38 jokes, one each chapter, put the reader in a good mood to begin each episode. I expected the jokes to explain something in the reading, but they were unrelated to the text. The novel features a large array of characters, often with names from the Iliad & Odyssey, such as Elaine Troy, Ugo Memnoni, Eddie Paris, a horse named Son of Siren. I was sure we would be treated to a Trojan horse gambit, but it didn't happen. This book is sorely in need of editing. Lasix, a trade name was in lower case, but cafe latte appeared as Cafe Latte (a new trendy restaurant in Soho?). A few typos are common these days, but one was disastrous. Instead of shiksa (Yiddish for a gentile woman) it appeared as shika, Yiddish for a drunk. There are some 30 characters mentioned in addition to the various horses, some with sliding personalities. Elaine starts out as a conniving temptress, ends up as a loyal domestic heroine. Having so many characters doesn't let the author develop them fully, resulting in defining them by quirks such as owning a boa constrictor,being 4'8", tongueless and wearing a helmet, and the like. Still, I had to backtrack to identify some of the people as they appeared later in the book. The theme showed the similarities between gambling at the track and gambling in the stock market, mob fixes, boiler rooms and all. The initial track scheme appeared to depend on skill- an underrated horse, a deft handicapper and reasoned bets, but deteriorates into hidden vet findings, drugged horses and murder. The stock market scheme is never on the up and up -- inflated buys, short sells and insider information permeate from the start.

The good beginning and interesting development don't realize themselves. There is some resolution, but many endings are left dangling and they are not dramatic. Sinners go unpunished, we never actually see the bodies, the heroes are unrewarded. We should be shown, rather than told. This is the main fault of this book. The motivation was inspiring, the development and medial summary were logical, but the bell rang before the lesson concluded.

Nevertheless, I would give this book five stars for the following reasons: 1. The jokes were very funny. 2. There was ample sex. 3. The races were exciting. 4. I couldn't find any errors in grammar, very rare. 5. Some aspects of love were realistic (lovers were forgiven for the unforgiveable). 6. There was a transcendent feeling of joy, probably originating in the author. 7. It motivated me to look up some of the references to Greek mythology and Shakespeare.

For a clearly written, concise, reliable summary of Western military history with an operational-level focus, this is the book to buy. I use it to teach military history, and my students (cadets) rate it highly.

My husband is a combat veteran who served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps during the 77-Day Siege of the Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam. Ernest Spencer's book gave me the opportunity to learn more about what my husband experienced during that terrible siege.

Welcome to Vietnam, Macho Man put me right there at the Khe Sanh Combat Base. I was on patrol, in the bunkers, and suffering the losses. The language is a bit rough but the message is pure. Ernest Spencer chronicles his experiences as a Marine Corps captain living and dying with our husbands, brothers and sons.

If you ever wondered what life was really like and I mean truthfully, Spencer's book gives an account of daily life in the business of war--sometimes funny, sometimes frustrating, and many times heart breaking. Spencer tells us what they saw, how they felt and how they managed a reality that was so totally different from their expectations

Certainly, Welcome to Vietnam, Macho Man--Reflections of a Vietnam Vet is the author's personal catharsis erupting from the stupidity and senseless loss of so many young Marines. As I read the book, I knew it was the real deal. No exaggerated heroics or glamorized fiction fabricated to enhance the author's persona.

I highly recommend this book to any family member of a combat vet seeking the truth about the war in Vietnam or the siege of the Khe Sanh Combat Base.

I was seeking a book that presented all the various types of humor, categorized nicely, with clear analysis of what made each category of humor work, that is, affect people. I needed to look no further than this book. It is a vast compendium of different types of humor --jokes--and an integrated analysis of what in the human psyche and social situation makes them all work. I used this framework to see humor, its punchline effect, as a non-linear systems dynamic avalanche event, an explosive re-interpretation as contexts clash and are switched among. This book has become a text for me in seminars to managers teaching them how to use humor as a tool to defuse bad situations, exert power without offending self efficacy and images of other people and the like. There is no comparable book in scope, trueness to the data, sensitivity of analysis, and as a basis for serious understanding, research, or training.

Another good book by Earl Murray. I really like how he skillfully displays honorable and dishonorable characteristics in Native American and European American cultures. It was a very interesting and fun book to read. I'm looking forward to more books by Earl Murray!

this book is pretty much a biography of a boy who allegedly commited a crime and was found guilty and sentenced to life inprisonment. there seems to be enough reasonable doubt that he didn't commit the crime in which he served. It is based on the murder of lynne harper who's father was of enough rank that the police were pressured to find an easy answer for the crime that was committed. Lynne harper was found in a feild under a tree..raped and strangled by her own shirt and her clothes folded neatly beside her. now is this the actions of a teenager? There was a statement from steven that there was a car up by the road...what about that? I don't feel there was enough evidence to convict steven of the murder and rape of lynne harper.

THE WIDENING CIRCLE: A Lyme Disease Pioneer Tells Her Story. By Polly Murray. St. Martin's Press, 321 pp., $23.95 By Ann Hirschberg Infectious disease sleuths are supposed to be lab-coated AIDS researchers or Dustin Hoffman types in "hot zone" suits as seen in "Outbreak." A genteel, New England landscape painter and mother of four does not fit the picture. Yet this medical pioneer uncovered Lyme disease, the fastest growing infectious disease next to AIDS and the number one vector-borne disease in our country. The "Widening Circle" in Polly Murray's title refers not only to the expanding tell-tale rash which is the sure sign of Lyme disease, but to the research that has had to reach further and further to find the answers to this insidious tick-borne scourge. The "Circle" also encompasses the incredible numbers of medical professionals to whom Lyme disease sufferers are sent by uninformed doctors who can't or won't try to treat them. After an incredible range of symptoms and many hospital stays for pain and procedures for the whole Murray family, Polly was told the illness was "all in her head." Her doctor became furious when she approached the health department with her findings that not only her family, but a large cluster of people in her Lyme, Connecticut area were afflicted. He accused her of "stirring up trouble." Murray's intelligence and persistence led her to more research and finally to Yale University in 1975 where her findings were considered researchable by the doctors there. "They were spirited, like archaeologists who'd unearthed an intriguing artifact, some bit of pottery that promises even greater riches will surface with just a few more turns of the spade. "I certainly shared their enthusiasm. On the other hand, I'd been "in the field" for a while, and I knew it wasn't going to be easy to figure everything out so fast. Whatever this illness was, it was complicated, in that it involved so many systems of the body, and my instincts told me it was going to elude definition for some time to come." Twenty years later, the search should have come to a happy ending with the advance of medical technology and millions in grants for research. The definitive test for Lyme disease and the "magic bullet" treatment should have been discovered. Sadly, there is still no conclusive, reliable test for Lyme disease. Grants are sparse and the medical archeological "spades" are turning slowly. It is known that early treatment with antibiotics can arrest the disease. Left untreated, patients face the horrific sequalae Murray and her family still endure. Though the disease has been reported in all 50 states, most doctors are not well informed and many are still saying," You can't have that in Ohio" and "There has never been a case reported here." The Ohio Department of Health Vector-borne Disease Unit figures stand at close to 500 reported cases. Though many doctors are not reporting cases (too much paperwork), the Centers for Disease Control case numbers showed a 58% increase in the U.S. in 1994. Polly Murray's measured journey through this painful odyssey continues. Her tenacity and reasoned clarity shine through her writing. Along the way, you get to know her wonderful family, two of whom became doctors: a heroic accomplishment, all things considered. Murray continues the search for answers and has become not just a symbol, but a dedicated educator. She addresses medical professionals and researchers, including an appearance at Case Western Reserve Medical School in Cleveland, where one son was a student in 1989. "The Widening Circle" goes beyond a tale of medical sleuthing. Murray knows the patient's struggle with Lyme disease and the parent's anguish. This book has much well researched and first-hand information for physicians and patients. She examines the need for education, collaboration, and respect, and explains why these are required not only of researchers, but of physicians treating Lyme disease patients in order to deal with this puzzling affliction.

This is an excellent book about the making of WILD WILD WEST. It even includes the script. The critics were not to kind to this film starring Will Smith and Kevin Kline. However, if you have seen the film and examine this book will begin to appreciate what actually went in to the making of this motion picture. Technically there was a lot more than meets the eye or the eye was aware of in the production of this film. Complex special effects, intricate set designs, costumes, makeup and gadgetry were well thought out to have a look and feel of post Civil War America. This book is brilliantly illustrated with photographs and drawings covering every aspect of the move. If you like films and filmmaking you should enjoy this book.

No disappointment here! This book is a pleasure to read, with stories that can be applied to all areas of life - business and personal growth. Useful chapter headings, conversational style of writing and very interesting tales. More tales of chinese wit, please..

NO OTHER BOOK WILL TAKE YOU INTO A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF PRAYER