BOOK REPORTS—

Leisureville by Andrew D. Blechman

Sub-titled “Adventures in America’s Retirement Utopias” Blechman takes a piercing look at both TheVillages, the world’s largest, gated retirement community in FL, and Sun City in Phoenix, AZ, one of the earliest such developments. These communities tend to be highly insular and governed in ways often surprising to the residents. This is an important read if you are headed toward alternatives for retirement living.


In the Land of Invisible Women by Qanta A. Ahmed, MD

Subtitled A Female Doctor’s Journey in the Saudi Kingdom; Qanta, a British Muslim, temporarily loses her US visa and takes a position in a Riyadh hospital as a pilgrimage back to her faith. She experiences living in a temporary city of 50 thousand tents during Hajj. She experiences a culture where women spend lifetimes incarcerated in guarded privacy and secrecy—where the Mutawaeen “Culture Police” enforce the social code with violence. It is a stunning and eloquently crafted peek at a mysterious culture.


The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille

The title describes the north shore of Long Island once the lair of old east aristocracy, now in decline and penetrated by a Mafia don seeking legitimacy. It is over 700 pages of passion, criminal and legal suspense—a great story line, but often in need of a good editor. Demille redeemed himself with a great ending to this tome’s mind-numbing middle.


Shadow Command by Dale Brown

Brimming with action, sophisticated weaponry, and political intrigue, according to a major newspaper review. I agree. But, the ending was as if it was attached to the wrong book. That’s enough Brown for me for awhile.