5 comments about Case Closed.

1. I can't even give it a star but it's a requirement. Part surmise part fact, this is not definitive in any aspect of the word. He cherrie picks his way through the evidence.



2. Years ago I came to the conclusion the assasination MUST have been a conspiracy. But later in life after some research started to be open minded to the idea that Oswald acted alone.
   I read this book with the hope, that it would close this case (for me). Incredibly, what Posner did for me, was leave me thinking that it is impossible all these events are just a series of random coincidences.
   It is clear after reading the book that Oswald was not just some nut who acted alone. .



3. Gerald Posner's book, Case Closed is a real eye opener. If, like many people, you base all of your opinions on the JFK assasination on the Oliver Stone film, then you need to read this book.
   
   Posner's book, incredibly well researched and annotated, demonstrates beyond a shadow of a doubt that Stone's film, while remarkably entertaining, plays fast and loose with many of the facts surrounding this historical event.
   
   As Posner details, most of the so-called "evidence" of a conspiracy presented in the film does not stand up to close examination. Some of it is no more than wild speculation, much of it flat out untrue, but has through years of retelling entered the public consciousness as if it were fact. For instance, the alleged eyewitnesses featured in the movie have largely been discredited over the years, many changing their stories several times, others having been shown not to have even been in Dealey Plaza on 11/22/63. Posner also takes on the so-called scientific evidence of the conspiracy buffs, dismantling their arguments piece by piece in convincing fashion.
   
   The important thing to realize about this book is how thoroughly and meticulously researched it is. There is no conjecture - merely cold hard facts, presented as found. As convinced as I was before I read this book that there was a conspiracy to kill JFK, I am just as convinced now that there was not.



4. ...this should be a must read. Very detailed, well written.
   
   Question: How many people can conspire to keep a secret on such a tremendous scale for decades, especially people in government (notorious leakers in general)?
   
   As much as apparently many people would like to believe there must have been some grand conspiracy that brought down a very popular President who was larger than life, the evidence (which, as Posner's book details, is quite overwhelming) proves that the Warren Commission's conclusion was absolutely correct: that a "sole nut" brought down President Kennedy. No grand conspiracy, just a horribly sad tragedy.



5. Posners joke of a book ignores so much evidence of a conspiracy its mind boggling.The Zapruder film absolutely proves that the fatal shot came from the fence behind the grassy knoll.Kennedys head goes back and to his left.He ignores pictures showing someone firing from behind the fence.Puffs of smoke in the air drifting off from the grassy knoll from the shots.People ducking for cover from the shot from behind the grassy knoll.Eyewitnesses that saw these murderers behind the same fence.Gerold Posner is a lying sack.Dont waste a penny on anything he touches.You want a book on the Kennedy assassination,get Crossfire(The plot that killed Kennedy)by Jim Marrs.Once again,this guy Posner is ridiculous.You will see what I mean when you see him on TV.You can literally see that he is a liar from his face.I cant believe Olbermann has this guy on his show sometimes.

5 comments about The Assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.

1. The murder of Robert Kennedy has never gotten the attention lavished on the death of his brother, for a variety of reasons. RFK was, after all, not the President, but a Senator and a potential candidate for the Presidency. In addition, his murder appeared, on first glance, to be far more of an open-and-shut case. After all, his alleged assailant, Sirhan Sirhan, stepped forward in a small kitchen pantry and opened fire with some 77 eyewitnesses standing there in the room. You didn't need to be Sherlock Holmes to figure this one out, it would seem...and yet...
   
   Bill Turner and Jonn Christian do an admirable job of bringing out some of the questions that remain about the killing of RFK. I myself would have preferred a somewhat farther-reaching and more distanced view of the events, as opposed to this narrative, which closely follows the actual doings of Turner and Christian as they wade through the increasingly bizarre cast of characters that seemed to be involved in the events that culminated in the Ambassador Hotel. Where is Jim Marrs when you need him?
   
   That being said, there are few books available on the RFK case, so this one gets high marks for effort, if it is not always perfect or even convincing in its execution.



2. This is a history of the strangest assassination that you could imagine. It looked like an open and shut case. The LAPD made darn sure that those looks stayed that way. In spite of the objectivity, it becomes clear that there is more to this assassination, and cover up, than meets the eye.
   
   The case seems quite strong that there were more bullets fired than Sirhans gun could hold. All of the shots into Kennedy were identified as entering from the rear. Sirhan was in front of Kennedy. The fatal shot was placed within inches of Kennedy's head. The LAPD ripped the pantry apart and destroyed the evidence while doing so. A photographers camera was seized at gun point, actually six LAPD cops at gun point. All of the photos from inside the pantry were not returned.
   
   There is a shady hypnotist with a proclaimed CIA past and an even shadier preacher man who went to the LAPD on the following day and claimed to have met Sirhan strictly via picking him up as a hitch hiker on the day of the assassination. The preacher has a law record as long as your forearm and it is proved that he had known Sirhan for a considerable amount of time. The allegation that he had previously bought clothes for Sirhan will make you rub your eyes. The biggest story is that he suddenly had a nice Lincoln and was flashing up to thirty $1000 bills about the time of the assassination. This in spite of constantly being broke before the event.
   
   There are LAPD members with CIA connections who squeezed in some side work in Latin America. One may wonder if their "other" employment was that of "jackals" (hitmen).
   
   Then you have the well built lady with the funny nose and the polka dot dress, and her partner, that is reputed to have ran from the scene yelling that they had just shot Kennnedy. They had recently entered the building via the fire escape stair case that is attached to the rear of multi-level buildings.
   
   Sirhan had also been warned by a friend to quit placing himself under hypnosis so much.
   
   If you think this all seems pretty strange, get ready for more. Then consider that the books were ordered destroyed by fire shortly after publication.
   
   This assassination deserved a lot more investigation. At least we got a serious effort from the authors.



3. I bought this book a while back at a local book store and I was blown away by how well researched this book was. I highly recommend this book to anyone researching the death of RFK. Just fasten your seatbelt first.



4. This book is--far and away-- STILL the best book on the RFK hit. It is also a masterpiece of writing in any genre and in some ways creates a new one. This is the type of book whose subject matter made "gonzo" necessary but whose writing style makes gonzo seem worse than immature: a lie.
   
   The breadth of investigation is stunning and only matched by the solid research and professional restraint in writing and analysis.
   
   This also happens to be the single wildest narrative I have ever read in my life. You will not be able to believe the characters you meet in this book, yet in the end they are enlivened not by fictive writing but by the charge of a turning point in American history, documented to by a former FBI agent and a former corresponedent for ABC TV in San Franciso. This work is still respected in the field and Turner was featured in the 2007 Times Discovery channel.
   
   At times this book reads like The Crying of Lot 49 but written by Hemmingway.
   
   Also PLEASE PLEASE LOOK UP THE ARTICLE ON THE PUBLICATION HISTORY OF THIS BOOK! THE BOOK SUFFERED AN ATTEMPTED MURDER WHEN SI NEWHOUSE BOUGHT RANDOM HOUSE IN 1978. Jim Di Eugenio is the author of the review and it is must reading!
   http://www.ctka.net/turner-christian.html
   
   
   This book is not simply a who dun it. It is full of deep structural connections that show the direction the bullet was taking us as a nation.



5. This is the fourth book I have read on the RFK assassination. It is still the best. These authors are carefull, and earn the trust of even the most careful treaders through the 'wilderness of mirrors'. You will not believe what they discover! One ends up thinking that maybe surealism started in Los Angeles and not Europe. Its the kind of non-fiction that makes fiction authors electric with envy.
   
   An excellent companion volume is the book on trial of RFK by Professor Phillip Melanson and a guy named Klabor. These books make such great companions, because they are not at all redundant: the Melanson Klaber book shows that what happen during the trial is 80% as downright strange as what happened with the murder and its invesitgation. And nothing is stanger -- or in this case-- better documented and cautiously explicated -- that that.Shadow Play: The Untold Story of the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination

5 comments about The Inside Ring: A Novel.

1. An unbelievably fast paced book with language and political views to match. Any fan of government conspericies will devour this book in 24 hours. This ex-military author provides inside views to the "function" of the government, or more precisely, it's "disfunction" with an unbelieveable story. But, one that given the current state of affairs, could be considered remotely probable. Tred lightly if you are not a fan of the current political culture. While not overtly displaying his political views, the undertones are apparent.
   
   The main character's life and resulting personality and quirks are completely revealed, and the secondary character is left mysterious enough to entice into his second book, where more of Emma's story is revealed. Be sure to slow down with the introduction of a new characters so as not to miss where he/she fits in the story. Most of these are tertiary enough to fit into only this book, but I found myself re-reading passages to make sure I had all the peices together correctly...only because I couldn't stop reading and in my haste may have gone too quickly.
   
   A great first book by the author and prequel to his second which is equally as good. If you are not open-minded enough to accept stereotypes and view-points on politics in a work of FICTION do not read. All are handeled well and do not detract from the story, only enhance it. Imagine if Mark Twain didn't use sterotypes in his stories...



2. I really enjoyed this thriller. From beginning to end, it kept me enthralled. This is the first novel I've read by Michael Lawson and sure not to be the last. I have one small gripe. When you get some really evil characters I think they should suffer some evil deaths. Not quick and painless.



3. The other Lawson book I read, Second Perimiter, was pretty good, so I got this earlier book - That was a mistake. Maybe he was just learning his trade on this one, but the hero, DeMarco was doing things like refusing to arm himself or take simple precautions when he knows his life is threatened. Later, we have the scene where he is talking to a woman at her remote house when Surprise! the bad guy and his elderly boss suddenly join the conversation. They were not heard driving up or walking on the porch ? That was too much for me and I tossed the book.



4. This book was good, but the characters should have been more fleshed out. But it was definitely enjoyable and the 'bad guys' weren't paper tigers like you find in Nelsen Demille and Vince Flynn books. I look forward to reading other books by Lawson.



5. Mike Lawson has created a great first novel. While you will find the same complex plot and intrigue as other leading authors in this genre, Lawson approaches the task with an interesting set of characters and a refreshing sense of humor. The novel is a good read without taking itself too seriously.

5 comments about The Art of Political Murder: Who Killed the Bishop?.

1. I'm surprised by David Stoll's review of Goldman's book. I had a very different reaction when I read it. Like both Stoll and Goldman, I have lived in Guatemala and written about the history and impact of political violence in the country. In addition, as a human rights lawyer, I have worked with prosecutors, rights advocates, and victims in countries throughout the region as they've struggled to ensure that cases like the Gerardi assassination do not end in impunity.
   
   Knowing first-hand the complexities of such cases, I found that Goldman did a masterful job of sifting through the evidence in the Gerardi case and reaching conclusions that were entirely judicious, sober, and convincing. Part of what makes the book so fascinating, in fact, is Goldman's very careful exploration of the limits and strengths of the case put together by the prosecutors and the Archbishop's Office--the contradictory testimonies, the dubious witnesses, etc. And what makes the book such a gripping read is how Goldman, a phenomenal storyteller, narrates the inevitably imperfect but remarkably audacious effort by a group of young lawyers to do something that most of their countrymen thought entirely impossible at the time--bring high level military officers to justice.
   
   This is easily one of the best books written about political violence in Latin America in the past several decades.



2. I got the book expecting to find insightful and unbiased investigation through the point of view of ODHA. Nevertheless, the author views are totally biased in favor of the ODHA lawyers and the Public Ministry. This feature of the book helped me to confirm that the arguments used by them to sentence the two military officers, and the catholic father to 20 years in jail are based on untrustful witnesses and false declarations, which are still supported by the author. The only good thing about this book is that it motivated me to read once again the book "Quien mató al obispo?" written by Maite Rico and Bertrand de Lagrange, which I think that contains much more trustful data, and that I wish it gets translated into English to broader its difussion. I hope that the inocent military people who are now in jail, as a result of an undeserved and unfair sentence could, sometime soon, be free.



3. Frankly, I wasn't at all sure about this book when I picked it up but I'm so glad I did. It's filled with much detailed and historically fascinating information, including personalities, and written exceptionally well. I simply could not put it down. If you're remotely interested in the topic, READ THIS BOOK.



4. The reviews here seem to fall into 3 camps: the "it's a perfect masterpiece"" camp, the "he was duped by ODHA - 'who killed biship' got it right" camp, and the "he is a lefist fool" camp. I belong to none of these, so let me throw my two cents in here....
   
   I spent a brief time in Guatemala doing human rights work in the mid 80's (a shout out to any PBI alums in the house :)), and so was interested in the subject matter, and had at least a glancing acquaintance with the horrid murderous travesty that was the Guatemalan government, as well as the impenetrable fog of denials, mis-statements, forgeries, violence, hidden agendas, disappearances and murk that hid virtually any attempt to get at any truth.
   
   I found the first half of the book (which focuses on the "who-done-it") outstanding. Here Goldman relates the story of the investigation - the false leads, the disappearing witnesses, the hopelessly (and deliberately) contanimated crime scene, the (deliberately) conflicting evidence, the overlapping areas (and agendas) of the investigators, etc. That the investigators were able to finally pierce it (not completely, but most crimes never are) is just amazing, especially given the very real threat to themselves and their families.
   
   I think the other reviewers who criticize this book for not analyzing the case for/against Monsenor Mario, or for not analyzing the case made by 'who killed the bishop' are being unfair - goldman spends a _lot_ of time on each of these, especially the latter, to the point that you could almost criticize the book for over-focusing on it. Similarly, I think criticizing the book for not telling more of the story of the defendants is ludicrous - when your primary interactions with a defendant consist of their giving you death threats, it's hard to go much further!
   
   The problem with the book lies in the second half, what is called the "second crime" - the multi-year "war of attrition" against the verdict, year after year of judicial games, wars in the press, maneuver after maneuver. Here, while I appreciate the author's work in showing us just how deeply broken the justice system and press were (and are), I just felt the book became a less interesting read - we know who done it, we know why, now we read chapter after chapter of frustration (although it sure made me glad I've never been a guest of the Guatemalan Penal system!). One last cavil - another reviewer says that Goldman never walks us through the final 'best guess' of the final crime, minute by minute - oh yes he does, it's near the end.
   
   So in summary - a good book, an important book, a book alternately deeply depressing and deeply inspring, but not a great _read_, the only reason I am marking it down a little.



5. I've been to Guatemala many times before and since Bishop Juan Gerardi's murder, and Francisco Goldman electrifies readers of "The Art of Political Murder" about one famous Guatemalan murder among thousands of others. His title using "the art" is so well chosen, since that word expresses so well the clever yet insidious minds who designed his murder. Despite those clever designers and their plots to hide their crime, and at the same time because of the courage of many Guatemalans in pursuing those murderers, some element of justice has been meted out to them.
   I found Goldman's chronicle of the assassination of Bishop Gerardi to be so engaging that it encourages a reading almost without stopping.

5 comments about U.S.!: Songs and Stories.

1. Take this into consideration what if a bear and a shark and Upton Sinclair fight it out in a tank of water deep enough for the shark to maneuver efficiently, shallow enough to give the bear an even chance to hold its own, and large enough to hold Sinclairs inflated socialist ideals. Who would win?
   
   Chris Bachelder returns to the ring after his debut novel, Bear v Shark, found its way into the hands of readers not too long ago. That novel was a wonderful mix of humor, poignancy, and Chris' style of what I like to call "chapter concepts" He takes your basic novel structure but instead of just telling the story in a straight forward manner he will use various different storytelling concepts in each chapter. In one chapter you may get a poem, or a television interview, and in another chapter you could simply get a listing of ebay auctions. Its a brilliant way to view his themes and characters from different points of view.
   
   In his sophomore effort Chris Bachelder refines his techniques and tightens his themes for a novel that somehow manages to surpass the simple yet wonderful Bear V Shark. Again he comes in with a concept that seems rather absurd, muck raker Upton Sinclair continues to live on through an unexplained method of resurrection. Used as a tool for the left he lives on to spread his beliefs in socialism and the evils of capitalism. Bachelder never shows bias he simply portrays the man as he was and how he would adjust to this day and age.
   
   I am ashamed to admit I knew very little about Mr. Sinclair going into the novel and trust me this is not a dull protagonist. He's akward, ambitious, and has the drive of a young man despite his frail dying body. The novel makes me wonder what would happen to Michael Moore if he found a way to live on. What happens to ones causes over a long period of time? Does change ever truly happen? Must we lose hope if the answer to that question is no? You won't get an answer after reading U.S.! but you will certainly get a little closer to forming one of your own.
   
   A gem that has just happened to take the form of a book.
   
   Hopes and shovels forever.



2. Though I don't have much against Bachelder's previous effort, Bear v. Shark, I don't have much to say in favor of it either. This is not the case for "U.S.!", which is one of the best books I've read this year.
   
   As a writer who cares a good deal about politics and the way the world is going, I found this book an inspiration. What Bachelder is trying to do here, it seems to me, is find a way to engage with the world and American society without sounding pedantic or preachy, and also to highlight how difficult a task that is. The fact that he uses Upton Sinclair, one of the most pedantic and preachy writers ever, as his protagonist is genius.
   
   While movie makers can be ham-fisted in their messages and get away with it (see "Crash" or "Fahrenheit 911"), with writers it's far trickier. They don't have the music, the camera effects, and all that other stuff to spice up or soften the blow of their messages -- only words. This makes most message-oriented novels feel almost embarrassing as you go through them, at least for me. At the very least, it becomes extremely difficult to connect with them once you realize they're out to convince you of something specific. U.S.! is a rare success in this respect. The arguments it offers both for and against ambivalence feel fair and natural--like the debates you might have in your head-- and its observations on American culture are dead-on without seeming snarky. Furthermore, Bachelder doesn't cheat and fall back on the deus ex machinas George Saunders seems so dependent on these days.
   
   It's good to see a writer who, rather than finding an artsy, pretty way to turn his back on the world, is attempting to face it. I'm looking forward to Bachelder's future work. This is a writer who has exponentially improved since his debut.



3. Wow, what a pleasant surprise - a funny, intelligent, ambitious, playful, political novel that avoids both cynicism and pretense. And a great ending too.



4. Definitely one of the stranger books I've read this year, but also one of the best. To a certain degree the book is limited by it's central gimmick -- real-life Socialist muckraking writer Upton Sinclair (about whom the reader need know nothing) keeps returning from the dead to spread the good word about the working man's struggle for a decent life. He "keeps" returning from the dead because every time he comes back, there are glory-seekers determined to put him back under in order to protect America from godless Socialism. If this sounds like some piece of strange science-fiction, well, it kind of is. But it's mainly a satire of the contemporary American political scene, with Sinclair standing in for the far left. But even more than that, it's a very clever and funny piece of satire -- which is rare indeed.
   
   Bachelder wisely recognizes the limitations of his premise, and thus engages it in a very loose manner by riffing on it in lots of different formats. There is a running storyline concerning this iteration of the undead Sinclair, as he moves around the country aided by his secretary/personal assistant, holing up in remote cabins to write, and making clandestine visits to underground meetings. However, sprinkled into this are letters from Sinclair to his son, Amazon.com reviews of some of Sinclair's 90 books (most of which bear the dreaded "Be the first to review this item."), transcripts from a 1-800 "I Saw Sinclair" hotline, hilarious memos (including one from Sinclair to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabule about the need for instant replay), a reading list and syllabus for a writing course taught by Sinclair, newspaper editorials, interviews, an eBay auction listing (for a bullet that killed Sinclair), song lyrics, and other such artifacts of popular culture.
   
   As we learn more about Sinclair, we also learn more about the cult of celebrity that has arisen around his killers. Indeed, the main story thread leads Sinclair toward a small town celebration (he thinks it's to honor him, but it's actually to burn his books), where the country's top Sinclair hunters (many of whom have been hired by corporate interests) hope to bag him. There's a great little subplot about the grizzled old veteran killer vs. the brash young upstart. There's another subplot involving Sinclair's folk singer son which suffers a bit from underdevelopment.
   
   But beneath all this, there's a clear message -- the bumbling, almost unbearably earnest, permanently outraged, ever-pedantic Sinclair is a symbol of all that's wrong with the American left and yet paradoxically, also what's right. Although Sinclair's neverending sub-mediocre writing is mercilessly skewered throughout the book, his dogged dedication to (and faith in) an ideal is both touching and ultimately inspiring. This is another major theme of the book, the intersection of art and politics, and the difficulty faced by the artist who dares to mix the two. Bachelder's book manages the tricky task of both doing this and commenting on it at the same time, while shifting ably between slapstick comedy, family pathos, blind zealotry, pop culture riffing, and even moments of quiet reflection. This is both an entertaining and excellent novel.



5. I can't wait for the author to crack out something new...this is by far, the best novel I've read in a VERY long time.
   
   Make the points without the negativity. Other writing in this genre seems so sour, and depressing...Bachelder gets it done without the hate.
   
   I don't know what else to say, besides, it's great...check it out. Funny and fun.

5 comments about Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.

1. This book is dated,but I'm not so sure that any other book on the subject is better.
   Mr. Davis exposes the numerous links the Marcello family had to other key conspirators in the assassination of John F. Kennedy.Lee Harvey Oswald,Jack Ruby,and David Ferrie all knew each other and had Marcello family connections.
   
   Another highlight of this book is the contrast of the New Orleans mafia and other families.They operated quite differently than say,the New York or Chicago mob.The culture of that area was much like Sicily.
   
   Mr. Davis gives details on the extent of the corruption and political power enjoyed by Carlos Marcello.The transcripts of recorded conversations from the sting by the FBI reveal a lot regarding who was bought.Some major political figures are mentioned.
   
   The details of Carlos Marcello's deportation clarify the animosity between the mafia and the Kennedy brothers.The egos on both sides of the law were factors in the eventual assassination.
   
   The monumental part that J. Edgar Hoover played in the coverup and possible motivation for doing that are explained very well in this book.
   
   In the end of the book Mr. Davis briefly covers some of the books that were contemporary with his.
   The only thing he doesn't do is name the actual trigger men.
   This book is available and inexpensive.It's a book I highly recommend for anyone wanting to study the assassination of JFK.



2. I can practically read anything on the Mafia . . . except this book. I could barely finish it. It was so boring. The first 50 pages were good. It was actually focused on late Louisiana Mafia boss Carlos Marcello. Then, it happened. Nonstop writing on the assassination of President Kennedy. Again, it is nonstop and the author continually asks the reader questions that I don't think he ever conclusively answered. (By the way, I have never seen some many questions presented to the reader before in ANY book; my guess would be a couple hundred questions the author poses to his readers.)
   
   I swear about 500 pages is just going over the same points in the assassination again and again. Oswald knew this guy. This guy knew this guy. Jack Ruby knew this guy. All these connections go back to the Marcello organization. I GET IT! ENOUGH!
   
   You read about a page and half on Marcello and you think, yes, he's finally back on track. He's actually writing about Marcello now. But no, all of the sudden it gets back to the Kennedy Assassination. I have rarely rolled by eyes while reading a book except for this one -- and I am continually rolling my eyes. Not because the author states that Marcello was probably involved in the Kennedy Assassination, but because he has to hammer his points over and over again and again (nonstop).
   
   Now, if you are looking for a book on the Kennedy Assassination, you got it here. But if you are looking for a book about Carlos Marcello, then skip it because you are just going to get mad with the author barely touching on Marcello past the first 50 pages without his throwing in some Kennedy Assassination angle.
   
   This should not be called "Mafia Kingfish: Carlos Marcello and the Assassination of President Kennedy." It should be called "The Assassination of President Kennedy: The Assassination and Some Mob Boss Named Carlos Marcello." Very little is about Carlos Marcello and his secretive organization. It's all about the Kennedy Assassination and Marcello's possible connection to it.
   
   The last part of the book is on the FBI operations in the late 1970s that finally brought Carlos Marcello down. But it's only about 50 or so pages long, too. In short, there is maybe a hundred or so pages dealing with Carlos Marcello, and what you have left is the author trying to link the Marcello organization to the President's assassination, and nailing his one-tracked hammer on the same points time after time, page after page.
   
   What a waste! Had this book been nearly 700 pages on Carlos Marcello and his organization it would have been perhaps one of the best, groundbreaking books on the underworld in the history of the American Mafia being there is very little actually known about the man and his organization other than the basics. Instead, we get a 100 pages on Marcello and 600 pages on his possible connection to the assassination of President Kennedy.
   
   Sorry if I hammered my point over and over again about this book, but I was giving you a preview of what you will experience if you buy and read this book. As the mob would say, "Give it a pass."



3. I'm exhausted. By the time I reached the finish I'd forgotten the start. Look, Great facts, alot of research, but I found this book mentally fatiguing. If you are in to conspiracies get it. Meanwhile, I'm going to go lay and rest my head.



4. I think this book is spectacular! The author did some deep and complete research! I was impressed, plus I live in New Orleans and most of the action takes place in NOLA! There is even some speculation that The Mob played a role in the death of MLK and RFK! Read this book,you won't be
   disappointed! Read Dr. Mary's Monkey too and you won't ever need to read another JFK book again!



5. davis is a very good writer who does alot of research before he writes his books.the way he writes and divides his book into many smaller chap ters,really helps those of us who do not have time to sit and read for a long period of time.very interesting about marcello and his role in history!

2 comments about Oswald and the CIA: The Documented Truth Anout the Unknown Relationship Between the U.S. Government and the Alleged Killer of JFK.

1. How `bout this scenario ...
   
   The good `ol Texas Oil Boys (increasingly invested in defense industries) want to control, possibly by eliminating, JFK so as to expand & preserve the nation's War Economy, about which JFK seems to have had second thoughts, with an eye on de-emphasis.
   
   So they hire the C.I.A. to deal with the issue; especially in the case of the need to off Kennedy, whom else would YOU hire to kill the U.S. president on American soil?
   
   The C.I.A. (as in "Corporate Interests of America") tries first to muscle their way past Kennedy in a showdown over Vietnam in the months just prior to 11/22/63, a "last chance" of sorts for the President.
   
   But then, the decision to kill him becomes necessary & final and the C.I.A. does the dirty deed, providing a covert operation complete with designated patsy at no extra charge and backed by a fine "cover thy butt" propaganda & hit squad apparatus.
   
   Madeline Brown has publicly stated that LBJ emphatically informed her that the assassination was the work of "the Texas oil boys and the C.I.A," a connection well represented and aptly symbolized in the form of Texan and C.I.A. bigwig David Atlee Phillips.
   
   In the immediate aftermath of the murder, the hotshots from Texas exert their influence over the Dallas Police while LBJ and Hoover exert their powerful oversight of any potential independent inquiries. In addition, Johnson's new power as the nation's Chief Executive very quickly puts him into position to control the autopsy of JFK at Bethesda (as the new Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces) and soon after to force Earl Warren to head up a Johnson-controlled committee of investigation.
   
   The short-term goal of eliminating John Fitzgerald Kennedy has been stated, and begins paying off when the U.S. fakes an incident in the Gulf of Tonkin less than a year later that sparks the Vietnam War, and tons of profits for the likes of Brown & Root, Bell Helicopter and LTV.
   
   And that's the truth! (With some details provided by Mr. Newman)



2. This is The Documentary evidence That Oswald was an American Intelligence operative who was a Radar operator in the CIA Top Secret Base in Atsugi Japan,was Trained in the Russian Language by ONI and sent to Russia as a Phony Defector!!This is who LHO was,and this is my firm conviction about him.of course the Govt has been in the Business of disinformation and obfuscation of the truth regarding his connections to Intelligence agencies and his Place in history.Excellent Book!!!!!!

5 comments about Killer Weekend.

1. But it was given to me. I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was fast paced and well written. I had a hard time putting it down. I hope this is the start of a great series.



2. Neither a thriller nor a mystery, Pearson plods though what could have been an exciting story and makes it boring. Large print makes it look about the size of a Pearson novel, but even that is skimped upon. There are all sorts of pieces that could have been expanded upon, saving the life of the target, the man who hired the killer, the nephew who is angst ridden, the bitchy sister-in-law, the disappointed father, the animal loving veterinarian, the murdered man, the hired killer, the cuckled husband, the murdered wife, need I go on, but not one of these central characters were expanded upon. The entire book is a sketch for a better book. I probably won't read the next one.



3. Not quite sure how to play this one. I really enjoy Pearson's Boldt series, but this one... not that great, I hate to admit.
   
   I felt disconnected while reading this; like reading it because it's there but the author fails to suck you into the story. Strange, but true. I found the characters were the same as everything else I've read - nothing to draw them apart, make them special. You get a glimpse of Walt's past and understand why he and his father are always tense around each other, but in the now, Walt should have been able to get over that. I'm sure to a twelve-year-old it was too much, but as adults - I mean, come on! Enough is enough already. All the talk about Walt and his wife no longer together, that it didn't work and yet, his feelings at finding out his ex-wife is with someone else, let alone a co-worker is spinning him around. I have to give kudos to Pearson, however: Walt is a very smart sheriff. I'm glad he solved it.
   
   And yet, still, with all the characters in the book, there's nothing personal in it. While there are a couple of scenes between two secondary characters, it was more of a set up for what happens, and I felt cheated. You don't get to the heart of any of the characters except for Walt, and even then it feels disconnected. The synopsis of the book talks about Liz, but she isn't even close to a primary character in the book, even if all the events are surrounding her. It's like there should have been a previous book on both characters so that you understand them better.
   
   And the whole killer in disguise thing - it's been done before. Mind you, the way Pearson put it in his book was pretty inventive. And what he does to the dog... while I found that a little `tacky', pretty inventive as well. Some might freak on the whole "animal cruelty' thing, but the dog is fine, nothing happens to her, so get off it already.
   
   All in all, while it was pretty good and it had some high points, especially near the end, it still fell far short of expectations... and I hate it when that happens.



4. When I was around halfway through Ridley Pearson's Killer Weekend, someone asked me about it. It's okay, I said, but he's done better. By the time I reached the end of the book, my judgment hadn't changed.
   
   Killer Weekend introduces a new series character for Pearson, Sheriff Walt Fleming of Blaine County, Idaho (which is in the Sun Valley area). Fleming rose to prominence after saving the life of Liz Shaler, who eight years earlier was an attorney general for New York. Now, she's about to announce her run for the presidency, and she intends to do it at a high-level business conference in Sun Valley. She isn't a candidate yet, however, so her protection is limited to a small Secret Service detail and a mishmash of private and public cops, most notably Walt himself.
   
   Walt's involvement is a good thing, as he's one of a few who is taking seriously rumors of a hired assassin. The assassin, the ruthless Milav Trevalian, has come under the guise of a blind man, and has set up a second identity as well in which to operate. His unfolding plan is pretty clever, and it will fall upon Walt to try and identify and stop him. He will have other problems to contend with as well, including his estranged wife sleeping with his deputy, a wayward nephew falling into a life of crime and another, seemingly disconnected murder involving the wife of a local bigwig.
   
   On a technical level, there is little wrong with Killer Weekend, but it also never drew me in. As a villain, Trevalian is intelligent but not very compelling and Walt Fleming is not all that engaging either. Compared to Pearson's other series character - Lou Boldt - I just found Fleming to be dull. Killer Weekend is not a bad book, but it's not a really good one either: Pearson has done better, in almost anything else he's written.



5. Eight years ago, someone tried to kill New York Attorney General Liz Shaler while she was vacationing at her second home in Sun Valley, Idaho. Rookie cop Walt Fleming happened to notice something amiss at the house and ended up saving Liz and nailing the intruder. Today, she's back in Sun Valley to announce her candidacy for President at a big communications conference hosted by a local zillionaire.
   
   Add to the mix: Salt Lake City police are notified of a mutilated body in a body bag found in the ceiling of the airport and report the find to Walt who is now the county Sheriff. A blind man attending the conference gets off the plane in Sun Valley, but is told his dog died during the flight; that puts a crimp in his plans. A local woman is found dead. The Sheriff's estranged wife is sleeping with one of his deputies, and his nephew gets in with the wrong crowd and gets into trouble.
   
   There were way too many characters introduced at the beginning of the book, way too many subplots, and too many loose ends when the book ends. But it's a quick read and keeps you wondering who hired the killer. The author has penned better stories.

5 comments about Term Limits.

1. If you want a real page turner, that you can't put down this is it. My only regret is that it ended. Can't wait for the next Vince Flynn book. He really knows how to keep it moving.



2. As a fan of Vince Flynn this was the last of his current titles that I hadn't read yet. Nobody that likes his other titles should be dissapointed in this one. The concept of the book makes, especially in todays economy, easilly grabs your attention.



3. Great Book, Vince Flynn is the king of the political thriller, then in his other books once Mitch Rapp is introduced, all great
   
   Great Great reads, I highly recommend them, I have read all nine of his books



4. I've read two of Vince Flynn's thrillers (Transfer of Power and Third Option) and found them both mildly enjoyable. I started Term Limits and soon realized this was the first book he'd written. I was excited to find out about the origination of some of the reoccurring characters such as Congressman Michael O'Roarke and CIA operative Irene Kennedy.
   
   This book still has the cluncky point of view problems that existed in the Third Option and Flynn's writing style in general is bland, but I the plot started off with a bang. Three well-known politicians were murdered by expertly trained assassins. Their demands are simple. The congress must not pass the president's bloated budged and must instead do what the American people want and enact needed spending cuts. Now, this sounds like an agenda I could agree with, but I certainly don't believe in killing congressmen to get it done.
   
   Imagine my surprise when, early in the book, freshman Congressman Michael O'Roarke (a character in future books) agrees with the killings and believes they are justified. Imagine my surprise as I continue to read and find out O'Roarke may know who was behind the killings but refuses to go to the FBI with the information.
   
   I wanted a hero to get behind and its hard to get behind a hero who advocates killing Senators. Flynn wanted this to be a plausible military thriller, but it fails at every corner. The omniscient point of view definitely detracts from the enjoyment. I also kept waiting for O'Roarke to save other Senators from assassination, but page after page O'Roarke stands behind the killings because he believes the killings are just what Congress needs to stop wasting our money.
   
   Now, I'm a right winger who believes 100% Flynn's message that spending is out of control and must be stopped and that politicians of both parties are more interested in power than helping the country. I found it ludicrous for Flynn to expect me to buy into a hero that, as a congressman, advocates the killing of his co-workers to advance a political agenda.
   
   After 350 pages, I have had enough. I kept reading, thinking O'Roarke would change. But it is obvious he won't and thanks to other Amazon reviews, I know I've made the right decision. I may read other Flynn novels featuring Mitch Rapp, because the first two I read were good, but his first novel is horrible.



5. I bought this book while on vacation. I don't normally get to read books because I have enormous amounts of professional journals and magazines to keep up with. But I was interested in the "teasers" and wasn't disappointed when I began to read. The plot and characters may be somewhat out there to many. But I've known people on the fringes of these communities and the characters in them and Flynn does a great job of describing their worldview. Hopefully we won't get to where we accept assassination as a way to deal with political gridlock, but Flynn knows the buttons to push to get us thinking about the questions arising in our declining republic. I think this book is a great read for fun and for thinking about our country.

5 comments about The Pelican Brief.

1. I thought this book was a little hard to follow. I found that I was often looking back to see who a character was and when and how he/she was introduced. Great main characters and story line.



2. The Pelican Brief is absolutely filled with suspense, and a plot that will leave you guessing at every corner. Truly hard to put down, even when the digital clock says its 2 a.m. This novel contains every single Grisham quirk which readers delight, whilst deviating from Grisham's usual court-room sanctum.
   
   Tulane law student Darby Shaw has unknowingly stumbled upon an incredible discovery: the true identity of the man who orchestrated the heinous killings of two Supreme Court justices. Now the killer, an huge oil mogol, will stop at nothing to silence anyone who comes in contact with the highly incriminating evidence: the pelican brief. Already Shaw's professor and lover has been murdered, and the body count is yet to climb. Darby is on the run and has become increasingly paranoid. Only one person who holds a critical link to the crime is able to help her: Gray Grantham, a Washington Post writer. Darby must now choose between fleeing the country for her safety, or riding shotgun with Grantham who is dead-set on exposing the killer in what proves to be a wild and dangerous ride that eventually brings down the Presidency.
   
   The Pelican Brief is not a novel to ignore. Grisham readers and those not familiar with his works will undoubtedly be drawn into his world.



3. I normally like Grisham's work, and I think his first two novels were first-rate. THE PELICAN BRIEF, however, suffers from a remarkably silly plot.
   
   You're supposed to believe that a 25-year old law student is able to figure out something that the CIA, FBI, Supreme Court, and national media cannot. I'm a lawyer, and I found the legal aspect of this book to be absolutely ridiculous. I realize THE PELICAN BRIEF is meant to be escapist entertainment, but I think a plot has to be half-way credible in order for me to enjoy it.
   
   It didn't help that the characterization was paper-thin and on the level of caricature. The heroine of this book is beautiful and smart, but has very little real personality. She spends most of her time running from place to place, dodging inept assassins. Her two love interests in this novel are lecherous and not the least bit likable.
   
   If you've never read Grisham before, my advice is to skip this book and read THE FIRM or A TIME TO KILL instead. Those novels are far superior to THE PELICAN BRIEF.



4. In this early novel by Grisham, he dives into the intrigue and secrets of Washington insiders, the murder of 2 supreme court justices, and the conspiracy behind it. A law student at Tulane University writes a brief nicknamed the Pelican Brief in which she proposes one of the president's financial supporter's link to the murders. This happens to fall into the hands of the FBI then makes its way to the President and CIA. They launch an all out investigation but apparently whomever ordered the original murders doesn't like this and begins knocking off more people. The law student connects with a reporter from the Washington Post and they go on a wild chase to prove the veracity of the brief while running from the killers.
   
   Written in his classic legal thriller style, The Pelican Brief is quality Grisham fiction and will keep you turning the pages to the end.



5. "Four-thirty A.M. He listened to the voice, jumped to his feet, and eight minutes later was in the oval office. . . "They're both dead."' Not only was the president in shock, but all of America was stunned to know that two of their Supreme Court justices were murdered in the same night. Darby Shaw, an innocent law student, guessed who the criminal master mind behind this evil trick was. Once the FBI got a hold of the brief her world was instantly turned upside down. Darby was scared to death, only trusting one ambitious reporter and constantly watching her back.
   
   The Pelican Brief is an action filled, legal thriller and kept me turning the pages. "The explosion knocked her to the sidewalk. She landed on all fours, facedown. . . She gaped in horror at the parking lot." (pg.127) this event really picked up and started the story. Though the plot line can get slow at times within a chapter you will be reading as fast as you can to find out what happens next. I would recommend this book for all mature readers, since this novel has a complex plot line and some language not suitable for children. Don't miss this gripping novel.