Celebrities Books

I face this book (and the many others like it) from a different point of view... if you need a book first to find your way around in SL, you better should not be there at all. Every user with a little but of mind will not need it. On this specific title it also annoyed me to see, that knowing second life, I partially see this as a clique of SL veterans celebrating themself... always the same names.
Just go there instead. look around, use your eyes and mind. Look at the menues. Save the money for the book amd use it to settle in SL instead...

Sure, sure, second life - what is that? Well, take it from someone older than 21 by many years, this is the best game around! Thanks to my daughter and son-in-law, I can shop, dance, party, meet new friends, and never leave my home! Check out this great addition to the Second Life Scene.

I think this book is great for learning the basics, for understanding how Second Life works, and for gaining a flavour of what awaits you.

But, as is often pointed out, such guides are very quickly out of date. And what it doesn't give you, is a real insight into what really goes on every day in-world.

For this, you need to check out the free guide to Second Life, The AvaStar (www.the-avastar.com). It's an online newspaper covering the news, business, fashion, travel, entertainment and events of the virtual world, and every week publishes a 'Guide to...' feature, focusing on the best places to go in-world.

If you read through the paper once, you'll immediately gain an excellent understanding as to what is going on in the world. (All the back issues are available to download for free at the website).

Good luck and have fun!

Very good starter book for the absolute newbie. Really helps to get on and start having fun.

Book was what it was advertised to be. Full of easy to understand instructions. Excellent buy.

Marlo Thomas has written a wonderfully inspiring piece of art!! If you're looking to be inspired by people, both great and small, to get a glimpse into the hearts, lives and even pain of those you've admired throughout the years, this is a MUST-read. As I read the personal stories of changed lives through the power of simply spoken words, it made me aware of how the power of words can be used as a catalyst to tear down or build up. Can't wait to buy Volume 2!

To the few reviewers of this book who gave it a negative rating:

what's wrong with you?! You CLEARLY missed this point of this gem of a publication.

I was browsing around the bookstore at the local mall just passing time while my eye glasses were being repaired. I was standing near the bestsellers section, when for no particular reason, this book's cover caught my eye. I picked up a copy, glanced at it, flipped the pages, then discarded it back on the shelf and thought, uhgg, one of those chicken-soup, pseudo-inspirational, publications; you know, a book version of a "chick flick"...ah, no thanks. Then, and maybe it was the fact that I noticed the NY Times bestseller band at the top, or maybe the sincerity of Marlo's expression -- I don't know -- but I picked it up, again flipped through the selections until I found a contributor I recognized: Matt Groening. I read his, the another, then got to Mel Brooks..BAM..I was hooked. I've got to admit, the old widsom you can't judge a book by it's cover took on a literal truth in this case. When I glanced at the back cover and saw that all of the royalties of the book go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, I was instantly sold and proceeded to register to buy it.

The idea for this book and it's ultimate objective are both obvious and genious. Bravo Marlo and Friends!

This isn't literature, no, it's light reading with most entires being 3 or 4 pages; the contributions are from a diverse collection of musicians, actors, activists, entertainers, doctors, CEOs, journalists, politicians, direcors, writers, politicians, artists, and other people who are well known because of the success they've attained.

But the entries from the likes of Sidney Portier, Jay Leno,
and Itzhak Perlman are golden nuggets; personal experiences
of pivitol points in these contributors lives and given up in the name of charity -- awesome!

There are lessons and wisdoms in this book you can bank on. To say this book is replete with inspiration and would be an understatement. Best of all, you can read an entry in like 2 minutes!

If you don't buy this book, it's your loss.

I heard about this book through the grapevine. I checked it out from the library to read it and was so blown away that I then purchased it. Marlo Thomas has put together a touching as well as entertaining collection of short stories from celebrities, sports figures, politicians, etc. with words that will touch and encourage you. I highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. For someone who does not enjoy long chapters but enjoys listening other people's experiences and wise thought, I was thoroughly impressed. After my first purchase, I ended up buying 2 more copies of this books in hopes of giving them to close friends as a nice birthday present. Afterall, it's what's inside a book that counts.

Ms. Thomas has collected an inspiring, entertaining, and informative selection of stories representing pivotal moments in the lives of famous people. The reader can learn just what triggered these people to pursue their goals...and hopefully understand that it can be the smallest of things that propels a person forward.
This book reminds us that you can never tell when or from where inspiration may come. It also reminds the reader of the old expression, "Never take away someone's hope. It might be all that they have." James Green, author of "If There's One Thing I've Learned."

the author seems to have so little regard for making sense that early on i was anticipating a reveal that what was being narrated was some kind of schizophrenic delusion or fever dream. the part when the boss says give me some names for a job, and he has to say names so he says Claire, and then that means she has to go work the temp job she never applied for, and she does it like she understands why. none of the 3 people in that scenario make any sense. and the other boss who jumps out a window? and the vaguely implied but never actually stated outcome of the $700something restaurant bill. the only reason i kept reading was that so many things were left unclarified to the point of being incomprehensible that i assumed there would be some interesting attempt made at resolving them, but there never is, it's just amazingly inept writing.

I read the entire thing in a few hours. I just couldnt not put it down, I plan on reading it again, it has become one of my favorite books.

I was expecting this to be targeted towards a younger crowd but the story nonetheless was delightful. I couldn't put it down. But I'm glad i bought it used. Granted... I'm cheap. :)

I enjoyed another MTV book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and thought that maybe there was something good finaly coming from the music tycoon. While I am glad that they are trying to encourage reading with books teenagers and young adults can relate to more readily, this book was a bit of a disappointment.

While the character build up is so-so, the plot makes an okay attempt at making you want to read more. I grew attached at about the seventh chapter of this very short novel and had to keep reading as Claire led Lonnie deeper into a world I do not understand, cheating the system.

Parts of the story that should have been clearer were left vauge, the plot built up into a brilliant climax, but disappointed. It seems that maybe the author wanted to be clever by having an ending that no one wanted, therefore making him a clever writing. The ending just made me sad I had wasted my time reading the book.

The author has the same, dry, simplistic writing style reminiscent of Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk in it's delivery, but that is one of the only upsides. An audience of people who are not looking for an intriguing, thought provoking read might enjoy this, simply because it is a story with a beginning, middle, and end.

I'm not planning on recommending this to many other people.

I buy a lot of books for a buck a pop at a local thrift store. Most of them are so-so, but this one was a firecracker in a pile of duds.

This was short, fast paced, and funny, which was great considering how the main character's bucolic life falls down around his ears throughout the span of the story. It's a neat look into the brainless flashmob sort of fame that befalls people these days, whether they want it or not. Some run, some embrace it, then there's Lonnie.

Trillin at his finest. Tepper Isn't Going Out is one of the few books that can make me laugh out loud hysterically. Believe it or not, this entire novel focuses on Tepper's quest to find the perfect parking spot in parking challenged New York City. Trillin has somewhat of an obsession with parking and even started a magazine about parking in New York. His obsession translates into hilarity.

Anne Rice has written great novels about immortal vampires. Tom Clancy tells tales of supper powers embroiled in global struggles shaping the political structure of the modern world. In this book, Calvin Trillin writes about a guy in his car. Please don't misinterpret this as implying any kind of road trip anything; the car doesn't actually move. This is Trillin's great `guy sitting in a parked car novel' and is a great satirical look at life in the big city.

Very funny, New York centric though my not appeal to the heartland.

the ever deadpan Trillin does a great if incomplete job of bringing LEopold Bloom from the Liffey to the East River. Leopold Bloom is enormously generous and concerned for others. Greater love has no man than this, to lay down his wife for his friend, let own his newspaper, etc. But Tepper won't even give another driver his rare parking space. Despite the rationalization that his random grunts administer divine wisdom for hurt souls, Tepper is really just another selfish and self-centered New YOrk slob who'd rather give you the finger than the time of day.

Still a funny if deceivingly simple story of the Gogol type.

When someone knows the minutiae of parking laws, times and places, and wants to get the absolute most out of time on the meter, they are definitly from the big city and probably from New York City. To those of us that travel there, it is a confusing set of signposts that may often result in an encounter with NYC Parking Po-lice. To Murray Tepper, it is a well known, well marked (mostly) and well travelled map.

Tepper Isn't Going Out is amusing satire, laugh out loud in a few places. Great characterizations (other than Murray himself, the mayor, the pollster, and many of the people on the street) and a plot that borders on ridiculousness while still taking bits and pieces from today's newspaper headlines.

Highly recommended, would make a nice read for a long plane ride or weekend vacation.

We're glad to see that Tabloid Baby is still getting under the skins of network newsies! After almost a year, it's "required reading" among us producers and obviously its given a few pointers to the network newsies! Tabloid Baby is the funnest book I've read this year and the ones whod call it petty are the real little petty ones! Viva tabloid baby! Viva! Viva! Tabloid Baby!

This book covers the birth of tabloid television journalism from its seemly beginnings in the 80's. I have always found these type of shows to be a guilty pleasure. I found that the people behind the shows are indeed as uncontrollable and uncouth as I imagined. This testosterone fueled book is impossible to read. It jumps from one story to the next, the language is over the top and it commits the very worst sin of tabloid reporting....it is boring! Way too long.

I got turned on to this through the new blogsite www.tabloidbaby.blogspot.com.

This is a real, excruciatingly honest, and side-splittingly hilarious skewering of the tabloid TV era--and it's very funny to see what current stars pop up from the closet of skeletons!

Right on!

Tabloid Baby by Burt Kearns is well worth a read! It shows how television news turned into tabloid television and how tabloid television turned into "reality television." It also shows how a guy like Bryant Gumbel went from being a newsman who opposed Tabloid TV to a shill for "Survivor" every morning. Kearns's focus on a handful of renegades who ran Tabloid TV gives Tabloid Baby a novelistic feel. And even though he is biased and sometimes savage in what he writes, he is brave for doing so and is also very very funny!

In light of recent events, this deconstruction of the television news business and revelations about its turn toward poignant and personal stories is especially relevant.

In light of recent events, it also provides a refreshing diversion.

This is pure comedy. And pure satire. Cintra Wilson's writing is at once warm and cutting. Her plunge into celebrity culture is illuminating, disturbing and highly entertaining. This is great reading, and you'll want to return to it over and over again. Highly recommended.

If you have a love-hate relationship with our celebrity culture, this is a book you must read. Both grudgingly admiring and sharply critical, this book discusses our fascination with celebrities in an always hilarious and sometimes even enlightening way. Topics discussed include Michael Jackson, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, the allure of boybands, plastic surgery, eating disorders, drugs, Tina Turner, rock n roll, and Bruce Willis. Every chapter is funny and insightful. And come on, doesn't any book with the subtitle: "Celebrity Re-Examined as a Grotesque Crippling Disease" deserve your $10?

Highly recommended.

This is a book that sorely needed to be written. It may be several years old, but it was new to me.

With a piercing wit and a sharp tongue, Cintra Wilson cuts down to size some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities. The result is both funny and sad at the same time. Funny, because it's always entertaining to see the rich and famous make fools of themselves in the pursuit of even greater fame, power and money.

And sad, because it's pathetic to see the extent to which some of these people are willing to debase themselves in order to maintain their status once they become rich and famous, especially those that have questionable talent to begin with. Even sadder is the fact that masses of people all over the world idolize them.

With their self-indulgent behavior often disguised from the public or cloaked under a veil of piousness (i.e, Ethan Hawke, Tom Hanks) Wilson reveals how some of liberal Hollywood's biggest names are about as morally bankrupt as the staunchest right-wing conservative.

What makes this book carry even more weight with me is the fact that it was written by someone who describes herself as being "about as liberal as they come". But Wilson's commentary is far and above the type of one-sided and one-dimensional whining about Hollywood and the "media elite" one gets from the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Bill Bennett, and other purveyors of right-wing bile.

[Aside: I once saw Bill Bennett walking in downtown Washington, DC; the man's belly was the size of three pregnant women combined. I mean, it was just enormous; someone needs to tell him that gluttony is no virtue (and neither is gambling, for that matter...he he :-)].

But back to my review...

In a few cases, Wilson details specific incidents of outrageous or attention-seeking behavior on the part of certain celebrities, identifying the person by name - Barbara Streisand, Keeanu Reeves, Cher, Courtney Love, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson (Dion and Jackson receive a particularly delicious skewering).

But in other instances, she refers to "a celebrity who shall remain nameless". For example, I would love to know the name of the ogre who for no reason at all drew a gun and shot someone's watch. I wondered why some of them were named while others not. (Threat of lawsuits would be my guess).

Predictably, some of the celebrities' bad behavior involves sexual improprieties. In fact, the book is filled with accounts of people who have literally prostituted themselves for fame.

My one (and very slight) criticism of "A Massive Swelling" has to do with Wilson's writing style, which can only be described as idiosyncratic. She has a tendency to write in run-on sentences, which require several re-readings to understand. However, this is a small complaint and it in no way diminishes the value--and timeliness--of this hilariously entertaining book.

this book is not without its faults. I must admit feeling like a pervert signing it out at the local library thanks to the title and cover picture. Wilson has talent--there's no debating that. At times her prose sparkles with brilliant wit and insight, the cumulative effect being a knife-job on her deserving targets. But she never digs deep enough to get really intimate, relying more on a cursory glance and quick synopsis of a plethora of topics within our diseased societal attraction to celebrity and other issues. Perhaps she knows the topic too well and the plastic world she surveys becomes a part of the style and substance of the story she describes.

The prose in spots is unbeatable but let me express one caveat: Wilson often indulges in description ad nauseam and there are enough capitalized words here to do serious damage to the trachea of a hippopotamus. Strunk and White would probably suffer immediate apoplexy upon reading three sentences. The ending goes into a self-help rant for those needing a final kick between the eyes to really get the message home. In short, 5 stars for the spots of great writing and originality; 3 stars for the bad writing (editor needed) and aftertaste.

Hip and hilarious pop culture uber-critic, Cintra Wilson, traces the imagery of the last 25 years of American celebrity icons to illustrate the emotionally warping effects of the desire for fame. Wilson takes on Michael Jackson and the fading stars of the Vegas strip to show the disastrous consequences of an unbridled need for public attention and adulation. She compares the rock music of earlier generations to the fly-by-night pop stars of the last 20 years to illustrate how corporate marketing of the arts has drained them of their soul and genuine sexual potency in favor of product endorsement and marketability, however short-lived and disingenuous.

This obssession with appearances-over-content is most evident in Hollywood's current fervor for plastic surgery, now so ubiquitous it's hard to find examples of real bodies undergoing the real aging process. Naturally this affects women more than men as large-breasted supermodels are juxtaposed with petite, ever-virginal female athletic competitors and the spectre of the female form on display in beauty pageants.

However, this is not a feminist diatribe against objectification nor an intellectual's disgust with the banality of America's pop culture tastes (though Wilson is indisputably both a feminist and an intellectual). Wilson's voice serves as something of a moral prophet, condemning both the twisted values of the privileged and of their worshipful consumers. Narcissism and self-loathing (a combination Wilson epitomizes with the likes of Bruce Willis, Barbra Streisand, and Woody Allen) are the hubris of a culture in which one gets fame by being famous (i.e. marketable) rather than by having done anything noteworthy.

Wilson concludes by showing the negative influence of fame on the arts themselves. Since money now instills value and fame has become its own reason for existence, the traditional cathartic purposes of art have been lost almost completely. People seek simply to be entertained rather than to exorcise the truth of the human experience in the relative safety of artistic pursuits. The tragic result is what Wilson astutely calls an audience "now so empty and well trained and schlock-addicted that it is indeed moved by these fatty theatrical dry humps and keeps coming back".

It was a fairly good book; however, it took awhile for me to get into the story, and I found the end disappointing. Koslow is definitely a promising author though!

This review is on the audio CD version of the book.

The book itself was decent though I expected it to be a funnier/wittier story. But the narration was awful. I was surprised to see on the back cover that the narrator had won awards for her narrations.

The many characters who had accents (English, German, Jamaican, French, & others) were terrible and often didn't sound very realistic. All her male characters sounded hoarse and the ones with accents were even worse.

And she read Magnolia's parts with a surprising lack of emotion. The character felt various strong emotions over the course of the book that were not reflected in the narrator's relatively flat delivery.

I had high hopes for an amusing audio romp through the publishing world. Instead it was a rather tedious listen and I was relieved when it was done.

I think the book would have made a better read with my own imagination supplying the soundtrack.

t is unusual for a book to be this well crafted and yet so uninteresting. Her characters were flat and not very realistic. I never found myself caring about the main character, Maggie Gold. Her villains were even worse; I could not understand their motivation for acting the way they did. A waste of my time and money.

Anybody who thinks or has alluded that this book is a tell all about working with Roise O'donnell is sadly mistaken. Sally Koslow was fired by the owners of "McCalls" when it become "Rosie". Hence, she NEVER worked for Ms. O'Donnell in any capactiy for any period of time. EVER.

This is a book that verges on silly. A multi million dollar magazine says to its succesful editor, "your out"! And replace her with a "Talk Show host" with No editorial experience? I think Not! The story line is totally unrealistic and so knowing and accepting that the book itself isn't too bad. Just don't expect too much and this book will be an ok read.

Philistines at the Hedgerow was one of those books that was the read of the summer when first released. It still an interesting read but in the nine years since it was written it has become very out of date. Maybe its time for the author to add some new chapters. If not a whole new book.

An interesting and easy to read book that gives some basic early history on the area and towns known as the Hamptons, a wealthy waterfront area of Long Island in New York state, and profiles a number of notable residents and properties through the years. Initially settled because of it's natural beauty and fertile soil, the area became a haven for the wealthy who flaunt their wealth by trying not to appear that they're flaunting it. And over the years it attracted various groups such as artists, gays, Jews, and the newly-rich of the 80's stock markets, much to the chagrin of earlier residents who viewed such late-comers as outsiders lacking their good taste and refinement (Philistines). Several people are profiled such as artists Jackson Pollock and Alfonso Ossorio (and his partner Ted Dragon); successful businessmen Evan Frankel and Jerry Della Femina, and old-money Robert D. L. Gardiner. But the history is much more than just the people who lived there, it's the properties, too, and many homes and places and the changes that happened are covered.

Many reviews here mention the gossipy feel of the book, and I'll agree with that. But with the nature of the Hamptons and the people it attracts it's probably natural. Some of it becomes downright comic, especially with the legal codes that are really only used by those with a bit of authority to enhance their own social standing or pay back some perceived slight. As it says in the book, in the Hamptons everybody is somebody and each more important than the rest. To call some of the people 'eccentric' is putting it very mildly, though, when 'weird' might be more accurate. But it's all very interesting and hard to put down sometimes, and you can't help but shake your head at some of the ridiculous stories and people. There are a number of good historical photos included, although no maps, which would have been nice for those of us who aren't familiar with the area. And to echo another common sentiment in other reviews, it's a fun summer read.

My husband & I wanted to read this book together. We couldn't get into it. Perhaps if you are more familiar with the Hamptons, all the detail would be interesting to you, but we weren't compelled to continue... We found the writing 'thick' and the story laborious.

"BUY EVERYTHING in sight! Hock your gold teeth!" says Allan Schneider the then "it" realtor of the Hamptons. "Their money is so new, the ink is wet," - speaking about the influx of: master of the universe, corporate raiders, stockbrokers, lawyers, junk bond kings and financiers that were invading the Hamptons at an increasing rate in the 1980's.

Not that the book stays in the 80's. It goes all the way back to the first few settlers and their dealings with the Indians in the mid 1600's. Especially interesting is the history of Gardiner Island and the Gardiner family, who have been the sole inhabitants for generations. Then in comes the Goelet family who came to America in 1676 and later founded Chemical Bank and manages a far reaching real estate empire from an unmarked townhouse on East 67th St. while remaining out of the business spotlight.

Also interesting is the history of The Creeks, a 57 acre estate with 2,000 feet on Georgica Pond (a 290 acre tidal pond) with 6 guest houses that is the largest privately held estate in the Hamptons. It's owned by Ron Perelman, who paid $12.5 million in 1993 from an estate who bought it for $35,000 in 1951. When it was sold in 1894 for $10,500 it was called Sheeps Point and the East Hampton Star called the price, "a large advance from the original cost".

The book gives you a good sense of how real estate in good locations can explode in value while sharing some intrigue regarding the who's who of the Northeast and how they jockey for prominence in the "social register".

By Kevin Kingston, author of: A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate: A True Story About the Ups and Downs From Wall Street to Real Estate Leading to Phenomenal Returns

Blog: bloglines.com/blog/KevinKingston

Philistines at the Hedgerow traces the roots of fabulosity in New York's most famous vacation spot, providing an insider's, gossip-filled look at the scandals and quirks of the area and its inhabitants. Gaines examines the relationships between property and personality that have developed over the years at the beachfront, from building castles to accumulating mass amounts of acreage where parties can be thrown and paparazzi shots can be taken. Philistines at the Hedgerow provides yet another glimpse into the celebrity backdrop of American life in an area that has radically altered itself over time from simple farmland to idyllic playground.

This book and "Chili Queen" are the best books by Sandra Dallas. The rest of her books don't come close to being as good.

I have read Sandra Dallas's other books and loved them.
This was very disappointing. I kept reading and hoping it would get better, but it did not. If it had been the first of her writings for me to read, it would likely have been the last. I am glad I saved it for last, because I really loved her other work.

I liked this book, but I didn't pass it on to my reading buddies. I felt the characters were less convincing than most created by Dallas, and I didn't feel a real affinity for any of them. I don't regret reading it, but a quick read and a shrug at the end is all it was worth to me.

I have now read all of Sandra Dallas' books, and this one was by far my favorite. I loved reading about Effa Commander, Whippy Bird, May Anna and the rest of the gang. They're such a fun bunch.

This book is about Effa Commander and Whippy Bird getting out the true story about the lives of their two best friends Marion Street (May Anna) and Buster Midnight. May Anna grew up to be a famous Hollywood starlet and Buster a champion boxer. This is mainly their tale, but we also get to learn about Effa and Whippy.

Hollywood has tarnished the reputation of Buster Midnight after a grissly murder involving he and May Anna, and Effa and Whippy Bird are tired of it. So they've decided to 'set the record straight' and let everyone know the real Marion Street and Buster Midnight. How they grew up, what they we're like and the relationship between all of them. And it's quite a story!

This is a really hard book to put down. If your a fan of Ms. Dallas you'll LOVE this story. I was very sad to see it end. I really recommend this book, and only hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

This is our reading group's March selection--otherwise, I'd not have stayed with it. It simply seemed too contrived, from the names (Whippy Bird, Effa Commander--always use the whole name!, Bumbo, Moon, and so forth), to the oh-so-tragic ending of movie star Marion Street. I felt manipulated, after having read nearly 3/4 of the book, to finally encounter the crime and scandal, only to see it brushed over in a very few pages. And then we never exactly find out the true story--who ends up protecting whom in the scandal? For a story purporting to tell the "real story," this one falls short.

The first half of this book was very entertaining. I loved the descriptions of the heists Mr. Mason pulled. The last half of the book was tedious. Mostly how he was in and out of jail.
Still a good overall read.

I read this book mainly because I was involved in an important aspect of Bill Masons life, his arrest. I think the co-author did a good job of putting the events as he knew them down on paper. However much of the information was not true.. Therefore I see the book as being partially fiction.. The author Bill Mason has either a poor memory as to the facts of his arrest, or like in so many instances in his book he blames everyone else for his lack of integrity.. In a true, and honest account of his arrest, try reading Badge 149, Shots Fired, by retired Captain Gary Jones, these facts are undisputable and documented.. Overall the book of course is interesting and exciting until you factor in the lives of family and friends, and others that he harmed. I reviewed his book in a local library, not wanting to contribute to his continued lifestyle .Justice in his case is still pending, I bet his father if real proud of him..(hic).

Buying this book about a year ago I struggled with spending money on a person who made a living stealing. It was written well and I enjoyed the action. However, I Just finish reading Badge 149 the author is the policeman who arrested him. Wow, it was definately interesting to see the other side of his jewerly heist! All the action and this time money was well spent and some dedicated to fallen policemen !!!!!!!!

Yes, Bill Mason was a professional burglar and jewel thief! I know this is true because I was one of the original Fort Lauderdale police officers who first spotted him, and then followed him for weeks, until he was eventually arrested. Mason's version of events, in his book, about how Fort Lauderdale P.D. first became aware of him, is NOT true. He would have his readers believe an informer told us about him and that's how we first became aware of him. Not true! The simple truth is Mason got careless and he became predictable. In a phone conversation, after his book was released, I even told him this. But, he still doesn't believe this. After all, this version doesn't fit the image he tries to portray of a slick professional crook who never ever made a mistake. In my own book (Badge 149 - "Shots Fired!") I devote two full chapters to Bill Mason, and his arrest. If you are interested in reading what really happened, I encourage you to read my book, instead of the fiction Bill Mason has written. Or, read both his book and mine, and then judge for yourself which one of us is more honest and credible.

OK, this book was a good and entertaining read.

However, as I read it, I couldn't believe that I had actually given *more* money to it's unethical, egotistical, unfaithful criminal of an author.

**Borrow it from your library or buy it used** to avoid allowing a horrible crook from cashing in twice on the money he stole from innocent people!

This guy steals millions of dollars from retired people (all the while blaming the VICTIMS for being so silly, they didn't lock doors, install constraining alarm systems, etc....), treats his wife like sh..t, is amazed when he actually gets arrested and more amazed when his wife actually asks for a divorce after years of stress and mental abuse (and ps he is cheating on her 7/7 24/24 and is still surprised)..... He dabbles in mafia business and drug dealing... all the while insisting he's just a "nice guy" and your typical "neighborhood Dad".

Amazing story, but avoid giving this dishonestn egocentric criminal any more money for the crimes he already committed. Don't buy this book new. Borrow it from your library or buy it used, this guy doesn't deserve anything more than he already has.