Short Stories Books

This book is adorable and funny. The pictures are perfect. On top of that my doggy can bring the book over to me in his mouth without getting book wet.

I first read it to my 4 yr old. He laughed. Then I helped my 6 yr old to read out aloud. He finished it without too much difficulty. He like it too.

All three stories are well written, while easy to read. And funny too.

I would probably order more for my kids' friends.

I bought this book for my daughter who was 6 at the time, hoping it would get her to challenge herself to read more challenging books for her reading level (at the time.) She absolutely loved reading it to her cat, who also seems to enjoy laying on her bed and getting petted/read to. We have since bought several others of these books (stories to read to your dog, more stories to read to your dog), and even though she is now at a much higher reading level she still enjoys reading the stories to the pets over and over. Cute stories, sometimes funny, nice quality book.

This book is wonderful for children and adults. Cat owners will love and laugh at the perfect characterization of the feline mind. I had been wondering what present to get my dear friend, an owner of five cats, for completing her doctorate in veterinary medicine. She'll be receiving this book!

THREE STORIES YOU CAN READ TO YOUR CAT is really three stories: The Rainy Day, The Yummy Bug, The Good Day. The book is obviously meant for kids to read aloud. But you can read it to them, too. And you and the kids can practice "acting" during the dialogue. Each story is separate and complete -- and hilarious! The action captures the cat's personality. And the brightly colored illustrations are really funny. The nameless cat should be called Mischief (another fun thing to do with the child: find names for the cat). This book proves that, to a cat, it's all about the cat. F.Y.I., there's also a "Three Stories You Can Read to Your Dog" book.

Great book for any cat lover

author of "Hobo Finds A Home"

I am a big fan of Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, and saw that he had written other books as well, so I decided to check them out. This was the first that I read, and I must say that I am looking forward to reading the rest even more now. This book is an excellent collection of short fairy tales starring feline heroes/heroines. Each story is mean to teach a lesson, as in Aesop's Fables (I am not sure why a previous reviewer said that this was not the case, as it is rather obvious from reading the book). I will give only one example, as I do not want to give too much of the book away. One story which Alexender tells is about a Cat and a fiddler. The fiddler is invited to play for the cats evening party, and enjoys it so much he promises to come back again the next week. During the week he is offered a tidy sum of money to play for a prestigious man on the same night that he was to play for the cats. The fiddler does the right thing and keeps his promise to the cats, and after a few more incidents in which he also keeps his word even though it is to his immediate disadvantage, he is rewarded by the royalty of his country for his goodness.

Mind you, it is not just simply stories with a moral either. Alexander manages to make the stories delightfully funny as well. It almost reminds me of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories (the method of telling the story, not the content), and he has some of Kipling's sense of humor as well.

This is one of those rare books that has the mark of a true fairy tale: both children and adults (those who are not too serious, mind you) are delighted by them. They are fun enough for children to enjoy and deep enough for adults to read withough feeling as if they were wasting their time on nonsense. Such a combination is becoming harder and harder to find these days, and Alexander provides us with a gem in the fading art of fairy tale telling.

Overall grade: A

The Book I am going to review is called "The Town Cats" by Lloyd Alexander, author of the Prydain chronicles. This book resembles Aesop's fables, with animals acting like men, but it does not have so many morals. This book is a collection of short tales about cats, acting in the capacity of men. It doesn't fall into any generic category; however, it is humorous, and some of the stories could be called fairy tales.
For example, one of the stories begins like this: a tailor becomes rich. He starts acting strange, trying to live up to his wealth. Yet his strange behavior does not agree with his cat, Vaska. In a strange and hilarious way, Vaska teaches his master how to act normal again. That is one of the stories with more of a moral at the end.
The book is very funny, and it is original. It has a particularly funny tale about a cat and his master, a painter. The subjects he paints are never satisfied, and they never come to sit and let him draw them. Then, the cat takes up the brush, and the subjects learn a lesson about their image of themselves.
As the author says, "Cats being more sensible than the rest of us, the idea of a set of tales demonstrating this came easily to mind. The problem wasn't finding enough examples, but keeping them to a manageable number." I think he did a good job of showing humans' greed and lack of sense, and he made it neither too short, nor too long, but just right.
Lloyd Alexander is a great author. He spun eight great tales about cats into a wonderful book. I recommend it to cat lovers, and people who like to laugh (I include myself in both categories).

Lloyd Alexander is great at putting emotions into his books. I've never laughed out loud because a book was funny until I read his books. I loved how smart the cats were.

"Never take a cat for granted!," warns the back-cover copy of this collection, and Alexander, like myself, has obviously enjoyed a long association with felines and knows whereof he speaks. I originally read this book out of the library years ago and was delighted to find it back in print. Any child (or adult) for whom Puss-in-Boots was a major hero will want to have it in his collection. Alexander's cat-heroes, from Pescaro, who dupes an unwelcome royal bureaucrat in the title story, through Witling in "The Apprentice Cat," may all be able to talk, but otherwise they clearly *think* like cats--sometimes to the detriment of the people around them. (As Mark Twain famously declared, "If man could be crossed with the cat, it would be an improvement for the man, and a comedown for the cat.") There's Margot, who helps a princess marry the man she wants; Baraka, who plays chess and teaches the sultan a valuable lesson; Quickset, who relieves his village of the tyranny of a greedy storekeeper; Vaska, who shows his human the folly of trying to imitate one's betters; Hillesum, who saves the career of the painter he lives with; and the Master of Revels, who helps the fiddler Nicholas earn the recognition that is his proper due. Laszlo Kubinyi's illustrations are as delightful as the stories (don't miss the vignette on the title page). This book will remain on my shelf till the floor falls through.

This is one romance novel you won't have to disguise or hide from your friends while you read it. "Truly Inseparable" is a wonderful departure from the "bodice ripper" / melodramatic, overblown romance stories you know from days of old. Up-to-date, realistic story and characters with heart, "Truly Inseparable" by Wanda Thomas lures you in with an attractive cover, mini-hardback format and a dynamite opening. A little warning though, be prepared to care about Shelby and Nelson as people, (I caught my husband reading it to find out why I had a bit of a cry). We both highly recommend this book, and look forward to Ms. Thomas's next.

While I am not an avid romance reader - if for no other reason than I am male- I found Truly Inseparable to easily hold my attention. It kept my interest throughout; wanting to know what happens to the characters next. The characters were well drawn and the storyline was tight. This is a great read for the romance enthusiast.

This is a great story about unconditional love. It shows that people who are in love can endure whatever comes their way. Sometimes traumatic experiences bring you closer to the one you love. I loved the story line and look forward to Wanda's next novel.

I really loved this book. I picked it up and could not put it down until it was completed. This is not only a good love story but it also gives you a lesson on SIDS. The author really put her heart and research into this book.

I will recommend that everyone read this because it will really touch your heart.

Congrates to Wanda on a job well done.

I've read this book several times because I was so touched with this unconditional love story. This couple faced one of the most difficult times of their lives and that's the loss of a child to Sudden Infant Crib Death. The author has done an outstanding performance in writing this story, every page of this book flowed so gracefully with the love and dealing with the loss. Even the secondary characters made this book good; the bookcover for once actually seems to match the description of the couple's love for one another. I strongly recommend to all the readers of romance to read this book, I will say you will not be disappointed by no means. Ms. Thomas, I look forward to your next one, because if you put the same spirit you did with this one, you will have many more fans!

TWELVE-FURLONG MILE AND OTHER WORKS OF SHORT FICTION was a departure from my usual reading realm and a wise choice of entertaining reading material! What an ability Steve Scott has to captivate ones interest in a short venue with likable, clearly defined characters and some disturbing situations. There's comical bantering, effortless enlightenment of subject matter (i.e. gambling formulas & baseball cards), surprises galore and shock value! My heart was touched and ached for the 8th grader in "The Adventures of Dan Wetmeyerbent". My favorite was the beautifully written "Closing Arguments" which had me feeling I sat on the witness stand, too! Tied for second was: "Wingman", "Ken and the Princess" and "End of Latency". Too outstanding, I couldn't just pick one! I hope Steve Scott is planning on sharing more stories. I want more! more! more!

Definitely, this book was Right Up My Alley! The perfect solution for a busy person obsessed with finishing what they begin when it comes to reading is to select short stories! A bonus here: 10 short stories in one book! And, these stories were interesting as well as fast-paced. "Twelve Furlong Mile" and "Friendly Wager" would be my top picks, but I enjoyed each one and eagerly await another volume. Next book Mr. Scott?!

What a great collection of stories. There was a story for everyone! My personal favorite was "Wingman" because it draws you in with the characters and then the ending is unpredictable. A story that takes your emotions for a ride. "Ken and the Princess" is also a personal favorite. Great job with the details in each story! Looking forward to what comes out next by Mr. Scott!

TWELVE FURLONG MILE IS...10 GREAT stories...10 unpredictable endings...very enjoyable reading. The stories are clever and imaginative and it was so easy to relate personally with the characters. I'm hoping that Steve Scott has more stories coming soon. I have recommended this book to my friends and have had great feedback from them, as well. Do yourself a great favor and GET THIS BOOK!

Reading is a quiet pleasure. When a story causes me to gasp out loud, as in 'End of Latency,' the story has to have taken me by surprise. When a story causes me to laugh out loud, as in 'Two Jokers,' it's an added bonus. This reading is a not-so-quiet pleasure. The stories are absorbing, thought-provoking, and entertaining -- just what good writing is supposed to do. In our quick-paced lives, it's invigorating to become absorbed in a story that doesn't take days to unfold.

This is the best collection of new short stories I've read since I discovered Thomas Ligotti some years ago. Hirshburg is every bit as good, but entirely different. Any fan of horror stories should buy this immediately. Let's hope he's more prolific than Ligotti.

This is a collection of short stories by an already celebrated author for his short fictions. In the ghost story genre Glen Hirshberg is truely the best american pen stylist since the first publication of Great Master Peter Straub, 30 years ago. Mr. Hirshberg gives a good quantity of new blood, always served in the most literary ways. These are all ghost stories but herein, there isn't any kind of repetition feeling. The only wrong note is that here, the blend is so good that this collection, at the end feels a little short. There is two ways to solve this problem. Either re-read that wonderful collection or read, The Snowman's Children, Mr. Hirshberg's first novel, also a gem on its own . Thanks, Glen! I can't wait for your new novel.

Pull up a chair, start the fire, listen as the tales are told, and see if you sleep tonight. Being a sucker for a ghost story, I thought I'd get a quick scare, have a bit of fun and then put the book down with only a vague recollection of the tales. I couldn't have been more wrong. What I found was so psychologically shattering, it left me with a chill for days.

Centering on education and childhood fears, the fours stories connect and ambush the reader with a combined strike of terror and awe. The title story is heartbreaking and may come to revisit the reader for months, even years after. Each individual plot is so beguiling and intellectually chilling, they leave you breathless. Comfortable and warm, the atmosphere quietly switches gears so fast it's paralyzing.

The characters are deeply portrayed, filled with a delicacy and a history that has damaged them in some way. They soon begin to not only resonate, but also demand to be heard. The pace set in the story is slow and gentle with a build up of a speed so intense it leaves you gasping for air. Hirshberg's style of writing is measured and ingenious, always leaving the reader with his or her own explanations.

Here are five tale that are nominal and unconventional. Classic storytelling with a decisive twist. Perfect!

I give this book a 5 . Buy this book today, but don't forget the No Dose...I wish i hadn't!

Exhibiting the same compelling, richly textured storytelling style displayed in Hirshberg's noteworthy debut novel, The Snowman's Children, The Two Sams features five novellas that work satisfying variations on familiar themes. All are told in the first person.

The two most intriguing stories in the collection are the bittersweet title story, "The Two Sams," and the surreal "Mr. Dark's Carnival." "The Two Sams" features a troubled husband reflecting on the two miscarriages his wife has suffered-the character's sense of loss is palpable, the climax is profoundly moving. "Mr. Dark's Carnival" which, while evocative of Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes is far, far darker, chronicles a college professor's disturbing Halloween encounter with a local legend.

Another tale set on Halloween night, "Struwwelpeter," is about a haunted house and the allure it holds for a troubled teenager. "Shipwreck Beach" is about the uneasy relationship between two cousins; as it's title indicates, it's about shipwrecks, both literal, and those some people make of their lives. Finally, "Dancing Men" provides a sensitive yet simultaneously harrowing look at some fallout from the central tragedy of our age, the Holocaust.

The enthusiasm Ramsey Campbell displays for Hirshberg's work in his introduction is justifiable-truly an "original and considerable talent," Hirshberg does indeed "bring enviable skills to his work," such as a "stylistic precision that comes of loving language, an unerring eye for character and the moments that define or reveal it," and "a keen sense not just of place but how light and the time of day transform his settings." As to Campbell's assertion that "history will hail him as a crucial contributor to the field," only time will tell. Based on the evidence in The Two Sams, the probability certainly seems high.

The five novellas that make up The Two Sams are billed as ghost stories, but I would describe them more as haunting pieces of fiction, which is not necessarily the same thing. Glen Hirshberg has a wonderful writing style, one that has already earned him many award nominations in his young career. It's a mix of the classic and the modern, a sort of Henry James meets Ramsey Campbell, and in fact Campbell supplies the meritorious introduction to this collection. What you get here is the highest literary form of the dark tale.

There is a great deal of variety between the five long short stories collected here, but they all share a wonderful atmosphere and the underpinnings of well-constructed tales. They are not traditional ghost stories; indeed, they could best be described as psychological horror pieces that remind us once again that the most frightening ghosts are sometimes the ones inside our own heads.

The title story is the shortest and my least favorite of the bunch. It revolves around a father trying to deal with the history of two miscarried pregnancies as his wife's third pregnancy enters its final stages. Who can say what kind of connection a father might have to his children who were not to be? "Dancing Men" seems to garner the most critical acclaim among these stories, but this tale of a boy's very strange rite of passage, one linking the horrors his grandfather suffered in the Holocaust with Native American rituals, didn't evoke the same type of feelings the other stories evoked in me. "Shipwreck Beach" is an interesting story set just off the coast of a Hawaiian island. A young lady has come to see her cousin and friend for the first time since he got out of jail and moved to the islands. Her cousin has something to show her, a mysterious boat that sort of just appeared and cannot be sunk just off the coast. The most interesting aspect of this tale is the story that evolves from the young man's history, the mysterious culmination of which comes onboard the strangely otherworldly boat.

If you are looking for real scares, I would direct your attention to "Struwwelpter" and "Mr. Dark's Carnival." The first story is rather a strange one involving a youth's fascination with a mysterious old man's house and gardens, especially a bell that can reportedly raise the dead. The exploration of the house produces some potentially scary moments for the reader, and the story takes a strange and in some ways much more disturbing turn at the very end.

"Mr. Dark's Carnival" is, in my opinion, the best story by far in this collection. It is set in a college Montana town famous for its Halloween celebrations, much of the collective enthusiasm bound up in the local legend of a strange carnival of undisclosed horrors going back many years. The protagonist is a college professor who delights in teaching this local tradition to his students, and for years he has sought the opportunity to visit this ultimate Halloween haunted house experience -- if it actually exists. You have to be invited to the undisclosed location, and this year he receives what might be a genuine ticket to the supposedly legendary festivities. The whole atmosphere of the story is teeming with spooky potential, the experience as it is happening is fully capable of raising a few hairs on the back of your neck, and the ending hits you like a punch in the guts. I have to say, in all honesty, "Mr. Dark's Carnival" is one of the most impressive horror stories I have read in a long time.

If you have your doubts about the continued honing of the darker crafts of writing in this modern age, you will be especially pleased to sample the impressive wares of Glen Hirshberg. This guy is, as they say, going places -- and he is taking a deep sense of the rich history of the horror genre along with him.

"Voices of the Lost and Found" has to rank as one of contemporary fiction's top short story collections, that all-too-rare blend of master craftsmanship and totally compelling fiction. Each story hooks its reader from the first sentence to the last period - and far beyond -- into edgy mini worlds, each so different it's hard to believe the same person created them. The insights into human relationships, delicious surprises and downright entertaining storytelling make for powerful reading. I found myself slowing down about halfway through the collection - because I didn't want to hit the point where I had no more stories to read! It's the perfect gift for those who treasure short stories with power and zing.

Reading the stories in Dorene O'Brien's short story collection, Voices of the Lost and Found, is akin to having a carnival worker assure you that there's nothing to worry about, even as he grins menacingly watching the car you're sitting in enter some dark tunnel ahead. I skipped around as I often do in a collection of shorts, and was wrapped up in a blaze of tension right off the bat, immersing myself in Riding the Hubcap, a tale of two young men on the run from a rural Michigan city after a string of robberies. The characters in Voices are from many walks of life, young and old, black and white, and it only adds to the rich layering present in O'Brien's prose. But even if you start at the beginning, you'll be rewarded with great storytelling. Ovenbirds will pull you into O'Brien's way of writing instantly, as you agonize for the outcome of the life of a young mother who was once the captive victim of a misogynistic killer deep in the Catskills. O'Brien's voice, while so unique, is typical of Michigan's many hidden jewels. That is to say, it's there for everyone to discover, right under one's feet, but sometimes it takes a little luck to unearth it. The roller coaster ride her yarns takes us on is worth the price of admission.

If you haven't read Dorene O'Brien before, be advised: This is one of those anthologies where you will read one story or maybe just one page of Ms. O'Brien's writing and you will know that twenty years from now, you will remember where you were. She is that good.
You will know you are witnessing something special. Another reviewer used the word virtuosity. I couldn't agree more. From the unexpected endings to the diverse voices, from the edgy settings to the incredible empathy with the human condition, Ms. O'brien articulates her stories with absolute virtuosity.

The voices, attitudes and personalities of every character in every story are so different, it's difficult to believe all of these stories are written by one person. O'Brien's writing is breathtaking and her imagination is downright astonishing! A wonderful collection of short stories.

The woman can write. There you go. The stories in this collection are clever, insightful, and each one is memorable in its own way. If you appreciate good ideas and a style that complements each story rather than overwhelming it, this is the collection for you. Think Raymond Carver. Think Edgar Allan Poe (without the obsession about being entombed alive). A terrific assortment of stories that are even better on a second reading.

If you like suspense, you will LOVE this book. When you put it down to do something else you will be looking forward to picking it back up, it is that intriguing. A great thriller!

The characters are all so realistic, and I felt a range of emotions for each and every one of them and couldn't wait to see how they all made it through. Even though the novel is fiction, it reads so true to life that it could have been -- hope it never is -- a true story. Definitely one I'll read again!

An amazing read. I read it in TWO nights (and as the mom of two small kids, that is not an easy accomplishment). You fall in love with the characters and have to find out what happens to each of them. I have recommended this book to all of my friends and family and everyone has had the same response. If you are looking for an exciting, suspense filled book, this is the one for you. Happy reading!

If you haven't had a chance to read this book, you're really missing out! The story line itself is a little frightening because something like this really is in the realm of possibilities and that made it more interesting because that sense of reality was tangible. I love what he did with his characters, even the ones I didn't really like. And any time there is a chance of redemption and a shot at being a hero, it's good to see that.

Really, a great summer read, but a good read even mid-winter :-)

...because the odds are that you won't be able to put it down until you're done. This was a great story. Mara weaves his diverse characters, who range from the admirable to the disgraceful, into a suspenseful tale of human determination and courage. If you've ever wondered how you might react in a crisis, whether it be a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or as here a frighteningly credible combination of the two, then take a closer look at this book.

Hi - I'm the illustrator that did the cover. Had to read the whole manuscript first - Lee's a sweetly demented fellow, his tales of full of sadness, regret and wicked observation.

Had to get a drunk a couple of times just to start work on the cover art.

Lee - you never said whether you liked the cover or not?

Simply THE BEST. Every book by Lee K. Abbott reads like a chapter in a BIG AMERICAN NOVEL. I mean: each one of his short-stories is more nutritive than most novels published these days. I already wrote a review as a READER FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN but forget to put my e-mail there in case Mr. Abbott wants to send me the promised out-of-print-book (if you're there, Lee, knock three times). In a world where everybody seems to fall for minimalists, Mr. Abbott is a maximalist with a vengeance. Lucky us.

Lee K. Abbott is the King of Kings and the true heir to John Cheever's crown as the ruler of the short story as Big Art. I once phoned him while doing a stage at the University of Iowa International Writers Workshop and he promised to send me "The Heart Never Fits its Wanting" (his only title I didn't have); he never did but it's okay: still looking for it and proud to be his only fan born in Argentina.

Simply THE BEST. Every book by Lee K. Abbott reads like a chapter in a BIG AMERICAN NOVEL. I mean: each one of his short-stories is more nutritive than most novels published these days. I already wrote a review as a READER FROM BARCELONA, SPAIN. In a world where everybody seems to fall for minimalists, Mr. Abbott is a maximalist with a vengeance. Lucky us.

Some of these stories are not in Abbott's newest collection, one of which is the humorous and unforgettable "A Creature Out of Palestine." The first two pages introduce us to the world Abbott has created, characters speaking with his strength and natural humor, the landscape and characters as unique as Faulkner's Yoknapatawpha County, but in the desert of the American southwest. When I first read Abbott, I thought, "Wonderful. Who IS this guy?" Answer: an original, and per William Giraldi in "The Georgia Review", "Abbott fuses a poet's purpose with a fiction writer's, the lyrical with the narrative...[but it would be] impossible to sustain that level of stylistic fervor, those orgasms of language for more than twenty or twenty-five pages." The limitation of length in the short story challenges a writer to create a world peopled with three dimensional characters in conflict, and yet to make the story whole, with synergy. Abbott is the master, doing so with beauty, pathos, and most especially, humor.

Like all Froud books this one is incredible. This isn't just for children. People of all ages will enjoy it. Especially if you are a Froud fan. The pictures are beautiful and the story is really nice. This is must have for all children and Froudians

On the Midwinters Eve the faeries are having their annual celebration to welcome winter. But something is a miss and they all know it..where is winter? Why are there still flowers and fruit on the trees? Where has lady winter gone?
This book is illustrated with beautiful faerie figures in the traditional Froud family fashion. The story is a little familiar of many fantasy stories, and yet unique and steeped in lore.
Almost looking as a young childrens book at first this book is pretty and soft but the story is almost that of a short chapter books. The story is long enough and yet simple enough to be enjoyed by all. This book is great for children and adults alike

This is an extremely beautiful book. With Wendy Froud's doll making skills and Terri Windling's magical story weaving, teamed up with Brian Froud well, it sounds too good to be true. This follow up to "A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale" did not disappoint.

Sneezle, our beloved hero from the first book, is again teamed up with his friend Twig for a quest to find out why Winter has not yet reached their forest. Again they encounter many characters, in which Wendy's dolls never fail to amaze me. She is so incredibly gifted. I would like to show this book to anyone who does not appreciate winter as a season, because while it's not the "moral" of the story...it takes a look at winter as being the season for rest so that everything can be reborn in the spring. It tells a magnificent tale.

Not only is it a wonderful book to read and enjoy, but it's a treasure to put up on the shelf or coffee table for looking at again and again.

Wendy Froud is the wife of Artist Bryan Froud ( Good Fairies, Bad Fairies). She is a great artist and this book reflects her abilities, the books has pictures of the dolls she created for the story. The pictures say a thousand words. If you are a doll maker, you will greatly enjoy this book. The story is good but the pictures are better. It has different kind of trolls, fairies and wizards. If you love fantasy you will love the book.

Terri, Wendy, and Brian have done it again! Teaming up again to send Sneezle, the beloved hero of "A Midsummer Night's Faery Tale," on another adventure, the Frouds and Windling masterfully create a mythical world that defies the pages the story is written on. Using photographs of dolls created by Wendy Froud in settings built in the Froud's garden studio, the characters literally step from the pages. Fresh and exciting, Windling's writing brings new life to old folklore, bringing the faeries and goblins of Dartmoor out of their hiding places, at least for a little while, for us to see. A treasure to keep, with plenty to share, this is a wonderful read for the self and the wee ones!

Kerrie Colantonio, Penny-A-Page Publishing

Among the ranks of forgotten pulp authors, Harold Lamb's obscurity is one of the strangest enigmas. Imagine if you only knew Robert E. Howard or H. P. Lovecraft from a few hints of having been significant once, or inspiring later authors, and their works were unavailable in print. This is pretty much the situation with Lamb, and it is hopeful that this book and its four companions will remedy it.

Because, in fact, Lamb is a master of the genre, easily the equal of REH, HPL and other pioneers of fantastic fiction. The main character, Khlit, a veteran Cossack on the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, is just as iconic as Conan the Barbarian, Ffahrd and the Grey Mouser or Cugel the Clever. His gruffness, practicality, and sharp wit despite being completely illiterate, makes him an appealing protagonist. In turn, his foes, Tatar Khans, schemers of the Chinese court and masters of secret cults and societies, are classic pulp villain material without indulging in base stereotypes. The pacing, including the trademark twist at the end (where I usually cried out "Of course!"), is exemplary. Finally, the locations where the stories take place are well chosen: exotic to modern readers, and presented fantastically, yet with a sharp eye to historical detail and accuracy as well. Lamb's deep knowledge of Asian cultures and customs is remarkable, and he can weave it into his plots without looking intrusive or forced.

It is hopeful that these four volumes will pave the way before more collections and reprints, and that they will introduce many more people to Lamb's excellent works. As someone who had known next to nothing about them even a few months ago, and only discovered the author when he was mentioned alongside Talbot Mundy on a message board, I definitely recommend them to anyone with an interest in great adventure stories. The editor, Howard Andrew Jones, is to be commended for his efforts in making this happen - and the cover illustrator as well for providing four elegant, moody illustrations to adorn them.

For those interested in historical adventure there is probably no better choice than to pick up this volume and read the epic story of a lone, wily cossack, who leaves his clan and sets about adventuring across Asia. Not only is the volume a bargain - you would be lucky to find a sole story in the original magazine version at the price of the whole volume - it is entertainment pur sang,from the first page to the last. While Lamb gives us great descriptions of battle- and actionscenes, in the end his heroes win by their wits and not by their swords. This gives every storyending the unique "Lamb-twist" In addition the backgrounds and details of the stories are all historically accurate - which does not detract at all from the enjoyment! If you like to have your imagination stimulated by adventures in far lands and other days, this is the book for you!

For honest disclosure, the editor, Howard Andrew Jones, is a friend and colleague.

But that won't stop me from saying "wow". The first tale of Khlit starts off the character at the very audacious age of 50-ish. And Khlit ages as the series goes on. To have this wiley old man have to think his way through the traps and conflicts that beset him and not just rely on sword and brawn, is just so damn cool.

Others have noted how modern Harold Lamb writes. I concur. His prose is evocative without being overly flowery. He sketches a world that is deep and dangerous, but never gets in the way of the story.

And Lamb's exploration of cultures and religions of this region, well, I think that Khlit and Lamb expose us to some very thought provoking situations that pertain to our world, NOW. After all, this is the world of Turkey to China. I think there are some events happening in that area these days that are of import. I'm not saying that this is a history lesson in these pages....but history and culture are nonetheless taught as we follow the wandering Cossack.

If, like me, you've hunted for Harold Lamb's stories dispersed in old and rare magazines and books long out of print and despaired that you would ever have them all - you will be grateful to Howard Jones for collecting and editing them. I am, even more so because I got to know Howard towards the end of this enterprise and got a glimpse of how huge and intricate his job was.

If you've ever dreamed of adventures in a world younger than ours, where bravery and cunning count for something and danger or treasure could wait around the next bend of the road - these stories are for you.

If you've ever wished for tales that would let you breathe the sharp air of the Hindukush range, feel the burning sun of the deserts, taste the dust of the steppes, see the Cossacks or nomads quarrel, fight and revel - these stories are certainly for you.

Get all four volumes and ride with Khlit, a cunning old Cossack retired from the Sietch, who keeps looking for adventures, alone or with a few companions, in lands where if your hosts regret your parting you never know whether they found your company good or whether they regret they did not have enough time to rob you.

Read these stories, enjoy them and tell your friends!

I bought this book (and the companion volume) after reading some of Lamb's work in the 'Flashing Swords' ezine and anthology from Pitch-Black Press (Sages and Swords). I'd never heard of Lamb before--and now I've read his work, I'm stumped if I know why that is. Everything that's good about adventure fiction is in this book: strong and cunning protagonists, treacherous villains, and exotic locales, and all written in a clean and fast-paced prose style I wish I could emulate.

I read the whole thing in a week, then read the other volume straight after. When I finished, I went back and read them again.

My only caveat about the books has nothing to do with the stories, but the covers. The stock used for the covers is a little thin, and it warps badly if it gets damp. If you do buy a copy (and you should), then keep the cover away from water, otherwise it will curl and start to come apart.

If you're at all interested in adventure fiction, you should buy this book and any others by Lamb you can. Really, they're very, very good.

[This is the same review I wrote for the other of the two books currently available--but I read them both at the same time, and I have the same comments about both, so ...)