G Books

I love this book because Paula G. incorporates not only some really cool Tarot layouts, but also other techniques and ideas for self-realization and actualization. The tables in the back were the best!

Very cool book. I know very little about tarot cards. This book has many different layouts for all sorts of readings and spells them all out quite clearly. Fun!

I love the variety of layouts and the book is clear and easy to use. It is a creative and useful tool.
I especially like the "four corner foundation layout".

This book is a must have for anyone who is interested in gaining personal insight through the tarot. The abundance of layouts are original and helpful.

Paula G. really understands tarot and presents her illustrations so that the lay person can use this information. I really felt she did a great job laying out the intricacies of tarot, very organized. No tarot card reader should be without it.

I had a wonderful time reading this book! The imagery in it and all the descriptions of the identifiable characters immediately drew me in. It was completely satisfying to me as a Christian and someone who loves fiction/fantasy. Anyone who likes the Narnia books or the Lord of the Rings books would have a great time reading this! I can't wait for the next book to come out!

The Brueggen Stones is an exciting story which inspires the reader to rely on Christ not only for salvation but also for the day-to-day circumstances of life. It is a unique story and well worth reading.

This is wonderful Christian fictional that I found very hard to put down! As a child, a very special "adopted sister" who traveled in a bookmobile, introduced me to the world of "Narnia". I have always treasured those books. Now I consider "The Brueggen Stones" to be amongst those favorites. It is an exciting, good quality, Christian family book, that captures an acurate character description of our Wonderful God and Savior. I highly recommend this book for all ages!

If you are looking for an inspirational fiction book that is well written, then this is the book for you. The world of Tarth with the kind Stallis, and evil sorcerer, Gefcla, will easily capture your interest. Lynn's amazing journey into the root forest is a great story for all ages and it is a fun family read aloud.

I have never really liked the genre of fantasy and wasn't sure how it work in a Christian context (as I child, I found Narnia vaguely puzzling and scary), but this book made me re-evalute my assumptions. I found it to be entertaining and thought-provoking. I am hoping that part 2 comes out soon.

Gomez-Arcos, Augustin. "The Carnivorous Lamb", Arsenal Pulp Press, 2007.

Haunting and Weirdly Unusual

Amos Lassen

Arsenal Pulp Press of Vancouver, Canada has been resurrecting gay and lesbian literature with Little Sister's Classics series. The newest addition is Augustin Gomez-Arcos' "The Carnivorous Lamb", written in 1975, which was translated into English in 1984 (from the original French). Gomez-Arcos was a Spanish anarchist, a dramatist and a playwright who self-exiled to France where he wrote primarily about Franco's Spain.
This book is an allegory about that period and centers on a young gay male who comes of age within a troubled family--his mother abhors him, his father cannot be bothered with him and ignores him. He does have a brother that loves him deeply.
The young man is the narrator and the carnivorous lamb. He begins his story when he was thirteen and when his innocence is lost. It is the 1950's when he, the younger of two sons is kept in the shelter of his home by his overbearing mother and at 13 he manages to begin to break away. He has a tutor, a strict disciplinarian and a family priest who is intent upon seeing that the boy reach adulthood by the right path. He, however, feels that he must rebel against those that oppress him and as he comes of age, he does so as a reaction to his mother and father and to the authority of church and state.
It is not an easy to reach maturity and as we read the tale of the family, we see that is political satire of the time. Gomez-Arcos not only takes on Spain but the Catholic Church as well. He does so with humor that disguises the true horrors and the tyrannical rule of Federico Franco. Likewise the book deals with the repression of religion and the structure of the family. The concept of authority is blown away and in its place we get identity and liberty as the author defies all in beautiful and provocative ways. This is a book not only to be read for the excitement of reading a masterpiece but it is to be cherished as a document that has returned to us from the dead.

Agustin Gomez-Arcos, The Carnivorous Lamb (David R. Godine, 1975)

I find myself somewhat astonished that a book this explicit was published in 1975. I am quite a bit less surprised that it is long out of print. (However, the fact that my Interlibrary Loan request for this volume was filled by the Ohio Dominican College? Now that floored me.) This tale of a homosexual relationship between a pair of brothers, told mostly in flashback as the younger brother awaits his older brother's return, wife in tow, from South America, never flinches from its sometimes shocking subject matter, but nor does Gomez-Arcos ever exploit his material from gratuitous shock value; it just is, and that, perhaps, is the book's major strength.

The book follows two avenues, for lack of a better way to put it; the first follows the love story between Ignacio, the narrator, and Antonio, his brother, who is five years older. Yep, incest, but I did warn you above, right? The second is a portrait of a once-wealthy family gradually driven to destitution by the Spanish Civil War and the Franco dictatorship. I get the feeling most readers will be enchanted with one storyline and want to ignore the other (which is which depends on one's proclivities, no doubt); I tried to pay equal attention to both, and appreciated the way Gomez-Arcos wove them together into one book. It certainly could have been done better; the pacing is atrocious much of the time, and one gets the feeling this could have easily been half the length and still contained everything Gomez-Arcos wanted to say. Still, it's hard to argue with the language, which is never less than gorgeous. (One French reviewer on Amazon excoriates the English translation, saying it loses much of the "purity and clarity" of the original; I can't vouch for it, but I do know the language in the English translation is wonderfully done.) If you are a fan of writing style over plot, this is a must-read, but be warned that some of the subject matter may be too intense for more sensitive types (or too boring for thrillseekers). ****

((I award a Secondary Title for this review: "A One-Of-A-Kind Take on Brotherly Love"))

I can't tell you if this was a beautifully written book.......but I can advise you that it is a beautifully translated tale. Since it was first published in French (I know only a few phrases and a number of individual words), I cannot quarrel the earlier, Paris-residing reviewer who seems to think not so much of this translation. But, to this reader, to me, the translated writing seems near perfect, making this one of those few books to un-shelf from time to time and in which to become quickly engrossed.

It's a love story......but one probably unlike any you've read before (its nature has been described elsewhere in these reviews). And it is also a history lesson--one told from very personal points of view (as so much of history is told). But mostly, it's a tale which tells us that love in any guise can be found between two people, no matter their situation one to the other, and that as the strongest of our emotions it can redeem us from the worst difficulties we may think we face.

****

Of all the many books I've read, this is my favorite.

Its been a while since reading a book that was so profoundly satisfying and well-finished. It is a beautiful book celebrating an exuberant, deep love. It sells the book short to call it simply homo-erotic, just because the main protaganist is a man who loves his brother. The book deals with love and its devastating mutations in a protective confined stultyfying Spanish home in the Franco years. The metaphors for the "chronically dead" fascist regime are so graphic that you find yourself gasping for air...and the characters, as portrayed by Ignacio, the younger brother, are gruesomely real as he tells his story with wit and skill that have you smiling hard as you read. Very sexy too, even for a hetero woman.

The 'Foreword' is dedicated to Lester Adelson, M.D. who was then working with the coroner of Cuyahoga County in Cleveland Ohio. Legal medicine and autopsies help the living. Dr. Adelson believes his allegiance is to the TRUTH, not to the side that hired him. A Medical Examiner should study the dead to help the living. Murder cases are but a small fraction compared to accidental deaths (traffic, industrial, or at home). Suicide is much more frequent than murder. Sudden deaths can appear to be suicide, homicide, or accidental. Unsuspected infectious diseases are one threat to the community. The forensic pathologist is important to the public interest, and should be an impartial fact-finder.

Mervin Selkirk is conversing with Norda Allison when he slaps his seven-year old son Robert for interrupting. Suddenly Norda sees the sadistic streak behind the mask of smiling politeness and affability over the selfish personality. Norda dislikes this discipline but Mervin says she's a "softie". The result is the breaking of their engagement. A few days later Mervin punches Norda's boyfriend, Nate Benedict, in a restaurant. Mervin explains it as self-defense and his friends there back his story. Later Norda gets anonymous letters about suitors who killed former fiancees. The postal authorities couldn't catch the sender. Mervin's previous wife, Lorraine Selkirk Jennings, tells of a toy printing machine; this is enough for a search warrant on Mervin. The toy printing press doesn't match. His first wife tells of Mervin's ruthlessness and cleverness, and the power of his family. Then Lorraine sends a flight ticket to arrange for a meeting in person. The Jennings surprise Norda with their plans; is this some sort of trick? They have an excuse for Robert's absence. [Did you suspect anything?]

Something happens during the night, Norda packs and leaves, then visits Perry Mason to tell of the problems. The investigation does not agree with Norda's claims. Something's wrong here. The mystery deepens when a gun is found in the bed where Norda Allison slept. The police were called and took Norda in for questioning. We soon learn the reason for this activity: Mervin Selkirk was found shot dead in his car, parked at the Country Club. Perry is visited by Nate Benedict, who has a permit to carry the gun he brought on his flight from San Francisco. Nate also owns a gun like the murder weapon. Perry meets Mervin's father Horace Livermore Selkirk, as unscrupulous as he is powerful, and he is very powerful. Perry and Della use a ruse to interview Robert's baby-sitter. By following Barton Jennings they find a clue to where Robert was taken. New facts are discovered to complicate the mystery. Chapter 12 starts to uncover the mystery and the disappearance of Robert. Perry meets the young woman who was placed in charge, and talks to her about the laws and her actions.

The Preliminary Hearing starts in Chapter 14. Perry's cross-examination of Sgt. Holcomb raises questions about the prosecution's theory of the crime. Other facts are brought out in the testimonies to clarify the question of guilt. But there is a new fact that connects Norda to the dead body of Mervin! The judge calls for a conference at the noon recess and there is a new development that could free Perry's client. But a shocking surprise shakes Horace Selkirk. Hamilton Burger brings in his surprise witness who was at the Country Club parking lot (Chapter 17). Perry's cross-examination of Millicent Bailey neutralizes her testimony. Then Barton Jennings appears as a witness, and tells of what he knows. Perry's cross-examination has this witness contradicting his testimony. Then another witness is recalled so Perry can question her. Now there is another material fact that is brought out. Norda is released from custody. The last chapter resolves the outstanding questions and explains the unknown events. Erle Stanley Gardner describes the corrupt and powerful people who run society, albeit in fiction. Like other novels, the courtroom scenes are the dramatic high points.

This Perry Mason book is a suspenseful action thriller and a spectacular page turner. "The Case of The Deadly Toy" is about a woman, Norda Alison who is convicted of murder after her ex-fiancé is found dead and the murder weapon is found hidden under her pillow. This book is very well written and keeps you clueless of the real murderer until the last few pages in the book. Norda Allison is the victim of a conspiracy between her ex-fiancés former wife and her husband. Perry Mason does a great job keeping the reader active and having new suspenseful ideas on every page. Perry, his secretary Debra, his close friend and detective Paul Drake do a great job solving the mystery after all hope is lost. The book is very exciting after Norda's ex-fiancés former wife's son fires a gun shot heard early in the morning and Norda's ex-fiancé is found dead the next morning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books and I think everyone will love and cherish this book.

Mervin Selkirk is a wealthy man used to getting what he wants. He uses a campaign of terror to intimidate his ex-fiancé Norda Allison. He is in a protracted fight with his ex-wife, Lorraine Jennings, over their seven-year-old son. He also set up an ambush that allowed him to sucker punch a man with a pair of brass knuckles and break his jaw. Yes, Mervin is quite a guy, and it is not much of surprise when he turns up dead. The police decide to point the finger at Norda Allison, but she has Perry Mason on her side. With the help of Paul Drake and Della Street, Perry slowly uncovers the truth of what really happened to Selkirk.

This book is a classic mystery tale with excellent courtroom scenes. The setup is quick and interesting, and the investigation uncovers a terrific maze of clues and red herrings. Perry is obviously the star character and he is highly intelligent, driven to succeed, and quite funny at times. The author was an attorney himself, and that undoubtedly helps make the courtroom scenes so entertaining. The plot moves along briskly, at just over 200 pages there is little room for fat in the story.

Reading a Perry Mason novel is kind of like going to a Holiday Inn. They're all pretty much the same, and if you like one you'll probably like them all. That's no insult, because I happen to enjoy the series. For newcomers, this volume is as good as any for an entry point. If you're a fan, then you'll be perfectly at home with Perry, Della, Paul Drake, and even the ever-ineffectual Hamilton Burger. This book is not likely to help you think deep thoughts, but it's a highly enjoyable read that will entertain for several hours.

This is a wonderful mystery laced with humor. And the solution to the mystery is impossible to figure out...however, when you finish the book, and go back over some passages, you have to admit that all the clues were there.

Whenever I finish a Perry Mason, I want to start another (with the determination that this time I will solve the mystery before Mason.)
I feel the same way about Nero Wolfe mysteries such asBlack Orchids (Nero Wolfe Mysteries).

This Perry Mason book is a suspenseful action thriller and a spectacular page turner. "The Case of The Deadly Toy" is about a woman, Norda Alison who is convicted of murder after her ex-fiancé is found dead and the murder weapon is found hidden under her pillow. This book is very well written and keeps you clueless of the real murderer until the last few pages in the book. Norda Allison is the victim of a conspiracy between her ex-fiancés former wife and her husband. Perry Mason does a great job keeping the reader active and having new suspenseful ideas on every page. Perry, his secretary Debra, his close friend and detective Paul Drake do a great job solving the mystery after all hope is lost. The book is very exciting after Norda's ex-fiancés former wife's son fires a gun shot heard early in the morning and Norda's ex-fiancé is found dead the next morning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery books and I think everyone will love and cherish this book.

This book is an historical fiction readers dream, set in England just prior to the restoration period and during it. Julia Pallister lives with her feisty grandmother, a former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, and her mother Anne, a gentle mild mannered woman who lives only for the day when her husband returns home from exile with Prince Charles. Their home has been saved from sequestration by the Parliamentarians by the old love affair between Julia's grandmother and the neighbouring landowner, a Cromwell supporter, but, upon his death, the order is revoked and their home is taken over by a tyrannical Parliamentarian, Makepeace Walker who was one of the signators of the death warrant of CharlesI. After Julia's father is shot and killed by the Roundheads, Makepeace forces Anne into marriage by threatening to put the entire household out on the street. The story continues and takes in the Great Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666, Julia's youthful adoration of childhood friend, Christopher Wren and her eventual happy marriage to the grandson of her grandmother's old lover. I loved this book which was similar in time and setting to the great Forever Amber.

I believe this book was more romantic fiction than historical fiction however the novel itself was still enjoyable. The characters were vividly described but I would still like to know how things would have worked between Christiopher and Julia besides the perspective given by Katherine in the novel. How would the whole plot change? I would like to see companion book written. If you're a big fan of historical romance, this is a must.

"Rosalind Laker" is my great aunt and I have read many of her books. Of all of them this has to be the best of them all!

The story begins with Julia, youngest child of Royalists Robert and Anne Pallister, and her older brother Michael as they live in the constant fear of their estate being taken from them by Cromwell's Parliamentarians, as England's civil war rages around them. Michael and Robert both join Charles II's cause and subsequent tragedies strike the family leaving Robert's widow Anne to make a drastic choice to avoid loosing her family home forever to a Cromwell supporter. As Julia matures, the story follows her life and marriage as Charles II returns to rule England and on through the plague and great fire of London.

Unfortunately, what should have been a ripping good story just falls a bit flat to this reader. The author spends way too much time on Julia's childhood experiences, I would have preferred to have the background told in flashbacks and have the story start off as Julia reaches maturity (note to self - never ever complain about an author's backtracking to past history after getting the story going), we didn't see Julia wed and in London as Charles is crowned King until well after the first half of the book. I also would have preferred to have Julia and Adam more involved in Charles' court and its intrigues instead of being side line players in the action. Lastly, as much as I enjoy an author setting the scene and describing the clothes, furnishings, etc. so that I have a good sense of time and place, Laker goes way over the top describing everything in too minute of a detail and I found myself skimming quite a bit through those lengthy descriptions.

All in all, a pleasantly entertaining book to read if you are interested in the period or a fan of the author, but certainly not the best to be read in this period and most definitely doesn't come close to the standard set by Kathleen Winsor's awesome Forever Amber. Three stars.

This was the first Laker book I read and, I have to say, it is amazing! The details about the house, the era, the dress, everything is just superb. After reading this I was really into furniture with hidden compartments and, of course, reading more Rosalind Laker novels. Her books will never go out of style!

I had never coached before and was placed in the position of coaching my son's first grade basketball team at a local league. I was nervous not knowing what to do about coaching, not having ever taught or coached 5 or 6 year old boys. The book was extremely helpful in breaking down the fundamentals of basketball and helping with drills and basic concepts of basketball. Although we have only had about 5 practices so far, it's gone very smoothly because of the tips in this book. I highly recommend getting it to help set a basic foundation for new parent coaches who have no clue on what to do.

The only area that may need help is what to teach kids regarding basic offensive strategy. But that will develop with age.

I was asked to coach my son's basketball team and I didn't know much about basketball. This book got me quickly started with the key fundamentals.

Covers basketball fundamentals and team coaching. Many great drills. Best suited for the younger teams - but a wonderful starting place for coaching youth basketball.

It was my first time coaching basketball. I coached 1st graders. I coached because nobody else volunteered to do it. With that in mind this book was perfect. It has all the basics you need to understand the game and it provides planned practices according to players age.
If you are ever in my situation with little knowledge of the game and forced to coach a kids team, I highly recommend this book.

I bought 4 basketball coaching books for my husband when he signed up to coach our son's Kindergarten basketball team. He has never coached basketball before. This is the only book he wanted to keep. He uses it to come up with basic drills and general coaching tips. It's good. If you buy only one, I'd recommend this one.

This book and its twists and turns is a great light read. The adventures of Bertie Wooster and his man Jeeves are always enjoyable but this is one of the best. In it, Wodehouse pokes fun at the upper crust in England, the mania some people have for science, fascists like the Blackshorts, etc. Well worth the time to find and read!

While this book was quite enjoyable, it is not a thriller, filled with twists and conspiracies and secret societies, along the lines of the Da Vinci code, which starred Tom Hanks. In fact, there is no code-breaking at all. Read this book for its comedy, not for its code.

P G Wodehouse was very likely the funniest, most inventive and creative humorist in the English language, as agile a wordsmith as Shakespeare and far more prolific. There are very, very few of his books which are not every bit as funny today as they were when first published. (You may wish to avoid the very first school stories, but that's about it.)

The Code of the Woosters is of a piece with all Bertie/Jeeves novels, that is to say, brilliantly funny. The plot, which is as complicated and involved as any in British farce, is just about beside the point, as so much of the value in reading Wodehouse is in admiration and enjoyment of the language, the outrageous similes, the references to snippets by everyone from Browning to the Bible to contemporary stage songs, and the ridiculous characters, but even then this one is admirably involved. Somehow a book involving a would-be dictator (of the Black Shorts), a nauseautingly ugly cow-creamer, a journal of the repellent or objectionable mannerisms of one's companions, friendly aunts and domineering country-house hosts, etc etc et multiple cetera, all combine to jam 222 pages of joy, which cannot but leave you with a huge grin on your face as you close the book. Like every Jeeves & Wooster novel, it is a must buy.

Code of the Woosters served as my introduction to the oeuvre of Wodehouse, and, I must say, it was an exceedingly pleasant introduction at that. The book is absolute comic brilliance; it sets the standard for what lesser folks (like Carl Hiaasen) have tried to accomplish on their own right.

Some books are read once and discarded, but Code of the Woosters, I feel, has the rare quality of being able to be read time and time again...not just cover-to-cover, but at any particularly mirthful point which captures the reader's fancy. (The number of laugh-out-loud vignettes are too numerous to list.)

The only negatives to the book were the verbose introduction by left-wing crank Alexander Cockburn (if I had a name like "Cockburn" I'd be a bit edgy myself) and the relatively scant presence of Jeeves. Not that he plays a cameo role, but one does wish he figured more prominently.

If you haven't read this yet, you are in for a treat.

'Code of the Woosters' is frequently cited as P.G. Wodehouse's best entry in the Bertie and Jeeves series. It is a deliciously funny and clever little novel, revolving around the acquisition of an antique cow creamer. Bertie summarizes his pickle perfectly:

"Right. Now then. Item One-Aunt Dahlia says that if I don't pinch that cow-creamer and hand it over to her, she will bar me from her table, and no more of Anatole's cooking.'
'Yes, sir.'
'We now come to Item Two-vis., if I do pinch the cow-creamer and hand it over to her, Spode will beat me to a jelly.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Furthermore-Item Three-if I do pinch it and hand it over to her and don't pinch it and hand it over to Harold Pinker, not only shall I undergo the jellying process alluded to above, but Stiffy will take that notebook of Gussie's and hand it over to Sir Watkyn Bassett. And you know and I know what the result of that would be. Well, there you are. That's the set-up. You've got it?
'Yes, sir. It is certainly a somewhat unfortunate state of affairs." (106).

Revealing much more of the humor involves revealing more of the plot, which I won't do. I will simply say that Wodehouse was one of the literary comic greats of his time. This novel is a good place to start.

Many texts are oblique and indirect, written so the author can be published. However,Mr. Gronbach's book is a fresh, well written guide to accurate market forecasting that gives the reader immediately useful ideas and methods. Application of his well presented, easily understood method enables products to be brought to the market to catch the crest of the selling wave. Product planning and distribution techniques become clear and sensible. I have not seen anything that is this useful. I recommend anyone in consumer marketing to digest this book..

This book is simply written and simply...very insightful! The basic, simple and very practical formula of supply and demand based on population growth is simply explained. This formula is very practical in almost everything and anything. What ever topic it is this common census rule should be apply with the expectation of great results.
In a nut shell....It makes Common Census!

This book hits the nail on the head. It catches you shaking your head thinking "why don't they teach this in college??" A "must read" for anyone in the business world and anyone who just wants to understand simple economics! Ken is as brilliant a writer as he is a public speaker!

This book contains a point of view that many businessmen dismiss, or don't even consider. It teaches business in a simple way and portrays it in a way that IS common sense. It has helped me to think about the big picture of business and consider why corporations fail and succeed. I would recommend this book to anyone because it is understandable and simple, yet thought provoking and complex.

Common Census is curiously simple, yet profound. If you sell anything, goods or services, this is a must read before ramping up. This study of generational populations reveals why the Ipod is a homerun, and the retirement community, as we know it, will fade away. This quick read has helped me define where the money won't be, and the best generation(s) to market to. You'll want to read it over again!
L.L.Bowden

It is rare to find an author who refuses to conform to the cliches of the genre and has the unmitigated gall to blaze a new trail, critics be damned! Gordon Morrow is such an author. His passion for his characters comes through in living color through their very human interactions. A vision of his particular fantasy world comes across to the reader as vibrant, alive, and different. In "Maps" he starts us expertly on a multi-book journey with an unusual combination of classic adventure and surprising twists.

An excellent first novel -- please keep them coming, but much faster! =)

MAPS is an absolute delight! Morrow knows these characters so well that he describes them in expert and loving detail. The story is funny, exciting, and incredibly fun to read. The characters are so real that you have little choice but to fall in love with each of them. They fight, they feel, they make love! Morrow has captured the most important element of story telling: truth.

The truth he captures is the realness of his characters. The story is brilliant, the settings are amazing, the action is gripping, the romance is sweet as nectar, and everything just clicks. But it is the "realness" of Gar and Treva and everyone that makes this a wonderful novel that should be read again and again.

I can't recommend this story enough! If you are a fan of fantasy, a fan of fiction, or even a fan of great art - this book is a must own!

All I can say, Mr. Morrow, is that I hope volume 2 is available for purchase soon. I feel like a junkie who needs a Harebell fix now!

Please let your publisher know that I would be more than happy to preorder DMC volume 2 as soon as possible. Want my credit card number? :o)

This book is filled with action, comedy, and romance from start to finish. I can't get enough of it. I eagerly await book two, and I shall read anything this man writes. This book kept me intrigued long after finishing it. I recommed this book to any who enjoy a good and invigorating novel.

Not since Terry Prachett had a I had a good laugh in a fantasy story. Gordons characters are enjoyable and user friendly (you'll get a new meaning of THAT term after reading this) and don;t hold back on anything. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and as this being the first (of many adventures) for these characters, I look forward to reading more adventures with the Dead Magicians Club.

DMC: Maps is a great book for lovers of humor and fantasy. The characters are very fleshed out and the story is very vivid. You'll feel you're there with the characters the entrie way.

Read this one a couple of years ago.
In my opinion, this book is the best book written on the subject.
Very practical guide to distressed debt analysis; very structured, easy to read, great overview of potential legal issues. Helps a reader to develop a right mindset for distressed debt investing.

If you are looking at distressed assets (not just debt) of any kind, this is the only book you need.

All bases are covered, from legal proceedings, financial statement analysis, to market micro-structure.

This is not a suitable book for retail investors, unless the issue happens to be very large and liquid (e.g. Calpine debt in 12/'07). This text is directed primarily at institutional investors, so know this before you buy.

Other subjects are covered such as "loan to own", etc.

A winner.

Extremely helpful in preparing our new hires - it is required reading. This book will be a desk reference for years to come.

It's a must buy for people in high-yield/distressed analysis. I was suggested this book at my first day at work.

Unlike many academic books, this is a practical analysis of distressed debt, the bankruptcy process, and all the related financial, accounting and valuation issues that arise in this context. It is well written and well organized.

Some other books on the topic go into significantly more detail in esoteric issues; however this book is a must for a grounded detailed understanding of the topic. I have recommended this book to a number of colleagues in the industry and all were equally appreciative.