A Books

The author does a good job of showing contrasts in this entry. Not just between the families, but from one scene to the next. To open with the tee ball practice and go to the shooting was a brilliant depiction of how quixotic life can be. Great job.

When I first read the story line, I wasn't sure it could all come together well. But this 15 page sample changed my mind. It is well written, flows and leaves the reader wanting more. Well done. I hope we will see more of this work and more from the author. She deserves to be in the top 100 and more.

This excerpt grabbed our attention immediately. The characters are very realistic.The setting is complex. When do we get to read the rest of this story? We are intrigued.
We feel this author has a reservoir of talent and hope she does very well. Looking forward to reading more of Ms. Shank's works.

An incredible start for this author. The characters are immediately engaging and real and the insight involved in the plot is one only someone who knows the issues can achieve.


I can't wait to read more!

It's easy to write a tense melodrama about the clash of good and evil. It's the mark of real talent to show the inadvertent evil committed by decent men. Many authors would have made Ed O'Fallon their bad guy, a cop out of control. Shank shows him struggling to coach his daughter's team of six year old girls in tee ball. He has been set on to this by his wife, for his sin of taking his sons' sports too seriously. The picture of this tough guy taking on an organization named "The Purple Unicorns" is savory indeed. Then in the afternoon, he accompanies a SWAT team on a no-knock raid.

But something goes badly awry. They are at the wrong address and Ed shoots the wrong guy. In the next chapter, we meet Patrica Santillano, a nurse and now a widow as she learns of her husband's death.

The author has made the reader care equally for both families. This is thoughtful, exciting literature, asking big questions. I have only one question: why hasn't this been published already?

love this book. it gently opens a discussion about what being a mom to a child really means. we dont always "look" like our children and this book addresses that. specifically good for adopted children.

I love this book and my adopted daughter loves this book. Granted she is about to turn 2, however, she still will pick this book up for me to read regularly. I have recommended this book as well to the adoption forums I belong too. Great message we are all different and it is about the love.

My three-year-old adopted son from Ethiopia loves this book! Warning, though, the grumpy Mrs. Walrus has kind of freaked him out. I have to read her line with a really happy lilt to my voice. Depending on how sensitive your child is you may want to edit Mrs. Walrus's words/tone the first time you read it to your child. I don't think my son can imagine how/why an "adult" would say to a child, "Now go away. Leave me alone."

I bought this book a couple of weeks ago and he has, a few times since then, talked about being sad when he had no mommy and no daddy in Ethiopia. He was just a few months old when he was adopted and was in excellent care while living there so I'm guessing that this book has put that idea into his head. Not a bad thing...just be aware that it might bring out emotions in your child that he or she hasn't discussed before.

It is a great adoption book that both the parents and the children will enjoy. It is a simple but well done story about a bird that is looking for his parents. My daughter loves it.

I absolutely adore this book. My sister gave it to us before we traveled to China to adopt our daughter. She's just over two now and has read this book with me dozens of times. We both love the illustrations, and even at a very young age, she "gets" the idea that Choco finds a mother in Mrs. Bear, regardless of the fact that they look nothing alike. (I confess I still get misty every time I read it.) The message is delightfully done--not schmaltzy, not overdone. I would recommend this to any family--adoptive or not.

Wonderful experience. Seller worked out all the details with me and I was so pleased with the purchase. Would definitely refer others to him and also buy from him again. Thanks so much.

Pictures. These will remind you. Haunting. Sad. Heart wrenching. Moving. These words won't do it for you. The book will give you more. Over 3000 people died that day. This book will help you to never forget what happened to them and us.

The point comes across, but I think there is plenty of other work that should have been included.

A message to each and every reviewer who takes time to add thoughts to a any media of memorial of 9/11, World Trade Center Towers tragedy... thank you from my heart.

My spouse and I resided on the Lower West Side, Battery Park City, Gateway Plaza, So. End Ave. As survivors of the 9/11 World Trade Center Towers tragedy... From our Gateway Plaza apartment, facing the street and 300 yards from the Towers, we helplessly witnessed all from our apartment windows. The closeness of the Towers viewed from our windows - gave an illusion that one could reach out and touch the Towers; their beauty with night lights reaching toward the sky promoted a contemplative emotion.

We viewed the planes entering the Towers, the overwhelming inferno, individuals jumping, the collapse of the Towers, the darkness as debris hit our windows with a fury. What occurred over a period of hours, seemed like a much shorter time span. The darkness was darker than an eclipse, darker than the darkest night; and then a momentary hush after the air cleared. Viewing the roof garden one floor below, with the human reaction of looking out to see if someone might be on that roof garden and in need of help. Debris strewn everywhere, recording tape and paper hung from the trees of the garden and oh, so much ash. The momentary hush, whether real or imagined, then the viewing of debris for a second, fantasized that a parade had just passed by on our short street. I now really understand the expression a "feeling of helplessness", I couldn't fix what had just happened.

We vacated our apartment finally at 5:15 p.m. that day, waiting for someone to knock on our door, with only a battery radio to keep us abreast of happenings. "In a New York minute", we evacuated via the stairwell touched with ash, the result of a first floor door left open. With a few belongings, gathered with a tad of thought of what was being left behind, we stepped out of the door onto the pavement, seeing and standing in ever so much ash & debris, I wanted to turn around and go back to our home. It was one moment of reality in time, I carry to this day.

We planned to walk up the East Side, glimpsed the tired fire, police, volunteers, and med techs in our immediate driveway and street, so instead opted to pass through the building in back of the apartment complex. We gained access to the Esplanade walking the short distance to reach the Hudson River North Cove dock. We were escorted to the New Jersey shore via New York Police boat. From the boat deck, we viewed even more damage to the Manhattan skyline, especially noting the zigzag shape of the side of the American Express building, housed in one of the World Financial Center buildings along with the glorious Winter Garden, as well as the fall of World Trade Center Building 7. We were taken to the Jersey City Hospital, attended to by compassionate staff. Then traveled by National Guard truck to Hoboken, NJ where we were housed by a wonderful family who with great trust welcomed strangers to their home.

On Friday 9/14, our eldest son & daughter-in-law drove from New Hampshire via New Jersey routes to Hoboken for transport us to New Hampshire for temporary residence with our daughter, who along with her friend and our youngest son, greeted us with open arms & the overwhelming feeling of not wanting to let go with each hug that followed. Our daughter and son had spent that Friday in New Hampshire collecting items of clothing and necessities which the Concord community generously opened their hearts and donated by churches, stores, individuals, employers, American Red Cross, et al.

One of our grandchildren -- he was 8 at that time - arrived home from a few days with his Dad. He hugged us so tight, understanding the depth of 9/11 events for someone so young and yet so wise. He told Grandpa & Babcia that he had something for them... his Mom was not even aware of his gift. He had spoken to his classmates about his grandparents' closeness in location of the World Trade Center Towers. Presented to us was a large envelope full of hand-made cards from each of his classmates. And if that isn't love and caring, I don't know what is - from the hearts and minds of children!

Residing now in New Hampshire, not because of 9/11 drove us away, but circumstances just went that way as we continue to put our lives into perspective.

We Miss - New York City deeply; events found nowhere else in the USA, the introduction to & interaction with so many wonderful cultures. There isn't a day or night over these years that we do not think of 9/11... the Lady of Liberty & Ellis Island both on the merge of the East and Hudson Rivers. And that Lady of Liberty wept, I just know it, & still stands with pride that the USA is a democracy that will prevail.

We Remember - the victims, the survivors, their friends and families, the workers from the public and private sector, the volunteers, our neighbors in Gateway Plaza and staff in the small group of stores on South End Avenue, Battery Park City.

We Remember - the places we visited, the book signings attended, the celebrities we met, the concerts and theater plays, the movies, the arts, the parks, the strangers we talked with, on streets, on subway and those while standing in line for an event...

We Remember - Always In Our Hearts, Forever In Our Souls, Heroes, Victims, Survivors One and All... We Were There.

Painfully, the lump in my throat and the twist in my stomach, the tears in my eyes and the pain in my heart, to the depth of my soul, forever reside.

LIFE has done a first class job of putting together a book covering this horrific act by such a cowardly enemy.Rather than to make the Americans cower as these fanatics probably thought and probably thought and hoped for;it showed what a good and strong nation it is.History will remember both 9/11 and Pearl Harbor for the terrible and misguided acts of hatred they were.
This act conjours up different thoughts for everyone who witnessed it ,in whatever fashion,but no more so than those who had friends and particularly those who lost loved ones.
To those who may turn a little soft on the War on Terror a review of this book should remind one of what we are dealing with.
A great book TIME and thanks.

As others here have said, this is a true keeper. A babysitter read it to me when I was 10, and I never forgot it. I bought and read it to my kids when they were around that age, and they wouldn't let me put them to sleep without reading at least one chapter. It's educational, beautifully illustrated, and a touching story. I may have to fight with my kids over who gets to read it first to their kids! A treasure.

Wonderful illustrations and a book that will not bore an adult. Great learning tool for young readers.

This book was recommended to me on a recent sailing trip thru the Great Lakes. I bought it for my hometown library as it was a wonderful geography lesson. Truely a dateless book and a lovely present for a child or library.

I couldn't say enough good things about this book and the series.

I read Paddle-to-the-Sea as a child (I was born in 1942), and its story, illustrations and maps have left lasting impresssions on me. It blends social studies, geography, 20th Century American history and wonderful artwork into a gentle, loving tale. It ought to be required reading for all American youths.

I LOVE all of Holling Clancy Holling's books, but I have to admit that Paddle to the Sea is my favorite. The story of a little boy who carved a little man in a wooden canoe, and the adventures encounterd by the little man just captured my imagination. I never knew the Great Lakes until after feeling as though I had been there with Paddle to the Sea. H.C. Holling books are works of art packed with wonderful facts from science and geography. Any teacher's dream curriculum because you'll have the children enrapt attention! My sons love them as much as I do, and even now, they remember reading them as great memories.

This book is the best book of advice for aspiring novel writers I have seen. Lots of practical examples and some good techniques to try out. Even has a chapter-by-chapter system to go from nothing to a novel by the end of the book (if you want to use it).

It is also engaging to read and is not boring or "text-booky" at all.

Higly recommended.

I purchased his book after attending a class Mr. Bell gave at a writer's conference.

The book is invaluable, it will save countless hours of re-writing, and make the entire effort easier. Plot is perhaps the most important element of a book.

Just as a house has a kitchen, bedroom, front door, etc, a well-crafted book should contain certain elements as well.

There are time-tested techniques and pointers, this book lists them and makes their application much easier.

We all have at least a dozen books on the craft of writing, this should be one of them. It is worth the investment and the time it will take to digest it.

Dan Elliott Jr.

This book, as it says on the title, focus on plot and structure. He gives an introduction to each then delves into them for the rest of the book. The concepts are solid and anyone who want to know how to write but doesn't (or thinks they can't) owes it to themselves to pick this and the other "Write Great Fiction" books. There's a criticism that the author just reuses the same information that's been out there for a long time, which is like criticizing a history book on the Romans. There's only one set of history out there, so of course it will have the same information! Besides, since it's the SAME INFORMATION as other "how to" books, and since this book is clearly written towards those who want to know how to write, the criticism is again made completely moot. On that same note, if someone got this book, then why would they buy another book on plot?

The author's use of the "LOCK" system and the "doorways" is excellent and helps a new would-be writer more easily conceptualize the elements that are needed for a good plot. That was what he intended to do, that was what he did, and so that is why this book is worth the money.

This how-to book actually delivers! So many books give definintions of writing terms, but this book explains HOW TO DO those things. Intellegent, useful, and sometimes even funny.

Buy this book. The excercises are even good- and I HATE writing excersises.

Best of all- this book is ENCOURAGING. The author's you-can-do-it spirit flows from every page and his clear explainations make you believe him that you can.

The author did a fantastic job with this book. It is a must-have for fiction writers.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 This is a wonderful book. I have always loved Ps 23 and this book gives a clear meaning to what David was writing. I highly recommend.

I did not read the book right off but put it on a shelf. When I did start to read it I finished it in 2 days. It is really easy reading..it pulls you in the story and you feel like you are taking the journey with the shepherd yet you also begin to see yourself as the sheep and how Jesus is taking care of you. You get the views of both the shepherd and the sheep. It is a great book to give in lieu of cards or in addition. I gave copies to friends who lost loved one..when you don't know what to say but want to say something...the book speaks volume without speaking too loud. Many write that it's great for leaders of the church but it is also a great bedtime story for children. The sheep and what happens to them is great and the children learn the Psalm 23 in the process. It has helped me explain a grandparents death and child neglect to a child of one of their friends. The shepherd not taking care of his sheep as one stories is told was great explaining to a 5 yr. old why a friend was taken from her parent..she actual got it an said the parent must have been like the shepherd in the book who did not take good care of his sheep. This is a great book to give to a parent, leaders in any setting to understand their role in caring for those that they are leading in someway. Best book I've read on Psalm 23.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Philip Keller is the perfect book for anyone who wants to understand the analogy of the relationship between an actual shepherd and his sheep and the relationship between Jesus, our Shepherd and us, the sheep. Each sentence of Psalm 23 is explained from both perspectives. The earthly applications bring light to the spiritual truths.
I would recommend this book to anyone, young or old in the faith. It is as good as any devotional, always pointing back to the Savior and Shepherd of our souls!

This is actually the second time I've read this book.
It gives me grounding for my faith and gives me a much better understand of just what I mean to Jesus. It should not only be in everyone's home, but in their pockets.

The 23rd. Psalm is certainly one of the most familiar passages in the Bible. Despite that fact, author W. Phillip Keller adds new depth and meaning to it as he shares his experiences as a shepherd as they relate to Psalm 23. He shows us that a good shepherd is sufficient for all of a sheep's needs if he will but follow and obey him. He describes how a shepherd sets up a cast sheep (one who has fallen on his back)on his feet just as our Good Shepherd can set us up on our feet after problems. He tells the reader the importance of the shepherd providing water and good food for a sheep just as God provides us with physical and spiritual nourishment. I would recommend this book to anyone--believer and non-believer alike, and to anyone who is going through tough times and needs reassurance of God's love and guidance.

Rob, do you have a fan club? 'Cuz I'm you number one fan. I've had a Yahoo store for 5 years and I never knew how much important information and SEO I was missing until I picked up this book. I read through the entire book first, now I am going through chapter by chapter making the recommended updates.

Rob really knows first hand about making Store improvements because he isn't a background programmer - he's a store owner that has tried everything he teaches. He's tested it, then reports on the proven methods. My book arrived June 1st and that is when I started making improvements - I can't wait see the results.

Rob, Thanks for sharing such valuable information!

this book is very useful to people who just get into the online business especially you have a YAHOO store , its worth every penny you paid !!!

I purchased this book thinking I could enhance my existing Yahoo store with the information. This book is only useful if you use Yahoo's Store Editor program and the author states this in his introduction. I use another program Yahoo Sitebuilder, so I turned around and ordered that book too. The title is very misleading....this is really only a book about using Store Editor to build your Yahoo store! If that is what you need the book seems pretty useful.

This book is well written but tells me nothing about how to use Store Editor. I've spent hours reading the book with Store Editor open in front of me and I still can't get it to work like he says it will.

Store Editor is the worse program I've ever tried to use. It's very cryptic and navigation is illogical. I can use Dreamweaver but not Store Editor.

GB

Usually Dummies books are helpful but this one didn't cut it. Not sure if it's the auther or just that Yahoo stores is too complicated. I thought I could avoid hiring a 3500 dollar store designer but this book wasn't detailed enough. It only covers the store editor, the author isn't supportive of designing your store with straight html or another tool. Yahoo's support isn't very helpful either. If you want a website to sell your goods on, Yahoo and this book is not the way to go. Good Luck.

Jeremy Kerns is a bright and imaginative thirteen year old cartoonist, whose cartoons are featured weekly in the newspaper.

As Jeremy's parent Arthur and Jessica's arguments have been escalating, Jeremy copes in a constructive manner. He writes and illustrates his own problems on his comic strip with Doog, the red haired boy with stars and stripes suspenders as the main character.

One particularly unnerving day of parental disagreements, Jeremy blocks his ears with his hands to try blotting out their fighting.


Jeremy pushes his chair away from the computer in exasperation, when suddenly a voice summons him. It's Doog, straight out of Cartoon Land. Jeremy is startled and distracted when Doog and Uncle Wom (a.k.a. wise old man) Jeremy learns that he must keep The Toonies a secret. Only Buddy and Ashley meet them, until...

Jeremy's unsuspecting and curious dad marvels at his son's cartoon drawings, then turns on Jeremy's computer.

This is where the Mischief Makers led by Dab (bad spelled backwards)are let loose into the Kern's home and Silicon Valley.

Mischief and mayhem follow in a funny and very, very original story.

One of my favorite events is when Jeremys mom Jessica and friend Ashley make shoes out of tin foil so the light weight little Tonnie Doog can walk more like a human than hop around.

Through Betty's highly descriptive, skilled writing, we envision the comical, colorful Toonie characters, all of whom have distinct personalities and charms. The dialogue is hysterical and we quickly become absorbed into The Toonies adventure.

This is a classic!

I recommend this book highly to both young adults and children. It will steer young people into dealing with stress in a productive manner. Because its extremely insightful, it can have a therapeutic effect on children and teach them new coping skills. For parents, this book will remind them of how positive influence can have a great impact on children.

"The day the Toonie leaped out of Jeremy Kern's computer and landed smack-dab in the middle of his life, he thought he was going nuts." From this very first line, Betty Dravis had me captivated and dying to know just how the story of a computer whiz kid from Silicon Valley and his cartoon friends would play out.

Troubled by his parents' recent incessant arguing, Jeremy escapes to his computer one night to discover that Doog, a teenage Toonie Jeremy created for his weekly comic strip, has come to life when Jeremy needed him most. Shortly thereafter, Uncle Wom, the lovable old leader of Cartoon Land, also befriends Jeremy and informs him that all is not well in the Toonies' homeland. The evil Dab, an ape-like bird creature, and his band of Mischief-Makers are on a mission to escape from Cartoon Land, whatever the cost, and take over the humanoid world.

With the help of his best friend, Buddy, and Buddy's twin sister, Ashley, Jeremy pledges to keep the secrets of Cartoon Land safe and never do anything that would allow Dab to escape. Everything is going fine for the three children and their new Toonie friends until Jeremy's dad, Arthur, accidentally releases Dab and his hench-birds...and chaos invades Silicon Valley.

Will Jeremy and his friends be able to defeat the evil ape-bird? Or will Dab and his followers be the victors of the climactic battle at Orange Computer's supply building and thereby unleash their reign of terror on our world?

There are so many lovable and endearing characters in "Toonies," but my favorite would have to be Third, the sweet little Mischief-Maker turned hero. I loved his interactions with Jeremy's mom, Jessica, especially the white flag incident. And you *must* read this gem of a novel to find out what I'm talking about! ;)

Betty Dravis has crafted an endlessly inventive, highly original, and entertaining tale that will appeal to readers of all ages. Don't miss it! :D

Melika

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R26ASIHOICC8KV While reading through the pages of The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley, The Toonies were looking me right in the eyes.
Author Betty Dravis has conjured up a masterpiece anyone will forget about ordinary life and be come involved. I was plucked out of my routine by Jeremy, a young cartoonist who made The Toonie.
He alone has the ability of controlling The Toonies.
The tittle of the book was what captured my attention span and held it until the end of the book.I adore this book.
It is aimed for young adults, but anyone who loves vivid imagery and cartoons coming to life will be planted into a new exciting place.
I'm not telling the rest. You must read The Toonies Invade Silicon Valley for yourself. A place and characters you'll stay attached to way after reading this book.
I recommend this with a guarantee of opening up your hearts to The Toonies and expanding your horizons with this fantastic fantasy tale.
I guarantee you'll be smiling the whole time you read it.And you'll think alot too.

THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY is probably one of the most charming, surprising, vivid and vibrant books I have ever read. And that statement includes everything I read as a child, and everything I've read so far as a "grown-up" (which is more of a physical classification than a mental one for me, at this point in my life... *smile*).

Betty Dravis' novel introduces readers to thirteen-year-old Jeremy Kern, who lives with his parents in Silicon Valley. As his parents' arguments get louder and more frequent, Jeremy retreats into his bedroom, working at his computer on cartoons about a boy named Doog. Creating a world and a life for Doog allows Jeremy to escape from his own troubles...but the last thing he expects is for Doog's world to merge with his own! But a chance touch in the corner of a cartoon eye, and poof! suddenly Doog is out of the computer, on Jeremy's desk, his red hair shining impossibly brightly and his eyes twinkling whimsically. Jeremy and his friends are utterly taken with Doog and, later, with Uncle Wom, the leader of Cartoon Land, who follows Doog out of the computer to retrieve him. Uncle Wom is clear to express the dangers of traveling between the worlds, warning Jeremy to be wary of prying eyes on the computer screen. Uncle Wom and Doog tell Jeremy and his friends about the Mischief-Makers and their leader, Dab, the evil ape-bird feared by everyone in Cartoon Land. Under no circumstances, Uncle Wom asserts, must Dab be released from the world behind the computer screen.

Unfortunately, Jeremy's father isn't around to heed this warning. Arthur inadvertently releases Dab and his followers from the computer and immediately, Dab seeks to put his evil plan into action: to take over Orange Computer, and then take over all the computers all over the world, giving him ultimate power and control over the human race. It will take a whole team of humans and good Toonies, including the help of a "Wise Old Zen," to defeat Dab and his followers and restore order both to Silicon Valley, and to Cartoon Land.

THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY is, at its core, a story of good vs. bad. But you've never read a more creative take on that popular theme, I guarantee it! In Betty Dravis' world, "good vs. bad" becomes Doog vs. Dab, and the warriors are cartoons. From the first page to the last, TOONIES is pure entertainment, a joy to read. The text is accompanied by beautiful illustrations, serving to bring Dravis' characters and world even more to life. The prose is lively, and the descriptions are brilliant -- bright and dazzling and evocative of something magical. Dravis brings a world of color to a page of black and white, and her warmth and genuineness shine through in her writing. Deeply interwoven in the story is a larger theme of the importance of family. In a world where moral values are often overlooked, Dravis has written a novel that supports the good things in life: family, love, courage, fellowship. TOONIES is a book for both kids and adults to read and reread with fondness. The characters, human and toonie alike, are ones you'll want to keep coming back to again and again.

THE TOONIES INVADE SILICON VALLEY is a rewarding, fun, dazzling and wholesome book. I recommend it completely, for kids from 1 to 99!

Three cheers for Betty Dravis!

Combining the elements and themes of a classic fantasy with freshly imagined characters in a thoroughly modern setting, the author has created an engaging children's story that will hopefully become a series. I have to believe that most children in this computer-driven age would really get into this "animated" book. Parents will appreciate the message and underlying values.

(I'd love to take my grandchildren to see the Toonies movie!)

Star-Crossed

I stopped watching TV, stopped using my computer, and even found time to read before work. It's a page turner, you will enjoy this book. For all you quick readers out there you should read this book in a day.

This might end up on the big screen.

A very good--no, an excellent--naval technothriller. Other reviewers have used up all the good words, so I can only say ditto to all the five star reviews.

If you want to find exciting new military books, fiction and non-fiction, check out Military Writers Society of America where you will find many more fine authors who's books are available on Amazon.

My books deal with Islamic terrorism employing WMDs: The Rings of Allah and Behold, an Ashen Horse.

I recently discovered that Jeff Edwards has finished his next book, The Seventh Angel.
Put me in line for the first copy!

I have been waiting for Jeff's next book ever since I finished reading Torpedo. Scenes from the book often come to mind and I have at remind myself that Torpedo is book, not a movie. (Although it should be.)

The character development is so complete and action sequences so believable that I felt that I was on the ship with the crew while missiles launched from the enemy sub came flying at them from out of the sea.

Thanks for a great book. Give me more!

Byron Mettler, Author Speed Kills!

I usually pick up books like this to pass the time when I fly around for work. I never made it to the airport with this one. This read was so good I ended up finishing it days before my trip.

Many stories out there fit the cookie cutter mold when it comes to naval warfare: allies v axis, allies win, axis scurries home. This plot, dealing with powers within NATO to find a new world leader, break the mold completely.

Recommended hands down for anyone who enjoys a good read and cares about the technical accuracy of the work.

I started this book over my Christmas break from work and almost missed Christmas! I couldn't put it down! It is chocked full of action and adventure. This is the kind of book one can get lost in. Mr. Edwards sets the scenes so realistically that I felt like I was there among the characters. His knowledge of the Navy is amazing. I would highly recommend this book. I think Tom Clancy has some competition on his hands!

This is really a Deluxe Edition, love the perfect size of the font! Elegant cover and a touch of distinction on the golden edge of the pages. The only inconvenience is that's just too heavy to carrying it on your handbag all day long, but a book like this, you should keep it at home!

Excellent book, looks amazing and a great read. Only problem was the packaging scratched some of the leather.

All in all it made this hoopy frood happy.

It was just as fun reading this the second time. It's beeen 20 years since I read it and I'm enjoying again.

I read the reviews before buying this for a friend's 42nd birthday (42!), and was a little uncertain what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the pages are of a reasonable weight considering the size. I'm sure a purist would rather have each individual book, but this is a nice collection for the bookshelf.

First off, this book is beautiful, with the appearance of an old fashioned Bible. Thick leather padded binding, gold edged pages, a lovely ribbon place holder, and Bible thin paper make this quite the collector's item. Second, for the price you cannot purchase these same books in paperback, so if you intend to read the complete series, this is the way to go.

The books that are complied within have been reviewed to death. Douglas Adams is truly a love him or leave him author. After finishing his first book, people are either driven into a rabid fanbase, or develop an instantaneous loathing for said fanbase. I personally love his writing, specifically the first three books in the series, with the first (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) being a true triumph in my mind. There are also some lovely extras written by the author about his works that really put the shine on this book.

If you have not read Adams and are debating the purchase, my suggestion is to find a copy of Hitchhiker's and read the first page. If you aren't at least snickering by the end of the first page than odds are this type of humor and writing style aren't for you. If, however, you have to stifle giggles in a public place, then I suggest you order this book immediately and read it alone. I can't remember the number of times while reading this that I nearly snorted my drink through my nose in a public place... it can be very embarrassing.

For a truly fun experience with this book... have someone attempt to read it out loud... I have yet to hear anyone make it more than a few pages before being reduced to hysterics and choking as they try to continue. For the Adams fan I cannot recommend this book enough. Normally I can't stand hardbacks, but this is not only pretty enough to set on a coffee table, its funny enough to keep on the nightstand by your bed for a pre-snooze giggle.