As a Secondary History teacher, I find historical fiction and historical science fiction an interesting break from reading strictly non fiction. As a browsed the historical fiction section looking for a children's book to read (as an assignment for a class), I found several that would have been relatively interesting. However, when I found this book Andy and Mark and the Time Machine Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg W.F. Reed 2000Writer's Showcase and saw that there was a science fiction element such as time travel, and one of the most vivid battles in American History I was sold.
This review will follow this format : a brief summary of the book, and a discussion of the book in terms of its use of historical content, reader enjoyment, and the books ability to generate interest in reading.
The story starts with a description of Andy and Mark two average students who are friends and spend time together out of school. Andy's father is "scientist" that has a lab in the family's basement. It turns out that in this lab Mark's father has built a working transporter and involves the boys in an experiment to send the family cat. After the experiment, the cat appears to have been lost, but shows up laterin the basement. After thinking about the results of the experiment, they conclude that the transporter could be a time machine.
As all kids seem to be a little anxious, they decide to test out the time machine and see what the machine will do and decide to send the cat again, this time with a radio receiver that would give information as to the destination of the cat. An accident occurs and Mark gets transported along with the cat to Gettysburg Pennsylvania July 1863 on the eve of Pickett's Charge. Mark finds that the conditions of the battle are even worse than history teaches and that he barely has the stomach to handle the brutality of war.
The story ends with Mark's return to his time, place and family.
In this book, the author uses historical detail in just the right amount. In terms of being factual enough to lend some accuracy, while at the same time being general enough to allow the story to come through to young readers with an even steady flow. That is a positive when thinking about young readers and the need to expose them to all kinds of stories and books.
For young readers who might be interested in history, especially Civil War history, this book would be a great book for them to explore the time period. An even more important use for this book would be to introduce students to the time period and maybe create some interest in not only the time period, but also reading historical fiction as well.
As a whole this book was well written, fast paced, easy to understand and had an interesting storyline for readers of all ages, especially young readers.

ehughes

Chaosium prides itself on its ability to uncover and deliver rare stories, poems, and other such works of the Cthulhu Mythos. Their 6th book of the Cthulhu Cycle Books, The Azathoth Cycle, is no exception to this rule.

Robert Price, the series editor, presents a clear and entertaining introduction that has the good fortune to be easily understood by those unfamiliar to the Mythos, as well as providing valuable insights to Mythos veterans.

This book is wisely based around the first passage, Edward Pickman Derby's poem 'Azathoth,' a must read for any aspiring Lovecraftian. Many of the stories, by both obscure and known contributers to the Mythos, deal with the subjects presented in 'Azathoth,' thus allowing the reader to gain a better understanding of the work at large. For a fan to own all the stories presented in this book, they would have had to have begun their Mythos collection years ago, collecting obscure fan-zines and short story publications. 'The Azathoth Cycle' presents an excellent starting point for the newer generation of Lovecraft fanatics, giving them a pointer towards Mythos authors such as Campbell, Carter, Price, and Derby.

All in all, Chaosium has done it again, presenting a valuable Mythos work (though, after reading it, one is inclined to say 'tome') for both those new to the worlds of H. P. Lovecraft, and those who have dwelled in those darker recesses of the human soul for years.

The second story has a Vertigo feel into it. An accident leads Bruce Wayne into coma. From there on, he's been meeting with ghost & demons from his past and a meeting with his wife? Batman or is it Bruce Wayne has to overcome all this fears & hope to get back to the real world before his lifesigns fade out! Will he return to the real world which is bleak & gloom when there's someone to love him there in the other realm...?

'Destiny' is the first, and shortest, story. It involves the existence of a Batman-like character in Viking times. I couldn't really get into this one - the story or the art work. For me, one over shadows the other making it difficult to enjoy. The story swings back and forth between times too much, and the art swings back and forth between very good and very bad. Some of the art is very graphic (I like graphic) and some far too simplistic, especially the facial features, expressions, etc. The only art I like that's simplistic is Snoopy...

The second story is much better and almost worth the price of the book. I don't know if they've done facial expressions any better, but the art is much more consistent and compliments an excellent story. "The Sleeping" explores what happens to people in comas, namely Batman. Following a car crash Batman 'wakes' to find himself escorted to an 'other realm'. He's joined by other coma victims and together they must make their way thru many obstacles, including a 'Lake of Fire', to get back to their bodies. The actions & decisions they make here will determine what happens to them in the waking world. Quite simply, to die here is to die... We, also, get a glimpse into what Bruce Wayne's life would have been like if the Batman had never been 'born'. Don't be put off by the subject matter as the author added just the right touch of humor to keep it from being too dark. Overall, one of the best Batman short stories I've read to date. The only way they could have improved this one is to have made it longer...

His clinical anecdotes and other stories are cogently told. He gives us a clear exposition of his views, developed after deep reflection on his experience, about the causes of criminal conduct, and its relation to mental derangement. He discussses the death penalty and related appeals processes. This readably written book should be of wide interest, especially to those who would reform the system, or might contemplate a career with the Department of Corrections.