New Jersey Books

I recently moved to NJ for PA and was looking for a good guidebook to point out some lesser-known sites to explore in my new home state. I ordered this book used on Amazon for about six bucks, which is really all that it's worth. It's a small book and a very quick read. Though Wandering points out a number of historically interesting places throughout the southern part of the state, the dry, lack luster writing style of the author makes most of them seem, well, kinda mundane. There are very few places mentioned in the book that I would be inspired to visit based on the unenthusiastic descriptions of them. Which is too bad because I have always held a fascination with such places and love go hiking and exploring. I think I will have to look elsewhere for a book to point me in the right direction though.

This book covers ground that for many is well covered already: exploration of mostly abandoned sites and old ruins (some are still in use) in Southern NJ. The Pine Barrens is a mystery to many people, and it has the kind of reputation that goes along with a largely wooded, very old, and relatively unknown and misunderstood area. The author doea a decent job of putting the sites in historial perspective, discussing what occured there, as well as documenting it's current condition.

What I like about the book (and what sets it apart from many other current books) is that it has an old school feel. It is a small book (not length, I mean physically it is paperback sized) and uses somewhat grainy B&W photos sparingly. The paper is not gloosy and it doesn't have that polished slickness that many new books have. It *feels* like an old book, and it's written in the same way. I know for a fact that the author was inspired by Beck and it shows. In fact that's who I think of when I read the book.

There are many books out that document odd places to go, strange sites and old crumbling buildings and factories. This book is set apart because of it's old school style, it's focus on southern NJ, and the historical perspect8ive. Is it a perfect book? No. It's the first of what will probably be several books by this author, and it does have some short comings (sometimes there are small gramtical mistakes) but none that should keep you from enjoying this book thoroughly.

I received this book as a Christmas gift this year and was excited about reading it, as I love books about New Jersey and enjoy traveling around the state and exploring little known sites. Unfortunately the book turned out to be a real disappointment. The subject matter was all familiar to me already as it has all been covered to better effect in other books that I have read. The writing was amateurish at best and seemed more like text taken off of a hobbyist's blog rather than an well researched book. Aside from the poorly written text there is little else here to recommend the book, the photos are small black and whites of sub par quality and are few and far between. If you are interested in this sort of subject matter I would suggest seeking out any of Henry Charlton Beck's many books on South Jersey. There are several available used for less money than this book and they are far, far better.

Wandering Around South Jersey is the first book by author Ryan Stowinsky, which chronicles some of the lesser known, out of the way places in South Jersey.

I tore through the one hundred seven page volume in the course of two sittings, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. It's good because it's paced really well. The book covers a good number of locations throughout South Jersey from the well known to the obscure. Each chapter is devoted to a separate place, with a few paragraphs describing the history or legend of the area, and then usually followed up with a photograph or two. It's a bad thing because the book is just too short. Some articles, such as the one on the Charles Wills grave, went by too fast. Others, like the one on Thompsons Beach, were just right. It would have been nicer to see a little more "meat" on each article, and perhaps more talk about the actual search for the place.

What really struck me about the book is that it reminded me a lot of Weird New Jersey, minus all of the crap about ghosts, KKK camps, and Nazi's. This is a good thing because in my opinion there is enough "weird" history in South Jersey that doesn't need to be muddled up with the "cheap thrills" that's used to sell magazines. The places mentioned in the book are mostly not too far off the beaten path, and this book would make an excellent guide for other explorers to plan out their day trips.

Of particular note was Stowinsky's reporting on the "Pet Cemetary" or Ten Mile Hollow cemetery. What I really enjoyed was how he talked of how hard it was to find this place - something that I can sympathize as I still have not been there myself. His description and photographs are the best I have read with regard to that site. He is also, I believe, the first to talk about a town with no roads - Grassy Sound.

What really makes this book shine is how it blends a good deal of original discovery with visits to well known "weird" places. Even if you have a large collection of books on South Jersey and read every issue of Weird New Jersey, there's still good reading here. While my own preference for exploring is down the forgotten sand roads of the Pine Barrens, it's nice to follow along with Stowinski's adventures. I'm told that he's working on a companion book - I'm looking forward to seeing that when it comes out.

When i first received this book, my first thought was, "wow, it's smaller than i thought!" With this book, size does not matter!

Although i am a New Yorker, I spent most of my summers in South Jersey. Some of the places described in this book i had known about, but most were unknown to me. I thought i knew all, until i read this book. There is so much more exploring to do!

Ryan Stowinsky is a modern day explorer and his curiosity for history and the unknown shows in his writings. His enthusiasm makes me want to go back to exploring, the way i did when i was younger. All in all this is a great book filled with great information for anyone interested in exploring Southern New Jersey.

I have lived on the Jersey Shore most all of my life, and have worked in the rock n roll summer bars and have seen a million bands and people come and go each year........ Some went on to greater fame, like the guys I knew in the FUNK Brothers, the Motown House Band, or others who achieved some regional fame, like Johnny Casweell and Joey Powers........yet others who came through and were never heard from again.........This book was truly engrossing reading for me as I knew quite a few of the names, but learned about many others for the first time...... Certainly recommended for anybody who wants to delve into the Jersey Shore scene a bit deeper than Springsteen and Bon Jovi.

This is a great book if you're one of those people, who want to know about the North Jersey Music scene in the 80's and 90's, as well as, see band of days gone by. learned a lot about the band from that period.

I was especially surprised to see my favorite band, "Well or Souls" with Tom Kanach. He was the best and is an unsung hero. He's such a great writer, but he never really got his chance to shine. He did what he felt was best for him and his band mates. He was NOT selfless, but stuck by his guns to the record ladles. This hurt his music career, but it show integrity. I was touch by his chapter. It's almost a Shakespearian music tragedy... [...]

Hey I know there's some relevant points being made by some of the criticism I've read here, but overall I think its FANtastic that somebody took the initiative to author a chronicle of this nature. Instead of bitching about what got left behind, let's just ask for a Volume No. 2! Oh & Gary, let's not forget Phantom's Opera this time pleeze :)

I read the book and found it to be very well researched and entertaining. It shed light on some details of Asbury Park's music scene that I had not previously been aware of (and I know quite a bit, both about the music and about the local history). Most people know of the Asbury Park/Jersey Shore music scene because of Springsteen, Southside, and Bon Jovi, but the book gives insight into the scene that extends, well, "beyond the Palace" (excellent title choice).

However, I gave the book four stars instead of the whole five because there are some details of the story that were omitted, whether because of publisher's size limitations (where are Fire Tribe? Karen Mansfield? RW Kingbird? Charlie McIntosh?) or because they may not have been "politically correct" to include (the beginning of the Nasar years at the Pony, which were in fact exciting to those who were there).

All in all, though, it tells a story that needs to be told and gives a multidimensional aspect to a scene thought by many to be monolithic.

The book right from the start should grab your attention with it's black cover and neon colored photograph of the Palace Amusement building with the catch phrase "the struggling city along the Jersey Shore with a music history unlike any other..."
In a word Beyond the Palace is comprehensive. A quick glance at the table of contents reveals fifty-five chapters of interviews, descriptions of well-known music venues and band profiles. The last pages of the book includes official website listings and a brief bio of the author. In between is tons of great information and over seventy-five photographs. This book goes well beyond the Springsteen and Southside Johnny histories that have been the norm. Beyond the Palace tells the whole story from people who were there and who were a part of this unique music scene.
Gary's opening chapter is entitled The Upstage. As many may know this is where Bruce started playing but it was also the jam spot for many other promising musicians. It was a sub-culture in itself and Wein truly captures the spirit and energy of that famous club. Details and descriptions are a high point of many of Gary's chapters and the opening one sets the tone for the rest of the book.
Chapter two focuses on Convention Hall and the Paramount Theater where many big name acts played. Asbury Park was an ideal location for a concert as it was between New York and Philadelphia and Boston and DC. Many bands stopped over in Asbury Park between their shows in bigger cites. (pg. 13). Therefore, this rather small town was a thriving center for music.
The following chapters discuss some of the smaller clubs such as The Student Prince and the amazing people that played these halls. Chapter five is the start of the interviews Personal perspectives and memories are discussed in a question and answer format that gives the reader an idea of what the scene was all about in its heydays. Interviews and artists profiles scan the 70's into the present. Gary often uses similar questions which adds to the organization and flow of the book. A favorite inquiry appears to be what do you/your band want to most remembered for?
It is astounding how many people Gary interviewed for this book. The wide ranging list includes well known musicians Glen Burtnick who is currently in Styx, Southside Johnny and Dennis Diken of the Smithereens. Younger artist such as Joe D'Urso, Mimi Cross, Highway 9 and Danny White were also contacted for their insights and experiences in Asbury Park. Wein scans more than three decades of change in music and a community in Beyond The Palace. This book is an entertaining educational volume extensively documenting music history but also describes the peak, the fall and the rising again of Asbury Park, New Jersey.

"Bloody Bonsai" is the first of the Jim Dany series, and it is plainly average. Dandy is a retired physical therapist who was dragged into doing Elterhostel by his kids. He meets Doddie Swisher, and falls in love with her. In the meantime, a shady hotel clerk is found stabbed to death with get this-a bonsai tree. It is up to Jim and Doddie to solve the mystery and find the killer so they can be cleared. Blackmail and illicit love are two things they dig up.

This is author Peter Abresch's first novel, and it's painfully obvious from the first page. Now, to be fair, the man has an eye for detail, and the the pacing is good. However, the characters are all stupid stereotypes of the worst kind that can be found in countless other detective novels. There's the energetic old lady, the crusty general that still thinks he's in the military, the lesbian (who apparently serves only to be a foil for her attractive roommate), the maid who speaks broken English, and the rich old guy with the young girlfriend, to name just a few. Adding to this is Abresch's atrocious writing voice. Never have I heard the phrase "yeah, buddy" used more often and more gratingly than it is here. Sure, it's Jim Dandy's trademark or whatever, but why not just print it on the cover and save a few pages of paper? Dodee Swisher can also be summed up with the words "wheaten hair" (which are used about every tenth page) and "cornflower blue eyes". Be prepared for a quick read, because this book contains so many single-sentence paragraphs that you can finish a page in seconds. If half of these had been removed or simply added to the other paragraphs, you'd have about fifty pages less. I also just couldn't bring myself to care about ANY of the characters. James P. Dandy really needs to see a shrink, and soon. His social paranoia (which exceeds that of a thirteen-year-old) and overall personality make me want to murder him, too. The supporting cast, while all having distinct personalities, are all just background; none of them do anything significant. I'm also convinced the killer's name was drawn out of a hat. If you've perchance visited an Elderhostel yourself, this book may be interesting. I doubt it would appeal to anyone under the age of sixty. While it deals with murder and adultery, the novel overall is too gentle to really draw in the reader. Hopefully Abresch will try again, because the man shows much promise as a writer.

Crisp dialogue and humor add a light flair to this mystery. Although Jim and Dodie are hardly the poster boy and girl for morals (I would hope my mother isn't as loose as Dodie!), they do manage to come up for air often enough to trip over some bodies and get into life-threatening situations. A new voice in mysteries that is talented and entertaining. And I learned quite a few things about bonzai trees, too.

I loved this book. I'm a huge fan of mysteries but I find it hard to dig up new writers who I enjoy--most seem to be doing same old-same old. But Peter Abresch has taken a fresh approach to the genre and breathed life into it. This story is wonderful, and the background of bonsai and Elderhostel is fascinating.

Michele Rogers

I'm sorry there are not more reviews about this book. I assume not many people read it. Their loss! This was one of the most fun books I've read in a long time. I would recommend it to anyone.

In what appears to be the last in the "Suburban Detective" series, DEATH ROW once again brings the sometimes pompous, sometimes foolhardy Kit DeLeeuw into suburban mayhem. This time one of the series' recurring characters is bumped off, prompting a devastated Kit to look into a nursing home for the elite. Katz' narrative is a little more preachy than usual and the pacing is not as tight as in his previous entries. Kit has become somewhat of a staunch do gooder, always right, and sometimes doing things that rational thinking would not deem probable. It's nice to see his supporting characters, such as Luis, Will, Evelyn and James get more use, but overall, this is a disappointing entry in the otherwise engaging series. Wouldn't mind seeing more from Kit in the future, though.

I was actually quite bored with this novel, slow motion, loosely knitted and thought-to-be small-time-&-no-big deal plot and scenario, except the writing was quite fluently processed. Failed to find any attraction in this so-called suburban detective mystery that seemed to be written by a blabbing nanny.

This is my first Jon Katz book. I believe he has a gift for the written word but the plot in this book is oh, too slow to be called a "thriller". At least I only invested 228 pages and fifty cents at the local library sale. I am not certain I would have finished the book if it were more than 228 pages. Maybe ??? I will try another one of his books.

Wow, what a timely book! The protoganist is struggling to take care of his kids, plus he's worried about aging parents, plus he has to save a dear friend.Sad and moving. Like the NYTimes says in this week's book review, Katz really "turns up the emotional screw" with this one.

What a great book! This book had me laughing out loud. If you never have had the pleasure of reading a Jon Katz book you are in for a treat!! He is one of my favorites!!! Pick this one up- you won't be disappointed!

First got cued to this book by Shawn Penn who took an extensive amount of time on Charlie Rose to explain the significance of "Sweet Time Unafflicted" from Pinsky's ABC in his own life. It is a simple, accesible beauty that Pinksy strives for and delivers, many of his poems focusing on contemporary themes and keeping their lexicon to the modern. As in ABC Pinsky builds several stanzas throughout the book on 26 word strings in alphabetical order. If as a reader you are interested in expanding your present interests into contemporary poetry the work of this Poet Laureate may be a sublimely fufilling place to begin.

A thin volume, full of jewles--dark-colored jewles, like rubies and emeralds, lit by candlelight inside a church. The secret to reading a Pinsky poem is to read it very slowly, out loud, annunciating each syllable as though it were its own line: you will realize that the slimness of this book is misleading. Pinsky seems to construct each of his poems out of perfect sound, so carefully that each line--free verse or otherwise--resonates with meaning and memorability, as anyone who has read THE FIGURED WHEEL will probably already know. A worthy addition to Pinsky's already rich body of work. I'm grateful to have read it.

A few good, solid poems here. Is it just me, however, or does anyone else out there feel the emperor is wearing increasingly fewer clothes? The technical control is masterful, yes, but I miss the greater vision of AN EXPLANATION OF AMERICA and Pinsky's other earlier works.

In what turns out to be quite an interesting collection of Poems, Robert Pinsky uses his stripped down style to convey his messages clearly, but with a sense of symbolism. In each writing, the point is introduced pretty early in the reading, and then expounded upon in ways that few poets I have encountered are able to. In addition, the length of each one is nearly perfect, keeping the reader's attention while still expressing exactly what Pinsky wants to say. I certainly recommend this book to anyone who has read poetry before and is interested in a slight change of pace.

When I received "Jersey Rain" as a gift last year, I initially read it through once and put it down for a few months, deciding that Pinsky (more so even than Seamus Heaney or Derek Walcott) was a poet more concerned about pretentious mythological name-dropping than about true depth. I have since decided that my judgment was too harsh, and I've gone back and re-read some of the poems many times. I think "Samurai Song" stands as the strongest poem in here (not coincidentally, it makes no references to Greek mythology...) and is the one that I read most often. The other poems I especially enjoy are "The Knight's Prayer," "Victrola," "Steel Drum Variations," "Biography," "Song," "Ode to Meaning," "The Haunted Ruin" and "Vessel." Pinsky is able to achieve profundity in the most surprising ways, and is even able to poke fun at himself and his craft (witness "Ode to Meaning").

Contrary to some other reviewers, I find that "ABC," while it's a clever and fun experiment, fails in the last line ("X = your zenith" What the hell does that mean?). Nevertheless, for those looking for some breathtaking poetry with a good balance between pretension (which, as I've come to realize, is not always a bad thing), lyricism and depth, "Jersey Rain" is a decent bet.

I, too, am a descendent of Penelope Stout, and I am a poet.

The poetry in this collection is written with mastery. The collection and the book itself are a work of art that honors a woman's memory, legacy, strengths and struggles. The character development allows the reader and decedents to relate to Penelope as a complex human being, not a flawless hero, which allows us to connect more intimately with Penelope. Schott respects the historical facts and remains well within the boundaries of acceptable creative license to re-create what we do not and cannot know.

I've heard Penelope's legend passed on for years. The nature of ancestral storytelling embraces that we do not and cannot know all the facts, thoughts and motivations. Schott's book honors the nature of such storytelling; it should be read as such.

The book's form and voice have characteristics of an epic poem. The fully developed voice and verse, added to character development, plot, scene, summary and the poetic form give the book layers of complex meaning. It isn't just a story, as most of us who've heard it told over and over know. The story is written with creative skill and attention to historical reference.

I, too, am honored to have her in my lineage, and I encourage the rest of her far-reaching clan to read this masterful work for its unique perspective, the strength of its poetry and its interesting narrative.

I will be honored to pass this book down to my children some day, along with other works written on the subject.

THE STORY WAS GREAT . ITS AMAZING SHE LIVED THRU ALL OF THAT . THE INDIAN THAT SAVED HER I UNDERSTAND USE TO COME VISIT HER . I'VE READ PLENTLY OF STORIES ON THIS WOMAN BUT , THIS ONE I THINK STANDS OUT THE MOST . I AM A DESCENDANT OF HER'S . SO IT HAS COME IN MOST HELPFULL WHILE I'M TRYING TO FIND INFORMATION ON THIS PART OF MY FAMILY. THANK YOU JENA WILSON

I purchased and read the story of Penelope Stout by Penelope Scambly Schott, and I'm sorry I did. I am a descendant of Penelope Stout, and I believe this poem is an insult to the memory of one courageous woman. I see no need to defame the memory of this beautiful woman by suggesting that she had homosexual leanings and lost her faith. Penelope apparently did not lose her faith in God as she reared children who were people of faith. Marriage and children should be indication enough that she was not a Lesbian. I see no reason for what I consider slander of the woman called the First Lady of Monmouth NJ. My advice to anyone descended from Penelope Stout is to not waste your money. I for one will not keep this book in my home library nor will I recommend it to anyone.

An excellent rendering in poetic form of a remarkable true story of survival. Penelope arrived on the shores of America in the 1640's to face an immediate, devastating loss of her husband due to a brutual attack by Indians. Left half-scalped and severely injured on the beach of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Penelope somehow survives the attack, and after seven days is rescued by Indians and nursed back to health. I personally owe deep gratitude to Machk, the Lenape Indian who used his Native remedies and skills to heal Penelope, and to Penelope herself, for the inner-strength she obviously displayed to get through such a trying time in her life. If she had not survived, I would not be here. Penelope Stout is my 9th great grandmother. I am proud to have her as my ancestor, a discovery I only recently made. The strong bond that developed between Machk and Penelope reaches down through many generations, and as a result, touches many of us who are descendants of this notable woman and her second husband, Richard Stout. The author, Penelope Scambly Schott has presented a poetic story of historical events, including the moving relationship of this one immigrant woman and one Native American man.

"Penelope, The Story of the Half-Scalped Woman" invokes 3 Penelopes. Penelope Schott, its author. Penelope of "The Odyssey", Ulysses' long abandoned and faithful wife, and the Penelope of this true story, an early American settler. Like The Odyssey's Penelope, her tale is told in poetry. Newlywed Penelope arrives from Holland, on the shores of New Jersey in 1640. Her husband is too ill to go further so they are left by their companions. Almost immediately they are set upon by Lenape Indians who kill her husband and leave Penelope half scalped and half dead. She is found by other Indians of the same tribe, where she has found shelter in a hollow tree. Healed and cared for by them, Penelope makes her life among them until she is "rescued" by white settlers with whom she can no longer fit in. Researched carefully from documents and family history, Penelope Stout's tale is one of bravery, both alone and in numbers. Written beautifully, it's a tale thrice told: about Ulysses' Penelope, Penelope Stout, and the story's author Penelope Schott, women whose awareness of life is the same despite the centuries.

This is the first book (actually audiobook) I've read by Hecht and I must say it's now one of my all-time favorites. Hecht keeps the wheels on the story right through the very end. Most fiction seems to disappoint by either being too long winded, too far-fetched, or by having a preposterous ending, but not here, this is good till the last drop.

Hecht is an extremely gifted writer. Do yourself a favor and ignore the negative reviews posted here and give it a try. Not for the faint-of-heart.

Daniel Hecht has two other books I thoroughly enjoyed. I am speaking of the Cree Black thrillers, "City of Masks" and "Land of Echos." He has one other book with Mo Ford in it, "Skull Session." This book really confused me because I recalled that at the end of the book,

SPOILER HERE








Mo Ford was killed off. So how'd he resurrect his for this book?

Anyway, the story is pretty interesting, a serial killer hanging his victims up with string, a la puppets. It really didn't take a great deal of ingenuity to figure out who the killer was, I think Hecht wanted you to know but the chase to catch him is the thrill. Overall, a pretty good read.

not as good as some of his other books, but still way better than most

I had to shake my head over the so-called reviewer who hadn't bothered to read the word "prequel" on the cover, and then fussed over the ending of the book. Groan. One should have at least basic reading skills before deigning to criticize a writer of Hecht's enormous skills. Puppets is, like all Hecht's work, addictive. The author has an all but peerless ability to create mood and genuninely creepy tension; this, coupled with great narrative drive, makes for a superior reading experience. Puppets is fascinating on many levels, dealing as it does with the issue of control--something that is central to all our lives--and it delivers the goods. It isn't so important to learn the identity of the villain (and the pathway is strewn with a fair number of adroitly dropped red herrings) as it is to watch Mo Ford and the other main characters take shape before us and act out in entirely believable ways. What I like best about Hecht's work is the believable fallibility of his characters; they remain true to themselves, even when it isn't pretty, even when we, the readers, wince at their ability to embarrass themselves and then scramble for redemption. Puppets is Hecht doing what he does best: making us care about his people to the extent that we're willing to go with them, wherever they have to go. Highly recommended!

Warning: animals and humans are tortured in this book. But that's not why I rated it "poor." It's because I figured out, almost from the beginning, who was behind it all and after that, I really didn't care. There were red herrings trying to divert suspicion, chapters that took you into the killer's mind, a massive government conspiracy, a romance for the protagonist, and I still didn't care. In fact, I ended up skimming through most of the book. I've enjoyed other books by Hecht, but just can't recommend this one.

Biking has become an increasingly popular hobby -- even more so these days with the astronomical prices of gas. Now in a newly updated third edition, "Ride Guide: New Jersey Mountain Biking" by mountain biking expert Joshua M. Pierce is a comprehensive guidebook to mountain biking rails throughout the Garden State. The twenty-six rides include both low-impact and hard-core trails that take the rider through the varied and occasionally spectacular terrain that New Jersey offers. "Ride Guide: New Jersey Mountain Biking" is enhanced with the inclusion of practical information as to levels of trail difficulty, turn-by-turn cue sheets and maps, as well as accurate and succinct descriptions of topography, trail conditions, and points of interest. Also very highly recommended for regional bike enthusiasts is Joel D. Sendek's "Ride Guide: Mountain Biking in The New York Metro Area, third edition" (9780933855267, $15.95).

This isn't necessarily a review, since I am the author, but I thought that this new edition warranted a comment. I completely rewrote this book over the past year for this third edition. If you look at the previous reviews of the book, I address all of the issues brought up by reviewers. I re-rode, re-plotted and re-measured every mile of trail in the book. I added nine new parks that include every place to mountain bike that I know of in South Jersey (including Estell Manor, Gloucester Community College and Wharton State Park).
New Jersey gets a bad rap from lots of people, but the truth is there is a lot of excellent riding in the Garden State.

A more discriptive title would be, "Ride Guide Mountain Biking the Counties of Northern and Central New Jersey." For those of you living in the southern part of the state...look elsewhere. All of Southern New Jersey is ignored.

Wharton State Forest is the largest single tract of land within the New Jersey State Park System. It covers part of Atlantic, Burlinton, and Camden counties and has some great off road riding. Lebanon St. Forest is historic and includes a major section of the 50 mile Batona trail. A major mountain bike publication listed Lebanon St. Forest in an article called "Five Great Places to Ride Double Track." These areas' as well as the rest of Southern New Jersey are completely ignored in "New Jersey Mountain Biking"

Hey Josh, buddy. Come on...if you're going to write a book about riding in New Jersy, how about including the rest of us!

I took up mountain biking last summer (1999). It has been a great source of challenge and pleasure to me.

Finding this book has made such an adventure out of biking in NJ! It is well-written, has great maps with the mileage and turns and a good rating system so you know what you are getting into before you leave. Driving directions to the spots and explanations of where to park, whether or not there is a fee... it's got everything you need to know. He really did a good job of researching the book and a nice touch is the inclusion of other nearby sites (relevant to the place you pick).

One possible improvement: There's a map of NJ showing all the sites, it would be nice if the page numbers were listed there and the trail ratings were also included on the map. As it is now, you need to go to 3 different pages to find all of that info. Hardly worth mentioning, but if there was one thing to make it better, that would be it, in my opinion.

I gave this book a token 2 stars because I wasn't actually able to try any of the trails for myself...So, I don't know how good the trail maps or descriptions are. All I can report is that there isn't anything here for those of us in the soutern part of the state! For mountain bikers in S. Jersey, I recommend Bob Di'Antonio's "Mountain Bike America: Greater Philadelphia Area." This book covers some S. Jersy rides as well as nearby Philadelpha and Eastern Pennsylvania.

I love this little book (little in size, not in spirit). Besides revealing a New Jersey that many often do not see, I think the poems reveal a genuine heart... in the unabashed and deft tradition of James Wright. I will always remember lines as well put together as "The shaggy trees in all/Their quiet darkness grow/Dignified against the milky rim/Of dawn" in the book's opener, "Daybreak in Succasunna." The little turns of each line, the pacing, and the intelligence of simple adjectives and nouns are vivid throughout this book. Playing off of the title of a well-known poem of Wallace Stevens, in "Anecdote of the Car," Zulauf writes, "The slovenly wilderness is up to the axles." A deeply observant and well-wrought image. But he goes on: "What thanks can I return to you for being?/I am so happy. The hell is out of me now/For a while." This is a book of deep tenderness and grace, one that yields its treasures more as you keep reading. There are moments so understated, the words seem to disappear, and we are left with a clear view of the world, forgetting that we are looking through words. Sander Zulauf is a careful craftsman, making what's difficult look easy. And we are the lucky readers.

Having lived in nearby Landing and going to school in Succasunna for 4 years, I can say that this area of NJ is small town life! It blows to bits the image so many have of the state as an urban industrial mess. We are really talking houses, yards, trees... think Iowa or somewhere in the mid-west and then reread.

There's nothing compelling in either the language or the subject matter herein. Zulauf is a lazy observer of life who lacks orginality and zest. His work is both provincial and predictable. No great poetic grace or originality. Life in a small town with a few hard knocks and longings. Not awful, but not very interesting poetry and rather provincial in both tone and concern. I'd call this little booklet, his only poetic output, okay, but nothing to write home about.

There is little universal appeal in these provincial little poems set in a small New Jersey town. Since this is the author's only book of poetry, I'd classify this work as the work of a minaturist who has nothing to say about the larger aspects of this troubled world. I'd hoped for more concern about the issues of our time as they relate to New Jersey, one of the state's most faced with environmental disasters and pollution problems. I'd expected some real sense of life in New Jersey and why the Northwest area of which he writes is so in need of natural preservation as it becomes daily more innundated with ugly developments of houses that all look alike and sport no trees. I'd hoped for something more vital than what seems lazy, provincialist concerns. These are quiet, lazy, little verses that barely wake us from slumber in unimaginative language--rather colloquial. There's a bit of sardonic wit, but not much else, except as the author relates here and there to the sorrow of his divorce or the sadness of death. Then he strikes a note of poetic angst which isn't altogether bad.

This man has done a great deal for New Jersey poetry. And if more people tapped in, he would be doing a great deal for an even larger audience. He opens and closes poems almost better than any poet I've read -- his first and last lines explode! And his Journal of New Jersey Poets is publishing some of the best work being written today.

Dave White has created a truly believable and intriguing character in Jackson Donne. He makes Jackson as fragile and flawed as possible, leaking his past of mistakes and regrets without sacrificing his likability with the reader. It's a story of a young man trying to get his life back together after a stint as a cop and the unpredictable, sometimes dry business of a private investigator. Jackson, recently enrolled at Rutgers, finds himself hurled into a hit and run case that left his best friend dead in the middle of the streets of New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Simultaneously, Jackson is asked to investigate a man suspected of cheating on his wife and makes a startling discovery on the case. The more digging he does, the more he wishes he'd never been involved. Problem is, it's too late to turn back.

Dave White is gifted at painting the perfect picture for an audience. His description of New Jersey and the people that reside there is about as accurate as anyone could put it and the traits he attaches to the characters establish a sense of value, determination and loyalty. I'd recommend this novel not only to anyone who is a fan of truly captivating mysteries, but to any and everyone who lives in New Jersey. You can relate to many of the little details.

Be sure to look into Dave's next novel in the series, The Evil That Men Do, out in June.

Grade: A-

While sitting in his favorite bar drinking beer, PI Jackson Donne, the bartender and everyone else heard a loud crash outside. A popular fellow drinker was hit by a car that sped away. A possible hit-and-run, but the more everyone thinks about it they think it probably was a homicide. The owner/bartender tells Donne that the victim was their friend, and implores him to find the perpetrator.

Thus begins a complicated tale involving corrupt police, a cop with a grudge against Donne, drug traffickers and lots of violence. Donne is warned off the investigation by his former partner on the police force, but he has promised to go on, so he does. Meanwhile he accepts another assignment, and somehow as things progress, the two cases seem to overlap.

The story develops, moving slowly to its finale. But the past continues to haunt the present. Donne is the typical hard-boiled PI found throughout the genre, as well as a punching bag too often. For fans of the genre, it is a very satisfying read.

Jackson Donne, a former cop turned PI, has just lost one of his closest drinking buddies in a tragic hit and run. Not trusting the local police, Jackson decides to look into the case on his own. Meanwhile, a woman hires him to look into the shady dealings of her husband. As Donne looks further into both cases, he soon discovers connections that could place not only his career, but also his life in jeopardy.

Dave White breathes new life into the PI crime genre in this impressive debut. This is clever storytelling that hooks readers from the startling first line up until the gratifying conclusion. This novel is packed with smart and snappy dialogue, absorbing mystery elements, and cleverly portrayed settings. However, White's real strength is found in his main protagonist. Jackson Donne is a memorable hero who is complex, flawed, and admirable, all at the same time. His search for truth and commitment to justice are infectious elements that add to the richness of his character.

White effectively uses the first-person narrative to unfold the story through the eyes of Jackson Donne. The result is an engrossing and addictive read that grabs on and never lets go. The first of a new series, When One Man Dies is a dark, gritty, and delightful debut that proves Dave White is a promising new talent to watch for.

Armchair Interviews says: Wonderful story, well-told.

I'll admit, I'm not usually a mystery type, but I picked this one up on a whim. It's set in New Jersey, which is my home state, so that drew me to it. I'm so glad I picked it up.

The story moves fast, and with every page I turned, I was thrown for another loop. White has more twists in this story than I could ever have expected, and throws them at you constantly, even up to the last five pages. I really can't wait see more from him.

I got an unexpected ARC in the mail in September: Dave White's When One Man Dies. Intrigued by the quotes on the back, I started it right away. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past page 10. This is a good example of how a distracting "surface" (an author's style) can get in the way of the appreciation of deeper matters like character and story.

I have a few pet peeves in fiction, and one of them is long-windedness. Stating the same thing, reworded, in two (or three) consecutive sentences. Or letting characters spend five paragraphs talking about what's on the jukebox if they do nothing but agree with each other -- that doesn't tell me anything more about them than I already knew.

Another thing that has unfortunately become very popular is an author's thinking that real-world dialogue is the same as realistic fiction dialogue. People in real life mutter and "um" and take forever to get to the point, but this is grating in a novel. If your characters state everything I need to know in two sentences of a conversation, the rest can safely be cut. I like a little color in my characters as much as anybody, but it needs to be carefully folded into an already tight text.

Style and voice are subjective things that we react to individually. Obviously, based on the blurbs, other people really enjoyed this book, so your experience may be different from mine. But I won't be going any further with this book. And this is unfortunate, because the relationship between the young P.I. and the older gent intrigued me.