...and then delighted! Bradbury's poetry is a mixture of fancy, personal history, articulate emotion, cleverness, history and wit. Special bonus? Sly literary, historical, spiritual, scientific and anthropological references that you pull out of the poem delightedly, with the feeling that you've solved a clever puzzle. I have since read and reread this book, and have collected the rest of his poetry books (not easy, they are hard to find).

On this cassette you'll hear two great Bradbury short stories. First off is "The Wind", in which a man believes the wind is trying to kill him. First he just seems paranoid to you, then gradually you begin to think it's possible! The ending is one of the most chilling ones you'll ever hear! I definitely suggest listening to this one in your car on a stormy, windy night to give yourself an extra scare every time the wind hits your windows. In "The Veldt", we hear about what happens when you let your children entertain themselves too long with a virtual reality nursery. The ending to this one is a little more predictable, but it's still one that will keep you listening until the very end! All in all, this whole collection of Durkin Hayes Audio Books of Ray Bradbury stories is a winning set, so get all of them you can. There isn't a single bad one in the batch!

The Jerde Partnership new literary retrospective is as stunning as one of their architectural projects. Under the always forward thinking direction of Jon Jerde, the Jerde Partnership has redefined the mall shopping experience to what it is today.

Designers like the Jon Jerde are masterful in getting conservative real estate developers to buy into wildly unimaginable design and then execute them to perfection. I always wonder how the Jerde Partnership would redesign the Amazon.coms of the electronic world to make the online world a better place.

I highly recommend this book as a great conversation piece, a behind the scene view of the process of selling large ideas, and a stunning display of architectural design that has been copied over and over but never duplicated.

I have read many books on Walt Disney. He is a personal hero of mine. Usually, a Walt Disney book will be all positive or all negative. This book is a bit different. It consists almost entirely of anecdotes told by those who knew Walt both as a friend and a leader, both good and bad.

I feel like I know Walt a lot better after having this book. From the early days of animation to the creation of Disneyland and Walt Disney World... friends, co-workers, and family members describe this complicated man from every possible perspective.

Walt was not a saint or an angel. Nor was he the devil that some recent biographers have tried to make him out to be. He was a human being... a complicated human being. He was a visionary, at least 50 years ahead of his time. Mostly, he was a miraculous, paternal figure in the lives of everyone close to him and a magical, whimsical personality to almost everyone else in the world. They called him Uncle Walt for a reason.

This incredible collection of photos and stories will be treasured by those who love Walt and should be enjoyed even by those with an occasional curiosity in the man who created an empire based on a mouse.

The heart of Walt Disney is perfectly captured in this landmark remembrance. Represented through vintage studio and family photographs, combined with personal, first-hand memories from those who knew and worked with Walt, this book is the perfect cornerstone to any Walt Disney library.

Take your time. You'll want to enjoy this book forever.

After having read exerpts of this book in the June edition of Disney Magazine, I'm looking forward to reading the complete text. It is essential that the remembrances of those who knew and worked with Walt Disney be recorded for future generations. Like Abraham Lincoln before him, Walt Disney's life has taken on legendary proportions even long after his untimely passing. It's important to remember that he was first & foremost, a son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather... and not to forget... the creative genius of the 20th Century. And just in time for the 100th Anniversary of Walt Disney's birth in 2001!

This is a great book to read at Halloween time, for young and old alike. It captures the feeling of being a kid in a small town on Halloween and going trick or treating. Of course, the trick and the treat is that we are taken back through time to see how Halloween began: from ancient Egypt, through the Celtic Samhain, up to Bradbury's day. For anyone to whom Halloween is a special time of year, this is a book to read.

The Halloween Tree has captivated me since my first reading of this work when I was only nine years old. (That was 14 years ago for those of you who are wondering.) The book was a gift from my father, and little did he know at the time, that he gave me an example of some of the finest writing I have had the opportuniy to read, and a source of inspriation for my own writing. Ray Bradbury's command of the Englih language creates poetry within prose. The story is descriptive and lyrical, the characters vibrant and fantastic (especially Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, but you'll just have to read the book to find out who he is). I wish you as many happy readings of the Halloween Tree as I have had over the years.

You might want to dismiss this as one of Bradbury's lesser works because of the simplistic plot and writing style but that would be a mistake. What we have here is one of his most important books and one of his best. Taking cues from Dickens, Bradbury writes a timeless tale of Halloween that isn't carried along by dovetailing plottwists or dense knotted prose but simply a quest to save someone and the boundless exuburance of children. I literally finished this while waiting for a class to start and when I had a few pages left and class started I sat there and finished the book. Once you start reading it you can't stop, the momentum of is one of constant motion. And it's not a kids book, sure the themes of innocence are there but also are the more serious topics of death and darkness, as seen through the filters of a child. For all it's length it's a perfect book for the most part and one that deserves to be read every year together with a bunch of people. On Halloween of course

Composed of stories originally written for 1950s pulp magazines, October Country is a transparent, insubstantial work most likely to hold the attention of teenagers, or adults seeking only very light distraction. A series of sketchy but atmospheric short tales of the macabre, most offer little challenge.

Bradbury excels at mood, and is consistently able to create one that mixes wistful reflection and nostalgia with tremulous unease; his American small towns and cities are a combination of Norman Rockwell and Edward Hopper, homey comfort and individual isolation defining the landscape hand in hand. More than any other American writer, Bradbury is capable of allowing us to see again through the eyes of our childhood memories, rather than merely providing us with a child's point of view. Bradbury's writing here is often charming and evocative, and readers will want to embrace this book. But it's also very likely that most will wish the stories were more complex and considerably less obvious.

The best pieces are those that offer elements of genuine originality, such as the magic colored glass and odd internal organs the inquisitive, determined boy discovers in 'The Man Upstairs,' or sustained plot intricacy, such as Bradbury's unique approach to the premise of faked celebrity death in 'The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone.' The tabula rasa affect the distressing contents of 'The Jar' has on the townspeople adds a bright angle to the book.

Unfortunately, Bradbury ruins more than a handful of tales by losing control of his keen aesthetic judgement at the last moment, or by hammering home an obvious point the reader has seen coming pages earlier. Beautifully conceived stories like 'Skeleton,' 'The Scythe,' 'The Crowd,' and 'The Small Assassin' simply go too far into crudity, exaggerated climax, or a seeming inability to bring the narrative to a rightfully imaginative outcome which comfortably follows his original idea. Other stories, already slight, end too ambiguously for the reader to determine the possible range of events that might have occurred. Some, like 'The Wind' have titles that tell the whole story: a man is haunted by the wind. Characterization is thin throughout; none of the stories are truly dramatic; interesting premises fall flat.

But Bradbury excels at psychological insight, such as his interesting look at hypochondria in 'Skeleton' and postpartum depression in 'The Small Assassin.' His ability to recreate the mood most of us associate with pre-1960s America and simpler days is evident throughout and much of the book's attraction.

October Country is an immature work, each story a simple elaboration of a simple idea, though a seed of brighter Bradbury works to follow. The author's 1996 introduction is wonderfully fun and informative, and artist Joseph Mugnaini's illustrations match the overall tenor of the book perfectly.

Older readers looking for more involving entertainment of a similar nature should consider collections by Algernon Blackwood or Arthur Machen.

Mr. Bradbury is truly one of the most creative, macabre, intelligent writers of this or any other century. This collection of 19 stories is a fine example of the range of Bradbury's abilities. I must admit, after the first couple stories, I wondered aloud the excellent reviews the book received. After I'd finished, however, I realized how remarkable this book is. I gave it a 9 (out of a possible 10) rating; the above graphic is actually 4.5 stars. Of the 19 stories, only one or two are veritable duds. About half are above average reading, and the remaining seven or eight are simply enchanting. Or harrowing. Or, well, touching. "Uncle Einar" is touching. By the way, here's my top five stories in "October Country," which I'd recommend to any reader wishing to enjoy a Poe-type experience: 1. The Wonderful Death of Dudley Stone 2. The Scythe 3. The Wind 4. The Crowd 5. The Small Assassin

Bradbury, who had always wanted to write poetry was heartened when a collegue told him that he already was a poet, then read him some passages from Martian Chronicles. October Country,an edited version of his first collection called Dark Carnival, also shows this same promise. These are mostly tales of horror written for pulp magazines of the thirties and forties. They are frightening stories which resound with Bradbury's own unique poetic voice. These are tales that could easily have been told 'round the fire and that may be their best setting. Accompanied by Joe Mugnaini's lovely illustrations, it only leaves you wanting to know what the original edition was like. Unless you have great luck, or a large book buying budget, October Country will have to suffice.

Dipping into the subconscious to pull out memories, dreams, and ideas for writing is the main theme of Ray Bradbury's book, Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the creative genius within you. Zen in the Art of Writing has no clear progression or organization, but is instead a collection of essays Bradbury has written over the years. Each "chapter" is a short story in itself, full of ideas and advice. Some include overlapping ideas; some are as similar as a dream and reality. All give methods for developing the "creative genius." One helpful tool that has worked for Bradbury thus far - word association - may help your writing if you have a creative block. Bradbury compiles lists of nouns, usually beginning with "the" as in "The Veldt," "The Skeleton," and others to use for titles. He then implements his own memories and thoughts to fill in the actual story. The book is full of interesting stories, but the advice in each chapter could be a little more direct. Bradbury often seems to just write about his books, which doesn't help the reader much. His writing style does help make it an enjoyable read, however. The writer having trouble developing story ideas will benefit from Zen in the Art of Writing. Bradbury's own experiences, stories, and style make this book approachable for anyone, and may give you enough know-how and advice to break out on your creative own and start writing about their own scenes from a memory.

Ray Bradbury's "Zen in the Art of Writing" was first released in 1990 and his views on the psychology, philosophy and purpose of writing are still relevant, captivating and enlightening. Much like Madeleine L'Engle's book "Walking on Water," highlighting the best parts is an exercise in futility as the aspiring writer would have to dip the entire book in yellow ink. Treasures wait on every page.

It is interesting to read Bradbury's book hand-in-hand with Stephen King's "On Writing." Both books appeal to the intuitive writer as contrasted with the methodical writer, both author's love their craft and their audience, and both books are refreshingly honest. However, as King is a garrulous, yet beloved Dutch uncle, Bradbury is the writer's Delphic oracle.

If the writer-[beginner] is not inspired to write after reading this short, but valuable book, maybe he had best seek another line of work.

This is an excellent piece from an excellent writer. For any would-be writer, this is an exceptional guide that will teach the basics of the creative writing process. Bradbury emphasizing writing by a method of free-association. He discourages writing that conforms to popular beliefs of society. He says that writing to please others is a great fault of many authors. One should write about his own interests and hates, this will strike passion in writing, which is a key ingrediant to success in the field. He explains that excellent writing ideas spring from the subconscious mind, or muse as Bradbury puts it. One must learn how to find his muse, feed his muse, and keep his muse...To effectively capture Bradbury's powerful message, one should read this piece of excellence him/herself.

i've been waiting & waiting for this book to be reprinted since i read about it 15 years ago.
i love ray bradbury he is an awesome storyteller...great author great stories if you haven't read it your missing out

I am a huge fan of Ray Bradbury's work from 1969. To see this book, with autographs, and in a limited edition was very exciting for me.

I think the magazine covers, reproduced with the stories, should have been full page and in color. I also think the reproductions of the old letters was of a pretty poor quality. On the other hand, it was really good to see the covers of each magazine in which the story originally appeared, and I loved the inclusion of the letters at the end.

My other disappointment was that I apparently did not read the fine print that would have informed me that my copy, ordered through Amazon.com, would NOT be numbered or autographed by either Bradbury or Cline -- contrary to Gauntlet Press's information. I have purchased through Amazon.com for years with GREAT satisfaction, but feel this caveat should have been much more prominent.

There should have been a price for the numbered, autographed editions, and a lower price for the one that is, essentially, a general-run book.

But, while I feel [the price] is too much for a book that is NOT a signed, numbered limited edition book, I am glad I have the book.

Bradbury's writing is awesome and this re-issue should have been out a long time ago.

I received my copy of this book today, and contrary to the above notice it IS signed by Ray Bradbury, right above Clive Barker's signature. Beyond that, I can't think of another book that has been compiled with such care and artistry. This edition is absolutely BRIMMING with extra goodies, most of which are mentioned in the publisher's description. It's fantastic to be able to return to Bradbury's early classic stories, a few of which have been out of action since the original edition went out of print half a century ago (there were half a dozen or so that were never reprinted in "The October Country"). One of my favorites is "Interim," a nasty little zinger just a page and a half long. Plus, there are five "lost" stories that are, for all practical purposes, new to the world, although composition-wise they date back to the 1940's. Check this one out, folks. You'll love it.

I remember reading this collection for the first time about 25 years ago. I was in maybe 7th or 8th grade and was going through a Bradbury period, reading everything of his I could get my hands on. To this day, Mr. Bradbury's writing touches me as few other writers ever have or will. Right now, as I write this small review, I can remember vividly, as if I were there right at this moment, lying in my bed and reading the title story. I remember the grace and humanity at its core and I remember reading the final sentence and weeping.

This is a magnificent book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves stories and life.

Now that my children are quickly approaching their teen years - I find myself going back and looking to share with them the books that I loved as a teen; books and stories that not only introduced me into the sci-fi genre of writing, but made me pause and think of the possibilities that our world COULD hold. I Sing the Body Electric is one of those books. Ray Bradbury is at his most masterful with his stories here - some offering hope and comfort, others sharing glimpses into lives that reach far beyond our day to day realities. So, as my children reach their age of questioning and searching for knowledge, I want to share with them what I consider one of the greatest collection of stories of all time, not just of science fiction. My hope is that they too will read and marvel and wonder and question about the possibilities of what COULD be that Ray Bradbury presents in I Sing the Body Electric.

I've been a big fan of Ray Bradbury for ten years now, since my high school American Lit teacher gave me "Dandelion Wine" to take home over Christmas break. It wasn't assigned reading, but he knew I liked to read, as he did, and he thought I might like it. He was right. Actually, I loved it. In the years since I've read almost all of Bradbury's writing and I've been consistently impressed. Bradbury is a short-story-writing poet whose subject is the intangible wonder we all experience in our finest moments of living and dreaming. Those moments are often far-too-fleeting, but Ray Bradbury knows how to chase them down with his typewriter. I've never read a Ray Bradbury book that didn't make me feel wonderfully alive.

When I began reading "I Sing the Body Electric" I was a little worried that it wasn't up to the par of his other short story collections. Bradbury sometimes writes in broad strokes that result in unfulfilling caricature. I felt this was true of the first couple stories. But after that, the book really took off, and I felt he was firing on all cylinders again and again. "Yes, We'll Gather at the River" has to be one of my favorite Bradbury stories. "Night Call, Collect," the title story, "Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby's Is a Friend of Mine," and "The Man in the Rorschach Shirt" are other high points in the collection. He also takes some stylistic excursions in this book. "Heavy-Set" is an excellent prose portrait, but is not really like anything else he's written. There is also a poem included as the last entry in the book. If you've never read anything by Ray Bradbury, I highly recommend you pick up one of his many fine books. "I Sing the Body Electric" is right up with the best of them.

Something Wicked This Way Comes is an interesting and highly entertaining melding of fantasy and horror. The book is not exactly fast-paced, but it is a smooth and pretty quick read, and quite suspenseful (a trio Bradbury usually manages to evoke.) Bradbury has a very unique style. He has been called a "prose poet" and that is a highly accurate description. Though he is writing literary fiction here, it is almost as if you're reading poetry at times. He uses metaphor often and it is quite effective. The only problem with this is that the dialoge at times, though beautiful, can see a bit unrealistic. Alas. The book is a great read. The fascinating portrayal of evil and self-responsibility is all the more effective due to the two protoganists being teenagers. The relationship between one of the boys (Will) and his Father is very touching as well. Just a well-written book. Recommended.

Something Wicked This Way Comes - Ray Bradbury

I am grateful to Stephen King for having brought this novel to notice in his horror fiction chronicle-critique 'Danse Macabre' (which I will recommend to anybody who is even remotely interested in horror/fantasy media).
The main protagonists of this supernatural adventure are the sunny Will Halloway and his companion and counterpart, the wild Jim Nightshade. The plot centers on how their lives are turned upside-down with the arrival of that very unusual sideshow carnival, Cooger and Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show (God, this has such a Heavy Metal feel to it).
If it were to be judged by its start-up this would undoubtedly be one of the best books ever. Bradbury in his element comes up with the literary equivalent of a Rick Wakeman solo. The words fly fast and furious, magically arranging themselves into such dizzyingly ornate and mellifluous phrases, sentences, paragraphs that almost threaten to drown the reader in their exuberance and beauty. This major portion of this book contains some of Bradbury's finest literary moments and as anyone who has read his work will till you, that is an achievement of no mean order. Characters like the Dust Witch and Mr. Dark aka The Illustrated Man are described in such vivid and astonishing detail as to strongly etch themselves onto readers' minds. You do not merely read, you see, hear, smell, taste, feel whatever the pen of Bradbury commands you to. This book bristles with parts that I will be happily re-reading for many months on.
Wherein lies the catch? The plot after one of the best build-ups ever constructed grows somewhat loose with several potentially interesting supporting characters (Mr. Electrico, the Dwarf) given marginal footage. Although lavish description is used to paint what Stephen King describes as the 'Apollonian-Dionysian' divide between Will and Jim, once the action heats up, this is pretty much left by the wayside, the boys rendered almost interchangeable in their personalities. The story, after a point moves IMO almost into the realms of the straight-ahead thriller format, although Bradbury's writing alleviates a lot of the conventionality and it is perhaps only the cynical bastard in me that finds it difficult to swallow the 'Love Conquers All' driven denouement.

Without doubt, this is one of the best American novels ever written! In this poetic-prose masterpiece, two boys, Jim Nightshade (the dark one--hence the name) and William Halloway (the light one--i.e. Hallow=Holy or Halo) encounter an evil carnival inhabiting their small mid-western town (Waukegan, Illinois). Mr. Dark and his prized possessions--the freaks--succeed in luring and deceiving the townfolk into succumbing to their desires and fantasies, thus fueling and giving life to the evil carnival. Beware of the Autumn People! They feed on the lonely, desperate, and weak-hearted. Along with William's father, the two boys try and defeat the approaching evil and in the process they learn more about themselves and their growing and misunderstanding relationships with each other. This novel not only has a great plot and very interesting and in-depth characters, but it is SOOOOOOOOOOOO well written. Also, from the reading, we learn about Bradbury's philosophy on life--ACCEPTANCE! This book should be considered a classic and every middle school and/or high school should make it a mandatory read. Although it has received great reviews, this novel is still very underrated. In my opinion, Something Wicked This Way Comes is far better than Bradbury's more popular-- Fahrenheit 451. Hollywood--NOT DISNEY--should make a major motion movie about this masterpiece. This book--along with The Martian Chronicles, Dandelion Wine, and Death Is A Lonely Business--are definite must reads. One day, I predict Something Wicked This Way Comes will become an American classic. BEWARE OF THE AUTUMN PEOPLE! Who knows, we could be next.