Park West

by Stanley Goldstein

Overview

A Jewish psychiatrist, haunted by guilt and recurring nightmares of the electric chair, dedicates his life to healing the poor--before being accused of murdering women across America. Confronting certain execution, he prays for the first time: that his lover remain with him until his death. But the doctor has other allies: a lawyer seeking public sympathy; a retired presidential adviser to educate him on power and corruption; and a fallen minister who believes him Christlike, even, at times, the long awaited Messiah.

This rich, complex novel, bursting with characterizations of the successful yet lost, celebrates the power of love and redemption, and search for enduring values.

Stanley Goldstein is an author and psychologist who has appeared on national broadcasts including The Larry King Show and CourtTV. He lives in New York's Hudson Valley.

"The author weaves psychology, theology, and conspiracy into a suspenseful, lively read. His protagonist--a jaded, promiscuous, godless, paranoid loner--becomes, in spite of himself, one of the oddest champions of 'family values, ' finally finding that only love, trust, duty, and integrity can give him the meaning and peace that he has so painfully lacked all his life. This is a remarkably pious and uplifting tale of hope taking root in the modern world of alienation and emptiness."--Kim Paffenroth, Author of Judas: Images of the Lost Disciple

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780971770546
Publisher:	Wyston Books, Inc.
Publication date:	06/01/2003
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	0.57(w) x 8.50(h) x 5.50(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

FOREWORD: To be read after my death

PREFACE: Why my lawyer insisted that I write this

CHAPTER ONE: "Some vulvae are prettier than others"; I meet Rev. Cary and The General, and face another dateless weekend

CHAPTER TWO: Confronting the electric chair; My life (such as it was); New York dating or, if you ever thought of trying the personal ads read this first; I meet Gerri at Khristina's and search for love (again)

CHAPTER THREE: My typical Saturday patients; a new nightmare

CHAPTER FOUR: Meeting Gerri's family--at home; "Daddy died and it broke me and mommy's heart"; A murderous intent

CHAPTER FIVE: Of a faithless husband, and godfather; An excellent meal in a discordant restaurant; "You don't have to be nervous--not all girls wet the bed"

CHAPTER SIX: I get a normal family life (again); Gerri's nightmare, and financial problems

CHAPTER SEVEN: Why Rev. Cary's wife hates sex; Of Episcopalian pastorates and Christian theology

CHAPTER EIGHT: Laura, her daughters and policeman husband, and his pornographic magazines; The presidents that The General knew; "Then Foster killed himself..."

CHAPTER NINE: I act like a father and resolve a mini-crisis; Don't give me another hickey...you don't have to peek"; "Did you ever hear of Vincent Foster?"; Rev. Cary's observation on the risk of becoming a Christian; I tell my secret

CHAPTER TEN: My secret, elaborated; Advice form a CIA doctor

CHAPTER ELEVEN: An old friend provides unwelcome information; Tales of Washington and military life; More unwanted information--now from my tax lawyer; Three year old Kirsten insists, "I know a lot about babies"; I receive a frightening package

CHAPTER TWELVE: Gerri learns about Louise; Am I finally learning to love?; "Why do you want to torture them?"

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Being a parent isn't easy; More about Gerri, and Kirsten's godfather; Rev. Cary confronts me

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: I remember my killing impulse; "You were as I would have liked to be--a Christlike figure"; Rev. Cary's spiritual struggles, and first affair

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: The General's work with the University War Study Group; My arrest--for murder

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Gerri interrupts cooking salmon mousse with sour cream dill sauce to learn that I'm in jail; My possible aid from a patient's (mobster) father

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: I share experiences with a fellow prisoner, and we get company

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: My new profession; An informative lecture from a police lieutenant

CHAPTER NINETEEN: I remember a past sexual experience; What happened when the lesbians and fundamentalists squared off

CHAPTER TWENTY: My cell mate receives advice

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: "A misogynous lunatic psychiatrist who kills women he can't control and sexually abuses those he can"; Will my lawyer get me laughed into the death house?' A psychiatrist receives emotional support (though, usually, he is the one to give it)

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: My odd family, and sex life (continued)

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: I accompany The Goon and Rainbow Coalition to court; "Practice walking into a room and having a piece of brain fall on your head"

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: I wonder if Gerri still loves me; Ted Bundy remembered

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE: "I saved him from the electric chair"

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX: I leer at my lawyer's panties, and describe the murdered woman; "Because I used to beat her"; How I once helped New York City's mayor (in a way it is best that he didn't know)

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: "You murdered in Chicago but will get what you deserve this time"; A young wife prays as her elderly (mobster) husband offers aid which I must refuse

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT: "Who really are you?"; The General advises me; My new nightmare

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE: "Both Christians and Jews believe that people are ready for a 'return' and the coming of the Messiah"; Isn't every New York psychiatrist a Jew?"; "He finally knew why Christ came"; My parents

CHAPTER THIRTY: The General's dilemma, and vow: "someone must be punished"

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: A gloomy night, and (briefly) brighter morning

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO: "Maybe if you told everything: body locations, final minutes, things like that"; my lawyer's plan, and love life

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE: Gerri tells of our prospective visitor, as I consider flight

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR: The Medical Board investigates; My reclusive Episcopalian grandfather, and parents' Jewish funeral

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE: My depression, and prayer; "Whatever is sought with faith will be received"

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX: Our public relations campaign begins; "Love bade me welcome but my soul drew back"; A general travels

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN: I learn the surprising truth about Rev. Cary; How the letter "S" got burned into Gerri's buttock

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT: My trial

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE: An explanation (maybe)

CHAPTER FORTY: "You can learn while playing, not losing much so long as you remain objective"; I solve three murders during a ride through Central Park; Rev. Cary translates two Hebrew words, quotes Ezekiel, and educates me on the Talmud, and Judas

CHAPTER FORTY ONE: My nightmare's meaning becomes revealed; A note at Easter

CHAPTER FORTY TWO: "Mommy wants you--it's about im-po-tent"; "Come into the bathroom," she demanded; An end, and a beginning.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

BIBLIOGRAPHY/READING SUGGESTIONS

What People are Saying About This

Kim Paffenroth

The author weaves psychology, theology, and conspiracy into a suspenseful, lively read. His protagonist-a jaded, promiscuous, godless, paranoid loner-becomes, in spite of himself, one of the oddest champions of 'family values,' finally finding that only love, trust, duty, and integrity can give him the meaning and peace that he has so painfully lacked all his life. This is a remarkably pious and uplifting tale of hope taking root in the modern world of alienation and emptiness.