5 comments about An Unfinished Canvas: A True Story of Love, Family, and Murder in Nashville.

1. I caught part of a show on Court-TV about this case and the little I saw was intriguing, so I got this book--and was not disappointed. The author has done a fine job of documenting the devious machinations of a man who seemed to have had it all, but followed his own selfish desires and left human wreckage in his wake. This is one of the most well-written true crime books I've read in a long time (and I read a LOT of them). Looking forward to more from this author.



2. THIS BOOK WAS A PAGE-TURNER IF THERE EVER WAS ONE. THANKS TO THE 2 DETECTIVES JUSTICE WAS SERVED.



3. This was one of the most heart-breaking true crime books I have ever read. My heart goes out to the Levines in the loss of their daughter and to Janet March's children. There is no punishment I can think of that is bad enough for Perry March.
   
   However, one major frustration for me was that this book was written in the present tense. I found it extremely confusing and had to keep going back to previous passages in order to clearly understand the sequence of events.



4. I took my title from a quotation by Det. Pat Postiglione, one of the true heroes of this fascinating story. I found this account of Nashville's most anticiapted (10 years) trial (actually 3 trials) and perhaps "crime of the century" to be thoroughly readable. Although I paid as much attention to the case as anyone in the Nashville area, this fine work put all the pieces together. For that reason alone, I recommend this.
   
   This book includes: custody battles, jurisdictional fights, alleged hit-men, jailhouse snitches, abuse of a corpse, and above all- supreme arrogance on the part of the book's principal subject, Perry March. It also includes midnight bicycle rides, not really a crime but I'll leave that for you to discover. Anyone interested in unsolved/ cold case murders will love this book. I couldn't put it down.



5. "An Unfinished Canvas" is about the murder of Janet March by her husband and the long trail to justice.
   There are several colorful characters involved in the book including the killer's father, Arthur March and Perry March himself.
   
   The highlights in this case were the victim's parents and their will to fight against their daughter's killer. The cold case detectives Pridemore and Postigliano also stand out for their intelligence and unwavering dedication as evidenced by their high rate of cold cases they solved.
   
   The resolution of this murder was hampered by two primary factors: the victim wasn't reported missing for two weeks and for some unexplained reason the original lead detective tipped off March's attorney that the home was going to be searched.
   
   Where the book disappointed me was the repetition of the same information, like the conversation on the plane ride back from California during March's extradition. The history of Nashville in chapter 1 was dry. The book really ground to a halt with the trial sections at the back of the book.
   
   An interesting cold case but the book was not the smoothest or most riveting true crime book that I have read.

4 comments about If Looks Could Kill.

1. This is one of the best stories written about a true crime. Once
   I started this book I couldnt put it down. Phelps is very fair and
   balanced in his judgments. This is quite a bizarre crime-almost
   unbelievable but nonetheless true. Phelps is a good writer.



2. The case of Jeff Zack's cold-blooded murder is well-documented by true crime author veteran, M. William Phelps, here which he also writes about life in Akron, Ohio. Zack's murder occurred at a gas station at a BJ's Wholesale Club in the suburbs. He is buried in a Jewish cemetery around Stow, Ohio. Despite his flaws and faults, he was a devoted father to Ashton (name changed to protect his identity). As a husband, he was quite different, arrogant, rude, obnoxious, and terrible to his long-suffering wife, Bonnie, who loved him regardless. She was at one time a suspect because of the polygraph but she would have never killed her son's father right before Father's day. She stayed with Jeff for their son's sake. She had to tolerate Jeff's open affair with married mother of seven, Cynthia Rohr George, who was married to Ed George who ran the Tangiers Banquet Hall and restaurant in Akron which was and is still legendary among the locals and even attracting celebrity clientele who visited Akron. Ed George was so busy working and providing a home for his wife and growing family that he did notice his wife's flagrant affairs but tolerated them. She ran the household but she was no desperate housewife. She had nannies, babysitters, and housekeepers to help with the household work. She wanted to rid of Jeff after a ten year relationship which produced Ruby, their daughter, but Ed was never informed of it until after Jeff's murder. I felt bad for Ed and Bonnie, the long-suffering spouses. In the end, the killer gets caught but the desperate housewife Cindy George only spends a year or so in prison. Proving that with expensive legal counsel, you can buy justice or injustice depending on what role you have in society. She is free and doubtfully will be charged again for paying the killer.



3. Couldn't understand the connection between the title and the story. The story was clearly written by someone who was far removed from the situation. Lynn Slaby, mentioned at the end is a man not a girl. Evidently. the Feds saw something the author didn't because they have reopened the case.



4. Without revealing the outcome of this book, I will say that I was fooled by the ending. Phelps understated yet compelling story keeps one totally enthralled by releasing just enough information to connect the dots as the story progresses. As John Zaffino continues to bury himself with stupid mistakes and misquided actions in the murder of Jeff Zack, the real monster in this crime sits back and pulls the strings. The outstanding investigation by the Akron Police Force deserves to be recognized for doing its job above reproach and documenting the critical details that resulted in Zaffino's conviction. A read I could not put down.

5 comments about How to Do Good After Prison: A Handbook for Successful Reentry (w/ Employment Information Handbook).

1. As the mother of a son who is currently in prison, I have ordered several books in an attempt to get some kind of idea of what we can expect both in prison and when he gets out. This is one of only two books that I have found to be most helpful. The writer has a unique understanding of the system on both sides of the barbed wire and gives some excellent tips on how to succeed. Our family has never dealt with anything like this so we are completely in the dark and this book shined the light on some points I had never thought of that might have taken me by surprise if I had not read this book first. I highly recommend this book both for inmates and their families.



2. 
   The book is an insightful honest passionate look into what issues an ex-convict will have to face when they are released. The book is basically a lot of very common sense advice to ex-convicts written and presented in a language and style I am sure they are uniquely qualified by their prison experiences to understand.
   
   While I suggest the book has lots of so called, "Common Sense" advice I speak as a man who has never been to prison and will hopefully never know the prison experience first hand. What is simple basic "Common Sense" self respect, personal dignity, manners, and civics' 101 that I learned at my grandmothers knee and at church is likely a strange new world to ex-convicts. I am the product of a loving home and strong grandparents who took time to teach me to be a strong civil respectful black gentleman. I am a far cry from ex-convicts many of whom had no strong father figure so they learned how to survive on the hard cold gang and thug infested streets.
   
   This book is a rough blueprint designed to show life long thugs and ex convicts with the desire to improve themselves how to strive for goals and demand levels of respect far greater than what a clinched jaw, a strong fist and a loaded gun will ever bring them. The book is written by a person who speaks a highly cultured rarified version of prisonese but that just proves he is real when he says he divorced himself from his former prison life \ mentality.
   
   The author states specifically that this book alone will NOT save an ex-convict from themselves. The author states correctly that this book is merely a tool. Honestly it is not the quality of this book as a tool that defines the likelihood of an ex-convicts ultimate success. It is the strength desire and passion to rehabilitate them selves that burns in the heart of an individual ex-convict that will determine the effectiveness they make of the awesome tool this book can become in the hands of an ex-convict who is committed to eventual total success.
   
   The book does not sugar coat reality. The book does tell the reader that they will face the once a convict always a convict felon mentality and how that Neanderthal mindset is particularly dangerous for them during any encounters with police. The book tries and effectively teaches the balance an ex-convict must walk because, many in this society never totally forgives an ex-con no matter how much crime free straight time they have racked up. The book teaches that sometimes you survive by letting most fools be themselves unmolested because for an ex-convict fighting a fool is just an engraved invite back to prison and NO FOOL IS WORTH THE LOSS OF FREEDOM, DIGNITY AND YOUR GOALS a fight demands.
   
   I used to help ex-convicts learn community living skills after being released from long periods of incarceration and I remember teaching the exact same lessons this book offers. Many ex-convicts honestly want to go straight but they don't know how and few people skilled at living the crime free life actually want to teach ex-convicts how to live crime free. Most crime free people are afraid of ex-convicts because, they have too much to lose if an ex-convict is just running a game about living crime free. At the time as a disabled black man on government subsidies I had nothing to lose, so I could risk helping ex-convicts and did. I found IF an ex-convict was totally serious about living crime free and getting his life together your guidance, friendship, support and time were his private stash of gold and he would defend, protect and love you as if you were a beloved family member.
   
   Weird thing is a convict wanting to live crime free is often the best friend a crime free teacher could have. I laugh at times when I see successful old ex-con friends I taught community living skills to upon their release because, I am like so TOTALLY a straight arrow Joe citizen looking disabled geek people do a double take when some thuggish looking dude walks up, hugs me crying tears as if he has found a long lost family member. I shared my story here because this book teaches everything I used to teach ex-convicts how live in society and I know for the committed real man these pearls of wisdom all work but only if an ex-con remains strong enough to stay crime free no matter what to the very end! This book teaches that despite all the prison convictions and hellish prison experiences there is hope. Ex-convicts are garbage only if they buy into other loathesome peoples ignorant stereotypes and if they do so they have only themselves to blame for their own weakness. Society in this way is just like prison life. If you let other stuck up people in society steal your hope, your joy and commitment to live crime free then society has made you its punk slave society has turned you out. In society its about keeping your dignity, commitment to living crime free and love of others when society does its best to turn you out as its punk slave rotting in its prison like an animal whose upkeep feeds someone else's children and builds others families while yours go wanting. Look at prison for what it is. Prison is a capitalist society's way of culling then turning out its weakest, uneducated or most vulnerable people for use as slaves to feed this nations growing prison industrial complex.
   
   To all the ex-cons out there trying to go straight and live a crime free life you have my undying love, respect and admiration gentlemen, stay strong and do not let anyone steal your joy or commitment to live as your own man instead of enslaved property in some fools prison. Hugs love my constant prayers to a higher power and peace to you my brothers and sista's!



3. This is the 2nd book I have read by Mr. Jackson, and have passed this along to others that are in the similar situation. Great, easy read. Wealth of information! Mr. Jackson himself is an inspiration!



4. My son has been back and forth to prison for 20 yr. + . I bought him this book and to my amazement he is reading it. He tells me about it all the time. It has given him some great food for thought. I hope he finishes it and refers to it in difficult times. He is going to share it with his Parole Officer.



5. My Boyfriend who is in prison for some time now, read this book. He loved it and he used the word insightful. He said he wished he read it before he went in. I think it helped him and will be very useful when he gets out and I think it helped him changed his way of thinking. He has passed it along to other inmates and they have enjoyed reading it too! I suggest sending this book to someone who has a love one in prison. It's worth it!

5 comments about Dead Reckoning: The New Science of Catching Killers.

1. DEAD RECKONING: The New Science of Catching Killers provides the reader with an inside look into the exciting world of forensic science as the authors explain the scientific detection of cause, manner and mechanism of death. The authors' presentation, which includes exquisite case histories as well as down-to-earth clarification of scientific details with understandable illustration, formulates a captivating read.
   
   As a homicide and forensic consultant I appreciate the importance of trace evidence and how significant such microscopic evidence can be in conducting a homicide investigation. DEAD RECKONING: The New Science of Catching Killers, emphasizes how crucial physical evidence can be. More importantly, physical evidence represents the "unimpeachable witness." It cannot be clouded by a faulty memory, prejudice, poor eyesight or one of many human frailties. As the authors state; "It is reproducible, preservable and ultimately the most reliable witness any cop or D.A. could ever dream of."
   
   DEAD RECKONING: The New Science of Catching Killers is a must read for anyone who has a passionate enthusiasm for forensic science and its application to the investigative process. The authors provide the reader with real life case examples and information about the intricacies of the medicolegal autopsy, the use of blood stain pattern analysis, the analysis of maggots in estimating time of death, facial reconstruction, hair analysis, forensic odontology and the forensic exhumation.



2. The book meets all of my standards for 5 stars: Interesting subject, spell-binding story, and well-written. Plus Baden includes comments about the dummies who work as cops, attorneys, judges, medicos, and technicians. These people make life difficult for the real stars: competent cops, attorneys, judges, etc. I especially like how Baden walks you through what he does, commenting on the professional arcana of his craft. Any professional who fails to talk about his tools is suspect, in my book. This book will serve you well if youre writing about true crime.



3. If you enjoy forensic science and true crime literature this book will keep you entertained. However, I don't think it is Dr. Baden's best work. The organization of the book was a bit scattered and overall, it can't decide if it is a textbook, an autobiography or a work of non-fiction.
   
   The strongest parts of the book were his descriptions of the "gods" of the forensics world: Henry Lee, the blood spatter expert and the entomology guru. He makes these men leap off the pages and you find yourself truly fascinated by their morbid daily activities that contribute so much to forensic science. It was a great primer on these little known, much appreciated scientists.
   
   In some places, there was WAY too much detail, I was bored as I imagined I was reading a student's textbook. The true crime genre is a tricky one - you need enough details to keep the audience interested, but not too many they feel you're lecturing to them. This book doesn't quite get that balance right.
   
   Overall the book was disjointed, and I was puzzled as to why Dr. Baden kept peppering chapters with his own dysfunctional childhood details or droning on about his skill in talking to juries while thwarting defense attorneys. I have read other books by Dr. Baden and have seen his HBO specials and I found him to be smart, engaging and completely competent. In this book, he would have done better to eliminate his own egocentric random details and just describe the pure process of the science and the men who do it.
   
   Finally the pictures in the middle seem placed there gratuitously, referring to certain stories haphazardly. It would have been better organized had all of the pictures been placed in the corresponding chapters. Plus, some more relevant pictures might have been more appropriate.
   
   I think if you are a newcomer to the forensic science genre, there are better books to keep your interest. If you're not, this book has some good parts, but disappoints overall.



4. This book would be great for anyone who is even the slightest bit interested in going into forensics. Dr. Baden shows how lots of different professionals work together to solve crimes. He tells about things like blood school and bug school and what goes on at forensics conventions, that most of the population wouldn't even dream of hearing! He goes into detail on a few key players in forensics: the renowned Henry Lee, and even some of the "bad guys," including the medical examiner who faked hundreds of autopsies and had many wrong people convicted.
   
   It's an inside look into a world that the general public rarely gets a glimpse of, and it was wonderfully done.



5. The pair have a way with words! I could not put this book down, it only took 24 hours to read and I was up set when I was done! I wanted more! The way Dr. Baden tells his stories are wonderful, I look forward to reading more from this pair!

5 comments about Perfect Beauty: A glamorous Socialite, her handsome lover, and Brutal Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library).

1. Of the two books on the Cindy George case, this is far superior. Because one of the co-authors is the lead investigator, you learn the real inside story on how a homicide investigation is conducted. Not only is this a fascinating case, but the book raises questions about the justice system and offers in-depth perspective not often found in a true crime book. I found every single page of this book compelling, and really could not put it down!



2. Although one of the lead detectives co-wrote this book, it's still very heavy on police details and short on story. I saw the case on TV many times and read about it; the photos in this book are clearly lacking. If you like your crime books to be more about the 'inside' of the case, this is for you. There is a lot of detail on the animosity of the the key players at the police station and I sometimes felt this was the main objective of the book. As someone that reads a lot of True Crime, I didn't find this a very compelling read.



3. Perfect Beauty is a book that's only interesting to people who live in the Akron, Ohio area, and even then it leaves you wanting more. There are to many unanswered questions, that can only be answered by the George family, and they are not talking.



4. This will not win any literary prizes. Mostly enjoyable because of it's local connection.



5. This is a solid entry into the True Crime genre paperback division. The story of Jeff Zack and Cindy George is a true crime writers dream, full of cheating wives, amateur hitman, hard-drinking-hard-living-halter-wearing police informants, a restaurant that sounds too tacky to believe and police department infighting. This could pretty much tell itself and Keith Greenberg wisely doesn't get in the way. He tells the story from the vantage point of the police who are investigating the murder, not my favorite device, in fact it verges on my least favorite but Greenberg usually avoids overdoing it. (I could have done without the details of the department in fighting but if Greenberg's co-author wants to settle a few scores I guess there's a price to pay for inside info.)
   
   As a guilty pleasure companion on your daily commute you could do much, much worse. For true crime fans and perhaps Akron locals.

5 comments about Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O. J. Simpson Got Away with Murder.

1. despite the fact that i think vincent bugliosi is the most brilliant and capable prosecutor of our lifetime, i found this book to be an unending tirade that just went on and on for hundreds of pages. there was nothing new about the case, probably because it all played out on tv. i would not recommend this book unless you were stuck in an igloo for 1100 years.



2. Even if you're among the many who, like the author, is convinced that O.J. "did it", this is not the book to read. Bugliosi comes across as so obviously biased against Simpson, his book, if anything, adds fuel to the fire for arguments by those who are convinced of Simpson's innocence. Bugliosi's arguments are contradictory, hypocritical and contemptuous of our legal traditions. For instance, after paying rich lip service to the legal principle that the burden of proof in a criminal case is entirely on the prosecution, he states openly that Simpson should have been convicted because he didn't have a convincing alibi. Also, after stating that ethical rules prohibit attorneys from "playing the race card" and criticizing O.J.'s defense team for doing so, he openly criticizes the prosecution for not trying to keep the trial in Santa Monica where Bugliosi asserts they would have been assured of a virtually all-white jury that would certainly have convicted Simpson. This book adds nothing of value to the long record of what is probably the world's most publicized case. Plenty of books have been written about this case. You'll get a lot more from them than you will from Outrage.



3. Bugliosi is in high dudgeon here, but not without considerable justification. A book urged on him by his Norton editor, the tone is that of a conversation between author and reader, with copious asides and personal reflections. Bugliosi is outraged by the incompetence of the prosecution, the mendacity of the defense, the palpable guilt of the defendant, the many flagrant mistakes of the judge and the flawed and fawning reportage of the media. He is angry and he displays his anger with a rush of charges, examples, and--in bold type--examples of how he himself would have argued the case.
   
   The book is not an unrelieved phillipic and Bugliosi takes the time to weigh, e.g., the degree of guilt that should be assigned and the degree of victimhood which should be appreciated in the case of a subsidiary figure such as Mark Fuhrman. Ultimately this is a book about our system of justice, which Bugliosi admires, but also the pathetic level of minimal competence (or maximum incompetence) with which those who are part of that system turn and grind its wheels.
   
   Though not a point-by-point history of the Simpson case and trial, the book reviews the individuals and the evidence which were at its core. If you have ever been nonplussed by our system of justice, read this book for confirmation of your own feelings. If you want a pointed and reasonably comprehensive review of the case and trial, read this book. Expect some fresh insight, but do not expect a vast amount of new evidence. And yes, O.J. did it. The evidence is indisputable.



4. Vincent Bugliosi does a terrific job explaining how and why O.J. Simpson was found not guilty. From the prosecution's inability to present the evidence to convict Simpson, to the defense's misleading the jury. Some main points that point to Simpson's guilt: 1) His blood and DNA found at the scene of the crime.2)His suicide note.3)Having alot of cash,a disquise and passport on his person after the chase.4)History of violence towards his wife.5)His statement to police.6)Having the same type shoes and gloves that was found at the crime scene.7) Just happens to a have a cut on his hand at the same time as the murders and not remembering how it happened.8)Claimed he was chipping golf balls around the time of the murders..yea right.9)Was not upset when told of his wife's murder. All just a coincidence?? No, just the facts that lead to one outcome...GUILTY!!!



5. Bugliosi leaves no doubt about the OJ murder trial and what went wrong from the beginning to the verdict. A must read for skeptics as he leaves no stone unturned.

5 comments about Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake.

1. This is a fun book. Abagnale's intelligence and wit come through, though the writing is a bit stilted and the material quite dated. But Abagnale's ability to exploit appearances and to exploit the level of trust necessary for society to work is fascinating and very funny. Perhaps his most interesting con is his relationship with women. This is the ultimate con game, I'm afraid, and the book would have been far better had he explained his con in this regard and had he come to terms with it. Also, the book ends quite abruptly and is unsatisfying in explaining how Abagnale ultimately came to terms with himself.



2. "The parental drive Frank wants from Carl feels less evident, missing the sensitive looks and words as played in the movie by Hanks and DiCaprio."
   
   don't you realize how silly it is to complain that stuff happens in the movie(fictional) and not in the book (factual).



3. I read this book right after seeing the movie in theaters because of how much I liked the movie. The book is a great addition to the movie because you will get to read a lot of the stories that didn't make it into the movie and read the non-hollywood version of the actual events.



4. I gave it 4 stars only because I reserve 5-star ratings for books I could not have lived without reading, so to speak. But it is a fascinating account, and if you like knowing that it's a big world out there with people doing interesting things, you'll probably enjoy this book. Abagnale is obviously intelligent and likes to have fun -- an infectious combination. I'm interested now in reading his follow-up, The Art of the Steal: How to Protect Yourself and Your Business from Fraud, America's #1 Crime. I suspect his advice will be more helpful than the dispirited, obfuscating "instructions" of the credit reporting agencies!



5. 'Catch me if you can' is a fairly entertaining, badly written fiction book that served as a base for a very entertaining, well directed fiction movie. It's not an amazing true story as the blurbs proclaim.
   
   Don't reach for this book if you want to read a true-to-fact autobiography. 'Catch me if you can' is a ghostwritten, highly embellished in style and content, largely implausible narrative that diverts from what probably really happened as much as the Spielberg movie diverts from the book. In words of Abagnale himself:
   
   'I was interviewed by the co-writer only about four times. I believe he did a great job of telling the story, but he also over dramatized and exaggerated some of the story. That was his style and what the editor wanted. He always reminded me that he was just telling a story and not writing my biography. This is one of the reasons that from the very beginning, I insisted the publisher put a disclaimer in the book and tapes.'
   
   I have yet to find this disclaimer in my copy. I like fiction and don't mind reading it as long as the author (or the publisher) doesn't try to sell it as a true story. Reading 'Catch me if you can' I had an increasing feeling that I was being conned. I swallowed all the tall tales of his forgeries, swindles and impersonations hook line and sinker, but the devil, as usual, is in details.
   
   Funnily my suspicions were aroused only when I found out he was fluent in French despite the fact that a few pages earlier he used an interpreter to communicate in that language.
   
   The description of his incarceration in a French hellhole of a prison is unbelievable to the point of ridiculous, but still the time is extended from 6 months he purportedly served to about one year.
   Then he's rescued by a Swedish policewoman Jan Lundström. Fine. I understand that all names in the book have been changed but Jan is a male name in Sweden. At this point I couldn't suspend my disbelief any longer and I put the book down unfinished.
   
   A few words about the style of writing. It's about as overdone as the facts it's supposed to desribe and nearly unreadable.

5 comments about She Wanted It All: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and a Texas Millionaire.

1. I had seen Celeste's story on Power Privilege and Justice and Snapped and had been curious to read more about this woman who struck me as vindictive, unredeeming and just plain evil.
   
   She has absolutely no good qualities at all. She uses everyone around her for her needs only. Her own daughters are treated like servants. I didn't blame Tracey Tarleton for shooting Steve Beard. She was another of the countless victims that Celeste used for her selfish reasons only. True crime fans will not be disapointed with this great read.



2. A great book. Could there ever have been a more accurate portrait of a true-blue gold digger? Why some women (and men) feel a sense of entitlement to the money/property of others simply because they are (or were) married to a financially successful person is beyond me! You want money? WORK for it! Some lazy people would rather marry for it -- or kill for it! Great book. I felt so bad for Steve's family. They were helpless and had to sit by while Celeste planned, plotted and executed her plan to murder Steve -- all for the money. What a shame. Kathryn Casey is a great writer. I used to be hooked on Ann Rule, but got tired of her "Series" books. Now, I'm going to be looking for more stories written by Ms. Casey. She did a wonderful job of showing what a shallow and callous gold-digger Celeste really was.



3. Being a true crime sleuth, I used to think Ann Rule was the best true crime writer ever. This book wiped my thought on that completely away. This author had such an amazing way of telling a great story, kept the book flowing from one page to the other, had amazing details about all of the characters. It felt like I was actually there witnessing it all myself. And the courtesy photos were superb too. I like to check back and forth while reading who the main characters are while I'm on that certain chapter. And while I did say "characters" I do know these are true stories. Still after I read this story, I went online to find out more about everyone involved. I have recommended this book to all of my fellow true crime pals.



4. Kathryn Casey might be the Ann Rule of Texas true crime. This book is a complicated web of interesting characters including a bisexual, sociopathic gold-digging monster in the form of a beautiful woman named Celeste Beard who has no conscious for her actions. She would do anything to get what she wanted which was easily lying, cheating, having sex with men and women, manipulating her lesbian lover Tracey Tarlton who comes across as sympathetic but disturbed character, her ex-husband Jimmy Martinez who was having an affair with her during her last marriage to millionaire Steven Beard who tried as hard as others to get away from the monster in his bedroom. Celeste manipulated people as easily as she breathed. She was worse than any hurricane or tornado to hit Austin high society on it's knees. Her first husband was so terrified of another nasty divorce that he committed suicide even though he was married to a different woman and far unlike as Celeste was even in her youth. She made outlandish claims of abuse by her own adoptive father. Worse, she was a mother to beautiful identical twin girls who wanted nothing more than to be loved by their mother. They were also victims of Celeste's abuse to the worst degree. She manipulated Kristina to cover up for most of her own crimes. Jennifer and Kristina's relationship were always strained by Kristina's loyalty and devotion to Celeste, their mother. At one point, they stopped calling her mom and referred to her as Celeste. In my opinion, Celeste is more terrifying than any monster as this book makes her out to be. I felt sorry for Tracey who got caught up in Celeste's web of lies and terror and that she shot an innocent older man who she believed was terrorizing Celeste and abusing her. She is serving 20 years in the same prison as Celeste but separately away from her.



5. Goes into very much detail. You'll find yourself hating this woman. But don't be too harsh; possibly she was a product of her biology.

5 comments about Thank God I Had a Gun: True Accounts of Self-Defense.

1. A must read by all anti Gun individuals and Thoes that understand what a Gun is for.



2. Everyone is out to get you! The guy next door is probably a serial cannibal! Your son's elementary school teacher is a communist revolutionary who must be stopped! The government is coming to rape you and make you learn French!
   
   UNLESS you have guns! LOTS OF THEM!
   
   HOORAY FOR AMERICA!



3. Apparently only God fearing, white Republicans own and value guns (with one exception). And only black men ("thugs") or Hispanic men commit crimes (with one exception).... While I enjoyed some of the stories, which I thought were well written and informative, I could have done without the cheap Republican talking points inserted into these tragedies. For example, we learn that whenever anyone says we need a waiting period to purchase guns to allow for a proper background check, we should remind them of what happened to unarmed citizens in New Orleans after Katrina. Huh? What does that have to do with a waiting period? As a Virginia Tech alumnus, I think background checks should be strengthened, not eliminated.
   
   It's a pity the author couldn't just give us more stories in place of his right wing propaganda. After all, not all gun owners are rabid Republicans (although, to the author's credit, most of his audience no doubt is, so I suppose it's good business for him to preach to the choir). And many people believe there can be healthy limitations on gun ownership, e.g. the previously mentioned waiting period, or banning assault weapons, and these limitations are consistent with the right to bear arms (just like the right to free speech doesn't mean you can scream "fire" in a crowded theater).
   
   In any case, if its stories you want, buy the book. There are good lessons to be learned here, and the author should be commended for his work in compiling them in one handy reference.



4. this book needs to be read by people that are not total anti-gun but think the police can "save" them. Learn that the gun is just a tool with a job to do,learn to use it like you would any other tool.



5. I was very pleased that I learned so much from this book. I am an advocate of personal responsibility and self defense is a part of that. I try to think of ways to keep myself from ever having a confrontation and ways to remove myself from one if it were to happen. This book gives accurate descriptions of how people behaved in these times of stress, and while reading them I automatically inserted myself into the situation and noted how I "think" I would behaved differently were it me. At the conclusion of each story, I was able to compare what actually happened to what may have happened had it been me and I found some of my decisions to be in error. Hopefully I'll never have to be in one of those stories, but if I am, hopefully I'll be able to apply the knowledge gained from this book.

5 comments about The Assimilation: Rock Machine Become Bandidos - Bikers United Against the Hells Angels.

1. One of the best books I've read on biker material. Author gives you an in depth look of the goings on in the little known world of bikers. I enjoyed his first book as well. This one does not disappoint!!! Looking forward to more books by this particular author!!



2. A book by a Biker with the integrity to not speak of justice then villainize and try to make a mockery of any system of justice.
   A book by an Outlaw Motorcyclist that does not say he embraces freedom, then proudly lists his felony convictions and time spent imprisoned.
   A book by a 1%er with the intellect to not glorify drug addiction.
   A book by a Human Being that understands the meaning of "Brotherhood" and not just what serves himself today.
   A book by a Man with the knowledge to understand the concept "Only Free Birds Fly".
   They say..."Out in Bad Standings". I say good for Ed Winterhalder...
   "It Is As It Should Be".



3. In the book The Assimilation, the authors provide a definitive glimpse into the outlaw biker phenomenon, the 1%er culture. At one time or another we've all seen them, displaying the regalia indicating the intense loyalty to their motorcycle clubs, the various 3 patch colors screaming their presence to the wary public. Every marking, every patch, every pinned item has its own special meaning. And if you don't know, don't ask.
   
   The Assimilation will tell how these outlaws from society take their clubs and their patches dead serious, and that means dead in the literal sense. The combined deaths of 160 bikers in the Canadian biker wars between the infamous Hells Angels Motorcycle Club and their sworn enemies the Rock Machine MC form the basis for this riveting true story.
   
   Like the Hells Angels, the notorious Bandidos MC are a powerful worldwide organization with chapters in many countries. With clandestine outlaw biker politics working at a fever pitch at that time, the Bandidos planned to assimilate the Rock Machine into the fold, as indicated by the title of this work.
   
   Enter Mr. Winterhalder. As a member of the Bandidos MC, he traveled to Canada to represent the Bandido's interest. Interspersed with a first hand rendition of these events is an interesting view of Mr. Winterhalder's life and a matter of fact telling of how he came to be in the position of representing one of the most powerful outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world.
   
   To anyone interested in the subject of outlaw motorcycle clubs, I highly recommend this work as an "inside look" written by a man who spent 25 years living the life of a 1%er, and at one time held the rank of national secretary to one of the most celebrated outlaw motorcycle clubs, the Bandidos MC.



4. The Assimilation is an interesting kind of read. If you are a tried and true aficionado of Biker Books, this book is a must for you. It is well written, very insightful and portrays a step in the life and times of Edward Winterhalder from the point where he has become the Second in Charge of The Bandidos MC and the events which drive the merger from The Rock Machine MC to become The Bandidos Canada.
   
   The only problem with the book is that there appears to be some redundancy with his initial book.
   
   Having said this, if you have not read his first attempt at book publishing, The Assimilation is a wonderful read. It will be completely new information and its written with style and is a gritty insight into the inner workings of the Bandidos Nation.
   
   It is actually much more than the title suggests. The book gives an insight into Connecticut Ed. He is one of the truly interesting and remarkable examples of a character who is destined to succeed in this world. His persona and character oozes with charisma and one immediately understands he is a force to be reckoned with in his publishing ambitions. Whilst he has 'doubled up' on some material from his first book, The Assimilation is the mature product with insight and characters developed to the point where this fact became quite irrelevant to this reader. Indeed, I found the read of the Assimilation to be an interesting study of author development and maturation.
   
   I disagree with other reviewers who found the material a re-hash of the initial work by Winterhalder. The book provides a fascinating situation for writers and readers to see the blossoming of an author with Mana which was not well developed in his first attempt.
   
   Many Topics are written about by multiple authors. The Assimilation should be read in the same spirit. His teaming up with de Clerq has inspired a brilliant new product which is a fabulous read for many, many reasons.
   
   Arthur Veno, Ph.D.



5. If anyone have read "Out in bad standings" its suprising this guy made another book. This book tells the exactly the same story, wich was already boring and lack any value.
   Absolutely a no buy.