Clarke Books

Laszo's new book rather disappointed me. Nothing new. All he writes had nothing to do with The Field, or the inner movements of human beings. Rhe things he write down in 'Marcroshift' are better said by others before him. Much ado about nothing, that's my review.

This is an excellent book. It embodies what I pretty much believe but in such an eloquent and thoughtful way. I highly recommed it to anyone who is searching for a hopeful perspective regarding the future of our world.

Tom

Ervin Laszlo has a formidable international reputation as a systems philosopher and the founder of general evolution theory. He has written around 70 books covering a wide variety of fields. His style is lucid, direct and very readable. This book is a brilliant addition to dialogue on an issue that desperately needs clear thinking and the ability to challenge ossified mindsets in a way that is constructive rather than merely strident. It is thoughtful, sober and constructive, in contrast to so many books in this genre that are slick and sensationalist.

Laszlo makes a carefully argued case that the world is in a rapid and fundamental transition, which will become critical during the years 2001 to 2010. Whether the outcome is 'breakthrough' or 'breakdown' depends primarily on building a 'fundamental revolution of consciousness' among a critical mass of people. The three parts of the book describe

the concept of a 'macroshift', historical examples of previous macroshifts and the choices before us
the 'new imperatives' and the logic underlying them; and
the way ahead.

As much as it is possible for a single book to give its reader a comprehensive and profound understanding of the impending global social, economic, and ecological crisis, this is that book.

According to Dr. Laszlo, human society has passed through three major stages --Mythos, Theos, and Logos--and is on the verge of its next, and perhaps final stage, Holos. But the transition from our Logos civilization to Holos, like those before it, is not quite as automatic as someone simply climbing the rungs of a ladder. According to _Macroshift, there is some real possibility that our civilization may fail to make the leap, in which case it will almost certainly 'break down' into global anarchy--we may have had a terrible foretaste of this in the September 11 attacks. (For a chilling picture of this kind of world, see the classic sci-fi film _The Road Warrior_). But, should it succeed, humanity will be privileged to witness the birth of the first truly global civilization--and a world whose possibilities surpass our dreams.

Overall, I think the book carries great meaning and great lessons. We need to have a new mindset - "macroshift", in order to save the planet. I totally agree.

Then why do I only give 3 stars? Because I still didn't see anything new. It is similar to other books, like "Limits to Growth" by Donella Meadows (Club of Rome). The author provides all different kinds of warning signs to ask people "Live simple. Love our Earth and other species". I know it's difficult to have a new pitch to ask people stop wasting or stop smoking, etc. However, we do need a more insightful/creative perspective to really change people.

Overall, I only recommend this book to people who are already buy-in "save the planet" concept.

I don't know if the authors acknowledge this or not, but Bill McDonald first coined "radical center" as a way to describe the growing movement toward building cooperation and consensus in terms of resouce managment in the west. Bill is co-founder of the Malpai Borderlands Group and a MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient. He has been using this term, as are many rural communities (specifically western), for at least 5 years now. As one of the authors is described as a writer for the New Yorker, a magazine that has shown remarkably little interest in the viewpoints of working class western people, let alone its intellectuals, such as Dan Kemmis, I do hope the authors found their way to the origins of the expression. . . .

Halstead and Lind have done a fantastic job of setting out a centrist manifesto for the new century. This book is recommended reading for anyone in politics who wants to understand the ideas that can be used to build new coalitions.

Keep an eye on these two and The New America Foundation. They're writing about the things that everyone else will be discussing in ten years.

Ted Halstead is one of the all to rare voices representing the next generation of politcal thought in America. Halsted., a baby buster, finds himself equally disgusted by the politics of both political parties and their extreme political bases.

Radical Center is an apt term because the proposals he offers are far from the mundane centrist politics that have been incapable of sustaining a true political movement (ex. Perot's Reform Party). His ideas marry some of the most salient and relevant ideas from both ends of the political spectrum namely the left's belief that government should provide a safety net to those who are most in need and the right's commitment to market forces; particulary people's desire to exercise choice in healthcare, retirement and education.

My only concern is that he does not offer inspiring words or practical strategies for how his agenda can take hold in a political landscape that is and will continue to be dominated by the aging baby boomer generation and their increasing reliance on Medicare, Social Security and the other programs from the New Deal and the Great Society.

From what I can tell by the reviews on this page, all the proposals in this book are basically libertarian. It is thus highly misleading that the book calls itself centrist. The fact that only one person on this page has realized this, yet seems to think it's a good thing, is also rather disturbing.

The book seems like a thinly veiled attempt to move political dialogue rightward by making radical neoconservative proposals--many of which the Bush administration clearly supports--seem moderate.

Let's call a spade a spade.

The meat of this book is not so much the specific proposals that the authors offer. Instead, the real point of this book is: Our nation has undergone three revolutionary transformations -- from colony to independence (1770's to Civil War), from agrarian to early industrial (Civil War to 1930's), and from early industrial to full industrial (Depression to 1970's). We are now in the throes of a fourth revolution. Unlike the previous three revolutions, our political system is not up to the challenge because our two parties, who have a stranglehold on the levers of power, are each controlled by the most extreme elements within their parties -- at a time when we need consensus and cooperation, not extremes. You may disagree with their specific proposals, you cannot disagree with their analysis of the situation.

Here's my recommendation: Buy TWO copies of this book. Keep one, pass one on to someone you know who is in a position of power and influence -- senator, representative, newspaper editor, state legislator, and the like.

well, i finally got around to reading thomas paine's "rights of man". his sentences, like in "common sense" are run on in nature. but, to be fair, many writers of that period wrote quite lengthy compound - complex sentences. i found a number of errors, no, not the changes in language over 200 years. basically, i found nearly all of his ideas to be reflections or regurgitations of rousseau or hobbes or any of the other great political philosophers of the era and that which preceded it. the feature, perhaps unique and thus most worthy of reading paine's work, is the combination of logic with his flair for passion and motivation of the people to unite and insist on government's respecting their rights. written after the united states bill of rights had been penned, it clearly wasn't an effort aimed at the people of the united states. by the time this book was written, the people of france were beginning to get restless and beg for democracy and civil rights. paine, having moved to france, might have had some contribution in implanting the seeds of democracy in france. the conversation of the book wanders. it is composed of numerous documents and writings. overall, in order for the reader to capture the flavor of the unrest of the day, this is a well worthwhile book.

In reading Tom Payne it is best to go right to the horse's mouth. Don't buy a volume with a modern day author's interpretation. Tom expresses himself clearly, logically and in up to date readable language. He needs no interpreter. Read what he has to say for yourself and make your own judgements.
This work is rather amazing when you consider the date that he penned these masterpieces. Don't pay any attention to the right-wing attempts at slurring Tom even today. He made sense in 1776 and his arguments makes sense today. If there were no Tom Paine I doubt if their would be an independent United States today - even George Washington admitted that fact. Tom Paine was simply too outspoken and too honest (and too courageous) for his time - or for today's times for that matter.
If you love history, philosophy, or politics as an American this is a man that you must read.
Tom Paine writing style and ability is "inspirational" to say the least.

The book is a response to arguments made by Edmond Burke that were critical to the constitution and behavior that resulted from the French revolution. Edmond Burke believed in the English constitution and the structure of the government in Great Britain. Mr. Paine argued the British did not have a constitution, the government was tyrannical, not efficient, a poor economic system, and not democratic. The sporadic alterations in the general design of the English government was not designed by the people voted on by the population in Great Britain, so it cannot be considered a constitution. The purpose of this work is to make an argument why the constitution set up by the French revolution is superior to the pre-Revolutionary French government and the current British government at the time of publication. No constitution cannot be established but through referendum.

Thomas Paine argues that the equality of man is established by his very nature. His arguments come from the bible and other religious resources. The rationale for the rights from man come from God, but the author does not believe an individual religion has a monopoly on the truth. Pain believed in freedom of association and the organization of individuals in the making a political argument. He believed people of opposing thoughts could come to accommodation while they walked this earth. Anyhow he believed in the arguments of different world views could be made to come to the conclusion all men equal in his natural state.

Paine argued government is formed either through Superstition (Religious manipulation) Power (war, conquering a people) and those that arise out of society (constitutional government). Constitution must occur before the government. The United States and France were his examples of governments coming from society. Governments that exist out of power or superstition produce a hereditary government or government ruled by a certain association not from the population or society. Edmond Burke defended the nobility. Mr. Paine made a distinction between government privileges inherited based on birth and the wealth obtained through inheritance. Titles are nicknames of legal sanction to have authority over others in the population. Consequence is not just unfairness, but a less competent government and the lack of fairness in governmental decisions. Distinction between people must be determined by the person's utility. Does the person improve society by holding a specific position of trust. The sovereign and legislators should be determined by the vote. Transmission of ideas through debate will improve the government. Debate is formed through association. People should be encouraged form into groups in order to form alliance to their point across. Society and Civilization, the wants of the people can be pursued more efficiently when a structure exists where ideas may be debated, thoughts learned, and more may seek participation. Some men have abilities that other do not posses. Society therefore the individual function better under structure but that does not mean all governments are equally as effective. Thomas Paine did not want the rights of a select few chosen through heredity protected at the expense of others. Men seek a fair government where their concerns are heard.

Thomas Paine believed in the Universal Right of Conscience. Man does not worship man, but God. The mortal worships the immortal. Government should not presume or regulate how man worships the immortal neither should government define who the immortal is. - If man is free to judge his own faith his beliefs will hold what is to be true. - If man is free to judge another's faith he will hold or believe the idea of another God to be false. Thomas Pain makes the argument government corrupts religion. I have no argument here. But when he argues that government is the cause of religious intolerance that argument is absurd.


The author saw the forces of history on the side democracy. Thomas Paine saw democracy as a major factor in developing the free enterprise system. He saw the United State as a major example of democracy and prosperity. Man was set free to go after wealth in so doing creating more wealth. He presumed France would soon follow the United States. Thomas Paine argued government sanctioned Charters (monopolies for the Aristocrats ) hindering ingenuity and the betterment of man. The more efficient the trade between people and nations the more wealth is produced.

The author goes into great length to argue for less regressive taxes. Taxes on products hit the poor the hardest and increase the need for more in the population to receive aid to be able to survive. Thomas Paine was an advocate of a more progressive tax. He also argued for more government to those in aid by taking returns of investments and taxes on the wealthy.

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This book was written in 1790 and 91. It was written in two parts. It started out as a rebuttal to Edmund Burke's book on the French Revolution, but as it developed Paine ended up discussing the whole aspect of democracy and goes in quite detail into the ills of a monarchial government. Paine was an ex-patriot Englishman who lived for a time in the United States. His time there coincided with the American Revolution, and Paine was a contemporary of George Washington and Ben Franklin. Paine was an idealist and that comes out clear in this important work. He also made a lot of enemies in England with his radical viewpoints. His was not an easy life, but he certainly lived at a crucial time in world history, and his viewpoints are actually quite valid in some respects even today. Not an easy book to read, but an important work to make the effort to do so.

"Rights of Man" (1791-92) is Thomas Paine's famous response to Edmund Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution of France" (1790). Although it helps have read Burke's essay, a general background is sufficient to understand and appreciate Paine's basic and groundbreaking arguments.

Paine and Burke were originally allies; Burke not only supported self-rule for the American colonies, he also supported the emancipation of the House of Commons from monarchical control and the independence of both Ireland and India. Many of his allies, then, were bewildered by his fervent opposition to the French Revolution; Burke drew the line between territorial autonomy from a distant or aloof government and the total overthrow of existing monarchies and institutions. For Burke, humankind's real enemies were drastic change and "unsocial, uncivil, unconnected chaos," and he proved himself a staunch defender of the status quo, of precedent, and of gradual reform.

Jerry Muller, in his recent--and superb--book "The Mind and the Market" asserts that Burke's denunciation of the French revolution is "the single most influential work of conservative thought published from his day to ours." (This, of course, depends on what one means by "conservative.") Yet Muller and likeminded historians inevitably cherry-pick Burke's more attractive economic and philosophical arguments and foreground Burke's critique, in Muller's words, "of the revolutionary mentality that attempts to create entirely new structures on the basis of rational, abstract principles." (Muller doesn't even mention Paine, much less the example of the United States.) Such a focus inevitably sidesteps Burke's brief for the supremacy of European monarchical institutions and of the landed aristocracy. And that's where Paine comes in.

With his usual acerbic wit and extravagant rhetoric, Paine, in the first part of his treatise, makes mincemeat out of Burke's sillier statements. For example, he finds especially unspeakable Burke's claim that that "the English nation did, at the time of the [1688] Revolution, most solemnly renounce and abdicate [the right of self-rule], for themselves, and for all their posterity for ever." Paine correctly challenges the primacy of a decision made by members of that generation over desires of other generations, questions the right of any generation to surrender the rights of their descendants, and notes that "government is for the living, and not for the dead, it is the living only that has any right in it."

He also chastises the English for a system of hereditary government that virtually guarantees unfettered rule by children, madmen, idiots, and foreign-born pretenders (and he certainly has plenty of examples from which to choose), many of whom led their realms into chaos and terror without the help of radical revolutionaries. And Paine argues that wars would cease with the promotion of democracy and the cessation of the selfish interests of absolutists. His critics rightly respond that the rise of democratic institutions has hardly stopped wars, although one might pose the counterargument that, relatively speaking, democratic governments go to war with each other much less frequently.

In the second part, Paine proposes a radical agenda for an overhaul of the British government. Although his anecdotally based statistics and figures must be viewed with skepticism and a few laughs, the prescience of his proposals is startling: poverty relief, social security, public education, maternity care, homeless shelters, workfare, veteran's benefits, and progressive taxation. His is the agenda of the idealist: "When it shall be said in any country in the world, my poor are happy; neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them; my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars; the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive . . . when these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and its government."

Paine, of course, had the nascent United States to cite in support of his proposals, but he and Burke were debating these matters before the onset of the Jacobin Reign of Terror, which dismayed Paine and seems to have realized Burke's worst fears. Yet, throughout history, for every Robespierre or Lenin, one can find a Mandela or a Walesa; monarchies too were no strangers to upheaval. Paine hardly argued for "mob rule" or even "majority rule"; the French Revolution failed in part because it violated the fundamental tenet that the citizens of each nation have a right to choose whatever rule they please, even "a bad or defective government, . . . so long as the majority to not impose conditions on the minority, different to what they impose on themselves"--a caveat we all should take to heart in today's political climate.

This book tackles the engineering and manufactoring effort required to build a space elevator. Nice intro by Arthur C. Clarke saying that his idea was not plagarized. The story also delves into bioengineering and some of the possibilities thereof. Including some severe issues about the moralities of bioengineering.

"mybluemake" says in his review that "Charles Sheffield is (or was) actually pulitzer prize winning author James Kirkwood." I don't think that that's true. Sheffield did use "James Kirkwood" as a pen-name a few times, but there's another author of that name who did win a Pulitzer for "A Chorus Line" and died in 1989. Sheffield died in 2002.

As for the book itself, GREAT. However, it was wrong about how the Space Elevator will be built. It'll be a thin ribbon a meter wide and the thickness of saran wrap, not a cylinder the size of a Sequoia. Not a big deal, as far as the story goes.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to notice that burning vast quantities of combustible fuel to move an object from here out into orbit, let alone out into the solar system, is phenomenally expensive and dangerous. Science Fiction authors have, for decades, tried to come up with all manner of workarounds, from gravitation drives to Star Trek style transporters.

One proposal that, until the late seventies, didn't attract a lot of attention was the idea of a cable stretching from the Earth into space, held in place by some form of geosynchronous structure. It's probably the least sexy technology available, nothing more than a really, really, strong, long, cable with objects climbing up and down it using whatever means fit the designer's imagination.

Two science fiction authors, Arthur C. Clarke and Charles Sheffield, decided to raise the idea of such a cable at roughly the same time (Clarke's book, The Fountains of Paradise, was published two weeks before Sheffield's), and at once the obvious simplicity and advantages of the idea captured the public imagination. Well, sort of, currently there is no known material strong enough to withstand the tension a useful cable would carry, but we're probably not far off.

This book is a treat. As well as the story itself, mostly a thriller centered around an engineer (who builds the cable, 'natch), a billionaire solar system miner, and a dubious amoral biologist, the book comes with a contribution from Arthur C Clarke on the history of the how the idea was brought to press, and a long appendix detailing the physics involved in building a "beanstalk" (Sheffield's name for the thing.) It was this part I personally found most interesting - it covered how such a thing would be built, other designs centered around the same principle, advantages the cable would have such as the ability to slingshot ships from the end, using the Earth's own rotation to move objects to anywhere in the solar system.

The novel itself is a multi-layered story which is centered so much around a sub-plot that the beanstalk itself is almost an afterthought. In a pinch, Merlin, the main character, investigates the death of his parents and why they were murdered, after the new project he's hired to lead unexpectedly brings him into contact with people who were involved or knew the reasons. The Science in the Fiction includes the beanstalk (obviously), genetic engineering, the mining of asteroids and other trips around the solar system. About my only grouse is that the characters are a little wooden and come across in that kind of pseudo-machismo usually associated with salesman culture and office politics, something that ought not to have irritated me to the extent that it did.

A wonderful book though, proposing a wonderful idea that, if ever implemented, will probably mean more for mankind's eventual exploration of space than the moon landings themselves.

Some good info on building a space elevator complete with mad industrialist with more money than god. There are misc other subplots though which were completely unecessary and uninteresting. Worth reading at a used price but not full retail.

First of all - don't mistake this book with "Between the strokes of night" which deals with life-prolongation by altering the body's metabolic speed and time sense. Now, the reason everybody are so dissapointed, I believe, is that the book lacks Sheffield's usual giant scope, and therefore highly advenced thechnolegy, with the setting in the far future. (allthough thet description is'nt compatiblle with the wonderfull "Proteus" series). But the plot did waver a bit. the climax was not all that. I do think though that all the charecters were excellent, and developed through the book. Not a bad story, it's only the higher expectations of the readers from sheffield.

My child and I had the good fortune to see Mr. Wolf perform at a library where he read from this book, and others! I was so impressed by his show that I bought this book for my child who LOVES it! It truly makes the body interesting and fun.....captivating to children!! Thank you so much!

When I taught school, I was always looking for an entertaining way to trick my students into learning, into becoming inspired, and "The Blood-Hungry Spleen" would have been a huge hit -- if only I was still teaching! Not only is it amusing and educational to young children on a basic level about their anatomy (seriously, did you ever think about spit having a purpose, other than helping you look cool in a dugout?), it helps teachers and parents broach subjects they may have difficulty with. And, yes, very clever poetry!

"The Blood Hungry Spleen" succeeds quite nicely in making learning about the different parts of the body fun. The poems are just silly enough to induce lots of giggles from kids (while teaching them - how sneaky!). The text is written in language that is easy for kids to grasp from a very young age, without ever being condescending.

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

This is a book that parents and kids can enjoy together.

When I taught school, I was always looking for an entertaining way to trick my students into learning, into becoming inspired, and "The Blood-Hungry Spleen" would have been a huge hit -- if only I was still teaching! Not only is it amusing and educational to young children on a basic level about their anatomy (seriously, did you ever think about spit having a purpose, other than helping you look cool in a dugout?), it helps teachers and parents broach subjects they may have difficulty with. And, yes, very clever poetry!

"The Blood Hungry Spleen" succeeds quite nicely in making learning about the different parts of the body fun. The poems are just silly enough to induce lots of giggles from kids (while teaching them - how sneaky!). The text is written in language that is easy for kids to grasp from a very young age, without ever being condescending.

But the book isn't just for kids -- at a recent party for adults, the book was passed around and read out loud -- to the sound of, yep, you guessed it, lots and lots of adult giggles.

Greg Clarke's artwork is also imaginative, and manages to perfectly capture the spirit and humor of Allan Wolf's poetry.

This is a book that parents and kids can enjoy together.

Generally well-written and helpful. However, I found the chapter on body restoration to be somewhat lacking in illustrations/diagrams/photos. I'm an experienced welder/body repairman, but, have no BMW '02 experience. I had hoped to get a better idea of what I'd be getting into, time-wise, to help in planning a restoration. Having some illustrations/drawings/diagrams showing how the rusty panels came together, when new, would have been helpful.

This is a great book for both the first time '02 owner and the the long time '02 owner! This book is very clear and thorough and gives great tips on how to restore your beloved '02. Some time times this book is not technical enough though and if you are looking for a book with engine breakdowns and wiring diagrams you should get the BMW 1602 and 2002, 1959-77 (Haynes Manuals). I recommend buying both these books to get the best of both worlds!

"this is the book that most people buy when looking at 2002s for the first time or need a refresher"

They offered to get me one but didn't rate it, but I guess it's got to be at least a 3-4 stars.

The book helped me imediately with heater wiring configuration. I would like to see complete wiring diagrams aas my restoration requires electrical as well as structural effort. The chilton repair guide has very incomplete wiring diagrams on the '02.

I was disappointed in this book from the start. It is clear to me that the author new alot about 02 cars and their restoration but i think the book was a poor effort. First off, there are not very many pictures and the ones they have look like a small child took them. There are more than a couple half page pictures that are completely out of focus and show the lack of care taken in assembling this book. Furthermore, he spends no time on any one subject. For instance, he wrote a paragraph on headliners, not going in to any detail on how to install them. So if you are looking for a book that covers how to install headliners, seat covers, carpets, wiring, convertable tops, door seals, etc, this is a poor book for you in my opinion. But if you want a book with a few handy specifications, a couple of tips , and a hand full of useless snapshots that must have been taken by a toddler, i would say this is an excellent book for you. If i could go back in time i certainly would find a better way to spend 30 bucks. I think that, keeping in mind that there are some usefull facts and specifications in the text, this book is worth about 10 to 15 bucks.

Upon studying for the AP Macroeconomics test, I found the Barrons book to be useless. The sample tests were a joke because they are nothing like the actual AP tests. I took an AP Macroeconomics course in school and the Barrons book did nothing to enhance my knowledge. I would highly recommend the Kaplan AP Economics book because it has challenging sample questions with full explanations to the answers (unlike Barrons). This book does not help one to get a 5 on the AP Macroeconomics test.

I used this review book to study for the AP Microeconomics exam and was pleased by its coverage of all the necessary topics. Even though the book looks small, there really is no need for more material. When I took the Microeconomics exam, I was surprised by how easy it was. To study for the exam's free response section, be sure to check out previous College Board AP Micro free response exams and their answers. They follow the same basic pattern of topics and form of questions. I received a 5 on the exam. I will use the book again this year for the Macroeconomics section.

This easy-to-read text quickly covers the key activities related to purchasing and inventory management; including everything from reorder techniques, to negotiating techniques, to purchasing law. The style of this book is reminiscent of texts published in the early part of the 20th century that focused on quickly getting new managers and clerks up to speed on specific business topics. It avoids the hype of most business books and the pretentious style of most college texts by sticking with short, concise, plain English, treatments of the multitude of topics covered.
The nominal price of this book is a purchasing lesson in itself. This book is a bargain.

I decided to independently study for the AP Macroeconomics exam my junior year. I had not taken any classes previously that would have helped me on the test. In addition to the Barron's book, I purchased the Princeton Review and the Cliffs Notes books. There is simply no comparsion-- the Barron's book is FAR superior. It does not waste the reader's time delving into topics not on the exam. It covers exactly what the student needs to know.
The other two books I mentioned are excessively light on some topics, and I am confident that if I would have taken the test with one or both of them, I would not have done nearly as well. But the Barron's book gave me everyting I needed.
At the end of each chapter(as is the case with all Barron's AP books) there are 15 multiple-choice questions covering the material from the chapter and a free response question. I found these questions relevant and instructive. The sample AP exam in the back of the book is well done.
Thanks to this book, I am confident I got a 5 on the AP Macroeconomics exam. There was just one multiple choice question I didn't recognize. Highly recommended.

I never took the AP microeconomics course offered at my school. I just used this book and the PR book. Overall, this book is great in that it teaches all the information needed to ace the test. However, the questions in the practice test are not reflective of those on the real test. Also, sometimes, this book delves too deeply into the subject. It provides far more information than is necessary to get a 5 on the test. It is also more boring than the Princeton Review book. Information is presented in paragraph forms rather than in bulleted form, making it more unorganized. However, knowing this book back to front will easily get the job of getting a 5 on the AP test accomplished.

againandagainandagain. it gets almost interesting. lovecraft's scientific story ending up with nothing much of a climax, Poe drowning in nautical technical information and fragmentary style. taine's is the most interesting one. first too little happens, then too much. could have been good, but is first too boring then too much in the overwhelming action-genre. glasby has good descriptions, but his story doesn't go anywhere. some of the other stories could have been good too. but always, something destroys. too boring, not going anywhere, lacks suspence. truly sad since many of the stories shows potential.

From the ends of the Earth come stories of adventure and really BAD things. Start off with a sonnet by Lovecraft himself, called, 'Antarktos', then on to the first course with 'The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket' by Edgar Allan Poe, with a follw-up of excerpts by Jules Vern's called 'The Sphinx of the Ice Fields'. This is followed by the not-so-well-known 'The Greatest Adventure' by John Taine. 'At The Mountains of Maddness' by H.P. Lovecraft is served next, the main course, followed by 'The Tomb of the Old Ones' by Colin Wilson. Arthur C. Clarke cooks up a fine story in 'At the Mountains of Murkiness' and what meal would be complete without 'The Thing From Another World' by John W. Campbell Jr.? We finish off our fine dining with 'The Brooding City' by John S. Glasby and 'The Dreaming City' by Roger Johnson. Full yet?

I bought this book solely for the John Campbell story, "The Thing from Another Planet." I've been looking for this story since seeing John Carpenter's "The Thing" in the mid-1980's. A older friend in Denver told me he had read Campbell's story many years before and that it was a good story.

I just finished reading "The Thing..." and the story didn't disappoint me in the slightest. While I don't recommend waiting as long as I did to read this story, it was worth the wait and the hunt to find it. "The Thing" is definitely creepy.

I've read Lovecraft in the past and the remainder of the stories will be candy on top of the Campbell treat. Yes, there are typographical errors. The stories are still worth the read.

My main problem with this collection is the typos. At one point, I found three of them on one page. These weren't hard to spot typos either. Most of them involved spanish characters, tildes, umlauts and the like. While the occasional typo isn't all that big of a deal, if they occur in these amounts, it breaks the mood, which is all important in a horror story.

Of the stories themselves, I didn't get the Taine one at all, although there were some cool scenes in it, the tomb of the old ones was good fun but predictable, the thing from another world seemed over rated, the brooding city was also formulaic, but rather amusing, and the narrative of arthur gordon pym was uneven, although at its heights, it demonstrated unprecedented imagination.

At The Mountains of Madness itself is somewhat odd. It starts very, very well, establishing the threatening menace of its setting and then getting right on to the monsters, which are very imaginative. Slowly, however, it loses its way. The monsters become an alien race we are meant to sympathize with. A second set of monsters is introduced, and these are memorable, but they are not given enough time to attain the desired impact. However, the story does possess Lovecraft's funniest (and possibly only) joke (although whether this is intentional or not is somewhat debatable).

There is an interesting story about this Chaosium collection [...]Charles Engan relates that when Chaosium was preparing to release the enormous campaign "Beyond the Mountains of Madness", there was not enough money to print everything in its entirety. The authors wanted to include "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" as well as "At the Mountains of Madness", but since it was too expensive to include with the campaign, a friend offered to underwrite the expense of publishing the material, plus other fiction, as a separate volume. Voila! The Antarktos Cycle.

Contents:
"Antarktos" - from the "Fungi of Yuggoth" poem by HPL
"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket"
"The Sphinx of the Ice Fields" - excerpts
"The Greatest Adventure"
"At the Mountains of Madness"
"The Tomb of the Old Ones"
"At the Mountains of Murkiness"
"The Thing From Another World"
"The Brooding City"
"The Dreaming City"

Traditionally, these cycles are used to illustrate how HPL developed the concepts used in his stories. "Arthur Gordon Pym" might be included solely for the purpose of the aformentioned campaign, but it is excellent Antarctic fiction by a rather important author in the development of horror. Also, have you ever wondered where "tekel-li-li" comes from? "Sphinx of the Ice Fields" has excerpts related to Pym's narrative.

"The Greatest Adventure" might also be useful for keepers planning to run the camapign for which Antarktos was designed - it describes the preparations for an Antarctic expedition as well as the actual undertaking itself. The incredibly potent seeds of life that they find undoubtedly inspired the movie "Evolution" as well as other fiction

"At the Mountains of Madness" is one of HPL's finest stories. I would love to see a cinematic version of this. Perhaps with global warming, Lovecraft's Mountains of Madness will someday be seen rising over the Antarctic plain!

I don't have much to say about the other titles. The last two develop the "Old Ones" that lived in Irem. Lovecraft sometimes used the same name for different concepts - he claimed that contradictory facts were more appropriate to an ancient myth cycle than having everythinng fit together neatly. They could have been left out and finished the book with ...

"The Thing From Another World" - I expected this to be pulpy, but it was surprisingly serious. Antarctic researchers discover an alien craft embedded in the ice. Unwittingly releasing an alien with control over its morphology at the sub-cellular level, it replicates itself by consuming and imitating life around itself. Who is human, and who is the monster? Do the infected humans even know that they are no longer human? Can they take the chance on anyone leaving the base alive? An incredible psychodrama as well as science fiction and horror. Great stuff - made me want to watch Carpenter's version again.

So yes, there are some very annoying typos, but the quality of the fiction is mostly top-notch, with some very unusual themes being explored. Don't let this collection pass you by.

I read The City and the Stars for the first time in High School in probably 1969 or 1970. It was by far the most profound novel I had ever read. All I could remember was being so upset when it was over. I wanted more. It is that kind of story. You step into another world and you are really there. This book is the one that converted me to Science fiction. I bought the book again in the early 1990's. It was a revised edition and somethings were different.But it was still very good. (I liked the original the best). Arthur C. Clarke is much greater than 2001. This book shows it. Thanks Arthur!

This newly released omnibus contains two full-length novels that have become so ubiquitous as to be part of our psyche.

The City and The Stars made such an impression on me that I can remember exactly where I was when I read it for the very first time - seventh grade in Bright, California at one of the meanest junior highs I ever did attend. It was an escape, it was fantastical without being fantasy. It was hard science fiction, set in the future. At that age, I couldn't comprehend how far in the future but I knew it was a place I would have liked to see, doing things that Alvin did. Living that Grand Adventure with him!

I would encourage anyone who hasn't read an early Arthur C. Clarke or knows of any young science fiction fans to buy this omnibus & introduce them to the universe of Arthur C. Clarke. He did write more than 2001: A Space Odyssey - you know!

The City in the Stars is Clarke playing around with the potential of information technology to change society. It's one of his better novels, with some of his favorite themes about galactic exploration.

The Sands of Mars is rather dated. If you can get past the fact that there isn't actualy any vegetation, let alone animal life, and there are in fact mountains on Mars, you come out with a rather good novel, with better character work than usual, and interesting (if wrong) science.

I was very disappointed with this book. It has touches of Arthur C. Clarke brilliance. An interesting well written beginning frames a story with lots of potential. But somewhere in the middle of the story Clarke just loses it. Even Clarke's wonderful writing style and delivery cannot overcome the silliness of the plot.

The intelligent blob that lives in a puddle of water on a waterless desert earth for a billion years was my favorite silly character. The main character is a human that after a billion years has evolved to have no hair, fingernails or teeth. He still enjoys munching away on all sorts of food. He must have strong gums. There are the space ships and subway systems that after a billion years are still functional. (A billion years. Not a few thousand or a few million.) Once interesting characters hurtle off to the center of the Galaxy, the blob's robot does the driving, and within a few hours visit a half dozen planets, find space ship eating plants, alien artifacts, and then of course...the ultimately intelligent being in the universe..."Mr. Mind". This is the guy with no body or form, just mind. He hitches a ride back from the center of the galaxy to earth... it's all too much.

Clarke must have been smoking something strong when he wrote this. I've read other Clarke books and loved them. This one was a real disappointment. The story just runs away and becomes silly. If you are a Clarke junky I'm sure you'll disagree with me. If you aren't and want to read Clarke for the first time I suggest not reading this. Try a classic like "Childhood's End". Clarke obviously was thinking much more clearly when he wrote that...

Two great classics in one book. The City In the Stars is one of the most entertaining sci fi books I have ever read. Clarke challenges your imagination through every step of this one. If there was a movie for every persons vision of this book, not a single one wold be the same. Clarke describes the unimaginable with such simplicity, yet you capture exactly what he is describing. A timeless classic!
Sands of Mars is also very entertaining and is also a must read for any Clarke fan. Although there are many ideas that are false in this book (since we have now seen the surface of Mars) it is interesting to see what Clarke envisioned on this planet. There are great ideas in this novel.

Let it be known that I am happy and excited that you chose me to read your book. I do not know whether or not you wanted my exact thoughts on the material, but I think you did a great job and I look forward to reading more material of yours.

I am proud of you, and hope you continued success.

I absolutely loved the characters, as for 2 of them I can relate to their lifestyles and situations. Journey sounds like someone I would want in my life, in a mentoring role.

I am thoroughly confused. Just when I thought Rachel's life was going good, you abruptly finished
her story, is there more to come? Please say this is not the end of her character.

I fell in love with Walter, nuff said. Its so great to see this character in a positive light.

I look forward to more works from this author.

I recently read on a discussion board about authors having to fulfill "page counts" when submitting books to major publishing houses. The argument was: having a "page count" minimum often adds unnecessary fluff to a novel. I countered with: sometimes recommending more pages could mean that more depth, description, plot, etc. needs to be added to the story to improve its presentation. That's my sentiment with Different Trees from the Same Root. Reading it was comparable to running in a relay...on your mark, get set, GO! Run as fast as you can until you reach the finish line.

Different Trees from the Same Root begins with first person narratives of its main characters - Delilah "Journey", Walter, Rachel and Christina. Each tells their story and their struggles. A good beginning but somewhere between Chapters 4 and 6, you suddenly end up in the middle of their lives, without warning. For instance, Walter and Christina were contemplating dating, next they're dating, then they're married, suddenly they're having a baby, the baby is walking, and... Stop pushing the fast forward button so I can savor the story. Unfortunately that's not the case, the same happens with the other two characters. Rachel had issues with her sexuality, she struggled, she accepted, she moved on. Journey had issues with her lifestyle, she found an angel who accepted her for who she was, they lived happily ever after, tragedy struck, family was brought together after years of abandonment. Where is the element of surprise? As I turned the pages I knew almost verbatim what the next page was going to read.

Different Trees from the Same Root lacked substance; it didn't have enough "fluff" to keep the reader interested. Too predictable, not enough description, not enough history, not enough... Every story/life altering event was neatly packaged with a four-page minimum (sometimes less) from each narrator. Although the stories were good, they could have easily been told in an hour-long conversation. Not to mention a lot of misplaced metaphors, timelines, names, subplots and plots.

All is not lost. Once the storytelling skills are honed and fine tuned, Clarke has a blossoming future as a writer. While Different Trees from the Same Root is mediocre, there is a lot of potential.

Reviewed by Esther "Ess" Mays of Loose Leaves Book Review

Ms. Clarks Different Trees From The Same Root was not only a fast read filled with drama but it also caused me to get goose bumps and cry. The storyline and characters were simply magnificent. The story holds you captive as you are so into the next event that you are paralyzed to the end.

Walter Armstrong was abandon by his father after his mother died and left to be raised by his barely eighteen year old sister. Going through life and handling the responsibility of fatherhood was like second nature for him. He totally refuses to abandon his child like his father had done him. It was good watching him remain the good guy throughout.

Journey a female character brought up being abused and dealing with a drug addict mother and a father who felt it was his duty to have sex with her ran away after being confronted with the reality that her father may be her child's father. Journey a name given to her by a john that she picked up as his quest is to pull her off the mean city streets of Detroit and give her a life that is much more pleasant. I don't want to tell you too much of this womens story I think it would be putting too much out there. I will say I enjoyed this book immensely.

I most likely would have given this book a five star rating however, her character Rachel's story could have been a whole other book in its entirety. It had no relevance to the Journey and her story. But all in all this was a great read. I started this book and finished it all within a five hour span, again I would recommend anyone to read this book who is dealing with lost love ones and homosexuality.

Stacy D Campbell

DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT by Cheril N. Clarke take us back into the lives of Walter, Rachel, Christina and Sheila with a new character, Deliah "Journey" Noble, added to the mix along with several other secondary characters. The aforementioned characters first appeared in Clarke's debut novel Foundations and while it is not absolutely necessary to read that novel, because Clarke does an excellent job of revisiting, Foundations is a good prelude to the awakening of the characters you will find in DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT.

DIFFERENT TREES FROM THE SAME ROOT, told in first person, opens with an introduction by Journey; she is as raw as she is real. Journey, now in her early 40s, was a teenage mother who abandoned her infant daughter and both were left to fend for themselves in life. Watch as Journey makes a trek through life and find out where she ends up and how. With the return of Walter, we find his landscaping business thriving and his love life at a standstill. Add in Walter's love poems and you have a very committed and loving single father. When we left Rachel in Foundations she was on a mission to find her true self. Rachel travels to Miami from Silver Spring, Maryland, to New York City and back again only to be faced with the realization of what life holds for her. Christina, the daughter of wealthy parents, appears again and is as confused as ever as she searches for meaning in a pending relationship and a desire to rekindle a friendship. All of the characters connect in more ways than one which will definitely surprise the senses.

While some scenes are predictable, this is a very emotional, high impact and spiritual novel about fate, self-awareness, the love of self and the ability to carry on as long as you have faith in a higher being.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers