Ford Books

Last-written in the Foundation series, this book slots in chronologically close to the beginning, explaining some lose ends and providing more detail about Hari Seldon. Still not that good, but at least well-enough written to be readable without cringing.

I am a huge Asimov fan, but I have always been dissapointed by his later fiction, which never seems to have the life and tight plotting that his earlier stuff does. That is, untll AI read Forward the Foundation. Returning to the style of the original books, Forward the Foundation is a series of short stories, each separated by ten years, rather than a single narrative. And much like in the originals, it work very well.

I guess what I like most about the book is the way it ties up loose end left after Prelude to the Foundation. It also seems more in the spirit of the original than the other prequels and sequels. The characters all shine here, as is typical for any Asimov work. Particularly good in my opinion is the characterization of Emperor Cleon, who trun out to be a rather likable person after all.

Maybe not the best book to just pick up, but certainly a fitting end to the Foundation series and Asimov's brilliant career.

The last of Asimov's Foundation books, and the second of his Seldon prequels.

Forward the Foundation : Eto Demerzel - Isaac Asimov
Forward the Foundation : Cleon I - Isaac Asimov
Forward the Foundation : Dors Venabili - Isaac Asimov
Forward the Foundation : Wanda Seldon - Isaac Asimov
Forward the Foundation : Epilogue - Isaac Asimov


Seldon is robot replacement.

3.5 out of 5


Removing the boss.

3 out of 5


My wife's a dead robot killer.

3.5 out of 5


Another one bites the dust, lucky I have a useful granddaughter.

3 out of 5


Looking back.

3 out of 5

It's part of the great Foundation saga from I. Asimov.... i really enjoyed every word of it.... you must read the saga!..
This book explains a lot of the beginnings of psycohistory...

In terms of Asimov's writing, this is the last work exploring the Foundation; the copyright date is actually after his death. However, in terms of the Foundation chronology, it comes early on in the series of novels exploring the Foundation and Second Foundation. Over the past few months, I have felt a need to go back and reread the Asimov works again (it's been quite awhile since I last read these), and this review is one of the byproducts of that.

As some have noted, there is something of a contradiction here. By the time the Foundation series ends (with "Foundation and Earth"), the Foundation is kaput in terms of the future, and Galaxia is to take its place. So, to make his last novel a Hari Seldon novel is a bit strange. Still and all, though, this is a fascinating novel.

There are a couple other books that link the Robot series with the Foundation series. In some senses, this represents the apogee of that linkage, as we see in the first part of the novel, "Eto Semerzel." This character is a top advisor to King Cleon I, one of the last competent royals of the already declining Empire. And, oh boy, what a link is revealed in this segment to the Robot series.

There are three other main episodes, one focusing on Cleon himself; one is entitled "Dors Venabili"; the final part is "Wanda Seldon." Then, a very brief epilogue representing Hari Seldon's last moments. The varying parts of this novel are not seamlessly welded together. However, by the end of his career, Asimov was capable of creating characters (compare with the essentially lifeless, cardboard figures of the original Foundation trilogy). As a result, this work is fascinating in that it is also an index of Asimov's growth as a writer. He went from an academic teaching Chemistry (if memory serves) to a pretty skilled author.

Anyhow, the work is not tightly pulled together, but it is fascinating in its character development, its place in the Foundation series, its linking of the Robot series to the Foundation series. Surely not the best of the Foundation series, but one of the most intriguing.

The Final Reflection is one of two Star Trek books I have read. It deals with the culture of the Klingons as it was roughly a generation prior to the original Star Trek series, or, as I understand it, circa 2240 or thereabouts. Frankly I found this novel both interesting and nebulous. It had good battle sequences and presented a wealth of information about the Klingons and how they see themselves and other species, but did I miss something huge or didn't the plot seem to skip along without explaining a lot what was happenings? For instance who the heck was the Klingon who got "thawed" and sent on assassination missions? And why couldn't he remember his past? I liked the descriptions of present-day icons (The Atlanta Constitution, the Atlanta Hyatt) still existing two centuries down the road, but I kept flipping back in a fruitless effort to figure out if I'd missed some detail that was the key to what was happening toward book's end, and I don't think I overlooked anything, it just seems this author expected a reader to be able to follow his trains of thought without seeking to comprehend why things were as they were. Not a bad light read, this book, but flawed. I do understand it's a classic among Star Trek fiction, though. (Oh, boy, now I know I'm in for it!)

This has to be one of the best Trek novels ever to hit the stands. No two-dimensional, cardboard cutout, blood-dripping-from-fangs, every-last-one-of-us-is-evil Klingons in this book. Klingons are nicely depicted as a race of individuals, some with honor, some without. You know, just like real people. They were given a rich, interesting culture all their own, not just a ripoff of the Japanese Samurais (for the TNG Klingons).

For those raised on TNG and Worf, this might challenge your preconceptions about who Klingons are or should be.

Piece of advice: accept the challenge. It's worth it. Only two Trek novels to his name, and Ford hit the mark for exceptional writing both times. Were I a cynic, I'd say that's probably why they wouldn't let him do a third.

I probably pick this up every other year and give it a good read.

I have to say, that Ford has written a good read. He created characters that one can respect. The book follows the career and experiences of a Klingon commander, Krenn. The mastery of Ford's writing is revealed in how he bring's different cultures together and the reader finds himself/herself identifying with each character. There's a scene in which he describes Krenn talking with the Federation ambassador, Talgore. And after a discussion in which Talgore adamantly states that he would oppose any war between the Federation and the Klingons, Krenn confesses that he just doesn't understand. Talgore's response is "That's all right...there's still a little time." It's a reflection of what many people face when coming in contact with a people or culture that's different from their own. Krenn's mindset is that of gaining an upperhand and thinking like that of a captain, while Talgore is there to create peace and understanding - even acceptance - between people of different worlds.

The scene in which Captain Krenn comes in contact with a young Spock is very interesting. The ending is rather surprising, though not if you're a Klingon!

The only criticism I have of the book was that it was too short a read. Part 3 was only 52 pages, and there could have been more interaction between the captain and the ambassador. But this was a story of Captain Krenn's life, and in that Ford succeeded.

The Final Reflection is a Star Trek novel written by John M. Ford. Its the first Star Trek novel I've ever read, and from my understanding its pretty atypical. Ford, like the Enterprise liked to go where no man has gone before. Even himself. He actually wrote a second Star Trek novel, How Much for Just the Planet, which is a musical if you can believe it.

The main twist in this book, is it doesn't follow the adventures of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy, but rather it has a Klingon as the main protagonist. Vrenn, is a houseless orphan who was trained to play the live version of the game klin zha, a much more complicated form of chess. During a match he gains the notice of a prominent Klingon admiral, and ends up being adopted into his line. Vrenn is now able to fulfill his dreams of becoming a naval officer. Vrenn eventually is forced to take the name of Krenn, as a political expediency, and is made captain of his own ship. Part of the price of this is he must travel to Earth to bring back a delegate from the Federation. Kreen becomes a key figure in a plot to bring about a war between the Klingon Empire and the Federation. He must determine who he can trust in order to prevent a needless, honorless war.

Ford does masterful work in representing the Klingons as noble , honorable characters, not the hated barbarians they had always been portrayed as. Keep in mind this was written in 1984, well before The Next Generation introduced us to Worf, and the concept that Klingons were anything other than "the enemy". Ford takes a universe all of us are familiar with, and makes it his own. The trouble with so many tie-in novels is that the authors have little room for original creation, but Ford never seems constrained by those limits.

I really enjoyed this book. Any fan of either Star Trek books, or Ford's work should definitely pick this up. I will be moving his other Star Trek book up in my to be read pile.

8.5 out of 10

In his introduction to his two-part story, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?"--a sort of elegy to the Silver Age Superman--comic book writer Alan Moore said, "Yes, it's an imaginary story, but aren't they all?" Even though there is official, "canon" Star Trek continuity, and some of the details of this book have been contradicted by developments in the movies and TV series, this book is no less "true" than anything in the official canon, and I'd even argue that Ford, in one book, develops a picture of Klingon society that rivals all the Klingon stories that have taken place on large and small screens.

I'm sorry that some people found the story confusing. I'll admit that it isn't the sort of story that can be read while you're IMing with three other people. However, anyone who sits down with this book and gives it the attention that it deserves will be richly rewarded with an elaboration and expansion of the Star Trek universe that takes the few shreds of information about the Klingons available in 1984 and weaves it into a grand story. There's a reason why this book has been in print for 22 years, a rarity (if not a singularity) among Trek novels.

Trek fans are more or less equally divided on this novel. I happen to be one that *loves* this gem!
John M. Ford deftly keeps this well within the realm of Trekdom without being Totally Silly and Absurd.
There's some veiled references to some fellow Trek authors, and a subtle dig at Paramount itself.
The Crew of NCC-1701 are kept well within character, despite the improbable scenario they find themselves.
The crew of the Enterprise(s) tends to have a bit of a larger-than-life reputation, but John M Ford still manages to keep their mystique alive, while still showing that Kirk & Company are still ordinary humans. I found it refreshing to see the Crew taken down a notch in a creatively humourous, non-mean-spirited way.
Another plus, McCoy & Spock actually agree on something! (The statistical probability of a woman coming aboard the Enterprise being an 'Old Flame' of Kirk's)
Another plus is that the Klingons & Federation get to fight each other and the Organians don't intervene! Albeit, it's a massive Pie Fight.
IMNSHO, this novel would be wonderful to see dramatized on TV or the Big Screen. It would need a director sensitive to the needs of the ST universe while having the ability to direct a a well paced Comedic Farce & Musical.
This happens to be one of the few Star Trek novels that I continue to read and re-read again and again.

*** maybe a spoiler ***
(I composed most of this review when I was only 1/3 through the book so I don't believe it reveals anything, but you could reasonably disagree.)

The entire book is a long, elaborate setup to a joke with the punchline at the end. This is a clever idea, and an unusual one. It's also risky - If you like the joke, the book is brilliant. If you don't, it's a waste of time. With good directing and intricate slapstick timing this could be an amazing movie, but it doesn't work so well as a book.

I can't imagine many other writers who would have thought to combine Star Trek with good musical comedy, but fortunately John M. Ford was able to do it. I bought this book when it first came out, and it remains among my few all-time favorite Trek novels.

It's nice to see the crew lighten up a bit. The humorous bits that appear at every turn, starting with the blue orange juice all starships apparently have ("I can't turn it into a death ray without a few extra parts"), going on through the quick educational film on Our Friend Dilithium, the search that takes our heroes through all sorts of adventures, even the golf course (dogleg left, minefield right) were all memorable enough to get this one off my bookshelf again and again.

The only difficulty is not knowing the music being used when various characters are singing, apart from the Rawhide theme. I only hope someone out there manages to put together an mp3 collection of the appropriate Gilbert & Sullivan (and whoever else) music to play along with the book. I guess it just goes to show the value of a knowledge of the classics.

Thoroughly enjoyable, thoroughly readable and entertaining. I'm just glad it managed to sneak under the Paramount novel rules radar.

Finally, I just want to say that in my book, anyone who objects to all this really needs to lighten up and try to enjoy it.

If you take Star Trek with utter seriousness, and have no room for humor, then this book is definitely not for you. If you're familiar with the characters, are willing to let them have a bit of "out of continuity" fun, and get a kick out of people trying to react sensibly to absurd situations, then this is definitely worth your time. It's like a screwball comedy, starring the Star Trek characters.

I know there are a lot of people who hate this book, but I've never quite figured out why.

It certainly helps to know about Busby Berkeley musicals, old film and to recognize movie studio logos (the "higher power" thing). It's absolutely necessary to have a sense of humor and to not hold Trek and the characters in such reverence that you can't laugh at them. If that describes you, you're in luck (and you may never look at a milkshake again the same way). If not, put the book down now, step back and run the other way like crazy.

Does anyone know if there is a list of source material for the songs Ford uses in the book? I recognize a lot of them, but some are either original or extremely obscure.

Many of us create visions for our lives personally and professionally. We figure out what we want and where we want to go. And then life happens and our visions go by the wayside. Down the line - a few weeks, months or years - we wonder what happened to our well conceived of plans. Debbie Ford has one of the answers in her book "The Right Questions." According to Ford unless we are vigilantly questioning ourselves about our choices we will be led by our emotions, our momentary desires or our past habits. She says it is the choices we make that lead us to fulfillment or lack there of.
I agree with her. I have worked with people for over twenty-five years and I cannot tell you how many countless times people come to me completely unaware of how they got to where they are. They have no idea how their choices brought them to today and that it was not a single choice but usually hundreds of tiny, everyday choices that led to them being where they are - in debt, unemployed, breaking up another relationship, missing another promotion, unhealthy and on and on.
I help them untangle the mess and become leaders of their lives. Effective leaders recognize that the decisions they make today affect tomorrow's results. They demand from themselves answers to hard questions. The questions that need answering are one's that will demand of them that they walk-the-walk not merely talk-the-talk. Asking powerful, bold questions of our selves is an act of self-consciousness. The act holds us to high standards based on our own desires for life. The questions described in Ford's book are designed to help people evaluate which choices to make along their path rather than to help them decide the destination. These questions are a great tool to employ to keep you moving toward your goals in a moment-to-moment manner no matter the various pulls and urges that occur every day.
"The Right Questions" comes in hard cover, paperback and a kindle version. I like the handy paperback version because you can slip it in your purse or briefcase. This way you can read bits and pieces as you move through your day, reminding yourself to be conscious of each choice you make and how it affects your goals and dreams. I also found it helpful to type up the questions and keep a copy in my day timer where I could refer to them as I moved through my day.

Debbie Ford's ten, simple questions are really all you need to know in order to keep your focus on your personal growth and self-esteem building. They are easy to understand and use and can be used in any situation. Great simple tools to propel you forward, especially if you are stuck. The only catch is you'll need to answer them honestly in order to benefit from their wisdom.

This book is GREAT, so true asking the right question will lead us into an EXTRAORDINARY LIFE. Read it live by it and your life will change!
enjoy....

This book flows so easily - the questions are powerful and effective. The chapter on Underlying commitments is beyond powerful.

After reading and now practicing what Debbie has offered in this book, it is my belief that if everyone followed the process of asking and then answering "The Right Questions", there would be much more peace in the world and many fewer people in therapy.

This book is amazing. It allows you to heal and work through a lot of the issues you have surrounding your divorce. Even if you aren't getting divorced I would recommend this book because it's inspirational and exceptional. I'm now on my third Debbie Ford book and I love her style and ease of writing. She's fun to read and always get's me going ready for a new day!

wow! the information and suggestions in this book really have helped me to mature and reach beyond myself. ford writes in an excellent style that inspires you to greater things. i was very impressed with this work. for many guys, her approach and vocabulary might be seen as a pie-in-the-sky approach. while probably true, if you can look beyond that to the message that she offers, it is well worth it. this book is very affordably priced and is worth the purchase, new or used.

I recently experienced betrayal in my life and was faced with divorce. This book helped me to survive the initial pain and begin to build a friendship with my wife. I was able to take the practical and spiritual advice of Debbie Ford and apply it to every part of my life and current situation. I dont know what I would have done without this book. It is a gift that I use in my daily life and also began using it with clients that I see in my psychotherapy practice. I plan on recommending this book to all I come into contact facing a divorce. It will make a difference in many live especially where children are involved. the days of drawn out legal battles concerning divorce and custody are over. It is now time to do these things in a mature and enlightened way and Debbie Ford's book is our blue print for this major paradigm shift. Highly recommended to any seperating or divorcing couples.

Personally, I did not find this book helpful or uplifitng - the content is too "fluffy" during a time when difficult decisons are being made. Might be a better read down the line after the divorce is final and you are moving on. Maybe it's the book for you if you are a big Debbie Ford fan. Books can be trial and error - this was an error for me.

This is a book that adopts elements of spiritual transformation that are proven successful. It misses the mark completely by implying that divorce "happens" rather than being the result of the shortcomings of one, or both, partners, and forgoes an investigation of what these shortcomings could be, and how to heal them. Yet, it is right in expressing the force that a traumatic event like divorce can have on an individual, normally the one being "dumped", to promote personal transformation. If the divorce is the result of a consensual split, the couple will likely learn little. Likewise, the "dumper's" learning from the experience tends to be precious little too, so much so that statistically the same errors are then replayed in other relationships.
Outside of chemical abuse, physical abuse, severe mental illness, marriages are as a rule repairable, through the commitment to be compassionate, understanding, forgiving and appreciative of the other. It is the childish self-centeredness of many of us that destroys marriages, the unwillingness to be loyal and forgiving, and the lack of desire to give to the partner what one desires to receive. We are all keen to demand what we want, but stingy in behaving the way we would want our partner to behave with us.
This book is in many ways naive. A useless exercise that skips the meat of relationships, including the need to identify what led us to select the partner we married, and how this points to what needs to be healed in ourselves.
I do NOT recommend this book. Focus instead on "Real Love in Marriage" by Dr. Baer, and "Is it love, or is it addiction" by Brenda Schaeffer, to understand the how and why relationships break down, and, most importantly the lessons to be learned. Being in sintony with one's values, that is DOING (acting) in such a way that life follows the course of you deepest values is a most difficult exercise, that however, will bring true freedom. Most cases of divorce hinge on one , or both, partners succumbing to the shadow (in a Jung-ian sense), and being at its mercy, rather than refocusing and acting in harmony with what your deepest beliefs are, as well as exposing and understanding our dark side.

We have two Autistic grandsons, 2.5 years and 5.5 years old. They love this book and music so much we had to buy a second copy so they would not fight over the book. The older boy likes to follow the lyrics in the book while the CD is playing and has memorized many of the songs. The younger one likes the pictures.

The CD is especially helpful in the car. We get stuck in traffic driving from daycare to therapy and the trip sometimes takes an hour. The CD smoothes everything out for the boys.

And, we, the grandparents, like the music so well that we sing along.

We have bought two other music books by Boynton and Ford. We like them but "Tap" is still the winner!

My daughters, 4 and 6, love this cd. My 4 year old is not big on reading despite out efforts! I love products like this that incorporate flipping through a book with audio to keep her engaged. YAY!!!

Rhinoceros Taps what can I say my daughter loves it and so do I! THe lyrics are witty and the tunes have lots of spunk! My husband, daugther and I have all the lyrics memorized! In fact, I send this gift to all my friends as a welcome gift for a new baby!

My 3-year-old daughter LOVES this book & CD. She's always been a Boynton book fan and she would have this CD on 24/7 if we'd let her. And we almost do. Like all truly good children's works, it appeals on a basic level to the kids with the pictures of the cute animals and the silly situations, but it also has just enough under-the-radar puns and allusions that adults won't go stark raving mad on repeat #118. The music is really well written and perfectly satirizes the various genres it shoots for. Adam Byant's vocals are fun and camp. Nice job to the whole crew who put it together! Next birthday will be Philadelphia Chickens.

These children's songs are upbeat and good for play time. The production qualities are high, as usual with Boynton CDs, and much thought went into the selection of the silly lyrics. Maybe not as much fun as Grunt (a bed time favorite at our house), or Philadelphia Chickens, the children have had a lot of fun with moving to this music.

The book arrived quickly, in great condition, was a great read and at a good price. Would definitely buy from them again.

This book is considered a "must" for all editors. Murch is pretty famous for his work and style so, in my opinion, I agree it's worth the read (and worth having). My book arrived on time and in the condition promised!

Satisfied customer overall!

are walter murch books overrated? at least there's no trace of michael ondaajte (spelling?) here.

This book has a wealth of information for the inexperienced and beginner, film editer, or anyone who is looking for a good book on the subject. I have found it to be very helpful, as I am still learning how to do professional editing!

This is NOT a "how to" book for what some students may be looking for, but it is however, the best book I've read on the "ART" of editing. Insightful and well written, it helped me to really understand when to make a cut that works and when to avoid those that don't work. I would recommend it to all my friends who are editors.

Heard the taped version of QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY by Ted Allen et al. . . . I must admit to not being a big favorite of the TV show (of the same name); however, that said,
this was an engaging program with lots of useful advice about food and wine, grooming, decorating, fashion, and culture.

For example, I liked the suggestion to have two bottle openers in case one disappears at a party--as it usually does.

Also, I took note of such other ideas as:
* On how to button jackets, remember: sometimes, always, never. If a three button jacket, that's how to button it; if a two button jacket, skip the first word (sometimes).

* Jeans should fit you as you leave the store. Don't buy them too short or long, as they are now most often preshrunk.

* Give more compliments. They strengthen relationships and show you care.

* At a party, hire somebody to help.

* If you get a cellphone call, say, "Hi, I'm with someone. Can I call you back later?"

* Don't take a call while dining!

* Read COSMOPOLITAN to learn about relationships.

Fun format, visually appealing (of course!), useful information in all subjects, even some really delicious, simple-to-cook but impressive-to-serve recipes, and take it from a girl: what these guys say about what appeals to women (or turns us off) is absolutely true. Best of all, it's never about changing who or what the reader is, but about bringing out the best that's already in him.

Now first off, I have to get something off my chest. I am not a homophobe - I had a homosexual roommate sophomore year of college and we got along fine - but I get tired of people (most commonly women) who either drool at anything or anyone homosexual or having this belief that homosexuals are inherently good at anything involving home decor or style. I hate to break it to you, but homosexuals are like you and me, and not all are like the Fab Five. Remember my homosexual roommate? His side of the room was the messiest I have ever seen a human being make. The Fab Five would have had collective heart attacks upon seeing the state of it. By the logic of the homofangirls, I was the homosexual. Not to mention that half the things said in this book I have also read in "straight" men's magazines including "Men's Health" or the alternate "Men's Fitness." I'm sorry folks, but there's no Cult of Gays out there in brown robes meeting in caves and passing down tablets written by God that tell you what brand of shaving cream to use. The reason the Fab Five are so good at what they do is because they have had the training or education and DO know what they are talking about. For example, Thom Filicia founded an interior design company, and Kyan Douglas has had experience in professional and commercial salons.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, let me talk about the book itself. Like the show, it offers some great insight into better living and hygiene. A lot of it is just resourceful, showing you different types of styles or ideas to open up what you might be comfortable with. There's also some pretty decent advice here, from what grooming products to use and not use, how to treat your hosts at a party, (and more importantly, what to bring as a gift) some all-important social tips, (and boy do I know a few people who need some of those) right down to what to think about arranging your furniture and eating out. It's entertaining and well written, making it at easy read that's good if you want something to just sit down with and glance through for a few minutes or so.

Well worth the money. I wish I could have given it to my sophomore roommate, maybe then I could have gotten from my bed to the door.

I bought this book having seen only 20 minutes of one episode -- you don't need to be a fan of the TV show. It helped that I have a few gay male friends who have taste, so it was not a tremendous step to take advice from five gay men. The easiset chapters to put into practice are on grooming, clothes, and culture. Who knew that plucking eyebrows (gently) and caring for one's face twice a day would have people notice? The chapter on clothes is helping to get me out of a predictable clothing rut, and the chapter on culture has some really action-provoking suggestions on going out, even if it's just you by yourself. The point of the book is to gently nudge you into a different direction. The first step is being open to new things. You'll find your confidence increasing and that you secretly covet other men's clothing and hair styles. Check out the music CD, also -- you can dance around while you get ready to go out.

Having become a Fab Five Family Fan Club, we had to have this book. I'm a wife and mother living in an otherwise male household. These fantastic guys offer advice for the betterment of all of us..from the inside-out. The truly wonderful thing about this book, and about these men, is that they are just that, men..who happen to 'get it.' They aren't afraid to pass along hints which simply elude many people. They gently encourage us to make the attempts to broaden and enrich our lives. This isn't just about men, either. Face it, girls, we don't understand men any better than they understand us. This book has cleared up many a confusion for me. In fact, I've learned a little more about all five areas these charming men discuss. This book is on our family reference shelf, and has served us all well. Thanks, Fab Five, for putting into the simplest terms, and with the most well-placed humor, all the little things we need to know to raise the bar. Hats off to the boys! Cheers!

This book is great for learning different card handling and shuffling techniques, however it can be a little tuff to follow sometimes. If you dont already have a basic understanding of how to handle cards you might want to start with a video first. It's usually a bit easier to learn when you can actually see whats going on. A side from all that, this is a really good book.

The basic treatise on card magic. Though somewhat outdated, this is still the fundamental course on card sleights. Pretty good tricks in here too. Sound learning principles: learn sleight, learn tricks using the sleight, only then move on to next sleight. As this is inexpensive every magician ought to have this in his library, if only as a reference work.

This book is designed to teach the reader how to perform a wide variety of basic sleight-of-hand card tricks. The sleights themselves are classics; I think that knowing basic sleight of hand is fundamental for performing really impressive card magic, and this book contains all of the groundwork you will need. The book includes information on the overhand shuffle, the riffle shuffle, the glimpse, the palm, the double lift, the pass, and much more.

The explanations of the sleights are quite detailed. This allows the reader to pick up fine points and refine the techniques.

That said, I think this book has some important deficiencies. (1) Many of the moves are not illustrated at all. It's very difficult to learn some sleight of hand moves with just a verbal description. More pictures would be tremendously helpful. (2) While the book contains many great tricks, especially towards the end, it also includes a number of dull ones. I personally hate any card trick that involves spelling (i.e., you count cards out as you spell some word, and the last card counted out is the chosen one), and this book includes plenty of those. Still, if you select tricks carefully from the book, you will end up with some astonishing routines.

One warning, though: sleight-of-hand magic requires a LOT of practice. If you're interested in picking up a new magic trick in five minutes, this is not the book for you! If, however, you would like to learn really deceptive card tricks - tricks that the average spectator will really be stunned by - and you are willing to devote time to daily practice, then this book is a fine option.

This is a truly wonderful book. I can't think of a better one for Card magic. It explains the different sleights, and has excellent routines to use them. It does assume one has a basic understanding of Card magic, so I suppose someone starting out who has no background could find it frustrating. It's not the best book for a rank beginner, but for someone who has some knowledge of the basics, I think it's terrific.

This is the best book to start in card magic. Small, easy to follow, full of information. After you read this book, you will be able to understand the description of most tricks to learn, and also, you will surprise yourself figuring out tricks just to look at someone performing it. If you want to be a professional magician (not my case at all) you'll have to read a lot more, but, this book will be always a good reference.

I recommend after finishing reading RRTCM, move to Expert Card Technique written by the same authors.

A very good book of Ford related memories. Excellent photos inside. The passages read very smoothly here.

Like many baby boomers,I was grateful Gerald R. Ford was there when the nation needed him. After the god-awful Watergate mess revealed a President at his worst, it was comforting to have Ford, a man widely liked and respected, assume the Presidency. Ford's reputation as an earnest, unpretentious and decent individual able to laugh at himself survived and even thrived in subsequent years when compared to those who followed him into the White House. That image is borne out in WRITE IT WHEN I'M GONE, Thomas DeFrank's touching memoir based on years of private interviews with Ford. DeFrank's book gives us a much deeper and illuminating portrait of both the man and the politician.

While Ford's take on the American political scene from the 1970s on made for interesting reading and confirms him as an astute analyst, I was much more taken with the insights on the man. Though he loved politics and was an ardent spokesman for the Republican Party, Ford's values and innate courtesy caused him to be circumspect in his public comments. Unlike today's slash-and-burn politicians, Ford viewed his Democratic colleagues as friendly adversaries worthy of respect. If he had critical or harsh views of others, he kept them largely to himself...that is until he talked with DeFrank.

Over the course of the book's 250 pages, I grew to like and admire Ford far more than I had in the past; the Nixon Pardon still rankles! DeFrank shows us a normal guy who loved to laugh and toss down a few with the boys; a genuine and genuinely kind man who never lost the common touch; a straightforward, old-fashioned ex-football jock appalled by the underhanded machinations of various politicos; a devoted family man who never cheated on his wife. Yet Ford has his moments of anger and pique as documented in the book. Likewise DeFrank doesn't shy away from some questionable aspects of Ford's life such as his merchandising of himself after he left the Presidency. After all is said and done though, you like Jerry Ford; reading of the decline of such a gregarious, active individual in the closing chapters is hard. He was a good man.

Though I enjoyed DeFrank's book, I thought it could have been more tightly edited. Various redundancies occurred throughout the book.

Whether you're a Jerry Ford fan or not, you'll want to read WRITE IT WHEN I'M GONE. It offers an unvarnished look at the unique life of a kind and decent man who gave America hope and stability during the worst of times. Historians will have the final say on Gerald R. Ford but, for me, I can only echo DeFrank's closing line: 'Thank You, Mr. President.'

Who ever knew that Gerald Ford could be so interesting? I read over 70 pages in just the first day I got it and did not want to put it down. This is not a straightforward biography for a change-there are plenty of those out there. This is personal insight into a man that rarely let us see that side of him. He was a man of good morals, was extremely intelligent, and if you can get past the whole Nixon pardon, he really did deserve a second term in office. Even though his presidency was short, those were some very interesting times and Gerald Ford was a big part of bringing the country back together after Watergate and Vietnam. It is great to have the authors perspective of traveling with him for so many years and interviewing him, and even building a friendship with President Ford. You feel like you are along for the ride. I am glad I purchased this as it is a totally different kind of political book than anything else I have ever read. It is an easy and quick read, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone interested in US history and/or the Office of The President. My only wish was that it was longer- did not want to get through it so quick !!!!

A wonderful read about a good and great man. If only this country had more such men, then maybe there would not be the huge political schism in Washington today. Ford was a healer, who could be bipartisan and establish a rapport with his political enemies. Maybe, that was because he had no real enemies, and many on both side respected him for what he was: a smart, honest politician who did not have a huge ego.

In this short book, DeFrank shows that Ford was really who he said he was. He loved the Republican Party and would not tear it apart for his personal ambition. He loved his country and tried to find common cause with some polical opponents like Carter and Clinton. He loved his home city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was like most people: an average man thrust into the leadership of the free world.

This is a nice read about a true American Gerald R. Ford. His presidential service was short and his life long, but he made a difference in American political life. DeFrank captures the true spirit of Jerry Ford.

I dove in to this book expecting new and exciting revelations only to find.. not so much. Yes, it was interesting to learn what Jerry Ford really thought about his fellow Presidents (especially Reagan), but where are the bombshells?

It was obvious that Mr. DeFrank admired Mr. Ford greatly. I too remember the healing effect Ford had on the country after Watergate and admire him. However, this author did not have enough material for an entire book. Redundancies abound. The same sentence often appears in different chapters. His description of the pivotal meeting with (then) Vice President Ford appears verbatim several times throughout the book.

If this had been an article in a magazine, I could have rated it higher. Even without any real revelations.