Oklahoma Books

The characters are brought to life as the author describes each character in great detail. You must read this book. The book emcompasses mystery, humor, romance, and history all in one!

The characters are brought to life as the author's descibes each character in great detail. The author emcompasses mystery, humor, romance, and history all in one book!

Great vocabulary usage. No profanity so would be fine for children grade 6 and up. Nice use of important historical facts with an exciting story attached. Very interesting, holds interest of reader. Flowing sentences. Thought provoking book. Makes one feel that he lived through the land run in Oklahoma. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and held my attention throughout....couldn't put it down. It was obvious that the author knew the history and geography of the area he was writing about. The characters were down to earth and believeable. Reminiscent of Louis Lamour. Highly recommend.

Required lots of research. Glad this information will be available for future generations.









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This gripped me from beginning to end: a very finely drawn portrait of a man of unusual quality. Anyone who's ever been drawn to the "outlaw" mystique will appreciate the opportunity to see how it begins, lives, and ends in Wayne Padgett, the author's father. A terrific read.

A very well written story that depicts an unique individual living in an intriguing time and place. Wayne Padgett is a compelling and contradictory man, some one I would like to get to know. Reading this book is like having a conversation with this powerful figure.

Absurd Realist poet, translator, and memoirist Ron Padgett, long ensconced in New York's East Village boho Beat & Existentialist milieu, turns to his roots in this tale of Tulsa folklore circling around his father, Wayne Padgett; King of the oil town's bootleggers. The Tulsa time of this wiley tale is somewhere 'tween boom & bust. The earliest reaches extend back two generations to Padgett's granddad Grover, though only briefly touching upon Teddy Roosevelt's trust busters and the populist ferment brewing against BIG OIL. Padgett barely mentions the Tulsa race riots in passing.

Oklahoma was a "dry" state when it came to hootch, but oil lease rigs were still dripping when Wayne Padgett came of age. Though there isn't much of Osage tribal flamboyance on display, as Ron Padgett hews closely to his dad's immediate territory. Terry Wilson's book on the Osages and their visibility in and around Tulsa during the boom years can fill in some of the local composition. Ironically Wilson deploys an absurdist deadpan in chronicling the Osages, close as an academic can come to the style Ron Padgett pioneered earlier in his career writing Beat memoirs & punchline poetry. Wilson cinematically captures the new oil heirs on their joyrides into town having assimilated silk top hats, tux and tails into their tribal regalia. Padgett is challenged with a central subject dry as the Protestant work ethic he embodied, illicit work notwithstanding. Despite the Dixie Mafia contacts and some compulsive gambling that plays out in tragic ways a bit up the family tree, the Padgetts seemed to be straight shooters, with only narrator Ron betraying much of an appetite or curiosity for life lived on the wild side.

The contrasts found within the House of Padgett are the stuff of cross-pollinated literary dreams. Imagine Elmore Leonard or his fictional hardboiled characters holed up in a tornado alley Plains safehouse with Burroughs adding-machine heir and stiff-lipped Wild-side explorer William Burroughs, as this Tulsa teen scene deftly sketches in. Ron Padgett recalls his fledgling effort at publishing an underground lit journal while still in high school and working out of bootleggin' dad's house:

"But the oddity of the larger situation dawned on me only years later: at one end of our house was the office of one of the biggest whiskey businesses in town, while at the other was the 'office' of an avant-garde literary magazine. Really, though, I was simply imitating my dad: I had my office desk, I operated a cottage industry, and I pursued a project that most people would have considered bizarre. But what was truly bizarre was that Daddy was reading Beat and Black Mountain poetry." Wild-eyed ecstasy chasing visionaries such as Ted Berrigan, er rather, a private eye hired by Berrigan's squeeze's proper parents, might stop by the house looking for the literary mentor, only to be gruffly chased off by Big Daddy. How did a high school junior out in the oil & red dirt provinces manage to net a cast of literary luminaries like LeRoi Jones (Amiri Baraka), Paul Blackburn, Robert Creeley, Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Ron Loewinsohn, Clarence Major, Gilbert Sorrentino and Berrigan for his WHITE DOVE REVIEW 5x8 1/2 staple job? Just neighborhood luck to have buddy Joe Brainard hangin' out as Art Director. The same Joe Brainard whose too short career retrospective was being exhibited at top tier museums of modern art from Boston to Berkeley a year or so ago. But this is Wayne's story, a different sort of exemplar of Junior Achievment in action.

Don't be put off by the title OKLAHOMA TOUGH. Turns out the subtitled: "My Father, King of the Tulsa Bootleggers" is a tender and flavorful slice of regional folklore. Virtually every minor character does a star turn, burning some bit of colorful essence onto a reader's retina. From the penitentiary cameo by old school toughs like Jew Snyder, to the more fully fleshed out complex shades of modern men-in-the-making like Bobby Bluejacket, the bedrock matriarch Verna Padgett, and the younger generation roadhouse loves from whom off-the-cuff wisdom literature flows in Ron Padgett's interview tapes, one only wishes this memorable Tulsa tale included an index. If this ever makes it to the big screen I have no suggestions for the casting of King Wayne or Boho Scribe Ron. But the soundtrack wouldn't be complete without some ol' J.J. Cale-Leon Russell seductive shuffles, Jimmy LaFave dustbowl retreads and the Red Dirt Rangers' roadhouse stomps.

The prolific Chernozemsky adds this novel to the recent works of popular fiction prompted by 9/11. Except in Chernozemsky's "Phase One After Zero," the attack on the World Trade Towers is aborted even as the terrorist plot is unfolding with the planes already in the air. Greg MacPherson struggles with Abu Atta, the terrorist ringleader, on the roof of one of the Trade Towers as CIA and FBI officials work desperately to bring into action the countermeasures to prevent the varied attacks.
MacPherson is modeled psychologically on Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber; except that he has a change of heart as the deadly plot is nearing its culmination. Chernozemsky is interested in exploring "parallel dimensions" whose possibility reveals the alternate paths of history and the related different situations for individuals and Humankind. "What we think of our life on planet Earth, the people and the places, could be just reflections in parallel mirrors, where history changes, takes different paths, or maybe is simply postponed and eventually arrives at the same outcome because the course of history may be irrevocable."
MacPherson leaves the U. S. by going to Canada on his way to meet with the leaders of Al-Qaeda, including Osama bin Laden, in the Middle East. As MacPherson is brought into the terrorist circle and he and other plotters return to the U. S. to lay the groundwork for their sensational terrorist acts, the reader is exposed to the demented, yet rigorously rationalistic mind of the terrorists and their ruses to evade detection.
As he has done in many of his previous novels, Chernozemsky uses this premise of a parallel dimension and narrative of how it might be played out to good effect. In terms of a compelling dramatic line, the author also sheds light on his larger themes of the complexities and related unpredictabilities of human nature and the coincidences which make for history affecting the lives of millions of persons and the fate of nations. Chernozemsky has used this technique previously in novels based on World War II and the ethnic strife in the Balkans. Readers of imaginative popular literature with distinctive characters, absorbing intrigue, and riveting action will find this book rewarding.

A skillfully crafted novel from an accomplished writer, Phase One After Zero takes the reader on a fascinating fictional journey with Greg MacPherson. Starting with the bombing of the city hall in an Oklahoma town the story is loosely based on the idea of what might have happed if Timothy McVeigh had escaped and joined the Al-Qaeda. In this story Greg MacPherson escapes to Canada and then moves to the Middle East. Joining Al-Qaeda he becomes involved in the terrorist activities and the planning of the attacks of September 11. But, when it comes time for the attack he has some second thoughts. With well-defined characters and a writing style that is fast-paced but choppy at times it examines the problem of evil fighting evil as well as how a single event can dramatically change history. A good read for people who like suspense novels Phase One After Zero is a recommended read.

What if Timothy McVeigh was never captured but went on to affect the security of the world in other devious ways? What if this homegrown terrorist went on to consider further plots after his attack on Oklahoma City? What would the world be like if 9/11 never happened?

In an alternate take on history, author Vladimir Chernozemsky takes on Timothy McVeigh, Osama Bin Laden, terrorist training camps, and the CIA. Giving McVeigh the fictional name of Greg MacPherson is just the beginning. Greg escapes after the bombing and finds his way to Canada through an underground web of cells, finds himself outcast even from Communists, meets a mentally unstable girl whom he feels a connection to, and ends up on a slow boat to Beruit after the Mob, whom he'd been working for, discovers who he is, exactly. And this is only from the first chapter! In Beruit, Greg meets Abdoulah Atta who eventually leads him to Osama Bin Laden, training camps and ultimately, to his fate.

Through it all Greg is slightly mental, drug addicted and remains his own one-man army. He realizes what devastation he has caused, and after much inner struggle he contemplates putting a stop to the plans that are being made for an attack on America. But before that can happen there is much action and drama to be had.

"Phase One After Zero" is a gripping, interesting tale right from the start. It is fascinating to read an alternate history that involves many of the characters, places and events that we all wish we'd never heard of. This is a masterful work of fiction that will leave readers thinking of how each moment in history affects the next. This is an exciting read; a well-written book.
Review By Heather Froeschl.

One of the challenges fiction authors face is trying to capture absurd news headlines and weave them into an exciting story without boring the reader.
Author of 46 novels, plays and screenplays, Vladimir Chernozemsky effectively manages to pull this off with his most recent novel PHASE ONE AFTER ZERO, and for a laugh, even throws in some black humor.

According to the author, the idea of his story came to him when he was rummaging through his deceased's wife's newspaper cuttings, wherein he discovered an article stating that Timothy McVeigh, was born on an alien planet and that escaped capture and joined a terrorist group in the Middle East.

Zeroing in on this premise, Chernozemsky's plot focuses on McVeigh, the Oklahoma City Bomber, whom he renames Greg McPherson and who eventually becomes an Arab terrorist. After his horrendous crime, McPherson runs away to Hamilton, Canada, and it is here where he meets up with a young mentally unbalanced teenager, Lydia, whom he falls in love with.

From the opening chapters, it's clear that Chernozemsky, and his readers, will have some fun with the plot, as we follow McPherson from Hamilton to Montreal, and eventually to the Middle East, where he is recruited into al-Qaida. It is here where he comes in contact with Abu Atta-an important member of the organization. Our McPherson, now known as Ibrahim Ghamal, also gets together with Osama Bin Laden, who is aware of the Oklahoma bombing and praises him for his heroic deed. Osama boasts that "this world is so politically polarized, it's ripe for falling into our hands. Western European powers are so afraid of us that they would compromise to appease us."
However, all of this seems to be way over the head of our protagonist, who has his own gripes against a society that he perceives as mistreating him.

It is Chernozemsky's research on the time period that is solid and that really shines.
This becomes evident when he entwines many of the news stories and articles following 9/11, particularly some of the bungling and lack of co-operation among the various American Government departments with their disorganization, incompetence, hypocrisy, incoherence, and demoralization.

The language of PHASE ONE AFTER ZERO is simple and accessible, replete with diverse and sometimes complicated characters, who reveal themselves gradually and convincingly.
No doubt, the story will prove to be enough to keep readers turning pages, and in the end we may be left with the question, as I was, what if some of these bizarre news clips that Chernozemsky discovered were actually true.

Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures

This is an excellent first hand account. It is rather well done, more so than several others I have read. I do wish we had more like this one. Very inspiring. I felt it gave even a greater insight to the war in the Pacific. Recommend you add this one to your collection.

William Berry has written a well-detailed, although brief, look at his attempted escape and captivity after the fall of Correigdor. While not a scholarly look at these events, the author gives a good account of his capture, escape and trek through the jungle, recapture and liberation by American servicemen from Bilibid prison in Manila. He painfully recounts the agony these men went through as they were crammed, up to 13 men at one time, into a 10 by 10 cell and forced to sit, without flinching, and stare at the wall all day.

As a recaptured prisoner, Berry and his two comrades somehow survive the war, as the usual penalty for escape is execution. They were sent to the maximum security prison in Manila for "special prisoners", and many prisoners stopped here only long enough to be sentenced and shot. Berry, who was a fledgling lawyer before enlisting in the Navy, saw these skills save his life and the lives of his friends when being sentenced, not so much his arguments, of course, but rather how he shaped it to fit his audience (A Japanese tribunal)

This book does not take long to read, but it is an interesting tale, and well worth the time invested. But, if you want greater scope and detail of Americans in Japanese captivity, read "Prisoners of the Japanese" by Gavan Daws, an extremely informative and well-written look at the horrors these men had to endure daily.

The author of this book is my grandfather. I found this book to be inspiring as I am also a soldier. I am in the Army and found this book to give me a greater appreciation of my profession as well as bring a greater understanding of my grandfather's life and why he is so proud. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to understand what POWs in the Philippines went through. I have lent my copy of his book to several of my friends and they all gave it great reviews as well.

One of the few true to life books written by a WWII POW. As a history buff I find the first hand accounts in this book of the authors experiances and the others he came in contact a first rate story of America's darkest time. A must for all those who want to know more about POW's of the Japanese.

Having been stationed in the Philippines and traveled to Battan and Corrigidor it brought the meaning of those visits a little sharper in focus.

Our classroom read a poignant short story about his mother, Cynthia Ann Parker. I was pleased to find this book on the life of her son in this carefully researched, well-presented biography. It is an interesting read of a man and also a chief showing how he is torn between two worlds of belief and behaviors. Informative read. It received the Oklahoma History Book of the Year award.
Evelyn Horan - teacher/counselor/author
Jeannie, A Texas Frontier Girl, Books One - Three

This past summer, I made a trip to the reconstruction of Old Fort Parker in Groesbeck, TX - and the actual massacre site - where Cynthia Ann Parker, age 9, was captured by Comanche warriors and raised as a Comanche woman for the next 25 years before a well-meaning Texas Ranger discovered her and returned her to her white relatives. Cynthia Ann never readjusted to white society and, in mourning for her Comanche husband and her children, eventually starved herself to death. Yet, out of this tragic story, her son Quanah - half white, half Comanche - rose to become the most influential representative of the Comanche tribe and the last Comanche Chief.

In this book, author William T. Hagan presents the meticulously researched story of Quanah's life and the politics of both the white and native worlds which he straddled, serving as an eloquent bridge between two societies struggling for survival on the Oklahoma and Texas plains. An astute businessman, Quanah recognized the futility of staving off white settlement and turned his warrior energies toward negotiating for the best "deals" he could get for the American Indians. Although he made many trips to Washington, DC and the White House to represent the needs of the Indians and often wore western Anglo dress, he refused to give up his braids, his "much married condition" (7 wives), and his dedication to the peyote cult.

This is a fascinating book which I highly recommend to any afficianado of the Old West and Native America.

This past summer, I made a trip to the reconstruction of Old Fort Parker in Groesbeck, TX - and the actual massacre site - where Cynthia Ann Parker, age 9, was captured by Comanche warriors and raised as a Comanche woman for the next 25 years before a well-meaning Texas Ranger discovered her and returned her to her white relatives. Cynthia Ann never readjusted to white society and, in mourning for her Comanche husband and her children, eventually starved herself to death. Yet, out of this tragic story, her son Quanah - half white, half Comanche - rose to become the most influential representative of the Comanche tribe and the last Comanche Chief.

In this book, author William T. Hagan presents the meticulously researched story of Quanah's life and the politics of both the white and native worlds which he straddled, serving as an eloquent bridge between two societies struggling for survival on the Oklahoma and Texas plains. An astute businessman, Quanah recognized the futility of staving off white settlement and turned his warrior energies toward negotiating for the best "deals" he could get for the American Indians. Although he made many trips to Washington, DC and the White House to represent the needs of the Indians and often wore western Anglo dress, he refused to give up his braids, his "much married condition" (7 wives), and his dedication to the peyote cult.

This is a fascinating book which I highly recommend to any afficianado of the Old West and Native America.

Although I tend to be wary of any biographies that speak with an omnisient narrative voice, and don't cite their sources as they go, Hagan's book does well remaining mostly unbiased in discussing native-white relations, and stating facts. It has an excellent collection of pictures I haven't seen elsewhere, and gives a well-written account of Quanah Parker's life without 'juicing it up'. Being a descendent of Quanah Parker, I've read anything about him I can get my hands on, and this is definitely one of the better resources.

Varian Johnson's debut novel exploring relationships between family, religion and peers as the coming of age for one young lady yields life changing circumstances.

Maxine Phillips grew up in South Carolina with a single mom and an extraordinary friend. Maxine has always felt a little uncomfortable about her apperance. Her red hair and fare complexion and thin frame has caused her to question herself when it comes to being secure about herself.

Maxine discovers that her mother has been keeping the fact that her father is alive and living in Oklahoma a secret from her and she's determined to get much need answers about her identity, and there's no stopping her now that she's 18 and practically an adult! Her best friend Deke come to her rescue when her vehicle stops on her and she convinces him that he could help her with her quest. Maxine relys heavily on her friendship with Deke and she'll need him every step of the way when she finds out the shocking news about her father, his past and her future.

A book for all ages and specifically enlightning for teens. I recommend this title. Awesome job by this author.

I was pleasantly surprised by Varian Johnson's debut novel, Red Polka Dot in a World Full of Plaid. The title and the cover made me a little hesitant about reading this book. What I found was an enjoyable coming-of-age story of headstrong, sarcastic and vulnerable Maxine Phillips. Spending a week in Oklahoma changes her life.

Maxine is just seventeen years old when she receives a phone call and learns that the father she thought was dead was alive and living in Oklahoma. Angry with her mother, she takes off to Oklahoma to meet her father. On the way there, her car breaks down and she has to contact her best friend, Deke to come and rescue her. Maxine and Deke end up driving cross-country to Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, many things including her father, Deke and God surprise Maxine. She must decide if she is willing to accept the things that she can not change or run away to her imperfect world.

I would recommend this book to the teen and young adult readers. There are some thought provoking topics such as interracial dating, religion, premarital sex and accepting oneself. This was a good debut and an author I would read again.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

I really enjoyed this book. The ending was quite a surprise!! It is perfect for a sequel and a made for movie. All ages would enjoy, but it would be especially enjoyable for young adults who have questions about their budding sexuality.

Highly recommended debut novel by Varian Johnson. He's an accomplished engineer and a very talented new writer in the YA genre. The book centers around Maxine- a wise-mouthed teen and her coming of age journey. The topics covered are wide-ranging and suitable for all audiences. I don't want to give anything away but I highly enjoyed Johnson's writing style, the pace of the book and the issues he addressed. Look out for a surprise ending!

This book was recommended to my husband and I by some dear friends who have lived in Marietta for about 30 years. If you like true accounts of 'daily life in a small town,' then this is definitely the book for you. My husband, who is not an avid reader, could hardly put this book down. Fortunately for me, it only took him about a week to finish it. Once I got hold of it, I read late into the nite, and first thing in the mornings before our day got started. We also live outside a small town, only in Texas, and our neighbors, having heard about the book from my husband, are lined up to borrow it. Would make a nice gift for those who like true crime, historical accounts. Not for those under 16, though, a little graphic in parts........

Red River Prosecutor recalls the true incidents of the wild and woolly 1960's and 70's in Love County, Oklahoma. The stories hold the reader spellbound with their intensity and their realness. I know because I was a teenager who grew up there and lived in the community during those crazy times. I can assure the readers that all the events are accurate. Most of the people described in the book I knew personally. Judge Bacon masterfully recalls the personalties with great detail and as I look back some 30 years the events are brought back vividly. This is better than any fiction fairytale of crime and its consequences. You will never regret your time spent with this account of taming rural Oklahoma.

Today a retired Settlement Conference Judge for the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Ken Bacon, the author is an author with a unique life story. His collection of personal memories is not some staid history of mid-20th century legal procedures. Red River Prosecutor is the two-fisted tale of one man's fight to wrench order out of the chaos in the toughest are of America's wildest state. What sets Red River Prosecutor apart is the author. The product of a broken home, he fought through an abandoned and parentless childhood, survived the bloody and violent oilfields of Kansas and Oklahoma and by sheer gut's, went on to become the Chief Judge for all Courts of Appeal in Oklahoma. Red River Prosecutor is all true, it's graphic and it is real life. The book review in the Oklahoma City newspapaer The Daily Oklahoman, April 7, 1996 said it best: "This is a TV miniseries, for sure. Even better if it could star the author."

Red River Prosecutor recalls the true incidents of the wild and woolly 1960's and 70's in Love County, Oklahoma. The stories hold the reader spellbound with their intensity and their realness. I know because I was a teenager who grew up there and lived in the community during those crazy times. I can assure the readers that all the events are accurate. Most of the people described in the book I knew personally. Judge Bacon masterfully recalls the personalties with great detail and as I look back some 30 years the events are brought back vividly. This is better than any fiction fairytale of crime and its consequences. You will never regret your time spent with this account of taming rural Oklahoma.

This book is an excellent way to learn a bit of Oklahoma history as well as instilling the alphabet. I dofeel it is for older children-but who ever grows up!!!

This book is excellent for a project for our Centennial celebration this year. The curriculum is available from the publisher. Great activities for elementary students.

What a beautiful book about Oklahoma! Being a loyal Oklahoman, I was impressed with the information and history being portrayed in this book. Great for children and adults. Would also be great for History classes.

This book makes me beam with pride to be an Oklahoman! It is filled with relevant facts from what a sooner really is, the oklahoma city bombing, sooner and cowboy football, famous Oklahomans and much more. It I have bought several copies as gifts. It also has trivia questions in the back that follow along with the book; it would make a great educational tool. I highly recommend this to any Oklahoman!

As a student of Natural Spirituality I had acquired many books on Native Traditions which were lost (stolen) to me. This text was the first on my list to be replaced. Powers, himself calls his work a beginers lexicon of the Lakota language which makes it worthy in itself. His work extends beyond that with excellent insight into the song (music) which is a vital ingredient to the sacred traditions of the Lakota. He has an academic's passion for varification with other sourses which will provide a viable list of sources for future studies for those who appitite is only wetted with this volume. He is more of an academic than student,so be aware that it isn't light reading nor is it a 'how to guide to indian religion'. It is a well documented guide to basic belief system of the Lakota through his comprehension. While not complete, he has a sound basic understanding of 'the Sacred' to share with his readers

This is not for someone just trying to get a grasp of the general ideas of Lakota spirituality. This is a very detailed scholarly work about Lakota language as is it used by spiritual leaders and the meanings implied. If you are looking for something spiritual or emotional this probably isn't it, if you're looking for something more cerebral and you are a serious student of the Lakota then this is a must read.

I found this book to be excellent. It was informing and inspiring. It provided a lot of clarity about past experiences of participation in American Indian ceremony. I was especially amazed at the information about chanting, rattles, and drums. Although less interested in the subject, I was impressed by the clarity of differientiating between shaman and priest. Much of the information is very useful, in practical application for anyone who even marginally participates in the American Indian spiritual path. I am deeply grateful for this book.

This excellent discourse was produced by a man who lived with and learned from the old learned men of the Lakota, the "wicasa wakan", the "spiritual men".

Not for the casual reader, this book is great scholarly reading for those who strive to understand the very essense of religious thought.

SAVING JACK: A MAN'S STRUGGLE WITH BREAST CANCER provides an unusual first-person account of a man's experience of a disease normally associated with women. From being diagnosed to having a mastectomy and chemo, this provides the first book to address the issues of men who suffer from the disease. Health care and public libraries need it.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is a heartfelt book. The author takes the reader along on his journey in dealing with a disease that many people do not think men can get. From finding the tumor to a missed diagnosis through a mastectomy and chemo therpay. Jack Willis is able to draw you in with his funny and warm writing to feeling that you actually know him and his family. He does a great job of including his family and thier struggle in dealing with a loved one going through cancer. It is a must read for anyone who has had cancer and anyone who has loved someone with cancer.

Saving Jack is THE book to read if you or a loved one has cancer. Although it covers the author's personal experience with one type of cancer, breast cancer in a male of all things, the lessons learned are invaluable. It is a personal, first person account by a brilliant, funny and often poignant man who takes you on the roller coaster of the cancer patient's inner world. This is an excellent read for those who treat cancer patients and their families. This book is engaging from beginning to end, and I too, read it straight through! It is the best book of this area for demystifying some very scary issues on a personal level. If life hands you lemons, this is the gourmet recipe for lemonade. This book had an unexpected effect on this reviewer on the most visceral level. It was comforting. Never saw that coming.

Jack Willis was my instructor and adviser for five years in Oklahoma and I was there through his ordeal with cancer. This book is the perfect mix of journalistic reporting, along with the charm of a memoir. Mr. Willis is sweet, sad, yet funny throughout the chronicles of his battle with cancer. Throughout his turmoil, he managed to produce several top notch journalists, and reading this book reminded me why he was the amazing teacher and friend that he is. I started the book one night and finished the entire thing- you simply can't put it down. Every page is heartfelt and the writing and editing is as strong as I've seen in any book.