A fascinating read for those who want to dig deeper in Breaking Bad
930915
From Mr. Chips to Scarface. This simple premise was Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's shorthand for the transformation of cancer-stricken high school chemistry teacher Walter White into meth empire kingpin Heisenberg. The journey in between those bookends became arguably one of the best TV shows ever made.

A show as rich, textured and morally complex as Breaking Bad generates a lot of theories, some crazy and far-fetched, some incredibly insightful and revelatory. I'm the editor a Breaking Bad fan site, the Heisenberg Chronicles, and I've read nearly ever major piece of analysis there is about the AMC show. And reading some of that's almost as fun as the show itself.

I recently finished Pearson Moore's Breaking Blue and found it a fascinating read. In beginning of the book, Moore goes to great lengths to explain that his book is meant to be a starting place for discussion, something to help spur your thinking. It's not a dictation of the "correct" analysis, because there simply isn't one way to break it down.

Moore's incredibly well-read, has an extensive background in chemistry, and cut his teeth dissecting the rich mythology and symbolism of shows like LOST and Game of Thrones (you can find those books on Amazon). Clearly, he's spent countless hours researching, considering and documenting his theories on Breaking Bad. Ultimately, I'm looking forward to rewatching the show again, and looking at it through Moore's lens,  measuring his theories, and creating a few of my own. I can't think of a higher compliment.

P.S. I don't understand how other reviewers here call his tone "arrogant". If he was so arrogant, wouldn't he say that his analysis is the only one that matters. I found his tone to be academic & authoritative, but at times, playful & conversational. He's clearly enthusiastic about the source material, and had fun breaking it apart and putting it back together.
2236967
This is a must-read for anyone into The Specials or the history of Two-tone.  I really enjoyed the chapters focusing on the American scene (especially the parts having to do with the weird and mercurial Jerry Dammers; as well as having to support The Police with its prima donna bassist, Sting [real name--Gordon Sting]).  Panter is a keen writer and story-teller and the subject is an awesome one.  He even gets into the issue of Two-tone/Chrysalis trying to track down (for publishing royalty purposes) old Jamaican artistes who supplied the riffs for great songs like Gangsters and Too Much Too Young.  It doesn't seem that Panter is too much of a drinker, but you can bet those Coventry lads liked to party, and can you blame them?  But the book is more interesting than just a road trip diary--you should buy it and find out.
3357590
Ellen Poulsen has brought us one of the most fascinating views of the Depression era outlaws ever written. This is the impeccably researched story of the women of the Dillinger gang, the entire other half of the short but historically explosive epic. Poulsen, who is a scholar and a wonderful writer, has produced a completely new insight into the men of the infamous bank-robbing gang through the women who traveled with them in the bloody months in the Midwest when machine guns and automobiles stole the headlines and captivated Americans everywhere. For fifteen years, Poulsen successfully tracked the harried lives of Dillinger's enigmatic gal, Evelyn "Billy" Frechett, Harry Pierpont's Mary Kinder, Russel Clark's Opal Long, and her sister, Patricia Cherrington.
Poulsen tirelessly tracked down and interviewed anyone who could shed illumination on these women, including sources that have now disappeared forever. What she has been able to reconstruct are the emotions, that human variable that fleshes out the mysterious machinations of the boldest criminals of the twentieth century. Poulsen nearly accounts for every day of their lives, with details heretofore undiscovered by the host of Dillinger gangsterologists who have authored some excellent books.
Through the women, you will never get closer to John Dillinger and his men. They were the mirrors that complete the story. Stoic, loyal, and tough as bullets, they loved, traveled, nursed and nurtured their men, disdaining authority and keeping to the code of discretion that earned them the newspaper title of "Molls." Long after the Dillinger gang were gone, these amazing women were left to speak for them, but their voices were mostly private, and Ellen Poulsen uncovered every whispered utterance, making the ultimate sense of a complex cluster of episodes. With popular culture having produced such an enormous pile of myths and misnomers, this book balances the scale with a startling array of information and facts that make these people real. There is pathos and great humor to be found; a good example is Billy Frechett's sardonic comment to a car salesman in St. Louis, who lifted a bag full of machine guns out of Dillinger's new car, straining as if it contained an anvil: "A lady has to have considerable baggage when traveling."
I love this book, and you will not find anything more true or entertaining about the Dillinger gang; their criminal exploits made them famous, but their women made them men, and Ellen Poulsen makes them all real.
3731056
Good cops do go bad. The question is why do young men and women who start with high ideals of community service succumb to temptation and turn into bad cops. The author, Soctt Silverii, spent most of his career in SWAT Teams, special operations groups or SOGs. Other special operations group involve undercover work for drug trafficking and other high risk areas. Silverii brings an insiders knowledge to the study of why good cops go bad.

Silverii's thesis is that the idealistic young cop is assigned to a SOG often because he or she is such a good cop. Then through a series of transitions the cop transfers his allegiance from the general police force to the SOG. Because of the nature of work in the SOG the cop is exposed to temptations and often encouraged to participate in activities he or she knows is wrong, but helps to bond with his group. The group effectively becomes the standard.

Silverii bases his analysis on interviews with cops from across the country. It's fascinating to read what they think about being in a SOG means and how it changes you. He believes that they talked to him, rather than other investigators, because of his background in the SOG.

He also give an extensive overview of police history in the United State. I found it fascinating, and it helped to explain how the police have evolved over time.

If you're interested in the psychology of closed groups, or police specifically, I recommend this book. The writing is scholarly. I believe it is based on his doctoral dissertation, and it reads that way. However, anyone familiar with social science research will not find that a problem.
2266687
Mr. Bonn delves takes the reader into the criminology and criminal minds of why people are curious about serial killers.

The book is well written, yet written more informative as Mr. Bonn provides insight into the serial killers mind.

For those that watch shows on anything that deals with the criminal, serial, or investigative this is a book for you.
2302831
Now, Im the type of girl who will sit for hours reading interesting case files, watching shows about murders on Investigation Discovery channel and spend many nights watching the first 48 and Snapped. Shows like that are very interesting to me, which influenced me to read this book by RJ Parker.

Rampage is about case files of shooting sprees that have happened in schools, neighborhoods, and other random places. I thoroughly enjoyed this book because it was so detailed, unlike most articles and newspaper clippings that you would find on the ordeal. Most cases I was familiar with, but there were also cases Ive never heard of happening. I learned a lot of new things by reading this book and the details in itself were fascinating!

I really liked how the book is set up; its like a book of profiles and the suspects story. I think Mr. Parker did an excellent job with his research when he composed this book, getting every detail possible of the crime.

I would rate this book a 4 out of 5. I was really impressed with everything, but as stated before, I was already familiar with many cases in the book, which took a little of the thrill out. But either way, I still loved it and am looking forward to reading another book by this author! Crime doesnt pay, but it makes great reading entertainment!
3325502
It's been a very long time since I've read something that so viscerally affected me. Marlon James's book was not an easy read for me: the structure, the dialect, and the non-linear time elements were at first troublesome. But after the first few chapters, the author's approach clicked in and it was relatively smooth sailing. There is much violence, shocking violence in the book. And vivid portrayal of extreme poverty. There is also some much-needed humor. Chapters are narrated by people, both living and dead (or dying); the voices grabbed me, and I wanted to understand each character, no matter how cruel or not he or she was. Like the TV series, The Wire, BHOSK explores the underbelly of a given society and helped me to see it in a different, more complex way. I can't quite put into words how much I feel took away from this book, but to me, it was an important book to read, as well as a compelling one. if you're looking for a solid, serious, well-written, intelligent book, I can't recommend it enough.
1771363
One of the most-asked questions for people who study Las Vegas history is "How did the mob get kicked out of the casino industry?" This book tells you a major part of that story from a man who was a key part of that process.

Full disclosure: I worked for Dennis Gomes in 1994/95 at the Trump Taj Mahal casino, though since I was a line employee and he was the property president, we didn't interact much. I also gave the author, Danielle Gomes, some (free) research assistance with the book at UNLV.

HIT ME is a very personal story. Danielle based the book on her father's notes, investigations, and recollections of his time as audit chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board in the 1970s. These were crucial years, when the pressure to remove organized crime from the casino industry was building, yet many in the state preferred a "business as usual" policy. By the end of the decade, federal action, in particular the Strawman investigation, would do a great deal to banish the mob from the industry, and Gomes' work at audit provides a glimpse into just how entrenched mob-related figures were at certain casinos and just how difficult it was for state investigators to pry them out.

The book's most valuable quality, for me, is that it provides an insider's look into the regulators-vs-mob struggle in a way that few other accounts have. Often you get the impression that the forces confronting the mob were brilliantly organized and had unlimited resources, but Gomes's account of the GCB in those years seems anything but. Obviously, this is based on one man's story, and those at other places in the organization may have something different to say (more on that later), but the inside look into one entrepreneurial division of the GCB provides a unique perspective. In some ways, Gomes and his crew seem more like a regulatory start-up--under-funded and constantly scrambling--than part of the oldest casino regulatory regime in the United States.
In the past few weeks, HIT ME has been in the news in Las Vegas. One of the figures mentioned in the book, a former governor, took issue with the impression given in the book that he was less than diligent in prosecuting those Gomes alleged to be associated with organized crime. That's a reminder that this isn't ancient history, and that, while everyone agrees that the industry is better off for having put its mob days behind it (well, expect for the people who think Las Vegas was better "when the mob ran the town"), this is still a very touchy subject.

The key to reading this book is to understanding it as the story of Dennis Gomes's part in the fight against organized crime in Nevada gaming. You are seeing things through his eyes. I've been studying this stuff for a long time now, and I learned more than a few things reading HIT ME. Personally, I found the material on Jay Vandermark and several slot skimming investigations fascinating. It's rare that a book like this handles the subject in so much detail, and Gomes really gives you a sense of just how ingenious the skimmers could be.

Overall, I found this an honest and gripping account of Gomes's years with the audit division and his struggle to clean up Nevada casinos. Is this the last word on the topic? Likely not, and I'm sure there are many other people active in those years and later who could offer their own perspective on that time. For now, HIT ME has added a great deal of depth to our understanding of Nevada casino regulation in the 1970s. This is a book that anyone who is interested in Las Vegas casino history should read.
2993222
You will never watch another episode of Bewitched the same, after reading this wonderful book. From new details of each Bewitched episode, to what was going on in history at the time, this book also includes precious photos from the show. Author,David Pierce, entertains his readers with amusing commentary. He has an eye for observing  details of the show and possible errors and lines that may not have been intended to happen on the show. Each episode of Bewitched is broken down introducing readers to the first time a new character appeared and which season they popped into. Whether nosy neighbors who lived on Morning Glory Circle, to the magical, wacky relatives of Samanthas, the author takes us page by page with a amazing details through all 8 Seasons. The book tells what was happening and what was not supposed to happen, (props gone wrong, possibly missed before it aired, and many other interesting facts about the show).
The authors keen eye is evident of his in depth knowledge of every character in the show and past episodes which did not always hold true for the future episode. One example is where the author points out is that in the episode where Samantha is taking driving lessons, she had already been shown driving a car in an earlier one. So many fascinating details.
This is a handbook to keep as you watch the show for a new perspective of Bewitched. A must for all Elizabeth Montgomery fans, Bewitched fans, and for all who enjoyed growing up in that era. Well done Mr. Pierce
Author of Paul Lynde A Biography-Cathy Rudolph
2123920
The quiz is designed as multiple choice answers. Using your touchscreen you press the option you think is correct, and get either CORRECT (with a short trivia that further explains the answer) or a  TRY AGAIN response. The questions become increasingly harder, so as to accommodate any level of knowledge, from casual fans to those who consider themselves experts. The choices are far from being easy, which makes the game fun and every little triumph rewarding.

This is a great challenge for fans of the hugely popular Breaking Bad, which ran for five seasons to become one of the most successful shows of TV history.

Have fun with it at any level of expertise, and as suggested by the author, Always go with your gut and have the courage of your convictions.

Five stars.
3539913
A solid, well-researched work on a fascinating mystery. Engrossing at times, this book leaves the reader wanting to know more about Belle Gunness--what drove her? How did her story end? A good read for those interested in true crime books.
3263581
Having read the first Black Dahlia Avenger work by Steve Hodel, I was fascinated by what promised to be a book featuring updates and new revelations into the crime and who may have been responsible. I was not disappointed! Mr. Hodel has done an excellent job of weaving together evidence, facts, histories, personal experiences, and supported suppositions that collectively paint a most fascinating picture. Using available documentation, personal history, newly recovered files, and building upon the initial BDA book, the author has managed to present a case that is difficult to dispute. As a former law enforcement officer, I was amazed at how the evidence continued to point in a single direction toward an unassailable conclusion.

The book, although laudable and a thoroughly excellent read, has its weaknesses, most notably in how it is organized. There is a fine line between writing a factual investigatory report and the telling of a compelling story. I would have preferred a different organization for the details and the supporting evidentiary details. In addition, although Hodel does an excellent job staying objective in his roll out of available physical and investigatory evidence, there are points where a reader can get lost in personal journeys that diverge from the empirical path. In addition, some of his assertions are more speculation that fact, although I am comfortable with the storytelling and narrative style he uses to lead into areas that are fraught with unknown, uncertainties, and the inevitable what-if. In the end, I cannot help but come to the same conclusions as Hodel in most areas of the book. In spite of what failings may be in this book from an organizational and objectivity point of view, it is well written, compelling and provides a wonderful view into Los Angeles law enforcement in the later part of the 20th Century.

As I continue to read more of Mr. Hodel's works, I find it necessary to remember two things. First off, Elizabeth Short and the other women who were victimized during this period (and into today) are not sources of entertainment. This is serious business, and the carnage wrought by the perpetrators represent evil as it it's most profound, and unimaginable suffering. When we read accounts of these murders we should always remember the victims and not dwell too intently on the criminals beyond motivation and motis. I believe Hodel does a good job of showing empathy and compassion in his recounting of the crimes.

The second thing I work to remember is that the author is not personally removed from his story - he is a player, both from a familial perspective as well as in his unique professional experience. Steve Hodel has inserted himself into the story, as a character and as an investigator - an occupational condition to be sure. No story, of this complexity or involving such contemplations, can be adequately told from only one perspective. Yes, the crime can be solved and the perpetrator identified, but the story itself is vast, clouded over by time, and involves more than a little personal motivation to find an investigatory solution.

Finally, I discovered myself being drawn into the location, the time, the process, and the story being woven. I know the area well, having been born in Hollywood in the mid-50s, having been a cop in Southern California, and having been involved in Hollywood celebrity. I believe that I would have  liked working with Steve Hodel as he has a sharp mind and keen instinct for connections, which comes out in his narrative and attention to detail. I do not usually indulge in true crime books (too much of it in my career), but Hodel will always be an exception for me, and this book does not disappoint. I recommend it for anyone who wants an answer to the Elizabeth Short murder, possibly the other murders in LA during that time period, the mythos of Hollywood, the workings of LAPD, surrealism, and the criminal mind. An excellent book!
4029032
As a huge fan of the show, I was giddy with anticipation for this book. I think that, while the movie was harder to follow if you had never seen the show, this book is accessible to anyone interested in a well written mystery. And for fans, you get little tidbits, and even some big tidbits, that will make you happy. However, if you are only interested because of the Logan and Veronica relationship, be warned that this book only has small snippets of them. And most of them are Veronica's feelings and frustration with dealing with a long distance relationship. But there is a whole bunch of Mac and Wallace, and even a couple of faces that didn't make it into the movie. Also, we get the joy of a Dick sighting.

As far as the story goes, I thought it was a well crafted mystery, with twists and turns that kept you guessing right up to the end. Whether you are a fan of the show or not, this book is well worth the read.
2616519
I recommend reading this book as the character of Saul really grows from a shielded person; part of the social media world of many at 24 into a person with knowledge and experience as he journeys through the world, it opens his eyes to the many possibilities available.
1561777
Any fan of Law and Order or NCIS will love this book.
For that matter, anyone who is drawn to tautly written murder stories will love this book. Those of us who reside in or are familiar with central New Jersey will find a special connection to the story, but the plot could unfold anywhere and at any time.
I didn't know what to expect when I picked up Loose Ends (this is the authors first novel and he is in his 70s). What I discovered upon reading was that Mr. Watts long career as a private investigator and previous training in law enforcement provides a rich first-hand knowledge and foundation for creating a terrific read. He does a brilliant job of taking the reader behind the scenes, sharing a realistic view of the investigators mindset and thoughts, while informing the reader about how the judicial scene can play out at the intersection of politics and the law.
Theres nothing loose about Loose Ends. The prose is tightly and intelligently written and the plot or story line is informative, entertaining, and enjoyable. The story is well paced, and once I started reading I could not put it down.
I am left waiting for this authors next novel. I hope that Mr. Watts uses his obvious and insightful experience as a long-time P.I. to craft a new adventure featuring this books protagonist, Mack Mackey.
2215700
Difficult Men is a very revealing, intelligently written, and interesting expose of the circumstances and people behind the golden age of TV drama we're currently enjoying.

Going in I thought it was going to be a Peter Biskind style muck-fest, but instead it's a serious piece of engaging journalism with no small amount of integrity. The author (Brett Martin) manages to reveal, explore, and most importantly, offer understanding, into the darkest recesses of the big showrunner's personalities. Some of these characters are unquestionably very difficult people to work with, but, much like the shows this book centers on, there are no simple heroes and villains, just a forthright and revealing expose of a very interesting era in television, spearheaded by some complex individuals.

It actually might be one of the best books I've ever read about anything, I liked it that much.

That's lofty praise, I know, but the author does a fantastic job of revealing the complex dynamics behind the explosion of high quality drama we've witnessed over the past decade or so. As well as revealing the business and the personalities behind this current revolution, the author also manages keen and worthwhile insight into shows themselves (The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, etc.).

It is true that a large part of this book is spent on the original cable drama that started it all, The Sopranos. I'd estimate that somewhere around 40%, in fact, but even as someone who hadn't watched that show at the time of reading, I found plenty to keep me interested. In fact, you don't really have to have seen any of the shows detailed, but it probably helps if you have.

In all I'd have to HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone with a serious interest in the business and personalities behind the best shows TV has to offer.
1352351
I checked this out of my local library and could not stop reading it. I am interested in this subject, though I haven't read many dead rockstar or musician biographies. I found this book to be a good read and very entertaining. It's not extremely comprehensive, each musician already has whole books written about them, but it is a good place to start for reading about these rockstar deaths, without getting too bogged down with information. The most interesting thing, and main drive of the book, are the striking parallels the author explores in these different musicians lives, careers and deaths. It has me looking up more musician biographies to read. Recommended!