A wonderful follow-up to Hammond's first foray into Hong Kong cinema, Sex and Zen & Bullet in the Head, Hollywood East is a more detailed account of Hong Kong cinema today. The book has a forward by Michelle Yeoh. The book is organized in the following manner: 1) an overview of Hong Kong, the city, where to purchase movies and memorabilia, where to see movies, and a funny aside of the top ten Hong Kong imagined dangers followed up by the top ten real dangers. Hammond seeks to dispel the mythical Hong Kong as porrtrayed by film and present briefly the real Hong Kong where millions reside. 2) An intro to the astounding work of Johnny To and Milky Way Productions. For those in the know, it will be a fun review and to the uninitiated, Hammond provides a starting point of these must see films 3) a similar overview for Wong Kar Wai 4) an overview of cop/triad films 5) an overview of martial arts films including an extensive review of Shaw Brother's filmography - a must read for Shaw Brothers junkies! 6) the Hong Kong horror genre 7) Jackie Chan and his films 8) sexy chick flicks and girls with guns 9) Jet Li and his films 10) John Woo and his films 11) crazy stunts and the stories behind them 12) extreme cinema, shock cinema for example: the Untold Story 13) other resources including web listings Also included are very funny inserts called "Hex Errors" that have outrageously translated subtitles for each section and a glossary of terminology. There is also a 16 page color insert of mini biographies of up and coming stars including: Michelle Yeoh, Shu Qi, Karen Mok, Michael Wong, Aaron Kwok, Pinky Cheung, Aimen Wong, Athena Chu, Christy Chung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Kelly Chen, Gigi Lai, Sam Lee, Wu Chien-Lien, Michelle Reis and Gigi Leung. One does wonder how Yeoh fits in this category though. The book is fun, easy to read and factfilled for repeated reading. A must for all Hong Kong cinema buffs!

If the films of Jackie Chan and Jet Li have just gotten you interested in Hong Kong cinema, then this is an excellent book to read to learn more about the HK film industry and what other movies you might want to check out. It's a fun and easy read, featuring reviews and commentaries by several "guest authors" that help make it a rounded volume. From old school kung fu films to new wave filmmakers, this book touches on almost all of them and will leave you excited and ready to explore the wacky world of Hong Kong cinema.

Stefan has written an excellent book on the much misunderstood world of HK cinema. This is a cleverly written train of thought book on all aspects of the industry. It is imformative enough for the true HK buffs and easy for the uninitiated to understand.

Some of the short stories in this collection are very good. "Soft" by F. Paul Wilson and "Metastasis" by Dan Simmons are excellent examples. Others like "The Vaults of Yoh Vombis" and "The man with a thousand legs" (sorry last reviewer) are exceedingly bad. My advice: if you find it on sale or used, pick it up and read a story or two in your spare time between novels.

Most of the stories that were chosen for this anthology were masterpieces of horror and wonder, such as "Colour Out of Space" by H.P. Lovecraft, or "Orange is For Anguish, Blue For Insanity" by David Morrell, and so I must give high praise for this terrifying collection of horror's finest. But there are also some exceptionally bad stories that were included for reasons unknown, like the preposterous "The Man With a Thousand Legs," by Frank Belknap Long, and a so-called Sci-fi story that excludes any real science called "The Vaults of Yoh-Vombis," by Clark Ashton Smith. The inclusion of these two leaves me no choice but to deduct a star from what would otherwise have been a perfect rating. Four Stars. A must read, nonetheless.

I just got done reviewing the "Sceince Fiction Hall of Fame" which I think is the first best anthology of all time. But this even though it's quite a bit newer is a close second. Don't Listen to the first reviwer "man with a thousand legs" was a great storey and "vault of Yoh Vombis" was even better. Most of the stories in this anthology are spectacular including "Hell-fire" which in my opinion is one of the best short fiction storey's I have ever ever ever read. "Nightmare Gang" was another great storey especially since I have NO respect for Koontz but with this storey credit and quite a lot is due to him, a very good piece.

Definitly a must buy!!!

This is an excellent book for the BMW motorcycle enthusiast. It tells the whole story since the beginning until around 1994. It presents it chronologically as technical achivements so one can see how one model was improved upon to become the next. And it has a lot of excellent photos. There are a few gaps (like, what made the R60/6 to become the R60/7) but I guess that that is unavoidable. The authors are very knowledgeable but left out a lot of interesting information BY DESIGN. They don't give us their opinion about what is right or wrong with each machine, and I would like to know the opinion of experts! For example, I have learned somewhere else that the old R60 models from the 1970s are forgiving for not-too-expert riders, a bit involved in maintenance (like adjusting valves every month), but easy and cheap to repair whereas de K models are more difficult to ride, very easy to maintain, but difficult and expensive to repair. This is the kind of information I would have expected in this book. I would also like to see more technical specifications. I still think that this is a great book but I pray the authors: expand the book in its next edition and make it the dream of every BMW motorcycle enthusiast.

The book detailed the models, chronologically, showing how one cycle evolved into the the next model. It would detail the new models improvements. Numerous photo also aided in the descriptions of the improvements made year to year, model to model. Easy reading and a MUST read for all you BMW lovers.

This is a very complete and detailed book. I think that the authors give us a very good review of the BMW bikes. They write not only about technical specification, but history as well. They have good pictures, photos and technical data. What I miss is that they forgot to write about some types ( R-3, R-61 ) and they do not give the technical data of all types of BMW bikes. The advantage of this book - can be read as an interesting story - is also the disadvantage of it. What I would try, if I were the author, is that show the types one by one, not forgetting the stories, but more sistematically show us the BMW bikes, one or two page for each, including photos, pictures, data. Otherwise the best book I know about BMW bikes.

This 1998 book is good as far as it goes. Interviews in the book date from 1997. Today in the rapidly changing real estate field 5 or 6 years is a long time, perhaps too long.
I thought that the book was primarily aimed at real estate agents and brokers. There are lots of cautionary words and tones in the book basically saying the industry is changing and those participants ready, willing and able to change can adapt to the future of the real estate industry. Those wishing to do business as usual are going to be left in the dust. There's a chapter on the National Association of Realtors and whether they will survive or not. There's a chapter on HFS, which now owns Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Cendant, and PHH. Is obviously a giant force in the real estate market place. In addition there are chapters on consumers, tech, internet, and demographics. Overall this is a good book but not an excellent book, suffering from the age of the book and the rapidly changing real estate/internet landscape.

"Confronts" is a useful book, and worth the time if you seek an overview of some influences on the real estate industry. However, don't expect a well-written, articulate look at the evolving state of the real estate industry -- the book could have benefited greatly from thorough editing by a business editor as well as a from a technical editor.

The content is rapidly becoming dated...most of the text is based on 1997 information and interviews and, as we approach the end of 1999, significant changes have occurred both in internet opportunities and in real estate itself. That is not an indictment of the authors, but instead advice to read this book in the context of what has occurred since their research, including changes in corporate structure of real estate brokers, growth in e-lending, ownership of the e-Real Estate sites, IPO results, similar changes in commercial real estate, continued moves by lenders to "source" the consumer, mergers and consolidation in lending, title, appraisal, real estate, and how the various sectors are responding to these changes, etc.

Again, useful but not great business literature.

If you want a 30,000ft perspective on the forces changing the industry this is a good intro. However, the changes in the last 12 mos have been a watershed for technology adoption. 40% of all consumers are now beginning their real estate research online and leading brokers and agents are not waiting around to see what happens. This book is worth the money if you want background and context (analysts, new technology and sevice companies, new industry professionals) but I would look elsewhere for specific answers.

bram stoker is most famous for dracula. not hard to believe. some of the stories here have even a dull plot. but mostly the problem is that stoker dwells at completely irrelevant things, like melodramatic dialogues going on and on, the building of friendship, etc. he could have done better, he is a good enough writer. but he has a melodramatic string, which destroys. the judge's house is the only story really worth reading.

At times the writing is sensual and evocative as one would expect from Stoker. The story themes range from legendry and quests to evils in both familial associations and on the dramatic stage. A range of stuff capitalizing on the eclectic knowledge of Bram Stoker. But what makes it a good buy? How is it especially useful? It would be indispensible for anyone needing an economical edition, as it contains The Crystal Cup, The Chain of Destiny, The Castle of the King, The Dualitists, and A Star Trap: five stories that appear in addition to some nine stories previously collected in editions of Dracula's Guest.

THESE STORIES CONTAIN SUCH CHILLING, CREATIVE DEPTH. I DO BELIEVE STOKER WAS A GENIUS, NOT JUST ON THE BASIS OF DRACULA BUT ON WORK LIKE THE STORIES PRESENTED IN THIS BOOK. IT'S A PITY THAT HE PROBABLY DIDN'T REALISE THAT HE WAS THE BLUEPRINT FOR THE GREAT MASS MARKET HORROR WRITER, A SORT OF VICTORIAN STEPHEN KING. AN ASTOUNDING COLLECTION OF WORK, VERY CLEVER AND SOPHISTICATED 10 -10

While parts of the book are a bit sleazy...the principle of the book is well thought out and should be put into practice. Today, I know very few singles who have ever dated ... they "relationship" and call it dating. These "relationship" people tend to be boring and are insecure because they are afraid of being juggled. Men who "date" more are more creative, fun, and learn more about what they are looking for.... I recommend every single guy out there should at least try to juggle once! It can be fun, and exciting!

"If guys actually read this book and think they can get away with what the author was saying, they are fooling themselves."

Sorry, but this reviewer has NO IDEA what they are talking about.

Stefan is the man; I know him personally. I've watched this guy in action probably 30-40 times. And he's the most successful pick up artist I've evern known. He's not the best looking. He's not the funniest. But it all works because of the skill. He's definitely a bit of a "catch", so he has something to work with, but trust me, its 95% skill with this guy. He's succesful probably 85% of the time he goes in for the kill, maybe 65% of the time he's actually making out with the girl by the end of the night (in public).

"If the author believes his strategy actually would work, he has a lesson to learn. Women are not that stupid."

I'm not saying that women are or aren't stupid, but Stefan's strategy works pretty darn consistently. Make up your own reasons why. Or just say "I Don't Care" and follow the advice and reap the rewards.

"The saddest part is, every guy I know who read this book, thought it was ridiculous so don't bother with a sequel."

Or maybe they just PRETENDED it was rediculous. You know how most men say they don't really like porn, they just find it corny. Well, they're LYING THEN, TOO. Sorry, dear, but you just aren't getting the truth. (Don't you watch Friends?) Of course guys won't admit this stuff to women... but, yes, it does work. Granted you need the skill and have to be decently attractive, but pretending it isn't the case is just WRONG...

I know the author personally.

Let's just say he knows what he's talking about...

Although there are rumors that he's retired...

This thick book starts by the most unpalatable description of Icelandic grammar and continues with dozens of exercizes without any correction at all. Also, more than 60 pages depict the prononciation, letter after letter (a CD or a cassette would do far better). A phonologist's jargon nightmare!
What is the point of having so many English texts supposed to be translated into correct Icelandic by the reader, with just a couple of vocabulary notes in the margin? Such notes can be found anyway in the glossary a few pages further anyway. When learning a language by yourself, you need to be able to correct yourself. Impossible to do so with this otherwise very, very thick book.

I had learnt the basics of this most beautiful language with a mere "Teach Yourself Icelandic" (cheaper & better)and thought this one would take me further.

Extract of one exercize: "I can see the raven eating off a lamb's eyes". No comment...

Icelanding language really deserves a better promotion.

The good points first:

- Very complete. Everything is included in a huge grammar.
- Lots of readings. Not just the sagas, not just the everyday dialogues - actually, you get a lot of both.
- quite a lot of exercises.
- much better than the OTHER book. (which, I believe, you should have as well.)
- a glossary so large that it would cost about the same if you were to buy it separately.
- where else do you get 500+ excellent pages for this price?

However, this book is not written the way you would expect it. Of course, it is about as old as my grandmother. For starters:

- A topical index and a bibliography at the very BEGINNING of the book.

- A rather thorough and very technical grammar before any introductory exercises. (Yes, I know, it says right after the preface that the absolute beginner should start by the exercises, but it is not very usual to start a book on page 181)

- No discussion of vowel changes before a lot of exercises where they are needed. "Teach yourself" has the same problem. However, it is not something easy to explain, but future authors should at least try to either discuss each vowel shift just before it is needed or to use as few as possible in the first exercises.

- You need a good memory. As an example, in order to go through the first group of exercises, you have to memorize (I couldn't do it in any other way) 6 different forms of the verb to be, about 40 different pronoun forms and about 12 different kinds of endings for nouns. Of course, no one said it was going to be easy. Icelandic has three genders, four cases and a huge amount of different verb forms... but this is HARD.

- An old-looking rather small font that makes you read slower than on a modern book. Besides, it does not have a lot of white space. Pages are thick with text. This gives you the impression that you are going very slowly.

Just so you know this book is as colloquial as you can get. It is worth every penny i spent on it. Information & all. Icelandic text is hard to find, but as of this moment to the next Liguist around will help bring more and more products to the states. trust me i have searched, Here and there THis site has good material to start with. Very precise for the retentive.

If you have any medical knowledge in resuscitation, there are some glaring examples in the book that the author really doesn't know what happens in a resuscitation event. Examples like:
1)"Knickerbocker...noticed that the dogs' blood pressure would increase when he put the heavy fifteen-pound paddles" (50)
2)"...or a prolonged pulseless anginal rhythm..." (122)
3)"LANKER: She must not even have a 60 [heart rate]. JOHNSON: Well, I feel a carotid [pulse]. So it should be at least a 60." (142)

While these examples seem small, the inaccuracies can seriously damage the author's credibility. Using the above examples, here's why:
1) The paddles DID NOT weigh fifteen pounds! The doctor needed to APPLY 15 POUNDS OF PRESSURE to the dogs chest to activate a safety switch. This is what caused the blood pressure to suddenly peak in the dog. We still apply several pounds of pressure to defibrillator paddles today; if the author had read a advanced cardiac resuscitation book he would learn of this.
2)Angina is the wrong word. Angina, or "heart pain" has nothing to do with the situation. Rather, the word should be "agonal" which means "dying".
3)When the nurse here says "60", she is not referring to the heart rate, but blood pressure. (We know this by reading the next line.) There is a big difference between the two, and the difference has clinical significance. (Traditionally, a carotid [neck] pulse, which is mentioned in the next line, indicates that the blood pressure is at least 60mmg.)

The book comes to some very strange conclusions ("Mouth to mouth remains an unarousing sexual act" Page 93) and some vivid and imaginative descriptions of CPR. ("CPR is unusual in the way it brings strangers into intimate contact. First the rescuer "kisses" the unconscious person, then "hits" the person hard. We love life, hate death, love life, hate death in a perpetual rhythm." Page 93)

This is obviously a well-intentioned book, but I feel disappointed in the many mistakes, strange conclusions and unrealistic suggestions. (The author suggests that everyone should carry some form of ID that states whether or not they want CPR done to them. Not only would this be a logistical nightmare, what happens if the card isn't with the person? Will rescuers fear helping people just because they don't have a card? Terrible and frightening idea!)

This is a more of a "thinking" book...it gets you thinking. But if one believes that the book shows all the sides of resuscitation, they are wrong...

I work in emergency medicine and was sure I would hate this book. But I actually like it very much. Timmermans gives a nuanced and empathetic view of resuscitating. He explains how paramedics and emergency room staff are trapped in a double bind. Relatives expect them to save lives but resuscitation techniques rarely succeed in saving lives. The result are unrealistic expectations. Timmermans does a good job exploring the colorful history of resuscitation techniques and the role of insurance companies and managed care. I only wish he paid more attention to automatic defibrillators.

I loved this book. It is on a painful topic but it answered some nagging questions for me. My mother died unexpectedly and I never forgave my father for not staying with her during her last moments and always wondered why CPR did not keep her alive. This book provided some answers. It is informative and compassionate.

Mr Gabanyi's book contains a lot of information. However, it seems to me that he consulted other whisky reviews far too often. If I had wanted to read what other reviewers (i.e., Michael Jackson!) had to say then I would have purchased those (that) reviewer's books. Moreover, Mr Gabanyi's book is not even close to comprehensive. In many cases he does not give tasting notes. That defeats the purpose of the book! Save yourself some money and buy another Whisky guide.

Whisk(e)y, a definitive, sweeping round up of the about Scotch, Irish whisky, and bourbon comes handsomely packaged in colors that evoke the warmth of a dram of a favorite glass, straight up, of well, whisk(e)y. The author, Stefan Gabanyi, spent two, no doubt wonderful years researching this excellent guide to the various brands and types of the world's great whisk(e)y.

He explains the spelling by noting that the Scots, Canadians, and Japanese prefer whisky, the rest insert the "e" into whiskey. Gabanyi arrays the information alphabetically from A to Y---it seems no whisk(e)y begins with the letter "z"---and offers a concise but thorough distillation about the history, quality, and related information on the brands. He offers enough details about how the number, and to some extent the quality, of the various brands has diminished through the inevitable predatory consolidation, the bane to all things distinct and original.

Reproductions of the labels and other clever illustrations round out the guide and add to the pleasure from pursuing these page. I especially liked the quotations that precede each section, too.

This is truly a book to "sip." You will not read it in one or even several sittings, but you will enjoy pulling in out as you relax by the fireplace or back porch, a glass of your own favorite whisk(e)y within easy reach.

I really like this book--I think the dictionary-style format is the best feature. You can look up the name of just about any whiskey you have ever heard of and find quite a bit of information on the distiller and the ingredients. It also goes into the different types of whiskies--Scotch, Irish, Rye, Bourbon, etc. and their different flavors/characteristics.

If you are just getting into whiskey, buy this book. It's a really good buying guide and can help you figure out what kind you want to try next. Plus, the appearance of the book is really cool-- it's got a simple, leather-like cover, it's nicely sized,and it even has a ribbon bookmark. Finally, it is a really good "bathroom read"--in fact, that's where I discovered it at a friend's house! Cheers.

I recently finished reading Carol Shields' short story collection, Dressing Up for the Carnival. I'm a big fan of Carol Shields, having enjoyed Larry's Party, The Stone Diaries, even adding Swann to my wicked Top Five list - but this one didn't hit the spot.

Although the stories were charming and well-written, they weren't engrossing. I need to be EN-GROSSED! Instead I felt like I was wading through the bad stuff (I use the term "bad" for effect only) to get to the good. Some real gems here, but not a stellar collection.

Somewhat recommended - that is, to fans, and not just the casual passerby.

It's hard to describe the effect of these stories -- perhaps mindbending would be as close as you can get. Who else would devote whole stories to keys, or a meteorologist strike or the founder of a nudist camp? My only small complaint is that at times some of the stories, especially those taking place in the academic realm, are almost too clever for their own good. The collection as a whole though is strong and quite imaginative and profound. Shields is certainly an interesting writer -- there is nary a dull moment and some quite enlightening ones.

Carol Shields can take an ordinary word and polish it into a shining gemstone. Finely-tuned phrases are scattered plentifully throughout each chapter of _Dressing Up for the Carnival_, straddling the gap between poetry and fiction. This collection of stories is so spare, it almost feels empty at first. But you find Shields has emptied her work of distractions and needless explanations so you can more clearly see . Her focus on minute details is selective and purposeful. She reveals deep insights on the human condition through small observations-ones only a keen observer could see, and only a master writer like Shields could translate into words. If you want to be entertained, this book may not be for you. If you want to think deeply and be stirred to a higher level of emotion, pick up this book. You'll find yourself setting it down after every story so you can absorb each word.