Spenser(protagonist)-Spenser, A Former Boxer, Is A Private Detective F

Spenser(protagonist)-Spenser, a former boxer, is a private detective from Boston. He is a very down to earth man, who likes to have fun in his work. He is very humorous and takes life as a fun ride. There is a point in the story where a larger man who attempts to intimidate Spenser, who responds by taking the large man down with one kick, all the while laughing at the man. Susan-Spenser's girlfriend who has a Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard. She is a clinical psychologist, who has been romantically involved with Spenser for many years. She often helps him on his cases when he is dealing with a disturbed or possibly dangerous person. She helps Jill Joyce overcome her problems in this novel. Jill Joyce-typical overzealous television star. She is extremely pampered and feels that it is her right to be waited upon. She has lead an extremely rough life, from abandoning her parents to having an illegitimate child. She has tried to keep this from ruining her reputation, so she is very quiet when it comes to her past. Hawk-is a large, intimidating black man who was born in a ghetto, served with the French Foreign Legion, and was a boxer during the same period as Spenser. His occupation is 'enforcer', collector for loan sharks; he will murder for money, which he makes a lot of. Plot Synopsis- Spenser is hired by Zenith Meridien Television to guard Jill Joyce. She has experienced harassment in the recent past, and the company wishes for her to feel safe on the set. Spenser finds that Jill is a troubled, alcoholic, drug addicted, egocentric annoyance that is lost in life. The morning after they meet, a Mr. Rojack and his thug, Randall try to get Jill to go with them. Jill declines their offer, at which point, Randall attempts to attack the smaller Spenser, only to find himself on the ground within moments. Later that week, Spenser tracks down Rojack, who turns out to be quite wealthy and discovers that Rojack and Jill had more or less gone steady for a couple years. He also learns of Winfred Pomroy, a man who had been "bothering" Ms. Joyce. He makes plans to visit this man, as it may provide an idea to the identity of the assailant. The following morning, Spenser and Jill discover Babe Loftus, who was Jill's stunt double, murdered in her dressing room. This provokes spenser to take quicker action, and he sets out for Pomroy's home. While he is gone, he has a friend of his, Hawk, look after the starlet. When Spenser visits Pomroy, he finds a recovered alcoholic, living with three dogs. He had been married to Jill 25 years ago and seems to be slightly obsessed with Ms. Joyce at the present. Spenser journeys to the San Diego area in search of more of Jill's past, where he finds her mother. Through her, he learns Jill conceived a daughter with a man Del Rio. Del Rio has since adopted Jill's daughter, who is now 20 years old. Spenser also tracks down Jill's father, who hasn't seen her since she was four. He briefly questions the poor, troubled man and returns home. Spenser returns to Boston only to find that Jill has run away, Then Del Rio calls and informs Spenser that Jill has escaped to see him. Spenser travels to retrieve Jill. She talks about the man harassing her. Spenser suggests they bring the father in to see Jill. Spenser then accuses him of killing Babe Loftus, the stunt-woman, to which he confesses, then tries to pull a gun on Spenser. Spenser kills him before he can do anything. Spenser and Jill return to the peaceful setting of Susan's cabin in Maine and she seems to be in hopeless condition. Susan comes, bringing the 3 dogs that Wilder Pomory had. and when they come to Jill, she responds to them, and as the story ends, she and Spenser have walked around the lake with the dogs, Jill is showing signs of emerging from her condition, where Susan may be able to help her, in fact Jill expresses interest in being treated by Susan. Opinion-This book was wonderfully written. The characters were all realistic, and they reacted as you

Free Essays on Alcholism

Alcohol abuse is a problem that seems to affect a large proportion of the population. This disease does not discriminate by color or sex. It only preys on those who choose to play Russian roulette and succumb themselves physically and emotionally. Those who feel that they can tempt the bottle without being bitten sometimes are not lucky enough to break away. Many times, those who are unfortunate enough to break their ties from alcohol abuse leave their next of kin with the same temptation. We are brought up to look forward to drinking alcohol. In which it is a problem that is socially overrated. It is a growing fad that is glorified and socially manipulated. From the beginning of birth, we have been brought up to think that drinking allows us to have a good time. Unfortunately, we are not taught that there are consequences of this so-called glamorous lifestyle. It has been noted that â€Å"alcoholism is genetic†¦.45% of alcoholism is caused by genetics, 60% by factors that we do not understand.† (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www .alcoholismtreatment.org). For example, â€Å"two identical twins are split at birth and raised in two different areas of the world. If one becomes an alcoholic, it is 40% likely that the other twin will also become an alcoholic.† (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www.alcoholismtreatment.org). Those who live with an alcoholic or have an alcoholic in their family are affected as well. These people tend to see drinking as a way to cope with problems, or believe that the abuse of alcohol is okay. These learned behaviors become a pattern that is repeated. It has been reported that â€Å"43% of U.S. adults have been exposed to alcoholism in the family: they grew up with, married an alcoholic, problem drinker, or had a blood relative who was ever an alcoholic or problem drinker.† (National Center For Health Statistics {NCHS}, Advance Data, USDHHS, No. 205... Free Essays on Alcholism Free Essays on Alcholism Alcohol abuse is a problem that seems to affect a large proportion of the population. This disease does not discriminate by color or sex. It only preys on those who choose to play Russian roulette and succumb themselves physically and emotionally. Those who feel that they can tempt the bottle without being bitten sometimes are not lucky enough to break away. Many times, those who are unfortunate enough to break their ties from alcohol abuse leave their next of kin with the same temptation. We are brought up to look forward to drinking alcohol. In which it is a problem that is socially overrated. It is a growing fad that is glorified and socially manipulated. From the beginning of birth, we have been brought up to think that drinking allows us to have a good time. Unfortunately, we are not taught that there are consequences of this so-called glamorous lifestyle. It has been noted that â€Å"alcoholism is genetic†¦.45% of alcoholism is caused by genetics, 60% by factors that we do not understand.† (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www .alcoholismtreatment.org). For example, â€Å"two identical twins are split at birth and raised in two different areas of the world. If one becomes an alcoholic, it is 40% likely that the other twin will also become an alcoholic.† (Alcoholism Treatment, Dr. Robert R. Perkinson, URL: www.alcoholismtreatment.org). Those who live with an alcoholic or have an alcoholic in their family are affected as well. These people tend to see drinking as a way to cope with problems, or believe that the abuse of alcohol is okay. These learned behaviors become a pattern that is repeated. It has been reported that â€Å"43% of U.S. adults have been exposed to alcoholism in the family: they grew up with, married an alcoholic, problem drinker, or had a blood relative who was ever an alcoholic or problem drinker.† (National Center For Health Statistics {NCHS}, Advance Data, USDHHS, No. 205...

Transformation in the US Military Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Transformation in the US Military - Essay Example Transformation of US military Introduction Since the 9/11 attacks, the US military has taken an active part in the political and global military activities for the US and for the international community. Inasmuch as it is considered one of the most powerful and advanced military units in the world, its vulnerabilities have been manifest in recent years. With the trends in globalization taking the spotlight, the need to introduce changes and to transform the military has been a growing concern. Efforts to transform the military have been seen in the past years and these efforts have had various effects in the way that the US military has implemented these changes. This paper shall now consider two of these efforts to transform the US military. One of these efforts is the effort to improve diversity and multiculturalism in the military. Another effort is on improvements in the coordination and cooperation with other countries in terms of military operations and issues of unrest. This a nalysis will compare and contrast these efforts and will identify two or three key factors that led to the perceived or actual need to transform, two of three key policies enacted to effect desired transformation, and the leading forces that shaped policies pursued in order to achieve the transformation. Discussion Efforts to increase diversity and multiculturalism in the US military have been implemented by the government.... This segregation created different issues, including racial confrontations within the military between 1942 and 1945 (Canaday, 2001). Despite passage of policies against segregation after WWII, this practice was still seen during the Korean War; however gradual integration was seen towards the end of the Korean War. Through this practice, the US army saw that combat effectiveness became more effective when racial integration was applied. The Secretary of War in 1963 set forth command responsibility for civil rights issues and in order to address racial tension, the military conceptualized the Defense Race Relations Institute (Canaday, 2001). This institute performed educational, training, and research functions. This institute was renamed Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute and it broadened the readiness of military readiness in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, and religion (Canaday, 2001). Colin Powell’s rise as the premier first African-American Secretary of Stat e and his rise to his current status is a testament to effective solid efforts towards diversity within the military. A major factor affecting transformation of the US military in terms of diversity is the fact that the US military has made an effort towards integrating racial, ethnic, religious, and national groups into the military practice (Canaday, 2001). Many leaders recognized the fact that with more contact between whites and blacks, the better it was for racial integration. Moreover, the military has â€Å"a bureaucratic ethos and formality†¦that mitigated tensions arising from individual or personal feelings† (Canaday, 2001). The military was also able to hold the commanders responsible for equal