The essays by Scofield, Devereux, and Nowell are particularly insightful. This book goes a long way to debunking the usual clap-trap that passes for "knowledge" in the teaching of international relations.

Born just before the start of the 20th century into a famous ecclesiastical dynasty, George MacLeod became disturbed by his increasing awareness of 'two nations', the rich and the poor, while working as a young minister in Edinburgh during the 1920s. Disillusioned by post-WWI rhetoric about a 'land fit for heroes', he shocked his many admirers by taking a post as a minister in Govan, a poor and depressed area of Glasgow. Although he had been awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre for bravery during the war, he moved inexorably towards socialism and pacifism during the Depression years, while his theology evolved in mystical, cosmic and political directions.

In 1938, feeling that a radical move was necessary to meet the needs of the times, MacLeod embarked on the imaginative venture of rebuilding part of the ancient abbey on the isle of Iona. He utilised the skills of unemployed craftsmen, and persuaded trainee ministers to work as labourers. Out of this was born the often controversial Iona
Community, which over the years has trained clergy for work in deprived areas, produced innovative worship for the world church, pleaded for disarmament, inveighed against world hunger and advocated joint ecumenical action on social issues.

Shortlisted for the prestigious McVitie's Scottish Writer of the Year Award when first published

'Elegantly written and thoroughly researched, George MacLeod will become the definitive study of one of the twentieth century's most fascinating and influential
churchmen.'

Stuart Lamont, THE HERALD

"Walk East On Burnside" is a fast paced thriller that will have you turning the pages, entertained and educated all at the same time. Ronald Turco brings his unique knowledge of law enforcement, psychology and human relationships into play with gratifying results. The strong characters lure you into their world and then don't let go until the riveting climax. "Walk East On Burnside" is a daring first novel from an interesting new author.

I generally check the reader reviews here on Amazon before I buy a book because regular readers seem to be a better gauge than the blurbs on the book jacket.

In my opinion, though, Ronald N. Truco's book did far better here than it deserves.

The subtitle of the book is "A Profile of the Hunter and the Hunted." Add "and the Story of My Life" to that. After suffering through 37 pages, I could not stand to hear any more about why Turco became a psychiatrist, why or how he became a cop, or how close the police brotherhood is. I thought I was getting a book about criminal profiling; instead I seem to have stumbles on an autobiography of someone who happens to have been involved in some interesting cases - and it's a poorly written autobiography at that. The theme wanders all over the place, the author makes questionable claims ("The organized serial killer was originally an FBI concept, although I developed the idea in 1968 when I worked on a series of San Francisco homicides"), and frankly, I really don't care about a snowball fight Turco had with his brother Salvy. I want profiling, criminal minds, and investigation, as the book jacket promises.

Another reviewer wrote, "This is a highly recommended page-turner, a real psychological suspense-thriller." I have to disagree. The only page-turning suspense I felt was wondering when we were going to get to the good part, and the only thrill I felt was finding the book for a few bucks instead of the shelf price of $14.95.

As a reader, I expect good writing, accuracy, and for the author to keep his promises. As a writer, I understand how hard it is to write a decent book. After giving Turco my full attention for 197 pages, I present this book to you, true crime reader, as evidence that some people should be writers and others should stick to their paid professions as lawyers, physicians, or pro football players.

Turco's book could just as well have been titled "All About Me." Psychiatrists and their brethren apparently cannot resist centering on the aches and pains of their profession, while the work they do and how they do it takes a poor second. If you are interested in his struggles -childhood, domestic, soul - this is the book for you. If you are interested in psychological profiling, perhaps now that Dr. Turco has gotten so much off his chest he will write that book.

Let me begin by saying that I have always been a true crime/forensic detection fan, and have read about every book available on the subject. Shortly after moving to Vancouver, Washington, where the murders committed by Wesley Allen Dodd took place, I happened upon this book (ok, my husband works in a book store!). I was fascinated reading about these crimes committed in my own community, and I must say it was nice to read an intelligent study of forensic psychiatry/detection that was NOT written by Robert Ressler or John Douglas (though I do enjoy their works as well). This is not your typical true crime story, so if Ann Rule is more your style, you probably will not enjoy this book. It is much more of a study of the workings of the minds of the people who perpetrate these horrible crimes, which I find very intriguing!