Average customer rating:
- The Face Of Eternity and The Mind Of God
- Our Town, a short yet entertaining read that captures the several stages of life.
- Our Town utilizes simplicity to its max
- Small Town America
- much more than nothing
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Our Town: A Play in Three Acts (Perennial Classics)
Thornton Wilder
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 United States
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Wilder, Thornton
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ASIN: 0060512636
Release Date: 2003-09-23 |
Book Description
A handsome Perennial Classics edition of America's favourite play, Our Town, winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
First produced and published in 1938, this Pulitzer Prize–winning drama of life in the small village of Grover's Corners has become an American classic and is Thornton Wider's most renowned and most frequently performed play.
This Perennial Classics edition includes a foreword by Donald Margulies and contains an afterword with documentary material edited by Tappan Wilder.
Customer Reviews:
The Face Of Eternity and The Mind Of God.......2007-10-04
By most accounts Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) considered himself a teacher rather than a writer--a curious situation given than he won numerous literary awards, including three Pulitzers. Among these prize-winners was OUR TOWN, first staged in 1938. It is generally considered to be the single most famous play written by an American author, and Samuel French Inc., which holds the amateur performance rights, states that it is performed at least once a day somewhere in the world, as popular abroad as at home.
The play is perhaps most widely known for the way in which it is staged. The stage is bare. A few chairs, stools, tables, and ladders are used to indicate a kitchen, a bed room window, a soda fountain, a cemetery and other locations; the actors mime use of imaginary glasses, plates, bowls, satchels, and boxes.
The story is equally simple. The first act introduces us to the town, Grover's Corners in New Hampshire, seen in the early years of the 20th Century--and most particularly to the Gibbs and Webb families, who live next door to each other. The second act finds boy-next-door George and girl-next-door Emily marrying, and a flash-black shows the audience how their romance began. It is a simple tale, full of details of small town life, church choir on Wednesday night, milk delivered fresh each morning, breakfast to be made, chickens to be fed--and slowly, as the action moves forward, we are drawn into this simple way of life and its seemingly endless and trivial repetitions.
Wilder swirls a number of themes throughout the work, themes that are simple yet profound, details of the particular and the universal--and these gather suddenly, unexpectedly in the third and final act, which comes as a shock after the charming ease of the play. Emily has died in childbirth and she takes her place in the cemetery among the dead, all of whom patiently wait and watch for something which is not yet clear, the minutes passing one by one into eternity, their memories of life fading into nothingness, a portrait of darkness that is yet somehow still seeded with light. It is here that Wilder makes his ultimate statement: who are you when you have been shorn of all earthly details and devices? Where do you exist within the mind of God?
Many non-theatre people find playscripts difficult to read, and in truth playscripts are a blueprint for directors and actors and not intended as reading material for the general public. This is preface to the very basic statement that some plays "read" well and some do not--and that this is not necessarily an indication of how the play actually performs. On the page, OUR TOWN reads a bit flat; it seems a shade obvious, a shade ordinary. On the stage, however, it easily one of the most delicately beautiful constructs imaginable, a play which demonstrates the beauty and value of each life--no matter how ordinary it may be. Remarkable stuff and strongly recommended.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Our Town, a short yet entertaining read that captures the several stages of life........2007-06-12
Thorton Wilder's short play, "Our Town," follows the lives of two close knit families, experiencing the different stages of life: birth, childhood, adulthood and death. I recommend anyone to read this play just so they can have the opportunity to read about the phases that others go through. For example, the story mentions the common worries, concerns and yearnings of parent Mrs.Gibbs, who wishes to take a break from the stressful life of being a mother yet she is held back by the contrasting wishes and aspirations of her husband. "Our Town" is filled with amusing yet relatable events of being disciplined by your parents, which remind us of our childhood, such as when George is admonished by his father. Another interesting tale unfolds as we witness a young relationship between George and Emily flourish into a marriage. Their entertaining anxieties while dating, and even getting married, are humorous and thought provoking for young readers. Unexpected turns of events and sudden losses conclude the story, leaving an important message for the reader which is, care and treasure your loved ones while you still can.
Our Town utilizes simplicity to its max.......2007-06-12
One significant feature of this play is its simplicity in both plot and props. While it carries great meaning throughout, the story does not feature any extreme, earth-shattering events. Instead, it presents the plain, daily occurrences in a normal small town, allowing the reader to follow the story in a simple context. In addition, although the reader undergoes a different experience than the play-goer, it is evident to all that the conspicuous lack of props is a prominent element that further emphasizes the simplicity of the story.
In three acts, Our Town presents a complete view of three different stages of life: daily life, love and marriage, and death. The play focuses on two families, the Gibbs and Webb families, yet it gives a panoramic view of many townspeople's lives in Grover's Corners. More specifically, the play follows the relationship between Emily Webb and George Gibbs. We first witness them in their youth, as they realize their passion for each other. The story then skips forward to their marriage and finally to Emily's death, as she is finally able to witness her life without actually worrying about daily demands. When she is finally allowed to witness life in her town pass by as a spectator, Emily falls into a heavy regret at her wasted life, as she realizes that nobody takes the time to truly look at each other.
Stressing the importance of the simple, daily wonders of the world, Thornton Wilder underscores the appreciation of life due to both its brevity and its inherent beauty. The third act is truly epochal, as it presents the general purpose of the play through the death of Emily; as she relives her 12th birthday, she realizes that no one cares to really appreciate each other or their own lives. Emily, as with every other citizen in town, is too concerned with her own life that she is unable to see the beauty of it, and she ends up missing the most seemingly trivial of things afterwards, such as sleeping and taking baths. Wilder, by contrasting Emily's life with her death, demonstrates the consequences of falling into a state of content and complacency with one's life; instead of blindly following a routinely schedule everyday, Wilder teaches the audience that they must be grateful for the daily wonders of life, as they may be gone the next day.
This is not a good book for those seeking entertaining and action-packed plots. Truthfully, I did not enjoy reading this book until I understood the meaning in the final act. At first glance, the play seems to drag on, depicting the mundane lives of ordinary people. Yet when I got to the third act, I realized that this is exactly how Wilder wanted us to feel: bored in the first two acts at the seemingly simple things in life, yet remorseful in the last act due to the intrinsic ungratefulness of our lives. Anyone looking for play with a relevant, significant message to everyone's lives should pick up this book immediately.
Small Town America.......2007-06-12
Wilder's Our Town was by far one of the strangest books I have ever read. It was a pretty good book. Set in typical Small Town, USA, Wilder explores how humans understand and under-appreciate the notion of time. The first act is typical, the second act is special, and the third act is monumental. Wilder's style is slightly odd, because when I first read the play, I couldn't completely understand his purpose. It was when I read it the second time I understood that he was criticizing how we as people never understand how to love the lives that we have. It's the lesson we are taught all the time, yet we never seem to take to heart. I know that all plays were meant to be seen rather than read, but this is the only play I've read where I feel that the only way to grasp the author emotion is to actually see the play instead of reading the book. Still, it was worth the read.
much more than nothing.......2007-06-12
When first reading this play, it may appear to be about nothing more than the every day life in an ordinary town. However, it is much more than that. This town is representative of any little town in all of America and its actions as something that could have been done anywhere. These simple facts expand the scopes of this play to new heights. It is not just a play about the little events that occur in a small time but is rather representative of life as a whole. Each act represents a stage in life: "Daily Life," "Marriage" and "Death." These words take on new meaning though as the daily life seems so dull that no one would ever want to live there, yet hardly anyone leaves; the marriage is somewhat pushed on George and Emily; and finally, Emily dies along with many other characters who are seen as being more "alive" than any of the living characters in this play. It takes on many unique points of view and teaches many lessons, making it necessary to take it apart completely. The most incredible part is that all of this is contained in a book about "nothing."
One major thing that is pointed out in this play is that people walk through life without ever really seeing anything, and this is shown on many an occasion, not really being noticed until it is too late to do anything about. People that are alive do not have the worries that life will be short because they are still living it. They do not worry about spending each second like it was their last because it is not. They live life on a day to day basis, not worrying about whether or not they live it to its fullest because there will always be more time. The worst part is that life could end at any minute. And when that person has not lived a full enough life, they will have no one to blame but themselves for not appreciating it when they had it. It is often said that people do not miss things until they are gone, and this is one more example. If only people could miss it when they still had it, then losing it would not be such a tragedy because they would have been happy either way.
Book Description
"Top-ranked annual books on sustainable development."—GlobeScan survey of sustainability experts
In State of the World 2007, the Worldwatch Institute's award-winning research team focuses on the urbanization of our planet to provide policymakers, strategic planners, researchers, students, and concerned citizens with comprehensive analysis of the global environmental problems we face, together with descriptions of practical, innovative solutions. This report will show what is needed to foster sustainable cities on a planet where urban areas are home to half the human population and a far larger share of natural resource use.
Written in clear and concise language, with easy-to-read charts and tables, State of the World 2007 presents a view of our changing world that we, and our leaders, cannot afford to ignore.
Customer Reviews:
The truth can be convenient.......2007-02-08
Especially when the issues are surveyed in Worldwatch's annual review.
A comprehensive and constructive look at the global urban environment.......2007-02-07
This year's "State of the World" by Worldwatch Institute focuses on the global urban environment: water and sanitation, transportation, agriculture and farming, energy, natural hazard risks, pulic health, economics, and environmental justice. Each chapter lays out trends and statistics demonstrating some of the hazards the world might be facing with the current trends towards urbanization.
However, the book has a largely positive and constructive tone, with extensive use of examples and case studies of locales using innovative methods for protecting the environment and even attempting to reducing pollutants that might be global in their impacts. Case studies span the world - from Los Angeles to Timbuktu. The "city" provides a structure for problem-solving.
The book overall is comprehensive, with excellent writing and editing - some chapters are replete with data while others are written in a sweeping "big picture" context with long-term recommendations for future directions. This is a great resource for researchers, policy-makers, students, and anyone interested in understanding the risks and opportunities for the urban landscape.
Book Description
A cookbook that the Junior League of Chicago created. It is broken up into chapters that display pictures and explanations of the different and diverse Chicago neighboorhoods. It has a glossy cover, nice illustrations, and very easy recipes inside that even the "non-cook" can make and make quickly.
Customer Reviews:
Showcases more than 250 recipes.......2002-07-12
The fourth community cookbook to be published by The Junior League of Chicago, Celebrate Chicago!: A Taste Of Our Town showcases more than 250 recipes combining both fresh and available ingredients for menu items that would grace any table and satisfy any appetite with a very special Chicago-style elegance and gusto. From Grandmother's Pumpkin Bread; Autumn Squash and Apple Bisque; Crab-Topped Salad Towers; and Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce; to Chicken and Wild Mushroom Strudel with Dried Cherries; Banana Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins; Caramel Grahams; and Picnic-in-the-Park Potato Salad. Celebrate Chicago! is a very highly recommended addition to any kitchen cookbook collection!
Whose Chicago Is It, Anyway?.......2001-01-06
This cookbook has some interesting recipes, like Bay Scallop Chowder, Angel Hair Pasta with Three Caviars, Mushroom Risotto, Filet Mignon with Madeira Sauce, Honey Bourbon Grilled Pork Tenderloin, and my personl favorite, Zuppa di Pesce (seafood linguini), something that is almost as fun to say as it is to make and eat. It also has some basic staples, like Chinese Fried Rice, Italian Beef, and Amazing Meat Loaf. It suffers, however, from a lack of some key recipes I associate with Chicago and which I had hoped to find, like barbecued baby back ribs or stuffed pizza (a failing which may be explained in part when you note the source of the cookbook, the Junior League of Chicago). In part, the book makes up for this failing by inserting recipes from celebrities, like Michael Jordan. Overall, it is quite good because it has some very useful recipes which can be made with ingredients that are likely to be found in the kitchen, the recipes are simply written, and there are many recipes which you always wanted to make your own. I'm off to try the Grilled Crab Burgers, Paella, and Jambalya recipes.
Customer Reviews:
Los Angeles, taken over for God?!.......2007-05-12
I happened to live in Los Angeles right after the time it was supposedly "taken over for God." By November of the year I lived there (1990), the L.A. Times reported that 800 people had been murdered in L.A. County. If that is an area that has been taken over for God, we are in big trouble. How do we distinguish God from satan if this is what cities look like after Dawson and disciples took them over for God? In the 'hood (South Central), I heard gun shots and hysterical screams several nights a week. I know that people died in some of those incidents. I would often look in the papers the next day and find that nothing was reported.
The core of Dawson is his subjectivism (his senses tell him where the demons are and what their names are) and Moral Government Theology. He is in the same boat as George Otis Jr who answered the question, "Why does spiritual wickedness linger where it does?" not by pointing to a sinful human nature, which, incidentally, he does not believe exists, but by looking to nameable territorial demonic spirits which the Christians are supposed to search out and bind.
A friend of mind who adopted this theology, to his own shame, answered my question, "Why are the demons still tearing up the place if they have been bound?" by saying, "Maybe they don't stay bound!"
People who adopt this theology cannot be reasoned with, even with good biblical reasoning. Ezekiel 28:2 says, "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god." According to Dawson, the "ruler of Tyre" is a demonic spirit. The Scriptures are clear. The ruler of Tyre is a man!
Practical Spiritual Warfare.......2003-03-05
John has given us a biblical and practical textbook on spiritual warfare. Every church as well as every neighborhood prayer group would benefit from this.
Taking Our Cities for God.......2001-03-22
While curiosity about the occult and the supernatural pervades our society, the devil's best defense has been the successful delusion of mankind into thinking that the kingdom of darkness does not really exist. Consequently, there is a widespread ignorance about the evil power, even among Christians. Many churches that preach the existence of Satan and demons do not acknowledge that people need help and deliverance. John Dawson's experience and the word of God lead to another conclusion. John Dawson presents a spiritual and systematic way of understanding and dealing with the kingdom of darkness that tend to block the progress of the Kingdom of God in an urban area. He states these problems and offers a strategy for faith and intercessory prayer. In the fourth section, Mr. Dawson deals with the subject of crossing the Jordan to take the land. Christians were born to fight the spiritual warfare. Mr. Dawson challenges us to catch the demonic arsonist and bind the demon with God's power. He provides us with a theology of the unseen realm such as the Angels, the evil spirits and the territorial control. With Scripture and fascinating personal testimonies, he shows us the reality of territorial control and spiritual strongholds. Mr. Dawson gives us a five-step strategy for faith and intercessory prayer. This includes worship, waiting upon the Lord, confession, overcoming evil with good and travailing in prayer. This topic challenges our so-called "enlightened" western minds. It is not a scientific book but it is a biblically based theological reflection on the question of spiritual territorial control. Demonic influences affect many in varying degrees and the cities need the Gospel of Christ. John Dawson explains that Christians can take authority over the demonic realm and bring freedom to those that need it so desperately. Mr. Dawson speaks very effectively to a much-neglected aspect of the Gospel in the church today.
Average customer rating:
- Post-Apartheid fiction
- haunting and tragic, often brilliant
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Welcome to Our Hillbrow
Phaswane Mpe
Manufacturer: Univ of Natal Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0869809954 |
Customer Reviews:
Post-Apartheid fiction.......2003-08-12
Much of South African fiction deals with, by necessity, with the history of racialized oppression. This book takes a look at the post-apartheid South Africa where the old narratives no longer apply so neatly. The result is a wonderfully engaging book that deals sensitively with its characters, flaws and all.
The author writes beautifully and really delves into a number of extremely tough issues (aids, xenophobia, poverty) without being preachy. The story concerns the lives and loves of a couple of lovers and the people around them as they travel from the villages of the Limpopo province to the roughest inner-city neighborhood in Johannesburg. Love is betrayed with painful consequences to their relationship, their lives and those around them. Like any good novelist, Mpe is able to bring to life not only the characters who are struggling to move from poverty and apartheid to prosperity and education in a democratic South Africa, but the society around them.
My words are not doing justice to what a warm, sensitive and humanistic account of South Africans in their very troubled present.
haunting and tragic, often brilliant.......2001-12-04
This book was recommended to me as a way to understand what I was seeing as a visitor to S Africa, to get a bit into the inner lives of the characters that I saw as I was working.
It is a very sad story, in the form of a monologue to a dead boy - a squandered talent - and to his lost loves. While the voice is a bit off-putting, addressing the boy as "you" and then referring to everyone else in the third person, I got into the characters and the scene in great depth.
This is a chronicle of several failed attempts to leave a backward and xenophobic village, for a huge ghetto near Johannesburg. It is painful to read, but very very rewarding and an accurate reflection of the crisis in S Africa today, where the entire society seems to be breaking down in violence, Aids, promiscuity, and rape. According to my friends here, it is chillingly real and felt so to me.
Warmly recommended.
Average customer rating:
- speedy deliverary
- Incredible, Raw, Painful
- This Is Our Youth-a brief comment.
- Examining Youth
- The 80's Youth
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This Is Our Youth
Kenneth Lonergan
Manufacturer: Dramatist's Play Service
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ASIN: 0822217031 |
Book Description
An unblinking portrait of young urban life in the 1980s, Kenneth Lonergan's look at "the real Real World"(The New York Times)
This is Our Youth, Kenneth Lonnergan's lacerating look at affluent young Manhattanites of the 1980s, was first produced by the New Group in New York in 1996 to great critical acclaim and a Drama Desk Award nomination for best new play. Set in 1982, the play depicts two days in the lives of three college-age Upper West Siders who are from wealthy families but are living in doped-up squalor. Dennis--with a famous painter for a father and social activist mother--is a small-time drug dealer and total mess. His hero-worshipping, indifferently adjusted friend Warren has just impulsively stolen $15,000 from his father, an abusive lingerie tycoon who is "not a criminal, just in business with criminals." When Jessica, a mixed-up prep-school girl, shows up for a date, Warren pulls out a wad of bills and takes her off, awkwardly, for a night of New York seduction. How will Warren turn out--will he follow Dennis into dissipation or discover a way out? A wildly funny, bittersweet, and ultimately quite moving story, This Is Our Youth is remarkable in its understanding of contemporary urban youth.
"Very funny. . . . Comedies of such brio and darkly satiric edge are rare these days. . . . A supercool entertainment."-- Vincent Canby, The New York Times
"What Mr. Lonergan gets gloriously is the whole cosmos and tempo of guys-together stuff. . . . It's an exhilarating ride full of sympathy and truth, eliciting many a smile and laugh of recognition."-- The Wall Street Journal
Customer Reviews:
speedy deliverary.......2007-01-10
Great job once again Amazon.. you are wonderful. Love getting things from you.. I know I will get what I need at a fair price and very quickly.. 5 stars for Amazon !!!!
Incredible, Raw, Painful.......2006-11-13
Young actors, college, high school, young adults, get this play. Lonergan has delivered a powerful, raw, painful, poignant portrait of these "kids". Excellent scene material. Powerful monogues. An incredible piece, with this amazingly raw and frighteningly natural language.
This Is Our Youth-a brief comment........2000-12-30
A powerful exploration of lost youth during the Reagan Era. Lonergan has a gift for creating real dialogue and characters. Dennis, Warren and Jessica are all like people I have met. As someone who came of age during the same era, I can attest to the authencity of this work.
I also recommend "The Waverly Gallery" and the film, "You Can Count On Me", recently released in the US for further evidence of Lonergan's talents.
Examining Youth.......2000-03-27
In "This is Our Youth" Kenneth Lonergan portrays three strikingly different characters, Dennis, Warren and Jessica, growing up in Manhattan in the 1980's. Each is faced with different problems of the "Me" generation and struggles to justify his anger at the world in a time when there is nothing to rebel against. When Warren steals money from his father, the three teens are forced to step outside themselves for a night and face reality and one another. It is a moving and funny portrait, and one that anyone who has ever been a teenager can relate to. There is nothing stilted or unnatural in Lonergan's work, it flows easily and touches those who have experienced the turmoil of feeling lost and empty in a world filled with material things.
The 80's Youth.......2000-03-25
This is an amazing play, very moving. It captures the bizarre in the ordinary: the lives of three teenagers growing up in a troubled era and looking for ways to be different and stand for something, when there is nothing to rebel against. Wonderful characters, ideas, and dialogue. Beautiful in its simplicity and painful in its candour.
Average customer rating:
- Don't leave home without it!
|
Steppin' Out: An African-American Guide to Our 20 Favorite Cities
Carla Labat
Manufacturer: Avalon Travel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The African-American Travel Guide (African American Travel Guide)
ASIN: 1562615440 |
Book Description
Covering 20 cities across the United States, Steppin' Out is the most comprehensive sourcebook of travel information written specifically with African-Americans in mind. Author Carla Labat gives refreshing and spirited first-hand accounts of recommended places and events, providing information on restaurants, nightclubs, museums, festivals, and the arts. Steppin' Out also covers churches, historical landmarks, and sporting venues, highlighting African-American owned businesses. Each chapter takes an in-depth look at the soul of city - what makes it tick, how it will lure you in, and what about it will make your trip memorable. Included are chapters on Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C.
Customer Reviews:
Don't leave home without it!.......2001-08-21
The next time you're needing to travel out of town for business or pleasure, be sure to pack, STEPPIN' OUT by Carla Labat, in your bag! This impressive entertainment guide, written with the African American travel warrior in mind, is filled with information on the best places to go and what to do once you get there for 20 popular US cities!
For each city listed, there is detailed information on restaurants (formal and informal dining), nightclubs, museums, historical landmarks, churches, festivals and other recreational points of interest. Not only are the addresses and telephone numbers of various establishments given, but also prices, menu selections, performers, galleries, exhibits and other details of business operations are provided as well. Most of the restaurants and nightclubs listed are African-American owned and are marked with an "AA" symbol. Those establishments that come highly recommended by the author have been given a star (*) symbol rating. Detailed descriptions and dates for festivals and special city events are informative and give visitors historical knowledge and insight into the city's black community.
What I like most about this guide is the in-depth information the author gives about "the soul of each city - what makes it tick, its allure." Her first-hand knowledge about everything to do and see, adds more excitement to US travel than ever. It is obvious that African Americans have captured the attention of the travel industry with the success of Sinbad's Soul Music Festival in Aurba and the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. I expect more grand festivals and historical tours for African Americans to come. After all, we are deinitely showing everyone that we do know how to spend money away from home. So be sure to add STEPPIN' OUT to your collection and use it to plan that next trip!
Average customer rating:
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Our Town: An American Play (Twayne's Masterwork Studies)
Donald Haberman
Manufacturer: Twayne Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
United States
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ASIN: 0805780548 |
Book Description
A background of espionage and betrayal makes Lucifer Dye the perfect person to team up with an ex-call girl, a devious chief of police, and other sleazy partners in crime to corrupt a mid-sized Gulf Coast city and deliver it into the hands of evil. The Fools in Town are on Our Side is a masterwork of passion and power in a small Southern town, a solid blockbuster which rips open the secret lusts of men and women as no other novel of our time.
Customer Reviews:
Ross Thomas dazzles as always.......2007-05-30
As a mystery writer myself, I have a list of my own favorites from whom I learn. No one does it better than Ross Thomas -- a writer's writer.
Very engaging, dripping with cynicism........2006-12-08
Victor Orcutt of Victor Orcutt Associates has discovered an ingenious way of earning large amounts of money. If a community becomes disgusted with rampant corruption in the ranks of its civic leaders, Victor will come in and clean things up. But Victor has found that before bad government can be reformed it has to first become even more corrupt. When the good citizens of Swankerton, a southern gulfcoast city, hire his firm to rid them of their thoroughly corrupt municipal government, he in turn hires Lucifer Dye to carry out the task of making the corruption worse.
Who is Lucifer Dye? Why he's the novel's protagonist and first person narrator. Born in Montana and raised in Japanese occupied Shanghai, Lucifer's biography is an exceedingly interesting one. For the past decade he has been a spy stationed in Hong Kong.
When the ultra-secretive intelligence agency he works for abruptly hands him his walking papers, Victor Orcutt is right there to provide employment for him on the Swankerton project.
Lucifer's much anticipated work in Swankerton really doesn't get underway until the second half of The Fools in Town Are on Our Side. The first half of the book is largely about Lucifer's early life and his later tenure as an intelligence agent. Subjects which are both amazingly interesting to read about.
This book deserves a 5 star rating for a number of reasons. The narrative is extremely compelling and substantial. There's lots of action including several instances of sudden, shocking violence. As in all Ross Thomas novels, almost all of the characters are imbued with cynical attitudes that are finely honed. In fact, the degree of cynicism found in the pages of this novel is a delight to behold and is probably its most engaging characteristic.
The Fools in Town Are on Our Side is one of the author's best efforts. Highly recommended.
Riveting!!!.......2005-08-15
At eight years of age, Lucifer Dye could "shill a crap game, pimp for a whore house, speak six or seven languages, roll drunks, and hustle the rubes," but could neither read nor write.
Dye is the central character in "The Fools in Town Are on Our Side" (1970) by Ross Thomas.
It is a complex, unique, compulsively entertaining small town corruption novel.
After Dye completes his education on a "scholarship" granted by a clandestine government agency he is employed by the agency, Section Two. And, he is told, "There is no Section One."
After being unceremoniously dumped by the outfit, he is hired by Victor Orcutt to corrupt the corrupt in a Gulf Coast city.
Myriad scalawags abound, chicanery is the order of the day and abundant deceptions are trump cards, as a cast of sharp, unforgettable characters are manipulated by Dye, Orcutt and two associates.
There is never a dull moment in the absorbing narrative.
The "heroes" are tarnished and shady, and not much better than their adversaries.
The novels of Ross Thomas are fascinating and impossible to put down.
Out of print for nearly a decade, several of his works are being reissued by St. Martin's Press. Do yourself a favor---pick one up and enjoy the ride.
Simply Marvelous.......2005-05-05
I just finished this, my first Ross Thomas book. It is just incredible. His writing is evocative of character, place, complexity and conflict, in as few words as possible. I found myself rereading lines in order to grasp their full impact. The underlying clear vision of the writer is impressive as well.
All with an underlying passion and self-deprecating humor. I loved every single moment of it.
One of the books that made Ross Thomas' reputation.......2001-01-05
It's been said that what Elmore Leonard ("Freaky Deaky," "Get Shorty," etc.) did for crime novels in urban environments, Ross Thomas did for crime novels in suburban environments. Thomas' novels aren't so much gritty as they are witty, and less about openly violent crimes as about deep corruption beneath the veneer of civilization.
"The Fools in Town Are On Our Side" is one of the best Thomas novels. It's really about three or four stories all wrapped together. The stories all happen to be about the narrator, Lucifer C. Dye. Dye was born in Montana, but spent his childhood in Shanghai, China, before and during World War II. Story No. 1 is about how he came to be raised by a Russian-born madam running Shanghai's top brothel. Story No. 2 is about how Dye came to be the youngest Sergeant Major in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, largely on the strength of his perfectly fluent Mandarin (Chinese), and his subsequent recruitment into a government intelligence program. Story No. 3 is about how he got booted out of the program. And Story No. 4 is the main story, wherein he is offered $50,000 (it was worth a lot more back in 1970 when the book was written) to help "corrupt" a town, the idea being that in order to get the townspeople to vote for a reform slate, they have to be really fed up with corruption. That requires making things far worse so people see how bad the corruption is.
Of course, Thomas does not tell the stories in that sequence. Instead, they're all mixed together, which ordinarily I find annoying, but each story is so interesting that the technique works here.
There's a little bit of violence, but for the most part, the book is really about intrigue, double-dealings, and so forth. If you've never read anything by Ross Thomas, this is a great introduction.
Product Description
In Hometown Revelations, you will find out how America's cities, towns, and states acquired their names. Most of the major U.S. cities are included but you will find answers why they named their town Peculiar, Happy or even Monkeys Eyebrow! In addition, you will learn how the states aquired their names. Not everybody's hometown may be included but the clues and mysteries revealed of other communities may lead you to your own revelation!
Customer Reviews:
Monkey's Eyebrow.......2007-06-24
It's an interesting book. There are several stories about how Monkey's Eyebrow, Ky., got its name. The one in the book isn't my favorite. Find out more about Monkey's Eyebrow at http://monkeyseyebrow.org
Fun Trivia for your next road trip!.......2006-11-17
I always wondered how that town got that funny or unusual name. A great book for your trivia friend or for the next time you take a road trip. There is a lot of interesting and humorous stories in this book.
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