A very moving book. The narrative was factual, bare, clean of judgment but, oh, so gripping, torrid, violent, tender . . . real. The depth and breadth of the coverage of issues of humanity in our country was breathtaking. This book consumed me for the stark conundrums which darken and elate our lives. I feel like I have known all of the players at various times in my 58 years. Life is a jumbled mess of competing philosophy and personal greed (selfishness). I could not avoid feeling deeply from this long but worthy chronology. It is a lesson in history, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, sexuality worthy of reflection by anyone willing to pick it up. ( )