3 comments about BUSTED: The Inside Story of the World of Sports Memorabilia, O.J. Simpson, and the Vegas Arrests.

1. If a bland life story "Catch Me If You Can" can be made into a movie, this book should be too. Riccio's life story would be unbelieveable if it wasn't true: escaping from jail, winning the lottery, beating Vegas, successful entrepenuer and a life filled with being in the middle of breaking news events from OJ Simpson to Anna Nicole Smith. Truly a one-of-a-kind story. This book is a page turner and an easy read and better entertainment then the 10 bucks you would pay to see any of the lousy movies that are out now.



2. Yes OJ's an interesting character, and you learn plenty about the Las Vegas robbery here. But the back story is just as interesting, especially for card collectors or memorabilia people. The busting out of jail parts are crazy (you gotta read it to believe it) and so is Tom's lotto/gambling tales. Luck is a funny thing and Tom Ricico has had plenty of it on his side. A controversial guy who's lived a wild life--it's all in the book.



3. Thats how I would sum up this book. The OJ robbery is really inconsequential to the true story of this book. It's only a backdrop to a life that was lived to the fullest (sometimes foolishly) straight from the man who lived it. Truly an amazing tale of love, luck, money, and greed. Its a terrific book from someone that lived a life that Hollywood probably wouldn't be able to create in any movie. Good Luck with the rest of it Tom!

No comments about The Central Intelligence Agency: History and Documents.

No comments about The Bobbed Haired Bandit: A Story of Crime and Celebrity in 1920s New York (Mortalis).

5 comments about The Thirty-Ninth Victim.

1. Ms. Williams has written a powerful memoir. Her courage and writing skill gain momentum like a freight train.



2. We all have family myths. Although our families were very different, the humaness of Arleen's family transcends to all families, to all kids. Feeling different, feeling unloved, feeling like an outsider. The Green River murders and Gary Ridgeway dominated the papers for months and years. Arleen's story of her sister, her family gives this newspaper headline a human story with real people. It touched me and will to all who read it. Please don't miss it!!!!!!!!



3. I have just put down Thirty-Ninth Victim, having read the last 100 pages in a single sitting. Arleen Williams impresses me. She honors her sister Maureen with this memoir. She presents an emotional time-line. She paints complex portraits of her family members with details that make me feel as if I am alongside her. She accomplishes an amazing thing. She brings her baby sister to life again.



4. I was suprised that this book was so GREAT! If you want blood and guts and history on a pshyco man, this book isn't for you. If you are interested in the story of a girl that grew up in a large family and how that family reacted (to any family's worst nightmare) was so incredibly amazing, this is the book for you. I was so impressed with the authors ability to tell her story with great details and in the process make one think about thier own lives. The book made me laugh, cry, think, and wonder. After reading the book I wanted to know more about the people in my life and couldn't stop wondering what an impact I was having in my life of being a daughter, sister, wife and mother. This book inspired hours of great conversation between friends. A must read book. (A bonus if you've ever lived in Seattle or Mexico City because the locations are so easy to imagine).



5. The Thirty-Ninth Victim
   
   This is a haunting book. Once I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. Once I finished the book I couldn't stop thinking about it. I found the book to be well written and I certainly appreciated the courage it must have taken to write such a personal account of a family tragedy.
   This is a book about families and the mistakes parents make and the dire consequences those mistakes can have. This is a very powerful book. It is also a book that every parent should read. I found myself lost in the world of Mexico and I loved the section of the book about growing up in the countryside of Issaquah, Washington.
   I had always wondered what life in a big family would be like and the author's writing of that time was beautifully written. This family had such potential yet due to one family's member's very controlling personality it all came apart. I would highly recommend this book.

5 comments about Evidence Dismissed.

1. The Final Verdict

   For OJ to be guilty, you must believe that he quickly disposed of the bloody clothes, shoes, and knives so they would NEVER be found, yet brought the socks and glove back to his home! And then smeared blood all over the console!

   The coroner who did the autopsies testified "the forensic evidence says the murders occurred after 11PM". The limousine driver testified he brought OJ to the airport at that time. When you read this book, note how they avoid discussing these facts.




2. What an outrage....if this case intrigued you, then I suggest you read this book and read the "evidence dismissed". Well written, and fast paced, I couldn't put the book down. It really puts a cast of doubt on the justice system. And to know this man is still out there walking around free, while two people are not, is unbelievable. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves true crime!



3. All that this book does is confirm what everyone, (except a large proportion of the black population) knows - that Simpson butchered two people and got away with it.

   If it had not been for the blatant naked racism of the jury, Simpson would by now, hopefully, be rotting in hell where he belongs.




4. I read this book when it first came out and concluded there was too many questionable points that are hard to explain such as the gloves, the blood and 'his Bronco' leaving the scene etc. Since I am not a forensics expert, I will not attempt to decide guilt or innocence, evidence is there to prove the case, just too many questions. I am glad I was not on the jury.



5. This book should be titled America Dismissed, because the due process of law that was guaranteed under our constitution was totally neglected by the Defense Team and Jury. It's very tragic that this monster went free, and two great policemen had their integrity questioned by a bunch of money and fame hungry attorney's that turned this horrific crime into a racial issue. The only racist parts of this entire process were the defense portion of the trial and the jury verdict. Mark Furman's racist views (real or imagined) had absolutely nothing to do with anything here.

2 comments about Waste Land: The Savage Odyssey Of Charles Starkweather And Caril Ann Fugate.

1. This book was exciting and kept me interested. It had in depth synopsis of the trial. Some of the childhood information seemed a bit far-fetched, but as a whole the book was an enjoyable read. If you enjoy true crime you will enjoy this book.



2. Stephen King is haunted by the story of Charles Starkweather. In this excellent, concise book the dark horror of the killer's 8-day crime spree becomes terrifyingly real--we can understand why King can't forget this example of man's ability to commit pure evil. Starkweather was not merely a homicidal brute--he was essentially amoral, and found/manipulated a willing partner in a 14-year-old girl.
   
   The facts of the case are presented in objective, crisp prose that is compelling and disturbing. Like a particularly well-made horror film, we are terrified but find that we can't stop from finishing to the end. The book provides detailed support information, first-hand accounts, and court records. Some news clippings are reviewed, discussed, and others debunked--but always with a respectful nod to the reporters on the front lines there in the dark days. The author knows that while reporters, under a deadline and writing the day after a murder, may get some facts wrong, they still offer invaluable insight into the tone of the day. In this book, we have the benefit of hindsight 40 years on, from an author who respects the sources, even when they are contradicted by subsequent research.
   
   It is this balanced consideration of resource materials that makes the author's work so credible. This objectivity lends great drama to the book's main focus--the horrible story of Starkweather--because we know that all of the facts may read like a thriller novel, but they are researched and presented in a manner as true as possible to the facts. True crime writing is rarely better than this.
   
   Recommended for those who enjoy true crime, those interested in the dark psychology of serial killers, and anyone interested in the true face of 1950s America.

5 comments about Three Boys Missing: The Tragedy That Exposed the Pedophilia Underworld.

1. Incredibly insightful, powerful, and personal look at a horrible crime from the detective that lived it. I was unable to put the book down from the moment I opened the cover. Dedicated Detective James Jack took it quit personally and was relentless in his pursuit to apprehend the person or persons responsible for these crimes.
   I would recommend this book to anyone who reads true crime stories. This book is an eye-opener from a point a view most of us will never experience. The pain, conviction, and dedication to capturing this killer is evident in every page. Information is power for those who keep childrens safety at the top of their list. This book is a must read- the suspense is undeniable.



2. Based off the experiences and 1st hand accounts of Detective Jim Jack this is an incredible yet sad story of 3 innocent children who lost their lives. The book puts you right in the middle of one of Chicago's greatest manhunts. I highly recommend this book to all.



3. James "Jimmy" Jack has laid out in vivid, chilling detail the trail real Chicago detectives followed to close the infamous cold case of one of the City's most horrendous crimes. In a city where crime never takes a holiday, Jack exposes the sickness that dwells in the heart and mind of one man hellbent on committing the unpardonable sins of pedophilia and murder. This crime story, which grabbed national headlines in 1955, is poised to seize the nation's attention again in the Chicago-style writing of Detective Jimmy Jack in "Three Boys Missing." Must read!



4. Set In a much more naiive time-the apple pie America of the fifties-One cannot imagine how horrifying these brutal murders must have seemed. James Jack is the ideal narrator, balancing insight with detail ; I hope we are lucky enough to read more stories written by this man



5. i had little knowledge of this crime before reading the book, the book is very informative and put together well, and it is also interesting to see it from the eyes of a detective that worked the case.

1 comments about Fishers of Men.

1. During the 1970's and 1980's, Northern Ireland was a fiery cauldron of religious hatred between Catholics and Protestants with regular bombings, shootings and kidnappings. As well as soldiers, police officers and terrorists, literally dozens of innocent civilians on both sides of the struggle were killed or maimed in the violent struggle for independence. The hatred of the British by many loyal Irish nationalists, had been seething for decades, however it had entered an even more deadly phase after the tragic events of Bloody Sunday in January 1972, when 13 civilians were shot dead by British Paratroopers.
   
   British Army Intelligence recognised that amongst all this hatred and division, there were persons close to the Provisional IRA who were ripe for manipulation by specially trained intelligence officers to become covert agents. Rob Lewis was a young Welshman who had initially entered the Army and saw a career ahead in tank regiments and sitting inside a heated turret, but after a short tour in Northern Ireland he became exposed to the world of covert intelligence, and volunteered for selection into this shadowy world.
   
   Lewis succeeded in his quest, and joined the highly secretive Force Research Unit (FRU), that were responsible for identifying and approaching potential "moles" that would be financially rewarded for passing on critical information on terrorist activities conducted by the IRA. Working alongside Special Branch and SAS teams, Lewis and his comrades engaged in an extremely dangerous "cat and mouse" game that could be met with disaster at any step in the road if approached individuals informed the IRA of the British Army's presence, and an ambush was planned in retaliation.
   
   Lewis's autobiography is a relatively easy and entertaining read, and whilst not overly gripping, he does provide an interesting insight into the activities of an army unit charged with a deadly task, and those persons interested in the murky world of covert intelligence will find this quite engrossing. As Lewis was serving in Northern Ireland at the time of many key events ( hunger strike by Bobby Sands, assassination of IRA agents in Gibraltar by SAS teams, the murder of two British corporals caught up in an IRA funeral procession ), he does additionally provide some insight into the tension experienced by serving British agents, and the way in which an undercover agent lives on a knife edge.
   
   Recommended reading for those interested in the world of undercover "spooks".

5 comments about Divorced from the Mob: My Journey from Organized Crime to Independent Woman.

1. I couldn't put this book down. I am a big fan of mob stories and this was a good one...I am just glad she got her life together and got her kids out of that mess. The author is a strong woman with incredible survivor skills. I wish her all the best!



2. I read this last week while lollygagging on South Padre Island beach where they have the 3rd largest Spring Break every year. This book is a definite page turner. Andy grew up poor and abused and got the attention and money from men that she craved and never received as a child. Unfortunately, she was abused as an adult as well and the money and power she acquired was not worth it in the end. I hope she and her children are still alive and well in PA. She is a tough cookie so I am sure she is doing fine. If you like true stories about the mob you will want to read this one.



3. I'm still waiting for the other part of the title to materialize. That is, when did she become an independent woman? She leeched from man to man and then to the Witness Protection Program. She even needed a man to help her write the book.
   
   She might talk the talk but she did not walk the walk. Even when her world is falling apart (again), she first thinks of who is going to care for her first before she thinks of putting food on the table for her kids. Me, me, me, me, me.
   
   One got the feeling she was only sorry she got caught. If she had never been caught, she'd still be mooching off the organized crime system.
   
   If she had to do it all over again, you know she'd do it again in a heartbeat.



4. I found this biography fascinating (in the vein of "The Glass Castle"), but there were too many typos - at least in the edition I read. These mistakes (often 1 or more to a page) were disconcerting and inexcusable, in my opinion, since the book was co-written. You'd figure one of the two writers would have found the other's errors. I have to give Andrea credit, though, given her childhood, she's truly a survivor. Her story makes me wonder what might have been had she experienced an ordinary or a privileged upbringing.



5. The book is well written. The story is familar in terms of mobster literature. Its a pretty good read. She leaves me cold. She divorced said mob and turned her life around when she had no other choices. Maybe that was the best she could do given the particulars of her life, but something is too off putting for me to be able to sympathise.
   And turned her life around to what? We arn't give any particulars of her new "independent" life. For safety's sake? Who knows" Ultimatly, who cares?

No comments about Murder Has a Public Face: Crime and Punishment in the Speed Graphic Era.