bitter voices.

One reads Martin with wonder. They suffered so much! The Revolution becomes real. What were the soldiers like? Now we know. There is heroism at the Battle of Long Island, for example, but it is the hunger, cold and discomfort readers are likely to remember best, along with Martin's own personality. It is no coincidence that all three of the television series on the Revolution have quoted and used Martin so much.

This book is loaded with truth and well worth the purchase.

This book was far ahead of its time! It is biblically sound and scripturally correct. It caused me to seek the scriptures myself, and question what was actually being preached from the pulpits in America -- American Gentile Western MindSet Thinking.....This book opened my understanding and gave me knowledge of the "LORD"'s HOLY DAYS and the "LORD"'s covenanted Sabbath and the blessings HE promises for observing and keeping HIS days, not "Jewish" Feasts as I'd heard them referred to ..... understanding the Hebraic Roots of our Faith is not only an enlightening but a blessed experience. I could never go back to celebrating the American Occult Holidays that are based in pagan rituals. Without an understanding of the Feasts of the "LORD" (not Jews) one cannot understand revelation found in the Word of God! Praise God for Joseph Good's sharing the pure truth of God's Word that opened these Gentile Eyes in a Major Way! Thank you Mr. Good! Baruch HaShem Adonai! Shalom to you good Sir!

This book will propelled you into a different level of love and fear(awe) of God. You will be regenerated with a new found love of the Old Testament and Torah. The exactness of God is profoundly evident when looking at the scriptures in the context of the language and idioms of Israel. This book has prepared and compelled me to start new study groups. Without the insight of Joseph Good's book I feel I was blind.