I picked up the Fleet series as a lark, but now it has me hooked. Book 3 continues an excellent storyline that pits a fragile alliance of humans and aliens against the ravenous Khalia, who are threatening to enslave the entire human race (and have already enslaved quite a few other races). The book in simply a series of short mostly military sci-fi stories. At the end of each story, there is an interlude which kinda a larger more ongoing story in and of itself. While the interludes are a bit lacking in book 3 ( I found them quite amusing in the first 2) The level of writing in book 3 is second to none. Robert Scheckley, Janet Morris, Gary Gygax, heck, I didn't even know Janny Wurts wrote sci-fi(check out her Empire Series with Raymond Feist- AWESOME) And the way the stories intermingle, Mr Drake, you have outdone yourself. Book 1 was just a series of stories that kinda went together, and really needed the brief interludes to introduce you to a new subject.The new stories of book 3 blend together for an entertaining and engaging read. Not only that, many of the same authors have returned to the series and continue the storylines of a whole host of interesting, unique characters. There is a reason I am ordering these books used. They are in 2 words : That Good. I simply wish they were still in print. If you can find them BUY THEM

I want to read the book!

In this fine volume, David Boucher and Andrew Vincent introduce the reader to the thought of seven major British idealists: Thomas Hill Green, Francis Herbert Bradley, Bernard Bosanquet, David Ritchie, Henry Jones, Robin George Collingwood, and Michael Oakeshott. And they do it by approaching these seminal philosophers through their political theories.

It's a good book on a subject on which there aren't too many good books. Another one in its class is William Sweet's _Idealism and Rights_, which is also excellent but specifically devoted to Bosanquet.

The two of them more or less take turns -- Vincent writing on Green, Bradley, and Bosanquet, and Boucher writing on Ritchie, Collingwood, and Oakeshott, and the two working together on Jones (on whom they've cowritten an earlier book). Each is a respected scholar in this field; each is a reliable guide and expositor.

This focus on political theory strikes me as a good idea. For one thing, it gives the reader new to idealism a way to get a handle on these philosophers. For another, it makes clear that the British idealists really _did_ have social issues in mind and _weren't_ just philosophizing in a vacuum. For a third thing, the range of political opinions represented here makes clear that metaphysical idealism doesn't, in and of itself, commit anyone to any particular political theory or outlook (a lesson that needs to be learned by some present-day libertarians who think Hegelian metaphysics is a recipe for totalitarianism).

These two gentlemen write clearly and well. Oh, they misspell the last name of my favorite philosopher Brand Blanshard -- as "Blanchard" -- but that's not as unusual as it probably should be, and I forgive them. At any rate, the exposition is sound and thorough, and each of their subjects is placed in his proper historical and philosophical context; Bradley, for example, is discussed largely in relation to Henry Sidgwick. And they are not, let's say, subjected to any undue reverence; we meet them warts and all.

It's well done. I recommend it to any reader who wants to learn more about idealist philosophy in general and British idealism in particular.

This is an awesome play in its original form. Originally seen in London's West End winning 2 olivier awards, this is a spellbinding play that sets a pitch that is carried forward til the dramatic climax at the end.

Lets hope that this play makes it to broadway sometime soon.

Overall - a great read and some great scenes to play for actors who want powerful emotionally charged material.

Buy it!!

John Lyly's satires are brilliant works of drama not frequently read by the lay public. The characters ring true and set in context Shakespeare's comedies that followed. Most academics study these plays as precursors of the great bard's, but they are vital, humorous dramas that are worthy of attention in their own right.

"The Cassell Dictionary of Regrettable Quotations" is one of the most enjoyable books I've seen in many months. I almost thought originality had vanished. Throughout its pages, every quotation has relevance in history, arts, music, world events--you name it. Some of them are absolutely hilarious, as well as unbelievable. One famous radio personality in 1936 is quoted as having said, "Television won't matter in your lifetime or mine." Also, regarding the Beatles, one record executive in 1964 said, "We don't think they'll do anything in this market." After Elvis' first public performance at the Grand Ol Opry in 1954, one producer told him, "Listen, son, you ain't goin' nowhere. You'd better go back to drivin' a truck." Ha! What shortsightedness! What lack of vision!

That's just the beginning. Emperor Joseph II said of Mozart, "Far too noisy, my dear Mozart. Far too many notes." In 1955, one vacuum cleaner manufacturer claimed, "Nuclear-powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality within 10 years." (!!!) From artists to nuclear power to space travel, there are also many quotations from our favorite targets, politicians, best among the terrible gems of bad English coming from Dan Quale--over two pages! "If you give a person a fish, they'll fish for a day." What?! Especially amusing, and quite a treat, are total misstatements about the end of the world, and sometimes what those people said after their predictions didn't happen. "I think the world is going to blow up in seven years, and I think during that seven years they're entitled to have a good time," a famous magazine publisher said in 1960. There are also regrettable quotations about famous authors, newspaper goofs and the dangerous, but nevertheless entertaining, verbal blunders made which are neatly categorized as race relations, women and men. I particularly liked what the "experts" said about flying and airplanes, "not having one molecule of faith other than in ballooning": Lord Kelvin, 1896. "Aerial flight is one of that class of problems with which man will never have to cope": Simon Newcomb, 1903. No one is spared the embarrassment and humiliation that came from their own mouths! Not only is the book fun to read, it also provides as a general refresher of education.

This is really good reading, as I found it difficult to put the book down--one quality that is becoming more rare these days, in the age of copycats. You get your money's worth with David Milsted's book. Buy it today!

I am one of the authors represented in Centaurus, and obviously I'm biased to that extent.

All right...now that's out of the way, I honestly believe that this is one of the better science fiction anthologies around and that the authors whose work it contains are worth getting to know. Since the start of the 1990s, Australian science fiction has had a huge renaissance, with such writers as Greg Egan, Sean Williams and Sean McMullen becoming prominent internationally and others having success on a lesser scale, both at home and overseas. This book includes work from all the main Aussie writers of the past few decades, and includes some of their best pieces going back to the 1970s. Most of these are substantial stories - they are robust and gutsy, with some strong themes and characters. What's more, you won't find a better opportunity to sample good work by all the Australian writers in one place, and to judge for yourself what the fuss is about.

Rosen's work should be a classic. It looks at important works of English literature and shows clearly how ideas about men have evolved. I found this book very interesting and very helpful.

This is an excellent collection of poems by one of the often overlooked members of the the Inklings. Mr. Dodds' useful introduction and organization of these vibrant poems is very helpful, and it's too bad that this book will be read primarily by academics.