When I knew that the book was all about the construction of a 36000km high tower, I look scornfully at it. But when I started to read the strong and plausible scientific background the story has, I started to consider Clarke not only the greatest science fiction writer ever, but also one of the greatest visionaries of our time.
I only took one star out of my rate because the story developed around it is not as good as in Rendezvous with Rama and Space Odyssey, but this Clarke's vision of future compensates it by far and makes the book worthwile anyway.

Hugo & Nebula Awards for Best Novel.

Nikola Tesla has been called the man who invented the 20th century. I'm hoping that Clarke will be remembered as the man who invented the 21st. As I type this there is a TV in the room, connected to a box, in turn connected to a dish on the roof, that is pointed to a satellite over 42,000 km away in what is called a Clarke Orbit, after the astronomer who realized it would be a useful place for a communications satellite to be, Sir Arthur C. Clarke.

So what does that have to do with this novel? In this book Clarke talks about a bridge, a tether that connects the ground to Clarke orbit. A vertical railroad, allowing for a more economical method for reaching Earth-orbit than riding on a Space Shuttle with the power of sixty-five locomotives.

As in real life, the political problems far outweigh the technical ones, and those who say that Clarke is weak in characterization have not read the same book I did.

Do the math, we can build a tether, we should build it. The only thing wrong with this book is that it hasn't happened, yet.

In the two decades since THE FOUNTAINS OF PARADISE was written, the idea of an 'elevator' into space has permeated the science fiction world completely, seen as merely a fact of things to come. In part, I believe it is because Arthur C. Clarke made such an excellent case for it in this novel which builds one up 36000 km (24,000 miles)--from Sri Lanka to geostationary orbit. It combines two of the authors most popular themes, technological evolution & human quintessential development, with sparse prose and moving directness. At the time of it's original publication, it was announced to be the author's last novel, which happily is one of Clarke's predictions which did not come true! Very Highly Recommended.

The task of educating a reader on the subject of global geography in a one volume text is daunting to say the least. The author has concentrated his efforts in providing a synopsis of global geography. The book is divided into four parts. The first provides an overview of geography that introduces the terminology and basic maps reading skills. The second and third parts include a total of twenty chapters dedicated to describing and illustrating the geographical features of the earth. Only major geographic features are presented in these chapters. The reader should not expect descriptions of smaller features. For example the chapter discussing North America is accomplished in twelve pages. But at the end of those twelve pages the reader should have a mental sketch of the terrain including major rivers, mountain ranges, surrounding bodies of water, bordering countries and large lakes. Reciting and locating Canada's ten provinces and two territories will also be a much easier task. The final part of the book deals with population growth and environmental issues that effect our planet. Minimal information is provided on the cultural and social aspects of each geographic region. This exclusion has been noted as an oversight or deficiency by previous reviewer's. However if I may retort, the author has developed a reference book that strictly follows the definition of geography. Geography is defined as the study of the earth and it's features. Certainly these features affect how we interact with each other but any attempt to touch upon them is beyond the scope of this book. Readers should refer to geography books pertaining to the specific region of interest for detailed information regarding the relationships of those cultures. For those searching for detailed information on specific regions will also find this book inadequate and ultimately be disappointed. The books weakness is that the maps are black and white, very simplistic and unexciting. Overall the book provides an excellent geographical overview of the earth and is recommended for those readers who are looking to recapture what they have forgotten since high school geography.

The Idiots Guide to Geography was a wonderful refresher tool. It touches base on the Continents and all of the countries, surrounding bodies of water; as well as the cultures, climate and industry. I used an Atlas in conjunction to get a more indepth and closer look at each country. There was a quiz at the beginning of the book asking you to locate various places on the world map. I could only locate a few when I first opened the book. When I was finished I found all 10 with ease! This book was exactly what I was looking for. A refresher course for all that I forgot since High School!

Complete Idiot's Guide to Geography is a pleasure to have on my shelf as a reference. The broad arrayy of descriptions has given my kids and I many interesting nights at the dinner table. It gives us an approachable avenue to a subject my kids previously found hard to grasp. Thanks Tom! What is next?

It grieves me to say some of this stuff, seeing as how this series came very highly recommended from a friend (who told me to read the Arthur books, then the Aeron books, and finally the two standalones--and, given the kind of reviews Blackmantle is getting from you, my dear fellow reviewers, I do NOT think I shall be reading that one).

This is a series that simply didn't work for me. I've been told that Kennealy considers this to be a sci-fi series more than a fantasy, and yet, there isn't any actual science in them. Ships and the rare computers are controlled by crystals. Horses still seem to provide 99.9% of transportation. Bedding is made of fur. There are no paternity tests, apparently (an important plot point). This is not a scientific world. It is a fantasy, pure and simple.

Also, there are no surprises. Kennealy invokes "dan" (karma, fate, doom, whatever) at every corner, meaning that each and every major plot point is revealed well before it becomes an issue. I found myself rolling my eyes, wondering what the Kelts would think of us Terrans, who aren't given the opportunity to know EXACTLY what we'll be having for breakfast in forty years, much less EXACTLY how long we'll live, who we'll marry, what the names of our grandchildren will be, what our great and mystical destiny will be...

My friend was excited to tell me that there was no Lancelet figure in this series. Well, excepting Keils, there wasn't...but Lancelet is an important part of the Arthur legend. A very, very important part. Because, you see, it is mostly as a result of the whole Gwen/Lance thing that Arthur nanced off to get himself killed, and Camelot fell.

Last major gripe: there is no character development anywhere here. Oh, sure, characters grow up, and grow older, but they don't change must. (Okay, okay, Gweniver changes a bit, over the course of her hundred or so year lifespan.) No, Taliesin is the same person at 100 that he was at five. Donah and Loherin and Tarian and all these other character appear and move offstage without the reader ever having any insight into their being.

All of that said, there were some wonderful parts in this trilogy: the Yamazai were extremely cool, as was the whole "Hedge of Mist" idea, the idea of Taliesin's mother being from earth...probably the scene that moved me most was Arthur and company's demise, which I will not spoil for those of you intent upon reading this book.

Taliesin is a great character, and a great narrator, tempered by humor and anger and love and loyalty, and one is left with the impression that there could be no better bard to tell this story. If only the whole first HALF of this book didn't feel like such a death march to the end...

i couldn't put this book down for 2 days. the story of taliesin is a new one and the male point of view for kennealy is also new. this is much better than even "the hawk's gray feather" "the oak above the kings".

you'll love it. don't try to start one without having both of the others with you.

This entire trilogy is wonderfully written and the tales are vibrant with imagery. A must read for anyone. One warning once you go keltiad you never go back. :) Any book by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison is a must own.

Arthur Quinn's goal -- to give the first 150 years of American colonial history the sweeping treatment the topic deserves -- is laudable. Quinn's attempt, unfortunately, falls far short of that goal. Simply put, the work just isn't a very good history book. Historians, professional and armchair, revel in linear detail like dates and places, and want to be certain that they are getting the whole picture. Quinn isn't bothered by such things, possibly because they might get in the way of the story he's trying to tell. Aside from his occasional, awkward forays into flights of literary greatness that, more often than not, just fall into tortured prose, Quinn's indifference to dates and some events is a fatal flaw in a work of history. For example, he completely ignores the Mayflower Compact (although we learn a great deal else about the Pilgrims), one of the most important documents in early American history, and has nothing to say of the death of Wolfe at Quebec, along with Montcalm. Quinn is so indifferent to noting months and years that a reader often loses track of where the story is in time. Those exclusions, and others like them, seriously weaken the book.

In the end, a reader should approach this book as an outline, a primer perhaps, that covers a compelling expanse of our past, and take it upon her or himself to fill in the gaps. For those readers who prefer narrative to history, then this book should be enough. It is full of fascinating, fatally flawed characters (and lots and lots of native Americans who like to eat those characters). For readers looking for a more detailed, textured understanding of our founding, this is a decent place to start -- if Quinn's writing style doesn't drive you crazy within the first 12 pages -- because it is organized decently and many highlights are there, but keep in mind that it is only a start.

An absolute pleasure to read. Never read a history book that was so hard to put down. Not your typical perspectives on colonizing North America. A gripping, vivid read.

Arthur Quinn loves America and American History. No, he doesn't say this anywhere in his book, "A New World", but his passion is obvious to anyone who reads this book. The pages are filled with his excitement which will draw in almost any reader, even those who normally do not like history. Better still, for those of us who do enjoy history, Quinn details portions of American History rarely covered in school or in other books.

The two things I liked best about A New World was Quinn's awareness of the times and his details about its people. Usually when we study or read about American History, it is in a void. Quinn is the first writer I have read who talks about how Machavilli influenced John Smith. John Smith, always a boring figure of the past, now seems like a wild adventurer to me.

Quinn also talks about Indian savagery. I never really appreciated why the Colonists had such fears or anger towards them. Our politically correct schools always teach us how Colonists took our land from others. I have never in school how some Indians tortured soliders so much before a battle, that the European troops gave up out of fear. Or how these same Indians would take a stick and slowly work it up the bone of a person from his hand to his shoulder. Not counting the constant war between some Indian Tribes and the colonist, these stories helped me understand the attitudes of those times much better.

After Barbara Tuchman's, The Guns of August, this is probably the best history work I have read. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Quinn. If you haven't read him yet, this book is a very good place to start.

Thomas Arthur Repp's love for his oft-maligned subject matter (he dislikes the term "tourist trap") shows in the care in which he hunted down the enthralling stories of those wonderful roadside diversions that once enlivened Route 66. Repp takes us behind the flamboyant facades of these mostly "Mom and Pop" operations, to give us a privileged "behind the scenes" peek at the entrepreneurial life along the road.

The attractions presented illustrate the changing face of the highway, as the amusement parks of urbanized eastern U.S. 66 slowly give way to the snake farms of rural Oklahoma and Texas. Along the way, Repp takes us to places as famous as Oklahoma's Buffalo Ranch, as well as to more obscure, but no less fascinating, enterprises such as Amarillo's Prarie Dog Town. Each attraction is brought to life with priceless anecdotes and colorful quotes.

The stories of these attractions and their operators are brightened with wonderful old photos and memorabilia that take one back to the days when a trip down old 66 was as exotic as a jungle safari, and the old road seemed lined with incarcerated rattlesnakes, supernatural raccoons, talking crows and "Live Buffalo."

"Route 66 The Empires of Amusement" thoroughly covers the roadside entertainment scene from Illinois through Texas. I understand that Repp is hard at work researching the myriad delights of western '66. I can't wait!

This book really picks up on the greatest of places on Route 66 and the special people that ran them. Back when Mom and Pop ran businesses and lived IN them... what a pleasure to read..!

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen,...!" Author Thomas Repp offers up a decidedly different Route 66 book sure to please both novice and veteran road warrior alike. Repp's book is a nostalgic salute to the entrepreneurs whose creativity led to the many quirky roadside attractions and amusements that helped make the Route 66 legend. Repp examines over 30 attractions, some of which survive today, and arranges them in geographic order from east to west in the chapters of the book. Included are such well-known attractions as Meramec Caverns but also many that only the most seasoned highway expert will recognize. Repp researched extensively, including many first-person interviews, and has included an extensive bibliography. There are hundreds of nostalgic photographs included as well as a complete index. The book heavily emphasizes the eastern half of the route because, according to Repp, that's where the people and hence the attractions were.

I was disappointed that except for an additional preface, the 1999 "edition" is only a reprint of the first edition from 1987. Outside of the new preface, the book does NOT include "responses to new attacks on evolutionary theory" as promised on the front cover. However, far from being "superficial," the book still contains a wealth of detailed and accurate information that is utterly fatal to creationist fantasies.

It is true that Strahler (p. 135) falsely blames creationist John Woodmorappe of misrepresenting the contents of an article on the radiometric dating of some Hawaiian basalts. In reality, the distortions originated from creationist H. Morris. Nevertheless, Strahler's rebuttal of the distortions is valid.

Clearly, Strahler needs to update this book and respond to the blatant misquotes, misconceptions, and errors that permeate the tabloid literature that continuously streams from various creation "institutes" that claim to be doing "research" or have "answers." For example, geologists have known since at least the early 1960's that SOME magmas travel rapidly through crusts, as fast as several ten's of kilometers per month. Since the first printing of Strahler's book, creationists have distorted the literature on magma movement and cooling, including some of the references in Strahler. Creationists illogically imply that because SOME magmas travel quickly and smaller plutons may cool rapidly, ALL magmas must travel and cool quickly. As a specific example, Strahler needs to supplement his discussions on p. 212-213 and further describe how the cooling of huge plutons, such as the Sierra Nevada Batholith of California (p. 213), took more than 10 million years and how this and many other plutons thoroughly refute creationist claims that the Earth is only 6,000 to 10,000 years old. Strahler should also discuss the 1989 Science article by Odom and Rink that destroys creationist claims for "ex nihilo" polonium halos.

With an exhaustive overview of the geologic and evolutionary history of our planet, Strahler vigorously rebuts a multitude of Christian creationist assertions. Strahler takes some effort to expose the faulty logic, poor science and devious methods Christians have used to impair the public's perception of evolution. The author is able to fully detail each creationist assertion and how science refutes them. If there is a pivot point in this presentation, it would be the spurious "human" tracks "found" in a Texas riverbed. Many facets - the age of the earth, the path of evolution and the role of analysis - are exemplified by the circumstances surrounding this artefact.

While Strahler leaves no doubt over his view of Christian creationists, he provides such a wealth of their material that the book might well be considered "balanced". It is certainly thorough in presenting a history of modern creationism and its spokesmen [if there are any women active in promoting "creation science" they don't appear here]. Strahler lays a foundation by comparing science and pseudo-science. The contrast between empirical research and declaration from assertion should be apparent to all, but Strahler spells it out carefully and clearly. From this beginning he takes us through a succession of topics, exhibiting the creationist declarations, then depicting the errors in them. In some cases, the errors are simply false, while others are twisted use of words or ideas. Strahler set himself a monumental task in composing this book, but as someone with long experience in the geologic column, perhaps there is no-one better qualified to assess the material.

This is a rich trove for almost anyone interested in the planet's history. Most of the line drawings and other illustrations are worthy of close attention. Although set as a counter to false thinking, there is a massive amount of material on such topics as radiometric dating, cosmology, geological processes, fossil analysis and the evolution of humanity. Each area acknowledges the leaders in the research. While crediting good studies, Strahler is careful to note where his fellow scientists have been slipshod or dismissive over word usage in dealing with creationists or simply reporting their science. A worthwhile book for a wide spectrum of readers. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Strahler does an admirable job systematically destroying silly creationist argument after silly argument. He exhaustively documents and references a multitude of easily corroborated Ònails in the creationist coffin.Ó While just about any creationist statement is pretty easily shot through with stuff that can be found in any good high school biology textbook, Strahler goes the extra mile and completely crushes the life out of any number of the ridiculous anti-science non-sense from the extreme right. Highly recommended for anyone interested in protecting our schools from religious bigots.

...

Timeless myth takes a new reality in this beautifully illustrated version of THE TOOTH FAIRY: THE TOUCH OF KINDNESS. Concealed within an entertaining story about young Piper Noble are a number of lessons that parents will appreciate. For example, children learn about the power of love, of accepting other differences, and respect for all people.

Having tried this book on an audience ages five and eight, THE TOOTH FAIRY LEGEND is a hit! My young audiance loved the mustic aand narration on the accompanying CDs, and enjoyed following along with the text in the book. They were entranced by the story, and talked about it for days. As a professional caregiver, I appreciated the opportunity for them to enjoy a long story without the TV that we usually have going. For a terrific story accompanied by the beautiful music and marvelous illustrations, THE TOOTH FAIRY LEGEND; THE TOUCH OF KINDNESS comes very highly recommended.

This wonderful book was very entertaining and my children loved reading along with the accompanying CDs. The music and the illustrations were beautifully done and gave life to the characters in this new spin of the Tooth Fairy story. This is a great modern update to a timeless legend. Kudos to Long and Meyer.

As a teacher of elementary-age school children, I was delighted to read Long and Meyer's "Touch of Kindness." The sensitivity with which the subject matter was treated was an important issue for me. I teach children who are struggling to understand and cope with the fear of some strange winged creature entering their bedrooms to retrieve teeth in the middle of the night. How wonderful that a book finally exists that explains it all in a humorous and yet adventurous manner. The book should keep any youngster on the edge of his or her seat. The fact that the book is chaptered allows someone in my capacity to take time with the telling of the story and ask and answer a multitude of questions that will certainly surface in the classroom. And the read-along, sing-along CD's that are provided as an extra bonus will allow for some more than pleasurable moments in the "reading corner." In addition, the art work adds incredible dimension to the storyline. I can't wait to get back to work in September and introduce my new class to the wonderful, creative minds of Long and Meyer and the special world of "The Legend of the Tooth Fairy."

Mordred, King Arthur's illegitimate son and nephew, has often been portrayed as a traitor who kills Arthur and causes the downfall of Arthur's kingdom. In The Wicked Day, her fourth volume on the King Arthur myth, Mary Stewart challenges readers to reconsider the character of Mordred and his role in Arthur's demise. She traces the protagonist's ill-fated life from his beginnings as an orphan raised by fisher folk, to his rise to power as Arthur's trusted counsellor and regent and finally to the choices and circumstances that bring about the "wicked day" of destiny.

The strength of the book lies in Stewart's depiction of Mordred as an intelligent and loyal person unable to escape his fate. After he discovers his identity, Mordred learns of Merlin's prophecy that he will one day become Arthur's bane. Queen Morgause, Mordred's mother and Arthur's enemy, endeavors to recruit her son to oppose Arthur. Nevertheless, Mordred vows to fight fate and the gods and earns the trust of his father. Only Mordred's ambition for a queen and a kingdom brings him to the brink of catastrophe where his choices mean the end or fulfilment of all his hopes and dreams.
While readers will enjoy The Wicked Day by itself, I suggest reading Stewart's prior Arthurian novels first to appreciate established characters such as the wise yet wearyArthur and the devious Queen Morgause. Moreover, the other books will also show readers the deep-rooted seed of the Arthurian tragedy beginning with Mordred's parentage and bearing fruit in Morgause's family and Mordred's life. Finally, readers could also compare Stewart's Mordred with her books' other heroes such as the young Merlin in The Crystal Cave and Arthur himself in The Hollow Hills.

The Story: Merlin is dead. Or, is he? It matters not, as this sequel to the wonderful Merlin trilogy contains very little Merlin. It focuses on Mordred, the illegitimate but eldest son of Arthur, the Dragon of Greater Britain. Mordred is raised in secrecy, as a pawn in the power games of his mother, the High King's half-sister, Queen Morgause. As he grows, he has to relearn the world repeatedly: he is the son of peasants; no, he is the illegitimate son of Arthur's dead enemy, King Lot; no, he is Arthur's son; he is Arthur's bane, as foretold by Merlin; no, he is Mordred, trying to make a place in history to be proud of.

Commentary: This is a well-told story I found by accident, even though I had read and reread the Merlin trilogy. It differs vastly from the trilogy, not only in Merlin's near-absence, but in the minimal role played by magic. Instead, the emphasis is on whether Mordred can overcome his beginnings, other tragedies, and Fate, to become a son of whom Arthur can be proud. I'm glad I found this treasure.

After having read Mary Stewart's Merlin trilogy, I was rather reluctant to read this book. Having pre-conceived ideas of Mordred's evil character, I didn't want to destroy the 'feel-good' warmth that I had at the end of the trilogy. But, having started Stewart's journey, I just felt I had to finish it, even though I knew it would not be a happy ending.

How wrong I was!!!! This book threw all my expectations of doom and gloom out the window, and impossible as it may seem ... I actually ended up feeling good even if the end was rather tragic.

It is extremely refreshing to see Mordred put in an entirely different light - a courageous, strong-willed and honest man, instead of the evil, greedy and conniving son in other more common versions. Unfortunately, in this book, it was circumstances and misunderstandings that went against him. The best part was - it was totally believable!!!

If you only want to know 1 version of Mordred's story, then this should be it.

Research suggests that an ever increasing number of practioners are relying on tools such as this to help formulate treatment plans.

As a graduate student, what I find useful about this book is that after you study a particular disorder---from the DSM-IV-TR itself, a good psychopathology text (see Davison & Neal's Abnormal Psychology), and the DSM's Diagnostic Criteria handbook, The Adult Psychotherapy Treatment Planner completes the loop.

I bought this book after taking a case studies class where the instructor did an absolutely miserable job in showing us the rhyme and reason behind a good treatment plan. Not satisfied that I knew enough about this critically important piece in the counseling process, I did some research and found this book to be the most highly regarded in this genre.

As subsequent classes deal with child and adolescent psychopathology, family psychopathology, etc. etc. I will be getting the treatment plans that correspond with these issues.

Just what I needed, such a time saver now I can actually use my brain power to help not just write about it--Thanks again.

If you are in the Human Service field. This book is a must. It has helped me so much. I've had this book for over 7 years and if you are learning to write service plans, you will need to get this book and the others as well. Believe me, get this book. It is worth the price and beneficial as well.

As an avid Arthurian reader, I was sad that this is the first book I have removed from my collection.
I imagine the author's intent was for dark realism, but fair warning to gentle readers: This is a violent account of rape and blood and gore and atrocities that would be better left to the imagination. There are also cartoonish displays of sexuality that exist nowhere in humanity, even in the one dimensional characters that persist it.
I also imagine that the author wanted to present Arthur as other than his knightly image, but perhaps it went too far. Arthur here is so hateful and misogynistic, that you would wish better for Guenevere if her character weren't so hateful.
This story, to me, assumes the reader is unaware of the dark side of life, and so smacks you in the face with it, again and again until you are exasperated. If I wanted a book to make me angry, I would read non-fiction. I don't like to criticize anyone's work, but I feel strongly. If you are a feeling reader who loves strong female characters and animals, I recommend that you look elsewhere.

This book gives the Arthur myth a place and time. I love the way that I learned and enjoyed the book at the same time. Historical novels are a favorite of mine, with this time being among the top. Engaging and fun, I look forward to reading the next book in the series

This has been probably the best series I have ever read. You can't put these books down. I actually have read it twice all the way through and have bought one of the books in hardback at a used book store. These books have it all: war, love, adventure, comedy... I just can't recommend them enough. Another great Gueneviere series is by Nancy McKenzie.