Morrison Books

I wanted to like this book - I really did. A bunch of heroic freaks and misfits, cast-offs from society who are sworn to defend it - all sorts of wonderful story potential there. And normally I'm a huge vertigo fan, not only of their most popular titles (sandman back in it's time, hellblazer, swamp thing, animal man) but also their smaller one-shot series (sebastian O, the extremist)... Anyone familiar with this selection can tell I'm a fan of off-beat stories.

Having said that - the execution of the story feels...ungrounded. I think I understand what the author is trying to do but it's so far "out there" that it barely makes any sense. Again to cite Sandman and Hellblazer as examples - all sorts of allegorical, magical stuff going on but it was laid out in a way that a reader could identify with, it was coherent... THIS... it's just too far out there to make an enjoyable read. If it seems like I'm struggling to find the words to describe this graphic novel that should tell you something right there about the content within it.

It's only collection number one so maybe I need to give it a chance, move on to the second graphic novel in the series and see what happens...but so far I have to say I'm really not that impressed. Rather disappointed actually - I bought it based solely on the other positive reviews posted here.

Out of the "new" series, I think this is the best collection of the revamped DOOM PATROL. There is a massive amount of story depth, character development and fairly impressive philosophical/aesthetic theory intertwined into this narrative. I usually read cliche pansy indie comics about how some guy is sad because some girl doesn't like him. However, Doom Patrol took me out of that genre and into the world of "retarded super heros" as one of my friends calls it. I like this metatheme of superheros who don't necessarily want to be super heros and are basically normal people with psychological issues. I think this is a worthy purchase and this is coming from someone who does not usually purchase any DC/Marvel comics. Last, I think this comic is drawn exceptionally well.

Grant Morrison's version of Doom Patrol is brillient, and one of my favorite comis series ever. This is probably the best DP trade book to date, and I would definately recommend it. The Painting that Ate Paris storyarc is great, the bit inside Crazy Jane's mind is great, the Mind and the Body bit is spectacular (IMHO) and the Anitgod arc was pretty good too.

The Doom Patrol's old enemies, the Brotherhood of Evil, are gone. In their place stands the strange menace of the Brotherhood of Dada, and their painting that can consume cities. But the Brain, the former leader of the Brotherhood of Evil, is by no means done with the Doom Patrol.

"Doom Patrol: The Painting that Ate Paris" is the second collection of Grant Morrison's groundbreaking and fondly-remembered on "Doom Patrol." He kept the surreal tone coming, slowly and gradually pulling the team to new levels of strangeness.

From a battle with the absurdly inventive Brotherhood of Dada to retrieve Paris from inside of a painting, to a concept of nothing that threatens to consume the world, Morrison tells unique, strange, exciting, but never-confusing stories that deserve their reputation and longevity. You can't go wrong with this volume.

Grant Morrison's run on DOOM PATROL is not one of my favorite comics ever. It's one of my favorite THINGS ever. My world is a better place by sheer virtue of the fact that this series is lying around in it.

DOOM PATROL (2nd Series), for those not in the know, is an early 90's update for one of the weirdest silver age series around. After an uninspiring intro by Paul Kupperberg (who at least brought the series back), Grant Morrison retooled the whole thing and came up with (Am I stupid enough to say it? Yes!) Pure Magick!

You probably need to be enthralled to the whole superhero ethos to understand this series, but if you are, ZANG! This may be the most off-the-wall bizarre thing you will ever read. If it was anybody else, this would simply be another boring deconstruction of superheroes. It is so very easy to write the strange for sake of the strange. What Morrison brought to the table is an absolute love for the medium and a deep concern with the damaged characters who populate it.

Perhaps his most inspired creation of the series is featured prominently in this trade, the Brotherhood of Dada! They aren't really supervillains as much as art school graduates, rejects and visionaries. Led by Mr. Nobody (whose origin is terrifying), they are simply, I don't know, snork-tacular?

After these escapades we are led into a journey of Crazy Jane's brain (who has been seriously damaged by childhood trauma into mulitple personalities). This issue (#30) is one of the creepiest comics ever to make to publication, and a perfect example of Morrison's commitment to his characters.

We follow this up with the sublimely weird Cult of the Unwritten Book story arc. Who hasn't wished that John Constantine had been a character from Withnail & I?

The final issue of this paperback features Monsieur Mallah & The Brain. If you have never laughed out loud at a comic, you are missing out. It's a testament to Morrison's talent on this series that he can feature two single issues (this and #30) that are so dichotomous, but still work together as a series. Brilliant.

And this was all pre-Vertigo. Nobody was making things like this!

<You forgot the power to make escape-proof spirit jars.>

I was fortunate to buy a copy of the Michael Joseph hardcover version of the Companion when it was first released in 1994, and have used it extensively.

The first Companion was published before the last books in the House of Niccolo and so it only covers the Lymond Chronicles and the first five books of the House of Niccolo. While written as a comprehensive guide to Lymond and Niccolo, the Companion gives us some history, literature and - thankfully - translations of some references that are obscure to many readers.
The Companion can be enjoyed on three levels:
a glimpse into the research undertaken by Lady Dunnett;
a starting point for some of the historical events and people introduced into the novels; and
as 'a cornucopia of things'.

I like the layout. It invites me to browse. I go to find one reference, and emerge at least half an hour later having been side-tracked by all manner of things. Such is the world of Dunnett!

It is well worth acquiring a copy of this version of the Companion if you were not able to obtain a copy of the first edition. Volume II complements this book, it does not replace it.

Highly recommended to all Dunnett fans!

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Unless you are Francis Crawford reincarnate, you will need this book to get through the Lymond Chronicles (and I assume the same is true for the Niccolo series as well).

I constantly found myself looking up songs, quotations, names, etc. that came up in the six books.

The book is well researched and obviously a labor of love on the part of Ms. Morrison.

The one problem and I think it is substantial was the decision to provide entries in an alphabetical format rather than a format that followed the books.

The book would be much more helpful if it was arranged so that entries appeared in the order they appeared in the books -- so the entries that appeared in the Game of Kings would come first, followed by Queen's Play and so on -- rather than in alphabetical order where there are quotes from a Pawn In Frankincense next to a quote from Checkmate next to a quote from Disorderly Knights.

This would make it easier to use as a companion to the books as you are reading -- instead I have to put down the book, pick up the companion and look up the quote. This may sound petty and if there were only a few quotes to look up that may not be so bad -- but when there are dozens and dozens (Checkmate is brimming with quotes) it slows the reader down tremendously and forces them out of the rigorous concentration required.

Having said that -- the book remains a necessity -- If you are going to read the Lymond Chronicles (and I highly encourage you to do so) buy this book - you should have this with you at all times. It is well researched and fairly comprehensive.

I just wish it was in a different format.

I absolutely love Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Chronicles. They are by far my favourite book series. I first read them and loved them without this companion. I then reread them using the companion and it was like discovering a dear friend all over again and on a deeper level. The translations add depth to the dialogue and explain the subtle innuendos the text hints at. I also found that I spent hours flipping through page by page of the companion reading the historic background of the characters the companion also includes. It is possible to read the splendid series without this book, but you get so much more out of it if you keep it immediately next to you while you read; I highly recommend getting this! Don't be confused either- you need volume one of the companion, as volume two only covers the references not included in the first. It does not replace volume one.

I read the Lymond Chronicles years ago when they first came out and wish I'd had something like this then. I was running between the story and a French/English dictionary through the whole set. However, it is one of the most fantastic pieces of "fiction" history I've ever read and I've never found anything that held my interest for as long since.

I found both of the Companions difficult to use in relation to the novels. They would have been much more helpful if Ms. Morrison would have begun with either the Lymond or Niccolo Series and followed it through with references page by page from, for example, The Game of Kings, then from Queen's Play, etc. then doing the same with the other series rather than placing all references from all books of both series at the same time in alphabetical order. Also, sometimes I would search for terms or quotes that I felt should be included based on those already in the Companions but didn't find them so do not know what the criteria was for including some and not others.

I was very disappointed with this book, having been a practicing witch since 14 and yes we are now in a 24,000 year sun cycle. working with the sun doing magic can be very powerful and liberating. this book offered nothing new and to me was just another book filled with new age nonsense.

I have alot of info on moon magic, but this is the first on sun magic. I needed some solar energy in m y life, and this book is good for that purpose. chock full of good spells and meditations.

I love this book, I mean why wait for the different phases of the moon? It makes harnessing the energy of nature so much more accessible!

This is simply a marvelous book, and once again, helped to establish Ms Morrison as one of my favorite authors of all-time. This book shines in the market filled with books on just the moon, with little or no focus on the God and the sun. With correspondences focusing on the different times of the day when the sun shines (with prayers, rituals and spells for each) to how the sun affects our lives, this book holds an esteemed spot in my library. Bravo, Ms Morrison and thank you!

I absolutely love this book!Dorothy Morrison truly is concise and presice with her teaching of the Craft!A book for all..from Novices to the more learned.
Very easy to understand and apply.
I highly recommend this book to all.Way to go Dorothy!

This book is a WONDERFUL reference for doing interviews in a school, psychological or professional setting. This book gives examples of how to give a detailed interview, how to ask difficult questions, how to approach clients. I will be using this book for years to come. It was made to accompany the DSM-IV, but even if you don't use the DSM, this book will definitely give you insight as to how to ask inquiries of your client. I use this book constantly, as an M.A. counseling student, and I know that I will be using it in the future as well.

If you have any doubts on how to conduct an interview, this is the book to get. I guarantee that you will find this book invaluable.

As a student, this book is great for using when studying how to interview and work in the DSM IV. Lots of valuable information and great reference charts. Worth is to have on hand.

I purchased this book for a psychology class and I found it easy to read and easy to implement the suggestions offered within the book.

this book is very well-organized and easy to read. it is comprehensive and thoroughly addresses all the possible components to an intake interview that one could imagine! sections of particular interest to me were how to address sensitive subjects and how to get patients to get in touch with feelings (people are often too much in their heads), mental status exam aspects, signs and symptoms, and dealing with difficult patients (lying, hostility, etc.). also useful was information on presenting findings once all the data gathering is done. great resource for students just getting started in the field of behavioral health, as well as medical students assessing potential psychological aspects to a patient's presentation and the need for a referral to a behavioral health practitioner. also helpful when creating documents, such as during the transition to private practice or an administrative position responsible for organization of information/compliance with professional evaluation standards, especially with increasing pressure from accrediting agencies....in other words, a great resource for ALL clinicians!

A wonderful book! I have an MA in Psychology (and a PhD in an unrelated field) and have been working in emergency psychiatric evaluations for two years now. This is the one most helpful book that I have found on the question: How do I talk to a person for one hour and know what's going on with them psychiatrically?

What I like about it:
a) It guides you through the phases of an interview: opening; developing rapport; finding out the client's/patient's chief concern; enquiring about necessary background information, such as psychiatric, social, medical history; current mental status; closure. In what order to cover these topics, which questions to ask, how to ask them, how to pace the interview.
b) It fills you in on the main diagnostic signs and symptoms of the major psychiatric disorders. (If you know them already, it is a great refresher.)
c) There is a chapter about how to write the diagnosis, such as "diagnostic hierarchies" in case of more than one applicable diagnosis or when there is a number of possible diagnoses you are not sure about. [This will also help you read other people's diagnosis better.] Then a chapter about recommendations and prognoses.
d) Two chapters are about dealing with resistance and in other ways difficult clients.
e) It is written for a student who learns to do psychiatric interviewing. [The title, "The first interview" is indeed a double entendre, referring to the first interview of a patient/client *and* to your, the reader's, first interview(s).] Thus, it talks about the interviewer's problem with himself/herself, one's own insecurities, feelings, shame, and the techniques available to manage the interviewing relationship itself (such as, e.g., keeping boundaries without appearing callous).

The book ends with a list of the most important DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, a sample interview, and a sample written report. It has an annotated bibliography (i.e. a list of books with comments that the author recommends for further reading) and and index.

The best I saved for last: This author can write well! It is obvious that he likes his students (in this case you, the reader) and his patients. The author has humor that is never denigrating. This attitude is contageous, it warmed my heart and helped me like my patients. Thus, the book is a pleasure to read. Never dry. In my case, the question was not if I *had* to read the next chapter, but *when* I would have the time to do so. And all this not in a book about feel-good, "it's good that we talked about it" psychotherapy, but in a book covering a chapter in the field of "hard core" psychiatry.

Enjoy!

If you are a beginner hand bookbinder like I am - and teaching yourself how to do it - this is a great book.

I had checked it out from the library and knew immediately that I wanted my own copy.

This book is great! There are so many great ideas of how to make the handmade books. I'm sure many have been thought of before, but this book makes sure to run you through each step in an organized fashion to ensure and strong stable book. This book would have come in handy when I was trying to figure out how to make an accordian book for my photography final. The only disappointment is that there are not more color photos. There are color photos of the DONE books, but no color photos of books in the process. I just think it would help me a little bit more. All in all, this is a great book with good ideas. I'm feeling inspired to make a new book now.

I wanted to start making my own books, so I bought this one to help me. I had a few problems. Some of the steps in the starch paste recipe are unclear, so the first time I tried I got starch soup instead. And in the hard cover multi-signature instructions, the steps get very contradictory. They tell you to past the hinge onto the spine directly, then later you're told to paste down the sewing tape BEFORE the hinge.. which would be impossible if you had followed instructions up to that point, because the tape is sewn into the signatures right at the spine.

I've managed to muddle through, but I still would not recommend this book to people just starting out in bookbinding.

This book is awesome. It has beautiful pictures, clear diagrams, and tons of inspiration for any bookmaking project. It gives ideas for gifts (journals) and artists books.

This was the first book I bought for learning bookbinding. I liked the pretty color pictures and the way everything was kept simple. That is also the weakness of this book, as soon as you really decide to get serious there is insufficient information to do a professional job of any type of bookbinding and you end up going elsewhere for more information. But it accomplished my goal, and that is, it got me started in a wonderful hobby. And I still use the technique contained therein for making my own bookcloth and paste. Simple, easy, fun.