Children Books

Oh man, my dad bought this book at the university when I was a teenager and the book was (and I think probably still is) a complete scream. I laughed all the way through. I remember it talking about pot made you laid back, mellow etc but then it went on to clarify that the Hell's angels were not laid back and mellow, in the purest sense of the word. However, imagine how mean they'd be if they were NOT smoking pot? and went on to paint a really awful scenario - can't remember all the details.

In any case, it was very educational and really took the edge off my teenage curiosity. As a result, I never did really want to try the stuff out. I smelled it all the time around me and observed the people who were users and decided I didn't want to go that way.

So this has been 30 years ago and at some point in time, before I went to college, the book "disappeared" from my bedroom. Neither parent would admit to disposing of it but both looked guilty... but hey, now this book is worth $41.50 and I bet that is ten times the price that dad originally paid for it in the mid-70's. Pretty good investment, if I still had it! Heh!

This is my favorite book and my prized possession. Not only is it informative in a variety of ways - it is, as the title informs you, a Handbook for Marijuana Users - it is also deftly written in a lighthearted, goofy, tongue-in-cheek style that epitomizes late 60s and early 70s humor. While the sections on legality and availability are now incredibly out-of-date, the amount of fairly accurate information and the sly, good-natured sense of humor more than make up for its dated nature.

This book was brilliant. It's funny, cute, and very informative. A must read for anyone who is, knows, or has even seen a stoner. Absolutly hilarious!

The LP by the same title is also hard to find, but worth looking for as well. I noticed that laughdome.com currently carries the CD.

I discovered this book at the library of the Catholic elementary school I went to around 1973. Yep, apparently the nun in charge of buying books was browsing the bestseller list and assumed from the title that it was a childrens' book. Ha haaaaw!! Rick D. and I checked it out in turns and loved it. Of course its content was soon discovered and it was removed from the library (no doubt incinerated), but Rick and I did a joint order (heh heh) to Pocket Books and got each of ourselves a copy. I haven't laid eyes on this title for nearly twenty years, but I can still quote it at length. Like the part that warns you not to get *too* good at rolling joints, because you'll end up sitting in the corner rolling your stupid joints while everyone is going down to the lake for skinny dipping. Or the intro, where the authors say they don't smoke grass and never have, everything in the book is based on what their friend "Ernie Lundquist" told them. Or that nothing is bad when you're stoned, except getting arrested, and even *that's* a learning experience. Or that the results of using a "steamboat" (their term for a big glass waterless bong) would make "even the mighty Zeus shake his head in disbelief." Or referring to the things you will do stoned and not get bored or feel silly, like picking lint off your dog or watching The Flying Nun. I actually think of this book often, after all this time. Highly recommended, even if you've never had a puff in your life (which is, looking back on the effects grass had on my life, my recommendation).

I highly recommend this book to pastors/preachers of conservative mainline churches (such as evangelical churches, and especially the Southern Baptist Church, which I feel has lost its way due to its outspokenness on gays, abortion, and stem cell research.
The world is lost and the church doors are locked. Please read this book and examine your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, our Lord. You just might receive a blessing!!!


Mark Castleberry

So many books of this kind seem to leave the biblical testimony and instead focus on extrabiblical data. For conservatives, this is not a very good approach, as the Bible is our only source of absolute truth. This book does a good job of staying on point, and examining the Scriptures through a logical, and sound exegetical approach to interpretation and application. I'm very glad to have purchased this book, and will recommend it to many others.

As one reviewer stated, there is a fear in the latter portions of the book that the authors espouse an overall nullification of any part of the Scriptures that may require any changes or challenges to the individual. But, a careful reading of the authors' perspectives lead to the conclusion of this reader that they do not advocate a relativistic approach to interpretation, but rather, one that is as closely related to Jesus' own approach as can be.

All in all, a very good book. Read it for what it says, and not for what it doesn't, and you'll be fine.

Ive read this book before at a library and had to buy it. It gives clear reasoning in a short white page book. Ive met other people who agree with me. Highly recommended to those confused, questioning, and those wanting to educate themselves.

This book was a quick read, succinct and concise. For a brief 'overview' and simple delving-into of the alleged conflicts between homosexuality today and the Bible as we know it, a worthy purchase!

The most unique quality of this book is the chapter "Finding Affirmation in Scripture." While many authors (including myself) focus on the passages that are often misused to condemn homosexuality, Rev. Jeff Miner and John Tyler Connoley go one step further and examine the often overlooked passages where the Bible speaks of same-sex couples in a positive light. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a sense that the Bible doesn't condemn loving, committed, monogamous relationships, but wants to know if it says anything positive.

Justin R. Cannon
Editor, Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians
Author, The Bible, Christianity, & Homosexuality

Christopher is an only child of two parents that constantly bicker, and every night, Christopher travels to other worlds for great adventures. He has a cool uncle Ralph that seems the understand him. Soon, Christopher is meeting a young man named Tacroy in the other worlds and running "experiments" for his uncle, smuggling magical supplies back to his own world. Christopher, it is discovered, has nine lives and his so magically powerful that he is destined to become the next Chrestomanci. He befriends a similar powerful young person, a Goddess, in another world. Slowly and without realizing it, Christopher falls into darkness, becoming an angry, unkind, and disagreeable child that is breaking the laws of magic. Christopher must determine who is good and who is just trying to use him. My favorite character is Tacroy, who is quite ambiguous, and yet is sort of Christopher's Sirius Black, as the only one who can identify with him as a spirit traveler and understands him. The book itself is just another beautifully written, incredibly clever and imaginative and magical work from Diana Wynne Jones. The images and so vivid and so brilliant. Grade: A-

I read this book many years ago, and did not even realize that it was part of a series until recently. I bought the other books in the series, and was expecting the other books to be similar to this writing style. While the other three books in the series are good stories and entertaining reading, it is "The Lives of Christopher Chant" that is the best of the series. This book has more depth and humor than the other books in the series. I devoured this book in one setting, because of the wonderful imagery and use of dry humor and wit. I actually don't think that you need to read the books in the series in order; besides the first two in the series, these books really don't have much in common with each other, besides the Chrestomanci character. Each book is a wonderful book in its own right. However, it is this book that gives the best background of the world in which Chrestomanci lives. Highly recommended, especially if you like J.K. Rowling - this book is the most similar to Rowling's style.

This an incredibly lovely book that I have read a million times; and each time has been just as enjoyable as the last.
This book is the second in the Chrestomanci Quartet, and is my favorite of the four. The story is about a boy named Christopher Chant who discovers that he has magical powers, and, in due time, a truly amazing and exciting life ahead of him. Buy this book! I assure you that you won't regret it;~)

Diana Wynne Jones tells the backstory of everyone's favorite enchanter, Chrestomanci, in "The Lives of Christopher Chant". Chrestomanci turned the sterotype of old, sagely wizards upside down in the first Chrestomanci book with his dapper attitude and humorous qualities. However, I'll be frank; I did not enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed "Charmed Life". The story was very slow in places and the ending was very rushed. But, Jones still won me over with her delightful characters, quirky magic, and adept talent at writing meaningful and thoughtful fantasy.

Christopher Chant starts out as a normal boy who doesn't quite understand everything that's going on around him. Christopher never even bothered to tell people, ecspecially his feuding parents and nannies, about his dreams and the worlds he visits in them. But one day, Christopher's new nanny discovers all of the objects Christopher brings back from his dreams, and informs Christopher's Uncle Ralph, a charming enchanter, about them. It turns out that Christopher is a spirit traveler, or a person who visits the twelve related worlds in their dreams. Uncle Ralph soon recruits Christopher for many "experiments" where Christopher must bring him back various goods from the related worlds, and Christopher is only too happy to oblige.

On these experiments, Christopher soon loses many lives at such an obvious rate that he realizes he has nine lives and is a powerful enchanter, even though Christopher can barely manage the simplest of spells. Christopher is soon sent to live in Chrestomanci Castle for training, and he hates it. He would much rather play cricket than become the next Chrestomanci, but everything changes when Christoper realizes that his "perfect" uncle is really an inter-world illegal smuggler, and Christopher so happens to be his partner-in-crime even though he didn't know what he was doing in the first place.

The story is told with Jones' usual quirky prose and humor. Many readers who read the first book will smile as the story goes on and many of Chrestomanci's background is cleverly explained. Christopher as a character is skillyfully progressed from a naive and somewhat cold child to an aware and powerful enchanter. However, the story, as much as I would like to deny it, does suffer some problems. The beginning is a very long drawl, as well as the middle, and nothing interesting happens till Christopher finally arrives at Chrestomanci castle. From there to the ending its a smooth ride. Unfortunately, it appears that Jones didn't know what to do with her ending as its very quick and jumbled. For the last fifty pages, everything is unusally described and very confusing. I just wish that the story had ended with a strong conclusion rather than the sentence "that is really all, except for a letter that arrived for Christopher from Japan soon after New Year ..."

Even though the ending was a jumbled mess, we're still talking about Diana Wynne Jones here, and her brilliant writing and humorous details makes even a very weakly plotted book enjoyable. While I did not enjoy "The Lives of Christopher Chant" as much as I enjoyed the first book, readers everywhere are sure to enjoy how Chrestomanci went from a timid boy into a powerful enchanter.

"Oops!" The dragon spews fire all over Christopher and "There goes another life!" The Lives of Christopher Chant is a book about a nine-lived boy named Christopher. Every night he dreams he gets out of bed, walks around the corner of the fireplace in his room, and slips into a dreary world called "The Place Between." While conducting experiments there Christopher loses some of his nine lives.

Strong things about this book are that the story line moves along quickly, so your interest stays captive. You'll also appreciate how Dianne Wynne Jones's story line is unique. No other author has ever written anything like her "Place Between!" Her strong characters really pull the story together. Take "The Christomancy" (The Magic Governor) for instance. It seems like he was always a strict and stern man born to be "The Christomancy." However, he actually started out like Christopher, angry and bewildered.

More details would improve The Lives of Christopher Chant. Having additional information would make it easier to visualize Asheth's Temple, and why The Living Asheth (the girl who acts as a channel for the god Asheth's power) wanted to get away. More explanation about why silver stops Christopher from working magic would be helpful. Was it Christopher's dad's fault that silver stops him operating magic?

Rush out and buy The Lives of Christopher Chant, it's a page turner! The story line is new and interesting. It is a magic book, and you can never tell what's going to happen! I hope you don't lose your nine lives as quickly as Christopher Chant!

I absolutely LOVE this book! It's one of my childhood favorites, and I was excited to be able to replace it! The pictures are dream-like, and the book is great for introducing color concepts/words to young children. The book is so much fun; they'll read it over and over! I know I did! : D

Unfortunately, this isn't the full-sized book I remember from my childhood (it's a rather cheap imitation that probably won't hold up to multiple readings). But the pictures and story are still the wonderful ones I remember.

The Color Kittens (Little Golden Book) I am so excited!!! This was my favorite book my mother read to me in the late sixties. I have searched garage sales, etc hoping to someday find a copy. I searched for it on amazon.com and sure enough I found it. I felt like a little girl again when I opened the package containing this book! The cover is the same as I remember. I quickly read it to my little girl. It has it's own special spot in my china cabinet amongst many antique and childhood favs.

I was positively excited to get this book for my friend's Christmas present. When the seller said excellent condition, they should have said absolutely perfect! She will be thrilled! Thank You!

I have my original book from the 50s and another copy I found maybe about 10 years ago. You will never forget it. I am buying this one for my niece. It is my favorite book to this day. The best childrens' book I have ever seen.

I'm sharing this review with the intention of being particularly helpful to parents of toddlers and preschoolers. I found that having a very young child with the attention span to sit through chapters of a novel left me scrambling a bit to find novels that were appropriate in theme and content for her age. I am reviewing each novel we have read or tried in the hopes of being helpful to other parents in the same situation.

We read Winnie-the-Pooh, The House at Pooh Corner, When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne in this collected volume, moving from one book right into the next until we'd completed the entire volume. This was a great beginning for us because it is a glossy-paged, color illustrated version. Moving into novels from picture books is a transition, so having pictures in full color was still very much expected by my daughter when we started reading this at two and a half years old. The edition is something of a monster, a heavy lap book, but it was well-suited for bed-time. Well, with the exception of the extremely long chapters - you'll definitely need to start the bedtime routine early. But another thing that makes this book an ideal transition book is the fact that each chapter is a self-contained story. You can read any of the chapters in any order without upsetting the plot line of the novel (as there really isn't one). This is good because Meridian was accustomed to picture book length stories that move through a plot line in a relatively short period of time. This way you can read a story as a chapter, but still have the continuation of the larger work to introduce the idea of reading longer works of fiction.

The material was the perfect transition into novels in it's fantastical tour of the imagination through the eyes of stuffed animals come to life. At this time I don't think my daughter really got the concept that these were all just imaginary stories going on in the head of Christopher Robin as he played with his toys. To her Tigger, Pooh, Piglet and friends were almost more real than Christopher Robin who comes and goes from time to time. It's neat to think that when she rereads these stories in a few years, she'll discover a whole new layer. I don't think we could have found a better match for the level of suspense needed than we did. Though we're now reading books that are far more suspenseful than these are, it was perfect to start out with these gentle stories which so expertly navigate young readers through the concept of emotional characters (gloomy Eyeore, grouchy Rabbit, cheerful Piglet, etc). At her age, my daughter was just beginning to really explore emotion and give name to it. Seeing it in characters on the page could have been overwhelming, but Milne doesn't over-do it. He really understands that what constitutes catastrophe to young readers need only be something as small as a balloon popping prematurely. In fact, the only edit I did in the entire course of reading the book was to eliminate the part where Christopher Robin used a gun to pop a balloon. We don't do guns as toys, and it was easy enough for me to have him throw a rock. But now, so many months after completing these and so many books later, I can say what value there is in having a book you can just read from the page without having to worry about acquisition of inappropriate language or attitudes.

For those who already know these tales and poems and those who have never been introduced to them THIS is a sublime edition of A.A.Milne's work. I regret the Disney's works on Winnie the Pooh. THIS is the "real deal"known a the Classic Pooh. The colored illustrations by Ernest H.Shepard make it even more delightful! Also included are the two books of enchanting poetry. This anthology should be part of everyone's library young and old and revisited often!

This is a wonderful colletion of all the tales of Winnie the Pooh....I have had a copy for more years than I care to disclose, but recently bought a copy for my secretary's new daughter....It is a classic and something all children should grow up with, even today!
May Winnie the Pooh remain in your heart forever!

It doesn't matter which Winnie story or poem one loved most when growing up. They're all here to share with new generations of children and grandchildren, together with the the original art work (albeit colorized).

Personally, I'm rather fond of the poems--especially "Rice Pudding" and "The Mirror," from When We Were Very Young. But of course all the favorite Pooh Bear stories are here, too, one of my favorite being "In Which Pooh Goes Visiting and gets into a Very Tight Place."

This is 557 pages of pure delight, and at used prices, it's hard to imagine finding a better value for a gift, or simply for reliving a bit of childhood fun with your family.

Words cannot express the joys to be gained from reading Milne, over, and over, and over....

I have reviewed all of the books in this collection individually, and let me say that trying to read only one of them without reading the other three is like digging up only one leg of a completely intact Tyrannosaur skeleton - neglecting buried treasure when you know for sure it's there. Who would do such a thing? Who COULD do such a thing? And imagine how much worse it would be if the skeleton were that of a Heffalump instead of a Tyrannosaur! Even the frightened little Piglet would come hunting you down.

This is the favorite Goosebumps story of a 10-year old relative so I wanted to get her her own copy. She rates it highly.
A story of a young girl's experience at summer camp. Her peer problems seemed bad enough for her to think of faking her own death, but then her plan backfires and she almost drowns. Then she starts seeing things that cause her to act strange and increases her peer problems.
It is not my own interest and I feel kids today have enough strangeness in their lives without these scary things to wonder about, but perhaps they appreciate the safeness of their own world after reading about a more scary one.

Unlike most kids, I didn't start reading the goosebump books at a young age. I had book-a-phobia! I was twelve when I first read this book and that's when I decided to read the series. It's a surprising and unpredictable book with great charectors. I love how Sarah is a little scared of camp, and I can relate. But my favorite character is Della, the ghost. I like the "ghost world" that Sarah temporarily goes to, and how the whole world was very interesting. The people, places, and situations were very cool! I couldn't put the book down! Read it in one night! (That's a record for me.)I couldn't find any flaws with this book and the awsome, suspenceful, scaryness of the ending. I don't want to spoil it for you, but i think you should read it!

These books are helping my grandson learn the enjoyment of reading. He was having a hard time, but these books hold his attention and he really looks forward to getting a new one in the series.

This was an eerie tale of a haunted camp where a girl, Sarah Maas is having a hard time, and she pretends to drown, but only finds herself haunted by a ghostly girl, named Della, who Sarah believes is a girl who drowned.

I was pulled into this book as I was reading it. It is an eerie tale that gave me shivers as I was reading it. I loved this book and thought that it was one of, if not THE best of the books in the series. Anybody who loves a book for children and who loves a good thrill should buy this book because it is a great thrill.

I am totally fumed that they didn't make an episode out of this masterpiece of a Goosebumps book!!

This book is about a girl named Laura who goes to sleep away camp. She hears a girl singing in the woods every night. When no one is around the girl who sings in the woods tries to run Laura over with a boat. Will she escape from the girl in the woods? Read this story to find out.

Absolutely marvelous! This simple story induces you to think about morals, existence, and adventure. By having virtue, anyone can lead a life filled with wonderful encounters and a way of life that can only lead you to a good future.

I loved this book a kid and bought it for my own children. Each of the three joined my enthusiasm for our dear friend, Dominic.

My son is in the Army and now has a son of his own. I used to read "Dominic" at bedtime, until I knew the story by heart. If I tried to skip a line or a paragraph, my son would interrupt and tell me I had missed a part! Recently, he asked if I would get the book for my grandson. Now my son is reading to his son. I love it! Christina

Throughout my life, I'd always remembered the "first book I ever read" as about some dog who played the piccolo and traveled around with his possessions in a sack on a stick. I remembered it so fondly, like one of those few, golden memories you hold onto from childhood, when you still believed in the tooth faerie and unicorns.

I never remembered the title, though, and the book had long since disappeared from my parent's house. One day I did an extensive Google search with only the words "dog," "piccolo" and "traveler" and managed to stumble across William Steig's website.

I just bought myself a new copy of "the first book I ever read" and can't wait to read it again. It really is a book that has stayed with me my entire life. I just found it astonishing that so many other people wrote the exact same thing in their reviews. How can it be that one book has been the "first book" for so many people? I don't know, but I do know that if you can let it be your kid's first book, they will cherish it forever. I sure did.

This was the first "real book" I remember reading as a little boy. I suppose I was about 6 or 7. I read and re-read Dominic many times and loved it more each time. I suppose it has be something like 35 years since I first read this book and I still remember it fondly. How many things can you say that about?

When a Earthquake hits Sweet Valley on the twins 17th birthday, 2 people are killed one of them is Enid's ex-boyfriend.The other is Olivia Davidson.I didn't care for her because she had no brothers and sisters.I hate that! Jessica tries to save a little girl,Alyssa,who had a party,too but failed. You're a teen,Jess.Not a Superheroine! Steven Does find Ned and Alice ok at The Plaza Theater,and Billie is ok,too at the Shop N Hop.

Earthquake by Francine Pascal is at times touching but overall a very excellent book. As the story starts out, Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, the twin sisters in Sweet Valley, are having their 17th birthday party. They live in California, along a fault line, and their town is prone to earthquakes. During their party, a devestating earthquake shatters their celebration. They have to look through the rubble of their once standing home to try and find their friends. But who out of their friends survive? Read Earthquake and find out!

I would recommend this book to mainly teens who enjoy drama and love/relationships.

This is truly an amazing work of art. I wish in a way I could go back in time 45 years, to when I was in high school, and be presented with such an emotionally, charged, well-written novel. I am afraid that in my coddled youth I may not have been up to the task, unfortunately. If I was one of those really hard-nosed high school teachers, like Crazy Joe Clark in "Lean on Me," my students would read nothing but Sweet Valley High. I do not believe there is anything better suited to preparing "real-world" kids to the emotional and physical trials and tribulations of life today.

The context of a devastating earthquake sets a perfect stage. As she lies buried under the rubble, Jessica Wakefield laments her family's tragic history of emotional, and yes, physical, abuse. As I read I could feel the conflicting emotions she experienced as the rubble cleared above her. The light revealed not only a hope of continued life, but also the scowling face of her abusive and perverted father. Meanwhile, just yards away her sister Elizabeth, the "flighty" twin, worries about her missing press-on nail (right ring finger).

I have read nearly 200 novels centering on these characters, but I realize that I never really KNEW many of them until picking up this book and watching the grotesque physical disfigurements many were faced with, and the utter devastation in their lives...

Overall, I must give this book 5 stars. Within the genre of tragic teen drama, "Earthquake (Sweet Valley High Super Edition)" gives "Romeo and Juliet" a run for its money. Only time will tell if this book achieves the cult status of "R&J," but I do believe that "Earthquake (Sweet Valley High Super Edition)" is significantly better written.

I really likek these book. I feel soo bad for KEn, Losing Olivia adn being mad at her in the 1st book about the protrait. I would hate to be Jess,havign to hear Alyssa's last scream, that painful scream. And alyssa's brother being angry at her for not being alble to save her. I was worried for Todd and Lila. It was sad

I thought this was really good.i hate that oliva died though.she was one of my faves!francine pascal is a great writer and i love all her books

This is a wonderful story about how sometimes the best thing to get someone for their birthday is no "thing" at all. I love how the author gets the story across without using a ton of words--the text is nice and concise. My only slight disappointment is the style of illustrations. I know they're his trademark, but the small, 3-color illustrations don't always hold the interest of the youngest picture book audience.

Good message about real values in a world of too much stuff. My 4 yr old grandson loves this book.

This was the first book we bought to read to our son (he hasn't been born yet). We liked that it discussed the concept of nothing, and that it looks to be a book we won't mind reading over and over again.

A gift of nothing, especially during the holidays, will become part of our annual holiday tradition. The message in the story is that you don't need "things" to be happy. Spending simple, quiet time with loved ones is a gift in itself.

This book has the sweetest message. We give this book out every year for Christmas, and read it to the grandkids every time they come over.

If you've stayed up nights wondering about the inner workings of a Naboo N-1 Starfighter, or even occasionally contemplate the unconventional solid-fuel concentrate slugs that the strange society of the Neimoidian traders use to give their droid starfighters such powerful thrust, you'll want to read Star Wars Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections cover-to-cover. This handsome book - deservedly referring to its illustrations as incredible - shows us a vroom with a view; more than fourteen vrooms, in fact.

SW Episode I Incredible Cross-Sections is brought to us by the great people at Dorling Kindersly Publishing -- or DK for short - where just about any topic you might think of has already been turned into a beautifully illustrated right-brained adventure in learning. The illustrators for this masterpiece are Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore, arguably the two artists with the best job available in that field this side of Alpha Centauri.

Jenssen, who specializes in technical art, especially machines, lives in England but claims to spend his vacations on Tatooine (no accounting for taste in vacation spots) where he has been known to engage in "moderately disreputable pursuits (he goes all the way to Tatooine for that?)." Chasemore has worked as an illustrator in both the U.S. and Europe on a great variety of projects, one of which was another collaboration with Jenssen: DK's Star Wars: Incredible Cross Sections featuring intergalactic vroom-vrooms previously made famous by the vision makers at Lucasfilms. Chasemore says he enjoys "perilous sports involving boards and high velocities (now, maybe he's the one who should check-out Tatooine).

Rounding out the gifted team taking us on intricate tours of Gungan Subs, Podracers, Coruscant taxis and Republic Cruisers, is Dr. David West Reynolds who earned his PhD in archeology at the University of Michigan. His background as a lecturer, veteran of field expeditions on three continents and as an author of scientific archeological publications should make one thing perfectly clear: you don't have to be a dullard denizen of the local mall scene to be a StarWars fan. If his background doesn't make it perfectly clear, the intellectual acuity of his copy will.

This must-have addition to the shelf of any die-hard StarWars fan is equally enjoyable to tot and teen as to tottering sage. It's a picture-book nonpareil or a detailed account of mid-power repulsorlifts and hydrostatic bubble projector units (if you do more than look at the pictures). It's even a trivia-hunter's true treasure. For instance (be honest now), did you know any of the names of Anakin's co-contenders for the Boonta Eve Podrace? Sure, you say - Sebulba. But anybody knows that! True buffs will want this book so they can win rounds of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with answers like Ark "Bumpy" Roose, Teemto Pagalies, and the ever-impressive Clegg Holdfast.

If you like schematics (or even the word schematics - it's such a great one, isn't it?) you're going to want to pour over this book like hot fudge on a sundae. Featured is a dual fold-out center page affording a panoramic view of the Trade Federation's Droid Control Ship. The resultant artistry of this and the other detailed drawings was generated when the DK team worked directly with the film production art department at Lucas's Skywalker Ranch, mapping out the anatomy of each craft as it was being created. This book comes from the source, folks: from the source ... of the Force.

My ten-year-old loves taking turns with me reading sections of this book aloud and I can almost see his gray matter expanding (hasn't hurt his imagination too much, either) while we huddle by the lamplight. Only problem I'm left with now is what to do with all these detailed schematics of his own left lying about the house - outlandishly labeled creations from foreign worlds contemplating an invasion of Earth, no doubt. Hmm. Maybe I should call George Lucas.

This edition is devoted to the Spaceships and Craft from The Phantom Menace.

As with Star Wars Cross Sections it is very well detailed and even better with todays print technology. Great for children and first generation Star Wars fans alike.

I wouldn't call this the greatest technical book of all times. I wouldn't be suprised if this book wasn't nominated for any kind of award. But Episode 1: Incredible Cross-sections is captivating enough to stand on its own. I enjoyed it because I got to look through the insides of some of the film's most enigmatic ships and vessels like Darth Maul's Sith Infiltrator and the Gungan Bongo. It's good for those who were still puzzled about the ships after the end of the film.

One of the missing points is the Chancellor ship which appeared in the movie and it was not displayed in this book.

It is more complete than the former book, even considering it is only for one movie and the other is for all three.

Other missing point is the lack of a picture of the ship without the cross-section. It is important to compare.

I recommend.

I always wanted to see more and to be able to look inside of the vehicles more closely, and this book provides that information (and more more) in great detail. I really like the mini illustrations of where in the vehicles that events from the movies took place, it helps to "put a name to a face".