A Macdonald Potpourri

Newspaper columns are written in the moment as part of a journalist's first rough draft of history. But the judge of a columnist's insight and interpretation of events, as well as the people who shape them, is how the analysis stands the test of time. This collection of columns and articles meets that test. From columns in theMontreal Gazetteand theNational Post, as well as longer-form pieces from the magazinePolicy Options, L. Ian MacDonald looks at Canadian and American politics and the principal players and events over the last decade: from Jean Chretien, Stephen Harper, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to Brian Mulroney and Airbus, as well as Jean Charest's three terms as Premier of Quebec. Along the way, MacDonald's clear and lively prose covers a range of topics from politics to cottages, while profi ling people as diverse as Jean Believeau and Bernard Derome.Politics, People, and Potpourribrings to life storied Montreal landmarks,from St Patrick's Basilica to Windsor Station and commemorates the passing of notable fi gures such as Pierre Trudeau and Maurice 'Rocket' Richard. This intelligent and amusing collection presents MacDonald at his best as well as a compelling view of Canadian politics and life.

Martin Green is a retiree/free-lance writer living in Roseville, California. In 1991, the year after he retired, he started writing articles for a weekly alternative newspaper in Sacramento, Suttertown News. In the same year, he began free-lancing for the Neighbors section of the Sacramento Bee, contributing over 100 articles until Neighbors was discontinued in 2002.. Since 2000, Hes been writing for a monthly newspaper, the Sun Senior News, which goes to over 10,000 households in two retirement communities, Sun City Roseville (where he lives) and Sun City Lincoln Hills. He currently does two monthly features, Observations and Favorite Restaurants. Earlier in 2011 Martin put out a collection of his journalistic pieces, People, Places and Events. In addition to his journalism, Martin has had about 250 short stories published in online magazines and has self-published three collections of these stories (2006, 2007 and 2008) as well as a longer work, One Year in Retirement (2009) and a collection of his Observations(2010). This book is called Potpourri, defined as a mixture or stew, as it contains short stories (published since 2009), a year and a half of Observations, and something new, Last Words, which are essays On Growing Old, On Writing, On Reading, and On Travel. Martin has been married to Beverly (a water-color artist) for 46 years, has three sons (David, Michael and Christopher), three grandsons (Mason, Morgan and Logan), one granddaughter (Stephanie) and two cats (Bun-Bun and Shandyman).

The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. This dictionary of fictional detectives helps readers learn about the series in which their favorite detectives are featured. Included are alphabetically arranged entries on roughly 150 fictional detectives, which provide information about the works in which the detective appears, the locales in which the detective operates, the detective's investigative methods, and other important information. Helpful bibliographical citations direct the reader to other interesting works. The volume closes with a selected, general bibliography; various appendices; and an extensive index. The enormous explosion of crime fiction over the last decade means that more people are looking for a good mystery than ever before. Many of the most popular mystery books appear in series, and these series feature carefully developed detectives.

An introduction to and advice on book collecting with a glossary of terms and tips on how to identify first editions and estimated values for over 20,000 collectible books published in English (including translations) over the last three centuries-about half are literary titles in the broadest sense (novels, poetry, plays, mysteries, science fiction, and children's books); and the other half are non-fiction (Americana, travel and exploration, finance, cookbooks, color plate, medicine, science, photography, Mormonism, sports, et al).

Although John D. MacDonald published seventy novels and more than five hundred short stories in his lifetime, he is remembered best for his Travis McGee series. He introduced McGee in 1964 with The Deep Blue Goodbye. With Travis McGee, MacDonald changed the pattern of the hardboiled private detectives who preceeded him. McGee has a social conscience, holds thoughtful conversations with his retired economist buddy Meyer, and worries about corporate greed, racism and the Florida ecolgoy in a long series whose brand recognition for the series the author cleverly advanced by inserting a color in every title. Merrill carefully builds a picture of a man who in unexpected ways epitomized the Horatio Alger sagas that comprised his strict father's secular bible. From a financially struggling childhood and a succession of drab nine-to-five occupations, MacDonald settled down to writing for a living (a lifestyle that would have horrified his father). He worked very hard and was rewarded with a more than decent livelihood. But unlike Alger's heroes, MacDonald had a lot of fun doing it.

Join Dr. Roger MacDonald as he makes rural house calls, responds to unique medical emergencies and experiences heartbreaking tragedies. Share his triumphs and trials as he chronicles 46 years of medical practice in locations ranging from the wild northwoods to idyllic farm country. The collection of short stories highlights the rich history of America's iconic country doctor, who carried a black satchel, happily made house calls and dispensed equal doses of medicine and compassion.

An index to children's craft books published since 1991. Provides a guide to craft instructions alphabetically by project, or by type of material used.