I disagree with John Kerr's review that said he'd take the opinion of the mother over the daughter. Why choose which one is correct? It's likely both viewpoints are accurate as a mother and daughter would naturally have different perspectives of the man.

I thought it was a great read showing a different side of John Wayne. She seems honest and sympathetic towards her father. The writing itself could have been better, otherwise I would have given the book a 5.

Having gone to school with Aissa, I always found her to be sensitive, kind and consistently honest to the point of self-deprecation. This book only confirms to me, what I had long suspected, that these qualities were a beautiful reflection of her father.

Although Steve Delsohn's writing reads more like a 3rd draft and he doesn't seem to find his rhythm until half way through the book, I think Aissa's voice still effectively comes through quite well.

This is not a book for those who "lived near back lots" and only want sun-baked warrior/actor stories about the 'image' they know from the screen.

This book is an amazingly honest and intimate narrative seen through Aissa's eyes and feelings. She takes great care not to denigrate or hurt anyone except herself. I suppose after reading this book and all the intimate emotions she shares, I would now have to add one more accolade to Aissa's character, and that would be "Courageous".

This book reached me.

With so many "tell-all" books out there about John Wayne, this one showed me the more vulnerable, real side of the man, as seen by his own daughter.

Aissa Wayne's candor was so refreshing, and it opened my eyes to a more human side of the strong man we all know as the "American Legend."

I've read other books about the Duke including the one by Pilar Wayne. While Pilar's book was nicely done, I appreciated Aissa's perspective very much, and I would recommend this book to everyone.

I have given "John Wayne, My Father" as a gift a few times, and it was very well received.

This book is so poorly written I stopped reading it after the first 80 pages or so. Some background information provided at the beginning is interesting, but the book failed to hold my interest--a remarkable feat, given how fascinating a man Sam Houston is. A much better biography is Sword of San Jacinto, by Marshall de Bruhl.

I'm not sure if the first reviewer read the same book that I did. As a doctoral student in history, I have read many history books and must defend Williams's book as SUPERBLY written and carefully researched; Williams obviously wrote this book for a larger audience. Such an excellent combination of readability and academic rigor is the envy of every serious historian.

I highly recommend this biography for the causal reader and the serious scholar, which certainly ranks among the best bios of Sam Houston to date.

I'm not sure if the first reviewer read the same book that I did. As a doctoral student in history, I have read many history books and must say this was a SUPERBLY written and researched account. Williams's prose is highly accessible to the average reader, while meeting the rigors of serious academic work. An excellent book for the casual reader and scholar alike.

If you're in business or thinking of owning a business (big or small) consider Trumped! This book is a good learning tool for keeping your ego in check and dollars in the bank. Trumped! takes the reader on an endless roller coaster ride into The Donald's doings, and how his huge ego and whacked business deals finally led him to his undoing. The book reveals that a large part of Trump's downfall was the death of his three lead guys, but it's ultimately The Donald's own irresponsibility that was driving the train wreck to financial failure. Trumped! is an excellent venture into the mind of an irrational, ego-driven tyrant. As far as a business book is concerned, I think it serves as a reminder to all those present or future business owners to keep a sharp eye on the books, and a big heart open for all the people who make their business a success. At times Trumped! reads like a soap opera. But the book seems to maintain an even balance between the surreal world of Donald's many romances and the cold hard numbers that make or break financial success. END

This was a well written book by someone with inside knowledge of the Trump organization. The reader learns a lot about Trump's personal life and the inner workings of the casino industry. Highly recommended.

Mr. Riches writes an essay on the Bible that I think presumes you have at least a basic familiarity with the bible. Those that do not will struggle at various points particularly if their history of the Middle East or the world is limited. Mr. Riches discusses the development of both the old and New Testaments, who wrote them, when and for what purpose. He notes that the bible was virtually a written guide for the sharing of community values. He notes that while the new testament concentrates on Christ and his meanings the old concentrates on Abraham while discussing the effects both had on their cultures. The former looks to the defeat of their oppressors while the latter looks to a return to Israel. The book also covers the effect the bible has had on modern culture, the bad such as exploitation of the Indians of South America because of their alleged inferiority and the good where Desmond Tutu utilizes the teachings of the bible to communicate to the Afrikaners that black Africans deserve to be treated as men, equals. Not a simple book, its challenging and a little too brief about the origins of the bible which I think is the most fascinating part of the book. But the again, it's a brief introduction.

John Sawyer left no stone unturned in this diffinitive work on the life of Rich Vogler. He captures the driven nature of Vogler's life and search for open wheel excellence. He successfully probes the aloof side of Vogler that so often left his fans and fellow competitors feeling estranged and mystefied. Vogler did special things in a race car, Sawyer has done special things with his pen. (And yes, the pictures alone are worth the price of the book - there are lots of good ones.) Whether you were a Vogler fan or are just an open wheel racing fan, this is a book you don't want to miss.

As stated in the preface of War and Society in the Roman World, "'There is and has been a powerful reluctance among historians to discuss ancient warfare and its consequences with a steady eye'" (ix). What this book hopes to examine is the relationship between war and society. The focus is on how this relationship changes from the Roman conquest of Italy through the Republic, and consequently the Principate and the late Roman Empire. John Rich offers a brief historiography in his preface regarding discussions, lectures and literature on war and society in the ancient world. This book is very useful to the student of Roman studies for it examines different facets of Roman history from its earliest settlement times to the end of its Empire. While it is not a complete chronological history of the relationship between war and society in the Roman world, it is a well organized and well written collection of essays from very knowledgeable writers. In addition, there is extensive bibliographic information at the end of each essay which always helps aspiring Classics students better prepare their own scholarly studies.

Author Hersh has done a good job of presenting an objective thesis. During the Camelot years, the public was fed a bill of goods. The mythical Camelot of musical fame had a mythical counterpart during the JFK administration. This book covers the president's position on issues and, unfortunately some of the more questionable decisions he made regarding his private life.

Robert Kennedy, on the other hand was the man who worked behind the scenes. From all accounts, the young lawyer and later Attorney General sublimated his own interests, needs and identity so as to push his brother forward. Robert Kennedy was the clean up man, the one who from many accounts shielded his brother to the best of his ability.

When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, people mourned the loss of Camelot. Sadly, what I think people during that era were really mourning was the loss of the illusion of the "picture perfect" White House world.

Robert Kennedy literally came into his own following his brother's tragic death and, it is he who inadvertently "left the lights on" in Camelot. He was the man who, in his own inimitable fashion exposed the myth of Camelot to the light of day during the LBJ White House years. It was Robert Kennedy who actively campaigned for Civil Rights issues and who, along with Johnson (interestingly, these men were at sword's points) forced the world at large to confront some harsh societal ills that the illusion of Camelot omitted.

Seymour Hersh, one of America's most respected journalists, and a Pulitzer Prize winner, does his homework here in exposing the Kennedy presidency. He carefully researches and documents the exploits of JFK and the Kennedy family, from the numerous sexual conquests (JFK makes Bill Clinton look like a boy scout) to Kennedy's political errors, including the failed assassination of Fidel Castro, the Bay of Pigs, the October missle crisis, and the Kennedy family's involvement with organized crime. Kennedy lovers won't like it, but everything is carefully footnoted and documented. A well written book and highly recommended.

As a child of the 60's, I grew up adoring the Kennedy family and like millions of others, wept when JFK died and Camelot was shattered. Life went on and we kept our fond memories close to our hearts. Then came Seymour M. Hersh. THE DARK SIDE OF CAMELOT is a perfect title for this book. It is very well written and most certainly is a "page turner" investigation of the Kennedy's before and during John's presidency. JFK was charming, charismatic, rich and the most powerful man in the free world. That is a deadly combination - especially when the press (unlike today) turn their backs or do not report everything they see and hear. Mr. Hersh has written a book that exposes the warts and moles of the Kennedy clan without bashing. He simply presents the information as it was told to him by the people who were there. It's been a long time, we've all grown up and it's time to see how it really was. Does the book change my feelings about Camelot? Not in the least, and I don't believe that was Mr. Hersh's intent. It's just history.

John Glatt pens a more truthful version of "The Royals," with less favoritism and more fact. Admittedly this isn't the British royal family (who have provided us with entertainment for many years) but a lesser-known (and no less juicy) dynasty, the Grimaldi's of Monaco.

Monaco first came to attention when Prince Rainier married the film star Grace Kelly, who brought glamor and modernity to the teeny little country. Grace's past -- involving multiple love affairs -- was swept out of sight as she ascended to the glamorous -- and severely stress-inducing -- position of princess, wife and mother. Rarely happy in her long and paparazzi-studded marriage, she nevertheless gave it her darndest and died tragically and suddenly when she was starting to find fulfillment again.

The book shifts focus after Grace's death in a car accident, to her three *ahem* spirited children: Caroline, who married one playboy after another, got pregnant out of wedlock, and once burst out of her top at a club, then had to shift into the social position that her mother left vacant. Albert, a playboy himself, who played around with one woman after another but wouldn't make even a vestige of commitment--even to one ex-girlfriend who had his baby, Tamara Rotolo. Stephanie, who shocked Monaco with her wild antics, drug use, explicit singing career and wild modelling career, bodyguard live-in boyfriend, and humiliating divorce after marrying said boyfriend.

Sound like a tabloid? Well, that's a royal family for you. Fortunately, Glatt doesn't speculate on the inner thoughts of the Grimaldi family (said to be under a curse from a witch raped by a Grimaldi) but allows their actions to speak alone. His writing style is pleasant to read, and gives us insights that other biographers apparently didn't get. I especially enjoyed the interviews with Cassini (Grace's ex-fiancee) Robyns who wrote a steamy biography but edited it at Grace's request, excerpts from members of the Grimaldi family, and from people who knew/know them.

This is hardly flawless. He describes Grace as a devout/militant Catholic, yet chronicles love affairs (with men married and single), an abortion, astrology beliefs, etc. Sorry, these are not the actions of a "militant" Catholic, though admittedly it is possible that she confessed these to a priest (something we will never know). He does occasionally linger on stuff that is more than we want to know, but it does give us a good look at the Grimaldis.

Stephanie, Caroline and Albert have already been in the spotlight, tabloidwise, so I suppose Glatt felt that there was no real reason to sugarcoat things. Rainier gets away the easiest, for though he was unfaithful to Grace during their marriage, very little space is given to it (as compared to Albert's girlfriends, Stephanie's partying days, etc).

In recent years the Grimaldis seem to have calmed down, but this book is nevertheless a heckuva read. If you liked the Royals but didn't like the made-up parts, try this book on for size.

For those who feel the Brits have the dysfunctional royal family from hell, this book about the Grimaldis of Monaco will be an eye-opener. It covers Grace's marriage to Rainier--an unhappy sham of a marriage contrived to boost Monaco's economy, ending with Grace's tragic death due to a stroke while driving. Roughly half of the book covers the three troubled children, Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie, who are, to put it politely, a handful. We follow the two daughters through their teenage rebellions, out-of-wedlock pregnancies, troubled marriages, and (in Stephanie's case) drug problem; one cannot help but sympathize with their troubled parents and the heartbreak they've experienced watching their daughters destroy their lives. The sole son, Albert, is the most responsible of the three siblings, but even he is still 'sowing wild oats' at an age when he should be thinking about creating an heir to the throne. It's a gossipy sort of book--not an academic tome--but readers with some familiarity with Princess Grace will be fascinated.

I've long been intrigued by the Grimaldis of Monaco and trying to seperate fact from fiction. Therefore I was delighted to read about a new book on the subject and expected the usual fluff and conjecture that passes for many biographies.After buying the Royal House of Monaco I sat down and found I could not put it down.Glatt's in-depth study of Monaco after the death of Princess Grace gives a new insight into the principality and made me see for the first time the immeasurable effect the American film star had.The book is written clearly and consisely and really gives the reader a picture of Rainier and his children that scrapes away the tabloid headlines. I would recommend this book for anyone interested in the real story of fairytale Monaco and Glatt must have hit a real nerve as I read that the Grimaldis unsuccessfully tried to stop its publication in the U.S.

The choice of this author to take his unedited preliminary notes started for a contemplated book project and publish them as a finished product is unfortunate.

To suggest this apparently random collection of third-party unverified information has anything to do with a supposed "Torment" of Buddy Rich is silly.

Whatever this document may be, it is not a completed work of any kind and certainly would never be published by any other than this author's vanity press.

For those of us blessed to take unconstrained joy from the life and music Buddy Rich poured, these dregs must be tasted. But for those sane in this life, stay away.

WEO

Books about musicians can never tell the story that the musician tells through music, especially in Jazz. I enjoyed the book, even though it's a bit rough around the edges, but I always enjoy books about Jazz masters. Worlds Greatest Drummer? Buddy was a great one but not the greatest. Just listen to a recording from the late 1950's, Rich vs. Roach, where Max Roach just blows him away head to head. That said, I love Buddy's work. His solo on The Monster with the JATP group is amazing. Buddy was a Real Character and one of the most popular guests ever on the old Carson Tonight Show.
I went to a concert with his big band of the late 'Seventies at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. It was a two show gig and Buddy found out the Guthrie had somehow managed to sell tickets to only one show. What does Buddy do? He invited the crowd to stay on, had an intermission and then played a completely different second set! I could swear the band never knew what tune he was going to call next. That was one of the most disciplined big bands I have ever heard. Maybe not the Worlds Greatest Drummer but for sure one of the Worlds Greatest Shows.

Terrific book about an exceptional talent! Don't know what the other reviewer is complaining about. I paid full price and don't regret it. (That's about eighteen bucks, with shipping.)
If you like Buddy's kind of music, you'll appreciate the book. In addition: you get plenty of insight into the man, what for me, was an added bonus: Buddy's devotion to friends and good-hearted nature (ie: the passage with Johnny Carson, Count Bassie, et al). Granted, he wasn't always the easiest guy to get along with, but what matters most is that he had a good heart, loved music and those who had the same love and dedication for it as he did. Reading the book made me want to take the albums out and play them, etc.

While I'm at it here, have wanted to express for years now how impressed I was with his daughter Cathy's version of the Sonny Bono tune entitled THE BEAT GOES ON. She does a terririfc cover of it on Buddy's Big Swing Face album recorded years ago. Cathy was only 12 and 1/2, mind you, at the time, and showed great promise in my opinion, and have wondered why she never pursued a singing career, etc.

There is so much more I could say about this book, but it would take too long. You get a good glimpse into what life must have been like for Buddy and his family in this country during the 30's and 40's, etc., (through various interviews with family members), what it was like for him as a gifted kid at age 3 to be traveling the world as "Traps the Drum Wonder," all that.

The only thing that bothered me (and this is a relatively minor objection, if you can even call it that) is the awful photo of Buddy Rich used for the cover, as someone else mentioned as well. I mean, couldn't they have found something more flattering? I think the legendary Buddy Rich deserves better.

All in all: nice job, Mr. Minahan. Thank you.

I agree with much of the existing criticism: Yes there is nothing new here regarding JJFK jr and the Kennedys in general and yes, its more about Mr. Blow than JFK Jr.... I guess that's exactly what I liked about the book. It's a slice-- no, a sliver of perception that reveals much about Richard Blow's experience of working with a celebrity.

That many critics have rejected the book because "we've learned nothing new", or "that we've learned more about Richard Blow than JFK Jr" to me is to me is this books greatest selling point.

I don't want to know JFK Jr. as much as I am interested in the people who worked with him, lived with him and had to make decisions in spite of him.

I like that Blow emphasizes his job and the environment of GEORGE more than some sordid details of the Kennedy clan that sells books. I like that he sticks to what he knows.

Blow is very up front from the beginning that this is a book about his experience working at George. He never tries to own any information that is not in his perspective --which of course will make this book light weight to media hounds who want gory details --he simply reflects on his life as a GEORGE editor, who is both a human and an employee of a magazine that is run by an American Icon. I commend him for coming out and saying what his experience was.

Had a woman written this book, I doubt she would have been leveled by the critics as Blow has been. It might have read as a great "expose" of a woman who had beaten the odds (i.e. kept her job in spite of his celebrity.) But because Blow exposes his own "privileged" background, many think he is fair slaughter.

I want to Thank RB for delivering the light, rather than keeping it hidden under a bushel. I've learned something and I appreciate it.

Maria

I thought the idea of a book about John Kennedy, Jr.'s tenure at George magazine was a good one. Instead of a slick and glossy tome about "America's Prince" or "The Most Beautiful Man in America," his former associate, Richard Blow, has fashioned a interesting account of the beginnings and ultimate ending of a man's search for identity and purpose.
That JFK, Jr. was able to put together a political magazine as he saw that world, does indeed make for fascinating reading. The inner workings, in-fighting and eventual ending of a publishing phenomenom is a nice change from the usual tabloid fare that we are used to seeing about members of the prolific Kennedy family.

I had a [money] gift card for [local store] that I have held onto since February so that I could get this book at a lesser price; regardless, it's worth every penny of the regular cost! Richard Blow gives us an engaging and lively perspective about John Kennedy Jr. that gave me a "right there as it happened" vibe throughout every page. It could almost pass as a novel, let's put it that way. As I read, I could really feel a sense of what John was going through; the ups and downs, the pressure of being a Kennedy, starting a new magazine, and a year later, a new marriage. I saw the author interviewed with Barbara Walters, and he really came off like a warm and honest person, not out to make a killing off of the Kennedy legacy or bad mouth his former boss with gossip and negative allegations. He, like me and I'm sure alot of others, seems to genuinely miss John Jr., and for good reason. He expressed this candidly in his interview and in his book. While Christopher Anderson's "The Day John Died" is an excellent read, and is definitely worth purchasing, this book struck a bit more personal, and sadder note with me. John Kennedy Jr. bore his legacy quite well, and in an age where celebrities are big on lacking poise, manners and modesty, John rose above everyone else. He is sorely missed, and I hope that anyone who decides to read this book will come away with a sense of wanting to remember John as a good man who tried his best to create a vision for himself and his magazine for the better of this country. This was truly John's gift to us. One last note of importance. The book does a tremendous job in showing you what goes on in the magazine business, and how difficult it must have been to start one up like George, which was way ahead of it's time in terms of layout, editing, the writers, etc. I am thouroughly impressed with every aspect of this book. Eloquent, classy, honest and passionate.....just like John. Get it today!