This is a very good book.

The book follows the 1920s and 30s stock market from the corner in Stutz stock (on which only people who were long originally gained) to the demise of the aristocratic Richard Whitney.

It could be fiction except that you see the similarities all around.

The description of 1929 is the best I have read. I wish I was there to see Whitney make the most famous bid in all stock exchange history (10 thousand US Steel at 205). I too would have fallen under his spell. And I too would have been shocked and scandalised by his eventual downfall.

Read this and make your judgement. Are you too taken in by the image of today's high flier? Or are you above that? Some people are. I am not sure I am

I am about to be a published author. (scheduled for the summer of 2000) My hero is William Zinsser, author of On Writing Well. I like him because he writes so...well. Mr. Crawford needs to read Zinsser's book-several times. To be fair, Mr. Crawford's Legal Guide is organized and thorough, but the wording is stiff and technical. I feel as though I am reading a college law (or business) text book. He has no humor. I have an urge to drag out my yellow highlighter because there will be a test later. I am convinced I can read about anything if the material is well written. Mr. Crawford is always grammatically correct, but I have to work too hard to understand him. Legal Guide would be a wonderful book if you have a background in law or business. Since I have neither, I recommend Bunnin and Berens, The Writer's Legal Companion. The style is friendlier for new authors who lack experience in the business of contracts, copyright and publishing.

This is a terrific guide that tells writers at all levels what they need to know to avoid legal problems and negotiate successfully. It has the broadest coverage and is clearly written with many cases turned into fascinating and eduational anecdotes. I can't recommend it too highly.