This is collection of short stories that offers a wide mix of speculative genres. Fantasy, SF, horror, and just plain weird. The stories run the gambit and most are good. "Jeo Defined" and "Moon Warrior" were excellent stories and well worth purchasing the book. Even just the so-so stories were enjoyable and all the authors are names to keep a look out for. In the end, this is a book of up and coming writers and a few of them will no doubt be big names someday.

I didn't know what to expect from this collection of short stories but I was happily surprised. The stories cover a wide range from fantasy, science fiction, and horror to those hard to classify strange stories. Each one is worth reading. My favorites were the one about a radio personality who was singing the Siren's song and the one about a criminal who is forced to undergo "augmentation" to control him. Some wild stuff for a great read.

Wow - what a fascinating thriller! Our good friend Alan is caught in the middle of an incredibly complex web of a who-done-it. He is called to the hospital on yet another of his consultations (who pays for these anyhow?), where he begins treating a teenage girl who refuses to speak. We soon learn that the girl is the daughter of a local news anchor, and the sister of a critically ill child who has received a lot of publicity because the HMO has refused to cover the girl's treatment costs. When the head of the HMO turns up dead, all fingers point to Alan's patient. But did she do it, or did any one of half-a-dozen other suspects, all of whom are interrelated and have their own motives, commit the murder? We won't know until the end, when Alan finds himself on an incredible journey through the Denver international airport ... luggage system! This book is hard to put down, and a very enjoyable read. There are a lot of characters, but they become familiar quickly, and they are not hard to keep mentally separated.

This is the first book I've read out of the Alan Gregory series and I fell in love with it. I have read many many books but not too many mystery/suspense books. After reading this book I plan on reading the rest of his series plus other mystery books. I read this whole book in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. Like other reviews READ THE BOOKS IN ORDER. I have now read 2 other books out of this series and reading the series in order will be most enjoyable! READ THIS BOOK. It will blow your mind.

Stephen White's novel "Critical Conditions" is a fast paced, quick read attention grabber from the begining. The plot takes a quick start and keeps you interesetd the enitre book. If you like medical mysterys with a twist, you will love this book.

If you buy this book thinking that it is "an Alan Gregory novel" then you are in for a big disappointment. Not only does Alan Gregory play a very minor role in the book but this isn't the Alan Gregory we know from past novels. Not only does Stephen White make Alan's role a minor one but he writes the Gregory character like he doesn't even know him. For instance, Alan receives an emergency phone call from the protagonist who is in the Witness Security Program and his wife asks him if he should call Sam and have a patrol car sent by her apartment. Alan says "he'll think about it" and then just goes to bed. Is this the same man who has with Sam's help solved multiple murders? Until the very end of the book, if you aren't already familiar with Alan Gregory, then you absolutely won't like him. If Stephen White wanted to write a novel that wasn't an Alan Gregory mystery, then he should have done so. Jonathan Kellerman wrote "Billy Straight" that was a wonderful novel without Alex Delaware! All that aside, the story is a great read once you decide that IT IS NOT AN ALAN GREGORY MYSTERY!

so begins the profile of this book on its jacket. And, throughout his newest novel, Stephen White capitalizes on this theme.

The 9th book in his series about Boulder psychologist Alan Gregory, leaves no room for doubt that White can be a masterful storyteller, even with Gregory playing a supporting role.

Many of the prior reviewers have captured the essence of the storyline, although I found it difficult to put down throughout the course of the novel. White experiments successfully with different narrarators throughout the book, adding to the experience of the novel, rather than detracting from it, in the hands of a less skilled writer. He also gets yet another opportunity to explore one of his quirky passions, the Witness Protection program, in depth. Past White novels have allowed us to learn and explore more about the sport of cycling, the Church of the Latter Day Saints, the condition of multiple sclerosis, etc., while the mystery plotline evolves around his willingness to share knowledge on a variety of topics. I think that is what makes him a favorite of many devoted readers, and reminds me of the early books of Jonathan Kellerman.

In particular, Lauren Crowder, wife of Gregory, remains a compelling yet flawed character, enhanced in this book even though she has only a minor role.

The real stars are Kirsten Lord, and Carl Luppo. Luppo is pretty well drawn, but the dialogue in therapy between Gregory and Lord is outstanding, and the time spent evolving the "whales" terminology that Lord uses is just as interesting as the revelation of her status as a totally dependent woman, a surprise to both her and to the reader.

Just an outstanding read, and a book to treasure. Can be enjoyed without reading the first 8 novels, but you must go back and explore them as well!

I like Stephen White's books (and have read them all) for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that he's not afraid to shift the focus away from psychologist Alan Gregory and his now-wife, prosecutor Lauren Crowder. To compare him to Jonathan Kellerman (as Doubleday does on the flap copy-something Doubleday just loves to do, as if comparison is a huge selling point rather than a risk of turning readers away) is to do White a great disservice. White never, as Kellerman always does, inflicts himself on the material. (One can almost hear Kellerman exclaiming from the pages, "Aren't I clever?" Well, no, actually.) Aside from brief mentions now and then of discredited syndromes (like repressed/recovered memories) he doesn't actually travel down the potentially hazardous road of bad therapy. Instead, he allows the characters to remain in character. And fine characters they are, too! In The Program, not only is the story original and clever, but also he's created in retired hitman, witness-protected, Carl Luppo, one of the most original and well-conceived people I've read about recently.

What I also like about White is his plotting skill. Each book seems to get just that much tighter, that much leaner, that much more labyrinthine. And the different "voices" in this book have genuine authenticity, particularly the exchanges between what, for want of a better term might be called, the "contract arranger" and his sundry hitmen/women. No overly technical whiz-bang stuff, just meat-and-potatoes serious business.

Kirsten Lord's (the prosecutor in witness protection) whale motif is a tad peculiar, but since the woman never for a moment goes out of character, who's to say it isn't valid? Certainly her concern for her daughter, and her grief over the murder of her husband, ring very true. Maybe people start thinking about whales when they're threatened with the loss of everything they value.

Finally, any writer who can endow two dogs with such character that the readers can actually see them, is a writer to be reckoned with. I highly recommend all White's books. They're never less than very good. The man really does get better and better and, in large part, I think it's as a result of his willingness sometimes to let his two central characters play secondary roles.

Although not approaching the genius of Stephens' sonnet sequence on Ledbetter Beach or his narrative "White River Poems", this is still a classic Stephens primer. His insistence on attention to detail will draw the reader in and keep her there.
I had the privilege of studying with Stephens in Santa Barbara, and his wit and intelligene constantly amazed me. These are evident in the poems.
If you are seeking a fresh voice from the American West, please pick up this book. And if you find a copy of "White River Poems," do yourself an enormous favor and buy it immediately!

The edition which I have, from 1977, copyright by Alan Bullock and Oliver Stallybrass, was originally published in England under the title The Fontana Dictionary of Modern Thought. I bought it because sometimes it might be better than the encyclopedia which was a family purchase when my children were in elementary school. The point may be that the knowledge which it presents attempts to limit itself to those things which experts in a field might agree with, instead of the kind of sweeping generalizations which the modern media have made the standard of pseudo-intellectual views commonly available to the point of intellectual asphyxiation. This book does not express an opinion directly on psychotic multiplicity, but there is an entry written by D. J. Enright, a poet, novelist, critic, editor, and publisher on "dissociation of sensibility" as the concept was used by T. S. Eliot in an essay, "The Metaphysical Poets." (1921) It applied to examples from Donne and Milton in which thinking and feeling were split, but success in this realm of thought is now deemed not to be "as precise in its effects as a lobotomy. The truth is that dissociation of sensibility has always been with us, and that unification of sensibility is a rare phenomenon, not always possible and perhaps not always called for." (p. 177) Don't expect this work to be a best-seller. This kind of thing is necessary only for those who need to know such wisdom as it contains.

this is an interesting book that showed in essence and clearness how the nutritional medicine act and heals through nutrition and supplements. allergy,infertility,hypoglicemia,central nervous system diseases,arthritis,skin diseases and a lot more are fully explained in this book .the general nutrition aspects as a rule of healthy living is also explained, and there are all along of this book some interesting case histories. this book although i gave him 4 stars wich is good but not exelant, it is one of the books that is very simple to read,enjoy, and understand a text that is very complex in is meaning, but was shown and explained so simply.

This a well written book covering the Royal Australian Air Force
from its origins as the Australian Flying Corps in World War 1 to
2001. The author expresses forthright opinions on politicians and
on senior RAAF officers.
As regards World War 2 he emphasises the significant contribution
made by Australian aircrew to the allied bomber offensive against
Germany and stresses the very high casuality rate.
He discusses the main aircraft types used by the force.
There are good photographs of significant players and aircraft.
All in all a most interesting book

This was my first Alan Furst book, based on Penzler's pick of it in January. I found Nicholas Morath and Count Polanyi very believable characters with a lot of depth to them. While I can't say from first hand experience whether the book accurately describes how it feels to be in Paris during the Nazi occupation, the book's atmosphere rings true. Furst is able to paint seemingly ordinary (very rich but not idle rich) people caught up in World War II and how they chose to react to the Nazis. I liked the book enough that I bought 4 more Furst books.

Kingdom of Shadows is further proof that Alan Furst has no equal among historical novelists. As he did in World at Night and Red Gold with Jean Casson, Furst's protagonist, Morath, is cast into the pre-WWII spy game almost by accident. But unlike Casson, Morath is less reluctant in accepting his new life of duplicity. Furst once again transports the reader squarely into those dark and uncertain times. Although we know the outcome of WWII, that knowledge is suspended during the read, such is Furst's ability to bring to life the true emotions of the time. Rich in detail (I always learn so much from Furst novels)and characters, this may be his finest effort yet. Considering his past work--especially Dark Star and Night Soldiers--that is high praise indeed. Bravo, Mr. Furst!

While Kingdom of Shadows may be half a notch below Furst's best work (The World At Night, Dark Star), it is still a superior story, wonderfully told, with a subtlety other reviewers may confuse for meandering.

The book may seem slightly off from his best because it is in feeling and in time like so many of his other novels; however, the story is enough different and these new characters enough in their own worlds that it remains compelling.

Furst captures the horror and wonder of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events, and their reaction to a world truly turned upside down. His attention to detail and history create a spirit of the time that makes it feel like you're there.

Truly another remarkable novel.

When I picked up Stephen White's latest book, Warning Signs, I didn't relaize there was a whole series featuring Alan Gregory. So I wanted to start at the beginning. I have to say I found the first Alan Gregory novel a disappointment. It took me forever to get hooked on reading Privileged Information. I was very disappointed in this book, and almost quit reading it a couple of times. Fortunately I also picked up Higher Authority and read it in two sittings. Luckily Stephen White recaptured my interest.

This is Stephen White's first Alan Gregory novel but for me, it was not the first one I read. I suppose you could say that unfortunately for me, it came after having read REMOTE CONTROL, HIGHER AUTHORITY AND PRIVATE PRACTICES. As I write this I am working on HARM's WAY. Let me just say that I have enjoyed all of these books and my main regret is that I did not read them in the order in which Mr. White wrote them. I think that if I had, I would have enjoyed them more.

Reading Privileged Information so out of sequence was somewhat unnerving because I already knew so much about Alan Gregory, Lauren Crowder and Sam Purdy so I did not get to enjoy meeting them for the first time in this book. However, that is a minor issue.

In this first book of the series, Alan Gregory, a Boulder, CO psychologist suspects one of his patients of murder and is almost ruined professionally (and financially) by the death of another, who implicates him in a sordid affair. This patient, who killed herself, had previously fixated on Alan Gregory but his problems are only beginning there.

In the year previously, Alan's wife left him, a patient died in a car wreck and his dog was hit by a car. He gets involved with Lauren Crowder and one of his patients actually follows them on their vacation to New Mexico.

Flash back to the present and Alan has to deal with the fact that he could be a murder suspect and faces a possible lawsuit from the dead girl's parents. He also wonders if he will lose his professional license. As I read all of this I found myself asking, "what did this poor guy ever do to deserve this...?"

I think this is an excellent starter in this series, especially for someone who has NEVER read any of the other books written by Mr. White since. This is the book that lays the foundation and provides the history and personal background for so much of what will happen later. The information provided in this story line is built upon (quite well, I might add) in the books that follow this one. This was an enjoyable read and I know that had I read this one first, instead of somewhere down the pike, I would have become a Stephen White fan right then and there.

One of the things I like about this book (and the rest of the series, too) is that White deals very effectively with some controversial topics. For example, Lauren Crowder has MS and when Alan meets her, she eventually introduces that into the dynamic of their relationship. She also has trouble trusting men because of a failed marriage.

In later books, White takes on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and that's a brave thing to do for a man who lives in a part of the country where they are a power unto themselves. (See Higher Authority). Stephen White writes the kind of book that I like to get into and he uses recurring characters we become familiar with and concerned about. In all of his works (this one included) he includes and builds on a level of tension that keeps the reader turning the pages. I felt that way with each of his books that I have read so far.

IF I can make one recommendation to readers who have NOT discovered this author, it would be this: read PRIVILEGED INFORMATION first. It was White's first novel and the one where he introduces many of the characters he will be using in later installments. Read this and the other White books in the order in which he wrote them and I don't think you'll be disappointed.

This is the first of the "Alan Gregory" series by White. What a beginning! This book is chock full of fascinating characters and a plot that will keep you guessing long into the night (or early morning!).

White is especially effective at developing characters that are real and convincing, without the headliners being squeaky-clean perfect. All the characters have their flaws - like REAL people. I am tired of reading books where the "hero" has a picture perfect life. White's Alan Gregory character is superb.

One note that I think is important about the White books: If possible, read them in order of publication. "Privileged Information" is the first in the Gregory series and the others follow a natural progression and reading out of order may cause some confusion. Actually, it's a tribute to the well-woven character development by a true master of the thriller - Stephen White.

I suspect when a person reads any Alan Furst book, he is left with the feeling that some insane person has ripped out the last hundred pages or so. And so it is with 'Red Gold'. Furst is a master of atmosphere and characterization, but always seems to me to be a bit wanting in plotting. That said, I consider myself an enormous fan of Furst's. This book centers around Jean Casson, a down-on-his-luck film producer stuck in Paris without friends or money. He is thrust into the resistance and becomes a liason between a group of french army officers and the communist resistance.
Casson has several thrilling adventures, amorous and violent. He hides in Paris, afraid of being recognised by old associates, but knows in his heart there is a war to be fought and, though he may be a reluctant warrior, he chooses to fight. Furst's novels all have a connection, the Brasserie Heininger, and it appears again here. So even though I get the feeling there are some missing chapters here, the war will continue in Furst's next novel.

I was so impressed with, "The World at Night," that I had to immediately read, "Red Gold." "Red Gold," unfortunately, doesn't compare with "World." I certainly wish it did, because I was completely captivated by the first installment of the Casson story. I hope Furst continues and follows Casson on throughout the war. He's a compelling protagonist and Furst is a masterful storyteller. I've not read anyone who can recreate a time and period better than he can.

Furst should consider writing another book or two with Casson. I love this character. He is a reluctant hero. What I enjoy about Furst's characters are their ambiguity, none of them are moralists.

After the first twenty pages of "World," I was hooked in, but I never felt that way with "Red Gold." I read it through, but never felt the book was fully realized. I agree with a previous reviewer, who said, that Furst was going through the motions. I felt that a bit too. Having said that though, Furst is such a fine writer, that it really is a quibble, overall he's one of the best writing in this genre.

There are few writers in any genre who can hold a candle to Furst. Thankfully, Red Gold is up to his usual standard - the taut, finely detailed scenes; the ambiguous, yet revealing characters; a deep understanding of things French, Russian, German, etc. If this book doesn't have the epic scale of my personal favorite, Night Soldiers, it's still a wonderful read . I wish Alan Furst could turn out a novel a year - I look forward to the next one, whenever it comes!