Although Jim Hightower doesn't document as well as some, this same information has been well and thoroughly itemized and documented elsewhere. And, although his is not the best book on the subject, Hightower is indeed correct: we, the people, have lost control of our own country. Remember "Of the people, by the people, FOR the people?" We would do well to pay attention before it's too late.

However, in reading the reviews on Amazon, which I generally find quite helpful, I have noticed an odd thing. So many Righties, Bushies, Conservatives (sorry, I don't know what they are calling themselves these days) apparently become sputteringly incoherent with rage upon reading (or, in some cases, obviously NOT reading) something they disagree with. They attack like enraged and starving Yahoos in hilariously illiterate, fortunately short, and usually vulgar little outpourings of spleen. I mean, really, is this necessary?

This is the 3rd of Viana La Place's cookbooks I have bought; all of them are superb. She has a gift for evoking the sights and smells of luscious fresh produce, artisan cheeses and crusty breads with her lively, obviously loving, descriptions. This is the way the Italians eat: simply, with love and gusto.

I am grateful to the other reviewers who clued me in to Carolyn Masters being a reissue of Final Judgement. I, too, almost bought it without realizing. Patterson's books (along with Turow, Grishom, et al)are some of my favorite rainy-day reads, and I hate to see his reputation tarnished by a tawdry publisher's trick. Final Judgement is a wonderful book, almost prescient, considering what the Bushies just did to women's right to choose. Read it (under either title, I guess).

EVERYONE should read this book, or soon we will be reading "Lady of the Flies" (appropriately Bowdlerized, of course) and "The Lord of the Lake". Thomas MANn's books will be banned. And that's the end of ee cummings' poetry. Louisa May Alcott might survive, since she wrote both "Little Women" (not girls) AND "Little Men" (not boys). We will no longer visit MANitoba (sexist)or the Red Sea (don't dis the Indians). What about the Holy See? Isn't that an insult to the "visually challenged"? And on and on ad nauseum (or rather, to the point of nausea -- most age-challenged persons (read "kids") are so sunk in these educational doldrums that Latin is beyond them). The one book that will most certainly be banned, that will become an un-book, is George Orwell's "1984", since the pablum-purveyors will never take a chance on students getting a glimpse of what is being done to them.
One wonders what the teachers who feed their students an unrelieved diet of this denatured stodge are thinking -- anything? Fortunately, kids are far more curious than their deluded, timid, politically-correct (now there's a loaded phrase!) elders suspect. There WILL be a backlash -- let us pray (oops!) it happens before the events in "Farenheit 451" are carried out -- for real.

I came across The Supper of the Lamb at a particularly deep and prolonged nadir in my life, and not being particularly religious, I was sceptical. O what joy! What love! What exuberance, richness, fertility and fancy! What unbounded wonder! Father Capon shows us the wonder in ordinary things, and shows us how to look, really look, at humble, quotidian things to see the glory in them -- the chapter on a simple brown onion is worth the entire book. So is the chapter on wine. Again and again, I've stretched out my hand and the right book was there. Thank you Father Capon for showing me the way back to laughter, love and celebration! L'chaim!

This is the first Garth Brooks album I've ever heard; it was a Christmas gift. I like it. EVERYTHING doesn't have to be significant; it's just fun to listen to. I ordered a couple of older albums based on this, and they are more country than rock. Well, I like those too. People who get upset that he hasn't stayed true to his "roots" bore me...his "roots" are country and rock. So, what's the problem? If it makes you happy, great! If it doesn't? so don't listen. Great Ceasar's Ghost! -- Relax! I happen to like Appalachian & Mountain music, myself, and am still looking for good CDs. I like Mike Garris ( [...]in the remaindered bin). It's the hunt that's fun, and now and then finding something good. (my roots are classical -- Mozart is my man -- this is just broadening my horizons) Don't be so...so..shrill, in your disappointment. Art it may not be, but a hell of a lot of fun, it is!