In The 12-Hour MBA Program, Milo Sobel presents an overview of the major topics graduate students learn in pursuit of a master's degree in business administration. He offers chapters on marketing and product management, accounting and finance, human resources and operations management, statistics, economics, technology management, business policy and ethics, strategic planning, education and career planning. This good, solidly written introduction to the field will probably be of most interest to college students and other beginners, who will benefit from this broad overview of different spheres of knowledge. However, managers and executives will find this too basic, more like a field of iceberg tips. The text is clearly written and well-organized, though it is primarily a summary, with a few examples and only occasional charts and tables. We from getAbstract recognize what this basic book is trying to accomplish, but warns that - having been written in 1993 - it's somewhat dated and lacks current thinking in such areas as marketing, management, leadership and strategy.

...I didn't need 12 hours to read it. This is a cursory approach to material that demands more, much more. The entire book is easily digested in a half hour or so. This book provides an OK overview of the MBA curriculum, much like a one-day seminar or an expanded "B" school marketing brochure might. This book is by no means a useful tool, let alone a replacement for the formal education.

I can see why many people gave this a good review. It is easy to read and it does offer a brief summary of many of the concepts found in "B" school. However, it is really lightweight stuff. I would equate this to a Cliffs notes MBA, i.e. what's the point. There is really nothing of substance in this book that you can bite into. Just when you are ready to dig into the concept the chapter ends with a list of further reading. A better title for this book would be, "So Your Thinking Of Getting An MBA." I don't find this even a good reference tool to refresh a concept or calculation.

For a far more useful business reference tool that will provide meaty information found in a formal MBA program check out the "The Vest-Pocket MBA" instead. The VP MBA is much better value.

Frankly, I had the same reservations before I read this book as I did when about to read Steven Silbiger's The Ten-Day MBA. The titles seem ludicrous. In fact, both Silbiger and Sobel fully understand the obvious differences between reading a book and earning an MBA degree. They have the same objective: In a single volume, to provide as much information and instruction as possible to those unwilling and/or unable to enroll in an MBA program, even if accepted. The subtitle of Sobel's book correctly indicates that he offers "the key concepts and techniques in a fraction of the time." (So does Silbiger.) About 15 years ago, Sobel created what he called "MBA in a Nutshell" and it was very well-received. What we have here is an extension and expansion of that.

According to Sobel in "Orientation to the Program", this book delivers three major benefits that few MBA programs offer: "The emphasis in this book is on practical and utilitarian applications rather than on abstruse matter that a student may learn in order to pass an exam and soon forget, since it has little or no meaning in everyday life....The chapter on education and career pathing (not an academic subject in the MBA curriculum) will serve as a guide to help you ascertain whether you really need the MBA degree or whether other degreed or nondegreed alternatives would be viable for your purposes....[and finally] there is a hidden "psychological agenda" which provides a "grounding in key concepts, techniques, and the terminology or jargon used by MBAs" as well as a "sense of greatly increased confidence in your own new capabilities and enhanced ability to thrive in the business world."

The material is organized within nine chapters: Marketing and Product Management, Accounting and Finance, Human Resources and Operations Management, Statistics, Economics, Technology Management, Business Policy and Ethics, Strategy Planning, and finally, Education and Career Pathing. Sobel then adds an Epilogue: "Reflection, Retrospection, and Enlightenment." I have a few quibbles with Sobel. Perhaps he thinks the "Orientation" is sufficient. I don't. I also question the sequence of the material other than placing Education and Career Pathing last. However, on balance, I think this is a well-written book, offering solid content. The full responsibility for deriving various benefits rests with each reader. Henry Ford once said "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." The same is true of those who purchase this book.

Forget about a 12-hour or 12-year timeframe. First, read the entire book from cover-to-cover at least twice. Then re-read it using a highlighter pen. (I prefer a Sanford "Pocket Access" with optic yellow ink.) In the "Orientation", Sobel offers six excellent "ground rules" to follow while reading and studying. Point is, effective study is hard work. VERY hard work. Most of those who purchase this book and then begin to absorb and digest its contents probably lack the structure of a formal classroom and the guidance provided by an onsite instructor. They also have lots of distractions. Unless you are both willing and able to give to this course of study the attention it requires, and then sustain that commitment over an extended period of time, forget about it.

Which book to buy, Silbiger's or Sobel's? My answer is both. Why? Years ago while at work on a Ph.D. in comparative literature, I took graduate-level courses from three professors who were at that time considered to be among the most eminent scholars of the Italian Renaissance. They covered much of the same material but each brought to the given subject entirely different perspectives, issues, questions, biases, etc. Each offered exceptional intellectual stimulation but also what I characterize as "intellectual nourishment." Obvioiusly, you will not have (nor could you have) the same experience while reading one or both books. However, there are substantial benefits to be derived from each...and a value-added benefit from reading both (in whatever order) as you correlate their respective analyses of essentially the same topics and issues. Reiteration: Be willing and able to sustain a rigorous commitment to your course of study, at whatever personal sacrifice, or don't bother.

Many of Manaras books are outstanding, not only because of his great art, but because the story is smart and funny! Ahhh...but i am afraid this one is no masterpiece. Is the art good? Yes, but even here it's not top notch. The story in this one is just not very smart...if this is the first book you purchased by Manara (and of this nature), you might like it...but comparing it to the first Butterscotch, it falls very short. Sometimes youre just going to say, 'this is stupid' and these situations hurt the book. If your looking for something nice and funny by Milo Manara, I would recomend: "Butterscotch", "Gullivera", another hot title is "Click 1-3", and "To see the stars".

Another nice story by the grand artist, Milo Manara. The plot of the story is nice and "tastefull"...not overly explicit or extremely perverted. The reason the plot is good in my opinion is because Milo Manara worked with another artist, Pratt Manara who makes his stories work. The art is really nice, and the story is pretty funny...but what keeps me from giving this 5 stars is,[like with many other adult stories, the author has nice pictures but "nothing smart to say". This makes some situations seem very stupid if you actually read it! HaHa...

"Il profumo dell'invisibile" (the real italian name for Butterscotch) is a funny and sweet comedy about a girl named Mel (Miele, "Honey" in italian) and about a genius who invented a great potion to become invisible. Manara dives into every people's fantasy: the power of becoming invisible! This comic book is a real masterpiece: don't miss it!

If you expect a book about sex and people, this ain't it. This is pretty much just a story about soldiers in the wooden ships and muskets age, with some women thrown in for bonadage slave sentiment, with a few sex scenes - those mostly sordid. The art is okay. See his other titles for truely sexy books - Gullevera is a quick, neat, sexy, fairly clean romp for adults who like naked women but also enjoy women who aren't always naked.

I have always enjoyed the marvelous line of Manara; it's so simple yet exquisite. And admittedly this is my first experience with anything by Pratt. The story has a lot of potential given the setting and the characters, and moves along rather well, but everything sure seems to end abruptly. So, I enjoyed it, but it shouldn't be rated 5 stars.

You could just pick the up the book, browse and enjoy the art of Manara.
After you settle down, the story is engaging and it makes you feel for the characters: Tom Browne, an english drummer boy; Molly Malone, an irish prostitute; Matthew the hunchback and Aureliana, an argentinian girl.
All these while Argentina dreams of freedom from Spain and the British empire profits from it.
Manara does superb art, teasing the eye while Pratt keeps the story going.
A must have for Manara lovers!

Hyatt - master of no subject but queen of flimflam and snake oils. There are more informed writers (it would be hard to be less informed)for those wishing to learn about the subject Hyatt claims to have knowledge. Stay away or buy it for kindling to keep your body warm while reading a real book.

SEX MAGICK, TANTRA, & TAROT
BY Christopher S. Hyatt and Lon Milo DuQuette.

First of all this book is simple to understand and the directions are quite clear. This is a book that can change you for the better if you work it. Its a way of using the tarot in a special reading "not an ordinary divination" to know of yourself on a more deeper level. It will prepare you for Kundalini and the knowledge and conversation of you Holy Gaurdian Angel. Even if you like I have had in the past and still have the knowledge and conversation this book can help you on a more deeper level. It uses the systems of Tantra, Sex Magick and Ceremonial Magick to achieve this. It also has a chapter on how the Tarot and the Tree of Life and Qabalah are all put together. This book is great for those who wish to have this High Magickal experience, it should not be passed by. The book is 191 pages but dont let that fool you as there is a wealth of information here. Too me its one of those treasures I considder priceless and I will hold on to for good! ! ! I am very pleased at what has been put into this book. Even though I had the knoledge and conversation with my HGA many years ao I found these techniques to be helpful in streanthning my relationship with my Angel. I still like using this book as a reference.

Hyatt and Duquette team together for a ritual using sex as the meditation in gaining insight, enlightenment, samadhi - whatever it may be. Also using your Tarot cards coupled with astrology to determine the time and place of the ritual (conversation) of the Holy Guardian Angel. Spelled out by Hyatt and Duquette, both learners of Israel Regardie, in an explanatory manner how to achieve invocation through sex with a partner or yourself.

Jim Hawkins, a young man living in rural England with his parents, helps run an inn with his parents. His life changes forever when a mysterious dying pirate takes residence at the inn. The shadowy pirate is often on the lookout for strangers who begin to show up in search of the pirate. Rum finally takes its toll on the pirate and he dies, leaving behind a mysterious chest that the strangers are interested in. Upon examination, Jim discovers a treasure map.

With the help of Jim's adult friends, a crew is formed to go in search of the pirate's buried treasure on a remote tropical island. The journey is uneventful until, Jim saves the day when he realizes that their crew consists mainly of pirates who hope to cause mutiny upon reaching the island. Ultimately, a raging battle takes place on the island where Jim and his friends must outwit the pirates who are led by the one-legged Long John Silver.

For a children's book, this book had a lot of inappropriate material - drinking and violence. I also had a tough time with the old-English writing style and the nautical terms. This book was ahead of its time, though, in terms of the adventure it described, but I was hoping for more. Fans of H. Rider Haggard (ala King Solomon's Mines) will enjoy this book but I was sort of happy to be done with it as some parts were engaging and others were muddled.

"Treasure Island" is the classic adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Set on the high seas amid treasures and pirates, it is the story of a young boy's adventure. "Treasure Island" has been done by everyone from Disney to the Muppets. It's been imitated many times and influenced countless books and movies.

A mysterious pirate shows up at an inn owned by Jim Hawkin's mother. The pirate is killed by a gang of rogues, but Jim finds a treasure map belonging to the pirate. Jim then embarks on a journey to far away island to find the treasure. Of course, nobody can be trusted - especially the cook, Long John Silver. With his peg leg and parrot, Silver is the stereotypical pirate. Once the island is reached, sides are chosen - the mutinous pirates against the ship's crew. Jim goes on a journey within a journey on the island, going from one side to another, as the treasure is hunted for.

Everyone should read this book at some point. It's especially good for young boys, due to the fact that the main character (Jim) is a young boy. It's well crafted, and easy to read. And it's hard to put down once you get going. What else can you ask for?

I never did read this book as I was growing up and have now read it for the first time as an adult. I always thought that this book would not be very good but I was wrong.

I write this review for those students who may hesitate to read Treasure Island. This book is a story of high adventure. In it is the tale of a young boy who comes to possess a treasure map and goes off on a whirlwind adventure filled with sea voyages, pirates, island adventure and treasure. Stevenson wonderfully portrays the characters of young Jim Hawkins, the hero of the book, the fabled Long John Silver, Billy Bones and Ben Gunn. Each adds their own sense of mystery and suspense to the story. The settings of the story from the Admiral Benbow Inn to the Hispaniola, their sailing vessel, to the island itself are very vivid and make you feel as if you are really there. The adventure to and finally on Treasure Island is filled with secret meetings, battle scenes and a quest to find a long since buried fortune in gold. The novel is truly great and is a very entertaining and interesting read.

For those adults who have never read this novel definitely read it and for those who have already read it, read it again it is well worth it. The swashbuckling adventures of Long John Silver and his men, along with Jim Hawkins, are truly timeless. If you have children of age, share the story with them. It is truly a family classic worth sharing with generations to come.

Stpehen Saylor's historical myster, A Murder on the Appian Way, is a striking hybrid of action, suspense, and historical background, although too much of the latter. The novel comes across as more of an overview of Roman life, rather than a murder mystery that happens to take place in ancient Rome. However short the book falls in creating whodunnit type suspense, his rich descriptions and historical characterization make the novel worth reading. Saylor provides a knowledgable look at such Roman characteristics as the Appian Way, the Forum, and the housing of a well off Finder. As Gordianus interacts with such historical figures as Ceasar, Pompey, and Marc Antony, Saylor makes the figures more than just lines in a text book. Although true to historical accounts, they always appear human. However, Saylor fails in creating an air of confusion, as I, the reader, care only passingly about the fate of characters who often come across as corrupt and evil. I would recommend this book for the Rome enthusiast and those who have run out of good mystery novels to read. However, I would not recommend this book for those seeking a hard-core suspense thriller. Fans of Saylor's other works, such as Catalina's Riddle, will find this novel lacking.

A Murder on the Appian Way reminded me of an epic historical fiction novel. Gordianus takes on a role such as Pug in War and Remembrance. He is able to meet almost all of the famous figures in Ancient Rome while still remaining a commoner. Steven Saylor is able to add personalities to the people usually only read about in history texts. The book presents a good mystery which posts many questions for the reader. The plot is believable and in the end all the confusing parts are resolved. Deeper themes are also touched upon. The beginning of the book addresses the power of a mob. The distress of a rioting Rome is portrayed, and destruction, anarchy, and rhetoric reign. Towards the middle, the book brings truth into view. Who knows the truth, who wants to know the truth, who has to benefit from the truth, and why? By the end, Gordianus is met with a difficult decision regarding his personal and family life. He has to weigh compassion with discipline and make one of the hardest choices of his life. The book was captivating and intriguing. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, and especially those interested in Ancient Rome.

So one would be led to believe after reading this book. Though the "mystery" in this mystery novel isn't quite as strong as I would have hoped, A Murder on the Appian Way" still counts in my eyes as one of Steven Saylor's better works.

The story takes place in the year 52 BC, at a time when Rome was just beginning its slide into civil war and was inching towards the eventual fall of the Republic. Publius Clodius, a patrician turned plebeian demagogue, was brutally murdered on the road linking the capital to southern Italia: the great Via Appia (which, curiously enough, was built by one of his own ancestors, Appius Claudius Caecus). Called upon to look into the matter by Clodius' wife Fulvia and by no less a personage than Pompey the Great, an ageing Gordianus the Finder and his son Eco ride into the shadows beneath Mount Alba to discover the truth about the death of Rome's most controversial political luminary in years.

The problem with using historical events as themes for mystery novels is that one looks at things with the benefit of hindsight. (A little research of your own will tell you just about everything that happens in the book.) Saylor's skill lies in his ability to make even foregone conclusions seem uncertain, especially with the introduction of possible alternatives and suspects one would not have even considered after reading the ancient sources. Hence, even though the mystery element tends to get swallowed up by the vastnesss of the novel's rich historical backdrop, one could always expect something interesting to happen towards the end.

Although Saylor explains characters and concepts fairly well, knowing a tidy bit about such things as daily life, architecture and the politics of late Republican Rome will help a lot (when, for example, one tries to visualise such places as the Clodius house on the Palatine and the grand, rather cramped space that is the Forum Romanum). Having some prior knowledge about the political factions that existed at the time should also assist the serious reader when it comes to understanding the circumstances surrounding Clodius' death . . . but in the end, don't let the nitty-gritty details spoil your reading experience. Historical the basis may be, but the novel is a work of fiction nonetheless and is meant for entertainment above all else. And of course, you'd pick up a lot of things about Roman history at the same time.

All told, "A Murder on the Appian Way" may seem more like a Colleen McCullough than an Agatha Christie: more history, less mystery. But that does little to dent the excitement and anticipation that builds up as one courses through this book, for one would feel as though he were right there on the Appian Way with Gordianus himself, riding into the face of danger and bearing witness to a murder that is not quite what it seems to be.

There is not a book out there that is more frustrating than James Joyce's Ulysses...unless, of course, it is Joyce's Finnegan's Wake. The problem lies in the fact that this novel is such an amazing piece of art that the reader can feel like Joyce forgot all about him. It is almost impossible to read by oneself with it's seemingly garbled maze of words and phrases and madness. However, this is what makes it such a joy to read. Imagine that an author decided to do away with any and all rules concerning fiction and to write a book that was it's own entity, showing you what it wanted to show you, telling you what it wanted to tell you and acting like its own character. This is what Joyce has accomplished with Ulysses. I was fortunate enough to read this book in a class, four months of nothing but Ulysses, and I have to warn would be readers that I don't think I would have made it through without expert guidance. I would advise anyone wishing to tackle this literary giant to gather some book loving friends, and a guidebook or two for Ulysses, and to take it very slowly. Read a chapter a week and then meet up with you group to discuss and puzzle out what you have just read. I am willing to bet that your weekly conversations will be a greater work of art than any book out there, and I think that Joyce would have liked that, would have enjoyed sparking debates and conversation, its probably the main reason why anyone creates anything; for it to be enjoyed and shared. The story line is simple, you have two main characters, Stephen Dedalus, the brilliant but alienated loner. You have Leopold Bloom, a simple man who is as alienated as Stephen, but not for his mind, for his cultural background and meek manner. The entire book takes place over the course of one day in Dublin, and after the first three chapters the entire book simply follows Bloom around during a day when he knows that his wife is having a romantic meeting with her lover. It is hard to sum up such a giant book in a few sentences like this, but basically Bloom is trying to set his life back on track, trying to reconcile himself with his wife's betrayal, and trying to reach out to Stephen who he feels could use a loving family. Of course, you could read this book and not find any of what I am saying in there, but the beauty of Ulysses is that I would love to hear what it is that you found in this novel as much as I would love sharing what I found.

Ulysses is great fun. It takes a bit more work to read than most books, just as it takes a bit more work to play tennis than it does to play catch. You shouldn't feel compelled to put the work in, any more than you should feel compelled to learn an unusually difficult sport. But people who do put the work in and who have a good time doing it shouldn't be made to feel guilty about it either. It's a pleasure to follow the interweaving lines of the Sirens chapter, for instance, and anyone who does it will see that the chapter is alive in a way that almost nothing else is in literature. Joyce is a terrific comic writer and a terrific creator of vivid, complicated characters. But he requires the reader to put in some extra effort to enjoy how good he is, and I can't blame anyone who gives up after a few pages and refuses to go any further. On the other hand, I've noticed that people who don't like Joyce's approach seem to want to attack people who do. This is silly. Again, it's like hating people for playing basketball just because you prefer skateboarding. Both the Joyce lovers and the Joyce haters should lighten up a bit.

Why do people who don't like Ulysses always lambaste those who do? You have every right to like and dislike what you please, and so do I. Why the name calling? I wouldn't call myself an intellectual and I'm certainly no "literary luminary," but I love the book. For me, it's not about mythic parallels or stylistic experimentation or esoteric theories of art-it's about the richness, the absolute miracle, of human experience. Whatever else you can say about Joyce's intent, he wanted to show us life. And every time, for example, Bloom wonders whether black reflects or refracts light, I see life-the sort of life (banal, uncertain, driven by the demands of the flesh, often a joy, sometimes thankfully relieved by humor) that I live. Joyce (I think) succeeded in giving us a very simple but profound truth: every moment of life is sacred. Eternity, heaven and hell, God, the whole shebang, are right here around and within us all the time. And we spend 99% of our time distracting ourselves in one way or other.

Bring your sense of humor! (it's supposed to be a comedy), and a little patience. The more you read it, the more you get out of it.

In this second novel by Jonathan Kellerman featuring Dr. Alex Delaware, the good doctor finds himself drawn into the midst of a mystery involving a horribly sick child, a strangely shut-off family, a reclusive religious cult, and a whole town that seems to have a pall cast over it. When five-year- old Woody Swope disappears from the hospital where he is being treated for life-threatening cancer, Dr. Alex Delaware does everything in his power to find the missing child. Can he dig up the truth behind the mysteries surrounding Woody before it's too late for the boy?

While Dr. Delaware and his LAPD Homicide detective friend Milo Sturgis continue to be interesting and compelling characters, I found that I didn't enjoy Blood Test as much as I did the first of Kellerman's Delaware novels, When the Bough Breaks. I didn't feel that the supporting characters were as well fleshed out as they could have been, and that many of them were in the story simply to fit an archetype or to neatly be a necessary foil for some aspect of the plot. This isn't to say that the book wasn't enjoy, but it simply didn't feel as natural as When the Bough Breaks. I will certainly continue reading the Kellerman series, and hope that this book's lack of polish is the exception to the rule.

Blood Test, while a quick read, was an interesting and well-developed book. The plot centers upon a young boy whose parents refuse cancer treatment. Dr. Delaware, the star of several of Kellerman's books, is called in by the treating physician to convince the parents to consent to treatment. Before he can meet with the parents, however, the boy is taken from the hospital. Dr. Delaware's concern with the young boy throws him into an adventure, focused on finding the boy, where he stumbles upon horticultural prowess and cultists that may be more than what they seem. There is less of a psychological twist in Blood test than in some of the other Kellerman books, but plot interest will keep you reading until the end.

Kellerman is a master of mystery and suspense; he just cannot write a bad book!!!

In this edition of the series, it is a case psychologist Dr Alex Delaware has never encountered before. Five year old Woody Swope is sick, but that is not the REAL problem.

It is his parents.

They refuse to any treatment that could save their child.

Alex embarks on a mission to convince the Swope's-only to discover they have boplted from the hospital-and taken their ill son.

Worse, the motel room where they were staying is empty , except for a shocking bloodstain.

The Swopes and their ill son have disappeared into the corrupt shadows of the city.

Now Alex and his homicide investigator friend Milo have no choice but to pursue them. They have entered a realm where drugs, fantasies, and sex are for sale.

Kellerman has scored another touchdown with this book and those that enjoy suspense with a twist, enter Kellerman's world if u dare.

Crumley hits all the bulls-eyes, but why are we doing this? The characters are etched like diamonds, but I never figured out what or who was directing the dance. "Dancing Bear" is 228 pages long. On page 221, Milodragovitch says "Hell lady, I'm still not real sure what this was all about." Milo's comment made me feel marginally better. How could I be expected to know when the hero didn't?

Milo obtains a break from his security job to take a well paying case from a wealthy elderly lady who seems to want nothing more than to find out what her neighbors are up to. It quickly transpires the "neighbors" are up to deadly games. Milo's new allies are over-interested in his inherited 3,000 acres of prime land, and one is the type of environmentalist we all love to hate. She is the Aquarian kind who has her eyes so firmly fixed on the "big" picture that she neither notices nor cares about the devastation she is wreaking while straining for her goal. Another ally is out to prove no man can ever resist her charms; all she has to do is put her mind to it. And these are his friends! You ought to see the bad guys! Trouble is we never are clued in to exactly what the motivation is for anyone but Milo. He just plain gets sick and tired of everyone trying to knock him off. Very understandable.

"Dancing Bear" is an interesting read because of the well-drawn characters. Crumley zeros in so well on an overweight, hard-as-nails, prostitute; we understand perfectly why Milo finds her an irresistible Red Hot Mama---not an easy task. The pace is fast, but we don't know where we are going, and the master crime/criminal is about as amorphous as having a vague discontent with General Motors. It was not the follow-up I expected to the brilliant "The Wrong Case."

Dancing Bear updates the old-fashioned hardboiled detective genre but could have benefited from some old-fashioned plotting. Milo Milodragovitch is the dissolute antihero; a world-weary, bottom-of-the-barrel ex-cop/ex-PI reduced to scraping by as a security guard until events plunge him back into surveillance work and danger. He's got a kind heart and a self-destructive streak as wide as the Montana landscape that serves as the story's backdrop. Milo's adventures are fueled by copious quantities of booze, cocaine, casual sex, and violence, but it's all too half-hearted to convince or even entertain. Author James Crumley tells his tale in first person. Though he writes well he nonetheless fails to capture that peculiar 'loser logic' that would allow the reader to buy Milo's often irrational behavior. Detective and the reader spend the bulk of the novel wondering what's going on, yet by the end it hardly seems worth the long, strange trip.

James Crumley seems sadly overlooked when people start namedropping Raymond Chandler's successors. Perhaps because Crumley puts himself and his stories so delibaretly outside the normal scheme, with detectives rather operating in Montana and Wyoming than on the sunny sidewalks of California. Crumley's finest moment is without a doubt the bitter "The last good kiss" but I still regard this work superior compared to what else you may find of your standard crime litterature.

Never one to picture a warm and healthy society Crumley introduces us to our anti-hero Milo as he has given up his work as a P.I. and started working as a security guard. What he has not thrown away with his former job is a drug and alcohol abuse that would kill even Dean Martin's liver. As Milo finds himself accepting to do a small and trivial case for an old lady that knew him as a child, he's tangled up in a web of violence, narcotics and everything else you would expect our northern states devoid of. Crumley's prose is accurate and poignant filled with dark satire and sometimes hilariously funny. The link drawn between him and Hunter S. Thompson is not as far-fetched as one might think.

The book seems to take of halfway with a violent twist that seems unnecessary and almost speculative. (Although nothing compared to Crumley's latest "The Mexican Tree Duck" which is a long tirade of doped-out violence.)

All in all the book turns out (as most of his novels) as a whacked-out "On The Road" story, told by a far more believeable character than the late Philip Marlowe.

***(*) stars on the barometer.

After eight different tries with Kellerman, I removed him from my "authors to read" list. Then a friend gave me Private Eyes and I thought I'd give him another shot. 525 pages later, I haven't changed my mind. Private Eyes is extremely slow going, and if not for my need to finish every book I start, I would have gladly given the book back without reaching the very disappointing ending.

Alex Delaware is called by a former child patient after nine years. He is drawn into a severly dysfunctional family with secrets galore, a missing person, her former attacker now free from prison, greedy bankers and lawyers, odd-ball psychiatrists - all of whom could be guilty of the possible kidnapping/murder...if there was actually a kidnapping/murder. With his loyal minion Milo Sturgis, Delaware tries to untangle the intricate web Kellerman weaves for the reader. Great premise.

Unfortunately, what I found was more of Kellerman's verbose writing style in which he goes to great length to describe the highways and byways that Delaware takes to go to wherever he's going. I realize in reading other reviews, many readers enjoy Kellerman. Beyond Billy Straight and Survival of the Fittest, I can't say I'm in that same group of fans.

This was the second of many book I have read by Jonathan Kellerman, and is
the best to date. Kellerman shows his expertise in psychology and suspense in this
page turner. I could not put this book down, and lost a lot of sleep trying to finish
it. You'll learn more about a phobic personality than you ever thought possible, and
you'll have a great time doing it. Tou may have your own list of suspects by the end,
but you'll never figure this ending out!!

A new meaning to the phrase "private eyes"

Private Eyes was the second book of the Delaware series I read. I thought it started out a little slower then the first book I read (bad love) but it kept me reading. It makes a person realize how much children can know with out an adult realizing it. I enjoyed the book but I was a little dissapointed with the ending. I have realized after reading 4 of the Delaware books, that Kellerman writes in a gradual slope and really catches the reader at the top of the hill and gradually leads them down the other side of the hill, breathless. I thought it was one of Kellerman's easier books to read with the technical lingo. Be prepared to loose sleep getting this one read! It is a non-stop read!