Michael Crichton

"In the information society, nobody thinks.
We expect to banish paper, but we acturally
banish thought."
Michael Crichton 1942-2008


I was saddened when I heard that another writer had died. That makes three in the last few works and I hope the last one for a while.

Michael Crichton was a thriller writer best known for Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, Andromeda Strain and Disclosure. Many of his books were made into movies,. Jurassic Park gave him high profile attention when it was made into a movie directed by his friend, Steven Spielberg, who he also created the TV show ER with. Crichton also directed many of his books into movies as well as directing others.

Michael Crichton believed that we all should challenge our preconceived notions of the world around us and with his books, he did just that. Thanks.

"They are focused on whether they can do something. They never think whether they should do something."

I really liked this quote from Michael Crichton; gives you something to think about.

Studs Terkel

"If solace is any sort of succor to someone,

that is sufficient. I believe in the faith of people,

whatever faith they may have." Studs Terkel 1912-2008

Once again we have to say good-bye to a wonderful writer, Studs Terkel. He moved from NYC to Chicago when he was very young and what a fit Terkel and Chicago made. He was a writer for the common man and woman and believed that American became the country it was because of them. Hard Times: AN Oral History of the Great Depression, made you visualize the 1930's; his book on Race :How Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About the American Obsession is as relevant to day and it was in 1992. Terkel won a Pulitzer Prize for his book, The Good War:An Oral History of World War II. He was on the blacklist during the 1950's, which didn't stop him from what he believed, which was America and her people.

Studs Terkel died just before his last book came out in November, P.S. Further Thoughts From A Lifetime of Listening. This is about his favorite things---writings, travels and people. What a sendoff, thanks Mr. Terkel for sharing so much with us.

Tony Hillerman

"You write for two people,

yourself and your audience,

who are usually better educated

and at least as smart."

Tony Hillerman 1925-2008

Mystery writer Tony Hillerman, 83, died Sunday, October 26, 2008. For those of us who read his mysteries we know what a loss it is; for those who haven't been introduced to Hillerman, take a chance. Hillerman wrote over 29 books, most of them mysteries, set in the Southwest and featured Navajo police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Hillerman wanted to help the Anglo culture understand Navajo traditions while sharing his admiration of the Navajo culture. His love of the Southwest shone through in all of his books, fiction and non-fiction.

If you enjoy mysteries, the Southwest, and learning about the culture of Indians, you are in for a treat. Hillerman introduces us to his favorite passion, the Navajo and their culture, how they think, how the Anglo had changed their way of life, and how both cultures learn to except each other and live along side each other. His mysteries would take you deeper in the history of the Navajo and you will be amazed what you learn from reading about them in fiction style. The Navajo honored him with the Special Friend of the Dineh award to thank him for letting his readers know that were more then primitive people. On that, he succeeded.

Hillerman never forgot who he was writing for, his audience, and to entertain them. He was also a writer that you could read them faster then he could write them....which is important to me as a reader. Writers who push three, four or more books a year I feel are not considerate to their readers. (That's for another blog)

If you are looking for a new mystery writer, something different, I highly recommend Tony Hillerman. You will be glad you did.

Thanks Mr. Hillerman for some wonderful mysteries, books, and enabling us, as readers, to learn about the Navajo people. You will be missed.