Like the companion volume, "The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction," "The Encyclopedia of Fantasy" tries to include everything within its thick volume. Finally, readers can find the name of every single book ever published by their favorite authors. This is not the kind of book one reads from cover-to-cover; the sheer staggering amount of detail alone would prevent any useful retention. Rather, it is the perfect playing ground for encyclopedia tag: pick a page, read a topic, then follow the bouncing references until you get hopelessly, wonderfully entangled in ideas and authors you've never encountered before! My only minor complaints are the too-brief biographies for the authors, and the occasional over-opinionated discussion of an author's works. But even then, the book sparks curiosity by leading a reader to want to know more about an author or idea. An excellent gift for readers who constantly have a fantasy novel in their hands (and for whom you're afraid to buy a book for fear they've already read it).

This wonderful book will give great enjoyment to anyone who loves fantasy. It is amazingly comprehensive, well-written, carefully edited and proofread, and as fair and objective as it's possible for such a book to be. In addition to the extensive coverage of authors (including those not known primarily for fantasy), it also includes a great deal of information on movies and TV. As an opera lover, I was delighted to find 24 pages on that topic. A few of the most curiosity-piquing entries are Cauldron of Story, Timeslips, Thinning, Recursive Fantasy, Rationalized Fantasy, Crosshatching, Into the Woods, Instauration Fantasy, Godgame, and Taproot Texts. Read this book to find out about all these and much, much more.

WARNING: THIS REVIEW IS ANECDOTAL

I had coveted this book for quite some time before I ordered my copy. Aside from being a longtime and irredeemable fantasy geek, I am also an English teacher at a small independent school, and our reference library has a copy. This fact has enabled me to waste many happy free periods rifling through the _Encyclopedia_ instead of, say, grading papers or thinking deep, serious thoughts about the state of pedagogy in America. But before you write me off as a disgrace to my profession, hear me out:

_The Encyclopedia of Fantasy_ is a remarkable book, and any time I have spent with it in lieu of more mundane tasks is time very well spent indeed. I can even justify this frivolous perusal academically, because what really makes the _Encyclopedia_ a great resource isn't so much its exhaustive listing of authors or titles (much of which information is available elsewhere anyway), but the fact that Clute et al. have managed to accomplish nothing less than a rigorous, consistent, and phenomenally well cross-referenced taxonomy and analytical vocabulary for fantasy. I know, I know, that sounds awfully dry, but it isn't.

I'm a word junkie, so I love learning apt new terms for things, especially if those nameless concepts have gone begging for far too long. When Clute coins the term "thinning" to describe any fantasy world that, over time, loses its magic [Middle-earth, anyone?], you cannot help (assuming you're an aficionado of the genre) but say to yourself, "Aha! Now I know what to call it!" Furthermore, the fact that this vocabulary is employed consistently throughout the _Encyclopedia_ allows for thematic and formal juxtapositions of specific works, combinations and comparisons that might not occur even to the serious fantasy buff. Who needs hypertext when you've got such meticulous cross-indexing?

I recently received an Amazon.com gift certificate from thoughtful in-laws, and decided that even though I have access to a copy at school, I had to have an _Encyclopedia of Fantasy_ at home, both for reference while reading/writing and for couch-sprawl browsing.

I splurged and bought the $75.00 hardback. I had a hunch it would get a lot of use, and I wanted it to last. Money very well spent, as far as I'm concerned, and if you're a fantasy partisan, a literary theory wonk, or just someone who gets off on thousands of pages of really, really small type, you'll probably agree.

I got this book because it said "Techniques" on it and I was hoping for techniques and how to draw Fantasy and Science Fiction. When I got the book in I opened it. All it was was words and thumnails. It was more like a guid book to Illustrators! No actual techniques just some artists saying stuf here and there. Reason why I give it 3 stars and not one is because it does have some cool pictures, without them this book would be nothing.

This is the book all aspiring fantasy artists should have on their shelves.

As well as having pictures of beautiful work, the book is full of useful and informative writing about techniques, materials, colours, and also has some good "brainstorming" projects. Incidentally, this is the book where I first heard of Mervyn Peake's "Gormenghast Trilogy". I did a painting of Gormenghast Castle, as it suggested in the book, and sold it for $100!

Sadly, work for fantasy artists is quite rare in Australia, especially in Brisbane. A lot of ordinary people won't take fantasy and science fiction seriously as an art form. I don't know if it's because of conservatism, or just plain lack of interest. Either way it's annoying. Many people associate it with "Star Trek" and brand it "kitsch" or "unoriginal".

Much of the fantasy art I do is of futuristic cities and post-apocalyptic scenes. Radioactive fallout gives me a good excuse for having bad figure work! The "Encyclopedia of Fantasy and Science Fiction Art Techniques" also dispels a lot of myths. For example: there's nothing wrong with using photographs! (As long as you own the copyright to it.) The book also proves that the computer is a valid art tool.

If you have a good imagination, this book is certainly worth having.

This is one of my all time favorites. It doesn't take the pencil out of your hand and draw for you, but it gives wonderful examples and descriptions of a variety of sci-fi and fantasy techniques. Sections include Body Language, Distortion of Form, Exaggeration, False Perspective, Human and Humanoid, Illusion of Space and Depth, Alien Landscapes, Lighting, Implausible and Impossible Structures, Juxtaposition. It's really a great book.

This was an interesting and intelligently written account of the life of a very strange but fascinating individual. It would be interesting, if he were alive today, to see if his lifestyle and thoughts would come across as acceptable and normal in todays world. He seemed to be a brave, athletic and intellectual person who may have been almost on the verge of some great magical and spiritual goals and discoveries, but never quite reaching those goals. Although some have labeled him 666 and the Beast, Crowley did not come across to me as being Beastly at all. He did strike me as being slightly insane, eccentric and very self absorbed. He started off in life with way too much time on his hands with his mind drifting off in too many directions in which most of us don't have the time or money to do; which does make his lifestyle difficult to relate to. The book seemed to drag on in places. His mountain climbing antics I found to be fascinating although stretched and drawn out. He was way out there; no doubt;... makes for interesting reading. Strange people are interesting to read about.

The notorious Aleister Crowley: The Beast 666. Magician, Mountaineer, Poet, Author, Gentleman, Entrepreneur, etc. etc. This book, written by the Beast himself, will unmask this Sphinx of a man. He will take you along on the ride of his life, from the boy growing up under religious lunacy to the man proclaiming the Word of his Aeon. I shall let Crowley himself be the guide to his story, urging you thereby to buy this book. Everybody should read this book, whether aspiring to the man or not. Between the lines of his life-story he covers his view on just about every subject, giving his candid, arrogant, yet astutely accurate foliage of human behavior. Only one person that I know of has ever dared to step so completely outside the collective consciousness (and folly) of the human race and observe it like his own little science-project, and that is the author of this book. And he will share it all with you, while joyfully always being the first to remind you that he is no less of a fool. All throughout, he invites you to relive his adventures of mountaineering, wordly travels, and Magick experimentation using the most exquisite use of language I have ever witnessed. This work is in no way the ramblings of a man hopelessly lost to drugs. If he truly was the Beast 666, then let me bow and give my sympathies unto Him, for the man who wrote this book was as true to himself and others as they come. If being this sincere and unfettered by hypocrisy is diabolic, then I am first in line to join that family! Sure, Crowley had his fix ideas, not all of them uncontroversial, but he always either admitted his prejustice or backed them up with lucid reasoning. Buy this book, read it once -or better, twice- and judge for yourself. For Do what Thou Wilt shall be the whole of the Law!

....striving for satiation,whatever the cost.What a crazy wild world our man Crowley inhabited.He lived during a time in history where occult forces marched to the drumbeat of adventure, manifest destiny,and spiritual revolution.
I first read this book back in 1970 and it forever changed my life.I've studied his cryptic books since then,but always found this "autohagiography" the most enjoyable.Take him anyway you want but understand that Crowley ranks up there as one of the most unusual eccentrics in history...one of the "old school" Occult adventurers from the turn of the century who actually DID what he thought he could DO...made himself "god" (no small feat folks). Sure he was looney(duh),but through all his aspects showed himself as literate, scientific, intelligent, witty, devilish, daring and absolutely aware of his ability to confound the world. He died in relative obscurity in a sterile boarding house room,alone except for the presence of an attendant nurse who said his last words exclaimed were "I am perplexed". This book can be read on several levels, fact or fiction.Take a ride with the Father of Lies and remember, PERDURABO! ("I shall endure unto the end for in the end there is naught to endure")

JLA Rock of Ages is easily the best comic book ever writen. Grant Morrison weaves an awesome story filled with "Fate of the Universe" type happenings. At first it is a little hard to grasp, but read it again and agian, it just gets better each time. When you put Grant Morrison and the JLA together it is a must buy. When you read some things may seem a little too cosmic to be relevent, and time travel can get a little bewildering, but if you read JLA World War Three you will instantly understand just what Grant Morrison (Adam One) was talking about. If you only buy one comic book ever buy this one.

What can I say. I have never written a review..., let alone for a comic book. I was an avid Superhero fan as a kid, but gave it up for the joys of girls, sports, and alcohol as an adult. Luckily a few years ago I walked into a comic book store and found Grant Morrison's work. I mostly collected Vertigo, but when I found out that Grant was writing JLA, I thought I would give it a shot. AM I GLAD THAT I DID. His entire run was tremendous! I don't know how the book is now, that he has stopped writing it (I have always found Mark Waid rather boring...yes JLA got me back into Superheroes for a while, but I have dropped out since) The plotting, dialogue and action is terrific. Some points of the story may remind "old-school" comic book readers of the X-Men's "Days of Future Past", but it exceeds that story on every level. (Of course I am biased being deep in my heart a DC kid forever!) In this storyline and all others Mr. Morrison manages to find depth in these characters, and keep the story complex. May I just say that I wish Grant Morrison wrote my favorite childhood character, Batman, on a monthly basis for eternity! He writes the intrepid Batman-the mere mortal amongst giants- better than anyone!

This book is truely the best ever, as I said in my last review. I recently re-read this book, and I was blown away by it's amazing story line, brilliant characters, and superb illustration. I don't think that words can do this excellent book credit. If you only buy one thing ever, buy toilette paper, if you buy two things buy JLA ROCK OF AGES!

Without going into detail criticing the book, let me just say this: It is easy for people to take relatively ambiguous statements out of the Bible ("there will be wars and rumors of wars" is rather vague for one) and present them in a manner to prove your personal point. It is extremely easy for certain authors, such as these, to gather up a bunch of scary facts (like this is the only time the world has been a scary place), try to match them to the Bible, and then conclude the end of the world is near. I would argue that the reader should take into account what these authors say, but not take them seriously until they've found good reason. (For one, the notion of a one-world government the anti-christ will impose upon the world and use to attack Christians is always a favorite.... but not entirely founded in Scriptural reading either). If one remembers just one thing when reading this book, it should be that a good and truthful book does not have to use their evidence with the obvious intention of scaring you into their idea.

This book makes it frighteningly clear that the end of time is fast approaching. This book covers every insight ranging from the technological aspect (e.g.- TV, the Internet, etc.) to the Middle East struggles that continue as we speak. Without a doubt I recommend this book for anyone into studying prophecy. This book does get rather in depth, but is well-suited for those who have studied Revelation before. I fully recommend it.

This is an amazing book. It made me realzie that the end of the world is, in fact, upon us. I was not so wise two years ago, and I missed my ride on the spaceship with my fellow San Diegans, but this book has made me realize that I must now repent and save my soul before the world pays for its sins.

Based on a true story about Eastern's Flight 401 that crashed in the Everglades in 1972. The book covers not only technical aspects of an airplane disaster, but also covers the human side. Sightings of the pilot, Captain Bob Loft, and the flight engineer, Don Repo, on planes with recycled parts of the doomed, 401 flight are reported by respected airline crew members as well as passengers. Eastern, of course, denied all. But the author was able to speak with many individuals in the airline industry and came to believe what he was hearing. Whether you believe in the after-life or not, this book raised many questions that there's not always an answer too.

Very good book. I read it because I was supposed to be on this flight but for some unexplainable reason my mother (I was 3) decided to leave a day earlier.

This real-life supernatural incidint book is about an Eastern Airlines L-1011 crash in the Everglades in the early 70's. All cockpit crew was killed. Leter, two pilots from the crash start showing up on the plane. They often give info on a problem that may occur on the plane, and tells one of the flight crew. Information was gathered about many incidents happening on the Eastern planes. Eventually, enough informatin was gathered to ground the L-1011 Jumbo Jet

Mizlansky/Zilinsky sounds like it would be good. Nathan lane and Paul Sand are 2 well-respected actors who you'd think would create something to look forward to. But instead, the series is crude, rude, and very unfunny. Other then a few funny antics from Nathan Lane, including some lines, the show is very bland and leads to a road of nowhere.

Absolutely hilarious play, with great acting by a terrific cast. The plot is funny, and the dialogue is funnier. What made this very special for me was the format -- a "live" audio theater performance. It was like being on Broadway. A great experience.

The superb cast bringing Jon Baitz' dark comedy of sleazy Hollywood producer Davis Mizlansky and his problems with ex-spouses, colleagues, customers, and the IRS to life includes Nathan Lane, Paul Sand, Julie Kavner, Samantha, Harry Shearer, Richard Masur; Rob Morrow, Grant Shaud, Kurtwood Smith, and Robert Walden. Ably directed by Ron West, this superbly produced, 106 minute, two cassette unabridged comedy was recorded before a live audience and offers a terrific listening experience enhanced with a full course of sound effects. Mizlansky/Zilinsky will prove a popular and entertaining addition to any personal, drama school, or community library audiobook/audioplay collection.

If you want to see Batman fight Judge Dredd, you'll find this book disappointing (unless you think a three- or four-panel scuffle constitutes as "fight"). You'll also find this book disappointing if you're hoping to see Batman and Judge Dredd team up, because they don't. Instead, Batman teams up with Anderson to go after Judge Death, who has teamed up, rather randomly I think, with the Scarecrow (surely the Scarecrow and Judge Fear would have been a more logical combination?) It's not an activally bad comic, but it's certainly not a great one.

It's crime fighting time when Judge Dredd and Batman take on each other!It's even better than Batman Forever!Highly recommended!

I've read all of the stories in this Batman TPB, and while the Bat-Mite and Poison Ivy tales are OK, the first tale, "Blades" by Robinson and Sale, is spectacular. If you're a fan of "Starman" or anything else by Robinson, buy this quick. If you like great storytelling and great art by Sale, buy this quick!

I especially liked the story with Bat-Mite! HE is so cute and funny. "Hothouse" is a little confusing though, but I think I pretty mush got it down.

As a huge Grant Morrison fan, it really saddens me to have to say this: "JLA: New World Order" is nothing special. I think that the poor quality of the stories from the preceding JLA creative team made Morrison's arrival on the title seem much better than it actually was. The best thing I can say about it is that he keeps things going at a brisk pace.

Howard Porter's art is a distorted "super-heroic" comic art style more at home in a 90's X-Men book (maybe that's a plus for some readers); it just doesn't seem right to me for DC flagship characters.

Morrison seems to have fun writing Batman, Superman, Flash and Green Lantern in this storyline, but doesn't seems to have grip on the rest of the team. Aquaman, Wonder Woman and the Martian Manhunter's characterizations are utterly generic and interchangeable.

My real problem here though is with Morrison's plot and storytelling. I love his work on Animal Man and Doom Patrol; both proving he has an extraordinary talent for injecting fresh plots and intelligence into the superhero genre. Here I swear to you it reads like he's doing comics by the numbers, simply earning the paycheck without going beyond the minimum requirements for the job.

I haven't read any of the subsequent Morrison JLA stories, although I'm sure I will eventually. Here's hoping he decided to start writing up to his own highly enjoyable standards later in the run.

In this new take on the original story of the JLA, writer Grant Morrison describes the battle with the alien hyperclan that forged the union of seven of earth's greatest heroes...well...he fails to please...

The story is fast paced but the characters have ghostly roles that lack depth & the power to attract. Superman has grown his hair in a silly style, WonderWoman is as always abscent from the actual events...Aquaman & the Martian Manhunter are denied their distinctive introvert qualities...The Flash is supporting cast & the Green Lantern is a casual bystander. Only Batman shines in a good plot & his actions are drawn to make a difference.

Morrison offered the JLA some decent stories later on but this is not the way I like to remember the start of the team... the enormously superior JLA: Year One is so breath-taking it renders Morisson's tale(& its lame artwork) rather artificial...

May be necessary if you are a completist & wants to have all the issues of the JLA...I can't find any other reason for having it...

For several years, DC Comics allowed one of their most venerable and hallowed team books to languish. JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA, the last comic to tell the stories of DC's premiere super team, had become populated by castoffs, also-rans and never-will super heroes who would do much better sitting in the back issue bins than they would on the racks posing as Earth's mightiest defenders.

Now, in JLA, DC has brought back the core seven: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter. Most of whom comprised the original Justice League way back in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28 in the early Silver Age of Comics.

Avant-garde comics writer, Grant Morrison takes the helm in this new JLA series and begins his run of wild, over-the-top, blockbuster epics featuring DC's mightiest. I don't want to spoil the secrets of this first tale, but suffice it to say there are some great twists and turns in the story. Morrison draws the reader in by pitting our heroes against a menace that seemingly can't be beaten because the public at large doesn't WANT them to!

Anyone who's ever wanted to fly like Superman, worn a bath towel around his neck to play Batman or loved the DC heroes in any way shape or form will love this book. Morrison has an uncanny ability to pull the reader's strings with these characters. You find yourself rooting for them uncontrollably as they face down a menace that only THEY can see and understand even in the face of widespread disdain by the public. They're heroes because they choose to be. Not because of the fame or fortune, but because it's in their very being.

Howard Porter, while not my favorite artist by any stretch of the imagination, is good at visually telling Morrison's epic story and great at conveying the personalities of each and every JLAer. If you missed out on this series when it came out, here's a cheap way to get the back issues (they're getting more expensive by the day!) and read one heckuva terrific comic story.