This newly released omnibus contains two full-length novels that have become so ubiquitous as to be part of our psyche.

The City and The Stars made such an impression on me that I can remember exactly where I was when I read it for the very first time - seventh grade in Bright, California at one of the meanest junior highs I ever did attend. It was an escape, it was fantastical without being fantasy. It was hard science fiction, set in the future. At that age, I couldn't comprehend how far in the future but I knew it was a place I would have liked to see, doing things that Alvin did. Living that Grand Adventure with him!

I would encourage anyone who hasn't read an early Arthur C. Clarke or knows of any young science fiction fans to buy this omnibus & introduce them to the universe of Arthur C. Clarke. He did write more than 2001: A Space Odyssey - you know!

Two great classics in one book. The City In the Stars is one of the most entertaining sci fi books I have ever read. Clarke challenges your imagination through every step of this one. If there was a movie for every persons vision of this book, not a single one wold be the same. Clarke describes the unimaginable with such simplicity, yet you capture exactly what he is describing. A timeless classic!
Sands of Mars is also very entertaining and is also a must read for any Clarke fan. Although there are many ideas that are false in this book (since we have now seen the surface of Mars) it is interesting to see what Clarke envisioned on this planet. There are great ideas in this novel.

I read The City and the Stars for the first time in High School in probably 1969 or 1970. It was by far the most profound novel I had ever read. All I could remember was being so upset when it was over. I wanted more. It is that kind of story. You step into another world and you are really there. This book is the one that converted me to Science fiction. I bought the book again in the early 1990's. It was a revised edition and somethings were different.But it was still very good. (I liked the original the best). Arthur C. Clarke is much greater than 2001. This book shows it. Thanks Arthur!

I've skimmed this book several times (for the pictures) before I gave it a real chance when college professors pointed out the thesis of Ashe's work: there are remarkable parallels between the "legendary" King Arthur of Geoffrey of Monmouth and Riothamus, an actual 5th century British King.

Ashe brilliantly leads up to his thesis by presenting the facts, the legends, and previous attempts to discovery the "real" Arthur ("The Old Welsh Trail"). By doing so, Ashe gives the readers the proper context to fit his thesis into.

There are excellent pictures of late Roman/early Saxon Britain artifacts and most interesting of all: an artist's conception of an "Arthurian Knight".

Ashe's book is far more legitimate than King Arthur: The True Story, written by Graham Phillips and Martin Keatman. Although well-written, Phillips and Keatman's book tries to link a petty Welsh King of the early 6th century (Owain Ddantgwyn of the Annales Cambriae) with Nennius's King Arthur merely because "he was in the right place at the right time", his nephew Maglocunus could have been Mordred, and because he is mentioned as the "Bear", which means Arthur or something.

This is no criticism of Ashe's believable and accurate work but I must say that I can't believe that Riothamus is the ONLY Arthur. No one can deny that Geoffrey of Monmouth based a good of Arthur's continental campaigns on Riothamus but what about Nennius and the other Welsh Dark Age manuscripts? What about Ambrosius Aurelianus's successor, the Romano-British Warlord/King who slaughtered the Saxons at Mount Badon, a battle that Gildas reported? Riothamus fought in the 460s and 470s, a period atleast 20 years before the battle at Mount Badon. I think there were two special men, the warlord of Badon, and Riothamus, who captured the imagination of the Welsh, and Geoffrey of Monmouth incorporated the two into one man.

As a King Arthur enthusiast, I read this book both with awe, and admiration for the author, Geoffrey Ashe. His insight and passion, and vast historical knowledge, into finding out the facts behind the legend of King Arthur make "The Discovery of King Arthur" a powerful read indeed. Ashe unravels the tangled myths to reveal the facts behind the legend, and pinpoints Arthur to one individual who, more than any other man, fits the description of "Arthur". Ashe makes a very provocative, and eloquent, case for his existance; and bases his argument on facts, rather than hearsay, or personal opinion. We may never know whether or not King Arthur actually existed; however, Ashe treats us to a well written and fascinating look into myth and reality, as well as giving us a history lesson we cannot possibly fall asleep reading.

This book represents the culmination of a lifetime of research by a leading scholar. Geoffrey Ashe should be commended for the great advances he has made in uncovering the history underlying the legend of King Arthur. Even if one finally decides to reject (as I do) the equation of the historical Arthur with Riothamus, one must nonetheless come to share Ashe's appreciation that the history of Britain in this period cannot be properly understood apart from events transpiring elswehere in the Roman Empire, especially Gaul.

Arthur Roth does an excellent job detailing the history of climbing the Eiger North Face. Having lived in Switzerland, I visited the Eiger on several occasions and would marvel at that massive Wall before me. The book is an excellent narrative regarding the various climbs over the years and is in part a tribute to the many climbers who have lost their lives in those attempts. A "must read" for anyone hiking or climbing in Europe.

This is a consistently interesting history of climbing on the Eiger's North Wall from the late 19th century to the late '70s. I'm not sure I've read a better narrative on mountain climbing, and I can't imagine a better book about the Eiger (though I've never read Harrer's THE WHITE SPIDER). Roth's account is well written, fair minded, vivid, sometimes harrowing, and always informative. Though I'll probably never have the money to see the Eiger firsthand (and I have neither the nerve nor experience to even think about climbing it), Roth provides us poor armchair alpinists with the best picture of the famous mountain that we can hope for. It's a shame that the book isn't more readily available. And why is it only in large print? This makes no sense to me. The photos are good, especially the ones that indicate the various routes, landmarks, and places where the unfortunates died. I had a hard time putting this book down. This is an absolute must for anyone interested in mountains and/or mountaineering, and I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.

I found this book in the "english" section of a bookstore in Grindlewald and it was my introduction to the facinating world of mountaineering through literature. I have read many similir books since and nothing compares to this series of harrowing tales that progresses from the earliest climbs, through the first successful climb in the 30's and on to the stories of the worlds finest climbers and their attempts on this infamous wall. I was afraid to sleep after reading the Kurtz chapter it was so utterly depressing.

This is mostly a picture book. It is in dictionary form, with three dictionaries, one each for Classical, Celtic, and Norse myths. Many of the illustrations are lavish and excellent, including oil paintings, museum pieces, and story-book illistrations circa 1900. Other illustrations (about a third) are meritless; evidently drawn to fill up space in the book.

The text covers major entries that could be found in any dictionary of mythology, but falls severely short on minor characters and places. It is also missing several obvious entries: for example 'dwarf' and 'giant' and 'troll' are missing from the Norse dictionary.

The Norse dictionary includes a smattering of characters from Baltic and Finnish (Kallevalla) mythology but it is even more incomplete than the Scandenavian entries.

The Encyclopedia of Mythology, by Arthur Cotterell, is a gorgeous, hardcover book filled with illustrations and text covering Classical, Norse and Celt mythology. Each section opens with full-color, glossy images that outline what you'll be able to find in each section. Every page is just as beautifully illustrated.

The encyclopedia provides a great deal of information on not just the familiar gods and goddesses, but also more obscure ones. It is a terrific educational tool for children and adults. It is also a great book for coffee table discussion.

Writers and artists will also find the encyclopedia to be a wonderful tool for striking the flame beneath the imagination. Most of the artwork to be found within its pages are by artists well-known for their fantasy images. My favorite artist in the book is Alan Lee, whose beautiful paintings are highly regarded by those who enjoy the sword and sorcery, AND the Tolkien realms.

The Encyclopedia of Mythology is a must have for any mythology buff.

This encyclopedia is a great book for people who are interested in mythology. It is a great resource book for me. I use it a lot for information in some of my classes that deal with mythology. I would definatley recommend this book to anyone interested in learning some wonderful stories of the Classical, Norse, and Celtic mythology! And there's a great bonus, the pictures are encredible!

This is a great comprehensive guide. Great maps, lists of attractions and photographs. My only concern is that some lesser known eateries and hotels are not listed.

I've used Frommer's Italy in the past and was always more than satisfied, but I really love this new edition. Besides all the dependable info on hotels, restaurants, sights, etc., you now get a free Italy map, a directory for planning your trip online, and "Postcards from Italy"--which is 16 pages of fantastic color photos. Great job!

I travelled to Italy recently and the Frommer's Book was the most helpful guide that I used to plan the trip. The book is well organized and clearly written. The Hotel section included e-mail addresses to communicate with the hotels. (A cost-saving feature lacking in other guides). I chose all of my hotels from the suggestions in the book. I found them to be very accurate, and I was not disappointed with any of my accomodations. The book was also very helpful for day to day sightseeing and planning. It contains very helpful maps with major points marked clearly. It contains descriptions of sights to see and various towns that are succinct and easy to read. Overall, you can safely carry one book while in Italy -- the Frommers. I also read several other guides before my trip --- the Lonely Planet Italy, which I found to be too bulky, wordy and unhelpful with regards to hotels. The Fodors guide, which was OK, but I would recommend Frommers above Fodors as more comprehensive. The Eyewitness guide, which is very helpful because of the pictures while looking a particular sites while in Italy, but I did not find helpful for planning the trip. Buy the Frommers to plan your trip. Consider buying the Eyewitness guide to take with you on your trip. Most of all, have fun! Italy is great country to visit!

I read this book in 4 fours during a cross-Atlantic flight, and enjoyed it immensely!

Arthur Dimond's rich homecoming tale has enough complexity to fill three books, but his choice to weave a narrower thread through it all is a good one, and makes the book a very meaningful but easy read. Instead of becoming mired in the many complexities or detailed examinations of the main character's past, his life on the road, and his family relationships, Dimond presents these as meaty background to lend perspective to the homecoming event itself. Much of the book is an examination of this event, and Dimond's realistic account allows the reader to experience it with much of the same emotion and difficulty as the main character does.

Dimond takes an intricate tale and tells it in a believable, easy to digest way, without losing the powerful themes of forgiveness and family that give this book its depth and strength.

Arthur Diamond has written a great book which explores the themes of "what if" and "wrong place, wrong time" that confronts so many ordinary people during the course of their lives. The nuances of his characters' relationships with each other slowly unfold right up until the books' inevitable ending. It's these characterizations that make me hope the author will write a sequel some day so we can see where the story goes from here.

Arthur Dimond has produced a book that is hard to put down. Authentic, intellgent, incisive and well-written, this fast-paced novel successfully conveys the way in which secrets and lies drive loved ones apart and ultimately draw them together.
A tortured musician, estranged from his brother and father by an impetuous act of violence, struggles to reassert his place in a world he fears has been lost to him forever. Highly recommended.

I got this book years ago in, of all places, Atlanta. It's a whole lot of fun, very funny, and great for getting a feel for the meaning of the more common Yiddish expressions.

My only two quibbles about it are sometimes the author lets politics of the "Students Wildly Indignant..." sort intrude a bit. And, he gives no guidelines on which of the more... um, "colorful" expressions might be considered inappropriate for polite company; a Jewish co-worker was kind of offended by some of the expressions he has in here with no warnings. (Some of these are obvious, of course.)

But all in all, recommended.

Have you been around Jewish friends and don't know what theyare talking about? Are you Jewish among Jewish friends and haven't aclue as to what is going on? Calm your anxieties. You too can become yiddishly correct. In today's world it is essential to know key terms in order to communicate with people of varied ethnic groups. What Clinton did for politics (politically correct) you can do in social circles with your Jewish colleagues.

Naiman provides one with over 500 words and expressions common in Jewish culture. He also provides a key for spelling and pronunciation. Learn how to properly spell smuck or is it schmuck? If you can't pronounce kosher you certainly need a course in yiddish. This book is informative and funny but most of all it gives one an appreciation of the language and the enriching culture from which it sprung.

I love this book. I bought my first copy 18 years ago, when I was a young and naive shikse engaged to a wonderful Jewish man. At first, it was a tool for self defense (Not such a Goyishe Kup after all,Bubby!). It was funny, breezy, and in very little time, it taught me what the in-laws were saying about me. Soon, I could zing them back in their own words! I recently bought a copy for each of my children. I hope they'll learn about their wonderful linguistic heritage...and laugh themselves silly in the process. Thanks, Mr. Naiman!

Arthur Miller's Focus is never dull it has suspense, humor, and violence. His story of Lawrence, the main charactor afraid of the world, gives the reader an insight into the nature of prejudice. He writes about the beliefs middle-class white Americans have about Jews in 1945. His poignant way of explaining Lawrence to the reader gives us a forum to better understand our own feelings. This book is a definite read for anyone that wants to become more socially aware.

It amazes me how this short novel isn't mandatory reading for high school or college courses! Arthur Miller touches on so many themes and in turn touched my heart at the same time. After reading the back cover of the book, I was anticipating a shallow and predictable anti-semitism novel. I mean, how can one man's glasses a book make, right? Wrong...

Anyone who has ever felt alienated for any reason can empathize with Lawrence Newman, the Christian protagonist, who attempts to no end to conform to his antisemitic neighbors' absurd standards, but to no avail. His boss orders him to purchase glasses due to his myopia(irony indeed) and then his perfect world turns upside down as he himself is branded as "looking Jewish" by his neighbors, his boss, and even his mother. He is poked, prodded and pushed to the brink.

William H. Macy is perfect for the role of Newman. I enjoyed the movie as well, albeit the book should be read prior to viewing the movie in order to fully appreciate Miller's descriptive use of the English language and his prodigious character development.

The WASPish main character, Lawrence Newman, learns about bigotry first hand when, after getting fitted with eyeglasses, he is suddenly perceived as "looking Jewish" by his neighbors and business colleagues. His life becomes a nightmare as he first tries to disassociate himself from Jews and gradually begins to identify with them.

Newman himself is a bigot, although he's very gentlemanly about it. He just does not question the origin, fairness, or rationale behind the warped thinking that underlies his own assumptions. He is sleepwalking through life, trying to avoid any surprises or danger, when he is thrust into a disorderly, ugly world that was there all along, but which he had steadfastly refused to see. Newman's life is utterly banal, with a vague dreamlike quality that gradually becomes a nightmare.

With a masterful combination of description and dialogue, the author takes the reader on a grimly fascinating and disturbing journey through the side of human nature that lurks just under the surface of civilization.

The story is great, if a little predictable. The young fool sets off to find a flying ship and thereby win the princess. A magical old man helps him find the ship, then the fool picks up a bunch of people on the way to the czar's palace, all of whom have these weird special talents. Once at the palace, the czar doesn't want to hand over his daughter and sets before the fool a number of tasks, which amusingly, but somewhat predictably line up with the special skills of each of the people he picked up along the way.

The illustrations leave a lot to be desired. Although they are fun, detailed and colorful, they miss many chances to illustrate the story more dramatically. This is surprising given that the illustrator claims in his bio to be a filmmaker in addition to a children's book author. His illustrations need some close-ups and more interesting angles!

Still, I would recommend this book, it is a wonderful example of a Russian folk tale. In the hands of another author and illustrator, it could be even better!

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship by Arthur Ransome with illustrations by Uri Shulevitz is easily my favorite picture book. Everything is perfect about the book. First of all the pictures are marvelous. All of Shulevitz's books have good pictures, but this might be his best. The pictures jump off the page with their color and with the humor portrayed in them. The story is, of course, the best part of the book. The story is hilarious with marvelously interesting characters. It also has some good morals like "God loves simple folk." I work in a library, and adults and kids all love this book. I have also seen the book performed for children, and it proved to be excellent for reading aloud. The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship is an amazing picture book and deseves is Caldecott Medal and its classic status.

The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship won the Caldecott Medal in 1969 as the best illustrated American children's book in that year. The illustrations feature bright colors, subtle shadings, and stylistically interesting pen highlights to suggest outlines and details. The illustrations take you enjoyably into a magical world for a fascinating journey, and greatly add to the pleasure of this traditional Russian tale. The story is build around the theme of: "You see how God loves simple folk."

A family has three sons, two who are clever and one who is foolish. "He was as simple as a child, simpler than some children, and he never did anyone a harm in his life." The parents were proud of their clever sons and disappointed in their foolish one. When the news comes that the Czar wants a flying ship, the parents support the efforts of the two clever sons. They set off and are never heard from again. When the foolish son sets off, he gets the the minimum of support and encouragement.

He soon runs into "an ancient old man with a bent back, and a long beard, and eyes hidden under his bushy eyebrows." The foolish son offers to share his meager food, apologizing to the ancient man. But when he opens his bag, marvelous food appears instead. The ancient man has magical powers and teaches the foolish son how to make a flying ship for the Czar. The ancient man also advises the foolish son to take along everyone he meets on his trip to the Czar's palace to deliver the flying ship.

Along the way, the foolish son meets a most unusual set of people with great individualized talents. As you read the book, you will be wondering what their significance could possibly be. They turn out to be a sort of 19th century X-Men.

The promised reward for bringing the flying ship had been the hand of the Czar's daughter in marriage and a rich dowry. When the foolish son arrives, the Czar's men report that those in the ship are only a bunch of uncouth peasants. As a result, the Czar doesn't want to make good on his promise, so he sets up extreme challenges (not unlike the Wizard of Oz). Using the remarkable talents of his passengers, all of the tests are met by the foolish son.

The foolish son is married to the Czar's daughter, and they live happily ever after. The foolish son then "became so clever that all the court repeated everything he said."

As you can see, the story is also a satire on the people who think they are clever or know how to identify cleverness. They often outsmart themselves. The Czar wanted a flying ship, but would have been much better off making good use of the talents of the peasants who were already part of his kingdom. Also, we are never told what use he made of the flying ship. It appears that he gave his daughter away for a whim. The winning man might as easily have been a terrible person. The courtiers also thought that anyone who was powerful was clever. I laughed aloud several times while reading the story.

Unlike most children's stories for this age group (4-8), this book has a richness of plot, character development, and humor that makes it more like a novel.

After you have finished enjoying the story with your child, I suggest that the two of you have some fun talking about places where "clever" people act foolishly and vice versa. You can help your child see the bright side of much of the nonsense that goes on around us.

Be foolish in providing and seeking out help, and a great bounty of friendship will be yours!

I felt I wasted my money buying it. Wasn't that exciting and they barely paid much attention to Miller who was the gymnast that really won them the gold since she was the highest scorer on the team. Don't buy it.

The book tells you all the facts you need to know about the Magnificent 7 and also others like Olga Korbut,Nadia Comaneci,Mary Lou Retton,&Bela Karolyi.It tells you how hard it was to train every day.It definatley inspires you!

This book was very informative and told me everything I wanted to know about the Mag 7. The dedication of these gymnasts is amazing. As a gymnast myself, I understood the hardships of this great sport, such as missing many social events and being in pain alot. Even if you are not a gymnast, this book will make a sure fan out of you. A great book.