V Books

From Saiyuki, Vol. 1 to Saiyuki Reload 4, the amazing detail on this amazing writing on this amazing author and illustrator is... well... amazing. Their adventures throughout the Yukai Demon world is tough, and their adventure through trying to get Goku some food is... very tough, but they make it through with the understandable, unnaceptable written works, that I believe should someday become a legend.

This is based on either a book-book or a REALLY old Japanese tale (that part I can't remember specifically) but I DO know that the mangaka DID intend it to be slashy! She's a BL author, in fact, everything I've found under her name is a "Boys Love" novel. I was happy to learn this; it met that Gojyo tease-flirting Goku like the pair in Legal Drug wasn't just all-in-my-head wishfull thinking. I think girls in Japan like "uke" Sanzo because he reminds them of Takuto Izumi from Zetsuai, or Eiri Yuki from Remix Gravitation.

Aside from the yaoi-factor, the story itself is excellent with a pepped up humorous take on the story it's inspired/based on. Don't think that the entire manga is the anime word-for-word, picture-for-picture....it only starts that way & takes a different turn at some point.

The cover of vol. 7 of Saiyuki features Gojyo for good reason, this one is all his. In a continuation of a story started in vol. 6, Gojyo and Sanzo must team up to deal with a child seems to have killed Goku and Hakkai! Can they resurrect their friends before it's too late (and more importantly, before Sanzo kills Gojyo himself?)?

A great storyline that didn't make it into the original 50 episode anime series, this is an absolute must for Saiyuki fans.

I started reading this purely because my friend had it...Just wish I'd got to it sooner is all I can say!
Saiyuki has to be one of my favourite mangas, and I'm still only halfway through the series so far. The plot is great; with the exact balance between humour, action and hotness (oh yeah!). And, to add to this, the artwork is truly amazing....and hot...
I'd recommend this to anyone into manga: though it does have certain side effects....priest fetish, anyone??

I was introduced to this manga by one of my friends who knew what appealed to me and said I would love Saiyuki. She didn't tell me anything about it, didn't say how I would soon fall in love. This is a story loosely (very, very loosely) based on the Chinese tale The Journey to the West, and in Japanese, this tale is called Saiyuki. In Shangri-La, demons and humans have been living peacefully. One day, the demons suddenly start ripping the humans apart. This is what leads to Sanzo, a gun toting, chain-smoking "priest", Goku, a 500 year old gluttonous monkey demon, Gojyo, a drinking, gambling, half demon ladies man, and Hakkaku, a kind hearted, soft-spoken demon to become the saviors of their homeland by finding out just what's going down inm their journey to the west. This one hell of a good shojo/shonen manga read, but I think that the art stlye will appear mostly to girls. I know it did to me.

While I was attracted to this book by the gorgeous graphic design and illustration, I was more than a bit intimidated. As interested as I am in this topic, I assumed this book would be way over my head. At best, I hoped this 2-volume set of 500-page books might replace Hegel's "Phenomenology of Spirit" as my bathroom doorstop.

No so. This is a terrific book, even for non-specialists. Ray articulates his goals for this "circumscribed, nontechnical introduction to Tibetan Buddhism" as follows: to "(1) provide an outline to the subject in relatively short compass; (2) not be overly technical or burdened with the myriad details of Tibetan Buddhist history; (3) address the spirituality or "practice" of the tradition, rather than focus primarily on philosophy, dogma, institutional life, or political history; (4) give due attention to the "Practice Lineage" traditions such as the Nyingma and the Kagyu, which are often underplayed in this story; and (5) try to strike a balance between my own Western perspective and that of Tibetans speaking about their own traditions in their own voices." He achieves each of these admirably.

Of course, it's not an easy read; this book and its companion are densely packed with information. But most the terminology is layed out in logical sequence, without discontinuity or digressions. This ethereal topic has a strange way of escaping the student's intellectual grasp. Authors in this area use terms (e.g. "emptiness") that -while apparently crystal clear to accomplished meditators- are largely inaccessible to "book students." I understand the teachers' hesitance to reduce Buddhist concepts to abstract defintions, but non-answers like "Zen is three pounds of flax" can be pretty infuriating for the newbee. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to find that Ray just goes ahead and defines terms without a bunch of qualifications.

Finally, the author comes up with some really poetic langauage like: "Old Tibet [...] lay close upon the incandescent sea [of the] turbulent burning wisdom of reality."

This is a book to study - to be read and re-read.

~
Despite its unfortunate title, this is one of the most readable and informative books I've read about Tibetan Tantra. It's not a "first book" -- not one of those books that makes converts, like Walpola Rahula's "What the Buddha Taught," or the Dalai Lama's "Art of Living," or Suzuki Roshi's "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." Those books distill the Buddhism into a single powerful, moving message, leaving behind everything distracting or extraneous -- they're basically the Four Noble Truths, told again, told new. If you want a simple introduction to Buddhism, read one of those, not this.

This is a completely different kind of book. It's full of details and byways. What's the difference between Nyingma, Gelugpa, Kagyu, and Sakya? What are the four different Ngondro practices? What's a Yidam? What's Tummo? What are all those Kayas, and how do they signify? How is Mahamudra different from Dzogchen?

If you're not already a Tibetan Buddhist, you probably don't want to know these things. If you just became one, don't mess with all that stuff yet: find a good teacher, listen to what he or she says, ask a lot of questions, and meditate a lot.

This is, however, a great book for a year or two down the road, when you've settled down to some practice and are starting to get irritated by all the terminology you still don't know, and all the references to persons, places, practices, and things that everyone seems to think you'd just magically already know about. This book is sort of like that trusted friend you sidle up to after puja to ask, "so just what *is* a Bhumi, anyway?"

Not that The Secret of the Vajra World doesn't have its inspiring moments. The story of the 16th Karmapa's death in a Western hospital is very moving, as are the stories of various Westerners on retreat. Ray's own commitment and inspiration come through very clearly. But the book's main virtues are accuracy and detail. There's simply a lot of information here, easy to find, easy to digest, about what people who practice Tibetan Buddhism actually do, how they do it, and why they do it.

Reginald Ray's "Secret of the Vajra World" is the second volume of a two volume set put out by Shambhala Publications on Tibetan Buddhism. The other companion book is called "Indestructible Truth." Together, these books present a comprehensive and scholarly overview of Tibetan Buddhism.

While these books are very interesting, they present a lot of detail and are difficult to enjoy if you don't already have a good foundation knowledge of the topic. For those who are just starting out, I recommend "Introduction to Tantra" by Lama Yeshe or one of the many other excellent books referred to in some of the reviews below.

If you are a serious student of Tibetan Buddhism, these two volumes are an excellent reference. Although I have read them through once, I primarily use them to look up questions that I have or to establish context when I am reading other books on the topic.

If you are very new to Tibetan Buddhism and you want something that is much less esoteric or intimidating, then I would consider "The Art of Happiness" by the Dalai Lama. While this is not a book on Tibetan Buddhism as such, it presents a lot of the important principles in a way that is understandable to almost anyone. It is co-authored by Dr. Howard Cutler who is a psychiatrist. I found his commentary helps bridge the gap between East and West for people who are completely new to this worldview.

This two-volume introduction to Tibetan Buddhism was written primarily for the author's students at the University of Colorado and at Naropa University (North America's only accredited Buddhist university). Across both books professor Reginald A Ray provides what is perhaps the most thorough modern grounding in the history, philosophy and practice of Tibetan Buddhism.

The first volume, Indestructible Truth, begins with a rather dry recitation of the principle names, dates, and trends in the history of Buddhism as it came from India to Tibet and as it developed in the latter over the past two millennia. A more lively middle section covers assumptions common to all schools of Buddhism, warmly and wittily illustrated with anecdotes from the lives of Buddhist saints as well as the author's personal and professional life. The book closes with a rushed overview of Buddhist philosophy that is often more confusing than enlightening.

This is partly made up for in the second volume, Secrets of the Vajra World, with more detailed explanations and examples, but besides the sorely needed review of philosophy there is also a 100-page summary of concepts that don't require recapitulation unless perhaps you've missed Indestructible Truth. The second volume is much heavier reading than the first, if only because Ray has a wider canvas in Indestructible Truth. In Secrets he has to plod through the minutiae of Mahamudra and Dzokchen, the two primary schools of Tibetan meditation, elaborate and multifaceted practices. The volume concludes with chapters on the lives of tulkus, the reincarnated Buddhist masters, and a riveting recounting of the miraculous passing of one such master in an American hospital.

Despite the title of the second volume, very few "secrets" are revealed. Besides being a well-read scholar, Ray is also a committed Buddhist and mediation instructor and is unwilling to disclose secret meditation methods. Unfortunately, he also seems unwilling to challenge any of the assumptions he so carefully explains for his students and readers. To his credit, Ray acknowledges the difficulties western practitioners and students have with ideas such as reincarnation, the worship of deities, the guru-student relationship, and karma and free will. He often provides alternative ways of viewing some of these concepts, such as the Six Realms of Existence (in the Wheel of Life) as psychological states, but never once challenges them. And in that sense, while Ray is to be admired as a great preserver and presenter of tradition, he never impresses as an original thinker.

Read these books to know what has come before. To see where Buddhism is headed, including Tibetan Buddhism in North America, you might like to sample the three volumes of Shambala Sun's series, Best Buddhist Writing, or have a look at Stephen Batchelor's Buddhism without Beliefs.

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Secret Of The Vajra World: The Tantric Buddhism Of Tibet by Reginald A. Ray (Professor of Buddhist Studies, Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado) is the second and final volume of "The World of Tantric Buddhism" series from Shambhala Publications. A straightforward presentation written in plain accessible terms for readers at all Buddhist studies and experience levels, Secret Of The Vajra World deftly explores the foundations of Vajrayana, the essence of Tantric Buddhist philosophies, and applications of Buddhist principles and insights to one's own personal life, bodhisattvas in the world, and a great deal more. Secret Of The Vajra Worlds is a very welcome, superbly presented, truly comprehensive introduction focusing upon a unique and profoundly important aspect of Buddhist spiritual practice.

This was the first Shadowrun book I ever read after having picked up the Bug City companion which referenced this novel. Tom Dowd has painted a wonderful picture of the situation in Chicago and the slow build up to the eruption of one of the largest bug hives in the Shadowrun universe. This dark, gritty tale also helps set the mood for anyone interested in running a Bug City campaign and is a must read for any gamemaster.

Burning Bright is a great novel. The first Shadowrun novel I was actually fulfilled by in its premise and storytelling. It is such an amazing and incredible book. I only wish I though to comment sooner. Oh well.

This book is well-written and engrossing. It's also a lot less "cutesy" and a lot more adult than most Shadowrun novels. Highly recommended!

Not infrequently I get into debates/arguments about the utility of novels in game universes (for example, do the Forgotten Realms novels make the Realms a better, or worse, game setting?) In those debates, "Burning Bright" is the example I use of a good use of game-related fiction.

Most game-related novels, whatever their other merits, end up with one grave flaw, which over time weakens the utility of the setting as an RPG universe - they end "happily," with the heros triumphant and villans humbled (Zhentil Keep is nuked, Tethyr unified under benign government, etc, etc). This makes the setting gradually less interesting as a place to adventure in. Most authors seem to lack the stomach for anything other than a happy ending, and most readers seem to agree. Also, most such novels answer more questions than they leave you with (reducing the game world's mystery), solve more problems than they introduce (reducing the "threat level").

In Burning Bright, Tom Dowd was bold enough to take another path. He took the road less travelled by, and that made all the difference. In addition to solid characters and a engaging storyline, this book's ending paved the way for a very dangerous, dark game setting (Bug City). While publically exposing the bugs, it left the problem not only unsolved, but more dangerous - and eventually this storythread led to Yeats, Penchyk, and the Empowerment Coalition.

This was one of the first SR novels I ever read, and if only all game related fiction were this good, RPG gaming might not be a withering hobby. . .

Though Nigel Findley was the one of the last true Shadowrun authors, Tom Dowd recently took the late novelists place. Burning Bright has an edge, a quality, that most of the other(and more recent) Shadowrun novels lack. The characters are excellent, as is the plot. I was always confused about what happened in Chicago in the late months of summer. This novel clarified everything.

I honestly didn't find many errors. The actual plot slowed down a little, but before I could get impatient, everything picked back up again. A must read for the Shadowrun fan. Actually, a must read for the casual reader, as well.

Fantastic book, I absolutely love it. Lots of nice pictures,the book was much better than I had expected - a great buy!

The pictures were excellent, each disease also had a differential and there were small bonuses regarding pediatric patients. Book is well organized and easy to read. Perfect for a med student, and even for residents

This is a wonderful dermatology book! I just got it and can't put it down. Very comprehensive, clear, well-organized. Lots of pictures. Covers more material than Fitzpatrick, and much more clearly. As an internist, this book is perfect for me.

This is an excellent book! I'm using it in NP school. It provides a 1-2 page explanation of the skin disorder along with pictures.
thanks

Delivery was fast, and the book was in excellent condition. It was a very good purchase, I was very pleased.

Ok!This just series just HAS has to be the best book series I have ever read!It kept me page turning!I finished it in just one day!My new favorite character is 11 year old Pudding.OH!Don't listen to those people who gave this book bad reviews,because TOKYO MEW MEW ROCKS!!!!!

In the start of this book there are only three Mew Mews: Ichigo Momomiya, Mint Aizawa, and Lettuce Midorikawa. Ichigo is part iriomote cat, Mint is part ultramarine lorikeet (a bird), and Lettuce is part porpoise. They meet two other girls, Pudding Fong who is part golden lion tamarin (a monkey), and Zakuro Fujiwara who is part gray wolf. Zakuro is probably my favorite. I like Mint, too. Mint is really pretty on the cover. I like her hairdo.
You should probably read book 1 first. It is about how Ichigo gets her powers and meets Mint and Lettuce.

This book is very cute and highly recomended! I just got this book a while ago and I loved it!The only thing I really hate is Kish he's just to flirty around Ichiga. So in this book The mews (Ichoga,Mint and lettuce) finally find the other two mews ,Zakuro and Purin(A.K.A Pudding),
and Minto(mint)and Retasu(Lettuce) meet the alien Kish.This book is made for some one nine or older for some mild laguege.

~*~Purin~*~

Hi! I'm Ichigo, just thought I'd put a little review for the second book. I don't want to give anything away, but you know how in the first book we're just getting to know each other (even though it's not all of us) and I sorta don't really like Mint . . . yeah. But this book features the other two Mew Mew's: Zakuro and Pudding. Zakuro is part wolf, and Pudding is part lion. . .monkey. . thing. I don't remember I'll have to ask her later. But anyway in this book this is where the Mew Mew's really start to get together, ya know battling chimera anima and stuff like that. (Kish is such the flirt!). . . (and an alien!) So, if you haven't decided whether you wanted to buy this book or not, I think you should. Even though it doesn't have me on the cover *sniff* it's still good. Oh and. . . oh, gotta go! More chimera anima to fight! Bye!

Tokyo Mew Mew
By; Mia Icumi

This book Tokyo Mew Mew was a very good book to read. The main characters were Ichigo the" leader", Mint the rich girl who always has a proper time to do every thing, Lettuce the clumsy one, Pudding who has a lot of energy, and Zacuro the model. This book leaves off from the first one. Mint, Ichigo, Lettuce, Pudding, and Zacuro got injected with animal DNA in a freak accident now Ichigo has to find the other mew mews to help her save the world from anima animals. Kish (a bad guy) likes to flirt with Ichigo and in this book Kish comes out of no where and kisses her. He wants to get rid of the mew mews so he and his master can take over the world. I wanted to read this book because my friend got me hooked on the show so I wanted to read the book to see what was going on. I think girls around 12 or 13 would enjoy this book because its got a really good plot and its about all theaes girls who are like animals. The theme of this book is "don't judge a book by its cover" because people think the mew mews are bad but they're not.
A good thing that I liked was that they were really powerful and they worked at a really nifty coffee shop. A bad thing would be that the ending was not enough and I wanted to read more about what happened so it leaves you hanging in a way.
Over all I think this book rocked so hard and ill read it again any day. I recommend this book because it's really good and it's really entertaining for girls. Im glad I read and hopefully I could get someone hooked on it.

Gabrielle D.

Lyle Leverich, a theatre artist himself, paints (with the participation of the late "Tom" himself) an intricate, sensitive and compelling portrait of the closest The United States has come to producing her own Shakespeare.

Tennessee Williams' ability to place passionate and visual poetry into the mouths of the commoner and gentry alike makes his work, in my opinion the finest ever produced by an American playwright. The towering and beautiful fragile characters of his plays combined with his devotion to the utter magic the physical theatre provides, allowed America through Tennessee Williams to finally place itself rightly next to Ibsen, Strinberg, Chekov and The Bard himself.

Of course "Tom" did not develop in a vacume and what Leverich provides here in this excellent biography wrapped in the guise of a psychological thriller worthy of so great an object, is a portrait of a man often crippled by acute sensitivity who saw the writing muse as a means for survival. Leverich manages to paint the man behind the myth, bring him down into a real space and time while also managing to lift him to the angels.

This is one of the greatest biographies ever written about a theatre artist- of which Williams was a supreme being. I, and many others, eagerly await volume two.

This is a wonderfully done book. I feel I've lived in "Tom's" shoes and appreciate who he was and the struggles he faced. It's a loving portrait that doesn't shy away from the honest details of the life of the young Tennessee. I hope the sequel that's to take us from the Glass Menangerie to the end of Tennessee's life comes out soon----I'll be waiting!!!

Meticulously researched and sensitively written, this book is the definitive biography of Tennessee Williams, even though it only covers the period up to the beginning of his success. I haven't found any others that can rival its quality. The depth and detail are unsurpassed in Leverich's finely crafted portrait, revealing the many facets of one of America's greatest playwrights. As a "theater person," Leverich brings a special authority to his work, infusing it with expert analysis and theatrical history. A really great read!

This was the most interesting biography I have ever read. I found that I was even reading the footnotes and bibliography!

The book begins with a delve into Tennessee Williams' genealogy (including a chart, which I referred to frequently while reading the book). The author goes on to describe Tennesee's formative years, home life, and young-adulthood. The book takes the reader up through Tennessee's overwhelming success with "The Glass Menagerie."

I found the book (and, therefore, Tennessee Williams) so interesting that I began researching Williams' works and also his favorite writers (Hart Crane, DH Lawrence). I call a biography a complete success that could have such an effect as it has on me.

I look forward to the next edition, though I wonder if it will ever be in print.

This is a very thorough, fact-filled biography - up to THE GLASS MENAGERIE of 1945. Leverich approaches his subject in a business-like manner, generally sacrificing artistic concerns for factual ones. Some of these interesting facts include:

Williams spent his childhood with his grandparents in Clarksdale, MS
Went to the U. of Missouri to study journalism
Hated his father till the end of his life when he learned his mother was actually "the villain"
Often broke
His sister was schizo, like Blanche in STREETCAR
Loved to swim
His homosexual lifestyle was pretty sordid
Met D.H. Lawrence in Taos
Laurette Taylor, star of GLASS MENAGERIE on Broadway, was ill on opening night and would be throwing up while off stage during the performance

Anyone interested in Tennessee Williams will find much to think about and be fascinated with in this biography. Recommended.

after the first hardcover i looked forward to this for a while. it was worth the wait and millar satisfied my every comic reading need.cool story with more colour (thats color in australian)than asgards pathway.very thick book but quick to read as it is padded with EXTRAS like marvel feel they must do just to bump up the size of the book.buy it if you are a fan of marvels ultimate line coz i loved it.

The joy of the graphic novel! This book encompasses the second arc of The Ultimates in a hardbound book. The story and art are from two of the best in the business. I highly recommend it, especially if you haven't been to a comic book store in a while and want to rekindle your interest. Now we only have to await Ultimates 3 in novel form, with art by Joe Mad!...In the meantime, pick this one up and be amazed at how the writer has used very modern concerns to narrate his story...

This might be one of the best comic book packages i have ever seen. With a fantastic comic that feels like a movie but still keeps the classic comic book touches that ground it in the semi reality that is the marvel universe. The book is so cinimatic that they made 2 cartoon movies based on these comics. The book also comes with comentaries and a beautiful black hardbound cover. If you like comics you owe it to yourself to pick up the Ultimates Vol 1 and 2.

As good as Vol.1, with more revelation. Artwork is unbelieveably beautiful; plus book contains sketches and commentary by creators. I will not go into specifics about the story in as much as it may spoil the ending for readers. If you want to invest time into something entertaining-buy both volumes.

Outstanding collection of Millar and Hitch's run on Ultimates 2.This is the Avengers like it should be done.Millar is the best at capturing Cap's edge and loneliness.
It's a must have for any fan of Bryan Hitch.HIs artwork is amazing and so layered,you find little easter eggs every time you read it.

This first brick-like volume contains Giant-Size X-Men #1, and then (Uncanny) X-Men #94-131. This is the whole first Chris Claremont/David Cockrum run, and the more sizeable part of the revered Claremont/John Byrne run. There are a lot of "classic" stories here, including the "Phoenix Saga", the debut of Alpha Flight, "Proteus," and the first part of the "Dark Phoenix Saga" (it seems like an odd place to cut off, but reading these comics makes you realize that there's seldom any clear ending point between arcs; there's always at least two things happening, and one is never resolved in the same issue as the other).

It is, all and all, a hugely enjoyable run, and there are all kinds of first appearances scattered throughout the story. The primary lineup is fairly consistent throughout, with Cyclops, Wolverine, Colossus, Storm, Nightcrawler, and Banshee (a lot of people also include Jean Grey in this, but she's not really a team member [she's not mentioned in the blurb on the opening page], but a supporting character, and is usually dragged into the action); Professor X is in the background, and former X-Men Beast, Havok, and Polaris show up several times.

One thing to note is that a lot of people talk about how the modern X-Men comics are too often dragged into stuff that shouldn't really involve the X-Men, and then offer up this period as a counter-example; given that there are several times when the X-Men cross over with, of all things, "Power Man and Iron Fist", for no reason other than Chris Claremont was involved with that series too, this period is perhaps not the best example (the most bizarre of these being Storm venturing back to her birthplace, finding it inhabited by a bunch of junkies who try to knife her, only to be rescued by Luke Cage, who then delivers a lecture of kids wasting their lives). Now, there are a couple of stories that deal specifically with mutants, but most of the time it's just the X-Men in well-done superhero adventures.

As a diehard fan of the 90s "X-Men: The Animated Series", reading this makes you realize just how many of that show's stories were based on the Claremont comics fairly directly; not just the big stuff like the two "Phoenixes" and "Proteus", but also "Xavier Remembers" (#117) and "Repo Man." (#120-121) I actually liked the animated series' version of "Proteus" a lot better; in the comic version, Proteus is a pretty straightforwardly Pure Evil, refers to Joe as "the-one-I-hate," and, for an episode that deals with such a key component of Moira's life, not having Professor X there seems like a real waste. The Animated Series version does something a lot more interesting with Proteus; it focusses on the idea of Kevin as an isolated youth who doesn't understand why his father isn't around, and pursues him despite the clear evidence that Joe is a jerk. It also focusses squarely on Professor X's complicated relationship with Moira, and his attempts to help Proteus. Finally, it uses Proteus to touch on other characters' feelings of rejection because of their mutancy (Rogue), and also on political cynicism (Joe is a "family values" politician who doesn't want to be seen with his son because he's a mutant).

Another thing that's fairly impressive about this run is the narrative flow, which just doesn't let up most of the time. Consider this series of events:

#111 - Beast comes to rescue the X-Men from Mesmero in Texas. At issue's end, they are confronted by Magneto.
#112-113 - Magneto captures the X-Men, flies them to his Antarctic fortress, and imprisons them. They escape, and while Phoenix and Beast end up on the surface, thinking the others are dead, the others end up leaving by a different route, thinking Phoenix and Beast are dead.
#114-116 - While Beast and Phoenix get home and misinform Professor X, the X-Men have an adventure in the Savage Land, including a reunion with Sauron and Ka-Zar, and their first meeting with future continuity-annoyance Zaladane.
#117 - The X-Men get out of the Antarctic, and are rescued by a Japanese vessel on a shady government-sponsored adventure, necessitating radio silence until they get back to Japan.
#118-119 - The X-Men get to Japan, find several Power Man and Iron Fist characters (and one of their villains) there, and help save Japan. They team up with Sunfire once again, and Mariko appears for the first time.
#120-121 - The X-Men catch a flight home, only to be intercepted by Alpha Flight, looking to retrieve Wolverine. Thanks to a somewhat contrived and anti-climactic ending, they fail.
#122 - The X-Men finally get home. Now that's a world tour. It takes several more issues to clarify that the X-Men/Jean and Beast aren't dead, since Professor X has decamped to the Shi'ar Empire with Lilandra, and Jean is off on Muir Island with Moira, Havok, Polaris, and Multiple Man.

One final great feature of the Omnibus is the old Letters Pages ("Mutant Mailbox"), where you get to read people complaining about how Claremont and Cockrum suck, and the original X-Men should be brought back (one letter, in particular, complains about how nothing ever really changes at Marvel, and how they're sure that the old X-Men will be back in action quickly, just like Reed and Sue never stay apart, etc.).

This collection has fallen out of print, so it goes for rather exorbitant sums, but for anyone interested in the classic era of the Uncanny X-Men, this is a strongly-recommended purchase.

The Uncanny X-Men Omnibus volume 1 is a must-have book for any X-Fan. Content-wise you get X-Men #94-131, Annual #3, and Giant Size #1. This features the introduction of the new X-Men, the legendary Claremont & Byrne issues taking us into the Dark Phoenix Saga. If you haven't read these then you're in for an incredible ride. Getting so many issues in an omnibus is like getting 4 seasons of a tv show on dvd to watch. If you have read these there is no better collection than this. Production-wise the reproduction and coloring has never been better (yes, better than the Marvel Masterworks #1-4 which overlap with this omnibus). The binding is solid and built to last. Considering X-Men #94 can go easily for several hundred dollars, this omnibus is a bargain considering how many issues are collected. If you're thinking of getting it...don't wait if you see a copy. Big books like this tend to go (and stay) out of print because of low print runs, the expensive cost of printing, and the amount of space they take up for distributors. Unless you want to end up reading these in a digital form, get the book while there are still copies around. For the massive volume of content, the quality of the content, and the A+ book production values, this is easily the best X-collection ever.

I don't have this book, as its been out of print/sold out for a while; yet I've read all the single issues and like everyone else, this run of Claremont/Byrne is one of the best runs of all time.

Plus I just read on Diamonds website that its being Offered Again!! That means no more $150 copies!! Give Amazon a week or two and this should be available again for retail or even discounted again!

Truly awesome! I wish they could put every x men into one giant book. Bring on X Men Omnibus vol. 2!

This collection of the first 5 years of Claremont's run on Uncanny X-men is a great value. Great quality of the reprinting. My only complaint is minor, that the omnibus overlaps with the first 3 issues in the Dark Phoenix Sage tpb.

Also this book will be getting a new printing in November. Don't pay the marked up prices sellers are gouging for now, just wait. It was in the newest comic solicits from Marvel, it is being reprinted.

This is an inspriring book. I highly recommend this book for young scientists and anyone who is thinking about a life of research. This should be recommended reading for CS students everywhere.

"The Art of Scientific Innovations" by Professor Syed Ahamed and Dr. Lawrence provides invaluable insights into the great minds and history behind key innovations that continue to greatly impact our lives today. I had the pleasure of meting authors on a number of occasions and have great respect for their vision and dedication to help advance knowledge with a view to improve the quality and well being of our existence as a humanity overall. I can not think of a more inspiring and motivating book than the "The Art of Scientific Innovations" for Doctoral students and alike for whom this book has been dedicated to. Written in a clear and concise manner, the book enables appreciation of the efforts spent in the advancement of science as well as understanding of the characteristics and common threads of great scientific innovations.

I always think that how the artistic ppl think about the things, how they comes up with the new ideas.This is true that the way we looked up the thing is different from the ppl who are scientist.This book help me a lot to improve my creativity skills.

Ideas presented in this book, "The Art of Scientific Innovation: Cases of Classic Creativity", and taught by the author Professor Syed Ahamed in class are proven fruitful for many of his students including myself. The book actually leads "from realization of a concept to the development of a device intended to serve a commercial or social need". It helped a great deal to successfully finish my research on a subject (financial networks), defend my dissertation, implement my ideas in industry and keep working on a patent.
The broad audience of researchers will greatly benefit from this book.

The Art of Scientific Innovation by Professor Syed V Ahamed and Dr Victor Lawrence is a contribution to graduate education not readily found in other scientific text material. What the authors have done is to share their personal experience with guiding Ph.D. students in graduate dissertation work. They elicit the essential ingredients of performing seminal contributions to the field of endeavor. They have created a stream of outstanding flow of scientific creativity by researchers who have made some of the largest contributions to the art of scientific innovation. This report of these contributions combined with their personal analysis of the dissertation process make this a work that should be read by all Ph.D students.

On the days when I find myself reflecting on what is happening locally and globally,I pick up Building a Life of Value. This book is a thoughtfully planned treasure that allows me to connect my thoughts with those of the great thinkers and to appreciate timeless wisdom.

There is comfort and a sense of connection between the covers. Humankind has been struggling with integrity and justice and tolerance for thousands of years. Inside this book are 14 chapters filled with words that uplift, inspire and make me smile.

I keep Building a Life of Value beside my computer, so that I can open its pages frequetnly, and reflect on life and my connection to the past. I urge you to buy a copy and do the same!

Reading this book reminds you that your values are always a work in progress, that there is always room for development. I really like the way it is organized, with the author's thoughtful reflections at the beginning and end of each chapter and the values put into complimentary sets. It's hard not to find inspiration here, as there are many wonderful quotations as well as many good questions. The best thing about this book for me is that you can pick it up at any time and find something meaningful in it depending on your mood or need at the time. It has challenged me to think about what values are at the core of my belief system, which foster other values and what I need to work on.

I've never been a big fan of quotations until I listened to a dear friend say the words to the one that changed her life, and I adopted it as my own too. Now, whenever I need a dose of inspiration or wisdom, I simply pick up the book and start thumbing through the chapters until one catches my interest and captures what I'm feeling or needing to hear at that moment in time.

I'm hooked!

This book gave me the opportunity to really take a new look at my values, and values in general. The author's essays before and after each chapter and the wide range of quotations selected made me think in new directions about what I value and why --- and on so many topics!

I like that fact that Merchey categorized the quotations into 14 different
"value sets". I'm also impressed with the index. It's arranged by author and topics. This is usually not the case with books of quotations, but then, this is not your average book of quotations. It's a distillation of centuries of great wisdom and philosophical thinking. It's really a
one-stop shop for wisdom.

Building a Life of Value is a keeper. It's a great source for inspiration and would be a wonderful reference book for anyone's personal or educational library. A must have!

Building A Life Of Value was definately a great addition to my collection of life inspiring works. In recent times, I had been faced with some difficult challanges to my belief system. In taking a few personal improvement days, I reviewed Merchey's guide to values, and Steven Covey's work on maintaining Focus, and slowly but effectively developed a clear understanding of the values that where guiding me. I am back on track now and owe much to this body of inspiration. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking at their life's journey and taking ownership of it's direction.