Ace of Aces Books

I've not seen the movie yet, but I wanted to read the bok anyway. I loved it. I can't wait to go see the film this weekend!

Also, this is the second movie novelization I've read by Terry Bisson. I believe Bisson also wrote the novelization for The Fifth Element. I really must check out Bisson's work unrelated to film. I heartily recommend this bok.

It was a great book to a great movie. I read it in less than a day

My Family loved Galaxy Quest ... It was so funny on so many levels... Great writers and a Outstanding cast....

Never having heard of Lucius Shepard, I bought a used paperback copy of "Green Eyes" on the strength of its unusual back-cover plot synopsis and the fact that it could be had for 50 cents...a somewhat ordinary procedure of mine for reasons I'll not go into. In other words, I approached this novel with very little in the way of expectations and, perhaps for that very reason, was simply amazed at my good fortune. This story, itself one that does not easily fit into any genre niche, is without a doubt one of the two or three most poignant modern novels this reader has ever had the pleasure of encountering...made "Papa Kurt"(Vonnegut) sound tired and blase'. Embued with vivid, striking imagery...plot turns impossible to forsee, yet satisfyingly logical...complex in its multilayerings, but as smooth as a luminous egg...an absolutely staggering ending, very hard to describe. I finished the book feeling awed and humbled. Snippets of dialogue, fantastic scenes, emotional depths, these and more swirled through my mind for weeks afterword. If Lucius Shepard's powers were not yet fully matured when he wrote this, I daresay he may write THE best fantastic story of our generation.

This is Shepard's first book, and he knocks it out of the park. It begins with a fascinating concept: if you can revive the recently dead, for just a few minutes, what will they tell you? What have they seen while dead?

And then, the story takes off in completely unexpected ways, and the book becomes completely unique, spanning genres and confounding expectations.

If you like horror, if you like SF, if you like fantasy, this will fulfill your expectations.

I read this book when it was first published because of a Damon Knight Blurb on the cover: "I wonder if anyone else knows what a good writer Lucius Shepard is?" Being a Damon Knight fan I bought the book on his recommedation. Because of the book I read all of Shepard's books.

Green Eyes was one of those delightful books you find now and then that you read non-stop. It appears to be three novelettes of differing genres put together to make a novel, but woven together with such skill it becomes a whole. Because of the three separate parts to the novel I had no idea where Shepard was going with this story. If you are lucky enough to find a copy of this book I envy your first reading.

This is the fictional autobiography of Britannicus Caligulae Servus, a rare treasure pulled out of the Burroughs vault. Britannicus, the slave of the mad Roman emperor Caligula, goes through many exiting adventures as he grows more and more weary of his overlords. It is an example one of Burroughs' only bittersweet endings, but it is a remarkable tradegy by the Master of Adventure which no ERB reader should miss. It's too bad it's currently out of print.

Good historical fiction from an unexpected source. Burroughs' treatment of Caligula and the emperor's barbarian slave is excellent. I rather expected a Lord Greystoke in Africa adventure and found instead a refreshing take on imperial Rome, told from the point of view of a slave captured early in life and owned thereafter by Caligula.

Tiberius is painted rather favorably when compared to most historical fiction devoted to the period, especially that written after the second deification of Claudius by Robert Graves.

Many aspects of Roman life are given breath in this book, which is well written and enjoyable.

Burroughs' research and plot are both excellent in this adventure set in the Roman Empire during the reign of the mad emperor Caligula. Robert E. Howard fans will enjoy this as much as ERB diehards.

Interview Pocket RX is just what the doctor ordered for a last minute dose of knowledge and encouragement. I have coached job seekers from initial resume submission to final job offer negotiations for 35 years but one thing I can't do is go on the interview with the candidates! Laura DeCarlo brings fresh insight into what can be a difficult experience for the most savvy executive and those of us in the industry are grateful.

Interview Pocket Rx is an excellent quick solution to those last minute jitters. I recommend that you read it ahead of the interview, but it is a perfect little book to read during those 10-15 minutes before the interview to refresh on interview tips. It is also the ideal size for your pocket and will also give you the confidence you need to ace the interview! [...]

Interview Pocket RX: One-Minute Solutions to Ace the Interview What a handy and valuable resource! Interview Pocket Rx succinctly focuses on the most important things to prepare for and do during the interview to beat out your competition. From what to research and wear to illegal questions and personality tests, Interview Pocket Rx provides all the answers quickly and at your fingertips in a compact size - easy to slip into your suit pocket and refer to right before the interview. This "little boost of confidence" might be just the edge you need to blow the hinges off your next interview.

As their third-year wedding anniversary draws near, the wizard Kedrigern learns, to his consternation, that his wife Princess desires a magic wand for her anniversary present. The travel-detesting Kedrigern and the extroverted Princess embark on a journey of quite epic proportions and soon encounter the ensorcelled sword Panstygia, Mother of Darkness (Louise, to her friends). Panstygia implores Kedrigern, the master of counterspells, to reverse the spell cast on her and her three royal kin (now respectively an iron shield, a crown, and a wand) by a cunning, vindictive but now deceased wizard. The cranky Keddie (who is, at heart, a softie) promises to do what he can...They set off on their new quest and must brave perilous roads, enchanted woods and a castle under a wicked spell. In their travels, they come upon odd creatures: Hamarak, the simple fellow who becomes a monarch, but really only wants fresh, hot bread; the menacing spoilsport giant Green Riddler; and a jovial fellow in the woods who keeps his feet in a puddle. Armed with the magical might and sagacity of Kedrigern, the courage and wings of Princess, and the invincible sword Louise (oops, I mean, Panstygia, Mother of Darkness), these questers are determined to win through. And, somehow, Kedrigern must still come up with Princess's anniversary present.

Wonderfully written by John Morressey, Kedrigern in Wanderland is the third book in the Kedrigern series, and is another clever sendup of various classic fantasy elements. Surprisingly (but in a good way), halfway thru the book, the storyline takes a darker turn, inspiring the author to actually write introductory words of caution to his readers. But, not to worry, it doesn't take long before things are back to its lighthearted, whimsical normality. I had fun reading about Zorilon, possibly the worst fairy tale storyteller ever, and the three very subpar "evil" witches ( the Witch of Over There Someplace, the Witch of Sticky Little Things, etc), who each went away for years to cause mayhem but, at their worst, only managed to accomplish very menial heinous acts.

Nice to see also, near the end, the comeuppance of a certain nasty bog fairy, with whom the Princess is very familiar.

And word to the wise and the faint-hearted: lurking in the pages of this book is a fart joke, which amuses me but incenses Kedrigern. But then again, Keddie is much more of a prude.

This is the third book in John Morressy's wonderful Kedrigern series, the first two being A Voice for Princess and The Questing of Kedrigern. In this book Princess develops a desire to obtain a magic wand and prods the reluctant Kedrigern into undertaking yet another journey. Along the path, Kedrigern and Princess encounter a princess who was cruelly turned into a sword by an evil wizard; who also turned her brother into a shield, her sister into a crown, and her cousin into . . . a wand!

In this book, Morressy delivers a triumph of wit and adventure topping even his first two wonderful books. As an added bonus, at the end of their quest, just when you think that the story is over, there comes one last adventure: Keddy and Princess encounter Bertha the Bog-fairy, the villainess who turned Princess into a toad and left her without a memory. Bertha does not like having her spells undone by meddling wizards, so who will get the "sweet revenge?"

A world where magic is commonplace. I love the author's sly witticisms, and his character's practical, matter-of-fact dealings with the counter-spells which Kedrigern specializes in. Meet an enchanted family, now in the forms of a sword, a crown and a shield. A dragon becoming himself, a giant Green Riddler, and a malevolent bog fairy. A superb escape!

This is an anthology from the best in the business. Covering all topics from Medieval knights to chickens crossing the road, this book will have you in stitches. Featuring names like Ray Bradbury, Orsen Wells, Woody Allen and Peter Sellers, Knights of Madness is a read you won't want to miss.

This is a terrific collection of 24 pieces from the leading humorists of our times. This eclectic mix will introduce you to worlds you never dreamed, insane situations and wacky perspectives which is just what we all need. I couldn't put it down and read it deep into the night.......

Knights of Madness is aptly named. The twenty-four stories in this volume, from some of the maddest minds in not only literature, but entertainment, are divided into three parts, "Flights of Fantasy: stories of the absurd," "The Muddled Ages: tales of heroic times," and "Malice in Blunderland: cases of crime." However they're billed, such luminaries as Ray Bradbury, Philip K. Dick, Mark Twain, Orson Welles, A. A. Milne, Woody Allen, G. K. Chesterton, and Peter Sellers, provide phenomenally entertaining fare with such topics as how to make love to a werewolf, yet another look at why the chicken crossed the road, a medieval romance from one of the greatest minds in literature. These stories that range from the merely hilarious to the absolutely stunningly brilliant, remind us of how much fun it is to read.

Congratulations to Peter Haining and to Ace for putting together this excellent collection.

Rickey R. Mallory

Hans Holzer was one of the psychic researchers that brought the field back to serious public attention after it had fallen into disrepute earlier in the 20th century. This particular volume was written after his first three books: Ghosts I've Met, Ghost Hunter, and Yankee Ghosts. While billing himself as a "Ghost Hunter" Holzer was always careful to interview those who had experienced the sightings first hand, as opposed to merely collecting second and third hand accounts and legends. He also used cameras with special film, tape recorders, and other instruments at the sites to see if there were any residual record able effects. While he had a certain amount of psychic sensitivity himself, he usually brought along another confirmed psychic to independently confirm the feelings of both himself and the original observers. In this particular volume the famous psychic and white witch, Sybil Leek, accompanied him.

This book is based on two prolonged trips the author took to Ireland in 1965 and 1966. He found that there had been surprisingly little written about Irish ghosts up to that time, and no real serious research attempt. Accompanied by his wife (an artist that provided numerous sketches of the various sites for the book), and Sybil Leek, he criss-crossed the island. Indeed, he saw so much of Ireland that this book has secondary value as a travel guide. He followed up any and all leads that he could find from urban Dublin to the most remote regions of the western coast. The sites themselves range from farm houses to castles, and from tenements to Tara.

Holzer has a light, humorous, conversational style that makes his book a joy to read. You actually feel that you are accompanying his expeditions as he goes.

This book is a must for People that are into the Pharanormal. It's and easy to understand book. It give's indeth detail's of Case's that he has actually investigate. I would suggest this book to anyone. I think it is one of his best work's. I also would sugest reading any other book's writen by Hanz Holzer.

For many years the works of Dr. Holzer have been the yardstick by which all other books in this genre have been measured and this book is a perfect example of the man at his best. You will find no old moss covered legends or stories based on the testimony of people the author never met within the pages of this book. You also will find no stories about haunted locations that the author didn't visit or any lack of respect for the subject at hand.

What you will find in this book is a highly readable account of a series of investigations conducted by the author in 1965 and 1966 during separate visits to Ireland. Holzer and his psychic friend Sybil Leek investigated every story in this book personally, often times going to great lengths to make sure that their investigation was complete and above reproach. Oddly enough several of the people who had witnessed the haunts were very reluctant to discuss the matter but most of them finally succumbed to the author's charm for no Holzer investigation would be complete if he didn't get a chance to interview witnesses.

The haunts investigated in this book range from castle to coast and involve specters both of recent passing and those who have haunted Ireland for hundreds of years. No Irish ghost book would be complete of course without some mention of poet William Butler Yeats, a devout spiritualist and student of the occult. Therefore, not only do Holzer and Leek investigate a location where Yeats held frequent seances but in the end Holzer is pretty sure that they made some contact with the erstwhile poet.

I keep using the term investigation in this review, almost to the point of redundancy but I'm afraid that I can think of no other fitting term. Not only does this author leave out third person accounts and old legends but he also very carefully documents each case in a very scientific manner. On occasion he does stretch things a bit while trying to make a connection between some of Ms. Leek's psychic readings and historical facts that later come to light but he doesn't do this often and most of the time his conclusions seem to be very sensible.

As you can see this is not your typical ghost book. This is a scientific study of various haunted locations in Ireland that goes way beyond what one normally finds in these books. Scientific though it is, stuffy it is not and Holzer's extremely readable writing style actually makes it seem as if you are sitting in front of a blazing fireplace engaging the author in conversation. Be warned however that once you read this book many of the other ghost books on the market may seem tiresome and very lacking.

Wonderful book! Funny, witty, interesting and I couldn't keep my hands off it.

I read this book during my freshman year of high school and I immediately fell in love with it. How could you not fall in love with a book which can boast such characters as the hopelessly gullible and naive (not to mention failing) magic student Kendar Gangle, a.k.a. "Ratwhacker" and a cat with an attitude from Earth named Scandal who constantly talks about movies and other things that only someone from Earth would understand and thoroughly confusing all the other characters. In fact, the only other book I have read which comes even close to being equal to Majyk by Accident is the sequel!

You like humor? You like fantasy? You'll like this book. Much of the humor in this story lies in the first person perspective. Kendar has a way of accenting his good moments and downplaying his bad ones that just reflects on Friesner's great sense of humor. Besides being funny, this book does not let you put it down. Friesner's style and ability to bring humor into a situation will leave you wondering how long it will take you to get a few more of her books.

"The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal" (aka "The Saint in London") is one my favourites of the books of (usually three) Saint "novelettes", the other being The Holy Terror.

Chief among its pleasures is the finale to the battle of wits between Simon and Rayt Marius, the unscrupulous arms-merchant of The Last Hero and Knight Templar. Marius, learning that he has only a few months to live, has devised a scheme, worthy of his evil genius, for revenging himself on the Saint: he has written his memoirs, detailing all the criminal (indeed, treasonous) transactions he has had with members of British government and industry, and sent the resulting opus to Simon.

"At the same time as this book is sent to you, there will be sent, to the gentlemen most conspicuously mentioned in these notes, letters which will inform them into whose hands the book has fallen. After reading it yourself, you will see that this cannot fail to cause them great perturbation.

"Nevertheless, while it would be simple for you to allay their alarm and assure your own safety from molestation, I cannot foresee that a man such as I recall you to be would so tamely surrender such a unique opportunity to apply moral pressure towards the righting of what you consider to be wrongs.

"I therefore hope to leave behind me the makings of a most diverting contest [...] And you will understand, I am sure, my dear Mr. Templar, that I can hardly be blamed for sincerely trusting that these gentlemen, or their agents, will succeed where I have failed."

This story is also notable for introducing the Runyonesque American gangster Hoppy Uniatz, veteran of Prohibition who drinks whisky like lemonade, the Saint's companion in so many later adventures.

That Charteris manages to make Hoppy simultaneously menacing, comical and believable (and even at times sympathetic!) is an amazing feat, but he pulls it off - in part because of a firm grasp of Transatlantic mores and idiom, much better than (for example) Ian Fleming's.

The other stories are just as skilled; there is little point in detailing the plots, and again the familiar friends - Pat, Orace, Claud Eustace - are here.

One of the best books in the series.

P.S. For a list of -- and discussion of -- all Charteris's Saint books, see my So You'd Like To... Guide.

"The Misfortunes of Mr. Teal" (aka "The Saint in London") is one my favourites of the books of (usually three) Saint "novelettes", the other being The Holy Terror.

Chief among its pleasures is the finale to the battle of wits between Simon and Rayt Marius, the unscrupulous arms-merchant of The Last Hero and Knight Templar. Marius, learning that he has only a few months to live, has devised a scheme, worthy of his evil genius, for revenging himself on the Saint: he has written his memoirs, detailing all the criminal (indeed, treasonous) transactions he has had with members of British government and industry, and sent the resulting opus to Simon.

"At the same time as this book is sent to you, there will be sent, to the gentlemen most conspicuously mentioned in these notes, letters which will inform them into whose hands the book has fallen. After reading it yourself, you will see that this cannot fail to cause them great perturbation.

"Nevertheless, while it would be simple for you to allay their alarm and assure your own safety from molestation, I cannot foresee that a man such as I recall you to be would so tamely surrender such a unique opportunity to apply moral pressure towards the righting of what you consider to be wrongs.

"I therefore hope to leave behind me the makings of a most diverting contest [...] And you will understand, I am sure, my dear Mr. Templar, that I can hardly be blamed for sincerely trusting that these gentlemen, or their agents, will succeed where I have failed."

This story is also notable for introducing the Runyonesque American gangster Hoppy Uniatz, veteran of Prohibition who drinks whisky like lemonade, the Saint's companion in so many later adventures.

That Charteris manages to make Hoppy simultaneously menacing, comical and believable (and even at times sympathetic!) is an amazing feat, but he pulls it off - in part because of a firm grasp of Transatlantic mores and idiom, much better than (for example) Ian Fleming's.

The other stories are just as skilled; there is little point in detailing the plots, and again the familiar friends - Pat, Orace, Claud Eustace - are here.

One of the best books in the series.

P.S. For a list of -- and discussion of -- all Charteris's Saint books, see my So You'd Like To... Guide.

This book contains three stories; "The Simon Templar Foundation", "The Higher Finance" and "The Art of Alibi". They are typical Saint stories; the Saint fights a life-and-death fight with ungodly evildoers on one hand, and tweaks the nose of poor Inspector Teal on the other hand.

I liked "The Saint and Mr. Teal" that was written shortly before this book, but I like this book much better. All three stories are so unusual and unpredictable. Fewer dull parts, more twists and turns, and the stakes are much higher. The evildoers are so-called respectable men and they are more vicious than ordinary criminals.

If you want to know what happened to Rayt Marius, the Saint's arch-enemy in "The Last Hero" and "Knight Templar", you should read "The Simon Templar Foundation". It's about the strange and deadly legacy of Rayt Marius. "The Higher Finance" is a rather astonishing story; funny opening, uncanny development, and the climax is so sudden and shocking! "The Art of Alibi"; someone takes the Saint's trade-mark in vain. That's not so surprising, but the imposter's plan and how the Saint frustrates it are totally unpredictable.

Ignore the cover art, which has nothing to do with the book. The further adventures of Teleri, Ceilyn and some of his cousins. This marvelous trilogy is to contemporary, lumbering epics as song is to speach. The only possible comparison is to Rosemary Edgehill's abandoned series about elfland, and Edgerton actually finishes her projects.

First of all, I like the title of this book. It sounds exactly the way the book is written. You'll know what I mean if you read it. I really liked this book, so far the series has just kept getting better! I am planning to read the last book, _The Work Of The Sun_, as soon as possible.

In this book, Diaspad makes another try for power, this time trying to eliminate Fflergant and Tryffin. Ceilyn and Teleri must go against their principles of not using the old heathen rites to stop her. Afterwards this leads to awful consequences. The romance between Ceilyn and Teleri is really sweet, but sad. This book ends on another cliffhanger. The other thing I like about this author is how she tells you the story from many people's perspectives, but still in third person. Even the villian has her own chapters! I wouldn't suggest reading this book until you've read _Child Of Saturn_, because it won't make any sense to you and you won't know the characters or their backgrounds. However, this series is definitely a must-read for fantasy and Arthurian fans!

I really like this book, almost as much as I liked the first one. The plots ties in with Child of Saturn, and the romance is seemlessly sewn in the depths of the book. I really love it!