This is probably the best, and certainly the most accurate, book ever written about the oil patch. It is set early in the 20th century during the oil boom in the Oklahoma "channel sands." Yet, this story could just as easily been set just about anywhere oil fever hit- and the Rockefellers got there claws into it.

Firstly, this is a novel about the indomitable will of one woman who refuses to keep anyone and anything from keeping her from bringing in her wildcat well: not a nere-do-well father, not romance, not sexist oil men and bankers, not Rockfeller thugs.

Yet, it is the secondary theme of what the oil patch was really like that steals the show. The technical details are all correct, as are the labor conditions and political climate (Rockefeller WAS the government.) Indeed the shere ruthlessness of the times is perfectly captured- you get one chance to do "business" with Standard Oil, after that your rights, and your life, weren't worth a plug nickel.

The author, also wrote the excellent screenplay for the movie that starred George C. Scott and Jack Palance. Strangely that film is impossible to find these days. In fact, this excellent book didn't even go to paperback. It was written around the time of the great "oil crisis" of 1973. It is almost like someone doesn't want the true story of the American oil industry brought to light....

"Shakespeare In Love" is one of my favorite movies of all time. Everything about the movie was brilliant--acting, screenplay, customes, etc. I'm a college student who has had a year of in-depth Shakespeare courses and I *know* it is fiction but it was the best kind of fiction--one that made you love the characters even more and want to re-read the plays for years to come. I loved all the inside jokes.

To be frank, I've seen the movie more times than I'd like to admit. I was going to give this book four stars based on the movie (the movie was excellent, but not the year's best, even if it is my preferred one), but that wouldn't be honest. This review is about the screenplay, not the movie. Besides, the best part of the movie is the script, anyway. Boastful, light-hearted, and delightful, this romp plays around with you, targeting you with its acid wit. It is also completely fictional, so don't expect much truth in it, even if the background and some of the history is real (including the subtle fact that Shakespeare really didn't have his own stories, with exception to two of his plays). There was no Viola, nor was there a Lord Wessex. This script is not to be taken seriously. But even if you are serious, you'll find yourself defrosting around the edges by the time you flip to page two.

How can anyone dislike this film and screenplay? Perhaps the information wasn't all 100%accuarate, but writers and moviemakers often use creative license when producing a film with such a historic main character.

This movie was worthy of a best picture nod, perhaps not as much as Life Is Beautiful, and should be considered a classic in centuries to come. You would have to be completely dense to not like what this movie stands for--love at first sight.

As for the homosexuality of Shakespeare--did anyone ever personally ask him about his sexual preferance? Even if he was homosexual--who cares--THIS IS A MOVIE!

And a great one at that!