There are usually two sides to every story. However, as a labor and employment lawyer who represents management, it is difficult for me to see how an investigation into the fact pattern presented by Mr. Martin could have resulted in anything short of an apology and compensation for the egregious conduct of his supervisors and certain co-workers. Of course, when the US Supreme Court opened the door for some clear guidance on same-sex sexual harassment, the victory for Mr. Martin was all but assured. Nonetheless, the book's riveting account of Mr. Martin's courage to stand up to the system, prior to the precedent impact of the Supreme Court's decision, is a reminder to us all that right is right and wrong is simply wrong!

I would encourage corporate America to read and digest the issues which Mr. Martin raises, not only in the isolated same-sex harassment arena, but for an education into the mindset of a tenacious plaintiff who is willing to risk all for the sake of a belief that he was wronged by a company and organization to which he gave his all, and most of a career. This book, then, is a warning and an education for human resources directors at all companies. Such a story of harm and betrayal at the hands of a man's employer may encourage others similarly situated to fight, but if the proper lessons are learned, Mr. Martin's narrative may do well to prevent such from happening!

Sincerely,

James H. Stock, Jr.
Weintraub, Stock, Bennett, Grisham, And Underwood
2560 One Commerce Square
Memphis, TN 38103

MARY'S WORLD is an incredible look at the two decades prior to, the Civil War itself, and the subsequent aftermath. Archivist-writer Richard N. Cote evaluated and categorized over 2500 handwritten pages of entries and journals written by Southern aristocrat Mary Motte Alston Pringle. In her own words, we learn much about antebellum South plantation life, especially the owner-family and the manor house slaves. Even more to the point, is the effect of the Civil War and its aftermath that ended a lifestyle, leaving individuals in shock and struggling to cope (or die) with more than just the deaths of loved ones as the iceberg is turned upside down almost over night.

This autobiographical compilation is extremely interesting for those historical readers who devour anything Americana, especially things related to the Civil War. The journal and letters keep the audience fascinated in a voyeur like look because it is obvious that Mary hid little, as she was writing for herself and not mass publication. It is that open glimpse that makes this a fabulous non-fiction work, which will lead the audience seeking Mr. Cote's other memoir compilation, SAFE HOUSE, as this reviewer plans to do.

Harriet Klausner

Mary's world draws from personal letters of the Pringle family of Charleston to illustrate the life of an elite family before, during and after the Civil War. The book is immensely interesting for the social history/women's history buff, as it details the life of a wealthy planter's wife and her day to day activities in one of the most important Southern cities of the Civil War. The story is complimented by many period photographs and drawings. Sure to please.

I just finished reading Mary's World last night at 2:00 A.M. I couldn't put it down. I had long searched for a book that told about the actual lives of an Antebellum family. I had bought it while in Charleston, and it was my best book buy of the year!

Many other books I have read about the same topic have been good, yet they are explained as mere facts. Mary's World was indeed portrayed as if it were fiction, yet it was a true and researched account of Mary's World, an amazing glimpse into a bygone era. It was well written and very enjoyable. If I could get my hands on more books of this type, I would certainly do so. There are many books about the Old South, but none that I know of that allow such a close and personal look and feel into the real lives of those persons having lived in the years leading to, during, and after the Civil War.

There is an amazing national interest in Antebellum life told through the "voices" of those having lived during these actual times - and Cote has done a great job of sharing the true stories and lives of the Alston, Pringle, Frost, Middleton, and many other families/persons in this wonderful book.

I have studied old southern families for years, and I know a great deal about several families from Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. The real life stories about which Cote writes in Mary's World are so fascinating that anyone reading the book will fall in love with Mary Pringle and Old Charleston.

Mr. Cote, thanks again for a most wonderful book, and please keep similar books coming.

By the way, for those of you whom read and loved Mary's World, Cote's next book about Mary Pringle's sister-in-law, Theodosia Burr Alston will be out soon.

This is a story about a courageous woman torn mercilessly between her love for her hostage husband and her love and duty to her country. Above all, this is a love story and tragedy of epic proportions...involving not one American hero, but two. In her unrelenting efforts to free her husband from the bonds of terrorists, Robin Higgins went through the Halls of Power, confronting presidents and kings, winding through mazes of red tape, promises, and stone walls. At the same time, as a Marine Corps officer, loyal to her leaders and her country, she had to conduct herself with dignity and grace. Never once did she waver--even in the maddening days following the brutal murder of Colonel "Rich" Higgins. This book is her story...and his...and in gripping detail, Robin recounts this Patriot story. The reader will find it quite difficult to finish this book without anger at the feeble efforts to free the colonel, and without being in awe of the courage of Robin Higgins--a true patriot and heroine.

This very powerful book is a tribute to the memory of Rich Higgins. I was one of the "bubba group" identified in the book and was proud to be so. During the time Rich was held hostage, I wore many hats -- as a spokeswoman for the Rich's family, as a fellow military officer and as Robin's friend. I came to know him through the eyes of his fellow Marines as well as the eyes of the author.

Rich Higgins was a man of courage and honor. He led by example and his troops learned by his example what a genuine warrior is. They loved him. And they still grieve his loss.

The tragedy of the book is that it had to be written at all. Robin's account of the support from many at the highest levels of government is heartwarming. Her criticism of bureaucrats who repeatedly turned their backs on efforts to bring Rich home alive is true, well deserved and chills the soul.

The book is also a love story. Robin loved Rich more than life itself and never wavered in her fight to bring him home. Rich and Robin were fellow Marines, friends and mates. The words included in the book that she wrote to Rich in her journal reach deep inside the soul of one who feared the worst for her husband, yet still dared to hope he was alive.

When Rich's remains were finally dumped on a lonely street in Beirut, she sent a fax to me where I was stationed in Korea, saying only "I can only see one set of footprints in the sand now." That's when I knew Robin's hope had died.

I know Rich is proud of her...for she sought the truth about what happened to him. And she continued the fight to bring him home to the country he for which he lived and died.

"Patriot Dreams" is the most gripping true story I have ever read, and I am a voracious reader. From the opening page, you will vicariously enter the inner world of Robin Higgins, and experience the tragic death of a true American hero.

Rich Higgins was a Marine lieutenant-colonel who saw himself as a peacekeeper and a protector of the nation he loved. His duties in Lebanon required him to be unarmed, and he accepted those conditions as part of the job.

Unfortunately, the Hezbollah did not respect his show of good faith. What happened to Rich and his ever-faithful wife, Robin, will give you the deepest understanding of the contemporary Middle East and the ineffectiveness of our government in protecting its citizens in that area.

"Patriot Dreams" is written with an understated passion that sweeps the reader along; I was unable to put the book down until I finished the last word.

Robin Higgins is an extraordinarly powerful writer. Her work combines the best features of a novel with a strong dose of reality therapy. You will be both wiser and better informed as a result of this read.

The author was a student at North Shore High School when I taught there, and I can, without qualification, vouch for her good character and loyalty. When she introduced me to her husband, Rich Higgins in 1982, he was a major, and she was a captain. You would, as I did, recognize that he was a product of the best of our culture--strong but humane, highly intelligent without conceit, loyal without fanaticism.

Rich Higgins will be mourned, but he must never be forgotten.

What does it take for three generations of women to overcome the mistakes of the past and forge the bonds of love missing in their family? What are two mothers and a best friend willing to risk to save the ones they love? What does is mean to be a family?

The seedy world of drugs, gangs, and strip clubs is often unseen or, perhaps, ignored by the typical Myrtle Beach tourist (at least this Myrtle Beach tourist). The Redneck Riviera opened my eyes to the secrets of those sucked into that life.

Three women are driven to confront the demons of their own pasts. Grandmother Anne must admit that she looked the other way while her daughter was abused. Mother Dolly is forced to face her past, swallow her pride, and admit that she needs her mother. Daughter April has to turn from her bitterness and discover her mother's love in order to save herself and her best friend.

Côté has created a "beach novel" with a message, a story that entertains and enlightens. The Redneck Riviera is the story of a family. Each character's definition of "family" is questioned, changed, and ultimately reformed. These women discover that family is more than the ties of flesh and blood. Family is sacrifice, perseverance in hardship, and unconditional love.

Redneck Riviera is an astonishing tale that delves into the world of at-risk teens and the world of drugs. The author explores the party-drug scene, ecstasy, crystal meth and other drugs revealing a behind the scene look at how easily available these drugs are. The illegal drug industry is also explored, the drug labs, the difficulty in finding and prosecuting them and the blatant use of young, lost teens as pawns in this profit focused business, not to mention the organized crime connections.
The main teenager, April, is going through a typical period of testing the world, but her safety net, an available and focused parent seems to be the missing link and that allows April to search outside sources for acceptance and love. April' mother, Dolly, is a single parent searching for her own love and acceptance and although her daughter is important to her so is finding Mr. Right. This is a fast paced story that deals with sexual abuse, poverty, strip clubs, party drugs and the attempts to repair the damage created over three generations and reconnect a family.

Dolly Devereaux, the thirty-something divorced mother and lead character in "The Redneck Riviera" is one tough lady. I like her! Who wouldn't? (Except maybe the pothead she married whey they were both in their teens. His apathy enables their daughter, April, to run wild on the streets.) Dolly is a hard-working realist who has her priorities in order and keeps passions in check -- well, most of the time, anyway! She works long hours at menial jobs to earn her keep and care for her daughter. At the same time, she has her eye out for a handsome and prosperous boyfriend -- one way to climb the ladder of success -- but jumps at the chance to take on responsibilities of a store manager when fate cuts her some slack and she inherits her former boss's job.
The story revolves around two mother's love for their daughters and the power and challenges of the mother-daughter bond. April, Dolly's daughter, C.B. "Cue Ball" Correlli, April's drug-dealer-boyfriend, and a host of other strong, finely-chiseled characters play out a fast-paced, life-and-death adventure on the pages of "The Redneck Riviera." The reader will emerge from the reading enriched by the journey and in possession of a prized souvenir -- time well spent.

Well researched, well written, this book is a great read. Mr. Côté has given us the fascinating story of Aaron Burr's daughter. Multi-lingual, sophisticated and beautiful, Theodosia interacted with some of the greatest personalities of her time. The author refers to her as a prodigy, but she might well also be considered to be a true super woman, molded by an education based on the then-radical concepts of Mary Wollstonecraft. Her father conspired with a foreign power to carve her an empire out of Mexico and part of the young United States. Instead, his plans were crushed.

Even after her mysterious disappearance at sea, Theodosia's mystique lives on, as can be seen by anyone who as ever read a collection of Carolina ghost stories, or taken a tour in Georgetown or Charleston. She is surrounded by a mist of local legends. However, the author has given us a chance to see the real Theodosia, extracted from the nefarious shadow of her infamous father. He gives us, not a legend, nor a dry history, but a portrait of a real woman, with real emotions and concerns. Yet again, his approach is analytical, and where there are unanswered questions or conflicting data, he carefully examines the possible arguments to aid the reader in drawing his or her own conclusions.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes biographies of fascinating people, but also to reading groups (a discussion guide is available). It is also a book for anyone who loves art or a great mystery (The portrait that surfaced after her death is just one example). It is an engaging read that will leave you dreaming about what might have been, lost in admiration for its subject, and trying to unravel its mysteries long after you finish the last page.

Meticulously researched and superbly written, Theodosia by biographer Richard N. Cote is the fascinating and informative biography of Aaron Burr's singular and strong-willed daughter, Theodosia Burr Alston. Both she and her father embraced the philosophy of Englishwoman Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the founders of feminism in the late eighteenth century, perhaps best known for her then-radical advocacy of equal education for boys and girls. A remarkable portrait of human strength and resilience, as well as a highly recommended addition to Women's Studies and American Biography reading lists, Theodosia is an engaging and remarkable look into a formidable woman's life in the early nineteenth century.

I really enjoyed Richard N. Côté's biography Theodosia Burr Alston: Portrait of a Prodigy. Through his use of her letters and other historical documents, Côté has forged a compelling story of Theodosia's life; one that both entertains and educates the reader. It pushes you to question the motives of Theodosia's father, Aaron Burr, who educated his daughter according to the principles of the radical English feminist, Mary Wollstonecraft. He keeps you turning the page for more as you follow Theodosia's intricate and amazing life. For me, who lives in South Carolina, where Theodosia struggled through the last twelve years of her life, it was especially interesting to read about the life of a female intellectual in a time period that was actively opposed to female education. Theodosia proves to be a role model for all women who are looking to succeed in education and knowledge and teaches us that anything is possible despite severe obstacles. Chapter 9, "The Voyage of the Patriot," was of particular interest to me, as it demonstrated what an extraordinary woman Theodosia was. Although frail from recurring health problems and disheartened by both the death of her only son and her father's four-year exile in Europe, Theodosia did not lose hope. She decided to transcend her serious health problems and chose to fulfill her role in life, uphold the values her father had worked so hard to instill in her, and continue on with strength and courage. This is truly a portrait of a noble woman who, despite the many trials she encountered through life, always managed to rise to the occasion.

If Denzel Washington Touched Your Heart in The New Movie "John Q" Than read.....Jennifer's Story...DEATH BY HMO...A Real Life Tragedy.

This book touched the nerve that ties all the problems and mistakes together within our medicine for profit system. It held my attention from begining to end. My heart goes out to this family that has suffered so much. I consider the money paid for this incredable story a donation to a worthy cause.

Larry

This is a very disturbing indictment of modern health care. Dorothy Cancilla exhibits an extraordinary amount of restraint in recalling the preventable death of her daughter at the hands of inept doctors and an unforgiving system.

It's ironic that a organization whose charter is to maintain people's health can actually compromise their lives when the bottom line might be in jeopardy.

Kudos to Mrs. Cancilla for having the courage to face her demons by sharing them with others.

The Internet is not even mentioned in this book. And that's where the biggest action now is, as far as personals advertising is concerned. The old print sources that are listed are for the most part not current. The advice is so elementary (don't write about sex in your first letter, don't be late for your first date, be sure to meet in a public place the first time and the like) as to be virtually useless. And finally -- let's face it -- the fact that the author has gone through hundreds of women during a period of several years and still not met his match does not speak very highly of his frequently touted "system." The title is catchy, though ... and the cover is nicely designed!

I bought this book several years ago -- and found it fascinating. At that point, I had already met the man of my dreams thru the personals, and wanted to find pen pals and friends. I found this book very helpful, but, alas, the pen pals I made have since faded.The only negative thing I could say about this book is that even a year after its publish date, some of the organization addresses were out of date!The most positive thing I can say about this book is the author's positive, go-for-it attitude. A superb resource for those of us who enjoy writing letters!!

All the questions you have about about finding the woman of your dreams are answered here. This book even has a chapter on deciding if this is a good strategy for you. After that, the book tells you tactics which he used in finding his wife. Also contains a chapter on visas, immigration, etc.