Inner-city black women open their hearts to share the pain of crack addiction and its consequences Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women documents an American tragedy that highlights the widening gap between social and economic classes. In their own words, poor black women—nameless, faceless, and marginalized by poverty—share the details of their lives before and after crack cocaine invaded their communities, each recalling the circumstances of her introduction to the drug and her first experience using sex to support her addiction. These candid interviews expose the socioeconomic changes in inner-city neighborhoods that created the perfect conditions for a crack stronghold; the crack cocaine economy's impact on the lives of inner-city residents; and the social and familial consequences of crack addiction among poor, black women. Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women places crack addiction, crack-related prostitution and its consequences, STDs, HIV, and pregnancy into the context of the larger social issues of inner-city poverty, race, gender, and class. This unique book reveals the sex-for-crack barter system as evidence of a long-term social exclusion and systemic racism that has worked to destroy the self-image of poor black American women. The women interviewed reflect this negative image, exchanging sex for crack on a regular basis to support their addictions at the risk-and reality-of unplanned pregnancies. “The baby I am carrying now, I don’t know who the father is. There are a few (men) that I had sex with around the time I got pregnant—that day. But which one it is, I don’t know who.” Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women examines: why poor black women addicted to crack are disproportionately at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies how the social and economic characteristics of poor black communities support crack distribution and consumption how crack use and the exchange of sex for crack damages struggling black families why the care of many children is entrusted to child welfare agencies how and why women are marginalized in the crack culture Behind the Eight Ball: Sex for Crack Cocaine Exchange and Poor Black Women is an insightful and enlightening look at the motivations behind the decision to risk illness, injury, disease, death, and pregnancy to support addiction.

In the game of pool, when a player finds his cue ball, behind the eight ball it's game over. He's done, he's lost his game. Unless he is a very good player and can make a trick shot, he has no shot. In the game of life I kept sinking the eight ball. I was doomed. I could not get my cue ball past the eight ball. Because of my rebellion I was always behind the eight ball. When I lost my mom and dad six week apart, the two people I loved the most I was about to quit. I could not get past the darkness, the eight ball. I was doomed falling deeper and deeper into the abyss. Then I saw Jesus reaching out to me. I knew he was my only means of salvation. I got hold of his nailed scarred hand and he and I made the trick shot. Then I was on the other side. A beautiful panoramic view of pure white light was before me. In the distance a bright city. Soon, I will get there and go through those pearly gates, set my feet on those golden streets and into that city. The beautiful new Jerusalem and eternal life. I will see my Jesus, then I will run to see my mom and dad, my five brothers and my four sisters and my beautiful son Q. What a beautiful day that will be. It will be my coronation day.

Debt typically represents the most difficult financial hurdle for most Americans to overcome. As a result too many of us are unable to enjoy any form of financial success. "Are You BEHIND the 8 Ball? Six Cornerstones of Financial Freedom" is a book aimed primarily at young Americans, but with material of interest to all people. The principal goal is to raise the level of awareness and anticipation in all areas of personal financial planning before being subjected to the pitfalls that so many adults are afflicted with. The book navigates key focus areas ranging from budgeting and debt elimination to home purchasing and investing, ending with discussions on long term care and estate planning as well as an understanding of the tax landscape in America. Preparation, patience and discipline are possibly the three most important ingredients of financial success for all individuals.

Goddess Bast gives werecat Heller a human mate, Lawson. Can there be happiness past hurt feelings and misguided beliefs?

The world of pocket billiards and the world of high stakes poker collide and brings two people together, desperate to find the link in a series of murders that involve both worlds. Jay, passionate about pool, meets tournament poker player, Lisa. Together, they tell the story in this roller coaster thriller about the games people play and the price people will pay to win.

Is someone you care about gambling your life away? You don't have to be a gambler yourself to suffer from the often disastrous effects of excessive gambling. Behind the 8-Ball is the must-have guide to reclaiming your financial, legal, and emotional freedom. Spouses, parents, siblings, children, friends, and coworkers of the gambler will learn how to: Understand why some people lose control of their gambling Recognize the compulsive gambler and realistically assess the financial and emotional damage he or she is causing you and others Accept that you can't control someone else's gambling Encourage the gambler to seek help Recover from being involved with a gambler For anyone who is or has ever been involved with someone who gambles too much, this supportive, informative volume delivers all the tools and motivation you need to rebuild your life. "This book is essential for gamblers, families, friends, and professionals who need to know more about the personalities of gamblers ... It is a precise, updated, and accurate look at how gambling affects families." - Timothy W. Fong, MD, co-director, UCLA Gambling Studies Program "This book remains as important today as ever and has remained the standard reference for family members of gamblers." - Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling

Collection of short works by a varying group of writers, represented in this collection by Tony Bates, Kathleen Finn Jordan, Peter Lattu, Edwin Simmons, Ian Temple Roberts, Phyllis Weissman, and Ruth Baja Williams.

Here in a single, compact handbook are all the rules for the myriad forms of pocket billiards. Billiards: The Official Rules and Records Book is complete with detailed instructions on how to play everything from Basic Pocket Billiards to Cut-Throat, together with the rules for tournament games such as Nine Ball and Rotation, and Snooker and Carom games. These are the official rules of billiards from the Billiard Congress of America, the governing body of professional billiards in the United States. A very helpful chapter for the beginner includes professional tips on basic techniques and strategies. Also included are a glossary of billiard terms and a summary of BCA billiards champions.

Is someone you care about gambling your life away? You don't have to be a gambler yourself to suffer from the often disastrous effects of excessive gambling. Behind the 8-Ball is the must-have guide to reclaiming your financial, legal, and emotional freedom. Spouses, parents, siblings, children, friends, and coworkers of the gambler will learn how to: Understand why some people lose control of their gambling Recognize the compulsive gambler and realistically assess the financial and emotional damage he or she is causing you and others Accept that you can't control someone else's gambling Encourage the gambler to seek help Recover from being involved with a gambler For anyone who is or has ever been involved with someone who gambles too much, this supportive, informative volume delivers all the tools and motivation you need to rebuild your life. "This book is essential for gamblers, families, friends, and professionals who need to know more about the personalities of gamblers ... It is a precise, updated, and accurate look at how gambling affects families." - Timothy W. Fong, MD, co-director, UCLA Gambling Studies Program "This book remains as important today as ever and has remained the standard reference for family members of gamblers." - Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling