Michael Lee captures the heart's hidden emotions of our day to days most ordinary and mundane interludes. Each and every person
who reads this book will look with new insight into their lives and those closest to them. This collection of short stories is a must read.

The stories in this collection by Michael Lee come at you with a humor and humanity that to this reader's mind and heart tell the story of American manhood today. These are stories about guys with heart trying hard to preserve their good humor and what dignity a world that could mostly care less allows them. There are no literary posturings here, just literature at its quiet, touching, funny, enjoyable best. This would be a great gift for just about any man between the ages of 25 and 70 -- and for any woman who wants a glimpse of how we tick! The only bad thing about this book is that it ends. More, Mr Lee, more!

Mike Lee's ability to turn a phrase is akin to the joy that newly washed windows bring: sudden clarity to unexpected views.

People come first in Lee's world, and he introduces some beauts and some beauties. From Frankie and Bobby in Oklahoma to "Nola" Bowden, all of his characters express their innermost thoughts whether we're ready or not.

Lee is able to describe feelings many of us have shared in language that is crisp and direct, but applied in circumstances that few, if any, could claim to share. Neither the plight of budding entrepeneurs in the XXX sports market, nor the happiness of an immobile street performer in Paris tickled a neuron of identification with me, but the desperate need to succeed or simply to be the first in one's family to be happy are so fundamental that each of us is able is pick off a piece of such longing to consume and reflect on.

"Paradise Dance" is an eclectic package of disparate characters brought to the edge by a handful of emotions. Where the hell is Albright , Massachusetts anyway?

Michael Shaara did an excellent job in describing in detail the Battle of Gettysburg without making it boring. His line by line account of the battle allows the reader to understand the emotions of the men fighting for their beliefs. Shaara shows the real men that fought, they weren't gods, just ordinary men who got homesick for their wives and children. While reading the book, the details create a vivid image that allows the reader to clearly understand the troubles of war. Food was scarce, weather was bad, and leaders were unreliable. The advantages in war were hard to obtain but lost so easily. Shaara also lets to reader into the minds of some of the key leaders at Gettysburg. Lee and Longstreet for the South, and Chamberlain and Buford for the North. Each man has a different view of the war, but each is equally interesting and important to the whole account of the battle. Overall the book was very good and captivating. It is easy to read, but informative. When looking for a detailed description of the Civil war, The Killer Angels is the book to read.

It was my privilege to be enrolled in Mike's Creative Writing class in college, but I had no idea what a successful novelist he would prove! This book actually makes me want to visit the historic site of Gettysburg--to see for myself the scene of so much suffering and sacrifice. Not only with my eyes, but now with my heart, thanks to the well-researched information presented in THE KILLER ANGELS. First President Lincoln and now master storyteller Shaara have honored the lives and courage of all those who fought valiantly for their regrettably-opposing views.

This novel is very intense: 355 pages stretched out over just three days. The first remarkable thing is the accuracy of Shaara's historic detail. Next we are impressed by his impartiality: each chapter focuses on one officer, but he switches "sides" easily, demonstrating absolute fairness to North and South. This style of the divine narrator leads us to realize that it is War itself which proves the real evil, since both sides espouse principals of honor. We are amazed that he can present such vivid word portraits of the officers who orchestrated the prolonged Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara takes us inside their heads--and their hearts. Their foibles, dreams, terrors, regrets, and private anguish are laid bare for the reader. We share the agony of mlitary decision, the loneliness of high command.

This novel also is impressive because it proves very readable--not the boring history text you might expect. One reason is the use of extensive dialogue. Some conversations seem to be scenes from a play; they remain with the reader long after the action has moved on. But the historical persons depicted appear very human, despite the intervening years. Even if you never cared for military history, this book will enlighten, touch and entertain you. Shaara provides great insight into why men will lay down their lives: for a Cause or for an Ideal. Fabulous literary and historical reading for all Americans!

This book helped to launch an entire genre of fiction, the "historical novel", in which the author invents dialogue and interaction among a group of real life characters who all act in a manner consistent with their real-life models. Here, Shaara brings the battle of Gettysburg to life in gripping, emotional, historically accurate detail. The book will move you like few other "non-fiction" accounts of the battle or the Civil War itself ever can.

Shaara doesn't appear to take sides in telling the story, as he cuts back and forth between extra-ordinary depictions of characters like Lee, Longstreet, Stuart on the Confederate side as well as Union participants like Joshua Chamberlain and George Meade. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Lee and Longstreet, who tried to talk Lee out of a frontal assault at Gettysburg in favor of a defensive maneuver in which the southern armies stood in the path of Washington D.C., as well as the heroic exploits of Virginia's Lewis Armistead, who gallantly charged under General Pickett hoping he wouldn't be forced to confront his good friend, Union General Win Hancock. The novel is filled with gripping, true to life storylines where generals and their inferior officers came to life in Shaara's skillful hands.

The research done to support The Killer Angels was obviously meticulous, and the book includes maps to give the reader a sense of the overall development of the battle, to accompany the personal interactions of the participants. If you are a Civil War buff you owe it to yourself to read this book, which is far superior to the later, similar novels written about the war, both pre- and post-Gettysburg, by the late author's son Jeff Shaara. If you are not all that interested in the War Between the States, read The Killer Angels anyway, and you may find yourself looking for more, like the 3 part history of the war by Shelby Foote, which this novel inspired me to read. I give it an enthusiastic five stars.

This is a great historical geopolitical look at the Middle East of the Dark Ages for Vampire. White Wolf does a good job of showing us the Kindred of the Middle East who have been influneced by living in the geographic center of 3 major world religions. The impact of the faiths is obvious in all of the clans. White Wold has taken pains to accurately reflect the culture of the times and superimpose it onto the likely reactions of supernaturals. If you play Vampire: Dark Ages and wish to have a religious themed game or an exotic setting then this is the book for you.

Probably the best book for the Dark Ages setting thus far, this Year of the Scarab release focuses on the Islamic world in the context of Dark Ages: Vampire. After opening up with a short fiction of a vampire's meeting with Mohammad, and another short fiction focusing on a the lengths that ashipu (Middle Eastern vampire magicians) must go to, we get to an excellent introduction. The introduction explains what the book is an isn't, as well as giving us a lot of useful books, magazines and websites to visit concerning the real history of the Islamic world. Remember that while the west was in the "dark ages", the Islamic world was experiencing a golden age of science and learning. There is also a lexicon of Arabic and Islamic terms that are used in the book, and more specifically the context they hold in the game.
The first chapter covers the history of Islam, giving a biography of the Prophet Mohammad, as well as a historical account of the spread of Islam across the Middle East and North Africa. The second chapter continues by giving a look at Islamic beliefs and practices, both from mortal and vampiric perspectives. The most interesting part here is a description of the Ashirra sect, a brotherhood of Islamic vampires who seek to redeem themselves. Very good for Storytellers and players alike, as this section is almost essential for understanding how and why the Ashirra work.
The next section is a bit of IC stuff, written by an Assamite vizier as he travels from al-Andalus across north Africa to Arabia and the Holy Land, and from there to Baghdad, Persia and finally disappearing in the east, killed by some unknown force. Think something like the vampiric equivalent to ibn Batutta. At the end are a bunch of profiles of NPCs he met along the way. Almost all of the NPCs are interesting and unique, and can easily be placed in a chronicle. The next chapter covers the various clans (all called by their Arabic names) in the Middle East, and things are quite different. As would be expected, the Assamites and Setites are dominant, but the Brujah, Nosferatu, Gangrel, Ravnos and Lasombra are also quite influencial. Indeed, all western clans (save the Tzimisce and Tremere; the Ventrue are also rare being represented only by a small Arabian bloodline) are represented to some degree, along with three bloodlines: the Salubri, Baali and Laibon.
Some of the alternate takes on the various clans are quite interesting. For instance, the conflict between the animalistic hunters and monsters of clan Nosferatu (called Mutasharid) and the peaceful Nosferatu who have adopted Islam (known as the Hajj). Indeed, the Hajj are one of the leading groups in the Ashirra. Or the Lasombra, many of whom are devout Muslims and who are treated with respect and honor. All in all, its a pretty cool section. In the end, it also gives some descriptions of Paths followed by the Ashirr and how they differ from western paths. For instance, Path of the Bedouin becomes Tariq el-Bedouin, and is focused more on living a simple, nomadic lifestyle than becoming an animal. Special attention is paid to the Path of Blood (Tariq el-Haqim) given the prominence of the Assamites in these regions.
Following this is the juicy chapter, chock full of everything you need to know to run a Cainite in the region. Aside from information on the different cultures and groups (such as Berbers, Moors, Kurds and so forth) and Arabic naming conventions, there are also some sample concepts and such. Some new Merits and Flaws, specific to the setting are given, along with new Traits and even a new Animalism power (used many by vampires to create animal ghouls out of animals that drink from isolated desert oasis). There is a great deal of information on Sihr, faith based blood magic used by the Hajj. A couple paths and rituals and not much else. Given that its specific to the Hajj and maybe a few Assamite sorcerers, I guess not too much detail is needed. And theres also some systems for situations Ashirra are likely to get into as well.
And then there is the next chapter, Damascus by Night, which gives an entire ready-to-run plot focusing on the secret corrutpion in the city of Damascus. The chapter gives a pretty nice amount of information about the city of Damascus, as well as the Ashirra in the city and how many of them have been subverted by the Baali. Character profiles of major characters are also given, so everything is already set up for you to run it. This ties in nicely with the closing chapter, which focuses on various supernatural threats that Ashirra are likely to face in the night. Information on mortal dangers (like crusaders and the Knights Templar and Islamic monster hunters) is presented, alongside bits about jackal-blooded Lupines (and other shapeshifters), wizards (primarily Ahl-i-Batin and Taftani, but also Knights Templar, Hebrew qabbalists and tribal shaman), ghosts, mummies, djinn and even mysterious eastern "Kindred" from the White Tiger Court...
Over all, this is an excellent book. I strongly recommend it to anyone intending to run a Dark Ages game, or even a game set in the Mid-East in general. The Ashirra sect supposedly survives to the modern era, though little information is given on it outside brief references in a couple other books. More information on the future of the Ashirra sect would have been appreciated. Nonetheless, this is an excellent book and well worth buying.

Raymond Benson has done a superb job with his own Bond series,combining the modern film Bond with the classic Fleming Bond.(its a shame that it appears that he won't be doing anymore)His novels are all fast paced entertaining reads.His novelisations of the Brosnan series have almost always improved on the movies-adding alot of character moments as well as a great deal of depth and dimension to the villians.This one,however,reads like a great action movie.The pace is relentless as it is basically one giant action scene after another following a shocking beginning where we see 007 as we have never seen him before.Now as a movie this will be alot of fun to see but as a novel it seems to be over much too quickly(I finished it in a day). The character moments Benson usually puts in his own series were few and far between because of the incredible pace of the story . While this works on film you end up missing these moments on the printed page and waiting for a little break in the action.That being said,this is filled with one incredible scene after another.In fact,you end up smiling and cheering just as you would in the movies.The action sequences are all original and exciting and 007 is better than ever...coming through the most harrowing experience he has ever been through on film.If this plays out as written it will easily be Brosnans best Bond film to date.Benson captures the feelings of a "Bond movie on paper" perfectly.This may not have the depth of his original stories but it has all the fun of the movies.
If this is his last Bond novel he has gone out in style.

Raymond Benson has been a Bond fan for years. That being said, Benson took the film's script and elevated the material to a point where it at least has plausibility and some style perhaps out of respect to the memory of Ian Fleming. Also, the focus in the novel is on James Bond, not computer generated stunts (that's rather hard to do in a book any way you look at it). This is a great improvement over the various plot elements and this time out they work. I was pleased that we got something good out of this last Bond movie.

Raymond Benson returns with quite possibly some of his best writing ever! After the okay-good The Man With The Red Tattoo, he returns to write Die Another Day in a superb style of description, action and nonstop 007 adventure! Rumors are flying that he may be giving up his role as the 007 author, if it is true he leaves with a bang.

Die Another day begins with Bond in Korea to disrupt the evil Colonel Moon and his henchman Zao. They are purchasing diamonds and have a great deal of deadly machinery in his demilitarized zone. Bond infiltrates the zone to result in a explosion of diamond shrapnel scarring Zao's face and a deadly chase with Colonel Moon of hovercrafts over a minefield. Bond is captured by General Moon, (the colonel's father and is held responsible for his death. A year passes by with Bond in a tortured state being traded for freedom with Zao. M meets Bond and tells him of her dissapointment in him. Bond then searches for Zao down in Cuba and meets NSA agent Jinx. Bond discovers that Zao has been under gene therapy to alter his face in a clinic on a nearby island. Bond traces the island to a one Gustav Graves, an eccentric millionaire that owns diamonds and has a local ice palace in Iceland. Bond challenges Graves to fencing in the Blades Club, where Bond wins and meets the ultra-cool icy princess Miranda Frost, Graves personal assistant. Bond is equipped by Q and sent out to Iceland by M. While in Iceland Bond meets up with Jinx and discovers the Gustav Graves has created the ultrapowerful satellite Icarus, which canharness the Sun's power. He later confronts Graves where he makes a startling discovery that Miranda Frost(while earlier claiming to be a British agent) is now against Bond. A magnificent chase enthralls with Zao, Graves and Frost running Bond down. Jinx and Bond discover that Colonel Moon is in fact Gustav Graves the same person. Jinx and Bond find out that Graves is going to destroy his demilitarized zone with the Icarus in order for the takeover of all nearby countries to make Korea an unstoppable power. Bond kills Zao in the ice palace and rescues the stranded Jinx, where they aboard Graves plane to stop the crazy Korean. Jinx and Miranda Frost break out into a exciting thrilling fencing fight with Frost succumbing to the sword of Jinx. Bond and Graves battle on the now crashing plane, where Graves is killed by being pulled into the planes wing. Bond and Jinx escape via helicoptor aboard the plane. Meanwhile we are allowed to see thanks to the 3-D machine the ultimate fantasy of Moneypenny to love James Bond. Bond and Jinx safely land in a temple where the story ends.

Raymond Benson has truly written a masterpiece here. All bond fans will love the exciting tale of James Bond 007!

Although the authors seemed to know what they were talking about (even if they come across somewhat "preachy" by telling us what was good, what was bad, and why John Barry should have won an award for each film), I was very disappointed by...

THE GLARING ERROR!

The book states that Ernst Stavro Blofeld was last seen in Diamonds Are Forever. When I read this, I quickly turned to the section on For Your Eyes Only. John Hollis is credited with appearing as the "bald villain confined to a wheelchair." I can't believe that the authors completely missed the importance of James Bond visiting his wife's grave and then killing the man responsible for her murder!

I still gave the book two stars. The sections on each film seem to be complete with most of the women, vehicles and gadgets that were used in each. Also, the photos are excellent.

If you're a James Bond fan, you'll enjoy the book. Fortunately, it doesn't include the lame Die Another Day. The last film presented is The World is Not Enough.

This book got me hooked on the James Bond phenomenon. It goes into great detail about 007's villains, allies, gadgets, vehicles and of course, the women. It is witty and informative and looks at every film from Dr. No to Tomorrow Never Dies. The only criticisms are that the book omits minor characters and at times, the authors include too many of their own opinions which does not allow the reader to make their own mind up about the films. In summary, an excellent book worth the money with loads of colour pictures (some never seen before).

"The Essential Bond" is extremely well researched and very informative. It provides detailed information on the assignment, 007's women, 007's villains, 007's allies, vehicles, gagets & weapons, music, marketing & merchandising, and the box office in every Bond film from Dr. No to Tomrrow Never Dies. It also includes a short but sweet foreword, tribute to Albert R. Broccoli or "Cubby", a chapter devoted to the literary 007, the James Bond family, 007 and popular culture, the other James Bonds, and the 007 phnomenon. Over all this is a extremely informative book that is a must have for any Bond fan.

If you are a Bond fan, you will love this book. Have hours of fun with your friends as you try and recall the little details of the big world of James Bond. The book features stills, questions, and answers, as well as a summary on each of the movies in the series. The book also features the two unofficial films Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again (1983). As a note of trivia, look for my name, Jason M. Allentoff in the acknowledgements.

This book is plagued with errors, and should NOT be used as a study guide. Start with the most basic of questions, one that really should be a "freebie" for you on the exam: "What is the minimum amount of RAM required for Windows 2000 Professional?"

Coriolis says, "32MB." THIS IS JUST DEAD WRONG! The correct answer is 64MB! Here it is directly from Microsoft: "The minimum resource requirements for a computer running Windows 2000 Professional are as follows:" * Pentium class 133-MHz processor * 64 MB RAM" By the way, don't bother checking their web site for any errata or updates - they don't have any for this!

So, buy this book only if you would like to fail the exam!

I picked up this book to help me get started on my quest to upgrade my MCSE. I like the way that the authors explain the concepts behind the new features incorporated in Windows 2000. I thought that the chapters on RAS and Active Directory were especially good.

The only negative was that RIS was not covered as thoroughly as I would have liked, but overall the book is must buy for anyone that is trying to get up to speed on W2K.

Exams 70-210, 70-215, 70-216, 70-217 and 70-240 are the next generation of MCSE 2000 core exams and wouldn't it be nice to have one book to study all the objectives from instead of 5 or 6? Coriolis, a leader in exam preparation test material has once again taken the lead with the Windows 2000 Foundation Exam Prep.

The book covers the 5 exam and their objectives in a different fashion that other I have seen. This book put them objective together rather than separate sections, thus removing the redundancy factor for repeating information several times.

Starting off with the 200 architecture to installation, device drivers, management, performance, reliability, configuring and troubleshooting, you have only finished the first 7 chapters. You have tables, review questions, hands-on exercises to learn from.

Moving on you get 2000 networking, security, active directory, DNS, DHCP, remote access, WINS and IP routing and now you are at chapter 16. Again you have figures, tables, diagrams, exercises and review questions to work with.

In the final sections you learn about NAT, certificate servers, configuration management, tuning, active directory security and that brings you to chapter 21. Unlike most Exam Prep books this one does not have a cd with practice questions, which might be a small drawback. Overall the value is well worth the price.

I ordered what I thought was the book, but received an audio CD instead. I can't take the CDs to class.

This is a superb book for use in a lively second-year Spanish college classroom. It is not meant for independent use; it's not a teach-yourself Spanish book. It's an instructor's dream as it is loaded with realistic activities that students can actually perform in class and that are interesting. The chapters are quite thought provoking and the grammar activities are well designed and paced throughout the text. I highly recommend this text.

It's a textbook, but it's a good one if you want to learn Spanish. A reviewer shouldn't give a book one star because he ended up with the audio version instead of the actual book.