Drugs Books

Wild Adapter predates Saiyuki or Bus Gamer, but it's hardcore. The latest Minekura work to be published in the US comes shrink-wrapped for a good reason. The sex, language, and violence are very graphic. But that's standard fare in "M" rated books. What makes the book borderline obscene--and disturbingly, uniquely brilliant--is not its imagery, but its power to make mere ideas intensely chilling.

Kubota, the protagonist, joins a yaukza youth gang. Motive? Unknown. Personality?...Also unknown. Even the other characters acknowledge his poker-faced apathy for their cut-throat world of drugs, whores, and guns. Why then, can he viciously dismember rivals, switch to being childish, and be accomodating to perversion and cruelty, all the while keeping a mild expression? Kubota embodies mystery. But like the rest of the cast, you don't question his actions. You believe in his ability to look naive, act casually merciless, and be serenely terrifying without a hitch. He is unquestionably sane, but disconcertingly immune to humanity. His internal dialogues (musings on death and bestiality) edges on the pathological, but are frighteningly lucid. Tokito is the other main character of the series, but as the first book is told prologue style, there's more focus on a underling of Kubota's. Komiya too has his fascinating complexities, but in a far more human sense.

Minekura's art is always good and suited to the settings she creates. The back describes it as being in the "noir tradition," which is absolutly correct. The drawings themselves are well done, but beauty is not the point; the grittiness, grimness, and gravity you feel from them is.

Wiild Adapter is all about things being a little twisted, so its approach to carnality and drug abuse and death are unconventional. It's a messed up, unsettling world for sure, but it'll suck in anyone who has the guts for it.

A lot of Manga titles stick to tried and true genres such as martial arts, fantasy, or Sci-Fi, which makes Tokyopop's Wild Adapter, that much more refreshing. This is a gritty, urban drama, taking place within the inner circles of the Yakuza, the Japanese version of the Mafia. It also has one of the more interesting anti-heroes ever seen in a Manga title, the mercurial Makoto Kubota. Kubota is a teenager whose skill at Mahjong gambling parlors, and aloof attitude, gains the notice of a local Yakuza leader, Sanada, boss in the Izumo syndicate.

Sanada recruits Kubota to be the leader of a Yakuza youth group although these youths aren't out helping old ladies cross the street. They are selling drugs and paying shakedown visits to local brothels, and making sure the rival Tojou syndicate stays off their turf. We learn little about Kubota initially, other than some mysteries hinted at regarding who is father was and why Sanada made him a youth boss so quickly.

Kubota is an intriguing character. He has an air of superiority to him that angers some yet also brings him great admiration from his subordinates. He seems to carry little for everyday needs and pleasures. Women certainly don't interest him and yet he is not gay...It's more like he's above such earthly needs. He's perfectly happy going to the local 7-11 to try the new flavor of ice cream as soon as it comes out.

Despite his gangly, 80's new-wave band member appearance, Kubota is extremely dangerous. He single handedly takes out four members of the rival gang after they beat up his friend. Yet we see only Kubota leaping to the attack, and then the end result. Clearly creator Kazuya Minekura is keeping the secrets of his character very close to the vest. We also learn that Kubota's uncle is a well-known detective and yet seems to have little problem with his nephew's underworld activities.

The "Wild Adapter" of the title turns out to be a new designer drug that has hit the streets and is literally turning those who take it into raging beasts. When his friend Komiya dies from a savage beating, Kubota makes a decision that will change his life forever.

Wild Adapter took me by surprise because you usually don't see this level of character and plot development in a lot of Manga titles, especially in the opening volume. The book is rated M for 18 years of age and older due to violence, nudity, and strong language.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

Yansky's well-drawn characters tell a honest, witty story of a teen's confusion and eventual clarity on a journey of self-awareness.

I was blown away by this book. Not only did it have interesting characters, but the story was riveting. I couldn't put it down. Brain Yansky has a real talent for finding humor in bleak situations. A truly great read.

Paul Ciceri's story is one appropriate for today's climate in the Middle East. His harrowing experience holds you on the edge of your chair while giving, at the same time, a picture of what an American in the same situation might face.

I originally found out about this book while listening to an interview with Mr. Ciceri on Detroit's own Drew&Mike show.

This is the best non-fiction book I have read all Summer.

Paul writes honestly about his hellish ordeal in a Middle East Prison as well as the mistakes and regrets he made along the way.

If you like non-fiction stories that are down-to-earth I highly recommend this book.

After reading this you will most likely feel like wanting to sit down with Paul over dinner and hear more about his ordeal.

Buy this book!

this book helped me through the 8th grade because i was picked on and i wanted to do these things i felt i had no one but this book was very dramatic it would halp many people like it helped me its the best book i have ever read and i think you should read it. it will change your life.

This book was really good. It's the kind of book that all of us like becuase it's about the things that we want to do and what our deepest urnings or desires are. It just has that special touch that makes us keep reading because we want to be like that and we want to do that, but in our minds we really know that we won't. It's hard to explain, but if you're one of the people who would just like to break lose and do things that you normally wouldn't (sex, drugs, missing school, drinking) then this book is for you.

This book was eye opening to me. Because the author limits his scope to 100 drugs, he was able teach me the philosophy and some history behind the creation of the most useful drugs of today. As an experienced physician, the author is able to insert is own opinions and experiences about his chosen top 100 drugs. This makes this book much more useful to the average person then those other "pill books" which cram thousands of drugs and mind boggling technical info into a single book. If you have found yourself caught up in, and maybe discouraged by, the "natural supplements" craze (like I have), then you may find this book will bring you back into the 20th centry of safe FDA approved drugs.

Some of the stories told in this book (in flamboyant language, no less) are absolutely terrifying, and I wonder what they would think of today's preservative-laden foods and items made from products which don't exist in nature.

I wonder what people will think of modern technology in 70 years.

This is absolutely, positively, definitely a copy of the 1996 PDR, a long out of date desktop medical reference. It's useless to anyone other than librarians or litigators. Any questions?

This text is one to keep chairside at all time! It is easy to use and cuts right to the chase. Most patients today are on multiple drugs and it is hard to keep up with the names, uses, general and oral side effects, interactions, etc. But this text allows a quick flip and you instantly know the answer to most questions without having to lug out the PDR. It is also on computer disc, a boon to the well-equipped office.

I think this is the best book. Every pharmacy should have.

I am a nursing student pursuing a carrer in maternity. During my rotation on labor and delivery, one of my assignments (which was given to me by my instructor) was to complete a list of OB drugs used. The book I sought for help is "Lippincott's Nursing Drug Guide". It's user friendly, listing from generic and trade name drugs to nursing process guidelines related to drug administration. This is only to mention a few of the contents of this book. I also selected this book because it has a quick access drug disk, where you can choose to print and create your own drug cards!