Casino consultant Tony Valentine is trying out a new life, with a new woman--a professional wrestler. When his girlfriend admits she's been lying to him about contacts with her ex-husband, Valentine heads back to Miami and his business. And business is good. Con men and thiefs around the world are ripping off casinos, generally with inside help. One job, in an American Indian casino is practically local and Valentine agrees to take it. Things escalate quickly when Valentine is attacked by aligators who somehow made it into his car.

Author James Swain knows his gambling business. Following Valentine around lets the reader know about the way gamblers work and how the cons run. And there is a con being run--a huge one that mobster Rico Blanco has been running. He doesn't need Valentine cutting into his action.

The con is clever and sophisticated and the aging and widowered Valentine makes a sympathetic protagonist. The problems in his love life and with his semi-crooked son let the reader sympathize with his sometimes abrupt and angry actions. Hooker Candy Hart and Valentine's neighbor, Mabel add interest to an already fascinating story.

SUCKER BET hooks the reader, then reels him in. I found the conclusion a little confusing--exactly who hit whom--but that didn't stop me from seriously enjoying this novel. Now, if I can just get my sandpaper and head for the nearest casino...

I have to admit that I set out wanting to like this book, as the previous two in the Tony Valentine series, Grift Sense and Funny Money, were both winners. But Swain has really hit his stride with his 3rd outing. I think the best review I could give would be a direct quote from the book's cover, and it comes from none other than Michael Connelly: "Wow, what a discovery! James Swain is the best new writer I have come across in a long, long time. Sucker Bet is wonderful. It snaps with the gritty feel of the truth. Swain has carefully added all of the ingredients: tragedy, humor, action and, most of all, a cast of characters that would make Elmore Leonard's mouth water." Grab this one, you won't be disappointed.

Jim Swain has another hit on his hands. This is the third book on the character Tony Valentine. With the the twist and turns you can't put it down. The way Jim brings in the cast of character is masterful. Especialy Mr. B. You'll have to read the book to see who this one is.
Can't wait for the next one.

This book explains every aspects of a multithreaded application. You don't have to buy a few books before you can grasp the whole concept of multithreading. If you're new to this area, I highly recommend this book as your standard text.

However, this book was written in 1996, you can only find one chapter on MFC. Hope Jim could cover more on MFC & VC++ in the next edition.

This book has been essential for writing our multi-threading, commercial apps. The material begins by providing an explanation for why threads are useful, and follows with a thorough explanation of how to synchronise the activities of many threads. Synchronisation is perhaps the biggest obstacle to producing a working multi-threaded app. I found the most useful chapter to be 10: Threads in MFC. This shows how to create worker threads, derived from CWinThread, instead of calling AfxBeginThread(). This allows you to design classes that represent your threads in a more object-oriented way. The book is clearly typeset, with good explanations of both good technique and the common mistakes that can easily be made when starting out. The FAQ section also helped with common problems that turned up.

I recommend a good understanding of C++ to get the most out of this book, though this isn't essential.

In my opinion, this is *the* book for understanding the theory and practice involved in Multithreaded apps for Win 32. Fortunately, I found this book before writing any multi-threaded apps and I cannot recommend it enough!

This is a very focused book. I found it a good companion book to other Windows programming books. It doesn't try to go into areas outside of it's scope like discussing MFC programming or C++ programming. If you want to know about threads and how to program using the WIn32 threading model then get this book.

It's nice having because it contains the complete King James Version of the bible as it was originally translated and published. It is one of only two published editions of the complete KJV that I have been able to find. Very few people seem to realize that the KJV included the books of the Apocrypha.

I wish that they made this available in a hardcover without the Michelangelo on the cover though.

"The fool hath said in his heart,"There is no god." That is what the Bible says. It is not a book to be interpreted by men, but one to be read and believed as it is written. What it means is not nearly as important as what it says. To better understand the whole Bible, one should begin reading in the book of John. You will learn more about the author that way

I've read the Bible over and over and remain ever-amazed at the "life" of this book. Considering how the Bible was written over such a long period of time, it is amazing it how it all hangs together. It is truly inspired by the Living God through the hands of men. This is a book you can bank your life on. Read a good, modern translation of it. I read The One Year Bible every year.

Excellent account of the planning and execution, and ultimate failure, of Operation Eagle Claw. This book is just as good as Charlie Beckwith's "Delta Force," but much less famous. It covers the overall planning of Eagle Claw at a joint-forces administrative level above Beckwith, and covers the joint-forces command of the actual mission, since Kyle was the overall commander at Desert One. The mechanical and personal failures of the helocopters and their crews are also discussed, as well as Kyle's conclusions on why the mission failed. Beckwith's book covers SFOD-Delta issues more closely, but Kyle's book examines why Eagle Claw failed.

I was the commander of the MC-130 squadron chosen to participate in the mission. Jim Kyle, author of "The Guts to Try", was my boss throughout the preparation for the mission. I had kept detailed notes on all the training, rehearsal, etc., with the intent to write my own book. I am the one mentioned on page 7 in the "guts to try" story that lead to the book's title. I was the commander of the 5 Air Force fatalities at Desert One. Col Kyle and I were raked over the coals by the US Senate and House military committees with Kyle taking most of the heat over the accident. I went on to be the chief air planner for preparation for the second attempt buy Kyle was replaced by General Richard Secord as the senior Air Force member of the task force. I therefore surrendered by notes to Kyle and helped him put together the book rather than pursue my own. He did a remarkable job in telling the story correctly. Out of the ashes of Desert One has emerged a capability to do Special Ops better and with few casualties. "The Guts to Try" is an important accounting of the bottoming out and rebirth of Special Ops. Few people realize how much our capability improved during the 5 1/2 months of preparation--this book helps the reader realize that there was more to be proud about associated with Desert One than is apparent. Special Ops would have achieved its current high capability eventually---but Desert One and Jim's book got us there quicker. Roland Guidry,...

This exhaustive description of the planning and execution of Operation Eagle Claw, the attempt to rescue the Iranian hostages, gives the reader a sense of how complex the mission was. There is an old aphorism about the military that says, "The amateur talks about tactics and strategy while the professional talks logistics." This is one of the few military books I have read that provides enough (almost too much depending on your taste) detail about what it takes to carry out a mission deep in enemy territory. At the beginning, after realizing the problems they faced, I could not see how they could succeed. That they came as close as they did is what is truly amazing. It also speaks to the decrepit state of the military seven years after the end of the Viet Nam War. They had the men but lacked adequate resources. Fortunately changes were coming. This story helped to lead the way.

The Anonymous Author of this rather remarkable text has done the public a profound service. (S)He has managed to sweep aside the cobwebs of mystery-mongering-occultism, and unlock the fetters of will-to-power-magic. Sound Philosophy and Theology combine in this work revealing the integrity of its author. In citing not only Christian, but Kabbalistic, Magical, and Occult traditions, the catholicity of these meditations becomes apparent. The only negative aspect of the text is that it tends to get preachy and Dogmatic in chapters 7 & 8. However, if apparent dogma is read mystically, these chapters, too, shed valuable light. A must for Christian Contemplatives and for all Hermeticists wether they place themselves under this rubric or not!

The author of this book truly overwhelms the subject matter with himeself. His personality and his philosophical lens (Catholic hermeticism/occult Christianity)so dominate that it is difficult to get a sense of the Tarot in its own right. Thus I do not recommend this book for those beginning Tarot study. That being said, the writer has a wonderful, convoluted, complex mind.....very opinionated and judgmental in some matters, very humanist and tolerant in others. Some of the passages are heavy, dense and ponderous.......others are sheer music and lift you up to the stars......Although his teachings on mysticism are what I bought the book for, it's also a fascinating read for his critiques on the thinking of many 20th century (and earlier) writers. A much needed antidote for the literal-mindedness which has overtaken the Christian churches through the course of the past few centuries.

Mr. Tromberg's work was favorably reviewed by both Joachim Illes and Urs von Balthasar, two of the most important theologians of the Vatican II Council. This work reveals aspects of an ancient Catholic Mysticism and the deep relevance that the Tarot has always had to that tradition. In its exposition it clarifies concepts in Eliphas Levi's Transcendental Magic and expounds on themes given in outline form in Papus' Tarot of the Bohemians. In addition, it confronts other modern concepts which challenge the traditional concepts of moral responsibility, creation from nothing, and the power of ritual sacraments. In all a book that punctures the misconception that such studies cannot be Christ centered.

This is a novel, and I wonder how much of it is historically correct. Be it as it may, it is a most interesting novel about the West of the US in the late 19th century. It reminds us that things were still wild and woolly while in Europe they had more elegant killings. All the gang is here, so often heard of from old gazettes. It also amazes how young they all were. They were riding off robbing and killing at an age where nowadays the parents would still call up the baby-sitter.

The only quarrel I have with the book is, that it has long stretches of tediousness. All the descriptions of far horizons and beige horse manure stretch too far. Also, the author must have used every adjective known to Funk and Wagnalls at least twice. That gets irritating.

This is really two books, both compelling. The story of Joshua Beynon a 15 year-old with a fascination for Jesse James, who falls in with James' assassin Bob Ford, bookends Ford's account of James. In the large middle portion of the novel readers follow Jesse James from his bushwacking adventures in the Civil War, through his days as one of America's most notorious criminals, up to the moment Ford kills him.

The middle of the book introduces us to the little-told story of Missouri during and after the war, where sectional feelings were so strong they led to rampant bloodshed in a "give no quarter, take no quarter" spirit. These feelings were hardly related to the preservation of the Union or the establishment of a slaveholding Confederacy. Barry does a remarkable job of giving readers a sense of why this hatred existed. The novel is a history lesson weaved into a thoroughly entertaining tale.

James is exposed as a ruthless, often sadistic killer, who lived with constant paranoia and false hope. Meanwhile he was a hero to many who saw him and his gang as avengers of "the lost cause." Barry excels at vivid characterizations. Readers become well acquainted with all participants, like them or not.

"Chivalry of Crime" begins and ends with the adventures of Welsh immigrant, Benyon who runs into serious problems with the law, only to find his new friend Bob Ford as his savior. But how good a friend is Ford, himself a "crooked" man? Young Benyon has occasion to speculate on Ford's "friendship."

To an even greater degree it is in these sections, with the advantage of one setting in a short period of time (set in Weaver, Colorado in 1892) that Barry draws a vivid picture of a place and it's people -- vigilantes, prostitutes, corrupt, lawmen and crooked gamblers.

Once again the action is palpable and there are moral questions to ponder.

"Chivalry" is rivaled only by "Cold Mountain" among historical novels set in 19th century America.

It is amazing that a writer from Wales has written such a wonderful novel of Jesse James and the west that existed in his time. Great dialogue- excellent description of the culture and landscape of the times. he weaves in the reasons for the violence that made up the personna of Jesse James. He describes what happened after the civil war that caused the Younger brothers, Bill Anderson. and Quantrell to wreak such havoc in the border states.

The author - Desmond Barry- has written another book soon to be published. I will waste no time in ordering it.

The book was very informative, filled with a lot of details, brought from various points of view (amateur sailors, Search and rescue personnel, meteorology staff etc.)

However, I felt that the sequence of the various chapters can be improved. It is very distracting when you read a story about a crew that is abandoning ship into the liferafts and all of a sudden you stop. This is especially hard when the story is a known one that previously circulated through media and among sailing enthusiasts in the marine industry. Knowing that something went wrong with those liferafts and that people lost lives, it was very distracting to stop reading at the "abandon ship" point and continue with other chapters about some other matters. (This is very strong in the case of the chapters "Winston Churchill 1" & "Winston Churchill 2").

Other than the confusing sequence of going back and fourth among the various events, I felt that the writer did an excellent job describing everything in details. It gives the reader a feeling of almost participating in the race, being in danger and being involved in the rescue.

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to be inside the cabin of a sailboat that has just been flipped by an 80-foot wave and 100 mph winds, read Fatal Storm. Mundle's sailing experience and descriptive prose made this fateful race come alive for me. Long after I had put the book down from a record three-hour reading session, my world was still rocking, I still felt the wind and rain in my face, and I found myself glancing behind, waiting for the next rogue wave to slam me down one more time. Anyone even remotely interested or connected to the world of sailing should not miss this spellbinding tale. Most important, you will remember its important lessons when you leave for an offshore cruise or race of your own.

When I decided to read this book, I actually started with another book on the subject recommended by Sports Illustrated. Based on Amazon reviewers I selected this one and wasn't disappointed.

Mundle attempts to show the personal side of the individuals as well as the intense struggle on each boat and helicopter. This is a spellbinding story which he did a good job of relaying. I learned about sailing but more importantly, I learned what it felt like to confront your worst nightmare come true.

This is a great subject correctly described by the author and as a bonus, the pictures in the book are good also. Off-coast sailing? Not for me after this book.

It is impossible to write about Robert Kennedy in adult life without writing about his brother, John Kennedy. Hilty does a very thorough job of portraying Robert Kennedy, the dedicated, hard working, determined brother, warts in all in a fair and impartial way. Throughout this book, one sees the "metamorphosis" of Robert Kennedy. He is the man who works behind the scenes, protecting his brother's interests to his maximum extent. He is the man who pushes his brother forward while sublimating his own interests, needs and identity. It is only in the tragic aftermath of the President's death does Robert Kennedy, in full adult form emerge -- the man who immersed himself in classical literature, the man who became a personal crusader for civil rights related issues, the man who made it his business to know minorities and persons living in poverty. It is during the last nearly half-decade of his life that the full face of Robert Kennedy is shown to his constituents -- the man who doggedly pursued Teamsters and Mafiosi in the 1950s takes that same dogged persistence to the political arena where he runs on his own right. He is a voice for the disenfranchised, a voice for those who share his vision. He was a man who provided hope during a very turbulent period in history marked by war and national violence. It is the opinion of this reviewer that Robert Kennedy is certainly the more interesting of the brothers. His personal, political and personality development is very interesting to watch and track. He was certainly a man who came across as very sincere in his efforts and one cannot help wondering what the outcome today would be had this man lived.

This is a book well worth reading.

James Hilty brings to life the force behind the Kennedy Presidency -- Robert Kennedy. Hilty states "That we speak at all of a Kennedy Legacy...is because of Robert Kennedy...That we connect the Kennedy name to issues of social justice and equity is also the result of RFK's work after the death of (JFK)." Dispelling the American Myth of Kennedy "deity," while focusing on the Kennedys as human beings and, above all, politicians, Hilty eloquently takes the reader back into the Kennedy era, conveying the story as it occured...with RFK functioning in many circumstances as a "co-president." RFK served as a "brother protector" to JFK, as the older brother's campaign manager as well as guardian of JFK's presidency. Called "number one and half" by some presidential insiders, Robert Kennedy was consulted by the president on virtually every issue of monumental importance. Access to the president often had to first pass the younger brother. Hilty further portrays RFK as a good person who had become "champion of the outcasts, the Jeremiah of the sixties." It was the younger Kennedy who pushed and advanced civil rights. *Brother Protector* takes the readers to RFK's life just past his brother's assasination, leaving them anxious for the second volume of this innovative, capturing historical account of one of the most intriguing statesmen in US History.

Professor Hilty provides an excellent study and examination of Bobby Kennedy. Though this is an enormously hefty read. For those new to Bobby Kennedy, a more manageable introduction might be a rather recent book called Robert F. Kennedy: A Spiritual Biography by Konstantine Sidorenko. Though in contrast to Hilty's (brilliant but somewhat unwieldy) tome, this slim short form biography covers Kennedy and his life in great depth and the book's brevity will not disappoint serious biography readers. It is particularly an excellent book to take up before plunging in to Hilty's.

For 30 years, Parish has been a film historian extraordinaire. . . and he just keeps getting better. Except for hardcore fans, Jet Li remains a martial artist about whom little is really known in this country, but Parish, as always, delivers the goods - from Li's humble beinnings to his status as a reigning and legitimate international film star. Along the way, Parish examines the infrastructure of the Hong Kong, Chinese, and Hollywood film industries, illustrating how each has impacted the ascendancy of Li, both as a star and as a man. A must read for any fan. . . and a good, informative read for anyone else.

This is a fascinating look at, not just an action star, but at the prolific Chinese and Hong Kong film industries. Through the life of Jet Li, we see his rise through this colorful industry. There is also a fascinating look at his boyhood in a China dominated by Mae Zedong. Even if you are not a martial arts movie fan, this is an enjoyable book. It is very well researched, including a background on Wushu, the form of martial arts practiced by Jet Li. There are many excellent photos and a complete filmograghy. So read the book, then hit the video store and see some movies that are often overlooked or relegated to the b-movie bins.

In typical Parish fashion, a well researched bio of film star Jet Li. The narrative traces the young Li from his humble childhood that was focused on wushu training, through the emerging Hong Kong martial arts film industry, and ending with the international star status Li has attained. The book also provides keen insight into the growth of the martial arts film genre and Li's personal and professional growth as an actor. A good read for anyone interested in Jet Li's career, or the history of the martial arts film in general.

This is a very enjoyable book that both tells the story of the siege and battle of the Alamo and the development of the myth and symbol of the Alamo in Texan and American memory. The account of the Texas revolution and siege are balanced and scrupulous, carefully distinguishing between what we know and we infer. That account makes up the first half of the book. The second half relates the cultural history of Alamo preservation and its place in the current "culture wars" and revisionist history. An interesting account of the making of both the Disney "Davy Crockett" series and John Wayne's "The Alamo" feature in this latter half. I recommend the book highly. The history of the siege and battle is fairer and more balanced here than in Jeff Long's "Duel of Eagles."

The first half of "A Line in the Sand" gives a good overview of the history that led up to the famous siege of the Alamo from both the Mexican and Texas settler perspectives. The battle itself and its aftermath (the Texan victory at San Jacinto) are given a good overview as well. Along the way, the authors attempt to portray the battle for what it was, free of either liberal condemnations of the defenders as imperialisist or reactionary attempts to elevate the defenders to God-like status. The truth lies somewhere in the middle of the elevated rhetoric. The defenders made a galliant stand against an authoritarian despot, but they did so in defense of slavery among other things. Whatever else they may have been, the stand of Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Colenol Travis and the others remains unassailable as an act of bravery.

The second half of the book focusses on the history of the shrine since the battle. It covers preservation attempts and the lionization of the battle by such 20th Century luminaries as Walt Disney and John Wayne. The Alamo has become a powerful political symbol, a fact that was emphasized particularly during the Vietnam war.

All of this adds up to a fascinating and very well written book. The only flaw is that covers the first part too quickly, giving more of an overview than an in-depth history. Nevertheless it is still an informative and enjoyable read.

I read this book more for the cultural history than for an account of the actual battle. This was probably good, because I found the first couple chapters very choppy and thought they didn't do a good job of setting up the background to the battle in a clear way.

HOWEVER, once the siege of the Alamo started, the book improved tremendously. The account of the battle was very well handled and clear.

Still, I think the book's real strength is in what comes after, in dealing with the fate of the battlefield itself in the decades after. The story of how Walt Disney came to make the Davy Crockett movie is especially well-handled, avoiding both Disney worship and Disney bashing. The same for their treatment of John Wayne's Alamo movie. Also, they do a good job revealing how attitudes toward LBJ affected how people thought of the Alamo.

All in all, this is a very good book, very interesting even to people who are not that interested in Texas history as such. If you want to understand post-war American culture, this book is a must. I just wish the opening chapters had been as well organized as the rest of the book