Michael Palmer's poems seem to me use the best strategies of language poetry in service of the romantic lyric.

This book is both Bread and Wafer (as Anais Nin put in a chapter of "Ladders to Fire") to me--it feeds the spiritual and intellectual heart and also satisfies the physical desire of real bodied pleasure.

As a lifelong New Jerseyan who endured the "what exit" jokes by out-of-staters (Exit 12, now that you've asked), Rockland and Gillespie try to tackle the cultural significance of the loved and loathed New Jersey Turnpike. They cite the popular reference in the Simon & Garfunkel tune, "America," and stress that the Turnpike is one of the most heavily-traveled highways in the world.

What they do well is describe in entertaining detail the story on how and why the Turnpike was built (note: the secretive NJ Turnpike Authority did not cooperate with the authors when they were researching this book) and the many anecdotes about the road that bring new insights into New Jersey (and American) politics and history.

The authors make two main cultural arguments throughout the book:

The first one is how the negative opinion of New Jersey has been shaped over the years by travel on the Turnpike. Let's face it -- the Turnpike travels through the least attractive areas of the state. From the decayed industrial north to the straight, flat and boring stretches in South Jersey, the Turnpike is not a great public relations tool for the state of New Jersey. New Jersey is not all oil refineries (exit 12 & 13), huge megawarehouses (exit 8A) or bland suburban sprawl (exit 9 & 10), but since millions of people from around the globe have traveled on this road to or from Newark Airport or along the Northeast, they think that what they see along the Turnpike is typical to the Garden State (yes, we still have gardens).

Second, the authors' argue that the Turnpike was the ultimate expression of form over function -- an idea that reached its zenith in the mid-20th century. The road was built with efficiency and safety being its highest (and perhaps only) priorities and the roadbuilders did not consider aesthetics or the concerns of neighbors or private landowners when building or maintaining the road.

This book is a great and worthy complement to works like Robert Caro's The Power Broker or other works on famous roads like Rt. 66, Highway 1, the National Road (US Rt. 40), etc. You don't have to be a New Jersey-phile to enjoy this book!

Genuine romance and passion is missing from most books, either fiction or nonfiction, and I don't think I've ever come across both in such quantity as there is in "La Vita Nuova" (translation: The New Life), the unsung masterpiece of poet Dante Alighieri (who wrote the classic Divina Comedia).

It is a series of poems centering around the life-changing love of Dante for a young woman named Beatrice. The two first met when they were young children, of about eight. Dante instantly fell in love with her, but didn't really interact with her for several years. Over the years, Dante's almost supernatural love only increased in intensity, and he poured out his feelings (grief, adoration, fear) into several poems and sonnets. During an illness, he has a vision about mortality, himself, and his beloved Beatrice ("One day, inevitably, even your most gracious Beatrice must die"). Beatrice died at the age of twenty-four, and Dante committed himself to the memory of his muse.

I have never in my life read a book overflowing with such incredible love and passion as "La Vita Nuova"; it's probably the most romantic book I have ever seen. It's only a little over a hundred pages long, but it's a truly unique love story. Dante and Beatrice were never romantically involved. In fact, both of them married other people.

But Dante's love for Beatrice shows itself to be more than infatuation or crush, because it never wanes -- in fact, it grows even stronger, including Love manifested as a nobleman in one of Dante's dreams. There is no element of physicality to the passion in "La Vita Nuova"; Dante talks about how beautiful Beatrice is, but that's only a sidenote. (We don't hear of any real details about her) And Dante's grief-stricken state when Beatrice dies (of what, we're never told) leads him to deep changes in his soul, and eventually peace. (And though Beatrice died, because of Dante's love for her and her placement in the "Comedia," she has achieved a kind of immortality)

One of the noticeable things about this book is that whenever something significant happens to Dante (good, bad, or neither), he immediately writes a poem about it. Some readers may be tempted to skip over the carefully constructed poems, but they shouldn't. Even if these intrude on the story, they show what Dante was feeling more clearly than his prose.

It's impossible to read this book and come out of it jaded about love or true passion. Not the sort of stuff in pulp romance novels, but love and passion that come straight from the heart and soul, in a unique and unusual love story. Every true romantic should read this book.

"The war that never was" stands out as a work of art, and, IMHO, is superior to Red Storm Rising, Red Army, Team Yankee, and the Third World War, august 1985. The book reads somewhat like RSR, but has an infinitely more realistic quality about it. Both sides make mistakes (yes, americans screw up), and both sides suffer defeats (and not just some minor-NATO country losing an unimportant battle). The global politics are carefully examined, and play a major role as neutral countries are approached by both USSR and NATO to join their cause. In many small instances, these prove decisive. Countries such as Libya, Japan, Iran, Egypt, India, Vietnam, Finnland and Sweden are forced to make decisions, weighing whether or not they should join the war, and if so, who to side with?

If the book has a single deficiency, its a lack of ground combat in germany. The german front is the single most important of the war, yet it is painfully neglected. about 2/3 of the 360 page book is centred around naval combat (including naval oriented air and ground ops:i.e. marines). Of the last third, most of the ground battles take place in the balkans, north africa and scandinavia. Some in Korea and Germany, but not enough. In my opinion, an additional 100 or so pages should have been added to more closely examine the first 7 days of the war in germany, which is merely summarized.

However, the book is still the best that i've ever read on the topic of a hypothitical third world war, aided by 20/20 hindsite that was available. Like i said, there is a lot, maybe too much naval action, but it is still exellent action! it keeps you hooked through out the novel, which left me wanting more as i finished!

I thought this book was very well done,similar in detail to Red Storm Rising in its portrayal of the war in sea,air and land.
I would recommend it to others interested in what-if fiction as well as those in WW3.

Dr. Eric Najarian is a rising star at White Memorial Hospital. He and a colleague are vying for a big promotion, when suddenly Eric is approached to join a secret society ("Caduceus") as long as he is willing to perform an "unusual" treatment when asked. Pressures of the job and life in general weigh on Eric as he debates what to do. Soon, some missing bodies and other unexplained phenomenon at the hospital shake his trust in everything and send him on a hunt for what is going on. We readers get to know more than he does for quite a while, but we dare say few will guess who the ultimate bad guys wind up being.

This is our fourth novel by Palmer and we have enjoyed them all immensely. Sort of a "thinking man's Robin Cook", Palmer happens to be both a medical and publishing contemporary of Cook -- but to our mind, one with less "fantastic" plots. Palmer's ability to endear his characters to us, to draw out the suspense without getting boring, and to craft a twisty plot lead to hours of entertainment. Enjoy! [p.s., the movie based on this book is also entertaining, but in actuality bears little resemblance to the Palmer story per se...]

This is not the first Michael Palmer book that I have read, but it certainly is the best one so far. The plot, though complex and intricate, was thrilling to the last page. The characters were well developed and the plot facinating. I found it almost impossible to put the book down, and was holding my breath for Eric and Laura to the very end. For a fast read, and a thrilling adventure, select Extreme Measures.

Michael Palmer's "Extreme Measures": From start to finish, Mr. Palmer's book kept me interested. The characters were well-developed, plot easy to follow, and the story full of suspense. The main characters, a doctor and scuba dive instructor, fall in love despite the terrible occurences at White Memorial where doctor Najarian works. Friends turn out to be enemies, possible enemies turn out to be friends (sometimes), and it seems that neither can trust anyone but each other and themselves. This book has a lot of medical jargon and some voodoo. I find that if I can read a book in one day, then it is worth reading again. I read this book in about 9 hours in a car so it is definitely worth your time

I am a big Michael Palmer fan. I've read all of his books and although I found this book to be very interesting, I thought it took too long to build up to where it was headed (though the last quarter of the book flew by). Don't get me wrong, it is a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it to fans of medical thrillers. It has interesting characters and a nicely thought out plot, but I just felt like something was missing.

The whole idea of chemical poisoning and a corporate cover-up is intriguing enough, but Palmer makes it even more exciting by adding twists and turns at all the right times. Every time I thought I figured out what was going on, I was pleasantly surprised to realize I was way off base. Abby's commitment to solving the mystery is fierce. The action is tremendous and it doesn't stop until the last page, as the story races to a thrilling conclusion. This book was difficult to put down. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a chilling mystery novel.

I wanted a change from Robin Cook and I'm quite happy I found Michael Palmer. The book was a bit slow to start and I was tempted to stop reading it, but I kept on.
This book is fantastic. The characters are well written as is the plot. There were many times while reading this book that I felt troubled and anxious just because of what Abby was going through. This book really had a hold on me. Although it was the first Michael Palmer book I've read, I'll definately be reading more of his.

For a while now, I've been on the Michael Palmer 'kick'. His novels are full of plot twists, detailed characters and just the right amount of suspense.
Natural Causes is just another of his well written books that will keep you hanging on until the end. The best part about his books is the right from page one, you're hooked.
Natural Causes does have some truth to it and makes you wonder about 'Natural' supplements.

I finished my first Michael Palmer book - Extreme Measures and couldn't wait to read another. Natural Causes has the same complex medical background but is just not as exciting or complex. I enjoyed the conflict between alternative and traditional medicine. Natural Causes has suspense and intrique and if I had not read Extreme Measures first I would probably give it 5 stars.

This book captures you from the very beginning and makes you see the world through the eyes of Dr. Sarah Baldwin. Very detailed medical information and a fast read. Keeps you going from the first page to the last.

Dr. Baldwin is the kind of doc most people in this open-minded society would want to have -- one with the Western science medicine as well as using holistic practices such as accupuncture. She gets in trouble after two women die and one woman is maimed in their pregnancies after taking her herbal supplement for pregnancy, which she recommends instead of the usual vitamins. An intrigue follows which delves into politics and money. Great mystery up until the very end, when one of the last people you'd suspect turns out to be the bad guy!

My first taste of Michael Palmer, and I'm looking forward to reading more!

This was a great book.. full of suspense right from the start. The only disappointment was the ending. I feel as if I was cheated. The ending leaves the reader hanging. Maybe you need to draw your own conclusions. This shouldn't keep anyone from not reading this book.
Once again, Michael Palmer leads the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. For the first time, it wasn't until near the end that I finally caught on. This is one of his better book.s

I was on the edge while reading Silent Treatment!I recomend Silent Treatment to anyone who wants to go on a adventure into another reality.Michael Palmer brings you into the story with his detail,Your heart pounds as he reveals more of the plot/adventure-The characters are so realistic you soon realize you are becoming fond of them or hating them.If you truly want to go on the adventure yourself, I STRONGLY!!! suggest Silent Treatment.

This is a very good book. It is very hard not to turn the page once you get in to the book. This book is an allnighter, so be warned: if you plan on reading some of this book late you might want to drink some Jolt because you will not want to stop reading!! This is my favorite book because it keeps your interest and it has a good plot and suspense. When the book is over you want more. The ending is the only thing that could have been better in this book. It ends too fast!!! Michael Palmer has written some other good books but this is the best!!! I hope he or some other writer writes another book like this because these are the best kind of books!!!

While a bit far-fetched, this medical thriller was enough to put this reader on the edge of her seat many times. The plot took many twists and turns, from wondering who REALLY was the bad guy to wondering how the good guys were ever going to solve the mystery and get out alive. The ending was a bit predictable-which makes me think that I have read too many books like this.

Alex Bishop, a CIA agent operating on his own, wants to settle a personal score with Claude Malloche, an international terrorist/murderer who is a master of disguise but who also has an inoperable brain tumor. Dr.Jessie Copeland is in the final stages of perfecting the use of a miniscule robot that will change brain surgery forever and allow formerly inoperable tumors to be excised.

To ensure Jessie's co-operation and to force her to use the untested robot to remove his tumor, Malloche literally holds all of Boston hostage, threatening patients in the hospital and the entire city with the release of a deadly toxin into the air.

Of course, in light of what happened here on September 11th, the threats in this book, seemed mild in comparison. Nevertheless, physician-writer Palmer manages to imbue his stories with enough legitimate medical lore to make them fairly believable.

This is the second book of Michael Palmer's that I have read and really loved it. The story centers around Dr. Jessie Copeland, a neurosurgeon who has helped develop a robot that can assist in brain surgeries. She is sought out by a villanous killer, Claude Malloche, who discovers he has a brain tumor and needs the best surgeon possible to operate on him. Malloche has been pursued for 5 years by a CIA agent named Alex, who would like nothing more than to see him dead. Posing as a security guard at the Boston hospital, Alex is on to Malloche's plan for surgery. The story becomes very exciting as the hospital is sealed off by Malloche's followers who have the go ahead to release a deadly gas if his surgery is not succesful. With all of this on Jessie's mind she has to perform delicate brain surgery using the robot ARTIE, which isn't quite ready to be used on living patients. Of course there is some romance tied in as Jessie is attracted to Alex, and added to the suspense it makes for a real good read. I will be looking for the other books by Michael Palmer soon.

This electrifying medical thriller is brilliantly written and doesn't let up until the final page. Michael Palmer combines cutting-edge medical technology with international intrigue and throws in a side order of blind ambition to create a fascinating and suspense filled tale.

This is probably the best medical thriller I've ever read. The technology was plausible and the scientific explanations seemed well informed. The characters are interesting and well developed. Dr. Carl Gilbride's insatiable egomania as head of the Eastern Mass Medical Center puts patients at risk by pushing the use of the ARTIE technology before it is ready. His imprudence and haughtiness makes it that much easier to love Dr. Jesse Copeland, his dedicated protégée who is far more accomplished as a brain surgeon than her boss is. International terrorist Claude Malloche and his wife are ruthless and wicked beyond description; heightening the uncertainty as to the mayhem they will wreak to further their desperate ends.

The plot twists, turns and races at breakneck speed against an incessantly ticking clock providing a white-knuckle ride and unbearable suspense. I rate this book a 10/10. It has been a long time since I have been so engrossed in a story. Don't plan to get much sleep until you finish it.

This reference has more or less picked up the torch from the late lamented "Baseball Encyclopedia," and is indispensible for serious fans (and probably casual ones as well).

Included in the hefty (nearly 2,000 pages) volume is everything you'd expect (player stats, franchise histories, postseason results) and a number of things you might not (Curt Smith's wonderful roster of radio/TV announcers, for instance). It's perfect for whiling away the hours on rainy Sunday afternoons, and invaluable for settling arguments or answering trivia questions.

It would be nice if the next edition included a few more historical essays such as those found in its NFL counterpart, "Total Football II." That's a minor quibble, however, and perhaps impractical considering the voluminous size of the current book. All in all, this is a must-buy for baseball lovers.

Total Baseball is definitely a must for every baseball fan, from hardcore to casual. And it can be a gateway for many who haven't enjoyed the blessings of this beautiful game. There's everything you need to know: from team histories, great essays on the Negro Leagues. There's stuff for the stat nut as well: from sabermetrics to a handy guide on how to score a game, some insights on Women and Baseball, and of course, the hefty, precise and so accurate register of every player in Major League history. There's even a chapter on International Baseball results, that suprisingly, does NOT include the champions of the Venezuelan League, and does have the Dominican and Mexican team champions. Anyway, all in all, if you love baseball or simply you want to understand baseball, this book is for you.

Total Baseball is to baseball what the Beatles' songbook is to rock n' roll music, with authors Thorn and Palmer the Lennon-McCartney of baseball composers. It is a work of mind-numbing thoroughness, the baseball reference to end all references. The prose section includes the story of baseball from every region of the world. Also included are "The True Father of Baseball" and a lively new section of quotes. There are dozens of other sections, including the complete voting for every MVP award ever bestowed and diagrams -- including fence distances -- of every Major League park ever played in. Want to find out the Brooklyn Dodgers total attendance the year before they left for Los Angeles or the attendance of any other team in a any other season? It's in here. The register includes complete records of the nearly 15,000 men who have ever tied on spikes. The statistical derivations, including algorithms, are the standards and most ambitious ever done. For the rue fan, this is it: nearly 2,700 pages of baseball bliss.