Robert Bailey Takes Readers to Alabama for Memorable Legal Thriller! With a small spotlight on "Bear" Bryant...

"Well, you're still a scrawny sack a shit. Ain't that woman of
yours feeding you?"

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1969
The Man said to be at the Waysider at 5.30 in the morning. Tom arrived at 5.20, knowing that it was a bad idea to be late for a meeting set up by the Man. He hoped he would arrive first, maybe drink some water and gather his thoughts, but the Man was already there. Sitting at a table in the corner of the cafe, Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant read the Birmingham News and drank coffee.
Tom waded through the other tables and approached the Man, who hadn't moved since the jingle of the front door announced Tom's arrival. Reaching the table, Tom cleared his throat. "Hey, Coach."
The Man looked up from his paper, but didn't speak or smile. After two or three seconds, his mouth curved into a grin and he extended his hand...

Matlock is Standin for
The Professor!

Tom smiled, relieved that the Man had broken the ice. As they shook hands, a waitress came over to take their orders. The Man ordered two eggs, bacon, grits, biscuits and more coffee. Tom said he'd have the same, knowing his stomach couldn't handle that much food, but too nervous to ask for a menu.
As the waitress shuffled off, the Man took a sip of coffee and leaned towards Tom. "So, how are things in Birmingham?"
"Great, Coach" Tom said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I'm with a small insurance defense firm. Getting in the courtroom a little."
"So I hear. Three jury trials and three wins in four years, right?"
Tom nodded, flattered but not surprised. The Man had so many judicial contacts, he could have made one phone call to learn Tom's trial record. "Yes, sir. I've been lucky. George McDuff is a great partner, and he..."
"Lucky my ass..."

~~~

The Professor:

 A Legal Thriller                                 By Robert Bailey

 Sometimes winning means everything...

Dean Lambert crossed his arms. "We
need you to sign it, Tom. And...there are
some other things."
"What 'other things'?"
"We've been getting complaints about
McMurtrie's Evidence. A lot of the
students think it's too hard to read...
Tom didn't say anything, just continued
to glare at his boss.
"And you can't be kicking kids out of
your class any more, Tom. I know all
about what happened...With this Drake
thing on YouTube and still on everyone's
minds, you just can't be doing stuff like
that..."
~~~

It was quite clear that Thomas Jackson McMurtrie was in awe of Paul "Bear" Bryant, who had coached him and then sought him out to come teach in the College of Law at the University of Alabama. Tom had not even considered teaching and was already working. But it didn't take much coaxing by...The Man... for Tom to agree... That had been 1969 and it was now 2009...

Now it was Tom who had earned a nickname. He was known by all as "The Professor..." Now I have to say that I was curious enough to find the real professor of evidence at U of A but I decided I had more pictures of Matlock to display! Even though he may not have ever taught law, even as a character, LOL...  Nobody knows better than I how you feel when, after 40 years, a new administrator(s) comes in and works against you, even if my tenure was only 37... Tom McMurtrie was well respected, but the new Dean was looking to replace older full professors with younger individuals he had selected himself... And when somebody wants to get rid of you, it isn't hard to make a case based upon... perception...

"You... you have a lot of nerve, "he managed.
"Coming here after what you did to me."
"As I recollect it, you hit me in the face," Tom
said. "I think I got the worse end of it..."
Rick took a deep breath, and glanced at his desk,
Leaning up against it were his four thin file
jackets. Three workers' comp cases and a car
wreck. Four measly files and you're turning down
a multi-million-dollar death case in your hometown
with Ms. Rose and Sheriff Ballard as witnesses?
Are you out of your mind?...
Rick felt panic from his head to his shoes as he
realized what he had done. My million-dollar case
just walked out the door.
Rick ran. Through the reception area. Out the door.
And down the stairs. Don't be gone. Please... don't
be gone. He barreled outside and almost fell on
the sidewalk. Looking in all directions, he didn't
see anyone.
"Having second thought?" a gravelly voice asked
from behind him...
~~~

The semester had just started and one of his new students, Dawn Murphy, had asked to be his student assistant, explaining why she needed the money. He hired her, not knowing that a couple of friendly touches would be caught on camera and used by the Dean...

This had followed the sensation of being on YouTube when he had grabbed at the arm of one of his students. There was nothing he could do about either, once they went public, but he knew he had done nothing wrong, even if the Dean wouldn't accept his word...

While that was going on, he was contacted by a former girlfriend from college and asked to look at a case. One he thought that could be handled by, in fact, the man with whom he'd had the confrontation on video. Rick Drake was now establishing his own office, was talented and, in Tom's opinion, more importantly, came from Henshaw where the accident had occurred. Always a good thing to have a hometown insider...

Ruth Ann's entire remaining family, her son, daughter-in-law and grandchild, had been killed when a large hauling truck had run into them, killing them plus the driver. She knew that she would never be able to move on in life unless she knew how and why they had been killed.

You can probably guess that there is a lot of background about the trucking company and what they'd been doing. The main issue for the owner was that he had just been given a potential contract for the sale of the company--but only if there were no lawsuits filed against them at the time of closing the sale...

Jack Willistone was prepared to do anything to make sure that sale went through...

What began to happen was, unfortunately, making it extremely hard to put together a defense case. They needed records from the company? It just happened that a fire destroyed that building just recently... Like, right after the accident...

Rick knew he needed help...and he got it when a young woman came in and volunteered to work for him... It was working perfectly but they still needed help...and so The Professor became involved at the last minute, having not tried a case for many, many years...
But just like Matlock or Perry Mason or one of the other great TV lawyers, just watching The Professor come back into his element was fascinating and so much fun to see in action.

Who wins the case is not the exciting part about this, even though I was on edge, loving the court activities a couple of times... What fascinated me was the characters--what was happening as people began to be killed, intimated, bribed... Readers begin to think they see how it's going to end and then somebody else that was earlier out of the picture shows up again... 

"I'll he here tomorrow too."
"Well, I doubt anyone else will, Tom said.
"You're wrong, buck. Like I said, what you're doing here, coming back after all you been through, has got folks stirred up. That article was positive. Reverent even. You're the Professor, goddamnit, and I think the news and the general public have started to realize it." The Judge walked away, but then turned back and squinted into the setting sun. "And so have your friends." He paused. "You know, sometimes a man can be so consistently good that people take him for granted. I remember another man kinda like that. Coached football and more a houndstooth hat." The Cock nodded. "People will come tomorrow, Tom. Rest assured...people will come."
~~~

Got to say I loved this one! Drama in the courtyard... A bad taste of remembrance for the college campus bureaucratic politics... (which helps in a way since others have it happen to them too, sad but true). But it was the honesty tested and won or lost as people were asked to help another person understand what had happened to her family... Actually, I thought a couple of other widows had a case as well...But, I guess, that's another case...LOL Got to check this one out!

GABixlerReviews

About this author

Robert Bailey was born in Huntsville, Alabama, the son of a builder and a schoolteacher. From the time he could walk, he’s loved stories, especially those about Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and his beloved Alabama Crimson Tide football team.

Robert obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in North Carolina. Law School at the University of Alabama followed, where Robert made Law Review, competed on the school’s trial team and managed to watch every home football game.

For the past thirteen years, he’s been a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville. He’s married to the incomparable Dixie Bailey and they have two boys and a little girl.

When Robert’s not writing, practicing law or being a parent, he enjoys playing golf, watching Alabama football and coaching his sons’ little league baseball teams.

The Professor is his first novel.

Review: Into Protection by Terry Chaudhuri Provides Scary Twist!

Image via Wikipedia

Into Protection

By Terry Chaudhuri


Schiel & Denver Publishing
ISBN: 9781849030281
234 Pages


Believe me, after you read Into Protection by Terry Chaudhuri, you might think twice about being a witness for the Prosecution. Don't even think about accepting "protection" through the Witness Protection Program!

Derek and Jimmy had been friends since they were boys. Derek's father was a cop so Derek spent much time with Jimmy and his family. Indeed, when his father was shot, protecting the boys, Derek was taken into their home. Derek had always planned on becoming a cop--and to solve his father's murder. Jimmy wanted to enter law enforcement too; however, he first attended college and then joined the FBI.

Immediately after joining, he was sought after by a small internal group who handled the protection of government witnesses, after the trial, when they were to enter the witness protection program, move to another location and be provided a new home, identity and a new life. It was Jimmy's job to take the witnesses to their new home, so he traveled most of the time.

Jimmy and Derek met every once in awhile too busy at their careers to be as close as they once were. Finally, though, they were brought together on one case...trying to once again bring Victor Lazano to justice! But something had happened to Derek since he and Jimmy had sworn to revenge and imprison the man who had murdered his father...

Derek had fallen in love...

And he found out she was the wife of Victor Lazano!

Deciding what to do was one of the hardest things that Derek had ever faced, but he talked to Rebecca who agreed to testify against Victor, then Derek talked to his boss and he, in turn, brought in the FBI.

But Jimmy didn't want Derek to convince Rebecca to testify, knowing that she would have to go into Witness Protectiion... And Derek wanted to know why Jimmy wouldn't help her since he was a major player with the witnesses...

Anything, anywhere can be corrupted by those who place money and power as their personal priorities. Terry Chaudhuri, in Into Protection, has twisted something good, has shown how the innocent can be pulled into a life that they hadn't planned on, with no way out... The drama showing two blood brothers growing, loving each other, and moving into separate lives is both a sad but valuable lesson and, for readers, an explosive set of life's incidents that are pulled together to spell thrilling action and suspense for readers! Highly recommended!

Book Received Via
Bostick Communications

G, A, Bixler

Review: Robert M. Brown, Jr. Gets A 10 at BRH for First Novel!

The Longbridge

Decision

By Robert M. Brown, Jr.
Great Little Books, LLC
ISBN: 9780979066153
530 Pages



Crying at the end of a Thriller and wishing there were more, with 530 pages already read, is unusual for me and probably for any novel! But The Longbridge Decision by Robert M. Brown, Jr., is not just any novel. It is by far one of the best I've read in a long time! A very special book indeed!

It is also the first book I've read by publisher, Great Little Books, LLC. Brown includes gratitude in the front of his book for "recognizing and appreciating my literary potential and then demonstrating the courage, commitment and entrepreneurial savvy to invest its financial and human resources in my first novel's publication."

I too want to add a comment in this review about the publisher. The book I received is a beautiful, heavy hard copy, displayed with the little touches that tell a reviewer that they are proud to have participated in this project! Kudos to both author and the publishing staff from this reviewer!

Admittedly, this book had many issues that drew me to select to read it. However, I got so much more.

I love thrillers, and rarely read a romance book, but I was captivated by the poignant love story that occurred between the two main characters. Indeed, I can only describe it as "fun" to watch the two most of the time and then other times, the relationship just about grabbed you by the throat and you wanted to shake one of these characters! I'm not sure whether this book has a sequel in the future, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoyed Tyler Waddill and Mayson Angelina Corelli and would have loved to read more about their relationship, even when the book closed...

Of course, the book ended because the mystery was solved--the mystery of who killed Morris Mendelsohn, a Senior Partner in the firm, Lieber Allen Attorneys. Mayson had been his associate until, unknown to anybody else in the firm; Morris had threatened her with sexual harassment. When she refused to play, her work was withdrawn and given to Tyler. Of course Mayson was a prime suspect for having killed Mendelsohn.

Now you may be thinking--typical thriller format. Well, you would be very wrong! Because the real action is behind the scenes, taking place at the highest level of the government, where Gregory Lamp, Managing Partner of Lieber Allen Attorneys, was to be nominated as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was totally supported by President Thomas Longbridge and it was anticipated that he would be added as the next conservative justice, who would support the President's desire to reverse/create major laws on abortion, same-sex marriage, prayer in schools, etc.

And so, to pull attention away from the nomination process, Corelli was set up to take the fall with, surprisingly, only one man who was willing to help her--the man who had been given her job, Tyler Waddill. And to make it even more horrendous, they were soon accused, along with supporting documentation, of selling secret client information to the Mob. Now actually that was not too far-fetched a plan, since Corelli's family not only had "connections," one of her relatives had been a Mob hitman!

And I haven't even told you about the reallllly good part yet! Seriously readers please don't miss this one. In many ways, it is very scary, because in today's world, this could be happening right now! Remember, sometimes those you trust the most may actually be your enemies... even if you are President of the United States!

The Longbridge Decision by Robert M. Brown, Jr...In a 1-5 ranking, this was a 10 for me!



G. A. Bixler

Review: Women's Right Movement Reference Chronology a Must for Your Library!

The American Women’s Rights Movement:
A Chronology of Events and Opportunities
From 1600 - 2008
By Paul Buckanan
Branden Books
ISBN: 0828321604256 Pages

Kudos to Paul Buchanan for being the first man—or woman—to create an extensive chronology of events and opportunities in support of Women’s Rights!

This is exactly the type of information you will find in The American Women’s Rights Movement: A Chronology of Events and Opportunities From 1600 – 2008 by Paul Buchanan. In my opinion, this is a must for your home library reference section.

Included in this book are all of the relevant laws, well-known events, and people who have contributed toward helping women move forward. You will find references on any woman who has been “first” to hold public office, “first” to receive prestigious awards, “first” to make a scientific discovery, et. al. You will find authors, athletes, musicians, and even movie stars—I especially enjoyed the story on Mae West and her role.

To whet your appetite about what you might learn, I’ve chosen to share about those items that were both new, and meaningful, to me. Believe me—I know you are going to learn much from this book—there are 140 women and men included in this chronology:

Did you know:

That there are, reportedly, more statues of Sacagawea than any other women in American History and that her name is synonymous with good Indian relations?

Dorothea Dix went before the Massachusetts Legislature describing the way individuals were “in cages, closets, stalls, pens...chained, naked, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience” because criminals, paupers and mentally ill were all confined together?

About the “Ain’t I A Woman” speech given by Isabella Baumfield (Sojourner Truth)?

That when Mary Ferrin got married to a man who turned out to be an abusive alcoholic, she couldn’t divorce him because she would lose all of the property she owned when she married?

That Mary Surratt was the first female hanged by the government?

That Jane Addams became the first female and only social worker to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

That the State Seal of Idaho is the only one designed by a woman?

That before Rosa Parks, Holly Springs refused to go to a segregated section of a train and was dragged out; then she sued, winning in the local jurisdiction, but losing in the Supreme Court!

That Ella Grasso was the first female governor, of Connecticut, chosen in her own right?

That Cagney and Lacey was the first TV drama (1982) to portray female police officers and strong role models for women?

That in 2006 Ingrid Mattson was elected president of the Islamic Society of North America, the first woman to lead the ISNM?

That in 2007, based upon the 2005 census, that 51% of American women are living without a husband...?

In my own small way, I’ve considered myself a minor trailblazer—struggling upward to then enter a predominantly male career field, keeping track of what legal options there were that supported my efforts. If you have a similar background, this book will bring a feeling of pride for yourself and for these women and men. If you are a young woman, you need to read this to learn of the past and find your own role. For women, and men, like Paul Buchanan, I believe The American Women’s Rights Movement is a Must-Read!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Comparative Analysis of Two Great Political Scientists!

The Prince
By Niccolo Machiavelli
Dante University Press.
ISBN: 0937832383
140 Pages

An Essay on Crimes and Punishments
By Cesare Beccaria
International Pocket Library BB
ISBN: 9780828318006
104 Pages

Two men, living hundreds of years apart, in many ways, wrote with parallel opinions and conclusions. Most well known is Machiavelli’s The Prince; however, in many ways, the greater impact came from lesser known Cesare Beccaria, with An Essay on Crimes and Punishments—the latter being the basis upon which much of governments and laws have been established.

Both men emphasized that the virtue of man should be the basis of our interpersonal actions. Yet they also conceded that man’s seemingly instinctual appetite for power prevents that base virtue from ruling our decisions. Given the continued use of military might of one country against another, it is abundantly clear that what Machiavelli wrote in the 15th century and Beccaria wrote in the 18th continues to hold true today.

The Prince was written based upon Machiavelli’s observations and analysis of what was happening in his country. His books resulted in his recognition as the founder of political science inasmuch as he was the first to analyze various forms of government.

Many of us may also observe, perhaps evaluate and analyze, and come to the conclusion that somebody has to do something. Machiavelli, in writing The Prince did just that. He wrote and sent his treatise directly to Lorenzo De Medici, Duke of Urbino...as a token of his service. Throughout The Prince Machiavelli constantly refers to the virtues needed to be an effective leader, an effective prince. At the same time, he looks at what actually happened, using events of those days, and effectively explained what was done right or wrong. “So it is that to know the nature of a people, one needs to be a Prince; to know the nature of a Prince, one needs to be of the people.” (back cover) Proceeding on, he explained “The main fundamentals that a state...has to have are good laws and a strong army. Good laws do not come without strong security; where the army is strong, one needs good laws.” The Prince, p. 76.

One might say that it is on this point that Beccaria started. “In every human society, there is an effort continually tending to confer on one part the height of power and happiness and to reduce the other to the extreme of weakness and misery. The intent of good laws is to oppose this effort and to diffuse their influence universally and equally.” (Introduction)

Let’s further compare some of the specifics that these two great political scientists wrote, although it should always be remembered that Machiavelli wrote for a specific purpose at a specific time. Beccaria, on the other hand, had a broader history to evaluate and some semblance of lawmaking had already begun.

· There are two ways to fight: one with laws, the other with force. The first is rightly man’s way; the second, the way of beasts. --Machiavelli
· Every act of authority of one man over another, for which there is no absolute necessity, is tyrannical. --Beccaria

· The interest of the populace is more honest than that of prominent citizens who want to command and oppress, while the populace only wants to be free of oppression. --Machiavelli
· Laws ought to be conventions among men in a state of freedom and have one end in view: the greatest happiness of the greatest number. --Beccaria

· Cruelty well used (if one can ever say cruelty is good) is when it is practiced suddenly and decisively, but not prolonged. --Machiavelli
· Punishment of a nobleman should not differ from that of the lowest member of society. --Beccaria

· When a Prince rules as a man of valor, he avoids disaster, remains prepared, and serves the universal common good; he can count on the populace, will never be deceived, and will have built on a solid good. --Machiavelli
· Judges and/or juries have the responsibility to ascertain, first and foremost, guilt or innocence; if guilty, then the judges and/or juries should take into consideration the extenuating circumstances to decrease or increase the penalties. --Beccaria

Frankly, I have often asked myself, in viewing today’s world, what has happened to that which represented “the greatest happiness of the greatest number.” More specifically, is it logical for a nation, a country, or even a smaller state to rule or attempt to pass laws to meet the interests of all that they serve? Can the U.S. for instance continue to respond positively to every single “special interest” group that becomes vocal and powerful? I believe both Machiavelli and Beccaria spoke well to my questions, though stated centuries ago!

Are you involved in today’s world? Are you an active participant or watcher of politics? Then reading the treatises of two of the greatest historians of political science certainly must be part of your personal library. Read both The Prince by Machiavelli and An Essay On Crimes and Punishments by Cesare Beccaria before you next vote or participate politically!

G. A. Bixler

Note: This comparative analysis was suggested by Adolph Caso, publisher.

IMPORTANT INFO ON PROPOSED MASTECTOMY LAW CHANGE! PLEASE RETWEET!

Thanks to Lifetime TV for hosting information and petition! Please sign and let other friends know about this important announcement! You can click title to go to Lifetime for complete information or directly to the petition via the http link below.

Proposed Mastectomy Law Change

(written by a surgeon); I'll never forget the look in my patients' eyes when I have to tell them they must go home with the drains sticking out, new exercises and no breast. I beg the doctors to keep these women in the hospital longer, only to hear that they would, but their hands are tied by the insurance companies.

So there I sit with my patients giving them the instructions they needed to take care of themselves, knowing full well they didn't grasp half of what I was saying, because their glazed, hopeless, frightened looks spoke louder than the quiet 'Thank you' they managed.

A mastectomy is when a woman's breast is totally removed in order to extract cancerous cells/tissue. If you know anyone who has had a mastectomy, you know that there is a lot of discomfort and pain afterwards. Insurance companies are insisting mastectomies are an outpatient procedure. Let's give these women the chance to recover properly, with professional care and instructions, in the hospital for 2 days after surgery.

This Mastectomy Bill is in Congress now. It takes only seconds to make your wishes known. It is truly important. Please take the time and do it now! The Breast Cancer Hospitalization Bill is vital legislation for all women and their families.

Please send this to everyone in you know. If there was ever a time when our voices and choices should be heard, this is one of them. If you're receiving this, it's because I think you will take the few seconds to go vote on this issue and send it on to others you know who will do the same.

The bill is called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act and it will require insurance companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just hours after surgery, against their doctor's advice, still groggy from anesthesia and often with drainage tubes still attached.

Lifetime Television has put this bill on their web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE! Sign the petition by clicking on the web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number.

http://www.mylifetime.com/community/my-lifetime-commitment/breast-cancer/petition/breast-cancer-petition

This only takes a moment. PLEASE PASS THIS ON to your friends.