I just dont get the appeal of this book, I'm sorry. For the most part, all it contains is a bunch of detailed plot information (yes Virginia, including key plot twists and endings) and very little information as to if the movies were any good! Yes, he has some special lists ("movies that rip"), but just not enough. I wanted this book as a reference to all of the HK movies out there, so I could see what was good before plunking down my cash on them - after reading about a few movies, I felt I no longer needed to buy them because I had already seen them. There are much better options.

This book is only helpful for those with little knowledge of Hong Kong films. It's more playful than artistic, yet there are some helpful film reviews included. Some of the information is outdated: Web sites, where to buy HK films, etc..., but if your new to HK films and are interested in the pop culture gems that come out of Hong Kong, then check this book out. For those interested in a more in-depth look at Hong Kong films, I recommend City on Fire, by Lisa Stokes and Micheal Hoover.

Memo to the reader from Denver: did you read the same book I did? Yeah, I'll admit that I wish the authors hadn't gone into quite so much detail about the plots, but how can you say they didn't review any of the films? The authors' enthusiasm for this exhilarating subsection of filmdom permeates every sentence herein; everything they write is filtered through their opinions, which are mostly positive, because, as they explain in the intro, they put the spotlight on the films they loved the most. With the exception of the informative sidebars, there's nothing BUT reviews here.

I love this book. It's not meant to be an HK film encyclopedia, just a feet-wetting introduction to an unjustly overlooked body of work. As that, it's nearly perfect.

What do you get with a book cover that doubles for a mousepad, a user manual, and a CD-ROM that includes 80 fonts, 10 games, 25 screensavers, 55 wallpapers and 98 icons? This is not the start of a joke, but an introduction to Berlin-based Designershock design group's DSOS1: The User's Manual, a guide to their eccentric and abstract world where they're known for their Internet experimental electronic experiences.

Not knowing where to begin except at the beginning, the beginning of the book sets the tone, "Unless you're very strong, please resist the temptation to flick, browse, skip or skim. Start by going from page to page sequentially. Linear experiences are still the most satisfying, and this way you may remain calm and focused."

Using a polyglot of colors, pages splashed with shades of reds, grays, and blacks guide you through three parts (from left to right on the screen):

Electronic Workmates (EWM) - an introduction to the accompanying software, which is the key to accessing DSOS1's online world that is exclusive to owners of the CD-ROM tool.

Electronic Playmates (EPM) - fonts and typographical games to die for and each time you win, you get to download fonts and other tools.

Electronic Decomaters (EDM) - "is about creative control over your environment. Taking it; losing it. How to open the window on the sublime." Create an ambience with screensavers, wallpapers, and icons.

At first glance, this book seems cryptic, threatening and confusing. But remember what the introduction says and take it one step at a time from the beginning. It becomes easier to follow along with the print after connecting online. Designershock successfully leaps into the innovative world of combining print, screen, and typography.

Load the DVD and let Ozzy, the DSOS1 avatar, take you where you need to go to register for the first time and get a four-digit pin number. The user manual also outlines the steps to get started. EWM is on the left column, EPM in the middle, and EDM on the right. Pick online or offline tools, the latter downloads an archived file for playing offline. Offline is the better choice since it takes time to load the online version.

DS MEEK (Modulated Esoteric E-Type Kreator), a Flash program and the first in the book, lets the user manipulate fonts based on grids. The first impression is overwhelming, but the HELP and the user guide clearly explain the background and how to complete the activity. Turn the dials, flip the switches, and press the buttons to transform, morph, and scale a letter and apply the changes to the entire alphabet to create your own fonts. The book shows creations from using the MEEK emulator. One word: awesome!

Saving and loading a previously created doesn't work, at first. The save dialog box won't open, but attempting it another time is successful. According to instructions, "The SAVE and LOAD buttons work a little differently, depending on whether you are using the on- or off-line versions of the tools. Online, every user can save up to 10 modulations and 10 layouts on the DSOS1 server, using a simple DSOS1 file dialog. Offline, users can save and load an unlimited number of MEEK files, using normal system file dialogs." There two types of saved files in MEEK: layout and modulation. After printing a Meryl font creation, the program wouldn't go back to the EDIT mode or any mode. Just stuck there in font space. Despite a few runtime flaws, one could get hooked on this stuff.

Next activity, the DS EWG, has a few added features not in MEEK to increase the complexity. Hence, the user guide's wise suggestion of working through the book from beginning to end.

Expect nothing to come easy when playing the games, but that will make the rewards all the sweeter. This interactive print medium and accompanying Internet webzine slash software is not for the faint of heart or in this case, beginner designers. Like fine wine, give it time, let it age, and get a feel for it. It's not something to be swallowed whole, but instead slowly sipped. Not only can you consider this as a coffetable masterpiece, but also as a designer's interactive toy.

Surf to Designer Shock's Web site or see sample pages at the publisher's Web site.

definately has Designers Republic written all over it, check out their website,... which is more user friendly. I agree I felt DS ripped off alot of the stuff from DR, but as a visual reference, especially the fonts, this is a good additional resource. I haven't seen font design from DR so I can't say DS ripped them off but the layouts sure look familiar. But again until I find a book by Designers Republic this is the best one out with similar aesthetics.

Amazon has a great price on it, because I bought this at a bookstore for [more] before I found it here for, check these books also,
"scrawl"-graffiti,two books in series
"futura"-famous graffiti artist /character design, did album artwork for u.n.k.l.e. (good album btw)
"pictoplasma"-character design, pixel charaters as well as vector drawn.

cheers.

I kind of expected to hate this book (Christmas present) but once I got past the superficial similarity with TDR I really got into it. The print part of the book is quite reserved but there's a lot interesting details in there. I was surprised by the quality of the text. The online part of the book is really something new - you really only can get to it with the book but there's masses of really groundbreaking flash work there and tons of quality freebies for download. I thought the playing games to win fonts concept was a bit weird at first but it kind of makes sense once you get into it. I would recommend DSOS1 to anyone interested in the combination of print, screen design and typography.

What a disappointment. Many of the stories are from the thirties and forties, and they sound like it. Unless you're really into the pulp classic writing (and I'm not) you've probably never heard of most of the authors. All in all, I found it a waste of time reading this book

The 100 stories in this book cover just over 150 years of writing and writing styles. The earliest was written in 1843 by an up and coming young politician. The young mystery writer was named Abraham Lincoln and, I'm afraid, that it was his name, not the quality of his piece of fiction, that warranted its inclusion in this anthology. It's not that bad, but it's more of a story of a near miscarriage of justice than one centering on detectives or good detection. In Lincoln's favor, however, is that the fact that the genre was still in its infancy, this story having been written only a very few years after Poe, the first writer of the real short mystery fiction had introduced the first fictional detective, C. Auguste Dupin.

I have to admit to being somewhat puzzled by the conclusion drawn by another reviewer of this book who has opined that the book "doesn't deliver on its premise." What it promises are short detective stories of a scope covering the last century and a half which have been written by a number of the better writers of that period. This is exactly what it delivers.

There are stories written by James M. Barrie (he of "Peter Pan" fame), O. Henry (who practically invented the surprise ending and is probably best known for "Gift of the Magi"), Charles Dickens, Jack London, Bret Harte, and on and on.

Writing styles change with time and the detective genre is no exception. A number of the stories are written in the first person, the narrator being the hard-boiled type who refers to all women as "this dame." In contrast, some of the protagonists are thoughtful and analytic while others are gentlemanly men of action.

I never like to end a review of an anthology without picking out at least one selection and telling a little about it. Here goes: "Murder at Rose Cottage" by Edward D. Hoch is a rather genteel British murder mystery. Although of rather recent vintage, it has the feel of something written in an earlier era. There is a murder, but it takes place "off-stage" and there are no gory descriptions or depictions of acts of violence. The murder is solved by an inspector from Scotland Yard who uses deductive reasoning and common sense to figure out "who dunnit." I was impressed by his attitude when he stated that "Death threats are always important." In early twenty-first century America, it is my impression that the prevailing police attitude is that no threat to a common person is worth investigating. "If there's a warm body, we might deign to take a look" seems, to me, to better describe the reaction that one would probably run into. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a world, like the one in this story, where authorities consider keeping us common folk alive every bit as important as catching and prosecuting a suspect in a celebrity crime?

The depiction of those simpler days of more caring attitudes is one of the things that gives this book its charm. As I've stated about a few other books and movies that I've reviewed, this book is not for the type of reader who needs blood, gore, and a thrill a minute to keep his or her interest. It is well worth reading as escape literature for someone who appreciates seeing an analytic mind at work and who prefers his crimes in a relatively non-violent setting.

I love anthologies - especially during the times that I find I have the attention span of zip.

I purchased this neat hardback book new because of its promise of 100 dastardly detective stories, and was very glad I did.

Anthologies make great reading for someone who goes out to work the next day - read a few stories, and put the book down at a clean stopping point. My problem was that I could not put this neat book down and kept reading way beyond my bedtime! I love books like that!

If you want to get a taste of early to modern detective stories, this book provides them. If you are a writer, this book is a must in your education!

This is the most bizarre grammar I have ever seen. I have
a strong background in linguistics and have read many, many grammars. This one is not a grammar at all in the usual sense of the word. It is more like an encyclopedia with every entry arranged alphabetically.

Want to study Japanese syntax? Sorry, there is no entry for syntax, instead you must pick through the table of contents again and again to find the scattered references. Want to look at verbal morphology, well, there is a very brief entry on verb forms and then its back to more of the scattered references.

I am keeping it only because its the best I have but somewhere,
there MUST be a real Japanese grammar and when I find it, this
goes to the used bookdealer ASAP.

This completes the gramatical series they publish, and is the most complete publication I have ever seen.

When I began studying japanese my teachers (native speakers) often disregarded the teaching of grammar and focused on conversation, writing and sentence patterns.
However, sooner or later you realize that there is a huge need for solid grammar knowledge in order to attain ultimate command of the language. I recommend this book for those of you who have been looking for detailed descriptions on the intrincated japanese grammar. Both beginners and advanced students will benefit from this work.

Hi, fellows ! The book is really easy to read, i agree with previous reader. And who still thinks, that this is a good technologie, i will recommend it. There are practical all things, what you need to develop a WAP solution.

But, what about is this book ? About WAP - technological useless solution for wide marketing actions. Dear fellows, WAP is out, and there is no back for this technologie. Just wait a little bit the new UMTS system and we will se, what technologie will bring with itself.

If you think in your enterprice about this solution - forget it. And finaly don't buy this one, you can cabbage some money for beer or another book.

This book is complete. To the best of my knowledge it is the most complete book you can find. The only problem I see with this book is that, the author spend too much time explaining the background of the WAP protocol. Personally I care less about the historical side view.

I love this book. It's complete, goes right into the details and is clearly written. I cannot think of a higher compliment to pay a book or author. If you're a WAP developer or are ramping up for a WAP development project this book will get you there. I loved the treatment of WML, deploying services and wireless telephony applications. I highly recommend this book.

In "Growing Up Fundamentalist", Stefan Ulstein has collected a series of interviews which cover many problems and positives (though fewer of these) in growing up in a fundamentalist tradition. The interviews are sensitive, interesting and well-conducted. Ulstein seems, however, to shy away from drawing conclusions based on his data, or from offering solutions to these problems. He also appears to have a bit of a religious agenda of his own, in that he included many interviews with those who are still practicing Christians, and fewer with those atheists or agnostics. It would be interesting to do a statistical survey to see how accurate the percentage really is. A good and interesting, if not great, book.

This book of interviews with former fundamentalists does a reasonable job of portraying the difficulties that many of us have had to wrestle with in coming to terms with our fundamentalist past. The interviews are done sensitively and one feels as if the author has allowed his subjects to speak rather than trying to put words into their mouths. Many of the individuals interviewed still consider themselves to be Christians. Some do not. However, I found this book more uplifting than some of the "anti testimonies" I have read by fundamentalists who have become "born again atheists." This book is probably most useful for ex fundamentalists trying to figure out a new Christian direction than it is a sociological study of the species.

The Preface to the book gives an excellent history of fundamentalism in America. It is very important to have knowledge of the history in order to have understanding of the experience of growing up fundamentalist.

The interviews selected for inclusion in the book were insightful, honest, and, yes, heartbreaking. I applaud Ulstein's willingness to honestly present the fundamentalist experience. However, it is clear that while he may not consider himself a fundamentalist, he is still a member of "the fold" as an evangelical. Thus, I feel the interviews selected for publication are a reflection of this. While he certainly includes some interviews of people who are no longer involved in fundamentalist or evangelical churches, the majority of interviews are with people who are. I do not think this is an accurate reflection of ex-fundamentalists. I think, quite frankly, that most of us have abandoned the fundamentalist and evangelical brand of Christianity. As an evangelical, I think Ulstein has not dealt with some of his own underlying assumptions.....one of which is that most people who are brought up in fundamentalist churches "resolve" their issues by becoming "liberal" evangelicals (an oxymoron if I ever heard one). I think Ulstein is just too threatened by those of us who have become Roman Catholics or Buddhists or Episcopalians or atheists to include many of us (other than a few tokens) in his book. I think a sentence on the back of the book says it all, "Stefan Ulstein's probing interviews will help you learn how your friends, your children--and maybe those you hope to evangelize--perceive the complicated way of life often called fundamentalism."

This is one of the worst of Merritt's books, though Black Wheel wasn't his fault--it was completed after his death. Although Metal Monster has some interesting ideas, Merritt failed to bring any of them to life.

This is one of the wildest and most imaginative of the early pulp novels. Though it suffers from various plot weaknesses and simplistic characterizations (I've docked it one star for a somewhat racist caricature), the visual descriptions of this hidden world and the geometric shapes that form and reform into various entities are the most mind-blowing this side of a tab of blotter acid. With the advances in computer animation today, someone could do this novel justice and make a stunning movie.

When Dr. Walter T. Godwin sets out to study a rare flower in Tibet, he has no idea of what adventures await him. Meeting old friends in the secluded Himalayas, he quickly finds himself fleeing from the descendents of a lost Persian Empire city right into the domain of a seemingly omnipotent metal intelligence. This extraterrestrial metal intelligence is made up of a collective composed of living cubes, pyramids and spheres. Even stranger, the intelligence seems to work through a human woman of great beauty, Norhala. This metal intelligence is beyond anything that Godwin and his compatriots can even understand--is humanity about the be replaced as the ruler of the Earth?

OK, this book is a little bit odd at times. He keeps bumping into old friends in the Himalayas, there are descendents of the Persian Empire (a whole city, in fact) that no one knows about, and the ending is something of a deus ex machina. However, for having been written in 1920, this book is quite good! Though the storyline needs a fair amount of suspension of disbelief, it is quite entertaining. Also, when the metal intelligence forms shapes out of its cubes, pyramids and spheres, I couldn't help but think that modern special effects would turn this into quite an excellent movie.

So, overall I do recommend this book.

Silverberg's forte is science fiction and Longest Way Home (LWH) is classified as such. In essence however, it is a story of a youth coming of age, albeit on a very different planet, peopled with exotic species. The setting is somewhat of a benevolent feudal system, where the native species (several of whom possess sentience in varying degree, yet are all technologically backward) were first subjugated by colonial settlers from Earth, who in turn as they settled into pastoral somnolence (Folk), have been subjugated by a second wave of better educated and technologically superior settlers (Masters), again from Earth. The end result is a rather feudal system with large agri-business estates owned by quasi-aristocratic families of Masters and overseen by others of the same Master class, while the labor is performed by the Folk who reside in separate quarters on the estate. Inevitably, no matter that the feudalism is relatively benign, the Folk chafe under the yoke of the Masters, yearning for their lost days of freedom. In a well planned revolt on a continent of the planet, the Folk of various estates rise up, destroying their overlords. In the midst of the uprising is trapped Joseph, an adolescent Master visiting an Estate far from his own family. Saved from the carnage by a retainer of his dead hosts, Joseph's only way out is to make the long trek back to his own family's estate, dodging as he goes the Folk who are on the alert for any survivors. On one level, following Joseph's trek, this book is a fascinating tour of the planet, encompassing creatures exotic in form and culture. On a deeper level, it is Joseph's own awakening and realization that his privileged position which he has never before questioned, is built on the foundation of near slavery. Silverberg relates excellently how each new experience changes Joseph; sadly he ends just with Joseph returned home resolved to implement his learning, but with little indication of what exactly he will do. Not one of Silverberg's best, but a good read all the same.

Personally, I thought this was a wonderful book, and I had a terrible time trying to put it down...I read anything I can find by Silverberg (with the exception of any of the Majipoor novels, which I think any fantasy hack could have spit out) because I think his character development is a notch or two above most other scifi writers. The main character in this one wasn't as richly drawn as in other novels though, and I got the impression at some points that Silverberg wasn't sure himself where the story was going. But those moments are few, and the story picks up quickly. This is definetly worth reading, it's a story that stays with you.

I'm puzzled by the mixed reaction to this novel. Perhaps some readers were expecting more of the "epic" Silverberg of the new Majipoor trilogy and Alien Years. However, many long-time Silverberg fans feel that his very best novels, published between 1967 and 1976, were-like this one-short, tight, and intense. This book is an enjoyable and entertaining read, yes, but it also feels more personal and philosophical than those vast volumes that the market seems to pressure Silverberg to produce. I for one hope he skips the sequels and epics from now on out, and produces more novels of this length and excellence.

I purchased this book to help me develop lesson plans to use when I teach "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in a classroom setting. Much to my surprise, I realized upon purchasing this text that it has almost NOTHING to do with the text of Rowling's book (despite the promotional marketing information available on amazon.com and on the book's back cover). In fact, this is a poorly thought-out attempt at character "education" that is of dubious pedagogical quality. And, at nearly $[money], the price is an absurd one to pay for this book's mundane and uninspired content. Buyer Beware!

A King in Love is one of Barabra Cartlands many Historical Romances, which has captured womens fantasies worldwide. This delicate style of Romance Genre is only 1 novel of Barabra Cartlands 700 romance and non-fiction stories, that were printed all over the world.

This historical romance is set in Aldros, where a beautiful Princess named Zita resides. This elegant, smart, wild hearted and attractive princess falls in love with King Maximilian of Valdastien, who is intended to marry Zita's eldest ugly sister Sophie to unite the two countries. The story creates a twist at the beginning when Princess Zita is forbidden to see the King when he visits her country in hope to find a suitable bride. Due to her wild heart Princess Zita breaks all the rules and disguises herself as a maid, in hope to capture a glimpse of the king before he changes for the ball. Naturally the King is struck by her beauty and falls in love with her. Princess Zita is restricted to express her desires for the king, as she fears her parent¡¯s disapproval, as the King was intended for her sister. The romantic tale continues to unravel, as the King continues to try and win the Princesses affections, unaware that she is truely in love with him and is from royal blood. Romantic scenes of forest horse rides and mountain trips cause a magical romantic atmosphere for the reader to envision.

The hint of a disguise being revealed and the intense moments of passion between the 2 characters in this romantic tale, cause female readers to desire to be in the princess¡¯s position. I highly rate the novel, giving it 4 out of 5 stars. This is the type of romance novel that leaves a light hearted, soft and emotional feeling inside and is definatly worth the read. By Meghan Glynn

This powerful story of imagination and mystery has been captured by readers of all ages worldwide. Whilst battling as a single mother in Edinburgh, Joanna, Kathleen Rowling, slowly developed her first published novel, ¡®Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone¡¯. This mysterious and magical adventure created by J.K Rowling, is not only enjoyed, by children, but by adults alike.

Harry Potter and Philosophers Stone is a story of a young boy, whose parents died when he was very young. He inevitably ends up residing with his evil aunt and uncle. Harry new that he was different to his aunt, uncle and cousin, but this was confirmed one night, when Harry received a visit from Hagrid, the friendly Games Keeper of Hogsworts School of Witch craft and Wizardry. Hagrid, took Harry back to the world of the witches and wizards, where he realises that he is famous. Harry attends Hogwards, where he not only develops friendships, but also creates enemies, due to his unknown past. Harry¡¯s year at Hogwards is full of adventure, as himself and his two friends, Ron and Harmonie, try and combat evil.

The lifestyle and adventures that are created for Harry are magical experiences, that children and even adult¡¯s (not admit tingly) dream of. The storyline, removes readers from their robotic daily lives, and enters them, into a world of spells, enchantments and mystery.

J.K Rowling developed such a diverse audience, by inducing a particular style in her writing that makes each reader feel equal. She never talks down to the reader, as if they were a child. This is a key indicator, to why adults find the style and story line so entertaining. She also includes experiences, jokes, references and characters that can be enjoyed by both the young and old.

Once you have picked up the story, you will be reluctant to put the tale down. The creativity of characters, activities and dangerous adventures, that take place, cause the story to be such a highly recommended read. I immensely enjoyed Harry Potter and rate it 5 stars out of 5. Be sure to read the book before you see the movie. By. Meghan Glynn

Being a multiple myself and knowing a--forgive the pun--host of others, I must say that this is one of those books that gives a bad name to our community. This woman was not only socially and legally irresponsible, but down right nutty. Personally, I think whoever diagnosed her as multiple did her a grave diservice. The woman seemed more likely schitzophrenic to me. And UGH! It was terribly written!

I just loved this book! I used it for part of my American Literature project, it's just amazing book! Written in an easy stlye, it's like Kit is just sitting down with you for coffee and telling you her story! I suggest this book highly!!!

Elizabeth Katherine Meyer survived extreme physical, mental and sexual abuse in childhood. Her father was an especially cruel man who would often taunt Katherine and set her up to be ridiculed by others.

At an early age, Katherine perfected her "retreat" skills. She had somehow created seven alters to go to bat for her at various points in her life. They were different ages and two of the alters were male. One of her male alters, "Michael," was described as an ISH, or Inner Self Helper. It is Michael who ironically helps Katherine to bring her other alters together. Liz and Me-Liz were twin alters who coped with pain. The Liz personality was the weakest, so Katherine's other alters conducted a "meeting" and banished her.

It is through a painful divorce, losing custody of her twin daughters and her 1965 Dodge Coronet that Katherine finally confronts her condition. Her soldierly efforts with her therapist prove fruitful and ironically, it is Michael (perhaps he was named after the Archangel, known for his protection against evil and a brave warrior) who really brings the healing process together.

The book's title, "Katherine, It's Time" has been shortened to "Kit," the name the author currently uses.