Roberts Books

This is a much better-written book than one would expect from philosophers. Considering the number of philosophers and complexity of their thought, A Short History of Philosophy is marvelously clear and concise.

Another plus to the book is that is really does give you the *whole* story. Normal surveys just handpick a few of the authors' philosophical favorites, but Solomon and Higgins give us just about everybody. Further, they don't rule out a thinker just because s/he doesn't fit within the bounds of what some narrowly define as real philosophy -- Confucius, Jesus, and Muslim theologians all get a place at the table, so there is no bias toward the West or against 'religion.'

This inclusiveness is part of the book's goal to constructively redefine philosophy. Our authors want philosophy to be ultimately about the love of wisdom, which gives them a very different agenda than that which is most common in America today. Pervasive Enlightenment rationalism often dismisses issues of wisdom and morality and trumpets reason and proof, but in so doing it must both cover up its foundations (which are terribly un-Enlightened) and, worse, give up the very reason for rational inquiry. This book's vision of/for philosophy and its subsequent treatment of the various philosophers is truly admirable.

Unfortunately, the problem with talking about everybody is that, well, you end up talking about *everybody*. That means that after you've put the book down you will have been so inundated with individuals that you won't remember anything in particular. For this reason, I highly recommend coming to this book with a bit of a background in philosophy. Grab an overview that will introduce you to a few of the big names -- Plato, Aristotle, and so on -- and then use this book to fill in that story.

In sum: The writing is readable, its orientation is commendable, and its content is superb. You can learn a lot from this book, even if you won't come away from it remembering all the details of which philosopher said what.

This book is amazing and written extremely well. I would highly recommended it to anyone who loves philosophy!

For years I have gone about reading philosophy in a very haphazard fashion. Nietzche here, Plato there, Baudrillard here, you get the point. A Short History of Philosophy has helped me understand not only what the great (and minor) philosophers have said but in what conditions they lived. For those of you who have started as I, I can assure you that the puzzle makes much more sense when you start from the beginning. For a "Short History" this book packs an immense ammount of information. The text is very accessible, though I do recommend that you have a Dictionary of Philosophy to accompany your reading. If you have any interest in Philosophy please do yourself a favor and read this book. Solomon and Higgins have created a book worthy of its praise.

Authors Solomon and Higgins have written a very readable history of philosophy matching philosopher's names with a brief explanation of their pet concepts. They cover too much ground really; by the time I finished the book, I had been exposed to so many ideas and philosophers that I remembered hardly any of them. They should have just covered the major philosophers of one period in depth if they expected many readers to remember anything. But this is a good reference book; I wrote some philosophers down and maybe I may read a couple of their primary works over a lifetime. This is also a good book for the intellectually lazy but mildly curious people who want to be exposed to philosophy without having to go through the pain of reading the profound primary sources. Higgins and Solomon have already done that for you; they have allegedly read these philosophers' books and have reported back with bit-sized morsels of information about their different philosophies. Some of the philosophies seem important, others might leave you wondering why anyone would waste a lifetime worrying about such a subject.

Many different kinds of philosphers are covered whether they be boring, charismatic, bolshevik, dangerous, obfuscating, bloodless, blasphemous, godly, mathematical, humanistic, elitest, egalitarian, arrogant, irritable, humble, obscure, famous, rich, poor, establishment, anti-establishment, heretical, dogmatic, flexible, incomprehensible, annoying, pleasant, hypocritical, scientific, kooky, or intellectually dishonest. I don't really have time to explain all of them in depth.

I could have chosen Bertrand Russell or Will Durant's books on the same topic, but I went with the Solomon and Higgins combo instead. They purposely write for the novice and include often-ignored philosophical traditions in the East and elsewhere. Unlike most accounts, the book is quick read at 300 pages. The curious reader will find it a thorough introduction to the "wonder" of philosophy.

While this slight volume can't hold a candle to something like Will Friedwald's comprehensive analysis of Sinatra's recorded career, it's quick and handy. Moreover, while the authors' selections will inevitably produce disagreements, their choices are unlikely to provoke incredulity (no "My Way," or recommendations from the "Duets" albums). And when there are multiple versions of the same tune, which is more often than not the case, the authors give helpful rankings of the best choices. But just to give you an idea of how necessarily inadequate a collection limited to 101 recordings is, Sinatra's absolutely sublime, definitive Reprise recording of "I Hadn't Anyone Til You" is not mentioned. Still, I find myself making more use of this book than any other about Old Blue.

The music of Frank Sinatra is timeless and though the title contains the words "the 101 Best Recordings", you may find that it is just a starting point and find your own 101 favorites. You have over 1000 songs to choose from so your picks are bound to be different than the authors. The book lays out 101 excellent songs, gives information to listeners (date recorded, album it can be found on, arranger, etc.) and tells the background of the song and sometimes an anecdote about when it was recorded. The book is not only for longtime fans of Sinatra's work (though they will be more familiar with all the names, etc.). If your Sinatra cd collection extends to one cd of his greatest hits, then this book can help you figure out where to go next. The stories and anecdotes may not mean much but you can figure out if you want to explore Frank's Columbia, Capitol, or Reprise years. For the experienced Sinatra listener, the book is excellent for starting debate with fellow Sinatra fans or perhaps rediscovering a gem you've forgotten or never really listened to before. Obviously, it is not a biography so don't expect stories about Frank the man, just Frank the singer. My only complaint is that I wish they gave more detail to the songs. I realize they had 101 songs to review, but I wanted more background about the recording session and Frank's opinions and views of the songs. However, there are other books for that.

Sinatra's approach to lyrical interpretation and his unique sense of tempo is what set him appart from the rest. Sinatra 101 is an excellent compliment to any Sinatra record collection. Too bad there is not a CD Box set of all the songs listed in the book so that readers could read along as they listen to the master at work. As a vocalist and student of Sinatra's sound, I have greatly benefited from Sinatra 101. Sinatra 101 has expanded my knowledge of the music and provides an excellent reference source which I have used to educate audiences during live performances. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED READING FOR ANY SINATRA FAN.

How do you pick the 101 greatest Sinatra recordings? The authors certainly came up with arguably the definitive list,and presented it in a most enjoyable read.Another reviewer wished there was a CD boxed set to accompany the book. I did the next best thing. I have an extensive Sinatra collection and I happen to have all the 101 songs(the correct versions). I bought some high quality cassettes and simply went through my CDs and tapes and put together the audio to the book..three 90 minute and one 60 minute tape covered the 101 songs.Needless to say, it was a labor of love putting these songs in order and is fascinating to read the descriptions and history of the songs as they are playing.

While the popularity of the Sinatra persona will rise and fall as fashions change, the music is timeless. "Sinatra 101'' spotlights the songs and the stories behind them. In concise, to-the-point language, the authors, Ed O'Brien and Robert Wilson, offer the sort of critical insights that will send you rushing back to the songs themselves, giving you the chance to fall in love with the music all over again. What more can you ask?

I stumbled on this book at a bookstore in upstate NY, a far cry from the Houston area. As a baseball fan, it caught my eye although I had very little knowledge of Houston's MLB origins. What sold me-- at least during that quick perusal in the bookstore -- was its treatment of how Houston and NY both came into the league at the same time. After reading it, though, I'm astounded at the history and story of baseball's first major-league team in the south. The no-hitters, the futility, the tear-jerker about Jim Umbricht .... this story reeks of everything that baseball is -- good things, such as colorful characters, true fans, baseball as a game first and business second, and tragedy as well -- the real "Love of the Game" story, not that Kevin Costner tripe. Whether you know anything about Houston, the Colt 45s, or Texas, do yourself a favor and read this book. Heck, it's a human story, not just a sports story. The younger fan may not "get it," but those of us who grew up with those hot summer nights listening to baseball on transistor radios -- no matter were you lived of what team you claimed -- will enjoy the trip back.

Unlike most of the other reviewers, I grew up in Indiana but the Colt .45s were my team. When I first started following sports I wanted my own team, not the Yankees, Cubs or Reds so I picked Houston. Yes, I paid for it my entire life.

In a word, the book was amazing. I would have been the ideal subject for a Norman Rockwell painting, as I sat outside the local drugstore anxiously awaiting The Sporting News to get delivered so I could read everything about my Colts. The book filled in so many of the missing pieces for me especially on the planning before they took the field. The photographs brought to life a lot of what was only mental images of my youth.

I would highly, highly recommend this book. I know my Sixshooter Club card is around here somewhere.

An excellent and detailed history of the Colts and their origins in the planned Continental League, the National League expansion of 1961-62, and their colorful early days until they became the Astros. Lots of great photos of players, now-defunct ballparks, and memorabilia, and the real inside story of the name changes from Colts to Colt .45s to Astros. A winner all around.

Anyone who enjoys reading about the history of baseball will love this book whether one is a Houston fan or not. It is a history book and a human interest story all rolled into one.

One get's the feeling after reading this book a feeling of a little sorrow of not having the opportunity to have known some of the unusual personalities depicted in the book, especially pitcher Dick "Turk" Farrell whom obviously was an under rated but solid major league pitcher and a man of a thousand pratical jokes.

The power struggles between the men who helped bring major league baseball to Houston is a story that is almost too intriguing to be true yet is a story that is factual in every detail.

To the fan of the Houston Astros baseball franchise, this is the ultimate book on the history of the origin of the team.

Author Robert Reed definitely did his homework on this one.

I grew up and still reside in the Bayou City. I was born in 1967, two years after the Colt .45's moved from Colt Stadium into the Astrodome and changed their name to the Astros.


Even as a young child I remember having an almost mystical interest in the Colt .45's. It was a marvel to me that they could actually play basball outside in the summers in Houston. I clearly remember my little leauge days in Houston thinking about the heat and humidity and the glare of the sun.

There was never an abundance of information on the Colt .45's or pictures of the old stadium unless you heard it about it from older Houstonians or former players that still called Houston home. This book is truly the Bible of Houston baseball. It is comparitive to the Old Testament's GENISIS. I swear if you curl up on a lazy afternoon and let your mind flow with the book you will feel as though you have travelled back into yester-year and you are there at Colt Stadium, mosquitos, humidity and all.

Sadly baseball in Houston now is a joke. The Astros are the epitome of over-paid, grossly under achieving, lazy athletes. I grew up with the Dome and I would have glady gone to Colt Stadium to root on a near last place team. AT LEAST THEY TRIED AND MADE AN EFFORT. The new ballpark downtown I have nicknamed "The Coffin". With it's retractable roof "The Coffin" is either opened or closed depending on what day you drive by. Most every player inside the place is alrady dead or just going through the motions.

This book celebrates the effort, the entertainment and the energy that once exsisted in Astros history but no longer does. This is the written account of the genisis of major leauge baseball in Houston. It also includes INCREDIBLE photographs in color and black and white.

This book is NOT to be missed ! Read it !

For those of you wondering... I read on a website about a year ago that Robert was coming out with a new novel... they even had a picture of the cover art. I don't remember the naem, but Robert said it was going to be a real departure from his work with more supernatural leanings. Hope it comes out soon!

Have you noticed the other five reviews here haven't reviewed this book at all, but just talk about McCammon retiring? This has got to be the strangest set of reviews.

Anyways, who here like Domino's Pizza better than Pizza Hut?

I was wondering why I've seen nothing new lately from this favorite author. A short search has revealed that he has officially retired from writing as of November,1999. Anyone have any idea why?

I just discovered McCammon a few weeks ago when I picked up a copy of Swan Song at a thrift store. He is an amazing story teller. I now have a new favorite author and am trying to locate a copy of all of his works. I understand he no longer writes - our loss.

he is one of my top 3 favorite writers , why has he stopped . King needes the competion,he is why I love bookes in the frist place I readed the wolf's hour when I was 14 and that is what got me in to reading

When Heinlein first penned this work in response to a call by some politicians to unilaterally disarm the United States, I doubt if he thought it would become one of his best known and most controversial works, a work which continues to have steady sales and whose influence on the science-fiction field has been enormous.

It's a simple story, one of the growth of Juan Rico from boy to man, as he enlists in the military of the future, and learns just what duty and responsibility mean, what his own capabilities are, and just what he wants out of life.

What is controversial about this book is the philosophy that suffuses it, is in fact the heart of this book, as Heinlein posits a future where, in order to vote or hold political office, you must prove your willingness to support and defend the society through either military service or service in one of the non-combatant auxiliary services. As part and parcel of this idea, no one can be refused entry into these services, even if blind or paralyzed, so political franchise is available to anyone who so desires (as opposed to some of the limitations that have been put on the voting franchise by various states at various times - and remember that this book was written in 1959, long before the Voting Rights Act of 1965). Heinlein further posits that such a society, even though the people who hold office were no better, smarter, or otherwise more qualified than our current leaders, would be a more stable society than our current one because their authority is balanced by their proven sense of responsibility and duty towards that society, a point that is certainly debatable, but in the absence of any real-world society so structured, must remain a conjecture.

Right alongside this idea are statements that rights must be earned (a critical failure of our current society is the inculcated belief that people have these rights just because they exist - that they are `owed' things without having to make any effort of their own), that correct moral attitudes are not inherent but must be taught (and a lack of corporal punishment in the early developing years does not help in this education), that war is a political statement whose level of violence must be geared towards what the political goal is, that the dictum that `violence never solves anything' is hogwash, that communism is based on faulty premises, and a whole host of other such ideas.

Now quite a few people have labeled this book as `fascist' because of this military service requirement, when it is no such thing (just look up the definition of fascist). Heinlein does glorify the military to some degree, but he also shows (often by counter-example) just how screwed up the military can be. And far from robotic adherence to commands, he clearly indicates that military people should question orders they think are suspect (at the right time and place - not while the bullets are whizzing over your head). There is a well-established court system, that like ours is pretty much insulated from political influence, and a political election process that is far away from any fascist government organization.

His depiction of boot camp and later military operations is excellent, comparable to similar descriptions in things like Leon Uris' Battle Cry. Rico is very well portrayed, a man that is very easy to empathize with and understand his thought processes. The plot seems to ramble a bit, as the story is not really about the Bug war, but about Rico's development. Once you understand this, it is very logical, coherent, and often exciting. The philosophy is presented with anecdotes, analogies, and concrete examples that make it easy to understand and far from being just `dry lecture', though perhaps that is the only real flaw with this book, as there is perhaps just too much of this `telling', rather than `showing'. But in general this is extremely readable, with Heinlein's typical unforced, near-folksy prose and clear thought processes.

This book has been, at various times, on the recommended reading list of all of our military service academies. I would go further, and recommend that this book be added to the list of `required reading' that our high school students are subject to. Whether you agree with ideas of this book or not, at the very least this book will make you think, and that's not a bad thing for students to learn how to do.

--Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

I became interested in the original novel after I watched the movie and found the story to be captivating. It is the tale of a soldier and his view of what it takes to be a Citizen and the entailing responsibilities. It is easy to read and the science-fiction premise makes the story attractive to a wider range of readers.

I first read Starship Troopers probably about 44 years ago. Since that time I have read probably thousands of Science Fiction Books, and while I have read some really good ones over the years, I keep coming back to Starship Troopers over and over again. There isn't a heck of a lot of Science, but there is Robert Heinlein's acidic sense of humor mixed in with a moral lesson and an incredibly captivating yarn. Regardless whether you are an adolescent or approaching the "golden years", this is a good read. Like most of Heinleins novels, you can live in this one for a day or so. Great escape, great entertainment, with none of the ever-present filth that pervades much entertainment media today. Read it, and enjoy it.

I first read this novel my junior year in High School, and it has remained one of my favorite novels ever since. Some have said that this book makes light of fascism, but this couldn't be further from the truth...

In the far future mankind is under the rule of the Federal Government, where before you can vote you must serve the government in some capacity. Usually this is done via a hitch in the military.

Rico enlists in the Mobile Infantry, fighting the enemies of mankind in a suit of super powered armor. After surviving his training he goes to war against a race of deadly insects bent on the extermination of mankind.

I'm new to Heinlein, but I had heard this book was completely different from the movie. It's a fantastic read and if you go in expecting a lot of combat and killing, be forewarned that is not the case. This is one of the best science fiction books I have ever read.

Dragons from the Sea is an excellent sequel to Viking Warrior. Halfdan begins to fulfil his quest against Toke by joining the raids against the Franks. There are several new characters introduced and they are drawn very well. Halfdan really begins to develop as a character, and the book works on the historical front as well, giving us good insight into the medieval world.

Halfdan made a blood-oath to the god of war and revenge that he would slay all those who murdered (and or helped in the murder of) his brother, Harald, and his housecarls. But to do that he must become a viking and earn his wealth and respect and gain allies in high places if Halfdan wants to reveal Toke (the man who gave the order to kill all of the innocents) for the fraud he really is. Throughout the whole story Toke sends spies to infiltrate The Gull, the ship where Halfdan now lives. Once Halfdan proves himself to the ship's captain, Jarl Hestein Halfdan thinks he will be safe. But Halfdan soon discovers the Gull will embark on a quest to crush the Franks, their biggest opposing enemy. Will Halfdan survive the war? Or will he die in vain? Find out in the second book in the Strongbow series.

This book contains scenes of violence and gore. I recommend it to all those who enjoy a twisted plot and adventure.

The sequel to Viking Warrior, Book One in the Strongbow Saga, Dragons from the Sea pick right up from where the first book left off. Once a slave, Halfdan sets out for Frankia, seeking fortune and vengeance. His skills with the longbow ensure that he is taken on a ship, despite the crew's misgivings. He makes enemies and friends and proves once again his intelligence and skill, building up to yet another abrupt ending that will leave readers gasping in anticipation.

Living up to it's predecessor, Dragons from the Sea is lively and sharp. You'll have to pay close attention to this gripping peek at life during the Viking era. Steeped with many historical facts told in a highly entertaining way that never grows dull, Robert's latest will keep you enraptured til the very end.

The sequel, The Road to Vengeance, will be available from HarperCollins June 17, 2008, so be on the lookout! I can barely stand the wait!

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The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea
by Judson Roberts
Historical Fiction *****
This story is about a young man named Halfdan. He has a large past that is very painful for him. When he just turned 15, He and his half brother set off to show him his new inheritance, his own little bit of land. But only at the first night of being there, Toke, his half brother turns up wanting revenge for inheriting nothing. Toke is a berserk (someone who is crazy about killing) very mean and evil. Late at night he attacked the land and killed the innocent people of it while promising their safe exit, he wanted no one to tell of his treachery. Halfdan managed to get away with the sacrifice of his brother while making a path to let him escape. They needed someone to escape, so he could avenge them all. Now he is looking for a ship to serve in a port called Hedeby. He finds a Jarl who he impresses with his bow skills. The Jarl normally doesn't just anyone join his crew of vikings but he believes that the norns (the gods that weave everybody's life line)have sent the boy as a sign to him. Halfdan joins the crew that soon after leaves to the call of the king of the Danes. The king declares that they shall all go to war against the Franks, who had done the same thing to them many centuries ago. So with little experience at all Halfdan ventures to war.
This book sort of relates to this book that I read called Hatchet. It was a story about a boy who was 13 and he got lost in the wilderness with only his hatchet, and his will to live. It is actually a very powerful story because this boy is just doing well when all the sudden, something terrible happens to him and his new way of life, he had to start all over, just like Halfdan. So i guess they are sort of similar.
The author is a very talented writer for all I'm concerned. He really knows how to describe something without boring me to sleep. I loved his first strongbow saga book as well. He really brings the words alive and paint pictures in my mind. He is also very good at leaving you hanging at the end of the first and second of these books. Almost everyday for about a month I would ask my mom if this book had arrived in the mail. So about two days ago it actually did come, I've been reading 24/7 since then. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! ******************************** !!!!!!KOOB SITH EVOL
*****

This book is filled with suspense. I was exhausted by the end of it! I look forward to the next book. LONG LIVE HALFDAN!!

The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons is a real delight-an authentic tale in which the ingenuity and subtle humor bring this character to life. The text and clever drawings make readers want to know this boy, Robert Fitzgibbons and his creator, Eric Blank. Through Robert's life lessons, he learns that dreams can be realized at his own pace! Used as a read-aloud or to teach voice and style, this book is a must have for any classroom library.
Jessica Hackett Kilcollum, M.Ed.
Reading Specialist
Upper Moreland School District
Hatboro, PA

Reviewed by Ben Weldon (age 10) for Reader Views (10/07)

"The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons" is the fictional tale of a very good kid who follows the wishes of his parents and people around him and later comes to regret not following his own dreams. Robert was good at sports, won spelling bees, got all A's in school, and always obeyed his parents. One thing Robert really loved was playing his guitar, but he quit when someone told him it would not take him far. He went to college and studied hard because his parents wanted him to. All the while he was wishing he could be playing the guitar in his buddy Ernie's band. As he grew older he began to wish that he had followed his dreams instead of doing what other people said he should do.

This picture book is very pleasing to read because of the rhythm and the rhyme. It is silly and the full-page illustrations are lively, too. I liked how he expressed Robert's feelings of being trapped when he wrote, "I want to jump in a lake or climb up a tree, not spend all day doing geometry." I think most kids can relate to this feeling!

While the purpose of this book is to get the reader to follow his or her dreams, some readers might think that following a dream means doing exactly what you want, whenever you want, ignoring good advice. I think that Robert Fitzgibbons could have followed his dream to play his guitar in a band and gone to college, too. The author does well to encourage the reader to not "march to the beat of someone else's drummer, because not doing what you want makes life a real bummer." I'm not sure if "The Success of Robert Fitzgibbons" is more likely to get kids to follow their dreams or to tell their moms that they aren't going to do any more schoolwork.

Too many of us have had our dreams dashed by the authority figures in our lives. We have been told our dreams are stupid or silly, so we stop pursuing them. Eric helps us to see that we can follow our dreams at any age. This is a great book for building children's self-esteem, which is so needed in today's world. I wish there had been books like this when my children were small.

I have two children (ages 3 and 4) and find there are surprisingly few books that they enjoy listening, I enjoy reading and that have good lessons.

This story let's children (and reminds parents) to let children follow their own dreams versus the expectations of others.

I look forward to future books about Robert Fitzgibbons.

Other favorite books for reference are Ms. Twiggley's Tree House, How the Jester Lost his Jingle, The Gardener, Andrew Henry's Meadow.

My three children recieved signed copies of this book from their favorite aunt, my sister. After reading one of the copies while waiting in the doctor's office I was pleasantly reminded that we need to follow our hearts. The need to remind adults to instill this process in our children is certainly accomplished in this captivating book.

This book contains stunningly beautiful pictures of japanese chogokin (=die cast metal) toys from the 1970's and 80's. Many of the toys are quite rare and hard to find pictures of (like toys made by Takatoku, Nomura, Marushin and Nakajima), even in Internet times. Highly recommended!

In addition to Tim Brisko's incredible photography, Matt Alt and Robert Duban provide a brief history of Japanese toys that explains how these toys fit into the grand scheme of things. Recommended!

I bought this book for my husband because he's obsessed with transforming robots. He squealed when he read it. The photography is wonderful and it is like a history book for the ultimate transforming robot fan.

Hi, this is hubby James writing this review...

I just got SUPER #1 ROBOT and it totally rocks. As much as I thought I knew about J-bots, this really showed how much I didn't know. Even if you are well-versed in "super robots" and anime mecha, expect to be surprised by some really far-out machines you've never seen, from shows you've never heard of (but wish you had)!

The photos are wonderful, shot from a proper low perspective, giving these tiny giants their respect. They look like huge works of art here, which in some ways, they truly are. Great work! I am looking forward to Alt's next book very eagerly.

It's about time an American book in english came out on this subject, authored by people who know what they're talking about and thankfully NOT including tin and wind-up robots from the 60s and earlier. This little paperback is what chogokin collectors would humorously refer to as "robot porn." It's a glossy, high-quality picture book that causes salivation and drooling with the turn of every page. Unfortunately it is by no means a complete encyclopedic manual for all toys diecast during the 70s and 80s, but that can't be expected, considering such an undertaking would produce a book (or morelike a series of books) far heftier than this little paperback. Since that expectation is unreasonable, it is entirely forgivable since this little tome covers quite a chunk of the chogokin, vinyl and plastic market, and a nice variety, as well.

First off the book construction is sweet - small and easily handled, it's like a mini coffeetable book with a glossy softcover. I wasn't expecting such a nicely made little book. There is minimal chitchat and all the talent is poured into the photography of the most mint-looking chogokin robots I have ever seen. I think the thing that I was most tickled about was there was a picture of a mint Tetsujin 28 in the front of the book, and a beat up, played-with, broken and paintchipped version of the same robot in the back of the book. The wear on the used robot shows more as a sign of how much that toy was loved, not abused, and anyone who loves collecting chogokin, I think, would get the same tingly warm feeling looking at that beat Tetsujin 28 as the shiny minty one.

There are a few vinyl robots included in the line-up, and I could think of quite a few chogokin that were left out that could've taken up the pages of the vinyls, as I'm not much of a vinyl collector myself; vinyls are a whole other collector market and I can see why they were included in the book, but then again, I would've preferred that they weren't. Vinyls were usually monsters, but the ones that depict robots were the ones focussed on. All in all they don't take up a lot of space. Also the book is an almost even mix between the comical/humorous chogokin like Robocon and Robodachi and the more serious robot gladiators and team robots like the Godaikins; again these are (more or less) two different collector markets and not everyone collects both. As well, there are some Giant Machinders included, which is not even a scratch on the surface for them since there are quite literally hundreds if not more to collect in that category, but this book is really not meant to be a catalogued record of every robot ever made. Even though one will be able to think of some robots that were left out, all the major ones were included. The only complaint I have is that a lot of them are shown not holding a weapon, when many of them are known for their specific or characteristic weapon(s). Some are shown with a weapon, like Garbin, but too many are just robots standing weaponless. Again, though, this book isn't meant to be an official catalogue, so don't expect accessories to be featured.

If you want lists and cataloging of every robot ever made during the 70s and 80s, there are plenty of online sites that attempt to accomplish such a massive undertaking. But if you want to flip through a nice hefty little book just to get the tingly warm feeling of joy gazing upon the robots of your childhood, this book is totally worth it. It's a little window peephole into the past, but man is it worth peeping.

I am not a therapist nor am I studying to become one. Regardless, I loved this book. It is a fascinating account of human nature. The author sets out on an adventure to meet up with a handful of his previous patients. Thirty years have passed since he has counseled them and his quest is to find out, not only how they turned out, but if they truly did benefit from his therapy.

The author does not *really* find out the answer to that latter question. It is impossible to know whether they would have turned out the same without his therapy. However, the adventure is still a compelling one. When hearing each person's story of how they entered into therapy, even I was dying to know how they turned out. You will be, as well.

I enjoyed the first story, about Naomi, the most. Akeret is an excellent writer...he draws you into his adventure completely. I can imagine that this book would attract many readers who are in the field of psychology/psychotherapy. I am fairly certain that every therapist has at least one patient who they would like an update on years later. However, such follow-up, I believe, is frowned upon in the field. Akeret throws caution to the wind and indulges himself. In turn, he indulges the reader.

I give this book 5 stars. It is more interesting than many works of fiction that I have read.

I found myself recently telling somebody about a particular story from this book--which I read years ago when it first came out. The "polar bear" story has stuck with me for YEARS...so revealing about how our environment as children shapes our psycology! (All the stories in this book are for GREAT for party conversation!)...I just went back into therapy, and decided to pick it up again to read--and I forgot how intriguing each story was! This book not only follows up on the "endings" of his patients...it's also kind of a travel-questlike tale. A quick, easy read, but NOT lacking in content whatsoever!

I don't know much about psychotherapy - this was an interesting way to learn about it. The stories are fascinating, well-written, and Akeret provides very meaningful, humanistic commentary.

Although this book reads like a novel, it contains the real-life stories of the journeys of five of Robert's most memorable patients. Starting with the work that began within the walls of the therapy room, each chapter takes a peek into how the lives of the individual patients have progressed in the space and time beyond the sessions. On so many levels, this book illustrates how the real effects of therapy transcend quantifiable in-session measures, and have an immeasurably profound influence on the rest of the patient's life. These stories speak for themselves and illustrate that the therapy is indeed healing when life after therapy can truly be a life.

I have done therapy myself for many years and I really enjoyed reading Akeret's book. Before I knew it, I had finished the book, wishing for more. When I first went into this line of work, my supervisor said to me that people are funnier than a barrel full of monkeys. People never cease to amaze me. Seeing the tremendous variation in personalities and getting a look at what made them the way they are leads to one becoming much more tolerant of others and also much more tolerant of one's own idiosyncracies. But first and foremost this book was very entertaining without being fantasy. (I'm the type who doesn't like fantasy because I just keep saying to myself "oh, c'mon!") A man falling in love with a polar bear? but he explained how it could happen. And people who think thoughts can kill - Mary in the book. Read the book. You'll be glad you did.

One of my most treasured possessions is battered old Chinese paperback I picked up for the equivalent of about fifty cents many years ago. The print is uneven and smudged, the paper is poor-quality with lots of show-through, and the book isn't even properly bound but has just been stapled together.

So why do I treasure it? Well, in the first place because it's a book of selections from a man I personally consider to be the wisest and wittiest philosophical writer the world has ever seen, the Taoist Chuang-tzu. I also treasure it because, although I've looked at many different editions of Chuang-tzu, I've never seen him translated so well. The translator is Lin Yutang, a man who almost got the Nobel prize for his literary accomplishments, and if you read him you'll understand why.

The present book, 'The Wisdom of Laotse,' has also always been very special to me. In it, Lin Yutang has had the brilliant idea of interspersing, chapter-by-chapter along with his translation of Lao-tzu's Tao Te Ching, a very generous selection of passages from his marvelous version of Chuang-tzu which help to point up and expand upon the themes of the Tao Te Ching.

Lin Yutang, in other words, has given us both the Tao Te Ching and the essence of Chuang-tzu between the covers of the same book. Both of these are works to nourish the spirit, works we often find ourselves returning to, a true treasure of wisdom spiced with fun.

It's unfortunate that the Lin Yutang is now out-of-print. It's an older translation, but I don't think it's ever really been bettered. And Lao-tzu could have no finer commentator than Chuang-tzu. Perhaps you'll get lucky and be able to find a used copy. I hope so, as I don't think you'll regret it.

The Te-Tao Ching is the Taoist must to have and understand, a truly enlightening book. This is the book that began my interest in Taoism, but not all Taoism the alchemic Taoism I find to be too unusual for me. So I study philosophical Taoism and this book is the one to begin with in my opinion no matter what part of Taoism you want to study. The translations are thought out well and explained to the reader in a very straitforward matter without being to complicated. If you enjoy philosophy I suggest you read this book.

Outstanding translation into Western idiom of Taoist concepts. This book is especially useful for linking Chuang-Tsu and Lao-Tsu allowing the reader to develop a systematic understanding of the two major thinkers of the Taoist tradition.

There are more than one hundred translations of Lao-tzu's TAO TE CHING in Western languages, and more than forty versions in English alone. Lao-tzu speaks to those searching for a more meaningful way of life in a society degraded by economic, militaristic, modern values. Robert Henricks' translation is notable in that it is one of several new translations based upon the Ma-wang-tui texts. These texts were discovered in 1973, preserved in the tomb of an official's son. That tomb has been dated to 168 B.C.

Professor Henricks is Professor of Religion at Dartmouth College, and he is a well-known scholar of the Ma-wang-tui texts. His translation is a work of impressive scholarship. He follows the classic two-part, eighty-one stanza form of the TAO TE CHING, giving us two versions of the text, the first his bare-text translation and the other delineated with his commentary and notes. His translation is more literal than Stephen Harrison's more popular poetic rendering of the TAO TE CHING, and more scholarly than Red Pine's translation. It is easy to compare Henricks' translation to Moss Roberts' more recent scholarly translation. Professor Henricks has given us a superior translation of Lao-tzu's TAO TE CHING.

G. Merritt

I found this book in 1973 at age 13 after reading a TV guide profile of the show Kung Fu. It said that the show's philosophy was based on the Taoist writings of Lao Tse. I found a copy of this book in a used bookstore and it started me on a lifelong love and appreciation of this simple, natural and profound philosophy. I have found myself turning to this book at nearly all of my life's crossroads. I am now looking for a second copy because my original is so extensively highlighted and underlined, the binding's falling apart and I want to start all over again with a clean copy.
I have since read every collection and translation of Laoste and Chuangtse that I could find. They ranged from great to bad to unintentionally hilarious. This is still my dearest and most treasured one by far. Yutangs translation is direct and poetic. I love his idea of using Chuantse's parables to expand upon Lao Tse's verses. This book should still be in print.