The style is both readable and rigorous. Woodard takes great pains to make clear what is known and what is not, and while clearly reaching "green" conclusions, he is careful to examine different perspectives. Woodard is a master storyteller. The people he comes across in his travels come to life as each chapter unwinds another environmental and economic tragedy in progress.

This is a very human book. Woodard doesn't wallow in the "fish-kissers" moral approach to environmentalism (what did that shrimp do to you?). Nor does he delve too deeply into the minutia of the science affecting a particular ecosystem (Do mollusks have brains?) Instead, he makes a compelling case for how the ongoing degradation affects both the local people who rely on a part of the oceans directly and human life as a whole.

I highly recommend this book to all concerned world citizens. We are past worrying about what is the "right" thing to do with respect to the oceans. We need to be concerned about what can be done to prevent a major disruption in the world's economic, climate, and food supply systems.

Why? Because I want my graduate students to first see how wonderful the world's oceans and coastal zones are and secondly, how incredibly stupid and short sighted we can be as we mismanage our responsibilities as stewards of these ecosystems. Colin Woodward has done a wonderful job of narrating a gripping, exciting, and enfuriating story from the killing of the Black Sea to the plundering of the Newfoundland Grand Banks and all of the other case studies in between.

This is a book worth reading and also one that is compellingly interesting and enjoyable. Take it on your next trip or read it and then take my web-based graduate class in International Coastal Management. You'll be ahead of yourself!

What can I say about this book? I've been a Captain Marvel fan all my life, literally. I've always cringed when I've heard the unknowing masses call the poor Captain "Shazam". The comics the character appears in are titled "SHAZAM!" for legal reasons that I won't cover here. On to the book:

"SHAZAM!: The Power of Hope" is the third in a series of four oversized comic-graphic novels by Paul Dini and Alex Ross. The stories are simple, focusing on a single aspect of each character: Superman's attempt to bring "Peace on Earth" for a single day. Batman's "War on Crime" and Captain Marvel visits a children's hospital for a weekend, trying to instill the "Power of Hope" in the patients there.

The story is, again, simple, clean and unsurprising not bad at all. The real star here is Mr. Ross's stunning artwork. The Captain has never looked so good! Alex Ross uses massive full page spreads to their best advantage, For the first time, you get a glimpse of what living in that wonderful, colorful universe must really be like. There, right before your eyes is Captain Marvel in all his blazing red and gold glory!

That's all you could ask for, and you get it, in abundance. For the length of this book, Captain Marvel -lives-. And for the time you spend turning those pages, you're 10 again, or 8 or 16 or whatever...the memories come flooding back.

"Good to see you again, Cap'n, don't be a stranger."

The odd couple ends up getting married (is it love or convenience, or a mix of both?) and writer Paul Greenberg explores the resulting emotional tangle in a way that will make you fondly remember (or cringe over) your first really intense love affair. This book is a must-read.

The final chapter is a fascinating and highly informative look into life in New Mexico in 1824. All the way through, Jean-Paul Tibbles beautiful illustrations help to make this a wonderful book.

This book is every bit as wonderful as the other American Girls books, and its look at Mexico is quite refreshing. My daughter has only recently begun to read about Josefina, and she loves the stories. I must admit that I love them too. In particular, I liked the fact that the family's religious faith is incorporated into the story. We both highly recommend this book to you.

Written in the style of Cornelius Ryan -- personal accounts mixed with historical overview and critical opinion by the author.

While biased from the German point of view, it is far more objective than typical (and questionably accurate) Soviet histories. It does give scant recognition to Soviet soldiery and tactics, preferring to attribute Soviet victories to overwhelming numbers. While somewhat accurate, it regrettably misses probably the greatest irony of the war -- that Soviet and German military doctrine between 1941 to 1945 did a flip-flop -- Soviets evolved from following disastrous defensive strategy into masters of the Blitzkrieg, while the Germans went in the exact reverse direction.

The book accurately portrays the horror and hell of the Eastern Front from the standpoint of the average German "grunt", while providing an solid strategic examination of the war.

I am impressed. Kemp is quickly becoming one of the best authors the Realms has, and I want to see what he could do out of the Realms.

This novel follows about 3 characters continually, and 5 total. (One for only a chapter. another for only part of a chapter). It, of course, mostly follows Erevis Cale, the butler for the Uskevren (Too Bold to Hide) family, and spy for the Night Knives. It also follows Jak Fleet. Priest of Brandobaris and Harper. and also Drasek Riven. Lt for the Night Knives, and high-up thief/assassin for the Zhentarim.

Drasek Riven is written to be a character of unbridled ambition, and loyalty to almost none but himself. I say almost cause he seems to be loyal to the Zhents as an organization, if not his bosses. Throughout the entire book he has been conveyed this way, and unlike in Halls of Stormweather, he is not used as the foil to Erevis, but as his own character and meets up with Erevis only in the last couple pages. What a great last couple pages they were too.

Jak Fleet is a man of contradictions. I mean a priest of Brandobaris as a Harper? It does work though, rather well. Kemp keeps track of what Misadventurers of Brandobaris could do in 2nd edition, and it shows in Jak's writing. He is like Drasek in the way that he is loyal to the organization and its beliefs, if not his superior officers. Mostly he is with Erevis in this novel, but there is couple of times we follow him by himself. Really great insights on his character. And i'll admit, If I ever run a game, I'm going to steal Kemp's idea on how God's call priests, and use it in direct game play. One minor note though. In Chapter 2, it seems either Kemp or Fleet mis-thought. Mentioning how the Righteous Man (leader of the night knives) was leader of the Night Masks. Either that was Kemp's mistype, or Fleet just doesn't pay attn to underworld organizations. .

And finally Erevis Cale. Possibly the closest thing to a neutral character i've seen in a gaming novel yet. I swear he's true neutral. There's not much I can say about him, anything I say is pretty much a spoiler. Though his actions in this novel make me wonder if he still belongs in the Sembia (Aka the Uskevren) series. But even if not, I really do hope there are more novels about him.

I like how Paul shows his knowledge of the setting. And his take on Divine spells (you will it to happen, and pray. even silently. While not fully practical game-wise, it really works for novular characters. (Yes I think i just made up a word.) This novel is one I highly recommend. For after reading it I have to place Kemp as one of my favorite living authors. A step or two below Kay.

After the events of this novel, I really really hope WotC does a Tazi novel also. So far it seems this Shared Family experiment is a success. And now I can't wait for The Shattered Mask.

It's impossible to describe the depth of this story. What other writers would present as a simple battle between government soldiers and a race of super-powered beings...Paul Jenkins pulls so much more from. There is slavery, penance, insanity, forgiveness, shame, understanding, heroism, loyalty, blind loyalty, manipulation, emancipation, love, and then there is family.

What makes The Inhumans work so well beyond the immense story is the uniqueness of the characters. The race of inhumans each have their own individuality expressed in their dialogue, their actions, and most powerfully in their appearence. What we might view as deformed...they would view as beautiful...two worlds that meet through a mirror (a symbol that is touched upon in the narrative). Pages could be written about these characters but then that would spoil the read and discovery so I'll confine mine to two characters.

TRITON - In what is probably the strongest chapter of the book, this character reflects back on his witnessing of the sinking of the Lusitania. It was his first encounter with humans in a positive light and lead him to think and rethink his thoughts on these creatures of a different race. The paintings of Triton standing on the decks of the Lusitania in present day are haunting.

BLACK BOLT - The king of the Inhumans who is not permitted to speak because his vocal cords can decimate mountains. He is also not permitted thought balloons because that would rob the character of so much. With the powerful king we have a character that will make you think. The weight of his people rests on his shoulders, and because of his complete lack of dialogue we are kept in the dark as to his motivations just as his closest family members are. Here is a character that could not exist in any other medium save the realm of the comic book (graphic novel to the elite). I found myself staring at every panel with this wonderful character present. The embrace between brothers Black Bolt and 'Mad' Maximus was especially gripping.

All in all I can not praise Inhumans enough. It has a creative energy that helps it stand apart from the typical superhero storyline. Much like each citizen of Attilan, there will never be another story like Inhumans.

Will you love it on the first read? Maybe not. Will you think about it when it's all over...definately. Will you want to return for another read?

No doubt this earns a place on the shelf against the likes of Watchmen, Maus, From Hell and select others. Certainly one of the better books of sequential art.

An extraordinary team-up of writer/artist. Very few mesh so well together to drive the story to levels that render emotional vehemence whilst providing undaunted prose (so clearly displayed in issue #9).

No knowledge of Marvel history/continuity is needed.

Please read also 'Sentry' of the same creators. Look for it, it will be here soon.

This work serves as a superb demonstration of what the comic book can achieve as an art form. The multiple story arcs all hold the reader's interest well. The writing is tight and tells a surprisingly complex story in 12 issues with few wasted words/frames. Jenkins manages to introduce the book's characters and backgrounds in a natural, uncontrived manner, which is a rare feat in this medium.

The artwork is a pure joy. Jae Lee's style fits the material and sets the mood perfectly. The amount of detail in each frame, especially involving facial expressions, is remarkable and goes a long way to drive the storyline.

If I have one criticism, it would be that certain elements of Jenkins' writing style are overused throughout the book and become slightly irritating. Still, this book easily ranks as one of the best TPBs I have ever picked up.