Camels Books

Overall good Charlie Chan mystery, I enjoyed it a lot! (although the plot is a little messy and long). A movie starring Sidney Toler and #2 Son called "Charlie Chan in Rio" took the main plot from this book and made it more concise and entertaining. For a Chinese person like myself, it is amusing to see some of the comments from Chan regarding his offsprings' lack of respect for him and their use of slang English. It actually sounds quite genuine, like any older Chinese immigrant fathers would say.

Loosely suggested by the exploits of Chang Apana (1887-1933), a Hawaiian police officer of Chinese heritage noted for his fearlessness, Earl Derr Biggers' Charlie Chan was among the most popular characters of 1920s and 1930s detective fiction. 1929's THE BLACK CAMEL is an absolutely charming read, one that will whisk you back to a more innocent era that considered all things Hawaiian and Asian exotic.

Actress Shelia Fane has arrived in Honolulu to film scenes for her current movie, and with her career fading she is greatly tempted to accept the hand of a wealthy suitor. Tarneverro, a psychic to the stars, warns her to decline--but no sooner does she refuse the proposal than the "black camel" of death kneels at her gate, and the celebrated Charlie Chan is called in to solve the crime.

Earl Derr Biggers will never compete with the likes of Christie or Sayers in terms of plot, but on this occasion he makes very clever use of details arising from one of the most notorious crimes of the day: the still unsolved murder of film director William Desmond Taylor, a crime in which several stars were implicated. The resulting story is multi-layered and a great deal tighter than most of Biggers' work, and his portrait of Chan, Honolulu, and Hawaii of the late 1920s has tremendous period charm. Fans of period mystery fiction will find it a truly enjoyable read. Recommended.

Movie star Sheila Fane arrives in Honolulu to shoot the few remaining sequences of a movie. She rents a house on the beach. When Sheila throws a big party, she is found murdered in the pavillion just before she is scheduled to make her grand entrance. Charlie Chan is assigned to the case. Tarneverro, a fortuneteller and former friend of the deceased, offers to help Charlie solve the murder. Charlie and Tarneverro arrive at the scene of the crime before the guests depart. Although not the best of the six Charlie Chan novels, this is a very good mystery and an entertaining story.

Shelah Fane, the once famous movie actress, now fading in the lime-light, had no enemies. Or so it seemed before she turned up murdered. And now the famous Charlie Chan comes face to face with the most puzzling case of his career. Is it possible that everyone had a alibi? Why confess to a murder you did not commit? Why is the man who so wants to help doing all he can to blockade the investigation? Why does the name Denny Mayo come up so often? Can the murderer ever be found?

Silver screen goddess, Sheila Fane, has a secret that weighs heavily on her heart. It is a secret that makes her reluctant to marry again, though she has just received such a proposal. While in Honolulu for some location shots for her current film, she consults with Tarneverro, fortuneteller to the stars, as to what she should do. He wrests her deepest, darkest secret from her and advises her not to marry. Shortly thereafter, Hollywood's brightest flame is snuffed out, a cruel knife thrust ending Ms. Fane's life.

Enter revered Honolulu police inspector, Charlie Chan, who is called upon to solve this baffling murder case. In his own inscrutable and unhurried way, Inspector Chan slowly, but surely, makes mincemeat of those who would dare to lie to him. To solve this case, however, he must delve into Ms. Fane's past and discover the secret that gave her so much unrest. He finds that is is tied to an unsolved murder that had occurred in Hollywood several years prior. Inspector Chan ultimately puts both matters to rest.

Charlie Chan is one of the best fictional detectives ever created. Highly intelligent and seemingly droll, he slowly but surely solves his cases. Father to eleven children, all of whom drive him a little crazy with their American slang, he is an eminently respected detective, who has solved many high profile cases. It is amazing that, though written during the nineteen twenties and thirties, these mysteries are as fresh today, as when they were first written. While they may lack some of the political correctness of today, they are still gems. Well written and highly entertaining, the entire Charlie Chan series deserves to be reissued by some wily publisher.

Reading CAMEL from the specs has always been a nightmare for me with very basic understanding of IN, but after going through the book all my fundas have become clear and now I am able to relate everything from the Specs. This book is the only book I could find on this topic and author has very clearly explained the topic starting from scratch.

By far the best book i have come across which attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of CAMEL's origins, CAMEL's present and future roles. Author's excellent narrative skills coupled with easy-to-follow logical flow makes this a personal favourite. Its a must-have for folks who want to learn CAMEL networks or those who want to refresh their knowledge about CAMEL networks or those who want to augment gaps in their understanding of CAMEL networks. The book, in my humble opinion, has both, depth and breadth... a very rare quality in itself...

This book appears to completely omit the possibility of direct gsmSCF to gsmSRF communication, This is especially serious when this is the first gsmSRF scenario discussed and diagrammed by other authors and the definitive 3GPP TS 03.78 & 3G TS 29.078 standards. This interface, present in CAMEL from phase 2, is being used in the new and interesting CAMEL services such as CRBT. This is a basic and serious omission and has undermined my faith in the rest of the book.

This book is a must read for anyone planning and/or developing CAMEL based applications. I recommend it to everyone I know that works within SS7/IN/WIN/CAMEL. It is a great reference and guide to more information that may be found within the standards.

What does a young boy with cancer have to do with camels in the Desert of Lop? Author Dawn Van Zant answers this question and many more in a story only she could tell. Bradford is a young boy who has spent a good portion of his life bravely fighting cancer. On one special night as he is laying in bed attempting to fall asleep, he feels a presence in the room. It turns out that the sandman, has been searching for thousands of years to find "the one," and it is Bradford. The Sandman takes Bradford on a journey through time and space that eventually leads them to the Gobi where he is greeted by wild camels who will guide him to the Desert of Lop. Along the way, Bradford learns about the camels, the land, and his illness while proving to himself that he too can be a brave hero. The book concludes with information about real life Wild Bactrian Camels and their status as a critically endangered species. The author also notes, how scientists are particularly interested in studying the animal's immune system, especially in light of all the species has overcome to survive over the years, and feel that it will lead to promising discoveries that could help with many human illnesses.

Once again Dawn Van Zant has written a book that clearly shows man's connection with nature. The way that she parallels Bradford's journey in the desert to his real-life battle with cancer, is heartfelt and inspiring. However, I think the book is better suited for children in the 9-12 age range rather than younger readers. BRADFORD AND THE JOURNEY TO THE DESERT OF LOP is a touching story that teaches lessons about courage and the importance of a positive attitude, while encouraging readers to learn more about nature.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rebeccasreads highly recommends BRADFORD & THE JOURNEY TO THE DESERT OF LOP as a lyrical, lively bedtime tale, filled with vivid images & magical insights.

As nine-year old Bradford does battle with cancer & dreams of what his purpose in life is the Sandman comes one night & away they fly to the Gobi Desert to find there Bactrian camels, eagles, buried treasures & a quest.

A deeply moving & magical tale founded upon a real boy's life & a real foundation's purpose in saving the last of the world's wild camels.

Outstanding!

Genre: Children's Fiction
Title: Bradford and the Journey to the Desert of Lop
AUTHOR: Dawn Van Zant
ILLUSTRATOR: Alexander Levitas
Young Bradford lay sleeping in his bed, `Warrior' t-shirt and nightcap firmly in place. A visit from the Sandman takes him on a journey of excitement, adventure and discovery that readers will enjoy immensely.
Bradford is a cancer patient and unable to run and play like other boys his age but in his dream he is whole again. He meets the Uighurs, a band of nomads that travel by camel across the desert sand. They lead him to a wonderful, enchanting place filled with wild Bactrian camels that possess an amazing trait; a uniqueness that may help boys and girls like him.
Author Dawn Van Zant writes with skill and dedication, using easy to understand dialogue. Children of all ages will enjoy this adventure. The illustrations by Alexander Levitas are charming and tell the story well for younger readers.
The book is intended to bring awareness to the existence of the wild Bactrian Camels of China and Mongolia and the Wild Camel Protection Foundation with patron, Jane Goodall. Readers are given contact information for the foundation and the website to further their knowledge of these amazing creatures. We wish Dawn and the Wild Heart Ranch much success in all of their very deserving ventures.
Highly recommended by reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.


Title: Bradford and the Journey to the Desert of Lop
Author: Dawn Van Zant
Publisher: Wild Heart Ranch
ISBN: 0-9761768-2-3
Pages: 37
Price: n/a
Jan. 2006

The rolling rhyme, the outstandingly detailed pictures make this a sure hit for first and second graders. Big print, great vocabulary and variety of viewpoints enhance its usefulness. Like Lois Ehlert books, and Ruth Heller's titles, this will be in use for years and years. Team it with Mary Ann Hoberman's A HOUSE IS A HOUSE FOR ME and you've got a nicely linked literature cluster to encourage young readers to love poetry.

My almost 3 year old daughter picked this book out of a display and asks us to read it again and again.

Award winning artist Charles Santore illustrates a nonesense poem by Charles Edward Carryl. The large, detailed and colorful illustrations of animals with expressive droll faces attract and hold my toddler's attention. You can see what I mean by looking at the sample pages.

The poem reminds me of Edward Lear and is of the same 19th century vintage. And Charles Carryl was hailed as the "American Lewis Carroll". My favourite verse is "People would laugh if you rode a giraffe, or mounted the back of ox; it's nobody's habit to ride on a rabbit or try to bestraddle a fox. But as for a camel, he's ridden by families - any load does for me!"

The 4-8 designation may be because the words are nice and large and pretty simple for a child who's learning to read. However some of the words like "bestraddle" and "repose" are not part of our everyday language anymore, so I'd say it's more for the preschool pre-reading set. Its large size also makes it more suited for adults to handle than children to read on their own.

Charles Edward Carryl, 1841 to 1920, was a writer of nonsense rhymes and verse in the tradition of Lewis Carroll. Award winning artist, Charles Santore, brings to life this little known poem.

The burdened life of a camel is drollfully compared to the lives of other domesticated animals. "Cats, you're aware, can repose in a chair, chickens can roost upon rails, puppies are able to sllep in a stable, and oysters can slumber in pails. But no one supposes a poor camel dozes - anyplace does for me!" The meticulous details and expressive eyes of the camel add to the humorous tone of the book.

Large detailed images and lilting language make this a superb lap sit or read aloud book.

Charlie Chan in handsome 2 novels per volume editions. Leonaur has rendered Charlie Chan lovers a great service with this magnificent editions.
This volume contains the first 2 Chan novels. As always, not great detective stories but very readable and fun.

This anthology of five novels written between 1925 and 1932 break cleanly into two groups. The first three books (House without a Key, Chinese Parrot, and Behind that Curtain) are clever, entertaining and quite enjoyable. That last two are contrived with the proverbial red herrings dragged everywhere to confuse the issue but not to add to the enjoyment. An interesting footnote to 'House without a Key' is its characters' comments that the beauty of Hawaii is being destroyed by the commercialism and tourists. This, in 1925.

My advice is read the first three books and stop at that point. You'll have gotten your money's worth and you'll avoid the bitter aftertaste the latter two books impart.

Between 1925 and 1932, Earl Derr Biggers wrote six novels about Charley Chan, a fictional Chinese detective, who was to become a pop culture icon through his representation in Hollywood movies. It is said that the author based his character on a genuine Chinese detective in Honolulu named Chang Apana that he read about while vacationing in Honolulu. In a time when "white priviledge" was assumed, Detective Chan overcomes racial barriers as he pursues white murderers in a white society. The only other Chinese in evidence in these stories are servants and laborers. The novels take place in the Honolulu and California of post World War I America and the descriptions of these long-gone settings are wonderfully rich and rewarding. Each story not only tells how a puzzling murder is solved, but also has a sub-plot of young people finding true love. Romance, historic settings, race relations, and a murder mystery are all the earmarks of a Charley Chan novel. They are a joy to read and much better than the movies of the 1930s and 1940s. I am disappointed that the book has only five of the six Charley Chan novels. Included in this volume are: The House Without a Key (1925); The Chinese Parrot (1926); Behind That Curtain (1928); The Black Camel (1929); and, Keeper of the Keys (1932). The one novel left out is: Charlie Chan Carries On (1930). I hope that someday we will be able to buy all six in one volume with an introductory essay that gives some background on the author and discusses the influence of these novels.

I read this book for a graduate history class on Mao's China

The authors John Wilson Lewis, and Xue Litai astutely argued that Mao's decision to acquire nuclear weapons was both a response to what he perceived as repeated nuclear threats from the U.S., particularly during the Korean War and the Taiwan Straits Crisis of the 1950's. Mao also insisted that a nuclear weapon would prove China's military prowess, which would distinguish the "New China" from its humiliated previous governments. The book expertly describes each stage of the nuclear weapons program--mining, processing, and enrichment of uranium and the designing, constructing and assembling, and testing of their first device. The book also delves into the political process including Sino-Soviet relations from 1953 to 1967. The authors used printed sources from China and the U. S. the memoirs of Nie Rongzhen, the father of China's nuclear program, as well as extensive interviews of both Chinese scientists and policy makers.

By 1953 the Chinese, under the guise of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, had initiated research leading to the development of nuclear weapons. The decision to develop an independent strategic nuclear force was made no later than early 1956 and was to be implemented within the Twelve-Year Science Plan presented in September 1956 to the Eighth Congress of the CCP. The decision to enter into a development program designed to produce nuclear weapons and ballistic missile delivery systems was, in large part, a function of the 1953 technology transfer agreements initiated with the USSR.

14 February 1950 China and the Soviet Union sign the "Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and mutual Assistance." 1955 Peking signed a secret agreement with Moscow through which China provided uranium ores in exchange for Soviet assistance in the nuclear field (7, 41, 76). China was politically motivated to develop nuclear weapons following the events of the Korean War, French Indochina War, and Taiwan Strait Crisis. During this time, China's military was still largely technologically undeveloped and was receiving large amounts of assistance from the Soviet Union since the early 1950s. Soviet nuclear aid was given to China, and several eastern European nations, under the pretext that it would be used for peaceful purposes. In mid-October 1957, the Chinese and Soviets signed an agreement on new technology for national defense that included provision for additional Soviet nuclear assistance as well as the furnishing of some surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles. The USSR also agreed to supply a sample atomic bomb and to provide technical assistance in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. Of the assistance provided, most significant to China's future strategic nuclear capability were an experimental nuclear reactor, facilities for processing uranium, a cyclotron, and some equipment for a gaseous diffusions plant (41-46, 76-86, 90-91, 105-106, 118).

20 June 1959 The Soviet Communist Party Central Committee sends a letter to the Central Committee of China's Communist Party informing China that Moscow will not deliver a prototype atomic bomb to Beijing. The Soviets cite the ongoing negotiations in Geneva for a test ban treaty as the reason for reneging on the agreement to provide an atomic bomb. China names its first atomic bomb "Device 596," which represents the year and month (June 1959) in which the Soviets refused to provide the bomb. Subsequently the Chinese accused Moscow of having abrogated their agreement in 1959, and having refused to supply a simple atomic bomb and technical data concerning its manufacture. This event marked the end of nuclear cooperation between the two socialist nations and China continued independent development of nuclear weapons. Mao Zedong viewed this split as further justification for China committing itself to continue nuclear weapons development to break "the superpowers' monopoly on nuclear weapons," to ensure Chinese security against the Soviet and United States threats, and to increase Chinese prestige and power internationally (60-65).

When China decided in 1955 to develop atomic bombs, it faced a number of technological choices as to the most appropriate route to follow. At that time, China could only work on one path, and had to choose between producing Pu239 from a reactor, or developing the method of producing U235 through isotope separation. Therefore, the chosen path was the physical separation of U235 and U238 isotopes. This method of detonating an atomic bomb was considered more technically advanced, though there were questions as to whether China was capable of producing a uranium bomb detonated by the implosion method.

China made remarkable progress in the 1960s in developing nuclear weapons. In a thirty-two-month period, China successfully exploded its first atomic bomb (October 16, 1964), launched its first nuclear missile (October 25, 1966), and detonated its first hydrogen bomb (June 14, 1967.

The Cultural Revolution disrupted the strategic weapons program less than other scientific and educational sectors in China; however, there was a slowdown in succeeding years. The successes achieved in nuclear research and experimental design work permitted China to begin series production of nuclear (since 1968) and thermonuclear (since 1974) warheads.

The first Chinese nuclear test was conducted at Lop Nor on 16 October 1964 (CHIC 1). It was a tower shot involving a fission device with a yield of 25 kilotons. The 596 test came as a great surprise to the West as the earliest estimates of a Chinese nuclear test were predicted to be at least several months away (241-244). Uranium 235 was used as the nuclear fuel, which indicates Beijing's choice of the path of creating high-yield nuclear weapons right away. China tested an experimental thermonuclear device on May 9, 1966. This was the shortest time span any of the five nuclear nations needed to test experimental thermonuclear devices after its first detonation. China also had the distinction of being the fifth nation to develop nuclear weapons (204-208, 244).

One of the objectives of the final series of Chinese nuclear tests was to miniaturize China's nuclear warheads, dropping their weight from 2200 kgs to 700 kgs in order to accommodate the next generation of solid-fueled missile systems. In addition to the development of a sea-based nuclear force, China began considering the development of tactical nuclear weapons. The PLA exercises featured the simulated use of tactical nuclear weapons in offensive and defensive situations beginning in 1982. In 1988 Chinese specialists tested a 1-5 KT nuclear device with an enhanced radiation yield, advancing the country's development of a very low yield neutron weapon and laying the foundation for the creation of nuclear artillery.

The exact state of China's nuclear arsenal is shrouded in secrecy and only estimates of it exist in the West. The most recent reports in 2006 indicate China possesses only 130 nuclear warheads, deployed on land-based missiles, sea-based missiles, and bombers. China does not have MIRV capability though could quickly develop such a capacity if required as it continues to modernize its nuclear arsenal.

Recommended for all interested in Asian and military history.

A rich and facinating account of how China made the decision to build the bomb. The origins of the Chinese nuclear program were made during the Eisenhower administration desion to reduce American troops in Korea. During this period, Eisenhower decided to increase American strategic forces (nuclear), thus adding to Chinese insecurity. According to the book, Mao wanted a paper tiger and the nuclear bomb was the answer.

The book also details how Soviet advisors provided the Chinese with baseline technical information for theroretical experimentation and fabrication of the first bomb. The book makes clear that the Sino-Soviet alliance was a shakey mutual military agreement at best. Moscow wanted total control of Soviet/Chinese military operations and how Chinese military leaders resisted these attempts by Moscow and decided to expel Soviet advisors. The book also explains how the CIA blew the call: They predicated a pultonium core and in fact the Chinese built a uranium-235 core.

A must for anyone interested in understanding American/Chinese Foreign policy in present day Chinese-Amercian relations

Lest when my review is read, readers will think I'm sympathetic to Chinese socialism. The fact is I am not. I have read the book - China Builds The Bomb - some years ago. This book must be read in the perspective of China's recent history. In the Chinese world of the l960's, internally, China was beset with how to feed her people due to a series of natural calamities and externally, how to defend itself from its neighbour - the unfriendly Soviet Union as well as hostility from United States.

China's intention to build the bomb was basically for self-defense and not to threaten others nor for sable-rattling. I think China had achieved its aim of protecting itself. China's knowledge in building the bomb was based mainly on her core of scientific people, public sacrifices and native innovations. Chinese people realized long ago that the defense of their nation depended on the resolve and determination of themselves. The fact that against seemingly insurmountable odds, both technical and scientific, the Chinese people could build first the atomic bomb and then the hydrogen bomb, prove beyond a shadow of doubt of the saying: "Necessity is the mother of invention." Since then, I have read this acclaimed book several time, and each time when I read it, I couldn't help thinking that my ancestral country - China - despite being bullied and invaded the last 50 years by foreign powers, the people are resolved never to be weak again in the predatory world of today! Thank you.

I am a high school special education teacher for developmentally delayed students. We did a unit on deserts. This book help me organize/develop age-appropriate lessons and worksheets for the students. The pictures/illustrations were helpful also.

This is a great book for teachers who will have to teach anything science related. Every book put out by the National Wildlife Federation is great.

There are lessons that provide art and craft ideas to help bring home the lesson that you are trying to teach. There are recipes for clay and food that you can use to help teach about deserts. There are facts to share and bulliton board ideas and more. There are copy sheets for worksheets and more.

The directions are clear. The books are easy to read and fit a large amount of information provided in a format that makes it easy to find when you are looking for something in particular.

Enjoy.

I used this book while teaching a unit on biomes in my High School Special Education Resource Science classroom. Discovering Deserts has exactly the right mix of factual material and hands-on activities needed to appeal to a wide range of ability levels, ages, and learning styles. The materials totally engaged my students' interest. This is a really useful resource and I plan to purchase other books in this series.

"Neither rain nor snow, nor sleet nor dark of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." The postman's creed, you say? Yes, but now it applies to a new group of people: mobile librarians.

Margriet Ruurs, writer and educator, read a newspaper article describing the mobile library in the desert areas of Kenya. She began to wonder if children in other remote areas receive books. Thus began the scrapbook of mobile libraries from all over the world. After Ruur made the contact, librarians shared stories and photographs of their unique mode of book delivery. Ruur includes a total of thirteen mobile libraries. Each shows a two-page spread containing a map insert of the country's location, a box about the area, and the story and photographs of each mobile library in action.

Because there are thousands of islands in Finland's geography, the library goes to the children by boat. In the northern Lapland region of the Artic, a book bus serves Lapp children in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

In Mongolia a book minivan and a horse-drawn wagon take books to the herders' children in the Gobi desert. In Azerbaijan a blue truck serves refugee settlements. The children love their "library-in-a-truck." In fact, the librarian wrote: Because these children have nothing, not even school, "the mobile library is as important as air or water."

Loaded with crates of books, elephants are library assistants in taking books to children in northern Thailand. Homeless children in Bangkok have access to a classroom and library in old, transformed train carriages in stations around the city.

The most dedicated delivery of books occurs in Papua New Guinea, where trucks with four-wheel-drives go as far as they can. Then the librarians tote boxes of books on their shoulders for four hours. As they come to each village, they drop off books and medical supplies. In a few weeks they will repeat the process.

Ruur leaves a few questions unanswered. Who funds these libraries? Who funds these books, as surely all are not returned. She mentions one foundation in Mongolia, where there is almost no illiteracy! Other readers may be curious and want to participate.

Ruur makes clear the importance of the mobile library. What matters is that children are being served where they are. This is a very fine book about dedication at its best and and a promotion of the love of reading in the most unlikely places. Every school library in the United States should buy this book and every librarian should share it with her students, if only to show that children everywhere love books!

How are books brought to children around the world? We're used to a library consisting of a building - but some move from place to place by bus, boat, and even animal or wheelbarrow. Mobile libraries are often the only ways books come to remote world locations - and My Librarian Is A Camel comes from libraries around the world. Margriet Rurrs asked librarians to share stories about their libraries: the result often was not only a verbal description and stories, but color photos: all of which are included in this lively, unusual, and enthusiastically recommended title.

What could be a more precious gift than learning to read? It's time for Santa to take second place! Do children today really lack interest in our 'wider world'? Writers for newspapers & magazines frequently write about *GEOGRAPHICALLY-CHALLENGED* young people. Author Margriet Ruurs' book tells children of the many ways in which libraries are brought to the doorsteps of readers in thirteen far flung countries in this world. It isn't dry-as-dust information -- it is exciting & colorful; mind-boggling in some instances.

Our Bloomington (IN) daily paper does print a map frequently with squibs of news from about ten 'hot spots' on this Earth. Everyone could gain by studying such a map & adopting a regular habit of "connecting the dots" between countries and happenings, and between happenings and long-term effects on individual lives, and our Universe.

In Australia huge trailer-trucks are solar-powered & very high-tech, powering computers and air conditioning, plus. A librarian-storyteller travels with the materials and keeps kids' minds stimulated with stories.. In Azerbaijan (former Soviet republic) there are funds for sending library trucks to only two refugee settlements. In contrast beach deliveries of books are made in England with wheelbarrows!

Native Inuits in Canada rely on the mail service with prepaid 'returns.' Finland supplies a boat for service to outer islands, some of which are populated only during the brief summer. Indonesia provides boats & bicycles for deliveries. The most dramatic carriers are in Kenya where camels carry tents for 'setting up shop' with boxes of books . . . AND, in the mountainous areas of Thailand elephants go on 20-day round trips to make their deliveries! Imagine elephants instead of Bookmobiles here in the U.S.! It might awaken our sensibilities to the lengths some governments go to take *LEARNING* to the people. In Mongolia motor bikes have replaced camels & horses to deliver books; in Peru & Zimbabwe donkey carts are used. All over the globe in hard-to-reach areas people are making great effort to bring literacy to children & others hungry for learning. We can cheer, too, for inter-library exchanges to fulfill assignments, for research and/or just plain JOY.

After reading a recent National Geographic poll we can see that people's apathy is as serious as gaps in knowledge. Reviewer mcHAIKU believes this would seem pathetic, if it were not so frightening. CHEERS for Ruurs' engaging book that brings us a gift of optimism.

Camel is one of the most famous trademarks of all time, and in this book you will get a chance to see some of the funny things, that the RJR-people have made to promote the cigarette.

I'm generally thought of with a magnifying glass in one hand, and the bowl of a pipe in the other, but truth be told I've been a cigarette man most of my life, and since discovering Camel cigarettes in the 40s, they are my preferred brand. I was always quite fond of the illustration that adorned the package of the original non-filtered Camel cigarette, and at one time collected the empty packs until a doctor friend of mine told me that my smoking habit was bad enough without adding another addiction to the mix.

This fine book, "Camel Cigarette Collectibles: The Early Years: 1913-1963" should bring back warm memories for all those who would walk a mile for a Camel if only their failing lungs would let them. I still smoke 'em, enjoy 'em, too, but people lacking my sturdy, nay, indestructible constitution, are advised to heed the advice on the package and quit. Now that you can read about Camel cigarettes, that's almost as good as smoking them.

Sherlock Holmes (yes, the one and only)

Lord Berners' Collected Tales and Fantasies are six rather bizarre tales or short novellas, filled with dark and mysterious happenings. The characters who inhabit these stories are equally as bizarre and eccentric as the tales themselves, and, although they contain some hilarious satire in the style of Evelyn Waugh or "Saki," the narratives are laced with violence and tragedy. Lord Berners' characters include an assortment of eccentric artistocratic types that he knew between the years dividing the two World Wars. His characters include a mixture of neurotics, paranoids, megalomaniacs, pederasts, parasites, and what Monty Python would call "upper-class twits," all of whom partake in the most amazing adventures. In one of the best stories, "Far from the Madding War," the author himself makes a brief appearance as Lord FritzCricket. Berners admits that his own outlandish personality is that of "the Unstable Peer," an eccentric born into the aristocracy who can act in any way he pleases. Let us look briefly at a few of the stories. "Percy Wallingford," (written in 1914) tells the adventures of a self-assured and talented man who, on the eve of World War I, has his confidence destroyed by his wife, a fantastic woman who can see in the dark and who strips him of his self-assurance. "The Camel," (written in 1936) relates the mysterious appearance of a camel at a vicarage in the quiet British town of Slumbermere, which violently disrupts the easy life there and forces people to confront their own fears, anxieties, and jealousies. It is a deceptively dark and disturbing tale, perhaps influenced by the novels of Thomas Hardy and Anthony Trollope which also dealt with small-town British rustic life. "Mr. Pidger," (1939) takes place on the eve of World War II and is, in reality, a British country-house farce in the best tradition. Lord Berens takes the models of the genre - a dog-hating misanthrope, a missing will, an ill-tempered dog, an over bearing wife, and a reticent husband - and molds them into a bizarre burlesque with tragic overtones. "Count Omega" (1941) is a satire on reincarnation, Freudian sexual psychoanalysis, modern music, and practical jokes, which involves the ego-centered musician Emanuel Smith, maliciously modeled on the British composer Sir William Walton. "The Romance of a Nose" (1941) may be the weakest tale of the collection, a rather plodding story about a Queen with an enormous nose and the chicanery that takes place in international politics. Berners' final story in the collection, "Far From the Madding War" (1941) is in itself worth the price of the book. It is an outrageous reaction to World War II, peopled with whimsical neurotics and eccentrics in the university town of "All Saints." It is Lord Berners' satirical attack on Oxford and Cambridge Universities' reaction to the war, and an intimation of his own nervous breakdown during and after the war years when his private world was shattered. It is a hilarious yet disturbing story. I highly recommend these six stories to those Anglophile readers like myself who enjoy the works of such writers as Evelyn Waugh, "Saki," J.P. Donlevy, George MacDonald Fraser, or John Mortimer. Lord Berners is indeed a talented author who writes stylishly and with a sharp satiric thrust. I have enjoyed his music (now recorded on several CD's) and his excellent memoir, "The Château de Résenlieu," which was recently published. I hope that more of his fine literary work will be published.

I've loved Lord Berners' music for years. And I knew he was an eccentric. But these pieces knocked me out. Wry, ironic, hilarious, skewed, but also humane. He's someone I wish I'd had dinner with; I suspect it would have been a memorable encounter.