Newspapers Books

There's a darn good reason--indeed lots of reasons--why Dan Poynter's manual has frequently been called the "bible of self-publishing." To the best of my knowledge, it was the first and certainly one of the very best ever published on this specialized aspect of book production. It covers the entire process from pre-pub requirements right through the mechanics of design, formatting and printing.

Dan doesn't simply throw out generalities about what must be done in each phase of the project; he delves into the nitty-gritty simplifying this challenging effort for those of us tackling self-publishing for the first time. I know. I did it after I studied his book from cover to cover.

Dan also includes a plethora of resources interspersed in the text as he illustrates each step. These can be most helpful to the uninitiated who are told what they must do in so many other books, but don't know where to go to accomplish each of those steps. At the simplest level, as an illustration, Dan doesn't just state that you have to procure an ISBN, he explains what it is and why it is needed and most important of all where to find it on the Bowker web site.

There are three excellent books that I have used to brief myself on self-publishing before producing my latest book. In addition to Dan's Manual, I suggest reading Peter Bowerman's "The Well-Fed Self-Publisher" and Patricia L. Fry's excellent study of the subject.

I attribute much of the success of the award-winning "The Writer Within You" to all three of them. I strongly suggest you start your effort with the outstanding guidance Dan has provided.

Poynter's book is the best and most well structured book on self-publishing I have found. It helped me imensely for from an author-to-be to a soon-to-be- published author.
Self-publishing is a great way to go with a small, first book and the organization tips, calendar, structuring chapters, ISBN #'s and copyright are perfect.

FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS THE DESIRE TO BECOME A SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR, SHOULD OWN THIS BOOK. THE BOOK IS JUST THE BEGINNING...BUT IF YOU GO TO HIS WEBSITE, READ, STUDY, AND ORDER HIS INFORMATION KITS AND ARTICLES. YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO THE TOP!

Don't self publish a book without first reading this one. It's the best. I also loved the grammar book from Jim Woods Two Dozen Lessons from an Editor

When I self-published my book, "Welcome Home: A Guide for Foster, Adoptive, and Treatment Foster Parents," I used Dan's book religiously. It's so worn out, I have to order a new copy for my forthcoming book [tenatively titled, 'Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment of Foster and Adopted Children, 2009]. I sold 5,000 copies, though two editions. Could I have done this without Dan's book? Perhaps, but he walks you through every step of the way. If you're self-publishing a book, this one gives you more information and guidance than you could ask for. You'll still have to do the leg-work, but he makes it less daunting.

I have taken this book apart and used it in the classroom. I bought it used and didn't receive a CD-ROM with it. My students are able to glean many ideas from it for our school newspaper.

Tim Harrower provides a very practical guide to newspaper design. The art of newspaper design tends to be very subjective, so this book lays down some facts and guidelines to put to rest some of the indecisive elements of design.

For a beginner, this is a book that will give you the confidence and understanding to conquer page layout.

The CD gives the novice an even more practical guide than the book can deliver.

One criticism is that the book is printed on light gloss stock and is spiral bound. I am not sure how it was survive rough treatment.

Brian Hurst

This textbook is awesome. I've never seen a better textbook. It lays everything out, and makes it simple to understand. It tells you what to do and what not to do in simple language and clear pictures. It's one of few textbooks worth keeping for future use in your career (provided you're going into the newspaper industry)!

When I accepted my first "real" job in journalism as a page designer for a local weekly I was struck by a horrifying thought, I really knew nothing about newspaper design. I had done it before for my college paper, sure, but this was the big time. I needed a refresher course and I needed it fast... Tim Harrower and this spiral-bound book came to my rescue.

Although it was first published in 1989, this book will be relevant as long as newspapers exist, even in this age of computer design. Harrower explains and shows why certain designs are good and bad and he approaches it in a situational, problem-solving format. For example, he explains what should be done when you have to design a page with no art, when you have butting headlines, or two horizontal photos etc. Harrower says that most page designers stumble into the job and from this point of view he explains what exactly, a good design is. This book will always be on my desk.

(I wish my publications professor used this instead of the worthless $105 monstrosity he made us buy (and that we never used by the way).)

So, after some mild freaking out followed by a lot of reading, I can start my new job with confidence thanks to this book.

I am an editor these days.
I came on this book quite a few years ago when I was a sub. It was recommended to me by an old hand in the newspaper game.
Without doubt, it is the single best aquisition I have made in terms of newspaper design.
In the places I have worked, I have been regarded extremely highly for my layout skills.
This book, with a little creativity, is the basis of almost everything I do in terms of layout.
If you are serious about the newspaper game, get it, study it and then apply what you learn. It will help our career enormously.

Writing for women's magazines like Elle, Cosmopolitan, Woman's Day, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook, Reader's Digest and the rest of the big names in publishing takes more than technique and writing skills. It takes knowing what works and what doesn't. Donna Elizabeth Boetig demystifies the process.

>From links to resources and tips on how to slant a story to make it a must read, Feminine Wiles: Creative Techniques For Writing Women's Feature Stories That Sell offers sound, proven advice and a lot of experience in the trenches. Having made most of the mistakes from time to time, her timely and time tested methods illustrate how to take a so-so idea and make it stand out.

Boetig also gives the inside scoop on what editors like to see from writers and how to hook an editor with a winning query. She also explains the difference between gushing, a technique guaranteed to land a quick rejection, and plucking the right emotional string.

Savvy and honest, every writer needs a copy of Feminine Wiles if they're serious about writing that sells and keeps selling.

Boetig's lead coverline, "Creative Techniques for Writing Women's Feature Stories..." doesn't give the whole picture. I found it to be "Creative Techniques for Writing That Will Sell" - period.

I am a relatively new (notice I didn't say young) writer who reads every book I can find on How to Write, How to Market, and How to Paper My Walls With Rejections. Although I write mostly nonfiction, I give Boetig's "Feminie Wiles" a Blue Ribbon.

Her tips, examples, anecdotes, and words of encouragement apply (and appeal) to all writers. I will be using her book as a reference in my upcoming writing classes, and I will encourage my students to purchase their own copies. It is a gem.

Feminine Wiles may be marketed toward women, but the advice offered will work for anyone whether you are writing for women or Field & Stream. Boetig reviews the basic process for lining up an interview, dealing with editors, and writing what sells. This is by far one of the better resources for freelance writers on the market today.

As a freelance writer, I'm always looking to expand my interests and marketability. Boetig's book brought a fresh perspective with lots of real world helpful ideas. The packaging is clever and the voice is easy to read. I particularly like it that you do not have to read the book in order, but rather, open it to the page you need and benefit immediately. Organized well. Well written. Lots of helpful information. Highly recommend.

Of the many how-to books on writing that I've read, I am really pleased with this one. From the very beginning, I gleaned tips that I have never read before. It's written in a relaxed style, much like actually talking to the author. I highly recommend this book if you want to write for magazines.

I feel a sports columnist's job is to evoke emotion in the reader. Make him/her laugh, cry, get angry, just don't bore them. Riley does that better than anyone. He's an amazingly gifted writer and I loved nearly every bit of this book. I'd already read most of these columns being a subscriber to Sports Illustrated, but they were definitely worth a re-read.

He's great at tugging the heartstrings: The story on the cross country runner with cerebral palsey, the Middlebury fan who is confined to a wheelchair because of CP, the father who nominates his son -- killed in a motorcycle accident -- for Faces in the Crowd. All tear jerkers.

He makes me laugh throughout the book, and get angry with all those arrogant/self-entitled athletes such as the steroid users.

He's not just a sportswriter, he's a great writer. I can't recommend this book enough.

* I wish Riley would've stayed with Sports Illustrated. I've heard he's dabbling in TV or ESPN, somewhere. Bad move. I've seen his TV commercials, he's not good on TV. He's a superstar in print, he should stay there. Nevertheless, this is one heckuva book.

As a recent Journalism grad this book was amazing. I would love to get into the sports writing field (although I have a feeling I'll never reach Reilly status). This was a great set of stories and life experiences. Very humorous and very touching.

I read a few chapters each night.

One night I had tears on my pillow from laughter.

The next night I had tears on my pillow from the inspirational story.

It's likely that many of my friends will get this book for Christmas or their birthday. Just a great book!

I have read Rick Reilly on and off in SI for years. I am not a regular subscriber, so my readings of his work have not been consistent. I was getting ready to take a trip and wanted something that would be fun to read. I saw the 5 star reviews (on Amazon) of Rick's book but I was somewhat skeptical about getting it. As a University of Tennessee alumni and fan I had been upset when he had written an article slamming Pat Summit (legendary UT women's basketball coach) about "running up the score" on one of the Lady Vols opponents. Despite all this I decided to take a chance. I needed a good read on my vacation, and I knew he was a good writer, and I needed have a laugh or two while flying, or more often than not,sitting in the airport during another delay.
This book is far more than I expected. This book is very funny, but many of his articles are very touching, and he exposes the best and the worst in the people involved in sports. Sports are the venue, but it is his insight into the people that make the stories so compelling.
As a big fan of the late Jim Murray's writing, I never believed there would ever be another sports writer that good, but I think Rick is getting to that level. A great read, a must read, for any sports fan, period! Every bit a 5 star rating and more.

When my husband's Sports Illustrated comes, I open it up to the last page and read what Rick Reilly has to say. I really like his column and the fact that he went onto the Oprah Show to try to defend his gender...I know, I know, it is a losing battle if you saw the episode, you know what I mean. The column is usually is the only thing I read in the magazine. So when my husband mentioned Rick had this new book out I had to get it for him...if for nothing else to see him actually reading a book instead of Sporting News or Sports Illustrated.

I am a huge Rick Bragg fan, and enjoyed this collection of his previously published newspaper articles.

Bragg's writing is powerfully humanizing. It's also beautiful and inspiring to read, not just because of the subjects he chooses, but in his prose. Wonderful light reading, and the short newspaper-story formats make it ideal for travel reading.

Rick Bragg knows how to capture a readers attention by his style of get to the point writing. No boring, drawn out, unneccessary words or wording. Very refreshing read. A chance to learn things about ordinary people and events that you may have never heard about or known. Thought provoking. This should be the next read in Oprah's book club.

If you loved Ava's man, all over but the Shoutin, etc., as I did you might be disappointed. These are simply news stories from his paper days. Well written but just news.

This book is the newpaper stories by Rick Bragg.If you like his style of writting, this book is one of his best.Moving stories about ordinary individualsat the moments that are most revealing.Rick Bragg makes you feel like you are there with him in each story.

Michael D. O'Brien is a masterful storyteller. He has compiled a stunning series, Children of the Last Days, of which Plague Journal is the second. I am now just beyond half way through Eclipse of the Sun, the third. I have two more to go, and by then perhaps he will have written some more. While I'm reviewing his work, I'd like to applaud his latest work : Island of the World. That was a "watershed" book for me.There are not words to convey the power and authority which which he strings words together. It is compelling fiction. Any one choosing to read Michael D. O'Brien's work will be in for a major treat as well as learning experience.

Michael O'Brien has a tendency to overwrite his books (one of his very few flaws as a writer). But in Plague Journal, he reined himself in (or finally got an editor who did) and the result is a book that is no less packed with plot tension, cultural criticism, and character development than his other tomes.

The middle book of a trilogy of books about the Delaney family (starting with Strangers and Sojourners and ending with Eclipse of the Sun), Plague Journal also fits within O'Brien's larger series, which he calls Children of the Last Days. The first of those is the explosive novel Father Elijah.

While Plague Journal is my personal favorite. I recommend reading it after Father Elijah and Strangers and Sojourners, since it needs the other two to provide its context in O'Brien's view of the Last Days.

And O'Brien's view is a bleak one. The government has become the tool of the antichrist, whether it knows it or not, and an honest journalist (even one who doesn't have a living faith in God) can't get an honest shake, but is hunted down.

Swift, sharp, and poigniant, O'Brien provides his readers with everything that Left Behind readers should have gotten but didn't and without all of the silly speculations. This is good literature that shapes the heart and the mind Christianly.

Michael D. O'Brien's novels are among the best I have ever read. Plague Journal is the (chronologically speaking) 2nd book in the Children of the Last Days series. Which should be read: 1. Strangers and Sojourners, 2. Plague Journal, 3. Eclipse of the Sun, and the other 3 in any order (although I'd personally read Father Elijah 4th, Sophia House 5th, and A Cry of Stone last--which is the least connected to the other books). They are deep and thought provoking books, and will make you look at the current trends in society in a whole new light. Although there is an element of action/adventure in this story, it is by no means mindless entertainment. The action/adventure element is always secondary to the philosophical/spiritual element that we see and partake of in the lives and thoughts of the characters; in much the same way as the murder/mystery element in Crime and Punishment is secondary to the philosophical/spiritual element.
I've grown up a Protestant, but these books (along with other influences) have made me take a good hard look at Catholicism. I'd say I'm 9 tenths converted--and almost ready to take that last step. But whatever your religion, denomination, or lack thereof, do yourself a favor and read these books.

O'Brien's "Children of the Last Days" series shows what the apocalypse might be like through Catholic eyes. "Plague Journal" shows what an average man would go through when he sees the very land he loves slowly but surely choke off all joy and life in the name of an efficient government. The main character's actions and thoughts make you slow down and wonder what you'd do. Also, not all the characters automatically do the right thing. Each of their actions has a consequence, whether good or bad, and they have to put up with those consequences, which is more realistic. There's no flashy deux ex machina, but God works through the characters in a way that's somehow more majestic than simply suspending laws of nature to make sure the good guy wins. I highly recommend this book no matter what religion you follow. You will laugh, cry, and think.

As I'm sure most reviewers have said, be sure you read Strangers and Sojourners first; PJ is the second in the series. Also, it is good to read Father Elijah too; it occurs about the same time as PJ.

I read PJ in a week. It is one of the most moving books I've read, but I was reluctant to heed its message in the beginning. In this world of half-truths and deceptions where everyone is a partially educated philosopher and politician, PJ really does show the need to not believe everything we heard or read.

Should we be constantly paranoid? Not really. But a healthy skepticism is necessary.

Rick Reilly has a unique gift for communicating his humorous tales. Thumbs up.

Every Thursday I check the mailbox when I get home, see my Sports Illustrated, and go straight for the back page so I can read Mr. Reilly's column. There is a reason he has been named Sportswriter of the Year so many times, he is simply the best. Reilly writes about the humorous, the sad, and the ironic of sports. I laughed at why he hates the Yankees so much, and almost bawled when reading about the Columbine teacher who gave his life for his students. I do some writing myself and even in my dreams I am not half as good as Mr. Reilly is, and never will be. If you are a fan of good, solid writing, pick this book up and read it over and over again.

There are serious columns in the book. The humorous ones are what made me read the book again. The chapter on the Olympics is the funniest thing I have ever read. Anyone who thinks Reilly is boring has no sense of humor.

Nobody writes about sport like Reilly. This is a great collection of his Sports Illustrated pieces. If you are a fan of sports journalism, this is a must read for you.

I had the privilege of being interviewed several times by Rick when I was a high school track athlete and he was a young flip-flop wearing sports writer for the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper in Boulder, Colorado earning his stripes covering high school sports. Even way back then it was obvious that he enjoyed sports writing and it came as little surprise to see him eventually end up as SI's most notable writer. This collection of some of his best (but not all of his best) SI columns is a gem. Not all are "laugh out loud" humorous, but many are (a testament to his versatility as a writer). His postscript comments are also entertaining. After a thorough reading, this book is a keeper. I can't wait for Volume 2.

I could not have learned as much as I did from this terrific book in a college journalism class. While sophisticated, entertaining and anecdotal, it's also amazingly funny.

Its scope is impressive, not to mention being well-indexed. It's a complete compendium, I believe, for the existing or aspiring columnist.

I have a pet peeve. Well, I suppose truth be told, I have several pet peeves. But the one most relevant to this book review is the trend of "how-to" and "you-can-do" books, often written by people with dubious credentials, or occasionally - no credentials at all.

"The Art of Column Writing" is NOT one of those publications. Suzette Martinez Standring approaches her topic with ample credentials, and innumerable anecdotes on the craft of column writing, collected from her own first-hand experiences, and contributed to from an A-list assortment of the nation's best-read columnists.

Peppered throughout with her own rise throughout the ranks of a Boston newspaper, to national syndication of her own column, Standring has collected nuggets of wisdom from the likes of Dave Barry, Art Buchwald, and Arianna Huffington to name a mere handful of the book's contributors. Practical, honest, and in some instances outright spellbinding- "The Art Of Column Writing" is a blueprint for anyone hoping to either enter or improve their skills in the ever-changing landscape of the newspaper column.

Standring has also picked up tips and tricks from her many years of association with the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, and any newspaper columnist she met with, that was willing to give her a few moments of their time. Like picking an overflowing basket of fresh strawberries, Standring has gathered journalistic gems and anecdotes in abundance. The end result is a frank, comprehensive and entertaining overview of what it takes to be successful as a columnist, right from the source.

Or sources, in this case...

Dan St.Yves
Columnist/Author

This book is a valuable resource for any aspiring columnist. It is concise and well organized and would help anyone aspiring to become a columnist anticipate and overcome hurdles. Ms Martinez is sensitive and yet humorous and entertaining. She addresses all potential issues including online rules for today's high tech world. Get those insider secrets!

The reviewing trade has a law that a critic doesn't write up works created by friends. Also, a critic cannot fairly consider a book in which he's quoted or has contributed to, even a tiny bit. Excellent rules, designed to provide objectivity to a deliberately subjective practice. An exception, to both counts, follows.

This is not the usual writing-instruction book, and few have been published on columns. Standring's focus is on teaching, not being The Authority: She knows that lots of examples and guests in the class are effective. Standring covers the main categories of columns, their construction and idea generation, as well as blogs and ethics 101. She reprints a number of columns, by others and herself -- even one to show where she messed up -- as well as quoting at length the best columnists explaining themselves. By her own experiences and learning from others, she has figured out not only how to create and market good work but to explain it to people already in newspapers and aspiring columnists.

Her from-scratch views on principles, research and structure refresh longtime journalists. The Art of Column Writing is valuable to budding columnists. Reader reviews in Amazon already demonstrate this. What journalists do, what the branch called columnists do, is by design transparent, but that can be confusing. Columns with facts have to be absolutely certain. Commentary must be bolstered by reporting and ethical uses of rhetoric. Humor must be grounded. It's tempting to drop a star in this review because this is a tough endeavor and Standring is so upbeat -- but when thumbing back through it, this book does not shirk from the realities of writing columns in the 21st century. At just 200 pages, it's a how-to that explains how-to.

As a columnist, it's embarrassing to tell you that I didn't know too much of what Suzette Standring reveals in this light volume. It has so much heavy information tamped down on each page, it's amazing her book doesn't plunge right through the table.

An easy, smiling read the first time; second time, get out your yellow highlighter.

That so many popular writers willingly contributed their secrets is a tribute to Ms. Standring's ability to ask the right questions. Her own secrets of successful column writing are simple: Velcro your butt to the chair; A fresh angle is a sharp foot in the door; and Assigned to cover county news was like being plunked into a pilot's seat and told "Land this thing!"

Many different writing styles are given, some by writers who use words that sashay across a page, some use words that slither or stride. Sandring's strut.

A must read for journalism students and homemakers who want to communicate on a larger scale than husband and kids. After all, Erma Bombeck had to start somewhere. Standring tells you how.

I remember reading all of the Beverly Cleary books as a child, and now I've bought these to read to my children. All of Cleary's books are literary gems, easy to read, and keep kids entertained with plots that they can relate to.

I clearly recall the 1950's style illustrations by Louis Darling in the books I used to read, which have since been replaced in these modern editions. At first I was dubious about the change because the Darling illustrations were so charming, but upon seeing these new illustrations and relating them to the content (which has NOT changed), it's clear that the new illustrator made a real effort to stay close to the original drawings. Additionally, Cleary's words in relation to the new, 'modern' illustrations, suprisingly still apply very well (aside from the 1950's prices and brand names). Regardless, it's easy to envision Henry, Beezus, and Ramona as children living in 2008 or 1950. What does that tell me about Beverly Cleary's books? They're absolutely timeless, and I hope that future generations continue to read and enjoy them as I have.

This is the second-to-last book in the "Henry Huggins" series (if you count "Ribsy," the solo story of his dog, and set aside the Ramona and Beezus books...)

In this volume, once again Henry shows his determination and pluck as he sets a goal and works hard, very hard, to attain it. Actually, he pursues two goals: to save enough money from his new paper route so that he can buy a sleeping bag, and to build a clubhouse with his friends Robert and Murph. Henry learns to balance work and play, and wins the respect of the adults in his world. He also has to contend with the ever-annoying Ramona, as well as her sister Beezus (whose feelings he hurts when he agrees to make the clubhouse a "no girls allowed" zone).

Once again, Beverly Cleary gives a glimpse into the world of children that is both entertaining and emotionally honest. The innocent, white-picket fence world of the Kennedy-era early '60s may be a far cry from what life is like now, but these stories are still fun to read and pleasantly free of a lot of the violence and other baggage that define more modern kid's fiction. Wholesome and all-American, also funny and human, these are timeless stories that can help open the world of literature to inquiring young minds. (ReadThatAgain children's book reviews)

Looking for books that will challenge an 8 year old boy that is a good reader but doesn't like fiction. The Henry Huggins series is just the ticket. Although the stories are somewhat dated, nevertheless they are well written. The stories have humor in them and they contain object lessons for their readers. I can say that a boy for sure will find them interesting.

I think Beverly Cleary did a good job writing Henry and the Club House. Henry and the Club House is part of a series of books. This book is about a 11 year old boy who has a paper route. But, some times he forgets his paper route. One day he forgets his route and his mother has to do it. He has lots of problems but his biggest problem his Ramona. Ramona is a four year old girl. Every day Ramona is upto something. Henry has to get an idea to get rid of Ramona. In Henry and the Club House Henry has to deal with Ramona and a clubhouse that he is working on with his two friends Robert and Murph. I think every one from 7-11 should read this book.

Another fine Henry Huggins book...and sadly we only have two left about Henry before we have exhausted this series. We simply love these books, my daughter is anxiously waiting until we get to the library tomorrow to pick up Henry and the Paper Route and we'll top off the series with Ribsy. Like other Henry Huggins books, this one is divided into chapters (7 to be exact) and each chapter is practically a short story in and of itself...the chapters build up to an overall theme/goal for Henry. In this particular book, it's building a clubhouse and buying a sleeping bag so he and his friends can sleep in the clubhouse.

The chapters start out with Henry forgetting about his paper route and winding up riding through town in a bathtub, then Henry and Ribsy making the acquaintance of the new neighborhood dog, we follow them on Halloween night, on a day of collection for his newspaper route, through his building of the clubhouse (with a strict No Girls policy) and his run in with Beezus and Ramona as a result (hilarious), Henry's clever "solution" to Ramona's pestering, and how he wound up with a little shadow! Overall the stories are clever and humorous in a way that I think kids genuinely appreciate and relate to!

Where does he find materials for his clubhouse? How does it turn out? What's up with that huge stuffed owl? What's it like to ride through town in a bathtub? How hard is a paper route? Will Henry ever get that sleeping bag? If you want to know you simply must read Henry and the Clubhouse, you won't be disappointed! These stories were written in the 1950's and 60's, so money matters are a bit off, but the rest is charming and the overall themes, humor, and childhood joys, frustrations and embarrassments have held up so wonderfully over the years...these books are great for girls and boys! I give this one an A+, another fine Henry Huggins adventure!

In this page-turner of a first novel, Al Martinez deftly plunges us into the wild and revolutionary days of San Francisco circa 1965. At the center of this novel is the once-great San Francisco newspaper, the Herald, which is dying a slow death. Our "hero" is the young reporter William Colfax who joins the paper after a fighting in Vietnam. We see a world that no longer exists both within the outside of the Herald: student protests, bombings by "revolutionaries," and hard-drinking, computer-free reporters. This novel rings true and benefits from Matinez's many years as a bay area reporter. Bravo!

This book brought back the '60s, the newspaper industry as it once was, and the decency of people like Al Martinez who made working at a newspaper both exciting and rewarding.

Although the craft is shaky in some areas, the story is strong, and the men and women depicted are people all of us who have worked in newspaper have known.

Few survived those times, and this sensitive novels shows why. Treat yourself to a trip back to the less-complicated world of the '60s, in a time it was much easier to tell the good guys from the bad. You'll taste the whiskey, smell the cigarettes and experience a time that will never be again.

Bonnie Hearn Hill
Author, Huelga House

I must state first, I read few novels all the way through. Eighty percent of the time I read non-fiction. I always check with Amazon critiques regarding all the books I read and usually attempt "5-star" books only when reading novels...and most of those I seldom finish. Well..I finished THE LAST CITY ROOM and enjoyed every page.

The characters are developed where you care about them (even the bad guys...to get their due)and the events and personalities are interesting and true-to-life. On one side the reader can see where a reporter could be a celebrity type person where they are in the spotlight and then again the job could be filled with drudgery and danger....as well as low paying to the extreme.

This story depicts the times of the sixties and many of the events that went on at that time. For me the "flavor" of a newspaper job was well developed as was the personalities of many of the characters. I don't believe anyone would be disappointed with this book.

I found the book interesting and fun to read. Mr. Martinez has a true gift for writing. His play on words and deep insight into the subjects he writes about this book made for a pleasurable easy read. I strongly recommend this book for all lovers of great fiction writing.

From the moment you pick up this book and read the introduction, you are compelled to keep reading. The characters draw you in and you want to know what is going to evolve. Newpapering experience isn't necessary to reading this book. Nor is being a child of the 60's. But it makes you feel as though you were there and have first hand knowledge. The characters become important even if you have never met anyone even remotely like them. Good reading that makes you want more.