Book Description

The more complex criminal justice systems become, the greater the need for clear, direct communication. The Criminal Justice Student Writer's Manual, Fourth Edition is designed to help improve one’s writing and is specific to the criminal justice field. It includes coverage of the writing process and the mechanics of writing, shows how to conduct research and cite sources, and presents guidelines for writing different types of common criminal justice papers. Now expanded to five parts, this edition includes a new chapter on writing a police report, separate chapters on APA and ASA style, and a separate section for writing assignments. It includes coverage of the writing process and the mechanics of writing, how to conduct research and cite sources, and guidelines for writing several different types of common criminal justice papers. Up-to-date information on criminal justice research on the World Wide Web offers readers current strategies and resources for Internet research. For anyone conducting research and/or producing writing in the criminal justice field.

Customer Reviews (2)

Great Minds, Great Book
This sourcebook for great theology has helped me to understand the historical dynamics at work for the last two hundred years.Simple in format but not in the subjects tackled, it covers the minds that dailyaffect our worship.My only criticism is that too many subjects areincluded: a little more depth on major topics would make it even better. The sources are chosen with God in mind, and are an acomplishment inexpression for the Christian faith.An excellent read, praise of JesusChrist is throughout.

An excellent source book on reformed thought
This book gives an excellent overview of reformed theological thought from its inception in the 16th century to the 18th century. I have nothing but praise for the editors' selection of works which ranges from the well knowntheologians such as John Calvin to the lesser known but equally importanttheologians such as Turretin. The selection of the works are also wellbalanced by not giving too much emphasis on any particular reformedtheologian.

The editors are to be commended for organizing the bookaround the main themes of reformed thought and for the excellentintroductory essay on reformed theology at the begining of the book. Ibelieve this is a great help for those who are just begining to explorereformed theology.

Definitely a must-book for anyone who have an interestin reformed theology. ... Read more

Book Description
The complex subject of governance is illuminated and clarified in this completely revised third edition of William C. Johnson's popular text. Working from the premise that no significant government enterprise takes place within the boundaries of any one organization, the author explores the collaborative process through which public policy is shaped by networks of organizations with diverse missions and certain common purposes. The discussion examines the institutional structures of government and the private sector, as well as the connections between them, the specific operations within these institutions, and the relationships between administrative institutions and the larger society. Throughout the presentation, the author emphasizes the role of public administrators in forming and maintaining the partnerships that advance the goals of government. Each chapter features boxed highlights that illustrate and enliven the principles of public administration. From the No Child Left Behind Act, creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and distribution of the Colorado River's water, to the smart-growth approach to land-use planning, emergence of e-government, and globalization, Johnson draws widely from current issues and events to underscore his presentation with interesting and relevant examples. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent textbook
This book does it's job excellently as a textbook.If you are using it for your Public Admin class you're in luck.This really deserves all fivestars. ... Read more

Book Description
Designed especially for kids ages 9 and up, The Kids Cookbook is packed with kid-friendly recipes-and great photos to match.Each recipe includes an equipment list and all instruction young cooks need to have a great time whipping up something delicious. (Super-easy recipes are flagged, so kids can choose their challenges. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great kids cookbook
Great book for kids and kids at heart a like. Explains some important concepts in cooking as well as kid friendly recipies.

Buy It Now
I bought this cookbook for a close girlfriend of mine who has a couple of little girls who love to cook just like their mommy. This book is so easy for children to follow and almost every recipe has a picture for them. The recipes are something we all eat everyday and they are all healthy! I recommend giving this as a gift to any child in your life.

Excellent
An excellent cookbook to interest young chefs.My niece (age 7) and nephew (age 4) have been cooking up a storm with it.And, so far, it hasn't driven their mother crazy.

Outstanding children's cookbook with excellent recipes
This is a fabulous cookbook full of recipes for meals the whole family will enjoy.It's not like many kids' cookbooks that only have pigs in a blanket, pizza, etc.The directions are easy to follow, and it's great for kids as well as adults who want to make simple meals.I bought it for my 10-year-old son (it was his favorite birthday gift), and my 36-year-old niece wanted one, too!

Good recipes - but very inefficient.
Children love to follow instructions, step by step, and this book has an over abundance of unnecessary and inefficient steps that can make a simple recipe that would normally take 20 minutes to prep, drag on for hours. Any adult, who cooks like this doesn't cook often, cooks professionally or spends most of their waking hours in a kitchen.

For example, who in a modern home kitchen cuts a stick of butter, melts it in a pan then pours it into a (plastic, microwave safe) mixing bowl? Great, now there's a pan, a knife and a cutting board to wash! It is a children's cookbook, so why not cut down on time spent with knives, stovetop flames and inevitable messes by just melting the uncut butter in the plastic mixing bowl with the microwave?

Nice pictures, large font, recipes are great, but (in my opinion) obviously written by someone working in a fully staffed professional kitchen, not a home. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

A Beautiful, Haunting Journey
Out of all the novels I have read by Diane Johnson, this is the one with the most enduring literary value.I had no idea who Omar Khayyam or Edward FitzGerald were, but by the end of the novel I had to look for a copy of the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.""Persian Nights" is set in 1978 in Iran.Chloe Fowler, the heroine, is a housewife from San Francisco.Like many women of that era, Chloe decided on the boring but safe path of housewife instead of a radical feminist one.An accident forces her to travel to Iran alone without her husband.To her surprise, she finds that she loves the adventure and freedom of her trip.Chloe discovers several possible love interests, a possible new career in archaeology, and a passion for a neglected dog.The real question becomes what will Chloe do with her life now that she has found a passion for living.This novel is a paean to carpe diem and wine drinking.As we all know, the party will end badly when the Iranians overthrow the Shah.I couldn't put this book down until the very last page.I plan to reread this novel whenever I finish reading "The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam" as translated by Edward FitzGerald and "The Vagabond" by Colette.

Well crafted, suspenseful novel
I had read Le Divorce, Le Marriage andL'affaire before ordering Persian nights.I am very surprised by the negative comments here.Although the later books are very incisive as to the cultural and psychological differences between the French and their both loved and hated US friends, I find Persian Nights a very well written and interesting rendition of the suburban upper middle class wife and mother of the 70s.Feminism by passed college-educated Chloe.Instead she chose the safety of a marriage to a successful doctor.Even her volunteer work as a museum docent is safe.The most daring action she can muster is extra-marital sex.Thrust alone into the totally alien environment of pre-revolutionary Iran she sets off on a journey of self discovery and finds herself lacking in every aspect of her life. As danger, fear, disease, poverty and even death slowly creep silently into her safe cocoon Chloe 's transformation begins.Though in the past her impulses for action have always been stifled by a pervading apathy she increasingly abandons the safe role of the observer for that of the actor.
Persian Nights is a wonderful, insightful novel that very much captures the feel of the women's movement of the 60s and 70s cleverly staged vis a vis Iran's uprising against the superficially benign regime of the Shah. This setting adds to the complexity and interest of this work.

Front cover shows it all
This was not a good book at all. Weak characters, unrealistic representations, and dull storylines mixed with a limited knowledge of Iran and Persian culture. The front cover literally illustrates this - a woman standing dressed in Arabian, not Persian clothing. Poor taste indeed.

Kept Waiting For Something To Happen
This was one of those books I started to read-gave up on it, because it kept on dragging on and nothing was happening. A friend insisted I keep reading it and I did and in the end, stuff finally starts to happen and it was an OK book.

boring and poorly written
I don't know how anyone could have enjoyed this book. It's horrible! There's no plot in Persian Nights whatsoever and I practically fell asleep every time I tried to read it. After reading and enjoying Le Divorce I found this book by Diane Johnson to be far worse. I recommend this book be avoided by anyone who does not want to sit through a slow, dull, and overall bad read. I honestly don't know how it got any good reveiws at all. Try one of her other novels maybe, but steer clear of this one! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

May Others Learn From His Story
For those seeking the limelight, a must read. Be prepared for all the pitfalls that come along with the ride to fame. Inspirational autobiography of dedication and determination. May our young people keep the thought before them, that nothing comes without full commitment. Mr. Johnson has seen the highs and lows of life. There is strength in the testimony of others.

the magic is not in the book
A good book as far as it goes, but it doesn't go far into truth. Although Johnson recalls his early years,the lessons he learned about hard work,etc. this book reads like a fluff job.It would have been a lot better if he told the full truth.Anyone who has some experience with life knows that there is another side to the story.Intrestingly, this side is seldom heard.Pro athletes and other celebrities are usually portrayed in a glowing light that hide dark truths.Johnson claims that in the cities he played in there were usually many beautiful women who waited for the athletes.In the book it is implied that this is one of the perks of being a pro. Really? You hear of other athletes who take advantage of this and are slapped with paternity suits, the women are given hush money, the athletes pay for their education and then are dropped by the groupies,or the groupies are set up for life by the athletes.With all the thousands of women Johnson supposedly slept with you hear nothing about this, and outside of AIDS he didn't get any other sexually transmitted disease sleeping with all these women?I find that incredible, since anyone else would be seeing the doctor pretty often.Most of the groupies are beautiful because its easier to trap the athletes money with. Does anyone really believe that athletes will sleep with ugly women?These groupies aren't stupid. The hard truth is that people are selfish.They don't sleep with athletes or other celebrities because of their status, but what it will get for them ie, bragging rights, paternity suits, etc. Most athletes are notoriously tight-lipped about this.But sometimes the truth comes out.One nameless athlete said "If the public knew what's going on with groupies, the payoffs etc. sports would lose a lot of money."Its all about the money.This is why opposing evidence is suppressed and why you seldom hear about the dark side.Does anyone seriously believe that vested intrests who profit from the athletes image, who make money selling sports merchandise and everthing connected with it want the truth out? Yeah, right. This book is little more than propaganda.If Johnson were serious about helping people out, he would tell the full truth.Save your money.

Magic
Earvin Johnson a.k.a Magic is a regular guy who is a nba legend who has aid, that' s what we all know, but at the reading of this book i found out, Earvin the man , how he felt when he found out he has aid , how much he got respect for other NBA players like Michael Jordan or Larry bird, it's a very interesting book,..., just buy it and enjoy it!

Magic's Review
This book is awesome!I have been a fan of Magic Johnson forever and I still love him today.This book tells you all,from when he was a child and how life was growing up in the ghetto and his life now with his wife and son.It is very inspirational for any age.If you are an athlete this is a must read.Magic brings out his humorous side and his emotional side in this book.WELL DONE!

Intimate and inspirational
Magic shares about his life, basketball and battle w/HIV.He shares candidly and provides insights into his character, work ethic and upbringing.It's a book that's written w/a lot of enthusiasm and passion, words that would also describe Magic.I highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Book Description
There is a sweet and irresistible dessert perfectly suited to every taste and occasion. No chocolate lover can refuse a slice of rich chocolate torte, and a mound of homey blackberry cobbler captures the mood of summer. And what better way to end an elegant dinner party than with a scoop of refreshing mango sorbet or a serving of poached pears drizzled with raspberry sauce?

Williams-Sonoma Collection Dessert offers more than 40 recipes, including favorite classics and fresh new ideas. Inside, you'll find simple desserts perfect for a quick afternoon snack as well as seasonal recipes designed for events throughout the year -- from the ideal ending to a July picnic to the last course of a hearty autumn meal. For an impressive presentation, offer your guests a selection of elegant desserts on special occasions. And finally, a chapter devoted entirely to chocolate gives you good reason to indulge in everybody's favorite temptation.

Full-color photographs of each dessert help make it easy to decide which to prepare, and each recipe is accompanied by a photographic side note that highlights a baking technique or key ingredient, making Dessert much more than just a fine collection of recipes. An informative basics section and extensive glossary fill in all you need to know to create an unforgettable dessert that everyone will enjoy.

Whether it's a plate of warm double chocolate chip cookies, a chilled dish of richly caramelized crème brûlée, or a thick wedge of old-fashioned apple pie, no one can resist the sweet allure of a homemade dessert.

Williams-Sonoma Collection Dessert offers more than 40 easy-to-follow recipes, including both time-honored classics and irresistible new ideas. In these pages, you'll find delicious desserts, both simple and extraordinary, designed to fit any occasion at any time of year, from an elegant holiday celebration to a quick mid-afternoon treat. This beautifully photographed, full-color recipe collection is certain to become an essential addition to your kitchen bookshelf.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Mmm...Mmm...good!
Excellent book for anyone interested in desserts.I can't cook, but for some reason I can make excellent desserts.The berry fool is very easy to make and you can change it up a bit and put it in individual graham cracker pie plates.This book is loads of fun.Read the whole thing first though.

Love it!!
I have not even tried a recipe yet but I've read it cover to cover.You can usually tell a good cook book by how well it's written.The authors explain in great detail each recipe which is very easy to follow.To top it off a picture accompanies every dessert so you know exactly what to expect.In the back of the book is a guide for baking novices, like myself, on the importance of preparation before baking and some other tidbits as well.

The same day I received my copy I watched a program that aired on the Food Network: Good Eats w/ Alton Brown.He made Crème Brulee, Pear Coulis', and a Soufflé.His method followed the book to a tee. As you can see I highly recommend this book.

Anyone Can Come Off Like A 5 Star Pastry Chef....
Most of the recipes in this book are suitable for bakers of any level.

What makes this book a standout, is the fact that even the simplest recipes look expensive and difficult, when complete. For example:

The Poached Pears With Raspberry Coulis, is simple. It looks like a million bucks when properly plated, though.

My boyfriend made the Lemon Curd Squares in the middle of the night. He isn't known for his cooking or baking skills (unless Noodle Roni counts). They came out perfect. From the way he carried on, you would think he solved cold fusion.

If your baking challenged, significant other, reads this book and is motivated to make just one recipe, then your money was well spent.

This book is a must have.

Superb collection :-()
This book is as good as all the Williams-Sonoma books I own.They all look delicious, and those that I've made, have turned out well and taste so good.I've made the Mango Sorbet, Flourless Chocolate Torte, Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, Frozen Citrus Mousse and the Raspberry Tart.There are still so many I want to make, and I'm definately going to get around to them because all the others have been hits, and people have asked me for the recipes.The book itself is beautifuly presented and I love the pictures and all the little helpful hints that are on most pages.There is lots to learn about cooking in here.Buy this and have fun with it.Just don't make stuff too often or your waistline will go up in size.These things are too yum to resist.

Decadent
Beautiful photographs and recipes that are clear and easy to follow. I've made quite a few of the recipes and all of them have been great successes at my parties. All of the recipes are decadent and exquisite, and somehow perfectly manageable to make.
This book is definitely a great addition to a collection. ... Read more

Book Description
"Haunting, cryptic photographs…fire the imagination. The images come with no explanation, only speculation, so we are free to let our minds roam wild." —Miami Herald

The wonderfully diverse images reproduced here include many of transcendent beauty and psychological insight, all with the magical, mysterious charge that comes from speculating on the circumstances in which they were taken. Novelist William Boyd, whose introduction identifies thirteen ways in which to look at photographs, explains: "The anonymous photograph…makes us ask, with new concentration, what it is about a photograph that elevates it above the casual and the banal…why some images move and enthrall and remain in our memories."

The number of collectors of anonymous photographs is growing exponentially. Robert Flynn Johnson has spent more than a decade on a personal journey of discovery through what were previously uncharted waters to find the works reproduced here. Reflecting themes that govern our lives—birth, death, love, war, travel, celebrity—these photographs are pleasurable and poignant, giving insight into the human secrets with which we can all identify. Over 220 illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Excellent thoughts-provoking book
Not for the fainted-heart though : images can be shocking, but always reflect some kind of humanity. Buy it, share it.

Truly amazing
I purchased this book after reading a glowing newspaper article about it and I couldn't be more pleased. Besides being beautiful it is a very thought provoking book with splendid comments by the author.

"What, in short, makes a photograph good?"
The answer to the question posed by William Boyd, who with Robert Flynn Johnson has gathered and commented on this portfolio of fascinating photographs, lies between the covers of this enthralling book.None of the photographers represented herein are known for their artistry: actually they are not known at all and hence the title. But the images in this book touch nearly every human emotion and do so all the more powerfully because their are 'incidental' glimpses at the human condition and the planet earth.

Photographs of the footprints of love, birth, war, death, joy, celebration, fantasy, surrealism, faith - all are here among the 200 odd images that fill these pages.Reading this volume is akin to revisiting childhood (both the good and the evil vantages) or rummaging around trunks of forgotten moments someone captured for posterity on film, moments that can bring chuckles as easily as gasps, memories that are both extremely personal and universally participatory.

But as with all fine photographic volumes, viewing the images is far stronger in impact than lumpy words, especially comments from an isolated observer.Read this book for the personal reasons that initiated these pictures and open your mind to the myriad experiences that constitute life.Grady Harp, January 2004

not enigmatic enough
This is a handsomely produced tome with some wonderful pictures. But sorting out images by theme robs the viewer of an element ofsurprise - the start one gets when discovering an oddly arresting image at a flea market, or tucked away in an old paperback. A moresuccessful collection of such elusive images is Other Pictures, put out by Twin Palms. It is one of my favorite photography books, period; serendipitous, like the best street photography; mysterious; totally unexpected. ... Read more

Book Description
Kid's Baking teaches basic baking techniques through fun, delicious recipes that range from easy to challenging making this a cookbook they can use for many years. Kids are taught the importance of being organized, how to cream butter and sugar, how to whip egg whites, how to peel and core fruit, and how to tell when foods are done baking. Baking terms are defined in a glossary for easy reference.A visual glossary of basic baking equipment is also included. Kid's Baking encourages exploration in the kitchen and teaches kids skills they will never outgrow. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Same recipes
I bought two kids cooking books. This one had the same recipes that the other one had but the other one had more recipes so I returned this one and kept the other one. Nothing really is wrong with it but I just wanted more for my money.

A Nice Start to Baking
The instructions in this book are clear, and the recipes are good.We've made about 4 recipes in this since we got it for Christmas.The instructions are written so my 6 year-old daughter can understand them, and (with some help) she can understand the recipe.Many of the recipes are made with ingredients that are either around the house or easy to get.I recommend this as a starter book for kids who enjoy being in the kitchen.

Love it! Love it! oh- and the kids do too!
I traveled to a few different stores to puruse their cookbooks for kids.My children (3 & 5) love to cook and bake with me, and I was looking for a book with good pictures/illustrations, and recipes that were easy to make with them, but also good to eat.This one, found in a kitchen store, fit the bill.The pictures are lucious and plentiful and I can easily invite the children to pick a recipe by looking through the cookbook themselves at the pictures.The recipes are well written, and have render so far great results.I really like how that offer up a list of all items needed at the begining of each recipe.Great book for anyone wanting to bake with their young children or want to give a book to an older child ready to try on their own.

Wonderful Cookbook for Kids of all ages
I just bought this book for my 3 year old and I to cook. This a wonderful book with excellent recipes and beautiful pictures. The book is pleasant and simple to understand. It provides nice photos of ingredients and shows kids doing the tasks. I love the simple, yet delicious recipes and it doesn't rush through the recipes -- gives lots of photos so your child can learn and get excited about cooking.I am buying more for my friends with children -- a wonderful gift!

Written for kids, on their level, for their enjoyment
Not your average cookbook for children, Williams-Sonoma Kids Baking provides a basic course in baking written just for kids.The instructions are written at a child's reading level and include how to measure ingredients, correctly break eggs, beating ingredients, testing for doneness, etc.Even all the photographs are children doing the tasks.

The recipes were obviously chosen to be ones that children like to eat and include cookies, breads, pretzels, pizza, pies, and cake.Williams-Sonoma Kid's Baking is a great introduction to cooking that children can read their self and is highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description
The anonymous heroine, N, is a young woman who has broken free of a constricting marriage and is struggling to raise four children alone in a housing project. Coming home one day N finds her door hacked with an ax and smeared with what appears to be a mixture of blood and crankcase oil. A few days later a strangled cat is left outside her apartment door. Everyday, she is plagued by mysterious, disturbing phone calls. Playing detective and attempting to figure out who her enemy may be, N's real fears merge with paranoid fantasy in this fascinating story which rivals the best of Henry James's dark, psychological gothic tales.
• Johnson's most recent novel, Le Divorce, was aphenomenal success.
• Long out-of-print, this classic Diane Johnson novel is now available for all the readers of Le Divorce left hungry for more.
• The Shadow Knows received outstanding reviews. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Shadow Knows (1977 Textbook Old Time Radio Scripts)
Note:
This is not a review of the Romance Novel by Diane Johnson. This is a review of the 1977 School Textbook "The Shadow Knows" it is a book of Old Time Radio Scripts of the radio series The Shadow.

ISBN: 0-673-03533-6

The Shadow was on the air from 1937 until 1954 one of the longest running Mystery/ Drama series from radio's best and brightest years.

The Text book has many many episodes that do not survive other than in script form. This book is out of print so if you are a fan of the Shadow, and want to read episodes that are 'truly' lost. Find this book. It's out of print and quite hard to find but worth the effort.

Wry, Tongue-in-Cheek Tale That Can Reach Many Women
This is one of the best books I've ever read. It has a tete-a-tete, intimate style (characteristic of many novels written by women from the '60s to the present). You feel as though you are talking to your best friend, who is telling in an informal way a fascinating story whose events are very bizarre and--and this is what makes this book brilliant--very familiar.

The protagonist speaks in the first person.It is the voice of a middle-class American housewife of the '60s. She is thoughtful and sensitive; she is perceptive; she is mild mannered--even a little self-effacing. She is a devoted and nurturing mother of several kids. She has a warm, gentle, bemused jenny-wren-like quality, not unlike many women we have known and loved.

She is recently divorced from her husband because they were emotionally incompatible.

Here's where the story starts to veer slightly to the left of center. The protagonist, although apparently middle class, is living in a public housing development, because divorce has left her in financial straits with several children to raise. And the character seems to become more anomalous when she starts getting death threats. She gets threatening telephone calls, finds dead animals placed on her car windshield, and threatening amulets in her mailbox. This gentle, mild-mannered, self-effacing, healthy, normal, and conscientious woman is being threatened with death.

For the rest of the novel, our heroine casts about in her thoughts, memories, and fantasies, with greater and greater intensity, to think of who might want to kill her.

And as she ponders this mystery, she puts together a longer and longer list of people who might like to kill her.

At this point, we begin to see the black humor peeping out of the structure of this novel, somewhat akin to ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.Femininity, daintiness, nurturance poised against death and violence.

And this is where the novel finally becomes most radical, most improbable, most bizarre.A wry, subtle humor becomes more and more apparent, as we realize that no matter how truly sweet, how mild mannered, how gentle, how nurturing this prototypical woman is, she still has a very long list of people who would like to kill her.

Diane Johnson makes us want to know who the culprit is, and at the same time she has us laughing and nodding in recognition--that women in general have many virulent enemies--even a woman of valor and sweetness; that the most stable, sane, and healthy people have bizarre currents running underneath their lives and threatening to engulf them.

And that, along with the author's brilliant writing style, is what endeared this book to me.

Stays in the mind for a long long time
I read this book when it was first published, a long time ago. I loved it then. It was funny and scary and elegantly written. I'm buying it in this incarnation because I want to reread it. I'm so glad it's available.

well written but wearisome
Diane Johnson writes with great sensitivity and skill about a divorced woman with four children, a lover, and ANGST.Her protagonist's interior monologues describe the paranoia engendered by the dislocations and unpredictability of modern life. About halfway through the novel, I found the themes too repetitious and I stopped caring. My ennui ultimately marred my appreciation for this well-written novel. ... Read more

Amazon.com
William F. Knowland was a leading figure in Republican politics during the 1950s. As Senate Majority Leader, he was instrumental in shaping government policy throughout the decade and played a key role in the appointment of Earl Warren to the Supreme Court. But he left Congress to run for governor in his native California in 1958, hoping to set a presidential campaign in motion, and instead brought his political career to a halt. Biographers Gayle B. Montgomery and James W. Johnson both worked for Knowland at the Oakland Tribune, which he published from 1966, taking over after his father's half-century reign, until depression and debt led him to suicide in 1974. Their account of his life is notable for its thoroughness of detail, which--by explaining just how much power Knowland held and just how far he fell--renders its tragic tale all the more powerful. Book Description
During the Cold War years of the 1950s, William F. Knowland was one of the most important figures in American politics. As the Republican leader of the U.S. Senate, the wealthy California newspaper heir was recognized and respected by millions. His influence with President Eisenhower led to Earl Warren's appointment as chief justice, and Knowland set in motion a U.S.-China policy that remains part of our international direction today. Yet he committed suicide in 1974, following a personal decline that included political humiliation, a ruined marriage, and the loss of his family fortune.
This is the first full-scale biography of Bill Knowland, written by two journalists who came to know him after he left Washington in 1958. Gayle B. Montgomery was a political editor at the Oakland Tribune, the newspaper owned by Knowland's father, the power-wielding Joseph R. Knowland. James W. Johnson was a Tribune editorial writer. Both men worked with Knowland when he returned to the newspaper after giving up his Senate seat in a failed bid to become governor of California. Knowland lost the governorship race to Edmund G. (Pat) Brown; had he won, many observers felt Knowland would have had a clear shot at the White House.
This is a book not only about Mr. Republican, but also one that illuminates the strengths and deficiencies of Republican party politics during the years when the party was at its zenith. In portraying the life of Bill Knowland, the authors cast a glaring light both on the machinations of political power and on the Republican establishment's aspirations in the Warren-Eisenhower era. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

ONE STEP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: SENATOR WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND
Gayle B. Montgomery and James W. Johnson have presented an excellent book on the complex life of Senator William F. Knowland. This book is great history of California and the (SF) East Bay Area;the Republican Party ofthe 1950's and the Oakland Tribune. DanielWyatt, the author of the life of Bill Knowland's father, Joseph RussellKnowland.

Well-written, informative biography of William Knowland
One Step from the White House is a very satisfying, well-written biography of a pivotal figure in both post-World War II U.S. political history as well as 20th century San Francisco Bay Area history.The book chroniclesWilliam Fife Knowland's life in a straight-forward narrative from his 1908birth to his suicide in 1974.Knowland's life makes a compelling story --from his early days as the favorite son of a politically ambitious father,to his Senate years as a strong voice for the Republican Party'sconservative wing, to his self-destructive golden years.Montgomery andJohnson allow the story to unfold slowly and tell itself without too muchanalysis or summary. While this style gives the book good narrativemomentum as the reader becomes more and more familiar with Knowland, thissometimes analysis-free style resulted in this reader wondering how certainevents came about, such as Knowland's meteoric rise in the RepublicanSenate leadership.The book is also too "soft" on its subject for apost-Watergate era political biography.While the author's introductoryremarks thanking the Knowland family for their confidence and trust seempolite and appropriate, they ultimately reveal an excessive concern for thesubject's descendants at the expense of the story at hand.When Montgomeryand Johnson do impose some analysis on the story, it is sometimesunconvincing.The most prominent example of this is naming the book"One Step from the White House," clearly an appropriate title fora biography of Thomas Dewey or Hubert Humphrey, but the author's do notsuccessfully sell its applicability to Knowland.In spite of such lapses,Montgomery and Johnson deliver a effective chronicle of a fascinating manand flawed man.

A compelling read for everyone.
I knew Senator Knowland well, having worked for twenty years for theOakland Tribune, and having had the unenviable assignment of writing his obituary for the newspaper following his death. Gayle Montgomery and JimJohnson have done a magnificent job of capturing the driving demons of aman whose brusque and hearty demeanor disguised a complex and, in the end,tortured personality. This is a compelling book for every reader, not justthose interested in the social an political history of the time.

One of the finest Amrican political biographies.
" Big Bill " Knowland is the " forgotten man' among the titans of post-war (and Cold war) American politics. Now, thanks to this compassionate, richly detailed biography,people might come to a better understanding of this very able, but tragically flawed , human being. This book also sheds light on the careers of LBJ, Nixon, Eisenhower, Earl Warren, Ronald Reagan , and Barry Goldwater, among others. However, even the reader uninterested in American politics, or the history of California, will find this book fascinating. Knowlands personal tragedies, and the amazing story of his family, are the stuff, if not of Greek tragedy, then at least of a novel byJames Gould Couzzens or John O'Hara. Indeed, attentive readers might be reminded of "The Magnificent Ambersons", the real-life Knowlands in Oakland were very much likeTarkington's ( and Welles) fictional Ambersons, in Indianapolis.

An important insight into Cold War policy and Calif. history
... The story is truly an American tragedy.Knowland in today's political world would have been much different, and he would not have had to lead a double life.He was a victim of his times. ... Read more