Irons Books

These were more detailed and smaller than I anticipated, and likely too much so for some needlework. Still, the fairies, which tend toward the child-like, are nicely done.

New grand-daughter and my daughter want this childs quilt to be fairies. I search ALLLLLLL over for fairy pattern with out success and was sooo happy to find these on-line. They are beautiful.

I bought this book because I wanted to transfer the pictures on to fabric so I could do needle work with them. I found about 100 other uses as well. The Pictures were very clear and had bold lines that made it easy to see when tranfered. The faries themselves were very pretty, and even though there were about 50-75 different fairies, they all seemed to have their own personality. I found I was able to use them on fabric, wood, and even on my wall! I transfered some to my wall to make a mural and it worked great! You can use each picture more then once, but I found that the image started to fade, and it's best if only used once or twice. They would make very cute t-shirts if you wanted to transfer them, and then paint it. I can't think of anything you couldn't use them for, as it says in the book, transfers to anything that can absorb ink!

Many commanders, both North and South, thought Jo Shelby to be the best cavalry general of the South. From the black plume he wore in his cap to the large sorrel horses he rode (after getting three shot from under him at Cane Hill, Arkansas, he superstitiously would only ride sorrels) to his daring tactics, Shelby struck an heroic figure. A successful businessman in Missouri before the war and a prominent slaveholder, he raised a three-regiment cavalry brigade in 1862, taught it western fighting tactics, and conducted a number of raids in Missouri and Arkansas for the rest of the war. A real thorn in the side of Union leaders, Shelby's "Iron Brigade" inflicted much damage in raids all along the western border region. Most distinguished were his operations in Sterling Price's raid into Missouri in the fall of 1864, especially at Glasgow and Sedalia (both of which he captured), Waverly, and Westport. When the war ended, he refused to surrender, and simply took his men to Mexico to fight for Maximillian. But after Maximillian was killed in 1866, Shelby returned to Missouri. His popularity only increased in the hero-hungry post-war South, which was bolstered further after he appeared as a defense witness in the trial of the James brothers, who had ridden with him during the war. He died in 1897, and his funeral was the second largest in the post-war South for a Confederate leader, after only Jeff Davis's.

O'Flaherty's approach is that of a popular, rather than an academic, historian. So much conversational dialogue is included that sometimes the book reads more like a novel than a biography. At times he over-quotes sources: for example, he includes the complete transcript of an interview that appeared in the Kansas City "Journal" with Shelby just before the James Boys trial. It's interesting, but could have been abridged. His purpose, though, seems to be to present Shelby as a hero in the Sir Walter Scott mold: brave, loyal to a cause, fair and democratic, tough on the battlefield, concerned with the welfare of his charges. In this he succeeds admirably. [This is a reprint of the original 1954 edition.]

I was particularly interested in reading about Confederate General Jo Shelby as my great-grandfather fought under him during the Civil War, serving in Co. A, Elliott's Battalion,
Shelby's Brigade. The book was fairly informative, but relied too heavily on the writings of Major Edwards, Shelby's Aide, who was not always objective, and given to hyperbole.
All-in-all though, it was enjoyable reading and gave me a lot of information about the man my ancestor served under.
I am in the process of visiting the battlegrounds where Shelby campaigned and this book will help in visualizing the various battles.

Gen. Shelby did remarkable things with his small command. His genius was unappreciated due to Jefferson Davis' myopic pre-occupation with west point pedigrees instead of ability and results. A Southerner can only sigh at the lost opportunity, if Shelby had been given command of command of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi instead of Theophilus Holmes.
This is a very readable volume about the greatest Confederate cavalryman in the war who led several different lives. About a half of it covers the war, another 1/4th the Mexico adventure, and the remaining 1/4 are split between his growing up and the post-Mexico (1868-97)years.
It features vivid descriptions of many battles in MO and AR, as well as the tale of his expedition to Mexico after the war. The details of his tactics at the Battle of Cane Hill, which he used repeatedly after that is fascinating. The author's style is a bit colorful and folksy, sorta like you're there talking to him. If you demand that your history read like a textbook that may spook you off, but if it doesn't it's a wonderful bio about a neglected figure

Let me start out by saying that Matt Fraction has a hell of a career ahead of him. Boy can this guy write! He's gained so much popularity with Marvel due to his craft that he's even leaving Iron Fist (unfortunately) to go write on X-Men (Yeah!). And this Aja artist is something else too. Boy can he draw the kung-fu type of story that kung-fu fanatics like! His picture renderings of Fraction's words are amazing. This volume of stories, not to give away too much, focuses on the battles being waged by several clans of Mystical Powers in the sacred city of "Heaven". These clans each have their own master, all of them cool and very powerful in their own rights, with Danny Rand, the current Iron Fist, just being one of them. These stories also include former Iron Fists and Luke Cage and the new Heroes for Hire. Just an all around great story.
Peace and Love,
Jake

Seriously, who would have thought that a lower-tier character like Iron Fist would ever have gotten his own series that is this good? The writing team of Ed Brubaker (Captain America, Daredevil) and Matt Fraction (Punisher War Journal, The Order) deliver a title that combines nods to the 70's kung-fu era that helped birth the character, and just plain great storytelling. The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, the second collected volume of Brubaker and Fraction's run on Immortal Iron Fist, finds Danny "Iron Fist" Rand possibly in over his head as there are those seeking to end the Iron Fist legacy. Continuing with flashbacks, backstory, and the fleshing out of one of the best supporting casts in all of mainstream comics today, The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven ends up reaching heights that you may not expect. The story may be a bit too convoluted and the mix of mysticism and martial arts mythology may be nothing new, but Brubaker and Fraction manage to weave a storyarc that is ever-twisting and even more enjoyable. David Aja's artwork continues to impress as well, as he stands as the absolute best artist to ever render Iron Fist, and his action sequences are simply spectacular. All in all, if you've been missing out on Immortal Iron Fist, you are doing youself a great disservice, and you deserve to check out one of the most surprising new series' to come out of Marvel in quite some time.

Back in the 1970s it was all about grindhouses and blaxploitation and kung fu films, and even Marvel couldn't resist playing this pop culture game. That's how Luke Cage came around, and also his eventual partner and best bud Iron Fist, not to mention the likes of Shang-Chi and the Daughters of the Dragon. Daniel Rand, Iron Fist's civilian identity, has always been my dude. But, even though he made a few half-hearted runs at a series, no one actually thought he'd be anything more than a lower tiered superhero. Was like that for years. Marvel even killed him off, but then brought him back. Then came Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction and David Aja, with some ideas for a new series. And, since then, they've made THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST monthly series unto a thing of beauty.

Here's the thing, here's what they did. These guys managed to revamp Iron Fist without really doing much to change the character of Daniel Rand. Danny's still pretty much the same cat, an unassuming Western kung-fu fighting billionaire.What co-writers Brubaker and Fraction did instead is inject a pulp-era feel to the framework, without taking away the gritty, street-level elements and the mystical Eastern stuff. They also added to the legacy of Iron Fist, now making Danny only the latest of a long line of Iron Fists. Which then paved the way for the introduction of Iron Fists in the past, including Orson Randall, Danny's Iron Fist predecessor and a hell of a cool guy for a fallen hero. It's also stated that K'un-Lun is merely one of the seven mystical Capital Cities of Heaven. All this stuff, you can read about in the first trade (Immortal Iron Fist Vol. 1: The Last Iron Fist Story (New Avengers)).

Which brings us to THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST, Vol. 2 - THE SEVEN CAPITAL CITIES OF HEAVEN, which collects issues #8-14 and Annual #1. It's a convoluted story arc, and takes place mostly in fabled, other-dimensional K'un-Lun, which only appears on Earth once every ten years. Ah, but once every eighty-eight years, a celestial convergence aligns the seven enchanted cities. A tournament is held in holy celebration and to determine the pecking order in the seven cities' Earthly manifestations. Daniel Rand, in his mastery of the Iron Fist, holds one of the seven Immortal weapons and is K'un-Lun's champion. As such, he must go against the doughty wielders of the six other Immortal weapons, each a champion of one of the six other cities.

But there's other stuff going on, which takes away Danny's focus on the tournament. He hungers for more knowledge about Orson Randall and the Iron Fist legacy. Jeryn Hogarth, the man who runs the Rand Corporation for Danny, has been kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hydra and, in the Himalayan mountains, is forced to construct an experimental magnetic-levitation train, part of a sick plan by Hydra to breach the mystic barrier and destroy K'un-Lun. In their search for Hogarth, Danny's Heroes for Hire buddies show up in Tibet, with Luke Cage incessantly harping about the cold weather. Meanwhile, in the fastness of tradition-minded K'un-Lun, the embers of revolution are quietly stoked. Seems the ruler of K'un-Lun is weak, corrupt, and hedonistic. A change is called for.

In the first six issues, Fraction and Brubaker had established a noirish, pulp-adventure feel to THE IMMORTAL IRON FIST. Most of this flavor is retained only in the annual, reprinted here, which narrates several high points in Orson Randall's life as Iron Fist. The ongoing flashback stories in the regular issues - chronicling the time Danny's father, Wendell Rand, had spent in K'un-Lun and his quest for the Iron Fist - are more classic martial arts than pulp in feel. But I loved all the mystical weirdness, court intrigue and mythos building which the writers infuse into the story arc. I dug the new characters, the other martial arts champions. And the exotic and colorful names! Dog Brother #1, Bride of Nine Spiders, Tiger's Beautiful Daughter, the mysterious Prince of Orphans... The gregarious Fat Cobra threatens to become the new breakout character of this series. By the way, this isn't meant to put down the old, still very cool names, like Lei-Kung the Thunderer and the August Personage in Jade.

Critics and fans alike are drooling over this series. Me, I lap up all this Way of the Warrior stuff and the Eastern mysticism. Fraction and Brubaker know how to tell a story, how to set up and plot and then unleash moments of sheer martial arts mojo. David Aja is the primary artist and his fluid lines are pitch perfect for Iron Fist. The guest artists are also pretty good. The annual is a highlight, not for Howard Chaykin's framing illustrations but for the lushly painted artwork by Dan Brereton and Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic, which, in telling Orson Randall's exploits, simply evoke that vintage pulp era.

I wish, though, that we'd seen more of the tournament and that Iron Fist had been more involved in it. As a matter of fact, I was hoping Danny would get into more tussles. And nothing really comes of Danny and the Steel Serpent's enmity. When I learned that Davos would be one of the tournament champions, I figured, uh-oh, the nasty's about to go down. But, nah. At least Davos gets what's coming to him later on. I do like how the last issue ended. That last page had me salivating at the possiblities.

Danny Rand, all of a sudden, has become a cool and relevant player in the Marvel Universe. He figured largely in a recent Daredevil arc and he's even in the New Avengers now. Will he stay cool and relevant? Who knows. Turns out Brubaker, Fraction, and Aja are jumping ship as of issue #16. So, with a new creative team taking over in issue #17, things are again up in the air for the Iron Fist. Anticipation and apprehension - welcome, my old pals.

Even though I own all of Diane Irons' other great books, I learned lots of new tips & tricks of the trade. But even more importantly I learned how those insiders we love, famous and not so famous think and approach their lives differently than the rest of us. How they travel, what supplements they take, what they eat and would never eat, it's all in this compact. tip and advice filled winner from the most informed and reasonable diet and beauty expert. A great head to toe inspirational read.

pretty much like most of her other books, not much of new information.

I'm a big fan of Diane Irons, and Insider Beauty is one of her best. Not only is it full of brand new tips that really work, it's an inside look into how Fashionistas operate, how they think, and how we can gain that very same confidence and style. Diane has helped me to organize my "stuff", take care of my skin, rethink my wardrobe, fight aging, get the latest information on plastic surgery, and it's all done from a practical, consumer point of view that doesn't cost a lot or take a lot of time. I loved the chapter where the celebrities shared their beauty & diet secrets. This book gives a lot of bang for the buck. Highly recommended!

This is perhaps the best book I have read on the topic. It starts in 1964 and continues thru Kosovo and beyond. It is very readable, brimming with first hand accounts of action, but is still thorough, with plenty of technical detail for the knowledgable. It was very interesting to learn how the various systems looked and worked in practice. This book highlights Navy and Marine efforts, which too often are ignored in favor of focusing just on the Air Force. I was startled to learn that the Marines in 1964 outstripped both the Navy and Air Force in their emphasis on EW (to compensate for the small size of their air component, perhaps?) and that the Navy used the Shrike ARM in Vienam a year before the Air Force. The Air Force efforts are also described in considerable detail, however, particularly the creation of the Wild Weasels.

It is important to understand the focus of the book. SAC and strategic reconnaissance efforts are ignored and the efforts of jammer aircraft (altho not ignored) get comparatively short shrift. The emphasis is on the planes (and aircrew) who sought out and attacked enemy radars and SAM sites, particularly in Vietnam. If you want a broader picture, I recommend getting The History of Electronic Warfare vol. 3 (the first two volumes cover WW2 to 1964). This book is more readable, however, and gives you more of a feel for what it actually was like, packing its story into a much slimmer volume without sacrificing detail.

I worked in the field of EW for 9 years, and so I am very biased about this book, but I am also a harsh critic on books about this topic. I found the book to be a great intro to what exactly electronic warfare is and how it is used on the battlefield. Stories abound, terms are explained, and the writing is in a friendly style. I did find it strange that the book is called "Iron Hand", the term the USN uses, and the front cover photo is of USAF F-16CJs. The USAF uses the term "Wild Weasel".

A good book that describes in some detail the development of wild weasels, associated gears and tactics. Traces development through veitnam to more current times. Good coverage of topics related to WW history and development and some Airforce / Navy politics. Good for the casual readers with no engineering background to follow and understand. For engineers or researchers this will provide a good general background and introduction into this field.

Reaching my mid-30s, I found myself with questions about manhood and who I was. Remembering an old interview with Robert Bly that I saw some 10 years earlier, I decided to pick up his book. Iron John is Bly's interpretation of an old folktale about a "Wild Man" who takes a young boy, and guides him toward a whole manhood. Bly sees in this tale an outline of the pre-Greek (or at least pre-Christian) system of initiation.

Mr. Bly's work was for the most part with Baby Boomers, and this book shows it. He focuses on issues that were important to that generation, such as Vietnam, workaholic/wife-beating fathers, "manic Catholic priests", and Republicanism. As an early post-Boomer, I find that my issues are somewhat different than this. However, Mr. Bly does take aim at many different groups, including New-Agers, and those who are "smoking weed, reading nothing, and being generally groovy."

I must admit that this book did not answer my questions. However, Mr. Bly's poetic look at what men are and can be speaks powerfully to me. This book is a fascinating and touching work, and is something men should find time to read.

I tried to read Iron John a few years ago and found it much too heavy. However, I picked it up again last month (April 99) and I really enjoyed it. My dad is still alive at 85 and I have a son of almost 16. I had older mentors in my life, my maternal grandfather, a very old uncle and of course my Dad. I am now 47 and have mentored many people in work through the years, and I have been a sunday school teacher, a sports coach, and a youth group leader. I do believe mentoring is such an important part of 'growing up' and feel sad for those of us who have not had mentors in our lives. I can see more clearly now why some of the situations between my son and my wife happen .... I do so hope she reads Iron John. I have recommended Iron John to most of my male friends. Robert Bly makes this a very interesting read. Although,I found I had to re-read some sections to let the point sink in .... it IS quite a heavy book.

The actions and reactions of the men in my life has always been a source of continual amazement to me. I gained some background understanding of why these men fail to be 'manly', and why they seem to be filled with rage and sorrow when I read the book 'Iron John' several years ago. Recently I picked up the audio copy and have found that hearing the author, poet Robert Bly, read the material makes it much more meaningful. Mr. Bly stresses the male need for older men to initiate young men into adult manhood. Since this society does not provide meaningful male initiation, he offers some direction for men to ritually work through the process themselves, based on the old fairy tale of Iron John. This is a practical yet deeply resonant book, and I strongly recommend it in the tape version.

I finished reading the World Guide this weekend, and felt like I had studied for an exam in European history...a very interesting exam that is.

This book is chock-full of history and information on Western Immoren. Everything is incredibly detailed and yet extremely interesting.

One thing that stood out to me was that it all "made sense". The history actually shapes itself into a logical sequence. I was always frustrated with regular genre fantasy...where nothing makes sense. This world does. It lays out why and how magic and technology has evolved, and how they are currently used...together and apart.

The only downsides to me were the maps and some of the fonts used. They push so much information onto a small map area that it is hard to read at times. Resources and towns become cluttered, and make it difficult to even tell what the geography is. The other problem is that on some of the images in the book, they use a...I guess a gothic type font. That particular font is very difficult to read.

If you are looking for a refreshing twist on standard high-fantasy, this book (and world) is for you. Check out the Iron Kingdoms: World Guide.

The Iron Kingdoms World Guide: Full Metal Fantasy, Vol. 2 is packed with awesome information about the world of the Iron Kingdoms. Great detail and very well written, I would highly recommend this book to anyone running an Iron Kingdoms campaign and anyone who simply likes a well done game setting.

What can I say abut this? This has to be the most comprehensive guide to an RPG world I have ever read. It reads like a history text and encyclopedia combined, but not as dry. The writers at Privateer Press have outdone themselves. Background info is given on the wonderful world of the Iron Kingdoms that they have shared with us. They go into such detail int he book. Each country's entry gives info that I wish other publishers put into their publications, such as the hierarchy of nobility and titles used. They even go as far to devote a section to ships used int he Iron Kingdoms and describe them.

There is so much information here, most GMs will find it daunting to know where to start with what they have before them. But between this and the IK World Guide Vol 1, these stand out as the best written RPG products to come along in a long time.

If you have any passing interest in the Iron Kingdoms, and even if you don't, this and the ocmpanion Vol. 1 book are highly recommended!

For Anglophiles and serious students of modern British politics and economics, this is almost surely the best full-length biography of Margaret Thatcher that has been written thus far. Young concisely summarises the major events in Thatcher's career and provides sharp analyses of her personality and policies (eg, the effect on her of her class background, her closeness to Britain's Jewish community, etc). One wishes that he had written more about the economy, but since Young (who recently died) was a political journalist, his focus is understandably on politics. Especially good are the thumbnail sketches of the other major figures of Thatcherism -- Norman Tebbit, Nigel Lawson, Lord Young, etc.

"Whoever won a battle under the banner 'I Stand for Consensus'?" - Margaret Thatcher

Hugo Young's THE IRON LADY covers virtually all of Thatcher's political career, beginning with her election to Parliament as the Member from Finchley in 1959. (Trivia question: What was Thatcher's university degree? Answer: Chemistry) While the book certainly includes Margaret's ventures onto the world stage - the Falklands conflict being the foremost example - and her relationship with other political giants of the time, principally Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the bulk of THE IRON LADY is confined to the UK's domestic issues. And, except for one reference to an interview with the PM in which she announced that her underclothes came from Marks & Spencer, the tone of the narrative is humorless verging on dour. For this reason, I can't say I enjoyed the volume. My completion of it, simply out of a sense of duty and the desire to learn about one of the great figures of 20th century British politics, literally took weeks. It's a book one can easily put down for lighter fare without guilt or qualm.

The material for this political bio was extensively researched. Therefore, I have to believe that the author, willing to spend so much time on the project, must at least respect, if not grudgingly admire, Thatcher's political achievements. I say "grudgingly" because it came across, at least to me, that Young didn't like his subject at all, a lack of personal affection shared, the author concludes, by the British electorate at large.

My main complaint is that THE IRON LADY is too comprehensive. It dedicates more than an adequate amount of print to the personalities, careers, and philosophies of other figures in Margaret's political life, both before an during her administrations. As an example, there was one interminable section on an information-leakage scandal involving British defense contractor Westland and rival Cabinet Ministers Heseltine and Brittan that was mind-numbingly arcane. Young's purpose was, I gather, to make a point about Thatcher's deviousness. My point is that a hundred pages of the book could've, and should've, been lopped off.

Regardless of its shortcomings, THE IRON LADY is, in the absence of more engaging versions, an excellent source of knowledge on its subject. It is, perhaps, compulsory reading for any student of Margaret Thatcher's three terms as British Prime minister, from 1979 to 1990, even though it leaves off (with an Epilogue) in 1989, when the book was published, the year before Thatcher relinquished leadership of Her Majesty's Government and the Conservative Party to John Major. (Major is given only two passing mentions near the end of the 564-page text.) So, a reluctant 4 stars up from 3.

There have been few women throughout history whose impact has been so great that they have caused an era to carry their name. In the case of Queen Elizabeth I, the Elizabethian Age was followed several hundred years later by the Victorian Age of Queen Victoria, only to give way in time to Margaret Thatcher and "Thatcherism."

Margaret Thatcher was truly a unique politician--not simply for the fact that she became the first female to head a western democracy, but because she was truly skilled and resolved in the art of politics.

Margaret Thatcher was born into politics. The child of an alderman, she served under Harold Macmillan and in the government of Edward Heath.

Her view of government and her rise to power mirrored, in many ways, the acension of Ronald Reagan in the United States. And, indeed, theirs is considered on the of the closest political alliances in history. Her view of smaller government, whatever the readers point of view, clicked with what England needed after years of shifting towards a socialist system. She was keen on privatization and lowering taxes. Something, that although cases could be made either way, certainly worked for her in 1980's Great Britian.

The book also points out her outspoken opposition to communism, thus earning her the title "iron lady." Young takes care to highlight her brilliance as a visionary, her willingness to restore British pride by refusing to give up the Falkands, and her resolve in not giving one inch of ground in her belief that the democratic, free enterprise system was superior.

This is truly a great book for all who are interested in the end of the Cold War and for those who wish to study the conservative "revolution" that struck the West in the 1980's.

First-rate author Kristin Kaye deserves admiration for her immense, unflinching bravery in writing this book. With deft writing skill and gripping momentum, she bares her evolving personal and professional raw self, exposing every hope, every delusion, misjudgment, rationalization and grief in the rarified experience of her first big break - writing and directing a Broadway show. The pain of her tough and bizarre journey is exquisite, and yet she unfolds the tale in such an engaging way that she allows you to laugh at it all, even eggs you on with her wounds gaping open. Anyone who can do this successfully is irresistible, straight off. Her dream turns into a garish circus with a crazed tiger in the center ring whose leash is tearing apart, and no one will listen to this ringmaster's warning cries. On top of this steady, jading, black humorist perspective is an equally naked stare into the wild world of professional female bodybuilding.

Kaye weaves her tobogganist tale through the glitzy cusp and seedy underbelly of bodybuilding. She provides a journalistic history on the sport that is arguably one of the most solid and up-to-date accounts available, lays out gritty details of competition dieting, primping and steroid use, all the while building suspense that will have you racing through the pages toward climax of the Broadway debut. She presents real women from the sport, casting them in honest light - bleached hair, impossible implants, brazen remarks, stalwart dedication, sensitive embraces and all. Whatever you think about the women in the book and the world of bodybuilding, Kristin leaves you with the distinct impression that you are hearing someone call the shots as she sees them, nothing more, nothing less, with the added bonus of her distinct incisive candor in your ear.

For bodybuilders, this book can be a place to recognize themselves or at least people they know. For thespians, literary types and any bodybuilder with a sense of humor, the effect of reading it is like lounging with friends at two in the morning, capping each others' jokes until you collapse laughing into the pillows, your body hiccupping because it keeps being funny and you just can't laugh anymore, then someone reveals a sad secret.

It's also a valuable resource for information about the sport's history, a fair look at the battles raging within and around its tenuous survival, and fodder for reflecting on the cultivating legacy. For those who are not familiar with the sport, Kristin not only gives you nuts and bolts to make you conversant, she takes you on a wild ride you'll never forget.

Finally, this story is for anyone who has ever found fate in a wrong number, who has aspired to create something meaningful, to be the best she can be, to succeed, and wound up losing control of the plane speeding full-throttle into the mountainside. This is not a book you can walk away from. Whatever your feelings on the many subjects in this book, if you still have a pulse in your cerebellum, you'll be hooked.

This is a funny book about the author's misadventures -- and incredible naivety -- directing this amazing women's bodybuilding spectacular. I was one of the "schmoes" attending the event, and I can tell you, these women's bodies talked volumes! They didn't need any poetry, dancing, speechifying, or any of the nonsense the author was apparently responsible for. Yes, we in the audience hooted at those amateur interludes. But we applauded mightily when we saw these incredibly muscular women; they had the courage and devotion to remake their bodies to please themselves and not others. The better part of this book is the author's description of the women's bodybuilding scene. Sadly the author claims that almost all the women bodybuilders take steroids or some form of supplement, and she claims as well that most were victims of abuse as children. In addition, the sport has been crippled by inconsistent judging standards and a wave of reaction against the ultra-muscular look on women. The author does include some tributes at the end of the book suggesting why Laurie Fierstein's groundbreaking Celebration was so important. Because it demonstrated that there was an audience for women bodybuilders just showing themselves off and not competing for the arbitrary approval of some timid male judges. Again, this book is a fast read and a revealing look at this unique world. I am deducting one star, however, for one of the final chapters, where the author indulges her writer's muse in Grand Central Station and bores her audience yet again, just as she did at the Fierstein Celebration.

I've been an athlete all my life and I now have so much respect for what these bodybuilders do! I'm not into the super muscular look, but their devotion is unbelieveable. I think the writer does an incredible job covering the history of women's sports and digs up some pretty amazing stuff about drug use and wrestling. Wow! What a world! Definitely recommend it. A fun and easy read.

this book is a must for all tsukamoto fans.contains all the info you want to know about the man and his work.as a bonus you get a bunch of profesional high quality photos about his movies.i red this in just one day..gripping and full!!

Mes seems to find the perfect blend of delivering information and criticism in an enjoyable fun to read manner. Its a rare and pleasent experience when I can devour a crit book like I would a standard novel. While Agitator, his book on Miike, focused more on the individual films and their effect/genre/crit, Iron Man seems to be more about the person and thought process behind the films. It puts a nice fresh spin on things.

Tom Mes, Iron Man: The Cinema of Shinya Tsukamoto (FAB Press, 2005)

Shinya Tsukamoto makes very good, very odd films. He became something of an overnight sensation in underground cinema with his first theatrical release, Tetsuo: The Iron Man, and it's all been uphill from there. Tom Mes, author of the previous Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike, has written the first comprehensive critical work on Tsukamoto, and, like Agitator, it is a must for the library of any fan of Japanese film.

As with Mes' previous book, Iron Man is sectioned up film by fil, taking a close look at each both on its own and also within the greater scope of the themes that run through all of Tsukamoto's films. It's fascinating to see how Tsukamoto's own obsessions shape each film on which he works in the same way it was seeing how Miike's themes worked, and Mes is just as adept at teasing the underlying symbolism here as he was there. A must-own for Tsukamoto fans, and highly recommended for anyone interested in film criticism. ****