Gale Gordon Books

This book has helped my research about religions tremendously ! I have to recommend this book to any one seeking a Greater knowledge!

I found this to be eye opening. I have had a hard time finding a book that could teach me about the different religions/denominations. This one was very comprehensive. I highly recommend it.

While I don't own it (yet) I've been impressed with it since first learning of it. While this is not a work on which most households would spend hundreds of dollars, there really is no substitute for Melton's masterpiece. Even defunct and/or oddball sects are included, such as Kennedy worshippers, the House of David, and schismatic versions of many faiths. The organization of this work is by theological classification (Holiness movement or Black Muslim for two examples), but the index is comprehensive.

In this mammoth work (which is regularly updated), Melton has provided clear and unbiased descriptions of virtually every religious body of any size operating in the United States today.

Every religious body is identified by the "family" into which it fits (or from which it came) eg. Western Liturgical Family, Eastern Liturgical Family, etc., and described in terms of date of founding, major beliefs, size, number of congregations, organizational structure, and, in many cases, contact information.

This book is a must in every university or seminary library -- regardless of religion or denomination. The serious scholar will also wish to have a copy.

J. Gordon Melton's "Encyclopedia of American Religions" is a reference work to which I turn, year after year, in my work as both a scholar and journalist. And I eagerly look forward to each new edition (I viewed the 6th edition as I prepared this review).

This mammoth work contains both a series of essays on major religious traditions and a series of profiles of individual denominations, fellowships, and missions. The profiles on individual religious bodies number well over 2,300 in the 6th edition. Mailing addresses and bibliographic references (when available) for each individual body further add to the book's usefulness.

Melton covers everything from the largest mainstream denominations to the smallest and most esoteric bodies. His broad editorial vision takes in nearly every conceivable religious tradition: Christianity in all its permutations (Anglican, Lutheran, Pentecostal, etc.), Judaism, Hinduism and other Eastern traditions, Neo-Pagan groups, "flying saucer"-related fellowships, Atheist and Humanist associations, and more. Each entry is written in an objective manner.

The latest edition of this book should be in every library in Canada and the United States. Furthermore, serious journalists and scholars of religion will find this to be a useful and fascinating edition to their own private libraries.

This is a wonderful book and I love all the pictures. I am a huge Lucille Ball fan. Have looked through this book more than once. Love it every time!

They say pictures are worth 1000 words, but as far as I'm concerned the book doesn't need words! Some pictures I have NEVER seen before. I LOVE IT!

Bart Andrews and Tom Watson celebrate the career of America's First Lady Of Comedy in this loving tribute. Released in 1980 and still in print today...it's just that good.

This is a wonderful profusely illustrated book on the life of the great star Lucille Ball. One of the few books to look at her full career, not just her television success, it has many rare photos from her exceptionally long film career as well as her pioneering television work. The back cover color photo of a 30ish Lucy is worth the price of the book alone!! One of the top five books to own on this wonderful woman.

This is a synthesis of two one-volume works: Fodor's Encyclopaedia of Psychic Science and Spence's Encyclopaedia of Occultism. But it also surpasses them by revisions and additional up-to-date information. Although I haven't read the entire two volumes, I must say that I'm impressed by the comprehensive nature of the set. It includes articles about modern occult magicians like Isaac Bonewits and doesn't leave out critics of the paranormal such as James Randi. Also check out the 4-vol. Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 24-vol. Man, Myth & Magic (Cavendish, editor), 2-vol. Encyclopedia of Freemasonry by Albert Mackey, and Bernard McGinn's series of books on Western Mysticism. All recommended.

It is hard to describe the feeling I encountered when I first came across this incredible reference in the halls of a high school library while working as a substitute and having some free time. At first I was rightly amused that such a tome would be present in a collection of that scope surely limited and censured by the schools board, but upon a closer examination it occurred to me that this was no mere book of odd facts and superstitions, but a source of immense wealth and startling detail. I began to test the volume by thinking of some place, person or order of which I had personal knowledge and looking it up to see how ridiculous the entry might be, only to be startled by the accuracy and sheer amount of information that vastly eclipsed my own very limited understanding.

In all honesty I began hatching a plan by which I might pilfer these amazing volumes, feeling a sense of anger upon realizing that the books, untouched by so much as a smudgy fingerprint were going to waist in a library of this computer age where students enter only to instant message their friends in study hall, until it occurred to me that the volumes were there for some purpose unbeknownst to me, that some student might wander across the volumes on accident while doing a research paper on Egypt and finding themselves attracted to the figure of Tutankhamen, and be introduced to a world view and appreciation of varied ways in which people come to term with the subtleties of matter, and awake to a new understanding of their environment, rich with color and significance, perhaps even being inspired to do further study on their own. After considering this possibility any thought of taking the texts for my own of course vanished.

Later I was able to procure the volumes at the right time and price from this very website, and have come to accept them as an indispensable tool supporting my own scholarly endeavors.

Bare in mind that the name Encyclopedia is accurate, and this collection is not, nor does it claim to be the start and finish of information on any subject covered, but as a beginning place for knowledge about the figures and events within, I have not seen it's equal. But don't take my word for it. See if you can find one in your cities library or university and take a look yourself. If you are a serious student of the mysteries or even a casual dabbler of many disciplines, you will see the value in them, and understand my high praise.

Lucille Balls plays the same zany housewife as in "I Love Lucy" but in different situations. These tapes are pure entertainment and a MUST for any true Lucy fan.

18 absolutely helarious programs from Lucille Ball's wonderful "My Favorite Husband" with Richard Dening. The shows are full length 30 minute shows on 9 90 minute tapes. Published by Radio Spirits Inc, one of the largest Old Time Radio programs. This series stars Liz and George Cooper "two people who live together, and like it" This shows would eventually turn into "I Love Lucy" which now airs on Nick At NIte, you will notice that some of the I Love Lucy shows were taken from previous My Vavorite Husband shows.

This book is fun reading if you are in any way interested in the law and especially how the Supreme Court works. It is never dry and lives up to the standards we have come to expect from Ms. Greenhouse.

Alan Dershowitz makes a couple of good points about NCR's review of Norman Finkelstein's trashy book, "Beyond Chutzpah." And the first is that the review is written by Neve Gordon, who is "considered one of the world's most extreme anti-Israeli academics."

Well, do Gordon's political views cast doubt on his assessment of "Beyond Chutzpah?" Obviously, it is possible for someone with strong political views to write a fair review! But Gordon does not do this.

Dershowitz also makes the point that there is nothing stopping readers from reading Chapter 16 of his book, "The Case For Peace," and comparing it with what Finkelstein says. That's not a bad idea, as it ought to show the misrepresentations that Finkelstein and Gordon are engaging in.

Gordon replies that Dershowitz is attacking him personally! And that Dershowitz is pretending that fiction is fact. I suggest that you readers look at some of the nonsense that Gordon has come up with in print and draw your own conclusions. Gordon has nothing to say of any relevance except that Dershowitz may have said something inaccurate about him!

No matter what one thinks of the Arab war against Jewish rights, I believe truth ought to be helpful in assessing it. And I think Finkelstein and Gordon have been supplying us with far too many untruths.

Lots of hoaxes, and all referenced too. The best book out there if you're doing research on hoaxes.

This was one of my favorite films growing up. And now that I am older not only do I still like the action and the suspense of the piece but I understand more of the science behind it. Basically this is a must for DVD collectors and Arnold lovers. In my opinion it is one of the best films of the eighties and helped define Hollywood!!

Although I purchased the Lenticular edition, I received the regular DVD.

The PROOF OF PURCHASE code on the case is 1001182, which is for the regular DVD.

The UPC sticker that is taped to the plastic wrap has the Lenticular edition code, but the case itself has the UPC code for the regular DVD of 00027616854735.

I'm asking Amazon for a refund of the price difference of $5.50.

Good condition and would use the seller again if ever given the opportunity to do so.

I have been waiting for a decent film transfer of this movie since the original DVD which was non-letterbox stereo. Boy did that one suck. I am sure the 2001 DVD release re-mastered from HD and 5.1 audio was much better. But I waited for this one and it's 100x better. The menu is cool but would have been even better with a faster interface response like HD-DVD provided. Let's hope Java-BD offers better menu speed/quality/consistency that all of us were used to on HD-DVD.

In my mind when you are just slapping dvd auality on to a Blu-ray disk you are false advertising and ripping the public off. No one needs or wants a blu-ray film simply for the disk itself but they want a better movie. Sure they have the uncompressed audio but the picture quality sucks. If you have the DVD keep it and foget this.

Great movie poor Blu-ray port

I have been waiting for a decent film transfer of this movie since the original DVD which was non-letterbox stereo. Boy did that one suck. I am sure the 2001 DVD release re-mastered from HD and 5.1 audio was much better. But I waited for this one and it's 100x better. The menu is cool but would have been even better with a faster interface response like HD-DVD provided. Let's hope Java-BD offers better menu speed/quality/consistency that all of us were used to on HD-DVD.

If you are a fan of the second movie and do not own this buy this now

The Good Things
*Good amount of action and special effects. There's not as much as the sequels, but there is enough to make it edgy and exciting.
*Lots of memorable parts. The scenes of the future war are stark and frightening. The finale is great.
*Excellent filming style. It's very fresh, original, and memorable.
*Good story. It's very simple but also very original.
*Good characters. The actors are excellent.
*Good music theme.

The Bad Things
*A little slow in the middle.

This is still one of the most quintessential sci-fi movies ever made. Its simple premise is executed effectively, leaving lots of room for strong characters, gripping action, and some good emotional moments. It is also well-filmed, and contains some good special effects for its time. The only downside is that the drama becomes a little intense towards the middle, slowing down the momentum. Still, it really is one of the best.

In my mind when you are just slapping dvd auality on to a Blu-ray disk you are false advertising and ripping the public off. No one needs or wants a blu-ray film simply for the disk itself but they want a better movie. Sure they have the uncompressed audio but the picture quality sucks. If you have the DVD keep it and foget this.

Great movie poor Blu-ray port

I've always enjoyed this movie. I won't bother reviewing the movie itself aside from the 4 stars I gave it since there are so many other reviews that already touched on what I would say.

Too bad the Lenticular Edition doesn't seem to exist anywhere, though. I ordered it twice from Amazon directly and both times received the original movie without the Lenticular Edition cover. I tried to return it both times and Amazon immediately credited my account without even providing me a return label (I asked for it twice, never received a response). Then I ordered it new from an Amazon marketplace seller, and got exactly the same DVD. On all three DVD's I received, the UPC bar code for the Lenticular Edition DVD is taped over the original printed UPC bar code on the original DVD case.

When this book arrived at home, I found a big package, really I didn't expect such measures!. It is one of the most biggest and complete book i have about vampires (an I have more than 20).

There are more than 1000 definitions about vampire-terminology like stack,garlic, Bathory, Strigoi....All of them taken from classical novels like Dracula, Vampire of Polidori, Carmilla..., from Classical and Modern Vampire movies and also from anthropology and folklore.

Highly recommended.

Written by religious scholar and head of the Transylvania Society of Dracula's American chapter, J. Gordon Melton, "The Vampire Book" is an impressive attempt at a comprehensive reference work on vampire lore, from the emergence of documented vampire folklore in the 11th century to the present fascination with vampires in literature, film, and our popular culture. This mammoth volume (919 pages) begins with an forward by Martin V. Riccardo of the Vampire Studies network in which he presents an informative overview of the history of vampires in world cultures. Author J. Gordon Melton's preface addresses the important and sometimes perplexing question: What is a vampire? And there is a chronology of important events in vampire history from the year 1047 to 1997.

The bulk of "The Vampire Book" is 802 pages of encyclopedia that addresses a wide variety of subjects, in alphabetical order, relevant to vampire culture in literature, film, theater, folklore, history, and gaming. Entries for people include writers, actors, directors, and vampire scholars. As an example, the long entry for "Blood" recounts the significance of blood in ancient Biblical and secular traditions and vampire mythology. "Greece, Vampires in" presents the history of vampire legend in Greece. Each entry is followed by a list of sources. Among novels, films, and authors, only works that are considered significant or pivotal are given a separate entry. For example, the "Blade" comic book serial has its own entry. The 1998 film "Blade" does not, although it is alluded to under some other subjects. There are some black-and-white photographs scattered throughout the book, and there is a 16-page color insert in the center.

For those who own the first edition of "The Vampire Book", this "revamped" edition has 100 additional topics and updates on other entries. The vampire filmography that was included in the first edition became too unwieldy. It has been expanded and is now published as a separate book: "VideoHound's Vampires on Video".

Vampire fanatics and casual fans alike will find the "Vampire Resources" section in the back of the book useful. There are lists of vampire organizations, periodicals, and websites in North America and Europe, including separate lists for "Dark Shadows" fans. Vampire dramas on stage and all "significant" vampire novels from 1897 to 1997 are listed. There is a bibliography of vampire non-fiction and literary criticism. And if the subject you seek isn't where you thought it would be in the encyclopedia, there is a 50-page index to assist you.

I'm sure that there will be disagreements on what should or should not have been included in "The Vampire Book", but this is about as comprehensive as we can expect a reference work covering 1,000 years of vampires in popular culture to be. J. Gordon Melton's research is impressive. His writing is fluid and not as dry as might be expected. I'm only a casual fan of vampire film and literature, so I thought that I would use this book to learn about the particular vampire topics that appeal to me. But I found it so interesting that I read the whole thing. "The Vampire Book" is a scholarly resource for all aspects of vampire lore and a highly readable reference for the casual fan as well. If vampires fascinate you, "The Vampire Book" will too.

The Werewolf Book is a very well researched reference book on Werewolves and Shape shifting. It covers everything from the origins of the Werewolf myth to the Wolf Man movies. It does have, as another reviewer pointed out, a whole lot of entries on popular culture. I think that's wonderful, because this book covers EVERYTHING that has to do with Werewolves, past and present. So, what others see as immaterial data, I see as icing on the cake.

This book covers many aspects of Werewolves, but primarily two; the Hollywood side, and the real side - including myths, legends, historical accounts, authors of fiction novels, Werewolfologists, researchers, etc. The Hollywood articles of this book covers television shows, movies, and even stuff I've never heard of. While this book covers the Hollywood aspect of the Werewolves very well, it does cover about everything you can think of relating to the Werewolves in every culture and legend. Some may not like the `encyclopedic' format, but I do as I can find what I want quicker and more efficiently.

It is definitely worth the price, and easy and enjoyable to read. This book is my best Werewolf book on my shelves of over 50 covering Werewolves and Vampires. Anyone who has ever loved the Werewolf's myths needs to get this book! Being an avid reader and collector of books, this is the first one people pick up and thumb through when in my large study.

The book is full of everything, and is over 400 pages long and 8" X 10" size. The indexes in the back are very helpful. All in all, this book is extremely helpful and I would recommend it to any one who is interested in Werewolves. This book is a must for Werewolf fanatics.

I have been a fan of Steiger's works and have read these best-selling books by the author which I highly recommend; `Philadelphia Experiment', `Alien Rapture', `The Star People', and `Project Blue Book'. I also recommend `Vampire Book' by Melton, and `A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits', by Mack.

If you don't know much about the subject, this is an ok book. If you want boring biographies of every author, actor and fictional character that ever had anything to do with vampires, you'll love it. If you were hoping to learn something new about vampires, TOO BAD! The author is obsessed with fictional portrayals of the vampire, and really doesn't know or care much about vampires. The research is very spotty- he somehow got hold of some good stuff about Malaysian vampires and padded the book by repeating it verbatim in various entries ad nauseam, but he ignored ALL the info available about Japanese vampires and assigned vampirism to a different monster instead. sheesh. As if that sort of laziness weren't bad enough, most of the folklore and historical information is presented without references-he's fond of quoting sources that he didn't bother to include in the bibliography, leaving the impression he got most of this stuff out of other books just as bad as this one. Too many trees died for this book, unfortunately.

Well this book has quite a bit on vampires.. but mostly it has information related to vampires, like what actor played "Blackula", information on Batman, Actors of all kinds that have played vampires in movies, TOO MUCH on Bram Stoker's Dracula, Vlad, Elizabeth Bathory, etc.. But considering how much is in here, you'll probably still find lot's of interesting stuff and since it's an encyclopedia format, you can find things with ease.