Series Books

Not soemthing I would read cover to cover, but the individual "Hacks" that I have read are pretty good. I have lots of books along this line and this is one of the bet. I put it up there with Stu's "DV Rebels Guide" which is also incredible. If you like the Rebel guide, you will probably like this as well. Lots of good stuff. Enjoy!

Great book with great content I recommend it to anyone who want to take there film making a step forward and is to busy or lazy to download the information from the internet becaue it is all there. Spread around of course but you will find every piece of information even most of the pictures used in this book so. If you have time and dedication you can save yourself the money by looking it up on the internet.

This book covers many aspects of video. Labeling tapes, making excel spreadsheets for saving information, time code on tapes, how to achieve certain effects, lighting, and green screen effects just name a few. The book is general to most all video software and is a very usefull tool I'm glad I purchased. Don't let the term "HACKS' fool you it 's only refering to tips or tricks.

I found the book to be very practical and have the
kind of "nuts-and-bolts" pointers that I like. You
don't have to read it cover to cover (I didn't) but
can pick it up and go to the points that interest you
or where you are currently in need of help. It refers
to various "commerical products" that the author has
used to get the job done. I found this helpful. With so
many competing products to chose from it's nice to
hear, "If you get product X you'll be able to do Z,"
rather than buying and hoping (or not buying and
wondering). Kuddos to the author.

I learned so much from this book. In fact, I've already implemented several of the ideas and have had great results. If you're semi-professional (video has been added to your responsibilities but you have no experience with this medium) BUY THIS BOOK.

Who would have thought of parchment paper and clothes pins to diffuse light and create a softer, more natural light over the subject? That's just one of the great tips I've already started using.

I've bought several digital video books while trying to learn this medium, and this has been by far the most useful.

XXXXX

"I have collected in this book memories extending over fifty years...I am trying in this book to describe to people who are not scientists the way the human situation looks to somebody who is a scientist. Partly I shall be describing how science looks from the inside. Partly I shall be discussing the future of technology. Partly I shall be struggling with the ethical problems of war and peace, freedom and responsibility, hope and despair, as these are affected by science...

The methodology of this book is literary rather than analytical. For insight into human affairs I turn to stories and poems. [In fact, the title of this book comes from a poem by T.S. Eliot]...A substantial part of this book is autobiographical...It is not that I consider my own life particularly significant or interesting to anybody besides myself. I write about my own experiences because I do not know much about anyone else's...To understand the nature of science and its interaction with science, one must examine the individual scientist and how he confronts the world around him."

The above comes from the beginning of this fascinating book by theoretical physicist (encompassing pure mathematics, nuclear engineering, space technology, and astronomy), author, and professor of physics at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University, Freeman Dyson (born 1923). He has also been awarded a number of distinguished prizes in science.

Dyson is involved in a field of pure science, but this book clearly shows that he is a man of conscience and compassion concerned with humanity's well being.

The first two parts of this book traces his years of growing up between two world wars and his early working years. Soon thereafter, while pursuing with great success--first with scientist Hans Bethe at Cornell University and then with scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer at Princeton University (and others such as scientists Richard Feynman and Edward Teller)--his own vocation of perceiving and describing the laws that run the universe, from sub-atomic particles to galaxies, he has also been continuously involved in the moral issues affecting all of us--from disarmament to the control of recombinant DNA research.

The third and last part is concerned with Dyson's "obsession with the future" and in fact, he tells the reader that "the future is my third home." It is (at least to me) an interesting section where we get to see a glimpse of the far future through the eyes of a prominent scientist.

Finally, there is only one problem I had with this book: it has no illustrations (diagrams, sketches, and pictures)! I think these would have enhanced the book's readability. (The original hardcover version of this book has a picture of Dyson on its back cover.)

In conclusion, this is a unique book that's beautifully written giving us a snapshot into the life and mind of one of the world's greatest thinkers!!

(first published 1979; author's preface; 3 parts or 24 chapters; main narrative 260 pages; bibliographical notes; index)

<>

XXXXX

"We are scientists second and human beings first. We become politically involved because knowledge implies responsibility." -Freeman Dyson-
This phrase struck me years ago when I read Dr. Dyson's book. Then, as a new graduate student in physics, I enjoyed the collection of poetry and personal thoughts, and the anecdotes of famous physicists whom I worshipped. Then, it inspired me to continue with my work. Now, with PhD in hand, I'm combing the country for a physics job and I find DISTURBING THE UNIVERSE to be an enormously comforting companion. Freeman Dyson is a complex and highly evolved man who pondered both physical law and the higher moralities binding those who wield this knowledge. I use this book as a roadmap, giving a context in which to think about research and life. I highly recommend this book.

Excelente libro, es sorprendente simpre deleitarse con las ideas y la forma magistral de Freeman Dyson, para contranos y aconsejarnos sobre ciencia y futuro

some reviewers say this book is a masterpiece,and the greatest book written by Freeman.Dyson, I really can't agree with them.
I read the book twice, I find it is an interesting book. Dyson is undoubted a successful scientist, this book ,I think it as autobiography of Dyson. of course, it is very interesting and full of stories. But just like other autobiographies, it is just a story book, not a masterpiece. for these resons, I give it four stars.
F.Dyson wrote some popular book, they are all excellent, but the greater work of Dyson is about scientific research, such as QED.
I also like his "infinite in all directions", because it give me a special viewpoint about science, society and universe.anyway, The book,and others by dyson is worth of reading.

I was first introduced to Freeman Dyson as a colleague and sometimes other half of Richard Feynman. I regret that during our brief meetings I never got to know him for being more than a physicist. Therefore, when I started reading this book I was expecting something akin to the biographical material on Feynman. Instead, I found not only a more richly multidimensional book, but a glimpse into the soul of a thinker for the ages and a new window into timeless issues that world news thrusts upon us every day. Dyson explores topics as diverse as his early work in physics, to his work in the nuclear disarmament programs of the Kennedy-Kruschev era, to the politics of the McCarthyist efforts against Oppenheimer, to his thoughts on what it means for a one-time Brit to become an American, to gedanken experiments about colonization of the universe. Beneath each of these topics lies a set of fundamental moral imperatives. This book is an inspiration for professionals to look beyond their profession, and beyond science, to grapple with the great human questions.

The open pages of Dyson's life, as recalled here, take the concept of "laws of nature" far beyond the realm of subatomic particle physics into the space of everyday social experience. This is a book about the development of social conscience, fueled by the ethical questions of nuclear weapons development. It is perhaps predictable that the book dwells on the questions of the morality of war, but the fresh perspectives and depth of thought on this topic kept me engaged. Reaching far beyond the role of science in war, the book extrapolates this discourse into the broader question of technology's role in a conscionable future of humanity. It is one of those uncommon writings from a "science" author that we dare call literature, both in terms of its rhetoric and in terms of its universality.

There is a small bit at the end where Dyson describes what I believe to be an overly ambitious attempt to create a unifying metaphysic of subatomic behavior and human psychology, that seemed out of character with the rest of his book. But I can forgive the author that small distraction in light. And even as strange as it is, it bounces around in my head and--as is true of many ideas from this book--has been the source of numerous thoughtful discussions with colleagues.

Having just returned to this series after a long hiatus, I have to admit that it was a pleasure to spend a little more time with Relkin, Bazil, the other legionnaires, and the various ancillary characters. And it gradually occurred to me that this seemed to be the novel's reason for being; a place-holder, to keep the "franchise" alive. The dragons; their dragonboys; Lagdalen; Lessis; Captain Kesepton; each character gets his or her turn on the stage, in the service of defeating an enemy who is constantly described as more powerful and deadly than any they have faced before, yet who is dispatched in a rather perfunctory manner.

If the book has a weakness, that's it: that at no time does Rowley really convince the reader that the heroes are in lasting danger, and even the most willing suspension of disbelief isn't enough to make us think that the bad guys might win. The novel has a very generic feel that is perfectly encapsulated in the title (which couldn't be less specific to this particular nook if it tried), and the action all takes place within spitting distance of the dragons' home base, with the most exotic locale being a country house that the villain has appropriated as his headquarters (a cobbled-together "civil war" serving as impetus for the fighting within the legion's home territory).

Though I haven't yet gotten around to the final volume, Dragon Ultimate, I get the impression that my enjoyment of it probably wouldn't be hampered much if I had skipped The Dragons of Argonath altogether. Mind you, I wouldn't dream of skipping it; and that, in truth, is the best comment I can make. I wouldn't think of missing a chance to listen to the dragons brag or their dragonboys bicker and fight; I only wish that their actions mattered more this time around.

if u want to read a seires that will u reading all night long just to see what happens next, then this is defiently it. the only sad part about this is that i just found out that there is a book after this one and i now have to go and find that book. well one word of advise for Rowley is write more books!

This is the best one yet.

as i have said the best series i have ever read. However, one of the things i look foward to reading about is the places they go see, and this, just wasnt very exciting. The story stayed very local, and that was a dissapointment, but again the action that was written, was excellent, as usual. i do hope that if you have read all the books thus far that you keep going, because the best is yet to come. and each book adds a little more to the story.

THE STORY GETS BETTER AND BETTER. HAVE NUMBER SEVEN IN THE SERIES AND I AM RE-READING THE WHOLE SAGA OVER AGAIN. YOU NEED TO READ THESE BOOKS, AND SOMEDAY SOMEONE SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE OUT OF THEM.

I have to say this book is just wonderful! It is great as a casual read as well as excellent for the researcher and/or family historian! It helped me to fill some gaps in my families history (Daniel's sister, Sarah Boone) and gave other avenues in which to reasearch.

Wanted to read this book as a celebration of Daniels life Yet I found it to be long statements made directly following his death It is told that none ventured into writing of this man during his life I guess that makes it appealing The man had big family and was known to beat the Indians at there own gam that I found Admirable the book on a whole was simply a bore due to the accounts of how Boone tryed to purchase this or that But to those who want to build homesteads in the 1800s It will be to your liking

This is the one to get. This one, and John Mack Faragher's BOONE biography (Henry Holt, 1992). Anything by Belue is worth getting; he is precise to the point of obsession, and his works--four thus far--will stand the test of time.

Occasionally a book that has been available for a while deserves another look just because of its intrinsic value. In 1998 a book was published that combined the names of two legendary individuals who will be associated forever with the history of the American backwoods-Daniel Boone, the famous adventurer, and Lyman C. Draper, the renowned nineteenth-century interviewer and collector. It was only through the painstaking efforts of editor Ted Franklin Belue that Draper's highly significant tome on Boone finally came into being a century and a half after it was started. Before the ink was dry on the printed page, this book had become a backcountry classic. It instantly went to the front rank of Boone biographies. For the previous hundred years few but the serious historian had been drawing from Draper's handwritten manuscript on Boone; now even the casual reader would have the material readily available in print. Despite the fact that Draper never finished writing the biography and didn't take Boone's exploits beyond 1778, The Life of Daniel Boone (596 pages hardcover, $39.95, Stackpole Books) has proven to be well worth the long wait.
The book is a treasure trove of information about Boone, including such highlights as: his early years in Pennsylvania and North Carolina; activities during the French and Indian War; hunting in the Appalachian region; long hunting in Kentucky; adventures in Dunmore's War; the establishment of Boonesborough; and the first half of the Revolutionary War in Kentucky. While perusing these pages, the reader will be reminded constantly of Draper's monumental research that involved extensive travel to obtain interviews with people who had known Boone personally or with relatives and friends of such individuals. He also endeavored to collect important documents before they disappeared. His efforts were literally a race against time. Belue sets a standard for excellence with his very interesting preface as well as his editor's note (following the preface) that explains how the book finally came into being. The outstanding notes at the end of each chapter by both Draper and Belue are a further wealth of information. Draper's 44-page appendix provides a Boone genealogy and biographical sketches of many other frontier figures.
From Smoke & Fire News, November 2004, by Bob Holden

Lyman Draper wrote the single best account of the life of Daniel Boone. This source, while not well known, has been mined by virtually every biographer of Boone since 1850. This book and the biography of John Bakeless are the best two volumes ever to appear about the life of Daniel Boone. Also the Memoirs of Nathan Boone and his wife are of extreme value. These books provide the basis for the study of early Kentucky history.

The Boeing X-20 program or DynaSoar started out as a follow on to the X-15 program from North American Aviation. It was to go higher, faster and farther than the X-15. Many of its pilots were from the X-15 project. But as the space age came along hard and fast with astronauts in orbital flights missions, the X-20 mission went from a sub orbiting glider to orbital 3 day spacecraft. One pilot to a three man vehicle. For awhile the Dynasoar tried to cope until The secretary of Defence pulled the plug in 1963. No manned space vehicles flew with wings for almost 18 years.

Robert Godwin has produced a beautiful and before now unseen look at how this project evolved. Many of his illistrations have never been seen before now. This book examines the many different concepts, designs and boosters over its nearly 15 year lifespan. The DVD alone is worth the price of the book.
An outstanding book at a great price.

The X-20 program is little known and there is very little information about it in print or on the internet. Dyna-Soar would have been a triumph of technology in it's day, instead, Robert McNamara, the same guy who led us to defeat in Vietnam, cancelled the program. All was not lost, the technology developed from Dyna-Soar was used for the Space Shuttle.

This book is a treasure chest of raw information. In addition to reports about the "nuts and bolts" of the program, it also includes a DVD with rare Air Force footage. I recomend this book to anyone interested in the early space age.

Apogee Books' "Dyna-Soar" is an amazing collection of documents, both military and contractor, of the U.S. Air Force's first hypersonic strategic glider. Since the concept of the orbiting spaceplane has been around for a while and finally(?) materialized into the Space Shuttle, this book is worth a look.

This Apogee book is different than most since it includes a DVD-ROM, instead of just a CD-ROM. On the DVD is a USAF Dyna-Soar Progress Report, a documentary "The Story of Dyna-Soar", a press conference with the X-20 roll out, silent USAF construction footage and pressure suit tests. I would say that the DVD alone is worth the price, but the text has lots of good technical information too!

Anyone familiar with Apogee Books will know exactly what they are getting - reports, memorandums, technical diagrams and official chronologies associated with the program. If you are looking for personal stories about Dyna-Soar, look elsewhere. But since it took almost 30 years to get THIS information, don't hold your breath for personal memoirs... A must-buy for the die-hards, but find a good price.

This is the most comprehensive book I've ever seen on the X-20 Dyno-Soar. It has very detailed descriptions of the research and development that was done to make this space plane a reality. It contains very interesting charts & artists conceptions of what the vehicle would have looked like. There are many photographs of mockups, test articles, and the actual me who would have flown the Dyno-Sour. The included CD contains vintage footage of the development, as well as the United States Air Force documentary about the X-20 program. I found this book a invaluable resource in my life long studies of the history of manned space flight. It really makes you wonder what could have been.

If you had asked someone from the aerospace industry in the late fifties how they thought that manned spaceflight would evolve, it's likely that they would have described something like the X-20 Dyna-Soar program. It was the logical next step beyond the X-planes of the 1946 - 1968 period, extending their performance out to orbital speeds and altitudes as part of an incremental military development program. Under other circumstances, it might have happened just like that.

Instead, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in October 1957, and turned spaceflight into one of the principal `fronts' of the Cold War. Under these conditions, there wasn't time for the measured development that the X-20 program would have called for - Instead, a ballistic approach using existing missiles was used, to get things done quickly. Also, President Eisenhower decided that the primary thrust of the American manned space program would be civilian, through the agency of NASA.

The X-20 program wasn't immediately cancelled, as a parallel military space program continued, which the X-20 would have been the flagship of. Ongoing questions about exactly what the program was intended to accomplish eventually undermined the program with Defense Secretary Robert McNamara, who finally cancelled Dyna-Soar in favour of the Air Force "Blue Gemini" and "Manned Orbiting Laboratory" projects, which were themselves cancelled a few years later.

Until now, the X-20 program has been pretty obscure, without a lot of published information available. This volume addresses that need. Like many of the releases from Apogee books, this isn't specifically a history of the program - rather, it is a collection of rare documents relating the program, along with a DVD of rare film on the program. If you already know some history of the X-20 program, and want to know more, then this is for you -- like a trip to the archives!

This book is a natural for me - I'm both a space enthusiast, and an aviation buff with an interest in the X-planes of the 1946 - 1968 period. So it gets me on both fronts.

I bought the 2200 series first with the answer book with test and I passed them all with flying colors. So I decided to go for the 2600 and passed that as well with flying colors. After that I decided to buy this book and continue, however, I did not do so well with the test as I would've liked. This is still a great book and I only wish that I could write the author a positive review on it; but I think he might be deceased by now. I truly recommend this book, but you must buy the tests with answer key. Don't cheat!!!

I used an earlier edition of this classic textbook in Junior High 28 years ago, and it is EXCELLENT. What makes it unique is the layout which actually resembles a computer based training format with instant feedback. I only wish more instructional books utilized this format. You WILL master english grammer with this book.

You can start anywhere, literally anywhere. Just open the book at any page and go; truly, it is that easy. I came across this book when taking an English Upgrade course in writing at the University of Toronto back in the 1970's - subjunctives, subordinate clauses, adverb clauses, appositives, punctuation, and on, and on, and on ... . My marks went from C's to A's.
The book eventually fell apart in my hands from the constant use and reuse as I referred to it when I needed it. I referred back to it all the time, simply because some of the topics are, to some extent, obscure and not easy to remember without constantly using them. Is your boss picking on you because you can't write? Are feeling out of the game because you can't get a handle on English grammar? - get the book (and use the book) and get your boss of your back and maybe impress your boss's boss as well.
I just ordered a new one, because my wife speaks English as a second language, and she will have no trouble using it what so ever.
It is a gem, a prize, and a wonder.
sincerely

The book enphasis a lot in writing and correct sentence construction. At the begining it may look foolish, but as you use it, you start noticing and fixing mistakes in your writing style.
It has few theory about grammar, but practise a lot the setence contruction.
If you want improve your writing, this is the MUST HAVE book.

This is the best book on sentence structure ever. I wish I had this book when I was in school. I read alot of books on grammar and they never work for me. I usually forgot what I read after a day or two. I am an electrical engineer. Math and science are always my best subject while english is my worse.

This book show me how to combine simple sentences into compound and complex sentence. How to add adverb and adjective clause into the sentence to make it more meaningful. It show you the same example in many different ways. It is like doing algebra.

This book use a scientific approach. You will learn sentence structure and remember it for the rest of your life.

This is a fascinating book, and this from a reader more into fiction than historical biography - but the best fiction writer would be hard pressed to come up with a character like Ernie Pyle.

A page turning look into World War II from someone who could have been your neighbor but was far more than what you would have expected.

I have no idea why a modern rendition of this story has not hit the big screen - it seems a natural, captivating story that would educate as well as entertain.

this must be THE book to read on war - what it's really like in all of its aspects - his description of the beach, after D-Day was gripping and haunting and it has stayed with me many years later -

and how he relates the everyday and ordinary in war -

and how, in any group or organization, it's often a small percentage of the people who are carrying the load - that's just one example of the many insights and truths in this book that relate to all of life, not just life in a war zone -

and it is a great book for anyone to read - a stunning life achievement for ernie pyle -

James Toban has written a stunning book in "Ernie Pyle's War: America's Eyewitness to World War II". Toban has succeeded in giving readers the rare opportunity to see the human frailties concealed within one of America's greatest and most valuable World War II correspondents.

James Toban present a picture of the complex Ernie Pyle; a man that entered the World War II carrying only a broken Remington typewriter and a deep desire to describe the life and hardships of the horrific world of the infantrymen to the American public. The reader will learn of the contradictory Ernie Pyle. The Ernie Pyle who despised war, but who could not stay away from the physical and emotional anguish of battle. The Ernie Pyle who loved his wife, but who continually left her behind to travel to the front lines. Ernie Pyle, the seemingly frail and terrified journalist who demonstrated his bravery by traveling to the front lines to be with and write about "his boys". Ernie Pyle, a genius for writing about the common soldier, but who needed constant reminding that he was the best at what he did. His articles became legendary and the hope and news link for Americans with loved ones in the front lines.

James Toban's "Ernie Pyle's War: America's Eyewitness to World War II " is a must read for World War II readers and all readers who wish to know about the human spirit and about a plain old fashion brave American.

About the only complaint I can offer about this outstanding biography is that the title is slightly misleading. Ernie Pyle's years as a war correspondent are the subject of about three-quarters of the narrative, which is appropriate. It was the period in which he did his greatest work and achieved international fame. But this is more than just the story of those pivotal years; the first 25 percent of the text is an excellent overview of Pyle's childhood on an Indiana farm and his pre-war adventures in journalism, including a six-year stint in the thirties and forties as a kind of Charles Kuralt in print. Pyle and his wife roamed across the nation in their car, and he wrote about the people he encountered along the way--ordinary people, the sort who don't usually find themselves the subject of newspaper articles.

When the war came, Pyle knew he had to answer the call to go overseas. But thankfully, he realized that he didn't need to provide the same sort of coverage every other journalist was doing. He would let them handle the stories of the grand strategy, interviewing the generals and prime ministers. He would tell the story of his average Joe, now transformed into G.I. Joe.

James Tobin has a wonderful gift for storytelling and description. He introduces us to Pyle and the key players in his life so vividly we feel that we know them as flesh-and-blood individuals. He quotes from Pyle's works liberally enough that we get a true sense of the man's unique gifts, but not so much that the flow of the story bogs down.

This is an almost perfect biography of one of the true greats of 20th century journalism.--William C. Hall

"Ernie Pyle's War" by James Tobin was a thorough read. Tobin described Pyle down to the very last detail, uncovering almost every aspect of his life. After reading this book, the reader had a clear view into Pyle's mind and was able to recognize the feelings he possessed about his professional and private life. The way Tobin intertwined Pyle's messages home with biographical details along with interviews of acquaintances, made this story an easy read. "Ernie Pyle's War" earned five "stars."
Tobin's style of writing was one reason this book was so effective. He used partial quotes from Pyle to title his chapters, which brought an immediate sense of intimacy to the story. Tobin began the book with a chronological introduction to Pyle. This style of writing, although typical for biographies, was well suited for this story and not at all cliché. Readers were able to become acquainted with Pyle as a young man and then mature along with him as he grew into an established adult. By describing Pyle as a young man, readers were able to understand more clearly why he was the way he was as an adult.
Tobin used vivid descriptions to paint a picture of Pyle in the minds of the readers. This was an important aspect because Pyle's physical demeanor was one of the main problems and/or benefits in his life. As a child and young adult, his size hindered his relationships. But, as a war correspondent, the people saw Pyle as more of a hometown boy rather than a studious journalist. This added to his success as a war correspondent.
After transitioning into Pyle's career as a war correspondent, the story line became more tedious. Pyle was in and out of combat and the surface facts of his life were boring. Tobin, understanding the paleness of biographical data, used Pyle's messages home to spice up the story. Like most people, Pyle's life was not what it seemed to be. Besides leading a "glorified" life as a war correspondent, he had major problems at home. Tobin showed the audience this by weaving together Pyle's biographical information with the messages he sent home. This gave the reader a sense of what Pyle was actually feeling. Using these messages instead of his columns allowed reader's to see the "real" Pyle.
Tobin uncovered personal feelings about his professional and personal life, which gave the reader a feeling of empathy toward Pyle. Showing that he did not feel like an outstanding reporter, let readers see Pyle was human. Tobin successfully showed the man behind the pen by opening up Pyle's mind to the audience. He did this by using Pyle's own letters and messages home that contained intimate details of his life. Without the added touch of Pyle's actual writing, the story would have failed to be as successful.

What makes great science fiction? To me it's a combination of new ideas, a well told story, and memorable characters. The two books the comprise this series "The Pinch" are both great, in fact the only complaint I have is that there are only two books.

The world created here isn't entirely new, but I have yet to read science fiction that doesn't borrow something from a tale told previously. It does have enough new and unique elements that provoke some thought to be entertaining. The story is definitely well told with pacing and plot well matched.

If there is any weak point it might be the characters. They are well enough drawn, but just don't grab attention like a Bilbao Baggins, Vlad Taltos, or Ganoes Paran. Still this book is good enough to deserve a 5, though it isn't quite perfect.

It is nearly impossible to understand what is going on without reading "Palace" the first book of the "Pinch" world. This isn't a bad thing because "Palace is a great book too and you'll be pleased to read both.

I know it sounds impossible, but The Eyes of God is better than Palace! Againt everything experience taught! Why do I say that?

Well, for starters, it took up where Palace left off ( more or less ), and kept right on going! It really is a page turner!

There are lots of supprises, especially toward the end.

I thought the pace was slightly on the slow side in the beginning, although it really took off during the last few chapters! Mark Kreighbaum didn't focus as much on the characters in this book: understandable, as the events make the story.
The style of writing in this book is also different than in Palace, and it suits the story well! The events flow logically and without any jarring contradictions right out of Palace.

This book is a masterpiece! Why it is out of print I cannot comprehend! Well worth reading.

After searching for what seemed an age I finally found a copy of the second book in the brilliant `Pinch' series. To say that it was well worth the wait would be an understatement! The deep, twisting story that Katherine Kerr and Mark Kreighbaum started with `Palace', Mr Kreighbaum continues with explosive and deadly results. Utterly captivated from the first paragraph, I found myself swept along with the characters in their race to find out the true identity of Riva, the role of the L'Vars and of course, whether all would come good for our two heros, Vida and Rico. I must say that I truely admire the way Mr Kreighbaum weaves and binds many complex plots together successfully to complete what, as far as I am concerned, is only the first arc of the `Pinch' story. `The Eyes of God' may have provide us with all the answers to the questions that remained with us after reading `Palace', but I was definately left wanting more and felt that Vida and Rico's story had only just begun. I hope that someday I will be able to read the books which continue this series and follow them accross the stars.
I would recomend this series to anyone with a love of books and I guaranty that they are one hell of a read!

In this sequel to Palace (written jointly by Mark Kreighbaum & Katharine Kerr) Mark Kreighbaum goes solo and brings this tale to it's long awaited conclusion. I definitely recommend your having read Palace prior to starting Eye of God as the book leaps right in where Palace left off and doesn't waste time explaining back story to those who don't know it. In fact, even if you have read it a re-read is a good idea, as you'll find many themes and hints followed up in Eye of God that you may have forgotten.

Without spoiling too much of the story and the surprises I'll give you a small overview. Rico and Vida are still in love and struggling to cope with her marriage and Rico's investigations into Riva, which have disastrous consequences with a surprising twist. Cybersorcerers after all? The Peronida family continue their political machinations, against each other and anyone in their way, regardless of the possible consequences. Dukayn's instability, only hinted at in Palace, comes to the fore when Sister Romero discovers Karlo's deceit. Dukayn's obsession will not allow his `God' to be threatened, by anyone. Jevon's misery is compounded and brought to an ugly conclusion and to top it all off the secret Lep movement guided by Riva achieves it's horrendous goal, bringing the Map to it's knees and endangering the lives of everyone on Palace.

Eyes of God has a much faster pace than Palace, it's riveting with so much intensity and build-up putting down the book is something of a struggle! You discover so much more about each character and all the skeletons come tumbling out of those closets! Not a book to pike out with a syrupy ending, Eye of God isn't afraid to kill off characters for realism, even the ones you really liked! I found this added to the drama and enjoyment, nothing like the odd tissue moment in a good story. It becomes a real thriller with a gripping conclusion that satisfies all those hanging ends. I still feel vaguely abandoned though, as while that story is over there's still so much more, the Garang Japat for instance. There's a story there and what happens with the saccules? Mark Kreighbaum may have finished up one great story but he's definitely left the door open for more. I'll be keeping an `eye' out for future novels from The Pinch.

This book is superb, it started a little slow the first twenty pages or so then suddenly it picks you up, throws you round a bit and kept me up all night!

Palace left me feeling like I had read a very good introduction to the usually good five book sci fi series, I was then astounded to have to wait so long to eventually get a copy of this title and to discover that there are no more books out from this series yet???

The plot is excellent with lot's of twists and turns and the characters really grow on you and are, as the best authors make them, very believeable and real, hence my comment of wanting more....

To conclude I have read sci fi for the last twenty years and would say this one is up there in my top twenty - Thank you.

I had to grab this book, I guess it was the first? MADicine is my new favorite, with that funny and fun and sarcastic House-like Alban Bane. Love that guy! So, naturally, I had to grab The Game. Well, it's quite different in some ways. Darker, and a little bloodier, because here Armstrong is spoofing up serial killers and Silence of the Lambs. You've got to love someone who can take on Hollywood knowing it'll probably kill a book-to-movie deal, because here Bane attacks Hollywood, reality TV. I love it. Because I read this backwards, MADicine first, I miss not having Ada Kenner and Pan the rock star around to be Bane's foil, but it was nice to see big old Arm and his two adorable but disturbed teenage daughters. So, I felt at home, and Bane's just as funny here, but it is darker. Just a warning on the ending, which gets intense. But Bane's as good as ever, House-like, funny, tough, sarcastic, charming, lovable.

Derek Armstrong's The Game is thrilling and enthralling. Witty repartee and snappy dialogue create moments of brevity in an otherwise intense roller-coaster ride of a story. This book reads like an action-suspense movie; Armstrong weaves an intense tale that manages to entertain while commenting on the fascination our country has for the genre of reality television. Armstrong skewers voyeurism and it is a pleasure to go along for the ride. I highly recommend The Game to anyone seeking a great book to fall into. You won't want to put it down-- and the book leaves the door open to the sequel, MADicine, coming soon from Kunati books.

There is simply not enough humor in this world. Since the sixties, ethnic humor is tabu, or is it taboo. Somehow we decided that the frailties of human nature shouldn't be funny, whether ethnic or otherwise, leaving us with almost no subject to dump our ridicule upon. However, there is salvation on the horizon and it seems that Derek Armstrong has found it. It is reality television.

In his novel, The Game, he has focused our attention on just how utterly ridiculous reality television really is. His story is a mystery sure enough, but basically he strips the veneer from the broadcasting genre and shown it for what it is and we discover that what it is, is just silly.

Red Evans author of On Ice

POSTED AT THE REQUEST OF ELINA McGEE: Capital punishment of a serial killer and a reality-television show with a warped twist, the setting of The Game, quickly intrigues the reader. The reality show guests, trapped in a haunted mansion, all become suspects when it becomes the scene of a copycat murder, follwed by a succession of killings. Character development of the game show participants, broadcasting crew and the pill-popping detective, Bane, with his comical sarcasm, serve to make this mystery thriller that much more captivating. When I finished the last page of The Game, I found myself wishing I could purchase the sequel immediately!

Derek Armstrong provides the best reason to turn off the TV--his exciting new novel THE GAME. It's a send-up of reality television, full of murderous action on the set of "Haunted Survivor", and a thrilling ride to the climax with detective Alban Bane. Don't wait for the movie--read the book!

If The Velveteen Rabbit had a prequel, it would surely be Margaret Wise Brown's classic story that appears every year at Easter time, The Golden Egg Book. This is a little story about the miraculous accident we call friendship--which is to say it as about the miracle that emerges when we accept each other. That acceptance comes despite the hurt we often unwittingly, or selfishly, inflict on each other.


The story begins: Once there was a bunny. He was all alone. One day he found an egg. He could hear something moving inside the egg. What was it?

The bunny is determined to find out what's in the egg, and he jumps on it, rolls it down the hill, throws a rock at it.... His effort wears him out and he falls asleep, during which time the duck inside the egg hatches, sees the bunny and wonders at the sleeping bunny curled up alongside his shell.

The duck, in its turn, pokes and prods the bunny until the long-eared one awakens.

The two critters marvel at each other and what circumstances have brought them together--briefly, for they are very young. It is enough, they agree to accept each other and be friends. And no one was ever alone again.

I read this over 100 times to my daughter when she was little. I also read it that many times when I was a child. I love this book and any books by Margaret Wise Brown. Also read the Whispering Rabbit and loved it.

I read this to my 2 year old niece every time I see her. We have a different edition, I think, and the pictures are simply beautiful. The text is such that my niece can easily follow along and even remembers certain parts by heart. It is a wonderful story that really captures and holds the attention of a young child. A simply wonderful story.

I love this book, my mommy checked it out for me from the library. I am only7 months old. My mommy has read me other books and they are okay, but this book is great!!It makes mem so happy,as soon as mommy gets it out I go crazy laughing and smiling and clapping my hands. My favorite part is when the chick finally comes out of the egg. This is a great book!!!

My grandparents gave me a copy of this book for my first Easter, in 1960. My mom says I loved it, then my subsequent siblings, nephews, and nieces loved it some more. My old, "well-loved" copy is literally falling apart.

Every night in the last month, my 17-month-old has wordlessly gone to her bookshelf, grabbed my old book and plopped into my lap to read her favorite book. If she is reluctant to finish getting ready for bed, all I have to do is show her the book, and she quickly waddles over and plops down.

But tonight when she opened my old book, the pages weren't there ... they'd all fallen out ... even with all the years' accumulation of tape. With some trepidation, I logged on after she was in bed, hoping to find at least an old copy with a used-book seller through Amazon (a handy feature that has helped out in similar situations.) I was thrilled to find it had been reissued. We'll add a new layer of tape to the old one to hold on until the new copy arrives. We'd like to thank the publishers and Amazon ... I suspect the new copy will be in a similarly "loved" state in another 40 years.