I have read everything about the Santa Fe prison riot, and many other books about prisons. This is by far the best I have read. Why? Because Dolph Saenz was there, and because he puts effectiveness ahead of ideology. Unlike the politicians and idealogues, Mr. Saenz put his [rear end] on the line to help end the riot peacufully.
The Santa Fe prison riot is one of the most fascinating events in American penal history. Unlike Attica, which involved deaths only in the re-taking of the prison, this involved inmate on inmate and inmate on guard violence throughout the entire seige. I've visited the prison and received a tour by guards who were there. It is truly mind-boggling in the scope of the violence that occured.
My film production company has optioned the rights to Mr. Saenz' life story. As a former policeman in Albuquerque and Latin America, Mr. Saenz has seen many exciting historical events unfold. He has always confronted threats to public safety with bravery, humor and patriotism. This book is his true account of the grisly results of what happens when an apathetic public, opportunistic politicians, and negligent security combine to allow an explosion of epic proportions. Do not for a minute think it won't happen again, if we remain ignorant of the conditions that exist in prisons all across America. Read this book to gain a greater understanding of the tragic miscalculations that are still taking place today.

European history, as it's taught (to the extent it's taught) in American schools, generally consists of British and French history, with brief mentions of Italy in the Renaissance and Germany during the wars. Austrian history barely merits a blip, save for August 1914. It's not surprising, therefore, that 'Prince Felix zu Schwarzenberg' is -- as far as I've been able to determine -- the only English-language biography of a most interesting historical figure.

The Schwarzenbergs were one of the richest and most powerful families in the Austrian empire. Prince Felix (1800-1852), after a 'colorful' early life, buckled down and became prime minister following the revolutions of 1848. It was he who engineered the abdication of Emperor Ferdinand and his heir, Archduke Francis Charles, in favor of the latter's 18-year-old son Francis Joseph, and later helped restore the empire's authority in the wake of nationalistic uprisings. Though often denounced as a reactionary, Schwarzenberg was actually a more nuanced statesman, actually sweeping away many of the lingering remnants of feudalism and laying the foundations for the more modern (for good or ill) centralized state. It's one of history's interesting, if neglected, 'what-ifs?' to speculate on how Europe might have been different had Schwarzenberg lived another two or three decades, instead of dying of a sudden stroke at age 52.

A scion of the same family, Adolph Schwarzenberg has done an excellent job in this biography -- especially considering that he was writing at a time when government and family archives had largely been seized by the Nazi occupiers of Austria and Bohemia (where the family's ancestral home is located). The bulk of his work focuses on Prince Felix's years in power, with separate sections on domestic and foreign policy and a special emphasis on 'the German problem.' The book is detailed, but also very readable, and it opens the door to an important figure and time in European history. It's a title I was glad to get my own copy of, and one I return to often.

RED RYAN takes off like a ballistic missile. Within the first couple of chapters, Russia slips into a civil war and you're exposed to the life and motivations of a Hamas suicide bomber. You begin to understand the centuries of hatred that would allow a terrorist to consider using a nuclear weapon. The novel is fast paced, providing one plot twist after another until RED RYAN brings the world to the brink of nuclear war. I won't give away the ending, but you begin to wonder if the whole world is Y2K compliant and whether any of us will see the next millenium.

I like how they are both different meaning different back grounds and how they didn't let the family stop their love for each other.

'Singing in the Rain', one of America's favorite musicals, finally is yours to own! With all of the lines, interesting background information and pictures that are great, this is a must have for a musical fan.

The story tells of the Roaring 20's and the rocky and at times hilarious transition from silent movies to the talkies.

With a great script by Aldoph Green and Betty Comden, this is a great companion to the movie!

Reviewing fiction books is harder than non-fiction in that non-fiction is usually a true story or stories, that is why reviewing this book was more difficult than others. Caso's style is good and he has captured the feeling of the times with The Straw Obelisk.

The book is set during World War II, where a young soldier named Samuele is coming home to completely transformed by the war. His attitudes about life and people have changed and Samuele must bring the Obelisk to the village.

For most of the book the story is easy to follow, however there was some confusion during the reading. I got lost when a woman is killed and Samuele goes from trying to solve a crime to getting the obelisk to the village.

The book finishes nicely and leaves you satisfied. I was impressed by the author's amazing detail of Italy during the war, which adds much to the overall storyline. While the book was published in 1995, it would still make a good read.

I have always been a huge history fan and learning about the things that happened so long ago has always fascinated me. Finding out what really happened makes history more exciting and thin book is a perfect example of this.

Caso captures the essence of both Columbus and Magellan and puts together a book that in some parts makes you feel like you sailing with both explorers. The book is a record the logs that were kept during the explorations.

From the beginning to the very end the reading is informative, enlightening and interesting. While this book is written for the history buffs, I think that everyone will enjoy what is inside this new world reading.

Overall I finished the reading in less than 3 hours and enjoyed every minute, I would hope that pother books like this would follow. Well done and well written

This was a fascinating book about what a trial of Hitler would be like. The hatred and ignorance the led him to power still exists in the world. This book explores not just the man but the people who would stand behind him today it he was found and tried.

When most think about Dubois, one of the first theoretical formulations that come to mind is the oft-quoted "double-consciousness." In this work, Reed's central task is to situate African American political thought squarely within the material context in which it occurs using W.E.B. Dubois as the focus for this project. Along the way Reed slices and dices Henry Louis Gates and the new black intellectuals, as well as the troublesome concept of "double consciousness" that Reed shows to be overstudied at best. Clearly among the best works of its kind to come to light in some years.

When I first got this book I thought what do I know about poetry and how would I review this book? After spending two hours reading the poems I was simply amazed at what the author has accomplished in the few short pages.

Water and Life is filled with forty English poems and 30 poems in Italian and it makes a wonderful read. The author has drawn deep within his soul in poems like "Love Poem" and "Evening of Spring". With the poem "November 22,1963" you have short to the point look at history.

Caso has a unique and delicate style, and approach that almost has sensitivity that makes reading the poems a real pleasure. "Suicide through murder" satirical look at life and the deeper meaning encapsulated within the writing is yet another of the author's great works.

Caso is the author of other books and Branden.com is an easy to navigate website. You'll find that Branden publishing is well worth the visit.