Gene Wars

Customer Reviews:

Curious about the genetics industry? Start here........2000-10-14

I originally read this book for a college course about the ethics of genetics. It is something every person in the biological or natural sciences should read, but it is also helpful for anyone interested in genetics. It is primarily about the politics and ethics which surround all genetic issues. Cook-Deegan explains the rudiments of genetics in a very easy to understand manner, and then launches into an in-depth examination of the politics of genetics. More goes on behind the scenes of biological science than you would ever believe. In the coming years genetics and the ethical issues surrounding genetics are going to become very important in medicine, pharmaceutical research, and criminal forensics. No longer just a class for science majors, genetics may well enter your life in ways you never expected. Cook-Deegan's book can definately educate as well as entertain.

Human Genes should not be patented!.......1997-11-14

November, 1997 "The Gene Wars: Science, Politics, and the Human Genome" by Robert Cook-Deegan (W.W. Norton & Company, New York, 1994) This is a fascinating book about the politics of the human genome project. Although I was familiar with much of the history of this project, it was good to read an organized, "insider's view". The author worked for the U.S. congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) during the formative years of the project. The book starts out with a description of the horrors of Alzheimer's disease, and then goes on to explain the significance of the human genome project in terms of understanding human disease. With the significance of the work firmly established, the genesis of the human genome project is described - apparently the idea of sequencing the entire DNA sequence for a "single" human being was first realistically proposed by three different groups, working independently of each other, all about the same time (within a few months) during 1985. These groups all realized that the technology was quickly becoming available to achieve such a daunting task. To give you an idea of the difficulty of the task - imagine that you were to start reading the human genome, at one base every second (the genetic information coding for you (and all other animals and plants you see) is written down in a simple "text", just like this article; in the language of DNA, there are only four "letters" - G, A, T, and C) - to read the DNA sequence of a human being would take about 140 years - if you were to read one base a second, 24 hours a day, non-stop. The (frustrating) fact is that you really would not know anything about the person when you were done, except that they most likely had died (and had to pay taxes!) several years before their DNA sequence had been read. Obviously one needs computers to handle this kind of information. The best place for computers was at the National Laboratories in the U.S. Southwest - mainly Lawrence Livermore & Los Alamos National Laboratories. I had always thought that this was why the national labs had got involved in the genome project. To be honest, I had often wondered how the Department of Energy wound up financing the project - I was surprised to learn that in fact that one of the first groups to propose sequencing the human genome was from Los Alamos - in part kind of a "from nuclear bombs to plowshares" type of philosophy. But in fact, there was a bit more of a sinister twist to this plot - the U.S. military was trying to study the effects of the atomic blasts on the Japanese survivors from World War II. Furthermore I know (from personal conversations with scientists at Los Alamos during this time) that the U.S. military was seriously operating under Ronald Reagon's philosophy of fighting and surviving (?) a nuclear war. The result of all of this was that the human genome project was funded initially by the Department of Energy; basically it was a military project to ensure jobs for unemployed bomb makers (according to some of the critics at the time). The first "gene wars" aspect of this has to do with the politics of government funding. Really, the most logical place to fund this research would be the National Institute of Health (NIH), but many people were still feeling the pinch of less money for basic research at the time, and were quite afraid that the human genome project would steal money from basic grants. Furthermore, many scientists observed that, since roughly 98% of the human was "junk" (that is, it doesn't code for proteins), it would be a huge waste of money. Indeed, to try and use present or "old technology" to sequence the human genome WOULD be stupid - but the genome project was all about heavily investing in technology to improve speed of sequencing. In the 1960's, it was a very significant achievement to sequence 23 nucleotides (the equivalent of being able to read maybe 3 words in a sentence). In 1977, Fred Sanger (funded by the MRC in England) developed a sequencing technology that made it possible to read the entire sequence of a bacterial virus (about 5400 nucleotides long, or roughly the same as being able to read a short paragraph). This was significant enough to merit a Nobel Prize for a Nobel Prize, shared with two Harvard scientists who also developed a different (slower) method for sequencing. By 1985, this technique had begun to be automated, such that a MACHINE could read the sequence automatically - it now was possible to routinely sequence more than 10,000 nucleotides (this would be like being able to read a full page - with enough work it wouldn't be too difficult to put together an entire chapter). However, in 1985 the human genome project still was a pretty daunting task - at the present rate of sequencing, Jim Watson estimated that it would take about a thousand years to sequence the entire human genome!! So the human genome project was set up to invest heavily in technology - in fact when the program finally was officially launched in October of 1990, it was a 20 year project, with the first 10 years invested mostly into improved methods of sequencing, with most of the actual sequencing of the genome being done in the last few years. In addition, the genomes of smaller organisms was set up as intermediary goal posts along the road. In the past two years, we have already seen the realization of the early goals; the complete sequence for the genomes of more than a dozen bacteria are now available for research and comparison, and the genome of the first "animal" (simple yeast) was published earlier this year (1997). Soon to come will be the first worm (nematode), first plant, and first insect. It will probably be another 4 or 5 years before the first mammalian genomes become available. The human genome project is set up initially to run from 1990 through the year 2010. The annual budget is roughly U.S. $200,000,000 per year (!) - of which about $120,000,000 is given to the NIH, and about $80,000,000 is given to the DOE. At the suggestion of the first Director of the Human Genome project (Jim Watson), about 5% of the budget is invested into "ethical considerations of the human genome sequencing project". As Cook-Deegan points out, there are many ethical considerations to consider - in fact, a large part of the reason Jim Watson resigned as director had to do with his strong objections to the U.S. government policy of trying to patent DNA sequences. Although Cook-Deegan takes a more middle of the road approach, and tries to explain why the government wants to regain money invested in research (which I think this SOUNDS fair enough...), I guess I really tend to agree with Watson. Imagine. You are living a thousand years in the future, and no one speaks English anymore - in fact, through years of neglect, it is almost a forgotten language. Now you learn to read, and find one of Shakespeare's books. Suppose you are the first person to read through part (not all, even) of one of his plays - does this mean that YOU have to right to charge anyone else royalties who wants to read this or use it in the future? This is in fact what was at issue at the "bioearth" summit in Brazil in 1992 - the U.S. did not want to sign an agreement forbidding the patenting of DNA sequences, despite the agreement amongst all the other countries in the world. I personally have no problems with patents - I think they are wonderful, provided they are for something that you have created. But I do have serious problems with patenting DNA sequences - because this is just merely reading a text that someone else (God?) has already written. In summary, this book is a good history of the beginning of the Human Genome project. For me, it was fun to see much fruit of this project in my own research. I think this is an essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what the human genome project is all about, in terms not only of the science, but also the development

Pingao on coastal sand dunes: Guidelines for seed collection, propagation, and establishment (CDVN technical bulletin)
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Pingao on coastal sand dunes: Guidelines for seed collection, propagation, and establishment (CDVN technical bulletin)
D. O Bergin
Manufacturer: New Zealand Forest Research Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0478110006

Book Description

"I had never lived on a sailboat. I had never sailed more than ten days straight. Would I like it? Could I do it? Was this journey a solution, or would it turn out to be just a new rendition of the same old problems?

I breathed deeply, and I jumped in."

Susan Hitchcock felt her family of four drifting apart. As she watched the daily demands of life tug her away from her husband and two young children, she knew they must find a way back to each other. So to reconnect as a family, they took to the sea.

Sailing for nine months and 3,500 miles around the Caribbean aboard Hei Tiki, they meet formidable challenges from the volatile moods of Mother Nature and the mighty ocean to the cultural barriers on distant islands, and their own innermost fears. Though a novice sailor, Susan soon develops an affinity for the water, feeling her life pulse with the sensual rhythm of the tides. And through both the rigors and the serenity of sailing, her family discovers a newfound intimacy and joy in the adventure of a lifetime.

An inspiring and triumphant chronicle of life at sea, Coming About is a wonderful meditation on marriage, family, and the fulfillment of dreams.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant.......2005-07-16

The couple chronicled in this story are not perfect. If you want to read about a sugar-coated-sail-off-into-the-sunset family, this isn't for you. However, if you want an honest look at honest people with true flaws, going on an incredible adventure through the carribean you won't be able to put it down, just as I couldn't. Everything is revealed for the reader, no matter how uncomfortable it can be at times. That discomfort makes you feel as if your there with the family in the midst of those awkward moments. Most importantly, it gives me courage that my family can undertake simmilar cruises, with success... flaws and all.

mixed feelings.......2005-04-07

I just finished this book and I spent the first half just loathing both huband and wife: wife for being a doormat and husband for being a jerk. Then, through the story I came to know Susan and Dave and the story of their earning each others' trust was so moving for me. Trusting each other enough to feel safe in their expressions of frustration. And to be able to slog through problems because they had to - what else were they to do? 32 ft isn't a lot. The tranformation of the kids, their willingness to have John homeschool (once they were back), their ability to work as a team and express needs without feeling bad about it. It was wonderful to read about these changes. I also loved reading about the islands, port life and Susan's learning to sail in a sink-or-swim situation. It's clear that Susan is a super strong woman who is clear in her ability to work with what she's got and understand her choices. She takes the world and makes it her own. If there's something she doesn't like, she changes it or accepts it if she cant.

The kids were amazing though it was hard to see how hard they are on them and how little positive intent is not often assumed, if at all.

Some folks here have given poor reviews of this book. My take on those reviews is that Susan was brave enough to expose her life and all of its intricacies so that others may benefit. it's called non-fiction i believe. And their love-making scenes, while not my taste, were real and far better than some made up, grody, milky-white-thigh-laiden romance novel.

We have just purchased a cruising boat and plan to leave with our little one when she's a little older. This book has taught me some things about cruising life. Thanks Susan for the honest account!

Romance Novelist goes to sea?.......2003-11-27

My wife & I are considering such a trip in a few years, and are reading as much as possible about others' experiences in the mean time. My advice is to skip this one (glad I only checked it out of the library...). What you get is the story of how a couple lacking in seamanship skills (yes, even her "Capt. Bligh" of a husband) and trapped in a dysfunctional marriage manage to survive 9 months in the Bahamas & Caribbean...with a graphic, poorly written "romance-novel" style sex scene every 25-30 pages or so. It all comes off as some sort of strange exhibitionism.

I have sailed and otherwise travelled to many of the places she describes, and find her descriptions mostly on the level (although I hold Provo in higher regard than she does.) The rest of the book should serve as a cautionary tale on how NOT to do it.

Very interesting, a clear picture of a long sail........2003-08-24

My family currently owns the boat written about in the book, the Hei Tiki II, so it was interesting to see some of the voyages of the family and the boat. Susan writes as a woman who has almost no sailing experiance thrust into a long voyage at sea. She recounts how the various experiances changed her, her family and saved her shaky marriage. She tells how a long time at sea effects the attitudes of the people involved. At first it is easy to feel sorry for her, having no boating experiance but being coerced into it by her husband, but it quickly shows you the enormous strength this woman must have to cope. The tales of exotic ports of call, friends gained and lost, and stormy seas are all secondary to the story of the family. The book is subtitled "A Family's Passage At Sea," and this is what the book is really about, the family.

With a vivid and engaging honesty.......2003-02-13

Coming About: A Family Passage At Sea is the memoir of Susan Tyler Hitchcock, a wife and mother of two young children. Feeling the demands of daily life slowly pulling all of the members of her family apart from one another, the Hitchcock's embarked upon a nine-month, 3,500 mile Caribbean sea voyage in order to reconnect and discover more about the world. Highly recommended reading, Coming About biographically chronicles their adventures and life experiences with a vivid and engaging honesty which includes internal contemplations on the values of marriage, family, and togetherness.

Book Description

Buddy Boyle lives year-round with his family in unfashionable Seaville, New York, in a cramped little house on the bay. Skye Pennington spends the summers nearby on lavish estate complete with ocean view and a butler named Peacock.

But Skye and Buddy fall in love anyway. And every once in a while they visit Buddy's estranged grandfather, who makes them forget they're from opposite sides of town. Then a reporter appears, searching for a man known as Gentlehands, a man with a horrifying past. Who is Gentlehands? And what is his connection to Buddy's handsome, aristocratic grandfather? The mystery threatens to shatter Buddy and Skye's relationship, and change their lives forever.

Customer Reviews:

Great coming of age story.......2007-08-16

While the track of the story is bit predictable, this book is worth a read. I've read it several times and i'm still haunted by Buddy's grandfather and his secrets, and how he and Skye are doomed from the beginning. But if you like a coming of age story, this is a good one. It's not just the past of Buddy's grandfather that comes between him and Skye, but class issues as well. Give it a chance. I think you'll like it.

Another Holocaust Angle.......2007-02-28

Buddy Boyle lives in a pretty middle-class average place, with his parents and his younger brother. His mother's father lives close by in the next town over, but they never communicate with him. He was never a real father to Buddy's mother; she was an accident and he didn't stay around to watch her grow up. By chance they live so close.

Buddy was never interested in his grandfather until he started dating Skye, a beautiful rich girl who spends her summers in town by the ocean. Buddy knows that his family couldn't possibly impress this wonderful girl, but he remembers from his one visit to his grandfather that he lives in a nice home on the ocean filled with fine things. So Buddy brings Skye there to see him.

Immediately Buddy and Skye both fall in love with Buddy's grandfather. He is sophisticated; he knows about wine and opera. His home is filled with fine and expensive things. He takes care of the animals that live near his home. He seems the epitome of culture and grace, and Buddy and Skye start spending a great deal of time with him. Buddy feels like his grandfather can teach him all sorts of things about fitting into Skye's world that he couldn't learn at home.

Buddy's parents are not thrilled about his newfound relationships with his grandfather and with Skye, but they don't stop him. That is, until a nasty rumor starts spreading about Buddy's grandfather. Could he really be who people say he is?

The ending of this story was really good. It fit in well with the rest of the story. I also liked that the grandfather was made so appealing; it forced me to reconsider my views on the goodness of people. However, I disliked Buddy intensely. He wasn't nice to his family, especially his little brother, and so I found it hard to sympathize with him or root for him throughout the story.

Gentlehands in my perspective!.......2005-03-31

I think this book was very good. You should definatly read this book. I read it in a day. It was that good. I recommend this book to people who like sad and happy books. Please read this book!

Life.......2005-02-27

Buddy Boyle falls in love with an upper class girl, his father beats him, his mother doesn't approve, the only person that understands is his grandfather. I really liked this book. It caught me up right away. His grandfather is an understanding animal lover who was born in Germany. His is Buddy's best friend. GOOD TILL THE LAST PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE BESTEST!.......2004-06-23

This book, Gentlehands is by far the best book i've read. The author, M.E. Kerr keeps you guessing whats next in the capter, and yet u can't seem to put the book down. I will always anxoius to see whats next. This remarkembly good book is about a boy named Buddy Boyle who love this girl Skye Pennington. He takes her to see his grandfather who he hadn't seen since he was little. And he grows up to really like him. And...well you'll have to read it! I'd recommend it!

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Gentlehands

Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HTHAMA

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Gentlehands
M. E. Kerr
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEKBNS

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Gentlehands
M. E. ; Packer, Vin ; James, Mary ; Meaker, Marijane Kerr
Manufacturer: Harper & Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NW85DE

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Gentlehands by M.E. Kerr: Teacher Guide
Peggy Hall
Manufacturer: Novel Units
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1561371513

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GENTLEHANDS
KERR M. E.
Manufacturer: HARPER KEYPOINT BOOK
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PGRK4S

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Gentlehands
M. E. Kerr
Manufacturer: Harper Trophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B000P8ZYOY

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Gentlehands (An Ursula Nordstrom Bk.)
M. E. Kerr
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Children's Book Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KPVTC8

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Gentlehands.
M. E. Kerr
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEEVFC

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Gentlehands: A study guide (Novel-ties)
Estelle Kleinman
Manufacturer: Learning Links
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006S4NMW

Book Description

Many methods have been developed or adapted for the study of RNA processing, which plays a key role in the expression of genetic information. Volumes 180 and 181 of Methods in Enzymology, RNA Processing, Parts A and B, represent the first comprehensive collation of protocols used for the preparation of substrates, for the preparation of extracts and enzymes, and for the analysis of products in RNA processing. At least half of the chapters present techniques that are directly applicable to other areas of nucleic acid biochemistry and cell biology.

RNA Processing Part A, General Methods, Volume 180: Volume 180: Rna Processing Part A (Methods in Enzymology)

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RNA Processing Part A, General Methods, Volume 180: Volume 180: Rna Processing Part A (Methods in Enzymology)
James E. Dahlberg, John N. Abelson Melvin I. Simon
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OH8TXY

Book Description

A comprehensive treatment of carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy, one of the most important methods for the elucidation of the structure of organic molecules. Thoroughly describes all aspects of the experimental method and the pulse Fourier transform technique, as well as the structure dependence of the ¹3 _C-NMR parameters chemical shift, coupling constant, and relaxation. Examines the different classes of organic compounds, including organometallics, and provides a section on coupling constants organized according to the number and kind of intervening bonds. Dynamic phenomena, the application of LSR, and the determination of reaction mechanisms by ¹3 _C-NMR are treated as well.

Carbon-13 NMR Chemical Shifts in Structural and Stereochemical Analysis (Methods in Stereochemical Analysis)

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Carbon-13 NMR Chemical Shifts in Structural and Stereochemical Analysis (Methods in Stereochemical Analysis)
Kalevi Pihlaja , and Erich Kleinpeter
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

The book concentrates in illustrating the applications of C-13 chemical shifts to structural and stereochemical analysis of a variety of organic, oranometallic and bio-organic compounds including dynamic NMR, the experimental conditions to determine and various multidimensional methods to assign the C-13 chemical shifts. First time a chemist who wants to employ C-NMR for solving a structural problem will find practically all necessary fundamental advice within the same covers. The book is a new volume in the successful series 'Methods in Stereochemical Analysis' and is geared towards scientists and students. It is limited mainly to alicyclic chemistry in order to make the explanations transparent and understandable to readers.

Carbon-13 NMR spectra: A collection of assigned, coded, and indexed spectra

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Carbon-13 NMR spectra: A collection of assigned, coded, and indexed spectra
LeRoy F Johnson
Manufacturer: R. E. Krieger Pub. Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Analytic | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0882757334

Carbon-13 NMR Spectral Problems (Organic Chemistry)

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Carbon-13 NMR Spectral Problems (Organic Chemistry)
Robert B. Bates , and William A. Beavers
Manufacturer: Humana Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Analytic | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books

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Carbon-13 Nmr Spectroscopy
J.B. Stothers
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LZMM4G

Carbon-13 NMR Spectroscopy of Biological Systems

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Carbon-13 NMR Spectroscopy of Biological Systems

Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Biochemistry | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0120843706

Book Description

This book is intended to provide an in-depth understanding of 13C NMR as a tool in biological research. 13C NMR has provided unique information concerning complex biological systems, from proteins and nucleic acids to animals and humans. The subjects addressed include multidimensional heteronuclear techniques for structural studies of molecules in the liquid and solid states, the investigation of interactions in model membranes, the elucidation of metabolic pathwaysin vitro and in vivo on animals, and noninvasive metabolic studies performed on humans. The book is a unique mix of NMR methods and biological applications which makes it a convenient reference for those interested in research in this interdisciplinary area of physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine.

Key Features
* An interdisciplinary text with emphasis on both 13C NMR methodology and the relevant biological and biomedical issues
* State-of-the-art 13C NMR techniques are described; Whenever possible, their advantages over other approaches are emphasized
* The chapters constitute comprehensive reviews and are written by acknowledged experts in their fields
* Chapters are written in a clear style, and include a large number of illustrations and comprehensive references

The Silent Angel: A Novel
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A rather sad love story...

The Literature of the Rubble

Incredible

A small jewel

Bleak, austere, unforgettable

The Silent Angel: A Novel
Heinrich Boll
Manufacturer: Picador
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Soldier's Legacy (European Classics)

Masters of the Air: America's Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany

On the Natural History of Destruction (Modern Library Paperbacks)

The File: A Personal History

ASIN: 0312131712

Book Description

Just days after the end of World War II, German soldier Hans Schnitzler returns to a bombed German city, carrying a dead comrade's coat to his widow-not knowing that the coat contains a will. Soon Hans is caught in a dangerous intrigue involving the will; he also begins a tentative romance with another grieving woman, as together they seek an identity and a future together in he ruined city.

Customer Reviews:

A rather sad love story..........2007-07-20

This book, set in the horrible aftermath of World War II in Germany, depicts with superb clarity what life must have been like then. Many detailed descriptions of the burnt-out buildings, collapsing structures and rubble abound...but through it all circulates an engaging love story of sorts between a former soldier and the woman he befriends. A short novel that can be quickly read, it is not easily digested and is full of symbolism, especially of the religious sort. Once read, not easily forgotten...

The Literature of the Rubble.......2006-10-24

Written in 1950, the manuscript for Nobel Prize winner Boll's first novel was rejected by his publisher, who felt it was too depressing and that the German public wasn't interested in spending money to read about the grim postwar days they had just survived. (After finishing it, I can't say that I wouldn't have made the same decision in the publisher's place.) Thus, this book sat on the shelf, with elements and passages cannibalized by for use in in other works, until its posthumous publication in 1992.

The heavily autobiographical story is an elliptical, dreamlike journey through the rubble of 1945 Cologne -- where the only thing scarcer than scraps of bread is a sense of hope. Hans is a numb, exhausted, alienated, and depressed German conscript returning to his hometown, having escaped execution for desertion thanks to the intervention of a fellow soldier who died in his place. The story, such as it is, starts with his struggle to survive -- the need to find legitimate discharge papers, food, and shelter. Eventually, he comes to share a flat with a devout widow whose baby recently died, rendering her just as depressed and aimless as Hans. At the core of the book is the depiction of these two dead souls attempting to rekindle some flame of interest in life, and to find some glimmer of solace with each other.

Meanwhile, there's a somewhat confusing subplot involving Hans delivering a dead man's will to the man's dying widow. The widow wants to give this legacy away to the poor, but a rival legatee wants to steal and destroy the will in order to claim the money. As well as being a former Nazi, this man is a lawyer and art collector who seems to have come through the war just fine -- in fact, considerably better off. However, none of this plotting is handled particularly adroitly. What is memorable about the writing is the tone, which does a very good job of oozing exhaustion and emptiness. Boll does an excellent job of showing the numb shock of a people who've suddenly realized that their world is forever changed and that they will never know the security or comfort of the past. Worth reading by those with a deep interest in World War II or the psychology of survival but otherwise not particularly compelling.

Incredible.......2006-08-06

This is a terrific translation. There is a wonderful economy of words here conveying the emptiness of being on the losing side of World War II and human ethos in the face of tragedy. A super-easy, super-powerful read.

A small jewel.......2005-09-12

I stumbled upon this book in a used book store and decided to give it a read. The prose is lean and economical and conveys rich sense of the of Germany immediately after WWII. I have never read anything quite like it. While it doesn't have a gripping storyline in the usual sense it was compelling and difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book and have been inspired to read more of Boll's better known works.

Bleak, austere, unforgettable.......2003-05-06

The overwhelming feeling you get when reading this book is the desperate struggle for short term survival. The background is a German city (possibly Cologne) in the first
Days and weeks after the capitulation of the German army in 1945. Every conversation is focused on bread - not even full meals, just slices of bread. The city is bleak and devastated, the characters are transient figures struggling, dazed and nauseous, into whatever the future may hold. Their pasts are briefly mentioned, but the conditions in which they find themselves allow for almost total dislocation from their past lives.

The language of the book is austere, the characters are not clearly distinguishable, the colours mentioned - apart from grey destruction - are greenish and yellowish hazes. These tune in with the bilious, nausea of the characters as they continuously search for food and shelter. Throughout the story each character is portrayed as exhausted, struggling, nauseous.

The novels main character has deserted the German Army in the final days of the war, and under a certain sentence of death for desertion, has assumed numerous identities as he flees. He has, however, promised a dead comrade that he will return a coat to his comrade's widow. A will is discovered in the lining of the coat and this yields an subplot of intrigue and corruption. The main character meanwhile meets and briefly lives with a dazed, tragic woman who has been psychologically damaged by the war.

The novel's main impression is the exhaustion of emotion, the breakdown of society brings about a breakdown of morality and order. Stealing and dishonesty of all kinds are part of daily life, as are small gestures of generosity. In the broken cityscape, there is neither trust nor complete anarchy, just a meandering from one slice of bread to the next. Towards the end of the book , the main character has established a certain routine which allows him to steal coal from trains, which gives him some power to barter.

Boll's austere tale, gives us a view of the amoral aftermath of a societal dislocation. While neither describing nor moralizing, he shows us a set of normal characters and the lives they adopt to survive in the much reduced circumstances.

Daredevil (Autographed By Kevin Smith) (Daredevil, Vol. 1: Guardian Angel)
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Daredevil (Autographed By Kevin Smith) (Daredevil, Vol. 1: Guardian Angel)
Kevin Smith
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics; Direct Ed edition
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: B000PGLCA6

Product Description

This authentic series was signed by writer/director Kevin Smith (known as Silent Bob) on 1st page.

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