James Books

what if everyone knew your name in the book i could connect to it. i ask other people to help me make my decisions but they dont fuully make my dcisions for me. haley is 15 and she moved to hilsdale new jersey and go's to hillsdale high.she hengs out with the most popular girls in school and lives next door to her crush. she goes through her upe and downs/ but she's getting every bodys attention after she changes and she's getting reese's attention too. who knows! the main idea of this book is when your choosing your choices it's like making choices for what you would do and you woul face the concequences. the scene that i most reemember from the book is when haley goes to coco's house and they (coco and whitney) want to give her a makeover. when they're finished with her whitney says she looks hot and from then on she has a sanse of style and everyone knows her name.

This was a GREAT book. Okay, so actually, you get to choose your story so i guess anyone can say it's a great book. I mean who deosn't love to choose what happens?

I guess its not that fantastic, but it's original, which I love. So many people these days have similar books. Ugh! It's a great book and it's definitely worth the money because you can read it over and over and over. It's like 4 books in one! Haven't read the next book, but I can't wait!

;)

I loved this book! It was interesting and fun to read. I really liked the way you got to choose what the main character does. I would recommened this book to someone who is 11 years old or older and someone who is ready for an adventure. This book is worth your time and money.
-Taylor, 12

The book What If... Everyone Knew Your Name by Liz Ruckdescel and Sara James was a realistic fiction novel about a girl who's family takes a road trip, moving from the Golden State of California to the Garden State of New Jersey. She moves to a new school called Hillsdale High and needs to know how she can fit in.
Haley Miller, the 15 year old going into a public school for the first time is scared and ready to be friends with anyone she can. While she wishes she didn't ever move, she meets a neighbor whom she thinks is very god looking. She befriends him and others while the story takes its twists and turns.
I really liked this book because of the way it was, how you got to choose what she did. It really makes you feel as if its you living in the book, not Haley. The book takes you through the up and downs of high school and you get to control everything; her friends, her grades, her love life, her future. You don't know how it will turn out either, so that makes it suspenseful, just like real life because you never know what life will throw at you next. For all you know in the book, Haley could be invited to the next big party, and make a bad decision and drink, or you could have her not take the drink and it turns out the stud she's looking at, doesn't like alcohol either.
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the other one like it called "What If... All the Boys Wanted You." It sounds just as interesting as the first one they wrote and I can't wait to see what that book throws at Haley this time.
I strongly recommend this book for any teen who likes books that will take them through the happy, and not so happy parts of high school. Some of these things in the book can really teach you some stuff you can use in real life, like many novels about teens. So if you are into real life situations, I defiantly recommend this book to you. It was a great read, and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.

WHAT IF...EVERYONE KNEW YOUR NAME is an interesting idea. It's a lot like those Choose Your Own Adventure books you read as a kid. The story is about Haley, a fairly average fifteen-year-old girl who has just moved to suburban New Jersey and is starting at her first public high school. She starts out average, so that the reader can pretty much choose everything that happens to her as the story goes on.

You make every little decision for her, even the ones that seem really minor, like riding the bus to school or getting a ride from her father. You decide who she wants to be friends with and what crowd she wants to be a part of. You decide everything about her.

While an interesting idea, and fairly well-written, this book isn't for everyone. If you're all about finding out what will happen, this book might not be for you, because you decide what happens. It's a cool concept, though, and a fun read, especially since you can read it more than once, with a different story and outcome. The characters aren't particularly three-dimensional, but I guess they have to be simple enough so that it is believable that they would make any one of the very different choices you choose from. This book is fun, but not a must-read.

Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce

This is truly the BEST book on seashells IMHO. I love it for the images are incredible - so much so that the photography seems almost 3-D in some instances. The high quality of the images and information (and obvious love for the subject by the author) is unbelievable when you look at the cost for this treasure. It is a bargain for what you gain - beauty, artistry of nature, knowledge of many varieties of mollusks, and unique images not seen in other shell books (many in my own library). This is my favorite of all seashell books, unless I am exploring on the shore when a guidebook is more appropriate. Yes, this is quality coffee table book...but one that will be picked up by you and your guests more frequently than your other books.

First of all, I echo all the positive comments already made by other reviewers.

This book is dangerous, in the best sense!

I am a bookworm and consider this one of my favorite books. (It is also incredibly cheap for the quality, and this is true for the hardcover version as well. You should only go for the hardcover version, see below.) It is nourishing to the soul, a delight to any seashell collector, and has surprised, touched and impressed all the non-collectors I have shown it to. I started collecting seashells a year ago and bought this book back then. It has made me immediately aware of the surprising level of beauty that can be found in well-selected specimens, even among very affordable species. It has done this at least as much as the finer photographs on seashell websites online (e.g. femorale, gastropods, topseashells).

The photographs are stunning. Among other qualities, very vibrant, very rich in colour: exquisitely photographed and printed. The scanned sample pages available here on amazon give but a dimmed impression of the actual printed pages.

Rarely have I seen a photographer demonstrate their deep love for their subject this directly and this well. I find that a lot of seashells photographs in other publications simply do not come close to the passion, beauty, communication, feeling, inventiveness and art found in each photograph here. (I am a passionate photographer - have been since a young age - and have been trying my hand at taking beautiful close-ups of seashells for the last year. These attempts have only deepened my appreciation of the photographs in this book.)

This book contains an average of about 2 colour photographs for each page, and close to 2000 specimens and at least 500 species/forms (I counted one day when sick in bed :-). Many photographs show several specimens and/or species combined fruitfully. Others concentrate on a single shell, sometimes taking up the entire page. All have very well chosen and crafted backgrounds - either lush, saturated colors or various more recognizable themes. The only exception is found in one page composed of photographs each of a specimen of a different volute species shown with their incredibly beautiful live animal mantles deployed underneath the shell; these are the only photographs with a plain back background. You will enjoy a selection of the finest examples of the - cheap, affordable and expensive - species and forms the authors, all long-time collectors, deemed among the most beautiful. They bring you super-selected gem specimens from their personal collections and from a number of other personal collections they borrowed from. All this combines to draw you into looking at the shell more carefully, longer and with your aesthetic eye opened up - not something easily done by any means.

The texts contain all kinds of interesting information, some apparently not necessarily known even to very seasoned collectors, as mentioned in other reviews. It is true that there is no detailed index by species, but in this case it doesn't matter too much: if you own a copy you will be looking at it often and will soon start remembering which specimens are included and where. The sections are organized by families.

My only wish, my only suggestion for improvement, honestly, is for James Carmichael to publish a sequel of the same size even now that Leonard Hill, alas, has passed away at a young age. Perhaps not likely but we can dream, no?

(Added a few months later: in the meantime I've found another book they have co-authored, years earlier, called "Shells: Treasures of the Sea". It is also a very worthwhile book with many photographs and much more text than in this book - it is the earlier book in which Hill writes on many aspects of shells including the cultural ones. The photographs are also by James Carmichael, but they are not as fantastic as in the newer "World's Most ..." book: you can see him going in the direction which he has almost perfected in the later book. So my wish remains: for this photographer to consider publishing a sequel with photographs of the same excellence... there are still many more beautiful species and alternate specimens / forms to choose among ... again, not likely at all but a wish nonetheless.)

So do not hesitate and buy yourself a copy. It would be hard to imagine that you will be dissapointed. Even if you are not a seashell lover or collector but enjoy beauty and enthusiasm.

Do get the hardcover version as this book is tall and wide and heavy. The covers of a softcover copy will certainly start bending and cracking very soon. The difference in price is small and in this case not worth saving on.

Expect to dive into this book often. With, dare I say?, love... And expect to become even more mad about seashells.

My wife purchased this book for our beach house and we decided to keep a copy for ourselves at home. It has every shell that you could ever dream of. Our kids love the book because they can look up shells that they have found in the book and see what they are called and what use to live inside of them.

It is great for anyone that has a room or bathroom using seashells or an ocean decoration theme.

Very good book!

This book is pure eye candy for shell lovers. The photographs are beautiful and the close ups allow you to see the fine detail of many shells. This book can also be used as a shell identification reference as the photos are clearly annotated with the names of the shells.

This book is not by any means scientific.
This book is not an identification guide.
The species list is obviously very incomplete.
but...
Truly marvelous, large-format photography of only the best of the best GEM specimens. Each with a short description, which is VERY interesting to read - these are some real facts about the shells and not the description of what you can see on the photo. I consider myself an advanced collector, and this book is a real relief after reading some of the more advanced publications on shell collecting. An excellent source for some real-life knowledge. Highly recommended - both for collectors, or just anyone.

Este libro te dá las armas para poder enfrentarte ante tu agresor, ya sea en el trabajo o en tu escuela o en cualquier lugar, porque hoy en día la perversidad del hombre a aumentado y tenemos que cuidarnos de todos... Este libro es ideal, ya que te enseñará métodos para poder GUARDARTE CON INTELIGENCIA DE TODO PELIGRO..

SI VAS A ENTRAR A TRABAJAR...ESTE LIBRO TE ES INDISPENSABLE !
Te lo digo por amarga experiencia ...

y me rei como tonta !
A mis 30 años, adopté la posición inmadura de una adolescente,me sentí Superman !
¿VIERAS QUÉ CORRETIZA ME PUSO UNO DE LOS ABOGADOS DEL DESPACHO DONDE ENTRE A TRABAJAR ???
Si hubiera leído esta obra, habría visto los "síntomas " a tiempo...no que, a la mera hora, perdí el empleo y el tipo me alcanzó a tocar un poco !

I love books that are teaching tools. This is a fantastic book to present the Spanish speaking woman entering the work force, especially for that high school student who will soon be entering into the work force so that they can be aware of Sexual Harrassment and how be prepared to avoid or respond to such behavior, such as key words,"accidental contact",looks and more. A welcome addition to a well rounded education.

Y NO QUERIAMOS DARLE PERMISO...
Pero su abuela la dotó de este libro y LA VERDAD ES QUE FUNCIONO..porque la chica detectó al agresor a las primeras de cambio...Y LO RECHAZO CON TANTA INTELIGENCIA COMO LE ENSEÑO ESTE LIBRO!
¡ES SU DEFENSA Y TU TRANQUILIDAD !
y le enseña a detectar a tiempo y a no dejar que las cosas lleguen mas lejos...

This book was a pleasant surprise. Presently a cop in Florida and formally in Cook County this book is right on.It came as a reminder to use caution any time Im working with the federal government.This was well done, kept me up past my bedtime,and I hope there is another book in the works. Maybe a few Italians for the lead.Suggested names Pape, Nardini or even a Comparetto!

KEATINGS STYLE OF WRITING LEAVES YOU SPELLBOUND, YOU CANNOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.IT'S A STORY THAT KEEPS YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT.ANYONE THAT IS A COP OR KNOWS A COP, WOULD RELATE TO THIS BOOK,AND SAY THIS BOOK MAY BE FICTIONAL, BUT IT IS SO TRUE IN MANY WAYS,KEATING COVERS ALL THE BASES, AND YOU'RE NOT LEFT WONDERING WHAT HAPPENED ABOUT ANYTHING.I CANNOT WAIT FOR KEATINGS SECOND BOOK TO COME OUT.

A great thinly veiled work of fiction about working cops and the FBI. Keating certainly knows the difference. If you are an aggresive hardworking detective or investigator who has ever worked with the "G", or are thinking about working with the "G" you should buy this book today.
I knew Jim Keating when he was the Police. He was an aggresive hard charging, street smart guy then and he hasnt changed. This book is written from a perspective of someone who has been there. Take off the rose colored glasses and read what it's really like out there. You wont be dissapointed.

This book hits the nail on the head when it examines the adversity between the feds and Chicago police. The Chief of Detectives for the Chicago Police Department is reminiscent of old school police work. A lieutenant with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, before he was sent to prison, Keating would know this old school police work. Residents of the Southwest Side and suburbs of Chicago will find several real life locations in the book. A very nice read.

Jims book starts out getting your interest right away, not like a lot of novels where a third of the book is given to a lot of prose, introducing you to the charecters etc, I have read those types and I still didn't know whos who 20 pages on. This book tells a story that most police whould believe. It kept me more interested because of the locations Jim used in the plot, any cop from in and around the Chicago area can identify with the places, it made me think I was part of the investigation more or less. A book that most police should read.

I just adopted my furry son Riley, and this book has been very helpful. I'm a novice cat owner and, although I'm familiar with cats, I was a bit nervous about deciphering behavior and making his transition easy on both of us. The Complete Guide to Cats is very practical and down to earth - every suggestion comes with several ways of implementing it. I found the guide to behavior and the section on feeding and litterbox selection to be particularly helpful. The section on breeds, while interesting, was a little overwhelming - my guy is an orange tabby of no particular breed and I got a little hung up on the various grooming requirements before I figured him out.

A well written and well informed book that would be a wonderful addition to the bookshelf of anyone who has a cat or is considering adding a cat to their household. Highly Recommended!

Whenever I have a question about my cat, I whip out this book and find my answer in seconds. It presents the information in in an easy-to-find, simple format. I would recommend this to any cat owner. I bought one for my mom when she got a cat.

As anyone who knows me knows, I have cats. I seem to attract them, well, like cats! I have cat joys and cat tragedies especially prominent in the past few years, with two outdoor disappearances and one indoor death, yet with wonderful new additions and the experience of sharing my home with seven new kittens born under my desk one summer, and five more from a different stray the next summer.

I had always considered cats low maintenance, essentially self-sufficient. This was a requirement to me, as I'm not home very often, and when I am, I can't spend too much time on cat duty. This was the reason I opted for cats over dogs. I was raised a dog person. But dogs require attention several times a day. Sorry, can't do it...

Well, with all that happened in the past year, I found that cats, while generally low-maintenance, have periods nonetheless in which they need special care and attention (even if, like Emma, they don't really want it). Thus, being a person in the education mode, I decided I needed to learn more. It just so happened that one of my book clubs was offering the ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats, so I ordered it.

This has been a gem of a book. It is complete, concise yet filled with information, well organised, colourful and picture-ful, durable (slick coating on the covers and a finish on the pages means the cats can walk across with dampened paws and not destroy the book, useful when it is opened when I attending their needs).

The first section discusses how and when to bring a cat home. It addresses such issues as cats and kids, preparing the home for a cat, your own readiness, and which kind is most appropriate for which environment. It also discusses what to do when welcoming your new friend into the home. Food, vet care, litter (to box or not to box, ah, that is a question!), and how to introduce new cats to other cats is discussed.

The second section is a reference guide to cat breeds. In addition to specific breeds organised alphabetically (Abyssinian to York Chocolate) it talks about coat palettes and patterns, colourations, paw and toe issues, and special needs. The breed section identifies special grooming and dietary needs, lap- and kid-friendly breeds, energy, and of course, wonderful photographs of representative cats for each breed.

Section three gives a bit of biological and physiological information, about cats, as well as (if it is possible!) some insight into the psychological functioning of cats. Are they really that smart? Are they really that clean? It addresses mating habits and catnip addictions, too!

The fourth section has been the most important to me, Taking care of your cat. It discusses briefly everyday feeding and care, but then has a good section on potential health concerns, what to do in the case of injury and illness, gives home nursing tips (important with Emma), and how to deal with both the beginning and end of the lifespan, which, with new kittens in the bedroom and a declining Emma in the living room, I was dealing with both ends of the spectrum.

This is an excellent one-volume reference to cats, useful for anyone who cares for cats. The appendices have glossaries, telephone numbers and resources, and recommended readings to continue a feline-related education.

But, if you just pick this one up for the pictures, it would be worth it for that too. And you might just learn something along the way--always a plus.

This was a really good book. The author did a good job at explaining the behaviors of cats. He also points out which breeds are good in which homes. The color pictures are just beautiful... and some are extremely funny. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has even a smidgen of interest in cats. There are so many breeds that I did not know even existed! He also shows pictures and descriptions of mixed breed cats and even points out the benefits of spaying and neutering! So full of information. It had me in awe and I thought I already knew alot. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

ON THE DAY I GAVE THIS REVIEW,I WAS NOT SURPRISED TO FIND THERE WERE ONLY THREE BOOKS LEFT,WITH MORE ON THE WAY.MR.REGER'S WRITING STYLE IS VERY CLEAR IN ALL THE DETAILS THAT INVOLVE EXPLAINING A CIVIL WAR BATTLE.NOT AN EASY TASK.JIM PUTS THE READER RIGHT INTO THE STORY,WHERE ONE CAN EASILY VISUALIZE ALL THAT IS GOING ON.I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT HIS NEXT BOOK.

This is the only book required on anyone's personal library shelf for the First Battle of Bull Run. Mr. Reger has done the research extremely well and transports the reader back in time to July, 1861 with accuracy and with superb ease of understanding. Having read many books on the First Battle of Manassas, this is the only one that is presented to the reader in an easy to understand and follow format. Mr. Reger is a storyteller who simply takes the reader to the narrative. It is hard to believe that Mr. Reger was not an actual part of that battle, telling the stories first hand. Once into this book it is very difficult to put down until finished.

Reger's book is a particularly vivid account of the beginnings of the American Civil War. His characterizations of those involved, largely as fallible and confused humans trying to deal with seemingly inevitable and fateful forces, are engaging and welcome. While generals and presidents do appear, the focus of this novel is on the "little people," Americans on both sides who found themselves fighting and dying without really understanding just why (or how) they got there. I particularly liked the West Virginia slant--we've heard a lot from the descendants of the lost aristocracy. Let's hear from the hillbillies.

Baptism at Bull Run is an excellent and enjoyable book. Its treatment of men who were disdained early in the war, but whose greatness was recognized later, is especially good. Such men as Jackson and Sherman were handled with subtlety, and without overemphasis; their foibles, as well as their latent ability, were depicted concisely, and well. Baptism is right up there with Killer Angels, at the top of the list.

Having just finished James Regers novel, "Baptism at Bull Run", I felt compelled to write about it. It is not often that you see a historical fiction that uses history as anything but a backdrop for an entirely fictional story. Yet, Reger uses the history itself as the story, bringing to life a look at the great and famous generals, as well as the common foot soldier that you rarely hear a word about. The story really transports you to a place and time in a way that no history book could ever do. I hope more authors would take the time to the research and craft a story in the fashion that this author does, as it marries the best of two worlds and brings history to your front door. I highly recommend this book and look forward to future efforts.

For holocaust survivor to endure the evils of concentration camps and not become bitter towards life and humanity in general is an accomplishment in itself. The book is well written. I can't say I enjoyed reading about the inhumanity that can be directed towards humanity, but it is a necessary book that needed to be written for future generations to learn from. I am glad the book was written for that reason alone. I wanted to add my aggreement with all the other good reveiws here.

This book is one that anyone can and should read. There are so many books out there about the Holocaust, but this is straight from the survivors mouth. You won't get a more vivid or perfect picture of what really happened those fateful days in the concentration and death camps set in motion by Adolf Hitler. Take the time to read this rendition. You won't forget what it was about after you put it down.

The author of this book actually came and spoke to my 8th grade class a few years back, and he had told us in great detail of everything that had happened to him. What he said in person and in the manner that he said it made me by his book. This book is possibly one of the best books about one's personal experience during the holocaust i have ever read. I ended up reading it in about a day and a half. This book is very good but quite graphic and may not be for the younger ones, but being able to hear this poor man speak about his life, and then be able to a copy of his book autographed by him just really makes it special.

This is deffinetly a must buy.

If you get through this book without shedding a tear, you are not human! POWERFUL and PAINFUL

Mr. Faber came to speak at my school and I was absolutely blown away. For a man to go through all of this and still be able to talk about it is just amazing. Thank you for making such a difference in my life Mr. Faber.

This small book condenses many prayers and important words of the bible into an easy to read book. Absolutely incredible and well worth it.

This book is a very handy reference to answers in the Bible on whatever you are searching for. It is inspirational and very practical.

I ordered one of these books for each one of adult kids, neither of which is what would be called 'religious', but both of which appreciate this book. It quotes verses from the King James Version translation. There's quite a bit from the book of Proverbs. Everyone has things they have to deal with and work through in this live; and this is a nice, uplifting little book that could help.
I'm in agreement with some of the other reviewers that it would be good to drag out your Bible and read the verses in context. Merely picking out a verse or two from the Bible and basing your entire belief system on those really isn't going to cut it.

Beautfully bound! Perfect size for my purse. This is a wonderful collection of Bible promises for every need - comfort, anger, fear, pride, pain, loss, and all the other difficult encounters on earth, until we join Him in Heaven.

This is a great book to have. It would make a good stocking stuffer, and is just the right size to carry anywhere.

A beautiful testimony to the courage of these elite soldiers whose mission was to serve as bait for enemy forces far greater in number. Blackjack-33 is the code name of such a perilous mission.

Blackjack-33 is one of the best written first hand account of men in combat. Very well written and hard to put down. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great true account of the Mobile Guerilla Forces in action in Vietnam. I can't wait to receive and read the author's other books.

The Vietnam war is still an enigma for many of us who were not there. It is fascinating and a bit frightening. Many people only understand it based on movies like Platoon or Full Metal Jacket. This book does a fabulous job of illustrating an unknown aspect of the war, yet makes you understand how the pieces fit together. Very descriptive and action packed, you feel as if you are close to the action and get a better feel for the life of a soldier in the bush.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book and increased my education and awareness of the war.

Mr. Donahue brings out a little known aspect of the Vietnam War--the use of Special Forces and Cambodian soldiers to fight the VC on their own ground. You can get more of a description of the book by reading the adjacent reviews. I spent almost two years working with the Vietnamese day by day, and consider this book to be a must read for anyone interested in the genre. It is very well written and makes the scene jump out at you. For me, it was almost like revisiting my experiences back then.

A fabulous book for anyone looking for firsthand accounts of the great work our fighting men & women did in Vietnam, and an excellent antidote for the overplayed drivel Hollywood & the "mainstream" media try to spoon-feed us.

The author provides a minimal amount of background info on himself and the Mobile Guerilla Force, and then jumps right into the action. He gets your heart pumping and your senses instantly alerted through first-person writing, and once you start this book it is very difficult to put down. Mr Donahue does not hold back anything from the reader either; he skillfully relates the sights, sounds, smells, and even tastes of combat in Vietnam.

If you are looking for a well-written first-hand account about the experiences of combat in Vietnam, then I highly recommend this book. If you are a little squeamish, or prefer to research the unit histories and command structures of combat units in Vietnam, well, I STILL recommend this book (and all of Mr Donahue's books).

I bought this book in Paris. It was the cheapest most interesting book in English, so I grabbed it for the flight. It's one of the best book buys I've ever had.
This stuff is genuinely spooky. There are images here
that will stick with you for a long time, and this guy puts in a lot of interesting historical details that make
the stories seem all the more plausible. Can't
recommend this book enough.

O whistle, an' I'll come to you, my lad;
O whistle, an' I'll come to you, my lad;
Tho' father and mither should baith gae mad,
O whistle, an' I'll come to you, my lad.
(Burns.)

Over the last Twenty years I've purchased many books and got rid of many (After reading them then donating them to charity shops), but this is the only one I've repurchased.
I could never get the scenarios and characters out of my head, the way M R James succinctly describes a scene or a, "terrifying agent of supernatural malice" have resided in my head as much as I would have liked them to leave.
If lots of Gore is your thing you may be disappointed by these stories, but for those of us who like a well written story told with panache and subtlety, then these are for us.
~~~~
For several years in the early 70's when the BBC made "A Ghost Story for Christmas" it was always the M R James stories that disturbed me the most. But even though I was disturbed by them I was always too fascinated to switch the TV off, and whilst the BBC interpretations were good they never quite captured the atmosphere of the written page.
Most of the "Heroes" (For want of a better word) of these stories are intellectuals from the dusty halls of some Academy or other, who are afflicted by intellectual pride or the even graver sin (In M R James stories)of curiosity! They investigate things that should be left well alone.
~~~~
My personal favourites are "The Mezzotint", and "Oh Whistle, and I'll Come to you, my Lad".
The endings of a few of these stories are not completely resolved, and it's because of that, they stay in the mind longer.
It has always amused me that some of the most creepy and ungodly stories ever written in the English language were written by this most devout Christian of men.
For maximum effect to be read late on a stormy night, and by candlelight!

I simply had to have this book. I have started on a creative writing career hoping to specialise in supernatural fiction. So who better to read than the acknowedged doyen of the genre? MR James was an absolute master of the craft. Many years ago the BBC dramatised one of his short stories every Christmas Eve and continued the practice for several years. Even as a mature adult these plays used to scare me witless! Michael Hordern's wonderful depiction of paralysis in sheer terror at the end of "Whistle and I'll come to you my lad", is indelibly engraved in my memory. But the television can only depict one man's interpretaion. Believe me, the imagination does so much more. So the stories are infinitely more enthralling. This volume contains all the greats: the nightmarish Count Magnus, Whistle.., Number 13, the haunting Mezzotint and perhaps the most chilling ghost story ever written, A Warning to the Curious. The thing about MR James was that he wrote so well and with such a sensitivity for how to make the supernatural thriller "work". Apart from the inevitably dated settings, it is entirely possible to imagine the events he relates as a plausible part of one's own daily experience! This volume contains a very useful essay (Explanatory Notes)by the author on the elements of the most effective ghost stories. The valuable insights offered therein are alone worth the price. This volume contains a representative sample of his best known work and I am compelled to recommend it in the highest terms. But a warning to "the curious": this is potent story telling. The reader who having once picked it up, will not be the same when they put it down again; if they can (heh, heh, heh,heh).

More than at any other time since the era of the gladiators, entertainment in America today seems obsessed with murder, mayhem and gore. The Chainsaw Disembowelment Scene has been used in so many movies that it's almost a cliché, and I'm so jaded with seeing cadavers that I refuse to turn-on my TV.

How different are these stories by M. R. James. There are no monsters such as in H. P. Lovecraft, and the spectres which do appear never get to perform any injury - it's always a close call.

The focus here is on suspense. Not, though, that there are any surprises. We know that the strange old tome will yield its dreadful secret; that room 13 of the inn will be infested with demons; that the druid slide-whistle will summon some ghastly phantasm.

The pleasure of reading the work of M. R. James lies in his pretty writing - the lost art of the English language in its perfected form. Reading these stories is analogous to listening to a great musician perform florid music which is always in a minor key.

M.R. James is the quintessential, literary ghost story writer. His stories begin with such dark innocence, the reader wanders along, enjoying the prose, while the atmosphere thickens with the macabre. He is very Victorian in his approach, his paragraphs are skillyfully crafted. The only trouble the novice reader will encounter is adapting to his scholarly attention to detail. His prose is magnificent but heavy. The thrill is in the patient reading of his stories. Think of reading M.R. James in terms of drinking port... you sip port, you linger with it, you appreciate its aromas, its texture. You wouldn't think of knocking back a beautiful glass of port? No...Pick this book up, indulge yourself slowly with these stories and soon enough, ghostly memories will fill your imagination. The moods he casts heightens the pleasures of both the mind and the spirit.