"Titan - the Graphic Novel" was GW's (Games Workshop, a gaming publisher and miniatures manufacturer) effort to better popularize their already well-liked 40k universe. It has been an outstanding success and is one of their better "promotion" products.

The story focuses on the experiences of one titan across a battlefront of the (generic sci-fi human) Empire. The experienced Titan pilot dies of old age and a younger trainee is forced to take over the helm. He, of course, is not well accepted by the older apparatchiks of the Imperium (in the Adeptus Mechanicus) and has to face several trials to keep his Titan. All of the combat in this novel faces Ork opponents.

The greatest attraction is to see the fine artwork of the novel. The titans are fleshed out with every nut and bolt. The pilots and crew of a Titan are defined to great satisfaction for the 40k enthusiast. I bought my novel to give me ideas how to convert 6mm scale Epic titans. "Titan - the Graphic Novel" was well worth my money for that reason alone. However, I don't think the story could stand well on its' own if it didn't already have an established fan base of 40k players.

I recommend this graphic novel for the GW 40k enthusiast and fan.

Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan.

"Titan II: Vivaporius" carries on where "Titan - The Graphic Novel" left off: namely with the crew of the mighty Warlord class titan: Imperius Dictatio. Where as "Titan - The Graphic Novel" had a relatively short story that didn't amount to much more than an introduction to Imperius Dictatio and its' crew, "Titan II: Vivaporius" goes much further and introduces an interesting story with a well-developed plot, all within the bounds of graphic novel.

Where "Titan - The Graphic Novel" left us at the end of an Imperial campaign against Ork invaders, "Titan II: Vivaporius" plunges us in the midst of a campaign against the alien Tyranids (after of course, the Orks are routed). Unlike what amounted to a relatively easy fight for the Imperius Dictatio's crew against the Orks, the Tyranids put up a tough fight and many of Imperius Dictatio's brother titans are destroyed. One, in fact, is captured, which leads to some of the graphic novel's more interesting plot directions. The other very interesting plot detail is the entry of the Eldar as an ally force. I very much enjoyed the way that the writers and illustrators of the Eldar portrayed them. They truly seem alien and imposing rather than simply anthropomorphic copies of human beings.

All in all, "Titan II: Vivaporius" was a very enjoyable read and a far superior piece of art and writing than its' predecessor.

I highly recommend "Titan II: Vivaporius."

Review by: Maximillian Ben Hanan

To earn the reputation of a literary giant within the generation of Waugh, Orwell, and Greene is no mean feat. To do so with the grace and genius that characterized Anthony Powell...is nothing short of spectacular. This book of Powell's memoirs is the first one-volume collection to be published in America. The reviews for this book are glowing. "Powell was indeed a literary giant, and eminently deserving of the praise that was lavished upon him."- The Wall Street Journal. "A Master of wit, paradox, and social delineation."- The New York Times. "[Powell was] more fun than Proust, and at least as true to human nature."- John Perry, Salon Magazine

The editors have put together chapters from several different authors to share perspectives on how to help families reunify when children have been removed to foster care. This book should be most beneficial to persons who are attempting to implement or improve the delivery of family reunification programs. However, there are "jewels" throughout the book that should help anyone working in the foster care setting.

The various authors not only explain why it is important to reunify families when possible, but methods and programs are shared to give case workers ideas of how to improve their services. A great bonus with this book is that it is well-edited so that the chapters are actually enjoyable and easy to read.

Highly recommended.

"Every happy family is alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in their own way". So begins a Russian work of fiction that has been a classic and reminder of human experience. Leo Tolstoy wrote poignant, classic masterpieces of Russian ouevre. Anna Karenina was drawn form Tolstoy's own personal experiences with love and he comments not only on the society of his age, but on the quality of human emotion, suffering and frailty. Anna Karenina is not his best work, "War and Peace" is. But Anna strikes a modern chord and is exceptional.

Anthony Thorlby's version is still Tolstoy's, but he adds commentary that is suited for our modern social structure. Anna Karenina is herself a symbol of repressed womanhood, a product of her male-dominated society, a modern woman at heart, ahead of her time. She is married to a wealthy and influential man, but loves the dashing, handsome officer Lensky. She engages in adultery and even has his child. The tempestuous love affair is wrecked with guilt, pain, torture and exquisite tragedy. In contrast, there is the innocent, loving and simplistic romance between Kitty and her lover (who is actually a parody of Tolstoy).

Set in Imperial 19th century Russia, around the time of the Crimean War, the novel takes us to that society, becoming Westernized, full of rich culture but decaying in morals and crumbling from its center due to the fact that humans are fallible, that we cannot be conditioned to do other than our natural selves. Anna Karenina, as we all know from our college days, killed herself under a train, ending the pain that had been brewing as a romantic storm since she first met her destiny with Lensky. The moving tale is worth reading and recognizing as a masterpiece of Russian literature.

Tomorrow's ghost is one of the finest fantasy books I have read in a long time.

The complicated plot is ingenious right to the very end, in which he keeps you guessing even after you have finished with the book.

I would recommend this book to all.

Missy Kubitschek's book does the impossible: she presents a thoughtful, educated, and appreciative reading of Morrison that makes these wonderful novels even more accessible than even good readers could imagine. For teachers who want to provide their students with a superb critical model, here it is. Look at the literate biographical first chapter. The "contexts" chapter moves smoothly and clearly through the critical whitewater of postmodernism, orality, and black identity. The chapters focusing on individual Morrison novels (even the daunting _Paradise_) illuminate Morrison's careful plot and characterization strategies. Best of all, each chapter showcases a particular critical strategy (formalist, historicist, archetypal, "Afro-modernist," etc.) as a lens through which to read the text. This is not only a brilliant teaching strategy, it's delightfully readable. I was surprised and moved all over again at the author's deft discussion of marigolds in _Bluest Eye_ and its subtle evocation of the Demeter/Persephone theme. It's the best discussion I've read of _Paradise_ and the chapter on _Sula_ brought that novel's power home to me years after my first reading of it. This is criticism at its very best.

"This guidebook, with easy-to-use, meaningful, and relevant activities, provides the practical tools our Diversity Council has been looking for to use with fellow employees to help them understand the dynamics and value of diversity in the workplace." Cris Hagen, Manager-Organizational Effectiveness, Prudential Healthcare

This is a great book! As a 5th-grade teacher, I am always on the outlook for new fiction, and this story delivers the goods! Toots, trapped between personal grief and moral obligation, is forced to make decisions which affect not only her future, but those around her. In the process, she learns valuable lessons about life and love. I highly recommend this book for children of all ages.

If you like racing sailing boats, you'll enjoy very much the high quality photographs and complete description of big races in this book.