Nicholson Books

This book is exhaustively detailed and reads as interestingly as any legal brief -- a snooze! It's like being in a history class where the professor thoroughly enjoys discussing every remote detail while the class is sound asleep. I am half-way through and will finish the book because I can find nothing more interesting about the court of James I. Too bad though because this could be an interesting story if not for the telling.

Much more about her husband rather than the supposed "tart" at the center of the conspiracy, Unnatural Murder leaves you wishing to know more about the Countess of Somerset. For a young woman living at a time when women had even less real power than the present, she made some difficult (and, admittedly, poor) decisions in attempting to wrest control of her life from the men around her. And apparently had the courage to take responsibility for those decisions. Tragic story.

Anne Somerset has written a comprehensive non-fiction account of the Overbury scandal that reads as if it were fictional narrative. The sources are exhaustive but not oppressive, so that this murder mystery turns out to be one of the best historical "whodunits" I have read. The plot is of the ages: the Countess of Somerset is young and beautiful; the Earl of Somerset is rich and powerful. In the Fall of 1615 the Countess and the Earl of Somerset were arrested on sucpicion of having murdered Sir Thomas Overbury. Does the passion, lust and greed
that lead up to their arrest turn the plot? This has it all.

I have read many many books while searching for a spouse over the years. This is one of the best to help you get to know yourself, what to look for in a relationship, etc so you can look for the right person for you. It gives a blueprint of a normal healthy relationship in many areas (spirtiual, physical, financial etc). There is a list of red flags to watch for in relationships (are you dating this person b/c your parents don't like them, because they make you look good etc). I wish I'd read it when I was 18 and first started dating. It would have saved me a lot of time. I reread it every time I started a new relationship. I would also recommend "The Good Marriage" which analyzes and details the 4 types of good marriages, and "In the Beginning" which talks about how it's normal to feel nervous, scared and unsure during the engagement. It also covers the first year of marriage and what is normal bumps in the road vs. signs that this marriage is a BAD IDEA. For those further along, I highly suggest "Finding the Love you Want" by Harville Hendrix.

A married friend of mine loaned this book to me. I read it and found it to be extremely insightful and helpful. I am now buying a copy of this book to loan to my girlfriend. This is a must read book for anyone that is looking for the love of their live.

I don't happen to belive the Bible is the absolute word of God.
It has Wisdom in it, but it is not absolute (and I am entitled to my opinion). When the author bases a lot of is philosophy on absolutism and the Bible, he diverts from informing the reader to preaching to the reader.

Makes the book less than effective and a pain to read.

The book covers the period from 1940 to 1945 and chronicles the adventures of the author over this period, being split into 3 parts. Part I covers the Middle East 1940-1943 and covers Farran's part in Wavell's successful campaign against the Italians in Cyrenaica and the subsequent withdrawl as Rommel's Afrika Corps arrived and counterattacked. Farran's unit withdrew and was reequipped and sent to Crete, where he fought alongside the New Zealand Army (he has a lot of nice things to say about the Maori Battalion). Farran was captured, ended up in a prison camp in Greece and escaped. He ended up back in Egypt, back with Tanks again, and fought on the Western Desert and El Alamein, where he was injured. Following injury, he was evacuated to South Africa and then back to the UK in 1943. End of Part I.

Part II covers Farran's time with the Special Air Service. He'd managed to escape from the UK back to the Middle East where he was looking for active service and stumbled on an acquaintance in the SAS. He was promptly recruited, trained and started on SAS operations with the invasion of Sicily, where he led a SAS unit. This section covers SAS operations in Italy during 1943 where the SAS roamed in jeeps behind the enemy lines in the early part of the invasion. Farran then participated in SAS operations behind German lines in France in 1944, where he led a SAS unit operating with jeeps in roving attacks. Part III covers SAS operations in Italy in 1945, where SAS units joined and led units of Italian partisans in attacks on the Germans.

The book really is an account of Farran's adventures during the war. It's an interesting account, pays no attention to strategy or tactics except in passing. He concentrates on the actions themslves and his part in them, what he did, what his immediate unit did and what he felt and thought at the time. He's a good writer, you can get a good idea of what it must have been like and you can recapture some of the emotions and feelings of the times. The book was written in 1948, soon after the war ended, there was no sympathy for the Germans and in those non-PC times, Farran could be quite open about actions that would now result in expressions of outrage - machine-gunning surrendering Germans in Crete for example - something any New Zealander of the time would have been quite happpy to assist with after some of the atrocities committed by the Germans against NZ'ers there.

It's a good read but don't expect a history of the SAS or anything like that. It's a history of Farran's adventures in the war - which included 2 years with the SAS and 3 years prior to that with the Armoured Corps fighting in the Western Desert and Crete. Stirring stuff indeed!

nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a nice look at early special warfare. The British SAS invented special warfare during WWII and this books looks at some of the earlier operations. Thre are some real good adventures here. The book is a first hand account. The book does not have any analysis. Any fan of the SAS should give it a shot.

For all those interested in military history, and in this case, the desert war and the following allied forces campaign in Italy this book proves entertaining reading. The book is a commentary by the author of his own experiences as an armored corps officer, and later, as a pioneer of "behind enemy lines" commando warfare. Included are reflections on the tides and fortunes of the British forces, which provide the context for some riveting accounts of the authors own combat experience. The author describes himself and his actions candidly, especially as a young inexperienced officer. The authors' story includes capture, escape and subsequent return to operate behind enemy lines with other British troops, leading Italian partisans in their fight against Germany. This form of warfare was at its infancy in its modern form, its importance not fully understood by the British high command. The success of this operation depended greatly on the authors' initiative and drive in the face of an unsympathetic and disinterested general staff. The book was written some two to three years after the end of the war, and the events are fresh in the authors memory. End.

Another adventure with the Newbys find Eric and Wanda hurtling through Brezhnev's Russia on the famous Trans-Siberian railway. From collective farms to asylums, the Newby's take you along with them on their tour.

Part endurance challenge, part history lesson the book does suffer in part by capturing Russia at its worst: food shortages, restricted travel, stern officials and windows that won't open! But the Newby's accept it all with relatively good humour and like all their adventures, they manage to find lots of interesting characters along the route. I've always been able to think of lots of reasons NOT to visit Siberia, the trans-siberian train ride might have just given me one!

This was my first Eric Newby book, and I was hooked. Newby and wife Wanda travel throughout the Soviet Union searching hopefully (and often in vain) for a decent meal, a warm blanket, and helpful railroad staff. They never really succeed, but the journey they bring us along on is worth the trouble. It's just plain funny. Newby doesn't lob jokes at the reader, but tosses them off underhand for the most part, so the humor creeps up on you. He knows how to go for the bellylaugh, but most of the book has a dryer touch. Newby doesn't go for cheap shots, he's not mean spirited in the least, but his semi-sympathetic, long-suffering, and sometimes hung-over take on exploring the side roads of Russia is addictive fun. I have now followed eric and Wanda on many journeys and am still enthralled. Discovering an unread Newby is like getting a surprise birthday gift. The only reason I give it four stars instead of five, is that I think Jane Austen is a five star writer. Shakespeare merits five. Except for a limited pantheon, everyone else should get three or fewer stars, but I don't want to discourage anyone from Mr. Newby's work. It's a great read and a great introduction into the further adventures of Eric and Wanda.

I should preface this by saying that I bought this as an introduction to non-Egyptian mummies and that I'm in my mid-30s with no kids (and that I didn't realize when I bought the book that it was actually specifically marketed as for children; imagine MY surprise).

This is a very beginner-style book that brushes the surface with gee-whiz factoids. The information here has been handed to us a dozen times on various cable channels already and in way better detail. There are tons of pictures, which I thought were pretty cool. Also includes "stuff to do", which didn't seem to shed much light on the subject and which I thoroughly regarded as space filler, but which a pre-teenager might find amusing. It's also a slim volume. I was a very precocious reader, and even at 9, this book would have been way below my reading level -- so it is hard to say if it is too far below the average kid's reading level or intelligence today. It's slick, packaged, colorful, and short on real background or history -- a lot like a TV special, if you want the truth. It delves very lightly into a lot of different areas, but doesn't get too far into any of them. Get this as a beginner's book and as a launchpad to find other, more intelligent and more detailed, books on the subject, but don't expect it to answer any real curiosity.

In short, there are several books out there that cover the material in way more detail and with less of a Fox-News feel, but the book wasn't a total waste of money.

This book is the best book if you love, like, or want to learn about mummies. I learned about a thousand things, that I never knew about mummies, and some awsome facts I never thought I would learn.

This was an interesting story, sometimes humorous. I think it was a little hard to get into because of some of the language, but it did turn out to be a pretty good read. Not the best, but certainly not the worst that I've read.

I enjoyed this book immensly. i was confused as to when it took place, but besides that it was a great book which i read in only a couple days. I would suggest this to anyone who is looking for an interesting book with a little different taste to it.

Young readers will come away from Sue Nicholson's excellent book with a wonderful knowledge of farm life, animals and how they grow.

The photography and illustrations are adorable and children will spend hours with this book again and again. The picture dictionary will enhance word recognition and knowledge.

A Day At Greenhill Farm is a wonderful educational tool, but beginning readers will need the assistance of an adult.

This is another good book from Scholastic. It deals with the many animals one might find on a farm. Cows, ducks, pigs, chickens, horses, geese, sheep and more, are all here and presented with eye pleasing photos.

We see babies with their mothers, and have a chance to see what types of food they eat. (Baby animals nurse, of course.) We also get to see what a sheep looks like before, during, and after it is shorn.

That said, there is no way that this is a book for just beginning readers. First there are too many words on some of the pages and some of the vocabulary is a bit sophisticated. Words like : orange, goslings, milking, through, webbed, oily, and noise.

Three Stars. Good book with attractive pictures of farm animals. Should be of interest to older babies thru 1st Graders. I wouldn't purchase it as a beginning reader though

Strange message sends PC:s to very hard journey to the Vaults. They must try to find long lost and forgotten Doomstones. But there were people who made all they could to prevent anyone gaining them. PC:s face many different and tough enemies and allies during their quest. This adventure is designed to players who solve problems with axe or sword. Enemies are designed so that this quest is not recommended for players in their starting careers. Opposition is very powerful indeed. Doomstones: Fire and Blood would be better if there were more challenge for brains. However Fire in the Mountains and Blood in Darkness are still good adventures.

As a longtime gamer of Warhammer Fantasy RolePlay (WFRP) since 1990, this book is a bit of a letdown, considering the fine material produced by GW in the past (Enemy Within, Death of the Reik, Power Behind the Throne).

This book is the Hogshead version and consists of the first 2 parts (Fire in the Mountains & Blood in Darkness) of the Doomstones campaign (a 4 part adventure).

While it has some interesting ideas and locales, this campaign is not much more than a refined 'hunt the magic bauble' so popular in Fantasy rolegaming. The players are on the trail of an ancient Dwarven artifact of 4 parts with incredible elemental powers. There is some investigation but this book is are really more appropriate for the combat-oriented player.

I have read several other books on clothing and this is one of the best. Unequivocally a keeper. I always wondered why some clothes looked outstanding on me and others made me look like I just got hit by a truck. I have the answer now and will be sure to fill my closet with clothes that flatter my skincolor and tone. Also good advice on classic clothes. Read it a few times and practice! Good Luck

I initially gave this book the above 2 stars when I was still thinking I would finish reading it. I believed that there might be something good to be found here if I pressed on. Was I wrong. Needs a much lower rating that 1 star but can't give it or change it. The subtitle reads "101 mistakes you can't afford to make..." If it were about writing, the author breaks all 101 and then looks for some more to trample on.

The chief premise of Ms. Nicholson, is that your coloration plays the important roll in what will look good on you. OK. Sounds valid enough. However, when the author gives example of skin tone by "name dropping" famous people (10-15 per type) as having such and such a color type, we have just crossed the line to ludicrous. These may in fact be people the author has worked with, "name dropping", trying to impress or prove qualifications, perhaps not. However the examples given, presumably as an instructional guide, are a mish-mosh of famous people of different races all lumped into the same class of color characteristic or "clarity" as the author puts it. Aside from the fact that it is hard to imagine 3 people of origins african, european, and mediteranian having the same color type, the way it is presented is absurd.
Color type defined in the Author's own words:

You are "contrast color type" if your hair color is brown to black. (so far so good) "your skin tone ranges from clear ivory, clear camel, and clear olive to dark brown. "
The author then goes on and gives examples of people of this type. "Robert De Niro, Colin Powell, Ben Affleck, and Elvis."
Isn't that helpfull? Wait, it gets better.

You are a "Light- Bright color type" if "your natural hair color is golden blond to black, (but not red)." Examples of these include "Tiger Woods, Tom Brokaw, Pete Sampras, and Ricky Martin"

You are a "Gentle color type" if you resemble "Peter Jennings, Kobe Bryant, Matt Damon or Robin Williams." "Your natural hair color is blond to black and includes some redheads."

You are a "Muted color type" if you can compare yourself with "Micheal Jordan, JFK, or Elton John." "Natural hair color ranges from blonde to black and includes some red heads."

Wasn't that helpful? If not, the author suggests you hold up colors to your face in a mirror and the ones that look good are your colors and will define your type. That is the extent the author takes to explain and demonstrate her primary premise of the book. If you find this helpful and can now determine your own color type by this alone, (you will get no more) then by all means, get the book. However for the rest of you, it only gets worse.

The book is disorganized, and often times non-sensical. For some apparent reason, she feels that simply stating a point is not enough; it must be made stronger by increasing or decreasing the font size or adding or subtracting bold to increase her meaning. Great. Once, maybe twice. However, on one page alone I count different 5 instances. The text is full of the "technique". Comes off as annoying and amaturish.

Even with bad books, I tend to finish them, giving the author the benefit of the doubt and trying to see their point. I gave up 1/3 way through here with no regrets. Pure drivel, badly formated. Dis-organized and dis-jointed with little or no foundation or substantiation.

The author tries to pass herself off as an expert and says she gets paid to help famous and powerful people get the right look. They seems to have money to waste.

Since Amazon does not show it, her back cover photo can be described as this:
Head shot with companion in background. Presumably a candid photo. (in limo?) Dyed black hair with pasty "gothic" syle makeup. Face overly illuminated by the camera flash, partially (and perhaps mercifully) obscured by black fur of some sort. (my personal view would be to keep from being identified for the crime of authoring this book in a police lineup.) Photo is in fact, so vaugue that it is hard to determine what you are initially looking at. Much like the text. If that is the look she selects for herself for her book cover, can her advice for you be any better? Save your money. There are far better offerings out there.

I Gm for two different gaming groups and have run this with both now (and played it once as a player - my introduction into WFRP). Playing the adventure, I thought it was exciting and intriguing - things are not handed to players, and they really have to work to put the pieces together. However, my GM modified the adventure a fair amount (I realized once I started to run it myself), and I have modified it both times I ran it as well. The first half to two-thirds is GREAT stuff. Even your "tank" players will feel the pressure of long treks, strenuous paces, multiple tough combats in the span of a short period (not allowing them time to fully recover), and thus they will have to start planning their combat strategies better just to survive. It really is a nice challenge. Once you get past a certain point and start heading back to the city, the story line meanders around for a bit and loses a lot of its momentum. I have heavily altered these chapters prior to the climax to make them go quicker and be less involved, instead focusing on the time-crunch to make the adventurers concerned. The climax, if planned well by the GM and set up with appropriate encounters, will be one the adventurers never forget! Even if the story line stayed on path, I would still give this 4 stars just because it can't touch Shadows over Bogenhafen, but I feel it is more exciting and challenging than Death on the Reik, which I would give 3 stars.

As a longtime player of Warhammer Fantasy RolePlay (WFRP) I was very happy to see Hogshead pick up the rights to WFRP after Games Workshop abandoned this great product. This is the first new adventure material produced by Hogshead and while welcome, is not neary as good as some of the older adventures in the Enemy Within campaign (Death on the Reik, Power Behind the Throne).

In this adventure, the players are racing against time to forstall an ancient prophecy about the return of a Daemonic entity in and around the city of Marienburg. The problem is in trying to maintain a coherent storyline when each chapter is being plotted by different authors. In the end, the adventure comes across as a mish-mash of interesting ideas but the coherency is lost. It is still a good book, however, just not great. There is a good balance of investigation and action and would suit pretty much any gaming group.