Aldrich Ames' met with the author for several sittings after he was jailed and without the government's permission. That was just one more offense in a career of treason, drunkenness, slough and almost revolting passivity. Yet this man not only sent as many as 25 agents to their execution, he also spared no information to his KGB handlers. At times, he would be rooting for our side by day and by night he would have reversed and treacherously divulged everything he had previously learned.

Of course the answer is how? Despite the agency's superiority in resources and technology, they retain a dangerous and imbecilic "he's one of us" mentality. Ames repeatedly failed to follow protocol. He was spending money like a madman and while there were a few who were convinced of his guilt, the amount of time and the ultimate leakage that occured with every day was shameful.

Interestingly or not, the CIA has satellites that could zero in on Brezhnev as his dacha while he was being detained-but when it came down to getting the goods on Ames, they were more like the Keystone cops. Stealing trashcans, going door to door as salesmen, til someone called the cops and all of the vaudeville that one associates with those types of blunders. The book is far more flattering to the 'bureau,' who took full honors for the arrest even though there had been an agency team that had first fingered Ames and his wife.

The underlying issue for me was a) how the nature of espionage seems to be more about getting moles than about truly gathering intelligence and b) the astonishing lack of effective ways to figure out if someone is working for the other side. All of which, indicts or acquits the nature of being human in a world of frightening homeland security and total information awareness. Getting the info is apparently easier than managing it and logically acting on behalf of the constitution- not an ideology. There has been nothing discovered that has solved that problem. I really enjoyed reading this book and having some insight into diplomacy and superpowers and flawed characters all over.

Excellent book. Well investigated and written. Once you start, it's hard to put it down.

I really enjoyed Pete Earley's book "Hot House" about Leavenworth Prison and this book is every bit as good. An excellent combination of detailed research and captivating writing. Much more in depth than "Killer Spy" by Peter Maas (which was not a bad book, but tells more of the FBI's role in the investigation).

Bookless, or devoid of any book I cared to read from my TBR (To Be Read ) pile, I was wandering through my local PBE the other day and found this book. Its cover announces that it is the Winner of the Edgar Award for The Best Fact Crime Book of 1995. It looked interesting and, for awhile, it was.

This reviewer reads a lot of True Crime books. Joe McGinniss' Fatal Vision deserves its girth. Steve Earley's anti-Death Penalty tome (496 pages) drags on and on and on in Alabama minutia. Despite the mind-numbing plodding, the reader must stay awake and alert as there is no Index in which to refresh one's memory on all the bit players who wander on and off this stage.

On page 206, I was overjoyed to see my mailperson appear with new books. Yeah! Later, Earley! Reviewed by TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

As a former student of Bryan Stevenson, the lawyer and hero in this book, I was pleased to find such a thorough and compelling account of this amazing case. I have read a number of books about innocent men freed from death row, and this is far and away the best. It provides a look into the strange twists and ominous pressures that seems to be the hallmark of most capital cases. As scary as this story is, the "circumstances" that landed Walter McMillan on death row can be found in almost all capital cases: unreliable witnesses, pressure on police to solve the case, bias and bigotry. Anyone who thinks they support the death penalty must read this as an example that we can never be sure enough to put someone to death.

I always recommend this book to anyone I know who likes a good story. I have not had one person yet who started this book that did not finish it. Its one of the best books I have ever read. It has to be the truth because you can not make this up. The author should have been given the pulitizer prize.

I read this book straight through in less than a day, stopping only to eat and sleep. It's gripping -- it draws you into the real world of Leavenworth through the lives of real inmates who lived there. If you want a realistic look at prison life in maximum security, you'll find it here.

Hot House is a great read if you are looking to see what prison life is like. Earley spent years in Leavenworth Prison observing and creating this book and it was well worth his time. He did a great job explaining the inner workings of a maximum security prison and the type of inmates it contains. You can learn all about the prison culture and slang terms used by inmates and officers. Once you finish Hot House you will have a newfound respect for the work that correctional officers perform on a day to day basis.

This is an excellent book. I read it because it was recommended by my instructors at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as I prepared to enter the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Corrections Worker. I would recommend this for anyone who intends to work in a prison environment. This book describes real inmates, real situations and the the mind sets of inmates and staff. Consider it a survival handbook. I would also recommend the book "Games Criminals Play."

I was disappointed with WITSEC. I love to read the "behind the scene" stories of real people and their occupations. I also love to read books about crime and law enforcement - so I thought this book would be perfect for me. Unfortunately, I found this book simplistic, very ego supportive of Gerald Shur, and most importantly - just not all that exciting. "Federal Agent" and "Dead Reckoning" are two recent books that get it right in my opinion. The first problem was that Pete Earley and Gerald Shur decided not to make this a "as told by" book. So instead of this being portrayed from Gerald Shur's voice, you are expected to think that this is a balanced, researched book about WITSEC. True, mention is made of detractors of WITSEC and Gerald Shur - but they are always downplayed and Shur is shown to be wise, caring, brave, etc. You get the feeling that Earley was walking on eggshells around Shur to get his cooperation. There is nothing hard hitting in this book - all gentle punches. Which would be fine, if it was written honestly as from Gerald Shur himself.

I was hoping that it would be action packed with more emotional appeal. There is an excellent section written by a womanwho was in the program, but that is by far the most interesting and touching part of the book. The rest of the book does talk of the different gansters and criminals that were affected by the program, but it tells it from a detached perspective.

After about the first third of this book, I found that I had to make myself pick this book up and finish it, so I could get on to another book.

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The stories of people who have been accepted into the Witness Protection Program (WITSEC) are interesting, sometimes frightening, and frequently funny. However, at times the book bogs down into the story of how the Washington beauracracy has at times tried to bring down the program. I suppose it is not possible to tell the story of the program without discussing internal politics, but I felt that it detracted from the story and made the book less readable. Regardless, the majority of the book is fascinating, and the book is recommended.

WITSEC is a fine and rather quick read. Despite the fact that some may argue that the book skewed because one of the co-authors is the founder of the program, the book is balanced. It discusses the mistakes and the successes. There is some fascinating stuff here: the early fight against the mob, the Witness X tragic story (a woman who tells her own story), and a funny sequence exposing the ... "reporting" of Geraldo Rivera. Schur is a hero...anyone with MS who can do what he does is. The book seems to a bit rambling at times, but the stories keep you coming back for more. There was a lot history on the US Marshals and that was a bit dry at times. The book, overall, crackles with some fine stories. In the end, the the light shed on this program makes it a great read for fans of law enforcement and the true crime genre.

An interesting and very readable book about the new "Super Casinos"of Las Vegas. Using an unbiased, journalistic approach, Earley starts with a brief history of the genesis of Sin City before delving into an in-depth look at the Circus-Circus corporation (which gave the author fairly broad access to the company's inner workings/politics -- at times probably regrettably so). There is a lot of interesting information about how any casino works -- from the positioning of slot machines (and how they are programmed to pay out) to high-stakes card tables to how room rates can change by the minute to maximize occupancy rates.

Earley effectively weaves several personal narratives throughout the book. From long-time casino employees to millionnaire-corporate executives to a Vegas showgirl to an under-age prostitute (with the proverbial "heart of gold). Anecdotal tales of casino con artists, high-rollers, and a local gentleman and his wife suffering from Alzheimers among many others should keep most readers' attention.

I have visited Las Vegas several times over the years and love it. Though not a huge fan of the Circus Circus properties, the book helped me to understand why -- and how the now renamed corporation (Mandalay Bay) is trying to change that. A definite recommendation to any fellow Vegas fan (or, in general, casino lover) or future visitor.

Ever since my wife and I first visited Las Vegas, in 1998, we have been in love with the city. Because of this I have read several books on Las Vegas over the last few years. What sets this book apart is the fact that it reads almost like a novel. There are no boring or overly long passages about the history of the city, instead it is an examination of the present day Las Vegas, and its obsession since the late 1980's with the large resort casinos. Interspersed throughout are stories of real people, including a call-girl, a dancer and several casino executives. I was surprised at how quickly I finished the book, due mostly to my need to know what would happen next in the lives of these real "characters."

Super Casino offers a fascinating look at "behind the scenes" Las Vegas. I bought the book with the intent of reading only the second half (a close look at the Luxor), however I began, out of curiosity, at the beginning of the book. I found this part(a history of the Circus Circus corporation) so interesting that I read the book in its entirety. This was one of those books that you hate to put down once you begin reading. It has renewed my desire to return to Las Vegas for a vacation, and to visit the Luxor, the subject of most of the book. I would strongly recomend Super Casino to anyone who has visited Las Vegas. Having been there certainly enhances the reader's understanding of much of the book.

A very gripping book about a terrible crime. The only thing I can say against this book is that there is entirely too much strong language in it. If the book wasn't otherwise so good, I would have given up on it because of that language. I think it was entirely unnecessary.

Does this sound like you? Are you Jeffrey Don Lundgren? If not, then you have to read Pete's book about the human sacrificing self-acclaimed prophet, Lundgren. Find out how he convinced others to follow him in his twisted Morman lifestyle and murderous rage. Meet and say good-bye to an entire family, the Avery's and their three innocent children. This book will horrify you, but you won't put it down. Read it. Do it. Now.