I could not put down this book. Watching beautiful but somewhat emotionally immature Julie ruin, and ultimatelly lose, her life, is heartbreaking, but strangely fascinating. Glatt does a great job of setting up the murder by profiling the victim's parents, and her difficult childhood. The background information makes it easier to understand how such a beautiful woman who seemingly had everything [handsome successful husband; lovely home; adorable baby] would chuck it all for a not too attractive and impoverised Greek cruise line worker. Well, not 100% easy to understand.

While reading, I felt like screaming at the victim: don't go with him. What, are you crazy? But, of course, if you read the book description, you know exactly how the story will end. Knowing does not make the read any less gripping, which is the sign of a good writer.

If this book seems short, it is only because Glatt, unlike so many true crime authors, does not go into agonizing and repetitive detail about the trial. Instead, he guides the reader through the interesting parts of the story, i.e. the history that explains why glamour puss Julie Scully risked everything for the ugly little Greek sailor who killed her. The book does an excellent job of describing the dysfunctional family dynamics that helped form Julie's personality. I guess my only complaint is that I would have liked to have known a little more about her murderer.

Blind Passion by John Glatt is fun to read. This book is about Julie, but it starts out with the life of Julia, her mother. By the time you get to Julie, you can see what makes her tick and why she would run off for a romantic adventure in a foreign country. She leaves behind a life with a husband who worked his way up, and a 3 year old daughter. I agree with the boyfriend's mother in Greece, who voices the traditional Greek idea that a mother who abandons her child to live with a man is beneath contempt. On the other hand, what happens to the victim here is even more beneath contempt! This is an interesting book about a crime committed in January of 1999.

Reading this book reminded me of attending a good conference where lots of company executives provide detailed examples of the issues they faced, and how they went about dealing with those issues. Since such conferences usually cost several hundred dollars, this book is a real bargain -- and you don't have to get on an airplane and fly someplace!

One of the strengths of the book is that you receive several perspectives on the context for each case history. The editors describe what each case means, and the conclusions section summarizes general patterns. Also, each case is presented in the same format which makes it easier to understand what is being shared. I was particularly grateful for the exhibits (which exist in electronic form in the CD enclosed in the book). I also appreciated that the cases were primarily written by Human Resources professionals inside the companies, rather than being a consultant's take on what happened.

Having said all those positive things, let me share some concerns. First, I looked in vain for my favorite examples of outstanding work in recruiting, retention, knowledge encouragement, and executive development. If this book is about "best practices" where were GE, Disney, Motorola, Ritz Carlton, and SAS Institute? Second, many of the cases involved companies that are better known for their poor performance than for excellence. If they are developing their people so well, what happened? Third, a lot of these cases involve new initiatives where the long-term consequences are hard to see. Fourth, the profit impact on the organizations was not well documented. That makes it hard to use these cases as examples to encourage your own company to follow suit. Fifth, as change management processes, most of these cases are far behind the curve of what is described in Peter Senge's various books of case histories such as The Dance of Change. Part of the reason seems to be that a number of these cases aren't very new.

Of the cases in the book, I recommend the ServiceMASTER, Westinghouse, Johnson & Johnson, Allstate, and Case Corporation examples as the most helpful to me. I mention that because there's a lot of material in this book. I read a lot and rapidly, and I found this book hard to tackle. By being more selective in what you go after, you can help avoid some of that problem. Naturally, if your own issues are only in a few areas, just look at those cases.

Develop the full potential of everyone, beginning with yourself!

"The principal goal of this book is to provide you with the key ingredients taken from best-companies to help you create and enhance your organization and human resource development (OD/HRD) initiative. Through a case study approach, this book provides practical, easy-to-apply tools, instruments, training, concepts, and competency models that can be used as benchmarks for the successful implementation of your specific OD/HRD initiative (from the Introduction)."

In this context, Louis Carter, David Giber, and Marshall Goldsmith (editors) divide core part of this book -Organization and Human Resources Development Case Studies- into following five OD/HRD topic areas:

I. Organization Development and Change: In this section, W. Warner Burke says, "Seven rich cases (Kraft Foods, Nortel, ServiceMASTER, SmithKline Beecham, Westinghouse, CK Witko, and Xerox) of organization development and change are discussed...The cases cover a wide range of change from how OD occurs every day to deep change in an organization's culture...Without doubt we can learn from these cases. And learn we must. Changing organization is too intricate to be left to novices. We have indeed learned and noted at the outset, but we still have much to learn. As one who has been involved for more than 35 years, helping organizations change is both thrilling and very satisfying. Learning, however, is the most exciting part (pp.6-8)."

II. Leadership Development: In this section, Jay A. Congerwrites that "In the cases that follow, we look at three companies (Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, and Sun Microsystems,Inc.) that have dedicated serious time and resources to leadership development...In addition, all three of the company cases make extended use of competency models, 360-degree feedback, and action learning (p.186)."

III. Recruitment and Retention: In this section of the book, John Sullivan writes, "you'll learn how three diverse companies tackled their retention and recruiting problems. Two of the firms are high tech (AMD and Cellular One), while another (Allstate) is in a more traditional industry. Both AMD and Cellular One focus on solving the hot issue of retention while Allstate takes a new look at the recruiting and selection processes. All three of the case studies use a scientific approach to identify which solutions have the most impact...All three of these case studies are worth examining because of their scientific methodology as well as their results. All are full of powerfull 'lessons learned' for those who are soon to begin a major recruitment or retention effort (pp.303-304)."

IV. Performance Management: This section examines performance management systems of Case Corporation and Sonoco. Edward E. Lawler III says that "the performance management systems in most organizations are contoversial, ineffective, and constantly under construction. They are so problematic that critics argue many organizations would be better off if they simply didn't have a performance management system, particularly one in which performance appraisals are tied to pay actions. But-and it is an important but- if individuals are not appraised, counseled, coached, and rewarded for performance, how can an organization pruduce the organized, coordinated, and motivated behavior that it takes to perform well? The answer most likely is that it can't (p.393)."

V. Coaching and Mentoring: Introduction of this section, Beverly Kaye writes, "the last 5 years have seen a groundswell in both arenas. And it's not just been more of the same; organizations have begun to use mentoring and coaching more purposefully. HR and OD practitioners have worked to utilize both interventions to meet pressing business problems having to do with the development and retention of talent, as well as the growth of future leaders. These interventions have been more systemic, more thoughtful, and more innovative than ever before. The case studies (Dow Corning, and MediaOne Group-AT&T) illustrate this trend. Both were motivated by specific business drivers, both were preceded by intensive research, both were implemented over time, and both were evaluated seriously. Readers will find them instructive, detailed, and engaging (p.438)."

Finally, Louis Carter (editor) says that "contributors were asked to indicate where they envision their organization is heading with its initiative within the next 5 to 10 years. Responses indicate that the contributors want to keep the organization on a track to continuously learn and develop its capabilities. Comments from some contributors indicate that they want to leverage lessons learned from this experience. Some contributors commented that they want to firmly ingrain the initiative into the organization to the point that it is almost invisible to the user, making it an accepted part of life at the company. Other contributors will continue to refine the present initiative in place, while others will expand their efforts into other business lines. Survey results clearly indicate that the present state of the initiatives represented in this book represent snapshots of moving targets. Further growth and innovation is inevitable for these best practice organizations, as they work to stay ahead of their competitors by embracing change and continuously learning and improving (pp.531-532)."

Strongly recommended.

Here in a single volume is about all that is needed to design, implement, and then monitor a program through which to achieve organizational transformation. Moreover, the editors have selected both information and wisdom which can help to ensure that such a program is comprehensive, cohesive, and cost-effective. The phrase "best practices" is apt but should not be misconstrued to mean that strategies and tactics which have been highly successful in some organizations are necessary going to be successful in all others. Moreover, I urge the reader to keep in mind that, although the organizations featured (e.g. Boeing, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Nortel Networks, ServiceMASTER, SmithKline Beecham, and Sun Microsystems) are among the largest in their respective industries, much of the material in this book is also relevant to small-to-midsize organizations. My own rather extensive past experience with all manner of organizations (including non-profits) has convinced me that most people do not fear change; rather, they fear the unfamiliar. Hence the importance of three on-going initiatives: communicate, communicate, and communicate.

Part One consists of Acknowledgments, About This Book, How to Use This Book, and an excellent Foreword by Richard Beckhard. Carter, Giber, and Goldsmith then shift their attention in Part Two of "Organization & Human Resources Development Case Studies." The individual case studies are distributed within this thematic structure:

Organizational Development & Change

Leadership Development

Recruitment & Retention

Performance Management

Coaching & Mentoring

Part Three: Conclusion consists of Research (OD/HRD Trends and Findings), Endnotes, About Linkage, Inc., About the Editors, Index, and How to Use the CD-ROM, terrific value-added benefit.

Back to Beckhard's Foreword for a moment. In it, he identifies six (6) "elements" which are basic to each case study; all are central to and sequential within the change process associated with organizational development/human resource development (OD/HRD). They are: Business Diagnosis, Assessment, Program Design, Implementation, On-the-Job Support, and Evaluation. It is helpful to keep these six "elements" clearly in mind while working your way through the abundance of information which the editors provide. Fortunately, they have organized the (sometimes daunting) material with meticulous care and write exceptionally well. I also urge you to use the same six "elements" as guidelines when determining what the design of your own program for organizational change should be, and, when selecting those strategies and tactics discussed in the book which are most appropriate to the implementation and evaluation of that program. This is especially true of decision-makers in small-to-midsize organizations.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out O'Toole's Leading Change, Katzenbach's Real Change Leaders as well as his Peak Performance , Kaplan and Norton's The Balanced Scorecard and The Strategy-Focused Organization, Quinn's Deep Change, O'Dell and Grayson's If Only We Knew What We Know, Isaacs' Dialogue and the Art of Thinking Together, and Senge's The Dance of Change. Those especially interested in Six Sigma are encouraged to check out (and read in this order) Pande's The Six Sigma Way, Breyfogle's Implementing Six Sigma, and Eckes's Making Six Sigma Last.

I thought this book was okay. It wasn't my favorite but it was good. It first starts our kind of boring but when a cat named Pete gets in the story it's a different story. He gets Hank and his assistant Dover in a mess when he told them something. The coyotes in the pasture get very hungry. They get in even more trouble then. It's starts with the Ha-Ha game. Oh you should try the Ha-Ha game.

If you're in the mood for humor, just read the Hank the Cowdog books. He thinks he's so smart, but he is not. Drover is probably about just as smart as Hank. I love reading Hank, I've read almost all his books, and own a lot of them. You definitely need to start reading Hank!

I'm 10 years old and I thoutht it was great. I think that it was hillarious. Especially the part when Hank and Drover trick the coyote brothers in a Ha Ha game.

The seventeen chapters of this book were originally published in the "Griffith Observer" (a monthly magazine issued by the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles). More often than not, essay collections suffer from a lack of cohesiveness, but this book is a rarity: with little repetition, plenty of wit, and a well-planned narrative arrangement, this fascinating introduction to astrophysics travels smoothly from the evolution of intelligent life and the causes of ice ages to black holes and the inflationary universe. I was particularly impressed by how several of the chapters elucidated and expanded upon concepts presented in earlier chapters. It would have been helpful, however, if Gribbin had indicated when each of these chapters was originally written (a few originated in the late 1970s), since some of the ideas presented seem to have been eclipsed or supplemented by more recent advances.

Some readers with a more thorough scientific background may find the information here a little too general, but I wish I had read this book before I had tackled more complex volumes--they wouldn't have been such hard going!

Having read quite a few of Gribbin's books, I tend to find that they rehash the same information quite often. Given the number of books he has written, this is not surprising, but it's still annoying. This book came as a pleasant surprise, since there was quite a lot of new content.

As a collection of essays written over the past 20 years, some are not surprisingly out of date, but not badly so. Gribbin has gone to the trouble to arrange the essays in a related fashion, and so the book reads almost as a continuous volume, with each essay flowing nicely to the next.

I was starting to feel as though Gribbin had nothing new left to tell me, but he obviously has plenty of good insights and interesting information still up his sleeve. Definitely one of his better books.

Don't believe anything negative written about this book. I could not put this book down. After having labored through books covering similar topics, this was one of those books that had a definite flow to it. John Gribbon is also very fair in the way he writes. Many experts seem to have an unyielding agenda in their books. Gribbon presents all of the viewpoints in an unbiased manner. Gribbon's selection of chapter/essay topics is excellent - all of the topics that would interest those of us who want a clearer picture on what it's all about. I am usually not easily impressed. People. Trust me. This is a definite must read.

As soon as I started reading, I could not put this book down. Don Lasseter is an excellent writer. I appreciate the fact that he went into such detail regarding the people and circumstances involved and the investigation. I was touched by the huge amount of kindness and support that the Hubers' were given. I really like the fact there were pictures, it was nice to put a face with the names.

Denise Huber was an exceptional person. Although I never met her, I feel the world has suffered by losing her. What a wonderful family she has. My heart goes out to them.

Everyone should read this book. It lets you know the families, and it takes you through the investigation and the trial - every aspect interesting. You can tell there was tremendous research done with the entire book. This is one book I will keep and re-read.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was the title. After I read this heart-wrenching, tragic story about the murder of Denise Huber, I thought the title was too insensitive. I wish the murderer would have come clean and filled in the blanks as to what happened that fateful night, but of course he never talked. But the author did a good job in getting us to know the killer without benefit of the killer's input.

This is by far the best written True Crime book I have ever read. I started reading it yesterday afternoon, and stayed awake until 4am to finish it. I don't know where in the world I was from 1991 until now because I had not heard about this crime. I just wish there was something I could do to help this family. I hope that everyone that reads this will take time out of their day and think of Denise Huber,so that she will NEVER be forgotten, she will forever be in my thoughts, she is now an angel up in heaven.

The last installment of the "A History of the Plantagenents" succeeds admirably. Costain has a way of transferring is love and excitement of a subject onto his pages. It's a method that has yet to be rivaled. He gives each character a distinct personality no matter how trivial. William Caxton being a prime example. About half the book is concentrated on Richard II, which is fine because most historians either concentrate on the Black Prince or Henry V and skip over him. Here we see a sympathetic monarch who was easily bullied and who made some bad decisions early in his reign. After Richard II, he continues on through the kings until Richard III. Here he breaks protocol and gives evidence in defense of Shakespeare hunchback, citing Tudor propaganda as the catalyst. Normally, Costain is careful to present detailed accounts of both sides to an arguement, but here he takes a stance. It is quite refreshing and readers will eat it up. Highly recommended as well as the others in the series. My uncle gave me these books and I plan on returning the favor when the next generation comes my way. Treasure these.

English History at it's finest. You feel as if you are there with these people, living their lives. Always in good form, this is one of Costain's best.

Mr. Costain is a very good historian. His scholarship is thorough and his conclusions are always logically wrought and sometimes surprising. His sensibilities are surprisingly contemporary, although I would not term him a "revisionist," (he wrote this history in the 1950s). For example, in his defense of Richard III (in this, the final book in this four-volume history) he travails against conventional opinion to demonstrate why King Richard was, indeed, not the Richard III of Thomas More as popularized by Shakespeare and held true to this day. And in the first volume, the author dashes myth and idle folklore to side with those historians who portray Eleanor of Aquitaine as the wise and effective check on Henry II and her sons that, she no doubt was. In so doing he disperses, through well-reasoned argument, the rumors and "Entertainment-Tonight" kind of fluff (History-Lite) that many still believe. I had been told these four volumes were classics. After reading them, but without being a scholar of history, I think those critical readers might be right. Certainly, Mr. Costain opened my eyes to a different kind of history telling, one in which an historian does not hesitate to conjecture or opine openly and to honestly make his case and then leave it for a reader's judgement. From front to back, from first through fourth volumes, this is a valuable and pleasurable experience. Mr Costain, presents, argues, harangues convention and, always entertains with a use of the language that is as sharp as his reasoning and as precise as his scholarship. Mr. Costain is a very good story-teller.

If the poor were to benefit from neoliberal policies, Dying for Growth argues, Mexico should provide an exemplary case. With constant encouragement from the United States, Mexico has aggressively implemented neoliberal policies for more than 20 years. The maquiladora sector of the economy, industrial plants owned by transnational corporations (TNCs) manufacturing products to export primarily to the United States, has grown quickly since the implementation of NAFTA, but this has been at the expense of other sectors of the economy. Competition with TNCs has undermined 30 000 small businesses and millions of subsistence farmers. Millions of permanently displaced peasants have made their way to urban shantytowns or tried to immigrate to the United States.
Read what does it mean to privatize health care system and industry in many countries around the world.
Learn how rich get richer and poor get poorer virtually everywhere, including USA and other developed nations.
How realy "free" is trade, market and for whom ?
Who controls "New World Order" - politicians elected by citizens or corporations ?
If you are not sure what is the answer - get this very interesting and disturbing research/analysis coming from Institute for Health and Social Justice.

This book provides a very thorough examination of how unequal patterns of growth and social inequality on a global scale have resulted in dire consequences for those many unfortunate who cannot afford health care. Many individuals, especially those residing in the United States, are already aware of the growing costs of health care. But imagine what it is like to live in a developing country where medical care is rudimentary at best and you're at the mercy of industrial pollution from the nearby TNC factory?

Using health as an indicator of social inequality, the authors examine the connections between poverty and illness. Aggregate statistics depicting the health status on a global scale are improving is debunked. Rather, there is an uneven distribution of health improvements: the wealthy have access to comprehensive medical care while the poor are dying from preventable diseases. Access to resources is restricted, even in the midst of technological advancements in medicine. The goal of this book is to examine how international organizations such as the World Bank, IMF, and WTO along with TNCs influence political and economic structures of nations which in turn affect the accessibility , cost, and quality of health care provided (if any). The central question raised concerns what pattern of growth will benefit those in need the most? How can we redistribute global resources from the powerful few to the many of the world's poor?

There is no doubt that the subject matter of this book is very extensive and the book itself is pretty thick, but reading this book will enable one to gain a better understanding of how recent trends in globalization have had devasting effects on the world's population. The authors provide good case studies that illustrate their main arguments. This book continues to serve as a vital reference source for my studies.

Unless you are not committed with the international situation and have a blind vision of how the world and the globalization are changind our living world, this book will improve your knowledge in many aspects.

It is very sad that people like the reader from New Yourk could express the opinion in his(her)review. The fact the he(she)didn't even signed his(her) opinion put his(her) criticism out of any kind of consideration.

I am very happy that there are another people that I even don't know personally, like Stephen Yhu that have a broader vision. I am also glad that other readers from USA, have expressed intelligent points of view.

As an international consultant in the field of International Health I just can say that the more you read, analize, avaliate and discuss the problems of our world, the bigger will be the possibility that it will be better. I am sure that this book is not the owner of the TRUE but nobody is. I am also sure that this GREAT BOOK will help people see the world from alternative perspectives.

The above quote comes from the brief biographical piece on John Conroy included in the online program for the 2000 Amnesty International USA Midwest Regional Conference, one of the many human rights forums at which he has lent his expertise on torture as a featured speaker. I agree with the view expressed in the quote completely - this book brilliantly illuminates some fundamental truths that we must face if we are to eliminate torture.

The most important issue is alluded to in the following quote from the book's introduction (pp. ix-x): "When I embarked on this project, when I was still unsure as to what form the manuscript would take, dozens of people asked me if I was going to visit various nations well-known for their use of torture. It seemed to me that these well-meaning men and women had the idea that torture was something done in some backward civilization by the barely human and certainly ignorant. I was gradually becoming aware, however, that torture is something that most of us are capable of, and so I decided to use case studies that I thought American readers could identify with - 'people like us' who deployed the brutal methods I'd heard associated with the Third World."

The countries on which the case studies focus are Great Britain, Israel, and the United States. Most people in the United States would probably react to news of the project underlying this book in the same manner as Conroy describes, and would not understand why such a book would focus on the chosen countries. Therein lies the problem we must recognize if we are to end torture: torture is not something confined to far away or backward countries full of strange, ignorant people - despite the universal prohibitions on torture contained in international law and the laws of almost all nations, it is something that is also done by individuals functioning on behalf of our own and closely allied governments, purportedly in our interest, and with our approval or at least our acquiescence. As Conroy states (p. 240), "I found I did not have to journey far to learn that torture is something we abhor only when it is done to someone we like, preferably someone we like who lives in another country."

In my opinion, the most valuable works of nonfiction are characterized by accuracy, by focusing on important and unrecognized or insufficiently appreciated facets of life, by treating the subjects and readers with respect, and by a level of organization and quality of writing that makes the process of reading and thinking about the issues covered well worth the reader's time. This book succeeds in all of these aspects.

The organization of the book into four sections, each containing a chapter on each of the three case studies, followed by a chapter covering the fundamental issues brought to light by the case studies and by Conroy's additional research and analysis, serves as an excellent framework. Conroy is a highly gifted writer (one of the first things I did upon finishing the book was to buy and read his earlier and equally well written Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life), and the discussions of the case studies are well worth rereading, but the fact that one can glean the central points from the four summary/analysis chapters makes the book particularly useful as a continuing reference.

Having spent a number of years studying literatures on various forms of human violence and brutality, I can wholeheartedly endorse this book as illuminating a set of truths as important to those concerned with human rights as one is likely to find. Only a sampling can be included in a brief review.

One crucial section is in the first of the overview chapters, entitled "History and Method," where Conroy identifies four central aspects or patterns of torture through the ages. Another is his discussion of the Milgram experiments on obedience to authority in the chapter entitled "Torturers." Yet another is in the final chapter, entitled "Bystanders," where he describes how when evidence of torture in democracies is brought to light, there is a common pattern of denial and other responses more sympathetic and helpful to the torturers than to the victims.

The most crucial point of all is illuminated by Conroy's statement (p. 122) about what it was like to interview torturers: "The worst part of these interviews was that they were not difficult. Finding the men was not easy, convincing them to talk to me was hard work, but invariably our meetings went well. I never met the monster I anticipated." If we are to stop torture we must stop looking for monsters and begin by looking in the mirror and into our own hearts. If you are interested in helping, reading and absorbing the wisdom of this book is as good a first step as you can take.

Unlike books in which the cover promises much more than the author delivers, this one reflects "truth in advertising." The title and content fit together beautifully.

There may be better ways to illustrate the profound and disturbing fact that, given the right circumstances, ordinary people can and do commit unspeakable acts, but I doubt it. In an area in which authors seemingly find it easy to draw conclusions beyond their legitimate findings, and sensationalism can creep in with or without intention, John Conroy has done an excellent job of sticking with the facts and generally letting them speak for themselves. It's a good example of "less is more."

Conroy's extensive research and careful explication, coupled with
a carefully crafted framework for presentation of the data make it easy for the reader to follow what he is presenting. Setting forth examples of torture in three different settings and following this pattern of presentation in subsequent sections lets us end up with a clear gestalt of his material. A reporter, Conroy sticks to his training and avoids the temptation to
confuse his role with that of a research psychologist. The outcome:
--A clear presentation of what torture is and how ubiquitous it is.
--A strong blow to the common view that only monsters engage in torture and that torture occurs only in places far removed from us.

In appreciation to the author and to my son who recommended the book to me, I heartily commend it to anybody who seeks to understand today's world.

This was an amazing book about an extremely difficult subject. Very thought-provoking and informative.

"This book is about heroes..." That is how Congressman John Kasich begins his book "Courage is Contagious" Indeed Kasich's book is filled with profiles of extraordinary Americans who take it upon themselves to help others. The Americans profiled in Kasich's easy reading book could be your neighbor, co-worker, or even you. Their profiles tell the stories of everyday people who take the time to help others, display unquestionable amounts of courage, and provide an inspiration to those who meet them.

Kasich's profiles include stories of Geoffrey Canada (author of Fist Stick Knife Gun) who crusades against violence, brothers Eric and Bobby Krenzke who suffer from a hereditary illness yet triumph in their life, a young girl who provides lunches for the homeless, a retired doctor who provides medical services to people who otherwise could not afford medical care, a holocaust survivor shares with younger generations the tragedy of World War II, and many other stories of courage that will hopefully inspire and make you want to share this book with others.

If you enjoyed this book "Heroes After Hours" written by David C. Forward is another excellent book profiling volunteers and programs that seem to succeed.

Conressman John Kasich provides a wonderful picture of what is right with America in a time when all we seem to hear in the mass media is what is wrong with America.

Courage is Contagious provides a challenge from one of our nation's leaders to take on our historic pioneer spirit and help fix the foundation of our great country. The book makes clear that we are responsible for changing our communities and our world. The book seems to echo the words of John F. Kennedy, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country."

Congressman Kasich tells of average Americans who are doing great things to heal our country's wounds.

A true inspiration!

Each of the courageous people John Kasich has personally met and interviewed are ordinary people who have managed to make a tremendous impact within their communities. It inspires all of us to get out and do something for others and to live our life on a higher level of participation. Through these ordinary Americans, John has shown all of us what we can do for America. A well written and easy to read volume that is appropriate for children as well as adults. An excellent tool for parents, teachers, as a gift for Christmas and for anyone who may need a lift in spirits.

Ahhh... Rumpole is back! I was delighted to see a new collection of short stories written by John Mortimer, even though Leo McKern had sadly passed away. However, this new collection is not quite up to the standards of Mortimer's other short stories. Perhaps it's because it's been six years since "Rumpole and the Angel of Death." These new stories feel a little off, like a poet trying to emulate another poet's works; it's close, but doesn't feel like the same old works. "Rumpole Rests his Case" isn't a terrible book, but it's not the best one of the series.

I never thought to see any new Rumpole of the Bailey stories, but it seems that the fecund John Mortimer has come up with yet another seven put out by Viking Press. At the same time, Audio Partners has released a complete reading on 6 audio-tapes. "Rumpole Rests His Case" (61280) features actor Tony Britton and the six stories are as follows.

"Rumpole and the Old Familiar Faces" (a fitting title for a "return" tale) concerns another inept robbery by a young member of the Timson clan, a Christmas pantomime, and an ex-con living it up as a gentleman.

"Rumple and the Remembrance of Things Past" somehow and neatly manages to put a framing device of a non-smoking rule in "chambers" around a gruesome major plot of a wife's skeleton found buried in a floor.

"Rumpole and the Asylum Seekers" is a timely tale of refugees escaping an oppressive government and those who make money by betraying them.

"Rumpole and the Camberwell Carrot" is about a flaming affair between the lovely "Portia of the Chambers" and a noted pillar of morality who has more than just clay feet.

"Rumpole and the Actor Laddie" is the shortest Rumpole story ever and the most unsatisfactory, revolving around a ring that might or not be stolen.

"Rumple and the Teenage Werewolf" is another very timely tale about sexual stalking by e-mail. (Here I was sure I knew who the culprit was--it HAD to be!--and was wrong.)

The final tale, "Rumpole Rests His Case" is the most unusual Rumpole story ever. After collapsing at the end of a particularly trying trial, Rumpole spends the story in a hospital bed in which he solves a crime and presents his case--to the other patients! A very touching finale.

Britton lacks that Leo McKern blusteriness that Timothy West had on an earlier Audio Partners set of Rumpole tales, but he is quite good on his own terms. In general, the sparkle seems to have gone out of these Rumpole yarns; but any Rumpole is better than none. I therefore recommend this set without much reservation.

There are all here: Sam Ballard, Liz Probert, Claude Erskine-Brown, Hilda (she who must be obeyed) and the wonderful Timsons who keep Rumpole employed. And the stories go down perhaps a bit smoother than a glass of Chateau Thames Embankment. To those who know Rumpole there is no need of introduction. For those who don't there is wonderful intoxication ahead but do start at the beginning with Rumpole of the Bailey and work your way up to Rumpole Rests his Case. These stories are good but are too brief. This volume is not an aperitif but a nightcap. One can only wish for a more substantial serving in the future. Let's hope Mortimer has more tricks up Rumpole's sleeve before that long goodnight.