F Books

I LOVED this book!!! The storyline keeps you turning the pages and the development of the characters transports you back to medieval Wellstitch. I would highly recommend this novel and can't wait for the third installment!!

This book, was a real page turner. Couldn't get enough, made all my friends buy it and read it. The segual looks to be as good or better than the first. Must read.

GWEN is a story filled with action, romance and a sense of purpose. Set in the Middle Ages, the characters and setting transcend time and pull you into their story. Corrigan's descriptions make the characters so real that I could not put this book down....waiting to see what would happen next. Ladies, you'll fall in love with Archer and the guys will fall for GWEN. It's a great story....there was never a dull moment.I can't wait for the sequel.

Gwen is a woman ahead of her time. A strong woman dealing with a very harsh world. Anyone who roots for those who are oppressed will feel satisfaction when reading this tale.

A great read that pulls the reader to find out what will happen next. Gwen is a great heroine who is strong, assertive, caring, loving and also extremely feminine. Unforgetable characters like Galen and The Archer intertwine with a timeless story of good people trying to overcome evil, while love blossoms. The plot moves at breakneck speed, reminiscent of Mary Higgins Clark, even helped along by the occasional guardian angel. I can't wait for the sequel to return to the haunting and exciting world of Wellstitch Castle!!

Charles Edwin Price, along with other folklorists, such as Michael Paul Henson and William Lynwood Montell, is the perfect storyteller of supernatural legends in Appalacia. This is a wonderful compilation of such stories in that it is educational as well as entertaining, for he includes informative motifs with each legend he tells. A must-have for collectors of folklore, and those interested in a good read, whether or not they believe in the supernatural.

I was born and raised in Kingsport and I even met the author of this book when he came to my high school in 1996. The name is a little hokey but the book is extremely well written and the research is very good, it even includes some newspaper clippings. This book is well worth the price and the read!

I grew up around the area he is speaking of in this book. I remember many of these things happening myself. I was so glad to know I was not the only one to experience these strange things. I loved this book! I can't wait to buy more!

This is a fascinating book. The places are real (and some are rather creepy) and the stories are supposedly true. Every story will draw you in. The history and research the author did was extensive. This is a book you could very well (regretfully) finish in one sitting.

This was a very suspenseful book. It has many short stories in it and all are suppose to be true. Many are folklore that was passed down and most have some eyewitness testimony. My favorite was the one called "A Part Of The Dark Is Moving". Every story takes place at real place in East Tennessee. This is a must have for anyone who likes old fashion ghost stories or folklore.

This book is a must-read for inspiration in the Christian life. Happiness is what we all strive for-but unfortunately rarely find. This book is an inspiration in finding truths about Life that have always been there, but we routinely overlook them. God did not intend for us to be unhappy and miserable. This book leads you into a journey of self-discovery to find True happiness that can not be destroyed by events that take place in our lives.

The author (Gregory Bearstop) provides an easy to follow path towards lasting happiness. It is a book that will appeal to anyone, no matter their spiritual development. For those who are seeking truth, he reminds us what we already know on a certain level but have forgotton-that true happiness is found through God. For those that have already acknowledged God as the path to their salvation and happiness, he relates effective ways to deepen our relationship. He identifies ways of relating to God and focuses on listening techniques. He also shows that God is present within each of us and often manifests his love for us through other people. Sometimes the answers we are looking for come directly from God, but just as often they come in ways, shapes, and forms that often catch us by surprise.

This book has something for everyone, no matter where they are in their spiritual journey. The author's passion for helping others is evident through his writing style. His caring, compassionate prose helps the reader feel that he is speaking directly to them.

I would recommend this book to anyone. A truly inspirational book that is more important in this day and age than ever before. Mr. Bearstop shares his gift with us, and opens the door to lasting fulfillment. No matter who you are or where you are, this book will help you find the happiness so many of us long for.

This is a truly wonderful book. In these grim times it's easy to forget what it really means to be happy. Mr. Bearstop gently contrasts the world's view of happiness with that of the Christian. This is a book that the reader will return to for comfort again and again.

Kimberley Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men

This book is truly inspirational. Happiness is sought by everyone, but we unfortunately rarely completely find it. This book leads you to a path of self-discovery to find the Unique worth of yourself. God did not intend for us to be unhappy, but all too often we are misled to believe that God wants us to suffer. The insights into Happiness are truths that have always been out there, but we mostly overlook them or pay little attention to them. I highly recommend this book.

If it's serenity, reassurance in an uncertain world, and inspiration (without pressure) you seek ... then this is the book for you! This book affects me like a dose of Prozac. Calming and confidence building without being pushy or pressuring. When I am having rough times and am up late worrying, I always open up 'Happiness that is Guaranteed' and end up sleeping like a baby. Don't miss this one. It will change your life and be a life long resource.

My mom bought me this book when I was little and I just loved it! In fact, I still have the copy she bought me. I will treasure it always. All the varieties of birds Barbara sculpts out of clay to illustrate the pages are just amazing! Sure to keep the attention of children as the story is being read and also keep the parent interested as well. Barbara has a wide variety of childrens books out which she illustrates with clay. Some of her books are perfect as readers for children in school and others are better for smaller children like her "Zoey" series.

This book is very fun to read and of particular interest to toddlers. I absolutely love Barbara Reid's plasticene illustrations. The poetry in the book is wonderful. The book takes about 5 minutes to read, and it is easy for a young toddler to join in. The text is repetitious without being monotanous.

It is one of my 22 month old's favorite books.

This charming little book uses alliteration, assonance, and rhyming words to describe various types of birds and how they live. The sentences are written in poetry that's cadence and structure enhances the types of birds being discussed. The claymation illustrations are playful and capture children's imagination, but without distracting from the focus of the book's lessons. A fun book to read.

My two year old adores birds, and of all of our bird books, this is one of his absolute favorites. I'm not sure how much of the text he understands, but the illustrations, done in clay art, are beautiful, and he loves to identify the various species.

I don't mind reading it over and over because the poetic text stands up to intense rereadings and I love the cadence and rhythm of the text. The author has managed to emulate the careening freedom of flight by the flitting, dipping, racing style of her poetry. This is one of those books I wish we had in hardcover.

Both of my little ones like this book. It is a simple read with plenty of rhymes and fun pictures. However, it is not too simple because within the rhymes the little ones can learn quite a bit about birds and bird behavior. My little boy saw the blackbirds on the "summer garden birds" page and said they looked like grackles and acted like them too with all of their splashing and mess-making. My littlest one likes all of the bird sounds you do while reading the book such as the quarreling-in-a-rage birds, tweeting-in-a-cage birds, squealing, squawking, screeching, talking,... Well worth the money if your little ones like to look outside for birds, or point to birds while they're in the car on a trip.

All too rarely, it seems, the public is privileged to receive a book that is neither text nor tome, but rather gift. Richard Mollica's Healing Invisible Wounds is such a gift - a gift of hope for all who inhabit this violent world. One of the most widely accessible books I have read, Healing Invisible Wounds speaks to clinicians, policy makers, survivors and all who wish to live responsibly toward their neighbor in an increasingly global world. Having developed international recognition as a leading researcher/scientist in the field of psychiatry and trauma, Mollica departs from hard, empirical science and turns his attention toward the grace-filled trauma stories of which he has long been the recipient in his work with refugees, torture survivors, and victims of disaster. Such a shift is not easy - evidence-based research exerts an indomitable influence on the practice of healthcare. Yet, with this book, Mollica demonstrates his commitment to individuals - real people struggling with real pain yet capable of real healing. In this book, we do not find statistical evidence to support hypotheses about the mental health sequelae of violence; instead, what we find are stories of people - Somaly, Dr. Nakas and Liz - whose resilience, spirit and grace lead readers to a newfound understanding of "healing."

As a religious professional, I cannot recommend this book enough to clergy, congregations and individuals seeking to make an active, faith-based commitment to their communities. Resounding throughout Healing Invisible Wounds is Mollica's dedicated attention to the powerful force of spirituality, empathy and narrative in regards to healing. Were I to attempt to re-energize an adult faith study at my church, this is the book with which I would begin - inspiring, courageous, visionary and hopeful, Mollica's gift to us is one to be read, discussed and shared for years to come.

HEALING INVISIBLE WOUNDS: PATHS TO HOPE AND RECOVERY IN A VIOLENT WORLD could also have been featured in our Health section but is reviewed here for its wide-ranging interest beyond the usual health library audience. Richard Mollica has spent over thirty years treating victims of all kinds of trauma: hundreds of interviews, years of research, and his counseling expertise blend to produce a series of case histories with lessons on how people heal from devastating events. Any general-interest library will welcome its wisdom.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I dedicated more than my spare time in three days to read this wonderful and exiting book. I find it innovative, creative, entertaining, revealing, informative, interesting and moving. I consider, and hope, although I am not an expert in the field, that it might really result in becoming a bestseller.

Dr. Paul Farmer, the subject of "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder, describes Healing Invisible Wounds as "a welcome salve in a world of want and pain." I couldn't agree more. If you're exhausted from violence, war, and fear, look it square in the eye, and Mollica will show you the previously invisible resilience of the human mind and heart.

The book provides a courageous, inspiring, and radical message of the human capacity for self-healing. Mollica reveals the intricate relationship of humiliation, depression, and violence, providing deep insight both into international headlines and into our own lives. He describes the relationship of personal- and social-healing, illuminating and artfully deconstructing their systemic obstacles and showing a middle way.

Defying genre, and far from clinical in style, the book is a philosophical inquiry into the soul of man while providing skills rooted in scientific study for both understanding and recovering from trauma. The book is as applicable to the average person that is witness to ambient violence as to the survivor of extreme violence.

I've told everyone I know about it.

Drawing from a rich and powerful history of personal and clinical experience, Dr. Richard Mollica's Healing Invisible Wounds has compiled a moving book about the healing power of the human soul, taking the reader on a fantastic journey through the complex, but often unrecognized resilient attributes of individuals whom have endured horrific pain and tragedy.

This book is by no means, however, a "self-help", or even "self-healing" textbook. Rather, this book is radically unique insofar as it cannot truly be boxed in to any particular literary genre. It is at once deeply philosophical, gracefully painting an illustration of healing as a true art form, while simultaneously noting the value of concrete and pragmatic applications of the artistic healing principles covered throughout the book. Through employing a mix of clinical vignettes, personal observations and revelations, and new scientific findings made throughout a lifetime of learning, Dr. Mollica's Healing Invisible Wounds reads much like a crazy, philosophical adventure novel calling, awakening the reader to the hidden, subtle, yet ubiquitous nature of discovery and healing entwined in this mystery we call "the human experience".

This book is a profound and poetic new psychology of healing and recovery from not only extreme violence but the tragic events of everyday life. The well-cultivated insights Dr. Mollica shares with the reader should--almost must--be openly embraced, encouraged, and activated in ourselves and our loved ones as often as humanly possible.

Fabulous collection from many of Tagore's books. Herbert Vetter has done a superb job. More importantly it brings out the greatness of Tagore. Short simple to read but very poignant.

this is a wonderful bedside book...the poems are what i would call in depth minimalist style writings...this might be a contradiction in terms but every word is positioned just right in tagors syntax...he is i guess what you would say famous for his going to the core of what he is trying to say...yet he excludes nothing and every poem is titled well...so you can a navigate the book with ease...this is my first tagore book and i have another...fireflies...on the way...pleasant reading

In prayers and poems of depth and simplicity,Tagore expresses his very soul...which is somehow the soul of each of us.

Obviously a spiritual master, he speaks for each of our hearts with a depth of compassion and honesty that embraces universal and timeless themes. Human struggle, delight, quest, hope, trust, joy, despair, and peace are expressed in a compelling commitment to Love which draws him only into deeper intimacy with the Beloved.

Tagore puts into words a love which surpasses understanding, time, or any methodology. He speaks in his writings a very human, very real, very tender love letter to the Divine.

I liked this book because it draws me also into the heart of God.

This collection of seventy-seven poems of the Nobel Laureate poet of India is taken from seven sources of his poetry. The editor has skillfully degenderized and introduced contemporary language where he deemed appropriate. The beauty of Tagore's spirit and his eloquence will be augmented for some by the editor's gifts. Long familiar with Tagore's own translations of his poetry, I find in this collection extreme satisfaction in accessing the presence of the poet in images of rare beauty. This book is an important addition to the literature, providing
fresh acquaintance with a master poet.

everyone will have something to worry about,some unfulfilled ambitions. This is a collection of the poet's mystic prayers.I am sure this will move anyone with a tender heart. He was the composer of the Indian national anthem and was also a social reformer and a romantic. This makes me wonder if he wanted to address these questions to god. My immediate goal is to learn bengali and read his poems in his own language. I am also looking forward to read his gitanjali which got him the nobel prize.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book because I have the stereotype bias that it may not be good because it is self-published. I was proven wrong. It is incredibly intriguing and I enjoyed every page of it! I also expected the main character to be a "hero" type. But all the characters are real, flawed and interesting. It makes me think of a mix of a Stephen King psychological thriller and E.R. (only with accurate medical scenarios). I am recommending this book to all my friends, I enjoyed it so much! This book has outshined many of the "bestsellers" I've read recently by large publishing houses.

a great read for those who love medical books providing a accurate view of an ER

the characters are realistic, not flat or one dimentional. dealing with complex and gripping emotions.

all in all an enjoyable read!!

Things are not going well for Dr. Leon Mendel, the protagonist of first-time author Samuel Finn's Heartbeat. His marriage is on the rocks, people are dying at the emergency room he supervises, and he is having psychotic delusions. Then he meets Rita Thal, an alcoholic trying to recover from the death of her only child.

Heartbeat begins with a riveting description of an emergency shift from hell, told with such gripping detail that you will guess (correctly) that the author is writing from years of experience on the front lines of ER medicine. This book draws you in with an insider's view of an inner city ER and then keeps you going with interesting and likable characters and a tight, tense plot.

Heartbeat is a psychological thriller and a love story with the dark mood of a 1940's detective book noir. Once you start, you will have trouble putting it down. I highly recommend this book.

If you love to watch ER, then you'll go crazy for HEARTBEAT. Samuel Finn writes with an authority that allows the reader to become totally immersed in the story.

This book is a great read, especially for one intrigued by the workings of a big city hospital's emergency department. Mr Finn, whom I understand to be an emergency room doc, catches the ER perfectly. The first chapter describing the events of a single night in the ER catches you and Mr. Finn never lets you go the last page. The changes of point of view are nicely done. Even though you can guess the cause of Dr. Mendel's problems the climax ties it to the whole story superbly. I highly recommend "Heartbeat."

Absolutely delightful! I would recommend this to... everyone! And not just myth buffs. You don't have to be one to understand the story, thankfully. Most myth-based fiction just sweep by people or change it entirely to make sense. But Houck takes real myths and actually sets them to a sensible time line -- almost impossible for Greek myths.

I only wish he had a site of some sort so I knew when the next was coming out! ;___;

I bought this surprisingly hefty book because I can't resist books about Greek mythology and I couldn't pass up this topic: An "autobiography" of a Greek god??? I don't think this has been done before. Most stories about Greek mythology center on the heroes, so a book about one of the gods is a novelty. I didn't have high expectations for "Herald," but it turned out to be a nice surprise! I finished it the first weekend I got it because once I got about 30 pages into it I couldn't put it down. This is an engaging "autobiography" of Hermes, the mischievous winged messenger god of Greek mythology. Here, Hermes tells his own story from his birth to his involvement in how the final Olympians came to be, that group of gods that held sway over the mortals, demigods and weaker gods of Greek mythology. But the book is much more than a story about the Olympians. There are many fascinating plots and subplots throughout the book, all from Greek mythology and presented so that I came to care about these figures that used to seem stuffy and distant. I don't think you need to know any Greek mythology to enjoy and follow this book. It's a very engrossing fantasy novel.

I expected the writing to be stilted and stuffy, but it isn't that way at all. At the start of the novel, the author has Hermes defy the Muses by refusing to tell his story in traditional verse, and he instead opts for "straightforward words." This rebellious and amusing beginning sets the tone for the rest of the book as Hermes tells his story in a way that's fascinating, emotionally engrossing and often humorous. Hermes himself comes across as a likable and endearing figure, very independent but devoted to those he loves, and touchingly naive despite the power and knowledge he has as an Olympian god. This book may be about a god but it's also a subtle story about a young man's loss of innocence and about his struggles to hang on to his identity in the face of life, death, questions of self-worth, and events that bring him to the brink of insanity.

Other gods and heroes from Greek mythology appear here, and all are well-rounded characters with very clear and, dare I say, HUMAN personalities and foibles: The gentle and sisterly Persephone; the amusingly grumpy but brave Perseus; the calm and imperturbable Athena; the fiercely loyal Apollo; the treacherous and high-maintenance Aphrodite; and the affectionate but mysteriously absent Maia, mother of Hermes, among the other entertaining characters in this book. In particular, I thought Athena was a very enjoyable character: "I'm not infallible, Hermes." At last we learn why she and Hermes team up so much in the Greek myths!

I was struck by how the author really makes the Greek gods seem like a family, which they truly are though the old myths usually don't make them seem so. It's also interesting how the author splits the Olympians into two generational groups, elder and younger. As part of the younger group, Hermes deals mostly with his siblings Apollo, Athena, etc., while the elder gods almost seem to lurk in the background as mysterious and unapproachable figures with incredible elemental powers that the younger generation often combat. It's a fascinating setup. The author also does a great job of weaving obscure figures from Greek mythology into the narrative. I've only ever seen Herse and her family in "Metamorphoses" by Ovid, which the author does list as a source. The book also contains quite a bit of sex, which isn't surprising since it's a factor in most of the old myths, but it's tastefully presented here and none of it is gratuitous: It's all there for a reason. The author, thank goodness, isn't obsessed with going into excessive details and seems content to leave some things to the reader's imagination, which I for one appreciate.

The book has several bonuses in addition to the story itself. It contains a map of ancient Greece and the surrounding areas, which helps give an idea of how this ancient world is set up. Best of all are the notes in the back that give details behind some of the smaller tales in the book and also explain why the author did some of the things he did. The notes alone are almost worth the price of the book, and instead of being dry and academic are an enjoyable read on their own. I also appreciate that this feature is in the BACK of the book instead of the front, so it doesn't get in the way of readers before they have a chance to read the actual story. I hate it when books about classical stories bombard readers at the beginning with notes or intros that are as long as the story itself, but that isn't the case here. Rounding out the notes is a useful glossary of all the characters that appear in the novel and a list of other books for readers to look for, mostly ancient Greek and Roman classics.

The back of the book says this is the first installment of a planned trilogy. I eagerly await the next installment!

Greek mythology isn't generally an area of reading interest (usually really dull reading, though the stories themselves are always interesting), but Herald read quickly and easily. I found myself just wanting to sit and read it (instead of doing the things I *should* be doing like work). This isn't a reaction I have very often to books so whoever reads this review should take note. I was transfixed, hooked on characters brought to life in a much clearer way than I have experienced before. Now I just want to know where the next volume in the trilogy is!

When I was in school I always enjoyed reading Greek mythology, but this book is a lot different than the textbook stories I read back then. Herald is written in a biographical form from the perspective of Hermes, and reading about his life and adventures made me see him more as a young man rather than a Greek god. The book contains a lot of action and adventure that will keep you well entertained. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend to anyone who is a fan of Greek mythology.

I give it four stars.

- Rashonda Banks, WheelMan Press Book Reviews

I've always been a fan of Greek mythology, particularly when the characters and stories have been interpreted in films, however my experience with mythology in literature has been much more limited.

Up until now, most of what I've read of Greek mythology seemed kind of dry and academic, so I was really excited when I read the description for this book. I grabbed a copy as soon as I could, and I have to say I wasn't disapointed.

The story is well paced, with lots of action and the characters are interesting and relatable- definitely not the kind of stuff I was exposed to in school. I also thought it was cool that the story was narrated, in an autobiograpical fashion, by Hermes whom (up until now)I kind of regarded as one of the "lesser" Greek gods.

This is one of those books that when you start it, you don't want to put it down until you're done (and the ending was great!) I'm looking forward to the next two installments.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology or fantasy fiction, you're definitely going to want to check this out.

Holy cow this was a hard book to find! I was interested in reading this book based on all the great reviews it received on Amazon. My curiosity got the better of me so I had to get it. However, finding a copy of it proved harder than I had anticipated. The book is no longer available on Amazon, so I went to the author's website. I couldn't find anything there on obtaining a copy so I e-mailed Greg F. Gifune and asked him if he had some advice on getting this book. He promptly sent me an e-mail telling me that sometimes the book goes up on e-bay or a few libraries carry it. So I went to the biggest library in Denver thinking for sure they would have it, but alas they did not. They were, however, able to order it from another library. It turns out only two libraries in the world carry this book.

So the book is a series of short stories. Greg is a very talented writer. I have a deep respect for people who can write really gripping short stories. It takes talent to mesh all that detail, suspense, character development, and plot all in a mere fifteen pages; Greg does it beautifully. His short stories are truly chilling to the bone and will stick with you long after you read them. I have to agree with another reviewer in that `Snow Angels' is the best story in the book, though all of the stories are just superb.

I just wish this book weren't so darn hard to get. I know so many people who would just love to read this . I'm sure if we're all patient though, we will be seeing a lot more of Greg F. Gifune. Talent like this does will not stay hidden for long.

Well I am proud to say that Greg F. Gifune is my Uncle and Godfather. He is not only an awesome guy, but a well established and excellent writer. I have no doubt he will fufill his dreams of becoming HUGE in the horror genre. He is classy, frightening, intelligent and humorous. Heretics was one of the first books of his I read and I could not put it down. This and many others have aspects about them that reach just about everyone in society. If you are up for a thrilling rollercoaster of suspense and horror pick this one up!!!

ALl my love Uncle I am SO proud of you!!

Your "CHICK"!

With this collection, Greg F. Gifune solidifies his reputation as a fine writer of the macabre. He handles his characters with a delicate touch, not passing judgement on any of them and treating them with the utmost care. No matter where these characters stand, you care for them, which makes the horrors worse when they happen (and believe me, they DO happen).

The cornerstone of this book is the novella "Heretics." Blending the past and present together, Gifune creates a tale that is as moving and scary as one can get. Superb work.

As Brian Hopkins accurately states in his perceptive introduction, Greg Gifune is somewhat of a throwback to the so-called "old school" of writing, a writer who cares more about craft than attracting attention. As Hopkins notes, some evidence of this lies in the low profile Gifune keeps, but the most direct demonstration is in the quality of Gifune's stories. Featuring seven short stories and a novella, Heretics presents powerful tales about people on the fringes, outsiders who for whatever reason don't fit in the mainstream, however defined. There's "Ushers of Darkness," where Gifune masterfully turns the tables on his readers, "Creep," a tale of revenge that will appeal to anyone ever taunted by the "in crowd" in school, "Snow Angels," where a father's devotion to his daughter leads to murder and other travesties, and "Restoration," in which a cop's tragic failure to learn from his mistakes leads to eternal damnation. Finally, the title story, "Heretics," is an expertly constructed tale of friendship and betrayal, of promises made and implied. The ending literally sent a chill up my spine.

Although not every tale works as well as those mentioned above--I found the short stories "The Uncertainty of Darkness," "Vessel," and "Past Tense" uninspiring and overly familiar--each is well crafted. Each story shows an attention to detail and to character development that pays off for Gifune as he introduces his more outré elements, lending an air of believability and inevitability to the proceedings.

Greg Gifune, Heretics (Delirium Books, 2001)

Unless you're one of a select few horror fans, you've probably not yet heard the name Greg F. Gifune. As it sometimes is in these situations, this is truly a crime. Gifune has been quietly making a name for himself in the horror community for quite a while now, publishing deeply disturbing tales in a myriad of small-press magazines. Heretics is a collection of a select few of these tales (four, actually), with some unreleased (as of 2001, anyway) material to flesh the collection out. Delirium released it to a storm of acclaim back in the day, and it sold out very quickly. (Gifune's new novel, being released by Delirium in July of 2005, has already sold out its limited editions in pre-orders with insane prices; this should give you an idea of the guy's rep in certain circles.) One can only hope that Delirium either brings it back into print with a much wider release and a whole lot of publicity (not to mention really good distribution) or they sell the rights to someone who'd be willing to publish the collection (Leisure comes to mind immediately) who's already got the publicity and distribution channels in place, because Heretics is a fantastic book, and deserves a much wider readership than it presently has.

Make no mistake, Greg Gifune writes the sort of extreme horror one sees from an author like Charlee Jacob (though Gifune never pushes that envelope out to the edge)-- and it wouldn't surprise me one whit to see Gifune's career explode the way Jacob's did a few years back-- but it's extremity wrapped in a cloak of atmosphere. Gifune isn't just going to go for the gut, he's going to disturb you on deeper levels while he's at it. The title story in this collection, a novella-length piece, is an excellent example of how good he is at it, but the real gem here is a shorter piece called "The Snow Angels." In fifteen all-too-short pages, Gifune goes for the extreme, then doubles back and shows how effective the power of suggestion can be. It's a shocking twist on the way things are normally done, or as shocking as anything in the horror biz can be these days, and it's powerfully effective. "The Snow Angels" alone is worth the cost of admission here; the other stories are icing on the cake. But what icing it is. There's not a single dud here; for that matter, there's not even a place where Gifune's mastery slips. While the majority of the horror-reading public is busy being satisfied with the ponderous tomes turned out by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, et al., like clockwork, and the slightly more hip have discovered Leisure's recent catalog of writers, the in crowd are being blown away on a regular basis by two of the best horror short-story writers of the last century; Greg Gifune is one of them. (For the record, the other is a guy named Dale Bailey. You'll be seeing as effusive a review of his book The Resurrection Man's Legacy and Other Stories from my keyboard in the very near future.)

Gets four and a half because of five through no fault of Gifune's; the editor at Delirium seems to have gotten drowsy towards the end of the book, and there are some really odd typos (there's quite a few underlines, of all things, peppered throughout the final story; one every six or seven pages). But make no mistake, this book is the real deal. A shoo-in for my twenty-five best reads of the year list in 2005. **** ½

The copy we received was a third edition, and it is very nice. Lots of information and nice photographs of the art. I have looked at the fifth edition in our local library, however, and I would say it is a great improvement. Some expanded sections, and more color photographs. All in all a great introduction to art history for kids or adults.

Oh my gosh! What a great read! very informative, and helped my greatly on my AP Art History exam. Highly recommended!

This is a wonderful book and, in my humble opinion, a better book for most users than the big textbook edition "History of Art". The only complaint I have about this edition is its name; I feel it should be titled "History of Art: Concise Edition" as "History of Art for Young People" makes it sound too much like a children's book. While certainly suitable for an intelligent child, it is a superb art overview and reference for all people.

If you desire a general art reference you won't go wrong with this gem and you'll not find anything better. I have the 3rd edition also and it is excellent but this 6th one is greatly expanded (e.g., lots more photos and color) while retaining the user-friendly nature of the earlier editions. The text is clear and interesting, not written in the dry, boring style of a textbook. The printing and reproductions are top-quality. This art book is truly itself a masterpiece!

I needed to find a few good sources for an art history report and was lucky enough to pluck this book off the shelf at my local library. I ended up finding most everything I needed just in this book and was amazed at the detailed coverage of the history of each induvidual peice. I loved it so much that I bought it for myself, and it has probably been the best purchase I've ever made. The writing is excellent, the coloured pictures make it easy to distinguish certain important aspects of the art, and the background history on the artists, the impact of music, philosophies, or simply the work makes it the best all-around book on art history (especially for students) that I've ever read. It helps the reader to understand how the other influences of trade, literature etc. helped form periods in art history so that they may have a better understanding of the work in general. I would highly recommend this book to anyone in an art history class or any fellow art lover, it's wonderful.

As an art student in college, I slogged my way through several art history volumes, including Jansen's History of Art.Twenty years later, when attempting to revise an art enrichment program in my children's school, I was fortunate to come across Jansen's History of Art for Young People. Don't mistake the title as a reference to chronological age, but rather as aimed at anyone in an early (young) stage of fine art study. The book begins in prehistory and travels through to post-modernism, covering not only the art and artists, but the historical events that influenced the way the art developed. The text is very readable, with lots of key definitions, tables and line-illustrations right in the margins.There are four date based charts that organize the key achievements in Religion, Politics Science, Architecture and Art, emphasizing that art does not develop in a vacuum. Illustrations are well chosen with a fair number of color plates and sharp black and white pictures. Every page has some sort of visual aid, which makes it a pretty pleasant read for students. I highly recomend this book whether as a reference for learning about a particular artist or style, or as a foundation for designing an educational program. Jensen helps one turn the bits and pieces of art data that we all accumulate into a comprehensive sense of the breadth and influence of art in civilization. The depth of information is deep, but not so overwhelming as to drown the reader. If I were to make any criticism of this book, it would be only that it doesn't title itself as a history of WESTERN Art, which leaves an even larger portion of the world still unexplored.