Drugs Books

I picked this up on a wim; I was taking a flight the next day and needed something to read on the long journey across the Atlantic. I'm so glad I found this. It was amazing! I read it cover to cover and was so sad to see it end. The suspense was amazing. Can't wait to read more of Sam Hill's stuff. I'm hooked!

Plot has already been well summarized so I'll just say this is one of the most riviting books I've read in a long time. Top is terrific and I hope Sam Hill brings him back and back and back. Surprises in every chapter, extraordinary supporting cast, vivid locale and an intriguing story line. Don't miss reading BUZZ MONKEY, you'll regret not meeting Top Kiernan!

"Buzz Monkey" is an extraordinarily well crafted novel.
It brought to mind Wolfe's "A Man In Full"; drugs substitute for real estate but the social commentary on our age of greed and excess is there in equal measure. For pace and excitement Buzz Monkey is as un-put-downable as Patterson's "Kiss the Girls" for plot, characters and even its head-on no nonsense take on racism. But above all this is simply a fun read, and the reader can certainly forgive Sam Hill for occasionally wearing his erudition on his sleeve.

As an employee in an independent mystery bookstore, I was lucky enough to read an advanced review copy for Buzz Monkey and immediately recommended the book to anyone who would listen to me. The people who bought and read it, agreed - - Sam Hill is a great new voice in mystery. Possibly, one of the best new voices in years.

I know I will be nominating Buzz Monkey for an Anthony for Best New Novel as soon as I get my ballot. It is that good!

Enthralling, easy, sexy, smart: a perfect vehicle for Joe Montegna. More, please!

Excellent but I found the personal stories during their training were dull and boring. This is another Bush Did It Book and it is just too bad that the American public will never allow themselves to believe the content of this book or others like it. It is just too disturbing to the average readers formed view of the government.

Having worked as an OSI agent for a number of years, I can state with absolute certainty that this book not only feels and reads true, but that it is true...at least insofar as my experiences are concerned. Mr. Bucci's name circulated throughout many a classified briefing in my days, leading many of us to wonder if he was a real agent or merely a mythic character created to scuttle rumors and inuendos of clandestine operations hatched but never consemated. The only difference between Mr. Bucci and myself is that he had the guts--if not the stupidity--to write about his drug war experiences. Hell, writing this review alone has my ulcer trickling.

I echoe the sentiments of my fellow reviewers who commented that this would make for a very cinematic motion picture. I only hope Hollywood doesn't change a single word. Oh yeah, and a note to the editor, if you plan to release more copies in the future...and I strongly suggest that you do...add more to the ending (I felt left hanging a bit) and use the latest version of spell-check. Besides that little problem, however, this was the best, truly the best book I have ever read...and I read constantly!

Straight out of today's headlines...this book should go straight to Hollywood.

A good read, highly recommended!

My stomach hurt with laughter, my heart ached with pain and my body was ravaged with nerves. This book should come with a disclaimer: "Do not read if you have any health problems! If symptoms persist, put down and read again at a later date. The problem is, however, you can't put the darn thing down. When is his next book coming out? I can't wait! My HMO might feel otherwise, though. And not that it matters, but as an ex-DEA agent I now understand why I saw, or didn't see the thing I should have seen...if you catch my drift.

When Ken Bucchi's book was slipped to me last summer, I have to admit I was skeptical. I mean, come on. How many times have we heard about the CIA's complicity in the drug trade? After reading it, though, I was as hooked as the people who review the book below. It really is a gripping read, drips with authenticity (if you've been lucky enough to have met or talked with Ken, you KNOW the book is true) and begs to be turned into a movie.

This book is really great. I got accepted in the nursing program but I always had a fear of math I didn't think I could do it. But this book carrys you step by step even the math dummy can understand dosage calculation. Believe me you won't be disappointed.

This text takes you from basics to excellent in calculations, which was exactly what i needed. The CD was very helpfull and it gives you great tips!

I need this book before I start nursing school this fall. I think I ordered this book on Friday and received it on a Monday. Anyway,
ftorres, the vendor, is very honest and prompt. The book I ordered IS like new and an undamaged CD-ROM did accompany it. Thanks FTORRES, whoever you are. I'd buy another book from this guy any time.

As for the book itself, it delivers what it's supposed to in terms of a basic grasp of medical calculations. Very practical as its applied to the current pharmaceutical market.

KTimbers

This book is a required text in my nursing program and it has been wonderful. I really needed practice brushing up on math and this book leads you from math basics all the way through to various methods of medication and IV calculation. One unique feature of this text: 3 different methods for calculating medications are introduced (ratio & proportion, formula, and dimensional analysis.) You determine which method you prefer for completing medication problems. The medication examples in the book are then worked through step-by-step based on all 3 methods. I simply study my preferred method of solving problems (ratio & proportion) and disregard the other 2 methods. Each chapter includes pre and post tests and there is a CD-ROM that contains over 500 practice problems. I find the book easy to understand, even if you are self-teaching. There are lots of practice problems and answers. This book is well worth the money!

When lives are in your hands, you want to be sure that your calculations are perfect everytime. This is the book that will give you the confidence to know that you are calculating all medications accurately everytime. A must have for all those in the medical field.

Like Dickens and other fine writers, Charlotte Jerace figures her readers want some depth to a story's characters, some battles with real life problems and, in the end, a pleasurable conclusion to the world's difficulties. Jerace delivers on all these points in her latest book, Kentucky Rain.

In many ways, the novel acts as a valentine to "family" and all that word conjures up for many readers. There are conflicts, sibling rivalries and infidelities. But the book places much more emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliations and good old fashion love -- in all its forms.

The story revolves around Sophia, a middle-aged woman whose personal history is cleverly and subtly revealed over the course of nearly 300 pages while the primary action of the novel -- a road trip with a cast of characters that seem straight from a Fellini film -- pushes forward with humor and a light touch from this talented writer. The characters truly seem to be created for the screen, with wonderful visual descriptions and short, snappy dialogue that is reminiscent of Neil Simon's early screenplays.

Jerace uses a wonderfully conceived storyline both to entertain the reader and to investigate a variety of issues, some modern while others are classical, life-contemplating stuff.

The book is really a nice read. One hopes that Ms. Jerace has chosen her novel's title as one in a series of Elvis-inspired sing-alongs.

With a light touch of humor this story touches wonderfully on real people facing some of the real truth about life, family and aging. A great read.

Charlotte Jerace has captured my heart with this touching story. Fantastic writing! Bravo!

This is a fast-reading, charming,touching story about family relationships. If you want to read something that has no violence, no intrigue, no mystery, etc., just a light and entertaining book, this is for you.

Having lived with the mystery, the absurdity, and even the hilarity of a family member with Alzheimers, I bear witness to the fact that Jerace got it right. The denial, anger, hurt, and sadness must play out as family members come to terms with this illness. A must-read for anyone with an aging parent, grandparent, or friend. Jerace writes with insight, intrigue, and humor - a winning combination!

I took many interesting courses in my early-1980s MBA program: strategy formulation, marketing, consumer behavior, and others. But the most exciting course was taught by Vijay Govindarajan. A star in higher education in India and later in the United States, VG (as we students called him) had us on the edge of our seats each and every class. Using the "case method," he embedded what he wanted us to learn inside interesting business problems, and he challenged us to solve them. My classmates and I energetically debated the cases both before and after class. The subject VG taught? Accounting.

One might not expect the world of disease and pharmaceuticals to be exciting, either, but Robert Shook does the same thing with drugs and the people of the pharmaceutical industry that VG did with accounting. Each of the seven stories in Miracle Medicines describes a health problem that afflicts people all around us, perhaps family members - maybe even you. (Like the author, I suffer from asthma.) Shook introduces us to the people of Big Pharma (as insiders call the industry) and vividly describes their struggle to develop an effective drug and bring it to market. It is not an easy process, and, after reading this book, you will understand why pharmaceuticals can be so expensive.

This book is a must read for three groups: those who want to know more about the drugs they depend upon for health, if not life itself; anyone who wants to understand the business side of the pharmaceutical industry and how drugs are developed; and readers who enjoy good short stories, for Miracle Medicines is really a collection of fascinating tales with a common theme - how people working together bring life and hope to others.

Americans who criticize the pharmaceutical industry need to read this important book. Author Shook went behind locked doors to show us an insight on the tremendous costs and risks that these pharmaceutical corporations take. We all complain about the high costs of medicine, but Shook clearly describes the years of work and dedication by brilliant scientists as well as the many millions of dollars that these corporations front to bring a new medicine to the market place. I still may complain about the cost of my prescriptions, but I am now appreciative of the many dedicated people in the industry who made my medicines available.

There are two elements to any industry. Research and making money. At no point we should question the integrity of people who do everything they can to find cures for human ailments. This book tells all that. In this world of Wall Street expectations to show quick and continuous profits, some times, Pharma companies might make some bad judgment calls and those decisions cause more harm than anything. Pharma is being criticized for its practices in drug research with all the myths and lies, and at the same time pushing those companies to produce and show quick returns on stock market so that investors can make quick profit without realizing the effort that goes into the research, clinical trials and marketing of a drug. Drugs are not commodities and only that realization can put things perspective to everyone.

For years, the media has been knocking Big Pharma,and many of us are be duped into believing that the pharmaceutical companies are deceptive, devious and inhererently evil. Even the movie, "The Constant Gardener," a fictious story, has influenced public opinion to think that Big Pharma will do anything for the almighty dollar.

Robert L. Shook, a highly respected independent business writer, with no ties to the pharmaceutical industry has penned an eye-opening book that takes the reader behind the scenes of seven companies--Abbott, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis amd Pfizer to meet the real people who dedicate their lives to finding cures for diseases. In doing so, Shook puts a face on these dedicated men and women, most of whom spend their entire careers working in their labs without ever having a new drug ending up in our medicine cabinet. After reading MIRACLE MEDICINES, my take on these individuals is that they are truly committed to humankind. They are hard-working, decent people who spend their lives to benefit others. As the author states, these are highly educated people, many who have medical degrees and Ph.Ds and could earn far more in private practice or working elsewhere. Why do they work for pharmaceutical companies? To paraphrase one chemist in the book, "I could have made more money working for a chemical company, but I wanted to work where I could do the most good for humankind."

The author does an excellent job in presenting an otherwise very complicated subject in a way that can be enjoyably read by all. This is a tribute to his writing skills. The book is very informative and interesting to read. I recommend that you buy it.

I expected to be enlightened by this book, but I never expected to enjoy it. I was in for a big surprise. Author Robert L. Shook's writing is always first rate. However, in this book he has accomplished three rather remarkable things. First, instead of simply presenting well-researched and well-organized information - which could have made for a dull read - he has brought the information to life, creating seven intriguing stories about the dedicated and talented people who embody the pharmaceutical industry. I'll offer one example. Over a relatively short period of time we have come to accept AIDS as a (tragic) feature of contemporary society. I was fascinated to read about how, when, and where AIDS actually began; how it spread in this country; how physicians eventually identified HIV; and how pharmaceutical companies rushed to develop tools to diagnose and treat it. And, by the way, I found the profiles of the pharmaceutical companies quite inspiring - great things really can come from rather humble beginnings. Second, Shook takes technical information and makes it simple and easy to understand. This is no small feat. Finally, Shook helps the reader understand - yes, even appreciate - the contributions of pharmaceutical companies. In recent years, people have come to regard "Big Pharma" as they do "Big Oil" - i.e., as companies that exploit consumers who have no choice but to buy their products. Shook helps us to see pharmaceutical companies in a far more sympathetic light. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read and wants to learn about the ever-changing world in which we live.

If you like Huxley, especially his writings on psychedelics and the visionary experience, then obtain this book. It can be redundant at times, but it gives you a personal look at Huxley's interest in self-trancendance and the potential helpfulness of "psychodelics" through letters written to friends, lectures, and other mystical treats. If you've never read Huxley's opinions on psychedelics than I suggest you read Doors of Perception first just to tread the surface of what Huxley envisioned

New Age, Self Help, Cults. While you might think that some of these things are 'new'.
you can find through this book that the human condition appears to have established
itself quite a long time ago and has not changed a great deal in aggregate over time.

It is really unfortunate that so little is understood about the workings of the human
mind and that so little of our collective time is spent in pursuit of a deeper cognition.

Well worth the investment in both time and money for anyone interested in knowing
more about themselves.

Do not be fooled by the table of contents. Even though it says the book contains "The Doors of Perception" and "Heaven and Hell," it in fact only contains a few brief pages of abridgement. That warning to the buyer aside, the book does contain an interesting array of letters regarding the same experience recounted in "Doors of Perception" and many other trips that Huxley took. Particularly useful are the historical introductions to the letters collected in this volume. It allows the casual reader to know what events are being discussed in the letter.

Moksha is a word in Sanskrit which means "liberation", and liberation is probably the best word to describe Aldous Huxley and his writings. Liberation from external forces, from norms and views of reality that the authority figures of the West have told you are "real" and "true", liberation from everything that stops you from finding your own path in life and the creation of your own truth.

In the world of fiction, Huxley is perhaps best known for his novel Brave New World, in which he painted a rather gloomy picture of a not-too distant future where the people are controlled by the use of Soma, a synthetic drug enabling everyone some time-out from their own miserable existence. This theme was continued in the later book Island, where the name of the drug has been changed to Moksha and is seen as a positive thing, a way for the individual to find his or her own means of evolution instead of a cheap escape from the dreaded reality. However, Huxley was more than just a writer of fiction, and in Moksha the reader is treated to a glimpse of this man's amazing intellect. Besides some of the many letters he wrote during his lifetime, you'll also find excerpts from different lectures held all over the world, interviews, and important sections from some of this best fictional writing, such as Brave New World, The Doors of Perception, Island, and Heaven and Hell.

The larger bulk of the text is about psychedelic drugs and their beneficial use in different sorts of therapy as well as their ability to help mankind in the expansion of human consciousness, and it's quite a pleasure to experience Huxley's fascinating ideas about these types of drugs, especially since they in later years came to be treated as a total menace to society. Even in these alleged times research on their beneficial use is still considered a crime more or less everywhere, which actually is nothing but bizarre since they've been proven to be very useful when administered correctly by professionals. But not everything in the books deals with this, because Huxley had tons of interesting views and things to say about such topics as art, literature, religion, psychology, and ecology.

From time to time it's a very demanding book, but if you just take your time and explore the often complicated thoughts and ideas, then Moksha will give you not only a good insight in the mystery that is human perception of reality, but also a splendid presentation of one of the most progressive thinkers in modern times.

Alduos Huxley is a brilliant man. This book has made me think about things in a whole new way. I love the letters he writes. The book is divided into 40 chapters. I read it slowly, a chapter or two at a time over a period of a few months. It wasn't one of those books you, like his novels, that you'd want to read in a week or a day. It is something you want to read and then think about it for a while. His ideas on psychedelics are very enlightening. I am thankful for this work.

Excellent book.Allowed myself to change my position on Let it go and let God. The main point in this book is to acept that our love ones are sick and that they can't make decision on their own. We need to help them in the wright way.

This is a great book that tells it like it is about a terrible disease and the people affected by it. More help and information here that in any Al-anon literature I have ever read.

I only wish that I'd found this book years ago as I started the journey of addiction with a family member. This book was my turning point. Clear, concise. I finally GOT alcoholism. It sank in and I thank this author from the depths of my heart for putting wisdom to pen to paper.

Well the book was excellent. Ourwhole family is reading it. The only problem I had is that I paid extra for two day shipping on a Monday and the book was not received until Friday (late afternoon).

I bought this book based on the reviews and the description on the website. I have to say I am somewhat disappointed. She initially talks about how the idea of detachment, loved one's detaching themselves from the addict and living their own lives, is incredibly difficult if not impossible to achieve. I am in total agreement with her there. However, she then kept referring to this idea and after a while I got the feeling she was trying to prove something, but I'm not sure to whom. As a reader I felt that I had purchased her book, I was willing to be open to her ideas, so why beat the same drum over and over again? Was she writing for the wider audience of, perhaps, other addiction specialists out there? Anyway, it went on for too long.

The other criticism I have is that her discussion of an intervention supposes that we all have large families and a wide network of friends to draw from in staging one. I find this view a bit limited and naive. From my own experience, I can say that my husband comes from a family of substance abusers(not ideal candidates for an intervention)and that his network of friends includes, guess who?, a wide network of users. So, the book did not give me the answers I was looking for. I will have to search elsewhere. She alludes to working with a professional if you can't build up a large team, but I think she could have put a little more into this alternative.

That said, I do think this book is worth reading. Her descriptions of interventions are good and offer hope to those of us struggling against the disease of alcoholism/addiction.

Keep strength.

Finally, someone has put into print an accurate and factual picture of what the drug manufacturing industry does to place profits way ahead of patient benefit and safety. Anyone who takes prescription medications should read this book. Maybe it gets a little too technical in spots for people not in the health professions, but there is plenty of excellent information and suggestions to make this a very valuable reference for consumer-oriented patients.
I am a doctoral-level clinical pharmacist, and I found myself in agreement with most all of what Dr. Cohen has written and recommended in this book. This should be required reading for every practicing physician, medical student, pharmacist, and nurse in the country. Medical schools should add this to their curriculum for all of our doctors-to-be to read before they take their pharmacology course and start their clinical training.

...I was intrigued by Dr. Cohen's basic premise. The drug industry tries to make drug dosing easy for doctors, but what about the patient? The one size fits all.. dosing is not consumer centric, and in the new age of the informed drug consumer it is about time consumers got their correct dose. Dr. Cohen is... pro-drug treatment for many conditions. He wants to have drug makers offer information and pill sizes for lower dose use. Why should a 250 pound man and 100 pound grandmother get the same starting dose. Yet that is what pharmaceutical companies do in their starting dose recommended. This leads to greater side effects and reduces the use of medicines, says Dr.Cohen. Well-written and easy to understanfd Dr. Cohen raises new opportunities for consumer centric companies interested in making drugs that can be used with less side effects. With poor patient retention and compliance by patients drug companies should be doing what they can to make drug treatment more palatable. Clearly, reducing the over dosing is one way to get greater compliance.

I began working in pharmacy in the late 1960's. I helped dispense drugs at a retail drugstore in my home town and I did the same in the largest hospital in Chicago. I kept it up at another hospital and then started "doing" it on my own when I opened my retail store in 1983. I read the manufacturers' package inserts and I followed the prescriptions as they were ordered - and I noticed that many people had problems with the "recommended" dose. Sometimes they got used to the dose and sometimes it had to be changed. In any event, the recommended dose was not always accurate accurate - it was often dangerously WRONG.

I don't know what I thought about all the problems with prescription drugs. I guess I just presumed the patients were overly sensitive, or just unlucky. I didn't often think too much about it - until I became aware of Dr. Jay Cohen and his "Case Against the Drug Companies." His shocking book is called "OVER DOSE" and it describes in good detail the dangers of relying on the manufacturers' package inserts to prescribe drugs.

This is an "eye opener" book and it angers me. How is it that we have this overriding desire to place the bottom line above decent care for health? There are some great things happening in medicine - all around the world. But I think that all the good can be quickly undone by hanging on to a misguided philosophy that insists that profits trump everything else. Its time for a change and Dr. Cohen is part of the changing process. I promise to do my part for change. One thing is to expose potential problems (like Dr. Cohen has done) and another is to encourage people to think about the issues (that's my goal). Please get a copy of this book. Read it and then think about what it really means. When we reach a critical mass changes will happen. You can bank on it! (pun intended)

The aphorism, the cure is worse than the disease, is an apropos motto for "Over Dose." Drug company policies rake in billions while harming the very patients they are meant to help. Dr. Jay S. Cohen opens more cans of worms than a fisherman could hook in his lifetime. The evidence is horrifically overwhelming - America is being overmedicated.

Dr. Cohen is not anti-medication; he advocates the reasonable usage of these powerful meds. His mantra is "start low, go slow." The well researched (53 pages of references) is adept at uncovering the shortcomings of the pharmaceutical companies and their adverse effects on the public - 46% of Americans take at least one prescription daily. Cohen shows how the drug companies' one-size-fits-all dosage is literally killing people. Nearly 300 people die daily due to a medication reaction. The dire facts keep on coming. The author's case against the drug companies is convincing.

Dr. Cohen's precise writing is somber. But the real sad part of this tragedy is how avoidable it can be. Dr. Cohen is equally effective in offering realistic solutions. He clearly states, "My goal in writing `Over Dose' is to provide you with informed consent about the unacceptable state of medication treatment today...to reduce your risks-and to begin to end the side-effect epidemic." "Over Dose" is a must have; the expose may alter you life for the better and perhaps even save it.

Bohdan Kot

A valuable theme disclosing inadequate testing by the drug companies and woeful evaluations by the FDA of prescription drugs. The main thesis is well-taken: lower doses of many drugs could minimize side-effects, including death. Actually does not go far enough in exposing all the major drug classes that do not increase lifespan at all!
Also available from Amazon: Prescription for Disaster by Thomas Moore and The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs by Ross Pelton and James LaValle.

Read 4 Arguments...Jerry Mander Then this book! If you are looking for "ways" to get rid of the TV, or "ways" to occupy your families (or your) time away from the TV. This is not the book. This is the book if you would like statistics, and startling information about TV in the lives of people. Although the TV refrences are quite early 80's ALL of the information is very useful, persuasive, and passionate.

Dont believe the hype up there! It is relevant to this day in age, take yourself to account, before the TV takes you! Buy this book and dont burry it into the shelves, pass it on the neighbors, your childrens teachers, family and friends! this book is for EVERYONE!

For a long time I have been discouraged in my efforts to establish two-way communication with children. I would bring books, toys, and games to social functions and share them with children. Once one activity was over, the children would stare at me, waiting for me to start another activity. Why won't they provide any input of their own? Am I overpowering them without realizing it?

This book explained everything: the children think I'm a television!

This book is about the effects of television on children and families.The use of television starts innocently enough.Too often TV is used as a child minder so that parents can get some peace and quiet: to prepare meals, so that Mom and Dad can sleep in at week-ends, etc.But dangers lurk in this innocent scenario.Before long, the kids are hooked on watching, and parents are hooked on a device for having the kids out of the way.Marie Winn aptly calls TV a drug.Many parents are aware of the dilemma, but often they are and the kids too hooked to break the habit.Winn explores the process of this addiction and the harm done to vibrant human living.For example, excessive TV viewing hampers the personal and social development of the child, so some mothers get a job to escape from their maladjusted kids!Winn offers helpful advice to families trying to cope with TV.She gives examples of the benefits families have experienced when they went without TV, such as increased family interaction, more creative and satisfying activities,doing various things that had been put of, and so on.Marie Winn gives many examples from family life which add great interest to this thoughtful and helpful book.

Excellent. A must read for parents of kids of all ages.It is really well written and should make a responsible parent a believer. Kill the TV before it kills your kids brains or at least be very selective as to what they watch.

A wonderful book, that all parents should read in order to eliminate their TVs and *live* again.

This was really like a videocam on somebody's private life. Just that it gets turned on and off randomly. It makes sense, if you just keep in mind that this guy is never up to any good, whatever he's doing.

Someone had left this on the seat in the Red Line when we got stuck the better part of an hour on the bridge. There is a limit to how long you can sit and look at MIT so I began reading it.
It seemed to be a pretty quick book, the kind you would hide behind on the subway to avoid any kind of contact with the other passengers. But I ended up reading the whole thing, finishing late that night while my upstairs neighbor was dancing to a Bruce Springsteen CD.
I cannot describe the sense of grief I had after finishing this book. Taking Merlin Black's (i.e. Miles Davis) final affair as its starting point, the author picks up various points in the trumpeter's life, using psychological rather than plot connections to explain who this man really was. Talk about an anti-hero! And yet you accept Merlin's sleaziness as his natural condition, rather like dealing with a life-long disease. It becomes impossible to judge him.
I would highly recommend this book.

This book is an interesting life story. I felt that the author had valid points to make about the character, who as I understood it, is a disguised version of a now deceased jazz musician. This was a man who was not really in control of himself, however talented he may have been. It was gripping enough to read as the author managed to endear the character to me even though few would consider him admirable.
I don't know why so many intelligent authors today feel they must stick explicit descriptions of sex acts in every twenty pages or so. This book was recommended to me by a fellow church member as an example of how a very intelligent individual can go through life, getting no better and no worse, if they pay no attention to religion. I suppose the sex was there just to show, Merlin did not have his own best interests for eternity at heart.

One thing I do, on the road, is track this man Miles. I have been everywhere, this man has been. Every nasty dive that's now a parking lot, every apt. bldg., if he was there, I've been there. And sometimes I stop in a library, NYPublic by Grand Central usually, and look up the newest book on Miles. Until this book, which is kind of rare, I never got further than twenty pages.
Now this book fit with the pattern that I can see, going the places he went, and thinking of his music, which I memorized, all of it. I've talked to some people who actually knew him, but not big light people, and the picture you get is like the one drawn by this man Walter Ellis. He wasn't a nice guy, but mad all the time and even kind of violent when he wasn't too messed up to kick. This is the real picture. And Ellis starts the story when Miles was flopped, a sorry rich man who hadn't played trumpet in five years. By flashbacking to all the separate times he got somewhere and then got down with the dogs again, he gets you into this man's mindset, which was failure and all kinds of ways to fail in dealing with failure. And when you understand that, you'll understand the music.

We had to read "fiction" about an African American artist for the Black History Month assignment, but they would not let us do Rap. I got this from the assignment sheet and I did not want to but had to because I had been out sick the day of the first picks. The teacher said it was about Miles Davis, even though the wrighter calls the dude Merlin Black. I had never heard of either one, but a friend of mines stepfather says he knows who he was sure. He playde jazz, which is slow, I thought.

And man this is a real surprise. This is the kind of dude I want to be, because he is a bad mother in many ways but really good. He held off some pretty bad racists and always did his own jobs. He was not nice to his women but there were a lot of them and he always felt sorry. I got my friend to get some cds of this Miles from his stepfather and I really liked some of his music eventhough some of it really is slow.
Also the book is short. I didn't want to read a long one.