This book was a fun read and I enjoyed the period setting. If you'd like to read my full review of the book and even read an interview with the author, just go to my mystery review site at:
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Lorie Ham, author of MURDER IN FOUR PART HARMONY(also available here on Amazon.com) & THE TROUBLE WITH TENORS, and mystery reviewer for Suite101.com

"So you want to know about Orson Welles and me," is the type of opening sentence in a novel that is impossible to ignore. It certainly captured my attention. Orson Welles? The Orson Welles? In a novel about a 1930's PI and Harlem? My first question was 'How in the heck did Orson Welles get involved with a group of Harlem amateur actors involved in a murder mystery?" It didn't take long for author Steven Philip Jones to give me an answer, one that kept me turning the pages. The Federal Theatre Project, offering government-sponsored jobs to unemployed Americans, established a unit in Harlem, allowing Negroes a chance to become professional actors. Enter Orson Welles, a twenty-year-old, untried director from New York. Welles is given the task of directing these untrained actors in Shakespeare's MacBeth. Problems arise when a local chapter of the Communist Worker's Party decides the play is a good way to stir up racial discord in Harlem. Enter our hero, "Sassafrass" Winters, ex-Chicago Cubs baseball player turned Private Investigator. Canada Lee, an old friend of Winter's and an ex-jockey, now an actor in Welle's troupe, calls from New York. Lee asks Winters to hire on as Welles' bodyguard until the play is completed. Winters accepts and quickly finds himself embroiled in solving a murder that involves several members of the play. Jones' novel is a very pleasant blend of a classic 1930's style PI novel, along with historical curiosities. Anyone who admires Orson Welles' work will enjoy this glimpse into his earlier days. Added to the allure of a well-known name, is a good look at the Harlem of the 1930's, the African Americans that called it home and the various cultural clashes that began there. I would recommend this book to any aficionado of Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammet or Ellery Queen. You won't be sorry to add The King of Harlem to your reading list.

The author is Chairman of the RFK Assassination Archives at Southeastern Massachusetts University. This book tells of his investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. "The truth of the King assassination is that it was a much more sophisticated conspiracy executed by persons possessing the kind of expertise generally found within intelligence circles."

Chapter 2 discusses the coincidences in the life of the two Canadians whose names were used by James Earl Ray: they both traveled to the US in the 1960s, and both resembled Ray. This allowed Ray to obtain a legal (if false) passport rather than a forgery. Chapter 7 tells of his discovery of the "fat man" who delivered a letter to Ray; hours later Ray picked up and paid for his flight to London. There was "big money" behind Ray (p.60). Years later this "fat man" was still afraid for his personal safety (p.61). Chapter 9 discusses the problems with the evidence against Ray. Only one spent cartridge was in the rifle; no other cartridges were in the rifle. The cartridge had no fingerprints on it!

Chapter 10 attempts a systematic and logical reconstruction of Ray's time and actions. Did Ray use his binoculars to spy on King and then go to the communal bathroom? Did he spend time in a communal bathroom shared by the 13 tenants? There are problems with either scenario. Why would an experienced criminal like Ray leave his fingerprints on the rifle? "The best evidence suggests that Ray was an unexceptional criminal who had exceptionally clever help" (p.125).

Chapter 12 notes that Ray had plastic surgery on his nose in 1968; it made him appear more like Eric Galt. Eric Galt's activities and travel would make him suspicious (p.139). Ray had a flawless performance as a fugitive - until he flew to Europe (and was now on his own). Chapter 13 tells of Melanson's interview with Ray in 1984. Ray claimed to have been set up as a fall guy by the conspirators (p.153). Ray probably does not know the identities of the conspirators anyway, only the go-betweens. So the truth about this tragic assassination remains shrouded in official secrecy.

Where was James Earl Ray when Kennedy was shot? The first shot that hit JFK was in the throat. Did it narrowly miss being a fatal shot like the one that killed M L King? There is a difference between using a rifle or a piston in an assassination. A fanatic may use a pistol, and be quickly caught or killed. A professional will use a rifle so he can make his escape before being located, and collect his reward (except when using a piston allows this escape).

This book exposes the faults and failures of the government's case against James Earl Ray as glaringly as television exposed the faults in the state's case against O.J. Whether or not, and it seems plausible he did not, James Earl Ray shot Martin Luther King, Jr. the state would have had no chance of convicting him in court. (Perhaps that is why his lawyers were co-erced into pleading the case.) In the "Murkin Conspiracy" every piece of evidence, motive, and opportunity is laid out and examined. The results are less than convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. Did a conspiracy kill Dr. King? This book cannot answer that question, it doesn't attempt to; it merely asks, "Did James Earl Ray?"

This is a well written historical novel and the facts are woven into the story along with actual characters of the Massachusetts Bay Colony era.

Great book for female or male readers who like history.

The novel shows the feelings of the settlers as well as the Indians of King Phillip's War 1675-1676.......both sides loved and lost family members and friends.

The tension is constant and the book is "too soon finished".

A Historical novel with the emphasis on history. Mike Tougias brings to life our first great Indian war by following the actions of two protagonists: One is "King Philip's" most trusted warrior and friend, the other a colonist from outlying Medfield, Mass. The scene is 50 years after Massasoit welcomed the Pilgrims to Plymouth, when his son Metacom (known to the colonists as Philip) instigates a last ditch war to oust the English colonists. The novel is adept at illuminating the way of life of the Wompanoags and other Algonquin tribes of Southern New England, and illustrates the difficulty of the task they felt compelled to undertake. Historical accuracy is Tougias' watchword, but he still manages to turn out a fast-paced compelling story. Although the author is more naturalist than novelist, it is hard to tell here as the characters, especially the Wompanoag ones, gain a depth throughout the story.

Mass. readers will get a lot of local color out of it - such as the events that led to the naming of Turner's Falls, but all readers will get a gripping story of a war whose basic themes would be repeated over and over for the next 200 years.

This is a fantastic book! Great story! Accurate historical facts! Well written. Enjoyed it very much!!!

About time the Prudent King received treatment worth his contemporaneous status! Not much has been written on Phillip II that would pass the most superficial test of historical accuracy. This book, a survey of his reign, is balanced and well written. Kamen describes neither a demon (the characterization of Phillip which most English readers would find familiar) nor a saint (the preferred version among Spanish monarchists), but the first modern bureaucrat. Kamen scholarship has some precursors in the English historical world, ie Elton, Parker, but his contribution to popular history in the form of biography is unique at this point. The 30 Years War, the casus belli for Modern Europe, is inconceivable without Phillip II's presence. This book paints with an informed brush the Spanish dynastic cause. I recommend this book highly.

Kamen offers a very complete and detailed description of the great grandson of the Catholic Kings and the difficulty of managing the most extensive empire the world has ever known. The facts are taken from great sources and presented in an honest fashion. Kamen strays from legends and myths and even challenges some of them as he did in "The Spanish Inquisition". The dedication of Felipe II to his realm is explained realisticly. Finally, the chronology is followed with discipline and is commendable. I would recommend this book to anyone desiring information on this Hapsburg leader.

That's right! I am, at this moment, making a powerful epic screenplay about the greatest king in the 1500s. It is called PHILIP, KING OF SPAIN - and it will star me as the great king Philip II. I will show him as the man, the king, the warrior, the father, the husband, and the ruler of his court!

So forget about those other little biopics like THE LAST EMPEROR, AMADEUS, ELIZABETH, and others! PHILIP, KING OF SPAIN will be an Academy Award-winning, Best Picture epic film made by yours truly - Kristoffer Infante! It will be a companion to my other Oscar-winning Best Picture, PRISONER OF WAR - written, directed, produced, and starring me - and TRIANGLE, another Oscar-winning Best Picture!

I will be faithful to the man and the myth, and destroy all that negativity that has dogged Philip in the last 400 years! Philip will be loved and appreciated again!

Count on it!

This little volume is quite a helpful survey of the findings of archaeology which relate to these eight century prophets of Israel. King combines his understanding of archaeology with a sensitivity to the biblical narrative to provide the reader with helpful background information for understanding these books. In general, the reader will learn a great deal of Old Testament times from reading this book. Just a little out of date now but a book worth reading.

The Education of A Christian prince is qutie intresesting and really gives you a sense of how the Renaissance was and kinda what people were thinking know that they didn't follow the church so strictly and that the were free to write their ideas and with the help of the printing press were able to spread the ideas like wildfire to the rest of Europe through books such as this one.

This is a solid work, with a lot of supporting material. Makes both Native Americans and Puritan settlers come alive as real people, yet with a balanced, non-sensationalized view. Can be a little slow in some spots, but overall a good read for those with an interest in the topic (i.e. Native Americans and early settlers, Massachusetts, or local history to Natick, et al).

This book was easy to read with good pictures. Very understandable. I was able to find this book in my school library (it was the only one!). I would recommend this book to kids my age that need it (I am 11 years old).

I'm studying out of this book for my intermediate micro course. Simply put, the text is good (but unremarkable) for what it is: a no-nonsense bridge between the usual undergraduate principles course and graduate course in microeconomic theory. However, I can't help but feel that Frank skims off too much math in the name of accessibility. This won't help the reader looking to go further in the subject, i.e., grad or b-school. This would be okay if the appendices packed the math, but this isn't the case: the appendices are on-line at the publisher's web site, which pretty much means if you want to follow the math, you need to be near a computer. A somewhat "mathier" text, that I highly recommend, is the latest edition of Varian's Intermediate Microeconomics.

A must for who is genuinely interested in UNDERSTANDING and ENJOY the basis of neo-classical theory. Better than any other other book!

It's rare to find a text as enjoyable to read as Frank's in any subject, let alone microeconomics. The reader looking for the standard calculus-based, mathematical approach to micro should look elsewhere (Jehle and Reny is a great place to start). That's simply not the point of this text--the point is to provide the insight behind the models, as well as to promote critical thinking about the shortcomings of the traditional assumptions economists make. This text, combined with Jehle and Reny if one desires rigor as well, provides FAR more than any other single or multiple text combination available.

This is the best and most unbiased history of King Philip's war. Leach wrote the book; Morrison only wrote the two-page introduction. Leach tends to be a little "politically correct" but in generally he gives us an unbiased history. This is an interesting book and I've just finished rereading after a 10-year gap. It is still interesting.

This was an amazing war between Puritans, who were would poorly equipped in nearly every way, against Indians who would were born and raised in warfare. For many months the Whites lost virtually all the battles. King Philips' war was one of desperate sieges of tiny garrisons and ambushes of those Whites trying to rescue those besieged.

Just when you think the Whites are about to get the upper hand, the Indians attack new targets and the Whites are losing again. The most amazing thing is that the colonists had not one English soldier or ship to help them. They raised and equipped their own little militia companies. Unlike some other Indian wars that only had a few battles, this little war had dozens if not hundreds of little battles.

The Indian was as well armed with flintlocks, as was the White. In this war, the Indian was far superior in tactics and he was never beaten when he could fight his guerrilla style warfare. This was the Indians' last chance to push the White man into the sea. Providence (Rhode Island) was nearly destroyed and the Indian raided the towns adjacent to Boston. Town after town was destroyed.

I think this book is a little superior to Schultz's "King Philip's War," which is a little bit too PC. But both are well worth reading.

Of all the accounts of KPW, this is by far the best. Though not as detailed as others, I found this gave an excellent birds-eye view of the war.

I part with the other reviewers in the analysis of Leach's objectivity. Most of the KPW authors of the last forty years appear to hate the Puritans as much as the KPW authors of the 1920s and earlier hated the First Nations.

Leach's work, I think, holds a good balance. He clearly acknowledges English arrogance, stupidity, all-out barbarism, and total failure in the area of evangelism, without making ridiculous leaps about English psychology.

It's an outstanding work.

If there is solid criticism of Leach and Morison, let it be founded on fact, not based on bias. In these days of political correctness, anything that shows settlers as good and Native Americans as less than perfect is derided as inaccurate. In fact, there were wonderful cases of heroism and despicable acts of barbaric cruelty on both sides of this fight, and this book presents them better than any book I've ever seen. I'm puzzled by those who feel it's pro-English; some of the most disgusting portrayals are of English leaders. I believe King Philip's War set the tone for European-Indian relationships for centuries. This book does a superb job of documenting the cultural chasms that brought about this tragedy. The truth can be uncomfortable for supporters of either side, but we should seek the truth, even when it upsets us, and apply the lessons of history to our day.