Guerrilla warfare is seldom spoken in Civil War circles or written about. Probably one of the more popular characters in this topic from that period is Bill Anderson. Authors Albert Castel and Thomas Goodrich have assembled quite a bit of useful information in regards to Anderson's ambitions, motivations, movements and operations throughout Kansas and Missouri. This dangerous, callous and revengeful individual is brought forth to show how rough and chaotic war can be, especially for a divided state such as Missouri. Anderson leads his small band of raiders throughout these states living like desperate pirates to plunder towns and more importantly hunt down enemies to the extreme.

Anderson's life is never short of violence as he is the ultimate and sadistic leader of a dangerous group of bandits that have borderline allegiances to the Confederate cause. Portraying to be Union Cavalry, Anderson and his band of murderers steal, burn, kill and ravage towns of Union sympathizers. Union Militia throughout the state of Missouri is quickly and badly organized to hunt down Anderson and his company that seems to constantly grow larger in membership. Anderson raids towns such as Fayette and Centralia leaving deadly results by killing many former Union soldiers, burning depots and various other buildings while looting stores. Anderson and his gang are always drinking and whiskey seems to elevate their need for murder and money that never ends.
Is he ever stopped?

Like many, I couldn't resist this book and wished for more though there is quite a bit of useful information for a short book of roughly 144 pages. It was descriptively well-written, concise, maps and pictures were included which gave the book a great rhythmic flow as far as content. 5 STARS!!

This is a very interesting and well written book about the atrocities that Bill Anderson and his bushwhackers committed, within the background of the Civil War. The authors have done a tremendous amount of research and it pays off.

The only problem I has with it is that at 150 pages, it was a bit too short. Then again, the subtitle does say Short and Savage life.

Well recommended for Civil War or military history buffs.

I found this book to be an easy to read history of not only Anderson but the circumstances that helped create him. The authors have done an excellent job turning up new information and sifting old information to write a helpful new view of Anderson. The book is well footnoted and contains several never before printed photos including a photo of Anderson's wife, Bush Smith and one of the cord he used to keep track of his kills. This book is a must for anyone interested in the Civil War on the Kansas-Missouri border.

Quite possibly the best intellectual analysis of rock ever written. Best, not because of some high-falutin' connection to past ideology or current trends. Rather, the best because it is a series of articles (mostly from Melody Maker) about important artists (My Bloody Valentine, the Pixies, Morrissey, Prince...) by someone who obviously is in love with the music he's disecting. Forget Geil Marcus (too much in love with his ideas), Reynolds is the real deal

These authors can write a good Victorian mystery. It helps that they delve into the history books, and use actual incidences that lend credence to their story. This book talks about Queeen Victoria's son, Albert's propensity for married lovers - some of the worst kept secrets from that era. Daisy was a real person and was actually involved with the Prince. The story is realistic, and the characters are niceley portrayed. I really like Charles and Kathryn and think they make a good detective team. The mystery behind the story is a good one, and the motive is "Oh so Victorian". I recommend this series to those that enjoy this period.

This is the third book in an excellent series of Victorian mysteries. The romance in these books reminds me somewhat of the delightful Harriet Vane/Lord Peter mysteries by Dorothy Sayers. The historical research is impressive and the writing is great. In Death at Daisy's Folly the authors describe life the highest ranks of society in Victorian England. The Prince of Wales and his mistress, Daisy, are spending a weekend at Daisy's estate. Sir Charles Sheridan is asked by the Prince to investigate a suspicious death, and Sir Charles and the lovely Kate are thrown together again during the investigation. If you enjoy romance, history and mystery, you will enjoy this book.

This novel is just what a historical murder mystery should be: diverting, challenging, and filled with interesting tidbits. I never guessed the culprit, though there were plenty of clues and lots of characters to think about. I have enjoyed the series of more modern mysteries that Susan Wittig Albert writes on her own, but these Victorian mysteries written with her husband, Bill, are well worth seeking out. Definitely something nice to have around on a cozy weekend day.

seems evident in this book. I feel the author made an honest attempt to write an unbiased account of Al Gore. His strengths are demonstrated as well as his faults. The only weak spot in the book is that the 2000 election wasn't covered.

This biography does just give lip service to the politician's childhood. The author explains the world in which Al Gore grew up. It describes pieces of his father's life in a way which shows you where Al picked up many of his mannerisms. You will see where the candidate came from.

After reading through this, I know that Al Gore is not as Green as his book would lead you to believe. He does listen to businesses and has accepted money. This is no different than any other candidate. This book brings all of this to your attention so that you can make your own informed decision.

The tone and flow are good. I had no trouble following the narrative or understanding what point the author was trying to make. Too often, an author has his own axe to grind and steps away from informing the reader so that the reader can make his or her own decision. Turque's style makes this a good read.

Al Gore recently emerged from "mending fences" in Tennessee to launch a media-driven national charm offensive that he hopes will land him in the White House in 2004. Even though the former vice president seems more at ease these days as he exchanges barbs with the likes of David Letterman, Gore still comes across as uncomfortable and at times coached (did handlers teach him to laugh?) largely because he is the enigma Bill Turque describes in Inventing Al Gore: A Biography. For those who love and despise the former vice president, and for the vast majority in whom he inspires absolutely no emotion one way or the other, Turque's biography, written before the 2000 election debacle, remains relevant today. After you finish Turque's fair and balanced account of Gore, you will be pumped full of the substantive and trivial and won't be any closer to knowing who the former vice president is than you were in 2000, 1996, 1992, 1988, or last week on Larry King. This in no way detracts from Turque's biography, and if anything proves the author knew his subject is a mystery. Neither David Maraniss nor anyone else has been able to unravel this complex politician, and unlike Turque they didn't have the insight to know it is impossible.

Excellent book. Albert has created an unusual, interesting and sympathetic protagonist who takes us on a bumpy ride through turn-of-the-century America. During our travels we explore some of the fundamental forces that shaped our country -- immigration, the spirit of the great West, and the tug of rugged individualism versus socialist demands for collective protection of human rights -- forces that still resonate loudly today. We meet some mighty interesting characters, too. Albert has a flair for creating vibrant scenes and authentic dialogue. A great deal of careful research obviously went into the creation of this work, which bears fruit in historical authenticity and realism. This book will grow in stature as it is discovered by more readers.

Harold Albestein is a L.A. teenager in the 1950's. He is perfectly content entertaining himself by going down to Sunset Blvd and going to movies, his favorite record store for jazz and blues music. When his parents are suddenly killed in an auto accident, Harold finds himself living in Palm Springs with his aunt in the middle of the blazing hot summer. His Aunt Enid finds having her newphew to be disruptive to her own comfortable life of waiting around for her lover to come and visit. Matters become more complicated when Enid's alcoholic father turns up on her doorstep, in the last stages of kidney disease. All of these events cause these lonely people to feel like more of a family.

Bill Sammon has done a great service by categorizing in chronological order the events of the 36 trauma-filled days after the 2000 Presidential election. However, I think he has done a greater service by setting down in one volume all the despicable shenanigans perpetrated by Al Gore and friends to try to overturn the election. It was the last straw - and proof positive of a concerted effort to steal the election - when the Florida Supreme Court justices, under prodding by Gore lawyers, ordered yet another ballot count (this time statewide) after the U.S. Supreme Court had reprimanded them for overstepping their authority with an earlier order. Even after watching TV night and day during the 36-day ballot battle and seeing the play-by-play in print in Sammon's book, it's inconceivable that Gore and his people could have pulled off so many devious, dishonest, and illegal maneuvers to try to overturn the election. It's inconceivable, too, how many reporters and heavyweight TV anchors tried to manipulate the news in Gore's favor on November 7 and afterward. Thank goodness for gutsy reporters like Bill Sammon - you'll be glad you read his book.

OK, so Bill Sammon is a partisan Republican but then again, Alan Dershowitz, despite his Harvard credentials, is a shrilly partisan Democrat. This book is a great antidote to Dershowitz's, "Supreme Injustice." Indeed, Sammon points ou that by a 7-2 vote, the Supreme Court determined that the Florida Supreme Court's recount plan was unconstitutional. The press has mischaracterized the decision as 5-4 since two justices would have sent it back to the Florida Supreme Court to try to correct the problems with it's decision. However, realistically, the Florida court probably could not have adequately addressed the constitutional problems, certainly, not in the short time left before the electoral college had to vote. Therefore, despite what the Gore supporters have tried to spin, the truth is it was a 7-2 decision joined in by Clinton appointee, Justice Breyer.

Sammons writes in an entertaining manner. Particularly amusing was the story of how Republican attorneys used the nonsensical "pregnant chad" standard to their advantage. While vote recounters were taking any minor mark on an undervote as a vote for Gore, Republicans were insisting that any such minor mark for another candidate on a ballot that was clearly for Gore be thrown out as an overvote. Gore lost numerous votes that way since the standard for pregnant chads had to be the same for all ballots, not just undervotes. Of course, the standard then changed again in that only undervotes were allowed to be counted. The story is fascinating and in reading this book, I am more convinced than ever that the correct outcome was reached.

I enjoy Sammon's appearances on Fox News and was not disappointed with this book. Although many of the comments critical of the book are true (e.g., it's mostly a rehash of available sources and totally pro-Bush), it's good to jog our memories and remember some of the more blatent lies and hypocrisy coming from Algore 2000. The one story I enjoyed most was not from the election itself, but of how Algore got PG&E to flood the Connecticut River so he could get a photo op. Other great points brought up by Sammon and clearly detailed include:

* how the media bias dissuaded Florida panhandle voters from going to the polls, and also how they misreported, underreported and omitted returns favorable to Bush;

* the complete hypocrisy of Algore and weasel Lieberman saying "every vote must count" while simultaneously trying to stick it to the military and Seminole/Martin counties;

* the hysteria and hypocrisy of Jerry Nadler and his "whiff of fascism" comment;

* a fairly dispassionate look at the court decision laying the fiasco to rest, combined with proper disdain for the out-of-control Florida supreme court.

There's also a subtext to the book that I appreciate and that needs to be stated whenever possible. It's the theme that politics in this country has gotten out of control, that it's in the hands of amoral power-hungry politicians bent on winning regardless of the consequences. It's about how, in pursuit of victory, everything is sacrified: truth, justice, God, people, reputations, racial harmony, family, country.

This book is absolutely horrible. I bought it on SALE in a local comic shop and thank God it was discounted! I went home and read it and haven't reread it since. I wouldn't re-open this graphic novel if I was super-bored! This is absolutely the worst Superman trade paperback (well, The Marriage of Superman is also Horrendous) so ONLY buy this if it is discounted. I am not a fan of Dan Jurgen's Superman. He killed Superman, remember? And brought him back. He married Superman. And he killed Clark Kent? Geez, if he's trying to make his mark on Superman, I'd suggest he come up with something creative. Now, he's not the prime writer in this trade paperback, but you can see the indecision around here. There is no unity or solid storytelling with this whole group of writers. Superman never looked so confusing and lost and the writers go off and kill his identity?? This is a major no buy. Buy it if you are a die-hard Superman fan. Buy it if you are missing these issues and cannot find them in the .50 cent bin. Buy this if you are a collector of graphic novels. Buy this if you are curious. But if you are looking for a great read, I'd suggest you look elsewhere (ie, anything NON-Dan Jurgens)

After you have already killed the man of steel, had his funeral, and then brought him back to life, what do you do for an encore? You "kill" his alter ego or secret identity of course.

When the villianous Conduit learns that Superman and Clark Kent are the same person, the life of our hero is turned upside down, and the lives of those closest to him are put in danger, as a form of blackmail. Therefore: Kent must die. At face value, the story is an interesting idea, but the way it unfolds left me disappointed. One of the things that bothered me about the story was its villian. Quite frankly, using Conduit, was a bad idea. The back cover of the trade paperback proclaims that he is one of "his greatest foes". While a certain amount of hyperbole is fine to describe charaters in comics, in the story, he hardly came across as "great The character seemed like one big cliche. In the end it was like so what let's move on. The story didn't have the impact that I think the Superman writers were hoping for. Due in large measure, to a poorly realized foe--the story would have worked had Luthor or Brainiac been the main catalyst. The story seemed to go on much longer than it needed to.

The Superman artists did a nice job on the muti part story As usual the work of Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, the legendary Gil Kane, and Dennis Janke stand out here, among all the artists who worked on the saga

The trade paperback collects all 12 parts of the story and includes reprints of the covers as well The book has 319 pages. Who knows? With a better villian and a shorter length, things may have turned out much more enjoyable than they did. Buy this book only at a discount if you must-otherwise don't bother Read The Death Of Superman instead

Now don't get me wrong. It was as enjoyable as any other mediocre comic book, but not worth the money. Read the 'Death of Superman' et al series if you really want to see Clark die! ...and die he does!

Just finished reading this incredible book. Albert Walker is probably one of the most notorious sociopaths of the twentieth century. Some of the things this man did are almost unbelievable, and I am relieved that he is imprisoned. From researching the background of this book, I found articles from a Canadian newspaper (circa 1999-2000) which said that Walker was trying to work a deal with the British Government to return to Canada and finish his life sentence there. I understand that his former family was not thrilled with the prospect of having return to Canada. Thankfully, I believe he is still in Exeter Prison near Devon, England. Mr. Schiller has done a great job with this book, but I would have liked to know more about Albert Walker's interaction with his family before he fled to England in 1990. I also was left with many unanswered questions regarding the daughter who fled with him. She is portrayed in the book as "a victim", but I find that difficult to believe.I am wondering if she testified against her father in exchange for her freedom. I can see a 15 year old child not grasping the criminal behavior of a father, but I find it incredible that at 21 years old, Miss Walker didn't have a clue what "Daddy" was all about. I tend to believe that Miss Walker had a pretty good idea of her father's schemes during the six years they were on the run, and I feel she was a willing participant. I find it difficult to believe,too, that her father controlled her by hypnotism as suggested in the trial and the book. Just a little too far-fetched..... Overall, a very interesting read.

I found this book to be a good read about a unbelievable con artist who got caught in his own game, by the flukiest of flukes. What kind of a murderer dumps the body still wearing a Rolex watch? Unbelievable. What a twit.

The Cheerleader in Chief of Clinton is able to effectively transmit all of that exceptional charisma and excitement right into this book! All of what he wrote sounded so genuine and interesting that I could hardly put it down! I hope he writes another book because I'll be the first one to buy it!

This man should be impeached for his sheer banality. I'm not even sure that a real person wrote this book--it reads more like something written by a computer with one of those auto-writing programs. Come to think of it, is Al Gore even a real person? Has anyone ever seen him do something like eat or drink in public, or is he just some sort of incorporeal, babbling hologram?

This is a fascinating look at how Vice-President Gore has worked to reduce the size of the federal government. It is easy to read and is very substantive. This book is a must read for every American!