Book Club Discussion Questions and Guide for Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain Gang All Stars

A Novel

by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

  • Critics' Consensus (15):
  • Readers' Rating (6):
  • Published:
  • May 2023, 384 pages
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Book Club Discussion Questions

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Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

  1. Chain-Gang All-Stars is a work of speculative fiction that immerses readers in the United States of the near future, a technologically advanced society that is still troubled and defined by the laws, institutions, and social issues that we see today. Reflect on this setting. Why do you think Adjei-Brenyah chose to set the story against this backdrop?
  2. Who are the Chain-Gang All-Stars and what is the CAPE program? How did the characters end up in this program and what made them join?
  3. When we first meet Loretta Thurwar in the prologue, she is a new Link going up against Melancholia Bishop, a renowned fighter approaching High Freed status. When the novel continues, three years have passed and Thurwar is now in Bishop's position as a Grand Colossal. What was the significance of her first fight, and how has her character changed since then? What keeps her fighting?
  4. Chapter by chapter, Chain-Gang All-Stars brings readers into the stories of different stakeholders in the CAPE program, from Links and executives to fans and family members. Whose perspective were you most curious about and why? How did the multiple points of view reveal the many facets of the conflicts that are central to the story?
  5. The lives of hard-action-sports fans are revealed through the point of view of Wil and Emily, a couple that watch the BattleGrounds and reality series LinkLyfe together. A reluctant fan, Emily's interest in hard-action-sports teeters between horror and fascination. Why do audiences watch the matches, and how do they cope with the realization that they are complicit in these acts of violence? How is the reader also implicated in this?
  6. On page 36, Thurwar explains that "The culture of Chain-Gang was death." Describe the dynamic between the Links on the Angola-Hammond chain as well as the other chains in the circuit. How do the culture of death and the constant feelings of distrust and fear impact the chains? What do Thurwar and Staxxx attempt in order to gain trust and build comradery within Angola-Hammond?
  7. Who is Tracy Lasser and what is her connection to the Angola-Hammond chain? How does her act of protest on live TV echo the antiracist movements in media, particularly sports media, that we've seen in recent years?
  8. In the novel, Hendrix Young is one of the few characters that gets to speak in the first person. Why do you think the author chose to reveal Hendrix's story from his own perspective, and how did this choice impact your understanding of his character?
  9. How do society's scientific advancements exacerbate the violent conditions experienced by the prisoners, particularly in the novel's experimental prisons?
  10. The story of Simon J. Craft is told through a fragmented narrative style. How is this literary choice used to illuminate the impact of solitary confinement on the mind?
  11. On page 192, Hendrix explains, "Everybody got a name: a story of truths and lies." Where do the nicknames of the Links come from and how do they come to define each character? Why do you think that it was notable for Thurwar to use her own name rather than a moniker?
  12. Chain-Gang All-Stars imagines a world of brand-sponsored, pay-per-view prison entertainment to bring attention to the role of capitalism in the carceral system today. Before reading this novel, were you aware of the prison-industrial complex, prison labor, or the role that corporations play in the carceral system? How does the novel's dramatization of these stakes allow readers to reflect critically on the real-life implications of this system?
  13. Through Mari's narrative, readers are brought into the lives of families of incarcerated people and the activists working to abolish the carceral system, efforts that echo current calls to defund the police and abolish prisons. What do these chapters reveal about the work of community organizers and activists? Did you learn anything new about these movements? How does Mari's experience of having an incarcerated father inform her acts of protest over the course of the novel?
  14. How would you characterize the novel's ending and the freedom that Thurwar and Staxxx reach at the end? Triumphant? Mournful? A little bit of both?
  15. During the final BlackOut, Staxxx and Thurwar discuss what they will do with their lives when they are free, giving readers the sense that there is more work to be done. What do they decide to do and what do you imagine happening for the novel's characters, as well as the CAPE program, after the ending?
  16. Adjei-Brenyah's novel combines fiction with social justice by incorporating footnotes that provide readers with real-life stories and statistics about the experiences of incarcerated people in America. In the acknowledgments, Adjei-Brenyah writes, "This book is possible because of so many thinkers, activists, writers, and advocates who helped grow my point of view and guide research that deepened my understanding of our carceral world and country." How did these footnotes add to the realism of the novel? What did you learn and what stood out to you? Did your perspective on the criminal justice system change after reading this story?

Unless otherwise stated, this discussion guide is reprinted with the permission of Pantheon Books. Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions.

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Debugging Information
ColdFusion Server Developer 2021,0,13,330286
Template /bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
Time Stamp 01-Jun-26 09:22 AM
Locale en
User Agent Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Remote IP 127.0.0.1
Host Name 127.0.0.1


Execution Time

Total Time Avg Time Count Template
1780305759885 ms 1.78030575989E+012 ms 1 /root/website/app_server.cfm
1152 ms 1152 ms 1 /root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
372 ms 372 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm
287 ms 287 ms 1 /root/website/app_layout.cfm
243 ms 243 ms 1 /root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/dsp_main.cfm
221 ms 221 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_right_column.cfm
164 ms 55 ms 3 /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm
125 ms 125 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm
79 ms 79 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_first_impressions.cfm
78 ms 78 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm
60 ms 60 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone6.cfm
59 ms 59 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_footer.cfm
58 ms 58 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/showcase_track.cfm
47 ms 47 ms 1 /root/website/adzones/AdZone11.cfm
41 ms 41 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm
40 ms 40 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm
32 ms 32 ms 1 /root/website/app_globals.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_account_types.cfm
17 ms 17 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/membership_advantages.cfm
15 ms 15 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm
14 ms 14 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm
10 ms 10 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm
7 ms 7 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm
6 ms 6 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm
4 ms 1 ms 4 /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm
3 ms 3 ms 1 /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/act_check_login.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm
2 ms 2 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_header.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/Application.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/formurl2attributes.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_top_brief_block.cfm
1 ms 1 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/dsp_bottom_block.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/act_libraryIPLogin.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/banners/ad_594.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/js/fbjavascriptsdk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/act_book_view_tracking.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_border_booktalk.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_header_newsletter.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_wordplay.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/email_modal.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/google_tags.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/head.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/header_announcement.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_menu.cfm
0 ms 0 ms 1 /root/website/site/blocks/layout/main_search.cfm
0 ms  STARTUP, PARSING, COMPILING, LOADING, & SHUTDOWN
1153 ms  TOTAL EXECUTION TIME
red = over 250 ms average execution time


SQL Queries

spidercheck (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/act_spider_tracker.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT	a.bot_number
        FROM	bots a
        WHERE	charindex(a.bot_name, ?) > 0
		OR a.bot_ip = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
Parameter #2(cf_sql_varchar) = 127.0.0.1

get_member_info (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_info.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
select 	a.*, 
    		b.member_account_type_name, b.member_account_type_charge, b.member_account_type_charge_frequency,  b.member_account_type_months, 
            c.member_chargetype_name, c.member_chargetype_number, a.member_classification_number, a.member_book_format
	
    from members a, member_account_types b, member_chargetype c
	
    where a.member_account_type_number = b.member_account_type_number
	and a.payment_method_id = c.member_chargetype_number
	and a.member_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

adactive (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=3ms, Records=2) in /root/website/actions/adstatus.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT	viewby, section
    FROM	adsystem 
    WHERE	active  = 1 
    AND		start_date <= GETDATE()
    AND 	(viewby = ? OR viewby = 'all')
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = non

get_current_ezine (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=1, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_ezine.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
select		top 1 ezine_number, ezine_dt, ezine_image, ezine_brief_description, ezine_introduction
from		ezines
where		ezine_active_flag = 1
and 		ezine_type_number = 4
and			ezine_dt < getdate()
order by 	ezine_dt DESC
get_current_wordplay (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_wordplay.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT		a.wordplay_number, a.wordplay_dt, a.wordplay_name, a.wordplay_intro_text, b.wordplay_puzzle_number, b.wordplay_puzzle_question
    FROM		wordplays a 
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzle_mapping c on c.wordplay_number = a.wordplay_number
	INNER JOIN	wordplay_puzzles b on b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
	WHERE		a.wordplay_number = (	select top 1 a.wordplay_number
                                from wordplays a, wordplay_puzzles b, wordplay_puzzle_mapping c
                                where a.wordplay_number = c.wordplay_number
                                and b.wordplay_puzzle_number = c.wordplay_puzzle_number
                                and a.wordplay_dt < getdate()
                                and a.wordplay_expiration_dt > dateadd(day, -1, getdate())
                                order by a.wordplay_dt asc
                                )
get_ComNo (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 	TOP 1 	x.competition_number, x.bb_briefs_flag
	from			competitions x
	
		WHERE	x.competition_dt <= getdate()
		AND		x.competition_expiration_dt > dateadd(d,-1,getdate())
get_current_competition (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=1ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_current_competition.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 	x.competition_number, x.book_number, x.competition_teaser_title, x.competition_teaser_description, x.competition_intro_text, x.competition_expiration_dt, x.bb_briefs_flag, x.competition_full_info_flag, x.competition_type, x.competition_optin,x.competition_optin_text, 
				a.book_title as "title",
				(b.author_first_name + ' ' +  b.author_middle_initial + ' ' + b.author_last_name) as "author",
	            f.edition_publish_dt AS "hardcover_publish_dt", f.edition_jacket_image as "hardcover_jacket_image",
				g.edition_publish_dt AS "paperback_publish_dt", g.edition_jacket_image as "paperback_jacket_image"
	
		FROM 		competitions x
		INNER JOIN	books a on a.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	book_author_mapping c on c.book_number = x.book_number
		INNER JOIN	authors b on c.author_number = b.author_number
		LEFT JOIN	editions f on a.book_number = f.book_number and f.edition_paperback_flag = 0
		LEFT JOIN	editions g on a.book_number = g.book_number and g.edition_paperback_flag = 1

		WHERE		x.competition_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_previous_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=0, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_previous_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 	a.arc_number,a.arc_client_url,a.arc_active_dt, a.arc_off_ad_dt,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publisher, 
		b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, b.ezine_preview_bb_comments, b.ezine_preview_isbn13,
		c.ezine_preview_category_name AS "ezine_preview_category",
		(select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) as "reviews",
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating,
 			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,1))) AS numeric(12,1)))from arc_allocator where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS "decrating"

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
INNER JOIN ezine_preview_categories c ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = c.ezine_preview_category_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt

ORDER BY a.arc_on_ad_dt DESC
get_future_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=3ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text, arc_on_ad_dt,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages, ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	
	WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1

	AND 		getdate() < arc_on_ad_dt
	
		ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_active_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=2ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE 		a.arc_obc_flag = 1
	AND			a.arc_active_flag = 0
	AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND 		getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND 		getdate() < arc_off_ad_dt
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_recent_obc (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=4) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_active_obc.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk, a.discourse_flag, a.arc_promo_text,
				b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_jacket_desc, b.ezine_preview_publisher, ezine_preview_publish_dt, ezine_preview_number_of_pages,  ezine_preview_isbn, ezine_preview_short_summary,
	            b.ezine_preview_bb_author_link, ezine_preview_bb_link,
	            c.book_reading_guide
	
	FROM 		arcs a
	INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
	LEFT JOIN  	books c on c.book_number = b.ezine_preview_bb_link
	
	WHERE a.arc_number IN (select top 4 arc_number
							from		arcs
							WHERE 		arc_obc_flag = 1
							AND			arc_active_flag = 0
							AND 		arc_closed_flag = 1
							AND 		getdate() > arc_off_ad_dt
							ORDER BY	arc_on_ad_dt DESC)
	ORDER BY  	NEWID()
get_preview_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
select 			a.ezine_preview_number,
				a.ezine_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_category_number, 
				a.ezine_preview_title, 
				a.ezine_preview_subtitle, 
				a.ezine_preview_author, 
				a.ezine_preview_publisher,
				a.ezine_preview_publish_dt,
				a.ezine_preview_number_of_pages, 
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_image,
				a.ezine_preview_reviews,
				a.ezine_preview_short_summary,
				a.ezine_preview_jacket_desc,
				a.ezine_preview_reading_guide,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_comments, 
				a.ezine_preview_isbn,
				a.ezine_preview_isbn13,
				a.ezine_preview_rating,
				a.ezine_preview_bb_link,
                a.ezine_preview_bb_author_link,
                a.ezine_preview_firsts_flag,
                a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
                a.ezine_preview_paperback_flag,
				b.*,
                c.ezine_dt, c.ezine_description
,(select publisher_holding_company from publishers where ezine_preview_publisher like publisher_imprint AND publisher_holding_company LIKE 'Harper%') AS "publisher_holding_company"		
 				
from ezine_previews a 
inner join ezine_preview_categories b ON b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
left join ezines c ON c.ezine_number = a.ezine_number

where ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_preview_awards_by_id (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_preview_awards_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:39.039
select a.book_award_number, a.book_award_name, a.book_award_image, c.book_award_dt
    from book_awards a 
    inner join book_awards_category b on b.book_award_number = a.book_award_number
    inner join book_awards_mapping c on c.book_awards_category_number = b.book_awards_category_number
    where ezine_preview_number =  ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_briefs_reader_rating (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=124ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_briefs_reader_rating.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT	(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) >= 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
			ELSE 0
			END) AS "avrating",
            count(rating) as "ratcount"
            
	FROM (
		SELECT reader_review_rating AS rating
		FROM reader_reviews
		WHERE ezine_preview_number = ?
		
		AND reader_review_rating > 0
		
		UNION ALL
		
		SELECT reading_list_book_rating AS rating
		FROM reading_lists
		WHERE book_number LIKE 'p%'
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) = ?
		AND reading_list_book_rating > 0
		AND TRY_CAST(SUBSTRING(book_number, 2, LEN(book_number)) AS INT) IS NOT NULL
	) combined_ratings
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=1) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_reader_reviews_by_preview_number.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 		a.reader_review_number, a.book_number, a.ezine_preview_number, a.reader_review_approved_flag, a.reader_review_dt,
				COALESCE(NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(m.discourse_username)), ''), NULLIF(LTRIM(RTRIM(a.reader_review_reviewer_name)), '')) AS reader_review_reviewer_name,
				a.reader_review_reviewer_email_address, a.reader_review_reviewer_from_locale, a.reader_review_recommended, a.reader_review_rating, a.reader_review_title, a.reader_review_description, ISNULL(a.like_count, 0) AS like_count,
    			b.ezine_preview_title,
    			ISNULL(e.edit_count, 0) AS edit_count,
    			e.last_edit_dt,
    			a.member_number AS review_member_number
    FROM 		reader_reviews a
    INNER JOIN	ezine_previews b ON a.ezine_preview_number = b.ezine_preview_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN (
    	SELECT reader_review_number, COUNT(*) AS edit_count, MAX(edited_dt) AS last_edit_dt
    	FROM   reader_review_edits
    	GROUP BY reader_review_number
    ) e ON e.reader_review_number = a.reader_review_number
    LEFT OUTER JOIN members m ON m.member_number = a.member_number
	WHERE 		a.ezine_preview_number = ?
    AND			a.book_number = 0
    AND 		a.reader_review_approved_flag = 1
    

	ORDER BY a.reader_review_rating DESC, a.reader_review_dt DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_arc_idfk (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=4ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 17444

get_arc_idfk_legacy (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=26ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 		a.arc_forumidfk,a.discourse_flag
    FROM 		arcs a
    INNER JOIN 	ezine_previews e on e.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number
    
	
        WHERE 		e.ezine_preview_number = ? 
    AND DATALENGTH(a.arc_forumidfk) > 0 AND arc_obc_flag=1 AND a.discourse_flag = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_integer) = 17444

obc_discussions (Datasource=booktalk_new, Time=234ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 		t.name,
                m.title, m.body,
                u.username, t.id,
				(SELECT COUNT(*) from booktalk_messages where threadidfk = t.id) AS	"responses"
                
    FROM 		booktalk_forums f
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_threads t on t.forumidfk = f.id
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_messages m on m.posted = t.lastpostcreated
    INNER JOIN	booktalk_users u on u.id = m.useridfk
    
    WHERE 	f.id = ?
    AND 	f.active = 1
	AND		t.active = 1
    
    ORDER BY t.name, t.messages DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) =

searchResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=106ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_discussion_by_id.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT book_number, post_id, topic_id, blurb, username, topic_title
					FROM DiscourseSearchResults
					
        WHERE 		book_number = ? 
                    AND topic_id IS NOT NULL
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p17444

ya_check (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=29ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select ezine_preview_reading_level 
from ezine_previews 
where ezine_preview_number = ?
and ezine_preview_reading_level = 2
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_books_by_brief (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=20) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_books_by_briefs_category.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select 			top 20
				a.ezine_preview_reading_level,
				b.category_name,
				c.category_number, 
				d.book_number, d.book_title,
				f.author_number, f.author_first_name, author_middle_initial, author_last_name
				
from 			ezine_previews a 
inner join		categories b on b.ezine_preview_category_number = a.ezine_preview_category_number
inner join		category_book_mapping c on c.category_number = b.category_number
inner join		books d on d.book_number = c.book_number
inner join		book_author_mapping e on e.book_number = d.book_number
inner join		authors f on f.author_number = e.author_number

where			a.ezine_preview_number = ? 

order by 		d.book_number DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 17444

get_author_bookcount (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=3ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_author_bookcount.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select		b.book_title as "title", 1 as "bb_flag", b.book_number as "number"
        from		book_author_mapping a
		inner join	books b on b.book_number = a.book_number
        where		a.author_number = ?
union
    	select		c.ezine_preview_title as "title", 0 as "bb_flag", c.ezine_preview_number as "number"
        from		ezine_previews c
        where		c.ezine_preview_bb_author_link = ?
        and			c.ezine_preview_bb_link = 0
		and 1=0
order by title DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 0

get_obc_number (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=5ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_obc_number.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select a.arc_forumidfk
    from arcs a
    
    	where a.ezine_preview_number = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_numeric) = 17444.0

existingResults (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=51ms, Records=1) in /root/website/actions/udfs.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT id, last_updated
        FROM DiscourseSearchResults
        WHERE book_number = ?
        ORDER BY last_updated DESC
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(cf_sql_varchar) = p17444

get_member_account_types (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=16ms, Records=2) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_member_account_types.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select member_account_type_number, member_account_type_name, member_account_type_charge, member_account_type_charge_frequency, member_account_type_postscript, member_account_type_months, member_account_type_stripe_lookup_key
from member_account_types
where member_account_type_number = (select top 1 member_account_type_number
									from member_account_types
									where member_account_type_months = 12
									and member_account_type_public = 1
									order by member_account_type_charge ASC)
									
or member_account_type_number =		(select top 1 member_account_type_number
									from member_account_types
									where member_account_type_months = 3
									and member_account_type_public = 1
									order by member_account_type_charge ASC)
									
order by member_account_type_sort_order ASC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=7ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone11
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=27ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone11

get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=24ms, Records=0) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 	top 10 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
		b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
		(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
				(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
				 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
				 ELSE 0
				 END)
 			from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

FROM arcs a
INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
AND arc_obc_flag = 0
AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1
and getdate() <= dateadd(day,1,a.arc_off_ad_dt)

ORDER BY NEWID()
get_arcs_for_ad (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=51ms, Records=3) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_arcs_for_ad.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 	top 3 a.arc_number,arc_promo_text,
			b.ezine_preview_number, b.ezine_preview_title, b.ezine_preview_subtitle, b.ezine_preview_jacket_image, b.ezine_preview_author, b.ezine_preview_publish_dt, 
			(select (CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,0))) AS numeric(12,0)))+
					(CASE WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 25 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 50 THEN 0.5
					 WHEN right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) > 50 AND right(CAST(AVG(CAST(arc_allocator_review_rating AS numeric(12,2))) AS numeric(12,2)),2) < 75 THEN -0.5
					 ELSE 0
					 END)
				from arc_allocator	where arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) AS arcrating

	FROM arcs a
	INNER JOIN ezine_previews b ON b.ezine_preview_number = a.ezine_preview_number

	WHERE arc_closed_flag = 1
	AND arc_obc_flag = 0
	AND getdate() >= arc_on_ad_dt
	AND (select count(*) from arc_allocator d where d.arc_number = a.arc_number and arc_allocator_review_approved_flag = 1) > 1

	ORDER BY a.arc_off_ad_dt DESC
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=23ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
	
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=20ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = adzone6

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=13ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_quotes (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=40ms, Records=1) in /root/website/site/blocks/dsp_book_giveaway.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
select top 1 ezine_number, ezine_quote, ezine_quote_title
	    from ezines
	    where len(ezine_quote_title) > 1
	    order by newid()
get_free_newsletters (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=0ms, Records=4, Cached Query) in /root/website/queries/qry_get_free_newsletters.cfm @ 09:22:40.040
SELECT 	*
    FROM 	free_newsletters
get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=14ms, Records=0) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:41.041
SELECT		a.adid,	adweight
	FROM		adsystem a
	INNER JOIN 	ad_category_mapping b ON b.adid = a.adid
	WHERE		a.section = ?
	AND			a.active  = 1
	AND 		a.start_date <= GETDATE()
		 	AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
	AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
            

	AND     (b.category_number IN (	SELECT	category_number
									FROM	category_book_mapping
									WHERE	book_number = ?)
      		OR 	b.category_number = ?)
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112
Parameter #3(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0
Parameter #4(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = 0

get_ads (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=17ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:41.041
SELECT	a.adid,	adweight
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.section = ? 
        AND 	a.active  = 1 
        AND		a.start_date <= GETDATE()	
        		AND a.adid NOT IN (?) 
        AND (a.viewby LIKE '%n%' OR a.viewby = 'all')
        AND (select count(*) from ad_category_mapping where datalength(category_number) >= 1 and adid = a.adid) = 0
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_VARCHAR) = showcase_track
Parameter #2(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 1112

get_type (Datasource=bookbrowse_com_new, Time=15ms, Records=1) in /root/website/adsystem/adsystem_mod.cfm @ 09:22:41.041
SELECT	a.start_date, a.adid, a.end_date, a.camp_views, a.image_name, a.alt_text, a.views, a.code, a.adsize
        FROM	adsystem a
        WHERE	a.adid = ?
Query Parameter Value(s) -
Parameter #1(CF_SQL_INTEGER) = 594


Scope Variables

CGI Variables:
AUTH_PASSWORD=
AUTH_TYPE=
AUTH_USER=
CERT_COOKIE=
CERT_FLAGS=
CERT_ISSUER=
CERT_KEYSIZE=
CERT_SECRETKEYSIZE=
CERT_SERIALNUMBER=
CERT_SERVER_ISSUER=
CERT_SERVER_SUBJECT=
CERT_SUBJECT=
CF_TEMPLATE_PATH=/root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
CONTENT_LENGTH=
CONTENT_TYPE=
CONTEXT_PATH=
GATEWAY_INTERFACE=
HTTPS=
HTTPS_KEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SECRETKEYSIZE=
HTTPS_SERVER_ISSUER=
HTTPS_SERVER_SUBJECT=
HTTP_ACCEPT=*/*
HTTP_ACCEPT_ENCODING=gzip, br, zstd, deflate
HTTP_ACCEPT_LANGUAGE=
HTTP_CONNECTION=upgrade
HTTP_COOKIE=CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=next%5Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fdev%2Ebookbrowse%2Ecom%2Fmag%2Fdetail%2Findex%2Ecfm%2Fezine%5Fnumber%2F635%23order%3Dp%23member%5Factive%5Fflag%3D0%23member%5Fnumber%3D0%23member%5Flogged%5Fin%5Fflag%3D0%23library%5Fuser%5Fflag%3D0%23view%3Dbooks%23; CFGLOBALS=urltoken%3DCFID%23%3D4093739%26CFTOKEN%23%3D9a01ddee8403fc3c%2D18E8D65E%2DA493%2D0D14%2D4B3B91A817FD0826%23lastvisit%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2009%3A22%3A39%27%7D%23hitcount%3D154%23timecreated%3D%7Bts%20%272026%2D06%2D01%2009%3A22%3A15%27%7D%23cftoken%3D9a01ddee8403fc3c%2D18E8D65E%2DA493%2D0D14%2D4B3B91A817FD0826%23cfid%3D4093739%23; CFID=4093739; CFTOKEN=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826; FREEACCESSCOUNT=0
HTTP_HOST=dev.bookbrowse.com
HTTP_REFERER=
HTTP_URL=
HTTP_USER_AGENT=Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)
LOCAL_ADDR=127.0.0.1
PATH_INFO=/ezine_preview_number/17444/chain-gang-all-stars
PATH_TRANSLATED=/root/website/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
QUERY_STRING=
REMOTE_ADDR=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_HOST=127.0.0.1
REMOTE_USER=
REQUEST_METHOD=GET
SCRIPT_NAME=/bb_briefs/reading_guides/index.cfm
SERVER_NAME=dev.bookbrowse.com
SERVER_PORT=8500
SERVER_PORT_SECURE=0
SERVER_PROTOCOL=HTTP/1.1
SERVER_SOFTWARE=
WEB_SERVER_API=
Client Variables:
cfid=4093739
cftoken=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
hitcount=161
lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 09:22:41'}
library_user_flag=0
member_active_flag=0
member_logged_in_flag=0
member_number=0
next_url=https://dev.bookbrowse.com/mag/detail/index.cfm/ezine_number/635
order=p
timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 09:22:15'}
urltoken=CFID=4093739&CFTOKEN=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
view=books
Cookie Variables:
CFCLIENT_BOOKBROWSE=next_url=https://dev.bookbrowse.com/mag/detail/index.cfm/ezine_number/635#order=p#member_active_flag=0#member_number=0#member_logged_in_flag=0#library_user_flag=0#view=books#
CFGLOBALS=urltoken=CFID#=4093739&CFTOKEN#=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826#lastvisit={ts '2026-06-01 09:22:39'}#hitcount=154#timecreated={ts '2026-06-01 09:22:15'}#cftoken=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826#cfid=4093739#
CFID=4093739
CFTOKEN=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
FREEACCESSCOUNT=0
Session Variables:
cfid=4093739
cftoken=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
sessionid=BOOKBROWSE_4093739_9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
urltoken=CFID=4093739&CFTOKEN=9a01ddee8403fc3c-18E8D65E-A493-0D14-4B3B91A817FD0826
URL Parameters:
chain-gang-all-stars=
ezine_preview_number=17444
Debug Rendering Time: 39 ms