Stanley Books

The Case of the Lucky Loser

The 'Foreword' lists a number of men who formed the Texas Law Enforcement Foundation. Its purpose is to educate citizens about their civic responsibilities in the field of law enforcement, and lists the topics. Public understanding and co-operation are needed for efficient law enforcement. Organized crime is becoming stronger, juvenile delinquency is on the increase. This dedication is to those citizens of Texas who worked for a new concept of law enforcement.

Perry Mason receives a phone call from a young woman who won't give her name. She wants Perry to attend a trial and give his conclusions. The trial starts in less than an hour, but Perry agrees to go. A young man is on trial for hit and run, manslaughter. Ted Balfour's attorney shows his skill in his cross-examination of George Dempster (Chapter Two), and Myrtle Anne Haley (Chapter Three). The problem with this eyewitness testimony is given in Chapters Four and Five. Further discussions with various people bring out the hidden facts (Chapter Nine). Investigations reveal hidden evidence and relationships. Chapter Fourteen warns against gambling with strangers, and reveals another level to this puzzling case. It becomes more complicated by Chapter Fifteen, which also tells how a family-controlled business can use "business expenses" to give tax-free money to family members.

It appears that Ted Balfour will be convicted, based on the testimony of his step-mother and his company's trouble-shooter. But Perry notices a discrepancy between the victim's driver license and his fingerprints, which leads to the surprising conclusion, and a victory for his client. [The secret is similar to the one in Graham Greene's "The Third Man".] This story will educate the reader as to cross-examination, where a witness is tested by opposing counsel.

Perry Mason is the creation of Erle Stanley Gardner, like James Bond. But the James Bond is only a Detective, but Perry Mason is a lawyer as well as a Detective. It's nice to read how Perry detects and fight to get his client's freedom from the black hole. There are also other interesting characters other than Perry Mason. 1: Della Street - Mason's ever - faithful gal Friday. 2: Paul Drake - Head of Drake Detective Agency and right hand of Mason 3: Hamilton Burger - The grizzly bear of D. A and ancient rival of Perry Mason The Case of the Lucky Loser is the best creation of Gardner.

The story starts with the voice on the phone, which was young and silky. The women it belonged to touched soothing in Perry Mason's cool, legalistic mind. The offer she made was too intriguing to pass up. But what began as a request for a simple courtroom visit turned into a intrigue of baffling complexity - as well as one of the most cleverly rigged frame -ups of Perry Mason's career. It's a case of a family blessed with million and riddled with scandal, a case of accidental manslaughter that explodes into a charge of air - tight murder, a case of a corpse dying not once, but twice.

To save his client, Perry will have to break all the rules - and more than one law. Perry Mason is a roller coaster of thrill and Mystery World.
The Case of the Lucky Loser is written by Erle Stanley Gardner, who is The World's #1 Best-selling Mystery Writer... Erle Stanley Gardner, born a century ago, Criminal Lawyer and all - time #1 mystery author Erle Stanley Gardner wrote close to 150 novels that have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Today, the great Gardner tradition continues with many of his classics back in print, as well as brand - new addition to the ever - popular series starring the incomparable Perry Mason.

This case is solidly plotted and masterfully suspenseful. The most dazzling case in Perry Mason's career where he has to solve the case of a corpse dying twice. Gardner smoothly mixes the ingredients like rivalry, betrayal, love, family honour & prepares a dish that is hard to resist. So, I strongly recommend this book!

Perry Mason is the creation of Erle Stanley Gardner, like James Bond. But the James Bond is only a Detective, but Perry Mason is a lawyer as well as a Detective. It's nice to read how Perry detects and fight to get his client's freedom from the black hole. There are also other interesting characters other than Perry Mason. 1: Della Street - Mason's ever - faithful gal Friday. 2: Paul Drake - Head of Drake Detective Agency and right hand of Mason 3: Hamilton Burger - The grizzly bear of D. A and ancient rival of Perry Mason The Case of the Lucky Loser is the best creation of Gardner.

The story starts with the voice on the phone, which was young and silky. The women it belonged to touched soothing in Perry Mason's cool, legalistic mind. The offer she made was too intriguing to pass up. But what began as a request for a simple courtroom visit turned into a intrigue of baffling complexity - as well as one of the most cleverly rigged frame -ups of Perry Mason's career. It's a case of a family blessed with million and riddled with scandal, a case of accidental manslaughter that explodes into a charge of air - tight murder, a case of a corpse dying not once, but twice.

To save his client, Perry will have to break all the rules - and more than one law. Perry Mason is a roller coaster of thrill and Mystery World.
The Case of the Lucky Loser is written by Erle Stanley Gardner, who is The World's #1 Best-selling Mystery Writer... Erle Stanley Gardner, born a century ago, Criminal Lawyer and all - time #1 mystery author Erle Stanley Gardner wrote close to 150 novels that have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Today, the great Gardner tradition continues with many of his classics back in print, as well as brand - new addition to the ever - popular series starring the incomparable Perry Mason.

I picked this up early on my path into Wicca, and found it to be a useful reference book for weaving magick into my life. It was a great spiritual guide and contained beautiful accounts of the sabbats, etc, with helpful photographs. It was also very helpful to find a book on Wicca which dealt with all aspects of life. Very refreshing read.

I loved it.It was inlighting , moving , everything I thought it would be. All witches need this book.

A wonderful reference book for anyone who wants to make Wicca and its rituals a part their life.

This book takes the time to explain the basics and does so in a complete, honest, accurate and genuine manner. It is a must for any Wiccan library.

A friend bought this book for me as a birthday gift. She said it would inspire me to pursue a career with vigor. She was right. I've never been so inspired by an author. Kept my interest from cover to cover.

My boss recommended this book several years ago, and I finally picked up a copy last month. Very insightful ... gets into the mind of the corporate world. Helpful.

The best book I have ever read. I finished, then read it again two days later. I'd been lacking confidence at work; my boss was drilling me hard, and my co-workers lacked any spunk. After "Conquering," I realized it was all about ME, not THEM.

Conquering the Corporate Career offers today's reader with consise insights into the dynamics of business organizations. By challenging the reader to reach beyond the obvious in their understanding, it initializes a thought process that facilitates the teamwork and knowledge management that so many executives seek today from their organizations. Written for the busy executive, it also has insights for the recent graduate that eagerly seeks a corporate career. I highly recommend this book!

The fun starts the moment that Stanley and Alice check into the Blue Frog Inn and doesn't stop until the improbable(or just goofy)conclusion. I've read all of the books in this series and while this is a little different from most it is just zany enough to keep you reading. It involves two murders, a small town sheriff who doesn't have a clue and a little bit of everything for everyone.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun light mystery to read.

A fascinating story of murder and mystery among strangers.

Parnell Hall has written another well-loved Stanley Hastings mystery. Private detective Stanley Hastings and his wife, Alice, have just taken a vacation to relax when strange things begin to happen. On a hiking trip Stanley meets lots of new people who all turn out to stay in the same inn where he's vacationing. This seems strange to Stanley, but he doesn't mind until someone begins killing the guests one by one, bringing his vacation plans to an end. The officer investigating the murders suspects everyone, even Stanley, until all clues lead to the arrest of one of the other guests. Believing the guest to be innocent, the Hastings try to find the real murderer.

If you are looking for a book that will keep you guessing and that has a twisting plot, this is the book for you. It has interesting characters and a surprise ending that will make you unable to put this book down. So settle in for an evening of mystery.

Each time someone in the book asks, "I beg your pardon?" I tumble into hysterics. This is the result of cleverly built up dialogue that becomes funnier with each fragment of repartee.
Who cares about the plot? This author is a genius who could solve all the problems of the world with his wonderfully optimistic and forgiving attitude, and a humor that is on the par with the very best comedy writers (even exceeding them). I had to stop reading at times to prevent myself from strangling on my own convulsive laughter. Have mercy, Parnell. If you had been any funnier, I'd have gladly died laughing.

As a mystery writer with a book in its initial release, I have long admired Parnell Hall's work because of his unique approach to the mystery genre. His style and voice are entirely his own. COZY, his new Stanley Hastings outing, perfectly illustrates what I admire about Hall and his writing. Hastings and his wife travel to a New Hampshire bed and breakfast where a series of homicides immediately begin to occur. The local police, in the manner of the long history of cozies, mishandle every clue. Hastings finds that he must solve the crimes in this well-plotted mystery. COZY is a solid work by a solid writer who keeps his tone light and his approach, in this book, breezy. I recommend COZY highly.

This is a wonderful Theological Study Resource. Grenz does an excellent job displaying differing viewpoints, showing which one he believes most correct, and allowing the reader to make a decision based on his own experience. This is an absolute must read for every church member seeking to deepen his/her faith in Jesus and in the Triune God!

Stan Grenz was one of the most fluent and also readable writers and theologians of our time. And he "lived it". The topic of community is an easy topic to wax eloquent about, but Grenz makes it practical and real.

Before reading this book, I thought of theology books as boring, and difficult to understand and not applicable to the everyday believer who was not going to Bible school.

Grenz's "Created for Community" has changed my mind. I am excited about the content as now it gives me some words to help explain my Christian beliefs & a deeper longing to know Christ.

It is a must read for every Christian or those wondering what the Christian faith is all about.

Are you struggling to understand how theology is practical to Christian living? Have you had a hard time putting life into perspective? Many authors have a difficult time making theology sensible to the common man. Grenz wonderfully accomplishes this task and gives the church a proper understanding of God's purposes for his creation. We were created for community!

Grenz begins by discussing the importance of theology and how it should be more than mere head knowledge. Application must be made and that application ought to change our lives for the better of God's good purposes.

Grenz gives a simple and concise synopsis of the Christian faith. Who is God--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? How do we understand and communicate who he is? What does it mean to be created in his image? What did the Fall really do to community? What exactly did God do to restore that community? Why did he do it this way? What does it mean to say that the church mirrors the community of God? Grenz beautifully tells the story of God... the story of his community... the story of our faith.

Why "community"?
Grenz writes, "because the focus on community encapsules the biblical message, it stands at the heart of the theological heritage of the church, and it speaks to the aspirations and sensed needs of people in our world today. In short, as we realize that we are created for community, we are in a position to connect Christian belief with Christian living."

This is the second time I have read this book. The first time was in college. This last time through was better than the first! I have really been able to catch Grenz's vision of trinitarian community. Trinitarian unity is the archetype for the church. I believe that being involved in an organic house church has helped me to better grasp "community". In the institutional church I had a very difficult time envisioning "community." It was actually kind of strange to even talk about community in that setting. It's not a natural setting for human relationships to be bound together in trinitarian love.

Grenz was truly a blessing to Christ's church. His writings will continue to stir the hearts and minds of readers for years to come.

* For a lengthier version of this book... get "Theology for the Community of God" (1994) also by Grenz.

I recommend "Created for Community: Connecting Christian Belief with Christian Living" to new Christians and all those needing an introduction to theology and the Christian faith. It is perfect for small groups.

Theology for the Community of God
Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community
Paul's Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting, Revised Edition
Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity

Do not misinterpret the contents of this book when you read the title "Diet by Design;" because Diet by Design is not just another "diet book;" but rather, a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive health resource that teaches you about diet and nutrition, food and water safety, food combining, healthy eating tips; lifestyle factors, how to shop for, store, and prepare produce, and much, much more! Most other "diet books" present diets that do not work because you cannot wait to get off the diet and eat and eat and eat and eat [with the result of gaining the weight back and more]; however, Diet by Design is not like this because the pleasure of eating surpasses any junk food and fast food available and you can eat till you are satisfied and still lose weight, maintain your weight, or even gain weight if you need to.

Diet by Design has three main parts. Part 1 covers an enormous amount of subject matter. Part 2 is an extensive fruit guide [with nuts and seeds too] that provides you with buying, storing, and preparation tips that you would never have even considered. The guide is fully illustrated and has helped me to buy the best-tasting produce and has saved me a lot of money. Part 3 is a fantastic recipe guide that teaches you how to easily and quickly make all kinds of wonderful treats that are free from refined sugars, oils and fats [unless you use nuts or seeds], salt, and other harmful substances. The recipes are raw food recipes [although a few options are provided for those who want to eat bread and granola]. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will be delighted and the recipes belong in every kitchen! I like the fact that there are recipes which take the place of store-bought ice creams, chocolate, and other candy and junk foods. There are all-natural recipes for smoothies, ice creams, fudge, toppings, sauces, salad dressings, guacamoles, soups, and more.

At the conclusion of the book are Scriptures relating to health and I found these extremely interesting even though I do not profess to be a Christian. The author also makes a statement in the book about Jesus and this did not bother me in the least, especially after seeing the Mel Gibson movie about Christ.

I cannot argue with anything presented in the book; and, I am a little embarrassed to say that I actually learned thousands of things that I never knew!

One final note: the author promotes protection of animals and the environment. The facts and positions that he presents have made me more conscious of animal husbandry and the need to preserve the environment.

Do not misinterpret the contents of this book when you read the title "Diet by Design;" because Diet by Design is not just another "diet book;" but rather, a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive health resource that teaches you about diet and nutrition, food and water safety, food combining, healthy eating tips; lifestyle factors, how to shop for, store, and prepare produce [in a wonderful recipe section], and much, much more! Most other "diet books" present diets that do not work because you cannot wait to get off the diet and eat and eat and eat and eat [with the result of gaining the weight back and more]; however, Diet by Design is not like this because the pleasure of eating surpasses any junk food and fast food available and you can eat till you are satisfied and still lose weight, maintain your weight, or even gain weight if you need to.

Diet by Design has three main parts. Part 1 covers an enormous amount of subject matter. Part 2 is an extensive fruit guide [with nuts and seeds too] that provides you with buying, storing, and preparation tips that you would never have even considered. The guide is fully illustrated and has helped me to buy the best-tasting produce and has saved me a lot of money. Part 3 is a fantastic recipe guide that teaches you how to easily and quickly make all kinds of wonderful treats that are free from refined sugars, oils and fats [unless you use nuts or seeds], salt, and other harmful substances. These fabulous recipes belong in every kitchen [whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian]. I like the fact that there are recipes that take the place of store-bought ice creams, chocolate, and other candy and junk foods. There are all-natural recipes for smoothies, ice creams, fudge, toppings, sauces, salad dressings, guacamoles, soups, and more.

At the conclusion of the book are Scriptures relating to health and I found these extremely interesting even though I do not profess to be a Christian.

I cannot argue with anything presented in the book; and, I am a little embarrassed to say that I actually learned thousands of things that I never knew!

One final note: the author promotes protection of animals and the environment. The facts and positions that he presents have made me more conscious of animal husbandry and the need to preserve the environment.

Diet by Design has it all: Diet, Nutrition, Lifestyle, Health, Shopping, and Recipes! An enormous amount of wonderful, important, and edifying information is presented which is easy to put into practice. In Part 1, some of my favorite sections are Healthy Eating Tips, Avoiding Chemicals and Genetically Modified foods, Food Combining, and the information regarding animal foods and factory farming. Part 2 of Diet by Design is an essential resource which teaches you all that you need to know about fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetable-fruits! It is illustrated and each item is thoroughly described - even exotics that you may across while traveling to other countries. Also, in Part 2, nutrients within each food are provided and there are hundreds of buying, storing, and serving suggestions which you have never even considered! Additionally, warnings about what to avoid are given. By following the advice you are not only able to obtain the highest quality produce; but, you also save much money and prevent waste - and this makes you feel efficient and productive. The tips and suggestions outlined in Part 2 have paid for my book hundreds of times over within a few years.

Part 3, The Recipe Guide, shows you how to make delicious, healthful alternatives for many otherwise un-healthful treats such as shakes, candy, puddings, ice cream, dressings, etc, etc.
No refined sugar, "free-fats", animal foods, preservatives, or additives. Great for children, teens, and adults!

Diet by Design is truly unique and there is not another book quite like it. This book is for people of every age and has plenty to offer to new health seekers and also health experts.

An excellent book!!! Finally I can shop for fresh produce with confidence. Using tips from this book I now have the knowledge to determine if produce is fresh, ripe, and safe to eat. I am no longer having to dispose of fruits and vegetables as I am able to shop wisely and store them properly. We have saved alot of money as result. I am also very pleased to see healthy, natural recipes for treats that my kids love. I would recommend this book highly!

Americans have long had an appreciation and familiarity with Ben Franklin as a founding father and pithy author of catchy sayings, most of which appeared in his "Poor Richard's Almanack." In this, his 300th birthday year, Dr. Stanley Finger shows that he was also an important man of medicine

Previously, Finger has written on other major figures in the history of science and medicine, including a number in his book, "Minds Behind the Brain." But this is his most exhaustive study yet, and one which, in his opinion, was long overdue. Indeed, Franklin's many biographers make little mention of his contributions to medicine, although they helped to shape the 18th-century medical landscape in major ways. To aid him in his research, Finger examined some 30,000 letters to and from Franklin, as well as other historical documents.

Benjamin Franklin comes across as consistently curious, empirical, and systematic in his observations about almost everything he encountered over the course of his 84-year long life. An element not often realized about Franklin was the degree to which he carried on correspondence and networked with other great minds of his era on a great variety of topics, including pertinent medical issues. This network and his own genius enabled him to see the benefits of early inoculation methods for smallpox, the risks of lead poisoning, the real causes of the common cold, and the importance of clean air. An accomplished swimmer and a weight lifter even into old age, he also recognized the need for exercise, and even noted the warming of the body and changes in heart rate accompanying different forms of exercise.

Franklin also helped some bright American students to be accepted into European medical schools and to get additional training in major hospitals. These individuals, including Morgan, Shippen, and Rush, would then be encouraged by Franklin to start the first medical school in America. Interestingly, he was instrumental in founding the first major hospital in the colonies, a charity institution for the physically or mentally ill, also located in Philadelphia. It is no wonder that, with his honorary degrees and memberships in the leading learned societies in Europe and America, Franklin came to be viewed as a physician when, in fact, he had only two years of formal schooling!

Ben Franklin has long been viewed as America's sage. As Finger shows, with his love of experiments and hard data, he was also one of Colonial America's leading men of medicine and a man willing to share his findings and views with a much wider audience.

"Doctor Franklin's Medicine", Stanley Finger, Univ. Penn. Press, Philadelphia, 2006 ISBN-13: 978-0-8122-3913-3, HC 330 pgs. PLUS 34 pgs. Notes, 15 pgs. Index, 6 1/4" x 9 1/2" C. 3 dozen B/W illustrations.

A published writer & Univ. Prof. of Psychology, Finger explores in comprehensive & detailed manner that leser known personae of Benjamin Franklin & purveys in great detail those medical contributions which most writers generally gloss over or have completely overlooked in most accounts of this man's remarkable life.

Franklin's life & level of medical knowledge is revealed in 4 parts: as existing during his lifetime firstly in the American colony, then Great Britain, and France & finally in Ben's aging years along with recital of his own maladies (gout, bladder stone & senescence). Franklin's brilliance, pragmatism & resorting to controlled experimentations establishes a uniquely high benchmark for Enlightenment, a characteristic of the 18th century.

The book is replete with his enterprises as a printer, journalist ("Poor Richard's Almanack"), inventor (Franklin stove, lightning rod, armonica, bifocals), investigator (electricity, fraud), societal needs (poor sick hospital, med-school, sci. societies, libraries), medicinal queries (lead poisoning, variolation, colds, fevers, gout & afflictions). His many sayings & his self-practiced emphases on hygiene, sleep, exercise & fresh air were as profoundly true then as now. He even penned "...snug as a bug in a rug" in an epitaph about a beloved squirrel for a grieving youngster - so I'm at a loss as to know what he did not do. This read is inspiring -- if you haven't done so, please do.

Psychology professor Stanley Finger extends his repertoire of books on the history of medicine with Doctor Franklin's Medicine, an intriguing look at founding father Benjamin Franklin's contributions to the field of medicine. In his life, Franklin founded the first major civilian hospital and medical school in the American colonies, studied the effectiveness of smallpox inoculation, invented bifocals and the "long-arm" to make life easier for the aged and afflicted, and became a proponent of improved preventive care, bedside medicine, and personal hygiene. Perhaps most fascinating is his personal battle to debunk the eighteenth-century medical fad of mesmerism. A handful of black-and-white illustrations intersperse this sober, thoroughly researched and singularly amazing account of a truly accomplished man who pushed forward medical innovations and improvements, with beneficial repercussions to this day.

The author's stated objectives are to examine Franklin's medical contributions, show how his knowledge was influenced by eighteenth-century medicine, and describe how his life and medical views were shaped by his own chronic conditions.

Franklin's views on the importance of exercise, eating and drinking modestly, breathing fresh air, obtaining a good night's sleep and avoiding things dangerous to the health are described. His improvements in stoves, furnaces and ventilation systems contributed to disease prevention. Franklin used Poor Richard's Almanac as a vehicle to make colonists aware of lead poisoning, and the importance of getting inoculated for small pox, after losing his son to this disease. He used electrical shock therapy to treat depression. His bifocals and the long arm made life easier for the aged and infirm

This book is more than a listing of Franklin's medical contributions. Dr. Finger recounts Franklin's role in founding the Pennsylvania Hospital and the first medical school in the colonies. The Library Company and American Philosophical Society were started by Franklin to foster the exchange of medical information to a much wider audience. Franklin favored hard evidence based on repeated observations and experiments when approaching his own chronic conditions of gout and a large bladder stone.

This very readable book exceeds its stated objectives. The author often lets Franklin speak for himself, the annotations are scholarly, and the illustrations enhance the masterfully crafted text.

Hundreds of books have been written about Franklin, but this is the first book to emphasize Franklin's contributions to medicine, a part of his life largely overlooked until now. It definitely should be read by anyone who wants to know more about Franklin, not just professional historians or people engaged in the healing arts.

This handbook is an essential tool to anyone in the environmental field. There are always new additions, so having a recent copy helps but it's not necessary since the environmental laws don't change that much. I would recommend getting a newer edition when a major law has passed so that the reader can understand the impact the new law will have on their community. A copy can usually be found at either the public library or a law library but there is SO MUCH information packed into this book that I highly recommend having your own copy so you can hi-light the text and bookmark the important sections that apply to your business.

Leilani

I am very blessed to have gotten it in the nick of time. I had time to read some of the book before my classes started.

This Environmental Law Handbook has proven to be an invaluable resource to me as an environmental mediator and public involvement specialist. I use it constantly so that I can be technically sharp at work. It's dry reading, but very valuable! Paired with the Consensus Building Handbook by Susskind et al, it is the core of any environmental and public policy specialist.

Thomas Sullivan provides a clear, consise, and easy to use reference guide for anyone to use. This book not only contains actual text of some major environmental laws, but it also sites case studies and court decisions, all in an easy to read format. This book is a must for anyone dealing in environmental matters, and is a good source of reference for anyone concerned with the environment and public policy.

Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay to any author, or any literary work, is not being able to get enough of it. I simply didn't want the book to end -- so I am reading it again.

The post cold-war world is seeming chilly to the Russians, and the only way to save face is to beat the American's at their own game, American football. The (former?) KGB is involved as well with its "arsenal" of secret weapons and programs -- including my favorite secret-agents Bimbova and Bendova. The Americans also have their secret weapons and programs, including a reverse-engineered prototype of an inter-galactic hover craft that crash-landed near Roswell in the 1940's.

This is a hilarious work of creative genius. Kroll is great! The multi-faceted and multidimensional plot kept my interest throughout the book. And since a sequel is technically impossible, I would like see a prequel, with Bimbova and Bendova of course.

An exciting adventure of the day after tomorrow, "Fourth & Gogol" is incredibly detailed, impossible to predict, subversively funny and yet deeply emotional. The scenes, from loading a Makarov automatic to the unique agony of football camp (called a "FULAG," insanely enough) to a horrifying rape of a teenager to a hysterically funny encounter with a cross-dressing ex-president aboard Air Force One to an evil Stalinist eugenics program, one is moved to believe Kroll has been overexposed to Kubrick, Clancy, P. J. O'Rourke and maybe even Voltaire. It's hilariously sick stuff with characters you'll never forget. It's the utter unporedictability of it that makes it such a worthwhile adventure.

Mix one part "The Longest Yard" in with one part "Dr. Strangelove," a helping of "The Hunt for Red October," any Stanislaw Lem you've got at hand and then pour in some marinated (and I do mean marinated) Russian masters, hit "LIQUEFY," and you come up with "Fourth & Gogol: The True Story of Russia's Top-Secret American Football Program."

Who knew that an atom-bio confrontation, eugenics, genetic engineering, Area 51 and a wholesale invasion of the West by Russia could be humorous? I guess Alex Kroll did. And it is.

The Russians are stinging. Licking their wounds for losing the Cold War. So they set their sights on humiliating the Americans by beating them at their very own, most American game. Payback for the 1980 Olympic Hockey upset. They blackmail the NFL's best coach (he's got a betting problem) and arrest some of Russia's best athletes to form a team at football GULAG out in Russian Central Asia. They will take on the Americans at the coming Olympic Games, where football is to be the demonstration sport. The coolest part, possibly, is Russia's secret weapon: A special, central-computer controlled "Head-Up" football helmet system with visor displays showing formations, blocking assignments, pass routes etc.

Meanwhile, Russian dictator Hrapchenko decides to spring west and south -- seeking the direct route to the Persian Gulf and brie in Paris. Not that I'd blame him for it!

It's an insane, well-written read. That's all I'll say.

If you love international intrigue, and football -- the kind where a certain female entertainer has not only one, but several wardrobe mishaps, and then goes on to play stellar cornerback through the second half -- look no further than Kroll's droll stroll through 60s-style one-upmanship between US and THEM (read Rooskies).

While I, myself, am not an expert on the genre, I recognize expertise when I read it. Kroll's handle on things technological, espionage-related and how to kill a guy with your bare hands -- on and off the football field -- is firm, baby.

The larger picture is not left un-splattered upon, either. Sure, times have changed since we pointed so many ICBMs at each other, but I sense a subtle bit of finger pointing going on between the pages here. Check the latest polls and you'll find a US citizenry that doesn't necessarily feel it's at war, strangely enough. Could Iraq and Afghanistan be this century's version of the Cold War? If so, what the heck do we call it? GWOT? Pshaw! Warm War? Well, getting warmer.

Anyhow, no matter what you make of "Fourth & Gogol" by the time you get to the pseudo-apocalyptic ending, you'll likely be viewing Mr. Tom Clancy's deadwood thrillers through the space dust in the rear-view mirror of your own literal stealth spaceship -- made in the USA, I might add.

Comrade Kroll, you have written a funny, funny novel. Now, about the film rights...

George Nelson's life work goes beyond the production of a building or a product although he did both of these things . . . and well. George thought about the fundamental problems of living in a designed environment.

A terrific biography about a wonderful and creative individual. Although George Nelson created many iconic designs his legacy lives more in how he lived his life and who he chose to be.

An intelligent and humanistic piece of biographical work. I couldn't put it down and at the end of the book I felt as though I had lost a friend.

George Nelson was not only a creative artistic talent, he was also a commercial genius (just like Picasso was). These two talents provided his secret for success that would reward him throughout his life. This book documents in detail how George Nelson thought and designed. The attention is clearly on his biography, this is not a coffee table book filled with an overdose of pictures. A wonderful biography about a designer that was the founding father of American Modern Design. I also suggest to visit the wonderful online archive about George Nelson at WWW.GEORGENELSON.ORG.

Although the book is minimal on color illustrations and its strength relies mainly on its text, contrary of what I had expected, I was very pleased with it. It is a very comprehensive study of the work of Nelson, one of the pioneers of American industrial design, giving more importance to the concepts and the process of design, rather than to the produced objects, buildings and exhibitions themselves. The preface by Ettore Sottssass is equally outstanding, as most of his written works are.