It's really a shame that this book is not currently being kept in print. This is one of those funny, heartwarming books that I find myself taking off the shelf every year or so.

James Kirkwood did a wonderful job of taking a seeming tragedy (the breakin of your home) and blending it with a series of life problems that places the main character in a total funk.

When the protagonist walks in during the apartment breakin, he's had it. Everything is wrong in his life and he goes over the top. Unafraid of the burglar, he ties him down to his kitchen counter and hold the burglar hostage.

The hysteria starts as he ties down the stripped down burglar and forces him to hear all of life's woes. The interchange is absolutely laugh out loud funny.

This great book will take you out of any slump you find yourself in. When things can't get much worse, maybe it's time to do some laughing! That's exactly the tonic for the main character, and it can be just as so for the reader.

Save this for a bad week! A wonderful anti-depressant!

Also highly recommended is James Kirkwood's "Good Times, Bad Times." A wonderful coming of age tale.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by habs@safari.net about this incredible novel, which was originally written as a play. I found the book by accident about fifteen years ago while browsing the bookstore shelves--the title grabbed my attention, and the front cover blurb was irresistible: "It's New Year's Eve. Your best friend died in September, you've been robbed twice, your girl friend is leaving you, you've just lost your job... and the only one left to talk to is a gay burglar you've got tied up in the kitchen."

You will definitely laugh out loud while reading this book, but it's more than just funny. It's a moving story of friendship (as well as a revealing look at the human condition), with an excellent plot, believable characters, and clever dialogue. Kirkwood says in the introduction, "I believe the common denominator of the story's appeal is, quite simply, empathetic losership." Whenever I come across a copy in a used bookstore, I always buy it to give to someone else. That way, I never risk lending out my only copy, and it's always there on the shelf when I feel the need to read it again (which seems to be about every 2-3 years).

Regrettably, I've only read one other book by James Kirkwood, which I also highly recommend: "Some Kind of Hero." It was made into a movie with Richard Pryor, but the book was much better. (Kirkwood is also the co-author of the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line".)

It's wonderful to read reviews of Kirkwood's books and know that other people felt about his stories the way that I did when I first read them. I too 'lost' my (much taped and taped and taped) copy of this book (the fourth or fifth copy I had purchased, I might add!). This incredible author and his offbeat, engaging characters pulled me through some of the most difficult moments of my life and helped me to come out laughing and or crying (sometimes, both). I would have loved to have had the pleasure of meeting him. I connected with him so much through his books and characters. Mr. Kirkwood really had insight into what makes people tick...or, in this case, get ticked off! If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please email me! If anyone knows anyone who has a copy, please do yourself a tremendous favor and borrow this hilarious book. You won't regret it!

Good Times Bad Times by James Kirkwood was a wonderful discovery for a teenage boy living in northern British Columbia (that would be me). It was about being different and about surviving. Like the title suggests, the main character will go through both the good times and the bad times and survive (maybe, just barely) and both types of times were, in the end, okay because it was all a part of life. This book takes up many of the themes of A Separate Peace and mixes them with a lot more humour and comes a little closer to the truth at times and builds an unforgettable relationship between two boys in a private school and their reaching out to each other to find the things they think they have missing in themselves. This book states that life will have many suprises. This is one of the good ones.

Kirkwood didn't realize he'd written a classic story at the time. This is beautiful storytelling with identifiable people who whistle past our heads, and draw us into their universe. Too bad the movie, which was to star Dorothy Louden, Cliff Robertson, and Keith McDermott, shut down during production. What a thing it would have been. An all time favorite, and by the way, it also turned me on to " Turandot"

James Kirkwood has the wonderful ability to allow the reader to preside as the jury in this fabulous story. Peter Kilburn, the main character, is driven to murder in this touching story about a young man in a somewhat fragile New Hampshire prep school. Should he be condemned for his action or is what drove him to do it more than enough justification? Kirkwood allows the reader to make the decision and keeps the reader entertained with wit, laughs and an easy ability to identify with Peter Kilburn, along the way.

It's impossible to read Kirkwood and not beg for more. After reading P.S. Your Cat is Dead, I became a fan forever and went on to read Some Kind of Hero, looking forward to what he had in store for us next. Unfortunately, Kirkwood died in 1989. I feel diminished by the loss of such genius in the literary world.

When I was a boy, maybe 12 or 13, my mother told me I should read this book. For once I listened to her and I did. It was quite an experience. Little another reviewer stated, the book drags you in and captivates you until it is done.

My mom is gone now, but I will always remember her wanting me to read this. One of the best books I have ever read in my life.

C'mon Amazon, find this book and put it back on the shelf so we can get it. ;-)

This book just pulls you in, one second you'll be laughing as hard as possible and turn the page and tears will be streaming down your face. It grabs you by the heart and you can't help but to want everything to work out. To this very day I'll find myself wondering how Eddie's (the main character) doing. It's a must-read for anyone.

Mark Sauter and Jim Sanders found out what every author attempts to do in writing an expose': to get at the truth. It's a sorry fact that the Eisenhower administration knew it and chose to cover up their abandonment of our POWs from WWII and Korea. What is even more atrocious, is that to this day they, the USG, refuses to make any attempt to return our living POW's from Russia, China, North Korea and Vietnam. They have it figured out that if they horse around long enough, the men there will die and be forgotten. Well folks, that just ain't so! Sauter and Sanders have shined the light on this trashing of our Constitution and the memory of our brave men. They may die off in captivity, but their families have not forgotten them. The question of the Century is: Have the American People forgotten our long lost Soldiers of Misfortune?

This is a hard-to-find documentation of bureaucratic "cynical attitudes" that allowed thousands of American POWs to be left in the Soviet Gulag after WWII. Families were not told the truth about the fate of their husbands, fathers and brothers, some of whom were seen the the Soviet Union camps as late as the fifties and sixties. It also reports how later wars, including Viet Nam, found American POWS spending their lives in Soviet imprisonment, as the US government denied it. Interestingly, James Sanders, one of the authors, wrote "The Downing of TWA Flight 800" a book which has caused him to face imprisonment in this country because he disagrees with the "cynical attitude" or rather the official position, that no missiles struck Flight 800 on July 17,1996, almost three years ago at the date of this writing.

After reading this book and completing several years of research of my own to satisfy myself that what I was reading was factual, I find that I would not have served through three brush fire wars had I seen this information first. The lack of value washington places on a soldiers life is absolutely astounding.

Combat Vetran: Desert Storm, Panama, Grenada 11b,19k

This is an amazing show. Everyone can hum "One" but who can recite Paul's heartbreaking monologue? The script to this show was one of Broadway's first to be frankly honest about all aspects of life, and this really shows in reading it. It is an absolute joy to read. Totally reccommended!

C'mon! A chorus Line is THE best musical ever written! Now you can have the chance to own a wonderfully published script to this amazing music. I also suggest buying the cd to the musical to go with the script. It's just a pity that this script can not encapsulate the performances of the original cast as well. But I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. But you can buy this script... and for a severely discounted price!...Congratulations. Jump at this deal immediately.

Soldiers of Misfortune, covering World War II, the Korean war, and Vietnam, is a profoundly shocking insight as to what has become of thousands of U.S. POW's during these wars. According to the authors, years of investigative work went into the formulation of the book and it is clearly evident in the text.

Painstaking attention has been given and recorded to remove anyone's doubts of this books authenticity. The authors list a staggering record of POW's forever lost to our enemies, the names of prison camps and gulags where they were held, intricate dates and timelines of events, and eyewitness accounts of vital information pertaining to U.S. soldiers forgotten by our govenment.

In the years following World War II, the Korean war, and Vietnam, the actions by our govenment to conceal data concerning our POW's and it's campaigns to silence anyone investigating the issue is absolutely apalling. This book will define for the reader the gross misuses of power, illegal tactics to manipulate and humiliate citizens seeking honest answers, and the use of outright threats and intimidation to bury the subject forever.

Great credit is due to the authors of this book for their courage and perseverance to expose the plight of our lost U.S. servicemen. This book is very highly recommended to everyone who would like an untainted and factual look into the heartbreaking saga of missing U.S. soldiers.

Readers may also be interested in "Kiss the Boys Goodbye: How the United States betrayed its own POW's in Vietnam" by Monica Jensen-Stevenson and William Stevenson. Excellent source material here that reiterates much information found in Soldiers of Misfortune.

Absolutely, this is the most riveting and explosive book I have ever read. I served 2 tours of combat duty in the Korean WAR; futhermore, had I been privy to this read, you could never have gotten me back to Korea- never -. The Big Lie, spawned out of the Beltway since 1945 to the present, is inconcievable, that the DoD, State Dept, Pentagon and Joint Chiefs of Staff [all], deny the existense of American GI"s languishing in Siberia, Red China, North Korea and North Vietnam . Imagine, former POW"s readily admit, they had seen American POW"s herded off to the Soviet Union and to Red China. Whose hearts go out to our MIA/POW families whom have been grossly and deliberately LIED to by government officials ?? Whereas, our Presidents [all] since 1945, turned their backs on all captured American POW"s. I pray, from this hurt, that one American staggers out of the Soviet Union to corroborate all, in this vale of tears- maybe, just maybe - the apathetic American populace will wake up to being had by a devious lot in our nation"s capital, as they go about THEIR business as usual. If this read doesn"t make your blood boil, then you aren"t alive; however, the assertions, send an ambigious message to any teenager who may be thinking about enlisting: "I wonder, will my President and countrymen come to my rescue if I am captured by the enemy"?? It is your call youngsters. Sayonara.

James Kirkwood, novelist, exposes the nuttiness of Garrison's chuckleheaded jihad against Clay Shaw. Mr. Shaw, respected, liberal, a gentleman, found himself indicted for conspiracy to kill a president for whom he voted. The nightmare he endured, which left him in near penury, is recounted here. How can such a man endure a trial with witnesses against him who include psychotics, drug addicts, and those who think they have been hypnotised several hundred times by besmirchers of their sex lives? And how can such a man keep his own sanity after such an ordeal? Find out in this excellent book, brilliantly written with humor and pathos. The account given in "On the Trail of the Assassins" by Garrison himself leaves out a few details; this account, written by one who attended the trial daily (unlike Garrison), is detailed and amusing and....well, sane. Buy this for the truth.

A Chorus Line Sheet music is great to have if your like me and love the show, and love to sing. I love all the music in the show and it's fun to sing out of. And if you don't like to sing but like to play an instrument, get this music! You won't be upset you did!

I find it so sad that most of James Kirkwood's books are now out of print. I still have my copy of P.S. Your Cat is Dead. I lent out all of my others over the years and never got them back...now, I'm searching for copies. It makes me crazy to think that an entire generation and generations to come will miss out on this wonderful author. I first read him in my sophmore year of college and was immediately hooked and grabbed every book of his I could find. My college roomate and I fell in love with his writing; much the same way that we did with John Irving. I still feel the connection 25 years later. Each and every one of his books is worth a read. James Kirkwood's life was too short and his work should not be forgotten! HIT ME WITH A RAINBOW is another one not to be missed. Happy reading and good luck to all trying to locate his wonderful work...

I believe I have read most, if not all, of James Kirkwood's books. It would be extremely difficult to pick out a 'favorite'. They were all favorites...they still are, though my dog-eared copies have long since mysteriously vanished! But my memories of the writings of this incredible man and the way he could reach into my heart and soul and make me feel so much will never dissappear. As with all of his books, this one pulled me (more than once) through very dark periods of my life, of which there were many. Thankfully, I am more comfortable with myself now. But I will never forget how all of Kirkwood's books provided me with a respite from whatever internal or external turmoil that was going on in my life. How sad that this brilliant writer is no longer writing. Even sadder that his books are so difficult to find. I'm seaching for them all, to read again from a different perspective and to remember where I've been and what lifted my spirits when I really didn't think I had any spirit left.

This was the first of Jimmy Kirkwood's books I read, over 30 years ago, and I was as hooked as I was to Salinger -- in exactly the same way. I related, I experienced, I lived the main character. "P.S. Your Cat Is Dead", will remain my favorite, and I have read them all, but Pony establishes a reader's line of communication with the author on an almost personal level. With one exception, I've read all his work in chronological order. That line, that level, that common bonding, both between reader and author, and between author and underlying content, threads itself through all the novels and plays. In the early 70's, while spending several seasons in the Hamptons, I was fortunate enough to meet and spend some time with Jimmy. To read his work is to know the author, and he, in turn, is a master of turning the mirror toward the reader. Any of his writing is a good place to start, but, in my opinion, Pony is the best beginning. . . and a sure guarantee that you'll search out copies of all the rest. Like his personality, his writing is addictive.

Well, the only reason anyone would need this book is if they were trying to understand the concepts of literature or if they were planning to write. AH, and if they are, this book is a CRUCIAL STUDY. As an English Major, I encountered WAY TOO MANY critiques that are based on absurd marxist theories. Remember, literature reflects a SPECIFIC TIME, PLACE, AND ERA! I am a devout Anglican and I DO NOT shun Hawthorne's work because much of it is Anti Anglican. I understand that Hawthorne was reflecting an Anti Anglican Period in America. It is absurd to judge literature harshly because it does not fall into contemporary political slots whatever they may be at the moment. This book by Aristotle is a concise, focused, and appropriate look at the concept of literature. He emphasizes the need of close conflicts as opposed to hero versus enemy. He also makes it clear that writing must have recognition and/or reversal at some point. Also, he states the need for surprise events. Another thing he does is he helps us see that some events may be important, but it is better to mention them instead of displaying them. He also stresses the need for characters to play on our fear or pity. While this is more of a reference book, it belongs in the library of any student of literature.

I loved this text! It is amazing and lyrical, an incomparable read! It now lives next to my bed, so that whenever I get the need I can read an extract (even at 2am) without having to search through the library for it.

This book (or perhaps just a portion of Aristotle's lecture notes) remains the acorn of an oak of subjects, from art criticism to writing screenplays. This is a clear, accurate translation (it helped me pass a test in Ancient Greek; and people who really know assure me). The text is no-frills and the introduction is brief but informative. This is probably not for scholars who will want to quibble over the meaning of 'phusis' and 'techne' but for the general reader who will be infinitely enriched by a philospical masterwork. If you have to read this for a class you will find it infinitely less punishing than Nietzsche, for example.