Only on the surface is this "futuristic idealism". Linda Grant De Pauw tells us about a society that is inhuman and racist to the core. This space opera is way above average, expertly written, with surprises on every single page, great characters and filled with suspense. Excellent! I'm waiting for the sequel.

After reading this book, I put it on the list for my English students to read. It is well written, captivating and when you are done, you want more. I eagerly await the promised sequel. We need more fiction like this.

This novel is set in a time when women participate not only in combat command but also actively as grunts, Marines, gunners and sailors. Gender has no bearing.

Lt. Maggie Steele is the newly assigned line officer to the HMS Lafayette, a dreadnought with a crew of 5000, led by six line officers and two med/life support officers. The crew, some veteran, some pressed into service are of two species: those from Earth and the "Colonials," hominid aliens that differ in two respects from Earthlings. They have no voice boxes and cannot speak, but they can communicate telepathically. De Pauw describes life aboard the futuristic ship (punishments, regulations, food, religion, quarantine, navigation, inoculations, discipline, liberty and the presence of Marines) with an eye for nautical detail and an ear for dialog that is neither sexist nor obscene but conveys the passion of military personnel.

Due to a horrific mistake by the young officer on duty on Christmas Eve, the bridge is invaded by pirates. Dr. Parker, one of the med/life support officers , is a Colonial and telepathically she finds out from the captain's steward about the carnage occuring above decks. Lt. Steele had just left the officers' party to come down to the dispensary and hears the graphic story from the doctor.

Steele devises a plan of action to retake the ship. Then, as the only line officer aboard, must perform the duties of captain, navigator, engine room officer, hold a trial and execute the pirates, make plans to refuel the ship, calculate the Lafayette's position, plot a course to the nearest base (over a year's travel away), command the crew, hold inspections, supervise drills, and make decisions.

Baptism of Fire holds your attention with its descriptive scenarios and futuristic idealism. It is a book for anyone who likes a good adventure

"Masks" and "Tao" are my personal favourites both because of their intelligence and beauty, something hard to find together.
Masks is a disturbing and compelling tale of identity while the eastern quest of 'Tao' fits Batman's spiritual history quite well.

One of my favorite Batman graphic novels! I especially liked "Sanctum" and "Masks", both of which stand on their own as excellent Batman stories ("Sanctum" gave me chills!). The artwork is all first rate, too, making this one a winner on all counts!

I first read "Masks" one of the several stories featured in this excellent collection when I was a kid and it's haunting, dark imagery, has not ceased to entertain me. As well as the above mentioned story, Batman: Dark Legends also has a tale about Batmans first encounter with the Joker, which is one of the greatest Batman stories in print buy this book now, you'll treasure it forever! Peace.

This book provides non-profit executives with a very practical approach to making their organizations more successful financially and more relevant to their audiences. I have advised many non-profits on a range of issues, and I am envious of Grace's admonition to "put away the tin cup." That's one of the truest, most important things that today's non-profit leaders could hear.

Many fundraising books show you the mechanics of fundraising. Ms. Sprinkel does that, but more importantly, she shows the reader how to approach fundraising with the proper mindset. Gone is the "tin cup" mentality. Instead, she advocates that we approach fundraising with an investment mindset.

Having set the stage with her philosophical approach to fundraising, Ms. Grace proceeds to walk the reader through the different stages of fundraising, including annual and capital campaigns.

I used the information in this book to assist the development team at my children's school with a capital campaign. We trained a number of people in the art of fundraising and went on to raise the money needed for a new building. While I won't give Ms. Grace all the credit, I can say with confidence that the advice she dispenses is clearly written and very effective.

Defining the difference between fund-raising and donor development was an eye-opener. In a non-profit world that is increasingly competitive for the donor dollar, Ms. Grace offers a powerfully different approach. Of particular interest was reference to values-based mission statements. Something from which every fund-raising organization can learn

Excellent reading. Anyone from the lower 48 who has dreams about Alaska should read this book, it will give you a small insight about the Athabaskan's. Who are a giving people once they know and trust you.

This is a wonderful book - I read it in two days because it is so engrossing, I could scarcely put it down. Written by an Athabaskan woman, raised to hate the Inupiat (eskimos), it is a very honest rendering of Athabaskan culture from the last century - honest because it tells life like it was (miscarriages, women treated as propery, intertribal hatred, harshness of life, etc.), and honest because Wallis (an Athabaskan) is also honest about her own anti-eskimo upbringing in that the main characters in this story are Athabaskan, and the "villians" of the story are eskimo. However, this story goes so far beyond any kind of mere race-based narrative. The story is, truly, about what it means to be a person with dreams and a distinct calling in a society that does not honor difference: Bird Girl is a girl who prefers to hunt and run and be active (not a sewer and cook like women are "supposed" to be), and the Man Who Followed the Sun is a boy who has an intense wanderlust and need to explore new areas and learn new thing (and not interested in taking a wife, having a family, or living by the strict community-based rules of his tribe). I am a person who has long followed my own path, and although my path does not include having to hunt carribou or face death from spear impalation, Wallis's writing, and the story, is such that anyone who is a wanderer/explorer/creative will identify with the characters, and feel refreshed and thankful that someone understands them. I feel much better after having read this - not just because I am fascinated with Athabaskan, eskimo, and Tlingit culture, and wish I could live in that fashion for a year, but I feel better having someone write about what it means to be a wanderer/explorer; to whit, that one must leave one's family, leave's one home, and basically give up a very comfortable (but to me very stagnant and unwholesome) social setting, and carve out one's own niche - but to be a wanderer/explorer means, of course, that one's life will be mostly lonely and often filled with the scorn of others who do not understand, who do not comprehend that some people are called to be more than mere worker-bees for the sake of the "stability" of a society.

You, as a reader, will also benefit from the maps, pictures, and historical background that is also included in this book, which will hopefully also help people to realize that cultures like the native Alaskans (and any other culture that doesn't have TV, flush toilets, aluminum siding, strip malls, microwavable food, press-on-nails, or other "civilized" accoutrements) are, in fact, human, and human on a scale that few people who own a housefull of mass-produced paraphernalia that they don't need.

Mostly, though, as I stated before, Wallis has a tremendous sense of prose. Her wtriting is very immediate and unadorned. Many would call it "simplistic", but it is the kind of "simplistic" that is almost impossible to do well - very much like Asimov's writing in that regard. Few authors can manage to write so tightly and without excess and still write damn well, and Wallis is absolutely one of them.

Wallis, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your book, for your sharing, for the culture that raised you, and for your honesty.

I loved this book. It gave me a whole new sense of well being. Thank you Velma Wallis.

Grant lays out a good basic introduction to why Christians should be involved in the public policy process. Those who are long-time activists already familiar with why they are involved might look elsewhere, but for those wanting an introduction to the basic principles will find everything they need here. This could also be a great book for a Bible study group.

It is truly awful that this book is on the "special order" list: every Christian should be required to read it. George Grant is truly one of the finest scholars of our time, and his insights into what Christian political activism really means are both timely and on-target. There is hardly a better book available on the topic.

Quite a few books in the series... and all worth the money. Not for the blind who enjoy being blind... only for the open minded person!

I've read many books and only a few gave me that sense of urgency on reading it twice. Coal is at the top of my list when it comes to action, history, and pure adventure when reading a fictional book. I encourage everyone to read this work of art Jason Grant put together; I read this book once and I yearn to read it again and again!!

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE TO READ, THE BOOK CAPTURES YOU FROM BEGINNING TO END. IT'S SO REAL THAT YOU ARE ACTUALLY THERE WITH THEM.

This book reads extremely well from front to back. Lanquage as well as the story flows smoothly. Full of action and vigilante type justice which was par for the course at the time of the story. The main character in the book was described so vivdedly, and his life from a small boy to a man goes along unimpeded. This is one that should have made the big screen in Hollywood. I probably will read it several more times.

I have been collecting Harrison Fisher illustrated prints and bookplates for about 10 years now.

Ms. Welch compiles so much of Harrison Fisher's work in this volume.
This book begins with a biography which has the most information I have read about him anywhere. Good quality materials are used; this is a large artbook with full-color illustrations printed on glossy, thick paper. Most, if not all, of Harrison Fisher's Cosmopolitan and Ladies Home Journal magazine covers are pictured here.

Each artbook has its own section that includes detailed publishing and printing information and is followed by the illustrations presented in the order in which they appear in the artbooks. Differences in first and second printings are discussed. Ms. Welch includes insets of Harrison Fisher's signed artbook contracts.
Various collectibles featuring Fisher's artwork are pictured accompanied by a value guide in the back of the book. Please note that postcards of Harrison Fisher's illustrations are shown in another of Naomi Welch's works.

Thorough reference source and great collector's item on Harrison Fisher and his illustrations. Would love to see more reference books in the future on Fisher. Hopefully, a biography will be published about him some day.

If you want to find out more about Harrison Fisher and his illustrations this book will give you wide exposure to his work.

A great book--comprehensive, great insights into the author's life, terrific color reproduction and sturdy binding so you can look at it again and again. A minor quibble is that I would have loved to have seen some of the magazine covers full page, but that was probably cost prohibitive. Somebody, please do a Harrison Fisher poster book!

Naomi Welch has done a beautiful job on "The Complete Works of Harrison Fisher Illustrator". I grew up with Harrison Fisher prints and dearly love them. Ms. Welch has certianly done her homework providing a well written history of Harrison Fisher and his works. The pictures are presented in a very loving manner with great detail. It is a must have for any Harrison Fisher collector! Beautiful!

This book is the most informative and best written book I have ever read on politics. It's filled with humor and candid comments about the United States Congress.

This book makes me nostalgic for the days when Members of Congress cooperated & got things accomplished. Great vignettes of Maggie! Very accurate rendition.

The year was 1970, President Nixon was still in office, however, an intern by the name of Eric Redman was on hand in the halls of Congress to witness the fascinating dance of legislation as The National Health Service Corps was attempting to be born. This book provides a personal account of the birth and struggles of the attempt to pass a piece of legislation from within the private confines of who was then the second most powerful United States Senator, Warren Magnuson from the State of Washington. While the names have changed, the struggle for a balance between power, influence, and social consciousness and survival remains the same. This book is as fantastic look behind the scenes of the most influential body of power on earth contains the essential ingredients today as a quarter of a century ago. It is a must read for anyone with an interest in political legislation and stands alone in its own right as a factual story that is as fascinating and compelling as any! fictional novel you will ever read.

What do you really need to do to get grants? Get thee a system! Not just any system: this one.

Proposal writing is science and art. The art part is writing; the science part is reserach, strategy, observation and painstaking work. Demystifying Grant Seeking is about the painstaking part, but the authors skillfully render the components in managable, sutainable portions palatable for the busiest of non-profit professionals. I always recommend it to my students and clients.

For anyone entering the realm of grant seeking for non profits - or seeking more effective ways to do their job - Demystifying Grant Seeking is a powerful tool. This book takes the reader through the steps of setting up a usable office, making matches between agencies and foundations, writing grant applications, evaluating the process and doing it all again, tighter, quicker, better. The authors use one agency as an example, taking their audience through the entire process. No question is left unanswered, and all questions are answered patiently, graciously, and in easily understood language. This book is a great resource.

This is a grant-seeking system that truly works: for a newcomer, an experienced proposal writer in a too-busy office, and anyone wanting to streamline his or her efforts while improving quality and consistency in proposal writing.

Good proposal writers know that much time is spent learning about the non-profit itself -- its history, programs and plans; sometimes helping to develop programs or shaping them to enhance the appeal to funders; and collecting information and support materials to satisfy the donor and dramatize the project. The authors' checklist is critical to solid internal research.

Chapters on collecting, developing and refreshing support materials and program, donor and grants management files have excellent ideas for simplifying work and improving the delivery of quality information.

Thank goodness the authors dispell myths that "all you need is one well-written proposal" and that "you need to 'know somone' to get a grant".

Successful proposal writing is serious business; this book helps you do it well.

It's a generous gift to those who work so hard on behalf of good causes. Read it and keep it.

Grant Hardy's collection of poems, some of which he translated from the Chinese, gave me comfort and perspective at a crucial time in my life; I read them in a hospital awaiting exploratory cardiac surgery. I had read many of the poets before, but only one of the poems, so there was a freshness to the experience. Mr. Hardy's biographical insights are printed on the same page as the poems, providing interesting connections between poet and poem. The experience led me to look back and forward on my life and prepared me for whatever the future held.

This collection shows that family relationships across the ages are not so different from what we have now. The way people can feel about their children, spouse or parents is one of those universal truths. The choice of poems and their arrangement flow beautifully together and express the idea shared human experience. This book can be appreciated by any generation. My mother loved it, I loved and so did my thirteen year-old-daughter. Once you start reading it you are pulled very willingly along to the end. The biographies of the poets are interesting and add another layer of depth to the poems.

This book is full of such sweet and simple thoughts about life. It made me cry sometimes and smile other times. The author's information about the poet made me feel more connected to these enduring poems. It's a fabulous read!