This entire series is basically a dissertation on humanity's relationship with the rest of the natural world.

The historic town of Eagle, Alaska, is literally at the end of the road, over a hundred miles of rugged gravel Taylor Highway from the Alaska Highway. Nonetheless, it is a major destination for tourists who brave the road, or who come down the Yukon River from Dawson City, due to its wonderful museum, historic buildings and artifacts, and outstanding guided tours.

Elva Scott of the Eagle Historic Society & Museum has presented a collection of essays about the history of Eagle and the pioneers who built it. Here you can read about Erwin (Nimrod) Robertson, the only man who ever ate a grizzly bear with its own teeth, and Judge James Wickersham who brought law and order to the lawless frontier.

A must-read for anyone interested in history.

Jewel: Undercover Cop is absolutely a GOOD book to read. It is action-packed and filled with suspense and rather quite risque. This book is so good that you will not be able to put it down because there is never a dull moment. When you get to the very first page of the book, that's when then the action begins and that's when you become totally involved. I highly reccommend this book for those who want to read a really good action-packed thriller. Genia Fogelson, the author, really put her "Foot" in this one!

I can't believe no one is publishing this duology (with A Child of Elvish) right now. I had to search all over in used bookstores before I was able to find it. Does that tell me that it's really good because no one wants to part with it or that it's no good and I can't find it because there aren't many copies around?

Personally, I really enjoyed it. The first third or so was a little weakly written, but then Miss Berberick found her stride. Vivid characters, an exciting plot, and just enough hints about a mystery here and there to keep the reader engaged. I found it very difficult to put this book down at night. I would recommend this to any of my fantasy reading friends, but good luck finding a copy.

This edition of "Jewels of Gwahlur," well illustrated by Dean Morrissey, is part of a wonderful series published by Donald M. Grant of deluxe, hardcover editions of Robert E. Howard's original Conan stories. The present volume includes the title story, which first appeared in "Weird Tales" in 1935, and the story fragment titled "Snout in the Dark" which first saw print in 1969 in a rewritten version in the paperback "Conan of Cimmeria" (part of that Lancer series that first introduced so many, me included, to the works of REH). In "Jewels of Gwahlur," a good, exciting story, Conan is a mercenary soldier in Keshan searching for the "Teeth of Gwahlur," the treasure of the lost city of Alkmeenon. Conan fights and overcomes several perils, both natural and supernatural, and in the end finds that some things are more valuable that a casket of jewels. Pretty smart guy, that Conan. I certainly hope that Donald M. Grant has some more Conan books in the works, 11 have been printed so far which means that about 2 or 3 would complete the set. Hopefully someone will also reprint the original stories in paperback (without the "pastiches," thank you) so that a whole new generation of young readers will have a chance to read this great stuff. It is incredible to think that REH's Conan stories have been out of print in paperback for almost twenty years while all kind of modern hack produces one poorly written ripoff novel after another.

A well written guide to QE II's elaborate collection of precious stones. Comes complete with her family tree as a reference, which you may find handy to refer to as the author traces back how most of the pieces came to the Queen through her ancestors. Many pictures, however, there are almost as many of Queen Mary as there are of Queen Elizabeth II! I especially liked the way it was discussed how some older pieces have been taken apart, reset, and reconfigured to make them do duty in the 20th and 21st centuries. A very well researched book that any royal watcher will enjoy. I would love to see the author devote a publication to the jewelry (real and paste) of the late Princess of Wales.

Obeyesekere's translations of these classical Sinhalese Buddist literary works provide English-speaking readers with an eye into Buddhism as it is taught and enjoyed by "everyday" Buddhists in Sri Lanka. These stories are rich, complex, funny, sad, and more. They teach Buddhist doctrines more concretely than abtruse philosophical texts by using parabolic and experiential narratives. Though they were once written in classical Sinhala prose, her translation enables the contemporary reader to get a feel for the efficacious style of the original stories. One cannot help but feel that the stories speak well to our experiences in contemporary America, even though this is not a Buddhist culture. Though these and other religious stories must compete with secular novels, TV, radio, and other technological media, they remain popular in modern Sri Lanka. This collection of translations allows non-Sri Lankans to share in their delightful tales and messages, as well.

The Jewels of Warwick is a hard-to-put-down, fast-paced, dynamic, character-driven novel with a sound historical base and wonderful descriptive passages. However it is the strength of the "Jewels" - Topaz and Amythyst Plantagenet - that shines through the drama, intrigue, and love lives of these remarkable women. The authenticity of dress, manner, and historical events gave added interest to this many-faceted and multi-splendored depiction of court life in England during the early years of the 16th century.

In her book,Journey Through a Jewel, Sheryl Jansma has combined several themes that are sure to appeal to most adolescents. First, there is adventure. Take a whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with Cadie, the 17 year old main character. Next, add the innocence and angst of a budding teen romance. Ultimately, the author uses these sub-central plots to reveal the novel's primary theme; scientific vs. theological inquiry. Cadie's "journey," both physically and spiritually, is one that should keep the reader's interest and provoke thought.

I have to admit that after going to the Moon and rescuing his friend Chang in Tibet, the stay at home Tintin adventure "I Gioielli della Castafiore" ("The Castafiore Emerald") is relatively tame. It begins with Tintin and Captain Haddock out for a walk and discovering a band of gypsies camped near the rubbish dump. This offends the good captain, who offers the gypsies the use of a large meadow near his hall. However, no good deed goes unpunished and he receives a telegram announcing the imminent arrival of Bianca Castafiore, the Milanese Nightingale. Meanwhile, the broken step on the front staircase earns Haddock a badly sprained ankle and the opportunity to roll around the adventure in a wheelchair. The diva and her entourage then descend upon the hall, literally adding insult to injury by giving the captain the gift of a parrot.

As Castafiore repeatedly points out, she has brought along her jewels, including an emerald given the signora by the Maharajah of Gopal. The gypsy fortuneteller had already predicted the theft of the jewels and we expect her prophecy to come true, even though Castafiore is constantly yelling about her jewels missing. But you know that sooner or later this is going to come to pass and then it will be up to our intrepid reporter to solve the case and save the day. Meanwhile, Captain Haddock's life continues to be a string of minor misfortunes and misunderstands thanks to Castafiore, Professor Girasole, the parrot, Thompson Dupont and Dupond, and the unwillingness of the local repairman to come out and fix that step.

"I Gioielli della Castafiore" derives its comedy from the clash of characters with Tintin staying out of the way for the most part. Of course, by this time in the series Hergé is completely comfortable with his cast of characters, which shows in the interplay, although I admit the diva is not my cup of tea. I just happen to really like the way Hergé represents other lands, so having him stay around the captain's house just seems to me to be an interlude from the main adventures. Still, "The I Gioielli della Castafiore" is well worth the read Hergé does a delightful take on that new fangled invention, the television. Final Note: I like Hergé's quaint cover, with Castafiore singing for the cameras while a smiling Tintin reminds us to be quiet during the performance.