Television Books

Fred has done an excellent job of cataloging a wide range of shortwave receivers from the early WWII "boat anchors" up through the modern integrated-circuit PLL synthesized high performance radios of the 1990s. He not only covers the usual radios such as Collins, Drake and National but also the more obscure like the beautiful Gelosos from Italy (I DROOLED over those in catalogs in the '50s).

I guarantee you this book will raise your appreciation for the radios created by the gifted engineers (and the "dogs" created by some NOT so gifted ones) - these wonderful devices not only entertain and educate us but help save lives at sea and keep our conuntries safe.

The Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-1997 is an excellent resource book for collectors and those interested in used radios. There are pictures specs and evaluations of hundreds for the shortwave radios in this era.If you are in the market for a used receiver or a collector this is an invaluable resource. Also provided is a realistic pricing of the true value of each receiver as well as a 1 to 5 star evaluation based on the author's many years in the hobby.
This is the Bible for radio hobbists on the subject

If you do not already have this book, and have avid interest in communications receivers, shame on you. You have no right to gripe if you are in the dark without the info. Fred needs to come out with a new edition soon. A bargain at the price. A must have, what else is there to say?

Yes, this is a catalog of base receivers, 1945-now. Osterman provides many useful informations, and if it may be true that some informations may not be useful to an european reader (e.g. the 'used' prices), you wil not find elsewhere a so comprehensive guide. Another book will be dedicated to portable sw radios. Osterman is not God, so many data are provided by the readers: it's the way the informations flow in the scientific communities, why not here? If you are an european reader, and you know something Osterman does not, write him. I've done so, and a new chapter in this edition was added with the informations I retrieved.

Nearly 500 pages of pictures & data on most SW receivers built in North America & abroad. Contains basic specs & features, picture, descriptions, and data on when built, physical dimensions, and estimates on values. A must for collectors.

My 10-year-old son requested this as a Christmas gift and he really likes it.

Spend your year with the Simpsons like you should be. The centerfolds in the calendars make nice posters, if you're into that kind of thing. I've been using the Simpsons Fun calendar for about 4 years now, and I'm never disappointed. This year's theme is travel, so the pictures are scenes from episodes, unlike previous calendars which were made up for the most part.

I buy this every year for my teenage son. It's becaome tradition and each year it is hung on the wall and used. He loves it because he loves the Simpsons. There are birthdays listed of celebrities although I'm not sure he cares too much about that. The calendar is usually funny and colorful.

This calendar is just what i expected - fun, colourful and entertaining.

Another year, another great Simpsons calendar. With the impending arrival of 2002, Matt Groening and the creators of the Simpsons treat us to twelve months of memorable Simpsons' moments. Extracting scenes from the show's many seasons, the "2003 Simpsons Fun Calendar" provides the user with colorful, glossy pictures that not only catch one's attention, but also captures the zany, fun spirit of Springfield's many denizens. If you are a Simpsons fan or know of one, this calendar will make a great gift during this upcoming holiday season.

The are three great storie in the 7th Heaven book, Ruthie Goes To Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through The Season. in Ruthie goes to hollywood, she has wone a trip to go to hollywood and see her favorite actor but when she gets there she finds out he is really mean so she has to get to the bottom of this mistery. in The best oktoberfest Simon, Robbie, Mary, Lucy, and Ruthie got to the anual Oktoberfest in the mountains of Callifornia and Ruthis pulls a lot of pranks on Simon and Robbie and on the las prank she gets them lost in a forest at night and no one can find them until.... In Sisters Through The Season Mary and Lucy goes to visit a friend of marys and she gets drunk in a bar, what will the sisters do next? This is a great book it is a great gift for any 7th Heaven Fan.

This Book Is great,Every 7th Heaven Fan Should Own A Copy!!

The Camden sisters go on adventures of their own in this 3-story book. Ruthie goes to Hollywood, The Best Oktoberfest, and Sisters Through the Seasons are all enjoyable and is a good extension of the Camden family saga, that has become a hit long-running television show. Other recommended books: Wedding Memories (7th Heaven) and the Gilmore Girls series.

WOW!!!! i am a true 7th Heaven fan, and i have all the books, never miss a episode on tv!!!! and i'm not lying. this is like one of the best books i have ever read. i mean i personally like 7th heaven, mary-kate and ashley, sabrina, lizzie mcguire, sweet valley books. and i loved harry potter, but i think these books are a bit better, i enjoy them more. but i reccommend this book (and all 7th heaven and sweetvalley (all listed above) for people 10-11 and up!!!!!

If you like 7th heaven you are in for a treat. Mary and Lucy are off to New York. Mary's friend gets drunk! What a dissater! Robbie and Simion are going to a big/little compition place. And there is a surprise going on in the Camden house. BUY IT NOW!...

As an American, it hurts to admit that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the quintessential expression of American cheekiness and derring-do, has been best chronicled by a Britisher. Of course, I'm teasing a bit. But there is no question that Keith Topping seems to have a better grasp of what is important in the Buffyverse than many of his contemporaries on this side of the ocean.

What Topping does not do is write one agonizing reprise after another of all the episodes of Season Six of the show. As viewers will no doubt remember, Season Six was quite agonizing itself without that point being hammered home all over again. Instead, Topping provides very short synopses, followed by myriad details of things that are unique, funny, or perplexing about each episode.

You will be treated to paragraphs on 'A little learning is a dangerous thing' (the power of misinformation), 'Denial they name is...' (Self-delusion in Sunnydale), 'It's a designer label..' (clothes, of course), valley-speak, geek-speak, logic errors, and ever more items that bring to light the aspects of the production which the viewer, caught up in the story, is likely to miss. All of this is done in a style that is an enjoyable mix of tongue-in-cheek and respectfully serious.

Topping is an excellent researcher. His ability to find countless relationships, both intentional and accidental, to other atavars of popular culture is uncanny. Nor does he hesitate to introduce the reader to the more analytic writings on Buffy and the Scooby gang. Despite the spottiness of Season Six, Topping manages to ferret out all the good parts - to the point where I have to admit that the book is better than the season.

If you are a fan then you will want this book. And you will want to track down Topping's other efforts on the show that nearly ate South California.

I have the edition of Slayer for seasons 1 through 5, and it is really a good guide of the series. This book continues with the same fun observations, facts, and quotes. I know some people hate season 6, but for those of us that love it--this book is worth it. If you don't like season 6, maybe this book can help you see the good things about the season.

For those who liked Keith Topping's British perspective in his earlier 'Slayer' volume, here is an update. This book covers only the 6th season - Buffy's resurrection, the Trioka, the musical, Willow-as-evil, etc. Each episode receives 5-to-8 pages of coverage, organized under various thematic headings: Plot summary, music, memorable quotes, comments on the women's clothing, continuity errors, logic flaws, pop culture references, etc. Topping seems to have caught everything, down to the tiniest continuity error.

There are also separate essays on (1) series creator Joss Whedon, (2) the network switch to UPN, (3) an update on BtVS novels (about a paragraph on each), (4) an update on BtVS and the internet, and (5) predictions for the 7th season, which was the last season of this underappreciated series that never gained the viewership it deserved.

Season six is in my opinon the best Buffy season ever.
If you don't like it read this book. It will change your mind.
If it doesn't, then go back to watching Bewitched or Buffy season one. I guess the true spirit of the Slayer is lost on you.

This book covers the sixth season of Buffy and is the next volume in Keith Topping's 'Slayer' episode guides (the previous 5 seasons are covered in a single volume, also available from Amazon). Keith does his usual thorough job covering each episode in detail. Even if you disagree with his views, you can't dispute that he has a deep love for the show and a healthy respect for all those involved in its production.

As I have stated in other reviews, Keith Topping's Buffy and Angel books are the best unauthorised episode guides on the market. If you are a serious fan of Buffy and Angel, you only need the official guides and these books.

If your career aspirations lie in the show biz world, don't forget to consult actor/producer/casting director Steve Stevens Sr.'s So You Want To Be In Show Business: A Hollywood Agent Shares The Secrets Of Getting Ahead Without Getting Ripped Off. Stevens also has a background representing struggling actors: his 50+ years experience in the acting trenches lends to an eye-opening industry reference crucial to learning about casting, agents, and more.

I picked this great guide up last week, finished it in a day, and am totally changing the way I approach this business! There are so many little things that the authors recommend doing that I would never have thought of--I am much more confident, because now I feel like I am fully prepared when I go into auditions... Thank you!

This is my first review of anything, but I felt like I needed to give this book a plug--even though it comes from a small, independant press, this book should be in every acting/directing/theater class in the nation. Cady and Stevenson take you through the inner workings of the agent business, the right/wrong approaches to auditions, the way to work in Hollywood while keeping your sanity, all while maintaining an easy tone that gives one the confidence to take a chance and try to be a star! Great work, and a bargain for those of us who thought they knew the business.

This is an absolute must-have for all actors! After being an actress for over 20 years, I have spent countless hours reading books on the business of acting. "So you want to be in Show Business," is the most complete book I have ever read on the subject. Steve Stevens Sr. masterfully blends humor along with the no-nonsense truth about this crazy business. All while giving encouragement and sharing his passion. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Highly informative and very entertaining... anyone thinking about embarking on an actor's life should read this book! Loved it!

This is a very personal look into the background of songs that shaped my life. It is a good read and I found tears flowing from my eyes every chapter!
Elaine Littau
Author of "Nan's Journey"

Being a fan of Christian music by Bill and Gloria Gaither, I was curious about how they birthed so many comforting, relevant, sweet melodious songs. Their songs have encouraged me through many a trial and sounded substantive notes of wisdom. In her book SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL Gloria gives a glimpse of the impetus for seventy-five of over seven hundred songs Bill Gaither has delivered to the public in the past fifty years These songs, such as "Because He lives,'' "Let's Just Praise the Lord," "He Touched Me" are classics sung by many famous people and are heard on the radio, in churches and at Christian meetings all over the country.

In short vignettes, Gloria tells of experiences, thoughts, problems, scenes which motivated lyrics for musical formats composed by Bill. I was amazed at how succinctly profound words were expressed in a few short phrases. The couple's humility and wisdom in their endless productivity aimed at comforting troubled souls by expressions of God's goodness is also impressive. Gloria was more often stumped for minutes rather than material to express tidbits of timeless truth.

SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL by Gloria Gaither is a good book for creative minds which are curious about the process behind the products of famous work. It will enrich fans of Christian music and all explorers of God's goodness.

What can I say about Gaither music? It is fabulous. They are such talented writers. The message in the songs is wonderful & the melodies are great. This is a great double CD & well worth the cost.

Confession time: I went right to the photos before reading this book. The publisher has included a nice cross-section of pictures that span Bill & Gloria Gaither's amazing career in Gospel music and Christian ministry.

After enjoying the photos it was a pleasure to begin reading behind-the-scenes, "insider" info about how various songs were created, key moments in the Gaither's ministry, and more.

Author Gloria Gaither is remarkably transparent and open as she shares from a rewarding and fulfilling career -- readers feel like they're old friends by the end of the first few chapters. Both Bill and Gloria have a way of making you feel right at home, right from the start.

Here are inspiring stories about how the lyrics and songs come together when two creative people seek God's very best. Seven hundred songs later -- Bill & Gloria Gaither are at the center of a vital and fruitful ministry.

You'll love this book for yourself, but it makes an excellent gift also!

Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie
The Center for Marriage & Family Studies
Authors of 8 books, including Happily Remarried: *Making Decisions Together *Blending Families Successfully* Building a Love That Will Last

Over the last 50 years, Bill and Gloria Gaither have shaped the songs we sing and the music we listen to in more ways than many of us ever will realize. Together, they have written some of the most beloved choruses and songs of a generation, including "Because He Lives," "Since Jesus Passed By" and "God Gave the Song." In SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, readers are invited to learn the behind-the-scenes inspiration for more than 70 Gaither songs as Gloria Gaither shares the intimate background of each tune.

In each story, readers discover rich portraits of the Gaithers' family, ministry and life. Gaither shares the fear and uncertainty surrounding the birth of their son Benjamin, which eventually became the seedling for the song "Because He Lives." She tells the story of "Going Home," which was inspired by their daughter Suzanne's joy for returning home after a long road trip.

Describing the inspiration of her husband, Bill, for the song "He Touched Me," Gaither says that when Bill originally shared the lyric "And now I am no longer the same!" she suggested he rework the line to be more specific. While he graciously acknowledged her suggestion, he kept the verse as it was --- just as it came to him. The next weekend, it was being performed live. Since its writing, the song has become the most recorded that the Gaithers ever penned. Recorded by artists including Elvis Presley, the Imperials and George Beverly Shea, it's been translated in dozens of languages and sung around the world. Gloria writes, "I still cringe a little when I think that we could have lost its most powerful line...had he listened to me."

Along the way readers will discover the phrases and ideas that captured the Gaithers' hearts and imagination. They'll discover the birthing stories of the songs --- some of which came easily and others with much more difficulty. The best part of the book is that you do not need to know every song in order to appreciate the richness and depth of the lyrics, the revelations of God and His kingdom and theological reflections that line the pages.

Poets and songwriters will enjoy the insights into writing that dot the pages. For instance, Gaither says that at times secular interviewers will ask them how they keep writing tunes with religious themes. After more than 700 songs, don't you begin to run out of ideas? Gaither responds graciously that it is no more possible to exhaust the story of Jesus than to run out of the stories of life. The story of God's love is new every morning!

As a bonus, the hardcover features more than a dozen pages of color photos from the Gaithers' career. Images of Bill playing for a youth group in his father's farmhouse as well as the Gaithers with Larnelle Harris and Bill George are welcome reminders of their legacy and impact over the years.

In essence, SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL is the soundtrack of Bill and Gloria Gaither's lives. Reading this book is a reminder of God's grace, power and redemption. It is a must-have for fans of the Gaithers, songwriters and music lovers.

--- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

It was the most intriguing and interesting book, I felt like I was right there at the circus.The stories were so informative and at times very funny. It was hard to put this book down.

This book is a veritable delight! It is all at once humorous, credible and compelling. The authors' use of language creates a visual mind picture that is like an outing with a friend. An easy , interesting look at the thought processes that we can all relate to at one point in life or another. Definitely 5 stars!!!

This book is the genuine experience! The author has an incredible knack for triggering each of the senses as she describes with vivid, page-turning detail the life she actually lived and observed first-hand in the circus. Anyone who remembers attending a classic, tented circus as a youngster will find most compelling her ability to virtually bring you back there again, but this time with the privilege of an extended personal tour that completely bypasses the ticket office. With the close of its last page, you'll feel that you, too, have actually lived the experience, and that you personally know each of the personalities who formed its fabric.

As thoroughly dazzling as this book is, it is NOT fiction, making all the more engaging the author's candid illustration of every facet of circus life. Surprisingly, the author also has a great deal to say about the far broader world at large within which the circus existed, told with a perceptive and poignant honesty and frankness, but also with an acquiescent reverence and humor that's accepting of the persuasions of that era. These observations were as engaging as those of the circus -- like watching vintage film footage of a 1930's baseball game but being just as intrigued by the look and dress of the audience in its stands.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to truly visit, or re-visit, the bona fide circus of yester-year. The author realistically tells of a time and place that you'll want to step back into and hang around in long after you've finished reading it...and as authentically as this author captures it, you'll feel that you easily can.

C. B.

"Spangles, Elephants, Violets and Me" by Victoria Cristiani Rossi her intelligent memoir is the best circus book since "I Love You Honey But the Seasons Over." Victoria Cristiani Rossi born into the Famous Cristiani Riding Family while her family was touring with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. From Ringling a very young Vickie moved with her family to another huge railroad show under the Big Top - Cole Bros. Circus. The Cristiani Family occupied an entire railroad car that was specially built for the family. Victoria takes us not only behind the Big Top but her days attending privates schools away from the circus. Our author spends her late teens on the Cristiani Circus Family Circus. She writes about 1958 tour from Sarasota to L.A. via Chicago and her near fatal Hollywood accident that landed her in the L.A. hospital and romancing her future husband Ben a featured cowboy roper and rider on her families circus. Ben within a short time also had a circus accident and was omitted to the same hospital. The (Ozzie & Harriett) Nelson Brothers Rick and David were regular hospital visitors. This is all great reading that once you pick "Spangles, Elephants, Violets and Me" up you won't put down until completion. This book is about real circus and elephants by someone that actually lived the story...Victoria's book is a significant circus memoir. The book is correspondingly an account of her own search for the "violets" in her life.

I found out about this new circus book on Buckles Blog which is a fantastic information source on the circus.
So I ordered this fantastic book and it was so good I could not put it down until I finished it.
It is about the famous Cristiani circus family who were on many famous circuses and who had at one time the largest tented circus that traveled the United States.
They flipped backwards from horse to horse with four horses going around a circus ring. This feat has not been repeated as they were the best ever.
The author who is a daughter of the famous group takes us step by step up their success ladder.
She was there and was part of this famous circus group and she tells us all about it.
There is a great section of photos that covers the Cristiani's career.
If you are a circus enthusiast like I am, this is a must.
You will really enjoy this great book.
Harry Kingston
Circus Fans of America

This book is a deeply insightful look into the soul of an extraordinary human being - great great great - a true work of art!

The strength of this novel is its strong prose style, a style that Ian Campbell has correctly described as "flexible and arresting." (xxvi) The novel's weakness is its limited characterization. For all its fine evocative passages, the characters are flat and fail to develop. Perhaps we can excuse former slaves for being emotionally stunted, but the reader may soon cease to care whether such people live or die.

And die they all do. This is a novel littered with corpses. Even though Mitchell, writing in the 1930s, could not have anticipated the sort of blood lust in which twenty-first-century Hollywood wallows, his numerous unpleasant deaths, coolly observed, are still multiple deaths from which the humanity has been drained.

Finally, mention should be made of what Campbell calls Mitchell's "occasionally injudicious reliance on one effect." (xxix) Some characters have a leitmotif that follows them insistently (and sometimes irritatingly) through the story. The author also has a fascination with Latin, Greek, and obscure English words. Although the reader can usually deduce what the unknown word must mean, occasionally Mitchell goes overboard, as when he writes that "beyond the horreum itself, through a fence of osiers, the steadings of a farm loomed." (56)

I don't understand why this isn't at the top of the Spartacus search. The movie was adapted from THIS novel, why would anything be above it? Excellent novel, and a must-have for those who love history and/or historical fiction.

This novel is an amazing masterpiece of prose. I cannot praise this book enough! The opening scene is one of the most memorable and epic works of writing I have ever read.

I just finished reading this book. It was absolutely fantastic. The author's command of the English language...his use of imagery, metaphor, symbolism, foreshadowing..etc was made this book a joy to read.

I love SpongeBob! It's on my top three favorite show list! It is funny and wholesome and is great for chilren. My classmates watch stuff like the simpsons but I choose SpongBob. I look and imagine what it would be like if everyone was as how they are now. ROCK ON SPONGEBOB!

i had this shipped to my dad for his birthday and he loved it and said that it was packaged nicely and shippment was fast.

This is a fantastic, wholesome cartoon. Finally, something that is fun for young and old alike. I find myself calling the kids in so I don't feel guilty about watching it alone. This cartoon has everything: a good messsage, and a lot of fun. This book is a perfect companion. We've had a lot of fun with trivia questions when were out.

Very cute book for fans of Spongebob. Has lots of pictures and info on Spongebob and where he lives. It is definitley worth it for the price.

I am a big fan of Spongebob, despite my age. Yes, the cartoon is for young kids, around 5 - 10, but the producers made it sure that there are jokes that is aimed for mature audiences, to entertain watching parents or to those who are simply looking to feed their inner child.

Now the book, I can say is very informative and funny. You can learn a lot that surrounds the life of our yellow, squared friend; from what he thinks about his friends to the menu and price of the foods in the Krusty Krabs - all said in Spongebob fashion - stupidly funny. There are only a few quizzes though(so why call it trivia book?), like a driving quiz(it starts like a real driving test, but ends up very funny and silly, number 9 and 10 cracked me up!), and match up who said certain quotes(which I admit is quite challenging). Infos about the cartoons (and out) are in this book too.

I gave it 4 stars because for a Spongebob fanatic, there are only a few things that you dont know. Most of it, you do; and some parts here are taken from episodes, like how to blow a bubble("do this"?, to those who seen it in TV we know its from an episode, but to those who hasnt wont get it - they should have added pictures to those!). I think it is more aimed for newer fans, and to the very fanatic of fanatics... in the end, I still recommend this book, cuz even though we know most of it, the way they explained it still makes you laugh, its like watching reruns of Spongebob, we know what will happen but will still bring tons of laugh.

This book was published too soon to contain any details from THE SWORD OF KHALESS (DS9), TRIALS AND TRIBBLE-ATIONS (DS9), FLASHBACK (VOYAGER), & the FIRST CONTACT film. Otherwise, it's a great book with alternate titles and references to all of the classic & cartoon episodes and films

i thought that the original copy was better with the little chart that helps find certain episodes, but all in all i love this book.

When Bjo Trimble did her first CONCORDANCE in the 1970's it was FANTASTIC,a really good book that covered everything at that time.Now,with the final STAR TREK film done, there is the closing out of the great STAR TREK era and this book covers it very well.There are other good STAR TREK history books,but this is one that stands out.This is a NEEDED part of ANY STAR TREK collection,a well done job.

For those of you who liked the original "Fan Produced" edition and/or the 1977 professionally produced one, YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THIS ONE! BJO has completely revised the book, not only including info from the moveis, but also info about both the live-action and annimated seriese from Gene Roddenberrys and others files that she did not have access to before. The book has got to have at least 10 times the info in the 1977 edition and she has also corrected the errors that cropped up in the older editions and added a lot more "fan art" than before. I can not emphasise this enough! This is a must have for all trekkies. Even Gene Goddenberry himself use the oleder version of this book to keep track of his universe. The star trek Encycolpedia pales in comparison to detali to this one. so if you love your Classic Trek, order it now.

...but be aware that this book is from 1976, so you will only get information on the original series from the 1960s and the often neglected (but often bizarre) animated series from 1973-74. So you won't find any info on any of the movies (since the first Star Trek movie wouldn't be until 1979), The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, or Voyager. This is basically those who enjoy the original and the animated Star Trek. The 1976 version of Star Trek Concordance came with a gimmick cover, which you use as an index for each episode, stardate, and other things, and it guides you to what page the episode and stardate are. In the book itself is a description of each and every episode, both the original and the animateds. Description of the cast members are also given in every episode. Near the back is a glossary giving details to each and every character such as Spock, Dr. McCoy, Kirk, Sulu, Uhura, Scotty, etc. (and who played them, like Shatner, Nimoy, Takei, Doohan, etc.), as well as discriptions of various alien life like Vulcans, Romulans, Klingons, etc. The glossary even goes as so far as describing terms that might be a bit over some people's head. They even mention haggis, since there was a famous episode where Scotty said, "The haggis is in the fire now". In the very back is Star Trek fan art, where various people submitted their own artwork of different Star Trek characters and aliens. It's a great and useful book, if you bear in mind when this was published. If you're looking for info on the Star Trek movies, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, you will obviously need much more updated material.