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Book reviews for "Campbell,_Tom" sorted by average review score:

Omikron: The Nomad Soul: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Published in Paperback by Prima Publishing (03 November, 1999)
Authors: Greg Kramer, Tom Marx, and Philippa Campbell
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Must have if you're having problems with the game!
Omikron is a very fun game, but sometimes it gets pretty tricky. Some of the navigation through rooftop labyrinths just aren't something you're going to get right away, and there are other things like secret characters, or directions on how to obtain the goals. One thing is when you're trying to blow up a bridge, there's this big section you have to run through and switch buttons on to create a distraction while shooting and running to a specific door that will take you to rafts that will take you to the bridge. That's pretty crazy. The book tells you what to do. It has great graphics, easy to understand step-by-step directions, and helpful hints on what you could do to make it easier before you go into these parts of the game. It was very useful to me and I highly recommend it to anyone who has the game.

a must have for Omikron fans
Omikron: The Nomad Soul is much, much more than a game. It is an entire world. When you start it, you truly feel that you are leaving this world and entering another. All the cliches like groundbreaking, innovative, and evocative hold true with Omikron but they do not do it justice.

Omikron: The Nomad Soul is so vast, so deep, and so multi-threaded that the Prima Official Strategy Guide is an absolute must have. No matter what your level of familiarity with Omikron is, you really do need this guide. There are many places that you've never visited in Omikron, many characters you've never met, and many sub-plots you've never followed. And they are all here in the Prima guide. The incredible level of detail, the descriptions of the numerous elements encountered in the game, and the why and how of doing what you do while in Omikron are all here.

Page after page of full color screen shots, maps, descriptions, character studies, hints and tips, and much more are to be found in the guide. It is beautifully done with 175 full color glossy pages packed with information about Omikron that the serious devotee has to have to get the most out of the world/game.

Omikron: The Nomad Soul is sure to become a classic in interactive entertainment, and the Prima Official Strategy Guide is a great accessory to the world/game, and is also quite beautiful in it's own right.

Buy this book, you will not be disappointed.

A must have for those having trouble with the game
The game is similar to Resident Evil:CV, and if you are like me, they you probably have trouble solving puzzles. In the game, there are many objectives that are completed by being different people, and you may have trouble figuring out how to solve the puzzles and who you have to be to solve them. Although strategy guides defeat the purpose of these types of games, it is also no fun if you get stuck and cannot find your way around the game. I recommend this book if you get stuck easily. Prima's Strategy Guides are very thorough, and with this book you won't miss any secrets.


Tapestry in the Renaissance: Art and Magnificence
Published in Hardcover by Yale Univ Pr (01 April, 2002)
Authors: Thomas P. Campbell, Bruce White, Guy Delmarcel, Rotraud Bauer, and Tom Campbell
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Incredible Work
Having marveled at the tapestry I purchased from Simply Tapestries, I went to the Museum of Modern Art to see their recent exhibit of Flemish tapestries. This book can almost act as a companion of this exhibit. I am amazed at the quality and quantity of the full color artwork. This book is a must for anyone who has purchased or intends to purchase a tapestry. The authors are obvious experts in their field. A wonderful art book of the highest quality. I learned so much about the history of these wonderful pieces of art.

Truly magnificient!
I had no idea how important a medium tapestry was prior to stumbling on the Met exhibition during a recent visit to NYC and then reading this book. I was amazed to learn the amount of money spent to produce (and purchase!) them, and how important the industry was to the economy of the time . Anyone who thinks of tapestries as beige, boring and historically insignificant is in for a surprise.

As for this book itself, the photography is stunning and lavish. Each time you look at one of these magnificent works you see something new--it's hard to believe that these are woven objects, the detail and color is so vivid...no wonder the NY Times listed it as a holiday gift buy. (I think they rated the accompanying exhibition one of the year's best too)

Best collection available
This collection depicting the tapestry exhibit recently held at the NY Met Museum is an indisputable gem. Entries are consise and thorough. Photographs are well done, some a bit too grey, but overall usable to all textile artists.
Well worth the price and a steal at Amazon's price.


Lone Star Justice: A Biography of Justice Tom C. Clark
Published in Hardcover by Hendrick-Long Publishing (2000)
Author: Evan A. Young
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True History Told Well
Tom Clark got his BA degree in two years and his law degree in one year. Then he went on to become the Attorney General and after that an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. This gem of a book covers highlights from Clark's public career and in doing so nicely reviews the recent history of the Supreme Court. Most of us vaguely realize that real power these days has left the congress, the people, and the executive branch to reside in the bureaucracy and the courts and that important political questions that can't be resolved, more or less, eventually end up in the hands of the courts. If you don't remember Mapp v. Ohio, or Miranda v. Arizona, or Brown I&II v. Topeka, or if you can't explain what the Establishment Clause is, then you might profit from reading this book and discover how and why our legal system came to defend liberty with as much rigor and absolute fairness as it defends life. The author's style is simple and direct but colored by a youthful enthusiasm because, after all, the idea, much of the research, and the writing occurred while the author was still a high school student at Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio. Great books like this one, produced at an early age, are no accident and indicate greater books to come.


The Old Man's Trail/a Novel About the Vietcong
Published in Hardcover by United States Naval Inst. (1995)
Author: Tom Campbell
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a refreshing, gripping tale about the mysterious Vietnam war
Tom Campbell's book is extremely well written. The narrative unfolds quickly, bringing the reader into the mysterious maze of the Viet Cong supply route that belied the powerful bombing capacities of the U.S. military. It is written from the eyes of the teenagers conscripted into military duty, beginning with their grueling boot camp and their seasoned drill instructor. Scenes of the trail are spendidly presented, and readers will find themselved caught up in the suspense of the outcome. The book is an amazingly keen observer of minute details and larger conflictual perspectives. It is not overly sympathetic to either side, but quite human in presenting the nitty-gritty daily decisions soldiers from both sides were forced to make. You will find this book disturbing and stimulating. A high recommendation.


Paris
Published in Paperback by Konemann (1998)
Authors: Jonathan Moberly, Barbara-Ann Campbell, and Tom Neville
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Love that pyramid!
Paris is bursting with modern architecture, from grand projets of successive Presidents, Mayors and other public authorities, to smaller, more intimate and local projects.

This book is a lovely exposition of some of the most interesting (if not always beautiful, or welcomed) architecture of the past couple of decades.

The black and white photograps enhance the text and add great mood. The text is interesting, sometimes very opinionated (you probably won't agree with all the opinions - but it will perhaps challenge some of your assumptions).

Discover how, after heavy criticism of the then proposed glass pyramid and massive underground entrance to the Louvre, critics came to be won over when a fullscale model was erected. The daring of Parisian projects has brought us the sublime - the aforementioned Louvre entrance, and the vile - Les Halles, for example.

The book is written so that you need have no background in architecture to find it thought-provoking, interesting and very, very readable.

I left it at home when I recently visited Paris (well you can't take everything), but enjoyed delving into it again as soon as I returned. If you can fit it in your luggage, it would be a great companion.


All Men Have Secrets
Published in Paperback by Virgin Publishing (1995)
Authors: Tom Gallagher, Michael Campbell, Murdo Gillies, and Mike Campbell
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The most interesting book concerning songs
This is the type of book that should be available in reference to all great bands (eg., The Stone Roses, the The, New Order, etc.), but it is especially apropos that it is a book about songs by the Smiths. Each chapter is devoted to what people think concerning all the Smiths' songs, and the most interesting stories by far are those concerning the first time someone heard a specific song by the Smiths and how it touched them. "All Men Have Secrets" is not only wonderful for those who identify with the songs, but also for those interested in the general melancholy undertones to the 80s that are often not depicted in films from the time period. It's unfortunate that this book is out of print. Really it is quite splendid. Most Smiths fans will identify with at least one of the pieces concerning a song - and all will find differences between themselves and the opinions of others.

Well, I helped write it, and I think it's fab!
Well, I was amazed to read that the reviewer above thought the book contained some lies...well, I contributed several pieces to the book, and can say, hand on heart, all mine were true.

The book is, agreed, more of a fan's thing, but anyone who's just getting to know this wonderful band should have a peek....it always fascinates me when I read or hear about other people's interpretations of what they think a song means, or what the track means to them personally.... it deepens the whole meaning of a song, and helps you look at the track with a different perspective, from a new angle....

Anyway, the book's a gem, highly recommended, I just hope it's not been deleted?

Book is wonderful for anyone
I like this book very much. I think the best thing about this book is that perhaps not only Smiths fans will like it. There are lots of really awesome stories in it, that any miserable person would like to read. The stories all relate to Smiths songs of course, but some of the writers are really good at telling and the result is very emotional stuff. I am a devout fan of the Smiths and Morrissey, and I enjoyed not only seeing how other people found the music to be life altering, but also seeing how these people lived in their own words. It's an awesome book.


The Comprehensive Guide to Wireless Technology
Published in Paperback by APDG Publishing (01 January, 2000)
Authors: Lawrence Harte, Nancy Campbell, R. Dreher, Richard Dreher, Steve Kellogg, Steven Kellogg, Tom Schaffnit, Lisa Gosselin, and Judith Rourke-O'Briant
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Just an outline of substance
This is a good book if you just want to know what's out there in terms of the different categories of technology. The author spends almost no time on any one technology, so this is purely just an overview book.

Good for non-techies only
I found this book disappointing, since I was expecting more depth. It provides an easy-to-understand, very general, overview of many wireless topics. It does not, however, as the description states, give a comprehensive look at the industry with details. I am a software engineer, new to the cellular field, and was looking for more technical depth to get me started. This book did not provide that depth. It's more of a mass market look at wireless technology.

Excellent Resource
This book is informative yet still easy to comprehend. My collegue whom has been in the telecom industry for years recommended this book to me when I decidend to jump on the telecom bandwagon.


Lonely Planet Turkey (Travel Survival Kit)
Published in Paperback by Lonely Planet (1901)
Authors: Tom Brosnahan, Pat Yale, Richard Plunkett, and Verity Campbell
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Excellent guide
The cover of this guide is a good ice breaker for your trip. Just comment why in the world would they choose it and immediately you will have people to talk to, no matter where in Turkey you are. But don't judge a book by its cover. Lonely Planet is usually the best guide around and this is a good example of that. I spent 3 weeks in Turkey and not once did I feel I needed info not available in the guide. Maps are abundant and contrary to other reviewers, I find that there is enough history for those interested in traveling to learn (it is a travel guide after all, not a history book) [overall I would guess there are say 30 pages of history in the book].

Why 4 stars and not 5? I felt the writers were too enthusiastic about everything, and that made it hard on the traveler to decide what was worth visiting and what wasn't. Let's face it, every location is not the most attractive town in Turkey, yet the authors claim that for way too many towns. So take their praise with a grain of salt and you will be fine. Also, the amount of hours bus trips take are not all that precise. (+-20% in my experience).

If you only take one guide book, this is the one.
We just returned from a marvelous vacation in Turkey and found that Tom Brosnahan's Lonely Planet Travel Guide was far and away our most helpful resource in preparing for, and traveling in this fascinating country. It is very clearly written, and takes into consideration the different types of travelers who go to Turkey. The maps, tips on making connections between cities, discussions of social customs, recommendations for places to eat and stay, all were most helpful. We are looking forward to a return trip to Turkey, and we will be taking along the soon-to-be- published 6th edition of the Lonely Planet Guide. It is sure to be indispensable.

The only guide for budget travelling!
I just returned from travelling through Turkey with a Turkish friend who lives in Germany, and despite his familiarity with the country and cities, we both heavily relied upon the LP guide for information on lodging, historical sites, off-the-beaten-track towns, and other fun and interesting places to visit. It is a fabulous book, and the only one worth paying for to use for such a trip. All other travellers I encountered (who weren't on pre-planned tours or paying $200/night at the Hilton) were using the LP guide, whether from North America, Australia, or Europe. Great information, very comprehensive, aimed at budget travellers! Enjoy!


Lonely Planet Istanbul (Istanbul, 3rd Ed)
Published in Paperback by Lonely Planet (2002)
Authors: Tom Brosnahan and Verity Campbell
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A Package Tour in Book Form
If you are interested in seeing Istanbul beyond its tourist districts, buying Tom Brosnahan's book is a mistake. Although LP Istanbul covers Sultanahmet and its attractions in depth, the rest of the city is largely left out, and what is included is organized in a format that defies logic. If you are visiting Istanbul on a package tour you might find the book useful, but if your aim is to explore the nooks and crannies of the city I would suggest Eyewitness Guides' Istanbul. It's full of pictures and more expensive than LP Istanbul, but it is by far the most comprehensive guide to the city that I have read.

Nice, but pictures are not realistic
Tom's book is good, he gives good pieces of advice galore, but I must say that those pictures of 'Turkish women' are quite exotic for me, too.

I am Turkish and I see women wearing that scarf quite rarely. In this case the book is misleading. Most Turkish women dress in 'Western' clothes, and the 'turban' has been prohibited at universities and all state buildings since the beginning of this century.

I ask Tom to put more realistic pictures next time, those women are maybe exotic for foreigners, but they are exotic for most Turkish women, too. It would not be fair if I put pictures of the Amish to my New York guide as an example of "American women".

Great reference book!
We found this book to be very useful before and during our first trip to Istanbul. It was a wonderful resource for hotels, museums, restaurants and other typical "touristy" stuff as well as cultural differences that we may encounter... maps were helpful as well.


Rhinestone Cowboy: An Autobiography
Published in Paperback by St Martins Mass Market Paper (1995)
Authors: Glen Campbell, Tom Carter, and Glenn Campbell
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Maybe more than you want to know.
Campbell's book blows the lid off the glamour and aura that surround celebrities, revealing how decadent, arrogant and immature he and many of his fellow stars became, thanks to abuse of cocaine and alcohol. Naturally, Campbell's children paid the highest price. It is interesting to read how his parents never compromised on their values despite their poverty, yet he succumbed to substance abuse while having everything he'd ever dreamed of. His fast life certainly clashed with the timeless beauty of his music.

While he chronicles his personal decline, however, he never really discusses his professional decline. After "Southern Nights" hit No. 1, his Top 40 career went south, ironically just as other pop/country crossover artists like Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers and Eddie Rabbitt were beginning to take off. He remained a chart contender in country until about 1990. His efforts to keep selling records and open doors at radio would have been interesting to read. It would also have been interesting to know what, if anything, many of his most famous songs meant to him. The discography would have been more informative had it included dates and chart positions.

Campbell's excellent taste in music is evident in the classics he recorded during the late 60's and early 70's. But some of his most self-congratulatory moments in the book come when he gushes about his bagpipe rendition of "Amazing Grace" and his annoying habit of inviting various not-famous family members on stage to jam with him. Having witnessed these peculiarities in person, I can say that these are not the high points of his show.

This book will answer some questions and inspire those who have followed his career. Reading about his childhood is especially enlightening. But Gen-Xers like me who learned about him from hearing his oldies on the radio may prefer blissful ignorance about some aspects of his career. I didn't particularly need to know about his stints in Vegas or his memories of cornballs like the Smothers Brothers, Pat Paulsen and Buck Trent.

A Load of Compromising on the Road to his Horizon
Glen Campbell has lived a very interesting life-some good and some bad. His autobiography does not hold back on either portion. From his impoverished Arkansas childhood through his many tumultuous marriages and country music superstardom to his regret-free faded status and ultimate peace, Glen lays it all on the (Wichita) line.

While he does not gloss over his own flaws, the dirty linen of some other players-most notably Tanya Tucker is likewise held up for all to see. Arguably, he should have been less open in revealing maligning details about her, but their relationship kept tabloid readers engrossed for years and it legitimately was a salient chapter in his life. Furthermore, he does not condemn Tanya despite attributing less than wholesome motivations to her interest in him. He seems very sincere when he writes of his one-time paramour "I'm inclined to pray for the woman with whom I shared a poisoned relationship. I have since found another love that offers not the threat of death but the promise of eternal life. I pray that Tanya might find that too."

As Glen experienced his twilight maturation, he achieved the rank of solid citizen. Becoming a Branson regular appropriately accentuates his embrace of Christianity and advocacy of traditional values. By spelling out his staunch opposition to abortion and opposing special rights for homosexuals, he takes some daring positions for a celebrity tell-all, but it is refreshing to see a performer courageously step out of rigid show biz boundaries.

One unintended drawback concerns some details of his childhood. Glen is to be commended for the tremendous respect he displays toward his parents and also for admitting his failures as a father to his older children-even accepting significant blame for his middle-aged son's drug problems. However, he relates some paternal behavior that shows his father possessed a cruel streak. From his laudatory portrayal it is easy to see that was not the image he wanted to present, and he would probably disagree with such an assessment. A more prudent tactic would have been to remain mum on some of these mean actions.

Overall, "Rhinestone Cowboy" is a well-orchestrated rendition of a child born into poor Southern Nights but who eventually went "riding out on a horse in a star-spangles rodeo."


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