SPY HOOK by Len Dieghton

Finished We 5/28/25

This was one of my ancient paperbacks that I had never read. However, I was familiar with a few of his novels; BERLIN GAME, MEXICO SET, LONDON MATCH. I had either read the books or seen the film adaptations.

Bernard Sampson works for British intelligence and was stationed in Berlin. His wife Fiona defected to the Soviets and Bernard was not overtly blamed, but he was deemed 'tainted' (behind closed doors) by the bosses. 

This novel concerns missing millions that Fiona probably took with her when she split. The book is not so much about what happened, but more of a character study of people in the 'world of spooks'. 

The book ends with no resolution and things are left in the air. Probably how things work in the real world of spycraft. {I didn't realize that this was the opening novel of another trilogy} 

From Publishers Weekly:

"Initiating a second trilogy, Deighton mesmerizes the reader with the ongoing trials of Bernard Sansom, British intelligence agent who survived perils in Berlin Game , Mexico Set and London Match. Sansom's story begins with a fruitless meeting in Washington with former colleague Jim Prettyman, who denies any knowledge of the slush fund Sansom has been ordered to trace. Over half a million pounds is missing from money allocated to Bret Rensselear of the German desk by London Central before he was shot in Berlin. Later, in London, Sansom learns at a briefing that Prettyman has been killed, another ``incident'' pressuring Sansom's superiors to widen his investigation in East and West Berlin and eventually in France. All the people he questionseven trusted friendsdeepen Sansom's fears that Central is using him to bait their own hook. Persistent rumors about his wife Fiona, long since a defector to the Soviets, magnify his suspicions, particularly in view of Fiona's links to Rensselear and the vanished fortune. The suspense is inexorable, ensuring readers' anticipation of projected sequels, Line and Sinker."

MEDIEVAL IN LA by Jim Paul

 Finished Sa 5/24/24

This was one of my ancient hardbacks and according to the flyleaf note I spent a few days with the book in December of 1998 and I got to page 131 and then stopped. This time I enjoyed the book and read it completely. 

It's about a man who goes on a weekend getaway with his girlfriend and he envisions what it would be like to view the modern world with the perspective of a person from the middle ages. The book is a random collection of essays of these observations. 

William of Ockham was mentioned; 'Ockham's Razor'

From Publishers Weekly:

"Even in the sprawling modern megalopolis of contemporary Los Angeles (or perhaps especially there), people somehow manage to live their daily lives in stubborn denial of the most profound, transforming revolutions in human thought since the Middle Ages. So proposes the thoughtful narrator of this entertaining and whimsical meditation that convincingly juxtaposes the events of a weekend visit to L.A. with key developments in Western thought. People are still, at heart, ""pre-Copernican,"" living ""mostly in the old realm, at the center of our own universe, finding our significance, manifesting our intentions."" Jim, a medievalist by profession, spills tomato juice in his lap on his flight to L.A. from San Francisco. The mishap sends him spinning into contemplation of a dazzlingly varied assortment of personalities and phenomena. From Thomas Aquinas to Bob Fosse, Galileo to John Cage, Moses and Aaron to Jessica Lange, Brecht to King Kong, Jim takes the reader on a lively philosophical ramble as he and his significant other, Les, rejoin old friends for a fresh look at L.A. Nonfiction writer Paul, a medievalist himself (Catapult: Harry and I Build a Siege Weapon; What's Called Love: A Real Romance) strikes a winning balance of humor and erudition in his first novel. He effectively packages sophisticated insights in a breezy, seemingly casual narrative that could not be less pedantic." 

DOORWAYS IN THE SAND by Roger Zelazny

 Finished Tu 5/20/25

This was one of my ancient paperbacks and there is no date of purchase. 

A difficult read, but it wasn't really a 'serious' work. The tone reminded me of the novels of Donald Westlake.

Earth has been contacted by an advanced intersteller alien 'United Nations'. Earthlings must give the aliens some of the world's most precious art works, and the aliens give 'us' a strange arifact. This turns out to be some form of alien intelligence that is activated by human blood (?). Humans and aliens can appear in 'costume'. Fred has conversations with various animals; cats, kangaroo, and a 'wombat'. I had always thought that a wombat was some kind of flying animal or insect. It's actually very close to a racoon or a ground hog. And, can never be a pet. It's a wild animal that can't be tamed- like you couldn't have a fox as a pet.  

The main character, Fred Cassidy was addicted to climbing tall buildings and he must stay in college for as long as possible to continue the inheritence from his uncle. He has accumulated enough credits for numerous doctorates even though he is the poster child for 'slacker'. 

From Goodreads:

"I had forgotten this gem until a question on a Zelazny recommendation sent me to my shelves to rediscover this blend of Alice in Wonderland and crime caper. Set in an Earth very similar to our own, aliens have made contact and invited us to join the galactic federation. As a token of sincerity, we're participating in an artifact exchange, lending them culturally significant objects such as the Crown Jewels and the Mona Lisa, and receiving ambiguous alien artifacts in return. Meanwhile, Fred, a perpetual university student with an affinity for heights, is unwittingly pursued by various groups looking for a missing alien artifact. Thankfully, he remains calm, even when he's under duress staked out in the desert to contemplate a future as a raisin, he is rescued by a pair of intergalactic policemen. They've chosen to blend into the Australian scenery dressed as a wombat and a kangaroo.

"So I shshed while he worked on the strap. It was the most interesting hallucination I had had in a long while." (Like Ford Prefect, the aliens seem to have mistaken the dominant life form).

Although it perhaps sounds a little silly, and occasionally even a little absurd (there's a professor who reoccurs "despite his departure from the university long ago under the cloud of a scandal involving a girl, a dwarf and a donkey"), it never goes so far afield that it can't be reeled in with real life dangers and consequences. Zelazny's writing is truly inspired. Clever wordplay based on both real life observations (the quality of coffee in the student commons), absurdity (aforementioned alien disguises), and crazy levels of creativity (stereoisotropic brandy, anyone?) and deadpan delivery combine to alternatively cause giggles and awe.

Then he challenges any absurdity with poetic imagery:

"I was taken by a glorious sensation doubtless compiled of recovery from my earlier discomforts, a near-metaphysical satisfaction of my acrophiliac tendencies and a general overlay of fatigue that spread slowly, lightly across me, like a delicious fall of big-flaked snow."

Narrative style is somewhat unusual, but Zelazny is kind enough to provide variety of well-written transitions. And in these modern times of multiple viewpoints and post-deconstructed novels, a simple scrambled timeline should be readable.

Our lead, Fred, happens to be one of my favorite types of narrators, the knowledgeable eccentric. Of course, it's a lot easier to be knowledgeable when you've spent thirteen years in university classes while avoiding a degree, much to various advisers' chagrin:

"Clocking his expression, I noted disbelief, rage and puzzlement within the first five seconds. I was hoping for despair, but you can't have everything all at once."

Fred's lengthy and varied university education gives Zelazny a chance to play with a wide range of intellectual references and ideas. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, except perhaps the mathematical poem. References are woven in seamlessly, almost throwaway at times. There's the time Fred says at the end of a drinking binge:

"'Let there be an end to thought. Thus do I refute Descartes.'

I sprawled, not a cogito or a sum to my name."

Then there's Zelazny's brilliant creation of the Rhennius machine inversion program--first run through inverts the object left to right (a key chemistry concept made amazing) and the inspired scenes that follow Fred's inversion are madcap genius. There are anthropological references to toilet cave paintings and bead exchanges, analysis of government bureaucracy, naming of the stars of the Big Dipper, stereoisomers from organic chemistry and musings on philosophy. While I know I enjoyed reading this book in high school, more years of education and experience have given me even greater appreciation for the casual and wide-ranging references--surely that is a book that stands the test of time.

In the tradition of the caper, Fred's methods are occasionally questionable (although his ethics are solid):

"Time means a lot to me, paperwork wastes it, and I have always been a firm believer in my right to do anything I cannot be stopped from doing. Which sometimes entails not getting caught at it."

Altogether and enjoyable fun read. As I waver between a 4 and 5 star rating, I realize it's rather irrelevant. I happen to enjoy it's timeless references, sophistication and breezy tone. Definitely hardbound library-worthy. Crud. Now I'm going to have to search out a better copy than my worn, cheap 1977 paperback. Note: Hugo, Locus AND Nebula nominee."

DIE WITH ZERO by Bill Perkins

 Finished Th 5/15/25

This is one of the books that I bought from Amazon. I heard about the book on the podcast 'MODERN WISDOM'. I heard a one sentence description and I knew that I had to have the book even though it meant paying retail ($15). 

The theme is that many people spend their lives 'over working'. That is they spend a large part of their working lives staying on the job far longer than necessary. This fit my financial profile to a 'T'. 

Also, a new way to look at inheritence. People should give away their money while they can still feel and see what their largess has produced. Also, most people receive money from inheritences when they are about 60. However, they really need the money decades sooner. One person donated early to their child early and this allowed the parents to buy a home and this enriched all of their lives. If they had waited until they died, the children couldn't have afforded the home.  

I loved the book and will see if Janny might like to read it.

From 'Marriage kids and money.com': This is a good 'snapshot' of the major themes. 

"Takeaway #1: Check Out Die With Zero!

If you find yourself in the camp of “I’ve been doing the right things financially and I’ve been saving as much as I can”, check out this book. 

You don’t have to like every word that Bill Perkins says. Take the bits and pieces you need to reframe your money mindset and leave the rest behind. 

Takeaway #2: Don’t Push Off What You May Be Able to Do Now

Consider experiences as being worthy of your time, money, and attention now and not something to be continually kicked down the road. While skiing in Aspen sounds wonderful when you’re 55, what if your knees can’t handle it anymore? 

Go skiing now but stay at a less expensive hotel. Do the vacation in an age-appropriate and budget-appropriate way. It won’t always be better later.

Done is better than perfect. Start crossing off those bucket list items now. If you can do it again later in life, great! Stay at a nicer hotel or do it in a different way. 

Takeaway #3: Practice Die With Zero When You Feel Comfortable

If you are in credit card debt or not living on a budget (i.e. don’t know where your money is going), this is not for you. 

Once you’ve checked off all of the boxes where you’re investing enough, know where all of the dollars are, and become more comfortable with your financial situation, check out Die With Zero. 

Loosen the purse strings when you feel comfortable.

Takeaway #4: Give Your Kids Experiences Instead of An Estate

Consider what it would be like to spend everything you’ve saved while you’re still here and can watch your children enjoy it. 

Rather than inheriting a lump sum of cash when you pass, what if you paid to build their dream home? The home that they’ll make memories in for decades to come. The home that your grandchildren will become adults in. Wouldn’t you rather be a witness to the joy than dead with a check?

Who Is Die With Zero Appropriate For? 

Die With Zero is appropriate for the super savers who still think that the only way out of a job they hate is to chase the FIRE movement. 

It’s for the people who are doing everything right, throwing everything they can at their 401k, and saving every extra dollar so that in 30 or 40 years they can be happy then. 

It is not appropriate for those who are still in debt, do not have sizable savings, or have not yet begun to invest in their retirement funds. Do those first.

Don’t Forget to Have Balance

As with everything, there must be a balance. You can find a happy medium between the FIRE super saver and a YOLO super spender. 

Secure your future early but don’t forget to enjoy your efforts and family while you’re still here."

THE CONFESSION by John Grisham

 Finished Mo 5/12/25

This was a hardback that Janny loaned to me.

The premise is that a man confesses to the rape and murder of a girl, however a man is on death row for the same crime. The wrong man is put to death. This is the first time that this has happened. The wrong man has been executed for a crime that he didn't commit. 

I found this hard to believe. You would think that since so many have been executed, that it's almost impossible that they haven't made this mistake before. I couldn't find a definitive case on the internet. 

I was surprised at all of the negative reviews of this book. Many felt that it was not really a novel, but more of a plea to end the barbaric practice of state sponsered execution. It seemed that if you were against the death penalty, you liked the book, and if you were 'pro death penalty', you disliked the book.

From Publishers Weekly.com"

"Grisham's recent slump continues with another subpar effort whose plot and characters, none of whom are painted in shades of gray, aren't able to support an earnest protest against the death penalty. In 2007, almost on the eve of the execution of Donté Drumm, an African-American college football star, for the 1998 murder of a white cheerleader whose body was never found, Travis Boyette, a creepy multiple sex offender, confesses that he's guilty of the crime to Kansas minister Keith Schroeder. With Drumm's legal options dwindling fast and with the threat of civil unrest in his Texas hometown if the execution proceeds, Schroeder battles to convince Boyette to go public with the truth—and to persuade the condemned man's attorney that Boyette's story needs to be taken seriously. While the action progresses with a certain grim realism, Schroeder's superficial responses to the issues raised undercut the impact. As with The Appeal, the author's passionate views on serious flaws in the justice system don't translate well into fiction."

THE BIG MONEY by John Dos Passos

 Finished We 5/7/25

This is one of my ancient paperbacks that I had never read, and I'm so glad that I kept it around. This was not an easy read, but well worth the effort.

This is the third and final part of a trilogy, but it is fine as a 'stand alone'. 

From AI Mode:

""The Big Money" is the third and final novel in John Dos Passos's U.S.A. trilogy, published in 1936. It completes the trilogy's sweeping portrait of American society in the early 20th century, focusing on the Roaring Twenties and the events leading up to the Great Depression. 

Here's a review of the key aspects of "The Big Money":

1. Narrative Style and Structure:

Experimental Modernist: Like the other novels in the trilogy, "The Big Money" utilizes a distinctive modernist style, incorporating techniques like stream of consciousness, montage, and collage.

Fragmented Narrative: Dos Passos interweaves fictional character narratives with "Newsreels" (collections of headlines, popular song lyrics, and snippets of news), "Camera Eye" sections (autobiographical passages), and biographies of prominent figures of the era.

Panoramic View: This fragmented, multi-layered approach creates a panoramic and dynamic picture of American society, reflecting the rapid changes and cultural clashes of the time. 

2. Themes and Social Commentary:

The American Dream: The novel explores the pursuit and disillusionment of the American Dream in the 1920s, revealing the destructive effects of unchecked ambition and materialism.

Social Injustice and Inequality: Dos Passos critiques the vast disparities between the rich and the poor, and the social injustices prevalent in the era of industrialization and economic boom.

The Rise of Consumer Culture and Mass Media: The novel depicts the growing influence of mass media and consumer culture on American society, highlighting the changing values and priorities of the time.

Loss of Individuality: Some critics argue that the novel portrays how individuals can be lost or subsumed within the larger forces of capitalism and societal pressures. 

3. Characters:

Diverse Cast: Dos Passos presents a wide array of characters from different social classes and backgrounds, including ambitious entrepreneurs, struggling workers, artists, and political activists.

Character Studies: The novel delves into the lives and experiences of these characters, revealing their personal struggles, ambitions, and disillusionments as they navigate a rapidly changing America.

Representative Figures: Some characters can be seen as representative figures embodying different aspects of the American experience during the 1920s, such as the pursuit of wealth, the struggle for social justice, or the allure of fame. 

4. Historical Context:

The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression: The novel vividly depicts the economic boom and social changes of the Roaring Twenties, followed by the stock market crash and the onset of the Great Depression.

Political and Social Turmoil: The book captures the political and social tensions of the era, including labor unrest, the rise of radical movements, and the anxieties surrounding social change. 

5. Critical Reception:

Praised for Scope and Ambition: "The Big Money" and the U.S.A. trilogy as a whole have been lauded for their sweeping portrayal of American society and their innovative narrative techniques.

Critiques of Style: Some readers and critics have found Dos Passos's fragmented style challenging or even confusing, according to one customer review on Amazon.com.

Enduring Relevance: Despite some criticisms, "The Big Money" remains a significant work of American literature, offering valuable insights into the complexities of the American experience and the enduring tensions between individual aspirations and societal forces. 

In conclusion, "The Big Money" is a complex and ambitious novel that provides a multifaceted and critical look at American society during a pivotal period in its history. Its innovative narrative style and its exploration of enduring themes make it a compelling and thought-provoking read."

From Wikipedia 'Main Characters'

" Mac (Fainy McCreary) – A wandering printer, train-hopping newspaperman, and crusader for the working man

Janey Williams – A young stenographer from Washington, D.C. (assistant to Moorehouse)

Eleanor Stoddard – A cold, haughty young social climber

J. Ward Moorehouse – A slick, influential public relations man

Charley Anderson – A gullible, good-natured mechanic and flying ace

Joe Williams – A rugged, slow-witted sailor, brother of Janey Williams

Richard Ellsworth Savage – A Harvard graduate, employee of Moorehouse

Daughter (Anne Elizabeth Trent) – A spirited Texas belle and volunteer nurse

Eveline Hutchins – Artist and designer, Eleanor's long-time friend and rival

Ben Compton – A law student and labor activist/revolutionary

Mary French – Dedicated labor activist and journalist

Margo Dowling – Attractive, cagey and adventurous, eventually a Hollywood actress"