This collection includes some of Stevenson's greatest works. Treasure Island, published in 1883, was his first major novel. It is a tale of daring, treachery, and greed climaxing ina battle for hidden treasure on a tropical island. First published in 1886 Kidnapped was considered by Stevenson to be his finest work of fiction and is a tribute to his fascination with his Scottish heritage.

The remaining selections place Stevenson as a master of the art of fiction. He was working on Weirof Hermiston when he died while dictating it to this stepdaugher

Ceramic artists, especially those involved with Raku firing, are probably already familiar with Robert Piepenburg. Many of us have at least one of his books, most likely either 'Spirit of Clay' or 'Raku', on our shelves already. This book is an exploration of the connections between our psyche/spirit and our creativity, written for anyone interested in fostering their creativity. The book references, and even quotes from, the 'Spirit of Clay' in a number of places, but it is more of a sequel than a re-write and is a wonderful resource for artists no matter what their chosen form of expression. Don't let the references to spirit and spirituality fool you. This is a book about your internal flames and sparks, not one devoted to any single picture of divinity or, as was the case with 'The Artist's Way', a specific religious dogma.

Being someone not of the catholic faith, at first i was driven from anything with the word "Pope" on it, but those religious inhibitions were shortly erased when I saw thise book! i had no idea the vatican contained such spectacular works of art, and from periods which i adore such as the Boroque! The collection is not just a few alter pieces from Byzantium, but rather is a study of art itself and a study in the masterpieces of the periods in its history. This book is incredibly inspirational, i would recomend it to anyone! even someone who doesnt like art! this fabulous volume is worth every penny one pays for it, and is one of the great finds of my endless book collecting

While this is far from a bad book, it does fall short of the standard Robert Arthur established in the first four books of this series. The story line was rather loosely put together and failed to merge the two sub-plots to my satisfaction. Honestly, even though I am quite open-minded about the paranormal and such matters, a story centered around "gnomes" begins life with some disadvantages. Be that as it may, it may well be that young readers would be attracted most by the things my adult mind shied away from--after all, what kid doesn't like to read about gnomes? As for the "vanishing treasure" at the heart of this mystery, the means by which it was stolen seemed a little far-fetched to me. As for the investigation, the boys sort of stumble through it. While I guess it is important to show Jupiter Jones as human after all, I frankly don't like seeing the youthful genius miscalculate and overlook clues. Jupe's a little slow in this book, but he fortunately does make up for his mistakes in the end. Finally, while the boys do figure a lot of things out (eventually), the sad fact is that luck, even more so than in the previous books, basically saves them from disaster. Success often depends on luck as well as skill, but the boys just seemed a little too lucky this time.

All in all, it is certainly an enjoyable story. If you've never read a Three Investigators book, I wouldn't start with this one, but I would certainly give it a place on my bookshelf and make a point of reading it after gaining a satisfactory introduction to the young sleuths elsewhere. I personally am reading all of these great books from my childhood in order of publication.

Think the Hardy Boys are too old-fashioned? Had enough of Scooby Doo and "those meddling kids?" Here comes a great alternative. I admit much preferring the Three Investigators to the Hardy Boys, et. al., when I was a kid, and with good reason. Unlike the fairly old-fashioned Hardys, the Three Investigators books always had a contemporary feel. It's three appealing heroes, Jupiter Jones, Pete Crenshaw, and Bob Andrews, unlike the too-perfect-too-be-real Hardys, were everyday, ordinary kids, much like those you knew. And, as befitted Hitchcock and his literary right arm, so to speak, Robert Arthur, there were twists and turns and "hare's breadth 'scapes" aplenty, more than enough to keep your interest.

And what great news to see that "Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure" and the other early Arthur volumes are back with us again. This book was probably the best of the eight that Robert Arthur wrote, and an excellent introduction to the series, for this is a book where all the elements I spoke of earlier come into play. Robert Arthur, incidentally, was the editor of the earlier, and better, Hitchcock anthologies, and contributed several excellent stories to them, as well (Don't read his "Death is a Dream" late at night!). But the Three Investigators were his greatest legacy. As a librarian, I recommend them to my patrons all the time. None of the later authors of the books really got the formula right. Robert Arthur did, and we "Three Investigators" fans, young and old, are grateful.

I think I may have already listed other Three Investigator books as my all-time favorites, but how could any list be complete without the inclusion of The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure?! This book has got it all! And just when you think that brainy Jupiter Jones has figured out the mystery... Robert Arthur keeps you guessing to the very last chapter! A definite must-read for any fan of the Three Investigators, and an easy and thrilling read for any child who is reluctant to pick up a book with summer just around the corner. Looking to keep your kids occupied this summer? BUY THIS BOOK! (And all of the other re-issued Robert Arthur titles!)

If you are a sectarian Buddhist, it is possible that you will not enjoy this book. Otherwise, you will.

The author, a respected Buddhologist specializing in East Asia, has conducted a solid inquiry into the nature of the Chinese cultural environment that produced the _Baozang lun_, or _Treasure Store Treatise_. The book starts with a long introduction into some key sinitic Buddhist concepts and the relationship between Buddhism and Daoism. The last part of the book contains the translation of the _Baozang lun_, which is exemplary.

I love the way Robert Feather writes, no theological confusion of philosophies here. I love the way he has put the pieces of his jigsaw puzzle together. Although you might not agree with all his conclusions he certainly presents a convincing argument. For anyone interested in our links to ancient Egypt, specifically with the 18th dynasty, who has an interest in the origins of the Bible stories and a fascination with the Dead Sea Scrolls, this book will certainly tantalize your enquiring tastebuds. And, there is treasure and a treasure hunt involved along side deeply spiritual teachings that have been found and lost and now in the 21st century found again. Perhaps the treasure is more in the teachings than in the gold.

The most significant book on Biblical history this century. There are so many goodies in this riveting book as soon as I had finished reading it I started re-reading it! Not only does the author demonstrate where incredible treasure listed in the Copper Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, is hidden he goes on to come to some truly remarkable conclusions about the Old Testament. Ever since the finding of the Copper Scroll in 1952,in what was then part of Jordan and is now part of modern Israel, historians and archaeologists like John Allegro, Al Wolters, Geza Vermes, and Emile Puech have, it appears, been searching in the wrong places for the gold, silver and jewellery described in the Copper Scroll. Not only does the author convincingly show us how he has cracked the Greek coding letters in this 2,000 year-old Scroll, which have defied international scholars for nearly 50 years, he goes on to find some of the listed treasures. Perhaps the author's background in metallurgy has given him an edge in a world of linguists, dry academics and myopic historians. The ramifications of his 'findings' have led to conclusions, often hinted at by others, that Moses was in fact a Prince of Egypt, and that the origins of Judaism and by extension, Christianity and Islam are much more closely linked to Egypt through Pharaoh Akhenaten than has previously been acknowledged. I am aware of previous authors like John Spencer, Sigmund Freud, and more recently Jan Assmann, Professor of Egyptology at the University of Heidelberg,who have made out a reasoned case for links between Moses and Akhenaten, but Feather seems to have come up with so many detailed 'hard' connections that it is difficult to dismiss them. If the author is correct, and I found his arguments powerfully compelling, he shows us the first ever image of the Biblical figure of Joseph and goes on to explain many puzzles in the Bible which seem to fall like clock-work into place in his new 'Egyptian' perspective. Written in an easily readable style of a detective story, the detailed referencing and Foreword by Professor George Brooke, of Manchester University - a world authority on Dead Sea Scroll research, underlines the apparent validity of this incredible work. If what the author says is essentially true, the book will necesitate a re-evaluation of the origins of the main Biblical stories, the history of the Qumran-Essenes - who wrote and possessed the Dead Sea Scrolls, and our present understanding of the ancient Hebrew Community at Elephantine Island in southern Egypt and the existence of the 'Falasha' Ethiopian Jews, - and become a standard work of reference.

KIDNAPPED is a mazing I wish I could write down every thing about it but this a review so I'll only tell you some of the begaining. A boy Named Davie is an orphan who is on the way to his uncles and he meets him and the uncles a very crule man. when Davie realizes that his life is in Dangered he wants to see a lawyer but first the uncle insist that they go on Covenant (a big sailing ship) and thats when he gets kidnapped its also when the book gets really good!! from there on the book deals with pirates and the sailing open seas its a great book dont miss it!

These two Stevenson novels are a great read for both adults and children and will be well worth your time. If you enjoy going to exotic places and experiencing interesting characters involved in great adventures, this tandem set is for you.

The lesser known of the two novels, "Kidnapped," tells the story of a young lad who is orphaned and sent to live with an uncle he has never seen. The uncle is a treacherous character living in a gothic setting and harboring a deep family secret soon to be revealed to the hapless orphan. A sea and land adventure follow that will keep you turning pages in this classic adventure.

"Treasure Island" is another great adventure that was beautifully rendered in the film with Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. As I read the novel after a recent screening of the film, I could hear Wallace Beery in Stevenson's dialogue of Long John Silver.

These novels are often considered to be children's literature because the main characters are children. However, the language makes them more appropriate for readers from adolescence to adulthood.

"Arrrgh. Avast ye maties!"

The author wrote this book like an adventure story. There was a boy named Ty who lived in a town where everyone had moved away except his family. His friends came to visit and brought along their grandfather's diary. The author used the diary to give clues on how to find gold in Gold Rock. The children had many adventures trying to find the treasure. The writer wrote about things that boys like me would enjoy. This made the book very interesting to me.

This was one of my favorite books from childhood. Clyde Robert Bulla writes great adventure stories. For years, my sister and I fantasized about looking for "gold in the cave" in our neighborhood....Truly an exciting, memorable tale.

A timeless classic, written by Robert Louis Stevenson was a great book for those of us who like adventure. The book begins at the Admiral Benbow Inn, which Jim Hawkins, the main character works. Suddenly, from out of the blue a rough sea faring man appears named Billy. That is when the real adventure begins!! Jim and his mother find a treasure map in a dead customers sea trunk. Jim got a couple of respectable people together and they bought a ship named the Hispaniola and set of sail for Treasure Island, not knowing the problems that lay before them. I think the author wanted the them to be, be careful whom you trust. I fully enjoyed this book and I think you will too. To find out the rest read, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

"Treasure Island," written by the 19th century novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, is the timeless story about life on the high seas with pirates, treasure, murder, and treachery.

When young and naive Jim Hawkins is given a treasure map from the mysterious old pirate, Billy Bones, adventure and trouble are not far behind. Soon Jim finds himself aboard a ship with a villainous crew led by the cunning and mendacious pirate, Long John Silver. Greed and the lust for gold driving the pirates, they have murder in mind when they reach the dubious Treasure Island.

Skillfully yet simply written, Robert Louis Stevenson gives us an alluring tale that sparks the imagination. With its dastardly plot and mothly crew of rogues and villains, it entrances the reader, and keeps them wanting more. "Treausure Island" is the perfect read for anyone just wanting a good, exciting story.

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson is by far one of the best adventure stories I have ever read. This book deserves all five stars, it has everything you could ask for such as, suspense, comedy, action, drama and a great plot line. R.L. Stevenson puts a lot of detail into his main characters such as Long John Silver and Jim Hawkins just to name a few. He describes the scenes with such great detail that at times I had to remind myself that it is only a book. I spent more than 2 months reading this book and I enjoyed every part of it. I could RARELY find a paragraph that was dull, the book was very exciting overall. This book is fairly easy to read and I would recommend it to adults and children of all ages. The book moves at a very good pace, not too fast, not too slow. This book is anything but boring, something new happens in every chapter for instance, when Jim witnesses a murder and when he gets into bar fights, those are just some of the many things that happened. I was very surprised myself when I read this book because it seems a little childish but in fact it's quite the contrary. I highly recommend that you go out and read this book!