I couldn't put this book down. As a life-long New York Democrat, I thought I was leading-edge sensitive to women's issues. But couched in one of the most exciting pieces of technology fiction I've ever read is a disturbing spiritual gem: Women could well be the intended solution to all the world's problems."

A good friend gave me a copy of the book. I was skeptical but the first page hooked me. Rick is the master of the high-tech action novel like King is the master of the thriller.

I never have time to read, given the pull of family and work responsibilities. But the storyline intrigued me, so I picked it up and started reading. It's a cross between Robert Ludlam and Stephen King -- and the fun part is that I fought off sleep every night so I could keep reading. I haven't had that much fun in a long while. When the story was done, I could say "Whew!" because now I could get back to regular sleeping hours. A great story, thought provoking and well-written.

The title of Truman and Pendergast implys that there is some meaningful and new knowledge regarding the relationship between these two men. This is simply not the case. There is very little about that relationship but rather a rehash of frequently publish information in other bios. This book, while it may be well written, adds nothing to the pile of information already out there. Three-percent of this very short book explored the relationship and ninety-seven percent was about the difficulties experienced by Truman because of the stigma of the relationship. Nothing new. If you want to read some great bios on Truman read TRUMAN by McCullough or MAN OF THE PEOPLE by Hamby.

Robert H. Ferrell's "Truman and Pendergast" is a fine addition to the ever increasing pantheon of written history of our 33rd (32nd) president. Ferrell focuses on a period which, until now, has not been the main focus of any Truman biography. The author paints a vivid picture of the necessary evils one faces when choosing a life in public service while maintaining one's own countenance. Ferrell centralizes his work on several main points, beginning with the initial years of Truman's political career when it was necessary for the backing of Pendergast (especially in the political machine controlled era of the earlier part of the century) and culminating with Truman's Senate re-election campaign of 1940. These main points bookend a gradual separation of Truman and Pendergast, as Truman ascends in stature and Pendergast descends into a downward spiral culminating in his incarceration in a federal penitentiary. Throughout the course of the book Ferrell maintains an anecdotal style of storytelling, which allows the reader to gain deeper insight into a very different period of political history then we find in today's day and age. "Truman and Pendergast" is a must-have for any student of Truman, as well as an excellent addition to the history of politics of the early 1900s.