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Number 198 in the outstanding Squadron/Signal Publications military aircraft series, Fieseler Storch In Action by Jerry L. Campbell showcases the slow-flying Fi 156 Storch which was designed by Gerhard Fieseler and Reinhard Mewes as a short takeoff and landing aircraft and was a very popular such model in the Germany military and governmental airforce during World War II. The Fi 156 Storch got its name from its stalky, long-stroke undercarriage and steel-spring, oil-damping shock absorbers in a reverse pyramid handing from the fuselage. Powered by an eight-cylinder inverted-vee air-cooled Arug As 10C engine providing 240 horsepower at take-off and turning, this fixed wing, fixed landing gear aircraft was versatile and saw a number of them passed along to Germany's Bulgarian, Croatian, Finish, Hungarian, Italian, Rumanian, and Slovakian allies fighting along side German forces on the Eastern Front. It should be noted that there are no reported incidents of the F1 156 Storch flying night harassment missions over the front lines on the Eastern Front. As with all of these Squadron/Signal titles, there is a profusion of historical photographs and line drawings providing the reader with a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of this remarkable aircraft. Also very highly recommended for military buffs and aviation history enthusiasts are two more new releases from Squadron/Signal: F-102 Delta Dart In Action (#1199) and MiG-15 Walk Around (#5540).

It's been on my coffee table for about 6 months now. I got quite a few remarks on it, though I must admit many people are confused as to why I have a book of kitchen utensils on my table...

They're just amatures who don't understand art though :p

Edwin Newman produces some of the finest edutainment audio series. Bought initially as a bedtime story for my 16 month old son, I looked forward to sharing my passion of physics, math and sciences with him. The more I listened the more I learned myself. I really look forward to more audio edutainment series from Edwin and look forward to learning about new discoveries in physics, math and science and the current day scientists. I hope more scientists will take Edwins lead and share the passion of their work in an audio format. In the future I would love to see audio versions of HyperSpace, Beyond Einstein and Visions by Michio Kaku.

So many people know so little of the American Revolution. This tape covers so many aspects it's amazing. Wonderfully done, spoken with the accents of the people of the time. George C. Scott narrates.
If you're looking for a quick knowledge of the American Revolution, want to brush up on your knowledge, or just love a good Audiotape, you'll love this one. Great for the Revolutionary war buff as well.

"Alliance and Empire" is the seventh expansion set for the Star Wars Miniatures game, which started with the Rebel Storm Starter set back in September, 2004 (see more about the minis game itself in my addendum below). This set was released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Star Wars. As such, these figures have a special square bases with "Star Wars" written on the front. HOWEVER, THIS SET IS STILL FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE OTHER STAR WARS MINIS SETS. There are 60 different figures in this set. Each booster comes with seven durable, pre-painted minis (including one rare OR one very rare figure).

The first thing I look for in any expansion set are how many characters I recognize from the movies (vs. those that appeared only in the books). I am particularly interested in figures from the original trilogy, and I am happy to say that there are at least 40 figures from the original trilogy in this set. Most are interesting and/or more powerful variations of earlier figures (for example, Boba Fett, Lando Calrissian, Jabba, Wampa, R2-D2 with C-3PO, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Imperial Governor Tarkin, three different versions of Han Solo, and three different versions of Luke Skywalker). But, some of the figures have never been released before (for example, Wicket the Ewok, Ewok Hang Glider, and Jawa on Ronto). Notably, there are even a few great new common and uncommon figures from the original trilogy in this set (for example, Death Star Trooper, Death Star Gunner, Rebel Commando Strike Leader, Talz Spy, and a variation of the Ewok with a bow -- rather than just melee attack).

The rest of the figures are either from the prequel, the books, or generic/minor characters (however, some of these characters are also very good -- especially for use in the Star Wars RPG).

In sum, this expansion set is excellent for those interested in the original trilogy, and fair for those interested in the prequel.

ADDENDUM: (Please note that I include this addendum at the end of all my Star Wars minis reviews, so if you've read it before, there is no need to read it again.) If you want to play the Star Wars minis game as it was designed to be played, it is best to have at least one starter (each starter comes with game instructions, a map, a D20, terrain tiles that are very helpful and add great variety to the game, and more). I like the Rebel Storm Starter the best because it's from the classic era/trilogy, but the Clone Strike and Revenge of the Sith starters from the newer movies will also work. If you don't want to invest in a starter, you can also get one of the three "Ultimate Missions" books, as each comes with a double sided map and a few smaller terrain tiles (again, I like the Rebel Strom Ultimate Missions book the best because it is also from the classic era/trilogy). Or, you can buy the "Attack on Endor" scenario pack, which comes with TWO double sided maps (in addition to a scaled AT-ST that is fully usable in play). The main point here is that you'll need some type of map/grid. If you don't want to buy a Star Wars one, generic ones are also available at most gaming stores (you can use your imagination to set the scene, or draw terrain with an erasable marker right on the grid). Of course, the minis are also useful for the roleplaying game (RPG) - in which case you may not need a starter or map, but will likely need the "Core Rulebook" instead. Finally, they are just fun to collect for those who like all things Star Wars!

This book is full of inspiring recipes! I trust them all because I know that each recipe has been reviewed and I am also an avid fan of Allrecipes.com. For those who think they can get every recipe off of the website for free, I think you probably can, but the book inspires you of things you might not search for.

I have made several recipes from this cookbook and taken them to different gatherings. Someone always asks me for the recipe.

In addition, I love that this book has all of the nutrition information for each recipe! This is my second All Recipes cookbook and I would buy another one.

Beautiful pictures and easy to follow instructions are just the beginning. Inside you will find recipes that are family traditions, and some that are going to be. Every Holiday is covered, but the Christmas recipes are the best. Christmas Season at our house begins with opening this book, and finding our favorites from last year, and adding new ones for this one. A must have if you do Holiday entertaining.

For those of us who believe in the concept of global free trade, but recoil at the notion that buying certain products supports immoral business practices, "America's Trading Partners" is a long overdue analysis of trading countries. The authors say it best 'It is morally correct to purchase products from those nations that share one's own values.' I do not believe that tariffs, treaties or embargoes stop a nation's businesses from acting irresponsibly towards its workers, creditors or the environment. But I am completely sure that declining sales will force change. Market forces are the collective power of millions of consumers - and they are infinitely stronger than politicians and pundits opining about trade utopia. Kudos to the authors Arnone and Cottrell for writing a book that's a guide for action, rather than (yet another) emotional plea for governments to 'do something'.

American Airship Bases & Facilities covers not only all the U.S. Navy facilities, but U.S. Army and private facilities such as the Goodyear airship bases. It also includes measured American facilities abroad, such as those that existed in the Panama Canal Zone, South America and Europe.

This is Mr. Shock's crowning achievement - the result 50 years of seeking out and assembling data on virtually every structure in the U.S. that ever housed a balloon or airship. We are lucky that he is sharing in all this data with us, because it would take another lifetime or two to duplicate his effort, since many of the original sources of information are dispersed or no longer in existence.

AABF is attractively packaged and profusely illustrated with more than 200 half- tone photos, artwork and promotional materials. The book is organized by Navy World War I, Army, Navy rigid, private, and Navy WWII hangars. This allows most of the structures to be presented more or less chronologically by the dates of their construction. Many of the structures and bases are so rare that they are all but unknown to even the die hard LTA historian. All are illustrated with one or more photos of each hangar.

The base histories are informative and each hangar is consistently described, so as to make comparisons easier. Construction methods are noted in some detail. Care is given to documenting the whole life span of each hangar where known, including modifications or moves of whole buildings to different states. For context, there are generous descriptions of airship operations that took place at the bases, making the entries an informative read. The data is up-to-date to late 1995, an even includes coverage of events such as the Weeksville fire and base closures.

There are appendices on mooring mast development, hangar construction, and notes on foreign airship hangars in use. Even hangars proposed but never built receive mention. An index ( a welcome feature ) is not entirely comprehensive, but helps find many entries. Sources of original information are also documented making the work that much more valuable to the scholarly researcher.

One minor complaint is that some of the information on the WWII Navy bases in South America is contemporary to the war, and does not cover the end of some operations. However, the errors or omissions are minor, and this is the best source of hangar data to be found. The appendix on how the wooden WWII hangars were built is almost worth the price of admission itself.

American Car Design Now is the benchmark book in car design as business management, as sculpture and as psychology. It lays a foundation and sets a standard for intelligent writing on car design, writing that trains your eye to see more. The book is built on interviews with key designers and design managers at Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. In three major sections it reveals and explores how managers make decisions about the broad concepts and how basics such as proportion and line, as well as defining details make or break the visual success of a design. The author coaxes inarticulate designers to reveal how they work, how the mind, the eye and the hand create car designs that thrill or bore us. Visual concepts in the mind of the author reveal things that would go unnoticed by designer and observers unequipped with these concepts. Visual analyses of the designs of specific cars show how and why many great car design concepts become dull blobs when translated into production cars. Analyses refer to photos illustrating the author' points. A rich set of interviews with significant car designers is appended. Finally there is a fundamental glossary of car design terms that is a must-have.

Car-design is a complex intersect of art, business and psychology that this book captures but does not simplify. You will earn what you learn from this book, but your effort will be rewarded. My only complaint that this book's handsome graphic design often does not track the text closely enough. Some photo references are incorrect, missing or distant from their discussion. Nevermind that: this book is essential reading for anyone involved in car design. Buy it now; get express shipping; take time off to read it.