Fletcher Books

I agree with Mark Riordan's concern about inaccuracies in Fletcher Pratt's book, but I recommend reading "Secret and Urgent" before reading Kahn's book, unless you are already familiar with cryptology. Pratt's book actually leads the reader step by step through the classic processes for breaking ciphers, from simple substitution up through Vigniere ciphers with disordered arrays with long keys. And he gives useful small examples of how to break codes. Kahn doesn't cover this elementary material. Someone who has read Pratt's book is in a much better position to understand what's hard and what's easy in trying to break such ciphers as Enigma, Fish and the M-209, and such codes as the various forms of "Purple".

This, in turn, helps the reader fit into context what the driving forces are behind such more recent ciphers as RSA and the NDES. In short: if you want to understand not only where cryptology is but also where it's been going, Pratt's little book (if the reader actually works through the examples) is a really good starting point.

This is a highly readable history of cryptology written around 1939. In fact, it was the book that inspired David Kahn to write his classic _The Codebreakers_. As Kahn later reported, he was disappointed to discover that much of what he had read in _Secret and Urgent_ as a child was false or exaggerated. I definitely recommend Kahn's book over Pratt's, though Pratt's may be slightly more approachable.

This guide covers Playstation 2, PC and Xbox game systems, if you are also a Star Wars Fan this guide has a surprise reward for succesfully achieving all missions

Don't buy the game without buying this companion guide.It gives you a birds eye view of every level,every plane and every weapon in the game.It tells you were hidden planes are and all secondary and bonus missions.It also gives info on flying,bombing,dogfighting,and bonuses when you finish the game.Get this guide before it goes out of print like ace combat 4's guide did or you will have to order it used.Unfortuanly these guides seem to go out of print long before the game does.Another reason to buy these guides is you get to see what every level looks like before you get to play it and what enemies you will come against.

There isn't much new research in this compact recounting of the lives of the playwrights, but it is a pleasant summer reading experience, nonetheless.

I have greatly enjoyed this book. It is a quick and insightful read full of interesting information about the times in which Shakespeare and his contempories lived. A vivid and thoroughly enjoyable book.

I finished reading his short, fast-paced _Swing Low, Swing Dead_ Johnny Fletcher mystery and liked it. Gruber has a colloquial, breezy pulp prose style. Fletcher's wrestling sidekick, Sam Cragg, adds to the fun. This plot concerns a purloined rock-and-roll song titled "Apple Taffy". My paperback is a Belmont PBO without a publication date
included.

This was one of my father's favorate authers he wrote him a fan letter once but Frank Gruber had died. His widow Mrs.Gruber wrote back to him this was in 1975. They had a long frendship Mr.David A.Bates of Putnam,CT.(Blue Star Book Store)They wrote letters and fanzine artcules back and forth till the day she died. This was a favorate book of his he read this book so many times he had to replace it 4times. Enjoy. Dave Bates(1935to2004)RIP.

This is an enjoyable easy chapter book, ideal for a second grader. The AR level is 2.6. Students with a younger sibling will particularly relate to the situations with Tommy and his younger brother Bradley.

Tommy and his little brother want to buy a big special marble from a tough kid down the street. But first, they need to find out how to get the money - without trying to sell mom's prize roses! His brother and he find a snake and try to make a trade with that. Several episodes fill the hunt to get such an exciting marble. Each episode is its own chapter and seems to end with Tommy getting into trouble.

A nice introduction to chapter books, because the chapters are kept short. Furthermore, kids can relate to Tommy's adventures because the logic he uses is common for 9 year olds. This book is a slight departure from Fletcher's usual intermediate novels but is none the less enjoyable.

Why 4 stars?:
I liked this book from a teacher's standpoint because of its value as an introductory chapter book and realistic characters (something found in all of Fletcher's books), however, I didn't find the story to be very interesting. This could keep kids from continuing in it and getting a negative feeling about chapter books. Still, most children will still enjoy it and so it does belong in a classroom. It is already in mine.

It's a very good book. Very beautiful design. Very useful and detailed information. Very good for students studying this subject.

it is very suitable for a tourism-majoring student,esp. its views and perspctives, unfortunately,it is unavilable in China.

Jane Fletcher does do a good job of balancing the mystery and the fantasy/adventure aspects of her books. I really enjoyed this sequel just as much as I did the original book, and you can't say that about every series. The author sticks to the things we loved about these characters initially: the honesty, courage and wit Tevi displays, and the skill and intelligence Jem embodies. They make a really good team, each shoring up the other's weak points, and the strength of that bond and union are a central theme to this story, serving as an anchor to the growth and change each character experiences as they overcome obstacles.

I really like the authors grasp and use of language. She also has a good eye for the details that help flesh out a realistic world, without becoming bogged down in description and exposition that would mess up the pacing. I was a touch disappointed that there wasn't more Klara in this book. She was so delightfully sarcastic in the first book, but circumstances force her to hold back for most of this book. That's probably not a bad thing ultimately, it was just something I noticed. Also, while the closeness of the characters was built upon in a satisfying manner, the heat was toned down significantly on average: a minor disappointment that certainly doesn't detract from the quality of the story.

Definitely read the first book before this one. Then enjoy how this novel brings Tevi's quest to a satisfying conclusion, while laying the ground work for future adventure.

"The Traitor And the Chalice" is the 2nd installment of the Lyremouth series. In Book One "The Exile And the Sorcerer (Lyremouth Chronicles)" introduces two main characters Tevi & Jemeryl and how they encounter. The main mystery is that chalice and finding it is Tevi's "quest". Who brought it to Storenseg, Tevi's home island? Why stole it? To where? And who stole it? This first book tells us how Tevi got herself into this quest and answers these questions except the last one, which is uncovered in the this installment, "The Traitor and the Chalice".

In Book Two Tevi & Jemeryl work together, without any backup, to solve the puzzle and to find the traitor who not only stole the chalice from Tevi's homeland but also engaged in several deaths. They have no idea what kinds of dangers and troubles they'll face during their investigation and chase. In the land where the ability of performing magic sets the difference among people, it isn't easy for them, especially Tevi, to work and be together. But we can see how they overcome the troubles, albeit some compromise, without losing their faith with each other.

Jane Fletcher has done a good job to bring both mystery and adventure together in one story. She keeps us suspended during the reading of how they find out the traitor and set for the hunt. For this series, it is probably better to read the first two books in order if you want to have better understanding about some questions mentioned above (I think the 3rd one is not connected to the chalice). However, Jane has crafted her works such that you can pick up any book to read and still can catch up the story without too much difficulty.

No matter whether you read the speculative fictions or not, you should try Jane's works. If you have read the book one, you shouldn't miss this one. If you haven't, it's not too late to pick it up, especially that now you can read these two one by one without the wait.

The premise is that mythology and great works of fiction are really discriptions of alternate universes. The hero of a series of books by Fletcher Pratt and L. Sprague DeCamp learns how to travel to the alternate universes. The Wall of Serpents is set in the world of Irish myth. The authors are great story-tellers and this series works very well. The sword fights, battles of magic, and battles of wit are all delightful. The reader will find this book more enjoyable if it is read after The Compleat Enchanter.

The author's names for _Wall of Serpents_ are

L. Sprague de Camp and Fletcher Pratt

(not L. Sprague and Fletcher Pratt de Camp).

I havne't read this one yet as it is out of print, but I just finished _The Compleat Enchanter_ by the same two authors and containing the initial (mis)adventures of the same characters, which was such good fun that I am interested in tracking down this sequel! Well written, and with a delightfully intelligent sense of humor.

I expected a little more depth of character and story development, but Flynn just rushes this book along, forcing an unrealistic plot down our throats. This is a world where the president looks at the window of the oval office in indecision and despondency at distressing world events; and does cliched things like end a meeting, then say something that sounds morbid or fatalistic just before his aides leave the room. A world in which the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff launches into a tirade about a doomsday scenario that would bring the earth to a standstill, and when career politicians whine and are easily manipulated by their politico-peers. And we're supposed to believe that the main character, who takes every last precaution deadly seriously, brings the woman he wants to marry with him on a potentially deadly mission, and assumes wrongly he's going to be able to confront a known assassin who double-crossed him in the past and she'll tell him just because he asked nicely. And that's only halfway through the book!

For anyone familiar with Vince Flynn's books, it is unnecessary to get into specifics about this book. Suffice it to say that this book makes TV a poor second choice no matter what is on. The only negative thing I can say about Flynn's books is that he can't possibly write them fast enough. I have read everything that he has written, and now I'm suffering withdrawl. I hope he will have another on the market this year. Have no fear, if you like Clancy, or Haig, you will like this, and all of Vince Flynn's books. If you have blood pressure issues though, you may want to be certain that you haven't missed a dose any day you happen to be reading any of Flynn's books!

Well written and a lot of action. Loved the politics in Washington for it is realistic and makes one get out the pink liquid. Got to the point where I was hoping someone, anyone, would get rid of Rudin and Clark. So typical of today's Senators interested in power and not serving the U.S. and supporting the Constitution. Must read The Third Option first to be satisfied with getting the bad guy. Of course, Rapp is the hero in Iraq regarding nukes. But I think the best part of the story is the subplot with the agent in Italy. She and Rapp have a history and the assassination action with them is non-stop. Still tired of Anne. Boy, what a jerk. Hopefully, in the future she will be gone.

I've read a lot of good comments about the books by Vince Flynn. I was popping by the municipal library a couple of days ago and borrowed the only Flynn book left. I wasn't disappointed. "Separation of power" is a very good read.

Colonel Ben Freidman, the director of Mossad, comes to Washington and calls a meeting with the president of the United States, Mr Robert Xavier Hayes, and the CIA director nominee, Dr Irene Kennedy. Freidman announces that Saddam Hussein is rebuilding his nuclear program by purchasing technologies and scientists from North Korea. The Iraqis regime is about to have 3 nukes, which are placed under a hospital. The United States is forced to react and Israel gives the States only 2 weeks to take the nukes out. After that, the Israelis would attack Iraq to protect themselves.

At the same time, the US President and Dr Kennedy are facing a serious political threat campaign launched by the Congressman Albert Rudin and Senator Hank Clark. Their hope to survive is very much dependent upon the CIA's top counter-terrorism operator, Mitch Rapp.

The Mitch Rapp series are fast-moving compelling novels. Separation of Power is a real page-turner. I didn't want to put it down. Mitch Rapp, the main character, is a CIA assassin, who unabashedly believes in execution as a way to solve political problems. The book's author,Vince Flynn, uses Rapp's rationalizations for violence as a device to persuade the reader that there is nothing wrong with this kind of thinking. He also tries to convince you that the people attempting to restrain Rapp are the bad guys. The TV series "24" is analogous. Let's hope that both readers of Rapp novels and watchers of "24" have the maturity to separate the morality expressed in entertainment from the morality needed in real life. These assassination novels are great reads,but we don't want to see vigilante-style justice replace our judicial system or undo the concept that one is innocent until proven guilty. If we support violent solutions, someday we, ourselves, might be the victims of a malevolent or misguided government.
Ralph Hermansen 6/22/08

The author is a great writer. She's done a masterfull job of telling the true story. Apparantly much 'bounty' myths were often newspaper gosip & misinformation to appease powerful forces.

Very well researched audiobook with excellent narrative. Many historical points rarely mentioned by other historians of the event with a very good all round history of the events themselves. Narrative also never ceases to bore, a very important aspect of any audiobook.

Popular histories sometimes (not always, but often enough to notice) suffer from one of two things: a deliberate paring away of detail--be it description or incident--to make for easier reading or a slimmer volume, or a concerted refusal to acknowledge or explore information that does not gird the author's thesis. Caroline Alexander's The Bounty has neither condition: it is as exhaustive an examination of a single moment of history as anything I've ever read.

Which is not to say that the reading is not compelling. Alexander goes to some pains to strip away the romantic veneer covering over the facts of the mutiny and those culpable in its execution. Nor does she provide complete exoneration to Captain Bligh, who is revealed as an able, conscientious and decent man, whose few failings were amplified by a flawed crew and lack of support (mainly in the absence of marines on board The Bounty) from the Admiralty. Oddly, but appropriately for such a scholarly work, Alexander pieces together much of what is known about lead mutineer Fletcher Christian from the extant evidence, which in most cases is second hand.

The exhaustive nature of the book does tend to drag in places. The build up to court martial introduces the tiresome (no more here though than she was doubtlessly so in life) Fanny Hayward, along with detailed explanation of the members of the court martial. Interesting and ultimately useful in sorting out the fractured loyalties that defined these men and their subsequent actions, it does get to be slow reading.

But more than a story of one mutiny in the Pacific, it is a tale of a changing world, where the virgin paradise of Tahiti is imbued with the failings of the British Empire, where Nelson's final words, "thank God I have done my duty," are not the anthem of a subsequent age but an epitaph for a waning one. An epic worth reading.

Ms. Alexander's work is carefully researched and beautifully written. She also has clear biases on events and people but I'd prefer to have had her own opinions more boldly written. Nevertheless, this is a "must" history for Bounty fans.

Bligh--a man of tremendous strengths--had at least one glaring weakness. He was a man with a red hot temper. Granted--like many people given to "blowing their tops"--he got over it quickly but, unfortunately for him, some people targeted by his flare-ups had difficulty forgetting his insults. Perhaps amazingly, his crew--largely composed of very young, no doubt immature men--went through great trials before they finally broke. Even then, the majority of men remained faithful to their fallen leader, to the point of sailing with him into almost certain death.

Somewhere here we are missing some of the most important psychological aspects of the story. I try to place myself in the role of "loyal" crewman and wonder what I would have chosen on the day of the mutiny. Would I have elected almost certain death in a leaky skiff over probable survival in the Bounty? I don't really know but it would have been one Hell of a decision. Still, the majority of crewmen remained loyal and tried to pile into a rowboat with 7 inches of freeboard!

At the same time, despite Bligh's navigational skills and despite his courage, his must be regarded as a failure in leadership. I'm not sure where this failure occurred but it probably happened on Otaheite. He should have--in retrospect--been less lenient with his "men". Most of these were very young people, many only teenagers, some of whom were permitted to live amongst the Polynesians. It must have been a heady brew. They received respect that they'd never experienced in England. They obtained women, even wives, and were tatooed in displays of tribal honor. It was simply too attractive to many of these boys. Twenty-three year old Fletcher Christian should have known better but--suffering from alcohol and the pressure of obligations he no doubt felt to his Polynesian brethren--he cracked like a spoiled egg. Nowadays, psychologists would probably diagnose clinical depression and I have little doubt that Christian had "been in Hell for weeks", just as he described.

I'm not sympathetic with the mutineers. Captains--men of flesh and blood--weren't perfect and the Admiralty recognized this fact. The crew were supposed to be loyal and beyond provocation. Period. The mutinous members of the crew paid for the sins one way or another--just as they deserved. It is unfortunate that some loyal crewmen paid their price, too.

Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

Alexander gives a gripping, colorfully written true story of the mutiny on the ship Bounty in the late 18th century. Bligh's journals, along with the mutineers, combine to help tell the tale. It is a part of history I have been drawn to since I can remember. Hollywood brought it into our optic nerves. But the movie tended to romanticize how it portrayed the mutineers; almost apologetic.

The bibliography and source reference is massive. There are times where the author does not help us in understanding dialect and the meaning behind actions.

Alexander decides to begin with a summary, and the hunt for the fugitive mutineers (by the ship Pandora). We are then introduced to the Bounty (long delays leaving England's harbor) and the journey to bring back breadfruit (initiated by botanist Sir Joseph Banks). She gives us a brief background and early life of Bligh, the shipmates and the ship itself. Bligh proved to be intelligent and a good leader. Fletcher Christian (the lead mutineer) also had a promising career ahead.

There are perhaps dozens of reasons for the mutiny; the accounts vary. But the officers decline in leadership and the corruption at Tahiti are strong ones.

The final mutineers defense and sentence at the court martial draws the reader in, especially the writings of seventeen year old mutineer Peter Heywood. We find ourselves sympathizing with him. I find that even these young men had a superior intellect compared to today, and were considered "responsible" at a much earlier age. The escaped mutineers adopted an island, later to be discovered by a U.S. ship:

What they find on the island is more a garden of Eden. The descendants are Christian in faith, they are hard working, prosperous, and loving. Over time, the myths and falsities of the lives of the men of the Bounty are slowly being worked out.

"What caused the mutiny on the Bounty? The seduction at Tahiti, Bligh's harsh tongue----perhaps. But more compellingly a night of drinking and a proud man's pride, a low moment on one gray dawn, a momentary and fatal slip in a gentleman's code of discipline----and then the rush of consequences to be lived out for a lifetime."

Wish you well
Scott