Diane Holloway is a retired Dallas psychologist who was involved with the psychological assessment of one of Lee Harvey Oswald's assassination targets, Major General Edwin Walker (when Attorney General Robert Kennedy ordered an evaluation because of Walker's bizarre anti-government activities). Holloway as painstakingly gathered the works of Lee Harvey Oswald over a period of ten years and in The Mind Of Oswald: Accused Assassin Of President John F. Kennedy, incorporates Oswald's letters, diary, book about Russia, miscellaneous papers, notes, address book, job applications, radio interviews, and post-arrest television statements into a remarkable presentation of Oswald and the times leading up to the Kennedy assassination. The Mind Of Oswald is a "must read" for anyone with an interest in the Kennedy assassination, its impact on the American political system, and the controversies that surrounded it then -- and some of which continue to linger in the public mind to this day.

Dr. Diane Holloway's new book, The Mind of Oswald, is a breath of fresh air in the JFK assassination literature. As a former FBI agent, attorney, and judge (in fact, I was the presiding judge in the much celebrated case depicted in the recent movie "Boys Don't Cry"), I rely on facts. I am so pleased that someone, and especially a psychologist, has looked at the facts about accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald. The facts are what he said and wrote. Then she looked at it from the psychological viewpoint. The psychological approach is much like our approach; the best indicator of future behavior is past behavior. Dr. Holloway, a retired Dallas psychologist, has taken all of Oswald's words and life and tried to look at whether he was the kind of person who would kill a president. It is an excellent approach. I heartily recommend this book and give it a five star rating. Libraries would do well to add this to their list because there is too much crazy conspiracy literature available and the facts are needed about this important tragedy. Judge Robert T. Finn.

Dr. Holloway has done a meticulous job of researching the career of Lee Harvey Oswald and sharing her findings with us. She has several unique perspectives working for her: being in Dallas at the time of the Kennedy assassination; having tested Gen. Edwin Walker, whom Oswald undoubtedly tried to shoot some months before JFK was shot; being a psychologist and thus able to give the reader her expert take on Oswald's capacity for violence. I felt as if I were able to watch Oswald virtually every day of his life right up to the moment he was killed by Jack Ruby. One has to feel a little sorry for Oswald, who never seemed to be happy no matter where he was or what he was doing. He couldn't spell, he lied about his height, he was just such a loser his entire life. Besides the close look at Oswald, Dr. Holloway gives us the historical background--what was happening in the world as Oswald was being Oswald.

I picked up the new "Author's Famous Recipes and Reflections on Food" edited by Diane Holloway, three copies, two for gifts. It's an extraordinarily unique cookbook--an unexpected thriller-book, packed with commentary from historical personalities and world famous writer-cooks. The recipes are fabulous! It would take weeks, even years to read all of the 300 pages, and try all the listed new and old recipes of appetizers, beverages, salads, soups, main dishes, vegetables, breads, desserts, cookies, candies, and this and thats. It must have been a long research project and a brilliant, talented mind to put it all together. I can't put it down. It's inspiring me to pick up new grocery items and start experimenting in the kitchen. Why does it seem that we get into a rut and cook only one dish one way? Betty J. Stoneking....

This is the second time I am ordering this book...lost the first copy. I am again considering a job change, and want to make a well-thought-out decision because the last thing I want to do is move-on and continue to be dissatisfied. This book is easy to follow and provides an excellent framework for factors that should be considered prior to making a workplace change. It helped me define the pros and cons of my current workplace and define what I am looking for in my new position. This book is good for people looking to stay in the same profession but interested in leaving their current company or moving to a new profession and for people looking to move to a new position within the same company. It's a relatively short, easy reading book with straightforward relevant exercises (unlike several other 400+ page books of this genre).

No serious reader who is interested in the circumstances of the assassination of John Kennedy and the subsequent murder of his assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, should miss this book which provides valuable insight into the motives of Oswald's killer, Jack Ruby, through the eyes of the trial judge; the statements made by Jack Ruby to the Warren Commission and during the course of Ruby's FBI polygraph examination.
Many readers will recall the hysteria which was created by these two murders which occurred in Dallas within 48 hours. Speculation immediately arose and persists today whether Oswald was the sole assassin and whether Jack Ruby killed Oswald to silence him, thereby protecting Oswald's alleged accomplices. There was also speculation that Oswald was the tool of a foreign government and/or whether Ruby was hired by those same interests to silence Oswald.
A reading of the Ruby interrogation conducted by Chief Justice Warren and former President Gerald Ford provides the reader with valuable clues to Ruby's motivations. Ruby's testimony appears to be somewhat self-serving, but his insistence on a polygraph to prove his truthfulness is noteworthy and the results are very interesting.
The editor drew on her vast research and experiences as a Dallas psychologist to provide the reader with the necessary background regarding the mood of Dallas and in the final analysis, that mood was the key element resulting in the appellate court reversal of the Ruby conviction.

Brushes of Greatness is written in short succinct sentences in the manner that Saroyan wrote. Bob Cheney and Diane Holloway have come up with a well written and interesting chronicle of an American family from the Spanish American War through the Gulf War.The book makes us aware of the very personal effect that these wars had on the several generations Walkers that took part with famous personalities and makes it very believable. The novel is easy to read and keeps the readers interest throughout.

Mr.Cheney has written an absorbing novel in a terse documentary style which graphically shows that he has an intimate grasp of the vernacular in the black (and white) cultures of the south.

The novel plainly demonstates in terms that are completely understandable how the unthinkable can begin, build and finalize. Cheney demonstates that the events, in the terms of the novel, are logical and similar to conditions that can, under the circumstances depicted, actually take place. At times one is quite convinced that the radio broadcasts are real.

It is a book that keeps the readers interest by being fast paced,
looking forward with anticipation to the next chapter.

I'm sorry but I must disagree with the previous review. Having read a lot of Texas Brigade memoirs and histories (Polley, Simpson, Bill Fletcher, Collier, Winkler, etc etc) I was really looking forward to this book (and felt I had to have it for my collection). Unfortunately two things let it down in my opinion; firstly, the story only skimmed the surface - alot more could have been done to develop the characters and describe the scenes/events (there is plenty of material in the other factual books I've mentioned). Secondly, there were too many coincidences, i.e. the author tried to involve his main character, or a friend of his main character,in almost every Texas Brigade anecdote/episode/event that occured, ignoring the fact that different regiments and companies could have been (and actually were) involved. Poetic licence is one thing but not when it strains credulity to breaking point. I really wanted to like this book but can only say it failed to deliver.

This book demonstrated a unique approach to a historical novel by starting each chapter with an exerpt from a Dallas newspaper relating to the events which were to take place. The paper was the Dallas Spectator (fictitious) but it lent an aura of authenticity to the narrative. The incorporation of actual military leaders in the context of the story made the work quite believable. The principal character, Caleb Walker, who fought the war with Hood's Texas Brigade lends further credence to the novel. The writing demonstrates with terrible clarity the horrors of the Civil War and the suffering endured by the common soldiers of both the North and the South.

This is a very interesting and entertaining book. It is well researched and gives a clear picture of a soldier's life during a very difficult period in our country's history. The use of the fictional newspaper report at the beginning of each chapter serves to give perspective to what was going on at that time in the character's lives. The boredom of daily routine, thoughts of home and loved ones, and the horrors of battle could apply to all wars before or after. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Texas history, the Civil War or simply for an entertaining and informative read.