Reds Books

Cell 7 is getting prepared for the first round of the Chunin Exam to become journeymen ninja but first things first. Rock Lee challenges Sasuke to a one on one match before the test even starts! Naruto and company are a little intimidated by the assemblage of ninja at the Exam since a lot of them are not rookies like their team. Naruto almost wets himself when he finds out the first round of the Exam is a written test. We all know and even HE knows he's not exactly the brightest lightbulb in the room. There are 10 questions with a value of 1 point each with the total points of each team being the combined score of all three members. What makes it a bit tricky is that the ninja are not told what score it takes to pass. If any team member gets caught cheating, 2 points will be deducted from each member. If you lose all 10 points you fail and will be asked to leave. Sakura has no problem with the questions since she is the smartest on her team but Naruto and Sasuke are going to have to figure out some way to get the answers from other examinees without getting nabbed.

The reader is caught just as much off-guard as Naruto's team when you find out that the first item of business for the Chunin exam is a 10 question written test. I was expecting some sort of slam bang tournament in which fighters duke it out. What Kishimoto is able to do in Volume 5 is to give a hint of each ninja's powers without giving too much away as they use their various abilities to cheat without catching the eye of any of the proctors. Well, actually, some do get caught, but nobody worthwhile. Kishimoto also introduces two important relationships. The first is that between Sakura and Yamanaka Ino, who appear to be rivals for the affections of Sasuke (even though he hasn't shown interest in either). The second is that between Naruto and Hyuga Hinata, a shy girl that Naruto thinks is a freak, but she has an unuttered crush on him. Great character designs, art, and writing.

Nothing is more Japanese than the written exam. High school students usually don't get graded on daily work, but instead can study all year for a single test that is close to 100% of their grade. If you fail it, then try again next year.

In "Naruto 5," all the genin (jr. ninja) who hope to advance to chunin (journeyman) must sit a written exam. The catch is, each team passes or fails as a team, using their combined score. If Naruto fails, then Sakura and Sasuke go down too. Naruto's only hope is to cheat, but anyone getting caught cheating is immediately failed, along with his team. A great story, showing Naruto's unique psychological strengths in a tense situation.

Of course, Viz does a great job with this book as with all the Naruto series. My only complaint is that the entire series is in black and white, and the colored parts of the series are also rendered in black and white. I wish they would get as close as possible to the Japanese original, including the colored sections.

Ever taken a test and tried to cheat?It is caught once and your out right?In this book,they can get caught three times and you fail your entire cell.That's right.The name of the game is cheating. Luckily,almost everyone has some ninjutsu in there arsenal.All except for Naruto.Hurry up and cheat dunce or you'll fail!Hey what's with the last question?

Vol #8. My son is collecting them all; a must have for Naruto lovers

Not that this will seem helpful, but on page 31 (and throughout the whole volume), "Master Gai" (or what we referred to him in past volumes to this) is spelled in the English anime dub format as "Master Guy". Just wanted to make readers aware so they don't mistake it for another character. Great volume anyhow.

I'v never written a review before, but for one of my fav authors, here goes;

Naruto. Now, this is what...volume 8? Oh my God, are we behind Japan! Japan is like on book 31! I just read chapter 284 yesterday in Japanese! (11/18/05)
Well, anyways, this book totally rocks. Any parent might just say , "No honey, it contains violence." Yet they are depriving their kid of some sweet Kishimoto-ness! No, some sweet Naruto-ness!! *spazzes out*
The plot totally surprises many here, with a sudden twist. Yet you feel the throb of things to come, and boy, are there things to come >_<
I hope everybody who buys it enjoys this, and I hope you like my review better than all those other critics *lol*
Arigato, oh, and Gaara and Sai are MINE. Lol. Sayonara, enjoy!

I was 100% entertained by Joseph's style, and received an education in the Horror film's impact on America (and vice versa) that I could never have gathered from countless hours on my own. This is a fantastic guidebook through not only American History, but also through the history of American Horror.

When will the sequel - the one that covers the Bush Administration's impact on America - go to press?

In Nightmare's in Red, White & Blue, Author Joseph Maddrey traces the history of American horror films and how they reflected the culture, attitudes, and the social and political climates of the periods. He starts with an evaluation of the silent era and the German Expressionist films of Paul Wegener (The Golem), Robert Weine (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) and F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu). In these cases we have directors who fled the oncoming Nazi regime in their native land but these earlier works were a result of the socially repressive society. The silent section is pretty sparse and Maddrey barely mentions the films of Lon Chaney Sr.

From the silent films, Maddrey moves on to the classic horrors of the 30's and 40's. He links the popularity of these films to the depression and moviegoers enjoyment of seeing people onscreen taking matters into their own hands which was contrary to most American's lives of the day where one had little control over the social and economic conditions in which they lived. I tend to think that analysts over think things and I believe that these films simply offered some escapism to Americans both during the depression and WWII. Maddrey discussed many classics of the era including Frankenstein (although curiously mentions little about the superior sequel Bride of Frankenstein and its anti-religious overtones), Dracula, The Island of Lost Souls, Freaks, and many others. Maddrey often quotes J. David Skal who wrote perhaps the best book on the culture of horror films "The Monster Show". One of Maddrey's best evaluations is on the 1934 classic, "The Black Cat' which paired Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff together for the first time. The social tragedy of WWI is the backdrop of the cat & mouse game between vengeful Lugosi and Satan-worshipping Karloff with the fate of two American newlyweds hinging on the outcome. It's a remarkable film even today. Succeeding chapters explore the anti-war/nuclear ramification films of the 1950's including War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and many others as well as the films of Roger Corman and William Castle. The book carries on into the modern gothic vampire films of today.

The second part focuses on several film auteurs and their contributions to Horror films including Tod Browning, Alfred Hitchcock, Roger Corman, George Romero, John Carpenter, David Lynch and Wes Craven. The examination of these directors is easily the best part of the book and I was especially happy to see Tod Browning covered in such depth.

Nightmares in Red, White & Blue isn't really long enough to be considered a serious evaluation of horror films. There are too many films omitted or covered only in brief. But it does serve as a very good primer to the history of horror films, covering the major films, directors, and actors. The second part of the book is really the meat of the book and this section is worth the price of the book alone. Maddrey writes in a conversational style and he's certainly not as dry as Skal tends to be. The book is well-researched although I would have liked to have heard Maddrey's opinions a bit more rather than relying on quotes from Skal and others.

Reviewed By Tim Janson

Nightmares in Red, White and Blue is not just a history of themes in American horror movies and how those themes relate to the country's idea of itself (in other words, all the subtext-hunting B-movie lovers love). It's the best book on American horror movies and their reasons for existing I've ever read. (One of my fantasies of paradise is to receive in the mail a copy of every book on movies McFarland & Company publishes. Fortunately I live near a university library that orders most of them.)

Joseph Maddrey proves that 200 pages is long enough to do justice to almost any subject if you're organized and know what you want to say.

Part I takes a historical view of the eras of American horror movies - - Universal monsters shuffling through the ruins the Great War; invaders from the depths of communist space; rebellious Roger Corman cheapies; sharks, slashers, and shinings; postmodern monstrosities impersonating European movie stars (Bela Lugosi's not dead, he's Catherine Deneuve).

My favorite chapter title is "What the Fifty Foot Woman Did to the Incredible Shrinking Man." In that chapter the book shows on consecutive pages three iconic images of woman-as-victim from famous seventies horror films.

Part II is a detailed examination of auteurs, including Tod Browning, Roger Corman, George Romero, John Carpenter, Larry Cohen, David Lynch, and Wes Craven.

Maddrey deserves an award for accomplishing something few critics do - - he quickly summarizes stories and what those stories are saying about American society without spoiling all the plot surprises. But you still know what the films are about, both on the surface and underneath.

I suspect we're on the verge of a new American nightmare to answer the American dream. I hope we can wake up from this one, too.

Nurse Jamie's Botox Diaries is a laugh out loud collection of stories that will keep you wanting more and wondering who these people are and why they go to the lengths they do to look good. I really had a hard time putting it down. I only hope there is another book on the way or better yet a whole collection, as I really felt like a Hollywood insider knowing what the celebrities do behind Nurse Jamie's doors. If she makes them look half as good as she looks then mission accomplished
Hilarious and fun!!

OMG! This book is hysterically funny. I didn't want to finish it. I hope there'll be another one with even more stories. Nurse Jamie is hilarious and somewhat of a nut. I loved guessing which celeb is which. I also like the fact that she gave good information on the various treatments out there, explaining them so I can understand. Now I know what an IPL is.

A really funny and quick read. Maybe cause I didn't want to put it down! : )

Definitely read it!!

Fascinating book. Guessing the identity of her high profile clients while I laughed out loud kept me from noticing how long our plane sat on the runway. It occupied me through the late take-off and more than a few scary air pockets. (Halfway there, I noticed the cute guy next to me trying to read over my shoulder.) I'm amazed at what stars go through to stay on top. Nurse Jamie must have the life of a secret service agent. The part where she tells us how she tries everything on herself first is hilarious.

This is an excellent historical fiction story about four girls who help an elderly woman make a beautiful, unique quilt of roses. It is set in the late 1800s on the Long Beach Penninsua of Washington State on the Pacific coast. While the plot may sound boring, Patricia Beatty makes the act of quilt-making (not to mention the search for just the right fabric) come to life, much as Laura Ingalls Wilder tells of her childhood experiences.

This title was recommended by the Washington State Centennial Committee in 1989, and was quite popular with upper elementar students in this area at that time. For students who enjoy books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but would like to explore a different part of the country, this title and the companion books, "Sarah and Me and the Lady from the Sea," and "The Nickel-Plated Beauty," are highly recommended.

This is an excellent historical fiction story about four girls who help an elderly woman make a beautiful, unique quilt of roses. It is set in the late 1800s on the Long Beach Penninsua of Washington State on the Pacific coast. While the plot may sound boring, Patricia Beatty makes the act of quilt-making (not to mention the search for just the right fabric) come to life, much as Laura Ingalls Wilder tells of her childhood experiences.

This title was recommended by the Washington State Centennial Committee in 1989, and was quite popular with upper elementar students in this area at that time. For students who enjoy books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but would like to explore a different part of the country, this title and the companion books, "Sarah and Me and the Lady from the Sea," and "The Nickel-Plated Beauty," are highly recommended.

This is an excellent historical fiction story about four girls who help an elderly woman make a beautiful, unique quilt of roses. It is set in the late 1800s on the Long Beach Penninsua of Washington State on the Pacific coast. While the plot may sound boring, Patricia Beatty makes the act of quilt-making (not to mention the search for just the right fabric) come to life, much as Laura Ingalls Wilder tells of her childhood experiences.

This title was recommended by the Washington State Centennial Committee in 1989, and was quite popular with upper elementar students in this area at that time. For students who enjoy books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but would like to explore a different part of the country, this title and the companion books, "Sarah and Me and the Lady from the Sea," and "The Nickel-Plated Beauty," are highly recommended.

Great book. After a terrible day at work, I often grab this book and read the sections I have highlighted. One of those highlighted sections is in Chapter 1 and nicely sums up the book: "One basic premise of this book is that the things that drive your craziest at work can be doorways to growth and understanding if you approach them with an open mind and heart."

I have read a myriad of self help books in my time and they have all contained useful tips and information, but Marcia Menter's Office Sutras stands out amongst the crowd.
Marcia Menter covers all of the aspects of one's work and offers practical, helpful advice on how to make the most of one's work experience even in situations where it seems difficult to have a positive perspective. One leaves this book feeling renewed and invigorated - ready to approach work with new vitality and contentment. Menter speaks directly to the reader's soul in a clear, easy to read style with real life examples that everyone can identify with. The book is laced with humor that keeps it alive and vibrant thoughout.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has to deal with the trials and tribulations of work, even those who have what would be considered an ideal work situation. Reading Menter's book is one of the most inspiring things I have done for myself in a long time.

I loved this book. I recognized myself in so many of the situations Menter describes; I wish I had this book when I was living through them - maybe some of the outcomes would be different.

There is a great deal of humor here and compassion, too. Menter describes typical stess provoking situations that occur every work day. Each chapter ends with practical exercises that you can do to help reduce your stress level when you find yourself in a situation or an alternate way to work through the situation. She sounds like a person who has lived what she is writing about so her advice has a very practical ring to it.

It is a great book and a wonderful guide. If you like your advice served straight with a dash of spice, you will like this book.

I purchased this book for my 11yr old son who has just started collecting coins. It is very easy for him to find what he is looking for and has so much information packed into it. I would highly recommend this book to anyone collecting coins.

This is the best book for rating your coins and finding the value, you cannot find better.

I buy the book every year. It's the corner stone to coin collecting. I couldn't do without it.

Old standby for getting a retailer's review of what you'd hope to sell your coin's for. A good benchmark and has been around for more than half a century. Blue book is more about whay the average person can hope to expect to get for a coin.

Really just buy this book for your self and all your friends. Cal garrison is just so witty. Chase your dreams with attitude.

The Old Girls' Book of Dreams is way different than Ms. Garrison's first book, The Old Girls' Book of Spells. If you're in the market for spells the latter is your best bet. But if you want inspiration, words of wisdom (and humor by the way) to get you pumped up for every Cross Quarter, The Old Girls' Book of Dreams is loaded with both.
For parts of it, I was in tears, because the author writes from her heart, and from her experience in an honest and truthful way. In other sections, she had me cracking up laughing because she talked about things that are the same for all of us with a wry smile and a sense of humor. Between the lines it's clear that this lady has been through it all. You feel like you're sitting down at the kitchen table with a wise old witch who's too real to put on airs. There's no pontificating or rhapsodizing about the Goddess here - The Old Girls' Book of Dreams is a down to earth affair.
What I got out of it in the end was a way to envision what I want out of my own life along with practical, workable ways to make those dreams manifest. You'll love the blank pages too. They will help you keep track of your self, and offer space to write down whatever it is that you're wanting and wishing for. Check this book out. It's a good one.

The Old Girls'Book of Dreams was given to me by a friend of mine who's into Wicca. You can tell the author isn't one of those witches who plays at it. I got the feeling her whole life is about magic because when you read this you will see that there is magic in everything. Take the time to read the introduction closely. I found that the heart meditation she talks about is pretty incredible and the instructions for it are there. The rest of what she has to say about weaving your dreams and remaining tuned to the rhythm of the natural world is told with a fresh, honest perspective on it all. This is not one of those books that just rehashes the run of the mill affirmation stuff. If you're into astrology you'll get a fresh breeze blown up your skirt too. What the author has to say about the signs of the zodiac is woven into everything she has to say about witchcraft. I would recommend this book to anyone, whether they're into magic or not. And any age too. I'm buying a bunch of them to give away because it's THAT good. Besides, there's room to journal and plenty of space to sort out your own thoughts about things. The Old Girls' Book of Dreams is full of fresh wisdom. It shines a big light on the creation process and the whole experience of being a WOMAN!

As a Marine Corps veteran, it surprises me how unfamiliar many contemporary Marines are with the extremely noteworthy and noble Mr. Edson. The author, Mr.Hoffman, also a Marine veteran, tells us the story of Mr. Edson's truly eventful life.

To think that in his early career, in the last days of World War I, Red Mike was seriously considering resigning! Yet, despite long periods of stagnation and limited opportunities for advancement, he stayed the course. During his life, Edson, a very humble and kindly man, never realized what a profoundly positive effect his contribution to the Marine Corps would have. This champion of the Marines was highly influential in planting the seeds of many of the U.S.M.C.s major institutions in the modern age. In fact, the thoroughly established status as a separate branch is significantly due to Red Mike's efforts.

-He contributed to the establishment of M.C.I., the Marine Corps Institute. This was his first major post WWI assignment.
-Being a highly proficient rifleman, he was a frequent member of the Marine Corps' competitive shooting teams. Although advanced marksmanship has always been a Marine Corps characteristic, Edson's influence in that field made it the institution it is today.
-He served as Vice-President of the National Rifle Association (an organization EVERY Marine should be a member of!).
-He was an aviator in the inter-war years, a rare qualification amongst his peers.
-His experience hunting Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua during the "Banana wars" era of the 1920s and 1930s gave him the knowledge to thoroughly revise the U.S.M.C. Small Wars manual. This is a guide to guerilla war and counter-insurgency still highly valid today.
-He was a founder of the Raiders during World War II. In fact, he was its greatest war-leader.
-He recieved the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valorous defense of the allied airfield on Guadalcanal, an action that very likely saved the entire allied effort in its most direly critical moment.
-He bravely and righteously stood up for the U.S.M.C., in the face of an aggressive and malicious campaign by Harry Truman and various army generals ...to disband, and abolish the Marines, ...or assimilate it into the army. Thankfully, common sense prevailed, and the Marines march on!

"Red Mike" Edson was one fearless warrior. His frontline exploits on Tarawa, Saipan, and Guadalcanal (where he won the Medal of Honor and probably saved the campaign) are the stuff of legends, but he was also, improbably, a first-class staff officer.
This unusual talent for organization brought him two stars and a role in the highest echelons of the Corps, but it also took him into the fierce politics of the Pentagon and may have indirectly caused his death.
The history of this fine Marine is well told in this outstanding biography; with photos, bibliography, and index. Highly readable; essential for Marine Corps readers and of great interest to general military history readers and WWII buffs.

(The numerical rating above is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

If you are really interested in the Marine Corps or WW2 History, this is something worth buying. Instead of just making 'Red Mike' Edson a saintly hero of great virtue and courage, the author describes Edson the man with warts and all.

My only complaint about the book (it wasn't that big because the rest of the book is excellent) was that book didn't go into as much detail about Bloody Ridge (the pinnacle of Edson's combat leadership and which won him the CMH) which is surprising considering how much detail was spent describing the fight against the Sandinistas between WW1 and WW2.

The power of poetry in the recovery of rape trauma is evident in Kirsten's book, "One Red Eye". She so beautifully constructs each sentence, flowing each one seamlessly through the ensuing years following her rape. We are privy, in an intriguing way, to her struggles, her challenges, and ultimately her triumph over this intrusive act that changed the course of her life.

I enthusiastically recommend this book to those who are working with therapists as well as those who are walking the path of recovery on their own. Kirsten's experience in achieving a comfortable, safe place within herself will assure rape victims that recovery is achievable, in one's own time and at one's own pace. I am pleased to be able to add ýOne Red Eyeý as a resource for my clients.

The poems in the book tell of the author's journey toward recovery following a violent sexaual assault. Don't let the fact that this poignant story is told with poetry keep you from reading this book. It's beautifully written, with vivid imagery, and easily understandable by every reader - women, men, teens. It has the power to change attitudes and to change lives. This may be the most imporant book you buy this year.

The poems in the book tell of the author's journey toward recovery following a violent assault. Don't let the fact that this poignant story is told with poetry keep you from reading this book. It's beautifully written, with vivid imagery, and easily understandable by every reader - women, men, teens. It has the power to change attitudes and to change lives. This may be the most important book you buy this year.