David Hoffman (2) (1953–2024)

I only have a photocopy of this bk because, supposedly, an FBI agent mentioned in it sued & won the lawsuit - wch resulted in the publisher being forced to burn the remaining copies of the bk - SO, a photocopy is all I've managed to get. By way of preface, I had a young friend who was quite nice who sd to me one time something to the effect that she wanted Timothy McVeigh executed. That struck me as misguided given that she cdn't possibly have any reliable info about whether he was guilty or show more not. After all, the media surrounding McVeigh was highly sensationalized & dubious. This bk basically claims that the FBI was complicit in the Oklahoma City Bombing - [my interpolation: in the same way that they were in KKK murders in the 1960s] - ie: thru infilitrators, etc. I read this bk w/ sympathy given that I suspect that all does not meet the eye in connection w/ Oklahoma City. Nonetheless, author David Hoffman's glaring historical inaccuracy of saying (on page 413) that Angela Davis was a member of the "Chicago 7" (8) makes me suspicious of his investigative journalism overall. Still, if you can find a copy of this, read it. show less

This is essentially a grown-up (in a not-porn way) of the Goofus and Gallant strips from the children's Highlight magazines. The subject matter is presented in an entertaining but understandable way, and the artwork is great.

My only real complaint is that Darling is a stereotypically handsome guy, looking like something out of Abercrombie and Fitch or some shit. I would have liked for him to be a more average-looking person, to show that niceness can be a quality anyone can have, show more good-looking or not. Relatively, it's a minor complaint, the subject matter is still very relevant and the artwork is still nice, and I would still recommend it.

Also, while Doofus and Darling are men, the majority of the advice in this book also applies to women, as many of the actions - right or wrong - are not gender-specific. show less

At 198 pages, this is an excellent book to read in one sitting. Interesting facts and figures about a fun place that continues to try to improve itself. The author has written other like books on other places (i.e., New York, Paris, Italy). This gives very specific notes on the park which most people would ignore as superficial. For the park enthusiast more than the general reader, this focuses on the park itself and not the people (except Walt) such as shrubbery, buildings, and preparations show more for opening. The Park is open to all but focuses on the first time visitor to encourage repeat visits. It's in vogue to disparage Disneyland but it continues to grow physically and include more fast food cuisine choices. show less

This is not a vade mecum source of proof that almost everything we think we know is wrong. It is filled with too many items that are NOT "known". For example, who knew, (and who cares) how many cigarettes were smoked in the film, Casa Blanca? [99] However, the fact that the studio expected the film to bomb [100], is a delightful artifact. Many of the "facts" are curiously untethered to anything -- who cares if a dime has 118 ridges [58]. But the fact that the 216 minute film, Lawrence of show more Arabia, has no women in speaking roles is chilling [101]. And it is fun to find a reason for the 52 cards and 4 suits in a deck of cards [182].

Not only is most of what we think we know simply false, but almost everything that happens has an ironic resonance.

The author is a Los Angeles television writer/reporter who "covers trends and popular culture". Published under the MJF colophon. show less