No one with a serious interest in the history of Sufism can now afford to avoid ESSAYS ON ISLAMIC PIETY & MYSTICISM, a magnificent collection of essays upon the history and nature of Sufism. Meier's studies are on par with the legendary work of Massignon with a fantastic grasp of detail and a sympathetic insight into the nature of mystical praxis.

The Swiss Scholar Fritz Meier (1912-1998) was one of the principal Islamicists of the twentieth century. His publications have been mostly in German and until this publication have suffered the fate of not being accessible to scholars unfamiliar with the language. Meier's entire oeuvre combines expert philological method and precision of thought, a deep-felt and penetrating textual interpretation, and a extensive acquaintance with primary sources that is unusual and even astounding. Among the numerous fields in which he has initiated original research, Persian poetry and Islamic mysticism (Sufism) in the widest sense stand out in particular. His work on Sufism covers the whole of the Islamic world and Islamic history from its beginnings up to the twentieth century. Also available in English is his study of the warrior Abu Sa Id-I Abu L-Hayr. Because his works have been written in German, whole debates on subjects concerning Sufism that have taken place in Anglo-American academic circles, which to their own loss have not taken account of Meier's often pioneering points of view. The translation s presented here are offered to remedy this situation. The translator provides for the first time a translation of fifteen of Fritz Meier's seminal articles. The selected articles deal with the history of Sufism; Sufi morals and practices such as dhikr and sama; the historical development of the master disciple relationship; Ibn Taymiyya's attitude toward Sufism; pious devotional practices such as making use of the tasliya; essential sources for the history of Sufism in the Maghreb and the Almoravids. Extensive indices will facilitate the use of this epoch making work. The translations were reviewed by the author before his death and bibliographies have in many cases have been updated. Anyone with an interest in the golden age of Sufism will find this work a treasure throve of mystical practice and historical rigor, mixed with astute psychological insight. Meier's usual working method is to present a showcase of evidence from primary sources and to accompany this with extensive comparisons and nuanced elucidation. And although each essay focuses on a exact subject or traces a particular development, Meier frequently adds remarks and judgments which go additionally afield, particularly on matters to do with general themes within Sufism. This propensity makes it difficult to paraphrase his work without betraying its individual distinguishing qualities.

This is another comprehensive worldbook from SJ Games. It's designed for GURPS, but it could be used by ANYONE wanting to design an Egypt-based RPG. In fact, it should be useful to fiction writers wishing to set fiction in ancient Egypt--just throw out the game statistics and use the chapters on history and culture.

It's in chapters such as these that SJGames supplements shine. A richness of detail backed by solid research put at the fingertips of any GM the basic and not-so-basic knowledge that turn a generic adventure into a vivid, fulfilling story set against a rich backdrop.

Egypt is more than pyramids and mummies, and this book proves it. You want to know about the historical rulers? The details of the religion--and how it changed over time? The technologies we understand (and those we don't)? It's all here.

An egyptologist might find this book lacking; a gamer will probably find more than she needs.

Worth every penny.

I am a great fan of all "...for Beginners" books. Thanks to the great creative illustrations, they make something easy to understand without reducing the content's level of intelligence. Although this book cannot replace the actual Yi Jing (I Ching) text itself (which is at times rather cryptic), it serves a great easy-access starting point to the oracle that has outlived all others. There are also many useful resources online. My next step will be getting a copy of Wilhelm's German translation of the actual Yi Jing.

This book is kinda cute. The poses are creative and interesting, the costumes colorful and whimsical.

But this is not yoga. The introduction of this book states it plainly, contradicting the title -- but it bears repeating.

This book is great. It is clever and most of the puns hit their mark. At only 10 dollars this book is a deal.

This is a marvelous book for kids and adults, the poses, costumes, and photography are all absolutely stunning.

I had never owned any of the original issues in this collection (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #96-98 and 121-122), but I knew the story of Gwen Stacy's death. Gwen was the girlfriend of Spider-Man's alter ego, Peter Parker and had been a staple of this series since the mid-60's.

When writer Gerry Conway determined that he would kill her off, his intent was to show that in the life of a costumed adventurer like Spider-Man, nothing was certain. He felt that the readers needed a shock to wake them up. Nasty things can happen when insane super-villains are about and who's more insane than Spider-Man's archnemesis, the Green Goblin?

The Stan Lee-written drug stories (#96-98) are hokey and it's obvious Stan didn't know the first thing about drugs, but the publication of these issues was a seminal moment for modern comics. Long under the bootheel of the Comics Code Authority, Lee had to publish these three issues WITHOUT the code logo on the cover because of the drug content. He felt it was necessary to speak out against drug use and was willing to take a fairly considerable risk to do it.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #96-98 also lays the groundwork for what was to come. Harry Osborn, son of Norman Osborn (a.k.a., the Green Goblin), is addicted to drugs and gets on a bad LSD trip. Later, in #121, we find that Harry continues to have substance abuse problems. His father is livid and blames Harry's friends, including Peter. His rage drives him back into the role of the Goblin and the fateful climax atop the Brooklyn Bridge which would leave one long-time and much-beloved character dead and another forever changed.

The wonderful art of comic industry icons Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr., make this story a visual treat. Kane's drafting and storytelling prowess shines in this story.

Don't miss out on this story, one of the most involving, dramatic and poignant comic book tales to see print.

Since Spider-Man was such a gigantic hit at the box office, it seems everyone these days is a Spider-Man fan. Naturally anyone who never before knew anything about the Spider-Man universe or backstory is convinced Mary Jane was Spidey's number one love. Well, those same people should definitely consider checking this TPB out. Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #96-98 and #121-122 from the mid 1960's. Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker's first true love and was a staple of the series for years until this shocking (at the time) story was released. We begin with seeing Harry Osborn succombing to a drug addiction he can no longer control. This segment of the story was groundbreaking at the time considering Stan Lee wrote it without the approval of the Comic Code. Later on we see Harry's father Norman overcome with rage over his son's addictions, and he blames Harry's friends and wants revenge. Thus, the Green Goblin returns to seek his revenge on Peter Parker by taking what Pete holds most dear: Gwen. The story itself is very emotional and in its' day made a huge impact, even though the drug addiction theme may seem hokey today. The art by Gil Kane and John Romita, Sr. is among they're best (and they were and are still industry icons), and all in all this is one of the best stories in the Spider-Man universe and comics in general.

The Death of Gwen Stacey is one of the greatest comic book stories...EVER! Having been written over 20 years ago, the sheer power of this story still resonates with readers and comic continuity today.

What can be said? We have a powerful villain in the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn). We have a strong side story in the drug addled battles of Peter Parker's best friend, Harry Osborn. And we have what is possbily the finest hero-villain battle ever between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin on top of the George Washington Bridge.

Sure the title tells us that there is "Death". But the way the death unfolds...very powerful story-telling.

Whenever I think of Spider-Man, the motto "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" always comes to mind. Never more so than with this excellent storyline.

This answers the question, "When exactly did AMAZING SPIDER-MAN as a series go completely to HELL?" No-it WASN'T when John Romita stopped inking. It WASN'T when Gwen Stacy was murdered (which, after all these years, it turned out it was John Romita's...idea). And no-it WASN'T even when Stan Lee stopped writing "his" main character!!! NO!!! It was when GIL KANE started DRAWING the [darn] book, THAT'S when!!! Kane's people are UGLY, his anatomy is AWKWARD, and his storytelling has NO sense of fun or humor about it at ALL!!! Most of these I'd never read before, and I got the book mainly because it was a CHEAP way to fill these huge gaping holes in my Spidey collection. MY GOD!! Reading these is like watching the 6th season of HUNTER. Sure, Dee Dee McCall was still there, but the whole tone, balance and focus of the show had gone terribly astray, thanks to Fred Dryer's massive ego getting in the way.

There's a few issues with pure JOHN ROMITA art, which are a joy to behold compared to the rest. (Romita plotted "Vengeance In Viet Nam" all on his own, it was his big Milton Caniff tribute!) There's also a couple near the end which had Romita pencilling over layouts by JIM STARLIN! But overall, the tone of the series had gotten very dark, downbeat and pessimistic. In a word-- unbearable.

For anyone who'd wonder why I have NO interest in reading ANY new Spider-books ever again, here it is. I have BOXES of the stuff in my back room, and don't have the time for that right now-and that's the GOOD stuff! To me, there are 2 and ONLY 2 Spider-Man artists who matter-- Steve Ditko and John Romita. Everybody else is just wasting their time trying to fill their shoes. 30 years is a LONG time for a character to be living off his past reputation!

Volume 5 of the "Essential Spider-Man" covers the end of Stan Lee's run as the writer on his most famous comic creation. Lee wrote through issue #100, then Roy Thomas penned issues #101-104, Lee returned for issues #105-110, and then Gerry Conway (the man who killed off Gwen Stacy) became Spidey's scripter with issue #111. Spider-Man's artwork features some major revolving door action as well, with John Romita (Sr.) inking Gil Kane and then doing the pencils again, then Kane taking over with a different inker, then... (you get the idea). Anyhow, the cover is wrong because John Buscema does not do any of the artwork (brother Sal does some of the inking); it is Conway's name that should be there instead.

Anyhow, this volume includes several pivotal moments in Spider-Man's history: the death of Captain Stacy, the infamous Green Goblin/Harry Osborn on drugs trilogy where the comic did not receive Comics Code approval, and the 100th issue where Peter Parker decides to concoct a magic formula to take away his spider powers and ends up growing two extra sets of arms instead (talk about weird science, huh?). The Marvel tendency to try and be realistic pops up as well as Flash Thompson returns from Vietnam with a story to tell. There is a nice bookend effect to this volume, which begins and ends with Doctor Octopus. I know the Green Goblin is the most important of Spider-Man's villain (knowing Spider-Man's secret identity sort of makes that a moot point), but overall I think some of the best Spider-Man stories involve Doc Ock, and it is not just because of the similarities of their animal totems. Also includes in these issues are Spider-Man visiting Ka-Zar in the Savage Land and the first appearance of Morbius the Living Vampire (a character that I could never take seriously). But then there is the Gibbon, a "villain" so bad even Spider-Man laughs at him.

It looks like Volume 5 might be the last of the "Essential Spider-Man" series, although this is just a bad hunch on my part. After all, Stan Lee stopped writing the comic at this point and the key issues of what would be the next volume are currently available as "The Death of Gwen Stacy." I have to admit that I do not mind that these comics are in black & white; certainly this helps to keep this a remarkably inexpensive series and the strengths of some of these artists (most notably Steve Ditko) actually stand out more without the color being added. There is also something to be said for not having to take your comics out of their bags to read them (or for having to pay big bucks to go out and buy all these back issues). I am looking forward to picking up some more of the classic Marvel comics from the Sixties in this format.

My only complaint is that the book opens halfway through a continued comic with Spidey battling Dr. Octopus that should have included the comic just before. I actually haven't finished reading this yet because I have been enjoying it so much that I don't want it to end! I have read a chapter or two (monthly issue) each night. After just seeimg the movie SPIDER-MAN, I bought this on an impulse. I found it fascinating to see the "real" story as told by Stan Lee of how Peter Parker felt about Mary Jane (MJ), and there is an exciting battle with the Green Goblin that explains much about that character. In fact, even the first storyline of how Peter became Spider-Man is retold. What made me sad, however, was to realize that the movie messed up a wonderful opportunity of bringing these "classic" comics to life and instead followed a mediocre script that was inaccurate to the early comics. No wonder I hate how Hollywood retells historical events just for "entertainment value!" Still, these are fun and priced inexpensively.

...in a self-study regimen that costs a few hundred instead of thousands. I recommend this book as the first stage in self-study.

Go through this book chapter by chapter, one pass just reading and looking at the figures and diagrams, the next pass taking notes. There are only 10 or 15 review questions at the end of each chapter and no companion CD with test questions so just learn the material before moving on. The writing and layout makes that easy though, as this book is very clearly written and makes heavy use of figures and examples throughout to reinforce the concepts in each chapter.

Don't take the test yet though. After this nice introduction do the same thing with the Sybex/Todd Lammle CCNA Study Guide. Read it, then go back and really read it and take notes. You will find much-needed additional coverage of subnetting and CLI commands here, as well as an excellent sample test engine. Review your notes and really work this test engine before taking the real test.

Finally, the Cisco CCNA Study Guide by Wendal Odom is worth running through at least once just to work your way to the extensive sample questions and CD, but by now you should be more than ready for the test anyway so you could use it as a lookup resource alone if your eyes glaze over on some chapters.

Of course, get all the hands on experience you can. Touch it and feel it as much as possible. I have a friend who says he never really understood access lists until he held a router in his hands, but if you want to pass this test, just absorb a large percentage of what is in these three books and when you can pass the sample tests on the CDs consistently, go take the real test and pass.

The CCNA 2.0 test is hard but it wasn't all that tricky to me; it just covers a lot of ground. The ICND book goes over that ground quite well as a starting point to earning your CCNA certification. Even though I complained to myself about it costing too much compared to the other guides on the market, overall it is well worth the investment if you are just getting started and want to pass.

CCNA 2.0 training classes can cost thousands of dollars, but if you just invest a few hundred on books and some serious study time you can pass this test. You know you can, do it.

I am a beginner that has just step into the networking world of Cisco. With only some knowledge of networking I gained from MCSE and have absolutely no hands-on on Cisco product I passed the test in the first attempt with the help of this book.

I have to say this book really help a lot in my preparation for CCNA (I used to study in Sybex CCNA book, but I find that some of the information is incorrect and some and too shallow).

The book might be very difficult to digest, the author assumed you're quite knowledgeable on most of the networking concept and some area you need to read over and over to get the idea right.

Overall the book covers every single thing that you need to know to pass the exam, but be careful on some of the important point that is not emphasize enough and you might miss it if you're reading it only once. (I would advise you to read from cover to cover for at least 2 times and look at the Cisco command summary at end of every chapter a few times before the exam).

Although it has several minor problem, I would say no other CCNA book can beat this one and I am giving it a Full (5) stars!!!

This book is really great reading material and an excellent source of info for passing the exam. I passed my exam the first time I took it with the help of this book and Todd Lammle's.

The layout and the order of how the information was presented was very helpful in bringing me up to speed with Cisco technology. A++

Although one would expect Captain America to be be the spearhead in the 60s Marvel battles with Communism, there is only one story in this book with a Communist villain. For the most part, Cap is shown battling sinister organizations and remnants of the Nazis. And Battle he does, Kirby shows more kinetic energy in these stories than any of the other series he worked on. Perhaps it was the fact that his connection with Cap goes back to the 40s. Every story shines with drawings of Captain America flipping, jumping and slamming his way through battle after battle. And we get classic stories from the 60s-the Sleepers, Nazi superweapons programmed to arise in the 60s, The Cosmic Cube, the most powerful device in the universe. Add to this great villains like the Red Skull, Zemo, the Adaptoid and Modok. I only have one quibble with the book, the starkness of the black and white art does not allow us to see Cap is risking his neck to rescue a black Air Force pilot from Vietnam-the pilot is white here. In many pages, the Black Panther when out of costume is white. The only inkling we get that the greatest of the black superheroes is actually black comes because some of the pages had to be photocopied from actual comics. The Panther was a groundbreaking character in comics but his relevance is almost lost in this anthology.

Alright, let's clear the air as far as reviews go. Yes, this is a black and white book (ALL Marvel's "Essential" books are), and the print is only a little better than newspaper print, but it still won't smear easily and it's cheap. ...

I do have to knock off one star for the lack of color, but it's still a solid 4 star book for the sheer amount of material presented at such a low cost.

The collected stories are reprints of "Tales of Suspense", the book that featured Cap before he got his own title, from issue #59 (his first appearance in the series) to issue #99. At issue #100 the book was re-titled "Captain America", and issues 100, 101, and 102 are included as well.

Essential Captain America Vol. 2 picks up at issue #103 and runs up to issue #126. But before you criticize 40+ issues in volume 1 vs. 20+ issues in volume 2 , realize that "Tales of Suspense" was a book split between Cap and Iron Man. There may be half the issues in volume 2, but they're twice as long. It all balances out, really.

Just be careful what you expect vs. which volume you order since the same reviews post for both volumes.

The only problem (aside from the black and white that people love to moan about) is some of the writing doesn't hold up so well by today's standards. (Insert "Golly!" here. Or mention somebody in "deadly danger".) Although as long as you take into account the time period this was written in, it's just fine.

Including Avengers issue #4 would have been nice too, since it's Cap's first (true) appearance since WWII, but I guess there's always volumes of Essential Avengers... All things considered, if you want a full run of Cap's coninuity, this is the most financially responsible decision you can make.

I thought this book had some of the best Captain America comics ever! They had great stories of good vs. evil, with patriotic Cap in the lead, and fantastic artwork by the late great, Jack "The King" Kiby. The Red Skull is a featured bad guy quite a bit, and he makes for excellent opposition against Cap. Finally, I like the length of each individual comic in the book. 20 pages is too long, and I like the 12-page format used in all but 3 of the Cap comics. Buy and enjoy the Essential Captain America Volume 1, then buy Volume 2.

It's so hard to find a well-written, entertaining and funny book -- BEST ACTRESS is one of them. It moves fast and I was wishing for more after I completed its last page. BEST ACTRESS is "stupid fun" that's up there in entertainment value with books like Sparkle Hayter's mysteries, THE DEAD HOLLYWOOD MOM'S SOCIETY, Joe Keenan's BLUE HEAVEN & PUTTING ON THE RITZ, and a few others. Why is it so hard to find books that are this fun to read?

I was lucky enough to read an advance copy of this delightful first novel. Hysterical spoof of the Jackie Collins Hollywood cycle, following the amoral, hapless lives of the five nominees for Best Actress from the morning of the nominations through awards night. Well-paced and consistently funny, with hilarious plot twists and over-the-top intrigue. A grand romp with genuine laughs on every page. Pefect for plane or beach reading.

Move over Judith Krantz and Jackie Collins, there's a new boy in town and his name is John Kane. "Best Actress" is fun with a capital F. You need a beach read, this is it, but remember to wear your sunblock because you aren't leaving the beach until this book is finished. It is a whos-who of Hollywood. He drops star's names every chance he gets. Who is holding the gun? You don't know until the very end and I still didn't believe it. You will not be disappointed with this novel. If you love movies, the Oscar telecast and lots of sin, read "Best Actress".

I'm afraid the reviewer below is overly generous. The late Kane was an artist of extraordinary talent and intellect who unfortunately rarely showed his full potential. Thomas, too, is a fine writer, especially when one considers that he was a protoge of Stan "The Man" Lee. I don't know how the two of them came to collaborate on this project, but, whereas one might think they would have really gone to town (being freed from the absurd constraints of the technicolor long-johns genre), Kane's art is only pretty-good at best, and downright shoddy at worst. Thomas, too, seems to lose steam halfway through, and the excellent writing of the first issues gives way to writing which is merely adequate. Most disturbing in the art is the Barbie-and-Ken-type depiction of the gods and goddesses. The "monsters" seem drawn with much more passion and care. Perhaps Kane intended this ironically, since the gods and goddesses are largely contemptible, whereas the monsters have a certain sympathetic appeal. Having said all that, I still think this is far better than the huge majority of comics, and it is a must-have for anyone who is an admirer of either Kane or Thomas.

Unfortunately, one of the negative aftershocks that usually accompanies a towering, controversial work-of-art is the sheer amount of pretentious [stuff] written about it. Considering that Der Ring des Nibelungen is quite possibly the most stupendous artistic achievement ever devised by one single individual, please feel free to multiply the previous statement by twelve.

Here, however, we something refreshingly straightforward. The Ring's four operas are well-represented by Thomas' & Kane's comic-book format. The graphics are mostly well-done and the writing appropriately archaic-sounding.

Alberich, Mime, Fasolt & Fafner (giant version) are all drawn to be exceedingly gross, yet strangely sympathetic (this is especially true of Mime). Wotan looks like the most convincing 80-year-old bodybuilder you've ever seen, while Hagen & Hunding look truly menacing. Donner is a hybrid of Hercules & Thor, the Rhinemaidens seem to have lost their clothing somewhere downstream, and Brunnhilde is exquisite. Siegmund & Siegfried are regrettably a little too "Masters of the Universe," but Fafner (dragon version) is brilliant!

There's also an introduction written by the editor of "Opera News" basically giving the intellectual "all clear" for enjoying this format. Aside from the graphics, the book's primary appeal is making the somewhat convoluted story of the Ring accessible in one gulp. Therein lies the value of this volume: instead of daunting the reader with hundreds of pages of musical analysis & the presumed hidden meanings of the Ring, it unassumingly invites the reader to experience one of the greatest journeys in Western music.

In a major departure of theme, Comix Art God, Gil Kane took on no less than The Ring Cycle from Alberecht's theft of the Ring of Power all the way through The Immolation and downfall of The Gods. Only an artist as confident as Kane could have ever gotten away with such a gutsy move. He is aided by a fairly tight and concise rendering of the story by Roy Thomas, no slouch himself. The magic of this pairing is that Thomas clearly knows when to leave certain elements of the story to Kane and his visual mastery. Every panel is kinetic with movement and the art is far more mature as it ought to be. Below there are reviews with silly warnings about the nudity in these books as if you would give your five year old a story about a Hero (sigfried)having passionate relations with his sister(brunhilde)! Laughable. The Ring Cycle is a very adult story by nature and Kane/Thomas treat it with the respect that a story for thinking individuals deserves. If you were expecting GOODNIGHT MOON, you are on the wrong page pal. However, I think any kid old enough to watch Discovery Channel unsupervised could be trusted with this material. In fact, this rendering of the RING is far more comprehensible than a Cliff Notes version they will inevitably buy in Highschool and far more entertaining.

Sadly, with Kane's death a year ago, we will not be treated to any more of his insightful and original treatments of timeless material. If you only know his Superhero stuff, you really need this book and you must also track down a used copy of the now out of print BLACKMARK. Kane's THE RING is simply a treasure for the art, the way the art tells the story and the succinct summary of a complex and lengthy Literature Classic. Too bad he couldn't have also done WAR & PEACE since his version would have been much more interesting.