, I'm not sure why he based it in St. Paul. Perhaps he wanted to generate a following in Minnesota's capital city or his book sales in this region were lacking. Freedom could've been written about any city. But then again, the city's not the center point of the book. Or is it? The diverse views, political or otherwise, in St. Paul and Minnesota could lead one to believe it is. Am I making too much of the fact that it's written about the city I live in. But that's one of the appealing things about the book. One of the reasons I chose to read it. Maybe the only reason at this point. His characters and writing style are as complicated as a street map of Saint Paul, perhaps thats why he chose it. I'll not spend to much time posting on this book as I've spent too much time reading it. However, I am writing this post having only read 1/4th of the book. Perhaps my view will change once I complete it, which leads me to this question:If you don't enjoy a book as you're reading it, do you finish it? As I feel I rob the author of their creative talent I will always finish a book. Some people don't, not sure why as how can one form a likeness or dis-likeness to a book if it's not read in its entirety. Is it the same with movies? Do you stop watching a movie before you can form an opinion of it?
With Franzen, we shall see as maybe I've jumped to conclusions on why his book should be the first book I don't read completely...
You may recall Hillenbrand is the best selling author of 
An American Legend. Have you read either of these books?
. A story about a group of allied soldiers who were tasked with locating, rescuing and protecting the fine arts and sculptures stolen by the Germans. Hitler dreamt of housing these fine works in a place he intended to build called, Fuhrermuseum, in Linz, Austria. Robert Edsel's story is a great compliment to his coffee table book, 
- Hitler and the Nazis Stole Europe's Great Art, America and Her Allies Recovered It. 
. Mr. Connelly has written several books, seventeen being about the life of Harry Bosch, Vietnam vet, homicide detective in Hollywood California. His style is much different from say, Sandford or Patterson as he delves deeper into the psychology of a homicide detective, much more introspective. In 
, Harry reaches into his past to solve an unsolved murder while on suspension. With the backdrop of a recent earthquake, Bosch is on the prowl through L.A., 'a place with many broken pieces, but some still work', only to find those broken pieces all fit together as he solves a thirty year old murder, jolting you with surprises like the tremor of a California quake.
Why is it entitled Rickles book? It stems for him writing a book. Have you read Rickles book? Instead of having a title say like...The life and time of Don Rickles...he simply says, hey I'm writing a book, tell your friends. One friend says to another, Have you read Rickles Book? 
. If you have a distaste for politically incorrectness, then perhaps you should pass on this dvd. If not, sit back and be ready to bust one in laughter! You can find the book or dvd by clicking on the highlighted book title or dvd title above. Enjoy!