The easy part to this question is that I do not believe the answer can
be found on Google Web however it IS in Google Groups.  I know this
because I found a reference to it over a year ago but have since lost
the information.

So, the question and the task.  About one year ago someone saw my last
name on my web page and sent me an email about a book they had read in
which a character named Mingus becomes the ruler of the world (or some
such grandeur). I think this would classify as science fiction.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find out what book
it is, and find out for certain where I can purchase it (whether it be
online or not).

If you can, I shall add a deserving tip :)

Other information that I know about the book is that it is
comparatively old, though written in the last 50 years, and the author
has written other titles.  I did find the book in ONE online book
store, however the store hadn't been updated since something like 1997
if I remember correctly.  Also, ignore any references to Charles
Mingus.  He is a famous jazz musician that dominates the Google
results.

Also, if the book turns out to be an actual prophecy and I do take
over the world, let this be a binding contract entitling you to .001%
of it!

*raises an interested eyebrow*  any takers? =)

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 12 Dec 2003 18:29 PST

What do you remember about the reference that you found in Google Groups?

Was it kind of like a discussion of the book?  Or was it merely a
passing reference to the title and author?  Did it mention the Mingus
character being ruler of the world?  Did it mention the Mingus
character at all?

Any additional details might help.

Thanks.

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Clarification of Question by alterego-ga on 13 Dec 2003 11:27 PST

I believe it was a discussion about the book, and I think there was a
reference to Mingus.  Its kind of hard to say because the guy who
e-mailed it to me gave me the title and author so I had that to work
from.

I have been finding some weird references to the term 'mingus cat' in
alt.revisionism and alt.religion.scientology but all of them lack
context so i have no idea what thats about.

Perhaps its impossible to find :(

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Request for Question Clarification by aht-ga on 18 Dec 2003 23:34 PST

alterego-ga:

A needle in a haystack *might* be easier to find than this one, but
that doesn't mean we won't try anyway!

I found a science fiction short story where "Mingus" appears in the
title. However, the short story appears to have only appeared in one
anthology, published in 1990. As well, the theme of this anthology is
short stories about computers in the future. The anthology has been
out of print for quite a few years, and unfortunately the public
library in my area does not carry a copy.

The title of the story is "The Reconstruction of Mingus", by Phil
Manchester. The anthology is titled "Digital Dreams", ed. by David E.
Barrett and published in Oct. 1990:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0450531503/qid%3D/102-1145972-3286565

Since this is a short story in an anthology, I have doubts whether
this is the book you are looking for. As well, there do not appear to
be any other stories or books written by Phil Manchester that are
currently available, casting even more doubt on this lead.

Does any of this jar your memory?

Regards,

aht-ga
Google Answers Researcher

Could it be _The Fortress of Solitude_ by Jonathan Lethem ?
http://slate.msn.com/id/2089295/entry/2089307/

Not sure it fits the 'taking over the world' part. Well, another book
with a character named Mingus.