Jim Thompson: The Unsolved Mystery

Book Description

On Easter Day, 1967, American businessmen and founder of the modern Thai silk industry James H.W. Thompson disappeared while supposedly on a stroll in the jungle-clad Cameron Highlands in Central Malaysia. Neither Jim Thompson nor his remains has ever been found.

Some twenty years earlier Jim Thompson had abandoned his former life to embark on an exotic business career in Southeast Asia. After establishing the Thai Silk Company, Thompson built a house and an art collection which are among Bangkok's top tourist attractions today. After vanishing, he became the subject of a massive search and investigation, and a mystery that has never been solved. This definitive account of the life of Jim Thompson, written by a man who knew him well, gives the reader a first-hand glance into his private affairs and his alleged role as an agent for the CIA .

This true-life mystery will keep you turning the pages to the final chapter.

Customer Reviews:

Silk King.......2005-09-11

After having travelled to Thailand and seen Jim Thompson's house in Bangkok, I was interested in learning more about Jim's life & disappearance. This book appears to give a fair and balanced look at Jim's life (although some may disagree since the author was a personal friend). It's a good read, interesting, but not without fault. The editing for one had some lapses. There are quite a few times where I found typos or missing words. That gets annoying after a while.

Of the many theories surrounding Jim's disappearnce in the Cameroon Highlands in Malaysia, the author holds a view that makes the most sense to me. I won't reveal it. I recommend the book.

In terms of the edition itself, the book was printed on good paper stock and is of high quality.

One of the most fascinating missing persons cases on record!.......2003-01-01

James H.W. Thompson was a legend. Born in 1906, he served during WWII in the O.S.S which later became the C.I.A. His real claims to fame however were first as the 'Thai Silk King' and secondly as a missing person rivaling Judge Crater and Jimmy Hoffa for mystery. This book should have inspired several others on Thompson since he lived such a legendary and fascinating life. Sadly, this is really the only authoritative book out there on him. Nearly 36 years have done nothing to dispel the myths and rumors about what may have happened to him during a fateful weekend in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia (Easter weekend of 1967). For those who love a real-life mystery, tantalizing clues, possibilities, and innuendos keep the reader guessing as to his possible fate. You won't find any definitive answers here, but what you will find is an extraordinary life laid out in the most entertaining of biographical narratives.

Curiouser and curiouser.......2002-09-22

Bought this book on a recent trip to Thailand. Have known of the many stories surrounding Jim Thompson and wanted to read the definitive book on the subject. Unfortunately, I'm no further ahead in learning the solution but the book is fascinating and a page turner.

And since the author is a true fan of Jim Thompson, is what HE wrote the truth or is there still more out there?

This book will just make the reader want to know more.

Thailand's Colorful Mystery Man.......2001-05-19

I began this book on Christmas day while visiting Singapore after having spent a few days in Thailand. My son wouldn't give up possession of this book as he was also reading it. It just was made available this Spring in the U.S. I can't wait to get a copy and finish it! It is a great mystery story and also a fascinating account of a man who was instrumental in revitalizing Thailand's silk industry.

Average customer rating:

Reminiscing about HOLLYWOOD through this book

The Hollywoodian

A MUST BUY FOR THOSE IN THE "BUSINESS"

Fantastic Christmas Present

A 5 STAR BOOK OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY!

Hollywood 1900-1950 In Vintage Postcards
Thomas Dangcil
Manufacturer: Arcadia Publishing (SC)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
General | State & Local | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Postcards | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Hollywood in Vintage Postcards

Hollywood Homes: Postcard Views Of Early Stars' Estates

Hollywood Studios, CA (Postcard History)

Old Los Angeles & Pasadena, Ca (Postcard History)

Early Beverly Hills (Images of America)

ASIN: 073852073X

Book Description

With the advent of new, inexpensive photographic technology emerging in the United States during the mid-19th century, communication by postcard became a very popular way to exchange travel stories, news, and gossip over the decades. ÝÝDrawing on a private collection of vintage postcards, this new book features a history of Hollywood, spanning half a century. Exploring Hollywood before and after it became the entertainment capital of the world, these images offer readers a glimpse of some of the cityís most interesting places during its Golden Years. Long before motion pictures arrived, when the area was a residential neighborhood of beautiful homes and lemon groves, Hollywood was just another suburb of Los Angeles striving to become a community. From the familiar sights of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and the ChinesTheater, to the horse-and-buggy driven dirt roads and pineapple fields at the turn of the century, Hollywood in Vintage Postcards will guide the curious through the cityís progress in the first half of the 20th century. ÝÝ

Customer Reviews:

Reminiscing about HOLLYWOOD through this book.......2007-06-24

I bought this book along with two others (ie: "Hollywood THEN AND NOW" by Lords, and "PICTURING L.A." by Wilkman). All three books went very well together.

This book by DANGCIl is in black-and-white because all the postcards are authentic reproductions of early photo-cards. The fact that each of the photo(s) are in B&W does not take away from the excitement in looking through all the early photos of Los Angeles & HOLLYWOOD. Each photo is quite sharp.

Each photo has a brief description of the exact angle in which the photos were taken. So if you would love to see what HOLLYWOOD used to look like (from the very early 1900`s to the 1950's) then you'll love this paperback book..... I sure did!

The Hollywoodian.......2003-07-09

Born and raised in Hollywood, I am facinated by the history of all the places I've visited and seen growing up as a kid. Thomas Dangcil makes you relive what this glitzy town was and how it came to be.
It's great seeing the history of Hollywood unfold before your eyes in this book and how it has transformed itself into a icon of stardom that is re·nowned worldwide.

A MUST BUY FOR THOSE IN THE "BUSINESS".......2002-12-07

Besides being a good resource guide, the compilation of information is in chronological order. This makes for effortless accessibility. The writing is clear, informative, and well researched. The author took time and care to put these postcards in this format. I can only assume that the author has a love for the movie industry and all the machinations it takes to make the final product. I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Fantastic Christmas Present.......2002-10-24

I was fascinated by this book! I could not believe the changes in Hollywood over the years. And the captions were so informative and incredibly well written. I felt like I had taken a class in Hollywood History. A perfect present for anyone who loves beautiful books.

A 5 STAR BOOK OF HOLLYWOOD HISTORY!.......2002-10-23

I'm Los Angeles born and raised, and this ISN'T a simple book of postcards: it's a fantastic slice of Hollywood history containing fabulous pictures accompanied by informed narratives! It's very cool to see pictures of Old Hollywood and compare what is standing at the same location in the present day. I plan to give this as a holiday present to my many friends who are L.A. natives. In all, A FABULOUS BOOK, and a great gift idea -- especially for someone interested in learning about the history of "Old Hollywood" and Los Angeles in general.

Average customer rating:

Authentic, but wanted to see more postcards.
"From Hollywood, on paper"

Hollywood in Vintage Postcards
Rod Kennedy Jr.
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Postcards | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1586851454

Book Description

$14.95 gatefold paper * 1-58685-145-4 * April 7-1/2 x 8-1/2 in, 96 pp, Color Illustrations Throughout Rights: W, History/Regional Hollywood in Vintage Postcards is a colorful celebration of Hollywood's storied and glamorous past. What began as a thriving agricultural community-promoted by developers as a place of year-round sunshine and citrus-scented air-slowly transitioned into the thriving metropolis it is today. Hollywood now strives to preserve the elegant architecture that illustrates her undeniably glorious history, from the Hollywood Bowl to Grauman's Chinese Theatre to the Capitol Records tower. The formal Beaux Arts and the ornamental Spanish Colonial Revival reflect her self-confident extravagance, while newer Art Deco and Moderne structures bespeak her lofty dreams for sophistication; those dreams and more are captured forever in the historic postcards collected here. Rod Kennedy Jr.'s books include Lost New York in Old Postcards, The Brooklyn Cookbook, and The County Fair Cookbook, with Lyn Stallworth; and Atlantic City: 125 Years of Ocean Madness, with Lee Eisenberg and Vicki Levi. He lives in New York City. Elizabeth Ellis is an archivist with a MLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She collaborated previously with Rod Kennedy on Lost New York in Old Postcards, and is currently working on a book of short stories. Hollywood Heritage, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Hollywood.

Customer Reviews:

Authentic, but wanted to see more postcards........2007-06-12

This book itself is very "authentic",--- since the postcards are actual postcards from the Era. However, I would have loved to have seen more postcards in this book.

So... all in all, there is nothing wrong with the authentic postcards in this book, but in my opinion, I wish there had been more postcards shown.

"From Hollywood, on paper".......2003-08-25

A delightful book of postcards that captures the exuberance and excitement of Tinsel town in the first half of the last century. One reason I love this book is the simple presentation, book designers, when confronted with colorful graphic images such as postcards, always seem to want to present them angled and overlapping each other. Fortunately, designer Kurt Wahlner keeps them upright and puts a drop-shadow on two sides of each card, a simple elegant solution. The color of the cards is very true to the originals. Author, Rod Kennedy, writes just enough historical detail into the captions to keep me interested. The chapter on the homes of the stars I found the most fascinating. Predictably, with money no object, so many of these houses are a fantasy of architectural styles and I suppose this only confirms that most Hollywood folk had no taste.

I have another book of postcards covering the same subject, Jim Heimann's 'Hooray for Hollywood' (ISBN 0877013012) equally as good though some of the pictures are in black and white. I would have preferred it if both these books included some information about publishers of these postcards, I guess most of those shown are from the Curt Teich company. Both books have an index and useful bibliography.

***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

Amazon.com

Like a pop-cultural walk through time, All-American Ads of the 40s covers the breadth of print ads from the World War II era. As one might expect, the ads look very different from ads today. Most are illustrated, and even the selling of innocuous products like candy bars taps into public interest number one, the war. The book is divided into chapters by product including alcohol, fashion, entertainment, travel, and automobiles. Saving the best for last, the conclusion of each chapter reveals the editor's pick for most peculiar ad. Most enticing are the movie posters. Classic pictures like Citizen Kane and It's a Wonderful Life appear in their original print incarnations as fantastic visions of old Hollywood. Hawking beauty products are famous stars such as Lucille Ball, Lana Turner, Marlene Dietrich, and Veronica Lake. Not surprisingly, gender roles are sharply divided, and race issues stick out sorely. Included is an essay by Willy R. Wilkerson III, "From Rationing to Prosperity, American Life in the 1940s," tracing the history of wartime consumerism. --J.P. Cohen

Customer Reviews:

Coffee table books worth collecting.......2006-03-01

This is one of a series of amazing books published by Taschen.
I have been purchasing them through Amazon (as some are difficult to locate through stores). The series so far covers the 1910s through to the 1980s, a volume per decade. Over 500 pages of quality reproductions of ads from consumer goods to movies of those decades. You could spend hours looking through these books - and still find something you missed last time around. Congratulations to the editor/s.

All this and World War 2!.......2005-01-22

Baby boomers take note of this wonderful book! As one born in the late 1940's I can't recommend this book highly enough. Here are ads from the magazines when we were born. The ads are printed somewhat smaller for the full page ads and a lot smaller for quarter page ones. However the printing quality is good enough that you can read ads in their entirety even if you occasionally have to use a magnifying glass to read the smaller ones. (Yes, our eyes are beginning to show our age!)You people with good eyes won't have that problem. The ads will awaken a nostalgia for things you don't remember. The Zenith TV with the Giant CIRCLE screen! (It's probably 10 inches!) How about an ad for Rice Krispies with Snap, Crackle and Pop riding American fighter planes! The Greyhound Bus ad asking people to "Help a fighting man enjoy his precious leave or furlough" by giving up travel. It all 'ads' up to a wonderful trip back in time!

The book I was Waiting for in it class.......2003-02-02

Off course I was born in the 40's so this adds is part of the world I lived, so I enjoyed it very very much. I used to collect old Reader's Digests specialy for the adds, it reflect the world of those days and most of it are true art works.
The selection is very wise and complete, the section I liked the most is the car section and the pictures quality is terrific I d'ont undestand how they got so good picture quality if it suppossed they take it material from old magazines.
I'm sure any body will enjoy it a lot.
I'd rate it 6 stars or more if posible.

Capitalism at work...forties style........2002-01-16

Another massive collection of colorful magazine advertisements from Taschen. This is the same format as the first book in this series,'All-American Ads 50s', hundresd and hundreds of whole page consumer magazine ads (there are a few pages with two or four) beautifull printed.

As this edition covers the war years, 111 pages carry ads by American companies explaining how they are doing their bit for victory. On page 618 there is a 1941 Greyhound bus ad that features a map of the US showing all the main military camps and the copy tells how Greyhound runs a bus past most of them. In the chapter on 'Industry' I found sixteen 1945 ads from a metal producing company called Bohn, they show futuristic designs for various forms of transport and a wonderful streamline combine harvester.

Most of the ads in the book use illustration rather than photography, so much easier to stretch reality.

This is an ideal gift book for anyone who lived through the forties and if you are just curious about middle-class life back then these thousand ads will give you plenty to think about. A book bargain at the price.

Average customer rating:
All-American Ads: 40s (Icons Series)
Jim (editor) Heimann
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MEPRUC

Average customer rating:
Infernal Player's Guide (In Nomine)
James Cambias , Sam Chupp , Genevieve R. Cogman , David Edelstein , Matthew Grau , Elizabeth McCoy , Walter Milliken , Derek Pearcy , and John Tynes
Manufacturer: Steve Jackson Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Role Playing & Fantasy | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Chupp, Sam | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Angelic Player's Guide (In Nomine)

Game Master's Guide (In Nomine)

Corporeal Player's Guide: In Nomine

Liber Servitorum: The Book of the Servants (In Nomine)

Liber Canticorum: The Book of Songs (In Nomine)

ASIN: 1556343442

Average customer rating:
In Nomine Infernal Player's Guide
et al. Cambias
Manufacturer: Steve Jackson, 1998
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H27OB4

Book Description

This best-seller's practical approach to building speaking skills emphasizes speaker responsibility, critical thinking and listening, and cultural awareness. In an easy-to-use way this book covers everything you need to know to speak successfully in public. anyone interested in improving their public speaking skills.

Principles and Types of Public Speaking (15th Edition)

Average customer rating:

Offers the basics

Principles and Types of Public Speaking (15th Edition)
Raymie E. McKerrow , Bruce E. Gronbeck , Douglas Ehninger , and Alan H. Monroe
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Reference | Subjects | Books

Public Speaking | Words & Language | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Reference | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 020534402X

Book Description

With a commitment to cultural sensitivity and scholarship in the discipline, Principles and Types of Public Speaking combines a focus on contemporary research with practical skills and advice on how to communicate in public settings. The book focuses on culture and community building, with a goal of helping students to understand how they can adapt to cultural differences and what role communication plays in creating social cohesion, whether speaking in informational, persuasive, ceremonial or business-oriented settings. By focusing on both speechmaking in society and presentations in the classroom, this book helps readers see the relationship between what they are learning and how they can use this knowledge in the outside world. Designed for anyone interested in public speaking.

Customer Reviews:

Offers the basics.......2007-03-16

Primarily the principles, but you must find your own nitch. Just a useful guide, in my opinion.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books