White Books

I agree with everyone who loves this book, which combines the historical scholarship of Fernando Ortiz with careful transcriptions of New York-based bata drummers, including Jesus Perez, Julio Collazo, and Puntilla.

This book is all rhythms, marvelous if you are a drummer or other musician, do not get this if you are looking for a history of santeria.

This book DOES include the CD, which is indispensable for learning the rhythms. There is only one ISBN for the BOOK/CD set, which is 0-941677-70-2. If your copy doesn't contain the CD, return it for one that does, and do NOT buy the CD from dealers who try to sell it separately for as much as $200 on Amazon marketplace and elsewhere.

Happy drumming!

This is a great book for learning about the music of santeria, but it has some short comings as far as TEACHING how to play the bata drums. This book covers historical background, musical structure and provides notations for many traditional bata songs. I would not consider it to be an instructional book.

My book came with a CD, which is perhaps the best recording I have been able to find of traditional bata drumming (most discs have vocals with the drumming that make it difficult to specifically concentrate on the drums). This disc consists of recordings of specific songs being performed on bata drums.

I wish that the CD would have broken up the parts for the indivdual drums to make that easier to hear. I would also have liked to have some instructional demonstrations on the disc to hear various techniques of playing the bata drums. The text is also weak on instructional techniques for the drums with only 9 photographs and 1 page of text dedicated to teaching technique. There is no discussion or demonstration for the use of bata drums with contemporary music. I realize that this is not the intention of this book, and apparently teaching technique is not either. (I sure would like to find a book dealing with these issues!)

Having been a student of Amira's, and having travelled to Cuba several times, I know a little about what this book means for people who study Afro-Cuban sacred rhythms. Cornelius is also a drummer and ethnomusicologist.
This book is accurate, interesting, and extremely informative. But it is a shame that Amazon doesn't carry the CD that goes with this book--it is a clearly laid out study of the most important rhythms. I have known some drummers who grew up playing in Havana to get excited when they heard this recording, and ask to play specific sections over again to study them in detail.
This book is satisfying to all levels--from the beginner who wants to start learning a little about the rhythms, to the advanced scholar who is ready to dive into the details. The authors are completely trustworthy sources of information and this is a work of devotion and years of study.

The book did what I was looking for to do in regard to the bata drumming styles and rhythms. This is the real timimg of the Yoruba-Nigerian and Cuban expressions of the bata drums. I hope it would had the same effect on you as it did to me. Even if you are not a musician or just love community drumming the bata rhythms are the original trive toques(Spanish)of the Afro-Caribean Cuban Santeros and the Latinos Musicians that used them in Salsa Music of today.

This book is great!!!! This book provides the only transcription of sacred rhythms of Santeria I have been able to find. The transcriptions are accurate. The authors are also very respectful of the religious nature of the music. This book is useful for both musicians and non-musicians.

The only thing wrong with this book is its unavailability. Out of print since 2005, this is quite simply the finest cofee table book on national parks ever made, bar none. Incredible paper and print quality. I have given this book as a gift several times.

Despite the seemingly mediocre title of this book, the pictures are anything but average. Here, you will find landscapes of various different types and beauty, from rugged cliffs to lush forests and waterfalls. The natural beauty of this book will challenge anyone who believes that photography is not an art, as Meunch has an unbelievable talent for it. In fact, while Udall is a good essay writer, I would even go so far as to say that Meunch should be credited as the author here. Not only does he capture breathtaking images, but his perspective is amazing as well, particularly in his forest photos. The forest section of the book perfectly represents the vastness of the trees, making me feel as though I'm a nymph or some other woodland creature marveling at the majesty around me. Whether you are a nature lover or have never appreciated it before, I recommend you get this book now!

This is one helluva book. Thank you Kutti. The photographs would make an nature enthusist drool with sheer glee, the text by Udall brothers is so refreshing, makes you wanna follow their paths. David's large format photographs are guaranteed to take your breath away. It did for me..Amazing..and the book is big and heavy..with the highest quality paper possible. Buy it..I am planning to get some camping equipments really soon...:))

"National Parks of America" is a wonderful collection of photographs from the National Parks in the United States. David Muench does a marvelous job capturing some of the the most beautiful places in the United States. His photographs include the Alaskan National Parks, the Grand Canyon, the giant redwoods in Redwood National Park, the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park, the natural bridges in the national parks in Utah, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Isle Royale in Michigan, and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. There is a map of all of the places in the National Park System, and an essay by Stewart L. Udall, former Secretary of the Interior under Kennedy and Johnson, and James R. Udall. I cannot recommend this book enough. You must see it to fully understand what an outstanding book it truly is. It made me want to visit these places as soon as possible!

This is the book with the most beautiful pictures of America's National Parks I have seen so far. The print quality of the photographs is excellent. I have given this book as a gift to many of my friends and relatives!

This book is perfect for people wanting to do beginner (and even a couple moderate) hikes in the White Mountains. It is very easy to use and detailed. All hiking books should use the format of this book. I highly recommend it.

If you are looking for more agressive hikes or multi-day trips, get the AMC White Mountain Guide with maps.

Being an avid hiker and an avid reader of hiking guides (when it's too cold and white to hike), I purchased several hiking guides to help me plan my recent vacation to New England. This guide is by far the best of that lot.

This guide describes 50 hikes in the White Mountains (45 in northern New Hampshire, 5 in extreme western Maine) divided into 8 regions by geography. Each hike contains detailed directions to the trailhead, a very good map that shows you almost everything along the trail except contour lines, and a description that usually lasts for several pages. The descriptions are divided into two sections: the first just gives directions for walking the trail along with the major highlights, while the second gives lots of information about the scenery (animate and inanimate) you are likely to see on the trail. In fact, this guide gives you more information on the forest and fauna than just about any guide I have ever read. Length of the hikes range from 0.5 miles to 5 miles with the average at 2 or 3 miles. Also, some of the trails can be combined to form longer hikes of up to 10 miles.

This guide emphasizes hiking with kids, so one might think the appropriate audience is somewhat limited. However, as a single man with no kids, I can attest that this guide will be useful to anyone interested in White Mountain hiking. In fact, much of the information "intended for kids" I found to be just good information about the trail's natural setting (as described above). So don't think this guide is one of the specialized type; it can actually be used by a very broad audience.

If there was one drawback to this guide, it would be the significant changes that have occurred on some of these trails since the book went to press. On my personal hiking journeys, I discovered:

1) the trail to Arethusa Falls (highest in NH) has been rerouted and
2) the Old Man profile in Franconia Notch has collapsed.

So there will need to be an updated version published in a few years. However, the publication date is still fairly current, and trail changes are beyond the author's control.

In summary, this is an excellent guide that anyone interested in White Mountain dayhiking should own. Very highly recommended.

This is a terrific book to use when you are going to hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is rich with information presented in an easily accessible format. Useful introductory chapters tell you how to get the most out of the book, make suggestions for hiking with children, and discuss the natural history of the region, including line illustrations of plants and a few animals. A map shows the location of each of the 50 hikes, which are divided up between the Franconia Notch, Waterville Valley/Squam Lake, Kancamagus, Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch, North Conway, Evans Notch and North Country regions. An easy-to-read chart lists all the hikes and their difficulty level, distance and whether or not there is a river, a waterfall, a lake or pond, a view, rock ledges, wooden bridge, blueberry bushes or special geological feature on that particular hike. A short introduction to each region details facilities available such as camping sites and visitor centers. Several pages are devoted to each hike, including length, elevation gain, time requirement and difficulty level, a description of the trail, highlights for kids, directions to get there, a map and a photograph. The book concludes with a bibliography and index.

If you get one book to help you explore the White Mountains, it should be this one, particuarly if you are hiking with children.

Now in an updated and revised second edition, Robert Buchsbaum's Nature Hikes In The White Mountains continues to be the premier guide to New England's White Mountain waterfalls, mountain ponds, blueberry patches, and outdoor adventures for the hiker, backpacker, and nature enthusiast. Mixing trail descriptions with natural history, Buchsbaum provides a series of hiking opportunities including a map, distance, estimated hiking time, elevation change, and level of difficulty. Nature Hikes In The White Mountains offers natural sites and activities for children; sidebars on natural features along the trail; detailed driving instructions to reach each trail; and a quick reference chart for selecting the perfect hike. Whether for a day hike, a weekend excursion, or to plan an outdoor vacation, Nature Hikes In The White Mountains will prove a much appreciated, practical, and even inspirational guide!

Went to the White Mountains with another adult friend and picked this book because the walks looked about our speed. The directions are great, descriptions and nature discussions also very informative and entertaining. I particularly liked the "what the kids get out of it" feature for each walk. I particularly recommend the walk to Diana's Baths, a waterful near North Conway, NH.

As I read along in Dr. Valentine's book, I was taken back to so many thoughts and situations that have come before, in my own life. With great humor and wit, Sheryl Valentine describes her experiences and how she dealt with them, from simple to complex, all of her personal solutions seem practical yet inspired. I really like this book which is far above the genre of self-help and delves into the author's personal experience and great faith. Well written and designed for maximum impact through somewhat episodical sections and paragraphs. This again, is brilliant for those of us with short attention spans, at the same time not light-weight but substantial. Good message, and highly recommended!

Dr. Sheryl Valentine has done an excellent job of combining many fundamental principles from "A Course in Miracles" with a wealth of personal experience, practical examples, and humor. I especially appreciated the chapter "Dealing with People Who Drive You Nuts." Although it does not specifically focus upon miracles, the win-win solutions to everyday problems that this book will inspire will certainly seem miraculous. It's a welcome addition to my bookshelf, and I heartily recommend it.

I have just gone thru your book and can HEARTILY RECOMMEND IT as being chock full of every idea and principle of the Core Teachings of A Course In Miracles, as well as the many parallel paths which we all walk together on our way home.

A Tribute to what happens when someone who is devoted and commited to the Truth, and has the Willingness to Share what she has learned from many Teachers...and to simplify for all who wish to find The Peace of God...which includes Us All!

THANK YOU Sheryl for writing your Book!....Its easy-to-read style filled with your many stories on Healing Relationships...all shared with humor and wit.

If anyone was supposed to write a book, it's got to be Dr. Sheryl Valentine. A gifted healer and lecturer, she has touched thousands of lives with her amazing ability to share with others what she understands innately and what she has learned through experience and practice. I no longer live where I can easily attend Dr. Valentine's lectures, so when I heard about "Oh my God. It's Me!" my first thought was, "Oh my God! That's great!"

This book delivers on so many levels, I truly stand in awe of it. I have to admit that before I read it, I wondered if Dr. Valentine could encapsulate the dynamism and color of her personality in book form, and anyone who has ever heard her speak will know what I'm talking about. Well, the fantastic news is that she did it! She's present in every word. What's even more amazing is she has packed so much more into every word. This is not a book for speed reading. It's more like a friend you'll want to keep nearby for whenever you want a lift or a way to look at a problem from a fresh perspective. I loved reading this book, but I know that rereading it will be even better.

Divided into five sections - Healing Through Relationships, Power in a New Perception, Spiritual Practice, Truth in Story, and Moving Forward - "Oh my God. It's Me!" is further subdivided into short lessons, exercises, essays, and poems that offer insight, guidance, and wonderfully valuable, life-enhancing tools. Using analogies from the prodigal son to Dorothy's dog Toto, Dr. Valentine has done a fantastic job of transferring her insights and uniquely compelling guidance to the printed page. The result is Dr. Sheryl Valentine in book form - and - Oh my God! She's great!

Well written and very informative. A book that will hold your interest from beginning to the end, AND if like me, you will say "Oh My God, It's Me!" A perfect blend of Self-help and Spirituality. Many of my friends and family have purchased this book and have loved it! A MUST HAVE for your book collection.


Marie Wagner

I agree with the guy above, claiming the Gangrel were more than feral animals, and did more than growl and bark. Anyway...

Quienes son considerados CLANES dentro de WOD: Tremere, Assamite, Brujah, Ventrue, Lasombra, pero vamos... Gangrel???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? GUAFGUAFUGUAFUGUAFUGUASFU Realmente afrontemoslo, QUE te van a decir de un Clan, que no tiene objetivo alguno, que no se podria llamar CLan; un Clan que se rebaja a hablar con los seres inferiores, los animales,convive con ellos y disfruta de esto al maximo... No hay mas que decir salvo.... Guaf Guaf Guaf Guaf Wolf Wulf Miau Miau, Miyagi, Miau (lexico Gangrel)

Quienes son considerados CLANES dentro de WOD: Tremere, Assamite, Brujah, Ventrue, Lasombra, pero vamos... Gangrel???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? GUAFGUAFUGUAFUGUAFUGUASFU Realmente afrontemoslo, QUE te van a decir de un Clan, que no tiene objetivo alguno, que no se podria llamar CLan; un Clan que se rebaja a hablar con los seres inferiores, los animales,convive con ellos y disfruta de esto al maximo... No hay mas que decir salvo.... Guaf Guaf Guaf Guaf Wolf Wulf Miau Miau, Miyagi, Miau (lexico Gangrel)

One of the improvements of the new CLAN BOOK series over the original is consistency between the various installments. The new books all seem to include discipline variations and merits and flaws tailored to specific clans as well as all new sample character templates. (MIND'S EYE THEATRE stats are now always given for much of this) Often extensive sections on notable clan members are included in all of them. The only standard feature missing from the new CLAN BOOK: GANGREL is the sample coterie- too bad, because if there ever was group that tended to hang with their own (if anyone), it would be the Gangrel.

Overall, however, GANGREL is an outstanding addition to this series. The mostly new text (part introduced as a response to the narrator of the original) covers (as usual) the title clan's view of vampiric history and opinions of other clans and WoD creatures. The Gangrel are presented as a diverse group, often defying stereotypes but generally highly inquisitive and, of course, prone to wander. It deals with subjects like Gehenna, the political ramifications of Xaviar's recent break with the Camarilla, conspiracy theories and even Gangrel opinions about suburbs and the internet- in addition to the expected material on environmentalism, Lupines, etc. There is a very good section on the impact of the Gangrel weakness and some hints at larger mysteries, too.

Happily, there's also lots of Sabbat material- including how Sabbat Gangrel regard different Paths of Enlightenment. A follower of the Path of the Feral Heart is included in the character templates- the first template on a Path follower in the new series. (Wrong virtues, tho!) This is part of an examination of Gangrel bloodlines including some of the exotic and lost ones from DARK AGES. WOW!

I have been playing the world of Darkness system for some time now and came to realize what the clanbooks actually do for starting characters. This book not only helps in the Tabletop system, but also helps to increase the diversity of the Live Action game as well. This is a must have for those of you who are just like me and play both games to the fullest.

The other books don't go much into fomori save maybe the book of the wyrm. Fomori are some of the most heavly incountered supernatural nasties in the phsyical world... they are simply everywhere thanks to pentex's spreading of curuption.

Regardless of how you whant to use one in your game this book is a must have for such, there is pages apon pages apon pages of example powers and taints for you to use derectly or as a guide to make your own. There is about as many here as all the werewolf gifts with a wide aray. Rather combative powers, stealthy powers, seductive powers, just about anything you can think of..... and LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of realy SICK ones.

Thats about the only down fall of this book, some people will just down right be groosed out by this book some of the stuff in here is down right horable and wrong.... but this is the wyrms affects on men at it's worce, so what do you exspet.... DEFFENTLY a book for adults only.


One very intresting thing this book opens up is alowing people to have PC fomori rather tring to be good or not, you can let some one play one in your game. Or to make things realy intresting play a game with a buch of humans that start getting fomori taints together... various taints showing up more and more before they sudently found that they got powers along with them. And leave them to deside what to do about it when pentex comes knocking at there door.

Some of the possablites here for bad guys is impresive too, not just the brutish or out right nasty looking fomori there use to dripping with taint... but you can have one that not only feelts taint free with powers, but will feel like there dripping with wyld essence, looking perfectly human... using powers that make them very sugestive, only doing the most terable of horid tricks when they get one of the party members alone.



Overall grate resorce for ANY Word of darkness game, even a game in of it'self, but not for the faint of heart.

This book is every thing i would expect from yet another exellent release from Black Dog books. Yet another vile manisfestation of the perveted mind of Black Dog. This is defianatelly one of the most gruesome yet best roleplay sourcebooks i have had the pleasure to read in years. As a mature roleplayer who likes to deal with mature themes Black Dog gives me the oppurtunity to feed and corrupt my twisted mind. Thank you to Black Dog for yet another fantastic release.

Freak Legion is not as gruesome as one might imagine. The material isnt overtly stomach churning(the opening comic is dire but not that bad)but it is still enough to warrant a bit of maturity. A fomori is one of the more tragic aspects of the Wyrm's corruption of humankind; they didnt ask to be made into monsters, and Pentex plays on their helplessness. While a fomori may be very powerful in combat against a Garou, it is ultimately a tragic monster that is manipulated by the evils of Pentex and the Wyrm. Keeping in line with the "Dark Side" aspect of the Wyrm, one is lulled, never forced into bloody service to the Wyrm. This is an excellent sourcebook on playing these tragic yet very powerful lost souls.

I simply can't believe NOONE took the time to comment on this book! This is the ONLY book I have 2 copies of, (one's worn out, the other's untouched, NEITHER'S FOR SALE!:) and frankly the ONLY book I ever WANTED to have 2 copies of. The artwork is excellent! The rules and details are bone-chilling terror combined with unusual clarity for White Wolf/Black Dog! I read it from cover to cover, had a chance to play a demon-possessed creature twice in my life now (as a plot device). Although I totally ADORE the book, I run a TableTop game and an online game (guidelines don't allow webpages so e-mail for details if you want them:), and would NEVER allow such super-powerful creatures to exist as Player Characters...but they sure do make for FANTASTIC plot devices! You're lucky (and hopefully over 18) if you manage to get this out of print book!!! :)

I am a staunch White Wolf player, and have purchased 80% of my books right here from Amazon.com. They're faster and more reliable than my local retailer, so I've amassed almost every Werewolf: the Apocalypse book in print, with a large collection of Vampire: the Masquerade. This was my first Black Dog book, and also one of the more useful ones I own.

White Wolf seems to not go so much "adult" in terms of pornography as it does on a "lets see how gross we can make it." The entry comic is enough to turn a weak stomach, so definitely keep it out of children's hands -- just as the company suggests. It had a healthy spattering of profanity which wasn't necessary at all times in this reader's opinion, tossing it in possibly to put the "adult" rating on it instead of for emphasis. In today's era, however, that's easily overlooked. Once you get past the general disgusting aspects, or if they don't bother you, the book itself is an excellent resource. It develops the Formori by leaps and bounds over the Book of the Wyrm First or Second Editions. In Freak Legion, you not only learn the in depth history of various Fomori types and breeds, but you also have a full list of how to create and build them with the special powers (and the taints it costs them to be in servitude to the Wyrm.) It was very informative, and excellent fodder for even the Vampire Storyteller who might want to introduce a new element into their game to throw of players who have already "been there, seen that, done that" with V:tM. Pentex certainly doesn't have to be Werewolf specific with a Malkavian antribu on its board of directors, and the company itself is outlined in some ways which are "political" similar to Vampire, although that isn't the focus of the book. All told, I would recommend this book to any serious White Wolf Storyteller. There is a small chapter with ST Guidelines to go from splatter horror, to possible politics, to a good old fashioned "blaze of glory" situation. There's something for almost everyone. A great companion to Book for the Wyrm Second Edition.

Full of brilliant characters and bursting with wry humour, "The Swords of Lankmar" (the novel forming half of this volume) is illuminating about the inhabitants of our world whilst being most entertainingly set in Leiber's alternative one. This transcends its genre to be wonderful literature.

Essentially two relatively brief novels with six short stories intermixed between, Leiber continues the adventures of two of the most original characters to grace fantasy fiction, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. Though after reading "Ill Met in Lankhmar" and "Lean Times in Lankhmar" Leiber's at times over-worked prose is beginning here to wear thin, he nonetheless retains an ability for vividly worded description and a well-turned phrase that sets his work apart from other fantasy fiction. Ever inventive in plot, Leiber is even able to construct a war between Lankmar's human inhabitants and underworld rats and pull it off, creating the best fable of human and rodent relationships since the "Pied Piper of Hamlin."

While I would agree with an earlier reviewer regarding the last two tales included--"The Frost Monstreme" and "Rime Island"--I would have to say that at least four of the included short stories are insubstantial, including "The Sadness of the Executioner" lauded below. Further, there has been better rounded works in fantasy published since Leiber wrote this series. Nonetheless, this belongs on any serious fantasy afficianado's reading list; though, being out of print, one may need to undergo some effort to find it.

Fritz Leiber was a fantasy writer when that genre existed in people's minds, Jeckyll and Hyde style, as either the Christian allegories of the Inklings (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams) or the garish pulp of Edgar Rice Burroughs or Robert E. Howard. Leiber, no shrinking violet, considered himself the literary equivilent of the former but embraced the visceral stylings of the latter. Indeed, the Lankhmar books, Leiber's penultimate achievement, are a much more enjoyable read when one has seen Leiber's notes and commentary on his contemporaries and predecessors.

This is why White Wolf Publishing's new collection of Leiber's Lankhmar tales is such a fine accomplishment. In addition to the stories themselves, a number of Leiber forwards, postscripts, correspondence, and related writings are included in each volume, giving the readers rare and valuable insight into the author of these fantasy favorites. Indeed, the heart of any literary fan must go aflutter at the possibilities when Leiber writes off-hand about his near-attempts to write stories based on the Cthulhu mythos of contemporary and friend H.P. Lovecraft. Those musings, along with the greatest of Leiber's works, "Swords of Lankhmar", and others are included in this third part of White Wolf's reissue.

"Return to Lankhmar" is, far and away, the most enjoyable and engaging of White Wolf's Lankhmar compendium, both for the casual scholar and voracious fantasy reader. "Swords of Lankhmar", apart from being Leiber's greatest story, is one of the high watermarks in fantasy literature all together - a mix of action, wit, and self-reference that is sure to win over the hearts of any fans of the genre. A must on anyone's "To Read" fantasy list and a book (indeed the whole series) that should find a home on the shelf of any fan.

Set mostly within Lankhmar - Above and Below - The Swords of Lankhmar is the obvious one here for maximum entertainment value, incorporating lots of great characters, F.L's passion for contact sports, and the Twains' willingness to indulge in such, given opportunity - yet always ready to defend Lankhmar, if coincident with their own interests. This is a book in its own right, with a huge amount of detail and plot for a hair over two hundred pages. A short mid section comprising a half dozen very short stories, leads onto, The Frost Monstreme and Rime Isle ( two parts of a novella, precursor to the fourth volume of the set, Farewell to Lankhmar). Reviews that I have read regarding these last two stories describe them as being below par, and drab. I don't agree with this at all. They are of the same quality as, The Swords of Lankhmar, except Lankhmar isn't much a part of the picture, and the cast of characters aren't as dramatically differentiated: No eight teated rat-queen (Hisvet), white-hot-wire whip wielding mistress ( Samanda), invisible girl-ghoul ( Bonny-bones), bat-carrier albatross, Glipkerio, Skwee, etc. F. L's use of language, and ability to integrate a lot of unlikely themes - not so much the Twains' use of weapons - are the primary factors, which make these stories work so well today. I'm not saying that it's style over content, but without it, they would come across as pulp adventure tales, for which they were geared towards in the first place, and where in-depth character development was inappropriate. So whilst the last two stories are, in essence, as good as the first of the book, with respect to style and construction, they lack colour due to the reduction in location and up-front character dynamics, needing more of the character insight details as used in, The Mouser goes Below (Farewell to Lankhmar ), to compensate.

Leiber is one of the best writers of this century in or out of the fantasy genre. His stories are amazing poetic works -- as well as brilliant tales. His two heroic but flawed and realistic characters were the first complex and adult protaganists in pulp fiction -- far more interesting to watch while saving the world (or simply their own skins) than the belligerent Conan or self absorbed Elric. That Leiber also includes some other elements rare in fantasy lit is a bonus: realistic combat (based on his own fencing knowledge), a wry but understanding knowledge of religion, comments on metaphysics and philosophy, the nature of true friendship, complicated relationship and sexual situations (including more than of a touch of the fetishistic and kinky), unnerving elements of horror, and especially the more than waiting-to-be-rescued women of his stories. The Swords of Lhankmar is his only novel of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser -- and it is easily the best adult fantasy novel ever written. From it's ironic and violent opening to it's last-minute rescue finish, it is better than anything published in this field since. It is strange, violent, a bit perverse, and very funny. The story The Sadness of the Executioner -- which is in Swords and Ice Magic -- gets my vote as the most elegant peice of fantastic literature ever written. A short, short story that is mostly a prose poem about the nature of mortality, it is surprising, somber and funny, all within a dozen pages.

And what of Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser themselves? Fafhrd is the surprisingly complex barbarian warrior with a poet's heart and sometimes gullible nature. The Mouser is ever cynical, slightly evil, always self-involved, and too clever by half. The two are unbeatable in battle, but too likely to fall for the right scam or the wrong set of lovely eyes. The argue, brawl, drink, discuss the nature of reality, explore, steal, serve masters good and ill, and swashbuckle their way across the most imaginative stories ever... Read and enjoy.

This was an excellent book; well researched, well written, and well organized. This book provided a remarkable contrast to "The Cathedral and the Baazar", which, while interesting, was generally poor in its organization and far too biased to take seriously. Although the author is obviously biased towards open sourse, this is the most objective book I've read coming from the open source community. Rosenberg often objectively points out the challenges the open source debate will face legally and philisophically in the near future. This is a great reference book for anyone interested in the open source debate.

Open Source: The Unathorized White Papers is a real contrast to the other more well known book I've read on the subject, The Cathedral and the Bazaar. While Cathedral and Bazaar reads like a series of unorganized USENET posts and random musings, Open Source is very well organized, and professionally written and edited. It contains up to date and accurate information about a range of topics relating to open source, including history, examples of businesses, and licensing.

The book's coverage of licensing is easily the most complete source for understanding a very complex subject. There are so many misconceptions of what licensing means in terms of software that the book is a must read if you either run a software company or are considering investing in one.

The only issue I have with the book is its description of the Java programming language as not having "a community". Being on the board of directors for the local Java User's Group I naturally take issue with that characterization, but for the sake of brevity, as well as sticking to the topic at hand, I will refrain from bringing out the voluminous amount of evidence to the contrary. :-)

For disclosure, I must admit to having met Mr. Rosenberg in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. This isn't hard to do, considering he attends meetings of nearly every technical group I can think of, and is an expert on "people" networking.

This book presents an excellant overview of the open source development arena: who is playing, why they are playing, where are they headed, etc. It also provides an excellant grounding in the forces that shaped the movement, as well as the individuals who found themselves leading a movement (when they really thought they were just good programmers).

The book is well written and organized, with interesting side stories that provide a drill-down view of key areas. There is also good discussion of the strategy that is behind the key players in the game today, as well as insights into emerging opportunities.

For anyone who wants a good overview of this revolutionary method of software development, this is it.

Sometimes a home run is little more than a hit causing an increment tick to a stat, but once in a while it's a powerful work of art that changes the game--Donald Rosenberg's book is the latter. It is, by far, the best book on Open Source written to date.

As someone involved with open source strategies at a large corporation in the computer industry, I found Donald's book to be objective, insightful, and current which reflects an intimate knowledge of someone on the inside.

The level-headedness of this book makes it an essential read for anyone trying to understand the counter-intuitive nature of open source or protect themselves from the FUD, emotions, and convoluted conversations that plague Open Source.

This book is a compilation of essays on open source from the author. He covers the origins and history, as well as a responsible coverage of the licensing models. While there is an over emphasis of Linux, it does talk about various business models that can be used in the open source context. It also includes the text of some of the major open source licenses.

Very nice descriptions of what the Great Depression, Washington and the discovery of the West really means.
As we slide into this new global society people's interests are seeming to take a keen look into what this country has had to offer and the ways of life in the past for those of this nation....orchards, like Johnny Appleseed type feel and what we don't get in the history books. The interest in nature's nooks and crannies, dwellings of family and the need to go into your own family tree. Truly inspirational. Read closely books like these because they are a dying breed. Or maybe immerging....?

As a descendent of a family who lived in, farmed and worked for the railroad in the Washington State's Columbia River Basin in the early 1900's to the mid-1950's, this book was fascinating and entertaining. Mendenhall's excellent and exhaustive research forms the basis for Orchards of Eden and shines a spotlight on the distant, hidden influences that were at work while the early farmers toiled in the dry, sandy soil to bring their dreams of Eden to life.

To date, the heroic efforts the irrigation projects exacted from the early farmers to develop orchards and farms nourished by irrigation has received little attention from historians. Mendenhall describes how the families formed a lively, thriving community whose members supported each other through the hard time and shared a common vision of irrigation farming's future.

In spite of the White Bluff farming families' resolve to turn the desert into an Eden, the story of how their efforts were impacted by the railroads and power monopolies and by the US government itself, including the devastating Hanford Atomic Project, makes this book an important contribution to Washington State history.

A valuable and engrossing account of pioneering history. In the present generation of high technology and corporate lifestyles, Mendenhall recounts a time when sweat, idealism and individuality mattered. It is a priceless gift to former residents of the region and for all of us who value the histories of American settlers.

Orchards of Eden is an engaging family history which goes far beyond the story of one family to illustrate an historical period and the economic system that many small farmers struggled with, especially those engaged in irrigating in the arid West. The Shaws and the Wheelers moved to the White Bluffs area of Central Washington in the early part of the 20th century to become orchardist on the banks of the Columbia River.

The material for this book came from a variety of sources. The author began with a wealth of information saved in her grandparents' letters which she agumented through interviews of her aunts and uncles who had grown up in the comunity of White Bluffs. Her story has been further informed by narratives of other families from the area as well as reserch of historical resources. The results are both informative and interesting.

I found her description of the social structure of the community of White Bluffs to be particularly fascinating. She used her grandmother and great-grandmother's experiences in White Bluffs society as examples to illustrate the role of women in building social cohesion in rural America.

Children played an essential role in the economic survival of farming families. These roles were still vivid in the memories of the surviving aunts and uncles. In areas where there is no direct evidence the author makes reasonable guesses and clearly indicates when she is doing so.

I heartily recommend this book for people interested in history of the West or family stories.

> In WHITE BLUFFS, Nancy Mendenhall has brought to
> life in vivid detail the
> birth, maturation and death of a tiny desert town.
> She tells the story
> through the eyes of one family, which sets out to
> create the good life for
> themselves and their children, pioneering as
> irrigation orchardists along the
> Columbia River in eastern Washington. Their dream
> lasted from 1906 until the
> confiscation of their land for the Manhattan Project
> during WWII, through another
> world war and the Great Depression. An economic
> balance sheet would say that
> their dream failed; but the richly woven human
> story revealed in WHITE BLUFFS
> -- history which reads like a novel -- tells a
> different tale. Through all
> their struggles, these wonderful people loved their
> river, their homestead,
> the town they'd helped create, their lives in it
> and each other, steadily day
> by day for almost forty years, as few of us are
> gifted or privileged enough
> to do.
>
>



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This was a wonderful read. For anyone in management (particularly human resources) this book is easy/quick to read and provides some very interesting information and practical information. I highly recommend it.

This book was refered to me by a professor at my college. I think this is the most accurate book i have ever read. It is a must read for all managers and supervisors. Job well done.

Here is a practical guide for managers that provides key insights and action steps for managers to diagnose, evaluate and effectively guide people to success in their jobs. It is easy to read and even easier to implement these best practices for setting goals, empowering people, enhancing and achieving personal and team performace, and dealing with the borderline or ineffective performers. As a management consultant and coach, I highly recommend this book to managers at all levels in the organization.

The Performance Advantage Method provides an effective guide for leaders in coaching and developing team members to greater performance and personal success. The Method is easy to understand and apply with specific leadership actions recommended for each performance challenge diagnosis. This book is a great leadership guidebook for supervisors and executives alike.

This is a "must read" for managers at all levels. It truly provides the best method for diagnosis of employee performance issues and powerful tools for appropriate corrective action.The stories drive home the key points and make it an enjoyable book to read.