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"We passed through Kent in our way to France, on Sunday the first of May 1814. This day's journey was very delightful. The whole scenery around us,-the richness of the fields and woods, then beginning to assume the first colours of spring; the extent and excellence of the cultivation; the thriving condition of the towns, and the smiling aspect of the neat and clean villages through which we passed; the luxuriant bloom of the fruit-trees surrounding them; the number of beautiful villas adapted to the accommodation of the middle ranks of society, the crowds of well-dressed peasantry going to and returning from church; the frank and cheerful countenances of the men, and beauty of the women-all presented a most pleasing spectacle. If we had not proposed to cross the channel, we should have compared all that we now saw with our recollections of Scotland; and the feeling of the difference, although it might have increased our admiration, would perhaps have made us less willing to acknowledge it. But when we were surveying England with a view to a comparison with France, the difference of its individual provinces was overlooked;-we took a pride in the apparent happiness and comfort of a people, of whom we knew nothing more, than that they were our countrymen; and we rejoiced, that the last impression left on our minds by the sight of our own country, was one which we already anticipated that no other could efface.

Our passage to Calais was rendered very interesting, by the number of Frenchmen who accompanied us. Some of these were emigrants, who had spent the best part of their lives in exile; the greater part were prisoners of various ranks, who had been taken at different periods of the war. There was evidently the greatest diversity of character, of prospects, of previous habits, and of political and moral sentiments among these men; the only bond that connected them was, the love of their common country; and at a moment for which they had been so long and anxiously looking, this was sufficient to repress all jealousy and discord, and to unite them cordially and sincerely in the sentiment which was expressed, with true French enthusiasm, by one of the party, as we left the harbour of Dover,-"Voila notre chere France,-A present nous sommes tous amis!"

As we proceeded, the expression of their emotions, in words, looks, and gestures, was sometimes extremely pleasing, at other times irresistibly ludicrous, but always characteristic of a people whose natural feelings are quick and lively, and who have no idea of there being any dignity or manliness in repressing, or concealing them. When the boat approached the French shore, a fine young officer, who had been one of the most amusing of our companions, leapt from the prow, and taking up a handful of sand, kissed it with an expression of ardent feeling and enthusiastic joy, which it was delightful to observe. It is only on occasions of this kind, that the whole strength of the feeling of patriotism is made known. In the ordinary routine of civil life, this feeling is seldom awakened. In the moments of national enthusiasm and exultation, it is often mingled with others. But in witnessing the emotions of the French exiles and captives, on returning to their wasted and dishonoured country, we discerned the full force of those moral ties, by which, even in the most afflicting circumstances of national humiliation and disaster, the hearts of men are bound to the land of their fathers." ... Read more

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In the ensuing volume I have attempted to give a defined and permanent form to a variety of thoughts, which have occurred to my mind in the course of thirty-four years, it being so long since I published a volume, entitled, the Enquirer,--thoughts, which, if they have presented themselves to other men, have, at least so far as I am aware, never been given to the public through the medium of the press.
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In the ensuing volume I have attempted to give a defined and permanent form to a variety of thoughts, which have occurred to my mind in the course of thirty-four years, it being so long since I published a volume, entitled, the Enquirer,--thoughts, which, if they have presented themselves to other men, have, at least so far as I am aware, never been given to the public through the medium of the press. ... Read more

Product Description
In the ensuing volume I have attempted to give a defined and permanent form to a variety of thoughts, which have occurred to my mind in the course of thirty-four years, it being so long since I published a volume, entitled, the Enquirer,--thoughts, which, if they have presented themselves to other men, have, at least so far as I am aware, never been given to the public through the medium of the press.


... Read more

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Excerpt from the book...
CHRIS FARRINGTON: ABLE SEAMAN


"If you vas in der old country ships, a liddle shaver like you vood pe
only der boy, und you vood wait on der able seamen. Und ven der able
seaman sing out, 'Boy, der water-jug!' you vood jump quick, like a shot,
und bring der water-jug. Und ven der able seaman sing out, 'Boy, my
boots!' you vood get der boots. Und you vood pe politeful, und say
'Yessir' und 'No sir.' But you pe in der American ship, and you t'ink
you are so good as der able seamen. Chris, mine boy, I haf ben a
sailorman for twenty-two years, und do you t'ink you are so good as me?
I vas a sailorman pefore you vas borned, und I knot und reef und splice
ven you play mit topstrings und fly kites."
... Read more

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For a long time after the course of the steamer _Sofala_ had been altered for the land, the low swampy coast had retained its appearance of a mere smudge of darkness beyond a belt of glitter. The sunrays seemed to fall violently upon the calm sea--seemed to shatter themselves upon an adamantine surface into sparkling dust, into a dazzling vapor of light that blinded the eye and wearied the brain with its unsteady brightness. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

For die-hard Conrad fans only
And I thought I WAS a die-hard Conrad fan!He's one of those writers by whom I must read a book every two or three years -- but this one I did not like at all.Despite the usual brilliant prose, much of it as good asanything Conrad has done, "Tether" is a let-down -- astoundinglydepressing!Most Conrad work posits a world that is inimical and uncaring,yet holds out hope that courage and integrity will serve to help us endureit all; "Tether" holds out no such hope.It concerns a captainwho continues to pilot his ship even though he is legally blind, doing soin order to provide for his family.Nothing turns out okay, and no oneends up happy.I don't ask for a lot of hope from the books I read -- butat least a little! ... Read more

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Spring had come. Despite the many wet and gusty days which April had thrust in rude challenge upon reluctant May, in the glory of the triumphant sun which flooded the concave blue of heaven and the myriad shaded green of earth, the whole world knew to-day, the whole world proclaimed that spring had come. The yearly miracle had been performed. ... Read more

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SIR, WITH the design of serving an amiable and worthy man, I have availed myself of your Royal Highness's permission to dedicate to you the translation of a work, which, as a faithful narrative of events, wants no additional comment to make it interesting.
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"The American Novel_, published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; _Contemporary American Novelists_ undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century. " ... Read more

Product Description
The American Novel_, published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; _Contemporary American Novelists_ undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century.
... Read more

Product Description
The American Novel_, published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; _Contemporary American Novelists_ undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century.
... Read more

Product Description
The American Novel_, published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; _Contemporary American Novelists_ undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century.
... Read more

Product Description
The American Novel_, published last year, undertook to trace the progress of a literary type in the United States from its beginnings to the end of the nineteenth century; _Contemporary American Novelists_ undertakes to study the type as it has existed during the first two decades of the twentieth century.
... Read more

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In an important book from the newly elected president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy sets forth his personal vision of France's role in world affairs and his plans for modernizing the country and equipping it for the twenty-first century.

Testimony begins with a series of remarkable episodes from President Sarkozy's career. Trained as a lawyer, he entered politics as a grassroots party organizer for the Gaullist movement in the 1970s. His political career moved forward with triumphs and setbacks, revealing a fascinating and complex political personality in the making. His episodic narrative illuminates the brash, provocative, passionate, and open-minded style that assured his success and provides a refreshing contrast to France's stagnant, elite-dominated political culture.

With unusual candor, President Sarkozy describes the difficulties France has faced in recent years—high unemployment, social tensions, inadequate education, a government that has not been responsive or responsible when confronting economic and social problems. In international relations, he calls for a new approach to the way France positions itself in the world. He is a great admirer of the United States and writes: "I stand by France's friendship with the United States, I'm proud of it, and I have no intention of apologizing for feeling an affinity with the greatest democracy in the world." In Testimony, he explores what this will mean for France's traditionally independent foreign policy. His vision for Europe is equally ambitious and far-reaching; his iconoclastic views on Israel and the Arab world, Africa, globalization, immigration, and the environment promise a sharp break with the past.

The ideas of France's new president are probably more daring, coherent, and compelling than those of any French leader in decades. Furthermore, he remains optimistic about France, insisting that the country is eager to embrace profound change. Bold, pragmatic, a risk-taker, President Sarkozy sets forth an exciting new direction for France as it enters the world of the twenty-first century.

Customer Reviews (2)

The France everyone should know about!
A middle-class friend of mine, making 45K a year was talking seriously about moving to France. After I got her to read this book she quickly changed her mind. For the American reader, who typically knows very little about France beyond wine and museums, this book gets into the nitty-gritty of what it's really like to live in France. Even if you're not political, this book is excellent for simply understanding the French mind. Understanding the political and culture struggles going on in France makes the French people real, not just this one-dimensional stereotype that so many have. Imagine if more Europeans understood the American cultural divide, instead of just lumping us all in the same WWII Cowboy stereotype!

You'll learn about their tax problems, their employment problems, and the way conservatives like Sarkozy view the socialist left. He talks candidly about every controversy that has surrounding him, including the "scum" incident during the Paris riots. If you're moving there, visiting there, or are just interested in the French mind, this is the book for you!!!

Sarkozy's outspoken Testimony.
"This book presents my analysis of the difficulties France faces," Nicolas Sarkozy says in Testimony. "It outlines my proposals for putting France back on the path toward economic growth, social justice, and modernity. And it addresses many of the common domestic, international, economic, and social challenges that advanced democracies like France and the United States must confront."

Sarkozy (1955) is the current President of France, elected in May, 2007 after defeating Socialist Party rival Ségolène Royal. He has had a long political career, which began at the age of 22. Before his presidency, Sarkozy was the leader of the Union for a Popular Movement right-wing party. He served as the Minister of the Interior under Jacques Chirac's presidency, and was appointed Minister of Finances in Jean-Pierre Raffarin's last government (March 2004-May 2005), and again Minister of the Interior in Dominique de Villepin's government (2005-2007). Sarkozy is known for his tough-on-crime, law and order stance, and for his desire to revitalize the French economy. In foreign affairs, he lacks an Anti-American attitude and has promised to work with the United States.

Sarkozy is known to control his public image. (He was named the 68th best dressed person by Vanity Fair; he allegedly forced the director of Paris Match to resign following an article on his wife's affair; and he reportedly asked Paris Match to retouch a photo by erasing a love handle.) His attempt to control his image is also readily apparent in Testimony.Although his book has been criticized for its "American-style" political spin, it nevertheless offers frank insights into Sarkozy as a unique French politician, while providing readers with his outspoken critique of contemporary French society and politics. Sarkozy is as much an anomolaly as a visionary.Did the French really elect this man?He is a proponent of radical changes in France's economic and social policies.He admires the U.S. hard-work economic model in comparison to France's 35-hour work week, high minimum wage, unfair tax system, its "social safety net" of entitlements, and its high unemployment rate.He disapproves of the US invasion of Iraq, but is equally critical of the way Jacques Chirac and his foreign minister Dominique de Villepin expressed France's opposition to the war.He believes every French citizen should be bilingual.While Sarkozy is a member of the French political right, he would be considered left of center by American political standards. He opposes the death penalty and promotes affirmative action for French minorities.

Accused by his political opponents as being a "candidate for brutality," Sarkozy is no stranger to controversy in favoring immigration reform, affirmative action, working overtime, and for opposing same-sex marriage. He has been accused of a willingness to sacrifice civil liberties for political gain, and not only does he lack an anti-American attitude, he actually enjoys vacationing in New Hampshire.

Testimony is an engaging read for anyone interested in French politics and social issues, and should be considered required reading for every candidate running for presidential office.Sarkozy demontrates more faith in American society than most Americans do these days. "America's strength," he observes, "is that it was able . . . to identify its own weaknesses, and decide together as a society to remedy them, and then to take action without useless nostalgia about the past."

G. Merritt ... Read more

Product Description
The setting . . .
Washington, Hollywood, and the landscape of the American Republic.

The writer . . .
Joe Eszterhas, ex-Rolling Stone reporter, National Book Award nominee for Charlie Simpson's Apocalypse, and screenwriter of such blockbusters as Basic Instinct and Jagged Edge.

The stars . . .
Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Al Gore, John McCain, Ken Starr, and Monica Lewinsky.

The supporting players . . .
Warren Beatty, James Carville, Sharon Stone, Larry Flynt, Vernon Jordan, Linda Tripp, Matt Drudge, and Bob Packwood (with cameos by Richard Nixon and Farrah Fawcett, Eleanor Roosevelt and David Geffen, Robert Evans and Richard Gere).

The story . . .
The most basic, and basest, in many years -- an up-close and personal look at the people who run our world. A tale filled with humor, tragedy and romance; suspense, absurdity and high drama; and, of course, lots and lots of sex.


In American Rhapsody, Eszterhas combines comprehensive research with insight, honesty, and astute observation to reveal ultimate truths. This is a book that flouts virtually every rule, yet joins a rich journalistic tradition distinguished by such writers as Norman Mailer and Tom Wolfe.

A brilliant, unnerving, hugely entertaining look at our political culture, our heroes and villains, American Rhapsody will delight some and outrage others, but it will not be ignored.  What Joe Eszterhas has produced is a penetrating and devastating panorama of all of us, a fun-house mirror held up to our own morals, hypocrisies and desires.Amazon.com Review
American Rhapsody is a gleeful act of outrage, simultaneously anassault on the Clintons and a bridge-burning, tell-all Hollywood memoir inthe wicked spirit of You'llNever Eat Lunch in This Town Again. Joe Eszterhas's narrative is atorrent of consciousness with no consistent sense of direction, but it allerupts from a plausible organizing principle best articulated in thechapter "Bubba in Pig Heaven": Hollywood is where Clinton really belongs.The author claims Bill watches Blazing Saddles six times a year, andsays that Gennifer Flowers got him blazing by enacting a Sharon Stone-likecrotch-shot scene years before Basic Instinct. When a sarcasticClinton allegedly told a Hollywood producer that his enemies would soon beaccusing him of coupling with a cow, the producer sent him Eszterhas's 1989screenplay Sacred Cow, in which a president does just that.Eszterhas claims Spielberg dropped the film because of his friendship withClinton. But he still thinks Clinton would be great in the role.

The Lewinsky saga really should be ho-hum by now, but AmericanRhapsody's Evel Knievel-like leaps of free association and mad briobreathe life into it. You've never been properly introduced to Linda Trippand Lucianne Goldberg until you've read "The Ratwoman and the Bag Lady ofSleaze," its uproarious take on the pair. American Rhapsody givesdozens of stars time in the sweaty spotlight: Matt "the Scavenger" Drudge,heroic Larry Flynt (whose threat to report Republican scandals Eszterhascredits with quashing impeachment)--almost every big political scandalvictim in memory. And there are lots of Hollywood types behaving badly: Bob Dylan,Warren Beatty, Ronald Reagan, Farrah Fawcett, Sharon Stone, Robert Evans,Sly Stallone (who wanted to portray Jesus onscreen), and even JoeEszterhas. The fantasy chapters, printed in boldface, are sometimes funny(e.g., "Kenneth W. Starr Confesses"), but mostly they're both over the topand below the belt (e.g., "Willard Comes Clean," the confessions of thepresident's penis). What holds your interest is the main narrative, a headymix of showbiz gossip, personal essay, and Lester Bangs-style prose mania.--Tim Appelo ... Read more

Customer Reviews (81)

Joe Eszterhas has created a genre
This book is as unique and entertaining as an 8 course meal served by a team of strippers in a library.

I like Bill Clinton MORE after reading this book and suspect that he is privately a Joe Eszterhas fan.And why not?Joe Eszterhas has more closet fans than any modern American writer.

No closet for me, thanks.Joe rules.

And a P.S. to Bill... America didn't hold the knobber against you.It's just that after JFK and Marilyn, we have pretty high standards.No hoggin' in the oval office, bro.If it had been Charlize Theron we would all have high fived you.Even Hillary would have understood.

:)

Irresistably preposterous-- But know what you are in for
Eszterhas the book writer is more intriguing and ideosyncratic than Eszterhas the screen writer.Be prepared for a 60's counter culture apologia pro vita sua with interesting detours (such as a tribute to Barry Goldwater).

The book is ultimately a tour of America the Horny across the life span of baby boomers."Life span" is the proper term, since there is raunch enough for a lifetime.The organizing principle is that Bill Clinton is the avatar for the sexual acting out of the rock and roll lifestyle.Clinton is not particularly revered here, although Hilary is portrayed as so cold (and maybe gay) that Bill had little choice.

There is a lot of malicious gossip here, but some is true.The challenge is distinguishing between gossip that is malicious and that which is false and malicious.

For all the astoundingly diverse sexual activity described, there is a clinical detachment.Eszterhas uses few words (save when quoting others) that the New York Times would not print.

Eszterhas narrates lots of the book and is not an especially skilled reader-- although the ring of authenticity he gives keeps it from being annoying.Ed Asner is a fine reader.

Be prepared for Eszterhas's substantial ego.

?????
I tend to vote Republican but refuse to align myself with the Right Wing or Moral Majority. I'm the guy in the middle that the candidates are really after.I say that as any review on this book should be tempered by the politics of the reader.JE is an avowed Democrat with socialist leanings.Read his most recent book "American Animal" to verify this.So it was surprising as I read the first third of this book that after an initial bow to Clinton as the Rock & Roll Prez, one of "us", he then seems to chastise him for his fatal flaws.This part of the book is interesting, engaging, but also somewhat repetitive.I still couldn't wait to read it my allotted hour a night.

But there is only so much you can talk about this subject and JE rambles on and on until he finally manages to really offend me.How?Well, I just finished his most recent book, "American Animal" an autobiography which I immensely enjoyed.Full of Hollywood stories.But reading this, I see that JE has included many of the stories I enjoyed from his autobiography in this political commentary/fantasy.So is he a writer with a message or is he just repeating his few stories to make a buck?

I don't know what to make of this book, thus my title.Did I enjoy some parts?Yes.Are there some interesting stories?Yes.But there is a lot of waste.It's like wandering thru a jungle with a machete looking for your trail.When you find it, it's worth the work.So maybe the only item I can add of interest came from reading this with some years of aging.JE takes on Arianna Huffington who he spends quite a bit of time describing her history to show what a bad person she is and how she climbed to the top while stepping on other people's faces.But would JE have included these chapters in this form if he had known that within a few years she would shift sides and now disavow her right wing leanings?I think not.

This is not a great book.But if you enjoy reading, maybe you will enjoy it.

Decent and Deplorable- in prose from the spheres.
This is the truth! I never read any other of these exposes and during the majority of the media coverage of the episode that led to Clinton's impeachment- I switched to the animal planet. After reading some reviews on Amazon, I bought this book and I'm glad I did."The Comeback Kid" takes plenty of flack from the author, but Eszterhas spares none.I like the names: The Big Kielbasa- Wilt Chamberlain, "The Bag Lady of Sleaze"- Lucienne Goldberg, the lady who got the story into the media,"Hilla the Hun," "The Night Creature"- Nixon- "The Manchurian Candidate"- McCain- "The Rat Woman,"- Linda Tripp, it goes on to the current president named, "The Crown Prince."The coarsest individual does have the funniest lines, i.e.LBJ- too much to repeat here. The few who seem to get off lightly, like Monica, and believe it or not- Barry Goldwater and Newsweek Magazine who had the story and never printed it.
Perhaps the most effective and distressing part of the book is when Eszterhas does a mini retrospective of all the things we didn't want to know,but did over the years, here are a few: Sen. Harkin blowing his nose on CNN without a handkerchief, Bush Sr. throwing up in China, Buchanon saying "Congress is an Israeli occupied territory," Bob Dylan and Elizabeth T., LBJ turning to the side and taking a whizz at an outdoor press conference, Nixon and Kissinger kneeling together and praying, Spiro Agnew, "If you've seen one city slum you've seen them all," Michael Jackson and his chimp, David Bowie and Mick Jagger. (?)

Eszterhas obviously knows more and remembers more than is probably good for him, but his prose is stunning as is the manner by which he weaves the book together- even with some fiction.The author was the screenwriter for Fatal Attraction and had a relationship with Sharon Stone- who also takes some upper cuts and was rumored to have been intimate with Clinton as well. I definitely recommend reading this- for the humor and frankly, The gossip is completely consuming.

MUCH more than smutty tell-all
What a memorable and highly rewarding read.This book is much more than the sum of it's salacious and often repugnant contents; it's also a lecture on morality and a history lesson as well.I don't see how someone who reads this book can be derisive regarding the interlacing of fiction or the sheer amount of sordid detail.Given Eszerhas' talent for script writing and keen interest for the underbelly of the American society, how his book is put together should be no surprise.It's certainly not a novel or a bucket of heresay poo.
I am one who is generally both revolted and amused by the tabloids, and shows like Entertainment Television.But I could not put this book down.The book is informative and revealing, and I found myself lauging out loud and cringing, often while reading the same paragraph.I particularly enjoyed the moments where Eszterhas reflects on his own life; it's probably the most engaging aspect of the book.Expecting to find a smutty and over the top tell-all, I found something rich in intelligent, values-based writing. ... Read more

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A Thomas Nelson Kindle book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Imagine my surprise!
I had never heard of Aaron Tonken - I just bought this book because I like Hollywood scandal.Well!About halfway through the book, I did a Google search for him and imagine my surprise when the first 10 hits were news stories about Tonken's arrest and how it might affect Hillary Clinton!

Wha???This got my attention because I have no love for Shrillary or her heinous husband and enjoy anything that takes a poke at them.So I scanned on ahead to get to the "meat" of the book - the part that was driving the FOBs nutty.

Tonken talks in the book about his Clinton fundraising efforts, but this by no means is the Clinton bash book the critics made it out to be.Shrill and Bill are mentioned along with many other famous names that cheated charity for their own personal gain.Sure, the Clintons are the most powerful of the bunch, but many celebrities, including the whole cast of "Friends", get a major drubbing as well.

As for the book itself, Tonken couldn't be more self-serving and pathetic.He gets taken for a ride over and over and over, yet is so star-struck that he keeps going back for more.He tries to pretend that he's some choirboy and didn't realize what he was doing was wrong - that he was all for the charities every step of the way.But we all know that's horsecrap.I've spearheaded a few charitable events myself and I can't believe it's that different in the big time.

So this book gets 3 stars - 2 for revealing petty Hollyweirds for the selfish greedy pigs they are, and 1 for good dirt.He loses 1 star for his pure ignorance and another for trying to pass himself off as a naive do-gooder who got taken.

Readable for sure...but horrifying on a million levels!
This book definitely qualifies as compelling entertainment to those who find the "behind-the-scenes" behavior of celebs interesting, but I'm STUNNED at this guy's "moronitude." He doesn't let himself entirely off the hook in his misdealings, but he plays himself off as a victim..when his CONSTANT weakness in fulfilling the insane demands of certain nightmarish celebrities makes him contemptible beyond belief. I wanted to like Tonken - he tells a breezy story & is apparently paying the price for his participation in financial scams...but I didn't find much of a soul there. To get involved with Roseanne at the late date he did shows judgement that can't really be justified. I would have liked to hear more about the (perhaps few) GOOD Hollywood/Washington, D.C. people - he alludes to them from time to time but goes back to the same self-indulgent nonsense of the others. It's a good read but it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Nothing he wrote was a true shock (except, as mentioned before, Ray Charles' alleged cavalier acts)...but as seen through the eyes of someone who clearly has NOT learned from his misdeeds, it didn't really satisfy.

A page turning blast! A beach read or one nighter
There is something perverse about forgiving Aaron Tonken his stupidity because he dishes out honesty; after being pimped for so long by so many all cut from the same cloth.Birds of a feather do flock together pal! You just have to be sympathethic to the author because he really wasn't in it for the money- he wanted the approval of the glitteratti.Chapter after chapter he does the same thing, starting small and moving up the ladder.No matter the rung the story is always the same, ego driven behavior fuels monkey see monkey do greed and a sense of entitlement.This book is a riot, and so badly needed now that the last bastion of tabloids- the National Enquirer- has joined the star-pucker bandwagon and chooses to befriend the celebrities in the hope that something good will rub off on them- or that the favors will be returned.
Read the book though and note the genuine , compassionate and refined minority that Aaron does have dealings with , including The Reagans, Englebert Humperdink, Red Buttons,Charlton Heston,and some other less than household names. Have some fun and read the book-

1 word describes Aaron Tonken: L O S E R
This book gives a truly pathetic look into a man who chooses to be a perpetual victim. He supposedly lives this lavish lifestyle, yet has nothing to show for it. He's obviously not up front about all his financial gains from his swindeling. Nor do I recall him ever giving any amounts that were actually donated to these charities.
And poor Cynthia Gershman! He befriends her only to badmouth her & use her the entire time. Even after she becomes a widow, he discloses her private affairs to readers.
No, he's not a con. He's not smart enough to be! He got taken by the money sharks & was warmly welcomed by others, only to betray trusts.
The raw truth is, he couldn't hang! He was too greedy & wanted it all at any cost. THEN at the end, he has the audacity to mention the love of Jesus! What a hypocrite!
I only read this book because it was given to me as a gift & I felt obligated. The only people he conned were people into buying this piece of garbage.
I hope his cellmate's name is Bubba!

the real hollywood and it's greed
this book is the closest expose of the greed that runs rampant with the most unlikely hollywood and political celebrities. it gives the reader an insight not seen before and absolutely dispels and exposes who and what these people are really about. they are not what the public see's or how they are hyped by the media in a positive vain but rather greedy heartless and completely insensitive to the charities they are supposedly helping. you will be amazed at the their insensitivity. ... Read more