My advice to anyone who has'nt got this book is to obtain one as soon as possible, this book simply has a fun outlook on the moderm world.

Still, for the most part, this book is a conventional dates-and-events human history of South Florida rather than an argument for environmental protection. The environmental theme doesn't really get going until after the Civil War, well past the middle of the book, when draining the Everglades was first proposed, and it isn't until "The Eleventh Hour," the final chapter of the original edition, that the book becomes an impassioned plea for saving the wilderness. A final chapter added in 1987 brings the story into our era, continues the catalog of degradation, and makes the key point that most of the forces that threaten the Everglades flourish outside the boundaries of the National Park.

I confess that I found the historical narrative a bit dull in places, though it's hard to imagine a more colorful cast of characters than the conquistadors, pirates, hardy Native Americans, escaped slaves, adventurers, poachers, speculators and old-time politicians who all play a part in the story. Nevertheless, "River of Grass" is still the best history of South Florida, and should be on the reading list of anyone who wants something a little more substantial than the tourist guides and coffee-table fluff that dominate the shelf of books about the region.

And grand and old she was. One of the most amazing facts about her life is the way it seems to have paralleled the recent history of the Everglades itself. Consider this. The first real encroachment of the Everglades began in 1890 when settlers started draining the area around the Kissimmee river. This was just 10 years before Douglas was born. When she wrote THE EVERGLADES: RIVER OF GRASS in 1947 she was 57 years old. The book played a huge part in creating public awareness about the vital importance of the area and was the prime impetus for the creation of the Everglades National Park. Douglas was in fact there when Harry Truman officially opened the park in late 1947. She was still around to receive an honor from president Clinton in 1993. Most incredibly she lived to see the publishing of this - the Fiftieth Anniversary edition of her best known book - dying shortly after at the age of 108! One of the salient points to note about this edition is that it offers an added chapter by another writer titled "Coming Together" which highlights some of the recent progress being made in reversing the damage done to the Everglades watershed area. Progress which can trace it's origins back decades ago to the constant cajoling and inspiration of one Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Never has the saying "Life imitates Nature" been any truer.

Douglas's original book is in keeping with the times it was written in. A natural history of the Everglades with a heavy emphasis on wildlife and the local culture, written in a simple straightforward style. This "just-the-facts" approach is used when recounting the early history of the area, giving names and dates of conquerors and explorers. The writing style occasionally feels a bit dry but these moments quickly pass as we get so caught up in reading about history by someone who was themselves a bit of living history.

Prich Hale is the son in the prestigious law firm of Hale & Son. However, Prich realizes that the only reason he is a partner (in name only) is because of his family tree and the fact that he was born before his sister. His father, the ultra conservative and proper Winfred, thinks his footloose son is a poor excuse for an attorney. Still, he keeps Prich with the firm, handling garbage control. In other words do not let any hint of scandal hurt their clients.

Mr. Evans, a CPA at the successful software company of Rogers and Emory Development, consults with Winfred and Prich about strange happenings at the firm. After Evans leaves, Winfred assigns his son to peripherally look into the goings-on at the company. However, the quiet inquiry takes a twist when someone murders the computer firm's silent partner Joseph Emery. Though his father emphatically stated peripheral without any scandal, Prich begins to investigate the murder. His actions are a form of insubordination that places him in the path of killer who wants to remain anonymous.

FATAL GAMES is an interesting amateur sleuth tale that cleverly combines DC eccentricity with an entertaining who-done-it and an insiders' look at the politics of scandal control. However, this novel is clearly owned by Prich. He is a classic underachiever, who exemplifies the best and worst qualities of the Gen-Xers (at least in the eyes of the Boomers). He has no desire to emulate his workaholic father as he feels pub time is critical in a world that could expire tomorrow. No question that the amateur sleuth crowd will demand that Robert C. Nienkemper return with more tales starring the glib, witty, and hearty Hale.

Harriet Klausner

The For Now, Forever cd is awesome. It is in a pop rock to jammin' rock vein. And there are some way cool extended jams! SO many different colours and textures and then there's Mike's guitar tone! Sometimes you think you hear Eric Johnson sometimes you wonder, "hey? Who's that!?" It's so purfect on every track. And his singing is reminiscent of McCartney at his best. And yes there's no doubt, Mike loves Jesus.

Everbody I play this cd for loves it. I bought Tube Driven also and that is good in a whole nuther ball park. Why Mike Pachelli is not a household name is beyond my imagination? Check him out. You'll be a believer too!

One of the great attributes of DK books is that they can be read in short bursts -- the information is concise but thorough, and allows the reader to take in a good amount of information in only a two or three paragraph span. This makes it an excellent book to keep in the car, for those times spent in waiting rooms.