L. J. Smith Books

This must be the most comprehensive, complete and correct work available. The layout is very neat and systematic with exceptional line drawings. However, the colour photo plates are located at the back of the book and make for unnecessary paging throught this thick book. It also lacks adequate photos and colour drawings of many species. Apart from this it is a monumental work and a solid base for any reference work. The common names are the most correct I have come across and the aditional detail makes for good reading. The printing quality is very good and the hard cover essential. If you consider yourself a serious fish watcher or itchtyologist and you haven't got this book ... think again ! Enjoy !

In an age of innovation, William Smith's unique devotion to fossils and understanding of geological structures allowed him to break the scientific mould and produce the first ever map of the rock layers beneath our feet. Two centuries on, the scientific world still owes a debt to the `Father of Geology'. Yet Smith himself saw little recognition in his lifetime, earning his keep through canal engineering work where he could get it and scraping together the finance to publish his precious magnum opus.
Charting his travels across England, his changing employment and his personal misfortunes, this book shows how the sometimes penniless son of a blacksmith became a pioneer in the science of geology. John Morton, in combining Smith's personal history with the genesis of a new science, has created a fascinating history of an extraordinary man who was devoted to mapping the geology of England.
John Morton was a pilot until his retirement in 1990. After retirement he read for a degree with the Open University, studying, among other subjects, geology and the history of science where his interest in `Strata' Smith was first awakened. This is his first book.

This 1977 staple-bound 36-page softcover book (8.5" x 6") contains synopses of several scholarly lectures concerning the earliest development of American crafts and arts with recommended readings listed for each subject. It was complied in by the Twenty-Ninth Annual Williamsburg (VA) Antiques Forum. Contributing lecturers include scholars, and curators from major universities and very prestigious museums throughout the nation. Subjects include "Development of American Porcelain 1775-1850", "The Assent of American Classical Silver", "Democracy's first Symbols in Architecture", "Ceramics in America, 1770-1830" and much more. It is a very fine booklet for historical American arts and crafts collectors or scholars.

A well-written beginning text on vibrations. The examples are clear and useful. Treatment of multiple degree of freedom problems could be more complete.

FOR STARTERS, LET ME SAY THAT I THINK PRETTY HIGHLY OF THIS FILM. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A FILM THAT WARRANTS THE EXTRA MONEY TO GO BLU-RAY.

I OWN THIS TITLE ON DVD AND BLU, AND FRANKLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BLU MONEY BACK. THERE IS NOT A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN EITHER PICTURE OR SOUND QUALITY. WITH A FAIRLY LARGE COLLECTION OF STANDARD AND HIGH DEF FILMS, THIS IS JUST ONE THAT IS NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY IN MY OPINION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THOUGH, THIS FILM IS WELL WORTH THE COST OF A STANDARD DVD AND WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.

This story is a great family title with a great story line that impresses on the family values and togetherness.

They did a great job transferring this to Blu-ray. It was dazzling in detail. It was all that I hoped for, in an older title that has be re-released.

The Patriot DVD

Mel Gibson is a pacifist who live in South Carolina circa 1776. His pacifism was caused by the violence he saw during the French and Indian War that he fought in. Heath Ledger plays his almost grown son.

Highly recommended for fans of the American Revolutionary war, Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.

Gunner April, 2008

I like how he doesn't want to fight. He just wants to live in peace and raise his family and tend his crops.

Just like American patriots to this day he did not want war. No, we are a God fearing, peaceful people. But, if our freedom is under attack and our country needs us then we will accept the call to duty. Freedom is not free.

This is the true American spirit and even though Australian, Mel Gibson understands it very well. Perhaps it is his faith that ties him together with us. As in a previous film, "Braveheart", Gibson is a good man forced into action by circumstances beyond his control to fight the English. And when he does, put on your rain coat because there will be blood, and lots of it, pouring and spraying everywhere. If there ain't a lot of blood shed it's not a Mel Gibson movie. Farmer Mel does the Lord's work, quickly turning into an axe weilding colonial Rambo killing machine. I suppose one shouldn't be surprised at his dispatching of a fairly large number of Red Coats with such efficiency. The peoples' blood lust shall be satisfied with just killings of the wicked. And the English surely are wicked and cruel, at one point burning to the ground a little white chapel filled with innocents. No wonder our brave countrymen fought the Revolution. And watching this vivid and moving history you know God was on our side.

Actually, the movie is pretty fascist in it's conception. Leni Riefenstahl would love it. It does make you wonder when something like this is popular what percentage of the masses, particularly the peasantry, is inherently fascist in it's politics. Or if not inherently, at least very prone. Scary.

FOR STARTERS, LET ME SAY THAT I THINK PRETTY HIGHLY OF THIS FILM. HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT A FILM THAT WARRANTS THE EXTRA MONEY TO GO BLU-RAY.

I OWN THIS TITLE ON DVD AND BLU, AND FRANKLY, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY BLU MONEY BACK. THERE IS NOT A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN EITHER PICTURE OR SOUND QUALITY. WITH A FAIRLY LARGE COLLECTION OF STANDARD AND HIGH DEF FILMS, THIS IS JUST ONE THAT IS NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY IN MY OPINION.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THOUGH, THIS FILM IS WELL WORTH THE COST OF A STANDARD DVD AND WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.

This story is a great family title with a great story line that impresses on the family values and togetherness.

They did a great job transferring this to Blu-ray. It was dazzling in detail. It was all that I hoped for, in an older title that has be re-released.

The Patriot DVD

Mel Gibson is a pacifist who live in South Carolina circa 1776. His pacifism was caused by the violence he saw during the French and Indian War that he fought in. Heath Ledger plays his almost grown son.

Highly recommended for fans of the American Revolutionary war, Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger.

Gunner April, 2008

I like how he doesn't want to fight. He just wants to live in peace and raise his family and tend his crops.

Just like American patriots to this day he did not want war. No, we are a God fearing, peaceful people. But, if our freedom is under attack and our country needs us then we will accept the call to duty. Freedom is not free.

This is the true American spirit and even though Australian, Mel Gibson understands it very well. Perhaps it is his faith that ties him together with us. As in a previous film, "Braveheart", Gibson is a good man forced into action by circumstances beyond his control to fight the English. And when he does, put on your rain coat because there will be blood, and lots of it, pouring and spraying everywhere. If there ain't a lot of blood shed it's not a Mel Gibson movie. Farmer Mel does the Lord's work, quickly turning into an axe weilding colonial Rambo killing machine. I suppose one shouldn't be surprised at his dispatching of a fairly large number of Red Coats with such efficiency. The peoples' blood lust shall be satisfied with just killings of the wicked. And the English surely are wicked and cruel, at one point burning to the ground a little white chapel filled with innocents. No wonder our brave countrymen fought the Revolution. And watching this vivid and moving history you know God was on our side.

Actually, the movie is pretty fascist in it's conception. Leni Riefenstahl would love it. It does make you wonder when something like this is popular what percentage of the masses, particularly the peasantry, is inherently fascist in it's politics. Or if not inherently, at least very prone. Scary.

I will tell you up front that the vast majority of disaster movies have a hard time holding my interest. Most are so soaped down with romances I could care less about, that I shut them off after about fifteen minutes. This movie does not suffer from that movie killer affliction and in fact it is one of the few I actually like. Tommy Lee Jones is a great part of the reason. Cast in the lead as the FEMA Director trying to control a Volcano that has erupted in the city, it is well handled and with the normal available resources. Nothing over the top and therefore it earned my respect. Granted they probably could not have handled the real deal as well as they do here, but it didn't seem so outrageously ridiculous as most disaster movies. The action mainly involves Jones, Anne Heche, and their assistants trying to predict the path and scout areas to see if they have been hit and change the flow when necessary. I found the movie moved at a good pace without the undue buildup found in so many disaster movies. This one felt like it moved along from beginning to end. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "Dante's Peak" and "Twister". Good quality DVD with decent replayability.

I have seen this movie more than once.Everyone in my family likes this movie.It keeps you watching.

i think this movie is seat gripping, filled with action -drama-down to earth kind of movie

Sure it is cool to see the filthy city of Los Angeles get cleaned up by some hot molten lava, but c'mon now this is too far fetched. You got these Chevys driving around on asphalt that is melting from heat but the tires don't pop...yeah right.

Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.

Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.

Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.

You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.

In 1997 there were two eagerly anticipated volcano movies released. Dante's Peak was more of a blockbuster hit, but not very accurate from a geologist's standpoint. Volcano was more realistic and accurate. It was nice to see a disaster movie depicted as it would naturally happen.

Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!

I will tell you up front that the vast majority of disaster movies have a hard time holding my interest. Most are so soaped down with romances I could care less about, that I shut them off after about fifteen minutes. This movie does not suffer from that movie killer affliction and in fact it is one of the few I actually like. Tommy Lee Jones is a great part of the reason. Cast in the lead as the FEMA Director trying to control a Volcano that has erupted in the city, it is well handled and with the normal available resources. Nothing over the top and therefore it earned my respect. Granted they probably could not have handled the real deal as well as they do here, but it didn't seem so outrageously ridiculous as most disaster movies. The action mainly involves Jones, Anne Heche, and their assistants trying to predict the path and scout areas to see if they have been hit and change the flow when necessary. I found the movie moved at a good pace without the undue buildup found in so many disaster movies. This one felt like it moved along from beginning to end. If you enjoyed this be sure to catch "Dante's Peak" and "Twister". Good quality DVD with decent replayability.

I have seen this movie more than once.Everyone in my family likes this movie.It keeps you watching.

i think this movie is seat gripping, filled with action -drama-down to earth kind of movie

Sure it is cool to see the filthy city of Los Angeles get cleaned up by some hot molten lava, but c'mon now this is too far fetched. You got these Chevys driving around on asphalt that is melting from heat but the tires don't pop...yeah right.

Tommy Lee Jones is running around like he is Carl Lewis on a bad day, yet is never out of breath...yeah right.

Some kid shows bravery and actually minds his dad, instead of telling his dad and the co-workers to take a hike while he goes joy riding in the suburban...yeah right.

Fun disaster film but you know...yeah right.

You know what I am talking about. Twister Volcano Hurricane Tsunami Earthquake you know they did like every single one now so there cannot be another. oh wait...Tornado? Yeah right.

In 1997 there were two eagerly anticipated volcano movies released. Dante's Peak was more of a blockbuster hit, but not very accurate from a geologist's standpoint. Volcano was more realistic and accurate. It was nice to see a disaster movie depicted as it would naturally happen.

Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche were wonderful to watch!

Gillian Lennox is your typical high school outcast. She walks the halls hiding behind a curtain of hair, seeming so timid that people either don't notice her or, if they do, believe she's from the junior high.

A near-death experience completely changes all of that. Gillian freezes to death but is stopped by an angel claiming it's not her time. Given the choice, Gillian decides to try life again--but this time she has a guardian angel at her side, guiding her. She cuts her hair, dresses to stand out, and erupts from the sidelines with a blazing confidence that wins over most of the school.

Dark Angel is highly underrated, simply because the Night World isn't so deeply touched upon as it is in other books. What makes this so remarkable, however, is the exploration of "lost witches." Lost witches (also known as "psychics" or "clairvoyants") were briefly touched upon in the first book, Secret Vampire. It's what a life-like experience WOULD be for a human girl, finding out bits and pieces of a terrifying and mystical world you were previously unaware of.

Gillian is a strong character. She undergoes major emotional changes with the help of "Angel," and in the end finds an inner strength she can hold on to and call her own.

My biggest complaint would be David's characterization. Tanya, the forefront antagonist and his ex-girlfriend, attracted more attention than Gillian's love interest, and that is a little sad. L.J. Smith can certainly make strong antagonists and fascinating (if pacifist) males (as she did in Soulmate), but with David she fell a bit short. Nothing about David made me smile and think, "Yes, Gillian, he's worth it!"

Other than that, it's a wonderful addition to the series. Not to be missed.

For some reason, out of all the Night World Books, 'Dark Angel' always scores the lowest. For me, however, Dark Angel was one of the better books. Take Gillian for example. Sure she's not especially daring or a vampire hunter or an experienced martial artist, but that's what makes her special. She's US. She is the average teen girl, unsure of herself, with family problems, and complete with the crush on the popular guy. Sure, she longs to be popular, but that doesn't make her 'shallow' as most people like to put. Every one of us has longed for popularity in school. And if you say you 'didn't care about such things' then you are fooling yourself. What I liked best about this book is that we got to see the Night World from an outsider; Gillian knew nothing about it, all she had to go on was the snippets she heard here and there, mostly from Angel and from her own deduction. (as well as the witch character in the store) And yes, there wasn't as much action in Dark Angel as there was in say, 'Huntress' or 'The Chosen', but that doesn't make it bad. It was a relief for me to see a highschool student being NORMAL. Jez and Rashel (Jez especially) rather got on my nerves at times with their reckless behavior and their super-woman, over confident ways. It was nice to see a girl that was actually just a GIRL. It made me feel as though I wasn't under-achieved. The only reason I gave this book a '4' and not a '5' was because the ending seemed a little weak to me. As for the whole David/Angel thing, yes. I WAS voting for Angel and Gillian to get together..he had a certain charm to him that was absent from David. After seeing guys like Ash, Delos, and Quinn, David didn't quite measure up. Or maybe it was because he was just a normal human, not of the nightworld. He wasn't mysterious or powerful..just an average, teenage highschooler doing average, teenage things.

Regardless, this book is an excellent addition to your L.J Smith Collection.

well first of all i thought that this was the worst night world book in the series and believe me i have and read all 9 of them. Gillian is just so shallow and a little sissy the only thing she wants is to be popular and have David as her bf like its the most important thing in the world!! i thought David was stupid too he seem to only fall in love with Gillian because of her transformation to being well liked he was just being shallow and really stupid. i think Gillian and David are the most stupidest characters in the entire night world series!! so far this was not the best book so far. the only part i liked was where Ash showed up i was totally happy when he was in this book. he is just funny and such a hottie to be with. the other books i recomend is Witchlight, Daughters of darkness, Soulmate, The chosen, and Black dawn.

Good book but...
David.
Is.
An.
Idiot!!!
Even after they got together I still felt like he was treating Gillian like a little sister and the guy just seemed like he had gotten his head knocked in with a football to many times. Most of the story revolves around Gillian and her discovering she's a powerful witch and David just seemed to be along for the ride. He is no Ash, he is no Gabriel, heck, even Thea's guy (what's his name?) was more intriguing . Since I love everything L.J's written and reading about Gillian discovering her unusual heritage was enough for me and Angel made up enough for the personality of 10 David's I'm not ranting and raving. This is a great book with some very funny scenes.

I believe that you shouldn't take all reviews into account when purchasing a book. Because the reviews for this book was pretty dismal i decided not to buy it, but my sister had other thoughts and gave it to me on my birthday and i have to say thank god!

This book isn't as bad as everyone says. Okay sure, Gillian appears a little superficial at the start but then everyone is superficial, even if it's only a tad. Miss Smith makes the reader relate to Gillian though and as you get to know her you see that she isn't all that superficial, she just wants to fit in like every teenager.

The plot was more four star but the characters were believeable, good and the dialoge and pace was great. Over all it was a four and a half star but you only have four or five so i stepped it up half a star.

If they wrote this one today they would have an entry for Enterprise with Archer as Captain. A book seven to this series might make it marketable again. The First book in this series shifts back and forth with Kirk in the classic to modern movie era with Captain Sulu of the Excelsior. I did like the scenes with Chekov recounting his days aboard the Regula station. He was powerless to help the scientists Khan and his men destroyed and he felt a sense of helplessness in this mission.

I have to say the characters weren't perfectly on target. However it was entertaining enough for me to read twice. I read this book in 98 when it was first published and again this week because I never finished the series.

Now on book 2 "Dujonian's Hoard", I'll have to read the other 5 novels. From what I have read in the reviews it looks to be a good series. There is an anthology sequel paperback called Tales from the Captain's Table. It just came out this year and I would like to think there will be more!

I really enjoy the founding premise of this series; the stories told in the first person narrative of the captains themselves. However, I found the bar interludes a little cheesy. I find it hard to believe that in this particular time frame a Klingon or a Gorn would find themselves at a Federation outpost, especially Utopia Planetia.

I was a little disappointed by how Sulu was characterized, a little too soft for my taste. Specifically, all that business about the lizard he found in the gardens. I haven't found a story beyond those of canon, yet, that has really captured the Sulu we know and love. The characterization of Kirk was pretty on. What really halted me on the story was in the characterization of Chekov. A lot of his character development is based on a faulty premise. The premise being that the crew of his first command post, The Reliant, had been killed during the Kahn incident. That is completely UNTRUE. It is KNOWN that Khan did not kill the crew of the Reliant, he stranded them down on Ceti Alpha V. After the incident Kirk returned with the Enterprise to pick them up. I might as well have been reading unlicensed fan fiction. The whole mess developed Chekov in to someone he shouldn't have been.

That part aside, the book wasn't bad. One of the cool items was the FL-70. A neat piece of technology, wouldn't mind seeing it again. A decent plot, however, not so much a page turner as others I've read. I hate to come off as a total Trekkie crank, but someone had to do it. The book is worth a read if you are bored or are delving into the whole Captain's Table series as a whole.

For fans of Captain Kirk & the original Star Trek series & movies- forget this book. I found it excruciating reading, and I couldn't get past the first 50 pages.

The book has a fantastic premise: Captain Kirk is introducing Captain Sulu to a very cool & private bar called The Captain's Table. It's a special bar for commanders, where your first drink is paid for with a story. It's all downhill from there.

The dialog between the characters has nothing to do with the beloved Star Trek folks we know & love. It is stilted & formal sounding. Like someone wrote it who had no idea of the cool personalities & quirks of our favorite Trek captain & crew.

Even worse is Spock's character. Again written in by someone who was clueless on showing us Spock's unique person. Worse still, is the not-so-subtle hinting that Spock has a homosexual 'thing' for Captain Kirk. Bleh! Give me a break. Not that there's anything wrong with gays, but please don't make Spock into one who 'long's for Kirk! Early on in the book, Spock is talking with Kirk after his (Kirks') workout. Then Spock insists, for no good reason, on continuing to talk with Kirk by following him into the shower room. Kirk is of course naked & showering while Spock is still in uniform & watching him all the while.

That was quite enough for me. The book (what little I read of it), was a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME.

Overall the LA Graf writing team has put out some really good work in the past, however, this book in my opinion doesn't really fall into that category. I started this book, put it down, picked it up again and put it down again. Due to an extremely demanding job I actually didn't read any books at all for around a year. I picked this one back up and trudged through it. There was a good story in there somewhere, the author's couldn't seem to find it and neither could I. The rest of the Captain's Table books, however, are absolutely a must read for all Star Trek fans.

Twenty pages in, there were enough strikes against War Dragons that I doubted I would enjoy it. The whole "Captain's Table" concept turns out to be misleading; there's no time warp that allows Kirk/Picard/Sisko/Janeway to tell stories to each other - even though a look at each cover strongly implies it. The frame story involving the Captain's Table bar is weak and unconvincing. Kirk's and Sulu's stories are told in voices that do not sound like Kirk or Sulu; nor are they told in ways we'd expect a story to be told at a bar. Too much introspection, too much detail.

And yet War Dragons is one of the better Star Trek books out there. The plot structure is intriguing. Kirk's and Sulu's stories occur twenty years apart and are told in alternating chapters until they converge for the last third of the book. Each story has plenty of suspense and action and, once one puts aside the frame story, are well-written. There are excellent Trek moments, including a charming description of the beginning of Kirk & Spock's working relationship, and a tasteful cameo by Tuvok. Also interesting is the idea that Sulu pegged Chekov to be his first officer; Graf successfully explains Chekov's eventual return to the Enterprise.

Not great literature, of course, nor great science fiction (read Harry Harrison's West of Eden for a masterful treatment of reptilian cultures that speak with physical movement as well as verbal cues). It is, however, very good Star Trek - amusing, entertaining, and satisfying.