Seems like lots of people are doing the "King Arthur thing" nowadays; every time I visit the bookstore I see a few more novels about Arthur, or Guinevere, or even Mordred. But for me, the single best Arthurian novel out there, barring the "originals" like Mallory and company, is Rosemary Sutcliffe's "Sword at Sunset". The story is dark and compelling, the characters familiar from legend but fully- fleshed in their own right. It's hard to create a new story when the outcome is pre-determined; yet Sutcliffe accomplishes it. She goes back to the archaeological and historical evidence, and creates a vision of a Romano-British civilization desperately holding out against the inrushing barbarians, thirty years after the Roman Legions left Britain for the last time. There is no magic, no Merlin, no Round Table, no Excalibur; Artos is crowned Emperor by drunken soldiers after a battle. The glory of the story, such as it is, comes from the characters' determination, not from medieval trappings of castles and shining armor. Sutcliffe writes (wrote - she died last year) with a real sense of place and time: you smell the campfires and hear the clash of battle. It is this immediacy that makes the story utterly compelling and convincing. I am convinced that if Arthur existed, this is what his story must have been like.

This is the best story yet written on the Romano-British cavalryman and leader whose deeds gave rise to the legend of King Arthur. In the days of my youth Rosemary Sutcliff's fiction for children opened the wonderous world of the people of Roman Britain. Sword At Sunset is NOT A JUVENILE FICTION BOOK despite including characters and continuing a story line from an earlier novel: The Lantern Bearers. MS Sutcliff brilliantly weaves what little actual knowledge we have with fictional details in a manner that brings Arthur out of legend and into life.

The story is that of Arthur's struggle to lead the Britons, both Celtic and Roman, against the invading Saxons. It is the story of the warrior brotherhood known as his 'Companions' as they battle to preserve the light of the dregs of Roman civilization in Britain against the darkness of the barbarians who would destroy it. The battles are realistic and the reader practically feels the blood, sweat, fear and courage of the fighting men. It is also a story of love, loyalty, betrayal and a horrible unspeakable sin, the consequenses of which could destroy all that Arthur holds dear. The story includes realistic events that would seem to explain an archeological mystery of the era and other events that give rise to important elements of the medieval legend.

MS Sutcliff takes us through Arthur's challenges as he strives to mount his men on the horses of his dreams, which he believes are the key to victory against the foot-bound Saxons. We follow him as he meets and befriends the men who will be his sword brothers as well as his meeting with the lady he grows to love, Guenhemara. We see Arthur confront a ghost from his past whom he knows will try to destroy him and whom his own honor will not allow him to destory in turn.

As a soldier and historian I had always wanted to write a historical novel of the Arthur behind the legend. I would have no Camelot, no round table, no magic or knights in shining armor. It would be a story o!f a Dark Age warrior fighting a desperate battle to hold back the night. To my small dismay and my great enjoyment I found that the master story teller who woke my passion for history had already done so.

I have read both Mary Stewart's and Jack Whyte's books on the Arthur behind the legend and I have enjoyed them and highly recommend them. Because of it's realism, the historical and military research so obviously put into it and the 'historical feel' of the story, I enjoyed Sword At Sunset even better.

Rosemary Sutcliffe wrote her books long before 'Lord of the Rings' made sword-and-sorcery popular. Her books are short on the sorcery, but so much the better for that. The concentration is on the imaginative reconstruction of a lost period in the history of civilization. Hence, her books are true historical novels, not fantasy, and are more intellectually satisfying than most fantasy novels. In this book, the historical Arthur tells his own story from the death of his relative and leader, Ambrosius, to the final deadly battle at Camlann. It is not necessary to have read the prequel "The Lantern Bearers" (a great book in its own right, possibly even better than this). As usual, Sutcliffe succeeds admirably and this reconstruction is true to its own rules, making it a fascinating and difficult-to-put-down novel. Highly recommended.

I own this book, as well as others in the series. They are just great! My mom owns a Westie, perfectly named Duffy(he got the name before we new about the books), and the illustrator captures the essence of the Westie. Every picture is perfectly drawn to show the character of a Westie. I love the author as well. I have been a teacher and have always read Ms. Wells' books to my students and the McDuff series is loved by all. McDuff moves in is just a fun book to read and I recommend it to all ages.

I really enjoyed McDuff moves in. The illustrations are wonderful.. Only Westie owners could have done them so well. Any dog owner would enjoy this book. Its really not just for small children. I love the way its set in the past, looks like the 1940s to me.

I am a 2nd grader. My name is Ashleigh. I have been reading books by Rosemary Wells. My favorite book is McDUFF MOVES IN. I like this book because it makes me feel happy when McDuff finds a home.

As a long time user and fan of various incarnations of the Rider Waite Smith deck, I went looking for something different, but not radically different in a new deck. The Alchemical Tarot does depart from some of the familiar symbology, but in a very constructive and well-defined way. Nonetheless, this is a Tarot deck in the grand tradition.

The book: I came to this deck and book with almost no knowledge of alchemy, but as I sat reading the opening chapters, which give a concise, well-written overview of the long history of this art and its eventual integration with Tarot, I found many dissaparate elements I've picked up and drawn from coming together into a cohesive whole. For those who believe that Jung's collective unconcious is a good modern explanation of why Tarot works, this is a must read.

The deck: Again, WOW! Some of the images may look strange at first, but with a bit of insight into the rationale of the artist, they are rich, fresh, and inspiring. I look forward to meditating with them, and they should raise a few eyebrows in public readings, too.

I was drawn to this tarot after believing that I would never find a tarot that was right for me. Something about it interested me. Before finding it,I had no knowledge of Alchemy other than it involved something to do with turning metals into gold. This book gave me an insight into the true meaning of Alchemy, and showed how this can so easily be found in the tarot. I found that the meanings of the cards were enhanced by the reflections from Alchemy, and have provided an insight into the cards which I had not previously experienced. Although I would not recommend this set to the tarot beginner, it is well worth a read by the experienced tarot reader, or the Alchemist who is looking for a further way to refine experience as they seek the "philosopher's stone" within.

This deck is simply stunning--not just for the artwork, which is clear and classical and modern and surreal all at the same time--but also for the visual interpretations of the cards.

Generally, there is a flavor of classical alchemy, but I find that it does not overwhelm what is very much a TAROT deck.

I just find myself staring at the cards with their beautiful colors and mystery. In the context of a tarot reading, they sing.

Here is a great book for creative quilting techniques. I'm working on my second piece after reading. Although I do not construct garments, the techniques can be used in quilting making.

Rosemary Eichorn has written a comprehensive book on her fabric collage techniques. The book is organized and thorough and it's possible to make your own collages following her well-written instructions. Photos are also excellent.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have taken pleasure in this book many times and have used many of the techniques. Not only is the book beautiful, with many wonderful pictures, but it is a book that can be used over and over again. The inspirations I have had by looking at the pictures and reading the techniques in this book are not to be believed. Rosemary's concept that there are no mistakes, just new opportunities to be creative, encourages your spirit to roam free and sometimes with reckless abandon. I recommend you get this book and then enjoy the freedom to create your own masterpieces.

What a fun book! This handy guide to the ins and outs of Champagne is a must for anyone throwing a Champagne tasting, or having a party where they want to talk about this drink of celebrations.

First, the book is a pleasure to read. The lovely hand-drawn photos of grapes in baskets and vineyards go well with the calligraphy in the background. This is something to read by a window overlooking a garden, with of course a glass of Champagne in hand.

Ms. Zraly is well versed in her subject. She worked with the various Champagne firms for over twelve years, and it shows. She first goes through the history of Champagne, explains how only wines from Champagne France should be given that name, and goes through how the 35,000 hectares of land are strictly watched over.

The grapes in Champagne are typically Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The book goes through vintages, cuvees, and other terms. It lists the typical progress of a Champagne vineyard month by month. There are vintage charts, label reading instructions, fun quotes. And then there's more!

A series of delicious Champagne recipes help you further enjoy this fine bubbly, from the Champagne Lady's own files, from the owner of Spago, and many other luminaries. The book goes on to give party suggestions - how to plan a brunch, a cocktail party, a baby shower, you name it. It describes how to open Chamagne, and how it should be opened for you in a restaurant. There is even information on which houses make the most Champagne and what to do with the empty bottles!

A fine reference source and fun read for anyone interested Champagne - the sparkling wine that is present at most celebrations around the world.

A verbal tour of the champagne country...She leads us month by month, through a champagne year...In an amusing discussion of champagne styles, Zraly describes light-bodied wines as "Grace Kellys"...and full bodied wines as "Marilyn Monroes";it's all up front...A wonderful gift."

"Thanks for your very jolly Champagne book. I like the idea of the "Champagne Lady" enormously."

This was one of my favorite books when I was a little girl. In my early 20s, I somehow thought of this book and tried to find it again, but I couldn't remember the author's name or the title of the book. All I remembered were bunnies and a "disappearing bag." I am ordering this book right away. This book is a must for all children.

This charming little book has been an important part of our children's Christmas for 15 years. We have had to replace it several times due to loving wear. Now we give it regularly to friends young and old. A perfect story, gentle and understanding, for everyone who remembers being a little kid at Christmas.

From the first reading this book was an instant top of the bookshelf for my two sons,and then later my niece. It is simple, but somehow entertains the imagination magically. Just what does go on inside of that bag??? Even though the kids are now teenagers, they still argue over who truely owns "Morris". This Christmas all three "kids" will receive their own copy, but mom is keeping the orignal hardback version!

This is a complete and compact travel journal, loaded with travel tips, space for recording absolutely everything, great packing lists for all kinds of trips. What I didn't like was the out-dated calendars (1999 and 2000) on the inside front and back covers--some help that is. I purchased four journals at once, all different, to use as gifts. This was the most expensive, and I probably would have returned it except that our trip is less than 2 weeks away!

The to-do lists made planning my trip so much easier, plus the journal was great for jotting down places I didn't have time to visit. When I take my return trip, your Travel Organizer & Journal will make a great reference!

I haven't kept a travel journal before and I found it very useful in helping to remember things. Each day was so full of activity that they tended to blur into one great trip, so the book helps to tie down certain events to specific days and locations. It will be especially helpful to me when I finally get around to writing my article on the trip. I have two overseas speaking engagements this year to give a slide presentations and talks on the visit to aquarium societies, so the book will also be useful in compiling notes for the talks.

If you like sorrow, action, and adventure, you will love the book The Lantern Bearers. It is one of many great historical fiction books by Rosemary Sutcliff. This is a wonderful book about Aquila, a man in the Middle Ages, who fights alongside Ambrosis, the prince of Britain.
There were many different settings in The Lantern Bearers. They were all in Britain during the Anglo-Saxon period like Ullasfjord with its harsh winters, and Arfon with its beautiful mountains. Some of these settings put me "in the book". For example, when Aquila was in Ullasfjord, I could almost feel the blizzards!
I liked some parts of this book more than others. In some parts of the book it is a little too slow. I liked the book because most parts are exciting, like when Aquila gets married. Also it is descriptive: the author describes the characters well, like the detail of the dolphin on Aquila's shoulder. You may or may not like this book, but you will still want to read it again!

Although the third book in the trilogy about the family with the dolphin ring, The Lantern Bearers is maybe for more mature readers.
(Notice I said more mature, NOT older.) One of the things I love most about this book is that, even though it is sad, the sadness is REAL, not Romeo-and-Juliet type, with a tragic ending. The ending is not exactly hopeful about the future of England, but Aquila has finally found inner peace. However, the middle, in which Aquila is a slave of the Jutes (not Saxons, that's just what the British called all the invaders), and when he- oops! Don't want to give away the story!- is very bitter, and that's why it's perhaps for MORE MATURE readers. This book is one of Rosemary Sutcliff's best.

I am an avid adult reader of Arthurian legends. I read this book after hearing it is a prequel to The Sword at Sunset, also by Rosemary Sutcliff, and I loved it. I am captivated by the romance and chivalry of this passionate era in our history - and also by the great battle scenes as described by the better authors of this legend (Bernard Cornwell in particular). This book kept my adult interest and made me more anxious than ever to get to The Sword of Sunset...a continuation of the story line in The Lantern Bearers where a young Artos is introduced to us - and by the end of the book can be recognized as the great King Arthur to come.

RAPTURE IN MOONLIGHT is the sequel to Rosemary Laurey's WALK IN MOONLIGHT, and the second book in the "Moonlight" trilogy (MYSTERY IN MOONLIGHT coming in 2002).

Kit Marlowe and his lover Dixie LePage (WALK IN MOONLIGHT) have settled in Ohio. Dixie, a fledgling vampire, has a greater need for her native soil to realize the full extent of her powers. The pair have settled in the German Village section of Columbus where Dixie runs a novelty shop called The Vampire Emporium and Kit tries to keep crime to a minimum.

Gwyltha, head of their vampire colony, has sent their friend, Justin Corvus to the states to work out territorial arrangements for them with the leader of an established New World Colony, Vlad Tepes (Dracula). Although happy to see his friends once more, Justin doesn't relish the task. Vlad had stolen Gwyltha from him many years ago. Centuries later, Justin had still not gotten over the loss. Still he will do anything for Kit and Dixie.

Covering for Dixie in her shop, Justine meets Stella Schwartz who is window shopping with her son. She has more trouble than she needs already. Single mother to eight-year-old Sam, she works for a dry cleaner, barely making ends meet. They live in a crime-ridden neighborhood thanks to her mother, a habitual criminal whose house Stella's promised to watch until her release from jail. The last thing she needs is to fall in love with a handsome Brit Doctor who is just visiting. Sam needs stability in his life.

One look at Stella and all thoughts of lost love fled Justin's mind. This is a woman he could spend eternity with. However she is mortal and doesn't even believe in vampires. He too knows that an affair would be short-lived, but somehow convinces himself that a small dalliance would be mutually beneficial.

It would seem that the attraction is too hard for either of them to resist. Before long Stella and Sam are firmly entrenched in Justin's heart and vice versa. By becoming their self appointed protector, he runs afoul of the neighborhood hoodlums. When Stella falls prey to their vengeance, Justin's rage knows no bounds.

Unfortunately his colony had set strict limits on vampire justice and Justin had helped establish those rules. Breaking them carries the sentence of banishment from the colony. Interfering with human conflicts is a big no-no. His friends vow to support him, but Justin anticipating the outcome of the trial, makes plans for the care of his loved ones which don't include him.

Vampires converge in Ohio while Justin awaits sentencing by Gwyltha's tribunal. Meanwhile, her lover Vlad has asked him for an enormous favor which could mean trouble for all of them. Vlad has acquired a pair of young and beautiful female ghouls whose minds have been erased by their creator. He wants Justin's New World colony to adopt them as Gwyltha has forbidden the making of ghouls. Neither Vlad, nor Justin want to raise her ire. Dixie has other ideas though, and when Dixie's on a crusade look out! For her part Stella has no intentions of letting Justin be railroaded out of town, even if she has to face down the queen vampire herself. Double trouble!

Enter Tom Kyd (also a former Elizabethan playwright and third member of the old boys vampire trio), who arrives with the tribunal. Like Kit he has every intention of supporting his friend Justin. Tom is the colony's computer expert and is the one they turn to for forged ID, etc.. Tom is smitten with the ghoul who has taken the name Angela, and becomes determined to ferret out her identity. This sets the stage for book three: MYSTERY IN MOONLIGHT.

RAPTURE IN MOONLIGHT continues Ms. Laurey's tradition of providing strong independent heroines and passionate heroes whose protective streaks may be a mile wide, but who are also loyal, loving and supportive. Ms. Laurey has a knack for weaving human reality into her fantasy, whether it be 16th century writers caught up in the politics of their times, or a modern day single mother struggling to make ends meet in an unsavory environment, allowing readers to relate to her characters while drawing them into the realm of the vampire.

Leslie Tramposch - PNR Reviews

Rosemary Laurey has done it again. Rapture in Moonlight, the sequel to Walk in Moonlight, is a thoroughly delightful read. In Walk in Moonlight, Dixie LePaige, a spunky, modern all American woman, meets and of course falls in love with Kit Marlowe, an Englishman, who was once a contemporary of William Shakespeare. To save her from death, he transforms her into a vampire. Rapture in Moonlight finds the two of them living in German Town, Ohio and running a bookstore and gift shop called the Vampire Emporium. While visiting them, their friend and fellow vampire, Justin Corvus, is smitten by attractive Stella Schwartz. Though he knows it is unwise to become involved with a mortal, especially one with an eight-year-old son, he can't help himself as he finds himself wanting to help and protect the struggling single mom and her engaging son. But Stella has her pride and is unwilling to accept his charity, which makes her all the more attractive and Justin finds himself falling madly in love with her. There is always something interesting happening in this fast paced book filled with interesting characters. I look forward to meeting them again, when Mystery in Moonlight is published in 2002...

Justin Corvus once was a regimental surgeon in the ninth Roman Legion Hispania, but now has a medical practice in modern day England. He is also a millennium old master vampire who has come to German village in Columbus, Ohio to meet with his old friend Kit Marlowe and his wife Dixie. Justin also has to negotiate territory for the New World vampire colony with Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Dracula.

While playing shopkeeper in Dixie's shop, he meets the beautiful mortal woman Stella and her eight-year-old son Sam. In the very first moments of their first meeting, both feel an electrical attraction to one another. At first Justin is not going to pursue her beyond the time he is to return home but circumstance force him to turn her into a vampire. Even when she makes the adjustment, they have heavy-duty problems to work out if they mean to spend eternity together.

Fans of romance and the supernatural will love RAPTURE IN MOONLIGHT, the fantastic sequel to the Prism award winning WALK IN MOONLIGHT. The vampires of ROSEMARY Laurey's creation are urbane, witty and easy to fall in love with. Their mates are their equals in every way, which makes for some amusing "discussions" when one doesn't agree with the others. Ms. Laurey is a talent that should be on every vampire fan's "must read" list.

Harriet Klausner

This author was recommended by a website. The writing is understandable with enough of the "feel" for you to ease into books with more weight. I liked the layout which gives each hexagram two facing pages. There is a line-by-line "translation" along with a commentary & a judgment. There is a concise historical background of China and the I Ching- absolutely vital to me as an American with no prior knowledge. The authors' view, as stated in the introduction, of the Wilhelm/Baynes translation is "a faithful rendition of the Confucian interpretation as seen through Christian eyes, and reveals little of the I Ching's original meaning" which probably means you won't like this translation if you follow a Confucian philosophy & the Ten Wings annotation.

One can predict the orbit of Moon with great accuracy - that is the realm of physics, and the first author IS a physicist of considerable repute and distinction. But when it comes to predicting the future in a given human situation, one is left with no widely-accepted way, or a theory. Yet, as the authors recoganize, it remains a human need. Whether nature meets this need, or not, cannot be deciphered by majority opinion. One must experiment with a theory, and see if the theory works. It is in that spirit that this "I Ching" comes to us from the Kerson and Rosemary Huang. The authors have done away with the "ten wings" and added a much smaller wing of their own to some extent. The authors provide the minimal, though sufficient, historical background that is necessary, and here very helpful, to understand and use this ancient tool, this ancient Chineese work called "I Ching," of predicting possibilities in a given human situation. Whether this ancient chineese craft works, or not, must be decided by each individual. Carl Jung apparently used "I Ching," along with night dreams and visions of his subjects ("patients"), to gain knowledge of the relevant human factors and possible actions - or inactions - as suggested by the combination of these diverse elements of the subjective life. For a western reader the question remains: are there information-carrying currents in the universe that can affect seemingly random events, and if yes, does "I Ching" act as an antena to these currents? Experiment, and decide. Huangs' have brought a three-thousand old craft to us in a way that, I think, carries certain poetry of its own, and on the way tell us of how nature may know the left from right and what part "I Ching" played in one physics office at Princeton - where Kerson Hunag was a postdoc then, and C. N. Yang a physicist, a few months away from his Nobel Prize with T. D. Lee.

The Problem with the I Ching is that you can't tell which version to buy without reading the actual text from the book, which you can not do over the computer. You actually need to go to a physical store and compare the different translations of the I-Ching and see which version suits you best, BUT THIS VERSION IS THE BEST. Its the one I bought after going to the store and reading and comparing the other versions.

The text is so much more readable and understandable than the other versions of the I-Ching they sell. It at times seems like someone who knows what you are doing is talking to you when you ask a question and then read the text from this book. Its not a jumble of confusion like the other versions. That is what made me buy the book.

Other versions of the I- Ching have lines that can not be understood, and didn't seem to realate to the question i asked. Every line of text in this book is clear to read, understand and I could usually just read the sentences and know how they related to the question I asked. That is not always true with the I ching. When the sentences in the other I-ching books don't make sense you have to figure them out before you can even apply them to your question. That does not happen with this book. It reads like someone is "talking" to you. The sentences just make sense.

Also, there is a very easy to undersand chart in the back of the book on how to form a hexagram some books leave this out or the chart is difficult to understand. In summary this book makes the I- Ching understandable.