What a beautiful (and hysterical) book. As a children's librarian, I read a LOT of children's books (most not this much fun). On the giggles scale (the bottom of which is Ivanhoe & the top of which is Captain Underpants) this is a solid Captain Underpants. What first or second grader when faced with a day of school hasn't dreamed of the care-free life of the family dog? Robert McDoodle being no ordinary 5 (almost 6) year old DOES something about attaining that goal. But at Jellicoe Dog School he finds out there's more to being the first Human Pup than chasing sticks and digging in the dirt. The watercolor illustrations are full of energy and a perfect match for the inspired story. My storytimers (K to 3rd grade) love it. I'm sure yours will too (even if they aren't dog people)! Perfect for storytimes when coupled with the song quoted in the title of my review!

I picked up this book because I was ambling along 20 lbs overweight, approaching 50 and not feeling all that good about myself. What I read was completely in sync with what I always knew to be true but was presented in such a no-nonsense style that I decided to act on it. The results have been better than I hoped for. Read this book.

One of the best books on the subject, if not thee best. I've read Pritikin, McDougal, Depak Shopak (spelling), Ornish, even Susan Powter, and all the others during a 1 year exhaustive search of the medical facts on heart health and disease. This is the only book I continue to recommend to absolutely everyone who wants the truth about animal fat and it's relationship to whatever ails you, from heart disease to depression. I personally have not had one single day of depression since I went completely off dairy products. Kurzweil has changed my life and it's been one of the answers I had been looking for for many years. Nutrition is definitely one of the cures for all maladies. All who read this book can't help but benefit for themselves and those they love or cook for.

Tough cop Mike Muldoon is on the trail of corrupt councilman Ham Flaherty with the assistance of crusading D.A. Lisa Savitch, but the lovely lawyer, whose prickly exterior conceals a heart of gold, is more concerned with local children dying of leukemia. Her own brother died in an industrial accident - could powerful polluter Liberty Oil be to blame for the deaths? Handsome doctor Singer thinks so, but can't PROVE it. Little does the sensitive Ms Savitch suspect, but wealthy WASP Whitey Pritchard III, owner of Liberty Oil, is funding Ham's campaign to squash the investigation. The money, handed out in cash by Whitey's arrogant attorney Abbington, is being laundered by Augie Sangiamanno, a runyonesque rascal with a heart of gold ("Dis is beautyful, youse guys"), who is a fixer for the faithless Flaherty.

Will Muldoon catch the incompetent Flaherty? Will the wickedly wealthy WASPS get their comeuppance? Will the elderly Augie somehow escape the dragnet? Will Muldoon find love in the arms of a woman more age-appropriate than Savitch? Will Snidely Whiplash foreclose the mortgage and tie lovely Lisa to the tracks of the Paoli Local, only to be foiled by heroic Dudley?

If you answered "tough call" to any of these questions, this may be the book for you - or it may be all just a LITTLE too predictable. This is not to say the book doesn't have some imaginative ideas - Whitey sending Abbington out to make a hit on some talkative junior executives, and the shootout finale, are as insightful a look at big business as anything else in "RoboCop II." Readers hoping for a witty look at Philadelphia's corrupt municipal politics, however, are going to be disappointed.

If it seems hard to believe that a columnist who spent 12 years carping at Philly's largest newspaper would rely wholly on stereotypes when imagining urban politics, bear in mind that the Philadelphia Inquirer is notoriously uninformed about local issues and is routinely scooped by the city's free weeklies, which exist solely on advertising and classified sales. Steve Lopez brought his preconceptions to the city of brotherly love in 1985, and returned to California without reexamining them. His sanctimonious columns are a topic for a whole other review.

Some readers have suggested that this novel is based on the career of Philly politico Jimmy Tayoun, but it would be fairer to say that Lopez has heard of Tayoun, read Riordan's "Plunkitt of Tammanay Hall," and wishes "The Last Hurrah" would come true.

The best book on Philly politics remains (despite some inaccuracies) "A Prayer for the City," but for entertaining Philadelphia-based fiction with a handle on the shenanigans of Philly's REAL power elite (the lawyers of the Raquet Club), try Lisa Scottolini.

This is one of those books that actually makes you feel for the characters. It revolves around a small-time politician and his devoted assistant/henchman. The tone it's written in, and the blend of humor and pathos will make is a very special experience for anyone who reads it. I read it three years ago and still remember scenes and lines in it. I wish Steve Lopez would write more books.

this book about an attorney living in philadelphia and working on a case about a an oil caompany thats been polluting the city.this book manages to keep you interested from page one and the story keeps you laughing as well.the ending will satisfy you as well.highly recommended.