The Confession John Grisham

John Grisham is a captivating writer whose knowledge of law is impressive. His story of the condemned man on death row with all it's uncertainty and ambiguity is a trying story.  Falsely accused or not the drama unfolds with police and woods and race riots.  In the midst of this are governors and pr and media ratings. All the while a young man waits and a lawyer fights for his case.  Families huddle and sometimes cry. There's not much laughter in the serious business of life taking but that's just what Grisham in this novel is bringing forward to the reader's attention.  It's all about the death penalty.  Should the state be in this business and what about the mistakes in the justice system, or rather given all the mistakes in the justice system.  What is Christian and what is American and what is finally Texan? Who would have known that the cost of killing was greater than the cost of living? A good novel and very thought provoking read if only for the actions taken. There is little wonder why John Grisham is a New York Best Seller.

Mysteries of the Middle Ages Thomas Cahill

Mysteries of the Middle Ages and the Beginnings of the Modern World by Thomas Cahill is as much a joy to read as his previous works in this Hinges of History series. I was captivated by the first, "How the Irish Saved Civilization". The "Gifts of the Jews" and "Desire of the Everlasting Hills" were especially fascinating as a result of the most erudite research presented in a most appealling after dinner story way.  Thomas Cahill is a remarkable scholar but his real gift is as a story teller.  I loved reading most this time the extraordinary women of these times, the political giant and epoch maker, Eleanor, and Hildegaard of Bingen.  I actually think I can make sense of the various crusades thanks to this book and even more appreciate the art and architecture of the day.  Sometimes thought of as a dull time before the rennaissance Cahill makes it clear that the middle ages were anything but.  Thank you Thomas Cahill for taking me on another overland journey, as compared with your earlier work,  Sailing the Wine Dark Sea .