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I bought this for a class. It contains information about how to gather intelligence and whether certain methods are ethical. There is an interesting chapter on the author's polls of individual's beliefs about spying and methods of interrogation. There is another chapter on methods and scenarios that you are NOT to attempt yourself.

I wanted so badly to give this book 4 stars but couldn't bring myself to do it.
The concept of the book is interesting and Mr. Olson tackled it very well. The early part of the book details Mr. Olson's experiences growing up in Iowa, attending the University of Iowa Law School (Go Hawks!), how he came to join the CIA, and gave a brief summary of his career, although I say it was TOO brief and if Mr. Olson ever wrote a biography about his experiences in the Agency it would make a tremendously interesting read. He also mentioned that when he was recruited into the CIA, all he knew about it was what he had learned in Allen Dulles' book The Craft of Intelligence, which is ironic because I ordered that book on the same day as Fair Play. Both turned out to be greatly enjoyable.
The largest portion of Fair Play focuses on different (hypothetical) moral dilemmas potentially faced by Intelligence Officers, with each dilemma being asked in question form, "Would it be moral if..." Following each posed dilemma several people give their opinions and answer the posed question, answering either `yea' or `nay,' and telling why they answered in that way. At the conclusion of each `dilemma,' Mr. Olson himself chimes in and gives some basic background on the issue raised (these are the most informative parts of each section).
In the back of the book is an index explaining certain words and concepts, used throughout the text, that those outside the intelligence community may not fully grasp, which was nice to have as a reference. He also lists some of his most highly recommended books regarding the Intelligence community. Again, nice bonus.
All in all, it's a great book. So, why did I want to give it only 4 stars? ...Because the book wasn't entirely informative, as I prefer. That is to say, the questions were posed and people were allowed to give their opinions. Granted, the purpose of the book is to highlight the various dilemmas and take into consideration various perspectives, but that can grow tired after a bit. At times it made me feel like I was sitting in a moral dilemma debate conference.
However, in taking the following into consideration I feel obligated to give it 5 stars and absolutely recommend it: the informative reference section, the real-world input of the author, and the recommended reading list add a lot of value to the books content. Heck, even the small font causes the pages to be jam-packed with content. And lastly, Mr. Olson does indeed what he set out to do. It's worth the price!

Great book, great intro. to the intelligence field, and gives you a birdeye's view on the little spoken subfield, which is the morality of the intelligence field. Great demystifier of this field.

Fair Play offers the reader a peek into the murky world of espionage. CIA veteran Jim Olson has a unique perspective that few other authors can offer to anyone interested in intelligence. Fair Play is not your standard historical narrative. It is an interactive experience, which invites the reader to participate in fifty realistic and morally challenging scenarios that our spies must contend with. Olson adds further credibility to Fair Play by sharing with the reader a cross section of responses to his very realistic scenarios. These elicited responses are from accomplished professionals, whose vocations vary from the former Deputy Director of the CIA to practicing physicians.
Fair Play includes chapters on Olson's under cover career in the CIA, changing U.S. attitudes toward espionage from the Revolutionary War to the present, and historical, biblical, and philosophical justifications for committing espionage. Armed with this requisite knowledge, the reader is thrust into true-to-life situations that U.S. spies actually face in the shadows today. This approach redirects the reader from the role of arm chair quarterback to active participant by asking what he/she would do in that same situation. Among the many topics covered are assassinations, kidnappings, interrogation, torture, drugs, seduction, sexual entrapment, and blackmail.
Morality and espionage are not mutually exclusive. As Olson says, it is about time someone started thinking about how morality and spying fit together in today's world. The community he continues to serve faces monumental challenges. Its operators need to have a clearly defined moral code with which to take the fight to our enemies. This book represents a great first step towards providing such a moral code to our clandestine warriors.

In the vast genre of intelligence writing, this book is simply unique. In presenting the moral dilemmas faced by intelligence officers, this work is indispensible--both for practical training for the professionals and for educating the public about the realities of the profession.

Where the book falls down, I'm afraid, is in its judgments about other works of intelligence writing. Olson's list of the best books for a professional library include two that have been discredited as historical works. He also repeats the mythical canard that Winston Churchill allowed Coventry to be bombed during World War II so as not to let the Germans know their communications were being read; he needs to read David Stafford, Martin Gilbert, and R.V. Jones on this score. Being taken in by [...] or by myths are disturbing failings for a former chief of counterintelligence.

This is one of the very best all round books you can own. It has unit break downs, ranks, what regiments are in what divisions, dog tag information, research information, just about anything you would need to know to research most any unit or someone in the family. All the information in it, for the price, is one heck of a deal. All the books I've ever seen by Jonathan Gawne are outstanding, especially his 'Spearheading D-Day' book. This book 'Finding Your Father's War' is outstanding.

Ever ask 'What did you do in the War, daddy?' Ever wonder what all those patches, medals, etc represented? Ever wish you still had them???

I could never get my dad to talk about his experiences while in the US Army during WWII, outside of a comical happening or two. All I knew was that he had served in the retaking of the Philippines and briefly in the occupation of Japan. I'm proud of what my dad/the USA did during the War and very interested in what he did or went thru. Are you in the same situation?

Then this is the book that you need!!!!

Most importantly, it gives the places to search for & to obtain information and how to read the documents.

But wait! That's not all!! (as they say in infomercials on TV. LOL)

It gives an excellent breakdown of the units and their sub-units in size and organization (T/O) and the associated abbreviations for each. As a military history buff, I thought I knew how the Army was organized but boy did I learn a lot more about it.

This book covers campaign dates, T/O, how to identify a vehicle's assignment, badges and just about everything else you could want to know and I highly recommend it. Even if you're just a WWII history buff.

The only thing I've not been able to find in this book is a breakdown on how to read the ribbon bar(s).

"Finding Your Father's War" is a fantastic reference guide! For relatives of U.S. Army veterans, it is a straight forward guide to the resouces you'll need.

This is an amazing resource on the composition and structure of the US Army during WWII. There is detailed information on how the Army was organized at the time, including an appendix on the Army Air Force. There is no information on the Navy or Marine Corps: the focus is fixed on the Army. The book is packed with photos and illustrations of insignia, badges and medals worn or awarded during the war. What this book is not is a reference on the armament, equipment or gear of the period; nor does it discuss battles or unit losses.

Contents

Introduction

The War in a Nutshell

Section 1: Introduction to Army Units
Background information on the composition of the World War II US Army

Section 2: Individual Records
The various Army records pertaining to an individual soldier

Section 3: Organizational Records
The Army's record of what a man did during the war

Section 4: Finding Records
Places around the country where you can find records of your soldier's service

Section 5: Introduction to Army Units
Identifying what you may already have and what it can tell you about your relative's service

Appendices

Appendix A: The Infantry and Airborne Divisions in World War II

Appendix B: The Armored and Cavalry Divisions in World War II

Appendix C: Army Groups, Armies, and Corps in World War II

Appendix D: Major Army Commands of World War II

Appendix E: The Army Air Forces in World War II

Appendix F: Vehicle Markings in World War II

Appendix G: The Campaigns of World War II

Appendix H: Official Abbreviations Used in World War II

Appendix I: The Green Books and Select Bibliography

This is an outstanding book! It brings together information on so many aspects of a search for WWII information it has become invaluable to me. I found the most helpful aspects included the many full color pictures, the charts of organization, and the explanations of the many documents I found in my father's papers. Some of the sample documents and forms were small reproductions and did require a magnifying glass to see clearly but the information was so helpful, I didn't mind. The book also gives clear information on where various documents are located and how best to access those sources. Having this book months ago would have saved me hours of time.

My only disappointment is that there is no index. When I go back to the book to refresh myself on a topic, it is not always easy to find what I am looking for through the Table of Contents. I would hope any future editions would include a good index. That one complaint aside, I think this is an excellent book and I would recommend it highly for anyone searching for records.

If there was only one book I could recommend about firefighting, this would be it. It is filled with easy to read, interesting, and quite possibly life saving tips and techniques based upon the real world experience of Chief Norman and the many other leaders in the fire service that he has learned from. I had the first edition, then the second edition, and now the third. If there is ever a fourth, I'll probably buy that too.

THIS BOOK HAS TO BE A CLASSIC AS FAR AS FIREFIGHTING IS CONCERNED. IF YOU ARE A FIREFIGHTER, THIS BOOK SHOULD BE IN YOUR LIBRARY. YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND UPON IT.

It is widely discussed in fire service circles that this text is an amalgom of FDNY tactical bulletins and other internal documents, such as Ladders 3 and Ladders 4. If so, it offers useful information for fire problems most of us routinely encounter. The 3rd edition has hideously tiny print and is over run by wordiness, but does have additional chapters on WMD issues as well as townhouse/garden apartment fires. There is new text intersprised all through out the book. Norman is a tough read - passive voice, run on sentences and double negatives - but the material is still worth digging through. And hey, the bulding classification codes from the 1st and 2nd editions got corrected.
A must for any working firefighter.

I found this book to be very informative. It helps answer the "what if this happens" questions that every firefighter ponders when they have time to reflect. I definitely recommend picking up this book whether you are an actual officer or firefighter.

I bought this as a text for a class but I'm finding it very thorough and easy to follow with tons of good info.

I was lucky enough to see Larry Shue play the role of Charlie off-Broadway in May of 1985 (he died in December of that year). To my mind, he was the perfect Charlie, although years later I saw a performance of the play with Jaston Williams and Joe Sears that rocked the house and showed just how sharp Shue's wit was.

So much can be said about this light-hearted play that it's hard to pick where to start (and what to leave out)...

Larry Shue really set up a diverse and side-splitting play. First of all, it incorporates many accents and notions as cultures collide in the Deep South. One character even makes up his own dialect and tells an entire story in it (it's a lot funnier than it sounds trust me)! The plot also drives off of a cleverly set up situation of mistaken identity.

Somehow Shue created a hilarious, yet somehow realistic cast of characters. He followed this up by setting up an absurd plot that flows naturally and is exciting to read. Great character + great plot = what can go wrong?

I loved this play so much that I went to see it live at a somewhat small theatre. Literally everyone in the audience was laughing hysterically throughout the performance and they all stayed after for about an hour to learn more about the play and Larry Shue. The great thing is that this play is funny without being crude, which shows real comedic talent (and seems to be a rare find these days).

Reading a play doesn't take that long at all! If you are a theatre geek, or someone that is just starting to read plays this one will be a great choice for you. It's diverse, funny, witty and masterfully set-up. I strongly recommend it.

This is about the funniest play I ever read. Have never seen it staged either. But it is typical of modern plays in having only seven characters, all of whom have meaty roles. Needs thick Southern accents and one cultured British and one Cockney accent. Five men and two women.

I had the sheer joy of playing Charlie several years ago and I hope some day I can do it again. It is funny and thought provoking at the same time. When I first read it I couldn't stop laughing and I wondered how we would get through it as actors without cracking up.
Everyone should read it and try to see it if it is playing at a theatre near you.

Having taken part in a performance of "The Foreigner" over ten years ago, I was anxious to take a trip down memory lane. After reading the play today, I am reminded what a precise and humorous tale this is. Despite remaining relatively obscure, it is one of my favorites. Larry Shue's attention to detail and sharp wit make this play a laugh a minute and thought provoking.

Charlie accompanies Froggy to Georgia on military business as Charlie's wife's health declines. Feeling his marriage is failing, Charlie becomes very asocial. To maintain his silence, Charlie adopts the persona of a foreigner with no English speaking skills. In the lodge he takes up residence, the lodge's keeper Betty is about to loose the property to a conspiracy of Owen and a resident of the lodge and preacher David. As a member of the Ku Klux Klan, Owen's feelings of hatred rise when he feels Charlie mocks him. This causes Owen as well as David, whose membership in the Klan is not known, to attempt to exact revenge. When their violent scare tactics fall apart, so does the conspiracy of David and Owen. Additionally, the corrupt preacher David's image is soiled as his true intentions are revealed toward his fiance and her wealth.

It is a misfortune that this show is hard to find on the stage. Were it more well known, I am sure it would achieve much deserved recognition. If you are unable to see the show, reading it is the next best thing.

This is a great book! It is well written, easy to read and very understandable.

the book came quickly (like only a few days even though they said it would be weeks) and it was in great condition! i would definitly order from here again!

Book arrived on time and in the shape and form advertised! Great seller to do business with!

This is one of the most useful reference books for those in nursing who are going to focus in psychiatric nursing. This is a great book but it can get wordy at times.

Other than the Chapter materials, there are many additional useful information including an online resource, tables, examples and images to facilitate learning.

My husband and I recently heard a taped interview with Father Boyle that aired on NPR. We were very interested in learning more about his unique outreach efforts with LA Gang members. This book is excellent.

"G-Dog and the Homeboys" shows how Father Greg Boyle and a select few adults, including the author, completely changed the lives of teens in East LA. Greg opened the homies' and his followers' eyes to the world outside of their lives in their little neighborhood. Many kids would not think past selling drugs to earn a little extra cash, or firing off a couple of rounds of bullets in order to simply stay alive. Boyle changed all of this.
In actuality, the homies were not violent, cruel, or evil kids at heart. Many had rotten home lives and joined gangs to find love. Others joined for protection. Gangs offered support if they were ever in serious danger.
Father Greg understood and felt for these teens. Greg lent them helping hand in any way he could. He gave them money for school, jobs, even a roof over their heads. However, the best gift he gave the homies was his love and caring for them.
As one follows the stories of numerous homies, one realizes how much of an impact one man, Father Greg, had on their lives. This story is touching, at times frightening, and over all, enlightening. It is highly recommended that you read "G-Dog and the Homeboys". Your eyes, too, will be opened to the world around you.

Although I have not read this book, I did watch a lecture by Father Boyle given at Regis University. It is amazing what he has accomplished in LA with these gang members. It is a true testament to what God can do if given the chance!

This book is quite unlike any other that I have read on crime or gangs, both in style and in substance.

The style is very simple. Fremon makes no attempt to be objective. She makes no effort to put the story into any larger context. She does not come across like a professional writer of any kind. Her ego is absent from the work. Instead, she tells a story, a simple, moving story.

The subject of her story is extraordinary. John Paul II liked to say that there are many more saints around us then we recognize. This story is another example of that. Father Greg Boyle is a normal suburban white guy who became a priest, and was sent to East LA. He found himself surrounded by gang violence. Nothing unusual in the story so far.

But his reaction was extraordinary. He responded to the situation in a radically Christian manner. He did not get into any of the usual left wing politics or posturing. Instead, he offered the gang members uncondititional love, just as the Gospel teaches. He spent time with them. He visited them in jail. He visited them in the hospital. Whenever the guns went off, he was there trying to bring peace. In one extraordinary incident, he put himself between two gangs who were starting a fire fight, and told them that if they wanted to kill each other, they would have to kill him. He was risking his life doing this, and the gang members knew it. They did not shoot; his Christian witness brought them back from their madness.

It took time, but the gang members responded to Father Greg's ministry with tremendous enthusiasm and love. It is an incredibly inspiring story. It reminds us of why we are Christians. It shows us the transforming power of Christian love.

I would like to be able to draw some political conclusions from all of this. I would like to somehow replace our current approach to gangs with Father Greg's approach. I do not know how to do that. I can not see how to make his saintly approach work in ordinary political or police work. But I do know that we are all better people with someone like him among us. If we had more like him, the world would be healed.

A wonderful read that can be shared with reluctant readers to bring them face to face with their place in modern literature. A book that should be shared with more teenagers. A look at gang life/ prisons in our urban world through the eyes of someone on a shared journey. I shared this book and another series that Celeste wrote in LA Weekly (2005) with my students as a combination class: experience of life literature and morality. Father Boyle is a master at understanding humanity and our call to larger social responsibility. We are not permitted to dismiss the world around us after reading this book that tugs at the corners of your heart. Greg gives hope where it is needed the most - to everyone. If the opportunity to hear Father Greg Boyle speak presents itself, do yourself a favor and go.

I'll admit I picked this because of the title, GOING NOWHERE FASTER. Aren't there times when we all feel that way?

Stan Smith has more problems than you can shake a stick at. One problem is his name - "Stan." Who names their kid Stan? But then his parents aren't exactly your normal, run-of-the-mill parents. They are another one of his problems. His dad is a crazy inventor and his mother is an over 6-foot-tall Amazon vegan who attempts to run an organic food market.

Another sore spot in Stan's life is Prarash, his mother's smelly yoga and meditation partner, who practically lives with them. There's also Chopper, the family dog who produces more "gas" than the oil fields of Kuwait. The only normal one in the family is Stan's little sister, Olivia. She's the one bright spot in his existence.

Stan should be thinking about college, but instead is working a dead-end job at Happy Video. It at least gives him the chance to watch endless videos in an attempt to prepare for what he hopes is a future in writing movie scripts. In the meantime, he is stuck riding his ten-speed, helping out in the family business, and hoping for a chance to date the girl of his dreams, Ellen.

As if Stan doesn't have enough problems, he believes he has a stalker. The victim of high school taunting and bullying, he was threatened by Ellen's ex, Chad Chilton. Now the evidence is mounting and points to Chad as the probable driver of the speeding car that almost ran Stan off the road one dark night, as well as the twisted mind that left a mutilated Barbie doll on Stan's steps. These acts of terror, plus slashed bike tires and vandalism at the Happy Video store, are sending waves of fear through the frustrated Stan.

Sean Beaudoin uses witty dialogue and hilarious descriptions to grab readers and get them cheering for poor Stan. The first person style helps readers understand Stan's above-average intelligence and his passion for movies and scriptwriting. This is definitely one I found difficult to put down once I started reading.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Going Nowhere Faster
by, Sean Beaudoin

Little, Brown
2007, 300pp
ISBN 0-316-01415

Going Nowhere Faster, by Sean Beaudoin is an excellent book. Its theme is about growing up and finding out who you are. The main character's, Stan, best friend is the most popular kid in his grade. Stan falls in love with a girl who will kiss anyone, any where. She just happens to kiss Stan's best friend, while she is on a date with Stan. These are only a few of the many problems that Stan run's into, while on the journey of growing up.

This is a funny, yet touching book. After you get to know the characters, they are easier to understand, but, despite that, there are still unexpected twists. I think this is a great book, and I highly recommend it.

*ANB*

Going Nowhere Faster
by, Sean Beaudon

Little,Brown
2007, 300p
ISBN 0-316-01415

Going Nowhere Faster, by Sean Beaudon is an excellent book. Its theme is about growing up and finding out who you are. The main character's, Stan, best friend is the most popular kid in his grade. Stan falls in love with a girl who will kiss anyone, any where. She just happens to kiss Stan's best friend, while she is on a date with Stan. These are only a few of the many problems that Stan run's into, while on the journey of growing up.

This is a funny, yet touching book. After you get to know the characters, they are easier to understand, but, despite that, there are still unexpected twists. I think this is a great book, and I highly recommend it.


A.N.B.

stan smith makes weird lists, has a weird house, a weird mom and a weird dad. it's no wonder stan himself is weird. i look up to stan's mom and wish i could be her with all of her convictions.
the characters in this book are well written from the main to the peripheral and you can't help but love them.
the mystery element in this book is shockingly funny. it makes fun of stereotypes while being a stereotype. i laughed out loud and i'll be recommending it to everyone.

1) Stan is hilarious and truly going nowhere faster than anyone I know.
2) Stan's precise descriptions of Ellen make her oh so edible.
3) It's amazing how in touch Beaudoin is with his adolescence.
4) Does there really need to be a 4 when the next step is buying this book?

David Ford's book reads like a James Bond tale of intrigue. From humble lifeguard beginnings, through Hollywood illuminatti, sexcapades and fast-track adventures, David shows compassion and concern for the Average Joe's right to smoke and be free. A long time advocate of legal and safe use of marijuana, this book is not a polemic but a story of one man's journey. A great read and a great romp.

Good Medicine, Great Sex! is the personal and iconoclastic memoir of David R. Ford in which he unashamedly proclaims the virtues of marijuana for creativity, medicine, pleasure, and sexual enhancement. Sharply denying the government's strict anti-cannabis stance, and framing the his own illustrious, successful, and high-profile life with great acknowledgment for marijuana's beneficial herbal powers, David Ford is intriguingly unrepentant in its advocacy in behalf of marijuana usage. This along with wonderful anecdotes of his personal encounters with Gary Cooper, Don HO, Bing Crosby, Henry J. Kaiser, Groucho Marx, Wayne Newton, Richard Nixon, John F. Kennedy, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Cab Calloway, Liberace, and Jonathan Winters, make Good Medicine, Great Sex! good autobiography and great reading!

I throughly enjoyed David Ford's new book Good Medicine Great Sex. The author has found the perfect balance of information on the history of marjuana prohibition and attention grabing experience of his over fifty years of using marjuana to enhance his productive life.
I was glued to every page wondering whether I would be giggling inside from the unbelievable and creative stunts David would pull to achieve his goal or have tears pouring from my eyes from the dramatic losses he has had to endure.
I recomend this book not just because it will captivate you as the reader but also because you get a unique perspecive on how and why Marjuana is illegal from someone who has lived through all of it's changes for the last fifty years.

I WISH EVERY AMERICAN COULD READ THIS BOOK! David Ford's eloquent and often hysterically funny life story tells us all we need to know. We bought into LIES for over three decades! WHY NOT LEGALIZE, TAX and REGULATE cannabis? DAVE FORD DESERVES A MEDAL for his refreshing candor and his extraordinary courage. His Mother's uncommon wisdom, and his appreciation for her, touched me deeply. BUY THIS BOOK! I guarantee you'll enjoy it. ** This reviewer is a retired (reformed?) 'drug warrior' - now a public speaker - deeply scarred by her own role in DRUG PROHIBITION, and our government's hypocracy. Drug prohibition is a nightmare...but every cloud has a SILVER LINING ~~ David Ford is positively a RAY OF LIGHT in these dark days of PROHIBITION. THANK YOU DAVE FORD! signed MARTHA DEWOLFE, speaker, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition LEAP.CC misterjebediah@cswebmail.com

I wouldn't normally read a book on marijuana. I questioned whether marijuana had medical value. I must admit, the title of author David R. Ford's newest book caught my attention: 'Good Medicine, Great Sex! How Marijuana Brought Me Creativity, Passion, and Prosperity'. It is so different from what the government propaganda says, I bought a copy. I'm so glad I did. The 50 plus years of true-life adventures of a man who has
interacted with thousands of medical and social users of cannabis, kept me reading.

This courageous book by a cancer survivor, and former broadcaster with CBS television in Hawaii, has convinced me that the government is lying about this herb. The author makes the medical value clear, and with excellent reference notes. Now I believe that no one should go to prison for having
cannabis in their possession. You will learn why the government and big business keep this virtually harmless plant illegal. Everyone should read this book who wants to know the true reason why this plant is kept illegal!

This is a wonderful story about a 10 year old girl who is faced with a rough turn of events in her life every Christmas. Addie's father misses Addie's mother who passed when Addie was very little. Because of his heartbreak over the death of Addie's mother, Addie's father oushes her away, especially at Christmas.

Addie has always wanted a tree and finally wins one at school. The presence of the tree only upsets her father however, and at the last minute she gets rid of the tree.

I truly felt for Addie, and for her father. Neither did she understand her father's feelings anymore than her father understood hers. This is a short story that gets too the point quickly, but has many wonderful things to teach it's readers. I truly enjoyed it.

This is a great book! Our fifth grade teacher read it to us just before we went on christmas vacation. Their was some very funny parts. The television special was great, too! First our teacher read us the delightful book and then we watched the t.v. special. We also found the differences from the book & movie. We wereso attentive to listening to the book, that we went into so much detaile in the differences. I would reccomend this book for anyone!!!

I read this book to my classes when I taught 4th grade in Nebraska. It was touching and heartwarming, we especially liked the school Christmas party. The characters were so well developed. Everyone related to Addie and her lonely life. I remember it being on TV with Jason Robards as the father. How can we get it back on TV?

I love this book. It is so sweet and heartwarming and a must read around the holidays. The characters are very interesting with a lot of depth. Addie is so typical of a young girl that I feel like many young woman can relate to her. I love her grandmother. What a wise woman! The father is all too human, grieving for his deceased wife. It's a tender tale and one I like to reread every holiday season!

I remember reading this book when I was in grammar school. It really touched me. Today I am a teacher, and I read it to my classes. They adore it. The T.V. special was excellent too. It was very heart warming, especially for the holidays! I definitely recommend it.

Written by a nurse this book examines the relationships she develops with several of her patients. Examining their reactions and her own to the problems faced by women relating to their bodies, their health and social situations. Very moving and at times a real eye opener.

As a male nurse I saw parallels to my own experiences. I also came to appreciate nuances of a woman's experiences and viewpoint previously unknown to me.

I have recommended this fine, beautifully-written book to all my friends, and to all my colleagues in the health-care profession. I tell them that though this book stitches together the stories of a nurse-practioner and four of her women patients (fictional composites, to protect the privacy of the author's real patients), it is a book that reaches beyond the subject of the female experience in the medical world. Cortney Davis writes compellingly about humanity--about the vulnerability of both the human body and the human spirit. In addition to her obvious gifts as a writer, she offers the reader the gift of her strong, sensitive spirit.

I have recommended this fine, beautifully-written book to all my friends, and to all my colleagues in the health-care profession. I tell them that though this book stitches together the stories of a nurse-practioner and four of her women patients (fictional composites, to protect the privacy of the author's real patients), it is a book that reaches beyond the subject of the female experience in the medical world. Cortney Davis writes compellingly about humanity--about the vulnerability of both the human body and the human spirit. In addition to her obvious gifts as a writer, she offers the reader the gift of her strong, sensitive spirit.

In I Knew a Woman Cortney Davis leads us where every woman fears to tread; through the swing doors and down the corridors to an often far-to-busy-to-see-us women's clinic reception desk. The poorer the clinic the more tatty and out of date the magazines, scattered like bird seed to keep our minds occupied while we wait. But there is rarely any item in them to calm the nervousness that women feel on checking in. After the wait your name is called, you go to a room, undress to wait again. Nothing unlocks the nervousness that numbs the mind. Nothing that is, until Davis or one of the legion of nurses like her enters the room. But what is it that these nurses really do for women? I think the answer is that as much as we open and give them, they receive us as complete women.
Long ago Davis honed the art of nursing her complete patient and over the last decade she has also practiced the art of writing. In her poetry and prose she gives us back ourselves, a mirror image of our womanhood. See, she seems to say, see, this is you and this is all of us, do not be afraid.
Davis is a poet as well as a prose writer and in I Knew a Woman her prose has reached a new level of lyrical movement. During the late fifties, as medical knowledge and science began to explode the person inside the patient was often getting left behind. Dr. A.F. Clark-Kennedy of the London Hospital wrote a small book called Patients as People; Medicine in its Human Setting. (Faber and Faber London 1957). He wove the stories of patients and their disease together showing young doctors and nurses how each related to the other. It was not until the seventies that physician writers such as Richard Selzer invited us to look again and remember patients as people. Davis has claimed her place alongside these two fine literate physicians as a writer of such caliber. I Knew a Woman is a book to be read by everyone; teachers, nurses, physicians and woman patients. Davis led us into the clinic with her poetic prose and we leave I Knew a Woman with a stronger and more open heart.
Muriel Murch
Author Journey in the Middle of the Road.
Living with Literature community radio.

Cortney Davis, nurse practitioner, poet, creative nonfiction writer, has written a remarkable book about the science and poetry of healing, about protocol and ritual, gnosis and diagnosis, and, above all else, the blossoming of hope. The laying on of hands.

Her book is a lyrical manifesto of Carl Jung's observation that "every personality has a story. Derangement happens when the story is denied. To heal, the patient had to rediscover his story." A good nurse is one who knows that it's just as important to hear her patients' stories as it is to palpate abdomens or check reflexes. In the exam room, that sacred space, four women tell Davis their stories. Like a good novel, Davis builds believable characters using dialogue and humor and dramatic scenes and then weaves her own story into theirs.

Healing literally means "wholeness," with the words "holy" and "heal" both deriving from the Anglo-Saxon "haelen," meaning "whole." Davis brings her rejected and discarded patients into the circle, and listens with an inward ear for those parts of them that have been silenced. Healing is restoration of communication within one's self, a restoration of balance, a willingness to change. Davis is a healer in the true sense of the word.