National Network for Equitable Library Service

Old-school lawyer Albert Schmidt has spent years climbing the ladder of success.

Albert Schmidt, proud traditional gentleman and lawyer of the old school, was almost down for the count.

Thomas Mistler, a New York advertising executive has only six months to live. He takes a solitary holiday in Venice, and encounters a young photographer and finally the love of his youth.

Schmidt is a self-described maverick WASP attorney who now heads a foundation established by his magnanimous billionaire Jewish Egyptian friend, Mike Mansour.