The author's first word could easily have been "politics." Scott Crass's passion for politics may have been fueled by his first book on U.S. presidents, given to him by his mother, Madeline, at the ripe young age of 5. He quickly wore out the pages, prompting his mother to buy a replacement. Scott has been a devoted student of Presidential and Congressional politics ever since. He obtained his B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Monmouth University in Long Branch, N.J., achieved his M.A. in Counseling at the same institution and immediately went to work for the New Jersey Legislature. A proud native of the Garden State, Scott has always been drawn to his beloved Jersey Shore, where he enjoys spending much of his free time. Scott likes to joke he "knows class from Crass," and besides politics and the Shore, is a fan of music of all kinds, including 1930/40s "Big Band," Doo Wop/ oldies, Neil Diamond, Strauss waltzes, Dean Martin and any sound of another Jersey treasure, Frank Sinatra. And just like his grandfather, the late Charles J. Mandel, he is enchanted with the beautiful music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. On another note, Scott never tires of watching reruns of "Dallas," "All in the Family," "Barnaby Jones" and "Cannon." He lives in Somerset, N.J and thrives by a personal motto, "Failure is only our enemy if it does not serve as our guide."