Digital Books

In the vein of Dazed and Confused, HERE BE MONSTERS is a vivid ride around the block in the parts of adolescence that parents don't want to hear about. Eight pages in and I want more.

This is well written. I got through the 8 pages quickly and am looking forward to more. Bring it on Mr. Decker.

Francis knows how to take you on a wild ride right from the beginning. I loved the details he weaves into his narrative: can almost smell the spilled beer, feel the heat and the dripping sweat, feel Fleet's angst with his relationship with Marcus and especially, Vaughn. Give me more!!

"Here Be Monsters" launches itself at you and just doesn't let go, drawing you into the intense world of three prep school teammates. Marcus, the starting quarterback, is the focus of attention and gets all the girls. Vaughn is moody and full of anger. Fleet, the newest member of the group, is trying desperately to fit in.

Francis W. Decker starts fast with a late-night "fender bender" car crash. The boys are drinking and so is the other driver, a middle-aged woman in a nightgown. Though no names are exchanged, Vaughn feels a connection with the woman and I'm sure we'll see her again.

The story moves from Vaughn's to Fleet's point of view, and as noted by another reviewer, this tactic seems less than completely effective in the 5000 words we have to work with. Given the solid writing, however, I'd be willing to wait and see if the differentiation becomes clearer. The writing is tense, slightly elliptical, and attention-grabbing.

"Here Be Monsters" is a story of a world unknown to me. If my sons and their friends lived in this world, they did it completely outside my range of reference. To read this book would be, for me, like reading in a foreign language; and it's an effort I'd be willing to make.

In my mind I can't distance this excerpt from yesterday's headlines -- three boys died in a car, 75 miles down a road well known to me, just two nights ago. Icy road, young driver, their lives ahead of them, three families bereft. Too real. Art imitating life. My interest in Marcus, Vaughn and Fleet is tangled up in my mind with my feelings about those three boys from my part of the world.

I'll be wondering how Francis W. Decker finishes what he started in this fine beginning. Best of luck, Francis.

Linda Bulger, 2008

Oh, the sordid memories of high school...

Author Francis W. Decker's novel excerpt of Here Be Monsters opens strong and lets the reader know some good stuff is ahead. This is solidly written with a good hook. It is an R-rated high school tale that made me squirm through every word, though I mean that in a good way. It is fast paced, has great action and keeps moving.

My only suggestions are regarding point of view, in that I'm not totally feeling the change in POV from the first chapter to the second; I think Vaughn and Fleet's voices are a little too similar. Also, I like Vaughn in the first chapter, but not so much in the next.

This opening assures me that Here Be Monsters would be a fun and interesting read. I'm knocking off a half star only because of the issue with POV, so four and a half stars. Great job!

Sincerly,
Brent (B. Billy) Curtis
Secluded Parking - Official ABNA Entrant

Ian Hunter's self-titled solo debut is one of the best British rock albums to come from a glam-rocker in 1975. The former Mott The Hoople vocalist attempts to attack the whole rock & roll scenemaking machine, as well as anything honoring false gods, on this CD, and he succeeds magnificently, starting with the opening track, "Once Bitten Twice Shy." Even if the Bethany Hamilton shark attack hadn't happened, I'd still prefer Hunter's original version of this great song to Great White's (named after a man-eating shark) wimpy, Top-Ten-selling remake. Another song here, "It Ain't Easy When You Fall", which excoriates the dangers of excessive self-indulgence, is making me think twice about using wine to toast my grandfather on his 95th birthday, or my grandparents on their 75th wedding anniversary, as well as inspiring me to keep myself looking well in all ways for a young woman whom I met in September, 2007, and for any number of pretty actresses. It's unfortunate that this cautionary recording wasn't a bigger hit here in the U.S.

Ian Hunter makes meat and potatoes rock'n'roll with more than usual head and heart. King of the midtempo rocker, he's turned in some mean ballads as well. The man who penned DIARY OF A ROCK STAR has always been his own best subject, so it stands to reason this deeply personal record would stand among his finest. It also rocks like a #&@*%$! Hunter swings from swagger to intropection while the great Mick Ronson backs him up with articulate arrangements and explosive guitar solos. Ronno's lead on "Lounge Lizard" is one of the nastiest slow burns ever, all drama, attitude and corrosive texture. The album's self reflective core peaks with the remarkably naked "It Ain't Easy When You Fall/Shades Off" before closing with the jubilant "I Get So Excited". When this record (back in '75, remember) came out it was Rolling Stone's album of the month. their headline nailed it: "Ian Hunter professes faith: Rock Saves".

Those who like their Hunter more personal than political should seek out his 2001 indie "comeback" RANT on Fuel Records. It's great.

And for those who like macho rockers dragged kicking and screaming into self awareness, you should check out Bob Mould, Richard Thompson and Graham Parker if you haven't already.

I concur with all the other reviews. This is a below-the-radar masterpiece. If you like classic rock, you'll like this.
"3,000 Miles From Here" is not one of my favorites, but everything else is top-notch. "Once Bitten Twice Shy" is a classic and the collage of "It Ain't Easy When You Fall"/"Shades Off"/"I Get So Excited" is just amazing. I dare you to erase "I Get So Excited" from your brain. Later solo albums from Ian Hunter were spotty and not this consistent.

Ian Hunter's debut solo disk remains, 30 years after the fact, one the the finest albums released during the seventies. Fresh from the breakup of Mott the Hoople and alledgedly, a nervous breakdown, Hunter teamed with Mick Ronson to record some Hoople leftovers and some new tracks.

The album kicks off with three undisputable hard rockers, ONCE BITTEN TWICE SHY (the most famous song from this set), WHO DO YOU LOVE and LOUNGE LIZARD. The ballad BOY is supposedly about former pal David Bowie, and depicts a tale a star who loses touch via fame and drugs. The heavy rocker THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH... marries a Lennonesque theme to a crunching rock tune. Ronson solos with a venegence on this one. The album winds down with a triolgy of songs, the poignant IT'S NOT EASY (WHEN YOU FALL), a poem, the touching autobiography SHADES OFF and finally another searing rocker, I GET SO EXCITED.

To me, this was the apex of Hunter's career. Though he had a number of notable albums with Mott the Hoople and a long successful solo career, nothing matches the power, emotions and consistancy of this record. It sounds as fresh in 2006 as it did in 1975!

Ian Hunter by Ian Hunter and featuring Mick Ronson is one of the finest albums to come out of the seventies. Not only are the songs tight, spirited, and well played, but they seem to have stood the test of time. Listening to them now they sound as good as they did back in 1975 when I first bought the lp and wore it out. Though Hunter may not be a 70's rock and roll poetic genius like Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen or even Paul Simon, he can still write a genuinely captivating song, as can be heard with "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," "Lounge Lizard," or "Boy."

I absolutely love this album, and I would put it in my list of top ten albums from the seventies, which is a difficult task. I think what makes it so great is the combination of Ian Hunter's songwriting and vocals mixed with Mick Ronson's guitar and production work. Ronson is easily one of the most over looked talents from the seventies, and his work with Ian Hunter is simply devine rock and roll. By all means buy this album.

mr waite does a great job of engaging us with the details of his writing. taking us into the mind of an adolescent young boy and walking us through his thoughts and emotions.

reading the excerpt just made me want to read the rest and learn more - i am especially intrigued by the title!

The opening line beautifully sets the tone for this excerpt: "The summer I collected rattlesnake skins was the summer my father showed me how to keep a woman." I liked the quiet prose, and the immersion in the head of a young Hispanic boy. The neighbor woman, as a character, and as Raphael's obsession, becomes more compelling as the excerpt progresses, culminating in his spying on her through the window - a wonderfully delicate scene, and one which might easily have become unpalatable. The tensions between Raphael's mother and father, nicely demonstrated in the scene where she bangs a cup in front of him while he's drinking juice from the bottle, bring the central character more into focus. There was a slight repetitive nature to the prose which might have been intentional but feels more as if the author was trying to pad the story, and this could be off-putting if it continued through a novel.

Mr. Waite is a talented writer who quickly draws a reader into his story and the characters' world. This story left me wanting to read more stories from this creative author.

Mr. Waite perfectly evokes the beginning of a boy's adolescence and the subtly perceived dissolution of the marriage of his parents. More is hinted at than stated and so much the better.

The Life and Death of Seals by Urban Waite opens with the summer time adventures of 12 year-old Raphael and his younger brother Juan.

This summer, as with each summer, they are at their family's cabin in the Sierras. Their father watches them during the week as their mother continues her work at the hospital.

Isolated with the exception of the younger neighbor couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ramos, Raphael recounts how their days are spent exploring the woods and nourishing his fascination and young desires for Mrs. Ramos.

The sequence this excerpt covers is wonderfully written. Full of detail that is succinct for the purpose of moving the tale along, and varied enough to provide a multi-layered connection for the reader to this story. The author does an excellent job of letting the reader walk in Raphael's shoes.

Despite minimalist dialog, there was no lack of story activity and progress. It can be a tricky task to convey story line movement relying primarily on narrative passages, but the author does a wonderful job.

I envision this being a great long-stretch read and look forward to the opportunity of reading it through.

Technology affects art and the many changes in computer animation and effects means that the art world faces both new challenges and new innovations in 3D modeling. Surprisingly, Peter Ratner explains, the changes mean less technical challenges for artists with more ability to focus on creating art rather than deciphering computer systems - and the second edition of his Mastering 3D Animation is just the place to begin. Ratner is a professor of the topic at James Madison University - and the founder and head of the first computer animation program in Virginia, so his background lends particularly well to discussions. His paintings and computer graphics have received exhibition and acclaim - also a plus for artists seeking more than just a programmer's technical tips.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from its technical standpoint of working between the program and the supporting 3D theory/thought process that Mr. Ratner provides.

Finding that balance of an artist and technologist from where to launch one's vision and future visions of creativity starts with good knowledge. Ratner gives many facets of where to see this vision and tutorials to follow through with your own creative projects.

I commonly work with many high-end graphics programs, Lightwave 7.0 being my newest program on my plate. Peter Ratner's 3d book getting me from a begining user from just reading the index to a 3D artist ready to start the new facets of my own portfolio. Mastering 3D Animation helped quite a bit everything from the Modeling and subdivides to the theory/progress.

Joseph Arthur
Information Architects, Principal

Peter J. Ratner's second authoring effort, Mastering 3D Animation, is a 333-page softcover text that is a comprehensive, detailed and practical tutorial guide addressing nearly every aspect and segment of the 3D graphics genre. The book's 14 chapters-and accompanying follow-along CD for PC and Mac-speak to modeling (beginning and advanced), animation, special effects, lighting, surfacing techniques, facial animation, elements of action, figure movements and composition and cinematography. It's an exceptionally capable complement to Ratner's first book, 3-D Human Modeling and Animation. (Ratner currently is updating the latter text with a wholesale rewrite.)

Make no mistake: This is no cursory guide to constructing simple geometry, slapping on some stock textures, animating basic movements along spline paths and rendering to AVI while you're sipping on a latte, watching the Discovery Channel. A full-time professor in the 3D Computer Animation department of James Madison University and the program's founder, Ratner relies on the broad and substantial digital and conventional art experience that has rewarded him with artistic entries in more than 80 national and international juried exhibitions. Ratner is well-versed in most aspects of 3D art creation, choreography and cinematography. The results of his industry experience are a splendid collection of detailed and refined insights and experiences assimilated into a thorough tutorial guide. I have no doubt-as many experts agree-that Mastering 3D Animation is equipped to serve as a collegiate-level textbook for 3D computer animation curricula.

Spanning the many processes related to generating 3D digital art, Ratner illustrates his critical techniques with 658 black-and-white line drawings and grayscale screen captures. The images vary from basic and sketchy but illustrative black-only perspectives, steps and graphs to grayscale representations depicting character renderings, particle systems, height fields, geometric displacements, facial close-ups, rendered environments and more. Of particular interest to those having cinematography or traditional art backgrounds are the commentary, instructions and grayscale reproductions of painted and sketched art dating back multiple centuries.

Those attending to a more technical emphasis and interest are accommodated in every respect, however-minus superficial references to hardware specifications. Early on, Ratner clarifies his intentions in composing this text: "[The book's] purpose is not to create button pushers who can boast about megahertz, abundant RAM, big monitors and software with all kinds of bells and whistles. It is hoped that aspiring 3D artists will learn some valuable lessons from the great art geniuses that have preceded them." (Foreward/vii) Yes, Ratner does wane philosophical, at times, but his contemplative tendencies bring a refreshing and purist perspective to a field frequently inundated by overly technical meanderings and functionally pointless rambling. Thus, Ratner blends an in-depth artistic and technical knowledge with a practicality and philosophy altogether forming a well-rounded perspective-one catering to persons of various inclinations and backgrounds.

The companion CD contains 200-plus 3D models in a variety of formats: LightWave 3D's .lwo and .lws; Wavefront's .obj; Maya's .ml and the generic .dxf. Tutorial project files are archived in QuickTime (.mov) and JPEG (.jpg) formats, and Ratner also includes a Photoshop brush file (.abr) for creating "grime" textures.

As for the text's informational composition, chapters one and two explore the basics of 3D modeling-polygonal and spline-based (NURBS). Chapter 3 addresses basic 3D animation, while the fourth delves further into animation by considering the role of deformation tools: skeletons ("bones"); kinematics; lattice flexors, etc. In Chapter 5, Ratner explains special effects, including the use of spheres, particles, collision detection, voxels, fragments, displacement mapping and more. Part II of the text, Advanced 3D Modeling, begins with commentary about the human head's structure and composition, including muscles and bone. Ratner explains both the NURBS- and polygon- based methods for modeling the head. Special attention is allotted to features, such as the eyes, eyelids, eye sockets and ears. There's no lack of detail, here, and NURBS fans will experience a rare sensation-a feeling of belongingness.

The next two chapters, six and seven, are devoted to modeling the human figure. The latter stresses finishing-hair, eyelashes and clothing. Chapters 9 and 10 comprise Part III: Preparing for Animation. Lighting is the focus of Chapter 9, and Chapter 10-another that may appeal particularly to conventional artists-deals with surfacing techniques. The author goes beyond the typical texture map types-cylindrical, planar, spherical, cubic, etc.-and the use of photos to address alternative surfacing methods, such as transparency (alpha) and displacement maps. In short, Ratner extends well beyond the conventional surfacing methods most highly publicized, deeply exploring what might be categorized more aptly as upper-echelon trade tips than as common genre knowledge: creating sophisticated bump maps; using grayscale gradients in displacement; and more.

Part IV of the book, Character Animation Fundamentals, includes chapters 11-14: Expressing Emotion with Facial Animation (11); The Elements of Action (12); Movements of the Figure (13); Composition and Cinematography (14). Once again, the author uses an expansive knowledge of choreography and anatomy to help quantify how human emotions are exhibited: body posturing; eye wideness; lip contour; eyebrow position; even directional muscular pull. Each of these considerations can be projected in a 3D figure, and Ratner shows the reader how. "A muscle is composed of a bundle of fibers that work in mutual association to perform common duties," Ratner writes on Page 248. "... It is this combination of movements that results in the complicated harmony of the facial muscles."

The Elements of Action chapter confronts those issues pertinent to a convincing human portrayal by a mere collection of polygons or surfaced curved lines: timing; sound syncing; weight and recoil ("squash and stretch"); walk cycles and more. Chapter 13 addresses concerns complementary to those in the previous one, including body mass motion, pace and impact, equilibrium, action lines, rhythm and still more. The final score of this harmonized tutorial prose pursues line composition, spatial arrangement, blocking (proxy geometry) and all manner of photographic issues and techniques. The reader will learn practical cinematography terminology-camera techniques and movements, transitions, more-and the fundamental tenets of motion depiction utilized by artists centuries earlier.

Mastering 3D Animation is a wonderful book, full of useful information that you will refer to again and again. It covers many complicated issues in an easy-to-understand way so that beginners and advanced users alike can grasp the information. Definately a title that will remain in your library for years to come.

Although a nice book that goes into depth in areas that other modeling books haven't, the generalized, not-to-mention-one-specific-application approach the author has taken left me, a beginner, bewildered and drooling. Also, I think some of what isn't explained in detail was not explained purposely as it was difficult to put into words and considered common sense, which seems to be the case with several tutorials and books that I've read on modeling. I want to know things like: Once I have my splines slapped down in a front perspective, how do I push and pull them properly from other perspectives so they'll take shape, or When defining detail with polygons, how many should I tesselate, how can I manipulate them to look like a gradual bump for a muscle and not a sharp cornered cliff? To sum it up, the book was written for the more experienced and those who are very well aquainted with their software packages-I was expecting step-by-step modeling for newbies.

Newman gives us something fresh about ordinary characters in ordinary situations ... which speaks volumes about how EXTRAordinary this writer is. The first few paragraphs set my teeth on edge. They were raw, real, and hit far too close to home. Still, I couldn't put it down. We all know a Joe like Wade. Heck, many of us ARE a Joe like Wade. I am a completely converted Pittsburgher, but I've lived in a number of gritty, hard-working towns. Regardless of what sports team you root for, this is about a working man in a working man's life with a working man's dirt under his nails ... and a glimmer of hope in his eyes. I want to read more!

It would be a damn shame if Dave Newman's novel PITTSBURGH IN THE TITLE isn't selected to move on in this competition. Honesty, love, sadness, and unbelievable joy fill these pages. Newman has mastered his own rhythm of storytelling and once you let yourself go, it's amazing how clear and honest everything comes through. It really is something to check out.

Set in Pittsburgh during the Steelers recent successful Super Bowl run, it gorgeously captures how a football-mad town swoons for its favorite team. The sun does seem to shine a little brighter when that happens. People hold each other a little tighter. It's absolutely insane in the best possible way.

But there's so much more to PITTSBURGH IN THE TITLE than a love for the Steelers. This is not a sports book. Newman draws the main character Wade so good that I could easily picture him hanging out with Orwell's Eric Blair or Bukowski's Henry Chinaski. You get to know Wade inside and out and if he was able to walk off the page, you most definitely would want to sit him down in your kitchen, give him a beer and burn a few of your favorite CDs for him. He's a hero we all could get behind, and you'll be rooting for him throughout the book.

Dave Newman's opening chapters have tremendous energy that draws you right into the novel. The main character Wade is trying to survive at his warehouse job while the Steelers are in the process of making it to the Superbowl. Wade's fellow workers are finding lunatic ways to call off work to make it to the big game, leaving a hapless Wade behind to carry the load. As the narrator notes, "There was nobody to cover but Wade, and it was killing him in all kinds of ways." Newman's sympathy for Wade and the other characters in this funny book is remarkable. Newman's description of the city, both the hardworking sections and the up and coming neighborhoods, is dead-on accurate. The dialog is perfect, and the writing style will carry you through chapter after chapter of Pittsburghers living through a crazy time in the Steel City. The story is so well told and so resonant that anyone who has ever worked hard to scrape by in this world will be able to identify with the people in Dave Newman's terrific work.

I was about to write "I wish I knew Wade," but stopped because I do know him. Everyone knows him. That nice guy who works too hard and doesn't think much of himself. He's your neighbor or your boss and you always wonder what he's doing when you're not around. That's what makes Dave Newman such an incredible storyteller. He takes a guy like Wade, a supporting character, and makes him the protagonist. Not everyone can make that work and there's a reason there is a supporting role category in the Oscars. Oh, how I wish this were longer than 8 pages.

This is remarkable writing: so transparent you forget you're reading, a central character who is completely alive, and a real voice. Astonishing to find work of this caliber here. The prose style is supple and visual: a bruise is described as the size of a "small blackberry pie." The dialogue was pitch-perfect. I loved Wade's visit to a bar in "Lawrenceville, a part of Pittsburgh that was supposedly undergoing a cultural renaissance, meaning, Wade guessed, that it would be getting harder to find a decent hooker but much easier to find a gallery selling framed photos of dead trees." You can see in that sentence the humor and the truth that is present throughout this excerpt. Impressive material.

After reading Welcome Home, I can tell you that Edd Voss is the Real Thing. The real deal. A man who writes with great emotion - which I respect. Of course most of you already know that. I'm way, way late to the party here and I don't understand it. I don't understand what the hell took me so long to read one of Edd's stories is what I mean. I'm also sure most of you are saying 'Well Duh, of course he writes good stories.' I can assure you one thing, it won't be the last I read. I'm sold.

This story had it all in my opinion; tenderness, love, courage, honor, memories and family. I didn't want it to be over. I actually read slower towards the end. Very enjoyable and well crafted. Excellent. Five stars for Mr. Voss. - Jim Wilsky.

"Welcome Home" touched a very deep part of me, because there isn't one among us that doesn't want to be accepted for who and what we are despite our experiences. I absolutely love the way Edd brings to life the thoughts and feelings of his characters in this touching story of a military man who recieved no respect along with countless others, after coming home from his tour. The years doesn't diminish the pain that is buried in the deepest part of his character's heart. When faced with the decision to share that part of his life, he thought would be buried forever, he chooses to take the chance. Edd is a sensitive writer who writes from his heart. I can't help but respect and admire his talent.
Good Job!!!

Tory Lynn

Seldom have ten pages plunged me deeper into tears than this eloquently simple tribute by Edd Voss.

I was instantly transported back many years...to airports mainly. The green class A's and heavy green bags. The tears of men who had done no more than answer the call to arms...just as we were taught we should do from the time we could walk.

The tears of years later when deserters and men who'd left their buddies in the lurch had their discharges changed to honorable. The years when it looked as if the only fools were the ones who could be counted upon. The ones who obeyed their orders...who didn't frag their officers or gun down villagers. Who reported back when they were supposed to and moved out in country when they were supposed to.

A draft dodger became president of the United States...he had even gone to Russia to make good his escape. Tears tears tears...a world turned upside down...where uniforms and medals were tossed overboard or stuffed into trash cans...the draft dodger's evil smirk presiding over all of it.

Edd Voss took me there and many more places besides. Edd's vet was very fortunate...a loving wife...a nice home and business...a wonderful son. He had locked it all away, but his loving famiy was determined to do him the honor he so richly deserved.

So now the draft dodger's embittered wife is going to be president, but there is still some justice in the world. Yes, I cried for Edd's vet but they were tears of joy...those two little words that just meant so much....

Remember the day we watched as the sacrifice of honorable service was reduced to helping the politicians make a clean getaway from the roof of that embassy...each of us remembering one or more of the over 50,000 who would never be coming back?

Thank you, Edd, for doing a great job of doing honor to our generation...the very best within it.

Having already read Edd Voss's book 'A Tree For America." and other stories, I know that most of the things he writes about, are of his own lived experiences-- as a Truck Driver and a Veteran! But reading this last one, brought tears to my eyes, and I only wish that many Vietnam Veterans would get to see and read it as well; Though it would be a small recompense for the shameful ways they were treated in the U.S. after their return from the Hell that was Vietnam .

Pierrette L Komarek.
Author of "Le Cafe'de Cadix" and "Grandmêre's Awesome Family Cookbook."

The warmth in Jim's heart for his wife, expressed at the opening scene of "Welcome Home" came across like a bear hug of healing force. Later, the scene with his son which opened the sharing of Jim's Vietnam memories was tenderly addressed.

Voss seems to be able to give just the right amount of detail in lightly expanded vignettes, to paint the picture and ease up emotion:

>> "Sure, Dave, I'm done here. What's on your mind?" Jim asked leaning back in his chair. Dave sat down on the edge of a small couch that was against the opposite wall. He leaned forward with is hands clasped between his knees, his head slightly bowed.... Jim told his son of how people had already decided what it was like in Viet Nam on their own and how anyone who stood up and said "No that's not what I saw," was either ignored or called a liar. So some had just told people what they wanted to hear, and others chose to be silent. <<

A touching tale told by a sensitive man is a gift to behold. Better yet, it's a story to read. Again Voss gave an ending I hadn't precisely anticipated. But, it was the exact ending this caring catharsis and teary title required.

This isn't sentimentalism, it's a sentimental schism, allowing gaps in the past to be filled with hearth fires in the present. Read "Welcome Home" to know how healing can be easy, especially at the right time and place, with loving human connections.

This was Edd Voss's first Amazon Short, providing a solid preface for his style of getting you where you need to be to see something he wants you to see. Maybe we should all work to have this type of warmth in our homes, to thaw the chilled parts of our journeys, to make them a history to remember right, and cherish what's left.

Well done, Voss,
Linda Shelnutt

easy to understand and follow, this book is very helpful for someone trying to advance in the world of digital photograghy

Just got the book and all I can say is for the first time I am not intimidated by Photoshop. I only know the basics on PS but this book can make anyone a PS pro. Great stuff, easy to understand and make the use of the program a breeze.

If you are new to photoshop(like me)or a veteran,you will love this book.Its by far the easiest tutorial book I have found for photoshop to date.The step by step instructions are very easy to follow.I highly recommend this to all photoshop users,you won't be sorry.

This is a good book for anyone wanting to learn photoshop. A lot of other books I have purchased have been very text orriented, but this book uses very well layed out illustrations to teach. I continually come back to this book as a quick reference. I would highly recomend this book for a beginner

Bought this after a 7 hour into to PS class. It has all the projects taught and many more. Totally visual step by step to each task. You not only will be able to improve/doctor any photo but will be able to create real art.

Would be better to read this book, then read the Canon manual.
Gives a little more in depth to the camera functions, as well as, good photography tips.

I found that the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Guide to Digital SLR Photography went one step past the camera manuel in all aspects of camera operation and explains how to make all of the settings to produce a good photograph. Basically, it helps you to learn how to use your new camera.

While the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT comes with a thorough owner's guide that nicely fits in your camera case or pocket, this fantastic book serves as a great combination of an informative beginner's guide to digital SLR photography AND an excellent manual specific to the Rebel XT that goes way beyond the included owner's guide in both detail and quality. Unlike the owner's guide, this book is illustrated with large color photographs of the XT's specific features and menus, as well as actual photographs taken with the XT to demonstrate the results of various camera settings and techniques. Even if you are an experienced SLR photographer, but are new to the XT, this book will be a valuable addition to your professional library. Even if you are the owner of a different digital SLR, this book will serve as a good introduction to digital SLR photography; but, I warn you, it will make you wish you had purchased the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT instead.

Through, well written, and well illustrated for the Canon XT and Canon accessories.

I have only one criticism: While the book does cover some items not made by Canon, it ignored other very useful accessories made by other manufacturers. For example, the Opteka BGRXT Grip for Canon XT. This grip houses twice the battery power in the form of either two of the stock batteries or six rechargeable NIMH AA batteries. More importantly, the grip allows much easier VERTICAL format picture taking.

Putting this minor criticism aside, every XP owner should own this book.

I'm pretty new to SLR photography in general, but have used many point and shoot cameras. What I thought was great about this book is that if you are learning photography, it aids in giving you examples of what you can do with the different features of the camera. Its not just a re-hash of the manual, it gives examples. It is a great reference and I highly recommend it to anyone who isn't quite sure how you could use the features of the camera from a practical standpoint.

Country Girl is an awe-inspiring tale told powerfully with little words, and only nine pages. The impact of the story however, will last a lifetime. Molly P holds on to her family values, her courage and her beliefs and still manages to dream the dream, and go for it. Lana Ho-Shing
is a powerful wordsmith whose tale is almost sung as it plays out before your mind's eye. The contrast between the two worlds is something most of us can relate to, whether we are city people, or country folk. Impressive, encompassing the very soul of human nature.

Back in the mid nineties, we visited Jamaica on vacation and I found the whole island beautiful and the people a joy. We visited small villages and met people selling their wares as we traveled around the Island on day trips. This was an experience I shall never forget. Reading this wonderful story of love and hope with the dream of a better life has it all. Ms Lana M. Ho-Shing is a definite story teller. I would really love to see more stories from this author.

Reviewed by Vickie, ( Tory Lynn author of "My Charming Protector")

Who'd a thought a cow in ribbons could be such a pivotal character in a wonderful read such as Country Girl?

Lana M Ho-Shing brings her readers into the country and down to market so easily that you can just hear the Jamaican accents as you read this heart-warming, edifying tale from the country.

Thoroughly enjoyable, down to the very last word.

This story celebrates the courage [and imagination!] of a young woman of African and mixed cultural descent enduring the loneliness and heartache as she emigrates from her beloved Jamaica to what she no doubt hopes will be a life of better economic opportunity in the United States.

The story flows from scene to scene as she draws upon the rich family heritage of her people to get over those dark and lonely nights inevitably following days of struggle to get a foothold in this strange, fast and often unfriendly place that represents not only a better future economically for herself but also her people back home.

Ms. Ho-shing not only tells a free-standing tale of inspiration and guts, she effortlessly in the process educates us in the cultural strength possessed by the family of this Jamaican "country girl", with priceless glimpses into their religious and philosophical outlook, an outlook that gives her what she needs to take on New York City and win!

I also commend Ms. Ho-shing for introducing us in crisp, well-paced dialogue to the sonorous island patois of her people, making "Country Girl" a literary feast for the "ear" as well as the heart, soul and mind. I wish "Country Girl" a wide distribution and Ms. Ho-shing a long and successful career as a creative writer. In organization, content and style I would describe her talent as beyond promising. She is there!
Belladonna and How I Became A Godman come well recommended. ATH

Asa Hensley is a tenured Associate Professor of English in the Michigan University System.

What a fantastic piece penned by Lana M. Ho-Shing. I loved the dialect, though I have to confess it did slow my reading down as I tried to get into the Jamaican rhythms and patterns of speech. It often takes a while when I read Huckleberry Finn for the first time in a long time as well, so Ms. Lana shouldn't take this as criticism - it is not.

A simple story, yet one based on very basic humanities, Country Girl is heart-warming, faith-building, and I am absolutely taken by the line from the story I used as title for this review. Everyone should read this!

If you are looking for a book to really understand the outgoing Net Revolution, don't look further. Martin takes you to the center of the digital movement in a cristal clear writing. This is a book to change the way we think, the way we live. The beggining of a personal revolution

An *EXCELLENT* book, written in a very easy-to-read style, that puts the Internet revolution in perspective. If you are a confirmed 'nethead, then this book is not for you - it is only telling you what you already know. If you don't "get it", and/or you are sceptical about the net, then GET THIS BOOK. It has changed our lives and will continue to change it for some time to come. Chuck uses real examples from real companies and people to drive home his points. Some of the links need to be updated on his website, but other than that, I highly recommend this. A good companion read would be James Martin's "Cybercorp"

In a domain positively viscous with lame literature, this book doesn't have any serious competition. It's very helpful at all levels, but its witty and humane approach is particularly good for business people moving onto the Web for the first time. Martin gives sound, detailed explanations of Web advertising, branding, business planning and building an on-line community by using the actual experiences of Net companies that are building today's new Internet economy

If you've been awake and actively using the net over the past few years, you probably already know just about everything in this book. Martin has very good insight into what the web can really be...beyond all the technology hoopla, building virtual communities, supplying appropriate content, making a corporate web site that is actually useful to consumers, etc.. A GREAT read for those trying to make sense of the web, understand how people use the web, and see how other companies have created successful enterprises or applications integrating the internet. The copy I got had some duplicate/missing pages in the introduction of the book.

This book is a "must read" for all company owners and managers involved in the corporate planning process. The Digital Estate digs into the successes and failures of pure on-line businesses and electronic efforts of other companies to define the principals of doing business today. This is not a "technology book" and is not targeted for "net heads" or persons already in the Internet business. It is a business book for executives that contrasts the "old way" and new methods that are transforming business thinking. It is a book for business heads that need a grounding in business on the Internet. Written in a clear and concise manner, sans hype and jargon, it is engrossing, clever and insightful. I can not over emphasize the importance of this book to all business executives.