Shadow Books

C.S. Lewis spent the first half of his life as an atheist, but later converted to Christianity - why the change of heart? "C.S. Lewis and Human Suffering: Light Among the Shadows" is a deftly written examination of Lewis's works and his thought processes and how they can affect modern Christians and there relationship with God. Viewing Pain as something that enhances the Human spirit to help them become more complete people and chisel them to better fit God's image, "C.S. Lewis and the human Suffering: Light Among the Shadows" is highly recommended to community library religious collections and for anyone who wants a better look into the thought processes of this unique individual.

Swift novel, great dialogue. Love the characters. Shelby is
a publisher who made a few wrong turns. In order to save her
career, she needs to put out a winning novel quickly. But her
star author is a recluse-type who hides behind a pen name
and usually a do-not-disturb attitude. But that can't stop Shelby now. And in the pursuit, a new hurdle swings in---romance.
One of the best Leigh Michaels!

Mason's client told the truth... but the police didn't believe her. They decided she was guilty of both blackmail and murder. But Mason came up with an idea...

The idea was NO defense. He then proceeded to argue his case in a manner which took Hamilton Burger so frustrated he committed misconduct. But Mason wasn't about to let the district attorney a chance to get off the hook when his client was about to be aquitted of the charge against her...

Erle Stanley Gardner has tried to emphasize the importance of legal medicine by dedicating his Forewords to outstanding specialists in forensic pathology. Marshall Houts has worked for years in the Court of Last Resort, to educate attorneys in the importance of medical facts, and physicians about courtroom procedure (the tricks and traps of shrewd attorneys). Houts has been an FBI agent, WW II government investigator, college professor of criminal law, and author of several books.

Janice Wainwright visits Perry Mason's office without an appointment for confidential advice. Her employer has given her a suitcase to deliver to a locker. Janice believes this is blackmail money. Perry takes her as a client, and gives her legal advice. Della Street will accompany her when she makes a delivery (Chapter 1). Perry calls Paul Drake to have an operative follow the man who picks up the letter with the key to the locker (Chapter 2). The next morning Janice calls with the news that her employer Morley Theilman has gone missing, and a detective has been there to look for him. They find that the suitcase has gone missing from the locker (Chapter 3). Perry explains how this trick works (duplicated keys). The police are investigating Theilman's disappearance, and question Paul Drake and Perry Mason, who know little (Chapter 4). So Perry Mason now begins to investigate this event with the help of Paul Drake. Perry talks to the current Mrs. Theilman, and gains information (Chapter 5). Now Janice Wainwright can't be found, and they discover the real name of the second Mrs. Theilman (Chapter 6). Perry discusses and summarizes the problem with Della (Chapter 7).

Perry and Della fly to Las Vegas to surprise Janice; Paul Drake tracked her down. Now a shocking surprise occurs at the train station (Chapter 8). Janice apologizes to Perry and explains what she did. Then Lt. Tragg shows up to question Janice about the murder of Mr. Theilman (Chapter 9). When Perry tries to find Mrs. Theilman he finds that she was led away by a police officer. Perry then finds Mrs. Theilman and tries to question her, but the police show up and order him to leave the state (Chapter 10). Chapter 12 instructs the reader on the techniques used to match tires to tire treads. It shows the cross-examination of a medical examiner. Chapter 14 has another important cross-examination that negates some of the circumstantial evidence against Perry's client. This dramatic story continues to its conclusion by Chapter 17.

A "shadow" is the term for a person who follows another. Like his other books, there is a description and implied criticism of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Parts of this story read like they came from a gossip column. This is about as close as Perry Mason came to losing a case. One problem with a lone eyewitness is that they may be mistaken or lying and there is no corroboration for their statement.

The First General Of Israel In 2,000 Years, He Brought West Point To The Middle East In this dramatic account of a colorful life is the warm and energetic personality of a courageous man, loved by nearly all who knew him. American to the core, Mickey Marcus after serving his country with distinction in World War II responded to the appeal of a beleaguered democracy in the Middle East and became one of the truly great heroes of modern Israel, the only soldier interred at West Point who was killed fighting under a foreign flag. First published in 1962, Kirk Douglas starred as the legendary Mickey, whose gravestone bears the quiet legend.

Leena Lander's Cast a Long Shadow is a freudian historical novel. The main character is jugde Psilander, who burns witches in 17th century Sweden. He knows that he is doing the wrong thing, but he goes along with the maniac law. The book is a strong allegory of the holocaust and other madnesses in the world. It explores man's guilt. The main theme is: You must always think with your own brains. Lander writes very lyrically. This book is a very strong reading experience.

Motivational piece of American history. Well written. By standing for the principles he believed in, David Calvert stood tall...casting a long shadow. Calvert becomes a mentor for the main character, Matt Keenan, with Matt seeing flaws even in his own father, Pat Keenan. Interesting twists in the paperback, even down to the last few pages. Well developed characterization. Recommended reading for any age group, young or old.

Ronnie Maasz's "A Cast of Shadows" is a thoroughly good read and refreshingingly different from other film industry biographies. Rather than the usual litany of big film productions and name-dropping, "A Cast of Shadows" gives an illuminating insight into the blood, sweat and absurdities rarely found in "The Making of...." genre of documentaries. Spanning the surreal (a Flipper rip-off starring a stuffed seal) to the down-right terrifying (being runover by a plane!), this book is highly reminiscent of John Simpson's style of writing. It's also a good primer for the ever-evolving nature of both the film business and its technology. From his humble beginnings as a black & white film loader at Ealing Studios during the Second World War to his involvement in classic films such as Guns of Navarone, Living Free and the odd Bond movie to the advent of video, Ronnie Maasz beautifully captures the essence of the globe-trotting freelance life in a single, easy-to-read tome.

If you're a fan of what goes on behind the camera, "A Cast of Shadows" is well worth your time.

Rangjung Yeshe

This book accompanies the current exhibit at the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University highlighting Hitchcock's collaborative achievements. While I fully expect the book to be delightful, I have not yet read it. Instead, this review addresses the Block exhibit while it is still open.

Some decades ago, the auteur theory proposed that some movies possessed a signature visual style that acted as their artistic backbone. The theory identified the director as prime mover for these films and saw Hitchcock, Welles, Ray et al as the auteurs of the films they directed. This theory is now accepted wisdom, much to the chagrin of screenwriters and actors everywhere. The Block exhibit advances the curious notion that the success of many of Hitchcock's films was the result of collaborative efforts, not a single defining vision.

The exhibit, while small, contains some interesting items. First and foremost is Hitch's four-page hand-written outline for the crow sequence (Melanie smokes while birds congregate) in the Birds. Evidently, this scene sprung to his mind almost fully formed. Fantastic.

Other attractions of the exhibit for the Hitchcock buff are a fascinating sequence of written exchanges between Hitch and Darryl Zanuck over Lifeboat. Catch Hitch's wild use of the noun "mental". His exchange with Evan Hunter as the Birds script developed is also interesting. Here, Hitch cautions Hunter about avoiding "non-scene scenes". There are some very nice storyboards that capture the evolving creative process of a number of films (Saboteur, NxNW).

The exhibit seems well-attended and its producers and promoters have done a good job. However, the museum-goer must walk out far from convinced that the excellence of these films was a result of collaborative efforts. In actuality, the exhibit soldifies our view that Hitchcock masterminded most (all?) of his films from stem to stern. If every major creative decision was ultimately made by Hitch, as this exhibit evidences, how can the "collaborative" proposition be upheld?

That Hitchcock's influence over modern-day cinema is larger than ever is demonstrated by this exhibit. It includes the famous list of about 60 possible titles, some quite humorous, for what eventually became Vertigo. (Thankfully Hitch made the right choice.) But notice how many of the possible titles have subsequently been commandeered by other directors over the years for their own films.

Exceptional poetry interspersed with inspirational writings. I absolutely love and recommend this book and the poetry within it. This is a mixed work that will leave you feeling fulfilled.