Joel Engel

Extremely well researched and entertainingly written story about a forest fire and government incompetence/corruption. You'll have no doubts when you finish reading the book, and honestly, that is also the biggest the weakness. The author goes so far as to imply that an earlier case that ended in the suicide of the perpetrator was sort of the fault of one of the main government actors. It is completely unnecessary, but certainly sets the scene for us to distrust and dislike the character. In alternate chapters, the author tells the history of the lumber company owner who ends up being targeted. That character is pretty much only described in positive terms and as such we want to trust and like him. Both are unnecessary as the facts speak for themselves. It really doesn't manner if the owner was a jerk, he still was wrongly accused and should not have gone through what he went through.

Worth the read in any case.… (mehr)

A revealing insight into the subject as a man. Although occasionally it seems to try and portray a negative trait which isn't really there, it does seem GR had plenty of them. As a ST fan it does leave you rather disappointed in the man himself but I guess we're all human. And ultimately he had one major success - ST. Which he seemed only too happy to take all the credit for, regardless of others' input. Drug taking, ego problems and ending his days as a very sick old man, in a seemingly very unhappy for a long time 2nd marriage. Interesting book, lots of input from others who were around at the time and its not a complete hatchet job by any means - but anyone deifying GR should perhaps not read it in case they burst a blood vessel...… (mehr)