Movies Books

I read this book on Kindle a couple of months ago. I remember watching the mini series as a kid but had never read the book. I'm not going to go into the literary aspects because that has been covered, in it's good and bad points already. I will say I'm glad I've read it. I won't consider it a completely accurate history lesson, but it does make a person think past normal boundaries. This book is formatted well for Kindle, it had no formatting issues. The fact I read it on Kindle was "handy" because I could look up tribal phrases in the dictionary, or wiki with little effort and go straight back to reading.

Love reading this book after so many years! It reminds me that all men deserve dignity and repect. Also, freedom is not free. We all in one way or another has paid a price for freedom!

Book is in perfect condition as described by seller and arrived in the time stated. I recommend ordering from this seller.

Almost finshed with book I also bought DVDS but wanted to read first. About 900 pages seems too much, but I am relly suprised that I am just about through. I would recommend this book

I love Roots and think the whole world should read it. It's an important and vital book about American history, family history, and triumph over hardship. I loved Roots the first time I read it twenty years ago, and I love it still, having just finished it yesterday, BUT...

1) If only Alex Haley hadn't plagiarized whole sections of the book (see Wikipedia's article on the author Harold Courlander)

2) If only Haley really HAD been related to Kunta Kinte (genealogists state he consciously perpetrated a hoax)

3) If only Juffure really WAS Haley's ancestral village (evidence suggests that the griot from modern Juffure with "memories" of Kunta Kinte's disappearance in 1767 was coached about what to "remember")

I found these fabrications depressing. And what's so sad is that I believe Haley had no need to lie and cheat, because he's really a top-notch storyteller.

This aside, though, I have a few other critical comments.

1) The book begins a slow descent into petering out after Kunta Kinte exits. The characters become increasingly wooden and one-dimensional. Kunta is great, Kizzy is good, Chicken George is fair, and everyone and almost everything after that is forgettable.

2) The book lauds having tons of children, mindlessly, and fails to criticize parents who have children and cannot provide for them. Haley makes it seem that having children and passing on the family name, no matter what horror the child risks getting subjected to, is the noblest of goals. I disagree! It sounds crass to say that slaves shouldn't have had children, but I hold all parents, slaves or not (rape victims being an exception), responsible when they knowingly bring children into a world of hell. (And Chicken George - a neglectful parent, to say the least - bringing 8 children into slavery? Nothing admirable there!)

Well written, full of fun and wit and most importantly a damn fine blueprint to gain inspiration from should you wish to go out and make your own movies. Best non-fictional book I've read on the making of films in a long while. Up there with Roger Corman's 'How I Made One Hundred Movies In Hollywood And Never Lost A Dime.'

This book is mostly a tale about making a particular film. It is entertaining but it lacked the nitty gritty details I was hoping for.

Great book, a must for those interested in filmmaking . a perfect example of how an outsider can make it in hollywood

I'm still reading, over half way done, but so I far I love it. Very interesting.

Rebel Without a Crew is, in my opinion, the most important and inspiring book about filmmaking you can read. Yet the book is not just for filmmakers, there is a huge business aspect within the book that has gone unseen by most people. While making his film El Mariachi, Rodriguez realized that he could get people to work for free. All he needed to do was ask them for a favor. The whole book is basically about getting people to VOLUNTEER their time.

Rodriguez states that if you can get a group of people together who want to help you, you can accomplish your dreams. This sort of strategy can work whether you're a filmmaker or a business man participating in a completely different field of work.

Being a filmmaker, I found this book to be truly inspiring. For over five years, I have been making films in the guerilla style that Rodriguez made his but not until reading this book did I ever think that this kind of shooting would work for a feature film. Rodriguez has truly made me believe that anything is possible.

Every movie ever made. With summary, IDs of actors, writer, Director. What more can I say?

Couldn't wait to receive this tome of video nuggets, but the first movie I looked up, one of my favorites, had a short, lame, synopsis that didn't even touch one iota on the uniqueness, humor or twists involved in the plot. (It's a cult classic, Rustler's Rhapsody, with Tom Berenger and Andy Griffith; hilarious). It is more than obvious that the editor and staff didn't see the movie, nor talked to anyone that had. Guess I'll relegate it to the use as a door-stop or grandchild booster at the dinner table. There are worse fates, I guess.

Video Hound is a trusted resource in checking out movies before viewing--the reviews are usually right on the money and are often humorous to read. I use this guide book and cross reference the reviews with Leonard Maltin-- using both books, you cannot go wrong.

This is my fourth VH book. Because of the price, I limit my purchase to one every three years.... Personally I love being able to pull out the book and find the name of some movie I can't remember simply by looking up the director, actor, genre, etc or even better, comparing MY opinion to theirs (which is usually pretty spot on). BUT HEY, VH guys, why not show us some loyalty/compassion and put out One book every five years and sell (at a much cheaper price) yearly adendums? just a thought.

Video Hound has all the movies and is cross-referenced like a text book that a 8 yr old could understand. Highly recommend.

I know nothing about Buddism. I saw this book out-of-place in Barnes in Noble, and I liked the title, so I picked it up. I was on a business trip; I had nothing better to do...
I don't care if this speaks the truth about Zen and Buddism, as I really could care less.
This received 5/5 stars from me for two reasons: 1. It was very well written, and down to earth in style. 2. It made sense to me in a way that no other book on spirituality ever has.
Really, it's all about the second one... So don't read this for Buddism, don't read it for the writing, read it for yourself. Try the first few pages. If you don't want to read any more of it, you don't have to; in fact, I encourage you not to, as you would only be wasting your time...so read this book if you seem to like it; if not, go do something you love doing instead.

This book and The Zen of Meeting Women are the two most fun Zen books out there. The Zen of Meeting Women teaches you about Zen within the context of . . . yes, you guessed it, meeting women. Hardcore Zen teaches you about Zen in the context of Brad, one time hardcore punk band member. He blows away many Zen myths and takes Zen down to the human level. There's a lot of Brad's personality in this book, and you either love him or hate him. Either way, you'll get a very helpful and unique view into Zen.

At 202 pages and spread over twenty short chapters Brad Warners book sheds some light on a somewhat mystical subject. It is in itself a journey of seeking answers and revealing truths. An account of the authors own journey to enlightment that is broken down in a clear and simplistic way so that any reader will be able to collect enough clues so as to start their own journey. An easy to read book that also gives clues about Japanese culture. For example: themes such as "work to the universes time scale, be patient", and "sort out your misunderstandings of time and all your issues will disappear".

The author and I come from similar backgrounds. I was the make-up wearing, nice suit, skinny tie, blue haired, New Wave punk from the eighties. I come from a very similar lifestyle and I find it refreshing that I'm not the only Old-School Punk to find the ways of the Buddha. In hindsight, the punk days of the eighties were really not what they seemed to the outside observer looking in.

A previous opinion mentioned how they did not like Mr. Warner's "asides" that are found throughout the book. I found them refreshing in that, they reminded me so much of me.

I refuse to give away the particulars of this book because that's not fair to the author, whom I plan on seeing while he is in Atlanta in March 07. But I will say this.

Where you the crazed rocker? Inside a truly good person that no one understood? All the worlds religions seem to get you down and browbeat you over their idea of what's healthy and normal. Are you now searching for your "way." Buddhism is a no frills plain, sometimes boring, yet totally rewarding "way." Zazen is one of these ways. This book Hardcore Zen, and his followup Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye are the perfect introductions for our type of human. Forget what the hard-#ss reviewers say. They've never had the fun we have. THIS IS THE BOOK YOU WANT!

If I was as well versed in Buddhism (hopefully someday) as this "Punk Monk"... This is the book I would have written. Rock On Brad! Hope to see you in Atlanta!

I've read Hardcore Zen twice. The first read-through last year left kind of a bad taste in my mouth. My overall impression was that even though Brad really did have some good information and interesting experiences to share, the book suffered strongly from his inability to get out of his own way while sharing it. A recent rereading hasn't changed my initial impression, which is that much of what the book was intended to convey is eclipsed by Warner's need to show off, criticize, and name drop. From beginning to end, Hardcore Zen is a vehicle for Brad's ego far more than it is a vehicle for the Dharma, and that's really unfortunate, as there is a lot of value in what Brad is trying to say.

I haven't met Brad Warner in person, so I don't want to make an all-encompassing statement about his overall personality, but in Hardcore Zen he comes off as an immature jerk. That's a fairly undesirable attribute to appear in a biographical work in general, but in a book about Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes a philosophy of "no self", it's a rather glaring flaw.

He's foulmouthed, judgmental, antagonistic, and seems to enjoy insulting other people in the Buddhist community who he disagrees with. I was shocked to find out that Warner is 40-something, as his writing displays a maturity level that reads more like early 20s. I don't have a problem with obscenity or sarcasm where it has value and meaning, but the "I'm a Zen priest who says %&@$" angle loses its novelty fairly quickly. More importantly, the book is pervasive with a "Zen is about questioning everything, but people who don't practice like I do are stupid and not worth your time" attitude, which I find a harsh contrast with the overall message that Warner is trying to get across.

To sum up, I do think Brad's experiences are worth reading, but his attitude does not inspire confidence in the credibility of his information.

Another three television episode adaptation from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Surprise, Innocence, and Passion. An injured Spike and a recovered Drusilla summon the Judge as a weapon.

After Buffy and Angel do the horizontal mambo, Angel's soul vacates the premises, and the new Angelus kills Jenny Calendar, after her true purposes is revealed.

In another book about the dashing vampire that stole Buffy's heart, Angel is attempting to let go, and not doing a very good job about it! He stalks Buffy everywhere she goes, but convinces her he doesn't love her. Now he's working on convincing himself.
This book is great so if you're a major fan of Buffy, you should get to know the mystery man that Buffy so dearly treasures!

Angel Chronicles v. 1
Nancy Holder (1998), based on teleplays "Angel" and "Reptile Boy" by David Greenwalt and "Lie to Me" by Joss Whedon

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season One ("Angel") and Season Two ("Reptile Boy" and "Lie to Me")

CAST APPEARANCES: Angel, Buffy, Giles, Xander, Willow, Cordelia, The Master, The Annointed One, Darla, Joyce, The Three, Richard Anderson, Tom Warner, Machida, Spike, Drusilla, Ford, Marvin, Chantarelle, Lucius

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "After a century of killing without a care, the vampire Angelus was cursed with a conscience and eventually fled to Sunnydale, where he restricted his feeding to blood banks. Until 16-year-old Buffy Summers, the Vampire Slayer, arrived in town to battle vampires, demons, and the Forces of Darkness. First, he has to convince her not to kill him. Then, he has to convince himself not to fall in love with her. Now, collected for the first time, are three stories from the cult-hit TV series chronicling the beginning of this star-crossed love story. Can Buffy and Angel survive life, death . . . and beyond?"

REVIEW
Volume One of the three-volume Angel Chronicles novelizes two strong Buffy episodes and one average episode.
The episode "Angel" from Season One is memorable for the dusting of Darla and the revelation that Angel is actually a vampire. The novelization does a good job of incorporating the humor and characterization of the script, and is especially adept at handling Buffy and Angel's first kiss.

"Reptile Boy" focuses on Buffy and Cordelia's involvement in a snake-worshipping cult of fraternity brothers. It's not an episode particularly worthy of novelization and doesn't actually contain a whole lot of Angel.

The theme of "Lie to Me" is, as the title implies, about lying: Angel, Willow, and former-sweetheart Ford all lie to Buffy at one point or another in the episode, and their actions have repercussions. One of the best of the Season Two episodes, the plot centers around a group of vampire wannabees trying to convince Spike to make them into the real thing. We're also treated to Buffy's first encounter--from a distance--with Drusilla.

It's hard to say much else about Volume One. Angel is only a subplot in two of the three episodes, so this probably isn't the best place to start for fans of the brooding vampire-with-a-soul. The novelizations are all straightforward with very little variance from the scripts and they do a good job of conveying the feel of the show.

Although Nancy Holder isn't my favourite "Buffy" novelist, and the books based on the television episodes aren't top quality reading material (why not just watch the show?) this third volume of the Angel Chronicles gets higher marks simply because it's based on three of the show's best episodes.

It's worth having them in book form, and is a good book to lend to a person new to the Buffy universe (especially if they're watching "Angel" for the first time) as this handles the far reaching history and consequences of Angel's destiny, his soul, his curse, and its all-important clause.

Like the previous volumes in this series, the book contains three teleplays, in this case "Surprise" by Marti Noxon, "Innocence" by Joss Whedon, and "Passion" by Ty King, all of which are set in season two. Nancy Holder's style is somewhat bland at times, and certain scenes that have been known to get me teary on the television screen registered nothing here, but she gets the main points and emotions across clearly enough.

In "Surprise" it's Buffy's seventeenth birthday, and her group of friends (Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia, Angel, Oz and Jenny) are determined to give her a decent party. Unfortunately, as time will soon tell, Buffy's birthdays never go smoothly, and resident vampires Spike and Drusilla are planning their own celebration. They have collected together all the pieces of the indestructible Judge, a demon that destroys anything with goodness inside them.

This episode was followed immediately by "Innocence". After Angel and Buffy narrowly escape the power of the Judge, they slept together for the first time, which now results in Angel's curse rearing its ugly head, and a secret identity revealed amongst Buffy's group of friends. Now the Slayer has two forms of evil to deal with - the Judge, and the sadistic Angelus, Angel's evil alter-ego.

Finally, "Passion" is perhaps my favourite episode of the entire show, which brought forth a beautiful score, a shocking death and amazing performances from the entire cast. Angelus is on a mission not just to kill Buffy, but to completely destroy her, targetting her family and friends with scare tactics and mind games in order to bring her down. But now he must take more decisive action once one of Buffy's allies finds a way to bring his soul back.

Often the show is simply more powerful than what Holder can portray on the page, but other times the written word can offer more insights into the minds of the characters - her most potent contribution is Jenny Calendar's tragic and heartbreaking last thought. Likewise Angelus's thoughts on the nature and meaning of passion are just as profound, and fit in nicely with her framing of the story - two passages at beginning and end with Angel/Angelus watching Buffy's house.

She also helps clean up a blooper made on the show - when Xander gets his idea on how to take out the Judge he tells the others "meet me at Willow's in half an hour." However, the show then cuts to the next day when Buffy confronts Jenny, before returning to Xander's plan that night. Holder explains this by adding that "Oz's van was in the shop," making them have to wait.

Out of all of the novelisations out there, this is the one worth having.

The Angel Chronicles Volume 3 was great! It was obvioulsy about when Angel reverts to Angelus. I liked how they charcterized Angelus because to me the two personalities were really seperated much better than in the series by their thoughts. I especially liked (in how it was written) and hated (in the general sense) about the thoughts and the actions surronding Angelus killing Jenny Calander. Definently a must for any Buffy/Angel fan.

Fantastic 5 star story, by Sherman Alexie. At first before I started reading this book I had doubts that I would even finish. But once I got started I litterally could not put the book down. I can honestly say page to page I enjoyed every minute of it. The drawings in the story added spice to the great humor portrayed in this story and really added life to the book. Instantly you fall in love with all of the characters, and wonder how they are going to make it through the entire book. I highly reccomend this book to anyone over the age of fifteen, cause there is some content that might not be suitable for childrens under the age of fifteen.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a truly inspiring tale of hope and perseverance that is perfect for both its young adult audience and older readers as well. High School freshman Arnold Spirit faces death, discrimination and poverty with wit and humor (not to mention some wonderful illustrations) along the way. I loved how the book dealt with some tough topics in a light way that was still enjoyable, though it definitely pulled at my heart strings. Sherman Alexie is a brilliant author and is adept at portraying the human condition in all its terrible glory.

This book is about Arnold (Junior), a Native-American growing up on an Indian Reservation. He has a lot of problems but he has to figure out how to overcome these obstacles in search of himself. Overall this book is a great read! I had to read it for a YA literature class, and it kept me entertained. Alexie is witty and humorous and the drawings bring to life what he is talking about in the writing. There are some inappropriate language and gestures but the book is great! Definitely worth the time and money!

Sherman Alexie perfectly captures the scattered mind of your typical fourteen-year-old boy, possibly this is so perfect seeing the main characters life story is not too far off from Alexie's biography. Alexie's realism brings light to all the dark places using his master of wit and wisdom. Reading this book you will not know whether you should be laughing or crying, all you will know is just how magnificently captivating each page seems to read. Filled with funny illustrations, and great introspective quotes, this book is a gift of enlightenment to anyone that takes the time to read it.

"My Sister is running away to to get lost, but I am running away because I want to find something." (Alexie 46)

This book is not only limited to the adolescent reader, but can be enjoyed by all ages! Come get lost with Junior and you are sure to come out a wiser person in the end!

Have you ever recommended a book that you haven't yet read? Well, that's what I'm about to do. Don't get me wrong: I've read most of the published reviews of this book. I have some sense of what it's about. But every so often, perhaps once in a blue moon, an author comes along that seems to speak truth to wisdom without having to ram it down my throat. Sherman Alexie is such an author. I read and taught "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven" some years ago and on the merit of this poignant artistic achievement alone I dare to tell you to read this young adult novel too, whether you are a young adult or not. Alexie is one of the few American Indian writers who can get past the pathos to laugh at himself, the circumstances of his people, and their socio-cultural predicament. And by laugh I don't mean belittle but to see the humor in one's situation in life regardless of whether it is imposed or self-sought. For this reason, Alexie is uplifting; he understands the human condition better than most younger writers, in my estimation. He also knows how to tell a good story without preaching and without sticking to some political agenda. He is therefore not politically correct but his writing correctly places itself in the heart and mind of the American Indian, I also believe. If you are a teacher and you're looking for outstanding literature (multicultural or not), consider this: how often do you come across a book by a Jewish American that doesn't mention the Shoah, or Holocaust? How often do you read a book by an African American author that doesn't dwell on race? How often do you read a book by an Asian American author that doesn't talk about being fresh off the boat? How often do you read a book by a Latino author that doesn't mention illegal immigrants or fieldworkers? Of course, if you're a discerning reader, your answer might be "often enough." Or maybe you find these titles in short supply. Alexie manages to talk about being a reservation kid without being fixated on the history that brought his ancestors there. And yet his writing is not a cop out; it's not a story that avoids the hard truth or the nasty historical fact. But it gets beyond all this to touch on what it means to be a poor kid in unusually difficult circumstances. Alexie deserves to be read because he writes about what matters most, whether you're a rez kid or a kid on the streets of meantown. If this YAL novel is half as good as his previous two novels, you won't be disappointed. And if you're a teacher, you now have a title to add to the "not-easy-to-label" shelf of quality multicultural literature.

Like I said above, the first book is slow and confusing. However near the end of the book things really REALLY picked up, and I finished it and the other 2 in less than a week and a half!! The series rocks!! Guess what happens to Xander?? ;)

Sunnydale is known to be situated right upon the Hellmouth, so it's not a big surprise when demons of all sorts start piling into the small town. But when a collection of trolls, sea monsters, werewolves, toads, skyquakes, and numerous other strange things - stranger than normal things - begin infiltrating Sunnydale, Buffy knows that something isn't quite right. And with Giles hospitalized over three-thousand miles away, Buffy knows that it's more than one Slayer can handle. Especially when each ugly is coming through an old portal from centuries ago, through time and space. Buffy knows that the hell-hole must be found and corked ASAP, which means that Buffy, Angel, and the rest of the Scooby Gang are headed to Boston to meet up with the Gatekeeper. However, once there, Buffy finds that the supernatural mansion that the Gatekeeper reigns over, is home to thousands of rooms, all of which are entrances to so-called "ghost roads," that could bring Buffy face-to-face with some of the most evil beings on earth. Evil beings who are dying to teach the Slayer a lesson.

As a huge BUFFY fan, and avid reader of all things Slayer-ific, I discovered years ago that Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder are, without a doubt, the best BUFFY writers out there. So when I stumbled across THE GATEKEEPER TRILOGY, I knew that I would adore all three books. While I have only read OUT OF THE MADHOUSE - so far - I can tell you that it is, by far, one of the best BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER novels to date. The action-packed novel is filled with emotional reunions between the living and the dead upon the ghost roads, as well as the introduction of numerous new creatures looking to wreak havoc on the Slayer, her pals, and the entire world. With a cliff-hanger that will send any reader on a quest for the sequel GHOST ROADS, OUT OF THE MADHOUSE, is, without a doubt, a must read for all BUFFY fans.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

OUT OF THE MADHOUSE
Book 1 of The Gatekeeper Trilogy
Christopher Golden & Nancy Holder (1999)

RATING: 4/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Xander, Cordelia, Willow, Oz, Angel, Giles, Spike, Joyce, Devon, Sheila Rosenberg, Willow's father, Kendra, Jenny Calendar

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Il Maestro (sorceror); Micaela Tomasi (traitor Watcher); Roland (Lord of the Hunt); Springheel Jack (monster); Catherine de Medici; Richard Regnier, Jean-Marc Regnier, Antoinette Regnier (Gatekeeper allies); Giacomo Fulcanelli (sorceror); Brother Lupo (Son of Entropy)

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "Werewolves. Trolls. Sea Monsters. Rain of toads. Skyquakes. Sunnydale is being besieged by dark forces. But even with Buffy providing her unique style of damage control while Giles is hospitalized out of town, it's more than one Slayer can handle--especially since the abominations are coming from a centuries-old portal through time and space. Somehow, the hell-hole must be found and corked at its source. For Buffy, Angel, and the rest of her gang, that means a road trip to Boston where an ailing Gatekeeper resides over a supernatural mansion that has been, until recently, holding the world's worst monsters at bay. Once there, Buffy discovers the catastrophic truth: the magical structure houses thousands of rooms, all of which are doorways to limbo's `ghost roads,' and all of which may bring her face-to-face with the most nefarious forces in hell and on earth--forces bent on horrific plans far worse than the Slayer ever imagined."

REVIEW

Out of the Madhouse introduces two major settings in the Buffy mythos. The first is the Gatehouse, a huge, labyrinthine, mystical mansion in Boston that prevents all manner of monsters from escaping into the world. The second is the Ghost Roads, an ethereal, limbo-like place where the souls of the dead walk until the time has come to pass onto a higher (or presumably, lower) plane. These two elements are connected in a straightforward way in the first book of the Gatekeeper Trilogy: the Gatehouse is falling apart, allowing creatures to roam free; and only by travelling the Ghost Roads can Buffy, et al. rebuild the mansion's defences. Along the way are ancient 16th Century Italian intrigue, a new cult called the Sons of Entropy, and a plot to murder Watchers.

Giles steals the spotlight in the first part of the book, as we get to see him out of his usual element. In a well-written scene, he attends the American Library Association convention in New York and becomes smitten with a fellow librarian. Unfortunately, poor Giles ends up with the required nasty bump in the noggin & his role diminishes in subsequent chapters. Buffy and gang fight several escaped monsters, end up in Boston at the Gatehouse, and eventually travel through the Ghost Roads. An exciting conclusion foreshadows the end of Season Four & sets up the next book in the trilogy.

Holder & Golden do an excellent job portraying our heroes' dialogue and personalities. Scenes worth special mention include: Buffy & friends angsting over whether they'll separate after high school; rivals Angel & Xander teaming up like the first act in a buddy-cop movie to kill a troll; and Willow & Angel exploring the remnants of the frat house seen in Reptile Boy. The only downside is that some of the historical flashbacks are a bit slow moving and a scene where Angel tortures a human with Willow and Oz watching, seemingly unconcerned, is rather disturbing. On the whole, however, Out of the Madhouse is an excellent first book in the trilogy.

(c) 2005 Jeremy Patrick (jhaeman@hotmail.com)

Jhaeman's Buffy Reviews: http://www.geocities.com/jhaeman

One of the things I love most about Buffy as a whole, is character development. This book was so busy with endless action sequences, that the character's personalities were largely ignored.

When the book stops for emotional moments it's hard to care, because the character's have all become cardboard cut-out's of themselves.

I'll go ahead & read the next one- I'm hoping that Golden & Holder will let up a bit on the constant barrage of battle- it gets tedious after awhile.

Proceed with caution.

I always read fanfiction but shied away from buying these sorts of books. I read so much ..... fanfic to find the gems, but it's free and I really wasn't interested in paying to read something like that. But *everyone* I knew in the Buffy fandom recommended this trilogy as the *best* of the Buffy books. So I immediately splurged on the whole trilogy (figuring once I started, I'd want to read them all).

Boy was that a waste of money.

I'm an avid reader of all types of books, and yet this book bored me to tears. The characters were all off. While I could sometimes believe their actions, I never believed their thoughts or their words. Worst of all though, the writing was atrocious. I could have written better than this.

This book was so terrible that the other two still collect dust on my shelf. They will probably stay there for a long time, because I won't be giving anyone else these books for fear they might read them and blame me. I read almost anything available to me, so for something to turn me off this much, it has got to be pretty horribly written. If this really is the best Buffy novel, it will be my first and my last. I'm now afraid to try any of the others.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down until I finished it. I liked the Veronique character; she was such a unique and interesting enemy. The plot and characterization were great! The dialogue was also wonderful. If you love Buffy, read this book. You won't be sorry.

Buffy's mother is sick, and Buffy also has to deal with an extra powerful female vampire, and her gang.
This bunch wants to summon something considerably worse than themselves.

Even if Buffy manages to kill the head woman, Veronique, she comes back again as another vampire. Pretty annoying situation to be in, all around.

OK. So you have your average vampires but along comes Veronique. Veronique is not just your ordinary vampire. Veronique is Immortal. Immortal in the sense of when Mr. Pointy strikes home on Veronique and shes up the next night. Just not in the same body. Veronique worships these demons and in return she earns a certain Immortality. The ability to reincarnate when she is killed. Her mission: To bring her masters to our world and drink the blood of the last man on Earth. Buffy isn't exactly thrilled. I liked this book because it was something different. Usually there are these vamps that are just tough but Veronique can't be defeated.

Immortal
Christopher Golden & Nancy Holder (1999)

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, Oz, Cordelia, Joyce, Angel, Willy

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Veronique (immortal vampire); Queenie (demon groupie), Catherine, Ephialtes, Konstanti, Pepper Roback (vampires); Triumvirate (demon); Angela Martignetti (1862 Slayer); Peter Toscano (1862 Watcher); Leah Coleman (doctor); Tergazzi (demon), Lucy Hanover (as ghost)

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "During a routine slaying, Buffy encounters a vampire named Veronique who knows the Slayer's name and can anticipate her attack. One who doesn't have the proper respect for Mr. Pointy. One who cannot die. If slain, she will reincarnate in a new body. An invincible demon is the last thing Buffy needs right now. Joyce Summers is about to undergo a serious operation, calling up all of her daughter's fears about her own mortality. Angel wants to comfort Buffy, but her mother's crisis underscores the difference between them: he wil live forever, while she will grow old . . . or die young. Torn between her duties as a daughter and as the Chosen One, Buffy needs the support of her friends to help her solve a rash of grave robberies, head off an influex of new vampires, and take Veronique down once and for all. For Veronique is on a mission-to bring about the unification of her masters, the Triumvirate, into one all-powerful demon that will drink the blood of the last man on earth. . . ."

REVIEW

The best part of Immortal is actually one of the subplots. Foreshadowing Buffy Season 5, Joyce becomes increasingly sick and ends up in the hospital with a cancer scare and facing major surgery. Buffy's feelings of uselessness and Joyce's attempt to minimize the seriousness of her condition fits in well with the characters' personalities. It's powerful stuff and well-written.

The main plot of the book is about a vampire named Veronique's attempts to summon her demon master(s) the Triumvirate. Veronique has a nifty little ability: everytime she gets dusted, she reincarnates in the body of the next vampire sired in the area. Veronique's bad-guy personality is fairly standard, but admittedly it's hard to come up with completely original villains. However, the idea that the villain's main goal is to summon a giant demon was already pretty over-used at the time the novel was written and now I hope it's a plot idea we can lay to rest for future Buffy books.

As usual, Golden & Holder have a strong grasp on the characters' personalities and dialogue. Action scenes are crisp and match well with those in the show. I have mixed feelings about the authors' penchant for backstory (in this book alone we have scenes set in: ancient Constantinople, 1872 Greece, and 1940s America). It's a handy way to give characters depth and avoid exposition, but at times it can be hard to care about the characters in the flashbacks.

All in all, Immortal is a solid effort but not at the top of the list.

Jhaeman's Buffy Reviews (http://www.geocities.com/jhaeman)

(c) 2006 Jeremy Patrick (jhaeman@hotmail.com)

Buufy Summers, the Vampire Slayer, has to deal with her mother becoming badly ill, maybe cancer. This couldn't have come a t a worst time because she must deal with the new Big Bad, Veronique. Veronique is a vampire who is truely unique; she is really immortal. Evertime Buffy kills her, she returns the next night in a new body. Buffy and the Scoobie Gang join forces with the ghost of slaer Lucy Hannover to fight Veronique and her unholy plan to bring back a demon.

There is a lot of action and adventures, close calls and cliffhanger that the show is really good at. The action is fast and brutal (sometimes more brutal than they could get away with on TV) and always riviting. But at it's heart is the question of mortality. Slayers are known to have very shory life spans. Now she is facing the possibilty that her mother may be dying. On the other side is Angel, who is immortal; well, maybe just long lived because though he is powerful and strong, he can be killed. Veronique is very different, truelly evil she dosen't deserve to live, but she dose no matter what Buffy dose. So then the book dwells on fairness. But it is still a horror/adventure book first and formost. Good job (as usual) to Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder.

this book has to be one of the best buffy books in the series. it shows not only love , but if you make yourself feel worthless, people or things can take over you. the parts between xander, willow, and buffy will keep you on the edge of your seat. also the twists and turns will keep you reading until the book is over!

I have read many Buffy books, but I couldn't even finish this one. I found it to be very boring and uninteresting. It may just be me, but I won't attempt a second try. This book put me to sleep.

I have to say, this book is pretty low on my list right now. The premise on which this book is based is okay, but no more than okay. The characters were written not as well as i'd expect, and the plot itself seemed to wobble. Humor is scarce and i wuld expect much more from Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder.
If you're looking for a good buffy read(...).

Blooded has to rank in one of the top five Buffy books I've ever read--and believe me,I've read a few! It's an awesome book with great suspense and I would recomend it to anyone.

BLOODED

By Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder (1998)

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Two or Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Giles, Xander, Cordelia, Willow, Angel, Oz, Principle Snyder, Sheila Rosenberg

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: King Lear (vampire), Lord Chirayoju (Chinese Demon Sorceror), Sanno (Japanese Mountain King), Kobo (Watcher), Emperor Kammu

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "Chirayoju, a vampire of Chinese lore, and Sanno, the legendary Japanese Mountain King, have been locked in deadly battle for centuries. Literally. An ancient curse imprisoned the spirits of these two warriors in an antique sword. Until the sword arrives in Sunnydale. Freed by accident, Chirayoju searches for a host body that will allow him to continue wreaking havoc among the living and the dead. Now Buffy's on the trail of this legendary vampire . . a bloody trail that leads straight through the heart of the Buffy-Xander-Willow triangle."

REVIEW

The fourth original Buffy novel, Blooded opens quickly with a fun and rousing battle between the Scoobies and a vampire who fancies himself King Lear. Soon after the Whitehats' success, Willow accidentally pricks her finger on an ancient sword while visiting the museum. Not surprisingly, havoc ensues as Willow is slowly possessed by an ancient Chinese vampire named Chirayoju--only things become even more complicated as Chirayoju's ancient enemy, Sanno, decides to possess Xander in order to fight Chirayoju, with Buffy caught in the middle. Golden and Holder worked hard to draw upon Japanese and Chinese mythology, and incorporated several elements into the novel's backstory.

Overall, Blooded is an average Buffy novel. The dialogue is okay with a few good laughs sprinkled in. Perhaps the best part of the novel concerns Willow (pre-possession) where she deals with her sense of vulnerability and inferiority to Buffy after being mugged by some street thugs. Other good moments include Cordelia and Xander's constant bantering, and demon-possessed Willow beating Xander savagely. Unfortunately, the idea of one of the Scoobies being possessed by some sort of demon isn't exactly unique in the Buffy mythos, and the novel has an overly long and melodramatic ending. Blooded isn't a terrible novel, but with better ones to choose from should probably be of interest only to completists.

(c) 2004 Jeremy Patrick-Justice (jhaeman@hotmail.com)

Return to Main Page: www.geocities.com/jhaeman

This book was recommended to me by a relative, who at the time was a doctoral student just like myself. We both desperately needed to fight off the stress of graduate school and to combat the bodily effects of endless hours of sitting in front of a computer. He had found the way to do it. Soon, I also knew what it was thanks to him. This is an excellent book for beginning runners. It is absolutely worth your time and money. The most valuable part of this book is the amazing 13-week program. I have gone through this program a few times now and keep coming back to it. Its promise is to put the least amount of pressure on your body to prevent injury, allowing your bones, muscles, and cardio system to adjust to running gradually. You can start the program if you have never run before (as I did the first time), and it will get you running 60 minutes straight if you follow the 13-week program without undue pressure on your body. The typical training session lasts about 40 minutes and you do three sessions every week.

In my experience, the program holds up to this promise. I have felt that each training session gave me exactly the right amount of challenge. I wasn't intimidated, I wasn't in pain, I wasn't worried about failing to run for the recommended time or about hurting myself (and I worry quite a bit about sensations coming from my body) and I wasn't bored either. I felt great after completing each session, and as a result, my feelings of competence and my belief in my ability to discipline myself increased naturally.

Besides the program, the book has many useful tips and lots of information about running. You will find something useful for you. The 13-week program is also supplemented by other kinds of programs, such as programs for those who want to run faster or farther once they finish the basic program, or a program for those who want to just walk.

The only negative thing I will say about the book is that it doesn't really address what to do when there are disruptions in your following the program (e.g., you miss a few sessions during week 8, where to start again now?). However, you intuitively figure it out, so it's not a big deal.

I am very pleased with this purchase and I'm keeping it in my library. I keep coming back to this program every spring when the weather gets better and I can run in the park. Overall, I highly recommend this book for anybody who wants to make a solid exercise program a part of their routine, but don't know quite where to start.

I bought this book when I decided to get back into running after 5 years of not doing much of anything. I really do not enjoy running, but find it is the best way to get into shape and lose weight. This book made it enjoyable! The weekly sessions are very doable and make you feel like you are really accomplishing your goals. I started out barely able to run 30 seconds, and now feel totally comfortable running 5K's or more. Great buy for someone just starting out or looking to ease back into the "fitness" scene. Great buy!!

I've just completed this program and I can't say enough good things about it. Other reviewers have knocked this book citing changes in the program from previous editions. I question the motivation behind such reviews. I've never been a runner and this program has taken me from barely being able to run for 1 minute to running 5 straight miles. The program seems to do a good job of challanging you, then backing off a bit. The ONLY complaint I could lodge is enough attention isn't given to what pace you should run at. This book is not the end all be all running book, there's certainly better books out there once you get started, but this is a great place to begin.

My wife and I (both non runners) picked up this book at the end of the summer based on the promise of getting into a regular running program without getting injured.

Prior to starting, neither of us could finish a mile without walking. At the conclusion of the program, we're both running 30-60 minutes at a time, 3-4 times per week. We've recommended this book to many others and they've achieved the same success.

If you're looking to "become" a runner, there are many programs to help you start, but none better than this simple, proven book.

Before I started reading this, I was a slug - never exercised and was 70 lbs. overweight. I started a weight loss program and was walking religiously, but found that I became used to the intensity so I needed something more. My daughter recommended this book as a way to "learn" running and I've been following it ever since. I've now lost 54 pounds and am about 25% through the program. My goal is to run a 5k on my 53rd birthday the end of March, and I am confident I will be able to do it with the help of this program. I'm amazed at how easy it is to follow. That doesn't mean it's not tough - obviously it requires exertion. However, I've never felt like it was anything I couldn't handle. The best part is that it's allowed me to get that "runner's high" that people talk about. I actually enjoy exercise now.

I would recommend figuring out how you like to run. Some people like to run outside (my daughter does this) - others prefer the convenience of a treadmill (that's my choice - I love watching DVDs while running). Some do a combination - outside in nice weather and inside during bad. Don't give up, though - keep trying and I guarantee that this book will make a runner out of you.