Insurance Books

We all know that to make a good joke, you've got to exaggerate the right elements while ignoring what isn't funny. John Grisham creates a slapstick winner with a book about a bumbling young lawyer who isn't going to Wall Street . . . in fact, he has to declare bankruptcy before he passes the bar exam.

But don't confuse this book with a humorous book about the law. This novel would have to be toned down by about 60 degrees before that would be possible. This is a comic book version of a funny story about "what if" a law student didn't have a job, any money, or any connections after three years of torts and briefs.

Rudy Baylor is dragged by his professor to a meeting of senior citizens to give out free advice. He meets the meeting's hostess who wants to change her will to favor a television evangelist with her millions. Rudy also meets the parents of a young man who will die from leukemia because the insurance company wouldn't pay for a bone marrow transplant.

This all seems like a pleasant way to spend a few hours finishing a class until Rudy's promised job evaporates in a shotgun law firm merger. Now, he tries to trade off his leads into some cash and some work. The complications are unexpected, unrealistic, and slapstick funny. There's a sweetness to Rudy's character that you won't find in many real lawyers that makes the book work.

I found myself wondering what pratfalls John Grisham would foist on poor Rudy next. That was a major part of the attraction of the story.

If you hate lawyers and insurance companies, you'll find nothing to discourage either view in this jaundiced critique of the legal profession.

But you'll have some smiles and chuckles along the way, neither of which would happen if there were any real lawyers around.

Plenty of plot reviews about this book -it's Grisham, so I won't go any further to describe it. The plot was thin, IMO, hardly much struggle (conflict), with not much of a climax. But it read so, so well! I was completely entertained on every page. I wanted to know what would happen next, and I can't even explain why. I just know I liked it!

The rainmaker was my second Grisham (after The Testament), my expectations from the book were very high (particularly after reading the so many five star reviews and knowing that it seems Grisham's most popular work). I found the book was entertaining, fun to read nevertheless lacked of something, for example in the beginning of the book Rudy faces an event which later in the book is not even mentionned, he is pursued by the police for suspicion of having burnt down a building, this makes a big fuss in the start of the book but then is completely forgotten? What happened there I don't know? Did Mr. Grisham forget to continue that part of the story...? Also a similar thing happens with Mrs. Birdy, a woman who seems the center of attention quiet regularly throughout the book, as she is a ''millionaire'' and the young Lawyer advices her a lot about her will and how she should share her money after her death, towards the end of the book it seemed to me at some point that the author barely gave any attention to her story and merely disclosed the affair by saying that she was after all not a millionaire but thought she was and actually had barely any money.. I found that a bit strange as well.

In the end the young Lawyer wins the case, but nothing much happens, he ends up leaving the town with the young girl he has met at the Hospital, the closing line being that he will not practice Law as a career but prefer to teach History (a simple life rather than a complicated one), ok fair enough but the decision seemed a bit sudden, and the final note of the book was also a bit suprising.

Entertaining, but I had found it dissapointing and most of all surprising that so many people praise the book so much.

This isn't a mystery, nor is it a thriller. There are no sadistic serial killers slinking through the night, no wondering who the killer is, no car chases, etc. Despite that, this is a suspenseful book that had me cheering for the little guy to prevail.

A newly minted lawyer in Memphis takes on a mega insurance company, represented by a pack of lawyers who have initials in front of their names and Roman numberals behind. And lest I forget, expensive clothes and haughty smirks. The issue: the insurance company arbitrarialy turned down coverage for a bone marrow transplant that would have saved the life of a young man with cancer. Every trick is used to reject coverage, to obfuscate, to delay. As an aside, I worked in insurance for over 26 years, and Mr. Grisham's version represents what I saw and sometimes did. I'm not proud of it.

Apparently some other reviewers read a different book from the one I read. One said that the characters were not well drawn. I thought they were excellent. Some doubted the plot. Don't doubt it. Grisham stacked the cards, but that's the nature of fiction. This book along with the movie "Sicko" give an accurate picture of how insurance companies often operate. Adjusters are not promoted for how fairly they settle claims by the terms of the policy but by how many claims they can deny or settle for a sum below what the policy promises. "We're on your side" and "good hands" are what all companies promise, one way or another, but they are promises that are not always delivered.

I've not always been fond of Grisham's novels, but this one is a winner. It also has some nice surprises, ones I certainly didn't expect. That added to the pleasure in reading this.

This is a can't-miss Grisham! This is one of his best books. Classic.

Who doesn't love a thriller with an underdog chasing the greedy and corrupt insurance company, to make them pay for cheating their customers? Especially one that is so dirty that they would rather lose a life than to pay out benefits. Great characters, story and ending. It was fast-paced but thorough in the story and development. Loved it!!

Thought the book brought things to light I knew that I was in trouble this book just made me see more clearly how to try to fix things.

If you have a kid going off to college, make sure they read this. It is simply the most valuable book they will ever read. And don't forget to get one for yourself. There's a lot of time-worn wisom in this book that most people are ignorant of.

This book was great! I didn't know anything about keeping a budget, investment, savings or any related topic. I couldn't put the book down, but I think that was beucase I was very excited to learn about the topic (but if your looking at this book, you may be to)And like all For Dummies books you don't have to read it cover to cover, there all designed so if you all ready know whats going on and just need to brush some stuff up, or dont know anything but are only interested in certain parts you can flip right to those and not miss a beat. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

This book is pretty informative and gives helps guide you on preparing your finances. It talks about a lot of pitfalls to watch out for, and gives you some straight opinions on employer retirement plans and debt management, as well as some thoughts on good debt vs. bad debt.

The only problem I have with it is the section on cutting costs. It is a little out of place and some of the recommendations on how to save money are a little bizarre and out there. Shaving your head to save money on hair supplies and taking naps at home for vacation instead of going away got a raised eyebrow from me, as did his belief that you have to be a small business or nonprofit to get a Costco membership. He also talks about giving up meat as a possible avenue for cost savings (because it costs a lot).

Like I said, the rest of the book seems to have sound financial guidance. The section on saving money?

Take it with a grain of salt.

I would not recommend this book. It is very short sighted. For a more in-depth look into proper financial planning, I would look elsewhere. If you are starting out new in financial planning take a look at this book for the budgeting part. Then look elsewhere for the other parts.

I found this novel to be wonderful escapism (which I usually don't indulge in) and I'm rating it: "Best Guy Book for the Beach in 2008." Really very funny, bawdy, and clips right along. Loved it and well worth the money.

Moore is a writer with an easy. fun style that just pulls you in for an enjoyable ride. This is the fourth book of his that I've read and hardily recommend him to any one looking for a fast, fun, easy read. In this one Sam Hunter's past catches up with him when his spirit helper, Coyote, appears to help him and turns his life upside down. There are characters who have appeared in his other books in this story but it's not necessary to have read the others to enjoy this book. Try him I think you'll like him!

Crow Indian, Samson Hunts Alone kills a law officer when he's 15 and to avoid the trouble, he takes of and re-invents himself as Samuel Hunter. He passes himself of as an immigrant worker and through a twist of fate becomes a successful California insurance salesman. Then things begin to go arwy when an Indian begins showing up and causing all sorts of problems for Sam. This is none other than ancient Indian god Coyote who is on his own mission which involves Sam. The standard crazy characters of Moore arise and it begins with Calliope, super hippy and her child Grubb. Troubles at home and work with Aaron Aaron and Spagnola push Sam to confusion. Hectic pacing involves trouble in Vegas with Minty Fresh, a large black security guard at Camelot casino. It's a wild ride in Christopher Moore's comedic style which pokes fun at paranormal issues and California living. Most of his novels are good and this one stands with the others in a fun entertaining read. The Coyote god-stories are hilarious and Samson must find where he truly belongs. Worth reading a few times.

A salesman without a soul. I have to admit, for me, this book took a little time to get into. Flipping the pages, I could see there was a lot less dialogue than narrative text, which usually means b-o-r-i-n-g. And I have to admit, the book drew me in slowly. But once he had me, I was willing to take the trip to North Dakota. Suspension of Disbelief goes without saying -- it's Chris Moore -- and so there is the usual collection of shapeshifting and chicanery, none of which seemed as compelling to me as in other Christopher Moore novels. However, I'm giving this book 4 stars because I think he's a genius and should be encouraged.

I found myself a bit muddled up in the plot at some points and the Native American names didn't help for some reason. I think sometimes too much research shows up on the page. Moore researches his novels. In "Island of the Sequined Love Nun" the research didn't show up as much but added so much; in this book, in my opinion, it showed up a lot and added little.

Still, Moore rests triumphantly head and shoulders above the competition.

Fans of Christopher Moore know that it is best to expect the outrageous when reading one of his novels. "Coyote Blue" follows that standard. While this may not be my favorite selection from his novels, it certainly hits the mark.

Sam Hunter, or Samson Hunts Alone, was forced to leave the reservation after believing that he accidently killed somebody. Journeying through a wide spectrum of stereotypes, Sam lands comfortably in his career as an insurance salesman. But the day Calliope Kincaid catches his eye, something mysterious begins rearranging Sam's world. Coyote, a mythical trickster and storyteller, enters the life of Sam as predicted. Initially, he seems to be causing more chaos than helping Sam. But as the wild tale evolves, that begins to change. Between a monsterous bodyguard with a name better suited for oral hygiene, a mischievous shape-shifter, and plenty of chemical dependency, there are plenty of laughs in these 300 pages.

Moore's wit creates some moments that will have readers holding their stomachs with side splitting laughter as times. Few writers are as skilled at turning a humorous string of words as Moore. I only wish there were more writers like Moore available in today's marketplace.

For any history buff interested in the pursuit of truth and reality, Burr, and anything else written by Gore Vidal (such as Lincoln), are "must reads"!!

Back in 1973 as a member of the Book-of-the-Month Club, I chose to receive BURR when it became the club's main selection. Since that date, I have not been without a copy of the book, while having several non-fiction studies of Burr as well on the shelves. How do I rate Mr. Vidal's work, well, the 5-stars above should pretty much sum up that question.

As Vidal stated in his disclaimer, back of the book essay of sorts, that he did not always agree with Aaron Burr's opinion on people and things, I can state the same concerning some of the opinions Mr. Vidal opines in this book. But whether Vidal is skewering or lauding individual members of our 'founding fathers' one thing many discerning readers of history will need admit, there is not much difference between the desire to succeed that all of them shared. Many were eminently more successful than Mr. Burr in that they either knew how to embellish their lives through media management, or were fortunate in their efforts to cover life's tracks better. And had Burr's papers and trunks not been lost at sea, who knows?

Some have stated here that maybe Vidal is too extreme, too opinionated, or even too lacking in historical laurels; however, for me Mr. Vidal is extremely qualified not only due his family background and years of associating with a United States senator but, when this book first came out, some have posited that back in the deep somewhere of ancestry, Burr and Vidal were relatives.

Another important consideration for me is that BURR initiated Gore Vidal's study of the United States. And for a fictional writer, and never forget that we are reading fiction with a historical background, these several books stand very tall concerning what most American authors ever attain. Mr. Vidal has left us a true treasure trove of American historical novels.

Having read Gore Vidal since about 1963, I do somewhat agree with some here who claim it can take some work accepting him as an 'historian', though he would never claim to be one. I say this because some of his work for me, and I stress only me, is much below his talent. Books such as Duluth and Myra Breckenridge will never find any space on my bookshelves. So with those books among others, I believe Mr. Vidal did himself little favor when later stepping out to assume the mantel of serious historical novelist. Be that as it may, since that is 'history' too, he not only did it, but he has done it very well.

But after reading most of these books, and being a history minor in college, I accede both adequate historical knowledge with the writing talent to this major American author insuring success. And much more, I applaud his books on American history, when most of our authors either do not care at all about their country's history or shun any part in the writing of it. Bravo, Gore Vidal. Bravo, indeed.

For any reader enjoying BURR you may wish to also read his more recent and non-fiction book on the early republic entitled: INVENTING A NATION.

Semper Fi.

To appreciate this novel you have to know the issues surrounding Burr, Hamilton, and Jefferson. Having recently read Chernow's Alexander Hamilton and Isenburg's Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr I was glad to have the events still fresh in my mind. Vidal put it all together 30 years before these biographies, that is without the advantage of new research and contemporary thinking. This novel also, notably, predates DNA and the confirmation of Jefferson's "bright" children.

Vidal's cleverly grafts his outlook and sensibility onto Burr. We will never know, but it may be an excellent fit. In telling the tale through Burr's eyes he gives a stronger defense of Burr than the Isenburg bio. While fictional, all the events are here. At the end, Vidal has a short note clarifying the few occasions when he strayed from the facts and noting that much of Jefferson's dialog was taken from Jefferson's own, copious, writings.

I was laughing out loud at the Vidal/Burr takes on the Jefferson plantation, Jefferson's White House (the books, the garden tools and the mocking bird who lands on his shoulder), Andrew Jackson (dialog, sore false teeth and comments on Davy Crockett's demise) and of course Burr's terse comments on Hamilton. While this is all serious history, Burr (the character and the novel) doesn't take himself/itself at all seriously.

This book begs to be a movie. It would surely be a riotous and controversial one.

Gore Vidal's BURR is an interesting, if somewhat rambling account of a lesser known man from our nations origins. Burr has often been vilified for his fatal "Interview" with Hamilton on Weehawken Heights. This novel seeks to put a voice on a little known personage who inter-acted with all the famous founding fathers.

Vidal has taken a lot of historical research and novelized it in order to flesh out an individual who left little or no paper trail of his life. Much that we know about Burr seems to come mostly from others. He was vilified by Hamilton who became his arch-enemy. Vidal uses Burr as a means to provide a scathing and perhaps more realistic view of our founding fathers.

This book came out shortly before the Bicenntenial in 1976 and few dared at that time to have any but praise and admiration for our nations origins. Gore Vidal wanted to be controversial in his view of the early republic. In this book, Washington, Hamilton and Jefferson all come down a peg or two. The novel shows us that all these famous men were guys on the make with the insider knowledge to make themselves the ruling elite of the nation. Burr was merely one of the more controversial of the crowd. He certainly lead a fascinating life and could have been a man of great influence for his time.

The novel proceeds at a slow pace at times moving back and forth between the present and the past. The chapters which deal with Burr's supposed memoirs are by far the most interesting and entertaining parts of the book. The rest of the story tends to drag a bit, and while Burr's views are certainly interesting, much of the perspective comes from the hand of the author. Vidal has a generally bad opinion of the government of the USA, and one can see here that he believes its origins were in Burr's time.

His portrait of Washy as a stiff, arrogant elitest of little imagination will no dount rile up many of his hero worshipers. I suspect that this portrait, while exaggerated, is not that far off the mark! The same can be said for the novel as a whole: Exaggerated, but not completely so. While I am not a Gore Vidal fan, this was the first work of his I have ever read, I would say for those interested in the early republic period that it is quite worthwhile.

Fans of Vidal no doubt have long read this book as his following is a devoted one. I don't know if I will ever read another of his books, but I did find this one worthwhile. An interesting view of a man and his times.

Gore Vidal writes historical fiction with a sharp eye toward historical accuracy, but with the freedom granted by the genre to present history with a viewpoint. Aaron Burr provides an ample tableau for the talents of Vidal at the top of his game. Burr lived through the Revolution, serving briefly on Washington's staff and later with Benedict Arnold at Quebec. He soon became seriously involved in New York state politics and eventually became Jefferson's vice-president.

Burr seems to have always turned up in the middle of some controversy. He was nearly elected President instead of Jefferson due to a quirk in the electoral system of the day. He killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel while still VP and fled south and west to avoid prosecution in New Jersey. Jefferson soon charged him with treason for an alleged plot to separate the western states from the US. Burr was acquitted in a trial presided over by Chief Justice John Marshall. The reader meets lesser known characters such as James Wilkinson and Harman Blennerhassett among many others.

The story is told through the device of Burr writing his memoirs over a period of several years commencing in 1833 with the aid of Charles Schuyler, the book's only fictional character (aside from brief appearances by William de la Touche Clancey. This device allows Vidal to move back and forth between the Republic's early days and the end of the Jackson presidency. In the latter period the reader meets Matty Van Buren, the famed New York editor William Leggett, the corrupt collector of the NY ports Sam Swartout, and revisits Andrew Jackson.

Vidal presents the tale from his subject's viewpoint, one which is naturally quite favorable to Burr and somewhat at odds with the standard view in regard especially to the `Burr Conspiracy'. Thomas Jefferson particularly comes out poorly in this telling as does Washington. `Burr' was one of six works in what became Vidal's American Chronicles Series (Lincoln, 1876, Empire, Hollywood, and Washington, DC). I can also recommend Lincoln: A Novel and 1876 (Modern Library) to the reader (I've not yet read the others). Gore Vidal's `Burr' is a riveting ride through the early days of the Republic. Highest recommendation.

Just a slick, cool SoCal book. Winslow mixes in real places that most people on the coast would know with great fictional charachters. He writes this in a very conversational style with dialoge that most surfers and beach dudes use to communicate with their bros. This writing and SoCal surfer slang sets the book apart and makes it one of my favotites. First picked it up in the book store and ended up reading for like an hour and a half before the store closed and I had to buy it.

Note: Your "helpful" votes are appreciated, and thanks for reading my short review.

"California Fire and Life" starts with a slow burn and really grabs you. The fascinating details of Jack Wade's career as a fire investigator pull you into the story. Some were really amazing.

For example, if the indoor family pet somehow survives the fire, there is good reason to suspect arson. It is often the case in an arson-murder that the person will kill his or her spouse, but let the dog out. If the fire has more than one point of origin, then it has to be arson. If the windows are left open, that is also a telltail sign of arson (the open windows increase the draft for the fire). Therefore, if a family goes on vacation and their house burns down, the windows had better be closed.

In this fast-paced story, Jack investigates the fire at a mansion. Another investigator has ruled it accidental (the wife dies while smoking in bed). I don't want to tell too much, but a bunch of little details point to an arson-murder by the husband, a man with connections to the Russian mafia.

It was amazing to learn how much arson occurs after an earth-quake (its a quick way to get out of debt if the contents of the house is highly insured).

The story has a lot of detail and twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages.

Highly recommended.

This is an outstanding thriller by a journeyman author. From beginning to end this aptly named book burns at a pace that will surprise and please you. Good characterization -- at least most of the time -- a plot that is far more involved than you ever think it will be at the beginning, and an ending that is surprising, although it borders on disbelief. California Fire and Life is an excellent read. You won't feel cheated and you won't feel disappointed.

This book has enough technical details to satisfy even a veteran firefighter, but not enough to slow down the pace of this sizzling story that broadens a "simple" arson/murder story into a look at the Russian mob in San Diego. Who knew? As in other Winslow books, the characters are compelling from the first mention, and even in this book, Winslow's wry sense of humor is apparent. You'll take the afternoon off work to finish this one.

Lots of folk here love this book but I find it very uneven. When the author is describing how his arson investigator reads fires, he is obviously enthralled. But when he describes how insurance companies and the police conspire to reward the guilty and destroy anyone seeking justice, like his hero, he is less compelling. Is Winslow overreaching to make his villain not merely a ruthless California realtor but also an ex-KGB agent and member of the Russian Mafia? I might excuse that but then comes the funeral of his totally virtuous wife where the love of our hero's life is yelling, "You killed my sister." Naturally this woman is also an honest cop to boot. I will not spoil the ending here except to say that those who read many thrillers should not be surprised at the last plot twist. This book might provide psychological release for latent pyromaniacs.

I am more familiar with the work of James M. Cain via the movies as the basis of such films as The Postman Always Rings Twice and one of the works under review here Double Indemnity. For classic noir films I like to read the works they are based on to see how true they are to the literary efforts. Thus, I picked up this book for Double Indemnity but along the way I got into the other two. The common theme here is the role of women in bringing a man down (or building him up, if that seems appropriate to her designs). You know the old Adam and Eve tale in the modern setting. If Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett, Cain's near contemporaries, had the hard-boiled, no nonsense detective down Cain has the bewitching femme fatale and `gullible' smitten guy down in the same way. This little three story volume, moreover, has the virtue of an introduction by Cain himself where he essentially dismisses out of and the hard-boiled outlook on the world expressed in his work, his commanding sense of language and his deft craftsmanship with the twists and turns of a story. Ya, right.


Cain identifies Career in C Major as the story that he liked the best of the three presented here and the one that would hold up over time. I did not get that feeling mainly because the story line gets a little too bogged down by the narrator's efforts to become a male opera singer. The tension between his gratitude (if you can call it that) to his operatic paramour and his catty, headstrong and over demanding wife (who also had musical ambitions) is what drives this little work. In the end, there is basically a Mexican stand-off between hubby and wife. I do not believe that either the theme or the moral hold up today. Let me point out that despite Cain's predilections for this little piece Double Indemnity, with a very much darker theme, is still remembered as a classic tale of murderous impulse this one you can take or leave.

The Embezzler is, however, one you had better take, as its plot structure leads straight to the classics. This little sleeper of a story points to the fine twist and turns that Cain is rather noted for. The plot revolved around the complicity of a bank executive and the wife of a bank clerk to try to stave of family disaster (her's) by trying to "fix" the books of her philandering husband held in thrall by his fellow female employee, an accountant (go figure, right?). The twist and turns center, of course, around the attraction of the bank exec for the wronged wife who may or may not be on the up and up. Christ, this thing had me guessing for a while whether that exec was really going to take a tumble for a wrong "dame". Read this one. You will be glad.

I mentioned above that one of the things I want to read the original story for is to see how close it is to the film version. Double Indemnity runs fairly close except as to the fates of the two lovers, if that is what they are. The plot here revolves around that old standard- life insurance- or rather more properly `death' insurance, for the insured. One hulky insurance agent meets one drop dead young beautiful wife of an insured older client. Said wife merely inquires about accident insurance for dear hubby. You know, he is in a dangerous business, producing oil in L.A. The rest is history- hubby is a goner. The double indemnity part? Oh, if you die in an accident on a train you get double. Get it? You will.

The core of the story goes to the compulsive nature of the actual murder once the wheels are set in motion, its cover-up and the falling out among thieves. Along the way we get an entanglement with the deceased insured lovely daughter, her `boyfriend' and enough duplicity to fill up the jails. No problem. Except the ending of this story doesn't match up with the film. Yes, the moral of both is that men (and women) must not do evil things to their fellows. Okay, but in the movie it is a straight proposition- the bad guys must pay back society for their crimes. They must die. In the book not only is that true but the bad guys had to feel guilt-ridden about it as well. So, instead of getting away with their nefarious deeds they must kill themselves. Moreover, as it turns, wifey didn't tell dear old insurance man that she had a little prior history of psychopathic behavior. So all of society's books are cleared on this one. Nice. I'll take the book ending.

I can't help it...reading through Cain's novel the voices in my head were those of Barbara Stanwyck, Fred McMurray and Edward G. Robinson.
Although this is a small book (128 p.) and a quick read, don't underestimate this little gem. It is perfectly written and packs an unexpected punch at the end. Highly recommended for anyone who likes noir fiction. And don't expect the movie ... Hollywood couldn't have possibly done it the way the author intended. A basic summary of the plot: Walter Huff is an insurance investigator who is able to smell a scam a mile away. But sadly, Walter isn't thinking with his brain when he meets Phyllis Nirdlinger, the wife of a customer. She wants to know about accident insurance; he knows without anyone even saying anything why she wants it. Walter is convinced that with his knowledge of the industry and how it works come paying out claims time that the two of them could plot the perfect murder and insurance scam. But the story's not over yet. During a period of time when the two have to cool their heels and avoid each other, Walter has time to sit back and think about things and realizes that there's more to the story here and that he must take some action before his company puts two and two together. That's the bare bones outline (I don't want to spoil the story). The book's ending is vastly different than that of the movie -- and I think more poetically just (if not a little strange). Cain's characterizations are well drawn and the writing is superb. A must for any fan of noir.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a noir classic, one of a handful of must-read noir books from the "hardboiled" school. Like his earlier book, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, another must-read, DOUBLE INDEMNITY gets into the action quickly. Both books are short because Cain doesn't waste words. He's a master of crime noir, and DOUBLE INDEMNITY is a great noir novel. Read this book. I've read it several times and I never get tired of it.

Rather than recount the story and plot, which too many reviewers here have already done, I'll say this: the movie is terrific, but the book is better. And the more I read the book, the more I like it better than the movie. So if you've seen the movie, read the book. If you haven't seen the movie or read the book, do both. It doesn't matter which you do first.

Also, spend a few more dollars and buy the Everyman's Library volume, THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, MILDRED PIERCE, AND SELECTED STORIES. This high-quality hardcover volume weighs about as much as the typical Vintage Classic paperback, but includes Cain's three best novels, an appropriately-blood-red cloth cover, acid-free paper, and a chronology of Cain's life and works. This volume is one of the best book deals you'll ever find.

Walter Huff is an insurance agent who visited a client about renewing an automobile insurance policy. Mr. Nirdlinger is out but his wife is in. They'll call him. When Huff gets a call he finds the wife is interested in an accident policy for her husband (without his knowledge)! Huff immediately senses the danger in this; but there is a fatal attraction. Walter agrees to murder for Phyllis and the money, even though Phyllis has no cause to resent her husband. Walter explains the three things needed for a successful murder: help, planning, and audacity (as in a gangland slaying). Walter compares insurance to making a bet that something wouldn't happen (Chapter 2). Then daughter Lola Nirdlinger wants a loan against her boyfriend's car. Months pass, then an accident changes Mr. Nirdlinger's travel plans (Chapter 4). They kill Mr. Nirdlinger according to plan (Chapter 5). Chapter 6 tells about overnight train travel in those days. When Walter returns home he realizes he is now in Phyllis' power (Chapter 7).

After the accident the insurance investigators interviewed the people on the train. The insurance company believed it was a suicide so they wouldn't have to pay. Keyes uses the actuarial tables to dispute that theory, but he has no proof. It was important for a minister to be present at the Coroner's Inquest. Keyes surmises how it could have been done, and decides to have Phyllis watched. Lola has suspicions about Phyllis (Chapter 9). Lola tells Walter more about her boyfriend Sachetti, and they begin to spend time together. Lola has learned more about Phyllis! In Chapter 11 Walter decides to act for his safety in Griffith Park at midnight. He carefully plots this. But Phyllis has plans as well. Chapter 12 tells what happened that night. [The 1944 film changed the story, the book will be more intriguing.] Keyes in the Claim Department views the human race as "a little bit crooked" (Chapter 13). We learn why Sachetti was interested in Phyllis! [The 1944 film omitted this part.] Then there is still another surprise! Chapter 14 ties up the loose strings to this story.

The book is more complex than the 1944 film, and a better story. Read it before you see the film. [The basic story is similar to Shakespeare's "Hamlet".]

Maturation of James Cain's writing between "The Postman Always Rings Twice" to publication of "Double Indemnity" is obvious. To this reader, "Double Indemnity" is richer in text, more completely written, and truly incorporates a more deceitful and thoughtful murder(s).

"I know it's not true. I tell myself it's not true. But there's something in me. I don't know what. Maybe I'm crazy. But there's something in me that loves Death. I think of myself as Death, sometimes in a scarlet shroud. . .it doesn't seem terrible. It seems as though I'm doing something . . . Do you understand me, Walter?" Walter Neff, our protagonist narrator easily responds, "No."

By the book's end, in the last 15 pages, we learn a great deal about the meaning behind every word of every sentence of that paragraph. This paragraph explains Mrs. Phyllis Nirdlinger to us.

Like "Postman", the wife - Mrs. Nirdlinger - in this book is younger than her husband, she is pretty, came from Iowa and moved to then edenistic California. And, like "Postman", the protagonist is a gun for her to hire. Unlike "Postman", the woman is a black beauty incarnate. Walter does not know what to think of her. As he matures and learns more about her, the more he becomes perplexed. "I loved her like a rabbit loves a rattlesnake."

Eventually, like "Postman" each enters a "Prizzi's Honor" code of conduct - do unto the other as you would never allow the other to do unto you. Walter sets up a trap of the widow Nirdlinger, he thoughtfully sets her up for the kill and discovers, "I wasn't the only one that figured the world wasn't big enough for two people . . . I had come there to kill her, but . . . "

The next 10-15 pages outline who that woman is, where she has been and what she has done. Walter understandably acknowledges having been used, fesses up to his conduct and expects to be escorted to the electric chair. But like "Postman" the insurance company acquits evil - not with perjury, but in a manner as artful as the trial in "Postman." And, then. . . Cain delivers an ending which deciphers the second paragraph of this review - at that time we and Walter now can respond to her question in the affirmative. Oh, what a great ending.

Having read this book back-to-back with "Postman", each twists the plot like an all star mystery, but the more thorough and intellectual approach to murder described in this novel enticed this reader. And, the writing is more mature - not just dialogue as done in "Postman." Each is fun, each is great. I would never hesitate to recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery to read.

This book says in several hundred pages what can be said in 5-10 pages. It is highly repetitive, and has more of a moral message than a financial one.
It has very little "hard", quantitative information.

I agree with the majority of the advice in this book. I've always thought the stock market was just a legalized pyramid scheme. It makes a lot of sense to focus on how to increase your personal productivity and income. BUT there were two overwhelming thoughts I had while reading this book:

1. Wait - didn't I just read this same sentence 5 times? It felt like the author kept repeating the IDENTICAL phrases over and over again. Like he was just trying to fill enough pages to be able to publish a book.

2. Is this a book or just a 271 page advertisement to take the author's financial seminars?

So, while it is good advice, be prepared to skim alot of pages because it is extremely repetitive. And I would say that this is a book to borrow from the library because once you've read it, there's no need to reference it again.

I used to work in financial services; I left because I didn't believe in the concepts we were trained to share with others. Investing all of your extra cash in high risk/potentially high return instruments in response to your concern about possible future lack, often robs people of the best possible present moment. I don't believe that we can afford to live without planning for tomorrow, but heavily mortgaging your present for a possible better future may not be the best move either.

The author shares with the reader a different way of looking at day to day finances, retirement planning, and general investing. His approach allows for investing without that quake of fear in your stomach every time you open the financial section of your newspaper.

This book fills an important gap in the financial planning/get rich sooner than later book section you'll find in all the bookstores. It presents an open-hearted, sensible, fearless approach to money and its long term accumulation that will strike a lot of people as the right way to go.

Mr Gunderson's success is a testament to the methods he shares here. This book is highly recommended.

Rich Dad must be making progress in influencing other authors. This is another recommendation to "buy rental properties". The author does not hit it nearly as hard as Rich Dad does though. It is subtle but it is throughout the book. We also learn that that banks are ripping you off by taking your deposits and lending it out to others for more than they pay you. Gasp! 401K's are awful and a waste of your money.

The author does have a decent discussion of risk vs. reward. Different investment vehicles are not really inherently risky. It depends on your knowledge of them. Overall good insurance discussion, but lacking disability insurance coverage past a few bullet points.

Overall....waste of the time I spent to browse it. That is the opportunity cost I willingly paid. If you know nothing it will only make you think that everyone is out to get you and make money for themselves...which is probably true, but this book will not arm you with any knowledge to fight back.

Amazing book. The principles taught in this here really opened my eyes and made me look at money, and my stewardship over it in a whole new way. I would recommend this book to everyone.

This is an exceptionally clear text. All the basics of corporate finance are covered with real life examples taken from real corporations (large and small). The explanation of the concepts and the logic behind all accounting parameters is very clear. Higgins knows his stuff well and does a great job in guiding the reader to a good understanding of the subject. The material is well organized and it flows in a logical manner. Mr. Higgins even managed to sprinkle some humor throughout the text, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
This book is worth every penny.

It is one of the best books I have ever used for course reference. One of the reviewers (on the back cover) taught me the Corporate Finance course at HBS with this book as the reference text and it was a great learning experience. I also find this book as a great reference material for my CFA exam. Can't wait to get my hands on the next edition.

Beware which version is purchased! I purchased a "new" copy of version 4. (The version number was not advertised.) The current version number is 8 and it appears to be only available from the current publisher, McGraw Hill as an $85- paperback. If you are not taking a class the older version may be ok but I am in a class.

The CURRENT VERSION IS 8

I am in the financial services field and a self learner, too. I wanted this book for my business library and to help me brush up on financial analysis. This book did not disappoint me. It is very well written, although I would recommend a newer edition.

Unlike most textbooks the book by Higgins can actually be an engaging read. It doesn't get into too many technical details on any of the subject matters covered, but includes some interesting sections that I haven't found in other general (and much heavier) financial management books. For instance, I liked the appendix on the venture capital method of valuation and the explanation on how venture capitalists arrive at a required percentage ownership given multiple rounds of financing.

It was used as a background text for a case study course that I took as part of an MS in finance program and I believe most of us enjoyed it..

In the Introduction to "On Liberty," Currin Shields, an English egghead, bemoans the fact that Mill's most "famous" essay is "more talked about than read."

I'm surprised it is even talked about, and I am very much NOT surprised that hardly anyone reads it. Mill takes about a hundred and twenty pages to say what could be (and was) summed up in an epigram: People should be free to do whatever they want, as long as it does not harm anyone else.

Not only does Mill subject the reader to pages and pages of supererogatory writing, but his prose is the epitome of Victorian verbosity, with more modifiers, clauses, footnotes, and parentheticals than there are alcoholics in Butte, Montana. (And there are a LOT of alcoholics in Butte, Montana.)

I guess if you're studying philosophy, you're gonna have to read this thing sooner or later...likewise if you're an autodidact.

A work every 21st Century conservative should read and understand.

In many ways, one is tempted to think that there is no such thing as liberalism alive in America today. It would do many well to read the work of the Englishman Mill in order to understand much of what is called both "liberalism" as well as "individual liberty." In addition, one of the growing issues of the contemporary political landscape in America is a polarization which is wholly unnecessary when analysis is applied the current plane of consideration. The reason for this conspicuous lack of reason for polarization is made obviously clear when one reads a work on liberal thought like that of Mill's. For Mill, individual liberty is a question both of social and political proportions, demanding a lack of interference by both government and social pressures. Additionally, he is keen in his analysis of the need for humility when it comes to humanity's apprehension of the Truth, thus necessitating free speech as a vehicle for the continual realization of those parts of the Truth which man so often forgets because of personal bias.

However, the analysis is weak insofar as it also denies the need for structures to educate humanity in a fallen world. His criteria for legal and social sanctions does overlook the necessity to draw on tradition to properly shape those in the world (while maintaining individual dignity). While he acknowledges that it would be preposterous to deny the necessity of interrelationships and sharing of experience, Mill remains somewhat weak on the necessity of tradition and community as related to individual liberty. However, on the whole, the work presents a decent overview of the need to acknowledge individual dignity through the liberty of the individual. Indeed, all communal criticisms aside, On Liberty does indeed serve as a corrective against crass traditionalism which propagates itself without true individual consent and embrace. Therefore, even in its weakness, it remains strong as a key text on the primacy of the human individual as the recipient and follower of the Truth. In a day when liberty is shouted by groups who have no interest in talking to each other, such a small text would do well to make all groups realize that our American (and indeed Western) goals aren't that different, that we are united in trying to express human dignity through the individuals.

I don't really like the fact that Mill wasn't religious- I don't believe you can have a just person who doesn't believe in a higher power, but the economics in On Liberty and the politics are amazing. It comes down to this: No one should be prevented from thinking or doing anything except that which harms others. In other words: government needs to get out of our bidness!

John Stuart Mill, 1806-73, worked for the East India Co. helped run Colonial India from England. Minister of Parliament 1865-68 he served one term. Maiden speech was a disaster his second was great success. He was first MP to propose that women should be given the vote on equal footing with the men who could vote. He got 1/3 support, England gives franchise to women after U.S. He was a great Feminist, his essay "Subjection of Women" is written with great passion and prose. It was a brave position for him to take he was ridiculed for it. He favored democracy, and letting more men from lower classes the right to vote, but believed that people that are more educated should have more votes then less educated because they would make better decisions about what government should do. He would have wanted to extend education to the masses, so that all may have gotten 2-3 votes and so on. He didn't think it should be extended to where a small elite could carry the day on votes. The idea was that if the working class, and middle class, where divided on an issue, the people with more intelligence would have the power to tip the balance. Mill thought that people with more education would probably not only be better able to make political decisions, especially in terms of intellectually being able to see what would be best for the government to do, but that they would also be more concerned about the common good publicly then people in general. He was intensely educated by his father James. John could read Greek, and Latin at 6 yrs.; his Dad tutored him at home. Dad thought environment was everything. He was treated like an adult, never played games with kids; he had a very cerebral upbringing. He had a period of depression in his twenties, it changed his philosophy, and he recognized the importance of developing feelings along with the intellect, this is something that he stressed in his work. He read poetry to get out of depression; he became devoted to poetry and became a romantic. He fell in love with a married woman Harriet Taylor, was a platonic relationship, after her husband's death they married 3 years later and probably never consummated the marriage maybe due to his having syphilis. His dedication to "On Liberty" is to her, very devoted to each other. Both buried together in Avignon France where they used to vacation.

Mill as a moral theorist subscribed to a theory we call Utilitarianism. It means---In some way morality is about the maximization of happiness. Whether actions are right or wrong depends on how happiness can be most effectively maximized. I say in some way, because there are allot of different kinds of Utilitarians. Allot of different ways of saying exactly how it is the maximization of happiness comes into morality. Therefore, happiness is clearly an important idea for Utilitarians. Mill has a hedonistic view of happiness, he thinks that happiness can be defined in terms of "pleasure in the absence of pain." What is distinctive about Mill in this area is that he believes that some kinds of pleasure are better than others are, and add more to a person's happiness than other kinds of pleasures. He believes in what he calls, "higher quality pleasures." These are pleasures, he says, that we get from the exercise of faculties that only human beings happen to have. So the intellect, imagination, the moral feelings, these are the sources of higher quality pleasures people use. His view seems to be that a certain quantity of intellectual pleasure just adds more to your happiness, and a given quantity of some lower pleasure like a kind we would share with the animals such as sensation, taste, sexual pleasure, etc. His "higher quality pleasures" in a way echo Aristotle's ethics. The idea of those things that make us distinctly human that are the real key to our happiness, that is in Mill also. It is not as limited to reason and intellect as Aristotle thinks. Mill recognizes the importance of the appreciation of beauty, aesthetic pleasure, and moral pleasure. He frankly owes a debt to Aristotle that he never properly acknowledges, never gives him proper credit.

"On Liberty" is Mill's is his most widely read and enduring work. It is an indispensable essay on political thought, which strenuously argues for individual liberty. He is defending what he calls the "liberty principle." It is a principle that guarantees individuals quite a bit of personal freedom. "That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant." These quoted sentences in John Stuart Mill's book, "On Liberty," embody the crux of his argument; that the power of the state must intrude as little as possible on the liberty of its citizenry. In essence, Mill was against using the power of the state through its lawmaking apparatus to compel citizens to conduct themselves in ways that society deems moral or appropriate. Mill thought that people had not only a right, but also a duty to develop their intellectual faculties, which is indispensable to maximize their happiness. He believed that society improved for all its citizens when they where left unfettered to the maximum extent possible, allowing them to use their imagination and intellect to improve themselves. Mill postulates a theory that societies usually institute laws based primarily on "personal preference" of its citizenry instead of established principles. This lack of clarity of opinion often leads to the government frequently interfering in the lives of its citizens unnecessarily. For Mill, there are very few times when the state can infringe on the personal liberty of others. Firstly, the state has the right to promulgate laws that prevent a person's actions from harming others. Secondly, the state must protect those citizens who are not mature enough to protect themselves, such as children. Thirdly, he exempts, "... backward states of society in which the race itself may be considered as in its nonage." In Mill's view, immature societies need a benevolent leader to rule them until they have developed to a point where they, "... have attained the capacity of being guided to their own improvement by conviction or persuasion ..." Mill said this third exemption did not apply to any of the countries in Europe. Mill believed that forced morality by the state on its citizen's liberties was destructive to their inward development, and could even lead to a violent reaction by them against the government.


There are different parts of his defense of this, different arguments that he gives. He has a long chapter on freedom of speech and press. He has some very specific reasons why he thinks those freedoms are important. Always in the background for Mill is the idea of development, and making it possible for more people to enjoy these higher quality pleasures. How do we help people develop their distinctly human faculties, in ways that will help them enjoy their higher quality pleasures? Because for him that is the way, we maximize the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed in the world, and that is the object of morality as far as he is concerned. Utilitarianists believe that maximizing happiness is ultimately, what morality is all about. That does not mean maximizing your own happiness that means maximizing the total amount of happiness that is enjoyed, not only by yourself but also by everybody else as well.

Roger Kimball, in his book "Experiments Against Reality" wrote, "On Liberty" was published in 1859, coincidentally the same year as "On the Origin of Species." Darwin's book has been credited--and blamed--for all manner of moral and religious mischief. But in the long run "On Liberty" may have effected an even greater revolution in sentiment.

I read this book for a graduate class in Philosophy. Recommended reading for anyone interested in philosophy, political science, and history.

This book will make any woman feel more confident. I learned some new borderline amazing moves that I didn't even think of. I think every woman would enjoy this book. And soo will your man/woman. (wink)

This book would make an excellent wedding shower gift. Never hurts to be informed!

Wow! This book contains everything from A to Z and then some. It is, in fact everything NOBODY'S parents told them! As a doctor, I learned new things. --exersizes learning to draw a figure-eight on the floor with the axis of your pelvis??? Whatever you know already, you'll know more when you are done with this well written, encyclopedic book.

And you'll find them all in this book.

This volume may be directed at women, but a man--experienced or not--can find this a gold mine of information. It was not unusual for me to think to myself as I was reading, "I didn't know that!"

Dr. Hutcherson deals with the emotional and physical sides of sex and speaks to both the young in age and the young at heart. I think many in a relationship would like to be "counseled" by this book, especially those in a long-time, committed bond. In different sections of the book her advice can be both practical, reassuring, simple, encouraging and (why not?) even exiting.

Wow! This book contains everything from A to Z and then some. It is, in fact everything NOBODY'S parents told them! This book is also great for women/men of any age that feel they did not receive "The Talk" as a teen or do not have as much RELIABLE info as they would like.