Non-fiction Books

I read this chapter book as a bed time story to my then 5 year old twins.
They really liked the different worlds at the top of the tree.
It was one of my favourites as a kid.

Short, self-contained, well-written chapters keep my children's attention. There are many characters for a young children's book, but the characters are very well described and each have their own special kirks. Great for reading aloud to young children.

I think the only reason I became an avid reader was because I was introduced to Enid Blyton books as a child. Born and raised in the tropics(part of the British Empire at one time), I found it hard to believe that I coudn't find them easily at bookstores here in the USA when I wanted to buy them for my daughter. I would say the first books I chose to pick up for her to read were the Wishing Chair series and the Faraway Tree series. I think they really represent what Enid Blyton's books are all about. Her books are not only imaginative and entertaining they contain good values and an appreciation of nature. For those children who are not ready for spine tinglers and chillers, her fairy tales create a warm, comforting setting with just the right touches of fun and humor to encourage even the most reluctant of readers to continue turning pages and asking for more. My daughter and I have since collected over 250 of her books. This year, I donated extra copies that I owned to her elementary school because I really believe that her books can reach out to any reluctant reader. My daughter said that she even found teachers reading them during their spare time. If you have spare copies of her books, please consider donating them to schools. Most school libraries are rarely able to obtain them.

I agree with Veronika that it is a shame that the book was changed. I am a teacher and read the original to a class and every child wanted the book. I ordered them copies from Amazon in the UK and the children were very disappointed with the new names, etc. They loved the book, however, and most of them read their copy many times and/or their parents read it to them. The four stars is for this edition, not the original. If you can get a copy of the original (used) I highly recommend it. There are some things in the original that I would recommend discussing. An example of this is Dame Slap and why we, hopefully, wouldn't see her slapping a student today and why.

I just received my copy of this book today.

I grew up with the Enid Blyton stories (in Australia) and adored the Faraway Tree collection.

My only problem with this collection is that it has been updated for "political correctness". No more Jo, Bessie and Fanny - it's Joe, Beth and Frannie. No [...] it's Rick. Saddest of all, no more Dame Slap. Nope, instead of slapping (from my quick glance at the book) she makes Rick put his hands on his head and stand in the corner. It's a bit of a shame we live in an age where people won't accept a classic story for what it is and need to change the author's own words for political correctness.
However, this being said. I think every child in America would benefit from these highly imaginitive stories from a wonderful author. To me, Enid Blyton is as good as J.K. Rowling (and I LOVE Harry Potter books too).
I'm sure my 3 daughters will love these stories as they get older, just as much as I did, and still do.

I was introduced to West through her book The Thinking Reed. I liked her obeservations of rich Europeans, as seen through the eyes of an American, in the era before the first world war. The Fountain Overflows takes place in Edwardian England and tells the story of an educated but impoverished family, told through the eyes of one of the young daughters. Whereas The Thinking Reed was a pleasurable, almost fluffy read for me, The Fountain Overflows raised issues that I feel it didn't answer. The father is a gambler and not emotionally dependable, and the effects on the children are alluded to at the end of the story, but then dropped. I would have liked West to stay more superficial, describing the fascinating details of family life, and leave the emotional analysis out of the story, since she didn't follow the emotional analysis through. This is a quibble, however. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fountain Overflows, and will be moving on to Black Lamb and Gray Falcon soon.

to be savored - a real treasure.
This book is hard to classify because it is both densely written, and yet, it is like cotten candy. If you like to be transported to another place and time, and enjoy writers who know how to use the English language, this is a book for you!

This was my first encounter with Dame Rebecca West's writing, but it won't be my last. Nearly every paragraph stood alone, as a description to savor or an emotion remarkably described. The characters linger long after the book is closed. I believe that someone has suggested that they are somewhat Dickensian, with which I would agree. The plot conveys to the reader a deep understanding of the frustrations encountered by women whose lives are held in thrall by men who are indifferent to their wellbeing.

The only thing that keeps this book from being 5-stars in my mind are occasional spots where you want it to move more quickly. Its subtlety and richness make it a book well worth revisiting.

A general comment about the Classics series of the New York Review of Books. I am particularly pleased to have discovered this series for two reasons. First, because of the beauty of the books themselves; the cover art is of a very high quality and the paper, printing and binding is as well. The books themselves are pleasurable to experience. Second, the series is introducing me to literature that I would otherwise have never read. I just finished "A High Wind in Jamaica," have begun "Indian Summer" by William Dean Howells (and my middle-school introduction to "The Rise of Silas Lapham" would have predicted that I would never have picked up a book by Howells again, which would have been my loss - I might even tackle Silas Lapham again), and have ordered a few more. I recommend that readers explore some of these treasures.

The header says it all. If pressed, I will have to admit that this is my absolute favorite novel of all time. There is something so haunting and so human and so memorable about this book, I can't stay away from it--I must have read it 20 times, and I never grow tired of it.

I had heard of author Rebecca West, mainly as the young woman who had a long term affair with a much older H.G. Wells and produced a child out of wedlock, back when things like this were considered shocking. I stumbled across a copy of this book and decided it might make an interesting read.
I never imagined that I had found a true classic, a book that uses the English language to a degree unsurpassed by any other author I have ever read. The story of is simple, that of a down on their luck family, living in London during the early 1900's. Their trials and tribulations are faithfully described, as are the multitude of characters they befriend. Actually to describe the plot, one might assume that not much really happens and to be honest, the plot is not the main attribute of this novel. But the language! I have often thought that I would some day like to write a novel but after reading this book, I would not even attempt it! This is how language should be used...clear and concise but also able to convey atmosphere and emotions. Page after page of luscious words, all combining together to create an unforgettable reading experience. If, like me, you wanted to read more, please note that the sequel, This Real Night is almost as good. A third book, Cousin Rosamund is much weaker since it was not completed at the time of the author's death.
Please do yourself a favor and read this book. I think this ranks with Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights as books which define the best that the English language can offer.

I liked when they ran from the police because it was not only exciting, but they did a lot, too. Like play Meteors, run away from some gangsters, try to find a copy of their game, and actually play their game that had virus in it. I also liked how the author switched to the police, and then back to the twins. He usually did this between chapters. I didn't like how he explained the hole in the back of the neck that was used to plug the human brain to the game. That was digusting! No one in the future would do that! Of course no one would be that crazy to get a plug in the back of their neck, because it would be quite costly. All in all I thought that it was good because it started out quick, and had a lot of detail. This is a very good book. A must read for you Sci-fi readers!!

I'm 14 years old, and I still enjoy this book as a quick read. I've always been a minor fan of video games, and what attracted me was the cover of the book. Very nicely done. Then I began reading it. Takes place in the future, blah blah blah. BUT, unlike many other sci-fi novels, this description of the futur is as dark and infested as others. Sure, there are the major slums and acid rains and society is in a rut, but that didn't detract from the novel at all. It actually enphasized the bootleg video game part vendors that were around, and all the places the twins could go to escape the cops.
From the very beginning, the book readl ike and RPG/Adventure game. Y'know: the characters had to go on little quests and met an assorment of characters. Then, they go into the game. Not only does this game sound like one heck of a game, but there's a bug in it. They have to get it out. I guess that is the supreme ordeal of the novel. The twins (Liz and BJ) went into hiding b/c the police were after them for making a game that put people into a coma. Now, they are trying to fix the bug. So they go on this quest.
This book is recommended for any age. For the kids, it's a thrilling page-turner, and for the older guys, its a quick 2-hour read with an ending that will leave you speechless. Buy this book. Its worth it.

Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

Hi,
I am a 14 year old, I hate to read, and i hate books, one day i was looking throught the library, and i noticed this book in the online cataloge, I looked it up and immidiatly loved it after 1 page, i took it out and had it read within 1 week, This book is amazing, delivering more than an entertaining book, it has a suspensive plot that keeps you reading for hours on end! Now, im buying it to put it in my "fairly small" Collection hehe!

If you are, this book is one of your best guides. I loved this story as a child, particularly as I was a child who saw spirits. As an adult who works with spirits and those in form, I recommend this book to my clients who see spirits and want to learn how to respond to them compassionately. It is indeed a children's book with lessons from which everyone can learn.

I have read the first chapter. It is about a boy named Alexander and he thinks there is something in his barn. He is to scared to go see what it is in the barn. so he tells his friend to go see. That is all i know about my book.

I really enjoyed this book, it's really a four and a half stars. I had read some of the other Blossom Culp books first, and enjoyed having Alexander as the narrator, although I think I prefer Blossom. I loved the setting. This was a funny, exiting, and somwhat spooky book. I recommend it to pratically anyone.

I found this book very interesting and the characters vivid and one's I'd like to read more about. It has a very good plot with some interesting twists turns and many pieces to the puzzle. I have just finished it and I am already going to go after the rest of the Blossom Culp series. I highly recommend this book to almost anybody.

Blossom Culpýs mother was born with a caul over her face, meaning she has the second sight. She sees a pink halo over Alexander Armsworthýs barn and confides in her daughter that Alexander has the ability to help the spirit trapped there.

Blossom was known was making up stories, still out of curiosity, Alexander explores the barn and finds a hurt little dog. That night he sees candlelight in the barn. The dog turns up missing the next day. Convinced that Blossom is playing a trick on him, he drags the frightened protesting young girl up to the loft with him and sees the first signs of the ghost wet footprints.

Inez Dumaineýs wealthy New Orleans family put her on a steamboat and sent her north on the eve of the Civil War. The steamboat had an accident and Inez drown. Afterward, her body was robbed of her familyýs wealth, which had been sewn into her dress. Her fervent wish is to be buried properly with her family.

Peckýs characters are vivid, the kind the reader cares about from the first chapter onward. His combination of humor and suspense really propel the story forward. An excellent story!

Oh my God- this book is wonderful! This ranks right up there with my favorite Victoria Holt titles. I will not summarize the story- other reviewers have done this. The story is told in first person narrative, by our heroine Mitji/Meg. It is poignant, wonderful and romantic. The guilt Luke feels in his attraction to Meg, her bewilderment at his mood swings, their growing love for each other (*sigh*), just fantastic. No graphic sex, just a lovely story well told. How refreshing in todays era of paranormal romance. You will not regret purchasing this book, it epitomizes the meaning of romance.

I loved this story and the adventure was top rate. Brent writes the best heroines and this girl was tops. You also get the tortured but honorable hero in this story. Every character is written exquisitely! I have rarely read such a charming tale.

I couldn't put this book down. It had everything I love: shipwreck, romance, and danger.

I was totally involved in this wonderful story. I've never been disappointed by Madeleine Brent, but this must surely be her best work ever.

The somewhat slow beginning is probably not for everyone, but it helped me get into the story. By the time Mitji found Luke and rescued him, I already felt that I knew her. Her life and adventures as Meg were never completely free of the Mitji period, and when Mitji was needed again, she was up to the task.

I bought this book used, which apparently is the only way to get it, but I would have paid the cover price just to have it.

I have discovered Madeleine Brent's novels recently and liked those so much that I have tried to read all of them. Two of these novels I have not managed to find yet (for a reasonable price), but so far Golden Urchin is my favorite of Brent's novels. Mitji is a white girl which has been raised by aborigenes and as the novel starts she is leaving her tribe to go search for the tribes of more white people. And Mitji's personality is fascinating, she looks at things very differently than expected because of the way she was raised and it is touching to watch her adapt to Western civilization. The love story is also believable and touching. Excellent novel, very recommended.

This is an excellent book, Great artwork and the poetry sings with all the magic of God's creation, a great book for all ages.

This boook is full of fun colorful poems. I've only seen the the original copy. The only bad thing about it is the pictures which look very 60s and poorly done. Still I love the poems.

This was one of all time favorite books as a child. It's not a story per say, however, its' value lies in its' ability to teach even the youngest of kids about feelings, emotions and "color" through poetry. Each page dedicates itself to a different color and describes the essences and feelings that those colors evoke in us. It's a very useful teaching tool for young children in the primary grades.

This was my absolute favorite book when I was in elementary school. Now that I have 2 small children of my own, I have rediscovered it with them. The poems are soothing to hear on a lazy afternoon and the colors are as fresh as watercolor can get. After reading it to the kids, I go back and indulge myself and read it again. Definitely a rainy day pick!

This slim book was originally published in 1961 and by now, we may safely call it a classic. The title is taken from her poem "What is White?" A series of poems each entitled "What Is--- (Green, Gold, Red, Blue, etc.)" describes in ways you have never thought of what exactly the color is. I have never found the child who was not fascinated by the ideas presented and usually had a few additions of his/her own to add. I always thought this vivid book would bring much pleasure to a blind person who had never "seen" a color. Ms. O'Neill brings the feel, the taste and the mood of each color to a shimmering life of its own.

--the purple feeling

is rather put out.

The purple look is a

Definite pout.

But the purple sound

Is the loveliest thing

It's a violet opening

In the spring.

This is a very complex book covering some unconventional ceramic techniques and styles of application for this medium. Lots of information in here that I haven't seen in other books. TONS of beautiful color photos showing various artists' works and a variety of installations, from ornimental to architectural. General basic information on clay formation, glazing formulas, slip-casting, mold relief, kiln operation and firing techniques is included as well. Several illustrative projects included for those who would like to try to replicate some of the design processes described.
Anyone interested in clay as an art form would definitely enjoy this book!

As an experienced ceramic artist, it's nice to be reminded, that we are never too old to learn
In this book Kathy Triplett shares many of her skills, what I also enjoy is seeing the works of some other outstanding ceramic artist
Honestly, after seeing this book, you will be off to the ceramic supply store, and stocking up on clay & glazes

I have only tried pottery once but my husband is experienced - we both think this book is admirably well thought out, concise, useful, but most of all beautiful. Nearly every image she uses for illustration is museum quality work and incredibly inspirational for anybody.

This book is a treat for the eyes and is presented in an easy to follow progression. I dare anybody to not be delighted with this book.

Through setting up, producing simple pieces to attempting more complex projects 'Handbuilt Ceramics' is an excellent guide. There are many examples of simple and basic ceramics pieces for inspiration along with practical advice.Each of the projects has step by step photographs and clear written explanations. I have found it useful and interesting.

This is one of the most useful and well-done ceramics books I've found. It strikes a good balance between basic information (i.e., theory) and practical application (in the form of example projects). It has hundreds of good color photos: some of finished work (to stimulate creative ideas), and others showing step-by-step techniques being applied. The text is well-written and full of useful tips.

Amazon, in your Editorial Review Section, you've included an editorial review that essentially tells the whole book's plot. This should be scrutinized as it creates a true disincentive to read a book, if one knows the plot. I believe this is an outlier. With movie reviews one can come to expect the ending to be provided but with book reviews, please take care to talk about the tone, the flavor, the "back drop", the psychology, but the actual events in plot order--No No No avoid this, review the "reviews".Please take care and as a long term customer, please pre-review the editorial reviews to insure you are not succombing to newspaper like book reviews. I use Amazon because it's much like shelf shopping (live shopping) but if it loses this quality, i.e. the last pages of a book are somehow leaked, then Amazon has lost its charm and done a great author (and the readers) a true disservice.

The place is Cairo. The time is unknown but pre-modern. There is no technology and carts and carriages get the poor and rich around (respectively). It is post-Mohammed; Muslim is a faith and not a political philosophy. There are bars selling alcohol and women are not covered. Women can and do own businesses, and manipulate their husbands into divorcing them.

Ashur Al-Nagy, through a twist of fate, becomes the chief of the neighborhood. This office can be taken by force, or popularity, and entitles the holder to security payments from the rich and poor. There is vague judiciary role. The holder can really exploit the poor (the Harafish) who pay, clean the chief's house and bring food, etc.

Ashur, who before chiefhood, worked hard and led an unassuming life. He had some stains: he was a foundling (probably a love child); he divorced a devoted wife to marry a prostitute who worked in a bar and he spent year in jail for acts of kindness and generosity. He served as chief with fairness and distinction. His administration is a legend that looms over the Harafish and his progeny as do the interpretations of his life and the legacies of his successive generations.

Within this family saga about wealth, power, poverty and madness are parables about leadership, government, family, jealousy, sex roles, etc. To name a few: Leadership taken by force is hard to get rid of. Good leadership is rare and ususally those led have to demand it. Good government is fragile. Confined sex and courtship roles promote dishonesty and can wreck whole lives. Money doesn't buy happiness.

There are some strong female portraits. One female Nagy, Zahira, manipulates herself to a position of great power.

Interestingly, one generation of Nagys loses its wealth and moves to a family tomb. Cairo's City of the Dead is said to be populated by servants of the wealthy. I never thought these homeless would be fallen notables themselves.

The book ends with some hope because a new Ashur has an eye to the future.

I like the format of the book. Each chapter is its own story comprised of numbered substories. For those who don't know Mahfouz, this is an excellent introduction. His masterpiece, The Cairo Trilogy, is similarly a family saga but set in more modern times with deeper analysis of the characters.

Mahfouz is not well knowin America, but should be. The Harafish is the epic novel of the al-Nagi family who rules a particular alley in Egypt over multiple generations. (The "harafish" refers to the common people of that same alley). The book's chapters each encompass a generation of leadership by some descendant of the original Ashur as-Nagi, a gentle and pure physical giant, filled with pious and spirit-filled humility. His off-spring, and theirs as well, vary widely in their emulation of this great man and their stories are fascinating and quite unique. Each story's characters are vividly painted for the reader and all of the generations their good guys and bad guys. The entire book will captivate the reader and the simplicity of the read will remind you of books you read in childhood. However, the story themes are not to be thought of as childish- but rather as timeless and transcultural. Greed, piety, fidelity, cunning, love, lust, faith, and compassion all rolled together in an easily read documentary of one family's influence on many. An absolute joy to read. Mahfouz is one of my favorites!

Naguib Mahfouz' 1977 novel, "The Harafish," is an intriguing mix of allegory and saga. The term "harafish" refers to the large underclass of poor and downtrodden in an Egyptian city, presumably Cairo. The novel focuses upon the sufferings and the fortunes of the harafish and upon the history of a particular family, the Al-Nagis, over the course of generations. The story has a timeless quality with the author giving few details that identify either a specific place or a specific time. Yet, the novel succeeds in bringing the characters to life as individuals and in creating a sense of place.

The book is told in ten chapters, each recounting successive adventures that befall the Al-Nagis. Each chapter is subdivided into many short paragraphs. The story moves forward with simplicity but becomes increasingly complex as it unfolds.

There is a great deal of indirection in the book. The reader learns slowly by seeing and not by being told. Thus, Mafouz never explicitly explains the "clan" system at the heart of the book but rather shows the reader how it works. The "clan" is the informal ruler of an "alley" or section of a town. It can be analogized to an American gang or to a crime syndicate but enjoys quasi-official status. It accepts "protection" money, wars with neighboring gangs, keeps a semblance of order in the alley, and is headed by an all-powerful chief. Some of the religious leaders of the community are closely allied with the clan. The "alley" includes not only the many poor people, but rich and successful individuals as well, called the "notables". Most, but not all of the clan leaders ally themselves with the notables while exploiting the harafish.

The chief character of Mafouz' tale is Ashur al-Nagi, a foundling who ultimately rises to the position of clan chief. Although he ultimately marries a prostitute and appropriates property that is not his, Ashur becomes a legend in the alley as a result of his compassion, strength, and protection of the harafish. His son, Shams-al-Din continues, for the most part, in the path of Ashur, but the family then deteriorates and its worst traits come to the fore. Its members, men and women, descend into murder, corruption and licentiousness. They move in and out of positions of power and are forever haunted by the fame of their illustrious ancestor. At the end of the book, another Ashur arises and restores and enhances upon the family name.

Mahfouz' story unfolds with detail and with a deep compassion for the poor and the weak. There is a sense of human frailty and of the overriding force of change. There are several themes suggested by the story. First, there is the sense of decline, reminding me of charismatic figures who found religion or social movements which soon fall into torpitude. The story opens with something of a golden age with heroic figures and deeds. As it progresses, human life slips into the mundane. I also found in the book the suggestion that people tend to look too much to the alleged glorious deeds of their ancestors and judge themselves and their own potentialities falsely in their light. Mid-way in the story, one of the characters is reproached because the al-Nagi's view themselves in light of their founder, Ashur, and not in light of what they themselves can do. At the end, there is a deepening of the story. The final al-Nagi we meet, also named Ashur is said to be greater than his forbearer because "the first Ashur had relied on his own strength, while [the second Ashur] had made the harafish into an invincible force". While the first Ashur had conquered the evils of slum life, the second Ashur had achieved an even greater conquest: "his victory over himself". The second Ashur achieves a moment of spiritual awakening at the end.

This is a fine book, both in its description of places, characters and societies and in the meditation it offers on the human condition.

Robin Friedman

The story style was new to me and at first I had trouble getting used to the pace and the simple (almost childlike, unsophisticated) writing. But, you soon realize that the author is a very intelligent and perspicacious person and continually surprises you with his analysis of human beings. I was particularly struck by the manner in which he picked the defining character trait of each person and skillfully built the chapter around it. I was also impressed by the aptness and beauty of his metaphors. As I kept reading about successive generations, I began to wonder how I would end such a narrative and I couldn't come to any satisfactory conclusion. So when I reached Mr. Mahfouz's ending, I was suitably floored. In all, a very beautifully structured and written story.

This is a great classic story and one that is worth reading. McKillip's writing is just so beautiful and haunting that you have to read it to understand. It might be an older series of books, but its creativity really stands up.

Patricia McKillip wraps up her Riddlemaster trilogy in a manner that other current fantasy authors have yet to match. If the second book of a series tends to be the weakest, the last is the most likely to disappoint. Here, the trilogy gets even more amazing.

In the aftermath of Heir of Sea and Fire, Raederle and Morgan have been reunited in Anuin, where the dead are still roaming around, Deth has vanished, and Raederle is afraid to marry Morgan because of her fears of her own strange ancestry. Morgan brings a shipful of wraiths to his home of Hed, and confronts the family who sees that he is no longer as he once was.

And the lands of An are teetering on the edge of war, with shapechangers creeping through the land and the sinister Ghisteslwchlohm somehow at the middle of it. "There are men in it who have already died, who are still fighting, with their bodies possessed by nothing human." So Morgan and Raederle must go on the ultimate mission -- a mission that will take them to the heart and history of their world, the secret of the shape-changers and what they are, and what Morgan's secret destiny is...

McKillip doesn't falter for a moment in this book, the third of the series; she's never written doorstopper epics, but her books are some of the most outstanding fantasy in print. Her writing evolved even over the course of the trilogy, becoming more introspective and more spellbinding in its descriptions. She gives you only a hint of how something looks, but every sense about how it feels and how it is perceived by the characters.

Morgan and Raederle have both grown from the beginnings of their initial books. Morgan is now a more tormented, multidimensional person than the guy who hid a crown under his bed and got sour milk dumped on his head. He feels the weight of An on his shoulders, and experiences equal determination and fear. Raederle has also changed, since finding out about her mixed heritage and why she has her mysterious powers. In a way, this knowledge about her past balances out with Morgan's knowledge about his future destiny. She's not the usual fantasy girlfriend whose sole purpose is to provide the hero with some romance, but a strong and independent female character who acts as a vital part of the storyline.

The supporting characters are also amazing: Deth is his usual ambiguous self, where you can't be sure if he's working for or against Morgan. Rood is still delightful, but transformed into a more serious character. And we see more of Raederle's quirky father Mathom, Morgan's sister Tristan and brother Eliard, and various other faces from the past two books.

This is one of the few fantasy stories where you simply can't guess what is ahead. Questions and hints laid out in the previous two books are followed up on, and pretty much no threads are left dangling. You won't guess beforehand what Morgan's destiny is or what the shapechangers were, or even how they can be dealt with. You won't know what Deth's plans are until he reveals them, or whether he's a villain or a hero. As in real life, the answers are not laid on the table for everyone to see; what you see is not necessarily what is real, and what the hero thinks about a person is not necessarily what is true.

Unlike most fantasies, this book is not padded for extra length, given an enormous cast of characters or an overly complicated system of kingdoms and hierarchies. There are no stereotypical elements like elves, dwarves, gray-bearded wizards, or Dark Lords; only shapechangers and human beings. McKillip's magic is not the slam-bang-whizz-sparks-of-light type, but a subtle, strange, powerful kind.

The climax to one of the best fantasy stories since Lord of the Rings, and one of the best out there. A must-read.

An eloquent tale that has a life and spark of its own. Much can be learned within its pages for those fond of riddling and star dreaming. I read the last first by accident and spent seven years trying to trace back the riddle. I recommend this book to all. A great gift from a great writer.

The Star-bearer (Morgon of Hed) and Raederle of An, united at last, continue their search for their true identities in this final volume of McKillip's 'Riddle-Master' trilogy. "Harpist in the Wind" won the Locus Award in 1980 and I feel 'award-winning' is the least amount of praise one can apply to this trilogy. McKillip 'dreams awake' when she spins her fantasies, and that's how it feels to read them.

Love, family ties, and even magical bonds to the land play an important part in these novels, as they do in many other great fantasy epics such as 'Lord of the Rings' and Norton's Witchworld trilogy concerning the triplets Kemoc, Kyllan, and Kaththea. Vengeance, which was a prominent theme in "Heir of Sea and Fire" slows to a cold drizzle in "Harpist in the Wind" and in one case dries up completely.

Revenge might indeed be a 'dish best tasted cold' but if it gets too cold, the hero could end up feeling sorry for his erstwhile enemy or even forgiving him, as does Morgon. His gradual change from innocent farmer-prince, to vengeful shape-changer, to the Star-bearer spins out the most challenging riddle of this trilogy. Who is the Star-bearer? What is his true purpose?

"Stars, children with faces of stone, the fiery, broken shards of a bowl he had smashed in Astrin's hut, dead cities, a dark-haired shape-changer, a harpist, all resolved under his probing into answerless riddles"--at least in the beginning of "Harpist in the Wind."

As in all of McKillip's fantasies, there are scenes of high astonishment and magic in 'Harpist,' most especially in Morgon's discovery of wizards other than the evil Ghisteslwchlohm who are still alive, most prominently Yrth, the creator of Morgon's three-starred harp. Or is this another of the riddles the Star-bearer must solve? What is the relationship between Deth, the High One's harpist who betrayed Morgon to Ghisteslwchlohm, and Yrth, a great wizard who had once been called the Harpist of the magical city of Lungold?

In the end, all riddles are answered and the Star-bearer comes into his heritage, although his friends and loved ones (and the reader) seem to realize who he is long before he does. Such is usually the case with heroes.

The Riddlemaster triology is my favourite story ever. I can't count the number of times I have read it, immersing myself in the beauty of the language and characters, always hurting a little when I come to the end. I have actually printed out and framed the last paragraph of Book Three, because I think it is a piece of the most beautiful writing I have ever come across.

I have never seen such a beautful and colorful calendar. When the day is over you dont want to get rid of it. The nicest day to daya calendar I have ever purchased.

If you love Harry Potter, you will love seeing a new scene every day of 2007.

This calendar is awesome because it has all four years in it, and the pictures are really cool. Sometimes the descriptions are a little off, but that's no big deal. I really like it.

I love the calendar i get excited every day when i go to work to see which picture it will show. I know I might be a dork, but I don't care. Everyone should own a Harry Potter Calendar.

I love this calendar!! With every new day comes a new picture from one of the four movies. Along with the picture is a description and the title of the movie it is from. It is the perfect size for your desk too!