Administrator's Note

I hate to get "off message" from historical fiction, but last weekend I had the opportunity to read "The Ultimate Tea Diet" by Mark "Dr. Tea" Ukra . . . well, read, more like scanned . . . . and to tell you the truth, I was in a bad mood as it was . . . an unfortunate incident when I was trying to enjoy a peaceful day down the shore . . . I won't go into all that unpleasantness now . . . suffice it to say, to my knowledge, the Democrats haven't gotten around to abolishing all property rights just yet and we'll leave it at that . . .

But getting back to the matter at hand, "Dr. Tea" isn't a real doctor. No professional degree whatever. He calls himself "Dr. Tea" because his family has been in the tea game for two hundred years and he drinks a lot of tea. I thought I would be getting expert insight into tea's effect on the human body at a biological level.

Frankly, my enthusiasm for any continued reading waned, and I contented myself with Joel Sherman's column in the New York Post and caught myself a catnap.

GREAT TIE -INS

Touche' to Andy for tying in the topical Specter jump with Specter's participation in the Warren Commision and our May theme of Historical Fiction. Young Pat Lubin was much more subtle in his--if anybody out there is paying attention--contribution. On NFL draft weekend, Pat mentioned that he was reading a book about the Dallas Cowboys being the greatest team in history--PURE FICTION--the team has not won a playoff game in 13 years and stockpiles third and fourth round picks.

Let's all tip our hats to Emily who gets credit for the first Pick or Pan with her thumbs up of The Guersny Club. Em--let us know why you like it. Her father followed suit I believe with a thumbs up for Alive. I remember reading that book in seventh grade and I can still recall how the plane stopped as he finished his hail mary, how one guy just walks off into the snow, the jubilation of the father in the cab when he hears on the radio his son is alive, and how he compared the flavor of different parts of the human body to dishes and flavors we are all familiar with. Quite the tale of human triumph.

Speaking of human anatomy, Tim is reading a good book in which the author makes physiological references to Gene Shalit.

Keep the participation coming people--till next time--

Good Reading!

ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTE

As many of you are well aware, I will be summering in the Hamptons. You won't hear me say a bad word about Antilles, but the Hamptons just "feel" right this year.

Anyway, when one is associating with that fast crowd, I can assure you that you do not want to be stuck fishing around for that perfect bon mot when the opportunity presents itself.

So, it occurred to me, what with today's news that the Honorable Senator Arlen Specter is jumping before he was pushed . . . one could say that one belongs to a book club and the suggested topic was historical fiction . . . pause ever so slightly for comedic effect . . . and so you decided to read the Warren Commission Report On The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy!!!

Do you mark the humor there? The comment packages a sophisticated, very trendy mistrust of government and a knowledge of recent history, all wrapped with a rapier-like wit ribbon. As a bonus, some "Man In The Gray Flannel Suit" backbencher-type can use the opportunity to jump into the conversation with both feet, by saying, "How 'bout that Specter?"

Please feel free to use the line, so long as you are not also summering in the Hamptons.

HOT, YOUNG LATIN ATHLETES LIVING IN CLOSE QUARTERS . . . BEYOND ALL RULES OF SOCIETY!!!!!!!

FROM MATT:

Just finished Alive, fascinating yarn of a Uraguayan rugby team that had some problems negotiating the Andes. Very captivating non fictional account. However would only recommend for the vegetarians at the table.

PS: Emily read the book referenced by Patty Francis a couple of years ago. She recommends.

FROM THE HALLS OF ACADEMIA, ALONG THE BANKS OF THE OLD RARITAN . . .

FROM: PATRICK, JR.


I'm reading The Greatest Team Ever about the Dallas Cowboys.

SOMETIMES THERE'S TWO IN A CROWD . . . AND, QUITE FRANKLY, EVERYONE'S BUSY, SO PUT DOWN THE BON-BONS AND STOP WATCHING "OPRAH" . . .

FROM NANCY:

I'm not sure anyone is aware but, I do have an infant which takes up a lot of time so, War and Peace... not so much. However, I'm looking forward to reading David's choice of Snoopy vs. The Red Baron. FYI when I do have a few minutes to myself, I'm reading a recent biography of Harriet Tuman called "Harriet Tuman."

HONEST TO GOD, THERE'S ONE IN EVERY CROWD . . .

FROM DAVID ROTHENBERG:

I've selected C.M. Schultz's challenging WW I masterpiece, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron.