I found this book fascinating. Although Davies states that 'Science may offer a surer path to God that Religion' he states this only because science with its rational approach to the subject may more readily be accepted by some than by faith. Davies does, however, finally state that although the universe may have been created in the 'Big Bang' by itself without any so-called 'Prime Mover'; that is, if quantum gravity acts in the manner that quantum physics works at the atomic level. Given this, he then makes the statement that the mathematics that describe the universe must have been in place for this to occur. Davies is of the same mind as Einstein here in that God would be necessary to create the mathematics that created the universe.

Paul Davies retains - as much as possible - his simplistic and comprehensible writing style, even in this book where philosophical, theological and physics concepts intertwine.
Finishing the last page of this book, I was left with a feeling that I now had more questions than answers (which is most surely the purpose of this book).
Davies takes the concepts of modern physics and cosmology, like how the Universe started, quantum fluctuations in vacuo, etc., and elaborates on them, to show how the concept of God - in whatever form he may take - can be introduced in a theory for the whole Cosmos.
Davies shows how the beginning, the ongoing life, and the end of the Universe can be explained with or without the existence of a God, and why a God is or is not necessary for all these processes to take place.
However, Davies does not provide any direct or straight-forward answers, and it is not likely that he would. After touching and elaborating each of the aforementioned topics, he left me with a distinct impression that now I have so much more knowledge, and I should do my own thinking (and maybe believing) on whether there is a God and how he would fit into the Cosmos, as we know it today.
It certainly gives a great topic to talk about with friends, and it's a must-read for all you out there who are looking for answers to the greatest of the world's mysteries.

Paul Davies, a professor of theoretical physics, has written extensively both for the scientific and the popular audiences on topics of current interest in physics and cosmology. In particular, he concentrates on issues to do with quantum theories, relativity and beginning/end of the universe issues.

In his book 'God and the New Physics', Davies continues a new tradition in which physicists particularly and scientists more generally write about their fields in philosophical, nearly theological terms discussing first causes, ultimate meanings, and the place of God and humanity in the overall scheme of the universe. Our understanding of the universe has changed dramatically in the last century, having been a fairly stable image for the past several hundred years. This has understandably made the philosophic and anthropomorphic considerations of the universe change dramatically as well.

'Science and religion represent two great systems of human thought. For the majority of people on our planet, religion is the predominant influence over the conduct of their affairs. When science impinges on their lives, it does so not at the intellectual level, but practically, through technology.'

Davies explores first the idea of genesis of the universe, exploring the intricacies of the big bang theory. This is a theory that has difficulties philosophically, that a purely scientific approach does not have an answer to, not least of which because it isn't asking the same question. Essentially, according to the big bang theory, the universe began as a singularity, essentially an infinitely small point from which all space and time (and all that is in it) emerged in an explosion-like phenomenon. Davies explores problems associated with conventional thinking around this unconventional theory -- what is the first event? what is the first event after the big bang? what is the purpose? what is the cause?

It is a bizarre twist of quantum theories that causes and effects are not neatly, logically arranged along timelines which we have become accustomed to. Thus, can the universe be considered to be self-causing?

'The fact that modern cosmology has provided hard physical evidence for the creation is a matter of great satisfaction to religious thinkers. However, it is not enough that a creation simply occurred. The Bible tells us that God created the universe. Can science throw any light at all on what caused the big bang?'

Alas -- even with exotic causality strains and quantum mechanisms which may remove the need for a first cause (as Davies tends to argue, using modern science essentially to refute already largely-refuted cosmological arguments for the existence of God), it does not adequately explain why there is a universe at all, that would have as part of its nature not needing a first-cause.

In the course of his discussion of the ideas of theoretical physics and traditional religious views, Davies explores the mind/matter connexion, the nature and direction of time, the scientific and philosophic issues around free will and determinism, and the idea of what nature truly is (and isn't).

Near the end of the book, Davies recaps the argument thus far:

'In spite of the spectacular success of modern science, it would be foolish to suppose that the fundamental questions concerning the existence of God, the purpose of the universe, or the role of mankind in the natural and supernatural scheme has been answered by these advances. Indeed, scientists themselves have a wide range of religious beliefs.'

There are no easy answers here. This book is not intended to settle anything, but rather to help clarify the issues in the debate, particularly in an era where there is as much misconception over what modern science really means as there is over what religious interpretations really mean. This is not a book for the intellectually timid. There is a presumption of scientific literacy in all of Davies' work; one needn't be a rocket scientist (or theoretical physicist), but those intimidated at basic algebra will most likely not benefit from this volume.

'I am sometimes asked whether the insight which physicists have gained into the inner workings of nature through the study of fundamental processes throws any light on the nature of God's plan for the universe, or reveals the struggle between good and evil. It does not. There is nothing good or evil about the way quarks are united into protons and neutrons, or the absorption and emission of quanta, the bending of spacetime by matter, the abstract symmetries that unite the fundamental particles, and so on.'

That having been said, many of the philosophical and theological questions remain unanswered, but now have a new element to be considered. Davies' work helps to reframe questions.

John Ketwig writes "...and a hard rain fell" like no other book I've read. He dosen't use any cliches, metaphors, or any other jibber jabber. He gives you a first hand account of what it was really like.
I am in middle school, and i bought this book because i wanted to be more educated on the war in Vietnam. I am so happy that I bought this book. It has shown me the dark sides of the Vietnam war, and almost made want to stop reading...thats how powerful it is.
The only thing i can relate this book to would be the movies, "Hamburger Hill", and "Full Metal Jacket." This book is a must have for anybody that wants a REAL education of the war in Vietnam.

One of the best books about Vietnam I've ever read. I wouldn't say it's a typical "war book", but you definately get the idea of what it was like to be in Vietnam during the war.

Get this if you're interested in the mentality of the common soldier sent to Vietnam.

Mr. Ketwig wasn't a "snake eater" out on night patrols every night, nor was he an office clerk in Saigon. He was caught somewhere in between. Doing what he was sent to Vietnam to do. Just a typical guy stuck in surreal circumstances, just trying to get by and hope that he could return to some resemblance of a normal life once the war was over.

I hope Mr. Ketwig accomplished everything he set out to do emotionally and psychologically by writting this book.

I first read a few pages from this book in an anthology by Paul Fussel (The bloody game). Fussel set out to disprove the aphorism "Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier" (Dr. Johnsson) and "And a hard rain fell" really supports Fussels thesis. John Ketwigs story describes how a young man, initially intent on refusing service in Vietnam, gradually becomes sucked into something far greater than he ever imagined, the war. This is a heartbreaking and yet hope-inspiring novel, Ketwig vividly describes that most crushing insight, the fact that in war, you are considered expendable. The accounts of how he and his comrades tried to maintain sanity and a belief in that the outside world really existed had me close to tears at times. Ketwig also describes the long and difficult way back to a normal civilian life after leaving the army.

This book is required reading for anyone trying to understand a painful part of the history of the latter half of this century!

After reading The White Boy Shuffle, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Tuff. Tuff started out more quickly, with concepts that were easy to understand and were less complicated than in the White Boy Shuffle. While Tuffy is an amusing book that often made me grin while reading, I did not need to think about it and the world in which I am living as I did in the White Boy Shuffle. I realize that it is unfair to compare the two books because they are different and have different purposes, but because they are by an author whom I adore, I cannot help it. Tuffy was entertaining, and towards the end I found social satire present as it was in Beatty's previous novel. Tuffy's debate speech was especially appealing when I wanted something to think about deeply. I loved the book, but you must know that it is not for weak-stomached animal lovers (a dog is shot and a goldfish and turtle encounter a pirhana), but the book IS for the open-minded people lover. A worthwhile read, and if you remotely enjoy the book, pick up The White Boy Shuffle. I cannot say enough good things to do that novel justice. A final note - Tuff seemed to lack closure. The book ended where I was wondering what would happen next. Throughout the book, the action and characters never stop moving, and there is no climax which makes the book's ending gradual. There are important events up until the end, which is just before you learn who wins the City Council election. It seemed unfulfilled, but maybe that was the point. Great summer reading, but don't expect all that Beatty has previously offered.

In Tuff, Paul Beaty presents us with one of the most unlikely casts of characters you're likely to encounter this year.

We have Winston "Tuffy" Foshay, the 300 pound neighborhood strongman turned politician from Spanish Harlem. His father, an aging Black Panther turned Poet. His mother-figure, a Japanese concentration-camp survivor turned radical activist. Tuffy's multiple sclerosis stricken sidekick. His mentor, a dreadlocked black rabi with a taste for easy listening music and imported lagers. Toss in the token ghetto white-boy and his bank robbing mother, Tuffy's street smart wife, a trio of Puerto Rican triplets (who happen to be cops) and a few of Japanese Sumo wrestlers for good measure and you have Paul Beatty's latest novel.

Not everything here works, but then again how could it? But this is an enjoyable novel with a highly authentic voice. Tuffy is a complex character; a tough-guy from the streets who happens to develop a taste for imported films. He is teetering on the verge of aspiring to higher things, and although he's not an altogether likeable character the reader finds himself pulling for him.

At times the book reads like a string of situation comedy episodes. Here's Tuffy's narrow escape from a drug hit. Then we get Tuffy in the City Council debate. Next: Tuffy sumo wrestles. Not everything ties together seamlessly.

But to save the novel we have Paul Beatty's excellent eye and authentic literary voice. An highly original novel, and entertaining in it's audaciousness.

Evidence of a sophomore slump is nowhere to be found with TUFF. In my view, Paul Beatty has climbed a rung or two beyond THE WHITE BOY SHUFFLE.

The corpulent street-wise protagonist of TUFF, Winston "Tuffy" Foshay, is introduced as a young man without an obvious plan getting by with his wife and son through wits, brawn and an affinity for art house cinema. Immediately after a narrow escape from the hereafter while earning his keep as enforcer for drug dealers, Tuff surmises he needs an alternative future strategy. By default and convenience rather than commitment or geniune desire, he decides to run for City Council. Gradually, in spite of all of the numerable objections he is able to muster, you sense slowly but steadily Tuff is beginning to care about his environs.

As events unfold, you meet his eclectic assortment of friends, relatives and external influences, most prominently the multiply-challenged best friend Fariq, a hustler who under different circumstances would prosper downtown on Wall Street; Tuff's forever radical father; the opportunistic but incongruent "Big Brother" Rabbi Spencer Thockmorton; and surrogate mother/mentor Mrs. Nomuri.

At times farcical, primarily serious, and wholly relevant to any inner city - this time it happens to be NYC - TUFF is a "The Candidate" with a spin.

Beatty clearly understands sometimes less is indeed more, so the similes and metaphors so prominently dispensed in SHUFFLE are less evident, the erudite references are likewise diminished. However, from beginning to denouement the story has greater cohesion than his first novel with no loss of witticisms, sarcasm, cynicism or any shortage of astute observations.

Whereas SHUFFLE was a punch to the gut, TUFF is more of a tap on the chin.

I am a long-time MCSE 4 and I purchased this set to help me get through the core exams. I am also a CNE-5, CCNA, CCDA. I studied these books and passed the Professional and Server exams. I then studied the directory admin and network admin in preparation for the 70-240 exam. Fortunately, I have 2 cisco routers, 3 hubs, two servers, a cable modem, 2 workstations and 2 laptops. I was able to test everything I read. I was able to pass the 70-240 exam, but I believe it was due to hands-on instead of bookreading. I am going for the 70-219 exam next but won't be buying the Sybex book for this. This set will help you pass the exam if you are able to do all the exercises and create new ones on your own.

I used the Sybex books for the NT 4.0 exams so I figured why not use them for the 2000 exams.

I thought the 70-210, 70-215 and 70-216 books were good, BUT the 70-217 book is terrible. Lots of mistakes, awful questions at the end of the chapter. I even found some incorrect answers within the questions provided.

I'm not sure if I'm going to use Sybex for any of the others.

Working with several different study guides in our training center, we've concluded that the Sybex series of study guides is the best on the market. Some students complained that the first editions didn't have adequate questions. Sybex made some big changes for this edition and now the questions pretty much hit the mark. This book has many such questions, including an adaptive exam and select and place questions, and it has Palm OS flashcards which are also a good way to quickly brush up on the details you need to know for the exam. The CD also contains WinSims, as Sybex calls them. They are basically step-by-step videos (avi files) of how to do the exercises in the book, with a few interactive examples thrown in (we use these as supplements to our classroom instruction, suggesting that students review certain videos on topics we don't have time to cover.) The videos are a great way to actually see what the exercises explain. Like any book dealing with the new MCSE track, you can't just read the text and pass the exam. That just doesn't work any more (back to reality, folks.) Students have to put in their time working with Win2k (although working on the WinSims is a realistic substitute for many things.) Overall, excellent set of books, and definitely much better than the MSPress books and, as a whole package, better than Osbourne's.

The Old Curiosity Shop certainly displays the hallmarks of the unstructured, free-flowing make-it-up-as-you-go-along type of story characteristic of Dickens's early novels. Indeed, it is rather generous to call it a story, and it's difficult now to understand the sensation it caused when it was first published. However, if a page-turning plot was all there was to it, very few of Dickens's novels would be readable at all. As ever with Dickens, the pleasure in reading this book comes from the comedy, diversity and richness of the characters, as well as the sheer mastery of the English language which came so naturally to him.

The central characters are old Trent, his granddaughter Nell, the moneylender Daniel Quilp, young Kit and the wonderful Richard Swiveller. Of these, the spotlessly pure Nell and the irredeemably evil Quilp are the moral opposites around which the book revolves, old Trent is rather a pathetic figure, while Kit's sturdy progress from poverty to respectability makes for happier reading. However, it is the moral journey of Swiveller, which perhaps reflects the geographic journey undertaken by Nell and her grandfather, which is the real joy of this book. He enters the book in the guise of a rogue, involved in dubious intrigues with Nell's no-good brother and also with the repulsive Quilp. However, from the time that Quilp gets him a job as a clerk in the office of Samson Brass and his sister, the awful Miss Brass, Swiveller's basic decency and natural good humour begin to reveal themselves, and his soliloquies and dialogue provide many hilarious moments from that point on. The Dick Swiveller who subsequently meets up with the hapless young girl kept prisoner by Miss Brass is funny, considerate, charming and kind, and a long way from the doubtful type of character that he at first appears to be.

The book proceeds along two different narrative lines; one which charts the progress of Nell and her grandfather on their long journey, and the other revolving around Swiveller, Quilp and Kit, and to a lesser extent the families of these latter two, as well as "the single gentleman" and the little girl memorably christened "The Marchioness" by Swiveller. One of the big faults I found with this dual structure is that the characters of one plot line have no contact with those in the other plot line for most of the novel, and it is left to the Quilp, Swiveller and Kit to act out most of the drama. Nell and her grandfather spend most of their time journeying through various scenes of early nineteenth century life in England. Nonetheless these all make for enjoyable reading. One particular scene where Nell and her grandfather sleep beside a furnace in the company of a wretched man who watches the flames is particularly memorable.

All in all, it's not exactly a page-turner, and the ending is not a happy one. I would not recommend this book as an introduction to Dickens, and is best read by people, like myself, who have already decided that anything by Dickens is worth reading. Also it focuses less on London than many Dickens novels, and gives an interesting view of rural, village and town life outside London in those times.

The Old Curiosity Shop certainly displays the hallmarks of the unstructured, free-flowing make-it-up-as-you-go-along type of story characteristic of Dickens's early novels. Indeed, it is rather generous to call it a story, and it's difficult now to understand the sensation it caused when it was first published. However, if a page-turning plot was all there was to it, very few of Dickens's novels would be readable at all. As ever with Dickens, the pleasure in reading this book comes from the comedy, diversity and richness of the characters, as well as the sheer mastery of the English language which came so naturally to him.

The central characters are old Trent, his granddaughter Nell, the moneylender Daniel Quilp, young Kit and the wonderful Richard Swiveller. Of these, the spotlessly pure Nell and the irredeemably evil Quilp are the moral opposites around which the book revolves, old Trent is rather a pathetic figure, while Kit's sturdy progress from poverty to respectability makes for happier reading. However, it is the moral journey of Swiveller, which perhaps reflects the geographic journey undertaken by Nell and her grandfather, which is the real joy of this book. He enters the book in the guise of a rogue, involved in dubious intrigues with Nell's no-good brother and also with the repulsive Quilp. However, from the time that Quilp gets him a job as a clerk in the office of Samson Brass and his sister, the awful Miss Brass, Swiveller's basic decency and natural good humour begin to reveal themselves, and his soliloquies and dialogue provide many hilarious moments from that point on. The Dick Swiveller who subsequently meets up with the hapless young girl kept prisoner by Miss Brass is funny, considerate, charming and kind, and a long way from the doubtful type of character that he at first appears to be.

The book proceeds along two different narrative lines; one which charts the progress of Nell and her grandfather on their long journey, and the other revolving around Swiveller, Quilp and Kit, and to a lesser extent the families of these latter two, as well as "the single gentleman" and the little girl memorably christened "The Marchioness" by Swiveller. One of the big faults I found with this dual structure is that the characters of one plot line have no contact with those in the other plot line for most of the novel, and it is left to the Quilp, Swiveller and Kit to act out most of the drama. Nell and her grandfather spend most of their time journeying through various scenes of early nineteenth century life in England. Nonetheless these all make for enjoyable reading. One particular scene where Nell and her grandfather sleep beside a furnace in the company of a wretched man who watches the flames is particularly memorable.

All in all, it's not exactly a page-turner, and the ending is not a happy one. I would not recommend this book as an introduction to Dickens, and is best read by people, like myself, who have already decided that anything by Dickens is worth reading. Also it focuses less on London than many Dickens novels, and gives an interesting view of rural, village and town life outside London in those times.

The only pleasure greater than discovering a new book
is rediscovering an old friend you haven't read for a while.
Many years ago I read all of Charles Dickens novels, but I
recently had occasion to re-read The Old Curiosity Shop, and
it is just as good as I remembered it the first time.

The story, like most of his plots, depends a great deal
on coincidences, so you have to suspend your scepticism to
enjoy it. Dickens begins by introducing us to one of the
most innocent little girls in literature, Little Nell, and
to her most unhappy grand-father. Quickly we discover that
instead of the old man taking care of the child, she is the
one responsible. We then meet one of Dickens' great villains
- the evil, corrupt, mean, and nasty Quilp - a man, if that
term can be used, who has absolutely no redeeming qualities,
one who finds pleasure in inflicting pain on all he meets.

Thinking that the old man has secret riches, Quilp
advances him money to support his gambling habit.
Unfortunately Nell's grandfather never wins, and the debt
grows ever larger. Finally Quilp forecloses on the curiosity
shop that the old man owns (thus the name of the book) and
tries to keep the two captive in order to discover the money
that he still believes is hidden somewhere. While the
household is asleep, however, Nell and her grandfather
escape and begin wandering across England in a search for
sanctuary.

On that journey, Dickens introduces us to a series of
minor characters who either befriend or try to take
advantage of our heroine. He's in no hurry to continue the
main story, so just sit back and enjoy the vivid
characterizations that are typical of any good Dickens
novel.

In the meantime, we follow the adventures of young Kit,
a boy who was one of Nell's best friends until Quilp turned
her grandfather against him. Here we find one of Dickens'
favorite sub-plots, the poor but honest boy who supports his
widowed mother and younger brother. Thanks to his honesty,
Kit finds a good position, but then evil Quilp enters the
picture and has him arrested as a thief!

Of course, we have the kind and mysterious elderly
gentlemen who take an interest in Kit and Nell for reasons
that we don't fully understand until the end of the book. We
are certain, however, that they will help ensure that
justice prevails in the end.

This is not a book for those in a hurry. Dickens tells
his stories in a meandering fashion, and the stops along the
way are just as important for your enjoyment as the journey itself. That can be frustrating at time, especially as you enter the second half and are anxious to see how things turn out. I try never to cheat by reading the end of a book before I finish, but it is tempting with Dickens. At times I wanted to tell him, "I don't want to meet anyone else; tell me what happens to Nell and Kit!" But I know the side journeys will prove rewarding, so I just have to be patient. Anyway, I am in better shape than his first readers; he wrote in weekly installments, so
they had to wait!

If you have and enjoyed other Dickens' novels, you will enjoy this one as well. If this is your first time (or perhaps the first time since you were in high school), you are in for a treat.

I cannot deny the talent Roberts has is creating a vivid image of Iraq in the readers mind. Reading The Demonic Comedy was entertaining and enjoyable, but once I had finished the book and recollected my thoughts on what I had absorbed, the aftermath of my "acid trip" began to take effect. As an Iraqi, I found myself to be brought back into the nostalgia of a country I used to enjoy visiting. However, seeing it through his eyes was like walking into your home that has just been vandalized. I came to realise that Robert's exagerated measures to keep his readers entertained were uncalled for at times, and as we all know, too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Roberts would bounce from comic to tragic too sparringly, which makes you wonder whether he does that in attempt to cover up his mockery of Iraq . There is no doubt that he has added fictious elements to his accounts to strengthen his story. Unfortunatley there is no semi-fiction section in bookstores, this one was misplaced on the non-fiction shelf it seems, or at least that's what I think happened! :)

Roberts, a masterful travel writer, has brought to us once again another gem from his collection. In three successive journeys to Iraq - before, during and after the U.S. war, he compassionately brings to full force the tragedy of modern Iraq and it's crazed leader. Using a sprinkling of history and humor over sometimes dangerous travels, he reveals the plight of the common Iraqi since the inception of Saddam's self-described "reign" in 1979. Roberts takes on the west and it's policies as well, and as he describes what it is like living in a crumbling society under a demonic leader, the likes of which we have not seen since Hitler, he brings to the forefront the massive suffering of the Iraqi people under western sanctions designed to further insure their demise. This is a very readable book; you will not put it down until you're through. Although not his best work, Roberts comes through again, pulling the heartstrings as he does in his other travel adventures - "River in the Desert" and "Empire of the Soul". You may not agree with his politics, but you will come away with a new understanding of what war and megalomania are all about. Don't miss it.

The best qualities of this book were it's humor, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and its open-minded account of the realities of life in Iraq. However, if you are offended by harsh language, by irreverence towards authority, or by cynicism, then you may not like what you read. Also, some of the funniest parts were the author's (supposedly) phonetically accurate accounts of conversations with various Arab people. While I found these very funny, I was a little concerned that they appealed to a certain stereotype. But since I don't mind when my foreign friends make fun of me, I comfort myself that I am entitled to laugh at this purported butchery of the English language (matched only by my last sentence!).

I also enjoyed the book's exploration of the causes of the Iraqi situation. As an American, I found some of the author's conclusions offensive, but overall, I thought he did a good job of extrapolating some very plausible explanations out of what seemed like a limited amount of exposure (which is still infinite compared to mine). Profound and insightful conclusions were drawn out of what were often very ordinary situations, and the whole thing was woven together with an almost total lack of pretense.

Overall, I think I came away with a better understanding of Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi situation, and the similarities of human nature around the world. The humor, the realism, the disregard for authority, propaganda, and easy answers -- all of these factors made the book a pleasure to read.

Sam Truitt is a rarity in today's Washington. He is an idealist, who wants only to the right thing as the newest member of the Supreme Court. In spite of his good intentions, Sam selects Lisa Fremont, a sexy young lady, to be one of his law clerks because he cannot resist her sexual magnetism.

Lisa Fremont has a history that, if known, would probably disqualify her from working at the court. She was a teenage stripper in San Francisco, whose life was changed when Max Wanaker, president of Atlantica Airlines, took her off the streets and sent her tuition free to Stanford.

Max needs a favor from his star pupil. His airlines is in the midst of a multimillion dollar law suit that is going to come before the justices of the Supreme Court. The judges are evenly divided with Sam being the lone undecided and therefore swing vote. Lisa is to get into his bed and head (both of them) to insure that Max is paid in full.

9 SCORPIONS is an exciting legal th! ! riller that brings one of the justices of the Supreme Court into full focus. The book is at its best when it does that, and when it presents the inner sanctum and procedures of the court. Though fans of legal thrillers will want to read this fast-paced novel, the book becomes another run of the mill thriller when Sam and Lisa become the last action heroes and go on location to right a wrong. Paul Levine shows he has talent and hopefully will return to the highest court, but this time stay with the bench and provide readers with insight into all 9 SCORPIONS, who sit in its chambers.

Harriet Klausner

I've grown tired of legal thrillers because they all resemble each other: the honest lawyer versus the corrupt system. But "9 Scorpions" is different. It's set at the Supreme Court, and the author makes that historic place come alive. Not only is the book an exciting page-turner, I learned more about the Court than I did in college or law school, and it's fascinating.

Justice Sam Truitt is honest and decent but has a weakness for women. Hmmm, could that ever happen in Washington? Lisa Fremont is a brilliant young law clerk with a secret in her past. Lisa is planted on the Court to sway Truitt's vote, and he must learn that the true meaning of justice isn't always found in the law books.

The writing is better than Grisham and so is the story!

A Paul Levine novel without Jake Lassiter? With seven novels on bookstore shelves featuring the linebacker-turned-lawyer, author Paul Levine shows readers his exceptional skills at weaving an intricate plot, sprinkling it with a wonderful sense of humor, blending in a touch of wit and showering it with scenery. In his newest novel, "9 Scorpions" he has excelled at all of that, this time without Jake. As the book opens on a perfect starlit South Florida night, Atlantica Airlines flight 640 crashes into the Everglades, killing everyone aboard and sparking a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the airline. Three years later, with the suit about the reach the United States Supreme Court, Max Wanaker, CEO of Atlantica, has devised a plan to save his airline from financial ruin, using his protege and former mistress, Lisa Freemont, newly appointed law clerk to the Supreme Court with a dark past. Max first met Lisa when she was an underage stripper. He put her through school and now he wants her to repay the favor by seducing junior Supreme Court Justice Sam Truitt and convince him to vote in favor of the airline. The plan sounds simple enough. After all, does anyone really think that all judges and lawyers are honest? But, there are much more powerful forces to reckon with than Max. An unsavory character named Theodore Shakanian, aka Shank, is the muscle man sent by Max's financial backers, to whom he owes a fortune, to make sure things go as planned. To further complicate matters, Lisa was in love with Tony Kingston, the pilot of flight 640. She has maintained her friendship with Tony's son, Greg, and together they set out to prove it was shoddy maintenance and sloppy cost-cutting measures by Max's company that cost the crew and passengers of flight 640 their lives. In the meantime, she falls in love with Truitt. You're probably wondering about the title "9 Scorpions." Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes described the U.S. Supreme Court as "nine scorpions in a bottle." As a former practicing attorney in Miami, Levine knows the court system from the inside, complete with its internal battles. The nation's highest court is no different. Levine masterfully plots this story, weaves characters who are believable and peppers it with scenery that will be familiar to anyone who knows the South Florida area. Those who know Paul Levine, are sure that even though Jake is not featured in this book, he was probably next to the author as he wrote! As a fan of Jake Lassiter and of Paul Levine, I can honestly say that "9 Scorpions" is one of Levine's best works, even if it doesn't feature Jake!

My initial thoughts upon completing this short book is that the author comes off as very unlikeable, as does his deceased partner. And I'm not sure if it's because the writing fails or because they truly are indeed selfish, unlikeable people. The main premise of having a loved-one slip right through your fingers to his/her death is strong enough to overcome most literary deficiencies and this is no exception. Despite the fact that it's not particularly well-written and the characters aren't likeable, I couldn't put it down. Go figure!

Some reviewers may not have liked Gordon personally (a bit self-absorbed, seems to bail on his daughters, runs off with his friend's wife...), but they shouldn't hold that against his tale. The story of his ill-fated trip is more of a memoir than an adventure. I'm not sure how a critic could say the story was not convincing -- it's real and very affecting. I don't want to give away the plot, but this is a wrenching tale. How many times have we thought, "If I'd only done x, y or z..." Gordon rakes himself over the coals over and over again, but nothing can bring back the past. I thought he was brave to write of his own personal suffering, even if you don't happen to side with him. I agree that the writing wasn't as good as the very best, but it was exciting and detailed and very solid. Okay, not literary, but respectable enough for its genre. Overall, if you like a bit of the personal mixed in with adventure, you will appreciate this book although remember it is difficult in parts because of the tragedy. Overall, it was an absorbing read.

Keeping in mind that the author states that writing this book was therapy for him, I have to wonder how he has recovered from such a tragedy. The chapters that detail the storm and the loss of Chaplin's lover are haunting and mesmerizing. I could not put this book down, for some reason, and read the last 150 pages in one sitting. My only remaining thoughts are how did he recover from this disaster and what would I have done is similar circumstances?

There are weak spots, however. I don't understand why he felt it necessary to relive his infidelities. I don't see what this added to the story (other than to cement in our minds one of their many arguments which he usually tended to incite) and what purpose it served other than as a confession for him. I expect that he is living with quite a bit of guilt, that of his lover's death, his infidelities, his frequent denials of the worries of his lover, and the chronic "what ifs" that must now haunt him.

The thoughts and questions that linger upon finishing Dark Wind are many. I recommend this not because it is sterling literature or has a deep plot (because it is not and does not), but it brings up many issues that are worth thinking about.

I have read all the other Clavell books, and found this one to be a worthy member of the collection. In brief, the main plot is about a group of international helicopter pilots working various oil fields of Iran. This is set during the Iranian revolution of 1979 and things become quite dicey for all foreigners, especially the Americans, and things go from tense to worse for our friends running S-G, a British owned helicopter firm.

The new characters and happenings in Iran are interesting and often tragic, but what really gives this book spice are the continuation and allusions to plots and characters from all the other Asian Series books. We find out what's happened to the Todas, Kasigis, Struans, Dunrosses et. all. Especially interesting to me were the little touches, like the fates of AMG, Riko, Roger Cross, etc. and the distant connection of John Ross. (Would have liked any hint on how/who was running Par-Con!)

The plot of modern day Noble House (Linbar, Profitable, and the Great Ian Dunross et. all) was quite good - but I felt given short shrift... the resolution is hinted at, very scantily so. There was so much intrique and hints of developments that could have made for a much more satisfying ending, but that was not to be. I mean, was Linbar just an ordinary birk, or much more sinister... was Profitable really engaged in a business with this inept buffoon, or was there another double cross pending? Ah well...in my imagination, rest assured, the villians have gotten their commupance!

Perhaps because I live in Hong Kong, I ache to read more on the Noble House. In Gai-Jin I wanted Tess to come on the scene, and in this book, I would have relished going along with Andy's return trip to Hong Kong... but not to be.

Anyhow, great beach/airplane reading and 1200 pages of dense plotting. Enjoy.

For those of us who are familiar with Clavell's work, it is no surprise to find Whirlwind a dramatic exciting story with captivating twists in plot at every turn. With Whirlwind, we see the continuation of the Noble House, and not surprisingly, more legend and lore of the Struan clan. Set in 1979 Iran, Whirlwind deteals the life and times of several individuals, both Iranian and otherwise, in those turbulent pre-hostage crisis days. Clavell does a masterful job bringing his characters to life. All from the massive Fin, Errikki Yokkonen, to the delicate Sharazad, to the enigmatic and mysterious Robert Armstrong. Since Clavell's death in 93' nothing has been posthumously published, leaving this his last chronological work. To any fan of Clavell's, this work is essential reading, to anyone who wishes merely for a rousing read, Whirlwind will satisfy.

I have read all of Clavell's novels in the Asian Saga, and although Shogun, Noble House and King Rat are more influential, Whirlwind was my personal favorite. The tale of a British helicopter company associated with the Noble House, with pilots of American, British, Canadian, Finnish, and Australian nationalities who become involuntarily immersed with the Iranian Revolution of 1979 is an incredible in-depth story. Complex, with many stories within the story that slowly unravels in this 1100 page epic. Clavell is able to write about the mysterious country of Iran in great detail, that to read the novel is a learning experience in itself. Because so much is going on simultaneously, however, one can become lost in the complexity of the story. Nevertheless, Clavell manages to weave the story together so that the novel concludes in an epic fashion, leaving the reader emotionally drained, yet satisfied. Unfortunately, with Clavell's death, Whirlwind is not able to be expounded upon. Clavell never was able to finish off his Asian Saga, and there are many loose ends in the book that you expect to be covered in future novels, but never will.

The struggle for a sound belief in the Bible has been won in the Southern Baptist Convention. Pressler was one of the leaders in the struggle. "A Hill on which to Die" portrays the heart of this man of God. It is a book that needed to be written, and is needed to be read by every Souhtern Baptist. Paul Pressler tells more than "his side" of the story, he tells the truth that can be confirmed by a host of witnessess. Thank you Paul for this addition hiistory of the Southern Baptist Convention.

This is a great book. I recommend it highly. I have observed in politics that the side which gets the positive press coverage is the side which becomes favored by the public no matter whether that 'reporting' was totally based in fact or not. The same is true in the area of religious organizations. I am thankful that Paul Pressler wrote 'A Hill On Which To Die.' This is the first time that I have really heard the story of the conservative resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention in the first person. I am thrilled that the record is now straight. The press, including religious and denominationally owned papers at that time, made Judge Pressler out to be a tyrant. Those who know him best know that isn't true. They do know that he is a man driven by principle. Much of what the press reported him having said was taken out of context. Judge Pressler apologized over and over for misconceptions created by a press that was out of control. The press refused time and time again to retract those statements. Judge Pressler was willing to place himself on the block for something that he believed in. The attack dogs of the secular media and religious news organizations took every opportunity to malign him. The book is well documented. We need more people like Paul Pressler who stand upon principles. Southern Baptists have much to thank him for.

After years of seeing liberals spin the conservative takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention to their liking, Paul Pressler's book is refreshing.

Pressler is to conservative Southern Baptists what Ronald Reagan is to Republicans. In "A Hill on Which to Die," Pressler gives documentation of rampant liberalism throughout the convention. Pressler did not, as some liberals would have us believe, "Burn down the barn to get rid of a few rats." Liberalism was prevalent, and a conservative takeover was the only way to reclaim the seminaries and colleges.

The book offers countless surprises: how Adrian Rogers did not want the nomination the night before the 1979 convention opened; how and why Pressler watched the 1979 convention from a skybox; how the "Donahue" show helped the conservative movement; how former president W.A. Criswell, himself a conservative, had failed to make changes when he was president; how Pressler tried to make changes before 1979, only to get the cold-shoulder.

Throughout the book, Pressler tells how the conservative movement was misunderstood and misrepresented. The battle was not over the interpretation of Scripture, but rather its integrity and inerrancy. And, surprisingly, it was not very organized. Conservatives did not use countless vans and buses to get messengers to conventions, as liberals charge. Rather, it was mostly a grass-roots effort which began with conservative churches wanting to change the liberal establishment. The conservatives were in the majority throughout the churches, but were not being represented in the presidency and on the committees.

And, as some may claim, it was not a hate-filled movement. The book is filled with examples of Pressler's Christian love for all believers - liberals, moderates and conservatives. However, throughout the battle, Pressler's beliefs and motives were mischaracterized and spun by the opposition, leading to the negative opinions about him that abound today. Occasionally, there were even flat-out lies. Finally, he gets to respond.

Liberals will not want to read this book, but they should.

This should be required reading for all Southern Baptists.