Review posted on AMAZON.COM by Gail Cooke (TOP TEN ranked critic).

A DILLY OF A DEBUT, February 6, 2005

"There's a fresh voice in the literary world, and it's original, witty, insightful. David Israel's first novel, Behind Everyman, is a fun guide through the minefields of dating. While told from the male viewpoint, it's a story for both men and women who are out there looking for the "right one." It's so exhilarating and touching that it's also a story for all who have already hit love's pay dirt.

Penned in the second person, protagonist "Everyman" remains unnamed which is, as Israel explains, so that readers can give him whatever name they choose, be it Ted, Malcolm or Job. Simply put, he wants what every 20 or 30 something guy wants "creative satisfaction, direction, a good bowel movement, and love."

His physical appearance is not described. Again, so that readers can attribute whatever physical characteristics they wish to this fellow who's looking for someone other than Fern "whose face resembles a manhole cover more than it does a vascular houseplant."

How to meet that someone? There are numerous ways, such as maybe one rainy evening you'll see a good looking woman sans umbrella. You offer to share yours; her name is Justine and the relationship begins. You try your best, even to discovering that when she tells you she plays racquetball it really means that someone gave her a pricey racquet for her birthday. Realizing that "flossing your teeth would burn more calories than an hour on the court with Justine," doesn't daunt you. Nonetheless, Justine drops you.

Alas, this happens often to "Everyman" until he finally meets the girl of his dreams, and begins writing a screenplay inspired by their relationship. He struggles through draft after draft, wondering how it will end.

Happily-ever-afters are becoming harder and harder to come by. Read "Everyman" for a round of chuckles, and perhaps find out why."

(copyright 2005 by Gail Cooke. all rights reserved.)