White Books

The only real problem with this book, is that it's too short! I really wanted to continue reading about both couples in this wonderful romance.

There is a saying in the romance industry that few writers take chances. New writers can't, because they don't have enough "clout," and established writers won't because they don't want to "disappoint reader expectations." Luckily for fans of Anne Stuart, right from the first in her almost 30 years of writing romance, she has flown in the face of both these dictums, having made a career of doing the unexpected. And never more so than in The Right Man.

In fiction, whether popular or literary, one of the greatest gifts a writer can have is a distinctive voice, which becomes the author's trademark and is apparent from work to work. Even more wonderful than this, though, and as rare as rubies, is a writer so talented that she can vary her voice to suit the story. Anne Stuart proves herself to be such an exceptional artist in The Right Man.

I am not a particular fan of film and novelistic noir of the late 1940s and 1950s (and therefore no expert on the subject), but from the little I have watched of that art form, it is highly recognizable. I believe it was a touch of genius for Stuart to fall into this style or "voice" for writing the segments of this time travel set in 1949. The cryptic, highly structured noir style of dialogue, in particular, sets us firmly in the late 1940s, and lends itself to a concise and deliberate pacing that, while moving the book along rapidly (essential in a short book such as this), never seems too rushed. The noir voice as used here is also so highly visual, one can easily imagine the book being made into a film, with the original dialogue carried into a script intact. (Are you listening, Lifetime? )

The use of the wedding dress, which is the major plot device of the "Gowns of White" Harlequin series this book is part of, as a magical device for time travel, while not a wholly new technique in and of itself, is quite original in its execution. My three favorite aspects are these: the way the dress, like an enchanted cape from a fairy tale, never soils or wrinkles; the way the magic brought by the dress spills over into all the other major characters' perceptions, and the way we are never quite sure if the time travel really happens or is a case of mass hypnosis (though this possibility is pleasantly mystical in and of itself).

As wonderful as the magic and the noir voice are, they do not overwhelm that which is the ultimate reason fans read romance: the love relationship. In this book, we get not one, but two great pairs of lovers. The level of sexual tension and expressed passion between each duo is incendiary, and the resolution of the internal and external conflicts, both within the protagonists individually and within the two love relationships, is believable and satisfying.

All in all, this is not only one of the best romance novels I've read in the past few years, but, in my opinion, one of the best short contemporaries I've read in almost 20 years of enjoying this genre.

I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it did have time travel in it, but a lot of it was present time also. Only a part in the middle had the time travel. This book was different, but it was well worth reading. You won't be sorry if you get it.

This is not your ordinary romance novel. It was so unexpected and so much fun! I have yet to read a novel quite like this one. I highly recommend it to anyone that likes to read books with a twist and a lot of adventure. I could not put it down.

Leave it to Anne Stuart to twist this plot line around (and around)and make it work. Tackling a bit of time traveling in a shorter book is difficult at best, making it work as spendidly as she did is a rare feat indeed. Brava, Anne!

As another reader mentioned, I only wished it were longer so I could have enjoyed my time in the (multiple )lives of Susan and Jake that much longer. I can't wait to see what she does next!

I passed this book by many times before finally breaking down and buying it. Somehow, its title and dust cover just didn't grab me. Besides that, having already read several biographies of the Reagans and the Reagan family members, I was fairly well convinced that the book couldn't possibly contain much of anything new. Even after buying it, I still wasn't much inclined to read it. What finally convinced me to do so was when I read in the prologue that Colacello was a personal friend of Nancy Reagan and that Nancy had arranged for him to have unprecedented access to her personal files and to virtually all of the Reagan's living friends and associates and/or their children. How could I resist? This had to be a spectacular source of inside information. And it was!

The early part of the book traces the lives of Nancy Davis and Ronald Reagan in parallel chapters. This section is interesting primarily for the light it sheds on Nancy's early life; her relationships with her mother, Edith Davis, and her adoptive father, Dr. Loyal Davis; and for the in-depth background provided concerning both Edith and Loyal.

The book really takes off, however, in the mid-sections where it deals in depth with Reagan's and Nancy's film careers; Reagan's military service; his marriage to and divorce from Jane Wyman; his actions while president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), particularly in combating the Communist attempt to take over Hollywood's film industry; his, and other's, testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) - who was who and what was what; the members of "The Group" who induced Reagan into politics and the subsequent "Kitchen Cabinet" members (mostly wealthy, conservative, high-powered friends of Nancy or Edith) who guided, supported, and, it might be said with some degree of truth, made Reagan Governor of California and President of the United States; Reagan's abortive run for president in 1968; and the rationale for his run in 1976. From that point on, the book is hard to put down.

In summary, this book contains inside information which can't be found anywhere else, making it a vital historical document. The information doesn't always reflect well on Ronald Reagan or Nancy, but it dispels a lot of myths and misinformation, and certainly provides a great deal of insight into what it takes for even a great leader, such as Ronald Reagan, to become President of the United States.

The book certainly rates five stars for content. It loses something for readability, however, due largely to its repetitious descriptions of parties and dinners, including: who was invited; what foods and wines were served; what gowns the women wore and who made them; who were the women's hair stylists and what were their hair styles; etc. But that was a small price to pay. I give it four stars.

Some friends of ours in Australia started to read this on an Asian cruise last Fall and asked us to bring them a copy when we visited Cairns in August.

They loved it and so did we, when we got to look at it prior to giving it to them.

As a Reagan supporter, I really wanted to love the Reagans and to see Nancy Reagan's reputation vindicated. Nancy, in her elder years, is very admirable. It is a bit creepy to read that Ronnie always called her Mommie, but no one can deny their mutual love. Bob Colacello is quite thorough in his research,fair and honest - no whitewashing here...the endless sniping and self-aggrandizement of Nancy's pals, like Betsey Bloomingdale et al? These women were all intimate friends, but were clawing at each other for primacy in the Reagan inner circle. Bloomingdale brags about her caviar parties and hobnobbing with the Paris set of sophisticates, but gets caught evading customs duties for lying about how much she paid for a new couture outfit in France. The other graceless, snobby chums of Nancy also seem like the idle, witless, rich that P. G. Wodehouse skewered in his books. The Kitchen Cabinet husbands are scary and only a tad less obnoxious. The book makes one feel queasy; Ronnie and Nancy seem bought and paid for by their cronies. Nancy herself comes off as self-deceiving and controlling - a shallow and manipulative social climber who rewrote her personal history;possibly she is portrayed as second only to Joan Crawford as Mommie Dearest. Ron takes up ballet as an adult. Patti has herself sterilized at 24 because she's afraid she'll be like her mother??!

The book proves what most of us assume - being well-connected helps a lot with success and acts as a powerful "deodorant". Colacello is due to write a second volume on the Reagans. I will read it for the writing, the history and my belief in redemption.

Colacello deconstructs the Reagans like no other author has. He starts with the premise that their personal and social lives were inseparable from their political ambitions, and an essential factor in Ronald Reagan's rise to power. He goes on to explore how the couple's social milieu and interpersonal relationships influenced Reagan's political ideas and governing style.

A fascinating portrait of Nancy emerges as well: Colacello sees her as supremely focused and determined to advance her husband's political career, but motivated by pure adoration of Ronnie rather than any overriding desire for control and power.

The writing flows easily and is peppered with enough interesting anecdotes and revealing quotes to make the reader forget at times that this is, in fact, a serious political biography. A great read from cover to cover.

The perfect mix of gossip and history. Meticulously researched and carefully observed. You won't be able to put it down.

I picked up this little book completely by chance at the local bookstore the other day. This is the time of year when few new books are out and I have to dig a bit to find anything interesting to read.

I'd never heard of either the author or the book, but it was short enough so I bought it.

I was stunned. Tondelli pulls off, in 186 pages what some authors have been trying in several books to examine: Why do men stay together? (It was a complete coincidence that I read this book after reading "Comfort and Joy." The two books couldn't be more dissimilar.

Where "Comfort and Joy" is, in the end, optimistic about two men finding ways to love each other and live together, "Separate Rooms" is not.

Highly autobiographical, "Separate Rooms" tells the story of Leo, an Italian writer, and his lover Thomas. By the time the story begins, Thomas is already dead, and Leo is reflecting on their relationship and why it didn't work.

From the book:

"Now he had to give serious thought to the notion of living together with another man. But he had no models to follow, no experience to recycle and fall back on in this stage of their relationship. He knew that the love he still felt for Thomas would not be enough on its own. They would tear each other to pieces and that was the last thing he wanted... Living together meant believing in values that neither of them was capable of recognizing. How would their love end? Would they have no option but to normalize a relationship that society was in fact incapable of accepting as something normal? Would they not turn into the mirror image of those groteque homosexual couples where one does all the cooking and the other always goes to the market to do the shopping? Where the two lovers resemble each other in their attitudes, in their way of doing things, even in their facial expressions, to the point where they become two pathetic replicas of one and the same unbearable imaginary male, emasculated and effeminate?"

I haven't yet talked to anyone else who has ever read this book, which is a shame. It should be widely read.

grande capacità evocativa associata alle parole. Un romanzo incredibile per la sua compattezza, la sua forza e fragilità. Si rimane sempre con la voglia di andare avanti, non tanto per scoprire qualcosa, quanto per godere delle immagini che riga dopo riga, magicamente si formano nella mente. Leggi la parte quando Leo torna al paese e passeggia per le vie del centro, guardando dentro le case attraverso i vetri delle finestre....uno tra i libri migliori.

Tondelli descrive, con la forza evocativa delle sue parole, un viaggio al centro del nostro tempo. In Leo ritroviamo l'egoismo e la generosità, la ricerca del divino e il compiacimento nel degrado morale, lo slancio verso la frenesia delle metropoli e l'ansia di ritrovare le proprie radici culturali nelle tradizioni della campagna emiliana. Parlando di se, Tondelli parla di noi, di quanto sia faticoso assecondare ogni giorno la mutevole direzione dei nostri desideri e della nostra missione.

Tondelli is able to touch us deeply with this awesome book in which the boundary between auto-biography and fiction seems to collapse in the telling of a wonderful love story. The crisis of the lost love and of the lost of youth are the main themes. The words flow constantly, without pausing and reaching the perfection of a masterpiece.

Beautiful book! Simply heart-wrenchingly beautiful! What a precious little gem! I keep returning to search for another book by the author, even though I know he's dead... I get angry at him that he died before writing another... I guess it is one of those unique masterpieces where the write has written but one work.. but one. And the passion of a human facing his mortality exudes on every page: loss, love, memory, death, and all the other ghosts that haunt us... I will read it again and again and again!

Ajrak is a traditional shawl used by both Sindhi men and women.Making of Ajrak is a very long and tedious process. This book provides information about Ajrak and how it gets its final shape.This is perhaps the only book of its kind.

San Francisco, CA , August 12, 1997 This book is a marvellously illustrated history of Pakistani texitle printing from the area of Sindh. Anyone interested in textile design, printing or dyeing or art history of South Asia will be fascinated by this book. The Ajrak printed textiles have been found in the tombs of Egypt but are still being printed today in Pakistan. The use of indigo and alizarine is outlined as well as the development of the designs

I just received a much anticipated copy of the second edition of "Sindh Jo Ajrak". This is one of the few books I have seen in a long time, that I didn't even have to open to be overcome with sheer joy.

The book has a cloth binding, with a 3"x4" piece of the famed Sindhi Ajrak very tastefully framed into the the cover itself. When I did get myself to open the book, I found page after page of absolutely beautiful color pictures detailing the ancient tradition of Ajrak making, showing artisans hard at work, and putting it all in the context of the Sindhi landscape. The book is appropriately dedicated to "all the anonymous artisans of Sindh, who over the centuries have contributed to the creation and perpetuation of a rich and sensitive art-form -- the making of an Ajrak."

The significance of the Ajrak to the Sindhi society and culture is described very nicely in the introduction:

"The continuity of Ajrak production and use over the centuries is maintained only because it is an integral part of Sindhi culture. Its usage is evident at all levels of society, and the cloth is held in high esteem, with the utmost respect given to it. I trust the world will give protection to preserve this incredible process and this precious ancient craft tradition."

Readers may also want to look for a film on the Ajrak apparently produced by the author, that was shown at the South Asian Film Festival in Nepal last October. The film is titled: "Sun, Fire, River: `Ajrak' - Cloth from the Soil of Sindh".

San Francisco, CA , August 12, 1997 This book is a marvellously illustrated history of Pakistani texitle printing from the area of Sindh. Anyone interested in textile design, printing or dyeing or art history of South Asia will be fascinated by this book. The Ajrak printed textiles have been found in the tombs of Egypt but are still being printed today in Pakistan. The use of indigo and alizarine is outlined as well as the development of the designs

I just received a much anticipated copy of the second edition of "Sindh Jo Ajrak". This is one of the few books I have seen in a long time, that I didn't even have to open to be overcome with sheer joy.

The book has a cloth binding, with a 3"x4" piece of the famed Sindhi Ajrak very tastefully framed into the the cover itself. When I did get myself to open the book, I found page after page of absolutely beautiful color pictures detailing the ancient tradition of Ajrak making, showing artisans hard at work, and putting it all in the context of the Sindhi landscape. The book is appropriately dedicated to "all the anonymous artisans of Sindh, who over the centuries have contributed to the creation and perpetuation of a rich and sensitive art-form -- the making of an Ajrak."

The significance of the Ajrak to the Sindhi society and culture is described very nicely in the introduction:

"The continuity of Ajrak production and use over the centuries is maintained only because it is an integral part of Sindhi culture. Its usage is evident at all levels of society, and the cloth is held in high esteem, with the utmost respect given to it. I trust the world will give protection to preserve this incredible process and this precious ancient craft tradition."

Readers may also want to look for a film on the Ajrak apparently produced by the author, that was shown at the South Asian Film Festival in Nepal last October. The film is titled: "Sun, Fire, River: `Ajrak' - Cloth from the Soil of Sindh".

I have found that Melinda Copper's approach of using animals in the illustration actually makes the original "unexpurgated" Snow White tale that much more accessible. The illustrations - the clothes, the settings - help put the story in its original context and in the ways of the past. The animals make it fascinating to look at but less frightening than an illustration or photograph of an actual child.

I have enjoyed this tremendously as has my niece.

well,um,i'de have to say this book is pretty well done,especially by that...umm...melinda copper,oh yes,she's the best artist i would have to say,well anyways,i own 20 copies of the book and i read it every night because those bunnies are just so darn cute
buy it or forever be unknowledgable(or be bunny cute free)

Artist Melinda Copper has a unique gift - drawing upon the works of master artists she creates paintings in their style but with her own imprimatur - animals. Her paintings of cats, dogs, rabbits are treasures in themselves, sought after by collectors and art aficionados. Thus, her "Snow White" is a marvel for us to cherish.

Words cannot possibly do justice to the beauty of Copper's paintings - precious, irresistible, heart warming come to mind but they aren't enough to describe the attention to detail and luminosity found in Copper's work.

Of course, the story of Snow White is known to all, but it becomes new again with these meticulously drawn images and glorious full page illustrations.

Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

I have four grandchildren ages, 2, 3, 4 and six. They (and their parents) all enjoyed the book, especially the illustrations. It was wonderful to revisit the Brothers Grimm version of the story as well as to experience the beautiful full page illustrations. This will be a book that will stay in the family for generations. Melinda Copper is to be congratulated on a wonderful book!

I read this book to the K-1 and 4-5th graders at my daughters school. The children were so captivated by the beautiful illustrations that I had to promise to leave the book in the classroom for the day so they could look more closely at it. Once the children got used to the idea that there is more than one version of this classic, they were excited by the antics of the evil step mother cat! The older children loved the detail of the illustrations and the fact that they could see the texture of the canvas in the pictures. The younger ones were delighted by the hamsters and mice. This book raises the standard of children's book illustrations. It will make a wonderful gift for a child of any age!

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....

Snow White is beautiful. Too beautiful. At least that is the feeling of the queen who is beautiful, too, but insists on being MOST beautiful in the kingdom. And Snow White, without even trying, is becoming more beautiful as time goes on. "So, there is only one thing to do," thinks the jealous queen: "kill Snow White." But try as she might, again and again, Snow White lives on. "Curses," thinks the queen, "there must be a way."

[Picture book suitable for the primary through intermediate grades.]

I read this book when I was seven years old and have never forgotten it. Having been raised with Disney, I had never known what a real fairy tale was . . . at least, not the original tales. This book tells the story the way it ought to be told. I think that I can honestly say that this book started me on my love of fantasy novels and folk literature.

I found a copy of this version of Snow White in the school library in Japan where I was teaching, and took it home to read to my boys. Later, I photographed the pages and showed slides to my Japanese students, using these illustrations to explain the surface, psychological, and spiritual meaning of the Grimm's stories. Of Grimm illustrators, I think Hyman is best, and while her illustrations of Rapunsel, Living Water, etc, are wonderful, this is her most inspired work.

First of all, the paintings take my breath away. Unlike the Disney figures, one can understand why the Mirror on the Wall thought these two ladies beautiful, and why the prince fell in love with Snow White! Hyman uses light brilliantly, beautifully, and with subtlety. Wow! My students liked them, too.

Also, Hyman seems to be one of those rare souls who picks up on the spiritual level of the Grimm tale. None of the other reviewers has mentioned the allegorical nature of Snow White, and I don't want to ruin the story for anyone. But if this interests you, pay close attention to numbers, temptations, candles, the mirror, especially the final mirror image, and the face of the King's Son. Hyman has drawn so subtly that it is possible to entirely overlook this quality and thoroughly enjoy her art, as an atheist may enjoy, say, the Chronicles of Narnia. Nor am I even sure she was a Christian. But she may have picked up on something intended by the Brothers Grimm. (For details, see Ronald Murphy's The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove: The Religious Meaning of the Grimm's Magic Fairy Tales. Or see my upcoming article in Books and Culture, "How the Brothers Grimm Overthrew the Evil Empire.")

Lay all that aside, though, and this is still one of the most lovely children's books I have ever read.

author, Jesus and the Religions of Man

Parents looking for a good edition of "Snow White" need look no further than this one by Paul Heins and Trina Schart Hyman. One day a beautiful, yet proud and arrogant, queen stands before her magic mirror and asks: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is most beautiful in the land?" Instead of replying as usual that she is the beautifulest, the mirror informs the queen that her stepdaughter, Snow White, has now surpassed her in beauty. Driven by envy and anger, the queen orders a hunter to take the girl into the woods to be killed. He decides to spare her life and presents the liver and lungs of a boar to the queen instead of Snow White's. Meanwhile Snow White takes shelter in the house of the seven dwarfs. The scene when the dwarfs return home is reminiscent of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with the dwarfs asking "Who has taken some of my bread?", "Who has been using my little fork?", and discovering the girl asleep in one of the beds. They allow her to stay. When the queen discovers Snow White is still alive, she tries to get rid of her in a variety of ways: bodice laces that cut one's breath, a poisoned comb and finally a poisoned apple. The fairy tale obviously has a happy ending. There are two scenes in the tale that parents or children might find disturbing. One is when the queen cooks and eats the liver and lungs, thinking they are Snow White's. Second, at the end, when the wicked queen is made to dance in red hot shoes until she falls dead. Other than that the story is well told and the illustrations are magnificent---detailed with rich and vivid colors. I especially liked the one where the queen, disguised as a peddler, is tying Snow White's bodice laces. A wonderul story to add to your child's collection.

This is the well-known story of a princess whose evil stepmother tries to have her killed. The huntsmen could not go through with it and tells Snow White to run away. When she does she finds herself in the company of seven small men. They live in a house very happily until the queen finds that Snow White is not dead. She finds Snow White and tricks her into eating a poisoned apple. Snow White dies. She is awoken from her death by the kiss of a prince and they live happily ever after.
The reason I enjoyed this version of Snow White more than others that I have read was that is was not as much of a fairy tail like story and more of a darker approach to it. The seven dwarfs, for example, are not shown as happy little creatures that sing and dance all day long. They are merely shown as small, kind men. The illustrations in this book are so beautiful even though they are not the bright colors that would usually go along with this story.

While I have not read Silk's first book "Married to da Streets." With "Tears of Hustler," he has listen to his fan base and had some editing done and giving more to read. I give him credit for listening to his readers. I must say author Silk White had me hooked I love this book and could not put it down; I am patiently waiting for his next one drop. Silk White is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Ali is the main character a drug dealer who dreams of helping his people overcome the ghetto. Ali has a business sense about him. Ali's partner G-Money is loose cannon with a deep hatred for the police; making these two an unstoppable team. They have a force of killers and untamable youngsters behind them. Everything is good until an OG named Rell comes home and wants a piece of the pie. Add to the mix a dirty detective, some snitches, and this makes for a real page-turner. "Tears of a Hustler" has the winning combination of backstabbing, murder, shootouts, deception, trust, love, coupled along with twist and turns. You have to read this MUST READ to see who comes out on top or is it a losing battle for all involved? If you have lost your faith in street lit this is the book for you!!!!

The supporting cast come together lovely. There is Nancy Ali pregnant girlfriend, Coco G-Money main squeeze, and Nancy best friend. Spanky Ali younger brother whom is a talent boxer awaiting a title fight. Big Mel is Ali person bodyguard. Christie is Spanky's stripper girlfriend/wife. They all add a special element to this book and makes it complete.

SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc
5 star rating

Silk White is a 25 year old extremely talented author who has started
his journey thorugh the publishing world with his first and second
books (Married to the Streets and Tears of a Hustler). With his new contribution I feel he can sell up to a million copies. He is a new urban author with the same stamina as the writing legends and knows how to hold his own with his works. He will be able to keep up with his competition with works this amazing. He will wrap you into a story with his articulate and descriptive wording. The story Tears of A Hustler is so fast paced that one may read it in a matter of a short amount of time.
The characters of the book live lives that most individuals live in the current day: the flashy cars, shoot-outs, rivals, money, women and parties.

Great book. It was fast paced filled with a lot of drama. This book will keep you wanting more. I read this book in one day. If you want a good read, go out and get this book.

I had pretty much given up on reading urban fiction, and then came along Silk White. This brother is awesome. If you like real in yo face from the hood drama, my man is the one. I read Tears of a Hustler in one sitting, not saying it's a short novel (It took me 6hrs), I just couldn't put it down. If this is your first time reading his books, you need to get Married to Da Streets. Silk White is true talent at it's finest. A DIAMOND IN THE RUFF.

-PEACE-

WATCH OUT BOOK WORLD!! WE HAVE A RISING BEST SELLER ON BOARD...WITH HIS SECOND DEBUT "TEARS OF A HUSTLER" SILKWHITE HAS DONE IT AGAIN. THE BOOK WAS ABOUT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE HOOD BUT WITH A TWIST, JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SILK SWITCHED THE GAME UP AND THATS WHAT MADE THE BOOK SO GOOD...NOT TRYING TO GIVE AWAY THE BOOK,IT'S NOT YOUR USUAL STREET/LOVE STORY..IT'S LIKE READING A MOVIE SCRIPT THATS HOW REAL THE BOOK IS YALL..PLEASE BELIEVE ME IT'S WORTH EVERY HARD~EARNED PENNY

Thoughts Etched In Jade is simply a joy! Mr. Delezen makes you feel as though you are walking beside him on his journeys. In the midst of chaos, I pick up this book and find myself wandering on a quiet path in Asia. I do not have adequate words of praise - I have just thoroughly enjoyed the book.

John Edmund Delezen, an orphan,wresteled his livlihood from the horrows of the battlefield and the demands of the unforgiving sea. He combines a warriors mind, a poets heart and insight into the soul that is the province of only a very few men who have lived life on the edge. He sees a challenge in adversity, and finds hope when others despair.
A gifted writer and student of the culture of Vietnam, his "Thought Etched in Jade" is the first poetry that truly touched my soul in the seventy years I have been on this planet.Up until now I considered "Casey at the Bat" the only poem that made sense.

"Thoughts Etched in Jade," by John Edmund Delezen is an attractive collection of poems and photographs. This slim (44 pages) beautifully designed & laid out book includes 18 poems filled with words & thoughts that are meant to, "say little...and suggest much."

Delezen is too modest. He should have included a short "Introduction," to inform the reader of his love affair with the Vietnamese people, language & culture. Moreover, I think readers would be delighted to know of his long dedication to understanding the written and oral history of Vietnam. In many ways Delezen is a poet/scholar with a rare viewpoint and a gift for writing.

My favorites include, "Night Storm," followed by "Untitled," and "Con Gai." I must also add that the very first page of this book...the dedication to Dickey Chapelle, "a beautiful moth that flew too close to truth"...admirably captures the heart and eye. This compact book of poetry should be thrown into the backpack for walks into the woods in search of quiet spaces. Highly recommended.

Bert Ruiz

(Disclosure: This reviewer received an unsolicited copy from the publisher. What appears here was unaffected by that gesture.) "Thoughts Edged in Jade" is slim, attractive volume of Vietnam-oriented poetry. The same Marine veteran who wrote "Eye of the Tiger" wrote TEJ. Both are highly recommended. The soft tone of the poetry herein makes it plain Mr. Delezen has come to terms with the Vietnamese. . This reviewer liked "The Dispossessed", about those tragic humans known as "The Boat People". "Saigon Toujours" deals with the dawn of a new day in that strange place, which many of us refuse to call "Ho Chi Minh City". Other readers will nominate their favorites. One cannot conclude a review of TEJ without an acknowledgement of the highly professional production values therein. The photos are sharp and clear, the stock is heavy and firm and the typesetting is extremely eye pleasing. Issues that most ignore or suffer through are very well handled here. TEJ could almost qualify as a coffee table addition. It's that attractive. The bottom line to TEJ is that this is a Vietnam book-one more unique observation into that war which won't go away. Vets, or at least those who have traveled there, are encouraged to try TEJ.

First The Eye of the Tiger and now this wonderful volume of poems and photos. Delezan has perfect pitch for the atmosphere, the people and the emotion of Vietnam, a beautiful country filled with intriguing people, animals and views. His is a very evolved sensitivity to mood and emotion. John Edward Delezan will be recognized as one of the most perceptive western writers and observors of Vietnam.

This book follows comic artist Tim Sale's career from his early days as an amateur illustrator to his work on the current hit series Hereos. Tim talks about how his career started and how he got to where he is today. This book is filled with artwork from his many projects including his popular Batman works. It's a huge book that will look great displayed on a coffee table, and it is well worth the cover price. I recommend this not only to fans of Tim Sale, but to comic fans in general. You won't be disappointed with this purchase.

You need something cool on the coffee table, right? And well, that Madonna "Sex" book is kinda dated and has started drawing odd stares from visitors. Well, replace it with something that's real - Tim Sale: Black and White - Revised and Expanded. Probably the most influential illustrator working today, Tim Sale brings a keen sense of design right alongside superior draughtmanship and combines them to make stunning pictures. Yes, some of them have appeared in comic books. And some on television. But don't turn your nose up at that. This is serious art made by a committed artist. Don't miss out.

If you are a fan of Tim Sale, of comics, of Heroes.....this book is a must. An intimate and informative look at one of the great illustrators of our time. The book is full of sketches, finished drawings, comic pages, covers, commissions, and an all new section of art colored by master colorist Dave Stewart.....not to mention a wonderfully candid interview with Tim by longtime friend and collaborator, Richard Starkings. Beautifully designed and presented in an over-sized hardcover format. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

One comes to a book like this for the art, and the gorgeous black and white and color work between the oversized covers of Tim Sale: Black and White - Revised and Expanded delivers.

Mr. Sale, whose profile has been lifted by his work on NBC's "Heroes," is probably best known for his work with Jeph Loeb on comic's big guns such as Batman, Superman and Spider-Man. Fans of Mr. Sale's work on those charcters will find more than their money's worth of his iconic take on those characters as well as other comic heroes such as Daredevil, Captain America and Mr. Sale's favorite, the Hulk. Those who only know Mr. Sale for his work on those characters, however, are in for a treat as the book is populated with drop dead gorgeous women. Mr. Sale's women run the gamut from the girl next door to a dangerous dame straight out of film noir, but they all have one thing in common; they are filled with a sense of life and spirit that transcends the page and communicates a genuine love and a respect for women.

If you can bear to tear yourself away from Mr. Sale's beautiful images, you will notice that words populate the pages of this book as well. After you have enjoyed the art for a few days, do yourself a favor and read the words. The writer, Richard Starkings, is a friend of Mr. Sale and reading this book is like sitting in on a conversation between the two of them. You will come away from this book not only with a better understanding of Mr. Sale the artist, but Mr. Sale the man as well.

This book is the total package! Fun, informative, honest, and high-quality. A great exploration of an artist at the top of his game and his journey there. If you are a fan of Tim Sale's work on Batman or on Daredevil or just on the Heroes TV show, this book is for you!