This is the most fun book I've read in a long time. The copyright date, 1986, was a surprise for it discusses today's issues as if concurrent. But Judge Spencer is a delightful person. He's not someone I would want for a friend for he is a bit of a bully, a loveable bully to be sure. The twist of how he sets out to defeat those who are trying to retire hiim is not something with which we are all familiar but after reading how it works, it more clear than I had previously understood it to be. It is not clear if his mischievious ways are for fun or for real nor is it clear if what he accomplishes is what he set out to accomplish. And this might just be the genius of Mr. Denker. ( )