3 comments about Street Gang Patterns and Policies (Studies in Crime and Public Policy).

1. 
   "This is an important book. Malcolm Klein and Cheryl Maxson here draw upon their own rich and pioneering research experience and that of others to provide the most comprehensive review of what is known and what needs to be known about gangs and their control in community contexts. I stand in awe of their accomplishment." -- James F. Short, Jr., Past President of the American Sociological Association
   
   "The need to intervene successfully with street gangs is self-evident; unfortunately the way to do so is not. Klein and Maxson, based on a masterful review of the empirical literature on gangs and on gang intervention efforts, lay out a balanced and comprehensive strategy for confronting this problem head-on. Neither falsely optimistic nor unnecessarily gloomy, they provide a road map that, if followed, will yield substantial progress in our fight against gangs." -- Terence P. Thornberry, Director, Research Program on Problem Behavior, University of Colorado
   
   "This book, by two of the world's leading experts on street gangs, can be confidently recommended to anyone who desires state-of-the-art reviews of knowledge on this topic. The reviews and recommendations about how to prevent and control street gangs are especially important and should be required reading for criminologists and criminal justice policy-makers and practitioners." -- David P. Farrington, Past President of the British Society of Criminology
   
   "Klein and Maxson present a bold analysis and interpretation of the available data on street gangs. They have crafted the most coherent and refreshing analysis of the gang problem to date. Their analysis dispels a number of prominent myths about gangs and challenges much of the conventional wisdom about gang structure and dynamics. This book will have a major influence on street gang research for years to come." -- Delbert S. Elliott, Past President of the American Society of Criminology



2. this book presents a relatively up to date analysis of street gangs, develops some of the reporting issues along with the limited scope of police data gathering. The analysis and arguments are helpful to understand the difference between "conventional wisdom" and the data available. I appreciate the presentation in so far as it provides a more realistic foundation on which to measure observations about local gangs.



3. This is a must read for scholars, police, and community leaders who are attempting to address youth street gang problems.

5 comments about Murder on Rouse Hill.

1. Wow! I expected that Alan Wright would be more than able to write a book detailing events of the horrendous deed carried out on poor Jasper "Jap" Francis, but I was pleasantly surprised at the extent of the actual details he uncovered, and how expertly he wove them into a gripping docudrama. His writing style is engaging throughout the book and really quite beautiful in many instances. His beloved mother, who encouraged him to finish the book, is surely pleased and must be smiling down on him today!



2. It's no wonder that author Alan Wright's new book, "Murder on Rouse Hill" impresses the reader with the writer's ability to capture the culture, speech, and attitudes of the characters of his true story about an unsolved murder in a small Ozark town many years ago because he is one of them. His mother was born and raised in the area and his father not too many miles north in an adjacent county. His grandfather and an aunt were well known artists and his mother was known for her writing skills. But Alan's book is a perfect combination of the capturing of the feelings, thoughts and speech of the local natives accompanied by abundant data and facts based on extensive research of court files and newspapers. The contrasting personalities and characters of antagonists Jap Francis and Charlie Blackburn are developed carefully and artfully presenting a story of good versus evil as interesting and captivating that you will read anywhere.



3. Murder on Rouse Hill is an important slice of Americana lovingly and fascinatingly reported by Alan Wright. His exhaustive research and ability to crawl into the skins of numerous characters and create authentic dialogue of the times is awesome. This book is the Seabiscuit of Stoutland, Missouri. There is so much fascinating information that I read it slowly as if I were sampling a dessert here and there.



4. 
   Based on the true story of the 1915 slaying of Jasper Jacob "Jap" Francis near the Ozark railroad town of Stoutland, Missouri, Murder on Rouse Hill is a dramatic tale of greed, fraud, political clout, and death-dealing of the cruelest kind. Jasper's accused killer was nearly lynched by the townsfolk, yet ultimately lived to the age of ninety-one. Murder on Rouse Hill tells of a young girl who unwittingly visited the murder site in 1928, then returned decades later as a spirited 84-year-old woman in the middle of bizarre events that could almost be described as supernatural. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this engaging historical novel.



5. I could hardly put this book down, partly because the setting is within 30 miles of my home, but mostly because it's just that good! The author did a great job of making historical fact flow with believable, very interesting fiction. It's the kind of story that stays with you long after you read the last sentence.

No comments about Texas Monthly On . . .: Texas True Crime.

5 comments about Disco Bloodbath: A Fabulous But True Tale of Murder in Clubland.

1. I haen't read the book yet, but I met James St. James, Alig, Keoki, Julie Jewels, Bella Bolski, The It Twins and others back in 1988 and 1989. I was only 17 back then. My friends and I partied at the The World, Red Zone, Mars and numerous outlaw and after hour parties. Drugs were never in short supply. By the time Michael got really big, I'd foregone that clubkid scene for more docile (!!) hiphop shindigs.
   Can't wait to read the book and see the movie.



2. I have read the Clubland, written by a Village Voice journalist, and believe it to be much more accurate. The fact that St.James is a part of this scene makes his point of view vulnarable to biased opinions, especially considering his not-so-innocent ways himself. Clubland also puts the story in a bigger picture and connects the dots much better. I'd prefer Clubland any second over this book (I have no affiliation to either book's author, publisher, etc). One important thing is that the subject of both books is (same subject) very interesting and anybody who's been in NYC or been to a club in the 80s and 90s should read one of these books (Clubland is a much better read, too)..



3. Before reading the novel, I had originally previewed the "Party Monster: the Shockumentary." I had vaguely remembered Michael Alig and his club kids from a few television talk shows, which only made me want to read more, and learn more about the story and the lives which they all lead.
   
   After much searching, (trust me, being from a mostly Catholic town in Iowa, there was a lot of searching) I finally found it, and brought it home to see if it would live up to my high expectations.
   
   What I found surprised me, though I won't say entirely shocked me, and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the entire novel.
   
   St. James not only paints such a vivid portrayal of what he lived through, but somehow manages to find humor within it. I couldn't help but stop my boyfriend from what he was doing to dish out the part involving Christmas lights through immense giggles.
   
   He recollects and dishes out what many drug addicts and ex-drug addicts wouldn't admit to, including the large amount of nothing he had accomplished trying to become a writer while being continuously purged into a K-hole.
   
   I don't want to talk too much about what St. James discusses in the novel, as I don't want to give some of the finer points away for anyone who cares to read it, but I must say it is a MUST READ for anyone who enjoys a little bit of comedy mixed into the horrific murder story of Michael Alig and Angel Melendez.
   
   This book not only met my expectations, but it greatly exceeded them. I'm now buying the nonfiction novel written by Frank (who is mentioned as well in "Disco Bloodbath") to learn more about the times when the Club Kids were all the rage.
   
   (I would just like to briefly add that many people think James St. James is profitting off of Michael Alig's story. Though much of the novel discusses James by himself, his emotions, and how he felt about things, and him recalling his own witnessings before Michael had even arrived in New York. Towards the end of the novel, you must read the "Letter to Michael" in which it also states of one of the last times he spoke to Alig, in which he states that he is writing the book because it "really, really upset him." After all, isn't that what many journals are about?)



4. The perfect "Beach Read", funny...and really smart. I loved it, and I crave more from James St. James. Where is he?!?!



5. This is a cute little read. Almost gives off the impression of a sick and twisted fable. However, James keeps it light (almost too light) and yet for some reason I enjoy his off-beat humour. A cute little read about a sad reminder of the sickness instilled in some people, amplified by the effects of drugs and alcohol.

5 comments about A Beautiful Child.

1. I started this book & could not put it down. There were times when I would leave it as I couldn't handle any more. What a tragedy in this young woman's life. Kidnapped at age 4? until her death. She was so promising even though she was being abused at "home". Very intelligent & beautiful girl with wonderful things to come in her life to be so hurt, crushed & physically & emotionally devastated. I kept hoping she would tell the family & their daughter whom she adored what was happening to her. In today's society, I think people are more aware & hopefully will question anyone in that situation. I hope her "family" is found & her son's body comes to light. Hopefully, the authorities will keep looking for them. Perhaps before his death? Floyd will release the information on Sharon (Tonya) & Michael, her son.



2. I read this book in a week's time. I cannot believe the evil of Warren Marshall/Franklin Floyd. My only disappointment in this story is that Sharon's true identity is unknown and the remains Michael. No fault of the author of course. Birbeck writes an exceptional book about an unimaginable story. This is a must read!



3. I thought this was quite a sad story! The sad part is they still don't know who she really is and I think that is the worst. I can't believe this man would kidnap a child raise her then to kill her and her child. The man was sick! I just hope someday they will find her real identity. this story was a real tragedy.



4. In short, could not put it down, you will be amazed at how this man got away with such a sickening crime. Matt Birkbeck tells this story with an amazing flo and obviously had put alot of leg work into this, from start to finish it is so well told, you feel as if you might for periods of time been a fly on the wall of this child and the man who sadly ruined her life. You wont regret buying this book!



5. This story is too strange to believe, but yet is is real... We will never know the true story, or the reasons why? This is a very fast read, I read it in 2 sittings same day. I will always wonder who she really was and what were her real thoughts, memories and dreams.

No comments about Cranium-Crushing Friday Sudoku (Sudoku (Sterling Publishing)).

5 comments about Say You Love Satan.

1. This book changed the course of my life. It was 1995 or 96, I was in my first year of high school, and I found the book in my school's library. I was drawn to it by almost unnatural forces. I always had an interest in true crime, this book opened my interests to other things: Satansim.
   Without having read this book, I never would have been led to Anton LaVey's Satanic Bible. If Kasso's sacrifice did nothing else, it led some wayward Goats to their true left-hand path.
   
   SHEHAMFORASH!
   HAIL SATAN!



2. Providing a more critical viewpoint than all these 5-star ratings, I must say that this book was quite disappointing to me due to the poor writing and the lame way the story is told. This book was clearly cranked out ASAP to cash in on the "Satan craze" of the 80s. I'm a fan of the true crime genre, and I know that they don't have to be written this way. The author puts incredibly lame dialogue in people's mouths throughout the book -- ways that you know no one would ever talk -- which makes it hard to believe and just silly. He also draws all sorts of broad conclusions about drug use which are simply not always true. This is not a book for anyone who actually wants to gain a better understanding of a criminal mind or what would make a teenager completely drop out of "normal" society and end up a murderer. Unfortunately, it's pretty much a mass-market piece of crap. I give it 2 stars because it is still an interesting story, but I hate the way it is written.



3. I read this book several years ago while sitting in the library. It was a very quick read yet quite simplistic in nature. I grew up in the same town and during the time period in which these events took place. I followed the case closely through the news reports when it actually happened. There are many facts that are not properly represented in the book. I was hoping for something more realisitc when i picked up this book. I did enjoy reading it despite this.



4. Considering this guy has written about "Brazilian Voodoo" (Voodoo doesn't exist in Brazil) I can't imagine that anyone would take this guy's books seriously. But then again, judging from the writing of some of the Amazon reviewers, it is no surprise at all...



5. I am younger than the guys in this book by a few years, but I grew up in the same town and went to Northport HS. This was huge news when it happened. Everyone in town was taken back by it, but I always knew that Long Island had a large Satanic population. The Knights of the Black Circle and The Land Pirates are two Satanic gangs. I have always been interested in Satanism, not practicing it but reading about it. What I can say is that this was more of a tragedy due to drugs than it was due to Satan. These guys were the Dirtbags in town (which is a common stereotype on L.I.) and they may have been into heavy metal and doing drugs, but they were just kids, not hardcore Satanists. This book is great at telling the story and making you feel what it was like. It captures the feeling of that time that I remember so clearly... of people in town freaked out and more than a little annoyed at the national spotlight. Northport is a nice town. People are wealthy and live the perfect suburban lifestyle. The "Rich Kids" often grow up to be the biggest trouble makers. I think Northport had trouble dealing with the fact that these kids were now forcing themselves into the spotlight when the people in town mostly want to ignore and hide them away... as long as they don't cause problems they can pretend they don't exist. This is a great book.

5 comments about Kato Kaelin: The Whole Truth : The Real Story of O.J., Nicole, and Kato.

1. This was a surprisingly interesting book. Even a person who followed the trial daily and read many of the books that were later written by the principle figures in the case will find this interesting. Only Kato was in the unique position to understand both sides. Kato lived in Nicole's guest house for 12 months and O.J.'s guest house for over 5 months. He got to know both Nicole, and later O.J., well. Many have put down Kaelin for not paying a lot in rent but Kato was the type of guy that people wanted around. He made people laugh and made friends easily.
   
   This book presents information that only Kato was a part of so therefore leaves out many of the other facts that can only be obtained by reading a comprehensive book such as the one by Jeffry Toobin or the many other authors who have written about this case. But the many other books leave out Kato's angle and focus only on the observations of other insiders such as the Sheila Weller book, "Raging Heart", which also was very interesting. The only investigation details that are written about here are what Kato was aware of such as his discussion with the 4 detectives early in the morning and having them inspect his shoes. It seems that early on, Kato was a suspect and it is not clear when they figured he did not have a part in the murders. It is very fortunate for Kato to have been talking on the phone that night to his friend or he would not have had an alibi.
   
   The one thing this book lacked was a diagram of Nicole's condo and O.J.'s property. There are no photos at all in this book. They are not needed, although an overhead view of the two properties would have helped.



2. This book lacks an index and photographs, but is not a work of fiction. It came from the recorded interviews with Brian "Kato" Kaelin. The author says you don't know all the facts if all you know came from the trial testimony. The O. J. Simpson murder case was one of the most publicized trials. Why was America so obsessed with an aging sports star? Schadenfreude? The author contrasts the definition of "crime" as class-based (p.8). It is rare for a suspect of a crime to be both rich and famous. Kato lives with both victim and accused, and was related to neither. The collaboration began in the fall of 1994. There were many conflicts over this work (pp.26-27). Eliot contrasts Kato's testimony to his comments (pp.30-31). Chapter 1 has Marc Eliot's observations; this book was written to set the record straight (p.52).
   
   Chapter 2 implies Kato became a guest of OJ so Kato could serve as a communications link to Nicole (p.60). [A seeming mistake on page 61: "a bedroom about 25 square feet"!] OJ had played golf with President Clinton that spring (p.66). Eliot mentions "the IRS" but doesn't know what that meant in this case (p.74). He does explain how a charity function can enrich an individual (p.74). The rest of this chapter has Kato's story of the events that June. There was blood spots inside the house after the police arrived (p.108)! Kato's friends at first thought he was the unidentified male victim (pp.113-114). Robert Shapiro obtained the services of Michael Baden, Henry Lee, and F. Lee Bailey (p.122). The record of Kato's interrogation had "a number of small, but consistent errors" (p.134). Kato was questioned and threatened for the Grand Jury (pp.135-140). Marcia Clark treated Kato as a suspect and defendant (p.141)! They wanted Kato jailed for contempt to prevent him from meeting OJ's defense lawyers (pp.141-142). Kato testified to the Grand Jury. Next week the Grand Jury was "suddenly and unexpectedly dissolved" (p.146). Did they refuse to indict for murder? Kato suffered from media scrutiny and this invasion of privacy (p.148). He was now a celebrity who gave autographs, and was invited to private parties (p.156).
   
   Chapter 3 tells of Kato's early life. He was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The "Kato" name came from the TV series "The Green Hornet" and stuck (p.162). Kato was a good athlete (baseball, football), and also joined the high school musical plays. Kato enrolled at the University of Wisconsin, and had a weekly variety show on school TV and a radio show (pp.163-164). After 2 years of college Kato moved to California. This chapter tells of his life before June 1994. Kato met Nicole in Aspen Colorado (p.174); Kato's friend was close to Nicole (p.176). This led to Kato's stay with Nicole as her houseguest during 1993 (p.178).
   
   Chapter 4 covers January 1993 to January 1994. Nicole was obsessed with Kato's friend (p.186); their break-up brought Nicole and Kato closer together (p.188). OJ first paid $25,000 a month in child support, then reduced it to $10,000. Nicole spent every dollar (p.194). Their life is described (pp.195-198). OJ talked about moving to Florida (p.219). Chapter 5 starts when Kato moved in as a guest of OJ for free room and board. The author tells about life with OJ (pp.237-239). The Ashford gate could be opened from the outside. There are personal revelations (pp.241-243). OJ said "some KKK group" was out to get him, he had been warned by some detective friends (p.244). Nicole would sometimes spend the night with OJ (p.245), and OJ would occasionally spend the night with Nicole (p.247). There were plenty of groupies in OJ's life (p.249). Nicole had her share of boyfriends (p.250). Page 252 tells of OJ's maid, page 255 tells of Arnelle and Jason. There is a significance for Nicole in lit candles (p.256). Pages 258-259 tell of one social evening.
   
   Chapter 6 tells of Kato's new found fame (p.265). He was famous and sought after until he testified (pp.265-268). This book ends in the spring of 1995. Was Kato's popularity the equivalent of "junk food" (p.269)? This story is necessarily one-sided. This easy reading book shows the literary skills of Marc Eliot.



3. In this outstanding book, Marc Eliot reveals Kato reasons for lying for self-aggrandizement. Kato, effectively an OJ syncophant and moral eunuch betrays Nicole, letting her die by his lack of coming forward. Had Kaelin gone to the Police with his knowledge of Simpson's rages he would have prevented the crime of the century.
   Kato's desire for publicity wrote her epitaph.



4. Obviously it sheds new light.
   
   A comment on the open interview here though,
   
   "But her actions certainly weren't punishable by death."
   
   Not according to the Bible and the countless millions of Christians and angels who believe it.



5. 
   Poor Marcia Clark. She was outgunned by an expensive legal team and undermined by LAPD's star detective. Now we see how she was stonewalled by what could have been a star witness. The trial dialog supplied by Eliot shows that she knew that Kato had answers, but, Kato's sympathetic character and surfer dude image helped him dodge questions with banal non-testimony.
   
   In the early hours of investigation while Kato was being treated as a suspect could he have been given immunity? If so, would he have opened up on the stand? He'd have a harder time lying about the book and his observations of OJ's jealousy.
   
   Kato seems to have neither empathy nor moral compass. He tells Nicole, who's neediness is obvious, she's his friend whom he'll do anything for, but as soon as he has the opportunity to trade up to OJ, he jumps at the chance. Kato believes OJ did it, and thinks there may have been an accomplice. He clearly has no sense of justice, and has not come through for Nicole.
   
   What struck me, more than the psycho games of Nicole and OJ, was the emptiness of their lives. Both are so lonely that they need a house guest like Kato to fill their void. Nicole is obviously looking for love, and OJ's obsession is probably the best substitute for it she can find. Her family, all working for OJ, is in the background of this book, and probably of her life as well. OJ has everything, but seems to know that he has nothing. He seems to need an admiring Kato hanging around, and besides, it upsets Nicole.
   
   For the 17 hours of tape, and the lengthy legal record, I expected more. It may not be the author's fault. This may be all there is.

3 comments about Quicksilver: The Ted Binion Murder Case.

1. After reading this book I feel it was RUSHED, and so much of the powerful 'inside' information was left out. I did enjoy the pictures, many not seen before. The story seems to leave out so much of the mystery involved, but is much better than the other book I read. The death of Lonnie 'Ted' Binion was something most people expected - he used and abused Heroin for 20 years, he was 'friendly' with the mob, he was entangled in a family that epitomizes DYSFUNCTIONAL. His father, Benny was one step ahead of the law when he left Texas to begin what ended up an empire his children fought over constantly. Ted was born into Las Vegas royalty, which afforded him every opportunity in life. But it came with a price. When he was younger, he was almost kidnapped. The plot was uncovered and those planning it were dealt with Benny Binion style. When Benny died, Jack and Ted were the 'Big Boys' at the HORSESHOE CASINO, and continued to operate the way Pappa B had in the past. The Gaming Commission was not happy that Ted was at the helm of the casino and didn't play by the rules. The was arrested in 1987, and this paved the way for Teddy's removal from the casino, which thrilled his sister Becky Behnen. She sued brother Jack for control and won. Ted felt he could return, but after continuing his pattern of not following the rules, the Gaming Commission removed him in March of 1998. When Becky took control of the casino, Ted had to remove his SILVER stash from the casino vault and had it placed in a vault on his ranch. Tons and tons of silver were placed in an underground vault that he had hired Rick Tabish to install. His girlfriend, Sandy Murphy, was there with Ted during his battles with drugs and the casino business. She was there when Ted's friend, 'Fat Herbie' Blitzstein was murdered and the FBI warned Ted of a 'hit' that had been placed on him as well. Who placed the hit? Did it have anything to do with Ted backing out of a promise to pay $50,000.00 to have his sister Becky 'whacked'? Who shot at Ted's house in 1997? Why was his sister and nephew dining with the person charged with the shooting after Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish were safely tucked out of the way in prison? Why wasn't ALL the information regarding Ted's life, Sandy's whereabouts, and Rick's lunch appointment on the day Ted died? What caused the attorneys to keep exculpatory evidence out of the trial? What exactly did Ted Binion die from on that day in September, 1998. Why wasn't the man who sold the 12 balloons of Mexican Black Tar Heroin ever indicted? We have the Prosecutor's own 'experts' disagreeing on what killed Ted. Was it the heroin he smoked? Was it the Xanax he asked his neighbor, described as Dr. Feelgood at trial, to call in and Ted himself picked up at the pharmacy? If the mixture of both these drugs didn't kill him what did? How can you prove murder when the victim himself purchased the 'deadly mixture'? You come up with "forced ingestion" and then add 'Burking' by Dr. Michael Baden. Proof of murder? Proof that the family money paid to have someone other than Ted Binion take the fall. It didn't matter that another sister had killed herself a few years back, that Ted had lost his license to run the family casino, even admitted that he was deeply depressed at the loss of his beloved Gaming license...it had to be ruled murder in order to keep Sandy Murphy's hands off of what Ted had left her in his will. Where was Rick Tabish going with the silver he dug up? Who else was supposed to take care of the silver? What attorney was in charge of this SILVER STASH? Whay did Ted keep the silver in a vault on his ranch? Why couldn't he use a bank? Was it due to the RICO charges he might be facing? Ted Binion will be remembered not by what he did in his life, but his death. What a sad story he was.



2. Smith does an excellent job of providing a concise summary of the events that lead to the Binion trial, the most notorious criminal trial in Las Vegas'colorful history.

   However, he falls short in providing insight not already avilable in the archives of this story appearing elsewhere on the World Wide Web. In addition, character and event analysis fall woefully short of expectations, especially those of us familiar with Smith's other works.

   You will enjoy this book if you are vaguely familiar with the trial,and want details. If, however, you know a lot about this case already, you will be disappointed.

   The author does categorically and persuasively state his opinion of this case, which may take some of you by surprise. Sadly, that is the only major new revalation of this book.




3. Ted Binion was a modern-day swashbuckler. Part owner of the Las Vegas Casino--- 'Binion's Horseshoe', he lived much larger than life. That is until he was (most likely) murdered by his beautiful live-in girlfriend Sandy Murphy and her conspiring lover Rick Tabish. Both are now doing bids of 20 to life pending a possible reopening of their case. Unfortunately, the above book doesn't do his tantalizing story justice. His is a cautionary tale about heroine addiction, immense wealth, fast women and shady characters. It includes buried treasure, hard partying and other vices that make eccentric people like him endlessly fascinating. This book however is too short, and honestly reads like what it is--- a compilation of newspaper articles put together by two journalists desperate to quickly cash in on a legend. For all appearances (too many pictures & not enough prose) it looks and reads like something thrown together on the way over to the local Kinko's Copies! It's truly unfortunate because there's enough intrigue in Ted Binion's life and controversial death for a book ten times the size of this one.

5 comments about The Architect of Desire: Beauty and Danger in the Stanford White Family.

1. I initially read this book on a library loan as a small part of research for a project I was doing. Now I'm back at Amazon to purchase it. It's one I want to read again in leisure time, to savor, not only for the wealth of history it provides, and the painfully honest look into family self-deceptions, but for the absolutely beautiful writing it offers. The courage she shows in telling this story, and the honest treatment of her family (which I expected her to protect and make excuses for) and painstaking fairness to other characters, sometimes at the expense of her own history, is breath taking. Many of Ms. Lessard's descriptive passages are almost musical in quality, without ever falling to sappiness, and they bleed a depth of insight that one sometimes grasps only at a second glance. Her metaphorical passages are the most beautiful - I will never forget many of them. A joy and a privilege to read. Again.



2. This book defies a brief explanation. I sensed deep passion in the author as I read her words, a passion for her family's weaknesses and strengths, a passion for knowing herself, a passion for the power of architecture, and a passion for her great-grandfather, the infuriatingly complex architect, Stanford White.

   Stanford was generous and careless, creative and self-destructive, maniacally disciplined and utterly irresponsible. While he selflessly gave his heart and soul to his massive stone buildings, he thoughtlessly shattered the hearts and lives of the people around him. Even while he was racked by ill health, he drove himself in his work life AND his recreational life as if he were immortal. He either believed he could never die, or knew he surely must and so didn't care.

   The sexual portrait of Stanford can be rather harrowing: The countless love nests he set up around New York; his systematic debauchery of young women (many of whom fell in love with him); the attorneys he hired to hush things up; the endless supply of cronies he found to join him in his nocturnal plundering--his appetites--and his ability to feed his appetites--knew no limits. As for Evelyn Nesbit, the celebrated beauty who arguably played a role in Stanford's murder, I'll just say she wasn't the first girl to ride in his red velvet swing.

   Finally, two notes. This author presents architecture, and its impact on the human psyche, in a beautiful, moving way; she breathes life into the bricks of Stanford's buildings. And her depiction of the Gilded Age is superb. It's the stuff of a great trashy Summer novel. Except it's real. And probably still goes on today.

   I should also warn future readers that there's a fair amount of incest in this book.




3. Powerful, lyrical writing builds the story of Stanford White one layer at a time. The writer, his granddaughter, is uniquely qualified to tell the tale of genius gone awry. You'll remember this story long after you finish it -- a sure sign that you've experienced not just a book, but true art.



4. What would it be like to be descended from one of America's most celebrated architects? For that matter, what would it be like to be descended from a man whose lurid, predatory sexual practices were once front-page news?

   Members of the Stanford White family have had to deal with those issues for almost 100 years now, since White was gunned down at Madison Square Garden in 1906. For the most part, the White family did not discuss their illustrious pater familias, but Stanford White is ever-present, in all respects, in their collective lives. How the family did (or did not) deal with this mixed legacy would manifest itself over the next four generations.

   Suzannah Lessard, a great-granddaughter of Stanford White, addresses this legacy squarely. She does not attempt to suger-coat White's personality, which combines breath-taking artistic genius with a self-indulgent predatory streak that ultimately led to his destruction. Through the book, she weaves multiple tales about her family, which includes stories of mental illness, sexual abuse, and emotional repression. She does this with remarkable candor.

   This is a Social Register family. They are related to the Astors, the Winthrops, the Chanlers, the Roosevelts, the Rockefellers, etc. They own a magnificent property, designed by Stanford White, on Long Island. On the surface, it would appear that this family has the world as its oyster. Suzannah Lessard shows that no amount of social prominence and privelage can protect a family from the problems that can face us all.




5. 
   Suzannah Lessard is to be complemented on this reflective and perceptive account. The family skeletons are unquestionably out of the closet, as she narrates the heartrending story of Evelyn Nesbitt, Harry K Thaw and her own ancestor's intertwined lives.
   
   If you have read "Ragtime", this is the non-fiction truth behind the tale.
   
   The murder of the brilliant architect - the "White" in McKim, Mead and White, whose clients included the Teddy Roosevelt White House -shocked New York's 400. This book deals not only with the events as they unfolded but also their repercussions in the author's family. Well written and poignant.