I initially picked up this book out of curiosity; I don't use the 'dead' civiliazations much in my campaigns, but I usually enjoy seeing how White Wolf creates their alternate histories.

This book was done reasonably well, covering five separate cultures - sub-Saharan Africa, Mesopotamia, Central/Southern America, Greece and Rome, and 'the Arctic'. The sections are all similar, with flavor text at the beginning, a brief overview of history in the middle, and magic from these cultures at the end. Some of the chapters are wonderfully executed, while others seem almost like they were rushed. In a few cases, I would have preferred that the authors and typesetters condensed some information, to make room for more flavor or culture notes (the explanation of the Mayan calendrical system is basic, but could have taken half the space).

Overall, if you are planning on dealing at all with 'dead' civilizations as a mage, then this book (supplemented with real history books) will give you that something extra to make your stories more believable!

This supplement for Mage is an excellent source book for diversifying your games. The main focus of this book is on "dead" magic: the forgotten magics of civilizations of yore. The book has lots of rotes, wonders and so forth, but the bulk of the book is about how these civilizations practiced magic, and how the Traditions (namely your players) can adapt it.
The first section covers the magic of sub-Saharan Africa, with a definate focus on western and southern Africa. Lots of details on the diversity of African culture (and a nice map too), along with how westerners (including most of the Traditions except maybe the Dreamspeakers) have marginalized African culture. Then we are given some sample African rotes, many focusing on fertility, healing and spirit magics, and some pretty nifty wonders. There are also some interesting supertnatural creatures and locations, in case you decide to run a game set in Africa.
Following this is a section on ancient Mesopotamian magic. While I wish they would have toned down the infernalism a bit, this was a pretty nice section. Alot of it revolved around the meta-plot too, tying it in with Hermetics rediscovering Mesopotamian magic. Alot of the Mesopotamian magic focuses on complex divinations and spirit controlling magics. There is also a bit devoted to adapting Mesopotamian magic to the modern Traditions. Although groups like the Hermetics and Verbena usually use these in their ancient forms, modern Traditions have some unique takes on these rotes. Very nice. There are also some Mesopotamian beings (including the Lamassu!).
The next chapter was one of the best, in my opinions, focusing on the bloody magics of Mexico and South America. WW is pretty direct and to the point, stating that the Mayas, Aztecs, Incas and other Native Americans here used human sacrifices and that their magics were not for the weak. A bit of this chapter is taken up by an explanation of the Mayan calendar (which probably could have been briefer). Regardless, the sample rotes (including things like turning into a jaguar, making obsidian almost unbreakable and even causing volcanic erruptions) are all pretty neat and nicely based off Aztec and Mayan mythology (and the Mayan calendar). Further detail is given to some Wonders and mystical locations (including the Andes). Pretty cool.
The next chapter focuses on classical Greece and Rome and their continuing influence on western magic. Everything from Plato to Greek mythology to Roman Hermeticism to "enlightened science" is explored. Its pretty cool if you want to incorporate Greco-Roman magic into your games. This section also has a lot of plot seeds, such as the start of the Ascension War, the "Golden Race" and the Oracle of Delphi, so player's might want to skip this. Some decent rotes, Wonders and mystical locations are given, along with some classic monsters. Pretty neat.
The closing chapter covered the magic of the Inuit and other people of the Arctic Circle. It was pretty decent, going into great details about shamanism and hunting magic in the far north. The rotes, Wonders and spirits given are all very good, and can easily be adapted into almost any shamanic paradigm. Over all, this was an excellent book. I would recommend that if you intend to use any of the cultures in here, you look through both "Guide to the Traditions" and any number of books on history, archaeology, mythology and/or anthropology as well. I already found quite a bit of the African, Aztec/Mayan/Incan and Inuit sections helpful for running all Dreamspeaker chronicles, and intend to use the Mesopotamia stuff in a "Year of the Scarab" centered game. I'm certain other STs will find this book equally useful.

I received this book as a gag gift before I started law school. It was a neat coffee table type book for any aspiring or current lawyer. Most of the jokes aren't new. In fact, you probably already would know the setup if all it gave you were the punchlines. But its nice to have a compendium of jokes and anecdotes all in one place.

What can I say? I liked it.

First time I read it was during a 2-hour long evening bus trip between NYC and Wilmington, DE. I'm positive about two things: first, it was too short, I'd need at least half an hour more of laughing, and second, nobody in that bus will ever forget about that trip

Lesbians Raising Sons was a wonderful collection of stories, fears, funny moments, and discoveries. The women featured in this book draw a thought provoking picture of all that concerns society and themselves relative to the impact lesbian feminism on the development of a male child. From Jess Wells own fears and concerns when discovering that she was indeed going to be the mother of a "man", to Ellen Grabiner marvelling at her son's innate "boy-ness" compared to the inbred "girl-ness" of her nieces all issues, both society's and the mother's own, are touched on. Do boys naturally take on weapons, computer games and a hate of housework with their quota of testosterone? Grabiner questions whether she'd have been as open to a girl child wanting to wear ribbons and makeup as she was for her son to do the same. Is this internalized misogyny?

In each mother's story, one overriding characteristic is achingly clear; they want to raise a happy, healthy child who is comfortable being who they are; a child who is accepted and valued by society for being themselves. Isn't this what all mothers want for their children? In reality, Lesbians Raising Sons is a book about women who want to be good mothers. It is a book about women trying to do what is right in a society that does not always support them in their efforts. Read it and applaud all women who accept the challenge of raising decent, contributing members of our world!

reviewed by Dorsie L. Hathaway

Lesbians Raising Sons is a fresh and timely look at parenting, with something to offer everyone contemplating life in a a family way. This collection is not just about lesbians, and not just about sons. It's about parenting as an ongoing act of love, connection, and creativity. Themes encompass extended family, freedom to choose gender presentation, dealing with homophobia, and lesbians loving the men their sons will become.

Author Jenifer Levin describes in chilling detail how she and her partner journeyed to Cambodia to adopt Makara, a child abandoned in the aftermath of a modern Holocaust. Another contributor, in a brilliant and touching essay, describes her family's struggle to make the world large enough to embrace and nurture a transgendered child. The children of lesbians cross many borders with their mothers.

Issues facing lesbian moms and their kids include legislation directed at restricting civil rights, the right to retain custody, to obtain alternative fertilization services, to name LGBT* families. Universal issues that all parents share: becoming, and finding, role models; hopes and sometimes worries for children in school; hope that we're raising them with values that will serve them well as they journey out into the world.

I very much enjoyed this collection; my only criticism is the lengthy foreword. Jess Wells' name is traditionally associated with fiction, but Lesbians Raising Sons compares very favorably with other recent books on LGBT* parenting. This collection, surely a labor of love, reflects tremendous range and diversity, and should be appreciated by everyone with an interest in exploring the meaning of the word "family".

Despite the sensual and somewhat provocative, cover, Love Shook My Heart 2, like it's predecessor, is not an anthology of erotica. Rather it's a touching sampler of stories with lesbian characters from a range of writers. The stories cover a spectrum of eras and are peopled with women of all ages.

The settings range from the very contemporary, urban America as in the cyberworld of "Reply" to a thoughtful, if saddening interpretation of wise women in Medieval Europe in Jess Wells' "Jacqueline." With characters who span adolescence -- as Devvie in Deborah J. Archer's "At Fourteen"-- to a widowed octogenarian -- who discovers new feelings for a woman in her nursing home in Karen X. Tulchinsky's touching story, "Penny a Point."

Amusingly, Barbie dolls have cameos in several of the stories with childhood and adolescent characters subjecting Barbie to everything from kidnapping and hostage situations in Barth's "Lovingkindness," to being photographed while being devoured by a poodle in "My Dead Aunt's Vodka." Several of the stories have a delightful sense of humor as in Anderson's "Kiss of Death, Inc.," where a rather jaded photographer specializes in capturing those celebratory moments in the lives of lesbian couples, all of whom she tells us will split up eventually. "Her Clear Voice Undid Me" will have anyone who has worked in retail, particularly in lower socio/economic areas, chuckling at the absurdity of the system and encouraged by Cooper's sense of fair play and justice as the Low-Cost's "slowest shopper."

Ta'Shia Asanti brings Bessie Smith to life for her first trip to Europe and first lesbian relationship in "Bessie and Sweet Colleen." M.Christian reminds us that we need to be true to ourselves in "The One I Left Behind;" while a cancer survivor is reminded that she needs to respect herself in Bellerose's "The GirlsClub." Kristin Steele's "Recycled" is a sweet little story where Morgan finds herself struggling with the death of her father, and, more stressfully, the survival of her mother. Morgan also finds herself charmed by Kate, an artist driving a very big truck.

Not all of the 28 stories in Love Shook My Heart 2, touched this reader. However, the range of style and settings is broad enough to provide some interest and pleasure for most readers. For those who like short stoires, certainly there are more than enough satisfying stories to justify the purchase.

Great collection of touching, tender, ironic, witty, fun, moving love stories by some of today's top lesbian writers. I enjoyed the first Love Shook My Heart, but I must say, this collection is much better: It's so wonderful, I'm reading it for the second time!

The Random House Webster's College Thesaurus, although somewhat thin, is an excellent resource, ranking among the highest. Most words in the English language have multiple meanings, converse forms, similar sounds and spellings in relation to other words, and outlandish synonyms ranging from before the Twelfth century through the Ninties. This thesaurus is not limited to only older words, terms, and phrases: but also contains slang and many new words and terms. It supplies a brief but adequate sentence for each listed word, phrase, and term, as well as for their different forms (i.e. adverbs, nouns, verbs, etc.) to sufficiently define their uses. I also enjoy the fact that this thesaurus lists antonyms, for sometimes I can think of a word, but I can't think of the word that I need, which is the exact opposite. In todays fast-paced world, everyone wants things simple and fast. Another exceptional advantage to owning this thesaurus is that it allows the reader to find what they need without searching for hours, using countless dictionaries and thesaurus's, laid out on their table. Although this thesaurus doesn't meet the criteria to qualify as the best thesaurus, it certainly exceeds the standards set by persons such as myself. I highly recommend adding this book to your personal library.

If you wonder synonyms or antonyms of any word, you should have this book. It is really helpful. It has also example sentences to explain the usage of the words.

Dreamspeakers continues the Revised edition Traditions books which I've been enjoying very much. Though I've personally never been much of a Mage fan, I do try to keep abreast of the different groups out there for when I run a game of my own to make my World of Darkness a more well-rounded experience for all.

That said, I often found the previous edition Tradition books dull and clunky. The newer Revised editions are not so, and have a much better narrative structure around them, despite using most of the same narrative conventions. This may work because there seems to be less melodrama and more instruction for the Mages working their way through their individual Traditions.

Not so for the Dreamspeakers for whome such generalizations are hard, since the Tradition name is here revealed to be a catch-all for any Mage who works with spirits, and this Tradition seems to be the most disorganized and chaotic so far. Dreamspeakers (or "Shamans" as they are more likely to be referred to in the book) can come from any walk of life, from any culture, and can even be Awakened by powerful Spirits, making them a highly eclectic group which is difficult to characterize or give mutual goals to as a group. Of the Revised books so far, this one makes the best case for an all-Dreamspeaker game (as opposed to an all fill-in-Tradition-name-here game).

Best of all is the Tradition is no longer made out to be a bunch of drum-beating tribalists stuck in the modern era. This gives the Tradition more depth and is greatly appreciated by me.

Wow! And I thought the original Dreamspeakers Tradition book was good. This one just blew me away. It was so amazing. This revised edition really expands on just what it means to be a Shaman. Following the journey of a young Shaman, we learn just about every aspect of Shamanism in this book. Starting from the introduction, which explains the mood, theme and set-up of the book, we go into a brief history of the world, as told by the spirits themselves. Then they go on to take us on a tour of the Americas, Africa and other lands, and the shaman who work in those lands. Sidebars fill us in on spirit perspectives and how words really can matter when dealing with spirits. We go on to get Dreamspeaker views on other Traditions, supernatural beings and even dealing with spirits. The first chapter closes out with word on Dreamspeaker philosophy and how shamanism can be integrated with other religions, from New Age faiths and Shinto to Christianity and Islam.
The next chapter goes into more details on Dreamspeaker structure, giving write-ups for each major Dreamspeaker faction: the Baruti (wandering storytellers), spirit-trained Independants, the Ghost Wheel Society (techno-shamans), Keepers of the Sacred Flame (traditional shaman), Red Spears (warriors), Spirit Smiths (fetish makers) and Solitares (lone shaman). Then we get more on animism, ecstasy and transvestite shamanism, followed by how Dreamspeakers view magic and the spheres. Some new mechanics for madness, Awakened items, coping with the Avatar Storm, Spirit allies, Totems and lesser Shaman paths, as well as more spirit Rotes (many quite inventive) and Fetishes than you can shake a stick at, close out this chapter.
The next chapter goes through famous Dreamspeakers, including a Siberian master who survived the Avatar Storms and Xoca, the Dreamspeaker signature character. Then we get some interesting suggestions for Dreamspeaker chronicles, and a group of NPCs who serve as shamans by helping educate poor communities across the world. Then we get the usual sample NPCs, including some unique ones like an Armenian vigilante who speaks to ghosts of his murdered relatives, a Native American shaman attached to the American military as an advisor, the shaman without a tribe and an African pirate who follows Shango, the Orisha of thunder.
The end of the book brings the story of our Shaman-in-training full circle, though I won't give it away. We also get some very good recommendations for books and movies, most of which I agree embody Dreamspeaker ideals or themes quite well. Over all, its a great resource for playing Dreamspeakers, or even shamans in general. After all, most of the infomation is very general, so it can apply equally well for Orphans, Kopa Loei, Ba'ata, Sons of Tengri and Ecstatic or Akashic Shaman.
My only comment on the book is that it is very broad. Shamanism is a varied practice found in all cultures. Sure, you've got Native American, Siberian, African, Aboriginal, Korean and Pacific Islander Shamanism. But Shamanism exists elsewhere; followers of Voudon and Santeria, Shinto priests, Christian mystics who speak to Angels and Demons, Bedouin wisewomen, Bluesmen who learn from the Dark Man at the Crossroads, Mexican curanderos, Bon Po priests in Tibet, Chinese peasant wizards and beyond. If you really want to add cultural depth to your character, it might help to get a good book on anthropology, mythology or a specific culture (Hmong, !Kung, Aboriginal, Cree, Aztec, etc) as well.

I was attracted to this book by having enjoyed seeing Jess Winfield's hilarious play, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), in London. I knew that Winfield would offer good humor for the reader.

Many recent books about Shakespeare have turned him into an expert on management. This is the first attempt I am aware of at making Shakespeare a self-help expert.

The effect is essentially to make Shakespeare more relevant to the modern world by translating his messages into our current circumstances.

Winfield poses one question at the top of each page, for about a hundred contemporary issues. Then, he quotes Shakespeare. Each quote is a famous one, if you pay any attention at all to Shakespeare. Then, he expands on what Shakespeare meant, and provides Winfield's own contemporary thoughts. As Winfield says in the introduction, the book is often "What Would Jess Winfield Do? . . . as illustrated by the words of William Shakespeare."

As an example, one of the questions is "What would Shakespeare do about designer labels?" The answer is Juliet's from Romeo and Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet . . . ." He then goes on to tell a story about someone who was into buying designer clothes, and couldn't enjoy something that looked great but was a knock-off at a modest price.

The key limitation then, of this book, is Jess Winfield. As he forthrightly points out, he has "no training in pscyhology or social work." He has "never raised a child, and . . . has plenty of personal quirks and character flaws." "I'm not even a Shakespeare scholar."

Although he doesn't say so, it looks like the way the book was written was to start with the quotes from Shakespeare. Then, he probably developed a humorous, contemporary question to fit the quote. At that point, he filled in around the edges with personal anecdotes.

If you read this book as a humorous connection between Shakespeare and today's world, then you will like this book. If you take it literally, you may not like it at all. Most of the questions and answers will simply not make a lot of sense to you.

I've evaluated the book against Winfield's stated purpose, to "draw out of ourselves the qualities [Shakespeare] champions: practicality, compassion, humility, generosity, honesty and tolerance." By having considered Shakespeare, Winfield feels like he has "caught a glimpse of the man behind the quill pen . . . ." and wants to share that glimpse with us.

I graded the book down one star because I found that the book could have used more Shakespeare and less Winfield. I also think the book needed either different questions or fewer questions. A lot of them are either very trivial or repetitive (like the series about eating meat).

Young people often don't read much Shakespeare now. Shakespeare has retreated from the English department curricula in many schools. Don't tell anyone, but he is a dead white European male.

For those with a sense of humor, this book is probably a good way to help inject a little Shakespeare into the unread, unconsidered life of a young person. That's quite a worthwhile thing to do. I applaud Mr. Winfield for both conceiving and taking on the task. If you know such a person, this could be a worthy gift.

After you have finished working with the Bard here, I suggest that you actually read some of Shakespeare's plays. All's Well That Ends Well could be a theme for considering the Presidential post-election recount.

Look for the timeless truths, "O Brave New World."

Jess Winfield may profess that he is not an authority on Shakespeare's works, but he sure knows them better than most people. This book is a gently thoughtful and often amusing read for anyone fond of Shakespeare or indeed, of life in general. And since the author's interpretations of Shakespeare's writings (as a guide in addressing modern problems) are by his own admission subjective, there is plenty of room for spirited discussion with friends and co-workers. A light, quick, and thought-provoking read.

This book is a confusing set of devices and instructions for players and storytellers alike. It is hard to read and equally hard to understand--i found my High School government textbook easier to read than this. However, if you do want to give you Tremere scorcer/witch a bit more depth i would recomend this book, and its companion book.

I will rarely say in these reviews on Amazon.com that that "only X type of person should read this" but this review is one exception. I think this book has so much information, so many great ideas and guidelines, and clan background that it is really only useful for storytellers and maybe wouldbe writers who like the "world of darkness". I think a player would get a lot of ideas, many of which would not be compatible with a story from this book so the best way to combat that and still allow Tremere and other magic using Kindred to develop would be for storyteller and player to look at this book together. I think it does a good job of detailing how to design paths and rituals, a sample worksheet might help in this regard, but also in talking about the limitations of the practice of bloodmagic.

A book detailing the complex discipline of Thaumaturgy has been long needed. This is a really good one and while it doesn't solve all the problems created by the past handling of Thaumaturgy in VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE, it goes a long way toward clarifying and further developing the discipline.

The book discussed the history and theory of vampiric blood magic. We learn that it predates the Tremere, for example, and hear about basic principles of magical workings. There is discussion about the difference between a Tremere vampire and a True Mage (metaphysical, mostly, and assumes familiarity with MAGE- for more practical instructions on vampires and mages, see VAMPIRE: STORYTELLERS HANDBOOK), how non-Tremere might learn Thaumaturgy and some examples of arcane tomes. Most of it is clearly explained (with few exceptions like the unnecessarily ambiguous section about the difference between spirits and demons).

There are welcome sections outlining the Koldunic sorcery of the Tzimisce (finally!) and voodoo-derived traditions of Necromancy. Both the Assamites and the Setites have their own traditions of blood magic, detailed here. There are paths derived from Alchemy and Kaballah. Biothaumatugy is recycled from SECRETS OF THE BLACK HAND.

Unfortunately, while the material introduced here is superb, the book doesn't pull together the various little bits of Thaumaturgy scattered between VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE and VAMPIRE: DARK AGES. It just once again gives us more and better. It would have been nice, for example, to have an appendix showing which previously introduced paths and rituals are in which books. Furthermore, some storytellers seem intimidated about Thaumaturgy and disallow it as "too complicated". Step by step instructions (and a pep talk) might have been good, too. I should mention also that this book is about vampiric blood magic ONLY- no numinas or hedge magic more appropriate to allies like ghouls.

The Fiends have long been a source of hardship to play, mainly because no one understood them. I think this book goes a long way in helping you get a total grasp on your character and it's clan. Personally, I have always liked to play the Tzimisce, even without insight from white wolf. I enjoyed this clanbook more than the first version they put out, it certainly seemed better thought out. I recommend it.

I was impressed at the sheer depth of Clanbook: Tzimsce Revised. First of all, its history is so in-depth that it arguably has as much use to players of Vampire: The Dark Ages as it does to modern Masquerade players. The Tzimisce have gone through a number of growing pains from their original inception in the 1st edition Players Guide to the Sabbat, and this book serves to deal with most of the loose ends we've seen (including issues from Dirty Secrets of the Black Hand and their "Old Clan Tzimisce" and "Souleater" problems). The templates in the back of the book give a depth to the Tzimisce that genuinely impressed me, showing a lot of work. The treatment of the Revenant families (including a new family) is fairly solid, and the Discipline variations are enough to make any Storyteller or power-gamer drool in delight.

Honestly, I wish ALL of the Revised Clanbooks had been done with so much attention to detail. As with any truly great book for Vampire: The Masquerade, as many new questions are raised as old ones are answered, and the implications of information about the Tzimisce Methusalehs, and the clan founder itself, are enough to inspire a hundred plot threads. If you've been hungering for more information on the Fiends (both in and out of the Sabbat), and want something beyond the relatively sparse old Clanbook: Tzimisce, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the amount of work that went into this book.

This is by far one of the most excellent clan books that white wolf has written. It gives full detail as to the Tzimisce rising up and participating in the vaulderie for the first time, the destruction of their antedelluvian(even though he ain't gone)and the sadistic trappings of their homes and unlives. If you want to make a really fleshed out charachter with an interesting hobby/discipline then the tzimisce are perfect. The book also had some very interesting artwork. Even though some would call it revolting I found it pleasing that they didn't hold back from what the Tzimisce do, they're not kine or kindred but something darker and even more twisted than you can imagine.

I'm a California trial attorney (not criminal). Mr. Darden's book has value in demonstrating just exactly how a trial should NOT be approached. Mr. Darden has clearly misplaced his objective. While many disagree with the verdict, Mr. Darden knew (or should have known) at the outset, that we have an adversary system. His book attacks that theory and demonstates his unwillingness to accept it's presence and prepare for it. Instead he "whines" and "complains" about everyone and everything involved. Mr. Darden is an African-American attorney who is proud of his heritage, as he should be. But it is not an excuse for the reality of trial law. It is a factor to be dealt with just as any other. Mr. Darden continually attacks the "Dream Team" for their tactics, Judge Ito for his rulings and the jury for their reactions. Mr. Darden fails horribly in addressing his presence in the court and his opportunity to oppose all that he complains about. The book recounts his early years in Richmond, CA. and his relationship with his brother Michael. Many references are made to Micheal (who died of AIDS days before the verdict was announced) and his relationship with him. The decision to place Mr. Darden in the high pressure situation of the Simpson trial in light of his brother's condition is very questionable. He seemed extremely preoccupied with his brother. Mr. Darden seemed emotionally out of his league and should never have been assigned the task. If Mr. Darden made a mistake ( a rarity in his opinion) it was given very short shrift. If error occurred at another's hand, whether prosecution or defense, pages would be devoted to it. The "race card" was coming and any good lawyer would have seen it, prepared for it and, using appropriate legal decorum, fought it. Mr. Darden "whined" about it! He refused to be present in the courtroom when Mark Furhman "took the 5th". That was nothing short of childish. His responsibility was to be in that courtroom...not "whimpering in the corner" because he didn't "get his way"!! Professor Gerald Uelmen described this book accurately recently on "Larry King Live" when he desribed Mr. Darden's book as "pre-pubescent pouting". Mr. Darden states in his book that he doubts if he will ever practice law again. A wise decision!!

Although it made some interesting reading, the book's first 100 pages were somewhat slow, since it dealt with Dardens life growing up. However, it was well written and one had to respect Mr. Darden for what he had to overcome to achieve what he did. The details of the trial were rage inducing for all those out there who still can't get over the fact that O.J. got away with murder. And the details of the racist exploits of the Dream Team, specifically Cochran, made one sympathize with Darden as possibly the only color-blind, level headed black person in America during this trial. Reading the book made me realize how much Chris Darden suffered from this trial and how morally and ethically bankrupt Cochran was. The book is a must for all who know Simpson is a brutal murderer.

I was a junior in college when the O.J. Simpson verdict was announced in October 1995, and I bought Chris Darden's book as soon as it was published. I was (and still am) inspired by Darden's story of how he grew up, why he decided to become a lawyer, and all of his personal and professional trials, tribulations, and triumphs - not to mention the guts that it took to agree to be on the prosecution team of "the trial of the century."

Reading about all of the ostracism that Darden suffered by blacks in L.A. (not to mention being all but skewered in the court of national black public opinion) enraged me. The fact that he was labeled a "sellout," "Uncle Tom," and a "race traitor" of the worst kind for prosecuting (as was his job) a wealthy black celebrity athelete - whom most people, including blacks, knew was guilty as hell! - made me realize as a young black man that sometimes we as blacks indeed are our own worst enemy. As Darden poignantly points out, supporting a black man who, based on the evidence, murdered his white wife and her friend is not "getting back at the [white] man." To add insult to injury, after the verdict and subsequent black celebrations, some black lawyers group decided to "honor" Darden at a dinner - with Johnnie Cochran as the guest speaker, no less - with what I'll term a BLACK GUILT-ASSUAGING AWARD. This was basically their way of saying to Darden, after taking him to the public opinion woodshed for over a year, that "You're still 'down' with us. You're welcome back into the community." In accepting his award, Darden, to his credit, let them know: "You don't have to welcome me back into the community, because I never left."

Christopher Darden has nothing to be ashamed about. He honored the legal profession by doing his civic duty to the best of his ability as an officer of the court AND the law. We could all learn a lot from his example.