Anyway, I was poking around Google looking for something and ran across this Ph. D. dissertation: "Randy Wayne White: An American Social Philosopher and Practitioner of Ecological Noir" by John K. Hicks of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

For someone who is a fan of the series, this is a really interesting look at Randy's style and how he fits into the "South Florida" sub-genre of mysteries. Check it out. There are some really interesting bits on Tomlinson, Doc Ford's sidekick, too.

John Ed was a center for the Tigers when I was in grade school. While, I don't remember him as a player, I vividly remember his peers. They were all folk heroes, legends and celebrities in a compartmentalized culture that reveled in their being. John Ed talks about his childhood in Louisiana in much the same way mine existed - we all pretended to be Tigers in our backyards, schoolyards and pee-wee football teams. To be an L.S.U. football player represented an epic accomplishment to kids growing up there. I'm quite sure it's the same in many of the different cultures across the country.

This book has needed to be written for a long time. But it could not have been written by anyone other that someone like John Ed who had been there and and experienced that life in that limelight. John Ed has put to words what so many who have played a game and have been successful at that game feel. I would expand that to include anyone who has been accomplished at anything - be it business, personal, sports or anything else.

I know that I have been a part of several significant accomplishments, both professionally and personally. I have been on teams that won two city championships in pee-wee football, won a state championship in high school football, and have been president of a publicly traded company. Each accomplishment always left me wondering if there was something more to achieve. Depression always set in after those pinnacles had passed. Now, I never played college football like John Ed, but while reading this book I could relate wholeheartedly with every emotion - every quiet time where you recollect those memories. And, every time you try and forget - without much success.

I can guarantee you that each of his former teammates that he talks to in the book, and countless others who will read it - feel the same way as John Ed. There is that unspoken bond that teammates have, much like Mr. Bradley discusses near the end of the book with one of his buddies from the offensive line. He describes it much like compadres who served together in war - you know them better than family, you've spilled sweat and blood together. You're more than brothers.

Come to think of it, it is that which I really believe what those of us who have been part of something like that continue to search for in our lives. When you've had a taste of the real thing - you want it again. Purpose, pride, excellence, discipline, being an underdog, success and brotherhood - it's rare to get those in life in meaningful quantities. Sure they come from time to time, in short spurts. But, getting that amazing, cohesive, esprit-de-corps doesn't come as often as it should. It's a shame, but to relive some of it, read this book and reminisce with an old buddy and you've put off calling for way too long. You'll be happy that you did both.

When I went through my Parrothead phase, I really got interested in learning about the characters in his songs. This led me first to John D. MacDonald and his character Travis McGee - one of the all time great literary characters. Jimmy sang about Travis in his song "Incommunicado". This then led me to Carl Hiassen and Randy Wayne White.

Then comes Tom Corcoran. I learned of Tom through the Parrothead circles because of his relationship with Mr. Buffett. Look closely and you'll see his name all over Jimmy's album credits - primarily for the album cover photos, but also some songwriting credits.

I took both "Octopus Alibi" and "Air Dance Iguana" on my recent trip to Mexico. I didn't have time to get into them due to all of the wedding-related psychosis. But, I did get to start "Octopus Alibi" on the beach one day and finished it a few days ago. I then picked up "Air Dance Iguana" and just finished it. Wow, what a great pair of books!

Tom's character, Alex Rutledge, reminds me so much of Travis McGee. I love the way the stories innertwine, twist, turn and resolve. I love the characters. Plus, I love the jaunts through Key West - the place I married my wife. I love that town. Every time I read one of Mr. Corcoran's books it's like taking a walk with an old friend. I can smell the Cuban food at El Siboney and imagine the seascape from the Afterdeck Bar at Louie's.

One thing you will find is that you definitely need a map when your reading one of these books. It helps to get your bearings with all of the hops between the many Keys down there - Google Earth helped a lot. I can't wait for the next installment.

UPDATE:
I'm 4 chapters into the book and it's setting up to be a GREAT mystery.