This collection of stories is worthy of Bruce Coville's name on the cover. I loved all of the stories, especially "The Fourth Wish." I recommend it to anyone that loves fantasy and magic, like I do! As usual, Bruce Coville has outdone himself.

I absolutly fell in love with this book. The only story I didn't like was "Winwood Rose" and that was only because it made me too sad. "The Fourth Wish" was both thought provoking and thoughtful. And when I need hope I read "Visions," "The Wonderworm," or "Phoenix Farm." Bruce Coville's own stories, "Wizard's Boy" and "Watch Out!" are very cool. It makes you think. I adore this book.

This book is yet one of my most favorites. The detailing of this fine writen book makes you actually not want to put it down once you start to read it. The movie is wonderful, but the book takes you to the next level that the movie leaves out.

So if you are a person who craves more detailing in an action and adventure, this is the book for you. No lie, you will not be disapointed. Take my word for it.

I was pleasantly surprised that the author took the time to talk about his childhood and family. I just don't think over 100 pages at the beginning was necessary. Yawn! It read like a reader's digest story. The author spends a great deal of time linking every little mishap in Boyington's life to his drinking. Yes, discussion of his drinking is necessary and important, just don't make it the theme of the book. The details and discussion of his missions were dry and almost surgical in nature. If I wanted that I would read a military report. No passion or flavor. However, the Boyington quote at the end of the prologue or intro to the book could make a grown man cry. For people who did not like Boyington's Black Sheep book because of it is bragging and strecthed stories you would really like this book. The author does cut threw alot of the B.S. tall tales and backs his conclusions up. However, I can not recommend this book due to its over-emphasis on the drinking, the dry writing style and lack of passion.

Pappy Boyington is one of the most memorable pilots of World War II. But as he famously said: "Show me a hero, and I'll show you a bum." He did the best to prove his own maxim.

As a member of the Flying Tigers of Burma and China, he was credited with two Japanese aircraft shot down, but left early and in such disfavor that he got a "dishonorable discharge" from its commander, Claire Chennault. He then re-joined the Marines and proceeded to build an unorthodox fighter squadron--the Black Sheep--with many similarities to the Tigers, with himself playing the role of Chennault. Shot down, he was awarded the Medal of Honor while serving time in two of Japan's most notorious prisons. He emerged alive at the end of the war, claiming to have accounted for enough Japanese planes on his final day to make him the leading USMC ace of World War II.

It's a fascinating story, but Bruce Gamble goes beyond the war record to show us the boy growing up in a troubled family and following his seemingly doomed path to alcoholism and brawling and a troubled marriage of his own. Boyington's checkered career postwar is equally compelling. You feel sorry for him, angry at him, and in awe of him as one of the great shooters of all time.

This is a brilliant book and an important one, and it belongs on the shelf of anyone with an interest in World War II aviation.

In this bio. of Greg 'Pappy' Boyington, the author adds so much to previous books. Through painstaking research, he covers aspects of Boyington's youth, early USMC career, and later life that I hadn't read before. Certainly not in Boyington's self-serving (but fascinating & enjoyable) Baa Baa Black Sheep, not in Gamble's previous book on the Black Sheep squadron.

I found persuasive the author's analysis of Boyington claims for aerial credits. (Wonder if the USMC would? I doubt it, debunking Medal of Honor winners probably isn't real high on the Corps' list of priorities.)

But this book equally conveys Boyington's combat leadership, and the reverence his men felt for him

Definitely a good book to learn ebXML and its role in the Web services world. Don't worry if you are not familiar with technologies such as SOAP, or UDDI, the book covers it all.

The first section begin with an introduction to ebXML and modeling techniques, followed by the introduction to SOAP. The next five sections go in great detail with topics such as BPSS, ebXML registries/repositories, UDDI, ebXML Messaging, Security and so on.

Overall, covers ebXML nicely.