Games Books

Ever wanted to create a villain for your story but not sure how to go about it? Not sure how to make the villain believable? Not cliched? How to fathom his or her motivations, give a supporting cast, flesh out your evil network, make recurring villains to flesh out and give depth to your campaign.
CH 1 - Defining your Villain
CH 2 - Henchmen, Flunkies & Lackeys
CH 3 - Villainous Organisations
CH 4 - Introducing your Villain
CH 5 - Delivering the Goods
CH 6 - Monsters into Villains
CH 7 - Advanced Villains
CH 8 - Creative Villainy
CH 9 - A Compendium of Villains
CH 10 - A catalog of Villains
Villain Tables

All this goes towards the key question - the villain's motivations, aspirations, intentions and natural leanings. This helps shape your imagination and can be used by all DMs and aspiring writers.

. . . in or out of AD&D. I say that because, although I don't DM anymore, I still use this book. The title is a bit deceiving-- although it's useful for creating villains, it can be used equally well for creating any sort of NPC, and almost as well for creating characters in any other role-playing system or none at all! This book takes characters off the paper and into flesh with a helpful system and ideas for creating backgrounds, motives, resources available, organizations, and abilities. One of the most useful guides for a DM.

Have a good story plot but want to throw some extra spice and give an older villan new spice or need one right a way this book is good for all dms who want to go beyond the Monster Manuals

This book is useful for a GM in ANY system. Like the "Campaign Sourcebook and Catacomb Guide," it provides methods useful in any campaign, in any RPG. It focuses on designing villains who are memorable, engaging, and realistic. And it does a *very* good job of teaching you how to do so.

If you want a campaign with villains that just suck your players right in and get them seriously wanting to take on the villain for his own evil rather than the rewards they can get, you should buy this book.

I found myself using this book over and over again in order to gain interesting hints on how to flesh out believable villains and other bogies. It gives clear, readily usable, and concise tactics of creation of everything starting with the antagonists and finishing with their dinner habits. Can be used in any system.

Yes for anyone who does glass painting, especially faux stained glass, this is a MUST HAVE for glass painting reference libraries. This is the only cfraft I do and I was amazed at the number of things I learned from these guys. Also the problems I've had in the past were resolved in such a way that went away thinking "Why didn't I think of that?"...because I didn't have this book! I'm on the hunt for more from these same artists/authors.

We have been so excited with the continued success of this, our first book. Worldwide sales of this title have now exceeded 50,000 which we think makes it the best selling book on glass painting. Don't miss our other books and our new book, The Complete Guide to Stamping is published in March 2004. If you have access to broadband internet, you can see our regular TV show, Alan & Barry's Craft Choice and a host of other shows on www.createandcraft.tv. We can also be seen regularly on HGTV in the United States.

Since I am a beginner to glass painting and have one book on the subject I was looking for something more comprehensive that covered other techniques. After reading the review and previewing from amazon's "look inside", I had to buy the book. "The Complete Guide to Glass Painting, is just what it says, it is a good start for beginners and and provides lots of projects, techniques and motifts for the more advanced glass painter. There are so many techniques I never though of that was not covered in my one glass book. When the book first arrived in the mail, I glanced through it quickly; now I am reading the book word for word so as not to miss a great tip. Each page is well designed and layed out for easy reading and understanding with visual direction. You can't go wrong. For those who have more knowedge, this book has 400 motifs to use or combine to create fantastic glass paintings and projects that spark ideas. If you must have a glass painting book, this will be the only one you will need. Allan and Barry, thanks for sharing your 20 years of experience, this is a great book. If the authors ever collaborated to produce anther book; I will be looking out for more of them.

If you just are getting one book about glass painting to try the hobby out then this is a good choice. It has a good overview of the materials available, step by step instructions for different techniques and templates to trace over (glass is perfect for tracing ;-) so you can get started on some small projects. The color pictures are plentiful and pretty, and the price is not too high as one might expect with color pics. Even if you are just into crafts and later find that glass painting isn't your thing the templates and pics can carry over into other crafts.

This is a good book if you know you want to try glass painting out.

The techniques presented in this book is good enough for a beginner like me to get started. However, the projects given in this book was not enough to motivate me to try them. I've found that the book was not organised enough for a beginner to go through the projects and progress from there.

Having said all this though, I still think that the book is a good reference to have and coupled with other books like Glass Painting (The Art of Crafts series) by Naazish Chouglay, you could learn more and appreciate the art as well as the techniques behind glass painting.

As an OU fan and a person who remember Marcus Dupree light up Norman during his brief time, I was very excited to have a little bit more background on this fascinating person.

The book hits several different topics. Obviously his recruitment of many football schools at times take center stage. But much of the book also discusses the effect of a black athlete becoming a state hero in Mississippi and gaining fans of all races. The foil of Dupree's time to that of two decades earlier when three cival rights activists were brutally murdered by the Klan. And the author, Willie Morris, contrasting and comparing his life with what he sees around him while following Dupree.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great personal account that takes you back to 1981 Mississippi, civil rights, and the power of football.

This book is about the South and northern places in the mid 60's-80's. To be sure it is about a gifted black athlete having to survive a white society that wants somehow to be with him in his quest for greatness. Much more than that, this book is about racism at its core, promise, insecurity, and reluctant goodness, and we should hope that Morris's honest and understandable "sorta" autobiographical dissertation on his homeland Mississippi will compel us to take another look at where we are as a society. We should not let Pete, Willie's mid-life dog, be the best of what we can be.

This is a must read-especially for the young athletes of today. This man was a legend! Hands down the best running back in the country during his era!
Having met him, he's a modest, humble man who loves football and loves his hometown. Would love to see this made into a movie!
Get it, you won't be disappointed!

I recently read "The Courting of Marcus Dupree" and found it to be exciting and spell binding. My entire family was caught up in it. The book is an excellent tale of the birth of a young Black male in a troubling time for the South. The way Willie Morris related Marcus' birth and powerful strength to the struggle of his town and state was awesome, he should be the Mayor of Philadelphia or the Governor of Mississippi. I expected the book to be totally about football but it proved to be much more. It made you laugh and cry at times because of the tremendous pressure on Marcus Dupree, the 17 year old athlete that was blessed with such miraculous skills. The book made you feel like you were at the games when he made some of the beautiful plays. It was so intense that you wanted to get to the next page, but never wanted the book to end. I wish it was reprinted.

I read this book again recently and it was better than I remembered. It was so interesting to see how one 17 year old boy could dominate one small town's conversations. I expected this book to be a tale of a high school football star and his recruitment, but I got more, much more. Willie Morris examines the importance of football in Mississippi and how Marcus brought blacks and whites together with his play. He had insight in to Marcus that nobody outside of his family and high school coach could have had. Overall, a great read.

This is a good book. I highly recommend it to Ga. fans. UGA is a staple of the entire Georgia program and his lovable story is one that all college football fans can enjoy. I recommend "A Tailgater's Guide To SEC Football" as well for any serious SEC Fans.

Even if you are not interested in the Bulldogs of Georgia you probably will find "Damn Good Dogs" a delightful book; beautifully illustrated, the book relates the history behind the English bulldogs that have become the University of Georgia's mascot beginning in 1956. Sonny Seiler, who has owned the bulldogs, has put together (with Kent Hannon), a pleasing book filled with many photographs. A chapter is devoted to each of the dogs relating their lives and what occurred while they were mascot and the growing fame of the Ugas. I first saw this book on a visit to Savannah and was charmed by it from the moment I opened the cover.

This is a large format book that was thoughtfully designed and is a great tribute to the remarkable dogs named Uga.

I am a lifelong University of Alabama fan but I have always known and admitted that Uga is - bar none - the coolest dog on the planet. And any dog who bites back at an Auburn player knows his football! My all-time favorite was Uga V and I was thrilled when he was rightfully named the greatest mascot ever by Sports Illustrated and made their cover. I was also excited to see this book.

This book is a great overview of the lives of the Ugas, their owners, and the Georgia football program. If you love dogs and college football, you'll love this book.

Despite the fact that I am from Georgia Tech, the long time feud of UGA, sarcastically, I am also an English bulldog lover, having owned 2 English bullies in my life thus far. I highly recommend this book to all bulldog lovers, even if they are not associated with UGA.

Guaranteed to please all Georgia fans and English Bulldog lovers, this entertaining book contains the individual stories of six beloved Ugas who have served as mascots for the University of Georgia since 1956. Filled with delightful photos, illustrations and memorabilia spanning nearly five decades, it is loaded with fun facts, heartwarming stories--even poems written in their honor. Uga flies free on Delta, has an air-conditioned doghouse and an official Student ID Card, eats steak, attends social affairs, occasionally wears a tux, has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, in Coca Cola ads, in Playboy magazine, in Animals Who's Who, on credit cards, in movies, TV shows--and more! Following lavish funeral tributes, Ugas I through V were interred in a mausoleum at Sanford Stadium with inspiring epitaphs outlining their achievements engraved on bronze tablets. Uga VI has already made a name for himself "woofing" his encouragement to a well-deserved SEC title in 2002. GO DAWGS and long live Uga VI.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down until the last page. The story and the players just gripped me an wouldnt let go. Too bad Justine Dare doesn't write more like this kind of book. I'm a big fan from now on (Thriller/Romance). Hopefully will get more......

This is the first time I've ever felt it necessary to review a book I've read. Justine Dare has written it so well, that it was totally captivating from the first page to the last. Remember how a soap opera's last scene is made so intense, that you just have to see it the next day to see what happened? This is how Justine's chapters end. I couldn't put the book down until finished reading it. And I will read it again. It was that good :) I graciously thank Amazon for referring it to me.

Lake, the Gray Wolf of Dare's WOLF pack, a covert ops group, returns to his home town. Hunting him is one of the villans from DANGEROUS GROUND, but Lake has to face some old demons before he can take care of the new ones. The town of Jewel, CO is holding a grudge for a childhood mistake, and only newcomer, the owner of a local art gallery sees past the outside, with the help of his emotional paintings. This is an intese book, and an edgey thriller, with some very interesting characters. A must-read for suspense fans.

I could not put this book down. The twist at the end was totally unexpected. I liked the fact that the characters didn't fight too long and hard about their feelings for each other. This book is definately a keeper!!

Once again, Justine Dare has taken a tormented hero and given him another chance at love. This book deals with the Gray Wolf of the Wolf Pack -- and his story is completely absorbing. What's really nice too are the heroine's self-reliance and independence, and a sweet love story as a second plot line. You care about these people -- and you understand them completely. It's what I enjoy most about JD's writing.

Just like the title said,this was truly a great book!The Hardys and Nancy,George,and Bess(Nancys two best friends,George is a girl)go to L.A. to solve a case.George likes this guy named Ragnar (what kind of name is that?!!I wonder why his mom named him that)and he and his sister are in danger.They solve the case with a litte jealousybfrom Ned.He and Nancy work it out as usual.But it was still a pretty good book.One of Keene's greatest!

THIS BOOK IS SO COOL. IT HAS ALOT OF NANCY/FRANK STUFF & NED IS IN IT THOUGH. I NEVER COULD HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT MYSTERY. NED AND NANCY GET INTO A SORT-OF ARGUMENT AND NED GETS MAD. AND THE MYSTERY CLUES ARE REALLY COOL. ITS A GREAT BOOK. IT WAS THE FIST IN THE SERIES I GOT TO READ. ITS MY FAVORITE. I RECOMEND IT TO ALL WHO IS A FAN OF NANCY DREW.

This is one great book! it was intruiging and suspenseful. It is one of the best books! This story has all the right points to a great mystery. There is romance between frank and nancy. Although stuiped ned comes into the story. You never no what is going to happen I recommend this book!

i waited 5 years before i finally managed to get a hold of this book and i wasn't disappointed. its got a great mystery and lots of nancy/frank stuff, cute jokes and things. the mystery isn't too obvious-some you can figure out before the end and except for the fact that stupid ned was in it i have no complaints.i definately recommend this to any nancy drew and hardy boys fan

I really like Nancy Drew books, but as I got older, I wanted more romance worked into the mystery as well. When I read Dangerous Games, that wish was granted. It's a really, really, good book, if you like a little romance and mysteries. This book is close to number 1 on my favorite list, and I hope you get the chance to read it!

It startd out as just another run-away investigation. A pretty Paiute girl, sick of her life on the reservation, heads to Hollywood hoping to make it rich in the sex trade. Private detective Jack Lifey won't make her go home to the abuse she faced there, but he does want to talk to her, make sure she's following her own plans.

The invetigation is only one of Jack's problems. His daughter is shot in a drive-by shooting, his girlfriend police detective Gloria Ramirez is havin problems with their relationship and Jack can't seem to get away with his impossible wish to save everyone, even if they don't want to be saved.

Author John Shannon writes a moving tale that goes far beyond a simple mystery. Jack Lifey is a perfect everyman, but also a man who maintains his hope no matter what. The Los Angeles setting comes to life, whether Jack is patrolling the lowest sewers of the porn business or visiting the homes of the elite in Malibu or nearby Rancho Mirage. Fans of Jack Lifey will want to grab DANGEROUS GAME fast. If you're new to John Shannon, you're in for a treat

Whether you're someone who has followed Jack Liffey from his first appearance in print, or a lucky reader who just found this mystery series, you are sure to become a lasting fan. John Shannon brings this character to life with creative writing excellence. Readers are not only caught up in the life and loves of Jack Liffey and his daughter, Maeve, but are colorfully transported in each John Shannon novel through the historic streets of the greater Los Angeles area. This latest John Shannon thriller, "Dangerous Games," keeps the reader emotionally involved from the first chapter through to the exciting end of the read. Don't miss this book. It is John Shannon's best, so far.

First and foremost, Shannon's "Dangerous Games" is a good story well told. The relationships among the ongoing cast of characters continue to unfold around a plot that accelerates to a satisfying conclusion.

Equally importantly, Shannon captures the complexity and contradictions of Los Angeles in a way few writers have. He sees what an ugly and shallow place it can be, and yet still clearly loves it. He recognizes what a magnet it is to the rootless, yet is grounded in its history. He understands what a sprawling megalopolis this place is, yet knows that most of us live in neighborhoods, each with its own character. And, he understands the effects the climate and topography have on our lives. The final scenes, for example, are set in the middle of a Santa Ana condition, so that the edgy danger of the winds and even the color and light in the sky almost become characters themselves.

A good story with a strong sense of place. If you're in L.A. read it before October, when the Santa Anas kick in.

John Shannon's books just keep getting better and better. He's a writer who is not afraid to walk around on the wild side of the brain.

Some books are like candy: you read them, find them delicious, and then hope they didn't leave you too fat or too lame.

Other books are like haggis: they're interesting and intriguing. You like to read about them and you would have liked to have experienced them yourself so you could tell people about them, but when you actually get one in front of you, you don't really want to taste it. Get this thing away from me!

Shannon's books are like a good pastrami sandwich on rye: complex, fun to read, delicious. They fill your brain with wonderful flavors, and--when you are done--you can argue endlessly with your friends about whether this one was as good as the last one and about whether there is a better one out there somewhere or not.

This is a great book. All the books in this series are excellent. They'll keep you pasted to your couch for sure. And they will engage your brain, not just vaguely pass through it as so many mysteries do. All I can say is order one, let the mailman bring it to your table, and sit back and enjoy. I don't recommend you put mustard on it...but to each her own.

This has to be the best book I have read in years. the dialogue is so real you would think you were standing on the corner of Soto and Brooklyn talking to the people that hang out there. I started this and could not put it down until I finished. Shannon is getting better and better.

This books is great! Great ideas and beautiful art. Thank you Dyan for sharing your craft with us!

This book has wonderful photos and lots of GREAT ideas for beginners and advanced gourd decorating enthusiasts! It will surely inspire the artist in all of us!

This is the first book I purchased on the way to becoming a gourd crafter--I chose it not only because of the unusual and beautiful designs, but for Dyan Peterson's easy and encouraging approach/tone which other reviewers have pointed out. For me,the most valuable suggestion from this book has been to "branch out" and try unusual designs. Dyan Peterson's style (earthtones, natural designs and embellishments) is what originally attracted me. I'm not one for santas and cute pumpkins--these projects are somewhat more art than craft-oriented. I highly recommend this to seasoned gourd crafters who want to try something new, or to artists like myself who are interested in painting, sculpture and pottery and are looking for a new medium (an addicting one at that!) to experiment with. As Dyan Peterson would say, Happy Gourd Days!

As a novice in crafting with gourds this book gave me all the information from choosing a gourd to cutting, staining or painting, and creating texture to a gourd. Worth the money for anyone starting out on gourd crafting. Excellent resorce.

Awesome book! All around very detailed directions & photos for many beautiful projects. Plenty of inspiration to go around too, take a technique & expand. Wonderful book!

Like most rulebooks, this book reads like stereo instructions. It is, however, everything a DM or player of basic D&D.

I can't say too much from my own experience. I bought this as a gift. But the recipient was thrilled and says he 'had a weekend long "geekfest" because of this book'! :) (Those were his exact words, I swear!)

This is a very good resource book for not only D&D, AD&D, but also newer versions of the game. I use it for ideas in running a Castles and Crusades game. It is one of the best gaming books ever printed by TSR, possibly the best period. Find it and buy it!

The Rules Cyclopedia is the type of rulebook that 3rd Edition D&D lacks. Rather than requiring a library worth of books, everything you need to play the game is contained in this one, straightforward and well organized volume. Character, Monster, Treasure and Adventuring rules are all contained within these pages. This book, plus pencil, paper and dice are all a player and DM need for an evening of fantasy adventure. If Wizards of the Coast produced a book like this for 3rd edition, I would buy it in an instant.

The D&D Rules Cyclopedia is undoubtedly a classic. Every rule from the Basic to Masters boxed sets is covered in a very easy-to-read format. Multiple coloured maps of major Known World countries are in this book, along with brief descriptions. Additionally, an entire coloured map of both the Known World and Hollow World. A multitude of monsters are presented, including ones inhabiting the outer planes of existence. Every piece of information you could want about beginning any character and advancing to the hghest possible level also here. Tips for the DM on starting and running a campaign. Every other rule concerning combat encounters (very easy-to-understand) evasion, movement (both on foot and on any conceivable other mode of transportation, from ship to wagon, to horse etc.) Many treasure and magical item tables are very useful. Information on how players advance by acquiring treasure etc. One of the most useful things is a "Balancing Encounters" table which, although optional for the DM, allows him/her to always create fair encounters that will challenge players. Whether you're experienced or a newcomer, this book is truly a must-have, a reference work for D&D players of all levels and DM's.

Long, long ago a company known as FASA was busy going way against the flow, releasing all kinds of highly original roleplaying material that went against the standard Dungeons and Dragons norm. In 2001 FASA quit producing games, and instead licensed their products out to other companies. Earthdawn was FASA's crowning fantasy achievement, an incredibly detailed completely original world with it's own special flavor and feel. The basic concept behind Earthdawn is that most of the peoples of the world have taken to hiding for over four hundred years. Creatures known as Horrors have come from deep out of astral space and are systematically destroying everything and everyone. As the magically adept of the world had prior knowledge that this Scourge was approaching, they built vast underground cities, in hopes that they could wait until the horrors either died or returned to their home realms. People are now returning to the surface to find a wild and untamed land. Adventurers-a-plenty will be needed to search for survivors, plunder destroyed cities, and fend off the few remaining Horrors.

The races in Earthdawn have much more of their histories, backgrounds, and tendencies described than can be found in most other roleplaying games. There is the standard elves, dwarves, and humans, but also races not normally used by players like orks, trolls, obsidman (a human like race made of stone), windlings (tiny people with wings), and the T'skrang (a reptilian species with a flair for the dramatic). There is a good mix of classes, which are known as Disciplines in Earthdawn. The class mix falls somewhere between the simplicity of D&D, which essentially has four class types with a few variations, and the absurdity of the Warhammer roleplaying game, which has hundreds of classes. The Sky Raider, a sort of aerial pirate with a deep code of honor and a variety of cool abilities, is probably the most interesting warrior variant in any roleplaying game.

Character creation is focused firmly on roleplaying, with a whole section devoted to fleshing out a character's personality traits, phyiscal attributes, and moral/ethical beliefs. Essentially all characters in the game are magic users to some extent (called Adepts), as most skills require the use of minor magic. The actual spell casting classes are divided into four types - wizard, illusionist, ethermancer, and elementalist, all of which cast their spells slightly differently. The magic system itself is rather complex, and is intimately tied to everyday life in Earthdawn, which keeps it constantly just at the back of everyone's minds. The only downside to playing Earthdawn is the rule system, which is much more complex than Dungeons and Dragons, and will take some getting used to if your group has been playing D20 games. Once you get the hang of them, though, the style of play is quite fun. A host of supplemental resource books were created for Earthdawn, which are all out of print now. If you can get your hands on them, you'll find a very rich and detailed setting where the characters will have a chance to play an important role in either uniting or causing strife between the various countries and governments emerging from underground. If political intrigue isn't your cup of tea, remember that there is all kinds of dungeon diving mayhem to be had in Earthdawn as well.

If your roleplaying group is up for a change, definitely give Earthdawn a try, as it is one of the best fantasy role-playing games out there.

I had not been roleplaying rpg's in awhile until a friend of a friend told me about Earthdawn, and how great it was. Great it is! The mechanics of gameplay are all based essentially on a single step table that makes the game easy and complex. Overall a worthy addition to any fantasy roleplaying enthusiast. Only problem is Earthdawn is out of print! so get it while it lasts - (or get the main rulebook and create your own!)

For all you Earthdawn fans out there who don't already know this great game has been picked up by Living Room Games and they'll be releasing a 2nd edition starting this Spring. You can reach Living Room Games website at http://www.lrgames.com be sure to keep an eye out for them. Let's all rejoice in the return of the greatest RPG ever and continue to give Earthdawn our full support.

Buy it, play it, feel it! FASA takes you to a new dimension in fantasy role-playing. Get it while it's still available!!! The thing that makes Earthdawn so special is that it captures all the elements that is needed from a cutting-edge role-playing game. Mystique, adventure, unexplored frontiers, lurking evil powers, conspiracies etc. FASA has made the land of Barsaive come to life unlike anything I've ever experienced before (and belive me, I've been around!). From the bottom of my heart I urge you to buy this product and join me, and many more around the globe, in the gaming experience of a lifetime!

Earthdawn was FASA's brilliant attempt for an original roleplaying game in a fantastic sword and sorcery (and more sorcery) fantasy settings.

The game's premise is that the different civilizations are returning to surface life after 400 years of living in underground citadels. Their ancestors had fled to these citadels to escape an invasion of monstrous beings that had been brought by the rising tide of magical energies in the world.

The setting is rich, with tremendous roleplaying potential. Player characters may interact in the re-emerging governments and politics. They may serve as diplomats or warriors in nation disputes over land that has been unclaimed for centuries.

The setting also provides the best justification for ancient ruins and dungeon-searching adventures of any system I have encountered. An unknown number of citadels were overcome by the invading creatures during the 400 year period and even more were lost when their inhabitants attempted to return to the surface too soon. Players may be contracted to clear out the caves, or search for an artifact. The book offers a listing of several common foes, including soldiers of the different races but also several variants of the evil supernatural beings that have been left behind in their species' recent exodus.

The character races feature standard fantasy faire: orks, humans, elves, dwarves, trolls, and also some added variety with a lizard/human race, a species of rock men, and faeries.
The professions are even better, with over 10 to choose from. Each profession uses magic in accordance with its associated skills, from warrior abilities for toughening skin to thieving skills to make the person nearly undetectable.

The only drawback to the system is the complexity. There is a steps/ranks table for handling all skill uses (including spells and combat), and I have no complaints for it. But character advancement becomes complicated because of the character customization. However, I personally view the trade-off as more than worthwhile.