This is a fascinating and disturbing tale that illustrates just how hard it is to convict somebody who has a lot of money and power. Cullen Davis, warped little rich boy dominated by his incredibly wealthy and megalomanic father, grows up to inherit most of the fortune and position. What does he do with it? He chases sex kitten type women, showers them with lavish gifts, and abuses them.

Naifeh and Smith raise the true crime genre to something close to literature here. We have the usual litany of sickies and psychopaths, the usual police incompetence, prosecutors who can't prosecute, etc. The "final justice" in the title is somewhat ironic since multimillionaire Cullen Davis is never found guilty of any of his crimes, the worst of which was the cold-blooded murder of his wife's 12-year-old daughter; the least of which, perhaps the killing of her kitten. The juries in Texas just would not convict him (although they have put a number of poor people on death row). Instead they admired him for his money, stupidly since he just inherited it. And before the book is over, he blows most of it.

We get a terrible sense here that people with riches in positions of power really can get away with murder. People look up to them regardless of their crimes. It helps us to understand how murderers like Sadaam Hussein and what's his name in Yugoslavia continue in power. It's not just that people are afraid of them, they look up to them and find ways to excuse their crimes. This is the human tribal mind at work: better our corrupt and evil leader than theirs, and better a corrupt and evil leader than no leader at all. The women in this one come off as particularly subject to manipulation by power and money, although that was not necessarily the authors' intent. They wanted to show just what a sick, sick man Cullen Davis is, and they succeed in that. But incidentally they revealed the women around him, especially his gold-digging wives, as sad, sad creatures who would be abused and wallow in it for the sake of being close to all that money and power and maybe getting a little of it. One has the sense that they couldn't help themselves.

This is a good read that will rouse your sense of indignation.

it actually happened!!!

Don't look at the facts. Facts are **BAD***!! Let's attack the victims and divert attention away from what the case was all about...the murder of a twelve year old girl and a family aquaintance.

OJ's "Dream Team" (what a joke) must've used this case as a template for OJ's defense, because the similarities are eerie.

Highly recommended.

This book is really, the most precise account of the murders and trials. Some of the other books on the murder trials of Mr. Davis are very goddy and don't focus on the facts of the case. I really think that Mr. Naifeh did an excellent job with the content and details of this novel.I hope that people will not simply judge a case or story by one book, and know that you must have a numerous amount of facts and reality before you try to judge someone or something.

I am in the process of reading this book. I just finished reading Chapter 3, A Doctor Is a Doctor Is . . . The information in this chapter is extremely important. It applies to all technical fields.

Phenomenal and uplifting. That's how I would describe Smith's book. I purchased this book because I was diagnosed with a brain tumor last year, at age 22. A craniotomy and a long recovery behind me, I'm still left with part of the tumor, seizures, and daily medication. Smith's book not only led me through what he was going through physically and emotionally, so that I did not feel so alone, but it showed the other side: hope. Through many personal stories of people who had diseases ranging from emphysema to AIDS, amyloidosis to stroke, Smith shows the strength and power that hope, positive thinking, and an attitude of "I'm not giving up!" has had on these fighters. This book made me see that no matter how bad I think things are for me, someone is going through worse, but with a better attitude! Everybody knows someone suffering from a chronic disease. I recommend this book for sufferers and their families. Not only helpful emotionally, it is helpful practically, in showing that getting that second, or third, or fourth opinion may make the difference between not only horrible aftereffects of a surgery, but life and death. Most of all, this book leaves its readers with the message of "Don't give up!" I know I won't.

This book should be required reading in High ?School...it let's the reader know how and when to use healthcare options, and how important it is to control one's healthe care and destiny.

I read this book when it first was published.
This book made me want to see the new movie!
I balked at it's cost but it is the best biography I have ever read.
It is well researched and written.
Things from the book at linger in my memory after all this time?
His hell raising at the Canal Bar,dealing with Peggy Guggenheim, his death and the strange notion that he claimed he would supposedly "know" when a woman had her period.

Read this book, I'm going to again!

Excellent index and thorough, chronological coverage of events in the life of this important American artist.

It is a huge book but moves fairly quickly, since Pollock's life was really very interesting. Any art history student studying Pollock and the New York abstract expressionist movement will find plenty of insight here. Includes wonderful collection of black and white photos from all phases of the man's life.

Pollock had a tough time dealing with the fame and notoriety foisted upon him as a genius of the New York school, and for many years Pollock has often been dismissed as the phony he himself feared he was. It certainly is refreshing to see Pollock as a whole man (talented, wise, adventurous, flawed, tenacious, alcoholic), not just as an overrated art star. (The recent Kurt Varnadoe book on his art is also excellent in this way). Self doubting artists may find some degree of comfort in this book, actually.

Detailed, unbiased writing. One of the best artist biographies I've ever read.

This is a well researched and written biography. Pollock was alcoholic, abusive and not someone I would have wanted to know. He hurt the woman he loved- or at least loved him. This biography travels through the world of art and money as well as the bowels of self-hatred and Hell. Was he an artist or just lucky (drip painting)? Do some brilliant moments in creativity justify such abuse toward others? Was his confusion about his sexual identity at the core of his artistic and abusive self? This biography goes into the psychological and creative mind and life of an extremely complex though not so interesting individual. Given the right circumstances just about anyone can appear interesting and brilliant. Good connections and lucky breaks can pave the way to painting a brilliant illusion. Maybe that was his greatest masterpiece. With that all said, the biography is brilliant, and that's no illusion. One of the most insightful reads on the art world during the middle of the twentieth century. You'll read about famous people, and find a new and enlightening perspective of how it evolved and the stuff it was made of. Highly enjoyable and recommended!

"On A Street Called Easy, in a Cottage called Joye" is an easy and entertaining read, with short chapters perfect for the ride on the subway, or a break between tasks. A close parallel to "A Year In Provence", which is referenced by the authors, the story is essentially a humorous take on the gentry's lament "you can't get good help these days", but the biggest difference is that while "A Year..." is heavily slanted towards food, "A Street..." is almost entirely about the travails of renovating a wreck. It is after all, set in the deep (if it ain't fried, it ain't cooked)south, this is NOT Provence.
The "true" story follows its two, pullitzer prize winning authors as they leave their dark, viewless, Manhattan condo and set out for Aiken, S.C., where they've bought(for quite a bit less than the original million+ asking price) a sixty room mansion built in 1897 by WC Whitney, as the gilded age began to flicker to a close. Through neglect, the house is an absolute mess. The crew hired to bring it back to its glory is pretty much a mess as well. From the holdover-joint-toking hippie that makes off with the only, working-order copper piping to sell for scrap, to the tile man who wants to be paid for time he'd requested to hang out (doing nothing)while the tile arrived, to the maid who spends all day dusting 3 rooms, only to be discovered sleeping whenever the bosses are away. You can't leave this crew a for a second, as they discover towards the end, in a scene that will leave wine lovers heart broken. The problem is, as with "A year in Provence", the owners seem to have a bottomless pocketbook, and always seem to have a check to write to cover whatever goes wrong. And EVERYTHING goes wrong. This eventually takes away from the believability, especially when combined with the patience of Job that the two men seem to display, endlessly, towards what are essentially ne'er do wells and lowlifes posing as contractors. Ah, well. You do learn a bit about the Whitneys, the house in its better days, Aiken in its better days, and the more recent days. All in all a worthwhile read.

Can you begin to imagine two authors of brutal true crime stories, undertaking a project such as remodeling an old 60 room mansion? And can you believe their moving from their home in Manhatten to Aiken, SC? They write of their trials and tribulations, in such a manner, you wipe tears of joy and tears of frustration and sorrow for them. And all the time the reconstruction and renovations are taking place, they are constantly meeting friends and neighbors; while they are trying to hire someone for this project or that project. You celebrate with them over each accomplishment. By the time they finish the renovations, you can 'hear' the music filtering through the wing of the home where all of the parties will be held. Such excitement in the air. I am fortunate enough to live close to this location and took a trip over and found Joye Cottage! Absolutely breathtaking.... wish I could tour the inside.

I was given the BOOK version of this several years ago by a dear friend and honestly, I have read and re-read this book several times. The first time that I got it, I actually read it out loud to my husband while we were working on our own version of "Joy Cottage." We both roared with laughter!

Having moved to the South from the West Coast, I understood totally what Mr. White-Smith encountered! From Irish Travelers to the local restaurant that produces vegetables that have had every last trace of nutritional content boiled out of them, collard greens, fat back and fat light (it is vital that you know the difference: one is used to light fires and one is put in with your collards!),pepper sauce, sweet tea (cavities be damned!) to Moon Pies, Krispy Kremes, speech from people that you swear aren't speaking English, painters that can't paint, roofers that drink way too much, Nandina, Magnolias and Smilack at Christmas (I hope that I spelling the last one correctly!) and on and on and on. If you live in the South (especially if you are a transplant) and most especially if you live in or have redone an old house, this is the book for you!

As I said, I have re-read this book several times and I still find myself laughing hysterically. It is a great book that I am terribly sorry is out of print. Until it comes back into its second printing, the audio version will suffice. I wish they would do a "Part II" version...

A MUST read!

Although much of the material in this book hasn't changed since the book was written, many of it has. The reader must skillfully distinguish what was good advice for the '80s and what will not work today. The general overview on sexual techniques is well-written and applicable but does not go into as much detail to actually succeed in the tasks. This is another one of those books that says "all you have to do is this" without really telling you how to do it but is a good start at knowing what other topics you may need to find other books in specific subject areas about.

Michael Morgenstern has written a valuable book here for males whose experiences of sex have not hitherto involved women but now want them to. My only quibble is that this might be a niche market.

I love this book. It is the best book on how to fish in the dating pond. I read it. Used the techniques and had three dates in four days. His methods are sound and yes they work. Your mate will be sexy and desire you more than she did before you read this book. Love By Leo Buscaglia is also excellent.

I was a young girl living in Ogden, Utah when these murders occurred. I read this book shortly after its publication, and found it very enlightening and true to form. It was a terrifying mystery when the events occurred, and the media never fully explained the behind-the-scenes facts surrounding the bombings. I feel this book was very objective about the Mormon religeon and its reaction to the events surrounding the bombings and forgeries. The book is a fascinating account of the greed and murders, and anyone remembering the events will find this an eye-opener. For those who aren't familiar with the history, it's a wonderfully written, insightful book that you'll find difficult to put down.

A friend who had picked this book up (used) but hadn't read it gave it to me. After I read it I told him about it--and he wanted it back!

I won't recap the other reviews (so do check them out at this site. Suffice it to say that immediately after reading it I went on line to do some research and was told by several "recovering Mormons" (their term) that it was entirely accurate and, if anything, understated the power and goals of the LDS church.

Mormons have a reputation as having both the best morals and weirdest beliefs of any "Christian" sect. Discounting the high rate of suicide and divorce in Utah, Mormon beliefs are based on Joseph Smith's wild (delusional to be charitable) claims of golden plates, magic glasses, heavenly babies, Egyptian writing in New York (???) and other such oddities. Despite the fact that the Book of Mormons has undergone literally thousands of edits (its prophecy and history are bogus) it is still revered as the WORD by the faithful.

This book presents an excellent look at the cutthroat politics of Mormonism, the fear of undisclosed revelations and the lengths to which the church will go to keep such revelations from being brought to light. The loss of faith by a Mormon missionary set in motion a chain of events that culminated in the taking of human life. What is particularly sad is that all this evil was so unnecessary.

The fear here is that newly discovered documents showed Smith as a charlatan and the Book of Mormons as phony. Belief systems by necessity ignore scientific and historical evidence contrary to their teachings. DNA demonstrates that Indians are of Asian - not Jewish - origins. Archeologists have never found a scintilla of evidence of advanced Indian civilizations. Anthropologists have dismissed stories of writing, libraries and exotic animals as sheer fantasy. If these finding have not bothered the Faithful why did church leaders think a few old papers would be any different?

This is an engrossing mystery and its setting makes it all the more enticing. The research was stunning, particularly the disclosures into the ins and outs of church life. Buy a copy today.

I have read almost every true crime book available but never have I felt the sadness I felt when i read this book.Every mother who has a son should read this book.Like Gerry Starrett if my son did what Danny did I would find it impossible to believe. I found the book very interesting in that it focused mainly on Danny, his family and their feelings. Of course one would find it almost impossible to imagine the depth of horror and grief felt by the victims and their families but the author has given the book a unique feel by focusing on the "bad guys" feelings. Perhaps the most meaningful and saddest part of the whole very sorry story of Danny Starrett was when his parents Richard and Gerry went to the movies and mistakenly went to a blow em up shoot em dead action film.Richards words filled me with a fear that as a mother will always be with me. He said to his wife that the bad guys always gets blown away in movies but nobody ever stops to think about the parents behind the bad guy,how they loved him and thought they did everything right.Richard said maybe the parents didnt understand why their son became a bad guy but think of the agony they will go through when they find out the good guy killed their son, the son they love, their pride and joy, their son who will always be the bad guy,when they always believed like almost every parent, hey, my son's the good guy. That must be an almost unbearable cross to bear. Their son,forever the bad guy.

I will had gave this book 5 stars but the end of it is odd and too mysterious. What really happen to Jeannie, did Danny Starrett killed her or she kill herself??? He was suppose to be hypnotise to know what really happen with Jeannie but we don't hear of it in the book. That so true what the father of Danny said, "We don't want to know that the killer and abuser have a family who care for him, we don't want to know his pain, we want to shut our eyes from that and beleive he just evil it more simple.", but life it not like that. The mind is odd and can make you do strange thing but still why Danny Starrett could not control himself, he said another part of him "HE" did it not "HIM", well that kind of a personality disorder, we all had mood swings, and lot of criminals can said they have a HE/SHE who did their crime. I am sure he really beleived himself when he said he have another one who live inside of him but still that very unbeleivebale. When you saw the pictures of the young Danny Starrett you can't imagine he become a criminal, he look so sweet and angelic and seem such a nice kid when his mother discribed him, it hard to not feel what she feel. This book was a very powerful book, very disturbing also because that put you in the shoes of the criminal and his family and you sure wish to not have a member of your family who become that way. This book is one of the best true crime book I had read but like I said the end is weird and Danny seem to be pretty mess up and disturbed when he start to talk about controlling time to get Jeannie back, I guess too much time thinking in prison really mess up your mind, well it sure not a place to get peace of mind!

This was a very sad book, you got the view of the family of the criminal in this book, how they feel about the crime of their son. It's very sad and odd, why Danny Starrett had become like that when he had a loving family??? When his mother talked about how he was when he was a kid and we see his baby and kid picutures you think how a little boy who look so nice and sweet can become like that? It's was very well wrote and a very powerful book.