It took me a little while to get the "joke" when I began this book, then when the author brings in the character of Mrs. Crooks, I really got into it.

This is a book I'll definitely read again, and probably more than twice!

"Fast Ride With the Top Down" reminds me of another marvelous book I read titled "Horses and Cows". It has the same kind of droll style and sense of humor about the human condition.

The characters are what one would call a bit off center, just slightly eccentric. Actually a lot like people are in real life.

The author has a master's skill at the use of words and language. Her descriptive comparisons literally made me chuckle outloud every page or two.

Nothing about this book bored me in the least. I did no skimming with this novel.

The book's main character is an artist named Lacy Blackwood. Lacy has desires, fears and insecurities like all human beings, and is quite easy to identify with.

In the beginning, Lacy appears to be a bi-sexual woman. She had an early intensely romantic and erotic interlude with another girl. When that ended she moved on to a couple of disasterous relaitonships with men, one of whom she married. It ended in divorce.

Lacy currents lives with her younger brother, Franco. Franco is delightfully wacky. To cover up some of his antics, Lacy refers to him as a "priest, sort of," and hopes nobody will ask any more questions.

In addition to looking after her dependent brother, Lacy also soft-heartedly takes in a homeless woman named Mrs. Crooks.

Lacy becomes involved with a beautiful woman named Shane. Shane, however, is involved with every woman that passes her way.

The book doesn't exactly come to a conclusive ending--as Lacy, Franco and Mrs. Crooks drive off "into the sunset." together.

Some things are resolved, however, to a certain extent.

I only wished the book were longer. I thoroughly enjoyed every one of the 160 pages of this slim novel.

It's the !kind of book one reads to find out what happens to the characters, and then want to pick up and re-read again, once you know those answers, just to enjoy the ride!

Florida's Great Ocean Railway: Building The Key West Extension by former college professor, professional boat captain, environmental guide, editor and writer Dan Gallagher is a meticulous study of the construction of a railway line that required extensive logistics, meticulous planning, as well as more than a decade of labor from 1905 to 1916, before it could be put into service. Black-and-white photographs fill the pages of this fascinating historical account which presents the impressive story of shaping dream into reality over the course of years and back-breaking effort. Florida's Great Ocean Railway is very highly recommended reading -- especially for railroading buffs.

Updates about Sao Tome economics

My husband and I lived in Key West for four and a half years being stationed there with the U.S. Coast Guard. There were some points about Key West itself we didn't like but that comes with any town, but this book will bring back some fond and beautiful memories we will share long after our military days are over and a couple of wonderful friends -Tracie and Pete. You can't describe Key West in so many words, a book like this would be the only explaination of the eccentric lifestyle in this paradise haven. It will be something we can show our two little girls when they get older and tell them that this is where they were born. Thanks for a majestic memory.

Key West is such a beautiful place, it deserves to have a book like this written about it. Lovingly crafted by its adoring author, this series of essays doesn't comprise the ordinary "where to shop, eat and stay", advertisement-frenzied travel book. Instead, it's a languid stroll through past and present Key West, accompanied by Cox who whispers many strange and wonderful secrets of "Cayo Hueso" as you float through this weathered paradise.

Cox spent four months in the "Conch Republic", so there's nothing slick or salesman-like about his observations of this Bohemian enclave. His respect for Key West history and its influence in shaping the present community is obvious. Cox is especially admiring and engaging in his portrayal of real-life "Freshwater and Saltwater Conchs" (as the natives...and not-so-natives...call themselves), all who readily share their interesting stories with him, whether over a frenzied breakfast at a local cafe, or a quiet drink in the shade of a sheltered verandah. Fascinating tales abound in this book, the funniest of which recounts the night the Navy burned confiscated drugs in the City dump on Key West Bight: prevailing winds made this event especially memorable for the natives. Cox goes on to say, "Since then, the government has burned its dope somewhere else."

Even though the book was published in the 1980's, this first-time 2001 traveler to Key West found it to be a fascinating read about a fascinating place. Its many wonderful treasures, from the carefully restored homes, broken-down military establishments, lazy beaches, historical landmarks and museums, haunting cemeteries, homey bars and saloons, and flourishing retail markets - not to mention the colorful "Conchs" who call the place home - don't seem to occupy a static place in time. Instead, Key West meanders through the years like a lush, tropical, untended garden, changing here and there occasionally, but always maintaining a character that makes it the most intriguing and unexpected pleasure to be savored. Cox's "companion" to this unexpected pleasure is indeed just that - a warm tribute to an old friend. An unexpected pleasure in and of itself, "A Key West Companion" will transport you to that beautiful island for a vacation of the mind, with Cox as your own personal tour guide...and will probably spur you to plan a trip of your own to this weird and wonderful place, even if you've already been there before.

I thoroughly loved this book and am not normally a cat book fan but this is an utterly charming story of cats living in the Key West lighthouse at the turn of the century. It's like some beautiful fairy tale but it's still a very serious book. Wow! This was like the perfect book to curl up with on a rainy night.

This book can be found at the Montello Museum in Key West. There also is a new book about Mario called, Mario Sanchez, Before and After. by Nance Frank , Key West Press.Both are very good with prints and copy,Very informative and enjoyable.

I happen to own the first edition of this book. Pat Parks covers the history of the 'Overseas Railroad' in great detail, telling the story of the many hardships of the people who worked (and died) to make Henry Flagler's dream become reality. Now, if only anyone today could have that kind of vision...

The title, "Sperm" ( although cute ) doesn`t do this book justice... This is a terrific murder mystery with wonderful quirky characters a la Dashle Hammett or Raymond Chandler.

Great fun, but what kind of a name is Valentine?? and Sperm??

Any saltwater fly fisherman will recieve alot of pleasure from this book. Excellant accounts of flats fishing in the keys along with wonderful photography makes this a great coffee table book that actually has substance. Once you enjoy this book, you will purchase another as a gift for a fellow angler.