X Books

X-Men: The Asgardian Wars was one of the very first trade paperbacks I purchased when I started collecting comics, and to this day remains one of my all-time favorite X-Men sagas. The 1985 series brought the X-Men, Alpha Flight, and the New Mutants together, both on Earth and in Asgard, against the trickster god Loki, whose sinister plans will push our heroes to the absolute limit.

The saga starts off with the 2-issue X-Men/Alpha Flight limited series by Chris Claremont and Paul Smith. Claremont of course pretty much single-handedly saved the X-Men from extinction in the 70's, and was THE X-Men authority throughout the 80's. Smith's previous run on the Uncanny X-Men was amazing, and his artwork here is just as impressive. In this series the X-Men and Alpha Flight are drawn north to discover the answer to all humanity's problems...courtesy of Loki himself. Loki's gift couldn't have strings attached, could it?

The second half of the story spanned the New Mutants Special #1 and the Uncanny X-Men Annual #9, again written by Claremont with unforgettable artwork by Arthur Adams. This is vintage Adams, back before his style got so cartoonish. In this story, a ticked-off Loki exacts his revenge against the X-Men, but his minions instead fetch him the New Mutants, who are all radically changed by their time in Asgard. The X-Men come to the rescue eventually, but will their students even want to go back to Earth after these events?

This is about as much fun as a superhero comic can get. You get gods, monsters, mutants, elves, dwarves, Valkyries, and plenty of action, page after gorgeously illustrated page. Claremont has a tendency to let his characters monologue things no one would ever say, but the story as a whole is so much fun you can overlook that. If you love the classic X-Men lineup, Marvel's version of Asgard, or just enjoy fun, over the top superheroics, you'll love X-Men: The Asgardian Wars.

It's a shame this trade paperback is out of print. I know the X-Men and New Mutants of 1985 don't exactly fit in with today's movie-driven X-image, but this is still a bright spot in the X-Men's history. I'd love to see it reissued in Marvel's Premiere Classic hardcover format, because my copy is literally falling apart from the number of times I've reread it over the years.

This volume reprints two separate stories and represent among the best writings by Chris Claremont. The first one is an X-Men/Alpha Flight story drawn by the legendary Paul Smith. The second one is an Art Adams classic New Mutants tale. The two stories both deal with Asgardians (chiefly the trickster god, Loki).

As the usual Claremont formula is, the X-characters sit around their mansion (or Danger Room, or sunbathing at the beach, etc.) and they get attacked by a baddie (why can't anyone ever leave these poor muties alone?). In this case, the baddie is Loki. In the first story, he offers the X-Men a chance to build a utopia with a price. In the second story, he kidnaps Storm to be his bride and also teleports the New Mutants to Asgard (their experiences in Asgard forever changes them). For longtime readers, these stories were especially rewarding - we have the first announcement that Madelyne Pryor was pregnant (with baby Cable), the first meeting of Rachel Summers with Scott Summers, the "slimming-down" of Karma, Dani Moonstar's transformation into a Valkyrie, Rahne Sinclair's meeting with the Wolf-Prince of Asgard, another Wolverine-Snowbird meeting, and the tragic story of a well-intentioned Madelyne Pryor (as Anodyne) trying to save her team-mates.

The moral of this story: Don't let false gods *bleep* with your lives. Especially if you're mutants!

For any fan of comic art, this book is a must have. Arthur Adams attention to detail started a revolution in the mid-80's, and the medium has never been the same since. For X-men fans, this series of annuals showcases some facinating character development.

This story ranks right up there with "DARK PHOENIX" and the "Mutant Massacre". It feature beautiful art by Arthur Adams, (whose art has never looked as good since)and Paul Smith, and an intricate story by Chris Claremont. It features two stories, one with the X-men and Alpha Flight going up against the Asgardian god of lies Loki, and one featuring the X-men and New Mutants trying to rescue Their leader Storm from Loki (who intends to turn her into his wife and use her to conquer Asgard). I highly recommend this story for anyone who is a fan of the X-men. This is one of the high points of Claremonts long run as X-men writer.

What makes this book so good is the collection of characters. Probably the best X-Men team ever (perhaps for the exception of Rachel instead of Jean). Besides that: Colossus, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Rogue, Shadowcat, Storm, and Wolverine. The story is very compelling, and the New Mutants play a key role as well. This is a *MUST HAVE* for any New Mutant fans as it is a pivotal point in the character developments of Mirage (Dani Moonstar) as well as Karma. Additionally, we get a very good glimpse of the different mutants personalities as each one has a miniature solo adventure as the plot begins to tie together. The storytelling is great, and the art is superb (especially for the era). I will note that the genre is more fantasy/mythology than typical superhero "street level" fare, but perhaps this is what makes it so alluring. My highest praises.

One thing I would like to clarify: Most of the films whose posters are in this book were done during the period where there was no X rating(which came in October 1968), but instead they were "adults only" films. Approximately 80% of the posters are of such films(many of which are considered lost or perhaps hidden in a basement or ???), usually companies like Something Weird video puts out these films.

There are some posters of XXX films in here(Deep Throat, Misty Beethoven, Debbie Does Dallas, a couple with John Holmes), but I would have liked to see more of those, hence my rating goes down a notch. I still recommend this book. (The most interesting poster to me was an "adults only" film with cowboy star Lash LaRue--I hope this film surfaces someday.)

Over 150 adult movie posters from the 60's and 70's are inside, all of them full page and almost every one in color too! Classic taboo fare like "Debbie Does Dallas" and "The Opening of Misty Beethoven" is represented alongside such forgotten wonders as "Lust Combo", "Room and Broad" and "Assignment: Female". Some posters feature photographic images while others have very nice art work that would appeal to fans of pulp paperback or magazine covers. Almost every one has a fantastic blurb designed to titillate and seduce the movie-goer into buying a ticket. As you gaze in wild wonder at each provocative image you come to realize that the posters are far more interesting than the movie could ever be! Many say things like, "A Film So Incredible You Must See It To Believe It!" I can't think of a more fitting description for this marvelous book! I wait patiently for Volume 2!

This book is to adult movie posters as Art of Rock is to music posters. The posters themselves are great, and the book is in itself a great reference guide to exploitation films of the era. These posters are not obscene by any means, and so even if you are not interested in adult films you may enjoy the posters based solely on their artistic originality and merit. They surely bespeak a more creative and exciting time in world culture. I advise listening to some good lounge music and sipping an ice-cold martini as you flip through this first-rate book. Truly, this will be a collector's item.

But I must add that I share a frustration with the other reviewers: Where is Volume II???? Once that is released and I have it on my shelf, I would like to extend my congratulations to the producers of this work: you did it right and created a valuable documentation of this aspect of 20th century social history, an interesting aspect indeed.

This book is fantastic. Nourmand and Marsh rock for compiling all these great old posters for this book. The book says it is Volume One -- is there a Volume Two yet?

Over 150 pornographic movie posters from the 60's and 70's are inside, all of them full page and almost every one in color too! Classic taboo fare like "Debbie Does Dallas" and "The Opening of Misty Beethoven" is represented alongside such forgotten wonders as "Lust Combo", "Room and Broad" and "Assignment: Female". Some posters feature nude or semi-nude photographic images while others have very nice art work that would appeal to fans of pulp paperback or magazine covers. Almost every one has a fantastic blurb designed to titillate and seduce the movie-goer into buying a ticket. As you gaze in wild wonder at each provocative image you come to realize that the posters are far more interesting than the movie could ever be! Many say things like, "A Film So Incredible You Must See It To Believe It!" I can't think of a more fitting description for this marvelous book! I wait patiently for Volume 2!

I love all the books so far in the X/1999 series! The artwork is great, the story is great, and I can't wait for the next one! If you like X/1999, check out Card Captor Sakura, Magic Knight Rayearth, and Clover! (also by CLAMP)

Ok, here is the correct order of the books, atleast to book 6. There is allot of confusion concerning this, so I hope this helps. Book 1 is Prelude, followed by Overture, Sonata, Intermezzo, Serenade, and Duet. The first two that I have read have been wonderful, but the main purpose of this post was to help those confused by the titles.

X, or as it is called in America, "X/1999", is one of the darkest manga I've seen. This is especially interesting because it is done by the CLAMP team, who have also made such cutesy titles as Card Captor Sakura. Needless to say, fans of that series may want to research X a bit before reading.

"Duet" continues the macabre apocalyptic story of X, and hightens the feeling of a fast approaching storm. Those who are familiar with Tokyo Babylon will recognize the mention of the Sakurazuka; yet another aspect of the story, which, along with the disturbing imagery of Kamui's visions and the introduction of bizarre genetically manufactured entities by the "bad guys" accelerates the creepiness of the story.

If you like conspiracy theories, darkness, and an approaching apocalypse, this is definately the book for you.

"Duet" is the 6th book in the manga (Japanese comic) X/1999 (or simply X, as it is in Japan.) The book is written and illustrated by CLAMP, a group of 4 women who have created some of the most popular manga-Magic Knight Rayearth, RG Veda, Clover, and Tokyo Babylon.

"Duet" is a must have for anyone following the series. My only warning is that some may find Kotori's dream sequence a bit too long, it's about a chapter long, and quite gory.

The book starts out with main character and protagonist Kamui revealing some memories to the reader, and then trying to protect Kotori from Seichiro, a dragon of earth. One also learns abou the past of Nataku, another dragon of earth, and there is a flashback as Fuma is talking to Kamui, about a promice that explains Fuma's loyalty. Meanwhile, Sora and Arashi meet with Grandmother Sumeragi.

Overall, this book spends most time explaining things, such as pasts, what's going on-important, but not necessarily the most exciting. You might no feel as compelled to go back to it once you're done, but if you're into the series, definately get it.

X, known as X/1999, is my personal favorite. I've read _all_ ofthem, 1-15 (8-15 have yet to come out in English), and I must say,CLAMP has spoiled me. Their art is exceptional, story lines arecomplex and meaningful, and their characters made to love or hate.
This book is my favorite in english, because it introduces SeishirouSakurazuka, the SAKURAZUKAMORI, a heartless, cold, charming andhandsome assasin who has a secret past and bloodstained hands. ((He'smy favorite X character, along with Fuuma Monou))
I'd recommendthis book to anybody over 14, as there are lots of shonen-aireferences (guy on guy schtuff) and lots and lots of gore. Be preparedto love it or hate it. CLAMP really has a winner here.
((and ifthe story seems to be going slow now, wait until the 8th book..thatswhen it REALLY picks up ^///^))
If you buy this, you REALLY won'tbe wasting your money!...

This is really a rare book. Not stupid-funny, and so knowledgeable and pedagogic. I had bought my new iMac, the first since my Mac+ nearly 20 years ago. It looked like a modern Mac, and worked as such. Then I got Joe Kissel's book! And discovered all the stuff underneath. The holy grail of UNIX. And how smart the engineers at Apple still are! I was amazed by how many intelligent goodies they have put into the box. And really enjoyed the profound know-how of Joe Kissell, and his many step-by-step guided tours into the heart of the iMac. I learnt to install a firewall- and that I already had a firewall in my box. I was taught GIMP, and file sharing, and all about the iApp's. Backing up, booting and so on. Apache-in-the-box too. Thank you VERY much, Joe!

I've been using a spare iBook as a webserver for about 8 months now and decided to turn it into an email server as well. In just a few pages, this book explained exactly how to do it with Sendmail.

Unfortunately however, Panther ships with Postfix preinstalled (and from what I've read Postfix is a better alternative to Sendmail) so obviously the steps for configuring Postfix weren't included in the book. I emailed the author (who thoughtfully provides his email address in the book for help related questions) asking for instructions to configure Postfix, and within hours he emailed me concise details of how to configure Postfix with a shareware program called Postfix Enabler.

Just a short while later my iBook was not only an HTTP web server, but a POP/IMAP email server too. I had no idea it would be so easy, and there's 49 other wonderful techniques that are simple to follow: everything from using the command line with Terminal to installing PHP and MySQL and so much more.

The front of the book does say, "Covers Jaguar!", but I've been using it with Panther and the only trouble I had was with the Postfix issue. It's one of the most helpful OS X books I've ever read.

This is a wonderful book for all us souls who use OSX. The techniques are almost always a way to either solve a particular problem or learn a particular tool. I have only gone through about 30 of them, but each one has made my life either a little easier or a lot. A couple of examples are that I know understand how to best utilize the Finder and am no longer intimidated by Terminal. The style is breezy and very easy to understand without being condescending or dumbed-down. Strongly recommended

Joe Kissell writes for both the techie and we "normal" folk. His teaching of UNIX basics leaves you with knowledge, not boredom, and is worth the price of the book by itself. Most of the improvements he describes for both OS X and MAC are useful, and in some cases just plain fun, to any MAC user, and his ability to explain his techniques to the reader is an absolute pleasure. Can't wait for his OS 10.3 version.

This is a great book and a must read for any 50 Cent fan. The book is full of details of 50 Cent's life and gives a more personal and inspirational view of this very accomplished artist. Fans will especially love the photos and memorabilia and will want to keep the book as a collectors item.

Can you imagine feeling what 50 cent (the rapper) felt when he got shot nine times, his struggles, and what he had to go trough just to be where he is today?

This is an autobiography about Curtis 50 cent Jackson's life, childhood, struggles, and what he had to do to get where he is today. He explained in great detail of his childhood and why he sold drugs and what he had to do because he sold drugs (he went to rehab). He sold drugs because he said that he never had the things that most young kids have today including: sneakers, cool shirts and other clothing, so he just wanted to have those things. He explained how it felt when his grandmother caught him selling drugs. He said that he blamed his grandparents because if he didn't have to hide it from them, his school wouldn't have found it in his sneakers. He also explained what happened the day that he got shot, and how the guy waited for 50 cent to get out of his house.

Even though 50 cent is a rapper I never know that he could write such a good book like this, he explained everything that happened to him in great detail. There was one passage in the book where he talks about himself going to rehab. He said that he had never did crack, but he said that he handled, cooked, and sold it so much that he came up positive when they tested him. He told about his time in rehab and how he thought it was funny (not haha funny) how a guy was in there for doing the same drugs 50 cent sold to people.

I would like to share an insert from the book, where 50 cent explains how he got shot. He puts you in his mind of what was going on and how he felt, and that what I like about his style of writing.

"Suddenly this guy runs up on our car and starts unloading like BANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANGBANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm splayed out all over the back seat of the car, but since I'd grabbed my gun I threw my hand up and stared shooting back out the window. He starts to back up and tacks two more shots. One of them goes through my hand."

This is one of the most awesome and upclose and personal looks at any star i have ever seen published..
When reading this.. I could almost hear the words coming outta fifty's mouth...

I REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK AND THE PHOTOS OF CURTIS AND HIS FAMILY MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I KNOW HIM MORE.I FEEL THIS SHOWS YOU THAT 50 IS JUST AN EVERY DAY MAN I LOVE THE BOOK

This story presents how Cycplops(slim) and Jean Grey (red) go to the future and why they had to leave cable, their son in that distant future, the art is really good and the story is really interesting.

The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix trade paperback collects the 1994 miniseries that attempted to sort out one of the most bizarre family trees in comics, even by X-Men standards.

In this series, newlyweds Scott Summers and Jean Grey, otherwise known as X-Men Cyclops and um, Jean Grey (the name Marvel Girl must be passé) are snatched from their island honeymoon and sent 2,000 years into the future by their elderly daughter Rachel (who arrived there from yet another future timeline) to watch over Scott's infant son Nathan, who had been sent to that very future in order to survive the techno-organic virus that was killing him in "our" time. Rachel, like her mom, is the sometime host of the powerful Phoenix force, and Nathan would grow up to become the mutant warrior known as Cable. Nathan has a cloned duplicate called Stryfe, who is being raised as the heir to Apocalypse. Oh yes, Nathan's mother was Madeline Pryor, a now deceased (sort of) clone of Jean Grey.

I told you it was complicated!

This series attempts to weave these very different threads into a somewhat cohesive pattern. Scott and Jean end up spending more than a decade in the future, which gives them the opportunity to actually raise young Nathan, who is unaware of exactly who his guardians really are. The "Dayspring Family" eventually joins the underground resistance movement and makes what appears to be a final confrontation with Apocalypse. I say "appears" because Apocalypse is killed about as often as Jean Grey, and with similar long term success.

Scott Lobdell does an admirable job with an obviously difficult group of characters, origins, and events. While the series is not as fun and exciting as other X-Men adventures, it is a necessary story to tell, if for no other reason than to clean up the storylines abandoned by so many other writers.

Gene Ha's artwork is absolutely incredible. Ha is one of the most underrated artists working today, with an attention to detail that has to be seen to be believed. His art totally sets the tone of the series, and makes the otherworldly setting and characters seem that much more believable.

Overall, the Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix is a key part of X-Men history. It may not be as fascinating as X-Men: The Dark Phoenix Saga or the Age of Apocalypse, but it is an important part of the lives of several key X-Men characters.

...because I was stupid enough to lend the miniseries to a friend. Anyway, I liked it so much I HAD to have it.

This is demi-science-fiction story about future ruled by Apocalypse and childhood of Nate Summers, known as Cable. It is EXTREMELY well written , and art is incredible, just like anything Gene Ha does. Reccomended for Marvel fans in general, other people would have too much trouble understanding who-is-who .

There are simply too many people in the X-universe that carry the name "Summers". Well, at least this book clears some questions about one of them (Now if it wouldn't raise so many more). The story starts just after X-Men 30, with Scott Summers and Jean Grey-Summers (newly wed), are pulled 2000 years into the future by Mother Askani (Who happens to be Rachel Summers, the alternate future daughter of the newlyweds, who is a major time traveler). Their mission. Raise baby Nathan (who is, if you want to get technical, Rachel's older baby brother [did that even make sense?]) So here are Scott (who goes by "Slym") and Jean (Who goes by "Redd") raising one of the most powerful mutants, who has to disguise himself as a human, in a world where it is "survival of the fittest." And in this world, humans are not counted amongst the fittest, and are trated as such (Very much like in modern day comics with mutants). The unfortunate thing is that the series covers a few days in each book, over a period of twelve years. It gives us only a glimps into Cable's life. Oh well, The Askani Son series picked up the pieces there!

Kids need to learn to clean their rooms, but sometimes the grownups do as well. I ripped through the middle section of the book, turning page after page, and was astonished by the "gotcha" which happened. I don't have kids, and don't have to make them clean their rooms, but it was a wake-up call for this 47-year-old.

This story is such a delight. What a wonderful way for children to learn about the farm animals. Bonus for Moms - a lesson in keeping things clean and neat. My grandchildren were delighted with the story and illustrations!

We received this book as a gift for our 2 year old daughter. She loves to look at the pictures and make animal sounds with the story. She really seems to respond to all the great color illustrations. It's a great book that always holds her interest.

Amanda's Room is a fun escape into reading. The illustrations match the story perfectly and children of all ages will enjoy reading the book.

By far the best book to learn assembly bar none!
Before reading this book I thought the Jeff Duntemann assembly book was pretty good but this book makes it look bad!
First half of book has you working in debug which comes with every version of windows and easier to get going than masm.
2nd half covers masm but code still works with latest version of microsoft assembler 8.0 which I'm currently using!

I've read this book, and I really liked it. It is great. It teaches assembly language in a simple a versatile way. If you want lo learn Assembly language, this is a MUST-READ.

Norton and Socha's authority makes this book a must to every "beginner" assembly programmer. This book presents basic items such as binary numbers, registers & basic arithmetic inside the 8086 family processors into part 1. The contents of the book becomes closely related with DSKPATCH - a real program written in assembly - so the reader has a UNIQUE opportunity to see how real programmers (and here Norton is a PC guru) use step-wise refinements techniques and modular projects in a real world. The 2nd edition is based in MASM 5/5.1, Borland TASM and OPTASM features. Maybe we must wait for MASM 6.1 update... then it'll become a rating 10...

This book has the great advantage of presenting such a difficult subject just like a personal teacher would do. It's written in a clear way and explains some important concepts about the 8086 processor.My advice is:if you want to learn assembler here's a good book to start with (even if it seems a little dated!)

While this book is purported to be a manual in how to manage young people, the advice can be applied to the management of all employees. If you are a manager, you must:

*) Not expect people to work extended overtime with little or no compensation.
*) Praise employees for work well done.
*) Not expect people to work at jobs that lack an inherent meaning.
*) Set an example by your actions and words, not just your words.
*) Allow people to have a life outside their job, not expect their job to be their life.

If you do these things, which should be part of the standard managerial playbook, then your employees will be more productive, happier and you will retain them. If you don't, you will become one of those managers who blame everything besides incompetent management style for the fundamental problems of their company.

This book is great reading for 'Baby Boomer' Managers and for those who belong to Generation X. Claire Raines describes the wants and needs of both generations; giving pratical advice to 'Boomer' managers on managing the 'X' generation. As an X generation reader, Raines' gives incite to why some'Baby Boomer'Managers are "All work, no play" and what frustrates them about Generation X employees today. Excellant source of information for both generations!

Beyond Generation X is an insightful look at how Baby Boomers and Gen Xers can peacefully coexist in the workplace. I recommend it especially for Boomers who have trouble understanding their Gen X workers (and vice-versa). Claire Raines (a Boomer herself) has some great ideas and presents them in an easy-to-follow manner. One thing to remember about this book is that it's not attempting to classify individuals. It's just helping us understand generations. It's also a quick read. I read it in an evening.

Whether we like it or not a great generation gap exists between the boomers and the gen xer's. This book helped me to understand what I, as a boomer, represented to the younger generation. These younger folks are not lazy, they just need a different motivational program. This book is a must read for those interested in surviving problems associated with the current labor shortage.

It was a wonderful book. The detail was amazing

Of all the books about the actors and actresses on the show, this is the most comprehensive and accurate one I have read. It is informative and fun to read. If you want to learn about the guest stars that are normally left out of the other books, then this is the book for you.

In this well written and researched volume by Mangels, we have what is essentially Guest Stars of The X-Files. In detailed episode guides, actors credits, personality profiles and exclusive interviews we learn more about the guest star faces that grace each and every episode of the show. Information here is current up to fourth season's "Gethsemane." It's surprising to see Jerry Hardin's acting credits take up a long five and a half pages! The book is profusely illustrated with the actor's b/w talent agency photographs. The highlight of this volume are the "Witness Interviews" with selected artists who passed through the show. Often, the features are with individuals who have not yet been exposed to the X-Files spotlight. Like Star Trek, X-Files has become a show in which we all want to know any new tidbit of information and this book sheds light on a "dark" corner of the X-Files mythos. Highly recommended!

Let me say that this is a great book. It is very well written. It provides a lot of excellent details -- It just doesn't have ANYTHING to do with the title! It should be titled "Beyond Duchovny and Anderson: The Supporting Actors of the X-Files." The book is chock full of interesting information about the supporting actors on The X-Files, but it has practically nothing on the characters they play. If you are truly looking for a book on the "mysterious characters" of the show, this is NOT the book for you. However, if you just want random facts about various actors who have appeared on the set of The X-Files, then you just might want to take a look at this book.