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This is a beautiful book with comprehensive text. It is written in common English that anyone should understand. I already have a copy I received as a gift and bought this copy for my grandaughter who will enter college this year to study Art History.

That may sound a bit strange, but this is a great book to take on the plane or train with you -- or even to the beach.

It is a compact volume (though about 1 1/2 inches thick). Because of this compact format the text is in front (thin paper) with the plates in back. Phaidon provides two ribbon bookmarks. That also means that it is easiest to read using both hands.

That said, Gombrich leads the reader along with a style somewhere between a conversation and a lecture -- more like what you might expect from a learned uncle or family friend. Pleasant delivery, but leaving you no doubts about the value of the information that is to be passed along.

There may even be an advantage to having the plates in the back. I found myself dwelling on them perhaps a little longer than if they had been in with the text -- and the text calling for my attention.

You can read this book in long sessions, or in little bits. It doesn't matter, because the information is always there, and in the case of this book, the journey itself is important.

Enjoy.

An excellent book in an easy to read formatt. My professor used it for my art history class. Beautirul illistrations. Highly recommended. Great reference book as well.

For somebody interested in art, a book with many pictures is easy to read and enjoy.

The convenience of the pocket edition is incredible and the quality of the images and analysis is excellent.

This book is very easy to follow and informative for the beginner to advanced reader. This is my personal favorite book on the tarot cards. This book is divided in suits, as all 3's are placed together, etc. This makes it so easy to find the card info that you are looking for quick! When I do a reading and refer to it in this book, something in the reading of a particular card that I am searching the meaning to just jumps out and BINGO, this is what I need to hear at the time. Overall, this is a SUPERB BOOK that will get you started in this. I sometimes refer to the cards when I have a question. The cards just give me more advice and insight than anything else. The readings and answers given show me what MAY happen if I do nothing to change the situation. I do not look at this as a fortune telling but more of advice and getting my questions answered. This is why the cards help. Only I can work on my future!

I must say this is one of the best books on interpreting the Robin Wood deck that I have found. I have been reading with the Robin Wood deck for going on 12 years and the explanations that the author gives are great. His meaning of the cards has enhanced what I have learned from the book written by the author. So the only thing you really need besides this book is the one written by Robin Wood.

When I was gifted my first deck of cards 6 (almost 7) years ago, I purchased this book, as it was highly recommended. I haven't purchased another book about tarot in all this time. And even though I've been reading cards for awhile, I still check this book out on occasion. I think it's an excellent book if you're just starting out. Although I've never purchased any other books on tarot to compare it to, I've never had the need to. Personally, I think that says a lot for this book's perspective and content.

The only additional information I've really ever looked up was spreads. Although this book has a few, it doesn't have very many. (But google can take care of that matter with ease.)

As much as reading cards may be intuitive, I'd still recommend any beginner to have this book on hand. The books that come with tarot decks generally don't have information comparable to this one. And considering how inexpensive it is to buy this book used, you'll more than get your money's worth!

My beginning students were showing up to class with this book and I found that their instincts about it were right - it is clear and comprehensive. The author has some wonderfully keen insights, easy to understand card meanings, including reversals, and thought provoking exercises. He used the Robin Wood deck for illustrations, a deck that could be termed a Waite-based deck, and this is refreshing as it is a personal favorite of mine and is one of the most popular decks available -- even after all these years.

Why bother with Tarot? In the words of Anthony Louis, "The Tarot awakens our intuitive abilities." You will find nothing could be truer. Mr. Louis then explains that after a certain amount of experience with the cards, using intuition, the cards and their positions in a spread will suggest meanings outside the textbooks. This is what any good Tarot teacher wants his students to work toward. This book is a good place to begin that journey.

Mr. Louis uses the Robin Wood Tarot for illustrations, which is absolutely my favorite deck and number one reading deck. The Robin Wood is intuitively drawn, colorful, lively, and encourages unique interpretation for each individual. Mr. Louis has a fresh, new approach to presenting the cards, which I like very much. Rather than grouping all of a suit together, which most books do, he gathers all Aces, all twos, all threes, etc. It's a different way of looking at the cards, and is very insightful. He includes a short introduction to each group of numbers. If you get a disproportionate group of one number in your spread, this will give you a feel for what that particular number is telling you. Also, I like that he includes the "Fool's Journey," which will help you get acquainted with each of the Major Arcana.

Mr. Louis includes advice on how to spread the cards. I absolutely love his "theme and variations" spread, which I use to tell a story that will play out over time. This spread is a great place to start. It is simple enough for a beginner, but still detailed enough to receive helpful insight. Also, his suggestion to master the Celtic Cross, which I have found to be my most helpful spread, is good advice. This, I feel, is a natural progression from the "theme and variations." If you practice it, it will become second nature.

I would highly recommend you take his advice to keep a Tarot journal. I have devised a system of color-coded shorthand for each card so I can easily record the spreads. Looking back over past spreads, you may come to see how spreads played out over time, enabling you to gain an even deeper understanding of what each card means to you.

After you have been working with your deck for some time, go back and reread the beginning chapters and the Fool's Journey. You will find they have both deeper meaning and different advice for you. You will notice things that slipped by the first time. With this book, you will be well on your way into the world of Tarot!

This is probably my favorite book in the whole series. Wonder a thoroughbred filly, is ruined during training but Ashleigh Griffen, a 13-year old girl, Charlie, a retired trainer and Jilly, a young jockey believe she still has potential. They work hard with her and the ending is so wonderful and relieving.

Just like the first book in the series, this book has be glued to it. Once again, this book is great for any young reader who's a horse fanatic. You really get a better look at the bond between wonder and ashleigh.

this is probably my favorite book of the whole series!(not that i've read them all) It's great, great, great! So...I would defintely reccomend this to any1!

A boy, Digory, and a girl, Polly, are friends who have a secret place by Digory's uncle's attic, and they accidentally stumble into his attic. Digory's uncle is a magician and he uses Digory and Polly as an experiment on his newest trick. He brought them to a different world and when they came back, Digory's uncle went with them for a second trip and ended up in a place called Narnia. They met talking animals and the king of the beasts have a mission for Digory and Polly. When they finish, they find out a witch has followed them and she is trying to take over that world. Digory and Polly make things a little easier on the animals, and bring Digory's uncle back home. Digory's mother was very sick, so he and Polly went back and got some healing medicine for her, but will it work?

Ashleigh is worried about Wonder after failing to get trained by somebody other than Ashleigh. When Wonder's trainer gives up, Ashleigh tries to train Wonder and soon she succeeds. At first Ashleigh was worried because Wonder threw her. It was hard for her to believe that the horse she had raised would do such a thing. When Wonder proved she could be a racehorse like her owner had hoped, he agreed to let Ashleigh train her thoroughly. Asheigh couldn't have been more happier till a jockey friend, Jilly, was chosen to race Wonder. The End.

The book was used, but in very good shape. I bought it for my ex-mother inlaw, I didn't tell her it was a used book and she never knew otherwise. :)

In this book, a brilliant and sadistic serial killer is targeting Irish immigrants in New York. His methods are sickeningly brutal, and each death is different. With the very first death the killer draws Eve into the mix, calling her to boast about the murder and to give her a riddle to lead her to it.

Evidence points straight to Summerset, Roarke's devoted 'servant' and friend and the bane of Eve's domestic existence. While it quickly becomes obvious he's being set up, proving that in an official capacity is another matter.

While there's a familiar theme here of Eve's cases bringing her into conflict with and causing her to investigate the very people she cares about, it's carried off far better in this volume than in some of the others. Summerset's reasons for distrusting police are extremely well-founded and far too deep-set for him to shake off. The reasons why Eve can figure out that he's innocent but can't easily keep him out of jail are clever and believable.

A new and highly entertaining series character puts in an appearance (McNab, a flamboyant electronics expert with the police force). Eve and Summerset are forced to stretch (and break) their veneer of civility. And Eve and Roarke have to face, and embrace, more of his past than she's even been aware of up until now. There are no easy answers, and their only chance lies in being able to manipulate and outwit a killer who believes he's the instrument of God's vengeance.

The character development is beautiful, the pacing and tension are gripping, and the mystery is fascinating. I highly recommend this volume of Robb/Roberts's in death series.

The J D Robb series has me hooked. I was very happy that Amazon has back copies on had at a reasonable price.

I love this series... you must read it to understand. It's all about a homicide detective named Lt. Eve Dallas and how she goes about solving a case which always seems imposibble to solve at first.

This book is well written. I do not enjoy reviews that give too much of the storyline away, suffice I should say this book does not let me down from the previous Lieutenant Eve Dallas series. However, it will stand-alone, you do not have to read any other book in this series to know what is going on with it. I would not spoil it for you if I were to tell you that the murders start off extremely grisly and get very personal to the investigator. You gotta' love this book because, Lt. Eve will not stop until the killer is found. The suspense kept me going till the end.

David,

I have the February 83 Analog beside me right now, am reading Tracking in Analog, re-read the ending of Emergence just this morning, and re-read the whole thing a few months back. The original novel still carries every bit of the impact it did all those years ago. In my opinion, this is the finest science fiction book I've ever read, topping even David Brin's best work.

Have you seen the mid-July prices for the used paperbacks? They simply must re-print Emergence, and this time with that wonderful February '83 cover, the one that made us all wish we were Melville.

I read this book years ago, and while I do agree that it is a bit dated, the overall book is a keeper and a reread on my bookshelf. Just to let you know, the further adventures of Candy et al have been serialized in ANALOG science fiction magazine and I found it very disappointing, somewhat disturbing, and not worth getting excited about.

Emergence was a great read! When i find a book that is well written enough to entice multiple reads i place it on my shelf of favorites. With Emergence I was intrigued and immensely enjoyed Terry.... many of his phrases have become part of my household's frequent repartee. I have been aching for more, and i hope that once you read Emergence, Candy and Terry will have become as special to you as they are to me. happy reading!

First read this in high school; borrowed from library. Captivating then; memories of first read motivated search for own copy. Found used on Amazon; purchased; enjoyed repeatedly. Just as good on second, third, fourth reads, etc. Fell in love with Candy, also with author's unique use of language.

Have now read first two parts of serialized sequel ("Seeking," to be published as novel soon); said sequel so far EVERY BIT as wonderful as original. Can't wait for October issue of "Analog" to read third (final) part; SO much left to happen, resolve.

Experience of reading this book **well** worth high price of currently-available used copies, even if reprint on the way soon. Number one on my list of favorite books ever read. As title says, extraordinary.

Hi, people. I hope the webmaster's rules permit this.

First, thanks for your enduring loyalty. It's been 25 years since my last book.

Some of you will be pleased to learn that "Tracking," the sequel to "Emergence," is being serialized in three parts by Analog SF magazine, commencing with the July/August double issue, due out toward the end of this month. Inchoate talk are also underway with Wormhole Press to bring "Tracking" out as a hardcover and paperback sometime next year.

Secondly, I've also completed "Spcial Education" (dunno if that'll show up properly in HTML; it's "special," with a long-vowel diacritical bar over the "e," as in "species"), sequel to "Threshold."

Thirdly, I just finished "Schrödinger's Frisbee," an unrelated SF novel about a boy and his dog, his girlfriend -- and alien abduction.

And finally, a movie option has been sold for "Emergence"; a screenplay now exists. The efforts of anyone who wishes to join me in breath-holding and finger-crossing will be appreciated.

Wormhole Press is equally interested in them, and in rereleasing "Emergence" and "Threshold." Check back here occasionally on amazon.com; coerce your local booksellers. Tell two friends; ask them to tell two friends, etc. Repeat this to a depth of 20 conversations and you've alerted over a million friends.

Thanks again for your enthusiasm and patience -- and for the kind thoughts embodied in the occasional, somewhat premature eulogies I've read here and on other websites.

Very truly,

David R. Palmer

Sharon is accused of killing her best friend Ann. Three witnesses heard everything, though they didn't see it. They heard Ann scream at Sharon, and then they heard her fall over the edge of a cliff. Her body has not been found, but they know she must be dead and the only logical conclusion is that Sharon killed her. But Sharon knows she didn't do it. So why did Ann scream like that? Did she commit suicide? Or was it revenge?

This is the basic premise, though by chapter two, you know what's going on. The book isn't about the question of why Ann did what she did. It's about a friendship gone wrong. It's about grief. It's about loss. It's about revenge. But mainly it's about obsession and how it destroys.

This book is a bit of a retread of Gimme a Kiss. That being said, I think it's a good story in its own right. I think Pike took the basic premise of GAK and improved on it.
There might be parts of the story that strain at credibility, but nothing that would really take away from the pleasure of reading it.

As for the characters, I did feel invested in them. Sharon had a lot of personality. I also enjoyed reading Ann's point of view. Ann is a bitter, nasty person but I really felt for her. She seemed so lonely and I felt so sorry for her. She was a more sympathetic character than Jane in Gimme a Kiss.
The bottom line is that it's a good read if you're 13 and into these kinds of books.

The one thing I felt was lacking was more depth in regards to some of the major characters. I felt like I never got a sense of who Jerry was when he was alive. Well, not enough of a sense of him. I didn't really know much about what his relationship was like with Ann before he died, and therefore, whether or not she blamed herself for his death. Even though he wasn't technically in the book, his was a constant presence. So I wanted to know more about him. That's about all I can think of.

This is the first Pike book I've ever read. And this book is a must read. I enjoyed it very much. Once you start reading this, you wont be able to put it down. There is a surprise waiting on every page you turn (: The murderer was the last person I thought it would be. This book is very exciting and leaves you wondering. There is a huge twist at the end. The end was okay for me. But I didn't find the end very satisfying. But overall, the book was very good. For any fans of Pike, this is a must read. Hope you enjoy (:

Fall Into Darkness is a really good book if you like horror, romance, drama, and a huge twist. The characters are Ann, Sharon, Paul, and Jeff. Jeff is accusing Sharon of pushing Ann off a cliff. Read this book to find out if she is guilty or not.
Steven, Grade 5 Rhode Island.

this was the best book i've ever read. I don't like reading books as much, but this one really caught my attention.

Fall into Darkness is a great book. It is definitely surprising. It was suspenseful, mysterious, and amazing.It's sooooo good that there's a movie on it. Pike definitely catches the reader's attention. I LOVE this book. This is one of my favorite Christopher Pike book.

The story is really epic and introduces you to a new world. However I felt that some of the characters were more symbols than characters.

With the exception of Bulgakov I don't care much for Soviet literature. I could never finish Dr. Zhivago or Quiet Flows the Don. This book I did enjoy. Particularly the parts that dealt with the jewish physicist (I forgot his name) and his family. The letter he receives from his mother before she's deported is probably the most memorable part of the novel. Some people compare it to War and Peace. I wouldn't go that far but it is good enough that you might want to read it again as I plan to some day.

One of the most relevant, startling and magnificent novels never read. Awe-inspiring from start to finish: for the characters themselves, their historical counterparts, the author's world and the world at large. Evokes the Greek idea of "necessity;" no understanding, truth without any value, no solid principles, no foundation. You don't read the story: you tumble through it, terrified, grasping blindly for something to stabilize the free fall.

Read it. Completely compelling. If you think the Russians are a mystical and unknowable depth, this book will not disabuse you. Best war novel I ever read.

This masterpiece published by New York Review of Books Classics enters my Top 5 among novels by James Joyce (Ulysses), Proust (La Recherche du Temps Perdu), Tolstoy (War and Peace) and Gaddis (JR): it is pure genius in its epic scope. Inspired by Tolstoy's War and Peace and the siege of Russia by Napoleon, Grossman depicts the siege of Stalingrad by Hitler. Grossman narrates the epic from the perspectives of diverse players into whose lives the reader becomes immersed. The cast is vast and the Russian names are daunting to track but Grossman enables us to understand what it was like to experience the fate of Russians in World War II. The catastrophe was overwhelming as millions of people's lives were adversely impacted by the power of two great warring states on the front lines of Stalingrad. Yet somehow the resourcefulness, courage, strength, faith and every virtue of her people, tested under the worst human conditions, Russia was able to withstand the siege of Hitler only to suffer subsequently the immense cruelty of Stalin. The writing in this novel is nothing short of magnificent: it is great literature and profound philosophy by a novelist who knew his subject thoroughly. It's no wonder that Stalin wanted not only the manuscript but its carbon copies because the truth evident in this novel was certainly starkly and baldly critical of the State. At the end of the novel an old woman, Alexandra Vladmirovna, who to me symbolized Mother Russia, returns to the ruins of her home in Stalingrad and admires the spring sky wondering: "why the future of those she loved was so obscure and the past so full of mistakes, not realizing that this very obscurity and unhappiness concealed a strange hope and clarity, not realizing that in the depths of her soul she already knew the meaning of both her life and the lives of her nearest and dearest, not realizing that even though neither she herself nor any of them could tell what was in store, even though they all knew too well that at times like these no man can forge his own happiness and that fate alone has the power to pardon and chastise, to raise up to glory and to plunge into need, to reduce a man to labour camp dust, nevertheless neither fate, nor history, nor the anger of the State, nor the glory or infamy of battle has any power to affect those who call themselves human beings. No, whatever life holds in store -- hard won glory, poverty and despair, or death in a labour camp --they live as human beings and die as human beings, the same as those who have already perished: and in this alone lies man's eternal and bitter victory over all the grandiose and inhuman forces that ever have been or ever will be..." The translation by Robert Chandler was as masterful as the original writing itself: Chandler was articulate, true to the text and humble in bringing to light without affectation or coyness or ego the profundity of this master work. I wish there had been maps of the front lines, which I found on the Internet to help me gain my bearings with unfamiliar geography at http://users.pandora.be/stalingrad/maps/stanlingrad map 7.htm. Having read War and Peace, Grossman gives the master, Tolstoy, a real run for his money in this epic: don't let this masterpiece pass you by! It's a novel fated to change your life.

A marriage counselor suggested I read this book. I had been married for 12 years at the time and we let things go. We needed some direction. We will be married 18 years this summer. It was wonderful. It gave me new hope and a new perspective. I have given several copies away to friends whose marriage was in trouble and a few as wedding gifts. It's great for the newly married couple to the oh boy our marriage is in serious trouble. I have re-read it a few times, and each time I pull something different from it. I highly recommend it!

I highly recommend this book. If it's not on the rocks, then I still recommend it, as it shows you specific biblical references to marriage and how to treat your partner.

I recommend it for those contemplating marriage and who are already married. Dr Wheat's books can transform any marriage into one made in Heaven.

For a christian, it is literally amazing how very far I was from the biblical principles for marriage. This book showed me how to act in accordance with these principles and I found nothing vague about it! It clearly outlined the appropriate behavior for a married christian and I go back to it again and again to remind myself of the good that god has in store for me as a partner in a christian marriage. I continue to buy this book in volume and share it with everyone I know, as my marriage was so close to the edge that I am still in awe of the blessing I've received from this book. Putting biblical principles to practice in your marriage can produce amazing results! May you be as blessed by the biblical wisdom explained in this book as I have been.

If you are looking for "secular" advice on marriage this book is not for you. However, if you are ready to have the marriage that Jesus Christ planned for you to have this book will help you start living the love-life you deserve and are biblically commanded to have. Every ounce of Dr. Wheat's advice is based on His Word, yet it is written in an easy to read format including examples of couples that Dr. Wheat has counseled. A strong and Holy marriage is hard work and even harder in the world we live in today, but it is possible with help from God and a commitment to walk in His ways. I also HIGHLY recommend Sacred Marriage by Gary L. Thomas.Sacred Marriage

I've heard of the Quest Bible but now I'm happy that I've gotten one of my own. Great study bible and will help you to understand the scriptures read. I definitely recommend this to everyone who is thinking of buying a study Bible. Only downfall, the prints are not large...therefore, if you are looking for a BIG print Bible, this is not it but will definitely help you with your studying and understanding the Bible. The pages are very thin and can be torn easily if you're eagerly searching for a passage. Hope my review helps...

I am nearly 80 years old and find this Bible the best study Bible that money can buy. I was given one and now am giving it to friends who love to study the Bible.

Wonderful Bible. The sidebar questions are questions that most commonly come to mind when reading the Bible. The questions and answers can give you a new perspective on a familiar topic. I wish I had gotten this years ago.

In the past I have often been confused by the parables and some of the teachings spoken by Jesus Christ in the four gospels. The NIV Bible explains them very carefully by asking questions which allow the reader to understand what Jesus means. For example, in the book of Matthew Jesus teaches by saying "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." I had always been confused by this, but this bible gives this explanation "The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are poor in spirit. Those who recognize their spiritual poverty and see their need for God's help"

This is only one example of the many ways in which the Quest Bible helped to make God's word easier to comprehend for me. I trust that it will do the same for you :)

This book is very well written for young,independent readers. I really like the information printed on the margins as well as the content, maps, etc. I highly recommend this study Bible to anyone who wants a deeper understand of God's word.

This is one of just a couple of parenting books that I keep coming back to because its advice not only resonates with my parenting instincts, but offers solutions that work for my family. Playing in the way described in this book, and other ways, helps me stay connected with my child. Being connected makes life together more joyful and easier.

I've read many parenting books. I've haven't finish this one yet because I'm reading every chapter at least 2 times. It's giving me another ideas (Very good ideas) to connect and know my children. I follow some of its sugestions and worked for me. I really recommend it.

This book is wonderful! This is the first parenting book I've read that actually increased the joy in the house. I've been having more fun than I thought possible with my one very easy and one tempermental child.

The book contains really specific suggestions, like what to do in uncomfortable play situations such as when your child points his pretend gun at you. (tell him it's a love gun and it makes you fall in love with him).

Also, the book empathizes with the difficulty for a serious minded adult when it comes to being silly, and provides needed encouragement for being silly.

I have bought probably 20 books on parenting thru amazon, but I've never been tempted to review one before. usually they just aren't worth talking about. Not bad books, just not helpful for our difficult situation.

Now that mommy is silly, the six year old is soo much happier. And it seems to be working. We are more connected, and as a result the tempermental one is calmer.

This book is a little too "psycho babble" for me. The author gives a lot of explanations by describing moments between himself and his own children that I did not find helpful. I felt like the book could have been only a few pages long and still gotten the same message across. All he really needed to say was, "Play with your children, even during discipline."

I bought this book because I needed help with getting better at playing with my daughter. She always wants to play and I am busy or not in the mood. I was feeling so guilty and not a good mom that I started looking for books on how to be a better parent. After reading this book, I realized how important play is. Is not just a game but a way to build a stronger relationship with my daughter and learning what she is thinking and feeling. Through play she lets me know if she had a good day at the daycare.
I strongly recommend this book.