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Book reviews for "Collins,_Alan" sorted by average review score:

Blood and Thunder: A Nathan Heller Novel
Published in Audio Cassette by Chivers Audio Books (1997)
Authors: Max Allan Collins and Alan Sklar
Amazon base price: $69.95
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Wonderfully entertaining historical fiction
Most of the Nate Heller books are good. This one is very good. I enjoy the characters and the ties to history. Basically, a Forrest Gump/Spencer type of read.

Nate Heller tries to stop Huey Long from being killed.
It was an excellent book. A little bit too much language. It got crazy on pg. 140 (read that page). It had a whole bunch of explosive sex. And a whole lot of bloodshed.


The New Aviation Identification
Published in Paperback by USCCCN/American Focus Publishing (1992)
Authors: Robert Collins and Alan H. Peterson
Amazon base price: $75.00
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A Must-Read Training Tool for Law Enforcement & Security
THE NEW AVIATION IDENTIFICATION MANUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT:
An Aid For Investigating Aviation-Related Crime

Updated For 2002 in the aftermath of September 11, 2001.

On September 11, 2001, the grim reality of terrorism and additional threats was added to the current and continuing saga in the 'war on drug trafficking and crime'. When terrorists viciously leveled both towers of the World Trade Center complex, it proved to America and the world that unscrupulous terrorist criminals or anyone could use easily accessible aircraft as a new form of destructive weapon. We, as a nation, were shown how airport security could be breached and how long-range, fully fueled passenger aircraft, of any type or size, could be used as flying bombs and as lethal weapons of mass destruction and death anywhere and anytime.

What does this new threat have to do with the American (and International) law enforcement or security agency and its officers and operatives?

If the area of your respective local, county, regional or state jurisdiction includes an airport, airfield or paved or unpaved landing strip, seaplane base or even a heliport located in your vicinity, the lives and property of those you serve may now be in jeopardy.

Although the inherent threat has always existed, much has changed since September 11, 2001, and due to an emphasis on security at major passenger airport terminals, law enforcement personnel must also respond in addressing the security of small and rural airports and investigating aircraft and aviation-related crime, a unique but needed area of routine and enhamced patrol responsibility, and theft and burglary investigation that will surely become the newest addition to your agency's enforcement regimen. It is important that both recruit and seasoned veteran law enforcement professionals now learn to identify aircraft targeted for theft, burglary, vandalism, avionics loss, aircraft "washing" and be able to detect the warning signs that may clearly identify a targeted aircraft destined to become involved in or the subject of some or any form of criminal activity, such as drug trafficking, smuggling and aircraft radio and avionics parts theft, or even random acts of terrorism, as we visibly witnessed on September 11, 2001.

These costly and virtually undetected crimes usually occur on remote runways, at small or low-traffic airports, heliports and seaplane bases, in rural fields, on active or abandoned military airfields, and at other landing strips and areas within the respective jurisdictions of local and county law enforcement agencies nationwide. In addition, because wealthy drug kingpins, with established distribution cartels and organizations, now purchase and use their own aircraft, it is essential that all law enforcement personnel be trained to identify suspect aircraft; be able to spot possible aviation hazards, and to investigate aircraft-theft and related general aviation crime, possibly diverting or preventing potential crime or hazards.

Pleasure, instructional, commercial and corporate aircraft thefts and avionics burglaries continue to account for staggering individual and corporate monetary losses that contribute to this multi-billion dollar organized crime and theft "industry". It is because of these serious threats that...

"THE NEW AVIATION IDENTIFICATION MANUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT"
An Aid For Investigating Aviation-Related Crime ...

has been revised and updated for 2002 and beyond to serve law enforcement and security agencies, corporate fleet and personal aircraft owners as a awareness, training, investigation, intervention and prevention tool for their recruit and in-service training, academy training programs, for patrol divisions, crime prevention units, drug enforcement operations and for all detective and investigative professionals.

The manual's many vital and timely chapters offer in-depth awareness and training intelligence, such as the elements of an airplane; how the airplane works; what makes an airplane fly; comparing airplanes to automobiles; aircraft identification and licensing; aircraft equipment and avionics theft; how aircraft and avionics thieves operate; stealing and "washing" aircraft; equipment burglaries; "switch" techniques; aircraft and avionics VIN locations; aircraft line drawings for creating overhead projection training slides; investigative helps and tips, aircraft theft statistics and resources; aircraft and aviation terminology; cash rewards for locating stolen aircraft; a discounted aviation-related intelligence subscription, and key topics to enhance the understanding, knowledge and training of enforcement and security officers on all levels.

A specially-included chapter of "THE NEW AVIATION IDENTIFICATION MANUAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT: An Aid for Investigating Aviation-Related Crime", titled "Recommendations", is specifically devoted to fully detailing what any and all law enforcement and security professionals can do to better understand aviation and aircraft theft, thus enhancing all present anti-theft, asset and executive protection, investigative and enforcement efforts now in force.

In addition to law enforcement officers and agencies, aviation-related insurance carriers, corporate security and military loss-prevention professionals will also find the manual's timely topics, instructional content and special features highly useful as a stand-alone investigative aid.

All purchasers of this multi-faceted page training, self-training and a well-researched and constructed vital resource manual will be afforded a discounted ... one-year subscription to "AVIATION INTEL E-BRIEF", with its twelve monthly updates.

Additional resources in this revised and updated manual include a host of available vital law enforcement training and investigation resources focusing on Countering Terrorism; Illegal Money Laundering; Executive Protection, the Aircraft Crime Prevention Institute; important lessons learned from timely news features of aviation and aircraft-related crime of the past and present; Criminal Victimization Report; Aircraft Owner Responsibilities; Aircraft Theft Methods; a chart focusing on the comparisons of Automobile and Airplanes; Instructions on How to Report a Stolen Aircraft or Aircraft Equipment; How to Report an Aircraft Accident; Charts of Stolen Aircraft and Rewards; Aircraft Security On The Ground; and much more, making this truly unique and vital training manual needed for agency training or personal self-training for officers, aircraft owners, aviation fleet managers, corporate security professionals, pilots, and anyone interested in the grim reality of aircraft and avionics theft and the entire scope of aviation-related crime.


Nice Weekend for a Murder
Published in Paperback by Tor Books (1994)
Authors: Max Alan Collins and Max Allan Collins
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Sam Spade with a typewriter.
Writer Mallory's mystery weekend turns out to be a bit more of a challenge than he'd expected. He thinks he'll participate in a weekend of fun and mystery games. On the first night, however, Mallory is gazing out the window and sees a brutal murder. He raises the alarm but the body can't be found! The game goes on as planned, with everyone thinking that what Mallory saw was part of the game. Mallory isn't convinced, though, and he soon finds proof that what he saw was real. A blizzard hits and players and guests are trapped in at Mohonk Mountain House. With a killer? It would seem so!

This is an imaginative story full of suspense and twists. Hero Mallory is Sam Spade with a typewriter.


Particle Physics and Cosmology
Published in Hardcover by Wiley-Interscience (23 May, 1989)
Authors: P. D. B. Collins, Alan D. Martin, and E. J. Squires
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All important subjects in particle theories are in one book.
All important subjects, from the standard model to the string theory, are adequately provided for the students who major in particle theory. I have never imagine that anyone can write these contents in one book of 496 pages


The Security Dilemmas of Southeast Asia
Published in Unknown Binding by Palgrave MacMillan (E) (2000)
Author: Alan Collins
Amazon base price: $65.00
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Excellent, up to date summary
Small book, which leads to fast reading and wide coverage. If entirely new to SEA, provides a quick study on their major concerns. If an old "China" hand, then a good source for references and summary information.


Elidor (Collins Modern Classics)
Published in Paperback by HarperCollins Publishers (05 August, 2002)
Author: Alan Garner
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Marvelously enchanting
Alan Garner is an extremely underrated fantasy author. Elidor is a perfect example of the magic he can weave. The plot is simple enough - the four Watson children must save the world of Elidor, one step removed from our own. To do this, they are given four magical Treasures that guard Elidor from harm. But doing this may be more trouble than they think...

Garner is a lyrical writer. Such sentences as "The blade was like ice, and the hilt all jewels and fire" would be impressive in even an adult's book. The books have lots of adventure in them for the younger set, and fine prose for adults. I recommend this to all readers, even those that don't like fantasy.

An excellent book foor a pre-teen
I read this book 18 years ago, when I was 10 years old. It was one of the best books I ever read - as good as Mark Twain's 'Tom Sawyer' or Jules Verne's 'Mistery Island'. But in a way, it was better. The atmosphere of Elidor was magical, dim lit, eerie - something I found only in Marion Zimmer Bradley's 'The Mists of Avalon' or in Stephen King's work. This is definitely a great fantasy book.

worth second (and third) looks
Ok, I admit taht when I first read ELIDOR as probably an 11 year old I liked it the least of Garner's books to date. It was "ok" but the idea of a magical fantasy being set in the urban wasteland of post-war Manchester just didn't click. Maybe it is a comment on the last quarter century, maybe it is just a matter of growing up, but going back the book all these years later I found myself absolutely enthralled. Garner makes the transition from everyday life to the realm of Welsh mythology & back seamlessly and flawlessly. His characters are remarkably "real" -even those with "bit parts" like the parents of the protagonists. The language is lyrical, and there are scenes that will haunt you for years. My one complaint is that it is more a "novella" than a novel -at this re-reading I would gladly have kept going for another 200 pages, but what we get is great.


Tempter
Published in Hardcover by Gauntlet (2001)
Authors: Nancy A. Collins and Alan M. Clark
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Typo City
I won't review the story, except to say I've never read anything by Nancy Collins that I didn't like. I would like to point out the typographical errors though, which averaged around two to three per page. If I pay extra for a limited edition, I would like to get something extra, like having a proof reader go over the manuscript before publication. Words were left out, misspelled, etc. An example - "Tony tied to scream..." One or two mistakes I can tolerate, but this book has them to the point of absurdity. The only book, ironically enough, that had more typos, was another by Collins, AVENUE X.

Horror the way it should be written
In the 1970s, Alex Rossiter was a rock and roll icon on a par with Hendrix and Joplin. Thanks to drugs, Alex crashed and burned, fading into oblivion unable to get a gig or a recording contract anywhere. He recently resurfaced in New Orleans where he has developed an interest in voodoo and is initiated into a local hanfou by Papa Belovded. Not long afterward, Alex obtains a gig at the Gris-Gris Club.

Alex meets an old friend Jere Sloan and the woman he loves Charlotte "Charlie: Calder. Charlie instantly wants to share sex with the musician. They go home, leaving Jere behind. Alex's brief elation dissipated once he reads "The Aegrisomnia" and becomes involved with the One-Who-Tempts, a shade residing between the living and the dead. The malevolent spirit tempts Alex to surrender his soul and destroy everyone he cherishes.

Nancy A Collins does for voodoo what Anne Rice has done for vampires. The characters are fully developed making them seem authentic though pawns in a cosmic chess game played by essences much older than mankind. TEMPTER is a temptation that horror fans will want to repeatedly reread.

Harriet Klausner


Full Circle
Published in Hardcover by Forge (1994)
Author: Collin Wilcox
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Full Circle
This is the fifth novel that Wilcox wrote featuring Alan Bernhardt, struggling playwright and theatre director, moonlighting as a private-eye and usually getting himself into all sorts of danger. The books, billed as mysteries, are really more suspenseful than mysterious. In this one, Alan Bernhardt is contacted by wealthy, wheelchair-bound billionaire Raymond DuBois, who wants Alan to dispose of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of stolen art, before the FBI closes in. The trick is, several people, working in several competitive little groups, have all been busy tracking the artwork--we're talking a Renoir, a van Gogh, and more--and they would have no scruples about lifting the paintings from Alan's dead body. Alan goes from worrying about DuBois setting him up for some kind of sting, where he takes the fall for handling a lot of hot artwork, to worrying about whether he can keep himself, his lover Paula, and his assistant on the case, Tate, alive while trading the paintings for cash. Naturally, there comes a point where everyone converges on the fourteen invaluable paintings, with intent to walk away with them...and, if possible, walk away with the sackful of money being offered for them too! It would be quite a payday, if not for Alan, then maybe for a shady insurance agent who is out of contact with his employers so he can clean up all by himself, a mystery-woman and her smart-aleck right-hand man (who did not have a problem shooting their way closer and closer to the paintings, before they learned of Alan Bernhardt's involvement), or even Mr. DuBois's loyal chauffeur, James, whom Alan starts to suspect is running his own sting, but hiding it well behind cap and poker-face.

I wish it had been a better book, but author Wilcox never seemed to break through a certain threshold when it came to these Alan Bernhardt crime novels. It's fun rooting for Bernhardt because, as soon as he takes a case, it turns out he's outnumbered, and outgunned, and biting off way more than he can chew. If it's not the Mob--like in the previous, and best, Bernhardt book, Find Her A Grave--it's several cadres of murderous art-thieves who specialize in the double-cross. But the story stays too simple in Full Circle, containing a few too many scenes of strategizing and other conversation. Wilcox presents his always readable style, and is successful at making you wonder just how it's all going to turn out, but when all is said and done, we needed more complications and danger throughout to make this memorable. Just once I would have liked to see Alan Bernhardt really put through the wringer. Full Circle should have gone into overdrive at some point, and it didn't. However, the moral dilemmas Bernhardt must work through, as he deals with stolen paintings that he participates in hiding from the FBI, do make him seem like a real guy in a crazy situation. I just wish it had gotten crazier.


Algebra 1: Integration Applications Connections (California Edition)
Published in Hardcover by McGraw Hill College Div (2000)
Authors: William Collins, Gilbert Cuevas, Alan G. Foster, Berchie Gordon, Beatrice Moore-Harris, James Rath, Dora Swart, and Leslie J. Winters
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Algebra 2: Integration Applications Connections
Published in Hardcover by Glencoe/MacMillan McGraw Hill (2001)
Authors: William Collins, Gilbert Cuevas, Alan G. Foster, Berchie Gordon, Beatrice Moore-Harris, James Rath, Dora Swart, and Leslie J. Winters
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Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2

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