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(01/22/04 4:43am)
Bringing Down the House," the first foray into non-fiction by novelist Ben Mezrich, has all the trappings of a delightful adventure caper; however, the twists and turns this tale takes are too bizarre to be merely cooked up in an author's imagination. \n"Bringing Down the House" is the true story of how several Massachusetts Institute of Technology students created a way to play the Blackjack tables in Las Vegas and win astronomical sums of money along the way.\nHow do bright M.I.T. students begin counting cards and fleecing Vegas casinos for hundreds of thousands of dollars in an evening? For Kevin Lewis, it began with two of his friends who dropped out of school and had no jobs but seemed to live the high life anyway. \nCurious about how they made their cash, he accompanied them on a trip to Atlantic City. What Kevin saw astounded him; his friends were high stakes gamblers receiving VIP treatment, but all of this was done under the cover of aliases. Later, his friends confided that they count cards to increase their odds at winning blackjack. While not cheating, counting cards is toeing a line casinos do not want their patrons to cross.\nKevin gets drawn into the M.I.T. blackjack team, the "Amphibians." Mickey, the shadowy head of the team, teaches him the ropes of card counting, including an elaborate system of relaying how hot a deck is to his other teammates. What made the team different than anything that hit the casinos before was the team play method used. Instead of playing individually, hoping to hit a favorable deck, the team had several players watching the decks, and the high roller players would be called to the table when the cards went hot.\nUsing this system, with Mickey at the head of the team, the Amphibians played every weekend in Vegas for over a year. Despite being barred from a few casinos, the team took money from the most powerful casinos in Las Vegas right in front of them. However, some of the team members were unhappy with the pay they received from playing. The Amphibians decided to remove Mickey from the head of the team, keeping their payout for themselves.\nThe ousting of Mickey didn't sit too well with Kevin, but the year following of fabulous winnings took his mind off his former captain. The team was doing so well Kevin had a hard time concealing the amount of cash he was taking home. He hid his trips from his parents and other friends, living a double life. However, Kevin's luck with Vegas was about to take a decidedly different turn.\nThe casinos caught up with Kevin and his team on several occasions. They were roughed up in ritzy VIP suites of Vegas hotels, threatened by police in Louisiana riverboats and ejected from Chicago casinos. They were burned by casino security, and they were unable to play anymore. Kevin decided to walk away from blackjack, but the rest of his team started a new one based on the west coast, and they still rely on the winnings of blackjack to support themselves.\n"Bringing Down the House" is a fascinating look into a world I hardly knew existed. I always knew that there were professional gamblers, but I was under the impression that they barely eked out a living on the margins, always drawing the ire of casinos. However, this book shows not only that professional gambling is doable, but that fabulous sums of money can be won in a short period of time. Though nonfiction, "Bringing Down the House" has the twists and turns of a great adventure story, paired with meticulous research and immaculate detail. It's the book to read on the plane to Vegas; it makes clear that it takes practice and planning, but ordinary college students can bring down the house.\n"Bringing Down the House" by Ben Mezrich has a list price of $14, and is available at several local retailers.
(01/14/04 4:28am)
I'll be up front. I have always been a fan of the work of Jon Krakauer. He has struck a reputation of being a top-notch outdoors journalist, carefully and obsessively researching topics before writing about them. "Into Thin Air," his personal account of the disastrous spring of 1996 on Mt. Everest, is no different. Expertly written and exhaustively researched, it captures the horror of being stranded at 24,000 feet above sea level with little hope of rescue.\n"Into Thin Air" recalls the events of the spring of 1996 on both the Tibetan and Nepalese sides of Mt. Everest, as well as the 150 years of mountain exploration that preceded it. The tallest peak on the planet has captured the imagination of mountaineering people worldwide since it was discovered to be the highest peak on the planet. \nFor many years after its designation as the highest mountain on the planet, Everest remained forbidden as it sat on the border of Tibet and Nepal -- two countries that were resolutely off limits to foreigners. It took more than 12 expeditions to finally reach the top of the forbidden, craggy peak; in 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summited the 29,035 feet, instantly making them worldwide celebrities.\nIn the years that followed, Mt. Everest remained a place only for the mountaineering elite, and climbers were only invited on an Everest attempt after they proved themselves on the dangerous slopes of other mountains. This ceased when Dick Bass, a fabulously wealthy but inexperienced mountaineer, paid guides to lead him to the top of the mountain. From there a new world was born: the commercial Everest expedition.\nThis is how Jon Krakauer, an accomplished technical climber with no high-altitude experience, ended up climbing Mt. Everest. The Outdoor Magazine wanted a story on the commercialization of Everest; Krakauer was going as a field reporter, climbing the peak with other customers who paid up to $65,000 to summit the mountain. \nAs part of a commercial expedition, the Sherpa support, oxygen and necessary permits were arranged for the customers. All that was expected of them is that they were in reasonable physical condition and ready to be shepherded to the top of the mountain. The outfit Krakauer traveled with was led by a climber with a spectacular history of getting clients to the peak and down safely; the Kiwi guide, Rob Hall, was an accomplished Himalayan climber with sterling credentials.\nAfter acclimating his clients to the high altitude of Everest, Rob Hall's expedition, as well as a rival commercial expedition led by Scott Fischer, attacked the summit of Everest on May 10, 1996. What should have been a routine summit attempt turned into a struggle for climbers to survive a storm that pinned them to the mountain, resulting in the deaths of both expedition leaders, additional guides and several paying clients. \n"Into Thin Air" is one of the most powerful books I have ever read. The detail used to describe the agony of hypoxia experienced by the climbers is sobering. Clearly, climbing a mountain whose peak is approximately the cruising altitude of jetliners is not an endeavor to be tackled lightly. Krakauer uses his extraordinary gifts as a writer to place the reader right along side him on the mountain; the pain, terror and shame of the events is palpable. \n"Into Thin Air" should be required reading for anybody who dreams of touching the roof of the world. While it is at times graphic and disturbing, it is a sensitive look into the disaster that claimed the lives of so many. It does not look for easy answers for why people died, and Krakauer takes responsibility for his own actions that may have contributed to the deaths of some of his fellow climbers. Pick up "Into Thin Air" and you probably won't put it down until you turn the last page; it's that good.\nThe paperback edition of "Into Thin Air" has a list price of $13.00 and is available at several local retailers.
(01/09/04 6:20am)
I Don't Know How She Does It," the debut novel from British author Allison Pearson, is a delightful romp through the hectic world of Kate Reddy, a senior fund manager at a British money management firm and mother of two small children. The trials and tribulations Reddy experiences at home and work are hilarious. The overworked and underappreciated Reddy manages to get herself into predicament after predicament that help the pages of this book turn themselves.\nKate Reddy is a working mother in a posh area of London. Not only does she have the pressure to be the perfect money manager, but also to be the perfect mother. That's no small job when her work takes her overseas once a week, working day and night when she is there. Add two demanding children and a lackadaisical husband, and you have the recipe for one stressed-out mother.\nReddy's world turns upside down when she meets the man whose money she is managing in the United States. Jack Abernathy, a suave New Yorker, makes Kate long for the days when she wasn't tied down by her husband, children, a deadbeat father and a house that is falling apart. The pair exchange e-mails all day, and Kate believes she is falling for a man an ocean apart from her.\nTo complicate matters, when she meets Abernathy in New York to discuss his fund, Kate manages to make a spectacular fool of herself after imbibing a few too many at a Sinatra-themed restaurant. After slinking back to London, Reddy once again resumes her hectic life complacently, all the while avoiding Abernathy's e-mails.\nKate gets jolted out of her daze by two traumatic events: her husband leaves her while she is on a business trip, leaving a note for the nanny to read Kate, and her assistant is sexually harassed by one of Kate's boorish peers. Kate realizes how much of a strain her jet-setting life has put on her husband and secretly wishes that they would get back together. Kate's assistant's problem takes a bit more creativity.\nAnd what is Kate to do after all of this? What else but move out to the English countryside, stay at home with her children and reconcile with her husband. That is, until Kate once again hears the siren call of the business world, leaving the reader wondering whether or not she goes back.\nAll in all, "I Don't Know How She Does It" is a delightful romp through the toils of a posh British working mother. It is stylish and well written -- you can practically feel the exasperation Kate exudes. However, the book is not very substantial and doesn't make any significant statements. In the end, it is formulaic and a bit disappointing. Take the book for what it is: delightful, entertaining fluff. \n"I Don't Know How She Does It" is available at several local retailers. The paperback edition lists for $13.95 but is discounted at several locations.
(12/11/03 6:45am)
Corrosive, vitriolic, insightful. All were words used to describe Mike Royko, the late Chicago Tribune columnist who was described as the best journalist of his time by many of his peers. In "Royko: a Life in Print," the life behind the legend is examined by F. Richard Ciccone, another Chicago newsman. "Royko" is the first comprehensive biography of the man who became a Chicago legend through his words.\nBorn as the son of a bartender into one of Chicago's many ethnic neighborhoods, Royko experienced a rough-and-tumble childhood that left an indelible mark on his world outlook. Emerging from Chicago's streets, he became a reporter while a member of the Army; however, the bulk of "Royko" focuses on his transition from reporter to columnist while working for the Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun Times and The Chicago Tribune. \nStarting as a city hall beat reporter, Royko made his mark on Chicago journalism by his dogged, insightful stories following the pools of corruption that have marked the city hall of Chicago since it was built. Writing about city politics when Chicago was the Democratic machine under the tutelage of the first Mayor Daley, Royko managed to make friends and rake up muck at the same time.\nHowever, he soon made the transition to the column. \nNot content with a once-weekly affair, Royko wrote five columns a week for The Chicago Tribune until he neared his retirement, when he cut back to four a week. It is for these columns that Royko became famous. He was insightful and wielded a poison pen, producing work that was syndicated in over 600 newspapers nationwide. He became the epitome of Chicago journalism and was a living legend by the time of his death in 1997.\nStill, behind the byline there was a tempestuous man who dealt with his own demons while torturing those around him. Murder to work for, he would harangue his runners while falling off his bar stool at the legendary Billy Goat Tavern. The man clearly took out his anger and frustration on those who surrounded him. His insatiable pursuit of perfection, paired with alcoholism, tortured him and those around him; Royko was a workhorse who would not leave until his column was perfect, down to the last period.\n"Royko" is an excellently written biography of a journalistic legend; however, be warned that it is written from a clearly favorable point of view. The author was a close personal friend of Royko for much of his life, and thus, the book is a positively skewed look at his life and work, even though it shows the ugly side of his personality as well as the good. \nDue to this slant, this book is probably not the best objective look at the life of Royko for a critic of his work. Though widely recognized as a man of his time, Royko has as many detractors as rabid fans. Though it is slanted in Royko's favor, it is not a glowing eulogy, but still probably is too rosy for a critic of the man. Much like Royko's writing, you will probably either love the book or hate it, depending on your view of the man behind the legend.
(11/19/03 5:13am)
Tom Clancy just never quits, but he probably had a quandary when he decided to write yet another novel focused on the enterprising Ryan family. Jack Ryan has been the driving character in many of Clancy's classics, including "The Hunt for Red October" and "Patriot Games." He's got to be getting on in years. But hey, he's had a good run, rising from a Marine with a bad back to the commander in chief.\nBut President Ryan is retired now and writing his memoirs and Clancy needs a new protagonist. In the case of "The Teeth of the Tiger," he has three. The latest addition to the library of Clancy writings follows the exploits of Jack Ryan Jr., the son of the revered Ryan Sr. and Dominic and Brian Caruso, the cousins of the younger Ryan.\n"The Teeth of the Tiger" introduces the Campus, a secret government agency working under the cover of Hendley Associates. The legitimate side of the agency does a profitable business in international stocks and currency exchange. Interesting, maybe, but the fascinating side of the Campus is the behind-the-scenes work.\nTerrorism leaves a trail of money; this is the basic tenet of the Campus. Analysts follow the cash trails of known terrorism financiers to learn the identities of the foot soldiers. This is the sector of the Campus that the younger Ryan works in, tracking the soft money a wealthy Saudi expatriate uses to fund violent militants. This is the cleaner side of the Campus. Jack Jr.'s cousins are the start of the dirty side.\nDominic and Brian have been retained by the Campus as hired assassins. Dominic came to the attention of the Campus after resolving a particularly violent kidnapping turned murder as an FBI agent. Brian is a Marine whose expertise in Afghanistan marked him as a man on the rise. Both were recruited by the Campus to train as the first assassins; their targets were to be terrorists flushed out by the analysts. \nPitted against the United States is a man known only as Mohammed. This man controls a terror network spanning the Middle East and Europe. With the assistance of his new allies, the drug lords of Columbia, he manages to smuggle in dozens of operatives through Mexico. Once in the United States, the terrorists stage attacks on the suburban malls of America. Killing dozens of civilians in the midst of their daily lives, they arouse the anger of the world.\nIt is in this environment that the team of Dominic, Brian and Jack Jr., go to Europe in the hopes of eliminating some of the operatives of the elusive Mohammed. The team is unstoppable in Europe and ends up eliminating their foe Mohammed on the streets of Rome.\nWhile thoroughly implausible, "The Teeth of the Tiger" is a good yarn at times. However, don't pick up this book without reading the other books in the Jack Ryan series. The stories are incredibly interdependent on each other and a novitiate to Clancy's writing would probably be thoroughly lost in the twists, turns and character relationships. \nBut if you've read the rest, pick up "Teeth of the Tiger." If you haven't, pass it up for another book.
(11/12/03 5:20am)
At first glance, last Friday in the IU Art Museum was no different than any other day. Tours followed their docents or tour guides with close attention as they explained the history of the IUAM and its extensive collection.\nBut if you followed a certain 15-person group you would have noticed something very different; their tour was conducted entirely in German.\nThe German House, in conjunction with IUAM docent Helga Keller, sponsored the language tour as one of many activities it offers students. The German House regularly sponsors events celebrating German culture and language from a weekly Stammtisch -- an hour of speaking German held at Soma -- to regular screenings of German historic and popular cinema.\nSome events, like the tour, require proficiency in German, while other events -- like the annual Oktoberfest -- do not. The group primarily communicates through an e-mail list, and members attend events that strike their interest. \nNikole Langjahr, coordinator of the German House, said she was excited to offer this tour to students.\n"Helga approached me about offering this tour to the German House students," she said. "I was concerned that the students would not respond, but the response has been overwhelming. We are offering another tour of the first-floor gallery on Nov. 21, and we hope to offer another next semester that covers more of the museum."\nThe tour of 12 people was lead by Helga Keller, a 10-year volunteer docent with the IUAM. A native of Germany, she said the tour presented her with new opportunities.\n"Though I am a native German speaker all of my museum work is in English," she said. "It was a totally new way of thinking."\nSenior Anne Gill, who attended the tour, said she was delighted when she heard about the tour of the museum. As a student enrolled in 250-level German class, she heard about the tour through her instructor.\n"I studied abroad before," she said. "I miss being around German all of the time. I am a singer, and knowing German is really helpful; I would love to be fluent some day."\nAll tour members listened with attention as Keller delineated the history and stories behind some of the IUAM's most prized pieces. The collection of German artists ranges from Renaissance art to modern and post-modern pieces, all held within the first-floor gallery.\n"Ms. Keller gave us an excellent overview over several schools of painting, starting with the Middle Ages and ending in the present, with a focus on German artists," Langjahr said. "She made us aware of various interesting details in the paintings she showed us and also interspersed her tour with anecdotes from the artists' lives."\nSenior Jennifer Wangerin said she was glad to attend the tour. \n"Even though I am a senior, this has been my first time in the library since my tour of campus before I was a freshman," she said. "I've always wanted to come and check it out. When I heard about the tour I wanted to come and see what is inside; the fact that the tour was in German was an added bonus."\nFor more information about German House events, or to be added to the German House e-mail list contact Nikole Langjahr at nilangja@indiana.edu.\n-- Contact staff writer Brittany Ausmus at bausmus@indiana.edu.
(11/03/03 5:20am)
The Christmas season began a little early at Binford Elementary School, 315 North Drive, Saturday morning.\nCheerful gingerbread-man signs led the way as the scent of pies, cookies and spices filled the air. People cheerfully shopped for seasonal decorations and the gifts from local crafters at the eighth annual Tri-Kappa Annual Arts and Crafts show.\nThe show is an annual fundraising event held by the members of Tri-Kappa, a service sorority with roots in Bloomington.\nAngie Martin, chairwoman of the event and Tri-Kappa member, said the event is aligned with the organization's history and goals. \n"Tri-Kappa really has its roots in Bloomington," she said. "It was started in Bloomington in 1901 by 12 women who joined together to form a sorority that supported the local arts, education and culture."\nProceeds from concessions and admission to the craft fair contribute to the Tri-Kappa coffers, which in turn supports various local philanthropies. Some of the beneficiaries of the funds include two scholarships for high school students; donations for the theater, music, and art departments at Bloomington High Schools North and South and a continuing education scholarship at IU. \nOne of Tri-Kappa's hallmark fundraising events, the craft show is an eight-year tradition in the community and among crafters and has been growing in popularity. What started as a small fair has bloomed into a craft show that overtakes the elementary school gym and fills the hallways with handcrafted treasures.\nCrafter Jackie Hall has been with the Tri-Kappa show since its beginning. Delving into the crafting world with inspiration from her mother's now defunct Nashville, Ind., store, she offers authentic Russian nesting dolls along with wreaths decorated with seasonal themes.\n"I continue working the Tri-Kappa show primarily out of loyalty," she said. "Besides, it is a wonderful organization that does a lot of good in the community. I see some of the same customers here every year. Even though it's been a year, it seems like you're just where you left off. It really helps build a following."\nLoyalty from the crafters is one area that Tri-Kappa prides itself on.\n"We attract our crafters with word of mouth," Tri-Kappa member Aggie Sarkissan said. "We strive to treat the crafters well and make it easy on them."\nAssisting Tri-Kappa with the crafters were several Girl Scouts of the Tulip Trace Council, a regional organization spanning 10 surrounding counties.\n"The Girl Scouts are a great help," Sarkissan said. "They help set up and relieve crafters, so the booths are never empty. They also go around taking lunch orders. The service helping our crafters also helps them achieve some badge requirements."\nMost who volunteer at the craft show are there to raise funds for Tri-Kappa's causes.\n"My favorite cause is the continuing education scholarship," Martin said. "It helps out women who are trying to restart by getting an education while still juggling the demands of a family and job. I wish we could raise more money, just so we could donate more to this scholarship."\nThe local application of funds is what drives many of the members of Tri-Kappa to succeed in this annual event.\n"The great thing about Tri-Kappa is I can see the money working in the community," Sarkissan said. "It helps my neighbors, the people I can see every day. It's really great to be able to see the results so well."\nFor more information about the Tri-Kappa sorority or to make a donation contact Angie Martin at 824-2200.
(10/22/03 5:22am)
As college students, we all can probably use some advice on how to live fabulously on a budget. Between paying for classes, books, groceries and entertainment, many of us live a broke existence. Many dinners of ramen noodles can attest to that. It's fine. We're in college, right?\nNina Willdorf, a self-described urban girl, offers savings tips while still living large in her first book, "City Chic." Hidden between the neon pink covers are some ingenious cost-saving tips for everything from decorating your first apartment to throwing a dinner party without breaking the bank.\nUnfortunately, this hand-to-mouth existence doesn't always end once the books close, and we're on our way into the real world. While most entry positions are new and exciting, many won't be paying enough for us to live out our champagne tastes; life after college still involves the beer budget. \nEven though dinner parties may not be at the top of every college student's to-do list, the advice contained within the book is worth the $12.95 price tag. The advice on decorating is particularly useful; with limited budgets and a somewhat vagrant existence, most students don't put a whole lot into decorating. But with a few dollars and a little elbow grease, the tips inside can have your apartment looking fabulous in no time. \nIn fact, Willdorf will have all of you fabulous with her budget-saving tips. There are sections on painting, furniture purchasing, flowers and plants, fitness, hair care, makeup tips, bar-hopping, grocery and clothing shopping. While not all of the tips may be doable for everybody, she does give plenty of ways to save a dollar or two on the things that eat away at our wallets. \nTired of spending hundreds of dollars on a gym membership? Just buy a pair of running shoes and trot around your neighborhood instead. Four dollar lattes at Starbucks breaking your bank? Grind your own coffee at home and drink out of a travel mug. Is your enormous bar tab eating away at your wallet? Go to happy hour, or drink whatever is on special at the bar you frequent. While some of these tips are almost so simple they should be self-evident, it does sometimes take someone else to remind you how to save a few bucks.\nThough Bloomington may not be a big city, the cash-saving tips inside can apply here, too. Besides, what student couldn't use a few extra bucks in his or her pocket? If you're interested in being amazing on a budget, look no further than "City Chic." Good advice on trimming your budget paired with cheeky humor makes this one advice book that's easy to swallow.
(10/08/03 5:43am)
Michael Crichton, one of the modern masters of science fiction, has once again bent the laws of reality to create an engrossing tale of corporate greed and scientific irresponsibility. This time the heroes of his novel "Timeline" are faced with sword-wielding ancestors of medieval times in the search to rescue one of their own. This novel, the latest of Crichton's work to be adapted to film, is certainly worth the read before the movie hits theaters in November.\nThe novel begins with a family discovering a dying man on the side of the road in the desert. When he is taken to the hospital, the attending physician notices something strange: it seems as though the veins and arteries in his body are not aligned with each other, causing his death. \nFrom this opening sequence we are taken to the headquarters of a high-tech firm headed by the intimidating, tech-savvy billionaire Robert Doniger, who makes Bill Gates look downright cuddly in comparison. Doniger wants to create a theme park based on the past -- a recurring theme for Crichton -- using futuristic technology to make people realistically experience the distant past. Unfortunately, the time traveling technology has a fatal flaw -- some of the things sent through it do not come back aligned properly, like the dead man's veins.\nThis is all well and good until one of the historians who was researching the proposed site for the park sends a distress signal from the 14th century. While the researchers are puzzled in present-day, the time travel technology is revealed by Doniger. A team of historians go back in time through the use of "quantum foam wormholes," quite unaware of the danger that lies ahead of them. \nOh yeah, and the rescue squad has only 37 hours to collect the missing historian and return to the exact spot they were beamed to, or they are stuck in medieval France for the remainder of their natural lives.\nArrogant and convinced they can manage themselves in the distant past, the rescue team comes into close call after close call. They have to avoid offending the bloodthirsty knights controlling the area they are searching, brave a battle, and outwit a rogue scientist from the future who has assimilated into the past. \nWhile the beginning of the novel is very heavy on science, once the rescue team is in the 14th century, "Timeline" turns into a swashbuckling old-fashioned adventure full of intrigue, romance and some really cool battle scenes. Crichton makes the past come alive as vividly as if the reader were also transported back to medieval France. It is an engrossing page-turner that begs to have just one more page read. I highly recommend "Timeline" to anybody looking for a good, quick read.
(09/23/03 5:03am)
Tom Clancy has taken his devoted readers across the globe with his tales of military intrigue and political sparring. In most of his fictional works, we see the world through the eyes of Tom Clancy's answer to James Bond: Jack Ryan. Clancy once again weaves a torrid tale of ego, politics and religion in "Red Rabbit," deftly trapping his hero in the middle.\nFor those who are not avid Clancy readers, John Patrick Ryan is the every-man American hero who happens to be in the right -- or wrong, depending on your view -- place over and over again. Not only has Jack's character survived a helicopter accident as a marine, assisted the defection of a Russian submarine and been elevated to the office of president, but he has also managed to save several members of the British royal family, earning an honorary knighthood. Did I forget to mention that he is fabulously wealthy -- self-made, of course -- happily married and extremely well-connected?\n"Red Rabbit," the latest addition into the Jack Ryan saga, places him in the near-beginning of his long, illustrious career. For those who are diehard fans, "Red Rabbit" occurs squarely between "Patriot Games" and "The Hunt for Red October," or for those who aren't, somewhere in the late 80s. Ryan, who has been stationed in London by the CIA, stumbles upon a powder keg situation in the Soviet Bloc. \nThe Soviet government is having difficulty curtailing the dissent in Poland over labor disputes; the heavy-handedness of the Soviet response has created a new problem for the Russians. Pope John Paul II, himself a native of Poland, has threatened the Warsaw government with an unprecedented situation. The pope has threatened to resign his papacy, which will cause irreparable harm to the Russian communist cause.\nThe story hasn't even begun to get complicated yet. Enter the CIA and its Russian counterpart, the KGB. Both agencies are evaluating the situation, but the KGB has decided to act by assassinating the figurehead of the Catholic Church. The communications within the KGB are transferred through a man with a conscience, the "Red Rabbit."\nIn exchange for the information that could possibly save the life of the pope, he wants himself and his family to be extricated from the Soviet Union. Tricky operations ensue, and the plot becomes even more convoluted with the daring escape from behind the Iron Curtain. \nThough it sounds overly complicated, therein lays the true beauty of Clancy's novels. He has managed to take a bizarre, far-fetched story and make it a character-driven masterpiece. As you read the novel, you root for the Red Rabbit and his family, and Jack and his family. \nWhile "Red Rabbit" is an enjoyable addition to the Tom Clancy library for the devout fan, perhaps new readers cannot delve into "Red Rabbit" without being a little lost. Many of the novels build on recurring characters, and some are not adequately explained for new readers. Fans of Clancy should pick up "Red Rabbit." If you haven't been converted, I suggest you start with his first novel, "The Hunt for Red October"
(07/24/03 1:31am)
Jon Krakauer, an outdoor writer and journalist-turned novelist, has struck gold with his fourth book, "Under the Banner of Heaven." In his previous works, Krakauer has explored the relationship man has with nature; "Into the Wild" illustrated the unforgiving nature of the wilderness, and "Into Thin Air" showed the dangers of commercializing treacherous outdoors expeditions. Instead of focusing on man and nature, Krakauer is focusing on man and God in his latest work.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a novel recounting the horrific murders of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. The mother and daughter were ritualistically slain in their home by members of Brenda's husband's family. The reason behind the senseless murders was something astounding; the culprits, Ron and Dan Lafferty, believed they were sent an edict from God to kill the mother and daughter. What drew attention to this case nationwide was not the brutality of the murders, but rather the violent faith that led these men to murder. When asked about the crime, Dan Lafferty admits to killing the pair, but also insists he committed no crime. He was on a mission from God.\nBoth murderers are part of a Mormon Fundamentalist sect. Members who proscribe to this faith believe the mainstream Mormon Church has strayed badly by renouncing polygamy to gain acceptance within its home country. The modern Mormon Church has nothing to do with the fundamentalists and denounces the violence of which many are capable. Krakauer interviewed excommunicated Mormon Fundamentalists who were willing to share the secrets of these little-known religious fanatics in America's west.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is a fabulously written tale that uses the brutal murder of two innocent people to explore the basis of religious fundamentalism. Krakauer attempts to answer why people proscribe to violent, domineering religious dogmas and does so in a sensitive, insightful manner. \nThis book is in no way a condemnation of the Mormon Church as a whole. The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints is the world's fastest growing religion, with over 11 million active Saints worldwide. There are currently more Mormons than Jews worldwide, and it is the first major world religion to emerge since Islam. It is also a uniquely American religion; Mormonism was born and flourished in the American West.\nI commend Krakauer for not only his insight into religious fundamentalism, but also his choice of example with which to explore it. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, much focus has been placed on the fundamentalism of Islam. However, the fact remains that each faith has extremists, and murder has been committed in the name of God, whether it were Christians, Jews, Muslims or Buddhists drawing the blade.\nBy choosing an American story and an American faith, Krakauer is able to explore the radical edge without drawing the immediate conclusion of the reader. The people he writes about aren't half a world away, rather they are in America's backyard. "Under the Banner of Heaven" is a well-written, probing tale of religious extremism and exploration into what makes it happen.\n"Under the Banner of Heaven" is published by Doubleday Books. It is available at Borders, Barnes & Noble and other local retailers. The list price is $26.
(07/21/03 1:33am)
By now most of us have heard of "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook" series. Offering sage advice on perilous, life-threatening or embarrassing situations, these books have given hope to the people who live dangerously while traveling, golfing, home for the holidays and even at work. \nWhile all of these volumes have protected the prepared, the authors have delved into the most dangerous area of human relations: dating. Their introduction says it all: Love hurts. Love is a battlefield. \nWhat better way to help out your chances than a guide to help you through all of the mishaps that can occur along the way?\nWritten by Joshua Priven, David Borgenicht and Jennifer Worick, "The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex" can help you save a date from the clutches of disaster. Priven and Borgenicht are the creators of the series, and this time around they have added a female member to the team to cover their bases. The authors have assembled a team of experts to help solve the sticky situations people manage to get themselves into every day.\nThe authors help you endure the wilds of dating with a wide range of survival skills. Not only are detailed instructions for spotting breast implants included, but also tips on how to determine if your blind date is really an axe murderer, con artist or a cross-dresser.\nI found the instructions on escaping bad dates particularly funny. At one time or another, many of us have found ourselves on dates with people so boring or incompatible with us we would rather chew off our hand than sit through it for another minute. Rather than attempting an at-home amputation, the authors suggest an escape plan that borders on James Bond-like intrigue. From altering your appearance to sneaking out the kitchen, escape routes are clearly marked for people who abhor their blind date. \nHowever, the advice isn't simply about dating; appearances and sex are covered by the intrepid authors. Advice on how to easily join the "mile high" club are included in this handy book, but also the warning that having sex in an airplane lavatory is a violation of federal law, so sneakiness is the key.\nWhat if your zipper gets stuck? The answer is here. What if you have excessive gas? Also here. In fact, most foreseeable -- and many unforeseeable -- dating mishaps are covered in this book. What to do if you don't remember last night's conquest's name is here, but that's a situation I'd strive to avoid. From meeting the parents to faking an orgasm, the safety net for your dating life is here. This book, while a tad on the humorous side, does in fact hold some practical advice for anyone out there who is braving the wild world of dating.\n"The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Dating & Sex" is published by Chronicle Books. It is available at Greetings, Barnes & Noble, Borders and several other local retailers for $14.95.
(07/17/03 1:42am)
Life with sex, innuendo and Buddhist sensibilities, "Bangkok 8," the latest novel from established writer John Burdett, is a gripping mystery set in the pulsating city of Krung Thep -- more commonly known as Bangkok to us. While focusing on the seedy underbelly of the city, Burdett is careful to note that the sex trade in Bangkok, while world famous, is actually smaller than that of Taiwan, the Phillipines or the United States. \nThe first trek into Bangkok is on the tail of a detective, Sonchai. Born a half-caste -- half Thai and half white -- he is a "monk" cop with the corrupt Royal Thai Police, meaning he is one of the few Thai cops who won't accept bribes. His partner, also a "monk," is killed in a spectacular manner after they both witness the murder of a monolithic U.S. Marine, William Bradley, with a most unusual weapon -- pythons and cobras drugged with yaa baa, the Thai name for methamphetamine. \nSonchai vows revenge on his partner's death and begins to investigate the unusual killings; he immediately associates the style of killing with the gangs that run unfettered in the city. Now the question posed is why would a U.S. Marine, who is fabulously wealthy by Thai standards, be killed by a Thai gang?\nThe FBI cooperates with Sonchai's investigation, providing him with a partner who appears to have been shunted to the unfavorable posting. However, they balk when he uncovers evidence that an extremely wealthy and powerful American has more to do with the murder than meets the eye. \nWhat the FBI doesn't know is Sonchai's new partner is actually in Bangkok to find out what precisely the prime suspect is involved in.\nStanding in the way of the investigation into the murders are Bradley's brother -- a formidable drug dealer -- the corruption of the Royal Thai Police, the stonewalling of the FBI and the elusive identity of the exotic consort with whom Bradley kept company. Sexual perversion enters the mix; Bradley emerges as the complete opposite of a clean-cut marine. Twists and turns lead Sonchai in different directions, and the conclusion of the novel is the last thing you would expect. \nI thoroughly enjoyed "Bangkok 8." While set in a foreign land, Sonchai is very accessible as a character. While wild, the twists and turns of the mystery are feasible, making the story exotic and enjoyable. The reader is constantly peppered with reminders of Buddha and Eastern philosophy, making the trips into the Thai mind easier for the Western reader to understand. "Bangkok 8" is a murder mystery of the first order, and anybody who is interested in tales of police and mystery should consider picking it up.\n"Bangkok 8" lists for $24, but is available on Amazon.com for $16.
(07/03/03 12:38am)
"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth installment in the popular Harry Potter book series, is guaranteed to entertain fans of the pint-sized wizard. With entertaining adventures, intrigue with the Dark Arts, house rivalry and a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is a 870-page long trip into the magical world author J.K. Rowling has created.\nWith the hoopla that surrounded the release of "Order of the Phoenix," I was a bit skeptical of the book. Expectations were high for the follow up of "The Goblet of Fire" because it was released nearly three years after its predecessor. Worldwide Harry Potter fans anxiously awaited the fifth volume; the manuscript was the target of thieves and intrigue. The precautions surrounding the contents of the book were astounding, with security for the books seeming tighter than that for world leaders. While the hubbub around the release was at times a tad ridiculous, "The Order of the Phoenix" is a solid entry into the Harry Potter lore. \n"The Order of the Phoenix" has a decidedly darker tone than its predecessors. While maintaining the tradition of beginning at Number Four Privet Drive, this time we begin to see a more rebellious Harry bucking the poor treatment he receives at the hands of his aunt, uncle and cousin. When Harry and Dudley are attacked by Dementors in the alley, Harry violates wizard laws of secrecy. The Ministry of Magic tries Harry for crimes, but Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster at Hogwarts, manages to vindicate Harry.\nThe Hogwarts sorting hat warns the students against dividing the houses against each other; in the time of the return Lord Voldemort -- the most evil Dark wizard to ever live -- the students must reunite. However, many in the wizarding world don't believe that Voldemort has returned and Harry, who dueled with the Dark wizard at the end of "The Goblet of Fire," is one brick short of a load. \nI promise I won't give away any more of the book, but there are plenty of surprises in store for the reader. The new Professor of Dark Arts is a real piece of work and makes Harry's least favorite teacher, Severus Snape, seem like an absolute angel. The enmity between Harry Potter and his arch-nemesis Draco Malfoy escalates further this year, with the two attempting to curse each other at every turn. The end of the book has an intense battle in the very heart of the wizarding world.\nOh yes, and to confirm some rumors, a major character does die. I'll give you a hint: it's not Harry.\n"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is a great continuation of the Harry Potter series. While a bit on the hefty side, it does maintain the magical world Rowling created very well. While I would not recommend reading "Order of the Phoenix" before reading any other Harry Potter books, it is a great investment for the dedicated fan.\n"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is available at several local retailers. It lists at $29.99 but is discounted at many locations.
(06/23/03 1:37am)
Witches, wizards and Muggles engulfed local bookstores Friday night in hopes of being the first to own the fifth installment in the popular Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Borders, Barnes and Noble and Howard's Bookstore all stayed open to celebrate the release of the children's book, which officially was released Saturday at 12:01 a.m. Bookstores were celebrating the release of the book all day Friday with craft sessions, Harry Potter trivia and other games.\nThe scene at Borders Books and Music was that of organized chaos. Jubilant Harry Potter fans were socializing with each other, comparing their wit while Borders' employees, dressed as witches and wizards, distributed tickets that guaranteed the holder a spot in line; these tickets began being distributed at 9:01 a.m. on Friday. Recent IU graduate Sarah Jacobi was the first in line to receive a copy at Borders.\n"I was here in the morning to get my ticket," she said. "I waited for the store to open."\nJacobi said she chose to wait in line at a bookstore instead of ordering online because Borders had the best available price. The book, which is listed at $29.99, was selling at a 40 percent discount at both Borders and Barnes and Noble.\n"Waiting here is part of the fun," Jacobi said. "It's really exciting that everybody is realizing what good books these are. When I first started reading them, people wondered why I was reading a kid's book; I was embarrassed to buy them. Now everybody sees why I love these books."\nResplendent in his crimson velvet robes and hat topped with a peacock feather, Bloomington resident Brian Morton was waiting in line about 100 people back. Dressed as Gilderoy Lockhart,the ill-fated Defense Against the Dark Arts professor of Hogwarts from Harry's second year at the school, he entertained onlookers with his elaborate garb. Waiting with his wife and 16-month-old son, he said he was ecstatic about receiving the new book.\n"Our son likes having the Harry Potter stories read to him," he said. \nMorton said he and his family had been at Borders since 7 p.m. enjoying the atmosphere, games and other entertainment. \n"Its our first time going to something like this," he said. "We really didn't know quite what to expect, but this has been great."\nBorders employees could not comment on the number of people in attendance or their expected sales of the book.\nAcross the street at Barnes and Noble, the scene was much more subdued. Those who pre-ordered the book before June 1 waited patiently in line to receive their books bespectacled in the Harry Potter look-alike glasses distributed by costumed Barnes and Noble employees. \n"We didn't give out more tickets than we have copies of the book," said Rebecca Guest-Scott, a department manager. "We started giving away tickets at 9, but we, of course, give the people who pre-ordered the book preference in line."\nShe said the Barnes and Noble celebration officially began at 9 p.m., but the store started filling up after the dinner hours.\n"We put a lot of time and crafty effort into preparing for this launch," Guest-Scott said.\nScholastic, Inc., the U.S. publisher of the Harry Potter series, said it was too early to determine the level of sales for the book; the first U.S. printing was set at 8.5 million copies. Amazon.com delivered over 1.3 million copies of "The Order of the Phoenix" to customers Saturday, making it the largest single item distribution in e-commerce history.\nCopies of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" are available at several local retailers. Its list price is $29.99, but it is discounted at many locations.
(06/16/03 12:41am)
Ad Nauseam," the complete thirteenth edition news archive of the nationally known humor newspaper The Onion, is one book you simply must purchase -- as long as you have a sense of humor and are not easily offended. This 13th archive of The Onion's biweekly newspaper is a humorous look back at 2000 and 2001, highlighting the ups, downs and everything in between.\nThe satire runs from national news and headline-makers to the doldrums of everyday existence. There are also 'syndicated columns,' featuring the likes of Jim Anchower, a local stoner, Smoove B, a love man, Jean Teasdale, a repressed housewife and Herbert Kornfield, a ghetto-talking accounts receivable supervisor. These columns are a scream; Kornfield's columns are particularly amusing. The mug shot of a thin, nerdy-looking white man juxtaposed with the ghetto trash talk of an accountant make for one funny read. Who knew the world of accounts receivable was so rough and tumble?\nThe horoscopes and advice columns are also amusing. The Onion astrologer is a retired mechanic, and the advice comes from such diverse places as a guy getting yelled at by his wife, an upscale catalog and a cheat guide for a video game. \nThe national news headlines of The Onion make this book a must-have. I was particularly amused by the "Starbucks to begin sinister 'Phase Two' of Operation" story. Many people believe Starbucks has world domination in mind, but certainly not to the level of which The Onion is accusing it. \nOne area I have to applaud The Onion on in this volume is their handling of the Sept. 11 attacks. While most were afraid to joke about the events of that day, The Onion took it on with a deft mix of humor and respect. From the tag line of "Holy F*ucking Sh*t: attack on America!" it dealt with many of the questions posed by the attacks. Much of what The Onion points out about the attacks can be seen as true; for a while life did turn into a bad Jerry Bruckheimer movie. It also reflected on how the Pentagon attacks didn't receive nearly as much press as the attacks on the World Trade Center.\nAll in all, the thirteenth complete news archives of The Onion is well worth the time. It's not a book you have to read in one sitting. Look at it as a large bowl of candy -- if you eat too much, it won't taste as good. The scathing humor is written with such wit that it really needs to be appreciated in installments. Otherwise, how would you fully appreciate accountants packing Times Square and partying to ring in the new fiscal year?
(06/06/03 5:05am)
Now that Adam Herbert has been announced as IU's next president, what exactly is his job and what authority can he exert while in his new position?\nThe official announcement of the position opening, released in November, 2002, lists a myriad of qualities the IU president should possess, as well as the president's multiple duties. These duties include fundraising, increasing diversity, leading the chancellors and faculty of the regional campuses and communicating the values, mission and accomplishments of the University.\nTrustee Stephen Ferguson, who headed the search committee, closely followed the posted description when describing the qualities of candidates the committee reviewed.\n"We sought candidates who could raise money, promote academic and cultural excellence, and serve as an advocate and champion of diversity," he said.\nKelley School of Business Associate Dean Bruce Jaffee said he views the job of president as an exercise in multitasking.\n"Some of the key duties for the president include providing strategic leadership for the University, including developing and communicating a vision that promotes academic excellence, while recognizing our resource constraints and the special mission of being Indiana University," Jaffee said. "The president needs to assure that the various units are coordinated and to be the key face of the University with major constituencies."\nBut how will Herbert execute these duties? IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said it is unclear how the new president will choose to execute his position because each president has chosen a different focus.\nFor example, Herman B Wells drastically increased the enrollment at the Bloomington campus, while Myles Brand chose to focus on academics, deemphasizing the role of sports.\n"It's going to be an exciting and productive time as our new president learns about IU and develops his leadership agenda," Brehm said.\nOne important focus for Herbert will be the management of all eight of IU's campuses. While it is essential that the president be aware of what is going on at each, Jaffee said he believes that delegation is key.\n"The president should not -- and cannot -- micromanage lots of issues on eight campuses," he said. "The president and all of the campus chancellors need to be on the same page and work cooperatively towards the same aims."\nWhile all campuses are important to the workings of IU, Jaffee adds the president may take a more active interest in the issues of the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses.\n"The reputation and impact of the University rests primarily on what happens, or does not happen, on the Bloomington and Indianapolis campuses," he said. "These chancellors report to the president, and the president has final authority. However, both the chancellors and the president need to be in basic agreement about goals and strategies to effectively advance the University's missions"
(06/05/03 12:51am)
From the introduction/disclaimer that opens the book, it was clear that "The Nanny Diaries" is a different type of book. The authors, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, are both former nannies turned sophisticated socialites in Manhattan. The intro makes it clear that the family described in the book is purely fictitious; for their sake I am glad this is the case.\n"The Nanny Diaries" follows the life of Nanny, a -- you guessed it -- nanny to the sophisticates of Manhattan. She uses the job just as a way to pay the rent for her tiny studio apartment and life at New York University, but instead gets drawn into the messy personal lives of her employers, all while trying to save the sanity of her tiny charge.\nNanny begins working for the X family accidentally, when she chances upon them in the park. Hired as a replacement for the current nanny, she quickly learns what a hectic life a privileged 4-year-old lives.\nWhat begins as a job shuttling little Grayer X from French lessons to tennis to various play dates becomes an all consuming job. Her responsibilities shift from being the caregiver of Grayer to the ombudsman of the X household. Not only does Nanny begin taking on the role of chef, but she also helps Mr. X conceal his extramarital affair and Mrs. X maintain her sanity.\nAll of this time she now spends with her family is at the expense of her family, new boyfriend -- lovingly dubbed Harvard Hottie -- and studies. All of the sacrifices she makes, however, seem to be ignored by the X adults, who are so self-absorbed they do not notice the effort and time Nanny puts forth.They treat her like furniture, paying her erratically and requiring services above and beyond the call of duty.\nThe frustration that builds during the entire novel comes to a head when Nanny 'accompanies' the family on a vacation to Nantucket. What is supposed to be a family trip turns into a clash between Mr. and Mrs. X, who are both tiptoeing around their anger over the affair. While Nanny is nothing but helpful, she ends up being dismissed at the end of the trip because Mrs. X feels that her heart is no longer into her duties.\nMcLaughlin and Kraus have created a diabolically funny novel laying the follies of the rich and idle out on the table. You want to cringe every time you see a note from Mrs. X, who has the audacity to think about getting a studio to get away from the son she never cares for. "The Nanny Diaries" paints an incredibly unflattering portrait of the rich who cannot be bothered to take care of their own children.\nThough incredibly funny, you cannot help but to feel pity for the children the nannies are charged with. They cry and scream for their parents, and instead of being rewarded with a hug from their mom they get shoved off onto hired help, a move Nanny aptly calls "The Spatula." The kids aren't disciplined and behave in ways that would get an ordinary child sent to their room for months.\n"The Nanny Diaries" is a page-turner that is perfect for a lazy day on the beach or in your favorite chair. You can't wait to see what audacious things the X's have done to each other, their child and Nanny. It is an excellently written novel with characters that I can only hope are caricatures of the idle rich; if there really are parents out there like Mr. and Mrs. X, I feel for their children.
(05/09/03 4:26am)
Engrossing, romantic and exotic are just a few words that can be used to describe the debut novel of Arthur Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha." From the first page to the last the reader is engrossed in the memoirs of the heroine Sayuri, a classically trained geisha who endured the process of becoming a geisha, suffered through World War II and moved to America, starting a new life for herself in her twilight years. The story is earthy and ethereal at the same time; from the first word reality stops existing; the reader is transported to Japan in the days when geishas were commonplace.\nThe tale begins with a poor fisherman's daughter being brought into the closed world of the geisha. From her home in a tiny fishing village, Sayuri is transported to Kyoto, where she embarks on her lifelong journey to transmute herself from a base peasant girl to the sparkling gem of a geisha. In Kyoto, Sayuri begins her training in the art of being a geisha; not only is her appearance paramount, but she must also become skilled in the arts of dance, music and conversation. Her life becomes a quest to be the ideal woman, beguiling to powerful men. \nAfter years of training, Sayuri becomes a full-fledged geisha, but her learning is far from over. The auction of her mizuage, or virginity, sets a record price in Kyoto, spreading her name over Japan, making her a well-known and sought-after geisha. However, being a geisha was much more than the sexual side; Sayuri was skilled in dance, conversation and poetry. She gained many supporters, mainly the businessmen she entertained. However, she also drew the ire of other geishas, who often fell short when compared to Sayuri. Sayuri's most poisonous enemy was Hatsumomo, the geisha she lived with while training and former top geisha in Kyoto. Sayuri learns the world of intrigue that is behind the kimonos of the geisha world; discretion and rumors are as important as pleasing the men who seek their company.\nSayuri becomes the mistress of her true love, a wealthy businessman she met as a child. Her love for him is what supported her through the agonizing training to become a geisha. After World War II geishas became less common in Japan and few men requested their services. Sayuri adapted to the change and moved to New York City to establish a tea house, making herself a new life in a new world. In her twilight years she captured her life as a memoir, telling the world what her life was like as a woman of the pleasure quarters.\nI was absolutely enraptured by "Memoirs of a Geisha." The book is full of innuendo and intrigue, impossible to put down until it is completed. It is both lush and spare, full of nuance and beautifully written. "Memoirs" is a marvelous debut novel, displaying the years of research Golden put into the novel; it reads as an actual memoir of a geisha, not the work of fiction that it is. I highly recommend "Memoirs of a Geisha" to anyone who is looking to escape from the world in a few minutes. It is a beautifully executed work of fiction and a haunting tale of a life lived to different expectations.
(05/05/03 4:58am)
Lee Strobel, a respected journalist and the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, pursued an investigation into one of the most debated religious matters of the modern era: Was Jesus of Nazareth Christ, the promised messiah for the Jewish people? In his compelling book "The Case for Christ" Strobel interrogates New Testament experts, archaeologists and other religious scholars in the search for the truth regarding the divinity of Jesus. \nIn the introduction, Strobel said he began his investigation into the divinity of Christ after his wife converted to Christianity. He noted the change in her demeanor and outlook on life was so profound, and he said he had to understand what made his wife shift subtly, but so significantly. Strobel then decided to investigate the claims of Christians with the same interrogative stance he used while reporting, setting aside his own skepticism in the name of the truth. He interviewed Craig Blomberg, a noted New Testament scholar at the Denver Seminary, Bruce Metzger, a scholar at the Princeton Seminary, and other luminaries in the theological field. \nStrobel recounts the interviews with the scholars in "The Case for Christ." The questions he asks are tough, to the point and did not leave the scholars with any leeway in their answers. Strobel pursued weaknesses doggedly, pursuing a question until he believed the answer was satisfying. Not only was the theological consistency of the four Gospels questioned, but also the collaborating evidence of Christ. Secular proof of the existence and works of Christ does exist, but the author was concerned with tampering by fanatical early Christians who were bound and determined to prove that Jesus of Nazereth was Christ. However, the scholars were able to defend their positions to the satisfaction of the author. \nI know this isn't the normal book to just pick up and read, but despite my reluctance it was extremely interesting. I simply took what I was taught in Sunday School as what it was presented to me; I never doubted what I have been taught since my youth. While some have a faith in what is taught, this book is a great suggestion for skeptics of Christianity or religion as a whole. I respect the circumspection that Strobel treated the topic with, but also that he refused to quit questioning until he was fully satisfied with an answer. The most stunning part of the book, however, is that Strobel leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusion. Since he is now a teaching minister, it is obvious what his conclusion was; however, he makes no judgements on what was being said by the scholars, even when he was still a skeptic.\nI recommend "The Case for Christ" to readers who are searching for an understanding of Christianity, people with an interest in the topic or those who are considering conversion. It is not a quick read, but Strobel was incredibly thorough in both his research and preparation. The book reads well and presents compelling arguments for the historical authenticity of the four Gospels, in addition to other corroborating evidence of Christ's existence and deeds.
