Michael Craft does an amazing job of charachter and place description. I feel that I know these charachters. And they are all quite likeable. As is the 2nd Claire Gray mystery. I found it to be better than the first with its twists and turns that keep one guessing to the end. I highly suggest you read this one!

Graham Greene, C. S. Lewis, and Tolkien are writers who divide their work between "serious" and "entertaining" literature. My time constraints are such that I normally limit my focus to the former category, which has already expanded beyond the reading capabilities of any mortal in the course of a single lifetime (thank goodness, the amount of guilt does not grow in proportion to the books remaining to be read). Books from the latter category, I've always consoled myself, are primarily escapist narratives that can be enjoyed equally, and certainly more efficiently, in the medium of film.

In spite of my principles, I found myself alone in a room with Michael Craft's "Desert Winter" and enough time to read the first page. Bad mistake--especially for addictive personalities such as mine. The theme of murder hits you in the first sentence with cinematic forcefulness, then quickly yields to a POV that would be impossible to capture in a movie: a Christmas ornament in the form of a meticulously described, watchful cherub blowing a trumpet. On whom? I immediately ask myself. The narrator plays with this motif through the end of the chapter, employing it in comical and suggestive ways that could never be translated to film. And the narrative, moreover, practically makes a case for its own integrity when, still in the first chapter, an allusion to "Laura," both the film classic and its literary antecedents, calls attention to the more realistic but also more obvious and less playful status of the film version.

By this point I'm hooked. Normally, reading for me is a form of "work," with chapter endings representing welcome respites. Not so this backstage mystery story. With its colorful cast of characters, sharply observed descriptions, and playful plotting, I found it hard not to get ahead of the author's game. My advice: Don't try to match wits with Claire Gray unless you're absolutely assured you have the self-discipline not to peek ahead.

This is the second novel in the Claire Gray Series. I really like this one better than the first book. Not to say that the first one is bad or anything. The first one is a first rate mystery novel as well. But the second one adds more depth and dimension. Read it! You'll love it as much as I do.

This is a must-have coffee table book for origami enthusiasts. The origami models are very impressive and inspirational. As someone just starting out with origami I am amazed by the awesome and complex forms that can be folded. I loved gazing at the Arizona hummingbirds, mushroom collection and pangolin (anteater). The variety of origami art from roses to rock crystal to a three-headed dragon and a chessboard with pieces is fabulous. Vincent Floderer's display case of life-like mushrooms is phenomenal.

Though this book is mostly a gallery of origami art there a few projects. Advanced students will enjoy challenging items such a bucky ball, paper airplane and mask. Beginning and Intermediate students should try the paper fastening flower and talking lips toy.

Information including the artist, size, paper used and some commentary accompanies each origami masterpiece. A resource guide, international organization list and artist directory is also included in the back. It's really nice that in many cases they tell you where you can find instructions (which book) for making the model. This book makes a great gift for any origami connoisseur.

When I first bought this book, my first thought was it was way too expensive but after going through the book, the only word that could describe it adequately was "WOW!".

It was certainly worth the money. I like it so much that I ordered another 2 more books.

Why? The photos are breath taking. Now it makes it very easy for me to answer what can you fold in origami. It makes it very easy for me to show that origami is not 'kid's stuff' but a serious art form. My additional copies will be brought to future origami exhibitions to show to visitors. I cannot bring the first one as it was signed by the author himself.

The depth and scope covered by the book shows the depth and scope of origami. Do not expect to learn origami through folding from the book. Expect to be brought spellbound into the beautiful world of origami.

It is definitely a collector's item.

Origamido profiles some of the finest origami art works from around the world, displaying four exhibits: animal/mineral/vegetable, play, form and function, and masks and figures. Modern pieces from a range of artists present a well-rounded presentation while instructions for the paper art pieces reveal the secrets beyond some of the most famous works.

The other reviews were right on the money. This book is a great find for someone that is looking to do some custom shades and/or curtains. Creativity has never been my strong suit. I am the type of person that moves into an apartment and keeps up the white blinds that are supplied. I buy curtains when necessary, but they are never "eye-catching". So when my husband and I decided to build our first house, I began to stress. I have not sewn since high school and I needed ideas. This book gave me that and more. The instructions are very thorough and easy to follow. The book also has great color pictures as well as fabric and color information. It is a great find for someone totally new to home design to a person that has been doing it for years. I think you will enjoy this book and find it is worth every penny.

This has been another great addition to my design library. There are fresh new looks and I can pick it up and find the perfect look for a client of many tastes. If you're looking for excitement in designs and photos - get this book.

I was trying to make Roman shades and none of the patterns or phamplets in the fabric store helped. I borrowed this book from a friend in PA and I just finished my shades. The directions were concise and easy to follow for any level seamstress. I have just ordered my own copy as I think I'll now tackle french pleated curtains for my newly refinished living room. With the help of this book, I'm pretty confident I can do it!!!

A "Must Have" for any serious Higgins collector. There is an almost overwhelming amount of information presented in a most organized manner. So many wonderful color photographs that I went into sensory overload. Loads of great, historical information and imagery. The only down side of the book is that the price guide is not representative of current market values but if looked at properly will still give you a good idea of how one pattern will relate to another in value. I wish other collectable genres had reference guides of this caliber.

This is truly a masterpiece of editing. The author has truly done an outstanding job. This is a MUST book for any serious Higgins collector as well as anyone who enjoys beautiful glass. The author is certainly to be commended for this one of a kind work.

If you want to collect Higgins glass, this book is an absolute must-have. The prices are outdated; with the recent death of Michael Higgins, I have seen pieces sell for double or triple the book's values. This is much more than a price guide, though. This book details the history of Higgins glass, their techniques, and how to identify what is and is not Higgins glass. There are several beautiful color pictures on almost every page, and I enjoy looking at them almost as much as I enjoy looking at the pieces in my collection.

Dave Frary makes adding scenery to your model railroad a fun project. You'll find simple ways to perform this and often uses materials found in or around your home. This book is a must for modelers. Highly recommended.

I'm a beginner model railroader and this book has been exceptionally helpful. It's absolutely full to the brim with brilliant advice and easy to follow techniques. Full of clear photos of unbelievably detailed scenes.

This is THE book for any type of model scenery even though its main focus is model railroading. I've used the techniques in the book and can say the materials are easy to come by, the techniques are tolerant of mistakes, and clean-up is easy; soap and water. Highly recommended!

Fantastically inspiring book. Made me drop it and make a unique piece of correspondence!

A must have for anyone who works with paper. More than just a project book, the Jacobs have put together a complete explanation of so many aspects of working with paper that no other book covers. The photographs and directions are easily understood explaining tools, paper types, basic measuring, cutting, folding and decorating paper. All the projects are very very creative and offer variations on the ideas. From the postcards to the notecards and envelopes this book is a great source of ideas and inspiration.

These folks have actually taught workshops to real people. You can tell. The directions and photos are accurate and easy to follow. The projects are the simple, open-ended kind that should get the creative juices flowing. No one should ever again send plain-Jane boring mail. Reuse, recycle, collage! Thank you, Creative Zone!

I cannot tell a lie. Along with Michael Badham, I wrote SAILORS' SECRETS. Aside from learning the tricky placement of the apostrophe (for "sailors'" to make it plural) in the title, the toughest part was "what to put in and what to leave out" after five years. We went after under-known gems of wisdom and expertise from sailors who had been there. We got them, by the boatload. It's a bit hard to use the index and/or the table of contents diasl up a particular reference. Maybe that's because, after five years of interviewing sailors, assembling biographies, doing illustrations, collecting permissions, and organizing the work into "commandments," for the average guy, I (we) found it hard to pour still more time into refining and cross-referencing our opus. Other than that , however, SAILORS'SECRETS has stood the test of thousands of readers and the passage of another five years with superior results and reviews. Trendy as sailing can be, our book hits the basics of racing, cruising and boat owning that aren't likely to go out of date.

I thought I knew a lot about sailing but this book is so jam packed with good ideas and tips that I've read it from cover to cover. The style is simple and the range of ideas comprehensive. If you have a sailor in your life, this is an excellent present.

This book povided us with many helpful sujestions and ideas on various subjects. It is great for the new-commer to sailing AND the experianced sailor. Recomended to anyone who is willing to improve!

This is a wonderful book, presenting a brilliant vibrant picture of a cultural movement and time, the Beats/Hippies, and a woman who embodied all the artistic and humanistic values in an incredibly pure form. To me, the book (and the woman) are inspiring in their dedication to the values of art, spontanaeity, love, and Zen naturalness. An invaluable read for women artists, especially, and also for artists in general, and people interested in a certain world view and life style.

I found this book to be captivating. I felt as though I was right along side her on her journeys. The eras she lived through were so richly detailed. She had so much hope and energy. I never wanted this book to end.

Diane di Prima is one of the most foremost and noteworthy female writers of the Beat generation and the 20th century. She has been affiliated with such writers as Jack Keroac, Allen Ginsburg and Robert Creeley. She wrote and inspired in a mans world bringing to life a new female perspective in the 1950's. She continues to write extraordinary poetry, essays, and amazing prose. Her writing style is original and still refreshing to read fifty years later. Diane in her latest book Recollections of My Life As a Woman : The New York Years, an autobiography, goes on to embrace all aspects of her life as a woman. It was an amazing book. I enjoyed it, and I think most will, even if your forte is not beat generation history. It's a good read for others who want to learn more about the beat generation, and it's a great book because of the excellent narrative, and the obvious love she has for writing as well as life it's self.

This is good for driving, or when cleaning house. It helps you to remember the little silver boxes that we give to others, and how it will put silver linings in our lives. A good purchase.