Connecticut Books

Stephen Grant has written a wonderfully readable account of an exceptional personality. As an Africanist I was especially interested in Peter Strickland's activities on Goree island--he was a merchant there before becoming the first U.S. consul to Senegal, an unpaid position he held from 1883-1905--but other aspects of his life are equally interesting. His concern for common sailors in the merchant marine, for example, led him to publish a book to enlighten the public on their mistreatment.

Strickland kept a diary most of his life, and the author includes many excerpts to give us a flavor of his ideas in the context of his times. Along with a discussion of the primary sources on Strickland's life, he leaves us with the intriguing thought that some volumes of Strickland's diary are missing and could still turn up. If they do, they might add some details to his life, but they won't change the picture Stephen Grant has given us of a unique individual

Stephen H. Grant's Peter Strickland. New England Shipmaster, Boston Merchant, and First Consul to Senegal gives us an engaging read and a fresh historical source for the little explored relations between the United States and West Africa during the last half of the nineteenth century. Born in New London, Connecticut in 1837, Peter Strickland first went to sea in 1857,as a nineteen year old man. Later a sea captain and merchant, Strickland served as U. S. consul to Gorée-Dakar Senegal from 1883-1906. He retired to his home in Dorchester, Massachusetts where until his death in 1921, he continued an active life as head of family, concerned citizen, and staunch advocate of the welfare of seamen and of Unites States commercial relations with West Africa. His career as consul is of interest to historians of Africa in its insights into late nineteenth century commerce along the coast from Senegal to Sierra Leone and the impact upon the United States' role of the onset of French colonialism. Through his consular dispatches, correspondence and a journal spanning twenty-five years, he documents the primary imports and exports of Senegal to the U. S., but also the business and social relations among those serving European and American interests from Gorée and Dakar. His knowledgeable and literate dispatches were widely shared within the U. S. Department of State.

Grant's account is objective yet sympathetic to his subject. He reveals a hard-working man, who managed to survive as an entrepreneur despite receiving no salary as consul, despite competition from the colonial powers taking over West Africa, and despite personal tragedy in a troubled marriage and the death of his oldest son by drowning in 1888 as he served as Vice Consul to his father. Strickland survived his wife and three children and was survived by his daughter Mary who was his closest companion in both Africa and in his retirement. He was typical of his generation in holding dismissive views of women and of Black Africans. He regretted the decline of U. S. commercial interest in Africa and through his correspondence and articles argued ahead of his time for a greater U.S. awareness of and interest in Africa and other regions beyond North America--his was an early voice of internationalism. To the end of his life, his journal gives at times poignant witness to a family man who worried about finances in retirement, who kept up his knowledge of commerce and personnel in West Africa, and who felt deeply the passing of his peers. Although modest, Strickland valued his record and spent two years in 1913 and 1914 recopying his journal for posterity.

The story of how this biography came to be is a 21st- century parallel of American Senegalese interaction. A retired foreign service officer himself, Stephen H. Grant served as a USAID administrator in Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire among other postings in Africa, Asia, and Central America. As a hobby, Grant collected and published books about vintage postcards on Guinea, Indonesia, and El Salvador. A postmarked envelope from 1889 addressed to Capt. Peter Strickland, U. S. consul, Gorée, West Africa" acquired on eBay led him to pursue Strickland's biography. The preface to the work invites the reader to follow an entertaining path of historical investigation through archival and genealogical research and the discovery of his own family's involvement in the residence Strickland used while consul. Reminiscent at times of Patrick O'Brian's seafaring novels, this highly recommended work has the special merit of giving us the voice of a real person from those distant times.

Steve Grant's biography is a little gem. The preface tells of the author's search for his subject and reads with the pace and surprise of a treasure hunt. Grant has a special gift for writing history, perhaps especially biography. His eye for detail also sees his subject in the round and in all the colors of his time and setting. Grant's evocation of the Isle of Goree, by its nature a timeless spot as I (and least one other reviewer) have known it, is classic. Grant's style is exact yet zesty, allowing not a word in excess. The author and his subject share both New England origins and an African destination with a century in between. The result is a keen and affecting portrait of a Yankee shipmaster and merchant, who became the first U.S. consul to French West Africa. The volume is amply illustrated and expertly produced. I strongly recommend it.

The previous reviews and book description cover this fine book quite well. What I can add is: I was interested in this book because I lived for about three years in Dakar, facing the Island of Goree where Peter Strickland's career as first US Consul to Senegal unfolded. Not only did I find the book provided interesting insights into the life and times of the period (late 19th-early 20th century) and the talented, hard-working, somewhat strait-laced sea-captain/diplomat/merchant/writer who was Strickland. But, it was also an entertaining, lively read. I do not remember reading anything that brings to life this period and the reality of living both in West Africa and in New England so well. To think that it all came about because the author (a veteran diplomat) happened to acquire an envelope addressed to Strickland in an on-line auction (E-Bay) is quite an amazing story in itself. After acquiring the envelope addressed to Strickland, one thing led to another until his research, which is so well described as well in a lively, fascinating manner, resulted in this wonderful biography.

Child of New England, sailor on the high seas, merchant, consul to Senegal, author and memoirist - these are just some of the varied and fascinating aspects of Peter Strickland's life, as detailed in Stephen Grant's engaging story about a Victorian-era shipmaster who spent more than twenty years of his life living on Gorée, an African island fraught with the tragic history of the slave trade.

Grant not only tells a good tale, but he has made excellent use of a significant trove of historical materials in doing so, conducting extensive research on two continents, examining volumes of archival records and poring over Strickland's six decades of personal journals. Through this respected writer, the story of a man who started out as a cabin boy and came to represent the United States in an important outpost overseas is made both entertaining and informative. I highly recommend it to anybody interested in the era and in the twists and turns one's life can take.

Ernest Knobbs has created a piece of work that will pull you in and not let go! This heartrending story of a special relationship between parent and child will leave you breathless. Keep the tissue box close by! You cannot read this one without tears. Tears from hilarious antics to heart-twisting grief. This is a book for everyone, parent or not, because somewhere in those pages you will find yourself or someone you wish you could have been. Long after putting the book down, the characters will remain a part of your life. It will leave you with a resolve to live each moment as if it were your last. I will be anxiously awaiting the next part of the story in the lives of the Spaldings! Don't keep us waiting Ernest Knobbs!

Randy is a delightful book that speaks to the heart. It is an easy read and yet one that speaks of important matters of life and death, love and loss, grief and rebirth. The book draws you in, letting you experience extraordinary relationships under extraordinary circumstances. I recommend it for all ages.

I read randy in a 24 hour reading spree. And when I was done, I just wanted to read more about the Spalding family. If you love reading about "everyday families" and how they help each other through life- this book is for you. Down-to-earth with guarenteed laughs and tears. I highly recommend it!!!!!!

Randy was simply terrific. I found myself actually crying at times and laughing at others. It has great balance. Meaning, that it brings a feeling of reality, knowing that the world has its problems and differences and how occurances come about that can pull people apart or bring them closer together, yet it also shows that there is extreme goodness in the world, (ie. love, enjoyment, friends) the aspects of life that help you through rough times. I really enjoyed reading Randy, and am lookong forward to more books by Ernest Knobbs. A definate recommendation to anyone!

This work is perfectly described as a tragic comedy. randy is a book that leaves you breathless as it tugs at your heartstrings, only to raise your spirits with spontaneous and natural moments of lightening laughter with one more turn of the page. You find yourself sighing and smiling and shaking your head as if Ernest Knobbs were describing moments in your own life as he tells the story of Gary Spalding and the memories of his dear son randy. I would recommend it to anybody who desires a hearty laugh and a gentle cry!

Based on his forty year career as a teacher, administrator, and consultant for private schools, Stephen Davenport has crafted his debut, Saving Miss Oliver's. Subtitled "a novel of leadership, loyalty, and change," the novel chronicles one tumultuous year in the history of a small all-girls school. What sets Saving Miss Oliver's apart from other school novels is that Davenport focuses not just on inner workings of the school. He also turns his lens on two of Miss Oliver's longtime teachers, exploring a marriage that is just as vulnerable that year as the school itself.

In the midst of a fiscal crisis the board of Miss Oliver's School for Girls realizes that it is time for change. The school community, however, is resistant, especially when the first sign of that change is the dismissal of longtime headmistress Marjorie Boyd. The new head of school, Fred Kindler, is set an impossible task. He's to bolster enrollment and decrease the school's deficit with virtually no assistance from teachers, alumnae, or students, all of whom despise him for taking the post. If Kindler is not successful only two options remain--go co-ed or close--and the community can't decide which is worse.

Francis and Peggy Plummer have been working at Miss Oliver's School for almost as long as they've be married. When Francis's loyalty to Boyd keeps him from helping the new headmaster, the resulting rift between the two grows ever wider as problems long-buried begin to resurface. Peggy becomes determined to help Kindler succeed in his mission, the fate of the school, for her, more important than that of her marriage.

Well-plotted and interesting, Saving Miss Oliver's leaves readers guessing about the future of Miss Oliver's School right until its very end. Additionally Davenport's characters are very realistic; he does not shy away from the failings that make each of them human. In doing so, he drives home the point that real people are the essence of any great school.

While Saving Miss Oliver's is a strong first effort, one slipup betrays Davenport's status as a freshman novelist. While setting the stage for the novel's action, he introduces too many characters at once. Although this is an easy error for a first time author to make, the novel suffers from it as his readers are left disoriented at the outset, trying to sort out the main characters from a score of miscellaneous teachers, board members, alumnae, donors, and students.

My copy of SAVING MISS OLIVER'S arrived a few hours before we set sail for Hawaii, a long awaited holiday. I replaced THE WORLD IS FLAT with it in my bag and, once begun, I couldn't put it down. It was as if this story had a wire attached to my brain, my very soul, my memories.

Stephen Waters, Deering, N.H.

The reader enters Miss Oliver's with the first word. Stephen Davenport's novel is a fascinating look at not only the inner workings of a private girls' school, but also the multiple layers of human motivation. Mr. Davenport deftly invites us to care about his characters as we learn what they think, what they do, and then very cleverly, how others are responding to that thinking and doing. Mr. Davenport writes with integrity as he develops his characters. It seemed clear that he cares deeply for his characters as they struggle through the changes at Miss Oliver's. I loved the way the novel illuminates the assumptions these characters make and how this affects their actions and intentions. It was a fun and fascinating read. As a former trustee of a private (non-boarding) school, I am somewhat familiar with school challenges. And yet, I felt I entered a whole new world in this book. Couldn't put it down.

Even mediocre schools touch people deeply; great schools join themselves to the hearts of students, parents, teachers, and alumni. Love intensifies their passion about everything the school does, sometimes making the school leader's role almost impossibly challenging.

Few novels attempt to capture the challenges of leading a beloved school, and none do so better than "Saving Miss Oliver's." Leaders of colleges, churches, art museums, and other much-loved institutions will resonate with Fred Kindler's difficulties as he becomes the first male head of a boarding school for girls. He follows a charismatic leader whose long tenure led Miss Oliver's to educational excellence and fiscal peril.

"Saving Miss Oliver's" combines the usual novelistic virtues--convincing characters, artful language, and an intriguing plot--with a grasp of organizational dynamics and the challenges of leadership that makes it a rare treat for readers who are also leaders.

Dan Hotchkiss, senior consultant
The Alban Institute

For those of us who understand adolescence to be a critical time of life and who have known influential teachers, this book lets slip the lessons gained from our experiences: that we learn best through relationships, that high school often prepares us in unexpected ways for our lives -- and that we read fiction to begin to get at the truth.

Woven through "Saving Miss Oliver's" is homage to teachers and the art of teaching. Almost exactly in the middle of the story, and thus at its core, is the extended scene in which Francis Plummer teaches Robert Frost's "Home Burial" to a class of ninth grade girls. It is a revelation of the passion, dedication and talent that mark great teachers. At last a writer is showing these men and women, real heroes, at their actual work.

Davenport's ability to draw us into the lives of his characters underscores his talent of hitting the right notes in the lessons we draw from both them and him.

An adventurous and compelling story for people of all ages. The historical and geographical references were educational too. I highly recommend it; I read it in 1 sitting!

"Tagger" allows a young person to see that being independent is a good thing! It shows how a young person can use their intelligence to help people and make friends.
I really liked this booked and so did my 12 year old daughter.
I would recommend it to anyone with children that enjoy adventures and light mystery.

Superbly written by J.A. Louthain and illustrated by Andrea Eberbach, Tagger: Alone Along The Mystic River is an historical novel for young adults which is set in Connecticut in the early 1800s. Tagger is a young girl who is sold into servitude. She escapes to the Mystic River seeking to pursue an education and a new life. Tagger survives by catching and selling fish. Well researched, historically accurate, and with a strong message of independence and self-reliance, Tagger: Alone Along The Mystic River is engaging, rewarding, and highly recommended for young readers and enhanced with a charming, original music CD that comes packaged with the trade paperback book.

What a wonderful book, and such a great inspiration for young people. Through Taggers' adventures you will learn that honesty, hard work and sharing, builds lifetime rewards and friendships. There is a big emphasis on the importance of an education. Tagger's different relationships with all of the characters in this book are heartwarming, some happy and some sad; which is all a part of growing up. The book brings Mystic River villages to life with it's colorful descriptions. I bought this book for my 8 year old niece and she just loves it. She took it to her school and her teacher is reading small parts from a couple of the chapters to the class.

I first read the book to see if my grandaughters would like it. They are 12 and 9 years old. I really enjoyed the book myself. It is a story about courage, hope, victory, people caring about each other and the good guys win in the end. It is everything that makes America great. It has both the good parts of us and the bad parts. I never felt that I was being "preached" at but there was definetely a "lesson" being taught. I would like to know more about some of the other characters and hope J. A. Louthain writes more about the people in the story, the school teacher Mr. Jenson, Mary, Gina, the Fish Children. I feel like we get to know them a little but I would like to know them better. It is an enjoyable book for any age.

How could you pick up this intensively researched labor of love and not want to run on up to Connecticut or go exploring in your own backyard?It's ALL in here -- the leafy byways, eccentricities, history, the quirky and remarkable places, people and traditions that give this southernmost New England state that is also tied to NYC, a short train commute away,with its unique character. As the owner of ConneCTions Receptive Tours - out of the ordinary tours for groups in CT, I thought I knew it all, but I was wrong. I've been happily telling my tourism industry colleagues about this remarkable resource.

Whether you are interested in the history of Connecticut or in its vistas you will find this book of uncommon value. Champion shoppers and gourmets will delight in the listings and the descriptions of malls and shoppes found within. Well resarched and written, this book will appeal to longtime residents of the state as well as casual tourists.

What an accessible guide to touring Connecticut. There are so many ways to choose your trip for the day: there's the alphabetical index for a quick check on a restaurant, museum or whatever; the more detailed index by town, listing specific details such as annual events; a table of contents listing the towns by region and county; and a thorough introduction on how to find your way around the book. Historical questions at the beginning of each town pique your interest, and the events in each town are listed by month. It couldn't be an easier or more interesting and delightful guide, in fact it's a tour by itself.

CONSUMMATE CONNECTICUT: DAY TRIPS WITH PANACHE BY STACY LYTWYN MAXWELL Even reading this delightful book from far away (Texas ) made me want to pick up the phone and make reservations for a trip to Connecticut now! Stacy has a fresh personable way with words and entices you not only with beautiful descriptions of the sights, but also with t he aromas and the feel of the places she describes. Her extensive research into history and customs, festivals, and fun is a wealth of information, and her recommendaitons can be trusted because she has not received payment from any of t he businesses mentioned. For any resident of Connecticut, this book should always be in your car! For any visitor to the area, day trips or longer stays, the book should be your first consultant in planning your trip.

We love this book. My husband and I are life-long Connecticut residents residing now in Cheshire. We just got the book and have already discovered things about our own town that we never knew! When the weather cools we are going to go see the waterfall. We love to take day trips, particularly in the Spring and Fall -even the winter- and this book is perfect for that. It's well organized and jam-packed with all the information you need to make a last-minute day trip with panache. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone living in the tristate area or who plan on coming to New England for vacation. It should definetly be in the personal library of all Connecticut residents.

Lange is O. Henry-esque in his descriptions of people and scenes with a hint of Robert Frost's New England accent. The slim collection of memories, a mere 86 pages, takes the reader to Lange's first day at a New England boarding school, then to a frigid wood's cabin that he shares with a mouse, and back through memories as he refinishes a canoe.
I never heard him read these on the radio, but they are ideal for reading aloud. Each story contains a heart-warming feeling. Travel with Lange to the woods as he takes a final hunting trip with an old man or explores a long-abandoned home site.
It left me wishing for more of these contemplative word pictures of the New England woods.

This book contains one of the all time greatest Christmas stories--Favor Johnson. Reading this story is a family tradition in our home. For this alone you should buy this book. We first came into contact with Willem Lange listening to him read his stories on Vermont Public Radio back in the 1990s and have been hooked ever since.

Mr. Lange's stories of life in New England awake memories of the reader's own experiences that transcend any geographical boundaries. In this collection of essays, Willem Lange celebrates the experiences of everyday life in New England with humor and honesty that connects with readers in every corner of the land.

This thin book delivers powerful images of how New England was and strives to remain. Short essays cover typical events and personalities, most often humorous, always interesting. A great way to discover why we think there's no other place to live.

I first became acquainted with the work of essayist Willem Lange through his appearances on the Vermont Public Television program "RFD," which normally ends its weekly broadcast with a piece by this wordsmith. The essays in this charming little book are culled from other writings and are perfect examples of Mr. Lange's style. With a minimum of very well chosen words, Mr. Lange paints a detailed picture of people, places, and events and wraps us in his love for all. There are some very heart-felt expressions here: A Letter to a newborn grandchild; A sudden understanding of his wife's life-long torment; An appreciation of past leadership provided by a mentor. In all, there are 18 tiny gems here, none longer than four pages, but the scope of their sentiment is unending. This is a book to treasure and read over and over again. If only it were longer.

The guide contains so much information in one easy reference. One would have to spend hours on the internet and in the library to come up with this sort of information, and still not have the personal advice and direction that comes with this guide. Well worth the money.

As a new resident of Greenwich I have found the Anderson Guide to Greenwich an invaluable resource. It has constantly been referred to as the go to source for learning about our new town. We have found the listings to be comprehensive, complete and unbiased. Very Helpful book. A must have for anyone new to this area. Thank you for compiling this information in an easy to use format.

I have lived in Greenwich for over twenty years and have found "The Guide" as we call it in our home to be a reference book used by all. My children as well as myself use it often and discover new things about our town.. From restaurants, to nail salons, to fun activities for the kids.... What a wonderful thing the Andersons have done for our community!!!!

The praise we have received for our Anderson Guide to Enjoying Greenwich is overwhelming and warms my heart. The Guide is now in its 6th edition. The talented Glenville Maverick Cheerleaders are on the front cover. Jerry and I are grateful to so many Greenwich residents for their support and for their enthusiastic appreciation for providing the town of Greenwich with a useful guide. The Greenwich Library just ordered several copies. They keep copies at the information desk and at community answers to help people with their questions. The Historical Society has the copies of our past editions in its archives. We are pleased to be documenting our town's many events, restaurants, shops and tips about Greenwich way of life.

The Guide is a list of our favorites...simply that. It is not a book of advertisements. No place mentioned in the Guide had any idea that it would be included. Establishments and programs are listed because we like them. Although the Guide is about Enjoying Greenwich, you will note many selections are outside of Greenwich's town limits. These easy to reach places complement our many in-town resources.

Initially, many years ago, our first Guide was prepared for our real estate clients. Then the calls came in-their friends needed a copy. The owner of Just Books saw it and said we must publish it, and that is where it started. Our initial reason for writing it has not changed. We know finding favorite spots takes awhile. We have lived in Greenwich for many years, and we hope the resources in the Guide will help everyone moving into town feel right at home.

The new edition has over 160 restaurant reviews. Jerry and I anonymously visit each one at least two times before we write the review. We are looking at the whole experience-food, ambience and service. If a restaurant is disappointing in too many ways, we do not include it. Restaurant reviewing is a professional responsibility. We have a great deal to do with a restaurant's success or failure. Jerry and I have extensive food and restaurant backgrounds. I am the author of the Complete Book of Homemade Ice Cream and several other cookbooks. I am a cookbook addict with over 4000 cookbooks in my own collection. For a number of years we owned and operated a small vineyard. Tasting foods and wines and knowing how they are prepared is greatly helpful in reviewing quality. I am an interior designer, a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers; and before devoting myself full time to real estate, I designed restaurants-two in Greenwich. Many people remember the popular restaurant, Morgan, open for many years in Greenwich that I designed. Knowing the requirements of good restaurant design is helpful in reviewing. We love finding new discoveries in dining, and we hope our readers of the Guide will enjoy them too.

My husband and I feel so lucky to have such a comprehensive and wonderfully-written guide of our town. Whether we are planning a night out at a restaurant, or looking for some local information about shops, exercise classes, schools or services, we always consult The Guide - it has definitely taken over our yellow pages and Zagats. We love the way it is organized. And the "Tips," such as "summer town concerts" and "100 things to do" are so fun and interesting! This Guide has truly helped us take advantage of living in such a wonderful town!

"Rowe provides a rich picture not only of a particular group of homeless people, but also of the complicated interactions between the marginalized and those who try to help them." -MDSQ Book News

The preceding reviews and comments were presented to the author with permission from: 1. Deirdre Oakley, Psychiatric Services and 2. Cynthia Karlton, Journal of Addiction and Mental Health.

Crossing the Border makes a noteworthy contribution to the field [of qualitative studies of outreach work.] It should be considered an essential read for everyone- from administrators to those on the front line- working with the most marginalized among the homeless.

"Rowe provides a rich picture not only of a particular group of homeless people, but also of the complicated interactions between the marginalized and those who try to help them." -MDSQ Book News

Having been an outreach worker for roughly six years, I found this book to be surprisingly well written. Too often, books tackling this subject present mere caracatures of the people it talks about, vieweing the subjects more as data or political process than real human beings.

This book presents many different points of views and differing types of outreach workers and the people they seek to help. The homeless are not condescended to nor are the outreach workers glamorized. It is quite factual and quite objective.

I saw myself in some of the types and picked up excellent little reminders about the whole homeless issue and those whose lives it affects. If you are looking for a bit more of the 'human' connection of those who are on the front lines (as opposed to the theorists, the politicians, the directors and others removed from the field), this is a great book toward that end.

I REALLY loved this book. I like to read, but it's only sometimes that I find a book that I get hooked to. At first I just picked it out because it had a nice cover. I figured, since it was long and I was reading some other books at the time, that it would be another book that I would just get partway through. Reading about all these animals was so fun! Before this I had never heard of a bulbul or a sugar glider. It has cute illustrations too. I am definatly glad I read it and I think you will love it too!

My whole family loved THE HOUSE OF A MILLION PETS. I gave it to my 14-year-old for Christmas and then all the adults in the house snuck it and read it while he wasn't looking. It is both touching and hysterically funny. The stories reminded me of Jean Shepherd's books. A great gift for the pet-lover in your life.

Yes, this is ostensibly a children's book, so I started by reading it to my 9-year-old daughter one evening before she went to bed. However, it was so enjoyable that I couldn't resist continuing on my own. When I got to the chapter about the dogs I laughed so hard I thought I'd wake up the entire house. This book is simultaneously thoughtful and uproarious, practical and fun. It'll be the perfect kids' birthday present- I've already ordered several copies. Both my daughter and I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next!

Compared to animal lover and caretaker Hodgman, I'm a novice, with my dog and my beta fish, but her book is so inspiring, I'm thinking of getting a sugar glider or a white capped bulbul or maybe just a dachshund. Definitely not a baby bat, although I enjoyed reading about how she lovingly cared for one. This is a book I'll give my vet to keep in the waiting room. There's something for everyone in it, and it's hard to put it down, but when you do, you'll be smiling. The illustrations are precious; they work for readers of any age.

This is a charming book for all ages. The author describes her experiences with dozens of pets, from dogs and cats to prairie dogs, bulbuls, wild owls, and snapping turtles. The book imparts a lot of fascinating information, and at the same time is very funny. A great find!

J. Blaine Lewis, Jr. was fired in 1989 from his post of Connecticut state lottery chief. This is the story of his ten year legal battle against the state in which we gain an insight into the politics of lottery management, the courage and integrity of a man in a David and Goliath scenario, and the failure of the legal system to provide justice. It is also a love story of a devoted wife, who in memorium, is driven to vindicate her husband. The message conveyed deserves national attention. What a great story for TV or the large screen.

This book is an inside look at the politics of state run funtions and the effects on honest employees. A must read book!

This book is the story of a man with principles, written by the wife who loved him to the end, and loves him still. It is the factual account of a man who was ordered to lie by his bosses and refused, and was then hounded out of his job by men more concerned with kickbacks than doing what was right. The author backs every word up with transcripts and documents-not a word of it is unsubstantiated. In this little book is a magnified look at the workings of government. Read it and weep.

What is it about Tina Lewis's "Justice Denied" that so fascinated me? I couldn't put it down. I had to know the outcome of a man's decision to remain true to himself and to tell the truth-no matter the consequences. Blaine Lewis was that man and he accepted the disastrous results of that decision. His principles, however, remained in tact. Blaine Lewis could live comfortably with himself. Tina Lewis's book lovingly chronicles his life and their lives during that period. Great and fascinating factual reading.

J. Blaine Lewis, Jr. was fired in 1989 from his post of Connecticut state lottery chief. This is the story of his ten year legal battle against the state in which we gain an insight into the politics of lottery management, the courage and integrity of a man in a David and Goliath scenario, and the failure of the legal system to provide justice. It is also a love story of a devoted wife, who in memorium, is driven to vindicate her husband. The message conveyed deserves national attention. What a great story for TV or the large screen.