Requiem for Torchy: The Life of a Gambler

Book Description

When Joe Â“TorchyÂ” Torchia, the last of SacramentoÂ's legendary great gamblers, died in a hail of bullets in 1970, an era died with him. In his day, Â“The TorchÂ” was many things to many people.

To the denizens of the back rooms and back alleys of Sacramento, he was a shrewd bet maker and bookie. To the tax collectors, he was a scofflaw who perpetually evaded their grasp. To the casino owners of Lake Tahoe, he was a high roller to be put up in high style. To patrons of his Buggy Whip Restaurant, he was an affable host who knew good food and good times. To his female admirers, he was a smooth-talking sharp dresser with looks to die for. To his children and step-children, he was an affectionate and indulgent father. To many observers, he was an embodiment of the American dreamÂ—a son of Italian immigrants who ended up in a manor house, complete with acreage and horse stables. To scores of SacrementoÂ's social throw-aways, he was a generous benefactor whose anonymous gifts always came at unexpected times and places.

To the police, he wasÂ—and isÂ—a cold case file.

But to Tony Tripodi, Joe Torchia was only one thing: his big brother. Here, in a unique blend of childhood adoration tempered with adult perspective, the author tells the story of TorchyÂ's life and death. It is the story of a man who defied simplistic characterizationÂ—a man the likes of which Sacramento will not see again.

Customer Reviews:

Putting a brother to rest.......2003-03-23

Tony Tripodi achieves his goal: his book is a requiem for his brother, Joe. For many of us, the world of a professional gambler is fascinating and when that gambler can accurately be described as "Damon Runyan-like," is is enought to hold our attention. But Tripodi goes far beyond that, and helps us to begin to know the man who was his older brother, and who, I would conjecture, he wants to help put to rest as more than just another police cold case file. We learn about Joe, and about the family, and they become people who come to life for the reader and whose lives we want to know about. Tripodi tells his story in context and we learn, or re-live, the times and world of the 1940's, 50's and 60's. It's a story well worth experiencing.

A Brother's Unconditional Love.......2003-03-11

The most striking aspect of Tripodi's book is the love he has for his brother and the family's love for a member who was nontraditional. The book discusses the unconditional love that existed in a strong Italian family. Tripodi gives insight into the mind and behavior of a professional gambler and individuals who straddle the line between lawful and unlawful behaviors. Beside discussing the love and admiration he has for his brother, Tripodi discusses other family members and the uniqueness of each. Tripodi's book reminds a reader somewhat of another professional gambler, Arnold Rothstein, who reportedly was killed while holding a royal flush. Torchy did not die during a poker game, but his life as a professional gambler played a likely role in his death. Requiem for Torchy is good reading and well worth the price.

Amazon.com

How good a coach was Knute Rockne? It hardly matters. Killed in a plane crash at the height of his fame, his 1931 death was dubbed "a national disaster" by President Hoover, and his fable was forever set as a leader of men and the father of the Fighting Irish. Still, this son of Norwegian immigrants was good enough to have deserved most of the legend he so carefully and systematically constructed around himself. In 12 years at Notre Dame, he transformed a regional Catholic college into a football powerhouse of national interest. His teams marched through a stunning five seasons without a loss. When the famed "Four Horsemen" in his backfield flagged, he had the memory of George "Win one for the Gipper!" Gipp, a true reprobate who in no way resembles the sappy deathbed myth Rockne perpetuated, to wave for inspiration. The Rock's knowledge of the game and talent as a coach wasn't nearly as important or lasting as his unabashed ability to promote and market his school, his players, his program, and, ultimately, himself.

A solid sports biographer, Ray Robinson has previously parsed the lives of Lou Gehrig and Christy Mathewson. Here, he takes the stone statue that has come down to us of St. Knute and dusts it off until the cracks are visible. Despite that, Robinson's respect for Rockne and his accomplishments come through clearly both on the field and off. In one telling incident early in his coaching career, Rockne, still several years from embracing Catholicism, stands up staunchly to the anti-Catholic sentiments of an Indiana senator and the KKK. "The more Rockne was exposed to prejudice around him," writes Robinson, "the more he was attracted to the religiosity of his surroundings." Which, in the end, made Notre Dame football not just his job, but his mission. --Jeff Silverman

Book Description

To say that Knute Rockne was the best coach who ever lived is to understate his importance to football. True, in a mere twelve years, his "Fighting Irish" won 105 games, including five astonishing undefeated seasons. But Rockne was more than the sum of his victories--he was an icon, a legend on a par with Babe Ruth, a sports giant who, more than anyone, made football an American obsession. In Rockne of Notre Dame, Ray Robinson delivers a memorable portrait of one of the great American sports figures. The book gives us colorful descriptions of such Rockne teams as the undefeated 1924 eleven led by the illustrious Four Horsemen, and the 1930 squad, Rockne's last and greatest. Here too are vivid accounts of some of the great games in Notre Dame history, including epic battles with arch rivals Army, Nebraska, Carnegie Tech, and USC. But the heart of the book is Rockne himself. A renowned motivator whose "Win one for the Gipper" is the most famous locker-room speech ever, Rockne was also football's most brilliant innovator, a pioneer of the forward pass, a master of the psychological ploy, and an early advocate of conditioning. Though Robinson doesn't pull punches, Rockne emerges as an exemplary and complex figure, a fierce competitor who was generous in victory and defeat, an inspiring father figure to his players, and a man so revered nationwide that when he died in a plane crash in 1931, at the height of his career, he was mourned by the entire country. A feast for all Notre Dame grads and for subway alumni everywhere, this engaging biography is the finest portrait we have of the man who changed football in America.

Customer Reviews:

Brings the legend to life..........2002-04-29

My ole man went to Notre Dame... so I've been steeped in the rich legacy of Fightin' Irish Football. This book is by far one of the better books on Notre Dame football in its heyday under Knute Rockne who forged that legacy. The team that brought us the forward pass left a rich history worth examing. This book captures the essence of Rockne, his leadership style, his character and his ambition to excel.

An Olympian god comes closer to human........1999-12-08

While acknowleging the legends surrounding one of the greatest coaches in any sport anywhere, but not attempting to pass them off as fact, Ray Robinson does not stoke the inspirational fires of the mythological demigod Knute Rockne. Still and all, we see Rockne as he developed from a boy growing up in Chicago to the young man at Notre Dame eventually becoming the coach who, in turn, became larger than life.

Mostly, the reader is invited to visit a time when Knute Rockne was arguably the brightest star among the numerous sports heroes of the '20's. While Irish, Catholics and especially Irish-Catholics were almost universally reviled and the power of the Klan was at its height, the immigrant from Voss, Norway lead Notre Dame to the forefront of college football's national stage.

There are occasional glimpses of Rockne off the football field and I, personally, would have liked to have gotten to know more about Rockne the man. However, this is, first and foremost, a story about Knute's lifelong relationship with football.

This book is designed for college football fans, especially fans of Notre Dame. Notre Dame detractors may also get something out of the book, if for no other reason than it makes it a little easier to understand why Notre Dame football is what it is today.

Stirring football stories & insights into the life & times.......1999-09-03

The most enjoyable sports book I've read since, well, "Stirring Football Stories", this book gives the reader not only such favorite moments in the history of the game as the winning forward pass (Dorais to Rockne, against Army), the Gipper, the Four Horsemen, and back-to-back undefeated seasons, but insights into the life and times of Notre Dame's legendary coach. Rockne championed & embodied the immigrant struggle for a place in the sun - the "fighting Irish" being a moniker bestowed on a polyglot group of newcomers to the American dream. On the gridiron it was possible to prove yourself - and show your talents - on an equal footing with older, more established schools and traditions. This conscious inclusion of the larger story gives this book an important place on the shelf, alongside Rockne's own unfinished autobiography, "We Remember Rockne", "Knute Rockne, All American", and other memoirs and studies.

Rockne of Notre Dame, The Making of a Football Legend

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Rockne of Notre Dame, The Making of a Football Legend
Ray Robinson
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLX8FE

Book Description

Leading expert Brian Winston's new book is one of the first to take the ethical issue seriously. Looking at the recent crises of confidence in public service broadcasting and the controversy surrounding docusoaps, his major new study provides a foundational study of ethics and the documentary. This accessible but comprehensive treatment will be an important contribution to academic debates over the role of the media and to the ongoing debates in the documentary community.

Book Description

Classical and New Age Music blended into intuitive meditations and guided imagery.

Pure Senses: A Meditative Journey Into Sound And Vision

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Pure Senses: A Meditative Journey Into Sound And Vision
edel CLASSICS GmbH-
Manufacturer: edel CLASSICS GmbH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Meditation | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Mental & Spiritual Healing | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 3937406085
Release Date: 2004-03-01

Book Description

Pure Senses accompanies viewers in images and music on their path to a deeper emotional level. This is an invitation to open one's senses and to find time in the hurly-burly of everyday life to keep an eye on what is most important: oneself. Pictures of people, nature and architecture in an atmosphere of peace and quiet concentration are accompanied by soft classical music and chill-out.

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If you only have time to read one `how to' book on playing poker for fun and profit

A Good Book for Beginners

A joke of a poker book

Too little information

Too Broad, Too Brief

How To Play Winning Poker, 4th Edition
Avery Cardoza
Manufacturer: Cardoza
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Poker | Card Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1580420982

Customer Reviews:

If you only have time to read one `how to' book on playing poker for fun and profit.......2006-12-09

Now in a newly revised and expanded edition, "How To Play Winning Poker" continues to establish itself as an invaluable instructional guide to successfully playing poker whether it's a kitchen table game or a world class tournament. This newest and thoroughly `user friendly' edition includes No-Limit Texas Hold'em, Pot Limit Hold'em, and the diverse aspects of tournament play. Players seeking to enhanced and refine their poker skills will be instructed in winning strategies for the main home and casino poker games that also include 7-Card Stud, Draw Poker, Omaha Cash Games; and playing poker online. Features include twenty-one of poker's essential winning concepts, fifteen critically important bluffing strategies in poker, advice on reading opponents, how to calculate and use `pot odds', the importance of player position, professional money management. There's even a poker glossary. If you only have time to read one `how to' book on playing poker for fun and profit, then you would be well advised to make it Avery Cardoza's "How To Play Winning Poker".

A Good Book for Beginners.......2004-11-07

As you can tell from the other reviews, if you are an intermediate or advanced player, you will probably want to skip this one. If, however, you are jumping on to the band wagon or otherwise new to poker it is an excellent introduction.

Cardoza introduces you to the history of the game (not essential, but mildly interesting) as well as the basic rules. He then takes you through Draw, 7 Card Stud, Hold 'Em and Omaha. He does a good job of introducing you to some of the differences between a casino and a home game. This can help the novice player feel a bit more comfortable when sitting down at a table. Then, he goes on to the 15 Winning Concepts of Poker as well as an introduction to bluffing and discusses money managment.

His analysis of Draw and 7 Card Stud are very good. He skimps a bit on Hold 'Em and Omaha. His rather abbreviated discussion of these two popular forms is why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5.

If you follow the advice in the book, you will become a bit of an A-B-C player (a tight player who plays the same hands the same ways), but you can expand as you get more comfortable.

A joke of a poker book.......2004-01-12

In all seriousness Avery Cardoza couldn't have spent more then 5 hours putting this book together in it's entirety. The chief ill of this book is that it takes on too broad of a scope in covering the major forms of poker (Hold'Em, Seven card Stud, Lowball, Draw, etc) but then serves further insult by providing only a cursory explaination of rules for these poker variations with no inclusion of specific play strategy for each of them. The other information (winning strategy, money management, etc.) is completely generic and skimpy in weight. Do yourself a favour and fold this weak hand before the flop.

Too little information.......2003-06-26

I picked up this book at a used bookstore on a whim and was completely disappointed. There were one or two interesting pieces of information, but for the most part the book was repetitive and uninformative. I agree that this book is only useful as a rulebook and extremely basic strategy. You could get that same information from a general card game anthology, like hoyles or scarnes if you wanted to. Or, if you are really interested in learning how to win at poker there are a variety of other, more detailed books available.

Too Broad, Too Brief.......2000-04-18

The Book took on too many games to provide any kind of useful information on how to play. It should be used more as an introduction to the various rules of the different styles of poker. Touched only briefly on the issues of starting hands and calling bets in each of the different games.

Average customer rating:

A great guide by example

Well written and easily read

Low density but valuable information

READ ME! A good argument for land

Very entertaining and lots of great ideas!!

Country Property Dirt Cheap: How I Found My Piece of Inexpensive Rural Land...Plus My Adventures with a $300 Junk Antique Tractor
Ralph C. Turner
Manufacturer: Index Legalis Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Sales | Real Estate | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Business Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Finding & Buying Your Place in Country (Finding and Buying Your Place in the Country)

How I Turned $50 into $5 Million in Country Property--Part Time and How You Can Do the Same

Mortgage-Free!: Radical Strategies for Home Ownership (Real Goods Solar Living Book)

Buying Country Land: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-67

How to Survive Without a Salary: Learning How to Live the Conserver Lifestyle

ASIN: 0945959524

Customer Reviews:

A great guide by example.......2007-09-09

For those that are looking for an A-B-C, follow the list type guide to finding cheap land, keep on looking. Though there is a list of the steps used, it takes only a couple of pages near the end. If you are too lazy to read the rest, and instead skip to the list, you will miss out on a lot of good advice.

Now for the rest of you that are smart enough to enjoy Mr. Turner's tale of how he found it, and glean the tidbits of information bestowed throughout the tale, you will walk away with invaluable information that will let you find the land that you want at a price you can afford.

Well written and easily read.......2007-04-30

This book is an excellent and quick read- I finished it in one day. Although not directly suited to my purpose, the book contains great advice on finding a small acreage (4-12) property in the country.

Most of all the book made me feel even better about our opportunities- as the writer repeatedly commented on how much easier his search would have been if he was looking to buy 40 or more acres of land. Wouldn't you know it, that is what we are looking to do.

The author has a flowing and folksy writing style, that doesn't get bogged down with too much technical real estate jargon- and footnotes are provided in the rare instances where technical terms occur. This book is in many ways much more than a book about how to buy property cheap, it is the author's life story- his dreams and aspirations for a place in the country since his boyhood.

I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to purchase land in the country.

Low density but valuable information.......2007-02-26

The information in this book is worth the price you pay for it. I had fumbled around looking for land and only found a couple of the many tips he offers for finding and buying land. The author presents the information as his experience finding and buying a piece of land to be used as a get away and week end home. He explains why small parcels of land are more expensive per acre compared to large parcels of land.

His tips on buying land are summarized in a two page appendix. I think the one thing he left out of his summary was "get lucky and stumble across someone who will sell you land for cheap". If this was a "how to" book, it would be a pamphlet.

While not an exciting story, it is engaging. I found that I lost track of time while reading it. I have no need to be as thrifty as the author, however.

READ ME! A good argument for land.......2006-11-15

This book and another book made me re-think about land. In the past, people considered it as dangerous, but sometimes investing in land isn't such a bad thing, especially if you want to keep it for long term or for your children.

I would also suggest buying this book on how to purchase land below market value:

Investing Without Losing (ISBN: 0978834607 NOT on amazn, on other stores)

Very entertaining and lots of great ideas!!.......2006-03-14

I couldn't put this book down after I started it. A quick entertaining read, it was exactly what I was looking for! We just bought 7.5 acres of rural undeveloped mountain land ourselves, and are in the midst of learning more about how to prepare it for use. I had such a great time reading this book because it matched what we are doing exactly, from searching with plat maps and using aerial photos (as we did to find our property), to figuring out what's the best type of structure to put onto the land to be able to go out and enjoy it. I love the escapades about the tractor too, and the ending is just great! You won't be disappointed.

From the Publisher

Winston Churchill is one of the most extraordinary leaders the tumultuous twentieth century produced. Why did he see so clearly when those around him acted so blindly? What enabled him to stand steadfastly when those around him vacillated? How was he able to inspire whole nations to endure the unendurable and to achieve the unachievable when those around him surrendered all hope? In this remarkable new study of Churchill's legacy, Stephen Mansfield addresses these questions and shows us what lay at the core of Churchill's extraordinary character. The result is an inspiring portrait of a truly great leader.

Customer Reviews:

Nicely done.......2007-07-31

Mr. Mansfield has done a very nice job. He writes with the presupposition that history is the outworking of the providence and plan of God, a presupposition I accept, and which I believe is overwhelmingly confirmed by history itself. We all view the world through our presuppositions, and none of us can claim "neutrality." Those who "ding" Mansfield for his Christianity or for illuminating the Christian faith of his subject miss the point of the book. Would you have us all live in the ghetto where the only view allowed is secular humanism? Thankfully, we still live in a country where one is allowed to have Christian presuppositions. It was Mansfield's purpose to write from this point of view. If you "ding" him for having that purpose, then are you not saying that there should no freedom to express opinions different from your own? I am most amused by the reviewer who implies that Mansfield cannot understand England because of that country's current spiritual condition. Surely Churchill's England was different from today's England. England's decline (and our own here in America) can be directly traced to abandoning the Author of our lives and freedoms. Mansfield makes the point that Churchill understood England's place in preserving the freedoms of its Christian heritage, not only for itself but also for the western civilization, against the Nazi threats (definitely not the forces of goodness and light).

This history is written by a Christian (Mansfield) about a Christian (Churchill). If Churchill was, indeed, someone who experienced true conversion to Christianity, then his faith would have permeated all that he was and did. It would and did give him the necessary heart and spirit to persevere under severe trial. Conversion is not a matter which has no impact upon the personal and professional life of a man - it will govern all that he is - his thinking and life.

What a great little book! I am also delighted to discover that Churchill, when asked whom he should like to be if he could not be himself, thought about it and answered "Mrs. Churchill's second husband." All of his manly achievements notwithstanding, that aspect of his character put him over the top in my estimation.

Riveting biography and writing.......2007-05-13

I'd recommend this book not "only" because of the great information on Churchill's life struggles and events. I'm recommending this book mainly due to the writer's superb writing. I never thought I'd read a biography in one sit. You just can't stop reading, your eyes roll through the text with so much ease and pleasure. You feel Churchill's hardships, his courage, his character. Great book.

provoking, intelligent, and sophisticated........2007-02-10

This book challenges you and tests your knowledge and paradigms.
I found it thought provoking, intelligent, and sophisticated.
This should be a must read for everyone who seeks truth and meaning.
Way to go Mr. Mansfield!!!

Diamonds Refined.......2005-12-04

Delight is an expected find when reading works on or about Winston Spencer Churchill. Joy is a confirmation when these works attain to the stature and measure of the man. Refreshment is the derivative when joy and delight meet in a polished offering such as 'Never Give In.'

Stephen Mansfield has once again done well and served all parties equally in dispensing this gleaned narrative of the Twentieth Century's self-recognized 'Great Man.'

A man's man for all seasons, highlights of the legendary Churchill are brought forth in a parade of honed chapters refined like glistening diamonds. Those seeking heavyweight analysis will even so finish the book satisfied, while newcomers will be impressed especially in these breathtaking times.

Mr. Mansfield wisely moves through Churchill's life subject by subject, examining deftly moments which shaped the Character that so helped weld the first half of this century just gone. Superlatives tax the description of this work that may, in the field of Churchillian retrospectives, become the essential tome for both those initiating study, as well as we who yearn for one more look at a superb man under fire.

The most excellent aspect of the work is Mansfield's examination of Churchill's testimony regarding Jesus, a subject far too long neglected. As is the practice learned from the Master, the best is always saved till last.

TL Farley,
author,

When Now Becomes Too Late {prophecy}

Distant Reaches {adventure}

For Leaders, not avid Historians.......2004-05-31

In reading the reviews under this section, I find that a reader either loves this book or hates it - there is very little middle ground.

I believe those who discount this book are looking for an objective work on the history of Churchill. While this is a very fascinating subject, the market is saturated with such works, so if that is what you are looking for, go elsewhere...

Those who love the book don't seem to place such emphasis on its historical precision; rather on the value of the information as it pertains to their own lives and leadership styles.

I found this book to contain many great nuggets of wisdom and my highlighter saw much action as I poured through the pages.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their leadership qualities. If you are looking for a historical masterpiece, this isn't it nor did the author intend it to be...

Never Give In (The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill)

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Never Give In (The Extraordinary Character of Winston Churchill)

Manufacturer: Highland Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

Carry a Big Stick: The Uncommon Heroism of Theodore Roosevelt (Leaders in Action Series)

ASIN: 1880692309

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NEVER GIVE IN: THE EXTRAORDINARY CHARACTER OF WINSTON CHURCHILL
STEPHEN MASFIELD
Manufacturer: Cumberland House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K3J6L6

Amazon.com

Donovan Webster, a former editor at Outside magazine, has written an eyewitness account of the impossible tasks involved with removing armaments that continue to kill after war has ceased. Between 110 and 120 million land mines are planted in the soil of more than 64 countries. The exponential numbers point to the staggering difficulties Aftermath details: each year more than 5 million new land mines are laid, and only 100,000 are cleared; a new mine costs $3, but removing one costs between $200 and $1,000. In Angola, there are more than 15 million mines, two for every citizen. Webster traces the deadly legacy from the French battlefields of World War I to Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, describing the work of sappers in a compelling story that brings to light the horrifying legacy of warfare.

Book Description

In riveting and revelatory detail, Aftermath documents the ways in which wars have transformed the terrain of the battlefield into landscapes of memory and enduring terror: in France, where millions of acres of farmland are cordoned off to all but a corps of demolition experts responsible for the undetonated bombs and mines of World War I that are now rising up in fields, gardens, and backyards; in a sixty-square-mile area outside Stalingrad that was a cauldron of destruction in 1941 and is today an endless field of bones; in the Nevada deserts, where America waged a hidden nuclear war against itself in the 1950's, the results of which are only now becoming apparent; in Vietnam, where a nation's effort to remove the physical detritus of war has created psychological and genetic devastation; in Kuwait, where terrifyingly sophisticated warfare was followed by the Sisyphean task of making an uninhabitable desert capable of sustaining life.

Aftermath excavates our century's darkest history, revealing that the destruction of the past remains deeply, inextricably embedded in the present.

Customer Reviews:

The Horror.......2007-10-04

As the title would suggest, Aftermath deals with the consequences of war ordinance in every day life. I was particularly interested in the lingering effects of World War I, a war fought nearly 100 years ago. There are amazing accounts of the bomb clearing squad searching uninhabitable areas of the French countryside and turning up thousands of live and/or unexploded shells from battles fought in 1918. The stories of the millions of people slaughtered in the great wars of Europe is unsettling in and of itself, but the descriptions of Russian fields that are still strewn with the bones of these soldiers is unfathomable. The details of more current events puts a more contemporary perspective on the aftermath of conflict and makes one realize that the technology may change, but the mess still remains. Aftermath is an easy and engrossing read for anyone interested in history, military or otherwise.

Hit or Miss, and no solutions.......2004-12-19

The chapters on UXO remediation in France, and the Boneyards of Stalingrad were gripping. I could not put down the book during these chapters. I have walked these areas of France, and his descriptions of the people and the terrain are perfect. I found that the Nevada Test Site, and Vietnam chapters were a bit sleepy. As a Gulf War Veteran, I enjoyed the chapter about mine clearing in Iraq, but think others may find it plodding.

I have a vague understanding of the Toelle situation in the final chapter, and I am not sure my information agrees with the authors. He may be dealing with some employees with alterior motives.

What I found lacking in this book was anything writen about lessons learned from clearing UXO's. Donovan observes a lot, but he doesn't yield any analyzed solutions to expedite remediation of UXOs gleaned from his experience.

Fascinating...readable...compelling.......2003-05-31

I did not expect his book to grab me the way it did, yeah I'd read about all the land mines left in Iran etc. but to learn about the extent of unexploded munitions left worldwide from conflicts dating back a century was a shock. Mr. Webster took me around the world to places I wouldn't have imagined, the affluent young French wife who found her son playing in the yard with live German artillary shells, the plains of Russia still hiding live munitions, even a forgotten test range that is now a San Diego suburb where children playing found live unexploded artillary.

Twenty, forty, a hundred years later this stuff is unstable and more dangerous than new, triggers have deteriorated, anything can set them off, and men go to work daily risking their lives to clear high explosives from places that were once battlefields and now are parks, farms, and residential areas.

This was one of those books that left a permanent impression on me, Mr. Webster's frank narrative showed a world more dangerous and unpredictable than I ever imagined.

"Aftermath" sobers the rush of war........2002-11-24

Mr. Webster has documented a sobering and horrific walk through time. He has described the international problem of Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) from past wars, which continues destroy lives even 80 years later. We have all been exposed to the images and the glorious stories of armed conflict over the decades, which society teaches new generations to honor. Much of the sheer inhumanity, the utterly cold necessity of combat is ignored. Mr. Webster traveled the world to seek out the continuing reality of sudden death, perpretrated by soldiers long gone or dead.
This reader, even while working in the field of disposing of such items safely, was stunned to learn how widely the problem spans the globe. The brutal maiming and death of hundreds of people, the inestimable expense of cleaning up the trash of war will do doubt continue for decades, if not centuries. I admire Mr. Webster for his unenviable task of collecting these horific stories to share with people who know nothing about the massive problem.
This collection of observations is a must-read work for anyone who wants to know more about the struggles of millions of common people around the world. I would have liked to have more detail in many sections, hence the four stars. Still, a very moving portrayal of a deadly serious issue.

Not bad for a first effort.......2002-04-09

This comprehensive, informative - and at many-times shocking - revelation on the forgotten leftovers from modern military campaigns is as timely as it is readable. I found it informative without being too preachy - meaning, even if the author was out to lay a collective guilt trip on us about the military campaigns of Western nations, it either didn't work or he did a great job at showing impartiality.

Book Description

Designed to help readers discover both the art and science of criminal investigation, this book explores the legal significance of evidence in the field, outlines the fundamentals of inquiry, and then carefully details each element of investigation—from the preliminaries to case preparation for prosecutor review. Reflecting the most recent changes in techniques and their application to various crimes, it features real-life case studies that give readers practice in developing their abilities to analyze, evaluate, and reason. Ethical Awareness. The Crime Scene. Witnesses and Evidence. Recording the Crime Scene. Basic Investigative Leads and Informants. Major Investigative Techniques. Laboratory and Technical Services. Interrogation of Suspects. Arresting the Accused Person. Physical Assaults. Sexual Assaults. Robbery. Arson, Bombing and Hate Crimes. Property Crimes. Dangerous Drugs, Vice/Gambling, and Organized Crimes. The Investigator as a Witness. For those involved in criminal investigations.

Customer Reviews:

Some of the examples are old, out dated methods.......1999-10-09

Overall, this text is not bad, although several instructional areas are out-dated material, ie: marking "shell casings, "bullets", on the face,etc. Also, todays training does not include marking handguns on every piece that can be removed, ie: frame, cylinder, barrel, grips, etc.

Criminal Investigation, Basic Perspectives

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Criminal Investigation, Basic Perspectives
Paul B. & Kenneth M. Wells Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000S6EDDQ

Criminal Investigation:Basic Perspectives: Basic Perspectives

Average customer rating:

Criminal Investigation:Basic Perspectives: Basic Perspectives
Paul B.; Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OIKREC

IM & TIF Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives

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IM & TIF Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives
Weston
Manufacturer: Pearson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0131188615

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Criminal Investigation - Basic Perspectives
Paul B.; Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill College
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OG3PWK

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Criminal Investigation : Basic Perspectives
Paul B.; Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHYNZM

Criminal Investigation : Basic Perspectives (Criminal Justice Ser.)

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Criminal Investigation : Basic Perspectives (Criminal Justice Ser.)
Paul B.; Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHWL60

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CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BASIC PERSPECTIVES
Paul B. Weston and Kenneth M. Wells
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H2B5VO

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Criminal Investigation, Basic Perspectives.
Paul B. Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OIKRLK

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Criminal Investigation: Basic Perspectives
Paul; Wells, Kenneth M. Weston
Manufacturer: Prentice-Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHYNJS

Book Description

Over the past 300 years, settlement patterns, geography, and climate have greatly affected the ecology of the south Texas landscape. Drawing on a variety of interests and perspectives, the contributors to On the Border probe these evolving relationships in and around San Antonio, the country’s ninth-largest city.

Spanish, Mexican, and American settlers required open expanses of land for agriculture and ranching, displacing indigenous inhabitants. The high poverty traditionally felt by many residents, combined with San Antonio’s environment, has contributed to the development of the city’s unusually complex public health dilemmas. The national drive to preserve historic landmarks and landscapes has been complicated by the blight of homogenous urban sprawl. But no issue has been more contentious than that of water, particularly in a city entirely dependent on a single aquifer in a region of little rain. Managing these environmental concerns is the chief problem facing the city in the new century.

On the Border: an Environmental History of San Antonio.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History

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On the Border: an Environmental History of San Antonio.(Book Review): An article from: Journal of Southern History
Julia Kirk Blackwelder
Manufacturer: Southern Historical Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Southern History, published by Southern Historical Association on February 1, 2004. The length of the article is 639 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: On the Border: an Environmental History of San Antonio.(Book Review)
Author: Julia Kirk Blackwelder
Publication: Journal of Southern History (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 2004
Publisher: Southern Historical Association
Volume: 70 Issue: 1 Page: 207(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

On the Border: an environmental history of San Antonio.(Geographical Reviews)(Book Review): An article from: The Geographical Review

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On the Border: an environmental history of San Antonio.(Geographical Reviews)(Book Review): An article from: The Geographical Review
John P. Tiefenbacher
Manufacturer: American Geographical Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000828S3Q
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Geographical Review, published by American Geographical Society on January 1, 2003. The length of the article is 747 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: On the Border: an environmental history of San Antonio.(Geographical Reviews)(Book Review)
Author: John P. Tiefenbacher
Publication: The Geographical Review (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2003
Publisher: American Geographical Society
Volume: 93 Issue: 1 Page: 143(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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