The first few pages drew me into this book very quickly. The cast of quirky characters makes this a funny story. Barbarannette, (nicknamed Barbie) whose husband, Bobby Quinn, had run off 6 years ago. Now that Barbie has won the lottery and her winnings totaled 8.9 million dollars. She decides to put up a million dollars reward for the safe return of her husband Bobby. Big mistake. At the same time that Barbie was on TV putting up the reward, Bobby is sitting in Tucson AZ watching TV with his girl friend. They decide to pack their bags and go claim the reward for themselves. There are 2 other people who also want the money, Bobby's greedy girlfriend and a crazy bounty hunter. The book goes through their misadventures, in the attempt to try and claim the million dollars for themselves. Barbie's family is a wee bit wacky but they have Barbie's best interest at heart. Be prepared for a surprise end. I found it to be a well, written, lighthearted read that held my attention. A good read for a lazy day.

A brilliant and very funny crime caper about money and love. Pete Hautman just keeps getting better. This novel circles around Barbarannette and her mother and two sisters and the way Hautman handles his women characters is absolutely delicious. They are flawed and funny, sexy and sincere, and completely and warmly human. If you have not read Hautman yet, you are in for a real treat. Many missteps in this book, but not a false note among them. You'll be cheering by the end!

As a longtime Hautman fan I was thrilled when Mrs. Million was released. And I wasn't disappointed when I finished the novel. One of the main things I love about Hautman's work is the continuity of characters. Barbaraannette Quinn, the main character in this novel, is the half sister of Joe Crow (one of Hautman's most endearing characters) and daughter of Sam O'Gara (another Hautman mainstay). And even though none of the aforementioned characters appear in this novel, it is just as brilliant. Barbaraannette wins a powerball lottery of $9 million, and the first thing she does is offer $1 million for the return of her husband Bobby who walk out on her six years ago. This sets in motion many wacky scenarios involving, but not limited to, a petty criminal who solicates money from famous people via letters, a gay college professor, two good old boys who Bobby cheated out of money, and a woman named Phlox who is the current girlfriend of Bobby. The reader gets to know all these characters and many othersin rich detail. This is an excellent novel with many twists and turns. It is a must read for all lovers of great crime fiction.

I cannot praise Iliya Bluskov's book enough. This is THE best lotto book I have ever used. Before I bought this, I had looked at Robert Serotic's, David Winter's, Prof. Jones' and Gail Howard's books on playing the lottery with systems, but their systems were not very helpful. The very first time I used Iliya Bluskov's book, I won 4 numbers out of 6 (plus lower prizes) and I have been thoroughly impressed ever since because the systems in "Combinatorial Lottery Systems" actually WORK on a CONSISTENT basis.

For the people who wrote negative reviews about this book, I am wondering if they lost patience or expected to win the jackpot in the very first try. Patience is necessary because no one can win in every single draw.

The systems in the book are straight-forward and easy to understand, as are the guarantees. When studying the systems, you know exactly what to expect and how much money you need to play them. The wheels are also great because they vary in the amount of numbers you can use.

I am eagerly looking forward to buying more of Iliya Bluskov's products!

I was quite excited to get my hands on this newest and best lotto book. Completely agree with the many positive reviews written about it. Do not agree with "Jeff" from PA. This guy is just mean - talking about what is not in the book rather than focusing on what is there. You can kill any book this way. If he claims that there are better books on Lotto wheels, why he would not tell us the title, the author; I would be happier to buy such a book, but after browsing Bluskov's book, I do not think it would be easy to ever write something better. Better books than Bluskov's - what a nonsense. Gail Howard? - definitely not, not even close. Professor Jones? - this guy is just copying some old European wheels. Bluskov presents superb wheels, shorter than anything you could find in the other books - you do not waste your dollar on empty combinations. And the presentation - oh my, this guy knows his stuff. You will find all kind of information you need about the systems, performance, prizes etc. Excellent job! You may not become an instant millionaire, but you will definitely have the best lotto fun ever. Two days after the acquiring of Bluskov's book, I know more about lotto systems than I have learned during ~15 years of playing. The minimal systems are not the only valuable assets of the book; the tables of possible wins are quite informative and pleasure to study. The multiple guarantee systems are something you won't find anywhere else. Well, I'd better stop here and let you experience the book yourself. You will not regret a bit!

After 10 years of rigorous research, numerical system structuring and combination design, our organization which began in October 1992, actually found the book, "Combinatorial Lottery Systems (Wheels) With Guaranteed Wins," quite by accident while surfing the internet a few short weeks ago.

After acquiring a copy of the book, studying it thoroughly and utilizing just a FEW of Dr. Bluskov's systems, we have won FIVE times STRAIGHT in the Texas Lottery. Dr. Bluskov's book has "all" of the 'right stuff' when it comes to wheeling! And what we found most unique, is the fact that where many systems leave off... Bluskov begins. He does NOT leave you hanging because.... "it's YOUR money you're playing with!"

Then WE CONTACTED the Bluskov publishing company office by email "lottobook" ... and got even more info revealed that can change the way we play lotto altogether!!
Because of the financial NATURE of the info we received, we cannot divulge that info yet, but let's just say that Dr. Bluskov
has made our organization and members A FORTUNE!!

If there are any doubts about the Bluskov methodology, they will certainly diminish with the acquisition of this book! After our groups have 'earned' ample money, it is possible that we may share what Dr. Bluskov show us! For now, you'll have to wait... or better yet... just buy this book!! It will make you money!...

In fact, there is the possibility that we'll talk with Dr. Bluskov about making his brilliance known to the playing public in a more substantial manner! You will certainly hear more from Dr. Bluskov, I'm certain. Frankly, we're waiting for his next edition of Lottery Combinatorial Systems!

We've won quite a bit of money, but nothing like what is possible with the Bluskov method! Thanks much Doc!

Lon Dorsey,
TV/Radio Talk Show Host
The Lotto Show on Paramount/(Viacom)/UPN TV
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
LCSMI Productions/Revolve Communications

Dallas, Texas

Smith is not an Indian, although he claims to be. If you know anything about him, you'll know that he might be about 3 % or less Choctaw, but that has not even been documented. Yet he continues to make a huge deal out of it, as if it somehow makes him informed enough to write a book about Indians. The worst thing about this book is that is is told mostly from the white point of view. What is told from the Indian point of view (and there is precious little of that) suffers from Smith's fixation on the Noble Indian idea. Smith includes art from all these white artists who also had fixations on the Savage/Noble Indian...this is the kind of book that white readers will like, because it's not going to make them too uncomfortable. I suggest that Smith lose his white sources and read up on history written by those who were the most affected by the Removal: Native Americans. And get some humility: just because you might have a tiny bit of Indian blood does not make you qualified to write a book about the most humiliating chapter in American Indian history.

"THE CHEROKEE LOTTERY [is] a magnificent sequence that celebrates the Indians of the famous Trail of Tears....This is as fine in its way as similar poems by Robert Penn Warren, and it is an appropriate poem to have been written by a former Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress." --World Literature Today
"Smith accomplishes a remarkable poetry of fact and documentation..." --Publishers Weekly
"The richness of these poems makes the multi-layered task of memory a luxurious task." --Real Change
"William Jay Smith has been one of our best poets for more than sixty years, and THE CHEROKEE LOTTERY is his masterwork: taut, harrowing, eloquent, and profoundly memorable." --Harold Bloom

William Jay Smith was unknown to me as a poet or author before I picked this book up in a local library. "Cherokee Lottery" is an exceptional and refreshing book of poetry, a real pleasure to read. There is nothing tedious and overwrought here. The book begins with an invocation, and obviously the muse served the writer well. Each poem presents a chapter of historical fact and allows the reader to digest it without dipping into excessive negative pathos. The reader is brought to a new awareness of just what the plight of the southeastern Indians was. William Jay Smith has a great feel for language and how it sounds. In many ways I think this is the book of poetry I have been waiting to read for years. Now I want to read everything else he has written.

while a lot of the info in this book is useful and easy to read, it has a very strong USA focus. Contests occur everywhere these days, but don't expect this book to give you the answers for contests where skill and creativity count, even for slogan writing contests [25 words or less games]. It is getting quite well known that the winners of these sorts of contests, at least outside the US, often use only one or two words, but present them creatively, meaning collages, sculpture etc... quite different from the hints given in this book. If you want a real motivator on contests, try 'The prize winner of Defiance' a biography of a real prize winner from the 50s and 60s!!

Do you want to increase your chances of winning contests, lotteries and sweepstakes? If yes this is an excellent resource guide for you as you tangle through the mazes of chance. Steve Ledoux gives gives his reader clear and concise methods of increasing your chances in order to become a winner. He should know because he is a winner of numerous contests that have richly rewarded him.

The book gives a brief history of the games and explains how to maximize your chances. He also has chapters dealing with game shows, the IRS, frequently asked questions regarding winning contests and how to deal with your new found wealth. Reading this information helps you to know what to expect and prepare for it. He also includes web sites, addresses and other resources regarding the rules and regulations for lotteries in the different states.

You will no doubt ask the question, if I read this book will I win? Ledoux tells the reader that number one, you've got to play the game (buy the ticket, fill out contest form, etc.) Second, follow the instructions. Third, keep a positive attitude.
Fourth, remember this is a game of fun and yes, you will win but as with anything you must keep at it. Already I tried some of his principles and yep, I won. Give his book a try and come out more knowledgeable about these games of chance.

This book gives excellent tips on both sweepstakes and contests. It gives a good overall look at the world of entering valid sweepstakes and how to spot those which are bogus. The book is an entertaining read and stresses being positive and just having fun ! It also covers some interesting ideas regarding lotteries and game shows. There aren't many books on the subject and this covers the subject very well. It's made my sweeps entering more enjoyable.

There are probably only two really useful and accurate books on how to play the lottery.Ê The first is Ziemba, W. T. (1986) ,Dr.Ê Z's 6/49 Lotto Guidebook, and the second is this nice little volume.Ê

The authorsÕ focus is on winning the greatest possible amount if your numbers are selected.Ê The book is based on the important idea that, while there is no way to increase your chances of winning, Êthere are plays which will increase or decrease the expected payoff in the unlikely event that you do win. Ê

If you pick numbers the same way other people do, then you will have to share your winningsÑsomething that could be very disappointing indeed. That is why, with the exception of this book and Dr. Z's book, the most popular lottery books will hurt you the most.

Henze and Riedwyl's book on the lottery is very interesting in that it gives a honest mathematical and statistical view of the lottery. Unlike the vast majority of [other] books about lotteries, Henze and Riedwyl know mathematics, statistics, and probability theory. They make no claims that you will win (because you won't), but if you like recreational mathematics, it's an enjoyable book.

If you want to stay away from lingering lottery myths
and learn the truth and nothing but the truth on how to play lottery, this book is most valuable source of information. Based on the analysis of many millions of played combinations in many countries, it singles out the foolish styles of play that the typical lottery player follows. I found it especially interesting to see that playing foolishly means having to share the jackpot with thousands of other winners. Compared to most other books on the lottery, this book is completely honest. It is the definite lottery book for smart lotto players!

This book is fine for the beginning dice roller, but not for those who already have some knowledge about craps. The book has a VERY GOOD discussion of the basic rules of the game, odds and the different payouts. I like the chapters on special allowance for both right and wrong betters. I still use the book to refresh my memory sometimes. Other than that, however, the playing systems are nothing great. Pass or Don't Pass with odds. Nothing new here, but a good book for those just starting out in the game of craps.

The text and elaboration on the rules of the game are great for the beginner. The "winner" part, I'm not sure of. I would investigate other books for strategy advice on craps, though I cannot advise which ones.

If you've never played before, this one is good.

Gives a simple method of playing based on mathematical explanation of odds.

This was apparently a self published title from "Winners Press" and a good ego boost for the author. I guess if I were a lottery winner, I would pay to get my name in print but maybe give the books away instead of taking advantage of people and charging for a book like this.

Did not learn anything expect that they seem to be enjoying having won $13.5 million. If they get another $13.5, I wonder if they will use to refund money to those who purchased this book.

Glad they were lucky enough to win the lottery and not have it ruin their lives terribly.

Another reviewer titled the review "disappointed." Wish I had read that first as that was exactly how I felt.

I thought this was a good general overview of the whole process: planning, winning, distribution, and living the rest of your life. I would have liked a little less personal info and more information about the financial decisions, as in, what where their options for banking and taxes, what made them decide on the trusts, etc. For example, she brings up the question of depositing more than the FDIC insured 100K into a bank, but shrugs it off since they don't keep it there long, which is not really explained. I wanted more of those types of details. But she did a good job with charts showing how they divided the winnings, and they were very generous to their kids and church (lots of tithing info, which doesn't interest me but will interest others). Certainly, they went about it the right way. When she explained some payment mistakes I didn't understand them because of the lack of financial details but in general a good quick vicarious read, especially with the cute photos of the ticket and newspaper articles, and yes, you are happy for them. As a seemingly "traditional" wife in the marriage, I was also pleased to see that she got total control of half the winnings, 50-50, you go girl!

Even though I was disappointed to find out that the technique they used to win turned out to be "picking numbers out of a hat" this book was an excellent interpretation of life as a lottery winner.It made me feel as if I was there going through everything with them from the excitement of verifying the ticket as a winner to making financial decisions on spending and distributing amongst family members!

In 1955 Philip K. Dick was a prolific and moderately successful writer of SF short stories, but I seriously doubt that anyone really paid attention when "Solar Lottery" hit the shelves that year. They should have. It was one of the opening moves in the game that eventually tore the SF world wide open.

There were plenty of notable exceptions, of course, but early SF largely concerned itself with great men of tremendous vision and extraordinary ability who got in there and solved problems - the kind of man Robert Heinlein liked to write about. PKD was among those later writers who noticed that most people in the real world aren't like that, and wrote stories about them instead. "Solar Lottery" lacks his later interest in what makes something real (although it does include a conspiracy in which a man with no real personality drives a whole crew of telepaths crazy), but in Ted Benteley it contains an early example of his interest in regular guys.

As is often the case with PKD, Ted Benteley finds himself in a classic SF plot turned inside out. In this case, the classic SF plot in question comes almost directly from a true genre classic, "The World of Null-A" by A.E. van Vogt. In both novels, a man tries to make his way in the world by gambling his future on the game that forms whatever government exists around him, only to find that someone is cheating. Van Vogt's protagonist is a typical post-World War II SF superman; PKD's is a talented but endlessly ticked off functionary who spends most of the novel trying to figure out what's going on.

Everything in his world depends on the random activity of an atomic device that determines the fates of millions - a lottery indeed, with one man at the head of it. What's more, for most people, the best fate they can hope for is to bind themselves in servitude to someone of a higher social position, if any such person will take them. Merit, ability and hard work count for nothing here, and there's no way up or out except by random chance for Benteley or for almost anyone else. If most early genre SF was about men of vision and courage saving the world by their own efforts, "Solar Lottery" was that SF's polar opposite.

Benteley is not as strong a hero as later PKD characters would be, partly because of his aforementioned nasty temper. He's got plenty to be annoyed about - he gets a chance for escape at the novel's beginning and misses it because someone misleads him at a critical moment. Nevertheless, dwelling in the mind of a character who's always complaining about something can wear on one pretty quickly.

Indeed, it's no easy task to sympathize with any of these characters. In addition to their unpleasant traits - uncontrollable rage, treachery, lust for power, cowardice - these people switch attitudes so quickly it can make you dizzy. The coward, for example, suddenly acquires a titanium backbone when the men who want to kill him actually show up. Of course, PKD wrote "Solar Lottery" at a time when SF novels had to end at about 180 pages by the decree of the age's major publisher, so he probably did not have space to develop his characters more fully, but it's a flaw nevertheless.

The same can be said for the novel's plot elements - there are so many seemingly unrelated ones that the central story loses its focus a good deal of the time. PKD was always among our least disciplined writers, and in addition to "Solar Lottery's" conspiracies and betrayals we also get telepaths, robotics, space travel and hints of nuclear catastrophe thrown in. When we read a longer novel, these kinds of details can add a lot to the richness of the writer's world - in 180 pages it can give you indigestion if you read it too fast.

That overstuffed quality robs "Solar Lottery" of a good bit of its velocity. I mentioned A.E. van Vogt - his take on this kind of story never lost energy for a second. His stories picked up speed from the very first word and never stopped any longer than dreams do. PKD missed out on that, but where he tops van Vogt is in the strength of his underlying theme. "Solar Lottery," for all its speed bumps, eventually makes you stop and think about what it takes to maintain one's integrity in a corrupt world. Benteley spends a good deal of time complaining about the lack of decency all around him, and his carping can get old, but isn't that a particularly important thing to complain about? And isn't it satisfying to see the protagonist of any novel, even a cheap genre piece, stand up and shake a fist at the thieves and the traitors no matter how much pressure they put on him? Isn't that the kind of person you aim to be?

Oh yeah, people should have paid attention when "Solar Lottery" came out. After all, it's about a regular person with no special powers or gifts, thwarting a great evil through the strength of his convictions alone. After this, even Superman and his overpumped muscles looked a bit silly.

Benshlomo says, Sometimes it's enough to just tell the truth.

One of Phillip K. Dick's lesser read books, Solar Lottery is an interesing genre piece, but not much more than that. The book is full of alegorical/metaphorical content that works fairly well, but this short novel lacks the punch of his later work. For someone just discovering PDK, this book might serve as a good foundation, but compared to Valis this is small time. Still, better than most SF and certainly not a bad read. If you have a spare couple of days it is worth it to pick this book up. Especially engaging is Benteley's quest to find somewhere he can work that is not corrupt and his disappointment to find that neither the public nor private sectors can live up to his idealism.

A nice short little novel that you can read in 2 days time. Not perfect. I'm not a huge sci-fi buff, and there were parts of it that bugged me, mainly the way it seemed very 1950's (when it was written) even though it's set in the year 2203. For example, women still have a fairly subserviant role to men, everyone smokes (even on airplanes) and drinks scotch at work. Nice to know that in the future we'll be able to smoke and drink scotch in the office! None of the characters are ever fully fleshed out (though Dick seems obsessed with describing all the female character's breasts) and their behavior is sometimes unnatural and unexpected, but overall an entertaining book with a nice little twist at the end.

The Lottery Winner by: Mary Higgins Clark The book is a collection of murder mysteries. My favorite section is "Bye-Bye Baby Bunting;" it is about a baby who is stolen from a hospital room. It is suspenseful, but short. My least favorite section is "The Lottery Winner;" it is about someone's stolen diamonds and Aliviah and Willy came to the rescue and turns out someone gets killed. It dragged on and got boring. Overall the book was good and I would recommend it to anyone who likes these types of books.

I love this suspenseful thriller It kept on the edge of my sit with each story. I could hardly put the book down. Mary Higgins Clark is a great mystery/suspense writer, which is why she is called the "Queen of Suspense." This book is a plus. If you haven't read it, you need to go and pick up this award-winning novel.

I think that Mary Higgins Clark is a wonderful writer. In almost any book of hers I read it changes drastically at the end. I love the suspense she gives you in all of her books.

Nancy Moser is a talented writer who does a good job of developing her main characters, though some of the secondary characters are a bit typecast. I enjoyed the first half of the book. The premise of time travel and starting anew has a timeless appeal and I was initially gripped by this. However, by the last quarter of the book I began to feel annoyed by what seemed to me to be overt proselytizing. I respect religious rights and I believe that there is a place in our society for Christian literature. Nonetheless, I feel that any book that sneaks its political or religious message up on you in the last quarter is deceptive--regardless of the message. While it is true that each chapter begins with scipture, the major thrust was in the last 50 pages. If you like Christian literature, this is an excellent read that you won't want to put down. If you are irked by anyone jamming his or her moral or political position down your throat, I recommend you think twice before committing to this book.

I love time travel novels.

Time Lottery follows three characters as they are given the opportunity to enter another dimension and relive a portion of their past. At the end of their 7-day experience, they are given the choice to remain in the other dimension and forget this life (their body in this reality will die) or return to this reality. One of the characters has a story that makes it apparent from the outset that the choice will be to remain. All three characters make new choices - some of them very small choices at the time - that forever change how they perceive themselves, their lives, and their place in God's world.

An enjoyable read that leaves you satisfied.

I though this book was amazing! Of course I could be biased, seeing as Nancy Moser is probably my favorite author. But she never ceases to amaze me with every book she writes. This book raises the question, if you could go back and change one thing would you? The book follows three people who go back to change an event in their life, how they change it and their decision to stay or go back. It also follows one man's struggle with the loss of his wife and his decision to go back. In the end its just a great book with a great message, a great story, and great charachters. I would recommend this or any other Nancy Moser books to my friends