Colorado Books

Many in our "free" country are not free from emotional pain from the past. They are not free to act and react in ways they choose, as if an unseen grip kept them locked in patterns of behavior that are self-defeating.

Such a person is the main character of "When the Heart Soars Free." Jerry truly wants to live responsibly but unseen forces smother his best intentions. How he finds help and what he discovers about his self-defeating actions makes this book a must read. I'm ready for the sequel!

I read Kay Moore's book about a month ago and I couldn't put it down. I'm 16 and I'm a pretty big reader but When the heart Soars Free is on my top ten list. It takes so many twists and turns it is completley unpredictable! If you read When the Heart Soars Free you will not regret it. I don't want to give the whole thing away but this book is amazing!

Being an ardent reader of Christian fiction, I am continuously searching for books that are more than a "love story". "WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE" balances the romance of young love with practical Bibical principles that must be applied to strengthen relationships. I recommend "WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE" to anyone who has ever struggled with loss, lack of self-worth, or wondering if God cares about the events in our lives. Thank you, Kay Moore, for showing human conflicts that can be resolved through the power of God's forgiveness and love.

WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE is an insightful book with a powerful message that can almost be read in a single sitting--it is virtually impossible to put it down until the last page is read. Kay Moore's writing style is so definitive and given to such detail that it is almost like watching a movie in your mind as you read--the rich descriptions make visualization so easy. The story is so "today" as there are people everywhere hurting in much the same way as the book's main characters, Jerry and Carol. This book is such a source of hope in the way it reveals the beauty of God's forgiveness, and His desire to "wipe the slate clean" and offer the hurting a new, fresh start. It offers hope not only to those lost and in search of meaning in life, but also to those needing to grow and mature in their spiritual walk and earthly relationships. The story is so touching and so beautifully revealed that I often found myself reaching for a tissue to dry my eyes so that I could read on. I can't wait to share my copy of WHEN THE HEART SOARS FREE with friends and family!

I am an avid reader of Christian fiction. I found "When the Heart Soars Free" refreshingly different as it deals with heart issues that are common to many of us. The salvation message is clearly presented as are ways of breaking free from emotional issues which can keep us defeated. I highly recommend "When the Heart Soars Free".

Utah's acceptance of the 2002 winter games seemed to prove the soundness of Colorado's decision to reject the games decades earlier. As has now been well documented, the award touched off a cascade of corruption, from outright bribery of the International Olympic Committee to various land swindles. It was a seismic event in the rural West, creating a shock doctrine all its own. Here at long last was the perfect excuse for wholesale development at nearly any cost. Honorable state and national legislators morphed into eager enablers.

Steve Trimble wisely opted out of trying to thoroughly assay the political scheming and environmental consequences played out in a spectacular crucible. But he has done something far better. He tracks one emblematic deal -- the transfer of a great swath of prime public land to a driven man who was already one of the largest landholders in the country. Bargaining For Eden is not just another depressing illustration of the corrupting influence of power, but a vibrant montage of unusual suspects expressing quirky aspects of individualism, camaraderie, and Western ethos. The author himself does not stand aside in judgment, but, in going the extra mile for the truth, explicitly implicates himself -- almost shamefacedly detailing his own micro-land development.

I'm grateful that Steve Trimble volunteered to guide us through this minefield of desires and improbable outcomes. His softspoken integrity puts the reader at ease. His own contemplative adventures are mingled deftly with the big doings of "operator" Earl Holding -- a man who, despite the author's careful rendering, seems more bulldozer than flesh and blood. This, above all, makes the book compelling. It is surprisingly easy to read, in spite of the messy wrangling for wilderness and luxury it reveals. In the end, I could not escape the feeling that the author's essential honesty and kindness overshadow even his larger-than-life subjects. He would never concede the point, however. He maintains that we are all Earl Holding, to some degree. That perspective is, at least, instructive and useful for bridge-building. Steve Trimble is harder on himself than on anyone else in this book, and that's saying something. It is therefore the one book about the changing West that every American should read.

"Bargaining for Eden" is really two books in one. The first book, and the one that has garnered the most attention, is about self-made billionaire Earl Holding and how he finagled, with the help of powerful friends, to add over 1,000 acres of public land to his Snow Basin ski resort in advance of 2002 Winter Olympics. It's an interesting tale, and author Steve Trimble tells it with careful, well-researched precision. Trimble, a self-avowed environmentalist, treats all sides of the controversy fairly, as witnessed by the reading he gave at the Salt Lake City public library where one of Earl Holding's minions, who probably didn't care much for the book, complimented Steve on his good writing and accurate quoting.

The second book within the book is, to me, really the more important one, because it's about all of us who love and live in the West. As Trimble writes, "On some level I am Earl [Holding]--we are all Earl." Here, Steve chronicles his own adventures as a small-time land developer in Utah's redrock country, and what he thought about and considered as he built a second home for his family on a previously-undeveloped piece of land. As I read this I thought about myself, the places I've lived in Utah, Oregon, and Montana, and how I've impacted those places. I doubt few of us have considered our own impacts and worked to mitigate them in the way Trimble did. I know I haven't.

The last chapter of the book, "Credo: The People's West" is something of a non-sequitur. It's Trimble's rules for living in the West, and it clearly draws on more than what's in this book. I agreed with some of parts of the credo; disagreed with others. My credo would be different from Steve's. So would yours, I imagine.

Overall, the book is fair and even-handed, possibly to a fault. It is not a rant and it steers clear of the self-righteousness so common in environmental tomes. Buy it. Read it. Think about it.

Steve Trimble's latest book is a compelling look at the tensions between private mega-enterprise and public interests. If you care about the future of open spaces (and not just in the American West), if you care about the future of community, if you care about how to tend to democracy in an age of fracture and fracas, this is a sobering look at a battle in Utah that can stand in for many such battles across the country. Refusing to give into cynical preaching, Trimble offers a nuanced look at his own complicity in questions of ownership and activism, which makes this book even more important. It ends with a hopeful, necessary "Credo," which also was recently published in High Country News. A fine naturalist, photographer and writer, Steve Trimble is a treasure. This book demands to be read, understood--and its lessons put into action by thoughtful citizens everywhere.

Stephen Trimble tackles the paradox of the modern west: how do people inhabit and develop a rapidly vanishing landscape? Trimble weaves the important tale of public land transformed into a commercial ski resort with his own construction of a second home near a national park. This juxtaposition elevates the book from polemic to a serious discussion of the many facets of land development. Trimble recognizes that there are no easy answers, but argues convincingly that wise land use policy requires the contribution of all of the stakeholders in the landscape: developers, environmentalists, long-time residents and the public in general.

What sets Trimble's book apart is his obvious affection not just for the land, but for the people who have lived on the land for many years. His interviews with men and women whose families have lived on the land for generations provides the reader with an often neglected perspective on the west. Trimble has an ear for the ironic poignancy of how development displaces those families who have lived and loved a particular place for generations, even as that landscape is changed by their own decisions regarding its value and use.

Highly readable, Trimble's natural storytelling ability comes through to illuminate a transformative moment in western history. As a native Montanan and long-time resident of Utah, I recommend it to all those who seek to understand a sense of place.

Trimble tells the story of reclusive oil executive Earl Holding and his struggle to develop a wild mountainside into a an elite ski resort, using the Olympics as a cudgel to overcome passionate local resistance. This is a compelling story that has not been covered outside of Utah. It is a shocking example of how the powers-that-be facilitate destructive and one-sided land use and how common citizens who personally know thew land and love it resist. The book then takes an unexpected twist: Trimble builds a second-home in a wild canyon in southern Utah and realizes he is becoming like his nemesis, Holding, just on a different scale. This confessional realization makes him dig deeper. Ultimately it is our own human nature he uncovers.

Why do we violate the integrity of ecosystems and habitat and how can we stop ourselves? these central questions are not resolved here. Trimble's book is both a heartfelt and intelligent invitation to public discourse on these critical questions. The reader could not get a more honest or wise guide than Trimble.

This book was much more detailed than I expected. It covers the entire Mountain State from top to bottom and east to west.It is well researched the author definatly spent time at each location. He also covers obscure locations as well as popular destinations. Anyone intending to use the campgrounds of West Virginia should have this book.. Well worth the price.

My husband and I picked this book up on a fluke. It was the best thing to happen to us on our trip. The book provided excellent suggestions and descriptions of rustic campsites. It was excellent. I would definitely recommend it if you don't have a clue as to where you're going but you know what you want.....to be away from RVs, portable radios, etc!

Back when I was a youngster growing up in Columbus, Ohio my parents would often find relief from the heat by taking my family on monthly camping trips into West Virginia. I remember the shady trees and cool springs that were a second home to me, my two sisters and young brother.

Now that I have my own family complete with three young children ages 9,7 and 4 it is most important to me that they come to appreciate and respect the outdoors- especially W.V., where I spent so much time as a youth.

Of course, I remember the old campsites that I long ago visited; but my wife and I decided to explore more of the camping scene in W.V. While in a local bookstore, I came upon this camping guide of West Virginia by Johnny Molloy. This little treasure has been a great guide in our quest to search out new sites to visit.

This book is directly responsible for trips to Tomlinson Run (in the panhandle), Kanawah State Forest (near Charleston) and Bishop Knob (in the beautiful Monongahela National Forest). My wife and I hope to eventually visit all the camp sites in Mr. Molloy's book.

When I mention to the kids that we are going on a camping trip, I can't quite help but notice the thoughts of coming adventures and fun in their eyes and smiles. It reminds me of my brother and sisters some 25 years ago. Thanks to Mr. Molloy for his great stuff.

Danny Walker Columbus, OH

Best in Tent Camping: West Virginia

I just got back from the best trip! After sweltering most of the summer I decided to head for the cool mountains of West Virginia. A roommate in college was from there and suggested I go camping in the Mountain State. I found Johnny Molloy's book and away I went. I started in the south end of the state at Bluestone State Park. The lake was refreshing and the nights were much cooler than at home. After this I headed really high and went to Spruce Knob Lake, at 4,000 feet the highest campground in the entire guidebook. Oh, the weather was spectacular! I fished the lake and went hiking in the nearby Seneca Creek Backcountry. The trip to Upper Seneca Falls was idyllic. I tell you what -- I'm gonna try to get up there when the leaves turn, because West Virginia is the unsung outdoor jewel of the East. (make up name and place, someone from the South

Louise Johnson, Richmond, VA

I was anxiously awaiting the publication of this book for my May trip to WV. I picked a campground based on this guide, and once again I was not disappointed! The site was the best one I've camped at yet--very private, beautiful, peaceful, quiet--just as described in the book. The guide rates the campgrounds based on beauty, security, spaciousness, and quiet--four very important factors to me. It also describes campground costs, facilities, area attractions, and gives directions. I like knowing what the site will be like--fire ring or fire grate, picnic table, graded tent pad, etc. All of this information contributes to a great camping experience without unpleasant surprises.

This is the second great camping trip I've had thanks to Johnny Molloy. I also bought his guide to camping in the Smoky Mountains and was rewarded with another memorable vacation there. I will continue to use these guides to plan my camping trips, and I can't wait to see what the next published guide will be!

This is a very good guide - with a fresh selection of mountains and routes, mostly off the beaten path. We used it a lot during our 2008 summer vacation. There is the occasional error, and some of the authors descriptions of the difficulties may lead to unerving experiences for those not well accustomed to exposure. Nevertheless - highly recommended.

This is not a permutation of some other work ... this is a fresh, unique guidebook. After you have been through Gerry Roach's books, Dawson's, and related classics, you know a lot about the 14ers and the near-14ers. But how about the "best of the best" without regard to altitude?

For my tastes, I want to see those finest places, and not disqualify peaks that don't meet an altitude requirement. Like Bison Peak and Storm King. Places I would not know about from the most popular summit guides.

Thanks James Dziezynski! I may not be able to pronounce your last name, but I darned sure appreciate your hard work and great authorship.

Clearly, I recommend this book if you are looking for mountaineering ideas or exceptional climbs.

I really enjoy hiking and camping in the backcountry of Colorado and I'm always curious about new places to hike. So when I saw this book I was intrigued and very curious about what it had to offer.
Using this guide for a couple hikes its definitely become the best guide book I've used as it's very easy to use in the field, it's engaging with a unique author flare, thorough and very interesting. A definite "must have" to add to your guide book collection.
What attracted me to this book was the beautiful pictures on the cover and the diversity of hikes, many I've not heard of before, within its pages! Hike and Trailhead descriptions are written in an easy to follow manner and the directions have been thorough and very accurate. It's obvious that a lot of time was spent researching these aspects. It's also really helpful that the intro page to each hike has an elevation graph, a mile by mile break down of the hike, interesting things you'd expect to see on the hike and wheather its a good day hike or one for camping. Also what's made the book a great guide in my opinion are the maps with GPS coordinates and the interesting tid-bits of historical info. included at the end of each hike description. Even more are the fun trivia questions in the Appendix section of the book! I've learned some really neat things so far!
From cover to cover this a great guide and I am happy to have bought it!

Ever since meeting the author while hiking Mt. Powell (one of the chapters in this book), I have looked forward to the release of this book. It didn't disappoint! As an avid hiker/climber living in the Colorado mountains, I have hiked many of the peaks described in this book. The route descriptions appear accurate and full of useful detail.
I especially appreciate the detailed driving instructions, altitude profiles and optional routes. The "Why Climb It?" section in each chapter definitely whets the appetite for the hikes shown. Dziezynski interjects his rather off-beat sense of humor and personal experiences to make it more enjoyable and less of a "just the facts ma'am" sort of book. I highly recommend this book to both the seasoned mountain veteran and the casual tourist visiting the Colorado mountains for the first time.

James Dziezynski does a wonderful job of both engaging the reader and informing them of what to look forward to on the hikes described. I have traveled a couple of the mountains mentioned in the book and found the descriptions and recommendations to be quite accurate as to what to expect on each trek. James' writing has me very much looking forward to my next Colorado adventure so that I can explore some more of it's peaks. Huzzah!

Excellent book on the Ludlow Massacre. Well researched and written. History buffs will really enjoy this one.

There is a lot to like about BLOOD PASSION: THE LUDLOW MASSACRE AND CLASS WARFARE IN THE AMERICAN WEST by Scott Martelle. Here you will find an intricate description of life in a "company" town. It's hard to imagine today, how less than a century ago, company towns were commonplace. These were towns founded around a single business entity, in this case, coal mining, whereby the company that owned the coal mines, in essence owned the town and its' inhabitants.

We study a society where it was a firing offense for an employee to purchase from anywhere other than a company owned store, where prices were set by the employer. They lived in company owned housing, in this case, tents. Their entire existence depended almost entirely on the provisions made by their employer. It's not a far stretch to say, these people existed largely as indentured servants.

Martelle gives an unbiased narrative of the events that spawned the Ludlow Massacre. There is plenty of blame to go around for the massacre that occurred in 1914, and Martelle spreads that blame rather evenly between the striking workers, the strikebreakers, the owners and the National Guardsmen that became embroiled in the southern Colorado mining labor problems.

Perhaps there will always remain a slight wedge between employers and employees, but hopefully never again the deep chasm that existed in the early industrialization of America.

The book is a very interesting read, though at times a bit dry and slow. Martelle is not the most colorful or flamboyant of writers, but does convey his message and story with a succinct style readers will appreciate. The book will appeal to varying audiences, from those studying labor problems in America to the study of the western states. You'll find a graphic description of life a century ago in an existence hardly imaginable today.

There is a lot of empty space in Southern Colorado. This book masterfully fills in some of this space with beliefs, blood, ghosts, and little known Western history. A fine read, and thoughtfully written with insights and even handedness.

A wonderful walk through the events and people involved in Colorado coal mining in the early 20th century. A refreshing perspective that looks at the culmination of actions and personalities.

Personally, another piece was clarified in my ancestral puzzle. My grandmother was born in the Berwind mine camp and with my immigrant Croatian greatgrandparents, resided in the Ludlow area during the books timeframe.

I knew nothing about the southern Colorado coal strikes and the Ludlow Massacre when I started Scott Martelle's new book, Blood Passion. By the time I finished it -- just two days after starting it -- I understood not only how, but why, the violent strike ended the way it did.
Martelle's prose style is dense with facts, yet elegant and easy. The writing is beautifully done, and the story itself is so compelling that it's easy to understand why he became preoccupied with it.
Each decision along the way, by owners and strikers, deepens the chasm between the two, until at last the line is not drawn but engraved in the sand and there can be no winners.
Whatever your interest in the book -- through the lens of labor history, or western studies, or the social strata of the times -- you will find much here that will resonate for a long time. Martelle, who weathered the nasty Detroit newspaper strike in the mid-90s and did not cross picket lines, gives neither strikers nor owners a bye in this book. (Full disclosure: I, too, weathered that strike by honoring the picket lines.)

Purchased this book for my son, now almost 3 years old, about a year ago. He loves it. Great pictures and he really likes touching all the boo boos and playing with the band-aid on the front.

This is the sweetest book about Boo Boo's and how to ake care of them.

Need to ease the trauma of a bloody elbow? Loosen up over the loose skin of a bulging blister? This book is for you!
Who knew scabs and blisters could be so irresistibly touchable? From the delightfully witty-and informative-verse, to the sticky, picky, bubbly, and band-aided catalogue of injuries, this is a must have for parents with a sense of humor and a desire to make every moment a learning experience. We received this as a gift for our toddler. After he got that first scraped knee, we took the book out and opened to the "SCRAPES" page, featuring a teary-eyed girl with a scraped knee. Big deal right?...but on further inspection, the scrape on her knee is in fact a sticky, red "boo boo." We all touched the scrape and screamed with delight as the page clung to our fingers! My son was instantly won over. It is certainly a favorite (not just for him...
The entire book is interactive-you can lift a flap of a cast to see an x-ray of a fractured arm, weave a ribbon to mimic stitches, connect the dots of a rash... you pick the injury, they have created a clever way to discuss how the body heals and what it looks and feels like.

Move over, Pat the Bunny. The Boo Boo Book has arrived. Through this delightfully interactive board book, young children can learn about the various minor mishaps that sometimes befall them. Many pages provide clever ways for children to explore further. For example, under the cast is an x-ray; beneath the hand is a real Band-Aid.

When I read this book to my four-year-old granddaughter, she told true accounts of her own "boo boos". We had a grand time recalling occasions when we had skinned our knees, ended up with blisters on our feet, and bruised our arms. We also talked about being brave when we get hurt. More importantly, The Boo Boo Book provided me with the opportunity to talk about being careful and "playing it safe". Children of all ages will love this welcome addition to their library.

As a pediatrician and a mother, I have been delighted with the Boo Boo Book! My four year-old daughter was given a copy and she is fascinated by this engaging, rhyming tale of bumps and bruises. I like reading it with her because the explanations are clear and kid-oriented. My daughter loves the interactive illustrations. Her favorite is the sticky red "blood" and I think the x-ray of a broken bone under the lift- a- flap cast is extremely cool.

Joy Masoff has hit upon a topic that is truly interesting to kids of all ages--and her rhyming explanations are both educational and entertaining. A great book!

Written in the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, Ed Abbey, and Everett Reuss, Rea artfully describes mind-blowing scenery across the entire Colorado Plateau experienced while rafting, backpacking, hiking and touring. Mixing natural history with insightful philosophical reflections, Rea draws the reader ever deep into the scenery and transformative character of the Plateau. Written with passion and skill, Rea's book is a must read for enthusiasts of the Colorado Plateau, naturalists, historians, and everyone interested in preserving what little remains of the wild.

By Kyle Gardner, author of Medicine Rock Reflections

Paul Rea's book, Canyon Interludes, offers the reader more than merely environmental reflection. In the tradition of Edward Abbey, Rea offers the reader integrated moments of personal reflection while traveling into some of the most undiscovered country left in America, the canyons and rivers of Southeastern Utah, the four corners region, and the desiduous Southwest.

Set deep in such amazing landscapes as these, Rea offers the reader incredibly detailed depictions of nature intertwined with very real physical tribulations - and accompanying emotional ponderings - while hiking and kayaking in the vast and remote spaces that few have bothered (or dared) to travel. This is a visceral piece that anyone who has experienced the sparcely harsh, yet awe-inspiring high desert would appreciate. Like Abbey, this author provides the reader with introspective moments to find themselves as well.

The author's delight in the areas he travels is palpable. Paul Rea's passion for rock, river, plants and birds unfolds as he strides through a canyon or paddles a stretch of quiet river. His prose awakens the senses and creates a strong desire to experience these places for oneself.
This is not a book to be speed-read. Each sentence packs so much color, description and nuance that the reader wants to read slowly and savor each line.
The enthusiasm the author feels comes through "loud and strong." In addition, he invites readers to understand that some of these wonders will not be accessible to our heirs if we do not carefully set aside/preserve these environs. His concern for the environment is balanced by a sense of fair play-trying to find solutions that work for everyone.
If you are passionate about the "great outdoors," this is a book for you!

Reading Rea's book is truly like being in the red rock country. His adventurous stories are alive with colorful sensory detail and suffused with his love for the natural world, with all its challenges, grit and glory. Rea writes with a naturalist's keen eye, weaving in history and philosophy, and concern for the threat our species poses to the wild.

I generally am a reader of fiction rather than nature books. After a friend recommended this book to me, I found to my surprise that it was enchanting. The poetic descriptions, which are both sensual and spiritual, lovingly render the incredible beauty found in this part of the world. This motivated me to plan a glorious trip to the red rock country to see it for myself.

The only reason I didn't read this book in one sitting was because my eyes grew tired. This story besides being true is fascinating - well researched and well written. The book even has an update on the survivors of the snowbound bus tragedy in Colorado. Highly inspiring read.
Lynnita Mattock, author of Abductee

I am the author of "Rivers of Wind: A Western Boyhood Remembered," another story of life on the Colorado High Plains in an earlier time. While growing up in southeastern Colorado, even as a child I remember hearing about the Pleasant Hill school bus tragedy. Knowing that a definitive account of this historic event had never been written, when this book came out I was pleased to see what a fine job Ariana Harner and Clark Secrest had done. "Children of the Storm" is a finely-researched and well-written account of this tragedy. Along with telling the story of the unfortunate victims of a devastating High Plains blizzard which trapped them for thirty-three hours in a dilapidated school bus with pieces of cardboard lodged into the frames of its broken-out windows, the book tells of the subsequent exploitation of the survivors by a greedy media mogul and a United States President seeking reelection. "Children of the Storm" tells, at long last, the true story of the twenty children and one adult who were trapped in the school bus, the tragic deaths of six of them, and both the short-term and long-term effects the event had on the lives of the survivors.

Children of the Storm: The True Story of the Pleasant Hill School Bus Tragedy
Ariana Harner and Clark Secrest
On a clear, sunny spring day in 1931 the bus driver, Carl Miller, made his route to bring the twenty children to the Pleasant Hill school house, a one room building located on the plains of Kiowa County, Colorado. Upon arriving, a terrible storm cloud came up from the north. Carl Miller and the teachers decided they should send the children home, instead of keeping them at the one room school house without food or water. The bus started out in what was then a blinding blizzard. It was not long before he was lost, finally ran off the road, and the bus was stranded.
Finally, Mr. Miller thought that it would be best for him to try to find help. He asked the oldest child on the bus, Bryan Untiedt, to make sure the other children do not go to sleep. Do whatever he could to keep them from freezing to death. Some of the children had very little for coats. Mr. Miller was soon lost and later found frozen to death. There were no phones and the only help was from families and friends, who were unable to find them until the second day. They found three children had already frozen to death and seventeen were still alive. They were all taken to the hospital for treatment of frostbite on their hands, feet, etc...
The Denver Post interviewed the children and families. Bryan Untiedt was promoted as a "hero" by the Post. Other newspapers were interviewing and photographing the survivors, as well.
Nineteen days after the tragedy, all the survivors and their families were invited to Denver for one week to see different sites. Mr. Bonfils, the owner of the Denver Post, presented all the survivors with some cash and a gold-plated heroism medal. Bryan Untiedt was also invited to Washington, D.C. by President Herbert Hoover.
This story was very informative about what can happen in a short time with spring storms and how dangerous they can be on the plains of Colorado. I did not like how the media made Bryan Untiedt a hero more than the other survivors. I feel that you should read this book called Children of the Storm. Ages 8 to Adult. Talli, Eads Middle School, 6th Grade

Having grown up in Colorado, I found this book informative, poignant, and a genuinely great read. I remember people eluding to a bus tragedy in Colorado ages ago but never was able to learn the circumstances, until now. That so tragic an event could have been exploited by so many unconnected to its events speaks volumes to the age we live in. I found the details and timeline remarkable given the generations that have passed and the silence so long held by the tragic participants. Well researched!

This is an incredible book that appeals to more that just the local Colorado area in which it happened. The extensive research that went into this book is incredible. The writing is fascinating and extremely well done. Historical data is accurate and this book uncovers a tragedy that changed many lives. Also check out Mr. Secrest's other Colorado historical book Hell's Belles - great book as well.

Another powerful and gripping novel by Marianne Wesson, with a very unusual storyline. I have read both her earlier books and enjoyed them thoroughly. Cinda Hayes is one of my favourite characters, gusty, smart and sympathetic. I was very disappointed to learn that Wesson has only written three books. I wish there were many more.

This is an interesting look at the power of film, and what affects it can have on a family. As an attorney the first amendment issues were interesting to think about. I enjoy the characters of the series, and the suspense of the books.

This is a fascinating novel with a number of important elements.
I found it to be a excellent piece of fiction, with strong characters and an interesting story line. As a legal/mystery novel it stands on its own as a very good thriller. However, it has added interest in addressing issues related to the first amendment, the pornography industry, and a variety of psychological aspects. I appreciated that the author was able to discuss the subject matter in sufficient detail to convey the message, without gratuitous use of the sexual content. All in all I strongly recommend this book to people who like legal thrillers.

I really enjoyed this novel. The characterizations are wonderful, ranging from penetrating to hilarious (the dialouge between Cinda Hayes and the postmodernist film professor is alone worth the price of the book), the moral and ethical ideas it explores are important, and the story is a real gripper. I couldn't put it down. My wife is reading it now, and missing all her appointments as a result. What's more to say? Buy the book. You won't regret it!

[...]
In this intelligent and timely legal thriller Wesson pulls out all the stops to make a great case regarding the effects of unrestricted free speech. Boulder attorney Lucinda Hayes is hired to take on the case of Peggy Grayling, a woman whose daughter was raped and killed by a mentally disturbed man, and who also believes that a certain child pornographic snuff film was also directly responsible for the crime. So not only is Cinda taking on the distributor of the film but, incidentally, the whole entertainment industry as well, making what follows nothing short of spectacular. And as Cinda becomes more involved in the case, the disturbing aspects of it not only begin affect her work, but her personal relationships as well.
This thought-provoking novel is both highly entertaining and intensely suspenseful. Both sides of the coin are equally represented, but Cinda's position that the First Amendment should not automatically free one from responsibility of the effects of such an unrestricted law is put forth with such conviction, that it's difficult not to at least consider the argument.  With superbly drawn characters, a story with grit and purpose, and a final denouement worthy of intense consideration, this latest mystery from Wesson comes highly recommended.  But do be warned that some of the content is very disturbing, however, in Wesson's assured hand, never gratuitously so.

Use it in law school and keep it around for a long time after. Keeper!

This was a wonderful purchase. The information was very accessable and to-the-point. A good nut-and-bolts resource for common evidentiary issues. A handy tool for busy attorneys. I wish I would have bought this the day I was given my law license.

Highly recommended.

Before and during every trial, I refer to this book. It lays out the elements necessary to lay a foundation of mostly any type of evidence and lays out the questions necessary to establish that foundation. It serves as a terrific checklist, not only to learn the rules in law school, but to use them in the courtroom. An absolute must have.

I also recommend Thomas Mauet's Fundamentals of Trial Techniques.

It is lacking in the foundation for more current evidence -- e.g., emails, web pages, etc.

I've been a criminal defense attorney in Alaska for many years, working in areas where I had no one else to talk over my cases with and where the law library consisted of just the state statutes and the Pacific Reporters. The lists of foundational requirements set out in this book have helped me plan direct and cross examinations for trials, and have helped me innumerable times sound intelligent and in control when making objections or in meeting objections. The examples are very helpful. The book is good for law students; it's wonderful for practicing attorneys.

This book is a must for any law student who desires to learn the proper method for laying evidentiary foundations in a court of law. The book contains numerous examples of proper methods of how to enter various evidence items. The book also covers all of the important evidence rules and explains them in a logical useful manner. Highly recommended--I have seen quite a few trial lawyers referring to this book in actual practice