X Books

Finally a game that allows players to step into the world of Agents like Scully and Mulder. A must buy for all X-Files fans. Why only watch the show when you can experience the world of the X-Files through this game "Agent X"? I am surprised that Fox hasn't approached these folks about licensing it as the Official X-Files Role Playing Game. I had a great time playing it at ConQuest and will be looking for Agent X games at all the cons I go to.

Get your best buds together , dress up in funky attire, and GO CRAZY ! ! ! ! ! !

Now, I'll admit, I was skeptical about a the new role playing game, Agent X, when I first heard of it. A table top game with a system that flawlessly translates into live action game play, that sounds too good to be true, right? Too good or not, its the truth. Agent X's simple and realistic mechanics made all the games I've played in run smoothly and only aided in establishing a mood of mystery and suspicion that kept players coming back for more. If you're looking for a new kind of game with all the right stuff look no further than Agent X.

Agent X has a great new system that differs from all current roleplaying games on the market. It a must buy for any serious gamemaster looking for a new genre for their group, and an even more important buy for the first time and long time roleplayer looking for a new style devoid of fantasy world play. The content addresses the more realistic side of roleplaying giving you the rules you need to play a real government agent. A must try.

I played the game at Comic Con International in mid-August, and I must say, I was impressed. Now, I'm not saying this just because it was two of my friends who were running the game (Hi Lee!), but it was actually a well thought out game. The system is simple, easy to learn and easy to play. Go out and by this game... NOW!

Whose side are you on?

I completely agree with other reviewers who rate this book so highly. This author creates original, three-dimensional characters in such a flawlessly detailed manner that their stories are just buoyed along and the reader gets drawn in effortlessly. This book is one with depth in which you can immerse yourself. (As an aside, the cover is also very artistic, but tell me, how can you read this on the bus? That's probably my only quibble, though. I had to get a "cover" cover for public reading, though, because I couldn't put it down).

While not quite traditional in its execution (Blair is happily straight and also happily married in the beginning, and Kylie has no designs on being a home-wrecker), the pages of this book are infused with a gentle and gripping romance between Kylie and Blair. This author really makes an art of studying the differences and similarities between identifying as gay and identifying as straight. I find it fascinating. At the same time we really get into the experience of being pregnant, and it's an equally gripping and miraculous journey. And Blair's final transformation: into a woman who finally allows herself to feel vulnerable enough to love without self-imposed limits is extraordinary.

I like reading books about competent, self-sufficient people. In this book they are both successful professionals. I don't like love triangles, and I don't like books where partners cheat on one another, but neither of those situations presents itself. If you love getting into the psychology of what makes people tick, to the root of what we base our attachments to others on, then this is the author for you, and this is another excellent, tightly written, well-paced and well-edited offering from her collection.

I can never decide who I like more. Blair for her humor or Kylie for her sweetness? Blair for her strength or Kylie for her humor? Blair for being so human or Kylie for being so perfect? But I will keep reading again and again until I decide!

Along with the great plot the humor is wonderful. You really get to know these people and love them. Very sexy and passionate. Really, this book has it all and will resonate with the reader for a long time until you are compelled to read it again it is that entertaining. Oh My Goodness, this was fun reading. This is a delightful story. This novel is a substantial read to be savoured. Happy sigh...

Excellent writing (fabulous dialogue, just fabulous!), perfectly paced plot, endlessly interesting characters. I was riveted to every page and didn't want to put the book down. I always hold off opening this author's novels until first thing Saturday morning so I can read as much as possible in the next 48 hours.

The author, who I thought was perfection in her other novels, Cherry Grove, Arbor Vitea and the I Found My Heart in San Francisco series just keeps surprising me with one hit novel after another.

This is a Keeper!

From the author's web site - Blair and David Spencer desperately want a baby. Unable to conceive after trying for a year, they turn to fertility specialists. One of the doctors, Kylie Mackenzie, grows to be a trusted friend and advisor for Blair. She and David keep trying, with the procedures growing more invasive. Blair has second thoughts and wants to take things slowly. But David is ready and willing to go to any lengths to make his dream a reality -- even at the risk of turning their marriage into a nightmare.

From the publishers web site - Life is going darn well for Blair Spencer. She's a very successful real estate agent, happily married to a man who encourages her to live the independent life she loves--and they're actively working to have a baby.

The wrench in the works is that Blair favors adoption, while her husband David desperately wants to have a biological child. The fates are against them, and they finally seek the help of a group of reproductive specialists. One of the doctors, a surgeon named Kylie Mackenzie, eventually becomes a good friend to Blair. And she needs all of the friends she can get when things start to go horribly wrong at home. As her marriage teeters on the brink of collapse, she relies more and more on Kylie's friendship.

Kylie's happily gay; Blair's happily straight. But the way they structure their relationship leads friends and family to privately question whether the pair is setting themselves up for heartache. They eventually come to a crossroads, which could either destroy their friendship or turn it into what each of them has been seeking. The question is whether each woman can change her view of herself and her needs. The answer is all that matters.

I've read all Susan Meagher's books... and this my favorite. The author's specialty appears to be writing strong women, and in All That Matters, she's in fine form. Blair's life falls apart as she tries desperately to have a child with her husband. Kylie, a doctor at the same clinic Blair visits, befriends Blair and serves as her rock as her life comes apart a little more each day. Their relationship grows page by page and was a pleasure to see blossom. Sensual, funny, and painfully relevant, this book earned a permanent spot on my shelf. A romance with real meat on its bones is so hard to find! Simply put, Meagher is one of the best authors in the genre.

I am so much an SX Meagher fan. This book is so well written and in my humble opinion Meagher is as good or maybe a bit better than Radclyffe in her story telling. And this book shows that.
A woman doctor who specializes in fertality and is looking for a nicer home. Enter a woman who wants to conceive a baby and is a real estate agent. Over the course of a year they become friends and eventually more. All the events that lead to that are too numerous to get into and it would spoil it for you.

My God I really enjoy this novel,it's long but worth every page.
Life is going damned well for Blair Spencer. She's a very successful real estate agent, happily married to a man who encourages her to live the independent life she loves--and they're actively working to have a baby.



The wrench in the works is that Blair favors adoption, while her husband David desperately wants to have a biological child. The fates are against them, and they finally seek the help of a group of reproductive specialists. One of the doctors, a surgeon named Kylie Mackenzie, eventually becomes a good friend to Blair. And she needs all of the friends she can get when things start to go horribly wrong at home. As her marriage teeters on the brink of collapse, she relies more and more on Kylie's friendship.



Kylie's happily gay; Blair's happily straight. But the way they structure their relationship leads friends and family to privately question whether the pair is setting themselves up for heartache. They eventually come to a crossroads, which could either destroy their friendship or turn it into what each of them has been seeking. The question is whether each woman can change her view of herself and her needs. The answer is all that matters..

He's got an amazing grasp of the subject and very easy, organized way to present it. I'm enjoying learning what could otherwise be a very dry subject.

I bought this book along with Mac OS X Server Essentials. While that book is good on the GUI interface, this book shows in good detail what is really going on under the hood and behind the scenes. I have a much better understanding of Open Directory and LDAP in general as well as Kerberos and Single Sign in logic. Many of the other services offered under OS X Server 10.4 are also explained well. The command line information is good while not being so in depth as to lose the reader. You should have a basic familiarity with UNIX command line before trying to understand the concepts presented. The section on security is very good and presents a broad range of options to the administrator.

This book is a one-to-one version of the course material found in the Directory Services Integration and Administration v10.4 course, the Security Best Practices v10.4 course and more. The exercises are well thought out and easy to do. Not so easy to remember are the 800+ pages, but it is not meant to teach you all you need to know about being an SysAdmin. It is enough to get you through these two exams, which give you 7 credits and the ACSA. And it is enough to set you off into a job as Junior SysAdmin or, as in my case, a supporter with server duties.

Ideally, one should visit both official courses - not so much because more is offered in the actual courses than in the book, but rather because one can ask pointed questions of the teacher, that one cannot ask if something in the book is not clear.

As in most such books, it represents a beginning - the rest is a matter of acquiring experience. Do not expect this book to give you all the answers. I doubt if that would be possible. But it will give a whole lot of things to look out for and a whole lot of new input, especially if you have been doing some SysAdmin-ing and now want a look-see as to how the fulltime SysAdmins do it.

I read this book from cover to cover in order to prepare for two of the ACSA certification exams Apple offers, including the Directory Services Integration and Administration and Best Security Practices exams. If one is interested in the topics then one can learn an amazing amount of details and facts, otherwise difficult to come by in such an easily readable style.

However, I should warn, the book is not perfect in that the quality of the exposition can vary greatly from chapter to chapter. If I recall correctly, one of the first chapters explaining the basics of the KDC service and the concepts of Realms and principals contained grammatical errors so severe that they compromised the validity of the topic. Furthermore, some very interesting topics, such as cross realm authentication are barely touched upon.
Also, the information herein will not really help one troubleshoot a problematic service/server, but it will give you the background information, provided you are actively absorbing the information, which will allow you to analyze and think through troubleshooting scenarios.

However, any of these pitfalls are made up through such step by step explanations of the background processes behind promoting a server to an OD master, for example. I wish more OS books would cover such information either in this way or even at all.

Regardless, the book definitely did an amazing job of preparing me for the exams. I received very high scores on both exams (a 96 on the Directory Services and an 88 on the Security exam) and learned numerous interesting facts in every chapter.

At last, I would surely recommend this book for anyone thinking of getting an ACSA or someone just curious about the Unix side, along with its many possibilities, of OS X.[.....]

As another review states, this book is the guide for the relevant Apple ACSA courses. It succinctly provides you with an understanding of the basic information needed to attack the certification exams.

I do also recommend that you find the time and funds to actually take the classes. The folks in Cupertino have put a lot of work into creating great courses that offer you the crucial opportunity to learn by doing. The content and examples you work through during the courses are relevant to a wide range of applications, from small business to multi-national corporation as well as K-12, higher education, and research.

Schoun himself is one of the top independent providers of Apple training and has had no small hand in the development of the courses. I've had the pleasure of taking classes from him on several occasions and recommend his work highly.

THE BOOK DESIGN AND CLASSY JACKET ALONE ARE WORTH THE MONEY. LOVED THE MOVIE. THE ONLY PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THEY DON'T PUT ENOUGH COHERENT STORYBOARDS INTO THE CONTENT. ALSO, THE NIGHTCRAWLER'S MOCK-UP CIRCUS POSTER DON'T REALLY GIVE ANY ADDITIONAL VALUE OVER THE BOOK'S GENERAL CONTENT.

My first impression was WOW! This book captures the essence of the movie. It's great to see the story boards it just makes you remember every scene of this excellent movie. It's obvious all the crew involved in X2 cared a lot about details and art and this book crowns it. The addition of the movie script is great, i think we fans love to read the original script to see what scenes didnt make it to the final and wonder what they looked like (if they add them in the DVD it would be fantastic). The quality of this book is absolutely great. Beautiful pictures in every page you turn. A must to every X2 fan.

Being new to the world of the X-men, this book has everything to offer for the die hard fan. The Beautiful black hardcover (not to mention its wonderful slipcover with the entire cast on front) is amazing! The book is filled with illistrations, costume drawings, stroyboards, idea drawings of the proposed danger room, characther bios, and the best part...the complete movie script of X2! Well worth buying. I would suggest any fan to buy to add to his/her collection.

An astounding companion to the film, this book should be on every X-fan's wish list, and probably on that of anyone interested in how a real two-hour block of entertainment is made. There is real heart in this film--it stands out from most summer blockbusters as a simple, non-preachy statement on tolerance, gorgeously wrapped up in the craftsmanship of thousands of film artists, performers, computer graphic artists, and editors. It's a work of art, a rollicking ride, and this book is a terrific tide-me-over for anyone yearning to own the film on DVD in the future.

If you are looking for concept art, production stills and behind the scenes photography, this is the book.

The book goes in chronological order, for the most part, and shows the concept drawings and paintings, the storyboard sketches (and text), and places them next to finished photography of the sets and characters, which gives you a great idea of how the concepts are turned into reality.

It takes you into character development for all of the major characters, with concept art to final film stills. The characters covered are: Nightcrawler (with a great full page poster of "the amazing nightcrawler"), Charles Xavier, Wolverine, Jean Grey, Cyclops, Rogue, Storm, Pyro, Magneto, Mystique, Mutant 143, and Lady Deathstrike. Most characters have only 2 pages each, but Nightcrawler, Mystique, Wolverine, Mutant 143, and Lady Deathstrike have multiple pages which show sketches and final photography.

The locations/sets covered in the book are: the White House, X-Mansion, Cerebro, Plastic Prison, X-Jet, Alkali Lake, and Stryker's Base.

This book is 100% filled with great content: drawings, photos, and storyboards, along with a section on the special effects. I wish it were twice as big, but everything in the book is awesome.

I love this book. The origin of X-23 is a much better story than I was expecting - better than Target X. There were several plot twists that I didn't see coming, and the death of Sue, X-23's "mother" at the end is one of the more poignant moments in comics. As for NYX, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but as a teenage mutants on the loose in Alphabet City discovering their powers, I found the Runaways-esque feel of the book to be right up my alley. The main character is a great blend of street smarts and just plain cuteness. Some very adult themes in both stories. I loved every page and will definitely read it again.

...Would be soo good. I mean, Wow! that was a pretty stupid idea to make a Wolverine's daughter. But ut actually came out great! don't believe it? Just try it out!

A must for every X-Men fan.

To me, this is an X-Men-ized & far darker version of `GunslingerGirl.' (which is already quite dark) of the age-old question, `Who is really the monster?' & the reverse of an age-old question, `At what point does a man become a machine?'

I've never been one for super heroes; nothing against them, they simply aren't my genre of interest. However the X-Men have always been an exception for me, with their captivating villains, back stories, & genuinely complex social explorations. & with its thick science-fiction atmosphere & heavy, suffocating subtext, I can sincerely claim that X-23: Innocence Lost is a must read for all X-Men fans, maybe even for all comic book fans in general.

Dr Sarah Kinney has been called to a science institute to assist with the assembly of a new `weapon X', a clone of the escapee human-engineered super mutant `Wolverine'. But Sarah's been numb for a long time now, emotionally detached from humanity, & doesn't realize it until too late--she is creating a child, not a weapon.
The story's backbone is of parental love & loss of freedom; with perhaps the most monstrous villain I have ever seen for the fact that we watch him grow from an envious & arrogant doctor into something not human who doesn't even realize how truly evil he has become, & even more chilling is that he is not an over-the-top villain but someone who you could actually & unfortunately meet; & is aided by a grimly black climax & surprisingly upsetting ending.
There is a potent emotional & disturbing power behind this work & it haunts you long after closing its covers.
Despite some flaws in the art, the bizarre yet vivid color palate somehow intensifies the cold, lonely feeling of isolation, & the characters are given soul-filled eyes that pierce.

So what is the answer to this question...?

4.5 stars rounded up.

I would also recommend the rare-to-find series 'NYX: Wannabe', the first 2 exhilarating volumes of `New X-Men: childhood's end', as well as 'X-23: Target X' by the same authors, though all pale in comparison to this inspired gem.

What a story. Ugly & brutal and yet heart-wrenching. This is truly an extraordinary graphic novel. If I had one complaint, it would be that the artwork definitely follows the anime tradition, and I personally prefer more a realistic style.

First of all, I am new to the X-Men, so I can't very well judge what the seasoned fanatics will think of this. After all, the X-Men themselves don't even appear- except for a flashback showing Wolverine.

But make no mistake- this story is brilliant.

Here's what you should note:

1.) The drama is very real here. It is a highly emotional plot that works so well that it would probably make a darn good movie.

2.) There is plenty of action, all of which is wonderfully illustrated- and note that there is more than a little bloodshed.

I hope this is enough to help you make a judgement. But please, even if you don't read it now, read it SOON. The story is absolutely engrossing and I believe that the character X-23/Laura has the potential to become exceptionally popular among fans.

Once again Charlotte saves my behind by keeping my kids busy through a chaotic weekend. With the latest book, we are actually stopping the kids from reading to go outside and play !

What's more is that Charlotte, the author actually emailed the kids !!!! Having been huge fans of Charlottes for years now, my kids went crazy when an email arrived from Sonic's Author. Charlotte thank you so much for paying attention to my kids -- The Best of Luck to You !!!!!

Sonic and Chris and the gang are on a super snowy planet, searching for another Chaos Emerald. Standing inn their way are the hilariously evil Dr. Eggman and his inept robot henchmen, Rouge, and the usual cast of Metarexes. The puns are marvelously awful ("there's no business like snow business" and "ice to meet you"), and the author really captures the excitment and action of the Sonic Series.

Veramente un bell libro. Lo consiglio a grandi e piccini , ben scritto . Non vedo l'ora che esca la versione Italiana.

I laughed. I cried. And then I laughed some more and peed a little. It was a movie that came to life right in front of me!

much better than that ice-laden James Bond movie with the bad theme song...

I got this one for my 10 year old son. Reminded me of my childhood - the wonder of alien worlds, the excitement of knowing you're the first to be somewhere or see something. I think I'll have to get him an I-pod next as I'm worried about my Hi-Fi's speakers; they're getting quite a work-out!
Planet X is highly recommended! A really refreshing yet thrilling way to enjoy high quality SF in the 21st century!

This is a rare treat from a promising up-and-coming scifi author. The quality of the audio effects is simply amazing and the story line compelling. I listened to it on a long train journey and got completely lost in the alien world. Would definately recommend to anybody with any interest in science fiction.

Bravo!! What a joy to listen to, brought back childhood memories of listening to the old classic-H.G. Wells "War of the Worlds". I hope there is a sequel in the making..

A real must for sci-fi buffs and those who still value the art of listening and using your imagination to conjure up the pictures.


Vijay Parmar, New York

SF fans will enjoy Alien at Planet X, especially those who have a liking for gloopy-to-spacy ambient/electronic music ala ORB, Future Sound of London and Space Time Continuum.

The plot takes time to unfold (much like a typical Clifford D. Simak novel) but listeners are warned that the tempo increases dramatically in the second half as the rescue party finds itself in a number of precarious situations which are not always successfully negotiated.

The star of the story is undoubtedly the soundtrack which is effectively integrated into the plot and dialogue. Ever heard an interstellar spaceship journey? Well you should, and here is your chance...

Defintely worth checking out.

WT London

As a neuron-activating antidote to the numbing quality
of Telly, 'The Alien at Planet X' comes to you unreservedly
recommended.  Albeit redolent of the classic 50's style,
with a twist by way of the 70's, a la Indiana Jones, it
is a wholly original action adventure/romp.

The integration of a gripping and intelligent Science
Fiction plot, with intriguing electronic music, renders
it a reincarnation of 'Old Time Radio' in an entirely
modern and engaging format.

If a comparison must be made for this impressively
inventive 'audeo', it'd be safe to describe it as more
akin to Star Wars than Star Trek.  Computer and Bio-warfare
reign and the excitement of exploration for two space
travellers easefully stimulates that largely unused area of
the imagination.  Do yourself a favour and enjoy the endorphin
fix: this is aerobics for the cerebellum!


Juanita O.Kelly
Aspen, Colorado.

I cant seem to put it down. when i do, i switch the lights back on and read more. it's pact with action and energy. the xmen after a mission on another earth returned to find out no one remembers them even their friends. their mansion became a death camp, Doom was the emperor of everyone and ororo is his empress. read the book, its more than worth reading.

This Book was great. I recomended it to any X-Men fan. It has alot of action and a good story. My only warning is once you start this book you won't be able to put it down!!

This book ruled!. The only part that suprised me greater than Gambit's death was the ending. Get this book if you like Dr. Doom

This is an awesome book. Once you finish the first chapter, you just want to read more. Once you read the first page, you become captivated to read the book. The first page is totally awesome.

THis is truly a must buy for any x-fan out there. Just buy this book!

In many ways my husband and I miss the 80's. We liked the music, the fashion and the way people were concerned with simple things like hygiene and attractive clothing. This book took us back to those happy carefree teenage years when things were good and we were nearly completely free of responsibility!! As we went through this book we had many good laughs and had fun remembering things long forgotten! I recommend this book if you liked the 80's and I recommend reading it with at least one other person who enjoyed that era! Fun book!

This book was as much fun as a barrel of smurfs...required reading for those of us with a Dukes of Hazard lunch box and a Battlestar Galactica sleeping bag in the closet...awaken the Chachi within!

This book was better than 'Cats' - great trip down memory lane for any Gen X'er - makes the 80s seem rich with culture.

If you ignore the book's ugly-as-sin cover artwork and delve into this maniacal volume of absolutely useless yet totally vital pop cultural information, you will be proud to say: "I am a member of the Chachi Generation." Buy it and love it.

The book is essestial for anyone who came of age in the 1980's. Though many consider it a forgettable decade, for those of us who grew up during those years, it's great to have a refresher course on things that we considered to be so important at the time. And where else are you going to find an entry on the brilliant, yet short lived series, "Manimal?"

This is a wonderful book. I'm glad it's back in print again. Highly recommended, together with "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves".

Segre` has written two excellect histories for the educated non-scientist. These are not "light" reads, but they are informative and entertaining. This is the second part of the pair (the first, "From Falling Bodies to Radio Waves") and is just exciting as the first. One could almost call this work, "The Story Continues". It tells of scientists working for years on end in attempts to understand the universe and its workings. Of course, we meet those geniuses that discovered a new aspect of reality or a long-sought explanation.

What is remarkable is how these great men and women used the work of each other to further their own endeavors. The practice of documenting new find and publishing scientific journals began during this era. Exquisite writine with diagrams, photographs and illustrations.

What this book is not:
A text book
Written to explain some controversial theory
Promoting a world view or pseudo religious belief
An artful work of literature
Written for a general audience

What this book is:
A chronological narrative of the development of modern physics
A series of stories about scientist and the nature of their experiments
A tome that covers the most important physics discoveries for the era it covers

Why read this book?
I would recommend this book to anyone who studies the hard sciences
This book would nicely augment a modern physics course
Because knowing the history of science promotes real understanding

This is a great book on the history of quantum mechanics. I highly reccomend it. Unfortunately the book is out of print and one needs to hunt down a used book.

It begins with the discovery of X-rays in 1895 and ends with events around the early 70's. It is interesting how the technological advances of today have come about after a sudden chain of discoverires starting with just 2 discoveries that acted as sparks: xrays and radioactivity (both of which thanks to some photpgraphic film that developed without the intention of the scientist). The chronological developments are nicely intertwined.

I enjoyed how the author has written of the rigorous development of quantrum mechanics from 3 different viewpoints of schrodinger, heisenberg and dirac and how they later proved that all 3 were the same. There are great photographs of the scientists of the time also. Overall very well written with lots of stories about the featured scientists. Can finish the book in one day, it was that incaptivating (to serve as a reference, am a chemistry student).

Segre's style on physics is straight forward and non-intimidating. But what make this book is his stories. Emilio met and worked with many of these men. He describes their personalities attitudes and politics, and they come alive in his book. This is history the way it ought to be taught. Squisito! Bravo! Bravisimo!