My good (cheap) friend Dale, who eats with me most days at the Famous Foley Coffee Shop, bought a book (used of course) from an internet vendor. He wanted me to read it first and then perhaps chip in $4 towards the $16 price. Then, he said, we could let Mark read it and he could chip in $4 and so and so on. Pretty soon he'd make money on the deal. You have to know Dale to appreciate how that is JUST like him.

Anyhow, he gave me the book yesterday. I finished it today. I couldn't put it down.

The title is "The Great Depression, A Diary" by Benjamin Roth.

Mr. Roth was a young lawyer in Youngstown, Ohio in the 1930's. He was very interested in the financial markets and politics. By 1931 he knew something wasn't right with things so he decided to keep a diary. He did an exceptional job. His diary has now been turned into a book by his son and grandson.

If you are even slightly interested in the parallels between that era and now, you should find this book and read it. If you do, remember to send me your $4 dollars. Dale's going to be asking for it.