Vincent Bugiosi, the prosecutor of Charles Manson (Helter Skelter) and outspoken critic of the prosecutors in the O.J. Simpson case (Outrage) has written what is the first indepth examination of America's drug policy and its failure to even moderately slow the rate that illicit drugs pour into the United States. After examining the common assumptions about drugs and performing a thorough analysis of our current drug policy, Mr. Bugliosi sets forth a step-by-step process for solving America's drug problem. In 1995, we pumped $14 billion into drug fighting. What were the results? Nothing changed. Mr Bugliosi correctly points out that our current policy isn't working. A radical new approach is necessary if we are going to end this drug epidemic.

This revolutionary books presents 2 completely seperate ideas that could bring the drug crisis to an end. The proposals are unorthodox to be sure, but they're detailed, thought provoking and practical. In addition, they're surprisingly cost effective compared with the money current spent in failed efforts.

Briefly, the proposals are a military search-and-find mission in which we send forces into the major drug producing countries and bring the drug cartel leaders to the U. S. to stand trial and sentencing. The other proposal is a relatively simple plan to stop the flow of drug-profit monies both out of and into America. The legality and historical precedents of these proposals are thoroughly and convincing presented. Mr. Bugliosi also examines the question of legalization of drugs and what ramifications that would have on our society.

"Either we are serious about fighting this terrible curse, or we are not," writes Mr. Bugliosi. If we are, then book shows how it can be done. Now if only someone with the political power in Washington would read it and have the guts to implement the proposals.

The back cover of this book says that Emily Stanton is charged with murder and stands trial in one of the most startling cases ever. That may be true, but the murder doesn't come until page 364 of a 453 page book!

Emily got on my nerves. She is mostly spineless, naive beyond belief, and easily manipulated. She doesn't seem to learn anything from her mistakes. It's hard to side with her.

However I did enjoy the story of New York in the '20's and '30's that was interwoven with Emily's story. It really gave me a feeling of the flavor of those times.

Lullaby and Good Night was a good story, but predictable. The reader knew up front that Emily would not come out ahead until the end. Also, Emily was very frustrating because she was so naive--unrealistically naive. Despite these frustrations with the book, I really enjoyed the description of New York City in the late 20's as well as the descriptions of the characters. The book kept my attention all the way to the end.

Vince goes outside of his usual style as he is telling about the trials the women went through in the early part of the century. I, particularly, was interested in it as I was once engaged to Vince and the person he is writing about has my name. It was so good, I read it three times. All of his novels are so good, you just don't want to put them down. Ususally based on case histories; however, this was not - still a mystery and wonderful!!