this book is worht looking at to truly appreciate the photographer who cleverly stalked his photographic celebrity targets. great shots of them not knowing that he was there most of the time. the images of daltrey and townswend after the cincinatti concert deaths are poignant images. the images of elvis in the his final time wering the DEA jacket is very interesting. Alan is a hard working photographer and this book is a good addition to a collection of music photography collectors.

One of the funniest books I have ever read! The auteur shows equal facility with word and visual content, and with great effect. Or is that greatly affected? This book is a must-have for anyone who enjoys where-are-they-now stories, and for anyone who has been forced to spend any appreciable time in Porkopolis, aka the Queen City of Cincinnati.

Any coffee table is greatly enhanced by its presence, and every dinner party a success if any time is spent paging through it. A heaping serving of belly laughs...

This tome is heir to the traditions of Steiglitz, Skrebneski and Bill Davis. Can't wait for T.Alan's next one, and I hope they make this one into a movie!

I purchased this book just prior to moving to Cincinnati. I found it to be a great help. This book tells almost everything a newcomer needs to know from information about local communities to where to go bargain shopping. When I moved from Cincinnati, I gave this book to the people that bought my home.

The Insiders Guide to Cincinnati is a great city guide. I bought the book shortly after I moved here to get an idea of the sights, museums and restaurants in the area. I got a lot more than I bargained for. Great for anyone moving here or planning to visit.

I recommend Valin. Start with The Lime Pit and read them in order

Cincinnati's Harry Stoner occupies his domain much the same way as Loren Estleman's Amos Walker occupies Detroit or Lawrence Block's Matthew Scudder occupies New York City. This is one of the better entries in a first mystery series that has Stoner tracking down a missing NFL player. Hardboiled detective fiction fans will love it.

Nearly 30 years later, the 1975 World Series remains perhaps the greatest ever played. Consequently, several books have been written about the Series, mostly focusing on Fisk, what happened to the Sox in the aftermath, etc. But Adelman takes a different approach, choosing to look at the entire season in the context of the history of baseball -- and the massive change just around the corner. With the DH, Astroturf and free agency all either in place or looming, Adelman hints of things to come and the events that lead to these overhauls of the game. He also gets into the players' lives, and what's going on off the field (Bench and his marital troubles, Tiant's longing for home and his parents finally seeing him pitch). Perhaps the best part about the book is that it's not driven by statistics -- these are stories, interwoven from all parts of baseball, including the death of Casey Stengel and subsequent passing of an era, to the tight-fisted Charlie O. and the harbinger of things to come. Written in the present tense, this book puts the reader within the time frame -- a time frame that signaled perhaps the end of the last pure unsullied season in baseball history. If you are really concerned about how much time a batter has to swing at a fastball (which is, in fact, closer to a half second -- because batters routinely take the first steps of their swing before the pitcher even releases the ball, just watch the next time Unit or Schilling pitch. No one can decide to swing, swing, and make contact with a ball in .15 seconds, but I digress), read Robert Adair's "The Physics of Baseball." But if you want an enjoyable read of a great season and even greater characters, pick this book up right away.

This book could have been overlooked on the shelf for the simple reason that the title states: The Greatest World Series Ever Played. As such, the '75 series has been written about several times, with varying interest and success. But anyone who passes over this book will miss an enjoyable, and enlightening, read. With this effort, Adelman goes beyond the playing field and gives the readers a look into private lives of the ballplayers. Johnny Bench's marriage is disintegrating, yet he seemingly doesn't care because he wants to win. Luis Tiant's parents have never seen him pitch in the majors until the World Series. This is stuff that you can't get out of stat books or reference manuals. These are stories, of the players, of the game, of the times. Adelman provides hints throughout of how Casey Stengel, Astroturf, the DH and Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally are all intertwined. Part history book, part narrative and part comedy, this book belongs on all baseball fans' shelf at home, especially fans of the Sox and Reds. And if you really want to know how long a batter has to decide to swing (which actually IS closer to 1/2 second than .15 seconds -- think about it, no one can decide to swing, swing and make contact, all within .15 second -- watch the next time Randy Johnson is on the hill -- the batter starts moving toward a swing before the pitch is even released, but I digress), go read Robert Adair's "Physics of Baseball." But if you want an entertaining look at baseball in one of the last pure years, pre-steroid inflated numbers, pre-record induced egos, don't miss Adelman's brilliant book.

It has become popular during the last several years to have books published which are devoted to certain years during a baseball season. Some of them have been good while others have been found wanting. The Long Ball by Tom Adelman fits into the former category especially if you are old enough to remember the memorable 1975 season. There is a heavy emphasis on that year's World Series as it should, but it also includes a number of incidents and individuals that made headlines during that year such as the advent of free agency looming ominously on the horizon, and anecdotes on Casey Stengel, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, Bill Lee, Catfish Hunter, and Carl Yastrzemski, and many others. Half of the book is devoted to the post season playoffs and World Series. I like the author's use of humor in telling stories such as Bill Lee describing Bernie Carbo as "pure oxygen looking for a flame." The relationship between Sparky Anderson and Bernie Carbo is built up prior to that fantastic 6th game of the Series, and I thought Anderson's reaction to the ending of that game was precious as he felt betrayed by Carbo's 8th inning three run homer. I notice that this book has received mixed reviews, but I found the book to be enjoyable and it was fun to relive the '75 season through this book and be reunited with those individuals who were in the game during that time. Whether you were old enough to be a fan during this season or not, I think you will find this to be a very enjoyable book. It is worth the space on your bookcase.

Now instead of waiting for a new book by a favourite author I can continue reading about Sonora Blair, and I think I'll enjoy it. Eyeshot was a great introduction, although not the first book to feature the rather-more human-than-most female detective. Sure, she didn't always get things right, and her mothering skills left a little to be desired at times, but why are so many women in this genre portrayed as super functional? No textbook forensics featured either, which was a welcome change. I didn't get much feel for the dynamics between Sonora and her partner Sam, but that's the beauty of being fresh to a series, I can look forward to learning a lot more about them. The story of Julia, the missing wife and mother, evolves into the tale of the killer and his family, and although I didn't find the plot wholly satisfactory I was soon caught up in the race to stop the killer. There's a liberal sprinkling of good, bad but never indifferent morals amongst the characters, and it all builds up at a cracking pace. My only question is this: What happened to Detective Baylor? He was mentioned several times, but Sonora and Sam never even got to speak to him. We all could have learned a great deal more about the case!

Julia Winchell is missing but she has left behind enough clues to solve her own disappearance as well as the death of another woman more than eight years before. Cincinnati police specialist Sonora Blair, short on both personality and brains, is merely along for the ride. Following the trail Julia Winchell has already blazed, she bungles the investigation on more than one occasion. The killer seems to be toying with her, he is understandably unimpressed with her sleuthing. In fact it looks like he is planning another murder right under the detective's nose.

Not as gritty and well plotted as a Cornwall thriller and without the excellent character development of a Laura King mystery, this book just limps along dogedly from start to finish.

Cincinnati homicide investigator Sonora Blair, widowed with two children, has lost some credibility with the department since she mishandled the case of a female-stalking serial killer (see Flashpoint). The last thing she needs is a new high profile case, but that is what she ends up with when Butch Winchell files a missing person's report. Butch's spouse Julia was last seen attending a conference in Cincinnati with her lover. At first Sonora and her partner, Sam Delarosa, think that if the woman turns up dead, either the husband or the lover killed her.

Evidence proves that Julia was murdered in cold blood. Her body was cut into small pieces and spread along the road between Cincinnati and her Tennessee residence to make identifying the body near impossible. Lady luck helps them prove that the body parts are Julia. The investigation turns in a direction neither law enforcement officer wants. Eight years ago, Julia witnessed an assailant drowning a pregnant woman in a college toilet, but was unable to prove anything because the culprit and the victim disappeared. While reading the local paper, she recognizes that killer is now a prominent local DA and media darling, and the victim was his spouse.

Julia leaves behind a tape that points the finger at the guilty party. However, Sonora and Sam know that it will not be easy to prove that such a law abiding citizen is a cold-blooded killer. The politico is aware of the duo's suspicions, but is arrogant enough to believe he can get away with a game of cat and mouse with his two suspicions, but is arrogant enough to believe he can get away with a game of cat and mouse with his two favorite cops. Sonora and Sam think the clock is running out because the DA's second spouse is pregnant and he makes it clear that he is unhappy with that situation. Sonora expects this person feels he can get away with the removal of a second spouse unless she can act quick enough to stop him.

Lynn S. Hightower is one of this reviewer's favorite authors due in part to the realistic picture she draws of her characters. She creates real people who have personal problems outside the job. The individuals have to wrestle with deep moral issues and personal demons every time they go out the door. Eyeshot is fast paced, believable, and totally enthralling. It is not a who-done-it but a how do we catch him (similar to Hitchcock's Frenzy) within the confines of the law.

Harriet Klausner

CARVE A WITNESS TO SHREDS is the 3rd installment of Kate Cavanaugh, the first one was " ADD ONE DEAD CRITIC " and the second was " BEAT A ROTTEN EGG TO THE PUNCH".

Charlotte Oakly asks Kate to investigate Victor Lloyd who is an obnoxious, over confident man with a seedy sales pitch, for a real estate developer. Kate reminds Charlotte that she is a caterer and not a private investigator. Charlotte says that she cannot trust anyone else to do it for her except Kate since Victor is the father of the young Eric whom her daughter Melissa is engaged to, and she does not want Melissa to marry someone connected to the mob. Charlotte reminds Kate that she did solve a couple of murders this year; Kate tells her there was a difference. She did not set out to be involved in solving the murders. It was dumped into her lap. Kate is used to Clairmont blue bloods hiring her to help them celebrate their families wedding not to prevent them from taking place. Lately, though, Kate has been feeling a melancholy grab her. Getting tired of walking into her kitchen and trying to generate enthusiasm for the day's list of parties and the awaiting crowds of hungry mouths, Kate is going through a career burnout. All of the sudden the idea of an investigation appeals to Kate. Kate calls Charlotte that she will do the job for her, and she will start that night at the River Boat Party that is giving by Victor Lloyd.

Victor Lloyd's party was to show off his plans of things to come on the Cincinnati- Northern Kentucky Riverport area. It will be a place called the Oasis, which will have top name adult entertainment, singers, comics, musical reviews, and even its own chorus line dancers. While Kate was out on deck trying to pick up some info on Victor she hears "man overboard!" as she looks down she sees a Victor Lloyd's badly mauled body in the water. Kate is summoned to see Victor's Uncle Peepo, who now wants to hire Kate to find out what happened Victor, even though the police think it was an accident.

CARVE A WITNESS TO SHREDS is the best of the three Kate Cavanaugh Mysteries. It is very well written with lots of twists and turns. A lot of the same fetching characters from the first two books are in this book also; even Mr. Boo-Kat who has his own problems in this outing. A loose coyote on the farm is hindering his freedom. I really liked the fact that the author goes over facts from the previous books so if the reader has not read the other books he or she is not totally lost. The facts maybe considered spoilers by some. So if you are planning to read the series you may want to start from the beginning.

CARVE A WITNESS TO SHREDS is an enjoyable amateur sleuth mysterythat leaves the audience feeling they have experienced a fantastic readingoccurrence. The brave protagonist provides readers with the message that life is to be lived and enjoyed even as she stands on the edge of a decision-making crossroads. Cathie John has created such a delightful series that fans will anxiously await the next installment.

This is a great book for researching specific dates and performances of the Cincinnati Opera, almost 3/4 of the book is schedules. But, if you are looking for some history of the company, this book is great, also.

The book is well written and holds the reader's attention about the history of Opera in Cincinnati. Good photos add to the interest of the book, and the research material tells everything one would want to know about operas performed in Cincinnati over a period of many years.

Don't read this book expecting to get close to entertaining re-creations of the 1919 Chicago White Sox players. The main focus is on the set-up man for the fix (who is also set up by a behind-the-scenes big money operator). "Sport" is a gambler and a dreamer -- but finds life sadly sapped of vitality without the thrill of risking what he is told to be important -- financial security, self-respect, even love. So why not the World Series? We follow Sport's narration through the thrills of seemingly arranging the biggest of gambling risks, but the road always seems to bend towards emotional letdown and emptiness. I thought this book would be more about players and owners, but must admit it was an interesting journey into the mind of an addicted gambler. A bit clumsily written in some sections, but very original in its focus and conclusions.

I really enjoyed these monologues, but often very confusing. If you are able to cut, can be good for scenework.

I feel I need to address the first reviewer's concerns about the accuracy of this book (with the exception of Mr. Grave's foreword). Indeed, the reviewer is correct about the Law School Library. The architect of that work is mistakenly identified in the text. It was E. A. Glendenning and not Herbert Hilmer. The records of the University architect and archivist both contain this mistake; and it wasn't until I researched the records of the Law School itself (on this reviewer's prompting) that I discovered the truth. I apologize for this, and any other instances of mis-attribution.

However, I must take issue with the alleged mis-identification of the person responsible for the master plan. Steger, McGirr, and Chatterjee all verify that the organization of that master planning committee was initiated by the president's office, and not by Chatterjee alone. However, most everyone involved with the process credits Chatterjee with being the primary mover of the entire idea of remaking the campus by pushing for high quality, high profile architecture. This is made explicit in the introduction of the book, and much credit is given to Chatterjee for this. However, it would be wrong to say that he orchestrated the master plan committee and gave it its landscape focus.

Taking into account the comments of the above reviewer, this is still a wonderful book. I have a copy and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It has excellent colour 3D maps and colour photos, with a couple of pages of text for each building. A good read if you are interested in architecture, particularly modern.

This is another book in the excellent series by Princeton Architectural Press covering US campuses. The book gives a 15 page history of the campus with reference to its architectural roots.Then there are chapters covering each part of the University. Each chapter starts with 3D view of the area to be covered. Then a colour photo of each building is shown together with a page or two of text describing the buildings history, architecture and use. If you are interested in architecture I can strongly recommend all guides in this series. I bought one and was so pleased with it I buy them as they come out and have never been disappointed.