L.A. Journal

<p>There has always been a lot of confusion and misconception regarding the short-story. What exactly is it? What exactly defines it? And if a true <i>literary artiste</i> is capable of churning out a whole novel why waste time on a bunch of stories in the first place?</p><p>C. Bradford Eastland author of the groundbreaking novel <i>Where Gods Gamble</i> answers all these questions and more in his masterwork collection of short fiction <i>L.A. Journal</i>.</p><p>Throughout the twenty-two stories of this nostalgic regionally driven volume Eastland the artist's lifelong mission becomes clear; to leave behind a handful of powerful original timeless vignettes of the times and places in which he lived. Along the way he takes a stab at making sense of many of the great issues-love lust war religion friendship betrayal craziness joblessness homelessness homophobia racism patriotism terrorism and the Giants versus the Dodgers-we humans brush up against every day of our lives.</p><p>So take a look at Los Angeles through the eyes of a bum a bartender a disillusioned writer an old Negro Leagues ballplayer and a little boy angry at God-among others. You might wind up seeing one of the greatest and most mocked cities on Earth in a wholly different light.</p>