Movies Books

No, i don't but if you buy my book ill send you a free limited addition oversized postcard! Deathday by Eugene Bruce, and honestly futurama is far far superior but being an impoverished author i won't apologise for shamelessly promoting my debut novel Deathday by Eugene Bruce - I'd very much appreciate you checking it out that's DEATHDAY by EUGENE BRUCE - I love you America!

Not much else to say except that if you can find it at a proper price, like $1, get it.

That's not to slam the artwork or intellectual property put into the calendar -- this is the best TV-themed calendar in quite some time. But it wasn't even printed in the US... Other calendars are and cost the same price. (Oh my!) But I digress. Just make sure the inks aren't colorfast or won't poison you if you touch it and all will be well in the land. And don't lick it either...

The images are awesome. Each month shows a different spoof movie poster with Futurama characters. Included in the center is a full poster for "The Bendernator" starring Bender Bending Rodriguez. Best calendar I ever bought!

Replacing my 2007 Futurama calendar is this 2008 Futurama calendar. While last years seemed to use some odd scenes from the show that I could barely remember, this one has original artwork inspired by classic movies with Futurama characters in them. Very funny. The work is great.

The Futurama wall calendar is always of the highest quality. I order one every year, and thoroughly enjoy it. Every time I look at it I find something new in the current month's picture. Totally warped and brilliant!

The Garfield comic strip about a male loser who owns a fat cat and an ignorant, slobbery dog strikes a responsive chord in cat owners everywhere. It is not because they identify with a man who cannot do anything right or recognize their pet dog. It is because Garfield is the exaggerated epitome of a cat whose life revolves around eating, sleeping and getting into things. I have owned approximately ten cats in my life and I recognized a bit of Garfield in every one of them. I enjoyed this book, even though the actions of his owner reach beyond the absurd.

Unfortunatly, this was actually when Garfield books were starting to fall a bit flat on ideas and the 1990's books weren't as good compared to the mid to late 1980's books but this book is still very funny, but overall if you're a Garfield fan, this book is highly recommended.

"Garfield Says a Mouthful, No 21" wasn't the funniest Garfield book I've read, but it's still entertaining. I nice addition to a collection and a must for Garfield fans. I recommend.

Out of all the Garfield books I think I liked this one the most. But still I give all of them 5 big gold stars! -Kacey 5th grade

Everybody out there keep buying Garfield books! They can be worth a lot of money someday and can become collector's items! I'm always going to keep all of mine so when I have kids they can read them!

this reviewer's praise comes from the heart when I say "bravo". I am not a huge fan of pop culture or the following it has (having had my gay card twice suspended for possessing a "less-than-acceptable" level of movie, broadway, and Camp knowledge), yet I cannot imagine any other calling for Mr. Zippy Bergund. His knowledge of movies and every detail within them has astounded me for years. Kudos to Jason and Bev for creating an all-in-one guide that even I can understand. Finally - a book that contains humor, camp, guidance, tons of trivia and of course, advice from behind the bar. Cheers!

The Hulk as a gay movie? Hmmmm...wait until those Greek lawyers get a whiff of that. Maybe The Hulk isn't gay per se, but the transformation he undergoes (personally I think Howard Dean is The Hulk in disguise) is something everyone can relate to, gay or straight. I love the way each of these movies, from Mommie Dearest to Norma Rae to All About Eve, can reflect pivotal points in our lives. I also appreciate that Jason Bergund, one-half of the real-life "Will & Grace" team that wrote this book, comes out in favor of social responsibility attacking "Queer as Folk" for only portraying the seamy underbelly of gay life (anonymous sex, drug abuse and endless clubbing aren't something to aspire to in any group). You go, girl!

This book talks directly to our fabulous gay souls. It matches up movies with moods like a perfect date! Aside from really good movie advice, the wit, humor and various fun parts (like recipes)make this book an easy reading experience. Definitely worth every penny!!!

This is an extremely entertaining and amusing book, perfect for anyone who has trouble finding that movie-night-feel-good-rental when you're in the mood for some queer therapy. Not only for gay people, the book lists movies, recipes, and little indulgences that will pamper and pacify even the most stressed out straights on gays. With sections dedicated to Judy, Bette, Madonna, the book streams a wide timeline, so there's something for everyone, from, "Mommie Dearest" (my personal favorite in which you learn some interesting facts about the film - like the fact the studio NEVER intended for it to be such a cult camp classic!) to "The Hours" to "Camp" and so on. Jason's Barmacy brings out the bartender in us all with the same ease it takes Omarosa to be hated, and Bev's pampering rituals will leave you feeling refreshed (and looking hot too!). However, I think the next book should have a cover photo of Mr. Bergund in his alleged "lavaliere - all the way down to his waist"!

Three words: Fun Fun Fun!! A must have for gay movie buffs and novices alike. A great lite read for the summer - it catered to my every ADD need, as I could pick it up and flip around to my hearts desire... I truly enjoyed how co-authors Jason Bergund and Beverly West summed up my personal favorites with wit and hilarity, and then had me rushing to the video store for a few films on my "to-see" list. This manual or "bible", as one may dub, is full of chuckles, fun tips, helpful hints, along with a plethora of random information that had me taking notes in case "Celebrity Jeopardy" ever came a knockin'. ("What is Velma Kelly's real name?" (...)

Published transcripts of talks are risky. Sometimes a lecture that is powerfully persuasive because of the personal charisma of the speaker comes across as dull and uninspiring when read. This is usually (but not always) an indication that there's little substance in the talk, and that its original appeal was founded more on smoke-and-mirrors than insight or wisdom.

I'm happy to say that the transcript of Father Seraphim's 1981 Santa Cruz talk, "God's Revelation to the Human Heart," comes across as well on the written page as it must've when he gave it to college students a quarter-century ago. Delivered a year before his premature death, it can be viewed as a concise statement of his spirituality.

The purpose of religion (re+legio=to reconnect), says Seraphim, is to "open up contact" with a "reality deeper than the eveyday reality that so quickly changes, rots away, leaves nothing behind, and offers no lasting happiness." In our deep hunger for this reality, we frequently settle on the one hand for effusive experiences that feel good but which don't necessarily lead us to the Truth we seek, or cold, calculative philosophies, which promise to reveal Truth for us but typically wind up dissecting it instead.

What we need do is recognize, as Pascal said in the seventeenth century, that the heart has reasons that the mind knows not. The heart, Seraphim reminds us, is that organ designed to reveal God to us, because the heart is the seat of love, and only love takes us to Truth/reality. That which reconnects us is love. But to love necessarily means to suffer, for in loving we empathically experience the pain of those whom we love. In willingly taking on the cross of suffering, we invite God to crack open our hearts and reveal both Himself (Truth/Reality) and our true identities.

The path of love/suffering defended by Father Seraphim in this lecture, then, takes us to Truth by avoiding gushy sentimentality on the one hand, and detached, rationalistic analysis on the other. His approach is the same as that defended by the Fathers in the first centuries of the Church.

Ironically--sadly--the questions asked of Seraphim by students after his talk (the transcript is included in this volume) suggest that most of his listeners just didn't get the point of what he was saying. The questions tend to be off-subject ("What do Orthodox think about non-Orthodox?" "What's the Apocalypse?" "What does Orthodoxy teach about fasting?"). But one can hope that seeds were planted. Certainly the published version of Seraphim's talk is rich and fertile for those of us fortunate enough to read it. Many thanks to St. Herman of Alaska Brotherhood for making it available.

_God's Revelation to the Human Heart_ is the transcript of a lecture that Fr. Seraphim Rose delivered to the students of comparative religion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 1981. It can easily be read in one sitting, and although it is not the most in depth or detailed introduction to Orthodoxy, it is an insightful nonetheless. Fr. Seraphim begins his address with the question, "Why study religion?" The answer to this is to find out the meaning of Reality itself. The nature of this reality is in contrast with mundane reality, all of which eventually passes on in this world. True reality is something that cannot be perceived in a strictly empirical manner, but comes from within and glimpses at eternity. Fr. Seraphim also speaks of the search for religious experience and religious truth. An individual should not look for religious experiences per se because they can be the paths towards spiritual delusion, but rather towards Truth itself. The importance of suffering in Orthodox Christianity is also discussed, giving the well-known example of Alexander Solzhenitsyn (author of the _Gulag Archipelago_) who was persecuted by the Soviets for political dissent. Unlike in many Western countries, Christianity in Russia under communism was directly and brutally persecuted. Fr. Seraphim's conclusion discusses the spiritual rebirth that is happening in Russia today. Finally, the last few pages are the Question and Answer session after Fr. Seraphim's lecture.

This is a good little book put together from a speech given by Father Seraphim. It enlightened me early in my conversion to the Faith, and illumines the patristic understanding of human suffering as unavoidable in this life but ultimately a good thing. Buy the book, it gives courage.

What has set Fr. Seraphim Rose of blessed memory apart from his contemporaries is that he was so far ahead of his time in his writings. In this little classic, we get to see how Fr. Seraphim Rose presented material to a group of college students. The degree of clarity and foresight in his thoughts and conclusions are on a level by themselves. What I enjoy most about Fr. Seraphim is not only his conversion to Orthodoxy, but the degree in which he crucified his intellect and subjected to Christ and the early Christian Fathers. This is a quick read, that if you are like me. You will have to read it several times to plumb the depths of the writings.

When I ordered this book, it was because my priest at church was talking about Fr. Seraphim Rose and the value of reading his writings. So I ordered this book out of curiosity and found that it is easy to read, yet so packed with wisdom. I ordered a second book to give as a gift to my brother for Christmas. I think he will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed it.

Berg does a great job, and the subject is absolutely a fascinating one.

A. Scott Berg does an excellent job in capturing the life of one of the American cinema's first industry moguls. From his tough beginning as an immigrant to his phenomenal success as an independent producer, this entertaining and fascinating biography delves deeply into the man with the "Goldwyn touch." Berg also effectively captures the spirit of early cinema and its rapid rise in American culture. Along the way, we also learn about many of Hollywood's colorful personalites, including Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford. This book is a must for any fan of early American motion pictures.

What a story! A remarkably easy to read account of Sam Goldwyn's rags-to-riches life. Did you know "Goldwyn" was not his real name? Did you know he was thrown out of the MGM company after a few years?! Goldwyn worked at some stage or other with just about every famous name in the business, and also fell out with just about everybody he ever met. A cantankerous and perverse character who loved contradicting people. When people quit because he made their lives intolerable, he sometimes felt personally attacked and betrayed. The book is full of colourful characters, and Scott Berg has done a wonderful job of using quotations and dialogues to really bring these people alive: Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Lillian Hellman, William Wyler, Billy Wilder, and the remarkable Hilda Berl. It reads like a movie! By tracing Goldwyn's history, the book also covers the story of many of the other famous movie companies that are still famous today: United Artists, Universal, Paramount, Warner Brothers, RKO and of course MGM. Goldwyn also came across many young actors and actresses before they were stars: Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, David Niven, Marlon Brando, John Wayne, etc. And of course the famous Goldwyn malapropisms are here, though limited to the ones actually traceable (as far as possible) to Goldwyn himself: "Anyone who sees a psychiatrist should have their head examined! Include me out! A verbal agreement isn't worth the paper it's written on," to pick just a few.

A remarkably well-written and well-researched biography that brings this vigorous, infuriating, yet oddly attractive ugly duckling to vibrant life. This must rank amongst the best biographies, up there with Ron Chernow's book about the Morgans. Anyone at all interested in movies and movie history will enjoy this.

I picked this book up at the library not knowing what to expect and was amazed! Although it is indeed a biography of Sam Goldwyn, it is also a very well told piece about the studio system and Hollywood in the first half of the century (with an emphasis on the 20's) Not only insightful but entertaining; it makes for a read more gossipy than the trashiest celeb autobiography while maintaining class and style.

I recommend this book to anyone the least bit interested in the classic hollywood days. It is the best book I've read thus far on the era, and it will get you down to the video store hunting down old movies just to see the actors and actresses you've read about.

Great book! I enjoyed reading about a man who literally came from poverty to be on of Hollywood's pioneer filmmakers. He was a rough man to work with no doubt, but knew what worked and lasted in an industry that is hard to last in! A. Scott Berg did a wonderful job of writing a respectful book about this man!

I have admired Grace Kelly all my life and this is by far the most beautiful book about her. The pictures are all stunning, and truly depict what a glamourous and classy woman she was. There is not a great deal of information - or pictures - of Grace, and this compilation is simply wonderful to look at. Definately recommended for any fan.

Jenny Curtis' "Grace Kelly: A Life in Pictures" is a must for Grace fans. Lovely reproductions of some of Kelly's most enchanting photos fill the book. It is a pleasant addition to any collection, and it is exactly what it is entitled, a life in pictures...nothing more and yet, nothing less.

Along with Ann-Margret, I firmly believe Grace Kelly is the most beautiful woman to ever grace the silver screen. As a kid, I had a huge crush on her, and was sad to learn she was dead (a scenario similar to The Who song "Pictures Of Lily", but that's a whole differnt story). YHowever, I was still transfixed at how beautiful she was, and I bought this book looking for great photos of her.
This book does not disappoint. The photos in this book paint a far more entetaining and accurate portrait of the life of this beautiful and talented woman who became a princess who devoted her life to charity. The photos in this book are breathtaking. It's sad to read this book, not only because you'll be reminded of her tragic death in 1982, but also because it you'll remember who elegant and classy Grace was, and then you'll remeber how trashy all the "beauties" of modern Hollywood are, and you'll be reminded of the steap decline the entertainment industry today. Even so, a defintite must have.

Lovely pictures and interesting text make this book well worth buying. It showcases Grace's life from early childhood to her untimely death.

There are far too few books available about Grace Kelly, but this is the cream of the crop. Not only is it bargain priced, it has over 120 high quality photos covering all aspects of her life, from her childhood to her tragic death. Despite her rather short film career, she'll always be remembered for her great performances in classics like "High Noon", "High Society", "Dial M for Murder", "Rear Window", "To Catch a Thief", and especially her oscar-winning role in "The Country Girl". Just when she was America's leading lady she threw her career away for a marriage to Prince Rainer of Monaco. Her charm, elegance, and incredible beauty captured the hearts of people all over the world. This book is a definite must-have for all her fans whose hearts are still captured!

Grist For the Mill/Be Here Now. These two books I've had for years and every now and then find on my bookshelf and read them for the I don't know how manyith time. There's one part where Ram tells how he's been fasting for seven days. He's visiting his publisher who tells him he's looking a little pale, a little thin. Ram says he's on a ten day fast. As he leaves the publisher's high-rise office building, exits the elevator, he passes a homeless person who says, "Hey man, can you help me? I haven't eaten for seven days." Ram says, " That's great, you just got three more to go." Where we're at doesn't mean that's where our friends' are at, our husbands, our wives. We are so self-concerned the rest of the world barley exists. This book will help you see others' points of view in a way no self-help book ever can. Making Raspberry Jam, one of many stories in the book, is about his father. Ram is living in India, he's dropped out of Harvard Law School to study with his Buddhist Master, and gets a call from his father that his mother has died. He gets off the plane wearing a robe, long hair, beard, not looking at all like the Law Student his father remembers from only a year ago. His father, a snobby Boston Banker, is embarrassed, doesn't want his friends to see them. How they relate to each other over the next few days will make you laugh and cry, and remind you of your parents, maybe your children. It's a story you will remember for the rest of your life, and you'll tell it to your friends. Some will get it, some won't. The whole book is that way, filled with stories and insights into human nature. Buy the book just for the Raspberry Jam story and it will be worth it. If you can find hardcovers buy them both. You'll be reading these books many times. I enyoy these two books so much that if you'd like to chat about them please email me, deanaustin@earthlink.net

This book really helped me bring more of my spiritual growth into my daily life. Most of the spiritual books I have read have been written by non-Americans with monastic backgrounds, and the disconnect in lifestyles has been the most difficult thing to bridge. I understand more fully now what the eastern teachers are talking about when they say that America has to create its own traditions from the teachings.

This book is full of stories that communicate what it means in daily living to "Be Here Now." In one story, as Ram Dass is living in India following his spiritual quest, his father calls to inform him that his mother has died. He returns home wearing a robe, long hair and beard, not looking at all like the law student his father remembers from only a year earlier. His father, one of the founders of Brandeis University and former President of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, is so embarrassed that he doesn't want his friends to see them together. How they relate to each other over the next few days, for example, in the simple act of making raspberry jam, will open your heart.

this book changed my life. he just presents everything in such a non-judgmental, joyful and hilarious way, it makes you think and feel while truly realizing that everything's gonna be all right. Ram Dass is my first true spiritual hero and, after fifteen years and countless other books and teachers, he still remains at the top.

For anyone who is beginning to awaken or wants to -- this is a fantastic place to start!

Richard Alpert has had a long, strange, wonderful trip. One of the best public speakers I've ever seen, back in the 80s when he was in top form, he used to turn a roomful of people into a group of one in minutes. His books, which are largely transcriptions of his public speaking, reflect this to varying degrees. The two most successful, to my mind, are The Only Dance There Is and Grist For The Mill.
Grist is an excellent introduction for someone who's seeking a higher path but is put off by organized religion. Ram Dass (or Rum Dum as his Dad called him; I always crack up when he says that on his tapes) is a master at making spiritual growth seem natural and simple and just something you do when you're ready to.
There are so many fine stories and moments in this book; I still remember the exact moment I was sitting on an SF trolley and read this thought (paraphrased): "But often you'll find that once you finally get the Cadillac you dreamed of for years, the guy who wanted the Cadillac is gone." That thought has resonated in my mine like a Tibetan bell so many times over the past 20 years, and it just keeps getting truer.
Rum Dum dispenses with most of the hokey pokeyness of many westerners gone east, and separates the wheat from the chaff. Simple instructions on various modalities of thought and action that lead gently to enlightenment are his forte, and his concepts tend to stay with you for a long time.
Not to mention that it's just a gas to read; he can be a very funny guy!
If enlightenment doesn't lead to happiness and contentment, I ain't buying.
Here's a fellow who's living proof that we can all grow as much and as long as we choose to.
Namaste, brother.

Great book. Would highly recommend. Loads of interesting facts for serious Hairspray fans.

I was given this as a gift and I absolutely love it. It's full of fun facts to know and tell, and is the perfect addition to any Hairspray Fan(atic)'s collection! :)

The just released movie on DVD "Hairspray" is a phenomenon and a force to be reckoned with. Possibly one of the best movies of the year, Hairspray is about acceptance in a time when it wasn't expected. The Adam Shankman movie is fun, energetic, and full of life. And so is this marvelous companion book.

Filled with pictures, behind the scenes stories, and narratives by all of the principal movers and shakers in the movie, "Hairspray: The Movie Musical" serves as a wonderful guide. The information contained in the book offers a peek inside the creative process. It's amazing the amount of talent and work that goes into an hour and a half movie.

Just as fun as the movie is, this book covers it all, and doesn't leave you hanging. If you have a Hairspray Fan in your family, this is the PERFECT Christmas present: affordable and really, really fun!

Awesome. I like the fact that it has inserts of little things that happened during that time in history and I especially like the cards that show the danceres that were on the Corney Collins Show. Grat product

If you've never seen one of Insight Editions books on films you don't know what you are missing. These are not just books that you read, but they are the next best things to actually seeing the films. You actually can experience the movie through words and pictures but also through the dozens of little surprises that pop out at you as you journey through the pages. The smash Broadway hit musical Hairspray came to the big screen in July to rave reviews from both film critics and fans alike. Newspapers and magazines such as the Boston Globe, Chicago Sun Times, Entertainment Weekly, New York Post, and Rolling Stone all gave the film a grade of an A or an A-. It just proves that film fans still love a good musical when its done right.

In conjunction with the film, Insight Editions has released their wonderful book that brings the film home to fans in a unique way. Beginning with a foreword by John Waters, the book explores the making of the film from the original version, to the stage, and finally this Summer's blockbuster re-make, all in full, bold color. The book contains literally hundreds of photos from the film as well as exclusive, behind-the-scene shots of cast and crew.

John Travolta not only plays the most unique role in his illustrious career as Mama Edna, but he supplies own thoughts on the role and why he decided to do the film. Travolta discusses his approach to the role in trying to make Edna a believable character, from her voice right down to how she walks. From his words, you can see that John had a great time making this movie, particularly the climactic dance number. Besides Travolta you'll meet the rest of the fantastic cast such as James Marsden as Corny Collins, Michelle Pfeiffer as Velma Von Tussle, Amanda Bynes as Penny Pingleton, Jerry Stiller as Mr. Pinky, Queen Latifa as Motormouth Maybelle, and Christopher Walken as Wilbur Turnblad. (Man! That is some cast!)

But this isn't just some dry narration on making a movie. As you begin to negotiate the pages you start encountering some of those surprises I talked about earlier. There are all sorts of inserts placed in the book...faux posters for TV shows that were seen in the film, postcards that have nostalgic, period designs, cling-on stickers, and envelopes that you have to open that contain other special treats. I'm not going to play spoiler, you'll have to get the book and open them yourself!

There's also great articles about the films song and dance numbers and lots of trivia about the early 1960's like the top Juke Box hits of 1962, as well as styles of clothes and hair from the era. From cover to cover this is just a treat for the eyes and will put a smile on your face. A great collector's book!

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

No one does medieval mysteries better than P.C. Doherty! In HANGMAN'S TALE, part of his "Canterbury Tales" series, Doherty relates the hair-raising tale told by Simon Cotterill, the 'Carpenter' character from Chaucer's classic, to his fellow pilgrims enroute to Canterbury. It's one great read!

Though a big fan of Doherty's work, I was blissfully unaware of the Canterbury Tales series, which began in 1995, until I purchased a remaindered copy of HANGMAN'S TALE from Edmund Hamilton. My loss!

A would-be carpenter, Cotterill's life changes dramatically after he joins the band of Gloucestermen responsible for public hangings. When the crew hangs three witches who are part of a vicious coven preying on Gloucester residents, things go really, REALLY wrong and the hangmen find themselves facing the wrath of three not-so-dead witches. It then becomes a race against time as Cotterill & Co. struggle to break the coven and unmask its leader before they perish at the hands of that unholy group. The end result is a scary, spooky, page-turner of a tale. Great stuff!

If HANGMAN'S TALE is representative of the series, I need to read the other volumes asap! And so do you!

Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough and is the consummate professional when it comes to writing historical mystery novels. I for one do not know how he can be so prolific with his offering of books and yet make sure that each of them is well researched. Whether they be 13th, 14th, or fifteenth century they are always true to the period. He also writes about Ancient Egypt and Alexander the Great.

A group of pilgrims have joined together, both for company and also for protection, as the roads and forests are littered with thieves and rogues, only too willing to relieve a traveller of their purse and most probably their lives as well. What adds even more spice to the journey is that several of the pilgrims know their fellow travellers but are not letting the fact become public knowledge.

The pilgrims have agreed that at the end of each day's journey when they stop at an inn or other resting place one of them will entertain the others with a tale. Whether the story is true or not only the storyteller will know.

During their journey to Canterbury the Pilgrims stumble upon an execution. Hangings are a common occurrence in these times, but this one affects the carpenter very badly and leaves him in a dead faint.
That evening, he narrates the tale of a Gloucester hangman whose involvement in the secretive punishment of three witches unleashes a vicious spate of revenge killings. Is this just a tale drawn from the carpenter's fertile mind or is the tale true and he was in some way involved in the punishment of the so called witches?

I don't usually like period mysteries, because they often seem to have a certain self-consciousness about them in how they work to include period details, speech patterns, etc. Plus, I always wonder if the manners and habits of thought of whatever the era is would have allowed the characters to act as they do - it seems that often these book feature characters with quite modern ways of thinking that can seem out of place. So I'm glad I overlooked my prejudice and read this book. I find that the time period adds color and meaning to the tale, but it's the human interest that seems timeless, and caught my interest. The author's knowledge of the period allows him to integrate the characters' different habits and customs into the story in a way that reveals medieval thinking and ideas while pointing out the fact that human nature doesn't change. The mystery itself is fascinating - I couldn't put the book down - and I learned quite a bit about the society of the time without even noticing it! Very enjoyable, and it prompted me to look for the earlier titles in the series, all which are well worth reading.

Paul Doherty's Canterbury Tales of Mystery and Murder series is probably my favourite historical mystery series. I look forward to each and every installment and am usually very disappointed that, because he is a very prolific writer with so many different mystery series in the works, new installments in this particular series take a while to be published. For those readers who are not familiar with the series, I will attempt to paint in some background details about the series. The series is based on Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales;" the pilgrims are all bound for Canterbury and in order to make the journey more agreeable, everyone has agreed to take turns at telling two kinds of tales each day -- a merry tale or fable during the day, and an eerie tale of darkness at night. Doherty's series revolves around the mysterious tales of murder and evil that are told each night. Another gimmick involved that makes this series all the more interesting and intriguing is that the pilgrims are connected to each other in some way or the other. So far, there have been four books in the series. Each has been a truly absorbing and chilling read, and a real page turner. And "The Hangman's Hymn" (the fifth intallment) was no exception to this rule!

The pilgrims are now deep in the Kent country, when they stumble across the chief tipstaff to the lords of assize about to dispense justice by having a few felons hanged at the place of their crime. The law of the times demand that because the pilgrims have chanced across this, they stand witness to the deed. One of the pilgrims however, the cheerful dark haired carpenter is so affected by the sight, that he faints from the horror. That night, as the pilgrims take their rest at St. Bardolph's Priory, the others quiz the carpenter about his faint-heartedness; he in turn tells a hair raising tale of horror and pure evil -- about a poor carpenter, Simon Cotterill who comes to Glouchester for love's sake, who ends up joining the local hangman's crew, and who becomes involved in hunting down and killing a coven of murderous witches who are terrorizing the Glouchester country side. A tale of such darkness and evil, that the pilgrims are held completely spellbound, even as they wonder to themselves if the tale is a true one and if the carpenter is the unfortunate Simon Cotterill...

From the very first page, I was hooked. Yes, some of the plot twists were fairly obvious; but the charm of this series (and much of Doherty's writing style) is the manner in which he tells the tale. Paul Doherty has a fairly compelling and engaging prose style, one that keeps your interest and makes you read on in order to see how things pan out and what will happen next. I really love this series. Each and every installment has chilled; and I've looked forward to discovering which pilgrim is tied to the other and how. I have yet to be disappointed by this series, and cannot recommend it highly enough. (And if you have not had the good fortune to read any of the previous installments, the paperbacks can be easily purchased through amazon.co.uk. Unfortunately they are hard to come by in the US). My advice is to wait until it's dark, and then settle down to enjoy this creepy and superbly entertaining mystery novel, hopefullt without too many distractions!

Paul Doherty's Canterbury Tales series continues marching on to its path of medieval mystery success! In his latest episode, "The Hangman's Hymn," Doherty singles out the Carpenter to be the teller of these "tall tales"! In fact, so far in this series, this one, the fifth, seems to be the best written, although perhaps not the most suspenseful.

The merry group of pilgrims, numbering 29 in all if we recall our English lit days and according to Geoffrey Chaucer, are on their way to Canterbury to pay homage to their beloved Saint Thomas a Becket. These pilgrims have accepted the challenge by the host of the Tabard Inn, one Harry Bailey, to help pass the time by telling four stories each, two on the way and the others in return. All of this is to be narrated by Chaucer himself.

Doherty steps in to help "the father of English literature," some seven centuries later, by relating more of these tales and in so doing deserves much praise, not only for his abilities to capture the "spirit" of Chaucerian England but in presenting a modern version that easily holds the readers' attention.

The carpenter's tale is a tale of gruesome, frightening murders, of hangings, of poisons, of evil incarnate, of witchcraft, and even a little romance! On their way to Canterbury the group comes upon a legal hanging, which causes a quick reaction of Simon Cotterill, the carpenter.

As the pilgrims pause for the night, the carpenter begins to tell his story. This is no tale told by an idiot, but it is full of sound and fury, of deceit, of bravery-indeed, it's a story not easily put aside. In the story, three witches are hanged and, before their hanging, vow to extract vengeance on all who were involved in their execution. Murder and mayhem, as they say, follow. Doherty's story, of course, is a mystery and with his usual cleverness he's able to bring the culprits-the real ones-to justice.

The other pilgrims are uneasy over this story and even begin to wonder if it's true, adding to the mystique of this series! Doherty seems to work simultaneously with a number of historical mystery series, from Alexander the Great to Chaucer, and each is well worth the read!

My daughter loves the colour and depth of this calender...looking forward to next years as well.

The pictures in this calendar are excellent! A must-have for the serious Harry Potter fanatic. It also comes with a few sheets of Harry Potter stickers that you can use to decorate your calendar. :) Great buy!

The Harry Potter Chamber Of Secrets calander is really great for anyone of any age because it has plenty of room for writing events for everyday and there are cool stickers and pictures for everymonth! This is a great calander for kids who love Harry Potter and have busy scheduals! I hope you buy it and love it!

Ooooooooo-kay, I've never reviewed a calendar before, so let's see how this goes.

The twelve months portray scenes that are in near chronological order of the movie and starts from Harry and Ron's trip in the flying car. The photos are from key points in the movie, such as the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch match, with Harry and Draco facing each other like a Rocky poster. With the exception of June, Harry is in each month. June is Fawkes's honorary month. Key text is included, describing the photo or theme.

There is an object in the foreground, off to the side of each month in keeping with the theme of the picture, be it Hedwig, the Polyjuice Potion, the Sorting Hat, or Ron's cellotaped wand.

By the way, as a bonus treat, inbetween the picture of Fawkes and the June months, there is a special page with eighteen stickers. What stickers? Well, framed portraits of Harry, Ron, and Hermione, the Hogwarts badge, Fawkes's head, Hedwig, the Golden Snitch, three coins (a Galleon, Knut, and Sickle), the respective symbols of each house (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, along with their respective animals), the brown case containing the quaffle and bludgers, a glass of polyjuice potion, something that looks like a starfish inside a jar, presumably Ron and Harry's luggage, sundry chemicals, and the logo for the movie.

For what this year is turning out to be, Harry and company is one surefire antidote for not evoking a much-needed do-over clause for bad years.

This 2003 installment of the Harry Potter movie calendar is much nicer than the 2002 version. The pictures are much crisper and the photographic composition better captures the emotion of various scenes from the movie. A bonus with this calendar is the set of 18 stickers that are included. These stickers (on silver background) include pictures of Ron, Harry, Hermione, Fawkes, Hedwig, and the 4 house crests, among others. This calendar makes a handsome, colorful wall display.