From 1941-71 Classics Illustrated comics introduced millions to abridged, comics-style version of literary masterpieces. Classics Illustrated tells of the birth of this popular medium, founded by Russian Jewish immigrant Kanter whose operations saw both the heyday and decline of the golden age of comics. The focuses on artists' creations is particularly involving.

The thing I appreciate most about this book is the soberness (with no lapses into pretentiousness or portentousness) the author brings to his subject. A survey of Classics Illustrated, to be sure, could have very easily elicited yet another visually engaging pretty-picture book saddled with a stridently jokey, throwaway text --ala Chronicle Books. We can be thankful that the tone here is intelligent, the level of detail scholarly, and very few, if any, stones are left unturned. The author has done all his homework, giving all known writers, editors, artists of the series coverage commensurate with their contribution.

This is a thoughtful, caring volume that is so much more than a tribute to a long-gone comic series, although it could be read as that too. One can't help but feel this is a primer on the way more books about popular culture really ought to be written.

About every five or ten years, when the nay sayers are about to bury Classics Illustrated again, they bloom from the earth like the Phoenix rising from the flames. And now, Willian B. Jones Jr has taken the baton for this decade, for this century, and brought new and exiciting joy to the legion of Classics Illustrated collectors. How much more new information is there to be found on the wonderful illustrated stories that Al Kanter first brought to us in Octover of 1941? The answer is that we will never know but we keep on finding more and more. We can speculate about Red Majic, Action Play Books, Red Projectors, Tatoos, Classics Boxes, Pen and Pencil sets and many other yet to be explored items of the Classics Illustreated lore. But here, Bill Jones has filled in a tremendous gap for all of the ages to enjoy. What a tremendous effort! What an overwhelmingly comprehensive peeling away of the darkness to open the lives and tribulations of anyone who ever picked up a pen, pencil or brush to bring us Classics Illustrated. As the acknowledged Father of Classics Illustrated collecting it brings unbrided joy to my heart to read and reread the wonderful stories that Bill weaves on every page about the men and women behind the comics we came to love as Classics Illustrated. His effort is now in a second printing and deserves many, many more. My Classics Illustrated collectors friends are buying this book whenever they can. It is a joyful six hour read to be then put aside and opened randomly again and again with refreshing illumination with every new opening. Buy this now! You will not see the likes of this ever again. Raymond S. True, Classic Comics Library

In the beginning, I sort of worried about Paulene Dawson and wondered would she ever get her guy. She didn't seem talkative or courageous enough to take a stand, but she proved that point not be the case when she went to Ben Drake's job and in so many words asked him out! This book kept me turning the pages and rooting for Paulene and Ben. The two hearts kept running into road blocks, but finally connected in the most heartwarming way! This review is to say, this book is worth the dime and worth the time. If you add it to your library you won't be disappointed. I wasn't and my aunt wasn't.

Readers out there, reading this novel will not be a waste of time. I decided to review this book after it was passed along by a friend, because I'm someone who really can't get into reading/or keep reading a book unless it holds my attention. This book will certainly hold your attention from page one to end. I found Paulene Dawson and Ben Drake to be very likeable characters that I could easily get into. At first I thought Paulene was a bit to child like and Ben a bit to standoffish, but connected they were powerfully touching as a couple. The story seem to lead you into the center of the book where you feel like you have walked into a place called paradise right along with Paulene Dawson and Ben Drake.

I have not yet read this entire book, but over the past few months I have used this book many times to help me learn facts about Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidg Dodgson) and I have always found it interesting and helpful. It could only be better if it were a larger work: perhaps it will be expanded to two volumes. This one volume doesn't touch on everything one might like: E.g., I would like to read more about Dodgson's mathemaical works and interests.

This book changed my life. Until my wife and I read it we were deeply unhappy and on the point of divorce. Her drinking was getting out of control and I had not been able to satisfy her natural desires for over a year. After reading Professor Ayres' researches on early christian sexual positions we have never looked back. Thank you, thank you, thank you Professor Ayres! You saved my marriage.

A delightful telling of Jones' life and his contributions to golf. Jones' career and his times are documented in powerful fashion. The pictures are amazing the scope and breath really are incredible. If you or your loved one love's golf this is the book for you. This one looks great on the coffee table and will have your guests wanting their own copy.

Are you a Lewis and Clark buff, just starting out? You've read "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose, and perhaps a couple other Lewis and Clark books. It's time to read the journals, but you are daunted by the thought of all that early 19th century wordiness, spelling and such?

Me too.

This book is great. It's just what it says it is. All the good stuff from Lewis and Clark's copious journals, all the highlights, well edited. The value of this book is as a starting place, perhaps. It's short enought to be read easily over a few days. Like all good introductions, then, if you want more you know where to look, and you'll now know what to expect. Landon Jones provides all the accessibility; Lewis and Clark still provide the wonder.

I liked this book very much because it sends me off to sleep when my dad reads it to me every nighttiem.

Kelley Jones should have gotten more recognition for his work in the wonderful world of Cthuluian lore. Here we have yet another adaptation of H.P.'s brainchild being meshed into popular culture, and Kelley doesn't simply give you yet another boring take we've seen a million times over. Anyone who likes their monsters loathsome, their heroes a bit deranged, and their works of art Lovecraftian will enjoy this. Even if you just like the horror take, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what Jones brings to the table.

This is a must read, must study book for any busines (profit or non-profit) looking for national exposure. What is most unique is that it gives useful tools that can be implemented by virtually anyone who works for the organization. This kind of empowerment is necessary in today's business. People need to feel a sense of connectedness and importance where work is concerned. This book makes that possible by giving employees the opportunity to elect themselves as miniature PR managers of their companies. Using these skills can add a new demension to your value as an employee--ultimately making you indepensible to an employer even during times of downsizing.

Great book. JD Jones is an authority in guns and cartridges. This is an excellent book.