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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.

I'll start off by saying I enjoyed the last book, and for the most part enjoyed this book. But their was a few major problems. While in Europe Buffy and friends get attacked by a person with a lot of guns, instead of leaving the guns, which is what Buffy would of done they take them. This is completley out of character for Buffy. After all she's never been big on guns. Another problem is throughout the book Buffy watches humans die with little to no emotion. Sure they are the bad guys but Buffy doe'snt kill humans period. She always finds a way around it. This book does not stay true to the things Buffy stands for, and for that I give it one star. I mean Buffy with guns, come on guys you know more about the Buffyverse than that.

GHOST ROADS
Book 2 of The Gatekeeper Trilogy
Christopher Golden & Nancy Holder (1999)

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Three

CAST APPEARANCES: Buffy, Angel, Oz, Giles, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Spike, Drusilla, Joyce, Sheila Rosenberg, Amy Madison

MAJOR ORIGINAL CHARACTERS: Jean-Marc Regnier, Henri Regnier, Jacques Regnier, Antoinette Regnier, Giuliana Regnier (Gatekeepers); Il Maestro (sorceror); Belphegon (demon); Ian Williams, Micaela Tomasi (traitor Watchers); Claire Bellamy (manager of The Bronze); Brother Anthony, Brother Lupo (Sons of Entropy); Giacomo Fulcanelli (sorceror)

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "Buffy, Oz, and Angel are Europe-bound, only they're not flying any airlines. They're traveling limbo's `ghost roads' in search of Jacques Regnier. Jacques is the sole heir of the dying Gatekeeper whose Boston mansion is the supernatural barrier restraining thousands of the world's monsters. The evil Sons of Entropy will do anything to destroy the gate--even if it means trading the power-laden Spear of Longinus to the wicked vampires holding Jacques. Back home, the ghost ship Flying Dutchman has set sail for Sunnydale, determined to shanghai new crewmen--dead or alive. For Willow, Xander, Cordelia, and Giles, it's an ocean of trouble, especially when the monstrous Kraken reemerges with a vengeance. But everyone's assistance will be needed once Buffy locates Jacques, and uncovers the shocking plans the Sons of Entropy have already placed in motion--a plan that, if successful, will destroy the world and create a horrible new realm ruled by monsters."
REVIEW

A gigantic sea monster, a manticore, and a skeleton-crewed pirate ship called The Flying Dutchman? It must be either back-to-back Scooby Doo episodes or Book Two in The Gatekeeper Trilogy. With the Gatehouse slowing falling to pieces, more and more fantastic (in the old sense of the word) monsters are escaping into the world. In Ghost Roads, we see Buffy, Oz, and Angel traveling through Europe trying to find a young boy who is destined to become the next Gatekeeper--but as these things go, Spike & Dru stand in their way. Back home in Sunnydale, Willow, Giles, Xander, and Cordelia work feverishly to repair the breaches between this world and the "Overworld" where the monsters originate.

Sounds cheesy doesn't it? Somehow it works, especially the Buffy trio vs. Spike & Dru story thread. It's refreshing to see some of the Scoobies outside of their traditional haunts and the authors obviously had fun researching European cities for the book. Teaming Oz up with Buffy & Angel is a surprisingly effective way of shedding some more light on everyone's favorite lycanthrope and helps show him as something more than just Willow's tag-along boyfriend. Dialogue is excellent--Golden & Holder, unlike most Buffy scribes, are able to write Spike & Dru with just the right mix of menace, playfulness, and insanity.

The Sunnydale thread is the weaker of the two and narrowly escapes being cartoony. Scenes like Giles being forced to walk the plank by skeletal pirates are amusing but too close to farce for comfort. It gets surprisingly serious near the end, however, as Joyce gets kidnapped and a major character gets shot, prompting a trip to the Ghost Roads.

The villains of the book, the Sons of Entropy, are well-depicted. In too much fiction, criminal organizations are either stunningly organized and competent or unbelievably ineffectual. Here, the Sons are individualized to show a wide variety of people in the group with a good depiction of the cult mindset. The Sons' leader, Il Maestro, is a fairly typical evil mastermind.

With excellent dialogue & characterization, and a decent plot, Ghost Roads is a satisfactory middle book in the Gatekeeper Trilogy.

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

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

Ghost Roads is a heck of a lot better than Out of the Madhouse- there are actual conversations in this novel & not just a bunch of action sequences piled up on one another.

The plot gets more interesting as Oz, Angel & Buffy follow the ghost roads in search of the heir to the Gatekeeper. Willow, Giles, Cordelia & Xander try to keep things in check back home in Sunnydale. Of course, the Sons of Entropy are out in full force & as a refreshing change of pace Spike & Dru are thrown into the mix.

Typical of the Buffy books, this one is fast & easy to read & 100% avoidable if you haven't seen every episode of Buffy a gazillion times already. I only read them because I'm Buffy deprived- purely a guilty pleasure.

The Buffy books aimed for adults have always been good and this trilogy is no exception. If you are a fan of the show, you will appreciate how authentic the story line is. Nancy Holder does it again and truly captures buffy and the gang in full action. You cannot stop reading until you have finished all 3 books. Please start with the first book ,"Out of the Madhouse" and continue the books in order. (Ghostroads is book #2) The story will make sense and i promise that you will be fully satisfied at the end. I only wish that this and other buffy books had a chance to be added as shows for the tv series!

I've only read a third of the book but I dont need to read the whole book to that its great , but I have to say that it wasnt as good as another Buffy book I read The Immortal . That book was more abt the emotional aspects of Buffys life, but this one was baically abt the ghosts and goblins that surround her life .Actually the book duznt really show Buffy all that much neither duz it highlight her relationship with Angel ,the part I love most abt Buffy . Despite all these faults I still call the book great cuz it is great , as simple as that .U cant deny a book the credit it desrves . Its a very interesting book with a good plot , even though it duznt really show Buffy all that much , the other subplots r also ver interesting.

It's a beautifully written book, which reveals a lot about her past which is sad, and not revealed in such detail before. But the degree to which she bashes Woody Allen, including very personal details about his life, was excessive.

I have always wanted to know what exactly happened between Mia and Woody Allen (I knew he'd been accused of bad things regarding her daughter Soon-Yi but didn't know much more than that) and this book sheds a lot of light on those rarely-talked about circumstances. This relationship takes up a good portion of the book, which is to be expected because of the length of time they'd been together not to mention the custody battles. But I definitely found out way more than I had known coming into the book. She is awfully kind to Mr. Allen in the book by not totally attacking him like she could have, considering what he was accused of doing. I feel like she is honest and forthright enough to be believed in these matters. Fascinating stuff.
I'd always been interested in why she married Frank Sinatra as well, however I still feel like I didn't really get to find out exactly why they became interested in one another. I liked reading what glimpses into their life together she gave, like the time he came out of a casino in Vegas a little steamed over something that had happened inside moments earlier, hopped on a golf cart and drove away only to veer back suddenly (with Mia in the cart with him) and drive it into a plate glass window in the casino. Maybe it's in retrospect, but she really seems to take his behavior in stride.
And that's one little thing that irritated me in this book. Basically, it was how she was (and kind of still is) extraordinarily PASSIVE about things that would elicit much more of a response in people. If she hadn't been such a passive personality, she would never have gotten involved in ANY of her relationships. It's like she was a young girl being led around by whatever guy was interested in her at the time and she just did whatever they wanted to do. She followed Previn on tour and to foreign coutries, basically putting her career on hold; she followed Sinatra around the same way, seeing as how he was a tad bit controlling and didn't want her to work at all and wanted her to be his arm candy 24-7 whenever it suited him to have her there; and as for Woody Allen, she should have seen THAT train wreck coming a mile away but she didn't.
Among other things, this book can serve as a warning to teenage girls in the ways of choosing relationships that are healthy and unhealthy for you.
I do admire her abilities as a mother, though. She must have the patience of a saint. I had no idea how many children she'd adopted. She spends a lot of time writing about her kids and her adoption experiences, which were interesting as well.

I had meant to read this memoir for years, mostly because of the curiosity I had surrounding the sordid mess between Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn. I figured reading this book would probably set the record straight, and it definitely seemed to.

The whole book was well-written, and I wonder why, if she had no help from a ghostwriter, didn't she try her hand at further writing efforts. It would make sense that she might be especially cut out for writing for children, as much as she has dedicated her life to them.

Her early life as a child of a famous actress and director was fascinating and I enjoyed the bits and pieces from her various and many acquaintances, friends, and associates. She does not say so much about her siblings throughout the book, which made me constantly wonder throughout the reading of this book if any of them were very close.

Her relationships with men seemed to be tenuous and immature. It seemed like she didn't really fight for either marriage, to Sinatra or Previn. In fact it seemed like she went into marriage both times with blinders on, without really knowing either men.

Unfortunately it seemed to be a mix of naivete and neediness that led her to spend about twelve years with Woody Allen, who she potrays as the most juvenile, immature, temperamental, arrogant, rude, socially inept person I've ever read about in any memoir. Indeed, her biggest mistake was wasting all those years with that person.

It is ghastly to think about what Ms. Farrow went through when the ---- hit the fan with Soon-Yi and Woody Allen (I love how she starts to refer to him as 'Woody Allen' instead of 'Woody' when she finally starts to come to her senses). I don't understand why it took so long to finally extract him out of her family, though. She gave him far too many chances and allowed him way too much access after the accusations began to fly.

Overall, though, it is without a doubt that she has been a doting and loving mother to all her children, and I applaud her humanitarian efforts. Angelina Jolie could take some notes from Ms. Farrow.

This book was a suprisingly interesting read, and Mia Farrow strikes me as a caring, compassionate person, but rather naive and illogical in her thinking. For a person who writes so well and is an avid reader of philosophers, she appears to be quite intelligent but strangely out of touch with reality. Perhaps this is due, in part, to a childhood that was both very happy (except for a bout of polio) and extremely sheltered and isolated from "the real world." It is apparent that she had little parental guidance past childhood as she seems to have received no warning that an affair/marriage to Frank Sinatra, more than twice her age, might be a mistake. Her judgement of the character of others, even as she grows older, is inconsistent at best . . . she calls her father both a "devout Catholic" and a "womanizer" in the same sentence; she identifies with Sinatra's lack of self knowledge (ignoring the fact that he should have had, at that age, twice her maturity); and she "adores" her children and "loves" Woody Allen but turns a blind eye to his emotional detachment from most of her kids while being overly tolerant of his inappropriate behavior toward others. While the book does, very vividly, take you into a "Hollywood" life, it seems sad that, by the end, Mia (while acknowleding how much she has learned) seems very vulnerable to repeating the same mistakes.

Ms. Farrow is not only a talented actress, she is also a surprisingly good writer. She takes us behind the scenes of "Old Hollywood" in her memoir WHAT FALLS AWAY, and shares some of the pains and joys of growing up in an atmosphere where the motto seemed to be "Show the World how well you're doing even if you don't have a dime!" Mia bravely talks about her own mistakes which are so much a part of living and growing up. Behind the tall gates, idols and icons become real people with ordinary struggles.

This is not your run-of-the-mill Hollywood memoir. This is an excellent book which happens to be well written. {It should be noted that Mia is also a well recognized humanitarian who has helped and/or adopted numerous children with various challenges.}

I love the movie, I'm sure I'll love the to. I read slow. This starts out in Queens. About the web-slinging before he was.

It begins with an orphan named Peter Parker, raised by his beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Queens, New York. A quiet student, he works diligently at his studies and pines for the beautiful Mary-Jane Watson. But this ordinary teenage boy is about to have his life turned upside down, when he is bitten by a genetically altered spider. Suddenly, he finds himself in possesion of spectacular powers. He is now, and forever Spider-Man!

Follow Spider-Man's action-packed journey from his struggle to harness the extraodinary gifts that will prove to be both blessing and curse, to his fight to save innocent lives while the media tear him to pieces. It all leads to the dramatic battle high above the city streets, where the webslinger faces his archnemesis, the madman known as the Green Goblin. While the city watches breathlessly, Spider-Man confronts the greatest challenge, and the Goblin puts Peter Parker's vow to fight crime to the ultimate test.

The movie is exceptionally good - and even more so this novelization of the film by Peter David at some respect would even seem quite much better, sorta like reminding you the advantage of written format's merits and appeal to tell a story better than any other web-dusty format can.

I've first encountered a work by David from the WEB OF SPIDERMAN comic (mainly a stand-alone spidey story series which MARVEL started publication back in '85 or '86), in particular issue number 13 - with the story titled 'Point Of View', and from that point on I knew P. David is one of the most unsung outstanding writers out there not only in the comic book field - nearly to the level of comicbook writer vet Roy Thomas. Although I've commented that the movie's storyline would've been perfect if they haven't skipped some elements from the comics' plotline from where they were based from- on my review for the film - this noveliazation stands supremely quite alright.

However, it so happens that other reviews for this movie-tie-in book states the same thing about being a clever work from P. David, which i got from a MARVEL paperback boxed set with movie tie-ins for HULK (also rendered by Peter David - and the one I'm currently reading right now along with David's novelization for the sequel SPIDERMAN 2) and X-MEN 2, which is written by Chris Clearmont, who's works in comics I am quite familliar and am fond of, but at this point- the former writers for the first XMEN movie tie-in seems to've done a better job.

Going back to this work of Peter David for the Spidey movie -- it's just as good as reading 'em Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. Twas one of the best re-renditions ever portrayed not only for the SPIDERMAN mythos that I have encountered , but for the overall conundrum of works for adaptations as well.

Spider-Man is one of my favorite comic superheros. I loved the movie and i loved the soundtrack and i definatley loved the book. the action and comedy of spider-man never stops. You gotta read it.



If you Liked This Book Read Spider-Man 2 & All The comics!

The long awaited arrival of the webslinger on the big screen. Peter David does a magnificent job spinning the story of Peter Parker/Spiderman. The minor changes from the comic book do not affect the story much, since the major events are told as the comic book portrays them. Definitely worth the wait.

I recently decided to start reading all of the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER titles, and this was a great start to the series.

I really enjoyed being introduced to Buffy, Giles, Xander, and Willow, and I'm sure there will be much more to learn about these characters. I hate Cordelia already, and know that I'm going to love Angel, but I'm still really excited to keep reading.

A great start!

The Harvest is a retelling of the story told at the start of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv series. A novelisation of the tv show, if you want to put it like that, taken from the Whedon script. There is a master vampire in Sunnydale, and on one particular night he is able to open a portal and summon an army.

Buffy has a new Watcher, and meets some new friends at her new school, after being booted out of the last one, and has to come to terms with all this and deal with Head Vamp into the bargain.

Love it! Its fun to read somethings when you've already seen the movie or in this case the episode. Thanks Richie!

"Into every generation, a slayer is born. One girl, in all the world. . ." If these lines sound familiar, then you probably already know the plotline of this book.

For those of you without a clue to the Buffy saga, the story tells of a teenage girl whose destiny is to rid the world of vampires. Having been kicked out of her old school for burning down the gym (for more information on that, watch the BtVS movie starring Kristy Swanson), Buffy and her mother relocate to Sunnydale to start a new life. Well, surprise, surprise, Sunnydale happens to be situated on top of the Hellmouth, an ancient portal for all forms of evil. Buffy, with the help of her watcher Giles and new friends Xander and Willow must fight to destroy the vampire forces that want to open the portal and unleash hell.

The Harvest is the novelization of the first two episodes of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer tv series. The book offers no additional backstory or new information and will be appreciated mostly by die-hard fans of the series, especially if they haven't seen the opening episodes in a while. Speaking as a die-hard fan, it was fun to remember just how innocent the Scooby gang was when they started out and how much their characters developed by the end of the series.

"The Harvest" is the novelisation of the first two pilot episodes of Joss Whedon's incredibly popular television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Richie Tankersley Cusick does an adequate job of transcribing the events of "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest" into book form, representing the characters truthfully, and making the action and suspense - well, suspenseful.

Buffy Summers has just moved to Sunnydale, seeming to be just another beautiful, blonde teenager, but in fact harbouring a dark secret. She is the Vampire Slayer, the one girl in all the world imbued with the supernatural strength and skills in order to protect it from the spread of evil.

And her arrival in Sunnydale seems timely. After meeting her new Watcher (trainer and researcher) Rupert Giles, and two new friends Willow Rosenburg and Xander Harris, Buffy becomes aware of an evil rising in the small town. Trapped in a buried church awaits the Master, a vampire ruler, whose night of escape is drawing closer. When the Harvest comes, he can draw enough power to open the portal between our world and hell: the hellmouth that Sunnydale unknowingly rests upon. And only Buffy can stop him.

Along with introductions to Angel, Darla and Cordelia Chase, Cusick handles the material well, making this a short but sweet beginning to the realm of Buffy-based books.

Wow, that was the quickest, easiest review I've ever done!

This is the started you need to boost your confidence. Lots of tips and websites too.

Of course we all have different ways to write. Some of the techniques from this book will not work the same way for everyone. But this book is a great source of dos, don'ts and gotchas of the process of getting a movie made.

This is money well spent.
And not that much anyway, which is even better!

All of the real-world (how to get your script in front of the people who can buy it) advice is in this book. I've read 'em all and this is the best.

Just another spec monkey here in L.A. working on a few scripts. But I think the previous review by mobuli gets this wrong.

Last month I tore apart a script and was trying to figure out how to put it back together properly. Like many a writer I found myself in need of specific techniques. Didn't need anymore discussion about mythic structure or formatting or act breaks or character, etc. All that stuff is valuable and good, but I was really in desperate need of good solid methods for laying out my action more clearly, threading action down a page. Using ..., -- and descriptions like

ME

pulling my hair out.

And did you know I could not find one screenwriting book currently in print that deals with just that sort of thing? It wasn't until I picked up Crafty Screenwriting and got to page 99 that I had found what I needed. Bought it before I got to page 100. For 31 pages, this book gave what I used as a rewrite tutorial to help me put my script together in the manner God intended. It was so useful that I demanded that every member of my screenwriting group march out immediately and buy it themselves.

For any writer out there it isn't a mystery how many screenwriting, writing and writing for the screen books exist in the world today (please note my redundancy had a point).

Reading one book is usually like reading them all. The same message, means and delivery - mechanical, trite and simplistically frustrating as we all know writing isn't easy - on the page is only 1/5 of the battle.

4/5 of the battle comes once the screenplay has been written and for those of us who don't have a dad, uncle, aunt, sister, cousin or best friend "since we were three" in Hollywood our perceptions on that ratio may be less than what we would like to admit.

It is refreshing then to find a book that not only covers that 4/5, but does it in a way that allows the reader not to be overwhelmed by clearly such overwhelming odds and circumstances. Crafty Screenwriting is actually an exterior title, because the book goes much deeper than that to explore the world of screenwriting, on the page, off, before, during and after the process. What exists, what doesn't, what to do, what not, how to do it, how not, etc ...

Anyone looking to read a book simply about how to write a screenplay, look elsewhere - you aren't ready for this level yet. If you're looking for knowledge on how to write a screenplay, how to get an agent, what to say in Hollywood, the moves you should be making and how to seal the deal - then you've found the 5/5 right here.

Anything but mechanical, nothing but informative and here's how you should feel after:

INT. HOUSE, COMPUTER ROOM - AFTERNOON

Bob, an unemployed writer, closes the book Crafty Screenwriting and places it to his left, while sitting in front of his computer.

The cursor from his screenwriting software blinks on the blank screen in front of him - BEAT, BEAT, BEAT.

Bob begins to type.

BOB (v.o.)
"Now I'm finally ready."

My daughter truely enjoyed this book. Pretty much the same format as pigs n blanket.

I have purchased this great book before as a gift. Its on my list of gift books.

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, then what happens? Your child will have fun finding how one thing leads to another. This book provides endless entertainment for all.

Reasoning: The first reason that someone should buy this book is it shows how to care and be responsible for pets. More then 50% of American families own pets but not many of them know how to treat them so many of them end up dieing. The next reason some one should buy this book is that cheery attitude of this book can help kids out with their problems and make them feel better. The next reason is that the many people can get good advice from this book and the pictures are easy to understand making this book fun for kid's worldwide.

This book's unexpected sequences of this book are loveable. The responsibility it takes to raise a pet is accurate. The cheerful pictures and vocabulary building is excellent for your child to excel socially and academically. This book is a must have!

My 5 year old son absolutely loves all of the books in this series. I have read them to him since he was 2, and now, he is reading them on his own. They are so clever and cute....it is fun to read them over and over again.

I have purchased the full set of Laura Numeroff books for all 4 of my children. They were the favorite books of my son who passed away at the age of 10 due to brain cancer a few years ago. I am now purchasing the books for my grandson due in December. I have pre-ordered her new books. These are the greatest books!!! Every child (family) should own them!!!!!
Pam Roundy

This book was a load of crap. It was nothing but a bunch of boring common knowledge. They name a subject then give you 1/4 of the info on it. And there was only a couple pics of the bond actors except for Pierce who there was a lot of pics of. I think the author is gay for Pierce. The book was written like someone watched the movies once and wrote down a few facts here and there. I love the bond films but I wouldn't pay a dollar for this book.

This book is done in typical DK style, a fabulous pictorial representation of the people and items associated with the James Bond series of films. If you want to know more about some of what you see on the screen, this is a good choice.

But I have a bone to pick with a couple of the reviewers on this page. First of all, Ray Walker (2/14/03) doesn't seem to realize that "Never Say Never Again" was NOT one of the "official" Bond films; the reason it resembles "Thunderball" is that that was the only Bond script in the public domain, and thus the only one available to another producer. Although not a bad film (thanks in part to Sean Connery), most Bond purists do not include it when discussing the Bond series, and neither the author nor publisher should be blamed for excluding it from this book.

And the reviewer on 5/7/03 needs to realize that this book is not intended to be an in-depth study along the lines of "The Essential Bond", which is another excellent book. The reviewer should have taken into account that this is essentially a picture book, and should be purchased in addition to, and not in place of, the type of book he claims to prefer.

This turned out to be a truly wonderful book!!!! Very detailed, very accurate(besides for a few mistakes in fight sequences). Great thing to read to become even more acquainted with James Bond.

I've been a Bond fan since my Dad used to take me to the public library so I could take out the hardback versions of Fleming's master spy.

I honestly like this book, although it IS for a younger audience. The cutaway views of the "Bondmobiles" and "Little Nellie" are well rendered and make for a detailed insight behind the sheetmetal.

I would have liked to have seen a newer edition, featuring Brosnan's last film as 007...DIE ANOTHER DAY. I think the VANQUISH and the Jaguar would have only added to the fun aspect of this book.

It's definitely NOT a wordy book, but does offer the missions (films) in a nice concise chronological order, complete with places in these movies of note such as Dr. No's island base, Blofeld's oil rig, Stromberg's "Atlantis", etc.

All in all, a nice addition for ANY Bondian library...or even a good starter book for the "next generation" of 007 fans!

((that's SHAKEN...not stirred))

This book was really amazing. It has almost every little detail of every Bond movie from Dr. No to The World Is Not Enough. Book also contains some spectacular large photos from the movies. For each section of the movies, it describes basically what it was about, and it gives some of the information about charcters, villains, settings, and the "gadgets" used in the movie. It also contains hand-drawn pictues of scenes and places from the movie. Labels are also on the pictures (pointing out what is what). Really amazing, and you might learn a thing or two as well which is nice. At the end of the book after it has discussed all of Bond's missions, it has info on the movies themselves like the cast and crew. Then there is the index. This is a MUST BUY for any true James Bond fanatic. It is a fun book to look at, and to this day, I look through it as well and it sparks many memories. If you are not too familar with Mr. Bond, then do not bother with this item. A tremendous book, definitly worth your hard earned money.

I couldn't believe how many of the films listed in this book I had never heard of before, let alone never seen. Now, after going right down the list, I can't imagine not having seen them!

I love Ebert's reveiws for so many reasons. The reviews are well-written and literate. I'm not a film buff to any great degree, so I really don't have any deep opinions about including "The Searchers" or "Stagecoach." But Ebert explains his own opinions and perceptions enough I can usually understand how he feels and why, even if I disagree* (or don't care). He's interesting to read and I feel like I learn something not only about about movies but also about being a critic - the literature of movie reviews.

*I often think Ebert is too generous with the number of stars in his weekly reviews. New movies often get four stars but so does "Citizen Kane"? I don't think so.

Ebert is the most erudite of the film reviewers making money plying their understanding of the world.

I always think it's funny when video store clerks say they love movies, but haven't seen even one of the movies in this book.

While not the definitive collection of great essays on great movies, it's a hardy guidebook of films cinemaphiles should see, and why they are so great.

Everyone has their own ideas about what should be on the list, but Ebert is pretty much right on!

Nobody writes about film the way Roger Ebert does. Ebert's writing about film, like his TV reviews, are always fun and entertaining, not pretentious and stuffy, like other film critics are. This book is compiled from Ebert's long-running bi-weekly column "The Great Movies", in which he examines what makes certain movies enduring. This isn't designed to be a "100 best of all time" list. It simply happens to be which movies Roger chose to write about at that particular time.
Roger takes a look at classic and popular movies such as "Star Wars", "Casablanca", and "Gone With The Wind". But he also examines lesser known movies such as "Mr. Hulot's Holiday" and the "Up" documentaries (such as "28 Up", and so on). Comedies, dramas ,thrillers ,foreign films, all genres are represented.
One can see all the joy and passion Ebert has for the cinema in these pages. In writing about Fellini, for example, (in his discussion of the film "8 1/2") Ebert writes about how some veiwers have a problem with Fellini's emphasis of images over ideas. He writes,"I celebrate it", meaning that film is a medium for images and that sometimes the most memorable images are not necessarily linked to one defined purpose.
The collection also includes anecdotes about how some movies were rediscovered and/or restored years later. The Marx Brothers' "Duck Soup" was a flop until young people in the sixties responded to its anti-authority themes. The original negative of Renoir's masterpiece "The Grand Illusion" was thought to be destroyed during WWII. A muddy copy existed for years.Roger recounts how the negative surfaced and was used for restoration during the 1990s. The underrated thriller "Peeping Tom" was dismissed when it was released in 1960. Years later, Martin Scorsese helped revive the film, and it received great acclaim. The film's director, Michael Powell met Scorsese's editor, Thelma Schoonmaker, and later married her.
All of this is examined in an enjoyably readable fashion. After finishing it, you may find youself wanting to revisit old favorite movies, or discovering ones you have not seen before, but will want to rent. I certainly did. This book is indispensable for any film buff.

The Angel chronicles books are adapatations of Buffy tv series episodes. The episodes done here are Halloween, where Ethan Rayne's costume shop makes you become what your costume represents, and the two What's My Line episodes, where Kendra the Slayer comes to town, and Spike manages to get the du Lac magic going for Drusilla. Buffy also has to deal with the Order of Taraka wanting to remove her live status.

I read all 3 of them. the frist one was my fav. but this onewas right up there!

ANGEL CHRONICLES VOL. 2
Richie Tankersley (1999), based on teleplays "Halloween" by Carl Ellsworth, "What's My Line, Part 1" by Howard Gordon & Marti Noxon, and "What's My Line, Part 2" by Marti Noxon

RATING: 3/5 Stakes

SETTING: Season Two

CAST APPEARANCES: Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Spike, Xander, Willow, Giles, Principal Snyder, Larry, Ethan Rayne, Drusilla, Oz, Dalton, Kendra, Willy

BACK-OF-THE-BOOK SUMMARY: "The course of love in Sunnydale never runs smoothly, especially for Buffy Summers the Vampire Slayer and her boyfriend, Angel the vampire. They're going through the usual early stages of a romantic relationship--dressing to impress, going on coffee dates, and saving the world. When Buffy tries to be more like the girls from Angel's distant past, she succeeds a little too well--becoming helpless in the face of real evil.
Career week at school finds Buffy questioning her future as the Slayer--and all the relationship baggage that title comes with--until an unexpected ally gives new insight into her calling. And when Angel is taken hostage by an old aquaintance [sic] with sinister plans, Buffy realizes she must draw on all her passion to save the one she loves. Now, collected for the first time, are three stories from the hit-TV series chronicling Buffy and Angel's growing romantic relationship."

REVIEW

Volume 2 of the Angel Chronicles novelizes three strong Second Season episodes. The novelizations stick very close to the scripts, with the only original material being a new prologue and a new epilogue.

In "Halloween," Buffy and her friends are transformed into the people they've dressed up as for Halloween--thus, Willow becomes a real ghost, Xander becomes a soldier, and Buffy turns into a simpering eighteenth century noblewoman. A good example of how the show can be humorous without becoming stupid and silly (contrast some season four episodes) makes "Halloween" a good read.

"What's My Line" parts 1 and 2 introduce Kendra the Vampire Slayer and sees Buffy attempting to survive a trio of assassins while facing teen career-fair angst. These episodes have some fun action sequences, introduce a whole new dimension to Cordelia and Xander's relationship, and provide more insight into how Buffy views her life. Spike and Drusilla play a major role in part 2.

Much like Volume 1 of the Chronicles, Angel fans should note that their gel-haired favorite is mostly on the sideline in the first story, although "Halloween" does have a few touching scenes involving Buffy and Angel's failed first date.
The "What's My Line" stories contain more Angel, as his presence is a major plot point in Spike and Drusilla's plans.

Overall, Richie Tankersley delivers a smooth, straightforward adaptation of all three episodes with no surprises.

Whether or not you have seen the episodes "Halloween," and "What's My Line" parts 1 and 2, this book is a must have for all Buffy and Angel fans. Tankersley takes you into the minds of the characters, and gives you a glimpse of the motives for the action we see on television.

"Halloween" is one of the funiest episodes in the BTVS series. All hell breakes loose when the population of Sunnydale is transformed into their halloween costumes. And who is there to fight the children turned demons? Not the slayer, who unfortunately believes herself to be a noblewoman from the 18th century! There is a serious side to the episode, however. The appearance of an old friend reveals secrets Giles would rather have remain hidden.

"What's my Line" is an emportant episode in the Buffy mythology. Besides bringing up the possibility of there being two slayers in one time, we also see the beginings of a beautiful relationship between Willow and Oz!

A good read, and definately worth the buy!

This volume is the novelization of 3 excellent episodes: Halloween - Buffy wants to impress Angel by dressing as a 18th century lady. However Giles'old friend Ethan casts a spell which turns everyone into the character their costume represents. Buffy is helpless and Spike is on the move. What's My Line, Part one and two - Spike sends bounty hunters to kill Buffy. He captures Angel to use him in a ritual to cure Dru and there is a new slayer in town.

The three stories focus on Angel's love for Buffy. Also Buffy comes face to face with the problem of a slayer loving a vampire. Everyone wants Angel dead and Buffy is determined to stop them because as she says, "Nobody messes with my boyfriend."