Author: Denise Mina
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316380555
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 296
Book Description
Detective Alex Morrow discovers that the darkest secrets never stay buried as she investigates the criminal underbelly of a seemingly tranquil seaside town. For reasons she can't quite explain, Alex Morrow is addicted to watching surveillance footage of Roxanna Fuentecilla -- a gorgeous Spanish mother of two, in a tempestuous relationship with her boyfriend, who recently relocated to Glasgow under mysterious circumstances. She is also Morrow's prime suspect in an investigation that resembles a soap opera, filled with glamorous jetsetters and enough money to interest the highest levels of law enforcement. Until Roxanna vanishes. Morrow traces Roxanna's steps to Helensburgh, a sleepy, picturesque seaside community. But behind the idyllic Victorian homes and quaint storefronts, darkness lurks. Home to a man with blood on his hands who is haunted by guilt, a mysterious woman with ulterior motives back in town for the first time in decades, a sexually frustrated restaurateur looking to blow off steam, and a crew of vicious small-time gangsters blindly following orders, it's a town ruled by base instincts where no one is quite what they seem. And it's the perfect place to get rid of someone. When she uncovers an unsettling connection to Roxanna's job back in Glasgow, Morrow suspects that her missing person is more than a white-collar criminal on the lam -- she may also be a victim caught up in a sophisticated conspiracy that stretches far beyond Helensburgh and is more personal than Morrow ever imagined. As the truth rises to the surface and the conflicts that lie beneath Helensburgh's calm waters threaten to explode, Morrow must find Roxanna before any hope of solving the case disappears with her. A gripping tale of greed, power, and vengeance, Blood, Salt, Water is a masterful crime novel from Denise Mina that confirms her reputation as "one of the genre's brights stars" (George Pelecanos).
Blood, Salt, Water
Author: Denise Mina
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316380555
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 296
Book Description
Detective Alex Morrow discovers that the darkest secrets never stay buried as she investigates the criminal underbelly of a seemingly tranquil seaside town. For reasons she can't quite explain, Alex Morrow is addicted to watching surveillance footage of Roxanna Fuentecilla -- a gorgeous Spanish mother of two, in a tempestuous relationship with her boyfriend, who recently relocated to Glasgow under mysterious circumstances. She is also Morrow's prime suspect in an investigation that resembles a soap opera, filled with glamorous jetsetters and enough money to interest the highest levels of law enforcement. Until Roxanna vanishes. Morrow traces Roxanna's steps to Helensburgh, a sleepy, picturesque seaside community. But behind the idyllic Victorian homes and quaint storefronts, darkness lurks. Home to a man with blood on his hands who is haunted by guilt, a mysterious woman with ulterior motives back in town for the first time in decades, a sexually frustrated restaurateur looking to blow off steam, and a crew of vicious small-time gangsters blindly following orders, it's a town ruled by base instincts where no one is quite what they seem. And it's the perfect place to get rid of someone. When she uncovers an unsettling connection to Roxanna's job back in Glasgow, Morrow suspects that her missing person is more than a white-collar criminal on the lam -- she may also be a victim caught up in a sophisticated conspiracy that stretches far beyond Helensburgh and is more personal than Morrow ever imagined. As the truth rises to the surface and the conflicts that lie beneath Helensburgh's calm waters threaten to explode, Morrow must find Roxanna before any hope of solving the case disappears with her. A gripping tale of greed, power, and vengeance, Blood, Salt, Water is a masterful crime novel from Denise Mina that confirms her reputation as "one of the genre's brights stars" (George Pelecanos).
Publisher: Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316380555
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 296
Book Description
Detective Alex Morrow discovers that the darkest secrets never stay buried as she investigates the criminal underbelly of a seemingly tranquil seaside town. For reasons she can't quite explain, Alex Morrow is addicted to watching surveillance footage of Roxanna Fuentecilla -- a gorgeous Spanish mother of two, in a tempestuous relationship with her boyfriend, who recently relocated to Glasgow under mysterious circumstances. She is also Morrow's prime suspect in an investigation that resembles a soap opera, filled with glamorous jetsetters and enough money to interest the highest levels of law enforcement. Until Roxanna vanishes. Morrow traces Roxanna's steps to Helensburgh, a sleepy, picturesque seaside community. But behind the idyllic Victorian homes and quaint storefronts, darkness lurks. Home to a man with blood on his hands who is haunted by guilt, a mysterious woman with ulterior motives back in town for the first time in decades, a sexually frustrated restaurateur looking to blow off steam, and a crew of vicious small-time gangsters blindly following orders, it's a town ruled by base instincts where no one is quite what they seem. And it's the perfect place to get rid of someone. When she uncovers an unsettling connection to Roxanna's job back in Glasgow, Morrow suspects that her missing person is more than a white-collar criminal on the lam -- she may also be a victim caught up in a sophisticated conspiracy that stretches far beyond Helensburgh and is more personal than Morrow ever imagined. As the truth rises to the surface and the conflicts that lie beneath Helensburgh's calm waters threaten to explode, Morrow must find Roxanna before any hope of solving the case disappears with her. A gripping tale of greed, power, and vengeance, Blood, Salt, Water is a masterful crime novel from Denise Mina that confirms her reputation as "one of the genre's brights stars" (George Pelecanos).
Last Long Drop
Author: Mike Safe
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1925384292
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 297
Book Description
A rollicking novel of surf and celebrity, The Last Long Drop is a wild ride through the volatile world of killer waves and tabloid sensations, where any mess-up may be your last. When Johno Harcourt is shown the door at his high-profile newspaper job, he finds himself on the wrong side of fifty, pondering what to do with the rest of his life. While his go-getting wife and over-achieving children are otherwise occupied, he whiles away summer days surfing and playing funky music with his odd-bod gang of mates – that is, until he lands the prize job of ghostwriting the autobiography of Australia’s veteran movie megastar, Mike Vargas. Charismatic, confident and still a mad keen surfer, Vargas wins over Harcourt as they spend hours catching waves and drinking together while the screen legend tells of his ever-eventful life. But as Harcourt digs deeper, secrets from Vargas’s distant past suddenly emerge, forcing him to realise there’s a darker side to the star he thought he knew, but doesn’t.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1925384292
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 297
Book Description
A rollicking novel of surf and celebrity, The Last Long Drop is a wild ride through the volatile world of killer waves and tabloid sensations, where any mess-up may be your last. When Johno Harcourt is shown the door at his high-profile newspaper job, he finds himself on the wrong side of fifty, pondering what to do with the rest of his life. While his go-getting wife and over-achieving children are otherwise occupied, he whiles away summer days surfing and playing funky music with his odd-bod gang of mates – that is, until he lands the prize job of ghostwriting the autobiography of Australia’s veteran movie megastar, Mike Vargas. Charismatic, confident and still a mad keen surfer, Vargas wins over Harcourt as they spend hours catching waves and drinking together while the screen legend tells of his ever-eventful life. But as Harcourt digs deeper, secrets from Vargas’s distant past suddenly emerge, forcing him to realise there’s a darker side to the star he thought he knew, but doesn’t.
A Rising Man
Author: Abir Mukherjee
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1681774771
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 276
Book Description
In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official—in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else . . . Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency. The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues—arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID—embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city. Masterfully evincing the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial Calcutta, A Rising Man is the start of an enticing new historical crime series.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1681774771
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 276
Book Description
In the days of the Raj, a newly arrived Scotland Yard detective is confronted with the murder of a British official—in his mouth a note warning the British to leave India, or else . . . Calcutta, 1919. Captain Sam Wyndham, former Scotland Yard detective, is a new arrival to Calcutta. Desperately seeking a fresh start after his experiences during the Great War, Wyndham has been recruited to head up a new post in the police force. He is immediately overwhelmed by the heady vibrancy of the tropical city, but with barely a moment to acclimatize or to deal with the ghosts that still haunt him, Wyndham is caught up in a murder investigation that threatens to destabilize a city already teetering on the brink of political insurgency. The body of a senior official has been found in a filthy sewer, and a note left in his mouth warns the British to quit India, or else. Under tremendous pressure to solve the case before it erupts into increased violence on the streets, Wyndham and his two new colleagues—arrogant Inspector Digby and Sergeant Banerjee, one of the few Indians to be recruited into the new CID—embark on an investigation that will take them from the opulent mansions of wealthy British traders to the seedy opium dens of the city. Masterfully evincing the sights, sounds, and smells of colonial Calcutta, A Rising Man is the start of an enticing new historical crime series.
Capital Punishment in Japan
Author: Petra Schmidt
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9789004124219
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
This book provides an overview of capital punishment in Japan in a legal, historical, social, cultural and political context. It provides new insights into the system, challenges traditional views and arguments and seeks the real reasons behind the retention of capital punishment in Japan.
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9789004124219
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 224
Book Description
This book provides an overview of capital punishment in Japan in a legal, historical, social, cultural and political context. It provides new insights into the system, challenges traditional views and arguments and seeks the real reasons behind the retention of capital punishment in Japan.
The Long Drop
Author: Brian D. Kharpran Daly
Publisher: Partridge Publishing
ISBN: 1482834294
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 219
Book Description
During a cave expedition in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India, the body of the Doloi(Chief of the Nongkhlieh elaka), who had gone missing, was found brutally murdered, at the bottom of a deep shaft. Thrang Kharwan, the organizer of the Expedition, was caught up in the web and intrigues of the coal and limestone miners, who felt threatened by the cry of save the caves raised by the cavers. Thrang had filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Apex Court of the country against the destruction of the environment, especially of the caves and its unique cave eco-systems, by the indiscriminate and unscientific quarrying. Thrang survived the attempts on his life, including a heinous attempt to toss him into the deep dark shaft where the Dalois body was earlier found murdered; ironically, a cave that had become his dream and fantasy - to finally achieve his goal of cave conservation. In this murderous raging attrition of deceit and power and against all odds, he finally came out triumphant, to find the meaning of life and love.
Publisher: Partridge Publishing
ISBN: 1482834294
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 219
Book Description
During a cave expedition in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India, the body of the Doloi(Chief of the Nongkhlieh elaka), who had gone missing, was found brutally murdered, at the bottom of a deep shaft. Thrang Kharwan, the organizer of the Expedition, was caught up in the web and intrigues of the coal and limestone miners, who felt threatened by the cry of save the caves raised by the cavers. Thrang had filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Apex Court of the country against the destruction of the environment, especially of the caves and its unique cave eco-systems, by the indiscriminate and unscientific quarrying. Thrang survived the attempts on his life, including a heinous attempt to toss him into the deep dark shaft where the Dalois body was earlier found murdered; ironically, a cave that had become his dream and fantasy - to finally achieve his goal of cave conservation. In this murderous raging attrition of deceit and power and against all odds, he finally came out triumphant, to find the meaning of life and love.
Not a Drop to Drink
Author: Mindy McGinnis
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062198521
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 185
Book Description
Fans of classic frontier survival stories, as well as readers of dystopian literature, will enjoy this futuristic story where water is worth more than gold. New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant says Not a Drop to Drink is a debut "not to be missed." With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl's journey in a frontierlike world not so different from our own. Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty—or doesn't leave at all. Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . . For more in this gritty world, join Lynn on an epic journey to find home in the companion novel, In a Handful of Dust.
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0062198521
Category : Young Adult Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 185
Book Description
Fans of classic frontier survival stories, as well as readers of dystopian literature, will enjoy this futuristic story where water is worth more than gold. New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant says Not a Drop to Drink is a debut "not to be missed." With evocative, spare language and incredible drama, danger, and romance, Mindy McGinnis depicts one girl's journey in a frontierlike world not so different from our own. Teenage Lynn has been taught to defend her pond against every threat: drought, a snowless winter, coyotes, and most important, people looking for a drink. She makes sure anyone who comes near the pond leaves thirsty—or doesn't leave at all. Confident in her own abilities, Lynn has no use for the world beyond the nearby fields and forest. But when strangers appear, the mysterious footprints by the pond, nighttime threats, and gunshots make it all too clear Lynn has exactly what they want, and they won't stop until they get it. . . . For more in this gritty world, join Lynn on an epic journey to find home in the companion novel, In a Handful of Dust.
One Last Drop
Author: Ryan Stock
Publisher: Woostermedia LLC
ISBN: 9781736858707
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
Stress, pressure, anxiety, a lack of self-love-all difficult emotions experienced by high-performance athletes and coaches. In dealing with these difficult emotions athletes seek balance in life, yet achieving that balance is difficult. Mix in difficult relationships and too much drinking and there's only one option-bottoming out.In One Last Drop, Ryan Stock takes readers on his 30-day journey towards a more balanced life, and in turn, a sober life. In daily heartfelt letters to his four-year-old son,Stock finds the comfort, acceptance, and emotional growth missing from his life. With a blend of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and self-love he finally finds peace. The raw,vulnerable, and sometimes painful stories that took him down that road will connect with any athlete, coach, or a parent looking to develop mental toughness while still beingmindful and connected to their emotional self. Through the author's journey the reader will learn:Coping skills for quieting the mind, practicing self-love, and dealing with the stressors of anxiety and stress, and failureHow to use mindfulness techniques to increase performance physically, mentally, and emotionallyThe importance of mental and emotional health both on and off the court, or fieldHow to transition from athlete or coach to life without sports and the releasing of the ego involved in that journeyBy being open and honest during his journey to physical and emotional healing, Ryan Stock provides a roadmap for people who are used to performing at a high-level to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Publisher: Woostermedia LLC
ISBN: 9781736858707
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
Stress, pressure, anxiety, a lack of self-love-all difficult emotions experienced by high-performance athletes and coaches. In dealing with these difficult emotions athletes seek balance in life, yet achieving that balance is difficult. Mix in difficult relationships and too much drinking and there's only one option-bottoming out.In One Last Drop, Ryan Stock takes readers on his 30-day journey towards a more balanced life, and in turn, a sober life. In daily heartfelt letters to his four-year-old son,Stock finds the comfort, acceptance, and emotional growth missing from his life. With a blend of mindfulness, meditation, yoga, and self-love he finally finds peace. The raw,vulnerable, and sometimes painful stories that took him down that road will connect with any athlete, coach, or a parent looking to develop mental toughness while still beingmindful and connected to their emotional self. Through the author's journey the reader will learn:Coping skills for quieting the mind, practicing self-love, and dealing with the stressors of anxiety and stress, and failureHow to use mindfulness techniques to increase performance physically, mentally, and emotionallyThe importance of mental and emotional health both on and off the court, or fieldHow to transition from athlete or coach to life without sports and the releasing of the ego involved in that journeyBy being open and honest during his journey to physical and emotional healing, Ryan Stock provides a roadmap for people who are used to performing at a high-level to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
When Genius Failed
Author: Roger Lowenstein
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN: 0375758259
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 290
Book Description
“A riveting account that reaches beyond the market landscape to say something universal about risk and triumph, about hubris and failure.”—The New York Times NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUSINESSWEEK In this business classic—now with a new Afterword in which the author draws parallels to the recent financial crisis—Roger Lowenstein captures the gripping roller-coaster ride of Long-Term Capital Management. Drawing on confidential internal memos and interviews with dozens of key players, Lowenstein explains not just how the fund made and lost its money but also how the personalities of Long-Term’s partners, the arrogance of their mathematical certainties, and the culture of Wall Street itself contributed to both their rise and their fall. When it was founded in 1993, Long-Term was hailed as the most impressive hedge fund in history. But after four years in which the firm dazzled Wall Street as a $100 billion moneymaking juggernaut, it suddenly suffered catastrophic losses that jeopardized not only the biggest banks on Wall Street but the stability of the financial system itself. The dramatic story of Long-Term’s fall is now a chilling harbinger of the crisis that would strike all of Wall Street, from Lehman Brothers to AIG, a decade later. In his new Afterword, Lowenstein shows that LTCM’s implosion should be seen not as a one-off drama but as a template for market meltdowns in an age of instability—and as a wake-up call that Wall Street and government alike tragically ignored. Praise for When Genius Failed “[Roger] Lowenstein has written a squalid and fascinating tale of world-class greed and, above all, hubris.”—BusinessWeek “Compelling . . . The fund was long cloaked in secrecy, making the story of its rise . . . and its ultimate destruction that much more fascinating.”—The Washington Post “Story-telling journalism at its best.”—The Economist
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks
ISBN: 0375758259
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 290
Book Description
“A riveting account that reaches beyond the market landscape to say something universal about risk and triumph, about hubris and failure.”—The New York Times NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUSINESSWEEK In this business classic—now with a new Afterword in which the author draws parallels to the recent financial crisis—Roger Lowenstein captures the gripping roller-coaster ride of Long-Term Capital Management. Drawing on confidential internal memos and interviews with dozens of key players, Lowenstein explains not just how the fund made and lost its money but also how the personalities of Long-Term’s partners, the arrogance of their mathematical certainties, and the culture of Wall Street itself contributed to both their rise and their fall. When it was founded in 1993, Long-Term was hailed as the most impressive hedge fund in history. But after four years in which the firm dazzled Wall Street as a $100 billion moneymaking juggernaut, it suddenly suffered catastrophic losses that jeopardized not only the biggest banks on Wall Street but the stability of the financial system itself. The dramatic story of Long-Term’s fall is now a chilling harbinger of the crisis that would strike all of Wall Street, from Lehman Brothers to AIG, a decade later. In his new Afterword, Lowenstein shows that LTCM’s implosion should be seen not as a one-off drama but as a template for market meltdowns in an age of instability—and as a wake-up call that Wall Street and government alike tragically ignored. Praise for When Genius Failed “[Roger] Lowenstein has written a squalid and fascinating tale of world-class greed and, above all, hubris.”—BusinessWeek “Compelling . . . The fund was long cloaked in secrecy, making the story of its rise . . . and its ultimate destruction that much more fascinating.”—The Washington Post “Story-telling journalism at its best.”—The Economist
Good to the Last Drop
Author: Jabar
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781494459895
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272
Book Description
Good to the Last Drop is an Erotic Fiction/Romance designed for the enjoyment of both sexes and is about expressing oneself in a way that makes them comfortable. Pleasurable from beginning to end this tantalizing page turner mixes the allure of 50 Shades of Gray and the sensuality of Zane to produce a downright orgasmic read. Receiving rave reviews from avid readers and reviewers alike, Good to the Last Drop is sure to please. Good to the Last Drop has 18 delicious one- of- a kind erotic stories that will leave you wanting more.
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781494459895
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 272
Book Description
Good to the Last Drop is an Erotic Fiction/Romance designed for the enjoyment of both sexes and is about expressing oneself in a way that makes them comfortable. Pleasurable from beginning to end this tantalizing page turner mixes the allure of 50 Shades of Gray and the sensuality of Zane to produce a downright orgasmic read. Receiving rave reviews from avid readers and reviewers alike, Good to the Last Drop is sure to please. Good to the Last Drop has 18 delicious one- of- a kind erotic stories that will leave you wanting more.
Last Call
Author: Daniel Okrent
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439171696
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 506
Book Description
A brilliant, authoritative, and fascinating history of America’s most puzzling era, the years 1920 to 1933, when the U.S. Constitution was amended to restrict one of America’s favorite pastimes: drinking alcoholic beverages. From its start, America has been awash in drink. The sailing vessel that brought John Winthrop to the shores of the New World in 1630 carried more beer than water. By the 1820s, liquor flowed so plentifully it was cheaper than tea. That Americans would ever agree to relinquish their booze was as improbable as it was astonishing. Yet we did, and Last Call is Daniel Okrent’s dazzling explanation of why we did it, what life under Prohibition was like, and how such an unprecedented degree of government interference in the private lives of Americans changed the country forever. Writing with both wit and historical acuity, Okrent reveals how Prohibition marked a confluence of diverse forces: the growing political power of the women’s suffrage movement, which allied itself with the antiliquor campaign; the fear of small-town, native-stock Protestants that they were losing control of their country to the immigrants of the large cities; the anti-German sentiment stoked by World War I; and a variety of other unlikely factors, ranging from the rise of the automobile to the advent of the income tax. Through it all, Americans kept drinking, going to remarkably creative lengths to smuggle, sell, conceal, and convivially (and sometimes fatally) imbibe their favorite intoxicants. Last Call is peopled with vivid characters of an astonishing variety: Susan B. Anthony and Billy Sunday, William Jennings Bryan and bootlegger Sam Bronfman, Pierre S. du Pont and H. L. Mencken, Meyer Lansky and the incredible—if long-forgotten—federal official Mabel Walker Willebrandt, who throughout the twenties was the most powerful woman in the country. (Perhaps most surprising of all is Okrent’s account of Joseph P. Kennedy’s legendary, and long-misunderstood, role in the liquor business.) It’s a book rich with stories from nearly all parts of the country. Okrent’s narrative runs through smoky Manhattan speakeasies, where relations between the sexes were changed forever; California vineyards busily producing “sacramental” wine; New England fishing communities that gave up fishing for the more lucrative rum-running business; and in Washington, the halls of Congress itself, where politicians who had voted for Prohibition drank openly and without apology. Last Call is capacious, meticulous, and thrillingly told. It stands as the most complete history of Prohibition ever written and confirms Daniel Okrent’s rank as a major American writer.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1439171696
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 506
Book Description
A brilliant, authoritative, and fascinating history of America’s most puzzling era, the years 1920 to 1933, when the U.S. Constitution was amended to restrict one of America’s favorite pastimes: drinking alcoholic beverages. From its start, America has been awash in drink. The sailing vessel that brought John Winthrop to the shores of the New World in 1630 carried more beer than water. By the 1820s, liquor flowed so plentifully it was cheaper than tea. That Americans would ever agree to relinquish their booze was as improbable as it was astonishing. Yet we did, and Last Call is Daniel Okrent’s dazzling explanation of why we did it, what life under Prohibition was like, and how such an unprecedented degree of government interference in the private lives of Americans changed the country forever. Writing with both wit and historical acuity, Okrent reveals how Prohibition marked a confluence of diverse forces: the growing political power of the women’s suffrage movement, which allied itself with the antiliquor campaign; the fear of small-town, native-stock Protestants that they were losing control of their country to the immigrants of the large cities; the anti-German sentiment stoked by World War I; and a variety of other unlikely factors, ranging from the rise of the automobile to the advent of the income tax. Through it all, Americans kept drinking, going to remarkably creative lengths to smuggle, sell, conceal, and convivially (and sometimes fatally) imbibe their favorite intoxicants. Last Call is peopled with vivid characters of an astonishing variety: Susan B. Anthony and Billy Sunday, William Jennings Bryan and bootlegger Sam Bronfman, Pierre S. du Pont and H. L. Mencken, Meyer Lansky and the incredible—if long-forgotten—federal official Mabel Walker Willebrandt, who throughout the twenties was the most powerful woman in the country. (Perhaps most surprising of all is Okrent’s account of Joseph P. Kennedy’s legendary, and long-misunderstood, role in the liquor business.) It’s a book rich with stories from nearly all parts of the country. Okrent’s narrative runs through smoky Manhattan speakeasies, where relations between the sexes were changed forever; California vineyards busily producing “sacramental” wine; New England fishing communities that gave up fishing for the more lucrative rum-running business; and in Washington, the halls of Congress itself, where politicians who had voted for Prohibition drank openly and without apology. Last Call is capacious, meticulous, and thrillingly told. It stands as the most complete history of Prohibition ever written and confirms Daniel Okrent’s rank as a major American writer.