I bought this book because my brother Robert Faiella contributed 2 stories to it ("Go to a race" and "Think before you boo"). However, after reading his two stories and then flipping through the other stories I realized that this truly is a wonderful book. It was great to see the personal sides of the drivers and learn how their generosity, talents and skills have touched so many lives. If you enjoyed the other Chicken Soup for the Soul series, you'll enjoy this book too - even if you never did watch a race!! Try it or like my brother says...Go to a race!

This book is a MUST for any NASCAR fan or anyone who enjoys inspirational stories. There are stories from present drivers to yesterday's drivers, from sports writers to fans whose lives have been touched by the sport of NASCAR. The book will make you laugh and could make you cry. I would recommend this book to everyone! You will not be disappointed with your purchase.

I just finished this wondefully touching book. It's filled with stories from the drivers themselves,that you won't hear about anywhere else. There are stories from fans like you and me. I highly recommend it to any true fan of the great sport of racing.

I LOVE Star Trek: The Next Generation. While I couldn't put this book down, it left a lot to be desired. It is basically a collection of mini auto-biographies about the cast focusing on their acting careers. If you want to know more about the characters they play this book offers little insight. If however you are looking for information on the lives of the actors,then this is the book you want. And the title holds true: the crew of the Enterprise-D is the finest crew in the fleet, in any time period.

Star Trek TNG it my favorite T.V. show! This book is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE IT!!! READ IT!!!!!

Being a lifelong Star Trek fan, I'm used to reading about Trek. A great many of the biographies and "histories" of Trek are boring and poorly written. Finally, here's a book that not only gives you interesting details about the crew we know and love (Yes, the Next Generation crew), but it's well written. This book gives us intimate portraits of the Star Trek actors, the actors who seem so much a part of their roles it's a shock to see them out of uniform. The book reads like a breeze, and confidently exposes the lives and loves of the actors we feel we know so well. Some of the details Shrager elicits are moving; for example, learning of Patrick Stewart's unhappy childhood makes one feels all the more satisfied that he has hit it big. Of course, the browsing reader will enjoy the spectacular photographs, which create a kind of dizziness when you first see them (Jean-Luc with hair! Worf on "CHiPs"!), but the more careful reader will note the way ! Shrager blends intimate details of the actors with the nature of the characters they play. This is good stuff. On a comic note, the great cover you're looking at caused the hacks at Paramount no end of worry; they had the same cover slated for a book they released months later. Of course it flopped; it was nowhere near as good as this one. Buy it, read it, love it.

Wonderful and engrossing....although "Cool Blue" got on my nerves at times! Acording to what I've seen, the third book in the series was entitled "Guideposts to Danger", and only saw one printing...I would be extremely grateful if anyone could tell me where to get a copy...Thanks!

I have read many of Robert Adams' books. And I found most of them enjoyable and well written.

This series is one of his best.

Sadly, Robert Adams died over 10 years ago and we won't ever find out how he planed this series to turn out.

I do not hesitate to suggest that this book and vol. 1 be read anyway.

This was a great continuation of his first book. The bad news is that Robert Adams died before he could write the last book so we won't know what he was planing to do, but the series was leading to somewhere good. Well worth reading the books

The night after I finished this book I found myself before a slot machine in a small casino. I had a feeling and put a quarter in. I won and won again. I stuffed the quarters in my pockets but there were no buckets available. When I lost two quarters in a row I left. Unfortunately this was a dream and I awoke empty handed. Bob the Gambler is a beautifully observed, enviably perfect novel by a master who doesn't seem flashy because he stays within his means. It is also a surprisingly, even surreally loving story. The novel centers around the fissioned nuclear family of down-on-his luck Biloxi architect Bob Kaiser, a plump transplant moved by the Mississippi coastal decay before it was invaded by "gussied-up Motel 6 hotel rooms [and] an ocean of slicked-back hair," his pretty, witty, and wonderful wife of nine years Jewel, who is tough and stable, and yet the first to thirst for casino action, Jewel's daughter RV, an amazingly rendered, very sweet fourteen year old mid-90's teenager whom Bob adores, and Frank, the family dog. All the principals, as well as Bob's mother, whom we meet later in the book, are expert at the art of the cryptic tough-talking but secretly loving epigram. One of the great charms of this book is the depths of love of the family members both concealed by and revealed by their fragmented banter and quips. There are some wonderful moments and descriptions of daily life and teenage rearing, the euphoric swirl of casino gambling, and the decrepit Mississippi coast. The lasting impression one is left from this book, aside from the controlled brilliance of Barthelme's prose, is in my opinion a meditation on the meaning of money vis-à-vis love. Bob's wife's name, Jewel, is a token of facets of wealth unobtainable by any number of markers or wild infatuation-like risks; theirs, an irreducible love that includes and absorbs others (such as RV) in its understated wake, is the multicolored antithesis of liaisons such as those between David Duke (who make a cameo appearance)-and a sprightly young thing-of any coupling that can be price tagged, exchanged, or discarded. The casino and noncasino lights that surround Jewel, in her preternatural (and perhaps ultimately unrealistic, or at least extremely rare) stability, enact a preciousness beyond money and its temporary accumulations. They symbolize the nonmonetary values of the gift of being, the privilege not of accumulating but of existing-of the privilege of being alive, a spectator of phenomena in a world whose mortal decay, far from being its downfall, guarantees the preciousness of the light show it displays. Anyone who has taken junkets to Atlantic City may have noticed how on the flight there everyone chatters; they are full of excitement on hope. The way back is different. Everyone, or almost everyone has lost. They are quiet-until the plane lands, at which point they clap. Why? Because, although they have lost their money, they are newly appreciative of the far more precious gift of being alive. That is the mini-miracle, the lottery ticket, the stiff Barthelme hits for us in this wonderful paean to human frailty and true, tough love. In a way, Barthelme, his heart bigger than any red chip, says in this book the exact opposite of comedian Steven Wright's quip, "You can't have everything, where would you put it?" Barthelme says (with mathematician Paul Erdos) you do have everything, you have it all, already-you are infinitely rich.

I read this book as soon as it came out, have recommended it to friends, and just now purchased another copy as a gift. It's one of the best books I've read in years. The characters are so acutely observed, the dialogue so on target, that I got carried away with it. The well-written gambling scenes made my hands sweat at points. And the ending -- the ending is absolutely perfect.

Barthelme's new book is fantastic. Rich in detail like his earlier "Two Against One," and chilling in its ability to paint the down and out life of its characters.

There is a good deal to recommend this book. It is for the most part well-written, and the idea behind the book is outstanding. However I have quite a few problems with it. The opening tale by John Tynes is somewhat too short to overcome by backstory and characterization a rather ugly incident that takes place within it, equating experience with the Deep Ones to a version of combat syndrome, and that taints the rest of the book. Other tales fare somewhat better, and have some very thought-provoking concepts, adding a bit of science fiction to the world of the Mythos. One can become a ghoul, for instance, by reading a certain book, and a certain Great Old One can tear holes in the spacetime continuum in order to attract males for her followers (kind of silly, but effective within the tale). On the whole, I liked it, but for me that is the crux of the biscuit-I wanted to love it, and did not. Fell far short of the expectations that were engendered in me by the blurbs on the back cover and the front cover recommendation from Lucius Shepard. Can't give it a thumbs-up, but worth looking at if you have the money. Slim for the price.

I really enjoyed reading this book. As with any collection of short stories, I liked some more than others, but there were none in here that I didn't like. There were a couple that I consider to be real gems. My only real complaint is that it's not much book for 12 bucks. It's about half an inch thick, with eight stories in it. I guess maybe it's priced higher than most paperback books because of the cost involved for a small company to have smaller quantities of a book like this printed, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed with it in this respect.

I have always been a fan of way-out-there lunatic sci-fi/horror but unfortunatly most of the sci-fi and horror out there is just really insipid banal mainstream garbage. This book is different, the stories pull no punches and will blow you away. There is some violent violence and BIZZARE sexual stuff in this book so it is probably NOT for kids. Highly recommended and far better than the other Delta Green fiction "Rules of Engagement."

This easy-to-read book, which focuses on avoiding the common mistakes made by most new business owners, also discusses the telltale warning signs of failure, how to deal with them and how to prevent potentially fatal problems. Adams offer basic financial tips--how to devise a simple cash analysis report, prepare a budget, put together a one-page financial statement and more--and touches on such topics as accounts receivable, profit margins, budgeting, cash management and collections. Adams, himself once on the brink of business failure, clearly and pointedly addresses the risks that concern all entrepreneurs, reveals the countless threats most have never considered, and shares some cogent counsel. This one is certainly worth a read.

...The concepts and ideas in this book have proven invaluable. Starting my first business, I avoided many of the failures other have experienced and have built this small company to a 5 million dollar a year operation thanks to the many insightful examples and passages. In particular, I was able to start the business with little cash, and by using my vendors credit, I was able to build the company without accumulating any long term debt. Its just great to have a guide to help you through the many complex issues in starting, growing and running a small company......

Scott R. Adams - President and CEO - Digital Video Communications, Inc.

As a part-time, adjunct professor who teaches in the evening management courses and as a management consultant, I find that Dr.Adams avoids the conventional academic jargon and the everyday stuffiness frequently found in the management literature. He writes in a matter-of-fact, easy to read, conversational style. His vast experience based on his personal near-failures and those of others provide a wealth of worthwhile material. I encourage all who are contemplating entrenpreneurship to read this book. I intend to urge my college to make this book required reading for all management degree students. Additionally, I intend to integrate Dr. Adams's "points to remember," found at the end of each chapter, in my work as a management consultant as I assist CEOs and their organizations in enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness.

i really only have one thing to say. i was a little disappointed that such a great comic was reproduced in such a weak format. the book is set up more like a novel than a comic collection with the paper being of a very low quality. its not bad for the price really but not so great considering that the comics industry has made such an effort to improve the quality of the books they produce. this paper is not even as good as the prestige format paper of the late 80's comics. i just expected more for the high end price. it does have all the great stories and a great cover gallery but it just felt a bit forced together (think of the nick fury steranko tpb $$$). if you have extra money and really love these stories its cheaper to get it this way. if youre a collector i advise buying the individual issues.

i got this book as a birthday gift.i have to say it is one of the best presents i ever got.it took me back to a time when i was just getting into comics.it was great to relive how comics were back then,great storys and even better art.it was funny how the writers used the "70's" lingo.
the story is a collection of the hard traveling heros story line.the book is a great read.the storys are compeling.the art is wonderful.anyone will enjoy it!if you have any spare money laying around,spend it on this book.you will not be sorry!it comes with a nice book cover for safe storage.i have to say if i hadn't got it as a gift i would have had a hard time spending that much money on a book.but after reading it i found out it was worth it.you will not be disapointed!

In the early 1970's, the comic book world had to start changing. It seems, no matter what problem Superman got himself into, those accursed robots would be called in from the Fortress of Solitude to give him a hand. And Batman's utility belt was always full of what you needed. And characters like Green Lantern and Green Arrow could face whatever villains came their way in the Justice League series. But the problem was, comic books had to grow up to retain readers. What had been aimed largely at children before, began to broaden its audience as a means of survival. (Though if you have the actual comics from the 70s, you'll see the ads are still aimed at a juvenile audience.) One of the first series to push the industry forward was the new Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. This is the O'Neill and Adams era (not included are the subsequent years when O'Neill handled the title with other artists), in which Green Lantern and Green Arrow began to confront inner demons. They'd look at problems in society. True, most of this comes across as not always so subtle liberal propaganda, but when you look beyond the politics, you find amazingly talented writers and artists churning out a good product that makes you think (whether you agree or disagree with their conclusions.) These days, almost all "important" comics require some near Armageddon scene, (think "Watchmen" or "Kingdom Come), but this title managed to talk about important issues without thinking it was even more important than those causes. My only complaint, as pricey as this book is, it should have included the post Adams era.

The idea behind The Meaning of Liff, first published in 1983, as well as The Deeper Meaning of Liff, which followed seven years later, is actually quite simple. As the authors put it: there are hundreds of common experiences, feelings, situations and even objects which we all know and recognize, but for which no word exists. On the other hand, the world is littered with thousands of spare words doing nothing but loafing about on signposts pointing at places.

Douglas Adams - the one of the Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy fame - and John Lloyd have done their best trying to pair the two. Just for the gusto, here's an example of dictionary entry: Wyoming (ptcpl.vb.) Moving in hurried desperation from one cubicle to another in a public lavatory trying to find one which has a lock on the door, a seat on the bowl and no brown streaks on the seat.

Although The Deeper Meaning of Liff is significantly expanded in size over the original, I guess I would choose the latter. While The Meaning of Liff mostly covers place names from the Britain, the expansions seem to be predominantly reaching abroad, resulting in somewhat diluted compendium. After all, there is some logic that English place names are fitting best in an English dictionary, isn't it?

As said previously, this book (and the sibling) are hilarious fun for anglophiles and wordsmiths alike...

The book has become a bible to live a NORMAL life Knowing there are others out there who are sane but strange
Find the Yahoo club site "LIFF AS WE KNOW IT" to wallow in humour. Then send your own efforts (ie photo's and new WORDS)

This collection is a collection of short stories and a novella. The novella, which makes up Part 2 of the book, was fabulous - I would give it 4 stars. The characters were interesting, and I cared about their dilemma. I wish that Adams had written a full length novel exploring their story rather than giving us the short stories in Part 1.

Some of the short stories in Part 1 were good. In general, however, they did not go deep enough into developing the characters or their situations to make me care about them. I found myself having to trudge through Part 1 of the book. I only held on because Adams did show a gift for the language; she is a fine writer. But the stories don't stick with the reader.

a very lovely collection of stories about mature relationships. men and women, all flawed, yet intriguing. adams was san francisco's 20th century version of jane austen. her stories are urbane and quiet, sometimes shocking and very funny. she had a knack for speaking about difficult subjects with tact and grace. i will read her novels.

"His Women" and "Old Love Affairs", two short stories in this anthology, are such wonderful pieces. I had read both of these when they appeared years ago in The New Yorker, and very much enjoyed reading them again. The stories in this anthology are consistent, and the world will greatly miss you, Alice.

During the history of the United States there have been many women who have sacrificed just as much or more for their country than did Abigail Adams, but not many. Thanks to the voluminous correspondence of Mrs. Adams this book was made possible and should stand as a monument to all of these women.

In recent years the life of John Adams has been reexamined and his role in American history has again come to the forefront. Without Abigail, Mr. Adams could never have accomplished what he did. For unlike many of the other leaders of the Revolution, Adams was not a man of means. When he was away, someone had to look after the family's domestic concerns. That someone was Abigail. John became so accustomed to having Abigail to take care of home and hearth that when he did have time to see to such matters he seldom did.

This book details the work Abigail did behind the scenes to allow John to make his vital contributions to American independence. We see a strong woman who is more than willing to take charge of a given situation and make a decision. We also see however a wife who misses her husband. Abigail and John Adams are one of the true love stories of history. Their complete devotion to each other is amazing, especially in that the longer they were together the more in love they became. In the end becoming almost one soul in two bodies. Abigail's worst hardships didn't involve the work she did but the separations from John. Separations that lasted months and then years at a time.

Abigail is also shown in this book as a woman of strong conviction but also a woman of great contradiction. She and her husband helped make the American Revolution but she detested revolution as a threat to the social order. She believed strongly in a good education for women but still thought a woman's place was in the home. She believed the election of a Republican President would destroy the republic, but eventually became a Republican herself. Mrs. Adams was also probably a better politician than her husband was and while she had much influence on her husband, there were times when he paid no attention to her and ended up wishing he had. For example, it was Abigail who first saw the danger posed by Alexander Hamilton and it was Hamilton who in the end cost John the Presidency.

An excellent book but not complete. A much larger volume would be required to do this great lady justice. Still, it is wonderful that there is such a book at all for the women of that era are often forgotten. Abigail once advised John to not forget the ladies. Advise we should remember in the 21st century.

While in college I took an American History class because I wanted to, not because I had to. In the process of writing a paper on the role of women in the American Revolution, I found so many references to Abigail Adams, that I knew at some point in the future I would have to read her biography. Well, I just completed this book and I can't recommend it more highly!

With so many books regarding the Founding Fathers being touted at the bookstores recently, it's wonderful to read the story of one of the Women behind one of the Men. Though not traditionally educated Abigail's knowledge of politics, curiousity about everything, and affection for family and friends is well-documented through excerpts from her numerous letters. The sacrifices both she and her husband made for the fledgling America are a sober reminder of the courage and bravery required of our ancestors.

In a time when woman were subservient to men, she stood head and shoulders above other members of her gender. Her husband wisely depended on her counsel, love and care.

This is a wonderful biography that takes the reader back in time and place so vividly as to feel present at the birth of a nation and a voyeur into the unfolding political career of the second President of the United States and the woman who loved him.

I, too, wish American History had been presented this richly in my grammar and high school years.

This is a beautifully written tale of an extraordinary 18th century woman. She was the wife and “dearest friend” of one US President and the mother of another. Her husband depended on her political acumen, and trusted her judgment. She was sometimes referred to as the “old lady” in the politics. She corresponded on business and politics with many men including Thomas Jefferson. Perhaps our first American feminist, Abigail Adams was full of contradictions.

As a staunch revolutionary, she foresaw the need for independence from England perhaps even before her husband, John. She advocated education and political freedom for women long before it was respectable to do so.

As practical homemaker, she worked the farm, raised the children, and handled the family finances including investments. Abigail liked investing in securities; John preferred land. They made investments in both. Her dependability in these matters secured the home front. This allowed her husband to attend the Continental Congress, sign the Declaration of Independence, serve as minister to France and then England, as well as serve as the first vice president, and then 2nd President of the fledgling USA. Without her shepherding the family finances, either the family would have been ruined; or the United States would have lost one of its great founding fathers.

As a post-revolution political conservative, she hated the republicanism of Jefferson, although she respected him as an honorable man. She foresaw the problems with the French Revolution before Jefferson and his Republican cohorts. She did not understand the criticism of the free press. She strongly advocated the Alien and Sedition Act, passed by congress during her husband’s presidency. It addressed the two of what she thought were the serious threats to the security of the USA… that of foreigners and criticism of the government by the press.

The paradox of Abigail Adams is that she “had always established her identity through her husband’s achievements.” The author tells us that “Probably Abigail would have been astonished to find herself transformed into something of a celebrity one hundred fifty years after her death.” “Yet surely she would have approved of the reasons for her fame: the interest of a later age in the history of family and domestic life, as well as the history of politics, and above all its interest in the emancipation of women and the discovery of women in the past who spoke out on behalf of their sex.”

The beauty of this book is that Lynne Withey presents Abigail Adams as a real human being, not an icon. It is easy to understand why Abigail was John’s Dearest Friend.

I highly recommend this book.