Fandom Books

This book is eye-opening! I have been an avid fan of Harry Potter for years with many reads of the entire series under my belt. I teach a Harry Potter class to elementary & middle school aged kids in the summer (which is why I bought this book). It is so much fun to realize how deep the HP universe really is! I can't wait for volumes 2 & 3 to come out.

This book is wonderfully organized and easy to use. The information is totally fascinating and the questions range from moderately to extremely challenging. There are also some great pages of trivia about the trivia answers.

For all who want to explore even more into the world of Harry Potter, this book is a great buy. Highly recommended!

for someone who is wanting to enjoy a challenging afternoon this is the book for you.Rachelene Maltanese has formated her book in such a way that the beginning,casual and the serious readers of the Harry Potter series will tested in their knowledge of potions,spells,curses,witches and wizards and myriad other topics by her Salamander,Phoenix and Dragon levels.this book is highly recommended for any HP group disussion or just to bone up on your knowledge, or lack thereof.So purchase this product, sit back and enjoy

I got this book for my 3 kids, ages 11,18 and 22 who are all Harry Potter book fanatics and used to sit around and make up trivia questions to try to stump each other (especially the older 2). They all have enjoyed taking the quizzes and it is both challenging and entertaining. I would definitely recommend it for those who think they are well versed in Potter minutia--you might be surprised!

I'll come right out and admit that I expected this book to be a cakewalk. I've read the entire series of books multiple times, and I was convinced that I'd have no problem answering even the difficult questions. Well, I've been well and truly humbled.

Ms. Maltese has gathered an incredible range of facts and tidbits from seemingly nowhere. The book itself is divided into individual quests, or areas of knowledge, then further broken down into three levels of difficulty: salamander, phoenix, and dragon. I knew I was in trouble when I started missing phoenix questions!

Fortunately, the answers are supplied at the end of the chapter, along with some fun trivia bits. I actually went and double-checked some of those answers for accuracy, and the book was right every time.

This book would be a great at a party, or for a fund-raiser trivia quiz. I think this would also be a great idea translated into other languages, since many of the character names are completely different in each country.

My hat is off to Ms. Maltese and her impeccable research skills. I challenge all Potter fans to try their hand and test their Potter knowledge!

Having just finished this book, I'm going to skip ahead and say: I am delighted.


Skipping backwards, however:


- The simple skill levels provide an excellent ladder into the suprisingly voluminous information within: Young fans will be thrilled to be quizzed as Salamanders (Level 1), drawn on to learn more and graduate to Phoenixes (Level 2), and even adult fans will be challenged by Level 3, the Dragon.


- Hint boxes on almost every page make sure the reader isn't left to flounder if they're lost (or tempted to cheat!). They don't chivvy, scold, or insult, but instead encourage lateral thinking to get at the answers.


- However, the best part might be the extras. The answers are not simple, dry solutions; they are complete and filled with additional content and facts, making it a surprisingly useful reference.


- Trivia Tidbits! Never let it be said that curiosity, once fanned, was allowed to fizzle. The "tidbits" are actually quite meaty asides that often bring in real-world comparisons, point out the historical fact and mythology woven through the Harry Potter books, and encourage outside research and reading.


A wonderful idea for parents might be to purchase the book prior to a birthday and use the questions as a party game. This would work equally well for teenagers, and even adults. Harry Potter appeals to nearly everyone, and this book makes it fun to share trivia and thoughts on the series with friends.

A Notre Dame grad, I picked up this book expecting it to be a glowing tribute to various parts of our football fanbase, hoping it would at least contain a few good stories that I hadn't heard at pep rallies, tailgates, or over dining hall trays. Instead, I was thrilled to find a series of topics that Scott has clearly researched on a level that those at ESPN and SI have never reached.

There are, of course, interviews with alumns (subway and graduated) and their reactions throughout Notre Dame's long history. But these provide some buffer and outsiders' perspective to chapters that delve deep into the University's financials, or pieces together administrative politics from interviews with Holy Cross priests and press script transcripts. Most memorable were the sections detailing Notre Dame's history in ways I had never once heard or read of in my four years. Detailing the fans at ND-Army games in Yankee stadium, Rockne's avoidance of playing other Catholic schools, and pre-Hesburgh administrations are just three quick examples of some of my favorite stuff. Where and how Scott dug this up will surely be a question many "know-it-all" fans and Observer sports columnist should be asking.

Most interesting (to me) was Scott's investigation into the uber-popular fansites like NDNation that so many fans belong to. He neither condemns it nor condones it; the book gives a fair, unhysterical overview of the process, text, and reaction to the internet-fueled "Call For Change" movement but also gives a lot of Monk's view of this growing mobocracy and their inability to ever be fully satiated. Most of the topics are dealt in this similar light: I walked away feeling there are shades of gray about online fandom, academe aspiration, subway alumni, and collegiate football.

Scott's ability to create a richer, detailed story stands out in a genre that seems to be content playing up all the same tried stories at a superficial level to the fans to sell copies on game day. (see: Return to Glory) The book is appropriately long, but ends right when you feel you've had about enough Notre Dame for awhile. His prose is thoughtful, investigative fair mixed with interview quotes that do not shy away from the profane and the profound.

This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants an understanding of the Notre Dame football fan experience from the perspective of a recent alum.
If you have not attended a game in South Bend, this book will make you feel as if you have never missed one.
The pull of the place to folks who have never attended a class at any University is attempted to be put in words....It is a must read for a College Football fanatic.

First, I have to admit for clarity that Scott's book includes about 1 page about my brother and I. I also signed the C4C (if you don't know what that means, read the book). So I guess that makes me biased.

Following the 2003 season, I didn't think I would face a worse situation than what unfolded in 2004. Bad losses to good teams, even worse losses to bad teams and the eventual misfirings on trying to land the "savior" coach at ND. In a phrase, it was a CF.

Now, through the writings of Scott, I relived that season but through the eyes of others who maybe lived and died a bit more with the game of ND football than I. Going in I thought the book was going to be a more factual account of what happened in 2004. But Scott does more than tell the facts - he tells the story behind the facts. Through meeting subway alums and their history and the role that the Internet played in bringing change to ND football, this book tells a good story.

If you are not a ND fan, you might find this book limited in its contents. However, if you suffered through the past 10 years of ND football, then you must read this book. You will have a renewed passion for Our Lady.

While Notre Dame haters will probably not care for this book, both fans of ND and those interested in college football in general will find it both fascinating and entertaining. By presenting stories of fans from around the country, as well as the historical conext of Notre Dame football, Mr Eden does a wonderful job of explaining how Notre Dame, warts and all, came to occupy a unique spot in college football: A small catholic university in the midwest with unparalleled football success and a truly national fan base.

"Touchdown Jesus" began as a small article describing the relationship between faith and fandom at Notre Dame, but evolved into a tour de force that introduces various Notre Dame enthusiasts from different backgrounds during a turbulent period for the University. These interested parties, many of whom author Scott Eden met tailgating prior to Irish football games, include university administrators, students, alumni, local residents, Internet posters, and "subway alumni," fans who did not attend the University but pledge die-hard allegiance to the University. To many of these fans, the direction of Notre Dame at the beginning of the 2004 football season was a cause for concern. The three pillars on which Irish enthusiasts take pride in--strong academics, nationally competitive football, and Catholic identity--were thought to be in crisis amidst alleged de-emphasis of football and aspirations to achieve similarity with elite, secular universities. The stories of the fans during this time are told through extensive research and personal interviews while detailing the events leading to the unexpected retirement of University President Father Edward Malloy and the firing of head football coach Tyrone Willingham.

Many authors have put forth books about Notre Dame, yet Scott Eden has produced a book that occupies a unique and important place in the Irish canon. A Notre Dame alumnus himself, Eden shares the passion for Notre Dame with the fans he describes, yet approaches the events with a detached, journalistic perspective. For the Notre Dame faithful, this book will serve as the definitive novel of this era, one that breaks ground in describing the events that occurred and the forces behind them. For others, Eden presents a piece that transcends a historical narrative by delving into the psychology behind devoted fandom. The result is a book that will be compelling for any audience.

This was an excellent read. Although I really enjoyed Vol. 1, Vol. 2 mainly deals with the All-Star Squadron series, which is the series I read growing up. It was a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of one of my favorite super-hero teams. Highly recommended.

This book follows up on the All Star Companion, Volume One, and is a collection of articles and recollections of DC's golden age heroes (namely the Justice Society of America, and The All-Star Squadron). There are some unique insights and interesting stories about these classic characters, and the book is filled with some rare and intriguing art. The wrap-around cover by Carlos Pacheco is fantastic.

For me, the most interesting feature was a complete synopsis (issue by issue) of the All-Star Squadron comics, complete with cover reproductions and background notes. There were also supposed to be notes on the Young All-Stars comic, but space constraints pushed this material out of the book (though it will appear in volume three). This is nothing short of a phenomenal read for fans of comicdom's golden age.

Collections strong in comic book artists and art will find this history of the Justice Society of America and friends to be moving: it provides more secrets of the comic characters from the 1940s through the 1980s, surveying major issues and events, providing black and white reproductions of pages, and detailing behind-the-scenes influences on adventures and character appearances. An excellent companion for any who have followed the strip and seek more information on historical progression.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I have always been a huge fan of the JSA. In my younger days, I collected every issue of All Star Squadron. As I got older and married, I sold my collection to younger enthusiasts. Now, I can revisit my former passion in this book that describes all the issues of All-Star Squadron as well as interesting articles about the history of All-Star Comics and the JSA. If you are interested in greater understanding of the history of JSA, I heartily recommend this book.

If you liked All-Star Companion vol.1, you'll enjoy vol.2. More info on the Justice Society, plus an issue by issue review of The All-Star Squadron. I'm looking forward to vol.3!

Fan based activism is the subject of Marvin Lachman's amusing if not too terribly insightful new book THE HEIRS OF ANTHONY BOUCHER.

I've never been to a Bouchercon myself, and I would definitely add a star if I had, since for Lachman and his crew they represent the highest achievement in fantopia. Each of them is detailed here from top to bottom, including some frank discussion you will not want to miss on who was the nicest guests and who the most obsteperous and unpleasant. Also, some details of failed entertainment (a magician who faced the crowd at the 1987 Bouchercon gets a new one ripped into him here). Lachman cheerfully follows the late Michael Dibdin's acid observation that a gathering of fans is rather like the Revenge of the Nerds movies, and some of the fans are weirder than the rest! And he does name names, including some stories from back in the old days when social drinking was bigger than it is now, and any party was an excuse for some boozehounds to get royally smashed.

Controversy followed the fans, who like modernday bloggers only infrequently felt constrained by the professional obligations of their opposite numbers in the publishing/reviewing sphere. Thus a fan magazine called John Dickson Carr "second-rate," and other fans disagreed sharply. Greedy booksellers were publicly named and shamed for their outrageous pricing. Few remained unscathed, and the fans represent every notch of the political spectrum. Some have gone on to great things, writing the definitive biographies of their heroes, while others have been content to lobby for more "THE CAT WHO" books. Poisoned Pen Press is to be congratulated for publishing a book with so many different stories in it, and for printing so many candid snapshots of a grizzled school of activist readers. I came away from this book wondering what Anthony Boucher would have made of this phenomenon, but I feel sure he would have responded warmly to Marvin Lachman's geniality and high spirits.

My first Bouchercon was Milwaukee in 1999, which Lachman says was probably the high mark of Bcons in terms of organization and efficiency. Now I'm spoiled. I've attended a lot of mystery and writing conferences since and it's still tops.

Lachman also writes the "Out of the Past" column for MYSTERY NEWS, in which he sends readers scurrying to used bookshops for out-of-print relics from forgotten writers. If you're a fan of vintage writers from the early pulp and paperback era, you'll find that Lachman is frequently on those panels. So who better to chronicle the history of Bouchercon, the world's largest mystery convention?

If you've attended the Bcons he describes, you'll smile at the memories he evokes; if you didn't attend, you'll feel a wistful tug for having missed them. For each convention, he gives the highlights, the major events and attendance statistics. The behind the scenes anecdotes are especially fun.

This is a real gem for die-hard mystery fans and a special treat for anyone who has ever been (or may be contemplating being) one of the thankless Bouchercon volunteers or Bouchercon Organizers who make these events possible. I'd like to see him update it every year or post updates on a Website.

THE HEIRS OF ANTHONY BOUCHER is above all comprehensive and it reviews just about everything one will want to know about the history of mystery fandom. Marvin Lachman seems to have an ecyclopedic memory for details and events and has enough anecdotes and quotes to keep the book interesting.

The text follows a chronological pattern starting in 1930. It covers fan clubs, magazines, conventions, organizations, famous fans, scholarship by fans and mystery fandom in cyberspace.Even a casual reader of mystery jounals such as CADS, MYSTERY READERS JOURNAL and the now defunct ARMCHAIR DETECTIVE will recognize many familiar names including Geoff Bradley, Janet Rudolph, Otto Penzler, Bill Deeck, Bill Crider, Al Hubin, Charles Shibuk, Gary Warren Niebuhr, Bob Adey, Jon L. Breen, John Apostolou,Doug Greene, Philip Scowcroft and Ellen Nehr.

The big lesson to be learned here, in my opinion, is that remarkable work can be accomplished by people who are willing to explore their interests in depth with passion. There is no better example of this than the legacy now being created by Marvin Lachman.

This is a fabulous account! I can't think of anyone who could have done this better than Marv Lachman, I can't think of any bases it leaves untouched. It's timely, comprehensive, sympathetic, opinionated (in the best sense), insightful, well organized and beautifully written. Anyone with an interest in mystery fandom and its development over the years since its beginnings in the 1960s will cherish this book.

This is an excellent view into two groups of women who met up online and formed a new type of society. Dr. Bury puts the study of these groups into a wider context by exploring the historical and sociological implications. I don't always agree with the authorities she quotes, but I find their viewpoints interesting, and the discussions between the women in the groups are humorous and stimulating.

Perhaps the most realistic history of the fans who read and collected comic books, science fiction, movies, books, and just about anything collectable. Nostalgic without candy coating the history, F:C is - if not the last word on nostalgia history, certainly the next to the last word. This deserves a prominent place on anyone's bookshelf.

Northwest Passages: A Cascadian Anthology is a collection of science fiction and fantasy short stories that share a common thread of location in the Pacific Northwest. Many of these stories stand, independent of any genre, simply as good short fiction. The best of them are haunting stories that provoke a question in the reader's mind about what makes us human.

Most of the stories are quite wonderful, but a few annoy me a little bit. Louise Herring-Jones should consult an appropriate reference work about the difference between slugs and snails. And some of the authors clearly have limited personal knowledge of the parts of Oregon, Washington and Canada they are writing about. Doris Day's first film appearance was in 1948 - not 1940 as Jacques L. Condor would have it. But these are nits. Most of the stories are well-worth reading.

My personal favorites (in the order they appear in the book) are: Donna McMahon's "Feeding the Eagles," Mary E. Lowd's "Forget Me Not," Dr. Philip Edward Kaldon's "The Pulse of the Sea," Ruth Nestvold's "A Debt to Collect," Mercurio D. Rivera's "Rewind, Reply," Jacques L. Condor's "Them," John Kratman's "Nanuq," Krista Dietrich's "Sister's Story," and Eric Choi's "Plot Device."

Tales of the Slug, edited by Cris K. A. DiMarco
a review by Seth Kerin, author of The Elder Worlds: Book One

Tales of the Slug is, from the outset, one of the more amusing anthologies I have ever read. The mere fact that all the stories are, directly or indirectly, related to slugs makes it an instant must-read compilation.

Individually, the stories are many and varied. The opener is a strong piece by Andrew Dolbeck, the author of Fever Jenny, and provides a great lead into the rest of the tales. Following that are stories by a wide range of authors and from a wide array of genres, from comic strip to horror tale, `A Matter of Taste.' It is interesting to note that there are no less than three stories about slugs and witches, two of which revolve around witches named Jenny - a common witch name?

In any case, as in any good anthology, the stories are well laid out, interweaving the strongest stories as anchors with the more unusual bits like the comic strip in between. Although many of the tales deal with characters from separate established novels, there is enough background given to make each story an easy and enjoyable read.

Overall, Tales of the Slug is a unique and entertaining collection that even those who are not typically fans of anthologies can enjoy.

If you're a fan of soap operas, and communication about them on the internet, this is the BOOK for you! Ms. Baym's book is filled with insightful and thought-provoking information on a group of individuals in a newsgroup on the internet who all came together to discuss the good and bad of their favorite soap opera(s). And along the way, found a community of friends they never thought possible. In her long and dedicated research, Ms. Baym delves into the communication she discovered, both verbal and nonverbal of a group of people, many women, but also men, and discovers much more about them than what appears on the surface. Her conclusions are quite intriguing! She finds the common bonds between them and shows how they are not only gifted and talented individuals, but how they are able to personify themselves through they're words, acts and deeds. She also talks at length about the changes over the years and gives factual evidence as the internet became larger. The growth is written into her story. It is a fun-filled odyssey into one group of people brought together with one common bond from all walks of life, from locations all over the world and it is quite a fascinating journey. Don't waste any time - get this book!

Brava Nancy Baym!

Charles Phipps has made a spectacular world in which the nightmarish future views of earth have something most Sci-fi books of this type don't have...hope.

There is a delicate mixture of spirtualism that is lacking in most sci-fi books. Instead of centering on only mysticism and non-judeo-christian religions, Mr. Phipps has meshed these traditions with others into a tapestry that is uncommonly lovely.

I highly recommend this book to those who like a page turner but do not have the time to delve into a dissertation on quantum mechanics.

The book is readable while being intelligent! Kudos!