Utah Books

With recent polygamy issues in the news and on TV, I was excited to read this new book which was part mystery and part history. It had a great start and I was very intrigued. That intrigue quickly turned to impatience which lead eventually to boredom. I found the historical aspect of the novel way too long and frankly not particularily interesting. The modern day mystery part of the book was mildly suspenseful but with an anti-climatic ending. When coming to the end, my final thought was "so what?"

it is 2 stories in one.... can make you wonder but really needed to be put togetter a little bit better

The 19th Wife is a wonderful and fascinating book about the affects of plural marriages on the family structure. I loved this book and would highly recommend to other readers.

I would have happily given this novel a perfect score but for one minor detraction - length. In the last third, I found myself skipping|skimming a few sections. I became impatient with the characters' lengthy self-examinations.
Nevertheless, this novel is so beautifully written and so well researched that I began recommending it before I finished the first 200 pages. I would like to add that I have never before been inspired to write a review, and that my impatience to get through certain parts is probably due more to my own character flaws than any fault of the author. I so enjoyed this novel, purchased electronically, that I will be purchasing a "hard copy" to share with friends.
In summary, well worth reading and reading again!

"The 21st Wife" gives a complete overview of the horrifics of polygamy in the early days of the Mormon church, and shows how it has carried over into these days with many of the break-away sects still clinging to the practice. The Mormon church claims to no longer practice it, but they still "seal" men to muliple wives for their enjoyment in the "hereafter".

I love family stories, and this book is like a quilt stitched together by the ties that bind the Eccles women to each other. Author Carolyn Howard-Johnson pieces together their stories like patchwork squares handed down from generation to generation, until the reader truly feels enveloped in this family's rich heritage. Her writing brings the characters and the setting to life as vividly as an Oscar-winning documentary, and her lyrical style paints them in colors and details to rival an exquisite picture postcard from her beloved Utah.

Having lived all my life in Alabama, I thought I knew all there was to know about discrimination. What an eye-opener this book is about religious intolerance--a subject that becomes more and more relevant in today's world of terrorist threats and suspicion. Would that we all could see the issues from both sides as does this book's heroine, Sky Eccles. Empathy is a hard thing to learn, but this book goes a long way in teaching it.

This is a book that is both entertaining to read but it also has the subtle ability to change perceptions I think about a loaded subject. I was aware of recent explorings of the family systems in the often mysterious land of Mormonism. The writer has managed to bring a personal experience into the characters of her story and the complexity of being in and/or from a Mormon community in a modern times.

I think it is true that it is impossible to write anything without it being somewhat autobiographical but this author has managed to remove herself enough to let this be a story that is entertaining to read and enlightening. It can't get any better than that for a writer or a reader. Being a writer myself makes me doubly critical and I give this 5 stars. This book was thoughtfully written and well researched.

June of the Corn Huskers Ball

Carolyn Howard Johnson gives us a great book in "This is the Place", the story is just riveting and so interesting. Based in Utah, you get inside the mind of people that are in the midst of the Mormon culture. If you have an interest in the Mormon religion, how it works, the beliefs and how it effects popele, you will enjoy this book. A great read, I would recommend this book. I read it in one afternoon, I couldn't put it down!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson writes this fiction with such feelings that you would swear it was an autobiography. The tale of a young woman who struggles in a multi-denominational home, she deals with many of the things most young women face. Her "hominess" resonates with such items as the big old piano in the parlor, the "doilies" on the arms and backs of the chairs and sofas, that I felt like we must be sisters.
This is one story that will warm your heart from cover to cover.

Janet Elaine Smith, author of soon-to-be-released Old Habits Die Hard (the 3rd Patrick and Grace Mystery) and Bank Roll (the 1st Max Stryker Mystery).

There are certain issues involving our cultural that you cannot question as an author without getting all kinds of hits--both positive and negative and none of them have anything what-so-ever to do with the literary merits of the story. One of those is to question or comment on some particular religious organization, even if indirectly. It takes literary courage and becomes a fine line between the art, prose and the balance of truth.

However, the truth is determined by our own personal insights as to what is correct. It almost always reflects the life long training and the belief system of your family, community and those who educated you. Very few ever really explore religions outside their own youthful indoctrinations into whatever cultural and religious heritage we were born into. So, when author Carolyn Howard-Johnson writes a book based on her alienation from the surrounding culture of Mormonism in Utah she is bound to open herself up as a target.

Carolyn's book title is taken from a quote of the LSD leader Brigham Young when he looked out over Salt Lake City and proclaimed "This is the Place". Contrary to some reviews I had read about her book, I found that there was no attempt to attack any organization. She deals with people in her book and it is the actions and views of her characters that become the focus of the issues in her story. However, the culture she writes about is a collective thought and action process of a group. She writes about her lead character having to deal with life as a non-Mormon in a state where this is the primary social driving force. The premise seems to be that no matter what you do or achieve as a non-member of this cultural you will always remain feeling like you are on the outside or at least separated in some social way.

Carolyn uses her lead character to bring out the past as she explores her family genealogy. We discover how a group of early founders escaped from the bigotry and persecutions of other places. They came to Utah to build a place where they would not endure such things again. In her book, it seems that the former persecuted become intolerant of outsiders over time. Maybe not in brutal ways like blacks had in the south but at least socially there was a division between the non-believers and those of the LDS church.

When reading her book one gets the feeling that her story seems almost personal and autobiographical. It feels like we are following along in a memoir of someone exploring their family and themselves looking for their roots and meaning. It is well written and the prose is top notch stuff. It flows with energy as it almost dances through the pages. Her characters are all alive and have depth and animation. This was her first novel but it feels like classic piece of literature like many other great first novels of our time.

This book will continue to be controversial but hopefully in a healing way. I get the feeling that the author is trying to throw a mirror out there for people to look into for discovering there own roots. I think the author obviously has great writing skills and talents. I hope people read this story with both an open mind and heart so that they can fully enjoy the actual story she has created.

From page one, Natalie Collins pulls her readers into the mind and life of Allison Jensen, a young girl caught in a maelstrom of stilted church and family values. Mormonism takes a decided hit in this heart-wrenching and suspenseful tale of religious piety gone awry.

Allison's world is turned upside down by the disappearance of her best friend, Cindy, after a confrontation with a bearded stranger. Learning quickly that the adults in her life would not answer her questions about her friend, or her doubts about the Mormon faith, Alli took the first chance she could to get away from her hometown. Immersing herself in the world of forbidden pleasures, she gained a false sense of identity and freedom that quickly came crashing down after being attacked by a man dressed like the one who had taken Cindy. With the support of her outcast lesbian aunt and her partner, Alli begins her search for the missing parts of her childhood memories that still haunt her, uncovering a web of deceit spun by church leaders and her family. In spite of a somewhat predictable ending, readers will still be drawn forward, just to see where Collins leaves her heroine.

Wives and Sisters is a gripping tale oozing with skillful feminist commentary about the patriarchal nature of Mormonism, which may earn Collins disparagement in her home state. A spirited decision for a newcomer, and it earns her the status of a voice to watch.

I read many of the reviews for this book, and if I had gone by some of them I wouldn't have ordered it. How glad I am that I didn't "listen" to them. Collins is an exceptional writer, able to express so many of the feelings of other struggling Mormons, while spinning a tale of murder and mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book -- reading it in three nights. Couldn't put it down. I was so enthralled with "Wives and Sisters" that I promptly ordered "Behind Closed Doors," and anxiously await getting "Saints and Sinners."

I picked this up on the bargain book rack. For my few dollars, it was an excellent buy. An absolute page turner from the first to the last. Very disturbing and fascinating look into a culture unfamiliar to most people. Excellent read. Can't wait to pass it on to my friends.

Interesting insight into life as a Mormon/LDS.

The story line is good but not great. Collins does a fine job with character development. If you are just looking for a good novel with a little mystery, I wouldn't suggest Wives and Sisters. If you have a particular interest in LDS life but know very little about it... this book may be worth your while.

Wives and Sisters was an okay fast read . In one chapter Allie was telling Jake that this was not a movie of the week but in all actually to me this book was a movie of the week read I just finished this book yesterday and already I can't remember the characters names {I had to get the book from the back of my book shelf to remember }
Although this book was intense I felt like it didn't answer any questions that the main character was asking though the whole book it left me wondering why I even read this book ...Oh yeah I had nothing else to read .... Written well and scared me to hell .... I now will hide from the Mormons when they come knocking on my door 2 stars is what I give this book nothing more nothing less

This is my favorite story out of all the dear America books. I fell in love with Libby West and her story. It is a exciting tale while also telling about a part of history that is often not talked about. A must read.

I have not read this in a long while, but I still remember it and that's what counts in a book. Her father takes them away from their home to follow the progress of the building of the transcontinental railroad. Full of adventure.

I usually don't read Dear America books, but my uncle bought this for me, so I decided to read it. I actually found that it was good enough to read again. On my American History Regents, I used almost all of the facts in this book in my essay. I would recomend this book to anybody who likes history and an interesting story combined.

This book was really great!I loved it except sometimes it was sort of boring. but worth reading!

The Dear America series is possibly the worst ever. I mean, they aren't even written by the same author. This is because none of the authors are good enough to write their own series. There is absolutely nothing to recommend this book except maybe a history lesson worse than anything you could find in a textbook. At least some others in the series had some SLIGHTLY interesting characters, but not this one. Where do they get this stuff? The Dear America Author's Book of Characters, Situations, Historical Settings, ect.? I mean, really: the building of the transcontinental railroad. BOOOOORING! Take my advice: only read this book or any others in the series if you are abslolutly STARVING for something to read. Maybe then you could borrow it from the library to read in a day or two. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

I loved, loved, loved this book. I love all things "animal" and was especially moved by the special bond between bird and man. I'm not going to loan this book out for fear that it won't be returned.

I found myself crying several times while reading Providence of a Sparrow, struck by the honesty, humor and insight of Chris's writing. It is not a book about Sparrows; rather what lessons can be learned from nature. A wonderful read for anyone who loves the natural world, has every suffered from depression, or believes that some of the most profound lessons in life can be gleaned from the most unlikely of places.

Tragically, Chris Chester died a horrendous death not too long ago. Although this book is not for everyone it, I can assure you it carries a message that we could all stand to hear.

Here is wisdom, a profound and insightful exposition of the world and its avian and human inhabitants. Chester's depth of spirit, breadth of knowledge, and width of insight are breathtaking. Read this book slowly and lovingly and you will like yourself and your neighbors better.

I am so much richer for having read this book. It is lyrical and profound; funny and witty. The intelligence of the writer and of "B" his bird amazed me. I can't look at life the same way I always have, since reading it. Thank you Chris for writing this book.

This is the most interesting book I have ever read (and I belong to 3 Book Clubs), so I read A LOT! I am admittedly a bird lover, but this book struck my heart. I have never written a review to Amazon, but this book is so special that I have to shout READ IT!!!! It will change your life. It blew me away. Amazing! Can't let it go....day after day, it reminds me of what life is all about. Saw Telegraph Hill. Doesn't compare. This is real. Heartrending. Intelligent. This book will keep you spellbound. A sure winner for book clubs, and anyone who wants to read a truly FABULOUS book.

After reading this excerpt of Caitlin Myer's Hoodoo, I feel as if I'm holding on, balanced breathlessly like the hoodoo from which this novel garners its name. Myer's writing takes me there, right there: in the car as Alice Lott gives birth. then in the dusty trailer park yard where the missionaries. The urgency of the Alice's voice births an excitement in me, and I want to know! I want to know what happens next and next and next, and then what. Which, for me, is what great writing is all about.

I can't wait to read the rest of this novel!

Myers' entertaining excerpt gathers the skeins of the story of Alice Lott and her baby to produce an artistic rendering of innocent Lolita meeting the Apocalypse.

For everyone who ever confused true love/lust with a summons from the Almighty (and vice versa.)

I can't wait to read the rest.

I'm shocked, shocked I say, that this book has not yet been published. The writing is spectacular, the characters intriguing, the setting unusual, and the insight (at least one girl's version of it) into the Mormon religion is illuminating. There's sex and god and religion and lust and danger and ... sex and...god...Well, really, what more does one really need? Way to go, Ms. Myer!

The Lott family's conversion to a religious life is a piercingly insightful tale of the taming of the wild American, both terrifying and funny. Alice might not be too sure about the tenets of Mormonism, but her faith in God doesn't waver when she meets the man, old enough to be her father, that her Heavenly Father tells her in a revelation she will marry.

Myer's voice is unerring in twelve-year-old Alice's narrative; she tells her story with menace, mercy and humor. The clear light of the visionary's sight and the dark side of religion are both brilliantly depicted in Hoodoo. I look forward to reading the rest of this novel and seeing more from Myer in the future.

This beginning reminds me of the green light and warm wind just before a tornado. Everything is clear, tangible, even beautiful, and everyone knows a catastrophe is coming.

I love the hallucinatory detail, the poetry of the writing, and the air of classical tragedy that blends so well with the brilliantly realized contemporary setting.

Co-owner Betsy Burton has captured the store's own story in her book, The King's English. Complete with book lists, this hardback is loaded with tales of author signings gone wrong, success stories, and hardships. With so few independent booksellers still holding on in a land of giants, The King's English tells of a time both readers and writers long for.

I highly recommend a visit to The King's English bookstore, but if you can't make the distance, the book of the same title is the next best alternative.

After reading "The King's English", I decided it would have to live on my bedside table indefinitely as a resource for all things readable. The only thing that would be better is a second edition!

I'm a lover of books and bookstores, but for all of the author's enthusiasm, she didn't turn me into an unqualified supporter of the independent bookstore. If anything, I came away with a negative attitude. I found the book overly preachy, and the positions not fully explained. I did enjoy the entertaining stories about various author visits. And the descriptions of the authors that Burton likes were enlightening. I do admire her devotion to the business - the unfathomable amounts of money she must have sunk into it over the years, and the determination she has to keep it going. But much of the book rubbed me the wrong way, culminating with the Harry Potter book release story: Buying up the chains' stock to sell at their own store sounds like an unseemly business practice to me.

Betsy Burton writes a lively, humorous book about her experiences as an independent bookseller. You are there when Isabel Allende talks to her audience; you feel Betsy's humiliation when John Mortimer arrives and she has some problems with "Mum's car." She also writes about serious topics such as censorship and competition with chains and superstores. The one criticism I have is that there isn't an index with a listing for all the authors she writes about. If you've never been to a bookstore to meet an author, you will after reading this book.

This book is a delight. Passionate, strong-willed, full of love for literature and liberty --especially for our First and Fourth Amendments -- Betsy Burton gives an account of her first twenty-five years as one of the owners of The King's English, an independent bookstore in Utah's Salt Lake City.

For the person who wants to learn more about the book industry, you'll learn about sales reps and what goes into getting on to various bestseller lists. For the person concerned about protecting our rights, you'll learn about some of the threats that have been made to bookstores, from both individuals and the government. For the person who simply adores reading, you'll learn a bit about how your precious books make it into your hands, and if you took the process for granted, you will take it for granted no longer.

You'll also learn some of the pitfalls of opening a business with little (or no) experience, how to deal (or perhaps how not to deal) with the press, and how to work (or not work) with partners and employees, and last, but not least, how to maintain conviction in the face of cut-throat competition (where the competition is likewise mysteriously cutting its own throat).

Finally, you will enjoy Betsy Burton, and the way she barrels down on problems. I laughed out loud when I read about how she could not get a key to open the trunk of a car (a problem I have also experienced - glad to see I'm not alone) and how she dealt with a Harry Potter crisis.

Well worth reading!

'The Mountain Meadows Massacre' is a story in which multiple factors came together at exactly the same time to produce an epic tragedy. If one or two of these factors hadn't been present, it wouldn't have happened. First, there was the antipathy of the Mormons for the 'gentiles': Second there was the antipathy of the settlers for the Mormons: Third, there was the immense of a war between the Mormons and the Union: Fourth, there was abusive language directed at Mormon leaders: Sixth, there was lethal opporunism on the part of Utah Indians: and Seventh, there was the willingness of John D. Lee and members of the Iron County militia to placate the Indians and destroy Mormon enemies. All of these things added up to produce one of the most destructive pioneer massacres in the history of the nation.

Still, all of the above doesn't quite explain what happened. Civilized white men--under the guise of protectors--gunned down civilized white men, women and children. How did it happen? Fear of an Indian war? Hatred for the anti-Mormon settlers? Anger at the government? I really don't know.

Years ago, while traveling through Southern Utah, I decided to visit the massacre site. Asking locals the location, I only got hard stares. Using Brooks' book, however, I located it. I had to open gates and drive through grassy pastures with little trace of anything resembling even a dirt track. When I arrived at my destination, there were a couple of old picnic tables--nothing more. Maybe seventy-five yards away there was a rock cairn. I remembered Juanita Brooks telling that the bodies of the settlers, when discovered by the owner of the property, were gathered together into a mass grave and buried under a rocky cairn. Sure enough, on the other side of the cairn there was a tiny plaque giving a totally erroneous account of the fight. It went something like this "On such and such a date in 1857, 150 California settlers were killed here, in their fighting pits, in a battle against the Indians."

Nope. That's not what happened at all. Propaganda. I understand that the battle/massacre ground has now been developed with a more accurate description of events. I wouldn't know. I haven't been back since.

Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

It's definitely a painful story but needed to be told, and Ms Brooks presented a detailed, marvelous manuscript. She told it the way it happened and didn't gloss over the barbarity of the whole situation and covered thoroughly the feelings and sentiments in Utah at the time. John D. Lee took the blame and was executed twenty years later and cleansed the others and the church, neutralizing the ugly massacre so people could move on with their lives, and the Mormons could start working with the US rather than against the federal government. Well worth the time to read and refer to actual documents - very academic and precise, but that I believe makes the book creditible. Good job - not another cover-up.

This book is for anyone interested in Mormon or religious history. Mormonism is not the only religious sect with a dark history.

THIS IS AMERICAN HISTORY IN PRINT!!! A MORMON WROTE THE BOOK, A MORMON COLLECTED INFORMATION FROM RELIABLE SOURCES, INCLUDING THE MORMON TEMPLE ARCHIVES, THE AMERICAN GOVT. ARCHIVES, DIARIES, TESTIMONIES OF TRIALS, OF THE MASSACRE, SO, WHY SHOULDN'T THE STORY BE TOLD TO AMERICAN STUDENTS AT AN EARLY AGE AS PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY? IS IT LESS OF A MASSACRE THAN THE BATTLE WITH THE INDIANS IN WYOMING? OUR SHAME OF AMERICAN SLAVERY IS TAUGHT AND THE UTAH WAR WITH BRIGHAM YOUNG'S THEOCRACY IN UTAH SHOULD BE TAUGHT. THIS BOOK IS A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO THE MORMONISM OF AMERICA. WE KNOW MORMOMISM CHANGES WITH EACH NEW PROPHET, BUT, IF PROPHET SMITH'S REVELATIONS WERE TRUE, THE DOCTRINES AND COVENANTS WOULD REMAIN THE SAME AND NOT CHANGING DRAMATICALLY WITH EACH NEW PROPHET. CHRISTIANITY IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER, MORMONSIM IS NOT CHRISTIANITY AND IS EVER CHANGING. GET THIS BOOK FOR REAL INSIGHT TO THIS CULT, "MORMONISM, AMERICAS ISLAM". GOOGLE, BRIGHAM YOUNG'S SERMONS EXCERPTS AND BE SHOCKED. HIS CONFLICTS WITH THE AMERICAN GOVT. SHOULD NO LONGER BE GLOSSED OVER. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE'S DECLARATION, NO LAMANITES, NO DNA FOR ISRAELITES,EVIDENCE OF STEEL SWORDS, CHARIOT WHEELS OR WARS OF THE ANCIENT TRIBES, FOUND IN AMERICA, MEANS THE BOM IS FICTION. AND, THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE IS ALSO A FALSE TRANSLATION OF THE EGYPTIAN PAPYRI. IN OTHER WORDS, EXPOSE THESE BOOKS OF FICTION AND BE DONE WITH IT, ONCE AND FOR ALL. AMAZING JUANITA BROOKS NEVER PITCHED THE BOM AFTER SHE RESEARCHED FOR THIS BOOK! THE BOOK IS SIMPLY WRITTEN AND A MUST READ!!

To be honest, I was hesitant to read "Mountain Meadows Massacre" by Juanita Brooks as she was a life-long mormon and, frankly, I was skeptical that she would treat the slaughter of 120 to 150 innocent souls with anything that even remotely resembled with candor; after all, the cult has an extremely well-established history of censoring and covering up even the most benign (but certainly well deserved) criticisms of their so-called religion. I was also rather puzzled by other authors on the subject who frequently referred to Brook's book and finally decided to find out why. I certainly was not disappointed.

While Brooks' work is now dated (it was originally published in 1950) and later researchers have uncovered additional horrors regarding the brazen butchering of so many people, she actually does an outstanding job of reporting on this horrible tragedy. Considering the amount of research she did, most likely from nearly all of the documentation that was available at the time, she does an extraordinary job in piecing together the details of this infamous blight on American history. Brooks assembled a large number of resources obtained from numerous interviews, newspaper accounts written at the time, court documents, affidavits, and even Congressional records to provide a chilling account of the massacre. At first, I felt that she treated some of those responsible (especially Brigham Young) with kid gloves but as the work progressed, she eventually placed most of the blame where it belonged - I'm rather stunned (as apparently was Brooks) that she was never excommunicated by the cult. Interestingly, she goes so far as to state that she even attempted to interview, as well as tried to schedule an appointment with, David O. McKay, the cult's "president", about the massacre only to be turned away - even though she offered to stay in Salt Lake City indefinitely in order to speak with him.

Interestingly, Brooks also makes no bones about the fact that the only fanatic punished for the atrocity, John D. Lee, was clearly used as a scapegoat for the barbaric behavior of so many other members of the cult that joined him in the carnage of September 11, 1857.

Of course, not all that Brooks wrote is gold. There were times when I felt as if she tried to minimize certain things - she never fully ascribes all of the responsibility that Brigham Young deserves (although there can be no question that he was an evil participant who sacrificed his "adopted son," John D. Lee), she tries to claim that the cult members involved may have been subject to "mob psychology" or "war hysteria" who lead otherwise "ordinary" lives, and that the cult now owns that property and had previously "given their approval" to build a "monument" on the site. Disturbingly, Brooks notes that attempts to turn over even a small portion of Mountain Meadows over to the U.S. Forest service or other Federal agencies have failed. Even now, 150 years later, the cult refuses to turn over the site, refuses to put a cross on the current monument (because the cult is not Christian), and continues to deny reality by accepting responsibility for the massacre. Even Gordon B. Hinckley, their current "president" (i.e., Satan incarnate on Earth) has stated "that which we have done here [at Mountain Meadows] must never be construed as an acknowledgment on the part of the church of any complicity in the occurrences of that fateful and tragic day." Some things never change. . .

It's only too bad that Brooks never gave up her cult - how anyone could continue to support such an evil institution, especially after uncovering so much iniquity, is almost unfathomable.

the rare times rick put down a fork and talked in depth about playing point guard or some other keen insight, the book was marvelous, that happened in maybe 10 pages ... i have read hundreds of sports books and next to vitale's first book, this was probably the worst one i muddled through ... loved rick as a coach--his triangle and two vs zona is legendary--but i would've liked to have heard some of his ex-players discuss what it was like to play for him--word on the street, it was far from a picnic basket ... akin to coach k's books, who saints himself w/o ever revealing his darkside, it's fun to see the real story ...

read dean smith's 'a coach's life,' feinstein's 'a season inside,' 'breaks of the game' by david halberstam, or 'the miracle of st anthonys' if you want to digest great basketball stories ... or the best of them all, pat conroy's MY LOSING SEASON

compared to those, rick's was a lady finger dud

Sports books that attempt to cash in on the immediate popularity of the author often suffer in quality due to the desire to strike while the iron is hot. I am glad to say that My Life on a Napkin does not suffer from this flaw.

Gene Wojciechowski, contributor on this book, did an extremely good on format and finding and maintaining Majerus' voice. His previous work on Nothing But Net (Bill Walton's autobiography) has served him well.

The most interesting technique used in the book is the interjection of short anecdotes culled from Majerus' friends and family. The juxtaposition between his view and the view of his friend/family member/player is humorous at times. This is a technique I haven't seen used before in this type of book and I find that it seems to work better than simple paraphrasing would.

In short, the only reason this book doesn't deserve four stars is because it falls far short of the high standards set by autobiographies/biographies of individuals whose careers have already ended. I feel this book focuses too much on the recent to the detriment of the early years. For example, A Coach's Life by Dean Smith has an entirely different perspective because in many ways his story is finished. This allows him to devote equal time to all portions of his life and career.

Additionally, it would have been nice to have an appendix containing information on every player who had ever lettered for Coach Majerus. If we could see the tremendous legacy that he has had on the lives of all the students who have passed through his programs it would reinforce hsi commitment to his players' well-being. To me, that would be an even greater testimony to his legacy than the stories presented in the preceding chapters.

It's forty-five minutes before the WAC tournament championship game. Majerus has pulled into the parking lot in front of the gym only to discover that some nimrod has parked in his space, a space that costs him $2,000 a year to reserve. What does he do? He parks somewhere else, comes back and lets the air out of two of the guy's tires. When his friend asks him why he only selected two tires, Majerus says, "Because he only had one spare."

Such are the experiences that encompass 'My Life On A Napkin'. We see Majerus for what he is, the world traveling, food connoisseur, who values loyalty, a good massage, and an occasional fantasy involving Cindy Crawford. Covered in his book are some of the following:

* Majerus' discipleship under Al MacGuire while at Marquette, and Don Nelson while with the Golden State Warriors.
* Majerus' quick process of overtaking BYU as the team to beat in the WAC.
* The difficulties of recruiting, particularly in a place like Utah.
* Majerus' propensity for speeding. Upon accelerating to over 100 MPH, Majerus once told a concered friend, "Hey, if we crash, I'm you're airbag."
* His affinity with living in hotels.
* The 1998 NCAA tournament and his famous triangle and two defense that shut down number one seeded Arizona and North Carolina.

Also of note is Majerus' ceaseless wit and humor. A group of cheerleaders once came to do a promotional at Rick's hotel. He told them, "Don't worry if you see me staring at your belly buttons. It's mostly because I haven't seen mine in years."

Majerus shares truth about recruiting, the intense competition between other coaches, and how he took a bunch of non-sensational and mostly mormon kids and came within 5 minutes of being the 1998 national champions.

No coach is as openly eccentric as Majerus, and in 'My Life on a Napkin', you will find out why he is not only revered as a basketball mind, but also as a comedic juggernaut.

After getting this book I could not put it down. I first became aware of Majerus after he led his un-athletic Utah team to the NCAA Final Four in 1998. His press conferences after those games were part basketball pontification and part stand-up comedy routine. His book is a lot like those press conferences: serious about the game he loves, but not afraid to crack a joke at anytime. The stories about his lack of fashion sense and eating habits will leave you doubled over. For "gym rats" everywhere!

Far and away the best book I have read in the past year. Coach Majerus' passion for his players will leave you mesmerized. The best part of the book are all the quotes added from former players, friends, coaches, family members,etc...Rick never was much of a great athlete, but he knew the game from an early age and was considered the epitome of a team player. Majerus' stories from his days at Marquette and Ball State to his time with Don Nelson and Del Harris make for a great read. If you like sports and admire the true work of a "team" you will love this book.

I'd order all my books from them if i could, plus it supports a charity. It got here quickly and in good condition. Completely satisfied

"The Riverkeepers" is one of the most potent calls for environmental awareness and action I have ever read. It is an inspiration for all those interested in becoming serious advocates of a clean world. It stands right along side Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" with it's eye-opening accounts environmental havoc created by thoughtless, greedy, untreated sewage spewing municipalities, chemical companies, power generating plants and manufacturing facilities.

It is the story of how the Hudson River "Riverkeepers" came to be- spawned from a small group of sport and commercial fishermen, the Hudson River Fishermen's Association with their ardent yet eloquent spokesman, Robert H. Boyle, author of "The Hudson River: A natural and unnatural history" and a contributing writer to "Sports Illustrated", all of whom were fed-up with the river being used as toxic waste dump, poisoning the fish, fouling the drinking water and seriously endangering the health and lives of literally millions of people who live both in the Hudson Valley where the headwaters begin at Lake Tear in the Adirondack Mountains and runs South 315 miles down to New York City Harbor where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean and where most of the pollution is concentrated. A sad commentary on one of America's most productive bodies of water.

Significantly and appropriately, this is where the birth of America's first well organized environmental legal challenges to the desecration of America's waterways started. It is the personal stories of those who chose to take a stand and fight seemingly undefeatable corporate giants like General Electric, Con Ed, et al. By combining forces, such groups as the NRDC; Pete Seeger's group, Clearwater; Scenic Hudson, et al., have been able to rectify many wrongs to the environment.

The personal stories of author's John Cronin and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. are inspiring and heartwarming- their trials, tribulations and success' in fighting for environmental justice are a profound demonstration of courage and dedication.

The success of Riverkeepers has replicated itself all over America with separate, but associated groups under the umbrella of the National Alliance of River, Sound & Bay Keepers and most every major body of water in America now has a program.

This is a top choice manual for environmental activism. Highly recommended!

Cronin and Kennedy offer a hopeful and reasonable approach to environmentalism by documenting the great strides that citizens have made along the Hudson River. One of the most common critisims of environmentalism is that it fails to take the livelihood of workers into account. The authors show that this doesn't have to be the case and that protecting our environment can actually ensure better job security.
Along with the specific example of the Hudson River, the authors go through the variety of federal laws that have been put in place to protect communities and show how they were able to use those laws to go up against some of the most powerful industries in the country.
Anyone doubtful of the power of regular citizens in this country would find "The Riverkeepers" a refreshing read.

I spent most of my younger years in the Hudson Valley, and the work of the Riverkeepers has made a profound and positive impact on our local environment. The story of how they have stood up to the corporate and government polluters is outlined here and is inspiring.

The real story of The Riverkeepers is outlining why they do what they do - our right to clean air, water, and an unspoiled environment. These are not priviliges, they are rights.

For years, anti-environmental hacks have been trying to convince us that to be for the environment is to be anti-property rights, anti-growth, and, as Rush Limbaugh calls us, "wackos." The Riverkeepers points out that these people are motivated by at best a misunderstanding of the issues, and at worst motivated by pure profit.

To be an environmentalist, The Riverkeepers points out, is to be for the very essence of American democracy: the rights of the people to stand up and protect our children, property, livelihoods, and future. The Riverkeepers will not only inspire you, it will make you feel at home in your caring for the environment, by showing you your place in the traditions and philosophy behind the environmental movement.

I bought this book thinking it would offer a profile of environmental activism that could be turned into action by others- I wanted to see how they did what they did. This I got, but also much more. This a most enlightening book, superbly written, difficult to put down. You get not only a history of environmental activism on the Hudson River, but a brief history of same in the U.S., complete with philosophical underpinnings. If you don't know how corporations act in the U.S., or how government complicity coddles them, read this book. If you THINK you know, read this book. If you are at all concerned about your rights as a citizen, and how they relate to the environment, read this book! An important, gripping work, at once hopeful and dismaying- and certainly inspiring.