It's really a shame that this book is not currently being kept in print. This is one of those funny, heartwarming books that I find myself taking off the shelf every year or so.

James Kirkwood did a wonderful job of taking a seeming tragedy (the breakin of your home) and blending it with a series of life problems that places the main character in a total funk.

When the protagonist walks in during the apartment breakin, he's had it. Everything is wrong in his life and he goes over the top. Unafraid of the burglar, he ties him down to his kitchen counter and hold the burglar hostage.

The hysteria starts as he ties down the stripped down burglar and forces him to hear all of life's woes. The interchange is absolutely laugh out loud funny.

This great book will take you out of any slump you find yourself in. When things can't get much worse, maybe it's time to do some laughing! That's exactly the tonic for the main character, and it can be just as so for the reader.

Save this for a bad week! A wonderful anti-depressant!

Also highly recommended is James Kirkwood's "Good Times, Bad Times." A wonderful coming of age tale.

I agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by habs@safari.net about this incredible novel, which was originally written as a play. I found the book by accident about fifteen years ago while browsing the bookstore shelves--the title grabbed my attention, and the front cover blurb was irresistible: "It's New Year's Eve. Your best friend died in September, you've been robbed twice, your girl friend is leaving you, you've just lost your job... and the only one left to talk to is a gay burglar you've got tied up in the kitchen."

You will definitely laugh out loud while reading this book, but it's more than just funny. It's a moving story of friendship (as well as a revealing look at the human condition), with an excellent plot, believable characters, and clever dialogue. Kirkwood says in the introduction, "I believe the common denominator of the story's appeal is, quite simply, empathetic losership." Whenever I come across a copy in a used bookstore, I always buy it to give to someone else. That way, I never risk lending out my only copy, and it's always there on the shelf when I feel the need to read it again (which seems to be about every 2-3 years).

Regrettably, I've only read one other book by James Kirkwood, which I also highly recommend: "Some Kind of Hero." It was made into a movie with Richard Pryor, but the book was much better. (Kirkwood is also the co-author of the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line".)

It's wonderful to read reviews of Kirkwood's books and know that other people felt about his stories the way that I did when I first read them. I too 'lost' my (much taped and taped and taped) copy of this book (the fourth or fifth copy I had purchased, I might add!). This incredible author and his offbeat, engaging characters pulled me through some of the most difficult moments of my life and helped me to come out laughing and or crying (sometimes, both). I would have loved to have had the pleasure of meeting him. I connected with him so much through his books and characters. Mr. Kirkwood really had insight into what makes people tick...or, in this case, get ticked off! If anyone knows where I can get a copy, please email me! If anyone knows anyone who has a copy, please do yourself a tremendous favor and borrow this hilarious book. You won't regret it!

I've got a lot of BBQ books, maybe 40 or 50, and I would have to say this one has moved to the top of my list! Its got it all over the others. This book has "the vibe" its got soul, funk, rock and roll and some of the best damn barbecue recipes you'll ever come across. I'll have to settle for having to recreate the recipes as I am nowhere near this juke joint (but I am putting it on my BBQ Mecca list!)but just flipping thru the pages of this gaw-jus book I get a feeling like I can hear the music, smell the 'que and meet the characters that inhabit this place. Who says Dinosaurs are extinct! Chow time! Get cookin' get smokin! This is one 'Saur that Roars!

I bought Dinosaur's book not expecting much, given that it's "just" BBQ (forgive me) and that it's a restaurant cookbook (since books by professional chefs are often not feasible for home cooks to use, or else poorly written/edited/tested). I purchased it mostly because I'd been to the Syracuse restaurant, had a great time, and figured this book made a nice "souvenir" if nothing else. What a pleasant surprise: I've tried at least a dozen of the recipes (many more than once -- the real sign of a great cookbook) and all of them turned out wonderfully. And I'm not just talking BBQ -- I've made seafood, stews and braises, vegetables, and desserts from this book too. It's fun to read, and the instructions/layout are clear and comprehensive. A worthwhile purchase even for those who have never heard of the Dinosaur and have never set foot upstate.

WOW!!!! What can I say received the cookbook on monday and planned my trip to Syracuse today (friday). I'm a Syracuse native and on my trips back there it is quite rare for me not to eat every lunch and dinner at the Dinosaur. Like several of the other reviewers I'm a voracious cookbook hoarder and this book really stands out. It is absolutely my favorite bar-b-que book. It does a great job of capturing the funky vibe of the place and the recipes are unbeleivable, but you've realy got to go there.

I was learned of James "Nick" Rowe's book "FIVE YEARS TO FREEDOM" on the old Robert K. Dornan TV show in Los Angeles way back in the early 1970's. I bought it and read it back then. In Five Years to Freedom, James Rowe exemplefies all that is good in the American Soldier. All that is good in the Vietnam Vet. Courage, Honor, Duty, so absent today by our political leaders. I never knew or met Col. Rowe, but I felt after reading his book, that I was family. And I cried. When he was assinated in the P.I., I re-read it, and cried again. As a vet, I will miss Nick. GOD BLESS JAMES. This book is A MUST read for all student's of the Vietnam War, and should be read at the HIGHEST LEVELS OF OUR GOVERNMENT. WELCOME HOME NICK.

When I went to work for Nick Rowe in the spring of 1987 I could not Imagine the impact he would have on my life. He was the most caring , understanding man I have ever known. Nick Rowe's courage , integrity, and will to live are beyound question. This man was truly an American HERO without question.Read the book and if you don't think the same way millions of AMERICANS think, then you are not an american. The day Col.Nick Rowe was killed by a terrorist in the Phillipines I cried like a baby, as did every man, wife and child of every Special Forces Soldier I knew. Read this book and tell me there is no pride left in the Armed Forces and I'll KISS your A??

Nick Rowe relates in gruesome detail his five years in captivity by the Viet Cong. His feelings of betrayal by the anti-war movement and members of our government are poignantly detailed. His faith served him well. I first read this book when I had returned from Viet Nam where I served as an advisor in the area where Nick Rowe was held captive. He was a true hero who ultimately gave his life in the service of his country in the Phillipines.

This book is one of my all-time favorite space operas. I have read and reread it many, many times, wearing out serveral paperbacks.

The science of the story is unscientific (to put it mildly), but the book is a space opera, not science fiction.

Good versus evil, David versus Goliath; it has all of this, but it has more. Akin to the Xanth novels and the Myth novels it adds the tone of bewilderment. The hero never knows exactly what he is doing.

This draws the reader into closer empathy with Captain Pausert.

The author has demonstrated with his other works that he can write a true science fiction novel, so I feel that the unscientific, but delightful character of this novel was completely intended.

It is really unfortunate it remains in the "out of print", and "hard to find" catagory.

About 25 years ago I had a book dealer find me an original hardback first edition of this book. I treasure it, and frequently reread my well preserved paperback.

I hope these reviews of an unavailable book will encourage publishers to reissue the book before my copies wear out completely.

I stumbled across "The Witches of Karres" one day when browsing a local used bookstore. It was one of those times I was just looking for a good fantasy/science fiction book to read and enjoy. "The Witches of Karres" quickly surpassed far beyond what I had hoped to find. It quickly entered the ranks of those few books I have read which so far excel in enjoyment while offering an instant affinity for the characters, including an instant love for characters in the novel that "Witches of Karres" has become one of those unique novels I will always go back and read again. Goth, Pausert, the Leewit, the Sheewash Drive every bit ever piece of the story is so carefully woven together like a fine tapestry that you find yourself living within the story. You are a part of the action, of the travels to the Worm World, to Karres, you are on the ship with Pausert, Goth and the Leewit. Despite "The Witches of Karres" finishing second in the Hugo awards it truly was the book that deserved to win the Hugo that year, for having read the that years winner and "The Witches of Karres", "Witches" is by far the better book in my opinion. Several other reviewers have expressed the same regret I too hold, that it sad that Schmitz never published a sequel, though perhaps having this stand alone on it's own makes it all the more enjoyable and allows us to create our own sequels for the travels of Goth, the Leewit and Pausert. As one review has mentioned this idea, I agree that "The Witches of Karres" could be turned into a wonderful movie, however I would like to see whoever would turn this book into a movie do for the movie version of this book, what Peter Jackson has done for the Lord of the Rings, make the transformation from book to screen so flawless that no one has regrets that it was made into a movie.

A teacher of mine recommended this book to me in high school. It was out of print at the time, so she lent me her own copy. She told me that whenever she was feeling down, this book would cheer her up.

She was right. I've reread this book a half a dozen times in the 10 intervening years, and while it isn't necessarily, it is truly delightful. Captain Pausert's adventures with Goth are a lot of fun to read.

Further, the book affirms the philosophy that the good guys can win, even in a bureaucratic universe, if they're clever enough. This may be the attribute my teacher was talking about when she sent me to read the book (although I think the wonder of the book is something less tangible-- perhaps part of it is the way that the book takes for granted the idea that magic can exist, yet it isn't a traditional fantasy novel).

It's wonderful to see this going back into print. I enthusiastically recommend it.

If you're looking for saucy gossip about groupies and drugs, this is not the book for you. If you want to learn about five teenagers from London who had a dream, buy this book. James Phelge, forever known as "Roommate of the Stones," offers priceless insights and hilarious shenanigans of a struggling, unknown band named after a Muddy Waters blues song. After the Stones start touring America, the story seems to drag a bit by focusing on some of the "Swinging London" scene, but it is merely a set-up for the shocking ending -- Phelge walks away from it all and chooses to live a normal life! The crazy man of Edith Grove turns out to be the sanest of them all. A must read for EVERY Stones fan.

It may sound like a cliche, but this is an insider account in the truest sense. James Phelge lived with Mick, Keith and Brian in the infamous Edith Grove flat, and became part of Stones folklore. He relates endless anecdotes of what it was like to live with them before the superstar days, when they were literally starving artists. At the end of the book I got the sense that I really knew the four flatmates, a rare experience when reading a biography. A fascinating subplot is the formation of the Jagger-Richards-Jones triad, the driving force behind the early Stones, and the seeds of its destruction, all witnessed close-up by Phelge. The account is honest without being muck-raking; nor is Phelge a sycophant. Definitely worth a read.

I read this book last year, when it was called Phelge's Stones (the front cover was a little bit more otrageous, but I liked it) and I had most fun and informations from it than from all the books about the Rolling Stones that I read. Here you can find all the little things that made the Stones so great. It's a real book written by a real person, who lived with them in that dirty flat in Edith Grove, 102 ... and when you read it, you can smell it. I felt like being there with those guys ... what a story! Thank you Phelge for all the fun and other things you shared with the world.

One of the last of the original Bond Books, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also one of the best. Picking up a year after the end of Thunderball, this book finds James Bond again battling the nefarious schemes of Ernest Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE and, most importantly, falling in love with the beautiful, resourceful, and ultimately tragic Tracy. Though the usual intrigue is well-presented by Fleming, he also makes it clear that Blofeld's plan is hardly meant to be taken all that seriously. (Without ruining it for those who might never have read the book or seen the surprisingly faithful film adaption, it all comes down to Blofeld hidden away in Switzerland, pretending to be an allergist, and brainwashing English farm girls. No, it doesn't make a lot of sense but Fleming obviously had so much fun presenting it that most readers won't take offense.) The heart of this book -- and this Fleming treats with an admirable seriousness that should take his critics by surprise -- is the love story between Bond and Tracy. In Tracy, Fleming has created perhaps his most fully realized "Bond girl." Vulnerable yet resourseful and more than capable of taking care of herself (and, at times, perhaps even more so than Bond himself), its hard not to fall in love with this character and when Bond finally does decide to reject all others for her, its impossible to disagree with his logic. Its a compelling, rather touching love story and, even though most Bond films know how its going to end, the ending still packs a heavy impact.

As for Bond himself, after being a rather predictable presence in Thunderball, he's back in full form as a full realized, interesting character in this novel. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was written after the release of Dr. No (Ursula Andress even makes a cameo appearance at the time) and one can sense that, with this book, Fleming is reestablishing his claim on the character. From the intentionally ludicrous evil scheme to the frequent excursions into Bond's head (revealing him hardly to be the ruthless, unflappable killer that filmgoers though him to be), Fleming comes across as a reenergized writer in this book -- determind to let all the new Bond fans out there know who is really in charge of their favorite secret agent's destiny. The result is one of the best of the original Bond books and one of the best spy thrillers I've read in a long time.

Without a doubt, Ian Fleming's finest James Bond Novel. Mr. Fleming neatly round out the character of James Bond as the reader sees the complete person behind our favorite government operator. The book begins with Bond begining to becomed bored with his assignment and meeting the love of his life. Due to the nature of his work and the emotional scars from previous relationships, Bond is always reluctant to engage in a serious romance with a woman. However, this time, Bond is willing to take his chances to find someone to fill the void in his life. Aside from the romance, Bond also has a job to do. Reinvigorated by progress in his once moribund assignment, Bond tackles his arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofled through Fleming's engaing narrative. References to Bond's childhood memories, past assignments, and his dreams are particularly effective. Fleming's rich imagination transports the reader from Bond's old haunts on the Northern French coast to the Swiss Alps, where 007 once again takes his licks for "Queen and Country." Hats off to Fleming for his gutsy ending, which unfortunately for Bond, underlines the fact that 007 will always belong to "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

The downside of the massive popularity of James Bond on film is the shadow cast over the extraordinary Ian Fleming source novels. In truth, nothing Fleming wrote - the 13 novels, two books of short tales, a children's book (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and two non-fiction journalistic works - falls short of high inspiration. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", a book written in the glow of the first Bond movie success in 1963, is among Fleming's best. It is poetic, ingeniously plotted, and shows a full-dimensionality of character in Bond that John Grisham or Freddie Forsyth can only drool for. This is the book in which Bond finally falls in love (it came late in the book series), and it shows the maturation of Fleming's style - a style much admired by Raymond Chandler and the poet William Plomer, to name but two stalwarts - and also reveals the cynicism of battle scarring that Fleming personally was suffering in his copyright disputes on the earlier "Thunderball". The novel begins with a description of beachside, late summer, that is as richly evocative as a sonnet, and takes us into an Alpine Christmastime. Here was Fleming's "secret": like Dickens, he had the ability to create ambience so intense that one could taste the soft shell buttered crabs, and feel the cold sand of a winter strand. No recommendation is more heartfelt. So much snobbery pollutes novel reviews, but the driest academic will see the deep wells of Fleming, and the pure thrill of fantasy. Rider Haggard and John Buchan come close, but Fleming is perhaps the best escapist romancer of the twentieth century and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (along with "Dr No" and "From Russia With Love") are his masterworks. It is nothing short of criminal that these great romances are no longer available in their elegant Richard Chopping-designed hardcovers, or in well-styled mass paperbacks. They are, in short, the stuff of connoisseurs. Forget the sugary dribble of Kingsley Amis ("Colonel Sun": not bad), John Gardner (better with his originals, like "The Werewolf Trace"), or Raymond Benson. Go for gold.

I've read alot of sub books such as "Rites of War" and "The Hunt for Red October", and this one ranks up there with "Red October". I have to agree with most people reviews with this book. Which is that this book was excellent. It had a sense of what the future might be and the description of the technology used was excellent, espically that little index in the back. What James Cobb did was make a great female Captain. He gave great details on Captain Amanda Garret and he really created a foundation for this character. Her crew was written execllently as well. Also yuo could tell Garret was someone who didn't take crap from anyone. And one other thing the battle scenes were great and kept me as a reader glued to the book. A must buy for anyone who wants too read a techno thriller. One more thing, the Cunningham, what a great piece of technology James Cobb came up with.

Here's a near future US Navy thriller that's a lot of fun and full of action. A new US stealth destroyer commanded by a woman captain has the task of single-handedly preventing the Argentine takeover of part of Antarctica. It's a book that moves swiftly, has just the right amount of technical jargon, and develops a group of characters much more alive than the cardboard personae of Tom Clancy. Amanda Garrett is a tough, likable destroyer captain.

If you want to read about an intrepid woman ship commander who lives a few centuries from now (and is, I'm convinced, a lineal descendent of Ms. Garrett) read one of David Weber's novels involving Captain Honor Harrington.

The title of this novel comes from the poem by Rudyard Kipling, but the name "Choosers of the Slain" comes originally from ancient Norse theology. The Valkyries were the women warriors who escorted the valiantly slain from the battlefield to Valhalla. Appropriately enough, the commander of author Cobb's state-of-the art Stealth warship is a woman, the classy and competent Amanda Garrett. The ship, the USS Cunningham, is named in honor of Randy ("Duke") Cunningham, America's real-life sole Vietnam fighter-ACE. Captain Garrett, her likable crew, and the high-tech "Duke" have their as-yet unproven skills and equipment put to the test when the Argentine navy attempts to repossess former Antarctic territory. The fast-paced action, cutting-edge yet credible technology, and personal drama make this book a real page-turner. James Cobb has written three highly acclaimed naval adventures featuring the marvelous USS Cunningham and its plucky female Captain. A rather amusing little irony is that California Congressman Randy ("Duke")Cunningham is himself a very outspoken opponant of women in the military!

Certainly one of the 20th century's most influential artists, Frank Frazetta has finally been given the showcase his work deserves. Featuring virtually all of the paintings that made him a legend among artists and fans alike (Conan, Tarzan, et al), "Icon" also includes a stack of previously unpublished and uncollected art, photographs, and some fascinating commentary by Fenner and Frazetta himself. From drawing comics for EC to ghosting "Lil Abner" for Al Capp to painting movie posters for Clint Eastwood, Frank Frazetta has proven again and again that he is one of the most exciting creators in the history of fantasy art. Often imitated, never equaled, Frazetta is the best and "Icon" is a *must have* book!

any lover of great fantasy art will be thrilled by this collection of paintings by the grand master, Frank Frazetta. Simply a genius with a brush or pencil, this book includes all his great works, wonderfully reproduced!!!

I am a collector of SiFi-Fantasy art. I will state categorically, Frank Frazetta is the finest Fantasy/SiFi illustrator that has ever lived, bar none! Unlike modern artists, who work with air brush, Frazetta's best work is done in oils. The quality of his oil paintings are on a par with the great masters and deserve to be hung next to the likes Rembrandt van Rijn. His compositions are always emotionally stimulating, intriguing, and beautiful. Frazetta has the unique talent to tell a fantastic story with a paint brush. This wonderful book has reproduced some of Frazetta's finest work with meticulous care. The color plates are crisp and vibrant. They will captivate your imagination with their incredible beauty. This is one of those Frazetta collections that will soar in value once it is out of print. Take my advice. Buy it now!

This is my 3rd novel that I have read by this author and he hasn't let me down yet in giving an enjoyable read. Gage is a heroic character that is double-crossed by his own people, but with the help of a few friends he exacts his reckoning. Sato the knife-weilding bad guy is Gage's main nemesis in terms of fighting and surviving abilities, when they meet sparks and flames fly! The story moves along in Huggins style with good, solid characters and intense action. A must read for Clancy-like fans, but this is better than Clancy in my opinion. Can't wait for this guy's next novel.

"The Reckoning" is, by far, the best book I have read in 20 years. I read an average of eight books per month in various genres, and nothing has enchanted me quite so much as this delightfully penned story of intrigue. With a plausible plot, obviously well-researched espionage and combat techniques, and realistic characterizations, I was completely drawn into a believable scenario, and read well into the night for the first week or so. Suddenly, I found myself allowing just one chapter at bedtime, and I realized this "rationing" reflected the immense pleasure of savoring every paragraph. James Byron Huggins is the only contemporary author of the thrilling adventure genre who can truly be called an "author" in the best sense of the title. Every sentence is beautifully assembled, and each phrase turned in a lovingly constructed way. From his description of the twilight sky to the probing of the minds and hearts of the characters, to the narration of nocturnal subterfuge, every word falls perfectly into place. This is literature at its best. I thoroughly enjoyed this exciting adventure from the comfort of my fireside, and I look forward to starting in on "Leviathan" next. With "Cain" on the way, I will certainly enjoy the rest of this winter. I only trust Mr. Huggins will be a long-lived and prolific writer -- his is a God-given talent that must find expression. His first endeavor, "A Wolf Story," was an excellent offering in the tradition of "Watership Down" and is recommended for anyone with a heart for our furry friends. Thank you, Mr. Huggins. Review by Barbara L. Pritchard (BLPPA@aol.com)

Huggins is one of the most impressive writers that I have encountered. The Reckoning is a very powerful novel about a well hidden reality behind the closed veil of everyday life. The internal struggle of man is manifested by action and sometimes brute force, which holds the reader in true suspense until the end. Huggins' choppy journalistic style in times of action holds the reader's breath as each sentence becomes more real, and the action so close that you think you are next to the power struggle. Anyone interested in the training and techniques behind the special forces, and the power play and brutality of those in charge of every country, will truly love this book. This is a one in a lifetime thriller. But I will add a warning: don't expect to put this book down. Do expect to hang on to every word until the very end when all is revealed.

My seven year old daughter discovered George and Martha at her school library and delighted in bringing home a new set of five stories each week. We giggled together each time we read them and even my five year old son asked for them again and again. These stories are brief but filled with wonderful language, important themes and lovable characters. I would recommend them for any child's home library.

Having read George and Martha as a child, I was happy to receive the complete version of Marshall's stories for Christmas this year. The stories are clearly for children, but are humorous for adult readers as well. The pea soup story is a classic. The illustrations are wonderful.

As the mother of a 3-year old who constantly clamors "Read me a story!" I can't say how happy I was she got this for Christmas! It is a struggle to stop at just one, or five, or ten stories. George and Martha are enchanting, and we laugh out loud at the dry humor of the stories and the drawings. A+!