This was a real page turner. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse, they did. A big salute to Mr. Bell. He is a REAL hero. Everyone needs to read this book. I now feel I have a real understanding of the CIA. I also have a much better understanding of the Vietnam War. I hope he sells a million copies.

Dead Horses in the Sun written by Larry Bell is an enthralling story. From Chapter One to the end the reader begins an astonishing trip from the dramatic ending of South Vietnam back to the very beginning for the author and his military time in deepest Africa. The next two chapters provide funny, and exciting episodes and escapades that include; two riots, a flag stealing and shooting incidents, to participation in the indentification and capture of an East German agent-right in the American embassy! Mr Bell continues the story by describing his training as a CIA agent in Washington, D.C. Which was followed by his eventual assignment to South Vietnam.

Upon arriving in Vietnam the excitement and drama escalate to a fever pitch as Mr. Bell goes from paramilitary operation to another to interrogating defectors and prisoners of war to reveal astounding penetration of the South Vietnamese military intelligence service by a long-time Viet Cong agent. Teamed with his Vietnamese interpreter he develops two operations; the capture of over three million in communist liberation funds to the recruitment of a high level communist.

The book continues with the conversion of the author from a career employee to a contract agent to handle the communist agent. He lived in Vietnam for a total of seven years. With five years in an undercover status, moving from the northern city of Danang down the coast to eventually remaining in Saigon.

Departing only one week before the end of Vietnam Mr. Bell lived an fought in a country he had come to love only to see it all dissolve before his eyes. Very highly recommended reading.

This book was recommended strongly by a friend, and I can
honestly say it's the first time her recommendation was great!
Mr. Bell has projected his life to the public during an exciting
time for him and made it very exciting and entertaining. He
projects himself in a modest fashion in very, very serious situations and it is quite evident his bravery was at a high level thoughout his time in the Congo and Vietnam. His breathtaking description of riots in the Congo had my heart
bounding! Later in South Vietnam he continues describing events
that happen one after another in rapid sequence that makes the
book move rapidly.
As a historically-oriented woman I thoroughly enjoyed his book
since his story is only peppered with necessary abbreviations,
military nomanclature and intelligence 'language'. By keeping
this information to a minimum he continues the story line with
little distraction to the "flow" of his telling the story.
My father read the book at my urging since he is a Vietnam
veteran and he later told me he had read it in one sitting since
he could not put it down. So this review is for two people who
have read Dead Horses in the Sun and highly recommend it!!
I'm only hoping our present CIA continues to have dedicated
employees like Mr. Bell due to our fight in Iraq and against
terrorist worldwide - we need them.

My friend, Kurmin, has had an imitation candy apple red flying V since 1985. We used to practice our licks in his parents' basement after school. I had a sunburst Gibson Les Paul standard with real mother of pearl inlays. His inlays were made of cheap plastic. We formed a Ted Nugent cover band, Wango Dango, and played every Thursday night at the local bars.

Kurmin used to ride to practice on his moped, hauling his old Crate amp, with his axe strapped to his back. He had a tight Sammy Hagar perm and always wore parachute pants with animal patterns. I think we would have been much more popular if he had changed his hairstyle. For the record, I think Sammy would have been better off if he had done the same.

When all was said and done, the Flying V was really the star of the band. My Les Paul cost more than 5 times as much, but it just didn't have the star power. As soon as the V began wailing out the Cat Scratch Fever solo, the whole place would go nuts. Even with its cheap plastic inlays, imitation tuning pegs, and dismal intonation, the Flying V stole the show. It was V-licious!

Anything you need Flying V -wise, this book has it. The story of the evolution of the V's design's quite interesting. You can tell the author knows his subject. Must have book for RnR guitar lovers.

What a great book. All the information you will ever need to know about the Gibson Flying V including the history, details of the changes Gibson made to the V throughout the years, detailed pictures, and shipping records that show how rare some of these guitars are. This book is loaded with great pictures of Flying V's and Flying V players. If you've ever played a V, or thought about buying a V, check this book out - you can't go wrong.

I was graced with being cast as Ellard Sims in a College Production of The Foreigner. This in one of those Comedies that
is a Dramatic Roller Coaster and the audience is along for the ride. Physical, emotional and vocal throughout.
Sound exciting? Gok. Means yes.
After your first read through, you'll fall in love with the wonderful fictional town of Georgia and it's inhabitants.
If you go full force into it like I did, the only problem is you'll never want to leave.

I've just come back from seeing this play. I write plays and although I try not to watch a play with a playwright's eye, I can't help it. This play on all levels reached the very top! For me as an audience it was pure joy, for me as a writer it was pure joy wrapped in respect. Larry Shue is someone I'm going to find out more about. I'm sad to hear that he is no longer with us. The mixture of humanity and humor in this play is something that is not seen often. Larry Shue, thank you!
Caroline

i'm currently in this show at my highschool, with the role of david, the evil but enigmatic preacher who marries catherine to get her inheritance to start a kkk band in southern georgia...
and it's a comedy! seriously, the play is hilarious. all the characters take some good acting because all of them except owen change in some way or another. i'd suggest reading this play to anyone into theater, literature, or making fun of the kkk. :-)

Never, never have I read any book that so perfectly diagnosed my condition. What a loving God we have - and how very much He longs to tell us. But the masks we wear to prevent that relationship is tragic. Sandy Wilson pictures it all so well - and in a gentle and loving way. She gives great encouragement that an intimate God is just a breath away - if we seek. Thank you dear Sandy, for your ministry.

It is not often that I call a book must reading, but this one certainly is. Sandra Wilson has written in such a way as to draw any reader closer to God. It is especially good for anyone with any kind of sense of having been left alone and lonely. But is is also a must for those who believe that they are closer to God than ever. I have reccomended it to many of my counseling clients and have bought and given copies to all of my children, my husband and my parents. If you don't read anything else this year, read this.

This is the best book I have ever read on seeking a personal relationship with God. I have read it for myself, given one to every member of my family and several friends and am recommending it almost daily to people I see in my Christian counseling practice. A book for anyone who has ever wondered where God is and haven't we all?

Judging from these often humorous, sometimes poignant, but always brash and candid letters, it is probably safe to assume that few writers have had such widely varied experiences as has Larry L. King. Spanning over 40 years, King's fascinating and provocative letters--along with his no-holds-barred reminiscences interspersed among them--provide a virtual autobiography of this novelist, playwright, essayist, and commentator. What makes this epistolary volume especially interesting is that King suffers no fools lightly, appears to be intimidated by no one, and is always ready to prick the balloons of the famous--and oftentimes pompous. (His accounts of working with actor Burt Reynolds and dancer Tommy Tune are particularly hilarious.

Parents of small children desperately need sleep, so I cannot recommend that they read this book--it has kept me awake for two nights in a row. It's as hard to put down as any thriller, and a whole lot funnier than most.

King's book of letters take you inside the heart and head of one of America's most perceptive and humorous writers. Roy Blount once said that King writes like an angel would if it grew up in West Texas and drank. It's hard to improve on Blount's assessment. King's rollicking missives, directed to friends, family, politicians, critics, and fellow writers offer a fascinating portrait of the writing life. There's also the vicarious thrill of reading someone else's mail. Stories range from fellow author William Styron's run-in with "Mexican boo-smoke" to King's feud with the "alleged actor Burt Reynolds." The fact that a book this interesting has been published by a university press instead of a major trade house is as indicative as anything of the sorry state of affairs in the publishing industry these days. King's book, like himself, defies the mold.

Ever wonder what it is like to work everyday with wild animals? How about working everyday with wild animals like tigers, lions and leopards, that could seriously injure and even kill you? Sharon Rendell-Smock lets us in on behind the scene stories, secrets and anecdotes about life with wild and exotic animals in this nonfiction industry expose. In addition to the often frightening and sometimes hilarious accounts, this book includes interviews with industry experts, and offers some historical perspective. If you have ever been to a circus or zoo, and if you enjoy watching movies where animals play a prominent role, you will enjoy reading this book.

Anyone who grew up watching Jungle Larry at Cedar Point will love this trip down memory lane. This book is a fascinating look at the entire Tetzlaff family's life with exotic animals.

Living with Big Cats is one of the most informative and entertaining books we have ever read! The author not only tells her readers about the cats and their care, her love shows through with every word. If you are looking for reading material that will teach you and entertain you then read Living with Big cats. This book is a wonderful learning tool for all age groups!

If you want to keep the romance in your relationship alive, this book is filled with bright ideas. Larry and his wife are blissfully happy, he knows what it takes to make a relationship succeed.

Larry fills the pages with a lot of loving wisdom that will help your relationship move from neutral into overdrive.

Larry James' LoveNotes for Lovers are like Hershey's Kisses for the soul. Gregory J.P. Godek, Author of 1001 Ways to be Romantic & The Portable Romantic. (Look on page 315 of the new and expanded 1001 Ways to be Romantic for two LoveNotes from Larry's book! Greg also mentions Larry's books in The Portable Romantic

In Manna For A Modern Age: Essential Nourishment For Total Well-Being And Life-Long Personal Success, Larry Aufiero blends ancient wisdom and modern science to offer an assortment of fresh ideas and time-tested strategies to control stress through the most effective method available. Readers will be able to achieve their personal goals faster; mature in self-esteem; survive and prosper despite society's "secular madness"; discover the central factor affecting health and long life; and learn of scientifically-sound and persuasive arguments for the existence of God. Manna For A Modern Age is highly recommended and life-enhancing reading for developing and maintaining personal emotional growth, as well as spiritual health and physical well-being.

Larry Aufiero has written a wonderful guide to living. He shows us how to focus our energy on what we want and how to achieve those goals. He has the gift of spiritual insight which he shares freely with us in a way that we can all understand and apply. A book like this can change a life. It gives hope, while challenging us all to live successful lives. I loved it.

"Manna for a Modern Age" by Larry J. Aufiero is a work which could only have been written by an author skilled in math, science, religion and psychology. Professor Aufiero is a genius at bringing together science, religion and the thoughts of great human beings into what is more than a self-help book. This volume is as absorbing as the best fiction,interesting in itself and helpful to all ages. "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."

I did not feel that I needed to read a self-help/science/spiritual book. Nevertheless, a friend sent me "Manna for a Modern Age" and suggested that I read it. My friend in some ways might have known me better than I know myself. This book did give me a better understanding of my own life in regard to the total person and also how the role of religion (in a non-denominational way), mental discipline, physical exercise, and attitudes can help everyone.

Larry Aufiero's book will help to create a physical and emotional peace within one's self.

Norman Fidelman

I feel like I'm an old friend of Thomas Purdue and his friends. In his third mystery novel, Larry once again has provided us with a great who-dun-it, all the while throwing us bits of information about the world of music box collecting and repair.

With lovable, intelligent, interesting and eccentric characters, and the brilliant wit that only author Karp, a master at words, can write, this intriguing mystery dances through the streets of New York against a background of music, murder, and mayhem. Dr. Purdue, his friends, and his ingenious ways of solving the music box murders make Larry Karp's book a gem with a plot that twists and turns to a surprising ending. The book is a winner, a page-turner, and I eagerly await the next Thomas Purdue mystery.

I see that other reviewers have summarized the plot of this latest Thomas Purdue music box mystery, so I won't go over that ground again. I'll just tell you that if you like real mysteries, ones that you can't figure out as you go along, you'll like this book. And if you like wit and intelligence in your mystery novels, you'll like this book. And if you're a student of the human condition, interested in what makes people tick, you'll like this book. In fact, if you've read the previous two books featuring Dr. Purdue, you'll LOVE this book. I especially liked seeing new facets of characters I'd met before. The ending has a twist that had me on the edge of my seat, and now I can't wait for the next one! Do yourself a favor and get this book!

This book doesn't even deserve 1 star.
I realize this is just a fantasy-type what-if book, but it was just plain poorly written. I really tried to read this book and had high hopes for it, but couldn't last past chapter 4. It's boring. The author should stick to his band and leave book writing to others.

Don't even bother buying this book, it's a real stinker.

As an ardent fan of both the Beatles and the alternate history genre, I couldn't pass this up. I wasn't disappointed. This is an amazing exploration of what the Beatles meant to themselves, to each other, and to the world. I'm not surprised the Publishers Weekly reviewer found it depressing; on the surface, it's a tale of four lives gone wrong, and a world left poorer; but ultimately, I see it as a story about the reedeming power of friendship and of love.

Kirwan is a musician himself, which means he gets a lot of the small but essential details right; and his knowledge of the Liverpool music scene of the early 60's adds depth to his portrait of the city and its people. (Are you ready for Ringo sitting on on drums for Gerry and the Pacemakers? It's not as jarring as Paul Montana (a.k.a. McCartney) married to....Cher?!)

So read this book, think about the transformative power of Beatles music, and give thanks for all they gave us. And thank Larry Kirwan for a great reminder of how precious that gift is.

For most of us, to paraphrase John Lennon: "Imagine there's no Beatles, is not easy if we try." But in this beautifully conceived and written novel, Larry Kirwan gives us an Alternative World. It's a world that not only personalizes what happened to John, Paul, George and Ringo, but what happens to the world of politics, culture and music without them.

The novel is very hard to put down, and hard not to hope for certain outcomes as one reads on; forgetting of course that The Beatles did not indeed break up in 1962. Thanks to Larry Kirwan for making my mind wander, explore and remember the days that thankfully did happen; the days of Revolver, Sgt Peppers, White Album, Abbey Road, Something New, Rubber Soul, etc etc etc