What happened on July 24, 2005
BOOKS
When Barbary pirates terrorized Europe Avedis Hadjian, Avedis Hadjian is a frequent contributor to Book Review and a former writer and editor for CNN online.
Beyond good and evil Eric Miles Williamson, Eric Miles Williamson is an editor of American Book Review and the author of the novels "East Bay Grease" and the forthcoming "Two-Up."
At play in L.A. Michael Harris, Michael Harris, author of the novel "The Chieu Hoi Saloon," is a regular contributor to Book Review.
Selling 'Ramona' Ronald C. Woolsey, Ronald C. Woolsey is the author of several books, including "Migrants West: Toward the Southern California Frontier" and "Will Thrall and the San Gabriels: A Man to Match the Mountains."
Smoke, mirrors and an off-shore haven for cash Kai Maristed, Kai Maristed is the author of the novels "Broken Ground," "Out After Dark" and "Fall."
More pancake than souffle Donna Rifkind, Donna Rifkind writes about books for a number of publications, including the Washington Post and the Baltimore Sun.
Latin America's free-market fall Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, an associate editor at Foreign Affairs, reported from Argentina during the economic crisis.
Deep in the human heart, stirrings of loneliness Merrill Joan Gerber, Merrill Joan Gerber is the author of "This Is a Voice From Your Past: New and Selected Stories" and "Glimmering Girls: A Novel of the Fifties."
It's only natural for them to be superheroes Charles Solomon, Charles Solomon is the author of many books, including "Enchanted Drawings: The History of Animation," and is a frequent contributor to The Times.
Who spun it? Emily Green, Emily Green is a Times staff writer.
A postmodern Don Quixote Irene Wanner, Irene Wanner is a critic and the author of "Sailing to Corinth."
CALIFORNIA | LOCAL
Grateful Marine Now on a Mission Dana Parsons, Dana Parsons can be reached at (714) 966-7821 or dana .parsons@latimes.com. An archive of his recent columns is at www.latimes.com/parsons.
OPINION
Bench marks Joel Pett, Joel Pett is the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist of the Lexington Herald-Leader. His work also appears in USA Today.
N.Y. to L.A.: Ya Gotta [heart] Bratton Fred Siegel, Fred Siegel, a senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, is the author of "The Prince of the City: New York, Giuliani and the Genius of American Life."
From finest to foul Steve P. Erie, Steve P. Erie, a professor of political science at UC San Diego, is the author of "Beyond 'Chinatown': The Metropolitan Water District, Growth, and the Environment in Southern California."
He shot at cops -- don't forget it Jack Dunphy, Jack Dunphy is the pseudonym for a Los Angeles police officer who writes for the National Review Online.
Bush's victory-in-waiting Jo-Ann Mort, Jo-Ann Mort writes frequently about Israel and is co-author of "Our Hearts Invented a Place: Can Kibbutzim Survive in Today's Israel?"
San Diego: Reluctant city must grow up Kevin Starr, Kevin Starr, state librarian emeritus, is a university professor and professor of history at USC. In October, Random House will publish his "California: A History."
When Moe hits Larry ... David P. Barash, David P. Barash is professor of psychology at the University of Washington. He is writing a book about redirected aggression.
The coming clash of political charisma Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Sherry Bebitch Jeffe is a senior scholar in the School of Policy, Planning and Development at USC and a political analyst for KNBC-TV.
MAGAZINE
Words on Paper John Balzar, John Balzar is a Times staff writer who last wrote for the magazine about Wyoming's Fort Bridger Mountain Man Rendezvous, celebrating the region's 19th century fur trappers.
Quiet Luxury Michael Webb, Michael Webb is the author of 20 books on architecture and design; "Art/Invention/House" and "Adventurous Wine Architecture" will be published in October.
Bowl Games Valli Herman, Valli Herman is a Times staff writer.
These People Erin Aubry Kaplan, Erin Aubry Kaplan last wrote for the magazine about the African aesthetic in the spring 2005 fashion collections.
Sharing the Pain Connie Monaghan, Connie Monaghan is a freelance writer living in Olympia, Wash.
A New Leaf Liz Ryan, Liz Ryan lives in Venice and is a member of the Directors Guild of America.