"Who is the greatest?" is a wonderfully crafted tale of the battle of natures' elements. The story illustrates the true beauty of such powerful elements of nature; fire, wind and rain. The author, perhaps unknowingly, provides a wonderful affirmation, that in nature, as in life, the race isn't always won by the strongest or swiftest; that one can be gentle, yet strong.

The illustrations are superb. Representing the elements as people is a brilliant touch...visual personification, if you will. The marble blending of colors is a perfect way to represent nature, with all of the elements existing in harmony. "Who is The Greatest?" is a beautiful addition to any public library or personal collection and a must have for all who work with children.

Share the wonder of nature with the children in your lives. This book is the perfect place to start.

This book is a collection of nine short stories written by some of the finest science-fiction authors ever. The stories are: Chalice of Death by Robert Silverberg, Orphan of the Void by Lloyd Biggle, Jr., Down to the Worlds of Men by Alexei Panshin, Ministry of Disturbance by H. Beam Piper, Blind Alley by Isaac Asimov, A Planet Named Shayol by Cordwainer Smith, Diabologic by Eric Frank Russell, Fighting Philosopher by E. B. Cole, and Honorable Enemies by Poul Anderson.

All of the stories are excellent read, which I say with no exaggeration. In Particular, Ministry of Disturbance and Blind Alley are among of the best short stories I have ever read. However, the gem in the crown is Diabologic. This story is outrageously funny, and a fascinating read. This is an excellent anthology!

Aaron Clark is admirably unwilling to speculate as so many much earlier biographies of Albeniz have been about the more hazy periods in his life. He is particularly good on understanding the hyperbole and publicity-friendly porkies Albeniz was given to in the context of his character. Where he is at his best is in the analysis and history of the music/forms it uses. I wish he would write a work which concentrates on analysis of the music itself as well - I'd buy that too. It is also a very entertaining read, and has many very sensible conclusions especially about Albeniz's earlier life, which is surrounded by myth! This is an essential book for anyone interested in Spanish Nationalist Romantic Music. Does this man have an email address? Ben Coulthard

To say the novel is about a father's lack of tenacity to pursue his dream in life is a bit simplistic to my thinking. Eberstadt, a brilliant talent with keen and broad intellect scope, creates a small range of characters; Sam & Mattie and their sons Issac and Taylor around which to present what truly is an astounding mental prowess; her own. Eberstadt, like Melville, manages to provide insight into thousands of prismatic subjects along the way: the light of her tortured soul just will not go out. Isaac, overweight, over-educated and unhappy, reminded me in some ways of Ignatius Reilly, of O'Toole's A Confederacy of Dunces. (The misunderstood genius in love with a chivalrous past stuck in 20th century redneck America; be it New Orleans or as in this case, Vermont). However, it is Eberstadt that is so compelling; Eberstadt the omniscient narrator, weaver of incredibly perceptive description, psychological insight and above all derisive wit gone mad. The book is to say the least intellectually stimulating even if the actual story is not in itself frightfully compelling, a boy-genius falling in love with an spinster teacher. It is the telling of the tale itself and all the author's breadth and depth makes it a must read. I really liked this book and can't wait to read Low Tide. If the author reads this review; please, please autograph my tome!!!

Anyone who enjoys science fiction (NOT science fantasy--science FICTION) will enjoy the works of Isaac Asimov. He writes of a future of humans as humans, and logical advances of scientific gadgets (in the 1940's he wrote of Dr. Seldon using his pocket calculator, and punching in entries; needless to say, the pocket calculator, nor even true computers didn't exist when he wrote this). His stories are pleasant, and it is easy to use your imagination when it involves human beings as we know them. They just happen to have been born in the distant future, and live lives as we understand, and Isaac Asimov works them into plots, easy to understand, and at the end you will be baffled as to why you didn't see the logical outcome he so brilliantly brought to you.

It's just plain fun and intriguing to listen to Isaac Asimov himself read his stories. There's no better way to get them. Listening to these allows me to go read his other works and have a little bit of insight into how he might have read those -- what things he would emphasize, what inflections he'd have, what sort of emotion he brings to his work... You get a little feeling this way for what the stories meant to him. And, of course, they're great stories. Did he write any bad ones ever? I don't think so. Maybe some would say you have to be a science fiction fan to enjoy Asimov's stories. I think you only need to be a fan of stories.

3 terrific short stories - Asimov Style! Anyone who apprecites Asimov, 20th century short stories, Star Trek, Star Wars, Star Gate, etc., will definately appreciate stories #2 & #3 on this audio book. My favorite was #3 - "The Last Monster" - a parady of modern culture set in the future and on a different planet!

My introduction to classic science fiction came when I read 2001: A Space Oddesey, written by Arthur C. Clarke. Isaac Asimov's name caught my interest when I saw this book in the book store, and as I looked through the authors of short science fiction stories (a complete listing is below), I knew I had to have this book. This book features classic science fiction stories from the year 1939, and includes many of the first stories written by such authors as Robert Heinlein.

My favorite short story in this collection is Black Destroyer, written by A. E. Van Gogt. It is the story of the last survivor of a dying race, whose only chance for survival comes in the form of an Earth ship. Other good stories include the humorous Trouble With Water by H. L. Gold and I, Robot by Eando Binder (no relation to Asimov's own book by the same name).

This is the first book in a series of classic science fiction collections by Isaac Asimov, and is well worth your interest.

Complete listing of Short Stories in this collection:
I, Robot -- Eando Binder
The Strange Flight of Richard Clayton -- Robtert Bloch
Trouble with Water -- H.L. Gold
Cloak of Aesir -- Don A. Stuart
The Day is Done -- Lester Del Rey
The Ultimate Catalyst -- John Taine
The Gnarly Man -- John Taine
Black Destroyer -- A.E. Van Gogt
Greater Than Gods -- C.L. Moore
Trends -- Isaac Asimov
The Blue Giraffe -- L. Sprague De Camp
The Misguided Halo -- Henry Kuttner
Heavy Planet -- Milton A. Rothman

Life-Line -- Robert A. Heinlein (his first)
Ether Breather -- Theodore Sturgeon
Pilgrimage -- Nelson Bond
Rust -- Joseph E. Kelleam
The Four-Sided Triangle -- William F. Temple
Star Bright -- Jack Williamson
Misfit -- Robert A. Heinlein (his second)

This volume covers the year 1944. It's incredible that despite the distraction known as "World War II," some of the finest SF stories EVER were first published in that year:
FAR CENTAURUS A. E. Van Vogt
DEADLINE Cleve Cartmill
VEIL OF ASTELLAR Leigh Brackett
SANITY Fritz Leiber
INVARIANT John R. Pierce
CITY Clifford D. Simak
ARENA Fredric Brown
HUDDLING PLACE Clifford D. Simak
KINDNESS Lester Del Rey
DESERTION Clifford D. Simak
WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS Kuttner & Moore
KILLDOZER! Theodore Sturgeon
NO WOMAN BORN C. L. Moore

Features some of the best names in "Golden Age" Sci-Fi. Classic collection of some of the best short stories of that era. Highly recommended.