Newspapers Books

bad writting , fishy explanation of what happene

A great piece of work about a city which was once a center of everything, and became the center of terror in past couple of years. Sarajevo will always be remembered for starting WW I with assassination of Archiduke, and for hosting the 1984 Winter Olympic Games. However it will be mostly remembered by this terrible war that has struck the city. While the citizens sat in their homes sheltered somewhat from the granades and bombs, all the "big shots" decided to play God, and decided to play with the destiny of so many lives. Instead of acting quickly at the beginning to stop the war, they just let it slide away from their hands, simply because they saw no interest, no mone out of doing that. However, Sarajevo stuggled and won by itself, alone, but as long as Sarajevo exists so will everything else. Read this book it is a masterpiece in descibing everything and anything you wanted to know about Sarajevo and Bosnia.

This memoir by the editor-in-chief of Oslobodjenje from 1991 to 1995 bears unrivalled witness to the resilience and survival of an operative civil society in Sarajevo under siege. Under Kurspahi 's editorship the paper came to symbolize the resistance of Bosnia-Herzegovina and its people to genocidal aggression and to terrible deprivation, while at the same time maintaining its journalistic integrity and critical independence when to do so was hard indeed. (This short review is from "Book on Bosnia" published by The Bosnian Institute)

What struck me the most about this book was what Kurspahic wrote about Sarajevo losing its essence when it got partitioned and lost its multi-cultural character. Being a Singaporean, I wouldn't recognise my home if Malays, Indians and Chinese, and Eurasians were segregated and prevented from entering each others' "zones", risking my life whenever I did so. Singapore would just cease to be a home and I think it's devastating that we saw that happen to Bosnia. And guess what? We celebrated it as a victory of diplomacy over force! Kurspahic's is a truly inspirational book, which proved that there is always honesty, grit and principles left in the world when all else seems to have disappeared. All we need to know about the Bosnian War is in here. It has also shown that the West has a limited understanding of whatever happened and it is amazing how the majority of the press in the world is dominated by these half-lies.

I may be biased because I have worked with Kemal but I have to say that I truly enjoyed this book. as an American I never fully understood what happened in Sarajevo- why it happened or the extent of the conflict over there. After reading this book I was rather ashamed that the rest of the world did nothing. Worse, we continue to allow atrocities to be perpetuated in that corner of the world. This book remains topical. Conflicts continue to erupt in the region and anyone who wants to speak intelligently on the subject, understand the story that's not in the news or would like to read about an un-sung hero, read this book. Kemal is presently working on a new book and reading this one would be a great starter. I would read this book over and over again. Its the story of people fighting for democracy and freedom (focused on freedom of the press) and the long bloody road that lay in front of them.

A somewhat personal account at times of the editor's interest in pulp magazines.

He mentiones when he first saw them in Woolies in the 50s - saying they were used as ballast in ships, then sold cheaply. That is whacky, but good for him, after scoring a Weird Tales.

He goes through various different types, spicy, detective, fantasy, shudder, hot, etc.

Also, being a pom he talks briefly about the magazines there, especially when the yank imports where banned, and some of the artists.

That is where a heavy focus of this book is, the artwork.

He does detail some of the publishers, who put them out, the strategies they used, etc., but also talks a lot about the artwork and styles used as far as what they could and could not get away with as American became more and more puritanical moving into the 50s.

He deliberately ignores the superheroes, or the major variety, mentioning a couple in passing like the Black Bat and the Crimson Mask. Nothing much on the Lone Ranger or various Westerns either, or major science fiction magazines.

So partly interest, partly what has been covered already drove his editorial decisions, presumably.

People who like those covers will like it, hardcore pulp historians maybe wouldn't be so thrilled, but would still be interested somewhat.


3.5 out of 5

Note: There are a couple Mormons who are angry over my negative reviews of books written in defense of the Book of Mormon, and they have been slamming my reviews. Your "helpful" votes are appreciated. Thanks.

As a non-artist, it's hard to write a review of an art book, but I know what I like. So here's a non-expert's opinion.

This book is well worth the price. It is full of color covers of pulp magazines from the 1930s through the 1950s. I've owned it for many years, and I still love browsing through it. I've copied a couple of them and hung them on my wall.

Also, if you don't already know about Bud Plant, then also check out his site. You'll go broke ordering from it. What a wonderful collection classic illustrations!

Check out my download pictures.

Peter Haining has published a huge number of volumes on a variety of topics, which tend to be both well illustrated and very carelessly researched. This latest addition to the stack unfortunately follows that pattern.

First the good stuff: the book offers a large number of well-reproduced covers from a wide variety of pulps. The images are photographs (two are out of focus slightly), and so do not have the problems seen in several similar recent books which had electronically-scanned covers displaying a color palette nothing whatsoever like the actual covers.

Now for the bad part. The text is mainly just a description of particular magazines which happen to be in the author's personal collection. Where the text departs from what is really just a catalog of the collection, to provide background on publishers, specific titles and authors, the material is so riddled with errors as to be of very limited use and reliability. So much of the text is clueless, every reader will have his favorite (and different) gaffe. Mine is the reference (p. 203) to "famous American space artist Chester Bonestall." He's apparently not as famous as I thought!

To summarize the contents: Chapter 1 provides a confused account of the origins and types of pulp magazines. Chapter 2 is devoted to the very-soft-porn pulps usually sold from under the tobacco shop counter. Chapter 3 deals with detective, crime and gangster pulps. Chapter 4 covers the "spicy" pulps and their imitators. Chapter 5 introduces the weird fantasy pulps, of which the best and best known were WEIRD and UNKNOWN. Chapter 6 surveys the "shudder" pulps which featured heavy doses of sadism and torture. Chapter 7 fairly casually dips into the huge sea of science-fiction pulps. Finally, chapter 8 shows us a little bit of the little-known world of British pulps and pulp publishing. (About half the space actually is devoted to paperbacks rather than pulps.) Notable complete omissions from the book are the most popular pulp genre, westerns (perhaps half of all pulp titles at peak), and the justice-figure pulps such as THE SHADOW, DOC SAVAGE and the SPIDER, which are the best remembered pulps today. Also largely ignored are the general fiction titles, such as BLUE BOOK, ARGOSY and ADVENTURE. With such omissions, the present book cannot be considered very valuable even as a pictoral survey of the pulp era.

Buy it for the cover reproductions and you won't be too disappointed. But if you try to read the text, you're in for dismay and frustration.

Obviously the politically incorrect covers are the first attraction. You can't ignore the cultural significance of the covers and thus, if you are a teacher of semiotics or visual interpretation, I can't think of a richer source. Congrats to the publishers for printing such a glorious book. For those more interested in what's between the covers, Haining gives insightful critical analysis of the different genres. A great gift for anyone; a wonderful coffee table book for yourself. It's worth every penny.

The colorfully covered, cheaply printed pulp magazine of the 1920s and 30s great out of the 19th-century dime novel and served as the forerunner of the comic books and paperback novels of today. In its heyday, pulp magazines were a staple of popular culture that offered every genre of readership the thrills, adventures, and entertainments they craved -- often to the dismay of parents, teachers, and clergy! Virtually creating the now popular literary genres as science fiction and the hard-boiled private eye mystery, these magazines were the incubators of such American literary talents as Arthur C. Clarke, Isaac Asimov, Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, Dashiell Hammett, and a legion of others. An outstanding recommendation for personal, academic, and community library collections, The Classic Era Of American Pulp Magazines tells the complete story of these colorful pulps and those that wrote and published them, with a wealth of colorful cover art giving today's readers an accurate sense and taste of what the glory years of pulp magazines had to offer their enthusiastic readers.

Having read all of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne mysteries I cannot say which one I like the best. But, I love them all and when I get jaded from reading some of the "modern" mysteries full of sex, four letter words and blood and guts I settle down with one of these before bedtime. Let me say I am in love with Australia and would live there if I could--too old to move and my wife would never go. We were fortunate enough to visit several years ago and loved every minute.
Greenwood has developed a very likeable and superlative heroine. The supporting cast is well drawn and interesting in their own. These are truly "cozies" and I find them very enjoyable reads, rationing them carefully lest I run out.
If you like Australian mysteries I would heartily recommend anything you can find by Arthur Upfield, who wrote in the period after WW II. His hero is an Australian police detective "halfcaste" who specialized in solving mysteries in the outback and rural areas of Australia. Great flavor and good story telling!

In my review of the first in Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series, Cocaine Blues, I wrote this:

"The Phryne Fisher series came highly recommended by a man not usually given to Affirmative Action crits, but I can't help feeling that if this had been written by a bloke . . .

"Female readers may well enjoy the anachronistic cheap shots at Twenties' inequalities, and God knows there could be worse heroines for the Noughties. (Or do we call the present decade the Oh-Ohs?)

"Lovers of crime fiction will surely be disappointed, and not only by the fact that the King of Snow was obvious from the start. This is an amateurish effort, best illustrated by having the members of a White Russian noble family speak French when alone with each other in private (rather than Russian) the better to be eavesdroppedupon by our French-speaking heroine.

"It's not bad wordsmithery, as you might expect of a lawyer who moonlights as an author, but I'm guessing most male readers will not find this enough."

I figured I should give Greenwood the benefit of the doubt (legal pun there, or perhaps a cricketing one) since as an Aussie I had my own bit of Positive Discrimination going. And I'm sure those who know Melbourne better than me take great pleasure in the "local" settings, albeit displaced 80 years into the past.

So I turned to this one, which adds Geelong (and indeed Queenscliff) to its Aussie locales. It also adds precocious kid (and an array of loveable urchins) to its stock of clichéd characters, but I'm guessing that's a chick lit thing.

It also adds to the scale of Phryne's derring-do, having her walk out on the wing of a Tiger Moth minus parachute (with a man she has only just met and never flown with before and who is completely unprepared for this stunt, left at the reserve controls) just so she can prove she is one of the boys.

I don't want to give the solution to the mystery away (although I'm not sure these novels are really intended for lovers of that genre, the plots are way too weak), but my jaw dropped even further than the murder weapon at how much could turn on not one of the cops bothering to look over the fence!

It's worth half a star more than Cocaine Blues, but since I still can't work out how to award half stars (and Cocaine Blues was only worth 2.5 anyway, IMHO), this one gets three.

The second book in the series takes place only a few months after "Cocaine blues" ends and with it returns its bright and luminous Phryne Fisher. Many of the secondary (if you can call them that) characters return which adds a nice touch. I liked this book even more than the previous one. Phryne seems to have found her grove in this story along with moving into her new, fashionable domicile. She has to solve two cases at once, the murder of a cantankerous, generally disliked husband and father and the kidnapping of a little girl. Phryne handles both cases with her normal aplomb, intuition and style along with a little wing walking and flying. I especially like Greenwood's use of language and how it reflects the times; this adds another layer of fun and effervescence to these stories that makes me look forward to the next one. I recommend this book highly.

this second in the series is even better than the first. and it features airplanes.

the characterizations are first rate, the plot is nicely paced, the resolution satisfying, the information about bi-planes enough to send anyone out to find and fly one.

phyne's situation develops and characters who will continue in the series are introduced. this book could still be read without reference to the first, as there is enough backstory to bring a reader up to date.

this series is a must for any mystery lover, but any read could enjoy them for the writing, the humor, the history of australia, and, of course, for phyrne.

In the three months that the Honorable Phyrne Fisher has lived in Australia, she has made a name for herself as an investigator who always solves her cases. She solved a case for a woman who travels in high society circles and that woman gives Phyrne's business a glowing recommendation to her friends. Her latest client Mrs. McNaughton is afraid that her son will kill her husband because he refuses to lend his son money to go on an airplane adventure. At the airport Phyrne talks to Bill McNaughton and tells her about her mother's fears and he tells he was never intending to kill his father. Bill's friend Jack Lawton is amazed as he watches Phyrne fly Bill's plane with much skill.

The next day Phyrne learns that Mr. McNaughton has been murdered and Bill has been arrested. When he is released on bail he hires Phyrne to find the real killer. While she works that case Candida Maldon is kidnapped and held for ransom. Jack convinces the family to hire Phyrne, who she devises a plan using Bill's plane to find and retrieve the kidnapped girl. Solving Bill's problem is a piece of cake in comparison.

Kerry Greenwood is one of Australia's most talented mystery writers. Her heroine is a woman who would be at home in the twenty-first century but since she lives in the 1920's she is careful to project a proper image while still doing what she wants. The wily, spunky heroine somehow makes the audience believe she is smart enough to easily solve two cases in a matter of days while the exotic locale will please armchair travelers.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a small selction of lead generation methods. Whether or not they work for you probably depends on your product-market. Most of the methods that were emphasized seemed to discount the prospect's intelligence: classified ads and direct offers with copy reminscent of a carnival hawker. The chapter about strategic partnerships had the most valuable content.

Overall, this book is a little light on lead generation methods - especially how to qualify them for your business. It also has a lot of fluff: a storyline, pages of questions with lots of blank space, and a long pitch for business coaching. I got more out of the author's cash flow book.

Most business owners know how to do the work "IN" the business, so they sit and wait for the phone to ring or the next prospect to walk in the door. This book is absolutely jam-packed with simple, useful strategies that any business owner can use to get more qualified leads. What I found particularly helpful was the break-even analysis that enables anyone to make an informed decision about whether to engage an advertising campaign or not. There are also great tips on how to write ads for all media and how to set up strategic alliances and host beneficiaries. Read this book today, get more prospects tomorrow!

The most important factor of cashflow is the number of leads generated. The book covers easy to develop and implement marketing activities to generate more leads...

Instant Leads explains the process through which entrepreneurs can grow their businesses by obtaining additional customers, an element of professional success that Sugars identifies as crucial.

Instant Leads begins by outlining the steps of Action International's Business Chassis, a schematic developed by Sugars that can be applied to businesses so that entrepreneurs can analyze their business piece-by-piece. Potential customers or "Leads" comprise the first part of the Business Chassis and as such, argues Sugars, are crucially important to the success of any business.

The business methods Sugars outlines in Instant Leads are drawn from the author's many years of professional success. Financially retired at 26, Sugars is a multi-million business mogul who assists, motivates, and trains hundreds of thousands of business professionals worldwide through books, DVDs, seminars, and Action International's team of business coaches.

The success of every business depends on the ability to generate new and qualified leads. Yet most small businesses often spend their time and money on methods that don't produce good results. This book is filled with excellent ideas and the process to implement them. The real life examples make it an easy read with good comprehension. It gave me the confidence to put them into action for my business.

This book is about a boy that moves from Ireland to New York. His mom died so he lives with his sister and dad. The boy's name is Kevin. His dad was sick, so his family needed money. He stole papers from the Daily Chronicle so his could get some money. A man caught him and asked him if wanted a job selling newspapers. Kevin said he would like the job. The job made him happy. This book is very good and you should read it to find out what happens.

Kevin, his dad, and littler sister move to New York from Ireland. Kevin's mom and older sister and brother just dies of congestion. It's really hard in Ireland and life would be better over in New York. Kevin's sister, Maureen, is in a private school. Kevin coule have gone but they didn't have enough money. Kevin's dad works all day and hardley gets anything. Kevin usually skips school since his dad wouldn't be able to know. When he skips school he usually tries to ear a few pennies for a loaf of bread to bring home to Maureen. Everyday he would do this. He also stole a chronicle every day to sell at the saloons. He never got caught untill one day Mr. Langley (the owner of the chronicle) saw him. He couldn't catch up to him though so he got away with it. Then a couple of days later Mr. Langley caught up with him at his house. He asked him a few questions and then asked him to read an article out of the paper. He didnt' think Kevin could read but he could. Mr. Langley thought it would be good to have a messenger boy at the chronicle to deliver messeges to the other. Mr.Langley asked Kevin if he wanted the job and he accepted. This way Kevin could earn some money to help out. First he had to promise Mr.Langley that he wouldnt' skip school and he would be on time. After working at the paper for some time Mr.Langley broke his leg and was home bound. So Kevin had to deliver messeges to him at his house to he could keep the chronicle in top shape without coming to the office. Mr.Langley's son didnt' like this so he planted $6 in Kevin's coat to get him fired which he did. When Kevin told him he didnt' take it he didn't believe him. After a week or so Mr. Langley found out that Kevin wasn't lieing and his son was. When he was fired they had no money coming in to the house and Mr.Timmins was wanting the rent. This was a big mess. I really liked this book and to find out what happens next you're goning to have to read the book.

Looking for one GREAT book that's not terribly too long, but not too short? Well your book MUST be PaperBoy! This story takes place back in the 1980's (or about) and the main character is an Irish immagrant boy. This story will entertain you and has a very interesting plot! I would reccomend this book to anyone between the ages or 8+!! Be sure to add this to your summer reading list!

Looking for one GREAT book that's not terribly too long, but not too short? Well your book MUST be PaperBoy! This story takes place back in the 1980's (or about) and the main character is an Irish immagrant boy. This story will entertain you and has a very interesting plot! I would reccomend this book to anyone between the ages or 8+!! Be sure to add this to your summer reading list!

I started this book this afternoon and could not put it down. I am a teacher of fifth grade and will definitely read it to my class. The author gives a very realistic description of what life was like in New York in 1881 for a struggling twelve year old immigrant boy. The plot is very interesting and fast-moving. The conclusion is one of inspiration and hope.

This book is excellent for children who think they dislike history! The style is extremely engaging with a flippant tone that appeals to kids. At first, determining between fact and fiction seems a bit sticky, but after a couple of articles, the style begins to gain a clarity and coherency that allows a reader to know what is real and what isn't even in the most unfamiliar cases. The possible problem with clarity, though, is why I give it 4 stars instead of 5.

I've read THE ROMAN NEWS as well, and interestingly, while that one is certainly less confused about what's real, THE ROMAN RECORD actually contains more information, both historical and social, even though the books are the same length!

I am Curator of Education at an American anthropology museum. Based on reviews at Amazon I made the mistake of buying this book (over Candlewick Press' "The Roman News") sight unseen to use in a presentation kit (for use in classrooms) featuring Pompeii. The American 6th-graders who will most often be using the kit will probably not understand the British slang that dominates the book. The writing style mimics UK tabloids with a shallow, flippant, sensationalistic approach to the material, which tends to obscure the historical facts beneath all the wink-wink nudge-nudge. Definitely good for a giggle, as they say across the pond, but not ideal for my target audience. The content will make more sense if you already know a fair amount about Roman history and culture. Great satire, if that's what you're looking for, but you need to be a good critical reader to get past the jokes and be sure of the actual, reliable historical content. I'll go back to Candlewick Press for my purposes.

I am a Lutheran Church librarian and bought this book for our library so that late elementary and middle school kids could learn about the historical period in which Christ lived. It is hilarious. Even the most reluctant readers will learn history painlessly while laughing themselves silly. They'll read the chariot race scores, fashion updates about togas, and study the realty ads for Roman villas. The headlines are very very funny! (Julius Ceasar's death is headlined, "Julius Caesar: A Nation Mourns: Knife-Fight Wipeout Ends Brilliant Career." So funny. Another headline reads, "We're Revolting, says Rebel Rabble." Well, I guess SO! In more ways than one. This is a terrific book. The format is tall and narrow and thin like a real newspaper. Full color. Kind of like a historical Roman "Mad" magazine. Excellent book.

An educational and very funny read. The facts are all true, but have been presented in a consistely funny and readable tabloid style. Maps, pictures, and fact boxes (and some very funny ads) support the text. Highly recommended.

Are you an Emperor or a slave? Take the handy questionaire in this book and find the answer, learning lots of Roman history along the way. My kids and I had a blast reading this, and remembered more facts about Rome than we got any from many other books. Great fun!

There are dozens of books written on self-publishing and this is one of the better ones. The author covers the basics in reasonably good detail. The writing style is light and easy-to-read. The book is also full of examples of books that were self-published and what these authors did to ensure their book's success.

The authors advocates the use of "Book Packagers," and in many respects the book assumes that you will be working with a Packager. Passages like "be sure to ask your Book Packager about this. . . " are found throughout the book. A Book Packager is someone that is hired to actually produce the book. They act somewhat like a building contractor. You make basic decisions regarding the book, and the copyright is in your name, but the Packager does all (or most) of the work. Packagers are a good alternative for someone that has neither the time nor inclination to take the "do it yourself" route. A good Packager can also ensure that book is produced in a professional manner. The major disadvantage is that it will add to your costs. Given the razor thin profit margins on books these days, you need to determine if you can really afford this option.

I haven't found one book on self-publishing that covers everything well. If you really want to learn how to produce and sell your own book I'd recommend purchasing a couple of titles. Other books to consider those by Poynter, Cardoza, Ross & Ross, or Brownstone.

Now in an completely updated third edition, Smart Self-Publishing: An Author's Guide To Producing A Marketable Book by independent press publishers Linda and Jim Salisbury (Tabby House) is an informed and informative "how-to" instructional manual for succeeding in the competitive world of book publishing. Individual chapters address different venues of self-publishing, how to be professional in both literary product and the human element in publishing, handling the challenges of book promotion and distribution, keeping track of money matters, and much more. Smart Self-Publishing is an excellent primer for anyone with a serious interest in taking the self-publishing plunge.

If you are self-publishing only to share your work with family and friends, about the only real mistake you can make is to pay too much for design/printing. This can be avoided by old-fashioned comparison-shopping. But if your goal is to make an impression on the commercial market, there are many mistakes you could make which would guarantee failure. To avoid these mistakes, you must learn as much as possible about book design, production, marketing, etc. You must become your own expert.

Talking with someone who has self-published successfully would be invaluable. Seek out such a person if you can. Read anything you can get your hands on about self-publishing. Almost every book will contain something of value. At the minimum, buy at least two books, and make one "Smart Self-Publishing." It reads easily, doesn't get bogged down in tedious detail, and covers all the major pitfalls that can doom your project. There is also a handy resource guide at the end of the book.

Aside from nuts-and-bolts, the book does an excellent job of describing the BUSINESS of self-publishing. Because you must never forget that after your creative juices have been boiled off in giving birth to your little masterpiece, you are then left with a bunch of cardboard boxes filled with a product you must now get people to pay money for. The book does not whitewash the reality of this task. Yet, it also shares the excitement and the possibilities inherent in giving it your best, and it offers many examples of success.

If you are a first-time self-publisher, my advice is to learn as much as you can, and employ the services of a reputable book-packager, like the Salisburys (I did). In fact, I even used their book to make sure they were doing everything right (they were).

Don't even think about until you read this book...

"Smart Self-Publishing" (Tabby House) is the winner of the National Association of Independent Publishers Special Publishing Award, and with good reason. Linda and Jim Salisbury have created a phenomenal reference for any writer who opts to produce and publish their own book, but all writers heading into the realm of publishing would benefit by the reading of this book.

The chapters include topics such as ýWays to Get Published,ý ýWorking with Professionals,ý and ýCreating a Professional Product.ý These three chapters alone make the book worthwhile.

There is a wealth of information on the process and options open to the self-publisher; the hardcore information supplied within these pages, based on first-hand experience, is well researched and clearly written by professionals within the publishing industry.

There is specific instruction offered on how to make your book have an appearance that will fit into the mainstream and not look like a self-published book, a serious downfall of most self-published books and one that prevents wholesalers, distributors, and even individual local bookstores from stocking these titles.

There is solid advice on how to package your books professionally and the differences between doing this yourself or hiring someone to perform the various steps for you, including the pitfalls of self-designing the book and cover, and professional editing (or lack thereof) of the manuscript before it goes to press.

In ýDo Your Marketing Homework,ý some of the best information is the emphasis placed on marketing and book promotion, something so many writers ignore even if they have a publisher for their manuscript. Marketing is the key to the success of any product, yet, so many, and writers in particular, often neglect this important link. Writing is the easy part, getting the book published is the next easy part (even when done by a publisher), selling your book in todayýs market is the hardest part of all, and selling requires marketing.

ýRiding the Distribution Roller Coasterý aptly describes the distribution experience of all publishers. Once a manuscript is written, and even before it is published in book format, the next link in the chain of publishing needs to be worked into the program. Distribution is the second most important link, following a marketing plan; yet, distribution is often what many self-publishers think they can do without. Because distributors demand such a high discount, small presses and publishers do not like to sign with them and this is a major mistake. Today, most bookstores, and even libraries, prefer to place their orders through one or two major distributors. The Salisburyýs make this clear in their book.

ýBusiness Detailsý includes practical advice on the importance of record keeping, taxes, shipping and storage of books. There is also a chapter covering the pros and cons of the newest technologies in publishing, which should prove useful to anyone considering avenues like POD or E-books for their works.

"Smart Self-Publishing" has an impressive appendix of references for everything from ýmust-have referenceý titles to ýmarketing news and tips.ý There is also an appendix on ýUseful stuff for self-publishersý which includes book manufacturers, stores, designers, and specific contact information for the necessities such as copyright and ISBN details, distributors and editorial services, and useful Web sites. Finally, there is a glossary of terms used in the book production/publishing industry, and the almighty index is a part of this book; an index being almost a requirement of any nonfiction book, yet something often ignored by self-publishers.

In summary, "Smart Self-Publishing" is a one-stop source for answers to all the questions beginning, ýHow do I ____?ý One of the best books of its kind on the market, it is well designed, neatly packaged, clear and concise in ideas and presentation, and should be the first book anyone considering entering the world of publishing should read from cover to cover ý and reference continually along the path.

I was referred to the Salibury's book by a client who used this book and and the author's services. "Smart Self-Publishing" is easy to read, honest, informative and has many tips on converting your manuscript to a book. It does not sugar-coat the eventual need for the author to "actively market" the final product. You may or may not get a return on your investment, they note. It supports the idea that "book packagers" are the way to go, and perhaps so...their tasks are best left to the pros. The Appendix is excellent and connects you with all the people/ services you might need for your project. I would welcome more "cost information" on how to achieve one's goal of publishing a book i.e. the rough budget needed to perform each phase of the production. Perhaps that will be in the next edition. It does give you reason to call them and ask about costs. Perhaps it was planned that way... if so, nice marketing strategy! A strength of this book is the forthright honesty and the author's sales and marketing tips. Very helpful! Amazingly in this day and age, the authors are also accessible by phone and by email...They are very pleasant to talk to..It makes you want to use their consultant services. They are "modest" in hyping their services, but the book exudes their confidence and experience. I read their book in two days...and sent them a portion of my manuscript, as well..Excellent information and reading for the first time novelist like myself... Jack Polidoro, Ph.D., Brookline, NH

What could be worse than trying to find words adequate to describe the memoir of one of the finest journalists this country (and perhaps Europe as well) has known? Anyone who laments the ratings competition... among the various news media today will find this book inspiring and refreshing, and perhaps shed a layer or two of their cynicism in the process. Schorr's career routinely landed him in the midst of incredibly historical circumstances, sometimes without his realizing the enduring importance of the situation. This book is a rare historical journey for anyone interested in current events. For this 48 year old reader, it was better than any history course I've ever taken. We would have more hope for a fair, accurate and trusted media if every journalist - and would be journalist - read this book. Thank you Mr. Schorr!

I have to admit to a certain fascination with news personalities. After all, as a confirmed news junkie, I have faithfully watched all the major netweorks and tune into NPR on my way home from work daily. Therefore, I was pleased to discover this literary gem by long-time TV and radio commentator Daniel Schorr, the seemingly omni-present conscience of the electronic media. Like many of his generation, his is a voice of reason and objectivity in a sea of faces otherwise clamouring for fame and notoriety.

Yet, while I genuinely like the book and heartily recommend it, I must also admit to feeling a bit disappointed by what he has to say, for he seems determined throughout the book to confine his comments more to the stories at hand than I would have liked, and although he discusses personalities and the way some of his stories were affected by them, the insider's look is compromised to some extent by the very virtues he brings to the subject in the first place. Perhaps after fifty years in the business he simply cannot bring himself down to the level of a confessional tone in this self-described tour of a life within journalism.

Schorr has been everywhere and seen everything, from the infamous McCarthy Hearing in the early fifties to the erection of the Berlin Wall in the early sixties; from the events surrounding the Kennedy assassination to the tumult in Chicago at the 1968 Democratic convention; from the coverage of Watergate to the break-up of the Soviet Union. Throughout all this he has rubbed shoulders with all of the titans of media news, from Edward R. Murrow to Dan Rather, from Douglas Kiker to Sam Donaldson, and from Ted Turner to Walter Cronkite.

He has also been a witness to much of the history of the 20th century, having rubbed shoulders with everyone from Nikita Krushchev to President Eisenhower, from Charles DeGaulle to Marshall Tito, from Lyndon Johnson to John F. Kennedy, from George Bush to Bill Clinton. This is a wonderful book, and one I am sure you will enjoy as much as I did. It serves to remind us that a man of purpose, principle, and conscience can still act in accord with his ethics and values and succeed in the world of electronic journalism. Enjoy!

Before reading this book I already believed that Daniel Schorr was America's finest broadcast journalist. But my admiration has only increased. This book accomplishes what I had only hoped the memoirs of other famous broadcast journalists (e.g. Ted Koppel, Walter Cronkite, and David Brinkley) would.

Like those other journalists, Schorr has been very close to a remarkable number of the defining events of the last half century. But his writing seems harder-hitting, as much historical as journalistic, and he seems to be two levels deeper in understanding and perspective than they were in their books. I felt in the middle of the events with Schorr, not watching them at 30,000 feet. Perhaps it is the difference between the perspective of the man at the scene, compared to that of the anchorman. Schorr's immense knowledge of Nikita Khrushchev and (separately) of Richard Nixon are absolutely outstanding.

The book demands a lot from the reader. Not everything is told sequentially, and not all the background material is explained. Schorr seems to expect you to remember many of the events and issues yourself; his job is to add depth, perspective, and detail. Younger readers who don't remember the 50's, 60's, or 70's, will be challenged by the book. Those who do remember those decades, will be immensely impressed, educated, and enriched

Daniel Schorr's book about his life makes you crave for more people like him in journalism. It is refreshing to see another person of the news media community write about the decaying values of broadcasting.

I found it interesting that Daniel Schorr actually read his own name on Nixon's enemy list over the air upon seeing it for the first time. Yet, Schorr kept his professional composure by avoiding making himself the story, while being personally shaken, shocked and dismayed over it. This is what a true professional does when reporting to the public. The story is important not himself and Schorr did just that on that day. Today we have few Daniel Schorr's in news television.

At the same time, the press and media over the Clinton Impeachment crisis actually damaged themselves and our Republic far more than any kind of attack on first amendment rights. What was right in reporting on Nixon should never be ignored on Clinton. The public to this day no longer trust mainstream broadcasting due to this spinning cover up.

The mass media had far too many accomplices not reporting the truth in order to support a president who intentionally lied on TV and under oath to the American people. A Clinton's enemy list of actions and false spin without media challenge is far more sinister than a Nixon public exposed enemies lists. We can expose the known listings of people but it is the hidden agenda that is far more dangerous to our freedoms.

Additionally, the author confirms that TV Journalists are not particularly qualified as far as educational credentials to report the news. In the book he confirms that today's TV News Readers are hired based on their looks and delivery. We know this to be true by CNN recently hiring of a "B Movie Actress" who once posed nude to further her acting career. Does CNN really expects us to believe there are not many well qualified women with educational degrees and much more journalistic experience exists?

It gave me the reason why the O'Reilly Factor is so popular because O'Reilly did go back and acquired an Masters Degree at Harvard in order to discuss the issues for the better public edification. As opposed to the lack of real educational credentials of the three big networks News Readers. O'Reilly's rating are through the roof while Brohaw, Jennings and Rather are in steep decline. Schorr adds that today's "News Readers" are part of entertainment not real news.

What I found refreshing in the book is Schorr's candor, character and vision. He is telling us where he has been and what he felt as he reported events. He is conveying news entertainment can never preserve the public trust. In the future will the mass media be smart enough to tell us the truth or stupid enough to just accept the spin? We already know this answer based upon who is in broadcasting today. Schorr was an example of a fine past and hopefully O'Reilly is the future.

This is quite remarkable but then again Daniel Schorr is quite a remarkable man and dying breed of upright newsmen disappearing from the media. This genuine view of the life of a true professional who did the media proud over the years is worth your time to read it.

I was most impressed by "Staying Tuned". This book is Daniel Schorr's auto-biography of his many decades in journalism. Few people have had the opportunity to be the eyewitness to history that Schorr has had. Schorr was present to cover Nikita Khruschev and the De-Stalinization movement in Russia. He was present to cover post-nazi Germany under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. He was able to cover aspects of the "Great Society" under Lyndon Johnson. Also, he was there during Watergate and was sufficiently critical of the Nixon Administration to make the White House "enemies list".

Schorr's ability to communicate directly with the personalities such as Khruschev, former Yugoslavian President Tito, and Chancellor Adenauer of West Germany was most impressive. Clearly these were the days before journalism became swollen with hordes of "news hungry" reporters. I doubt any correspondent today could get as much access to similar political and public figures.

While dealing with earth-shaking events and personalities, the book also touches on Schorr's day-to-day existence. Difficulties such as avoiding taxes in the Soviet Union, obtaining a refrigerator, and functioning in a communist country are interesting, as well as amusing. One also is touched by the descriptions of the people in foreign countries who worked for him.

Schorr viewed Johnson's "Great Society" programs as failing because the administration gave up on them, and reduced funding due to the demands of the Vietnam War. He rejects the conservative ideology that the programs failed because they were inherently flawed in some fashion. Its refreshing to hear another viewpoint besides the one that seems to be parroted constantly.

Its clear that Daniel Schorr is a person who by practicing his occupation as a journalist in a courageous and intelligent fashion, contributed much to American Democracy. The American people cannot make informed and sound decisions without good information from journalists. The First Amendment guarantee of "freedom of the press" would mean little without tough-minded journalists pursuing stories of national importance. God bless Daniel Schorr as he reaches his golden years of life. One only hopes there are other courageous men and women who will take his place.

The CD is pretty short, and the stories were OK. Their original, never heard most of them, but most of them just didn't appeal to me.

In this day and age it's nigh impossible to get a child away from the TV, what with a bazillion channels, cartoons coming out of a lot of them, always on. Then there are video games galore. Star Wars Battlefront, Halo, who knows what else. Then, of course, there are toys, which are all high tech these days, but even the ones that have been passed down through the years, take up you little one's time. Not to mention little friends who want your precious to come out and play. Add all that up and what chance does a CD of Timeless Folktales from Around the World have of getting some serious listening?

Almost none, one would think, but that's not true. Yes there is no video, no whizz bang, slap dash, shoot 'em up, faster than the speed of light travel on this CD. Only stories here. Wonderful stories that will open your child's imagination, take her to a place she could never go in front if that TV, even if she does have a controller in her hand.

So how do you get your little one to listen. Just before bed, that's when. When your darling is snug under the covers, that's when she can really get into the Spider Anansi, the Trickster and how he gets tricked by the Turtle. Or maybe she would identify with the poor Selkie Bride or The Boatman's Howling Daughter.

There are eight delightful tales on this CD, perfect to play just before dream time. After all there is a lot more to live than TV and Video games, so why not open your child's mind to the world of imagination. Get here her started here, you won't be sorry.

Reviewed by Captain Katie Osborne

"Tell Me a Story" is a beautiful gift to the world. This playful journey includes beautiful, classic multicultural folktales from around the world. They include:

A Sense of Theft - A woman falls in love with baked goods and a baker accuses her of stealing the warm scent of baked bread.

Anansi and Turtle's Feast - A story of two friends who visit each other's homes for dinner.

The Selkie Bride - A Scottish fisherman falls in love with a seal woman who he discovers on the shore.

Searching for Fear - A tale of a raccoon who is fearless and goes on a journey to find out what it feels like to be afraid.

Two Frogs from Japan - A tale adapted from an original Japanese Folktale.

The Clever Girl - A tale adapted from a Czechoslovakian folktale called Clever Manka.

The Rabbit on the Moon - An Indian story from the Jataka Tales.

The Boatman's Howling Daughter - A girl with seven pet bear cubs goes on an adventure and escapes from danger.

The stories are read by Lori Ada Jaroslow, Rick Hall, Lauren Tom, Charlayne Wood-ard, Jack McGee, William Thomas, Poppy Champlin and Kathleen Wilhoite. The titles are adorably read by Eva Hall and Ruthie Hall giving this CD an angelic quality.

Each story has its own personality, humor and wit. The stories are carefully performed and are beautifully written in a way that begs for them to be read to an audience of eager listeners. You can almost imagine these tales being told around a campfire.

I especially loved the story of the raccoons and the story of the Selkie woman is quite beautiful. Pianist Laura Hall weaves her musical magic through the stories to enhance the exciting stories with an ethereal beauty. This is a CD for any age and can be enjoyed in the afternoon, evening or anytime you need to escape from the world.

A Rare Discovery!

~The Rebecca Review

This review refers to "Tell Me A Story: Timeless Folktales from Around The World"(CD)

So, one of the really cool things about writing reviews at Amazon is that every once in a while, I will receive a book from an Author or publisher in hopes of a review. I don't review every single one I receive, but every once in a while I get one that I not only can't wait to share with Amazon book shoppers, but as in this case, one that I can share with my entire family. I received this one from producer of this fine CD, Amy Friedman, and I'd like to say thanks so much, for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I took this one with me on my errands outing the other day, and popped it in my CD player. First off all I became so enthralled with these marvelous stories that I was glad I was alone and didn't have anyone with me chit chatting as I listened.Although I am sure any listener would be under it's spell as well. The other thing is that my errands took much longer then anticipated as at each stop, I couldn't get out of my car until I finished the story I was listening to.

The title says much about this book. The readers are professional), will tell you the stories and you cannot help but to fall into a trance by their lulling and often animated voices. These great folktales take place in all different parts of the world and the readers capture the personalities of the people or animals, the accents, the fun and the lessons learned exquisitely. The stories each are not only a joy to listen to, but will leave you with some kind of moral or life lesson learned in a entertaining way. These tales transcend age and time, and offer a glimpse into various countries and cultures that will leave the reader a little more enriched.

There are 8 tales ranging from about 5 to 13 minutes. Well over an hour to get lost in. Although this is classified as a children's book. I have to say that whatever your age, you will enjoy these stories. I even think, the very young will get something out of these tales. Only one,"The Boatman's Howling Daughter", an American folktale may not be suitable for the very very young, as there is some violence(think something akin to Peter Pan and the Pirates). Among some of the other tales, I really enjoyed "A`Sense of Theft". A delightful tale of a poor woman on trial for "stealing" the wonderful smells from the Baker's shop. How will the judge handle this case. Also included is "Rabbit on the Moon", an excellent learning lesson, "The Selkie Bride", what will we do for love?, "Anansi and Turtle's Feast", "Searching For Fear", "The Clever Girl", and "Two Frogs From Japan", a tale that might make one think about where to find happiness.

The CD quality itself is excellent, with some great music to set the mood of the tales as well. It includes a booklet, with story synopsis and great illustrations and bios of the narrators.

Highly recommended. Take it in your car the next time you are chauffeuring the kids around. For once, the ride will be peaceful as the kids(and you), get swept away to far away lands and olden times. Makes a great gift as well, one that could be passed down from generation to generation, that is if anyone can actually part with it.

Hopefully this will be the start of a long line of the CDs, with more lovely tales to come....Enjoy the read.....Laurie

Wonderful and hypnotic is what I would call this. The first story I played for my two girls (6 and 8) in the car on the way to school. It was the first time they ever made it the whole ride in total silence. After just the FIRST story, they begged for me to play it again, but it was time for school. When I picked them up, they asked right away. So So this is what we have done the last three days; listen to a new story on the way to school. I'm only on the third, The Selkie Bride. My oldest daughter rushed into school and immediately began telling the tale to the first friend she ran into.

I can't say enough good about this. The children are captivated and it provides great discussion topics, for example, after the SECOND time we listened to A Sense of Theft, I asked my daughters what they think the judge felt about the case against Zena. I, myself, had to run errands today and listened to the rest of the tales. The depth, the humor, the underlying celebration of the human spirit, all in such clever packages is something I will always enjoy bringing to my children.

Morgue Mama--Maddy Sprowls--returns in this, the third entry in the series. In the previous mysteries, Maddy, the librarian for a daily Ohio newspaper, did not give the editors an idea for a story--she just archived them. In this installment, however, she steps out of character, suggesting a story about four elderly women she observed getting out of a taxi one Saturday at a garage sale. She assumed it was part of a weekly routine and would make for an interesting feature story.

Shortly after publication, one of the women, a retired antiques dealer, is found murdered and once again Morgue Mama gets involved in another murder investigation. The victim was known for insisting she was the Queen of Romania. Could it be true? And the reason for the murder? Or is there some other reason?

Just as well-written and "cute" [intended as a compliment] as the initial two novels in the series were, this effort continues to amuse the reader. The plot moves along quickly. The characterizations are well-done, and Maddy, as ever, remains the zany but crafty protagonist. Recommended.

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/08)

Maddy Sprowls is back again. This time she is investigating the murder of Violeta Bell who claims to be the Queen of Romania. Maddy feels a close connection to the case because she recommended that an article be written that involved this woman. She fears that her idea helped draw attention to Violeta, which resulted in her death.

Normally, Maddy likes to keep quiet and just do her job as librarian in "The Hannawa Herald-Union." But one day her interest is sparked when she sees four elderly women get out of a taxi at a yard sale. She finds out that they do this every weekend, with the same cab driver. She thinks that it would make a great human interest story so she recommends it. It is titled, "The Queens of Never Dull." After the story is featured, Violeta Bell is murdered and the cab driver is accused, Maddy feels compelled to investigate.

She discovers that the case is much more complex and interesting than she could have imagined. As she investigates she gets to know the other three women in the group. She enjoys discovering their eccentricities. She also gets a lesson in Romanian royalty. As she works on solving this case, she is able to find answers to another mystery. She also accidentally gets to meet the president of the United States.

"The Unraveling of Violeta Bell," is a laugh-out-loud mystery. Maddy Sprowls is truly an irrepressible character. I totally enjoyed watching the mystery unfold. I also enjoyed reading about Maddy's relationships with her boyfriend, her co-workers, the police and her not-always-potty-trained dog. I definitely plan on reading other adventures about the Morgue Mama.

Once again someone in Hannawa dies violently, and Maddy Sprowls swings into action. Masterful prose breathes life into a miscellany of characters and Maddy's cultural commentary is insightful. Author C.R. Corwin's Morgue Mama series gets better with each episode. "The Unraveling of Violeta Bell" is a must-read not only for readers who fancy mysteries but for those who appreciate excellent writing.

The third Morgue Mama Mystery is the strongest in the series. Who is Violeta Bell? Is she a senior citizen who hired the same cabbie every week to drive her friends and herself to garage and estate sales? Is she a retired antiques dealer? Is she a claimant to the Romanian throne?

Newspaper librarian Maddy Sprowls' job is to find out if the cabby did it, because her editor-in-chief asked her to investigate. Naturally, Maddy, an inveterate researcher, finds ways to dig out the truth. The case is complex enough for any mystery reader. However, the true joy of this book is in the character of Maddy herself. The latest in the series reveals more of Maddy's personal life, her relationship with her boyfriend, Ike, her dog, and even Maddy's childhood and background. And, she snores! Morgue Mama isn't at all the curmudgeon she appears to be, and those who get to know her, both in the book, and as readers, will grow to love her.

For over three decades septuagenarian Maddy "Morgue Mama" Sprowls has run the information library at The Hannawa Herald-Union. Her preference is to hide in the morgue where she helps the reporters obtain what they need to do a story; she never offers a story to the editors.

However, Maddy notices four female senior citizens using a taxi to go to garage sale hopping. She thinks their travels would make a wonderful warm human interest story. So after rarely stepping into the newsroom, Maddy enters to offer her idea. To her glee, the story runs highlighting the treasure hunting of former antique dealer Violeta Bell, retired stripper Kay Hausenfelter, realtor Gloria McPhee, and philanthropist Ariel Wilburger-Gowdy. However, not long afterward, someone murders Violeta. Maddy plans to hide in the morgue, but feels guilty wondering if her article led to the homicide. She begins to DIG for clues.

The fun in this fine amateur sleuth is observing the changing reactions of Maddy during the story line especially as she feels some culpability so reluctantly investigates only to learn she is enjoying the sleuthing; she hides that from everyone who sees the irritable and kvetching Morgue Mama. The four garage sale hoppers are unique eccentric protagonists. Violeta insists that she is the rightful queen of Romania; Kay's willing to perform an exotic dance; Gloria is ready to show off a house at any time except garage sale time; and Ariel wants to save the world one garage at a time. Fans will enjoy Maddy's inquiry into this elderly quartet (starting with the deceased) and other suspects, as this is an enjoyable Morgue Mama murder mystery (see THE CROSS KISSES BACK and DIG)

Harriet Klausner