This is my 11th book by Cook and it is very readable, but it is not his best book. It is very sad, considering that the main female died in the beginning and Corman spends the rest of the time trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. Add his personal situation plus the other people in his world and it is worthy of tears. I learned a lot about the underbelly of New York nightlife. But the more recent TC books are much more interesting and mysterious. PS I wish he would get another picture on his book jackets. He looks like a street person. But maybe that's what he wants to look like.

Thomas Cook is most known for his small town mysteries-- except for a couple of books starring Atlanta cop Frank Clemons.

But this atmosphere drenched, big city noir is a perfect example of the genre. A free lance photographer is determined to solve the mystery of a beautiful woman who jumped from a high rise to her death. As he becomes obsessed with the case, he is determined to prove that she did not commit suicide.

The City When it Rains is to noir novels what "Laura" and "Vertigo" are to the movies. This is a masterful book about the risk of chasing a dream. About the balance of risking too much through negligence and of risking too little in the name of love.

Thomas Cook's popularity has risen with his terrific books like "Breakheart Hill" and "The Chatham School Affair." Someone should take that opportunity to reprint this, his finest work.

Zak and Tash "rest" on the planet Dantooine, where their uncle Hoole takes notes on the natives that live there. Tash has a dream about the dark side of the Force and she begins to use the Force for evil. When Hoole, Zak, and Tash run into another adventure, Tash must choose between the light or the dark side. The outcome really surprised me!

Tash and zac are on a vaction to dantoonie. where a tribe of dantinara are looking for food. the garoo tells tash about a jedi temple . tash cheackes it out when a clone of her hits her in the head with a rock . will tash accape . buy this today

"We are like the body, which needs all its parts to work. We are like the fingers of the hand." These were the early, impassioned words of the apparently soulless doyenne of the garment trade who is found murdered--and mutilated by the severing of her hand--in her sophisticated apartment. The case comes to Frank Clemons, as he anticipates: "He didn't know what he'd been waiting for but only that when it came, it would be wrapped in something else, that he wouldn't recognize it until, like a hand in the dark, it suddenly gripped him from behind." The wrapping turns out to be the garment trade itself, and the grip is the long, hidden past of a woman who appeared to have no past. Clemons' investigations lead him back into the lives of garment workers in the 30s, the world of women and men who "worked their fingers to the bone" and ultimately, to the continuing injustices done against workers in our own day. As always, Cook shows himself to be an extraordinarily fine writer, casually shedding incandescent images the way a welder's torch sheds sparks. His main character, Frank Clemons, is a man suffering from the deepest alienation. Grey is his color, night his time, dullness his tone of voice. He represents the determination to mourn truthfully for his own daughter, a suicide victim, and also for the victims of crimes he has solved in the past. There is integrity in his stance, as against his lover's determination to fuzz the edges of her own grief with material comforts and pastel colors. But one has to be grateful that Clemons picks up an exotic and witty sidekick in Farouk, whose fatalism is lifted by a certain joy in companionship and the human condition. If the novel has a flaw, it's that a host of characters cross the stage, do one stunningly informative turn, and then disappear, never to be seen again. To Cook's credit, he endows each with individuality, and the story strung together on this series of encounters is fascinating--even a little fantastic toward the end--but never outright unbelieveable. What remains most moving is the image of the victim as a young woman, speaking out in the cold, a defiant fist raised for justice. Cook's antihero does justice to her--brings all her life together, like the fingers of the hand.

Thomas H. Cook is an above the average mystery/detective author. His descriptions of environment, human emotions, and situations outdo most modern writers. This is one of his best novels centered around the main character who has appeared in his other novels: Frank Clemens, a former policeman from Georgia who is now in New York City functioning as a private detective. Frank Clemens, himself, is a unique star in that his personality is a dark, brooding one, with dominant and admirable traits of honesty, loyalty, and commitment. He demonstrates a deep desire and need to undestand and unfold the lives of the people he investigates, digging into the depths of their souls, and bringing to light their passions, weaknesses and strengths. In this novel, Clemens teams up with Farouk, who along with Frank investigate the murder of a garment industry worker who rose from sewing machine operator in the 30's to a major consultant in a firm upon her murder. Her murder is a little different in that her right hand has been severed at the wrist and is missing. Frank is hired by the head of the design company to find a next-of-kin for this woman, Hannah Karlsberg, who seems to have no past. What Frank and Farouk unravel is a long trail of murder, suicide, rape, corruption, revenge and forbidden love. An exciting book, I read it in 2 days, not being able to put it down. The ending is a "sure to grab you" twist you'd never figure out until the last few pages. Exceptional!!!

Michael Aron a fixture on the New Jersey political scene brings both the aware and unaware a vivid and accurate look at one of the closest governor races in the state of New Jersey's history. He mangages to make it all clear not to just the insider but to any political novice reading their first political book. In the end you come away with not only what it takes to win in New Jersey's high stakes politics, but also who and why everything is so high stakes.

As an English fan of the American political process, I found this book a truly great insight into how the big US races are run. I was also pleased that, unlike other books of this type, the author remained neutral throughout.

I think that this book is the last book in the series, and I also get the feeling that John Whitman just hurriedly tried to finish it off. For instance, the introduction to the real story takes half of the book, and also, it is so predictable what the ending is going to be. But aside from that it is a really great book just like all the others in the series. I also really like the book because it takes place on the Dagobah system, and it includes a lot of stuff that was in the movies.

I think this is the finish of the series,and all in all this was just a great book.I'd lend it to my friend any day!

This folder is an excellent starting point for any new coin collector. The folder has a nice lock-in feature preventing the coins from falling out. The recent dates ensure that the folder can be filled without too much difficulty from simply rooting through pocket change regularly. Highly recommended for young people who wish to start a coin collection.

I was given this book by my dad when I was little...it got me interested in coin collecting and is inexpensive! I would recommend it as a gift for kids or adults...it makes a fun hobby!

it is a great reference for any expert as well it is the source for technical information for the keen novice it's simplicity to explain each section of HVAC systems, theory and application makes this book a grteat source for learning students, to enhance their ability to deal with complex applications, techniques and easy procedure to service such systems

This book is a good field manual for service technicians and
for apprentices. Ive been doing HVAC for 20 years and found
techniques that could be used as a refresher for journeymen or a begginner. Its not as in dept as a Roy Dossat Principles of Refrigeration but works well for people who are in the service end of the bussiness.

As Eliza Spalding's great-great grandaughter, I was deeply moved by the account given of Eliza and Narcissa's journey into the rugged and primitive Northwest territory in 1836. In our current age of technology, where knowledge of the unknown comes to us in full color without direct experience, it is unimaginable to consider two young women,driven from family and loved ones by their devout spritual quest,brave enough to endure the rigors of exploration. Mr. Drury's words both enlightened me and filled me with pride to be connected to one of these relatively unknown heroines. I will recommend this book to my high school students, to draw on the example of the courageous role modeling illustrated by the lives of both Eliza and Narcissa. In light of their fearless independence and their unparalled commitment to a cause greater than themselves, they teach us much about the human spirit. One may need to rethink the origin of the women's liberation movement as the pages of this book are turned, revealing the strength and enduring power of Eliza and Narcissa.

As a great-great-greatdaughter of eliza hart spalding, I found the book very informative and enlightening. I never realized the perils and problems that being the first white women in a land of natives that could be encountered. Both Narcissa and Eliza had courage and strength even though they seemed to have different personalities. The author was very informative and he backed his findings whenever possible with historical fact and copies of letters and diaries. I found that I was able to visualize the trek across the country and the life that these women had to endure by being missionaries. The author even noted the problems between Catholics and Protestants during that time.

I'm relatively new to reading modern American poets, and I've never liked Allen Ginsberg's work. So I figured the whole genre wasn't for me (after all, there's lots to read out there...)But I have read Whitman, and Cherkoski was able to help me make the connections between the poets he highlights and the American poetic tradition I've always adored.

I'd never pick up a book like this on my own...but I skimmed through part of this book at the library one day...and the prose hooked me. I loved it. Clear and clean--the best nonfiction prose has to offer. And usually I can't stand the "I was there and knew all these famous people and we were, like, so totally wild" war stories--but Cherkovski doesn't indulge in that much, and when he does, it's amusing rather than cloying.

I'm grateful that this book caught my eye: the book sampled several poets I can't wait to read more of like John Wieners, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Michael McClure. It is a good nonfiction book that makes you want to read more....

I am so pleased to see that this excellent book is being reissued. Neeli Cherkovski has an intimate knowledge of the poets he profiles and writes in relaxed, crystal clear prose.

Read this one and "Bukowski: A Life," then start on Cherkovski's poetry. You won't be disappointed. I particularly recommend "Elegy for Bob Kaufman."

Delightful book (originally published in 1997) has been updated with '99 values. The 144 page book features more than 400 sharp, large, full color cover photographs of the Whitman Juvenile Books you may have enjoyed as a child. Sufficient background information is provided along with collectors information, grading your books, conventions, and more. You'll enjoy browsing and using this book. Very enjoyable !

This book brought back many memories of my childhood. I went in search of Whitman books and probably have over 300 now. Eagerly anticipating a follow-up edition. Are there any other Whitman Collectors out there?

A quality guide by David and Virginia Brown. In-depth descriptions and full-color photos make it easy to find the book of your choice and assess the value of it. Fascinating insight into the history of Whitman Publishing.