King Books

Gillingham does it again. John Gillingham, again,provides us with another superb account of a remarkable ruler of England.

A great introduction to those curious about this legendary monarch. Gillingham pulls off a bit of a hat trick here. While he does have strong opinions of surrounding figures, particularly Philip and John, he lets the facts speak for themselves about Richard and does not argue one particular point of view. With one exception, his sexuality. This also one of the few times where I found the primary historians, both Arab and Norman, becoming "characters" and their presence is missed when they die or no longer are around the King. The very difficult task of giving all of the counts of Normandy, the Vexin, and the Aquitaine distinctiveness is handled incredibly well. In the hands of a less skilled author this would have been very dry reading and frustratingly convoluted. Also, bit of a heads up to the future reader: This is Gillingham's second book on Richard the Lionheart and he has written numerous articles and essays on the monarch. He has no problem using himself as a reference and he flat out lifts an entire chapter from his previous work and places it in this one. I found this shrewdly entertaining. It does benefit this volume and since the older version is no longer in print, no harm done. After reading this you come away better informed, entertained and with a desire to pick up another book on this era and this king. I can't think of much better praise than that. An essential work for a medieval library.

Richard the Lionheart's life and personality may be the stuff of legend, but they are hidden by the mists of time -- or rather the paucity of relevant documents. Gillingham does a brilliant job of breathing as much life as possible into rather arid fragments without stepping beyond what is warranted by the evidence. For his understanding of the king, he draws as much on contempory Arab sources as European ones, arguing convincingly that the Arab writers may have had fewer axes to grind in talking of Richard. Gillingham goes so far as to place his evaluation of Richard's character at the point where the evidence ends -- following his captivity in Germany -- rather than at the end of the book. Instead the book ends with a well reasoned argument that it was John (and John alone) who lost Normandy whereas Richard was winning the war against Philip Agustus of France. Gillingham also points out that, had Richard lived to complete that struggle, the empire of Henry II might still have disappeared with his death.

Inevitably, some of the work is frustratingly dry -- especially for the process of Richard's development into a strong ruler and military genius against the background of one of history's most disfunctional families. But that dryness arises from the lack of evidence, not from immersion in trivia at the expense of substance.

The book itself is a delight, with strong narrative supported by a myriad of footnotes which are where they should be -- at the bottom of the pages. All in all, a good story well told with insightful analysis based on the record.

I was sceptical getting started on this biography. Certainly, the early parts were fact-laden, slightly uninteresting and slow going.

I am very glad I did not give up.

This is one of the few strictly historical books that restores one's faith in objective research and non-agenda, non-ego driven truth finding.

One might wish for a bit more of a picture of Richard's persona, but from the remove of nearly a millenium, this would be fudging anyway. The facts that there are are clearly and neatly laid out regarding all of Richard's attributes, and some of the modern fadist mythologies (so many of which have their underpinnings in a given academic's desire or need for attention) are dealt with fairly and thoroughly.

Example: Richard was not a homosexual, as "The Lion in Winter" would have a viewer believe. The evidence against it is clear and plenary. It isn't that one doesn't wish him to be, it's just that this notion has its roots in a modern attempt to overlay ancient male and political bonding customs with a template of modern behaviours and modern conclusions which would stem from modern interpretations of those behaviors.

All in all, Richard emerges from the historical record as a great warrior King, who was grossly treated following his exertions during the Crusades, and was forced to try to reclaim the lands that Phillip of France stole while Richard was away. He was therefore forced to stay away from Britain, because the Angevin and Acquitainian and Norman parts of his empire were on the continent. He did not stay away from Britain by choice or by neglect (another myth debunked), but because he was forced to by the duties of his Kingship. Also, Britain WAS part of continental Europe as well in those days. (Or vice versa, if you happen to be English.)

This is the most balanced royal biography I've read to date. Gillingham begins by tracing Richard's reputation through the ages, beginning at it's peak in the 12th and 13th centuries, when he was considered one of the great leaders of his time to it's nadir in the 1950's when academics began to consider him a "Bad son and a bad king..." who spent far more time on the continent than he ever did in England, leaving it in terrible financial straits when he went off to fight in the crusades, and began to conjecture about his sexual preference. Gillingham explores and discounts these and other myths about Richard and his reign simply by letting the historical record speak for itself and allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions, rather than stating his own opinions as facts and then selectively using the historical record to back them up. He also isn't afraid to admit that he can't be sure of something when the historical evidence is either too thin or simply obscured by the mists of time, which is refreshing. The author is among the first to rely heavily on contemporary Muslim sources in constructing his portrait of Richard, because he believes they are less biased in their evaluation of Richard's character than a European chronicler might be. These sources are, for the most part, complimentary, and add great perspective and depth to the reader's understanding of Richard as a warrior. Gillingham strikes the perfect balance between academic research and popular history, making the book very readable. Whether you're interested in Richard himself, or merely seeking an introduction into reading further about his fascinating family dynamics, or the crusades, this is the book to read!

A must have book for all Versace fans.

Fantastic photography in another large book from Versace. This book captures the 'rock chic' glamourama which the late Versace excelled at creating. The association between 'Rock and Roll', and art is full indulged here creating a empirical illusion to the Versace dynasty. The glossy presentation of the images also adds to an overall feeling of luxury. The only reason I have not given this book the top rating is for its inclusion of Elton John - who makes me sick. So what if its expensive, luxuries like this don't come cheap. ciao,

Maureen Farquhar (maureenfarquhar@yahoo.com)

This book gives a look into the classic, Calabrian influenced, luxury of Versace. This volume serves as a record of the pure decadant genius of this mega Italian talent.

For all of you who loves Gianni Versace clothes and really admire what he had done to the world of fashion I recommend you to have this incredible book.

Gianni Versace was a designer who loved to push the envelope. His clothes were a mixture of extremes: sexy, sleazy, colorful, tacky, and elegant. One adjective you'd never find in a sentence with the word Versace is "boring." His clothes commanded--and often got--attention, which is why he was such a favorite among celebrities such as Madonna, Elton John, Liz Hurley, Courtney Love, Prince, Jon Bon Jovi and even Princess Diana. This book is a fabulous, eye-opening collection of vivid photographs of models and rock stars in Versace: from Prince to the members of British boy band Take That. Some outfits are more releaving than others, but they're all unmistakably Versace. Diana herself is also included in the book, along with a few words of praise for the designer. Tragically, Versace was murdered in the summer of 1997, but his spirit and influence live on. This book comes highly recommended. Drop it on your coffeetable, and your guests won't want to put it down.

This comic book representation is a great way to make the Rostam stories accessible to audiences who may not want to go through the 10th Century epic by Ferdowsi Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings. The team has captured the grand heroism and tragedy of the story with great graphics. My 12-year-old read it cover-to-cover twice without stopping.

There are a great many stories in the Shahnameh that would appeal to kids and adults alike, and I look forward to many more from Hyperwerks.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first opened the pages of Rostam. This was far from the traditional depictions I had grown up with. I couldn't stop turning the pages, as the storytelling and artwork were full of action and intensity.

My son was so excited about this comic book that he made me read it to him (at bed time) everynight for 3 weeks! In fact, he has memorized the text and giggles at the same parts everytime. He is facinated about the father son dynamics and a story which includes Persian Heros. Perfect way to introduce Shahnameh stories to your kids and give them pride in their heritage.

I highly recommend this book for both adults and children. The story is educational & exciting, and the pictures are beautiful. This is absolutely a great gift for anyone.

Love the idea and the product is first class wonderful. Its about time someone was creative enough to publish this kind of work with great illustrations and characters. A must have for any kid, any age, even up to the age of 50!!!!!

I've been reading books to place on a summer reading list for my fifth graders. This one is by far my favorite pure fun book. I would highly recommend it to reluctant readers who have to read a longer book. While it's long in page length, the language is definitely easy to comprehend. I could easily see this as a very entertaining movie.... one to which they don't have to take a lot of artistic license like they did with Ella Enchanted. They completely lost the flavor of the book with that movie... but that's another story. The great part about being an elementary teacher is that you get to read books like this! They don't take long at all for an adult to read in this time-crunched world, and they are just as entertaining for us as they are for kids. Enjoy!

Wow! What a great book. The Runaway Princess by Kate Coombs is a fun and exciting read. Meet Princess Margaret (Meg) of Greeve, the princess who didn't want to be a princess, Cam, one of her best friends, and apprentice gardener, and Dilly, Meg's other best friend, who also happens to be her maid. The story begins with Meg's father announcing that whoever rids the land of the three evils, The Dragon, The Witch, and The Bandits, shall win first place, the princess's hand and marriage, and become heir of the Kingdom of Greeve. Obviously, Meg is appalled, and tries furiously to end this long tradition. But, unfortunately her parents refuse, and lock Meg in a tower. This is definitely not the result Meg was looking for, and she wants out! With the help of several helpful persons, such as Cam and Dilly, she gets out. Thus begins the tale of the Runaway princess. Meg must travel the kingdom in hopes to win the contest herself; negotiate with a stubborn witch with a passion for amphibians (and the men they used to be), a baby dragon that comes under her care, a wizard in disguise, several nasty princes, a troop of bandits, and all the while pretend she is still in the tower! This book is similar to books by Gail Carson Levine such as Ella Enchanted, or, Fairest, though maybe for younger readers. I would recommend this book for ages 8-11, above that some of the writing may seem a bit easy to read, and less complex, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I loved this book, and would recommend it to anyone. It is a pleasurable read, one you would open on a rainy day, and not put down until you're done. The writing is enchanting, comical, and very descriptive, though at times it may seem a bit simple. But, the plot is witty and quickly changing. The end is sweet, if not a surprising, definitely not what I expected. As quoted from the end of the book, "Once upon a time, there was a princess who knew she meant for more than twirling her tresses and swooning." Enjoy!

I adored this novel. I have read dozens of books that have redone the classical fairy tale setting, but this is the best one I have ever had the pleasure to open. Coombs has a simple, yet elegant and easy to read writing style. The character interaction is hilarious, and the heroin is very likable and strong. Wonderfully done Kate Coombs! I hope there is a sequel.

RUNAWAY PRINCESS isn't your grandma's fairy tale. The princess in the tower? Yeah. She has no intention of staying there. And all those witches, bandits and dragons? Misunderstood. Kate Coombs gives us a fresh take on the well-known fairy tale world with clever touches, endearing characters, and unique twists, all adding up to a delightful and entertaining read.

Following closely on the heels of Coombs' lovely debut book THE SECRET KEEPER, RUNAWAY PRINCESS does not disappoint. It's sure to become a favorite of discerning readers everywhere.

This book was awsome! In my English class we had to pick a book for pleasure reading. I choose this one and believe me, it was PLEASURE reading. I couldn't put it down! The characters are so real and you find yourself rooting for them. This book is a clever twist on any fairy tale you've ever known. You'll find yourself laughing out loud and counting down the minutes till you can read it again. The twists, turns and halarious plot and characters make "The Runaway Princess" a must read!

I enjoy American short stories, and I feel that reading this book opened my eyes to new perspectives. For example, I had not thought about the relationship between Asian and Latino immigrants in the 1940's. The themes are fresh and varied and it's possible to read the stories in whatever order suits you.

Hisaye Yamamoto was not a prolific writer, but her output of fine short stories spans decades. Central themes include assimilation and the loss of traditional cultural values, troubled marraiges, and, of course, the shameful internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. As a writer who was raised in the culture and who originally published many of these stories in Japanese American publications for a largely Japanese American audience, she produces uniquely authentic accounts of a lifestyle that has largely disappeared. Here are the farms, the oil fields, the New Year's celebrations, the dusty internment camps, the tragic generation gaps, the hopes, dreams, and loneliness of a people who are inclined to remain quiet about personal matters--these stories present a fully developed portrait of the Japanese experience in American and its consequences. Highly recommended.

These stories are beautiful, sensitive, thoughtful, and occasionally painful in their depiction of the condition, not only of Japanese- Americans, but of anyone who lives slightly off the beaten track. She writes with kindness, humor, and insight. I especially liked "The Legend of Miss Sassasagawara" and "Wilshire Bus," as well as the interview with her. Her stories remind me of Faulkner's and Flannery O'Connor's. If she had written more, I am certain she would have been better known.

I read 17 Syllables for an English class, and it will be one of the books that I won't sell back. My favorite stories were Las Vegas Charlie, Legend of Miss Sasagawara, and 17 Syllables. Many of the stories describe Asian characters trying to find their niche in America. Themes include generational and cultural conflicts, addiction struggles, and financial insecurities. Yamamoto seems to take a minimalist approach to her writing, which encourages one to reread her stories in order to extract more information.

"Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories," by Hisaye Yamamoto, was first published in 1988. The revised and expanded edition adds 4 more stories, for a total of 19. Yamamoto was born in 1921 in California to parents who were immigrants from Japan, and hers is one of the most remarkable voices in 20th century United States literature. These stories originally were written or published between 1942 and 1995, and thus represent many decades of Yamamoto's literary career.

Her style is a blend of delicacy and determined passion. The book as a whole strikes a balance between tragedy and tenderness, and her best stories are quite moving. Yamamoto's stories mainly have Japanese-American female protagonists, and offer glimpses into many decades of Japanese-American life. Some topics include troubled marriages, crippling addictions, racism, and relations among the many ethnic groups of the U.S.

Some stories deal with the experience of Japanese-Americans who were incarcerated in concentration camps by their own government during World War II. Other important themes include the human toll of World War II on those Japanese Americans who lost family members in the war, and the cultural shift between generations in Japanese-American families.

The four new stories in the expanded edition are "Death Rides the Rails in Poston," a murder mystery; "Eucalyptus," about a woman's experience in a mental facility; "A Fire in Fontana," about a Japanese-American woman's connection to the African-American community; and "Florentine Gardens," which centers around a visit to a military cemetery in Italy.

Hisaye Yamamoto's work is highly regarded by many, and many of her stories have been anthologized (which is how I first read her work). It is wonderful to have her stories brought together in one volume; I feel richer for having read "Seventeen Syllables and Other Stories." One final note: as a fitting complement to the title story of this collection, I recommend Richard Wright's book "Haiku: This Other World."

I am so glad this book is still in print (it was first published in 1904, I think). My original copy was second-hand and it would be awful to think I couldn't get another! Bradley is so illuminating on Shakespeare's intentions, and on the characters of his great tragic figures. If nothing else, read his brilliant discussion of Macbeth - it will convince you that, for a perspective on human nature, for conceiving a dramatic character whole, Bradley was as great a critic as Shakespeare was a playwright. Don't miss him!

Bradley offers some of the most eloquent, complete, and balanced criticisms of the tragedies that I have yet read. Unlike so many literary critics of today, Bradley does not disdain to view Shakespeare's characters as actual people, which lends his view of the works a sense of import and meaning which so few critics manage to convey. These lectures are necessary reading for anyone at all who wishes to understand Shakespeare's tragedies better, actors, directors, and academics alike.

A.C. Bradley wrote these lectures in 1904, and the book has gone through at least 26 printings. It is significant that the Folger Shakespeare Library has republished these lectures. They are hugely important and vibrantly written. I am sure my father read these in college, and I know my son did, too. I'm glad I finally got around to them! You will be, also, for all the reasons that other reviewers have noted.

(Amazon should spell Macbeth's name correctly - not as "MacBeth"!) This has for almost a century been, and continues to be today, one of the most important books on Shakespeare's best and most popular tragedies. For much of the time since around 1930, it has been severely criticised: on the grounds, chiefly, that the author is too much inclined to respect or have sympathy for the heroes (which he is), and that he treats them too much like "real" people (which he does, and which they aren't).

Yet, for all that, Bradley's approach to the heroes as though they were characters we all know has revealed a great deal about what Shakespeare has made those characters, and those who see the characters as complex and psychologically worth exploring identify a more significant aspect of Shakespeare's interest in humans and his art than do many of Bradley's opponents. Moreover, the detail of his examinations of the texts makes it possible to probe much with him, even if one continues to question or quarrel with him on the way (and he is not infrequently demonstrably wrong). Thus this remains a work of criticism which is inspirational and searching even if at times quite wrongheaded; and every serious reader of Shakespeare (including actors and directors) should read this book and own it. - Joost Daalder, Professor of English, Flinders University, South Australia

In his opening chapter Bradley defines for us the essence of Shakespearean tragedy. He points out that Tragedy involves the fall of a great hero, but that this fall does not come as random event or as willful act of God , but rather through the results and consequences of the action of the hero himself. He points out too that the effect of this fall is not to leave us in despair or depression, but rather to leave us with a sense of the wonder, mystery and greatness of life i.e. that paradoxically Shakespearean tragedy has an effect on its audience which is uplifting. And this though the hero invariably is killed at the end.
Bradley points out also that the death in tragedy is not the slow crawling death of an illness, but comes out of a sudden violent effect of the action. This too sharpens our sense of wonder and mystery.
The heroes of tragedy and their stories somehow give us a feeling of life and its terrible end which magnifies our feeling of 'greatness' while somehow leaving us more humbled.
I do not know if the paragraphs written above translate Bradley in a completely accurate way.
I do know his writing is inspirational, moving and uplifting. The criticism of the plays makes you want to know and read the plays more.
This is the kind of Literary criticism which is great literature in and by itself.

this is too awesome.. I think I'm goonna crrry... uhhhhhhhh... huu huu. Okay calm down, you're a pimp, you're a pimp. This is too awesome I'm gonna barf uhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I'm fine.

This was a gift for our son for Christmas!It was great he has read most all of them and now wants most of the series.

I think that this is one of the best manga/anime comics that I have ever read.

This is easily the best collection of Americanized manga out. As most know, Shonen Jump was at one time a Japanese exclusive magazine that made its hop across the Pacific in 2003 for American fans to enjoy. Since that moment, it's become the best in manga and now contains a majority of the manga juggernauts.

This collection is a great start for those of you who are interested in reading manga, or for those of you who missed out on some of the earlier issues of Shonen Jump and want to catch up on what's going on. It also has the beginnings to the Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z mangas, which can't be found in Shonen Jump.

Below is a listing of the manga in this box, as well as a small description of each:

(1) Dragon Ball: This is the start of the Dragon Ball world. It explains the origins of Goku and his relationship with the Dragon Balls.

(2) Dragon Ball Z: The beginning of one of the greatest animes ever in its purest form. Unpolluted with minutes-long shouting and infested with excellent action and story, this details the story of Goku as a father and a husband, as well as following some of the other favorites of the Dragon Ball world.

(3) Naruto: Probably the best in Shonen Jump, Naruto is a tale of a boy fox-demon who wants nothing more than to earn his place in the world, and does so by training to become a ninja, despite the mistrust directed at him by some of his teacher and the hatred he receives from his fellow students.

(4) One Piece: A boy eats the mysterious Devil Fruit at a young age, making his body into rubber and also cursing his body: should he ever fall into water, he would sink instantly to the bottom. Despite that, he wants nothing more than to be the pirate king of a world of oceans.

(5) Shaman King: Yoh, a boy who can not only see ghosts but control them, comes to Tokyo to train to become a powerful shaman in the hopes that one day he'll win the title of Shaman King.

(6) Yu-Gi-Oh!: A story of constant morals and themes, it details a young, pint-sized, pointy-haired boy's struggles with a mysterious puzzle/necklace that grants him dark super powers as well as an alter-ego.

(7) YuYu Hakusho: A juvenile delinquent dies saving a child and finds out that his next was entirely unexpected and therefore gains a chance to come back to life. What he later finds out is coming back to life also makes him a spirit detective.

This pack is totaly awsome!If your obsessed about anime than this is the thing for you! I collect and read Shonen Jump magazine, and I kept getting curious about how all the stories had started. So I got this and it answered all my questions.

Absolutely beautiful illustrations. Incorporation of artwork and text is especially appealing. The size of the book is a great plus for sofa reading time with young chilren. This book is a timeless edition and definitely one to add to your reading library. The little cherubs at my house love it!

This book has marvelous illustrations of the fairy tale story as originally told by the Grimm brothers. This book can be great for young children as the pictures are so vivid and life-like, especially of Snow White who is portrayed as a child rather than a teenager. Each picture is a springboard for conversation with little ones. I will be looking for all of Charles Santore's books after seeing this one.

Beautifully rendered drawings adorn the pages of this favorite classic. Santore's paintings always delight. If you love your children's books to include gorgeous illustrations, then look no further: this is a winner in that department.

A marvelous telling, with beautiful illustrations, of the classic Grimm fairy tale. Highly recommended for anyone interested in sharing the tradition of fairy tales with children, or re-reading the stories to themselves to rekindle the fires of imagination, fantasy, and good and evil. Bess Kuzma

A great picture book and wonderful addition to my collection of beautifully illustrated fairy tales to share with my children....

Soccer For Everyone by recreational soccer expert and coach Rudy Yakzan is a simple, practical introduction, primer, and resource of valuable advice on how to play the worldwide famous sport of soccer. Individual chapters offer tips, tricks, and techniques for better goalkeeping, defense, tactics, maintaining fitness, specific roles of the soccer team positions, and much more. Black-and-white photographs highlight this guide, which gives its practical instructions in simple terms easily accessible to soccer players of all experience levels. Covering every and all aspects of play including goalkeeping, defense, midfield strategies, team tactics, advanced skills, physically fitness, and coaching tips, Soccer For Everyone is an ideal text for Physical Education soccer programs.

This book helped me understand soccer much better so I can help my kids! Real easy to understand all the concepts!

This is definitely not a very technical work, but the author is pretty good at explaining everything real simply. It is an excellent introduction to the sport, and the author is obviously well versed in all aspects of soccer.

This book is unique in that it doesn't cover one or two subjects like so many other soccer books, but it tackles (no pun intended!) all the aspects of soccer. This makes for excellent reading, especially for parents and beginners. It isn't a highly technical work, but real good stuff for the right audience!

This is an excellent book. I bought it to learn a little more about the sport of soccer. I have been watching soccer on TV for the past couple of years along with playing in occasional pick up games. I felt that I needed more information to truly get the most enjoyment out of my activity. This book delivered for me. It breaks everything down to the basics and then builds from there. The first chapter starts with such fundamentals as passing, kicking, dribbling, and heading. The next chapter leads you into the different positions on the field. Various strategies, styles, and training techniques are discussed for each specific position and subcategory of that position. Real world examples are given to show that there is more than one style or body type that can play, say outside midfield or central defense. The next chapter examines the different kicks, throw-ins, and defensive tactics along with team play philosophies. These first three chapters were the reason that I purchased the book. I found myself reading into the late hours of the night. The author writes with a great deal of respect for the sport of soccer. This combined with the many pictures and diagrams made for a real page-turner. The last half of the book delves into more advanced skills and techniques. It also discusses coaching advice, fitness, and practice drills. I will have to do a few rereads to get the most out of these chapters. I surely got my money's worth and would recommend it to any one looking to gain more knowledge about the many intricacies of this great sport.

I truly enjoy the knowledge that I receive from this book. It goes beyond surface knowledge and encourages the reader or class (as it is used as a Sunday School book at my church) to discuss what the Biblical principles mean to us here and now in today's society.

I have found this to be one of the best commentaries available.
It offers in depth explanations of each verse. It also gives the essentials, such as the lesson setting, who is speaking and who is being spoken to. The questions,applications and suggestions for the student activities are also very useful.
I highly recommend this book.

I recommend the Standard Lesson Commentary for biblical knowledge and spiritual growth. It is consistent with International Sunday School Lessons, and its commentary is loaded with sound doctrine, current events, true stories and testimonies, that will take you from milk to meat in your spiritual walk with God.

The lessons were better than I thought they would be. The shipment arrived earlier than I expected. My church was very pleased at the price and the literature.

I have always enjoyed this commentary as a valuable aid in studying the lessons.