Away

Highly recommended!

This is a great book and brings up some of the key details such as O.J.'s confession (for all practical purposes) after his arrest, and the way the case was bungled, and the antics of Judge Ito. What a mess. This is a very well written and entertaining book that reveals all of the major flaws of the O.J.Trial. the author makes a very convincing case - that can be understood by rational people.

I enjoyed reading the book and thought that it was worth 4 or 5 stars. But I want to make one comment to the author. The case was lost because the jury was essentially 12 black women that loved O.J. and Johnny, did not want to convict. They gave O.J. the benefit of every doubt multiplied by ten, and that sealed it for the prosecution. It was obvious to every sane person that O.J. was guilty so that changing the strategy probably would have had little effect.

Jack in Toronto

1) The incompetance of the prosecutors in the way they handled witnesses, evidence, defensive arguments and their closing arguments.

2) The damning evidence against Simpson that the defense didn't even bring into the trial, or Judge Ito (wrongly) didn't allow in.

3) The illogical arguments of the defense that could have been destroyed if the prosecution had done their job right.

4) The fact that the blood evidence was solid and not planted or contaminated.

5) Logical and irrefutable step by step arguments to show how all the evidence (from blood to Simpson's behavior and statements), without a shadow of a doubt, points to Simpson.

I had a few questions about the case that concerned me when I read other books, like the bloody socks possibly being planted and the time differences. Bugliosi puts all these doubts to rest and makes you look at all the evidence and say, "Good grief, how could I have thought he was innocent?"

A great and necessary book for all those interested in OJ SImpson's murder case!

Bugliosi first outlines the basic facts of the case: first, OJ is obviously guilty. His blood is found at the crime scene, in his Bronco, and at his estate. Nicole and Ron Goldman's blood are also found in all three locations. OJ created a suicide note, got a mask, and ran away from the cops. He told the police he "didn't know" why he was bleeding at the night of the murders -- at the exact same time the crime was being committed. He told Nicole he would kill her one day. The murder was not a burglary -- because nothing was taken. And the crime was definitely one of passion -- notice the knife. All the signs point to Simpson.

This book is an extremely useful one for myself because I do intend to be an attorney one day. Bugliosi provided many very simple tips on how best to argue one's case and to destroy one's opponents arguments. This is certainly a book I would recommend. There is no nonsense or hodgepodge in this book. A+!

-- Michael Gordon
Los Angeles

Chris Ryan sure has a good story to tell, he was the only member of the Bravo Two Zero patrol to escape Iraq. He evaded capture for many days on very little food or water. He battled fatigue, extreme weather and many many Iraqis. He also battled himself, he didn't let his body give in while his mind was still working, he fought for every step and his story is truly one of courage and self determination.

The book does focus alot on Ryan's own 'heroism', he obviously feels he should have been the commander of the patrol and expresses this many times through the book, in the end this gets a bit tired and old. He seems to think that the problems the patrol encountered would have been just fine if he was in command, it seems a bit pretentious as it continues.

There are alot of inconsistencies between the books and it is upto the reader who he should choose to believe. I personally think this book was written to ride on the success of the first book by raising questions that will never be answered.

However it is a must read for any one with an interest in the SAS, 2 Stars

But Bryson, as always, manages to find humor, frequently directed at himself, in the trials and trivia of everyday American life, particularly those aspects that had changed since last he was a permanent resident. And since these were written for a British audience, there is some playing to British biases about American and Americans in general.

Bryson's wit is what carries the book, and in most of the essays there are Brysonian gems and riffs to cause a smile, a snicker, sometimes an outright belly laugh. Sometimes he gets into too much silly exaggeration, at least for me, but overall there are sufficient truly funny pieces to cause one to part with a few shillings to buy the book.

Although the US edition has lost some of the strengths of the original, it also retains most of its enjoyable content. Bryson makes insightful and witty observations about American culture. Based on his weekly newspaper columns for an English newspaper, Bryson describes life in America.

Readers are guaranteed to laugh out loud, but at the same time the humour delivers much food for thought about North American culture. For North Americans who are perhaps guilty at times of arrogance, such self-examination and a critical close look at ourselves is of great benefit.

This is an entertaining as well as thought provoking read.

Enjoy. I sure did.

White does seem to love the band, at least. Seek out his "How Deep Is The Ocean?" for a more satisfying read.

The Lindburgh chapter was interesting. In all these years, I somehow missed the fact that the kidnap ladder was hinged. I never doubted Hauptmann's involvement. And I still don't.

Unlike others posting here, I take no issue with his stance on the Ramsey case, there is simply no solid evidence with which to charge them. Absent that evidence, it is irresponsible to assume their guilt. We should ALL know better than to convict people via the news media.

My main gripe, I suppose, is that I expected better information on the Zodiac case. Douglas seems to rely almost entirely on the work of author Robert Graysmith. And Graysmith's work is unfortunately more fiction than fact. Perhaps Douglas should have used Graysmith's latest book identifying Jack the Ripper. He could have pronounced that case solved.

If you still feel the need to read this book, borrow it from the library.

I almost wish he hadn't included the JonBenet Ramsey case, because I think that takes away from the rest of the book. He could have included some other cases that still "haunt" us, that would be interesting from a historical point of view. I don't think enough time has passed for people to consider the Ramsay case objectively. I am not saying I disagree with his conclusions about the Ramsays, but I don't completely buy them either. If he is ever proved wrong, he will have to eat a ton of crow. Enough said.

Still, I would recommend this book for true crime lovers, historical crime buffs, and anyone with an interest in psychological profilings. I admit freely my favorite TV show is Discovery Channels "The New Detectives." If you have never seen it, and you fall into one of the above categories, you must check this show out.

I think that Douglas was very insightful while going over the cases, telling us what occured(to the knowledge of those working the case)and giving us possible explanations(no matter how improbable).

I highly recommend this book, especially if you enjoy reading cold cases. Happy reading!

Outside of a 100-page 600-year family history that the family itself never cared enough about to investigate, and considerable detail about Taylor's music deals, influences, play dates and venues, the biographical material is scarce and overly-vetted, perhaps by Taylor himself who certainly did much living he does not want made public.

Plenty of space is given to Taylor's alcoholic but highly-accomplished father, Ike, and the distance he put between himself and his long-suffering wife and children. The emotional agony he caused his family, for there is no other word for the consequences of his illness and personality, is laid out bloodlessly and at a remove, so while we can "guess" what might have gone one, it is never spelled out. One can almost hear James Taylor okaying the allusions but crossing out the specifics.

The same applies to Taylor himself and his years of alcohol and drug abuse, which must have produced a miserable life for those connected with him. There is little meat to the discussions of his two lengthy marriages, either, which also were fraught with his heroin, methamphetamine and alcohol addiction and emotional abandonment.

James Taylor is a very gifted artist who was married to two artists, the son of gifted parents, the brother of several musicians, the father of two more and the lover of several others. This book had the potential to be a richly-layered analysis of how love, art, joy, duty, ruin, passion, sin and guilt have woven themselves in and out of this family's lives.

But it is not.

His wives and lovers, for instance, are given extremely short shrift. Being married to James Taylor could not have been a picnic. There is a feeling here that both of his first two wives -- Carly Simon and actress Kathryn Walker -- must have yearned as mightily for a deeper emotional connection to this man they loved, just as the reader yearns to understand what the hell was going on here and how they all traversed the stormy seas of Taylor's personality - and why they bothered.

There is no mention at all, as far as I could find, of Joni Mitchell, with whom Taylor had an affair so intense that she devoted two albums ("Blue" and "For the Roses") to its exegesis, nor of the other affairs that lit up or littered his marriages and his life. Other losses -- the sad death of his father and brother, the divorces, deaths of friends, difficulty with intimacy -- are narrated carefully and truthfully, it would seem, but again, with no detail and at a considerable remove.

The ghost of James Taylor is here, but the body has been carted away. He insists his music is not autiobiographical, and since his biography is not biographical, Taylor continues to be the mystery he apparently wants to remain. I have no objection to that, but it is nothing to write home about. zzz-zzz-zzz

James relationships (both personal and professional) make for a satisfying read. I had no idea of the interconnectedness of all the musical artists of that era. It was heartwarming to learn of the sharing and loyalties that you never expect to hear about in that business.

There are many levels to this book and I have read it twice now. The first time I skimmed over some of the social context and musical history to get right to the intimate details. The second time I enjoyed the wondrously detailed account of the Taylor clan's Scottish origins and their resettlement in America that read like a high seas adventure. The musical history of many of the important artists of this period makes it a unique reference book and I am glad for the comprehensive index.

The photos are wonderful. I can't imagine how much fun it must have been to go through the Taylor family archives. Actually, this book gives us a very good idea.

There's nothing to like about Connie's dilemma. She deserves all she gets. Can't she see this John's just out for all he can get, using her? So, we romp through the pages of this touching, wrenching and very funny book as Connie continues with an affair we're all screaming at her to stop. If only we all had the same insight to our own lives and behaviors. Lesson Two ' Looking in is very different from being on the spot.

There is no new story here, affairs are common (so I'm told). Certainly the wonderful writing of Adele Parks gives us a new insight to the situation and a new appreciation of the consequences of 'just a little' of anything, but depending on where your sympathies lie you'll be on the edge of your seat in the last chapter. Will she get away with it? Will she be forgiven? Personally, I hope not.

It is rare to love a book in which you hate the lead character. This is what I felt about Playing Away. The characters may not all be likeable, but they're great, as is the sex and humor. Lesson Three ' There are a million and one ways for a novel to be entertaining.

This novel made laugh and cry. There were some scenes in which Connie and John engaged into some pretty racy sex. But there were funny and touching moments as well. I loved Connie's friends -- their get-togethers and witty conversations felt as though I was watching an episode of Sex and the City. However, I frowned at the fact that Connie seemed a little too desperate about John and degraded herself most of the time. It was painful. But the sharp writing and witty characters are the force in this magnificent novel. Playful, sexy, perverse and with a particular brand of sly naivete all its own, Playing Away is a reading investment. I highly recommend it.

Give it a try, you won't be sorry.

After reaching 50 and having a size 6 lean, mean machine, I suddenly put on matronly inches. Whose waistline was I seeing in the mirror anyway? Certainly not MINE! I couldn't fit into my clothes. Menopause wreaked havoc with my body. My low-fat vegetarianism didn't work at all for me anymore. All my workouts (Pilates, etc.) couldn't trim the excess inches I was continually adding. I began to feel desperate and out of control. So, as a last resort, I tried Somersizing.

I have known Suzanne was a fabulous cook ever since discovering an article about her culinary expertise 20 years ago. But these recipes and these sauces, in particular, are extraordinary! The latest book with its zucchini noodles, parmesan sauce, mozzarella marinara, and other delectable goodies is a triumph! I love to cook again! The simple wine reduction sauces are fabulous. The information about good fats is "freeing"! My husband and I are losing inches and eating tremendous food. My body is returning to its size 6 dimensions. I couldn't be more positive about this program. The information by Suzanne's endocrinologist is right on-target. It all comes together and finally makes sense. If you don't want to do the program, at least make the delectable foods! And if you DO want to follow the program, buen apetito and viva the weight loss! Also note: Suzanne's no-chemicals, no-preservatives sugar substitute, Somersweet, is due out in May. Another breakthrough for healthy cooks who have had to do without sugar for years. This woman is no dumb blonde. She's on the cutting edge!