National Network for Equitable Library Service

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.