This is so fun to read with my four year old daughter!! The book encourages you to bark when the word bark is used, and sniff like a dog, when it mentions sniffing... we laughed and laughed as we read this book and barked and sniffed! It's a lot of fun and she wanted me to read it again and again... and getting her to listen to books is quite difficult at times!!! This is a sure-fire pleaser!!! You'll love it, and have one happy and giggling child at the end!!!

Its great to have a book that owners and veterinarians alike can read for reference. Ferrets aren't as popular as dogs and cats, therefore books and information on ferrets are hard to find. This book is a comfort to have for any ferret-owner.

Arthur Shriberg's writing style makes it easy for any student of leadership to read!

A great book. I read it on vacation and could not put it down. I finished it in a day or two and then the rest of the family went through it just as quickly. The book is in the new Grisham like ordinary guy caught up in trying to solve a conspiracy model. However, in this case the ordinary guy is a US Senator, which brings a whole new level of interesting issues. Like Scott Turow, the author does a great job of developing realistic deep characters.

This book is the amazing story/history of the LRDG, a WWII special forces unit that would probe the desert waste lands to conduct reconnaissance, pathfinding missions, mapping and survey ops as well as limited direct action missions, against Italian targets of opportunity. The unit also ferried the SAS into operations. This book is fabulously written and structured makes the read quite fast and easy. This story covers the LRDG birth in the desert as long-range patrol unit to the LRDG. It covers the personalities, evolution of the unit; operations, equipment and an inside look at many of the tactics and procedures employed at that time for mobility operations. Excellent book if you would like to see the roots of modern special operations. Well worth the read.

Back in1981, Moore imagined a post-apocalyptic 1998 in which Great Britain has become a racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and Christian fascist state, all run by "the leader" who sits at a bank of video monitors run by a central computer. (For some reason, many readers have the mistaken impression that the setting is one in which the Nazi's won WWII, even though it's clear from flashbacks that that's not what happened). While it's a clear reaction to the Thatcher regime, the setting draws directly from Orwell's 1984, and other dystopian literature.

However, standing against this bleak world is the anarchist vigilante "V". Modeled roughly on Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up Parliament back in 1605, V is empowered by superhuman physical and mental attributes acquired while the subject of Mengle-like medial experiments in a now derelict state concentration camp. He's now using his abilities to methodically kill all the government personnel associated with his torture. And when he's not killing people, he's sneaking around blowing landmarks and generally bringing the state to its knees. An important theme Moore hammers home here is that the state is not solely to blame, but the people who place their popular power in the hands of the state are equally to blame. (Those who are interested in this particular streak of political philosophy would be well advised to check out C. Douglas Lummis' book, Radical Democracy.) Instead of a superhero saving the populace, we are given an ambiguous vengeful killer instructing the populace to save itself.

There's a whole subplot involving a teenager V rescues from the streets. However, she's largely used as a subject for him to talk at, and for the reader to get the backstory of the setting. There are a number of other subplots as well, involving the shady state functionaries, and Moore does a lot of cinematic intercutting between the various storylines. The story gets somewhat too theatrical at points, and drags at other times, and V's constant quoting (Rolling Stones and Velvet Underground lyrics to Shakespeare) gets old fast. The art is generally pretty nice, although the color isn't really to my taste, it might have looked better in simple black and white. However, it's a pretty decent quick meditation on what it means to be free and how each individual must look within themselves for the answer rather than assigning that freedom to someone else to safeguard.

British writer Alan Moore earned his place in the comic book writers' pantheon with his seminal turn on Swamp Thing in the 80s, part of the triumvirate of Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman, and Moore who transformed lowly comic books into a respectable artistic medium.

And, like Miller and Gaiman before him, Moore found that the only way to carry on once you've thoroughly changed your industry is to do do it again and again in new and novel fashion.

Thus, I give you "V for Vendetta," the absolute furthest thing from "Swamp Thing" and "Watchmen" imaginable.

Moore almost singlehandedly restored the creepy cool of EC horror comics with his run on "Swamp Thing." He redefined the superhero genre with "Watchmen." With "V", Moore abandoned the conventions of both genres and embraced gritty Orwellian scifi.

"V" is set in a Britain which has embraced Fascism following a nuclear conflict which left the nation intact but badly bruised. Mirroring Hitler's ascent over the ashes of the Weimar Republic, the Norsefire party seizes power in Britain and restores order at a horrible price.

That is, until a stylish terrorist in a Guy Fawkes mask codenamed "V" appears on the scene to tear the new order down.

"V for Vendetta" marks a major departure from comic book style. David Lloyd's cinematic style plays like a storyboard for a film; gone are the motion lines and Batman-esque sound effects so familiar to comic readers. Lloyd also dispenses with one of the comic writer's main crutches for exposition---the thought balloon. The story is thus relayed entirely by motion and dialogue, deepening the inherent mystery of the plot as we try to comprehend the master plan of the inscrutable antihero "V".

As with "Watchmen", Moore has layered his tale with enormous depth, making subsequent readings a must to truly comprehend all that's going on within the plot.

If you're interested in seeing what the comic art form is capable of when geared toward an adult audience, rush out and grab a copy of "V for Vendetta" today.

What more can I say? Alan Moore, the greatest living comic book writer, and David Lloyd, one of the greatest living comic book artists combined to make the most beautiful piece of fiction ever created by anyone, living or dead, in any medium. Alan Moore's other work such as WATCHMEN, FROM HELL, and THE KILLING JOKE are also magnificent, but V takes the cake. A familiar story: a dystopian future society with one leader who monitors everything and everybody through a supercomputer and rules with a facist regime. But the whole society is thrown into upheaval because of one man's machinations: he does not have a name, you can call him V.
In many ways, it's a superhero story mixed with elements of Shakespeare's HAMLET and Orwell's 1984, but is a multi-layered, multi-charactered story and anyone with a passion for great literature and especially those with a passion for great graphic novels.
AVE ATQUE VALE.

Hangfire can be said to be the best in the series after Blood Contact, might even consider it to rank equal to it. Even though both Sherman and Cragg are still inconsistent with the platoon makeup, the plot and story still flows very well. I also like the lead-in, and preparation they have done on several chapters for the major intergalactic war that they had hinted at in Blood Contact. Fact is, I'm kind of upset that I have to wait that long for the the war that I hope will take more than one book to finish. Then again, if I have to wait too long between books, I might have to bite someone to calm myself... heheh 8) I will highly recommend anyone who even has the slightest interest in Sci-Fi Military books to read this excellent book, but who isn't a nitpicker with minor inconsistencies.

Wow! Most series frankly begin to play out after several books, but authors Cragg and Sherman seem to not only keep each other fresh, but to prod each other on to ever greater accomplishments. This novel can be read simply as an engaging, what-comes-next, wonderfully-thrilling sci-fi adventure--but it also offers a great deal of depth and demonstrates a wide range of knowledge about mankind's foibles and human possibilities. Likely, their status as military veterans has given Cragg and Sherman insights denied to those writers who never served, but, whatever the reason, I'm just knocked out by the freshness and quality of this novel--well into a series I hope will long endure. Great to see familiar characters continue to develop, and to meet new ones. Horrific, convincing fighting, with some timely moral warnings stirred in. And any book that manages to combine gladiatorial combat in the distance future and a mention of John Singleton Mosby, the "Gray Ghost" of the American Civil War can't help but intrigue. Not only worth reading, but worth keeping on the bookshelf to read again in the future!!!

Hangfire is the best so far in the series. Good action, good story, and it has a good lead in for the next book. Gives a lot more development on characters who weren't mentioned much or haven't been used much in the last few books. A very good read

"Our America" was assigned reading for my course in Child Social Policy. It grabbed me from page one and I could not put it down until it was through (and then I read parts over again). LeAlan and Lloyd walk you down the streets of Chicago and let you have a little peek into their reality -- a world where violence and death are a part of every day life, and instead of focusing on grades in school, children must worry about survival. These young men represent so many children with talents and dreams and potential who are raised in an infertile, even poisonous environment. I wish everyone would read this book and realize that "America" shouldn't change when you cross the tracks.

Your America may be a bit different from LeAlan Jones's and Lioyd Newman's...welcome to theirs. These young men bring you into their community were you find yourself laughing at time and then wanting to reach out and save them. This reading is not sugar coated...your heart will break. LeAlan and Lloyd have used thier power to speak, listen to what they have to say! Then you will be blessed with John Brook, the talented young photographer whose images grace these pages of this outstanding book.

I have great respect for these men in this book for they are our future. Chicago, my home, is a better please because of these talented men...Continue to speak with your mighty voices.

Though I was required to read this book for a course I took, and therefore supposed to be reading and analyzing it over a week's time, I found myself reading the entire book in one sitting. This book shows the unfamiliar reader what poverty really is, how it thinks, acts, looks like, and feels from the words and experiences of children. LeAlan and Lloyd are children growing up in a very adult world, and one is reminded just how young they actually are when you listen to the recordings of their initial broadcasts. Knowing that they and their families are real people, how can you read this book and feel nothing? The tragic part is, those who most need their eyes opened to the state of poverty and violence in our nation will most likely never read this book. For those of us who do, may your eyes be a little wider, your heart a little deeper, and your spirit be called to action.

The fourth installment exceedes the first three in gripping action and adventure. This is by far the best book in the series. Though the authors do leave some questions unresolved, they create great anticipation for the next book in the line, and in no way do the authors leave us with the artificial "forced & cheesey" plot resoloution.

When the book opens the Confederation is facing a new military invasion, only this time it is aliens. What will happen? Who will win? Dean and the 34st FIST or the bad guys. I could tell you but Amazon wouldn't let me, you have to read it to find out.

What can I say? These guys have been there, done that, wore out the T shirt long time ago...it shows in their writing. My pet peeve with Mil-SF, or anything in military fiction, is characters that just don't make sense. That isn't a problem here - The characters in this book - well, if anybody thinks Dr Lydia Bynum is a *completely* fictional character, well, I know a real-life counterpart - "Dragon Lady" - who made O-6 on the last promotion list. Her ethnic mix isn't Greek-Liberian, but otherwise, her physical description and mannerisms are very similar...right down to the fact that she's as good with a 9mm as Dr Bynum is with a blaster. Bottom Line - There are no "Buck Rogers" heros in this story - that's why I like it. No unbelievable handsome or beautiful people that make great decisions and get all the lucky breaks. If that's what you like, go somewhere else. Change the technology gimmicks, make the aliens human, and this story could be a US or Royal Marine landing party going ashore to rescue scientists trapped in some Third World hotspot...My guess is, there's no legal reprecussions if you set the story centuries in the future, on some other planet, with aliens standing in for some economically disadvantaged ethnic group. This is no bright and shining future vision - think of the difference between, say the "STAR TREK"(tm) universe and the future presented in, say, the "Aliens" universe, "Babylon 5" or "Enemy Mine". I've got 24 years in the military, and my experience ranges from wading the surf in a Marine Rifle platoon, to being a "staff puke" on several expeditionary operations. This stuff rings true...and if you do have some familiarity with recent US operations, the "in-jokes" in this book are hilarious! If you need to unwind from the Holiday and end-of year rush, settle back with this book, light up a "Clinton", pop open a "Reindeer" Ale and enjoy.

Gee for this good of an indepth book it's missing some of Mr. Wrights art glass work. It appears to the author SLOAN of the book that Mr. Wright's executed art glass ended in 1924. HOW UNTRUE. What about the artglass in the Southern Florida University chapel? Or what about the Greek church in Madison Wisconsin? or what about the 1954 Beth Sholom Synagogue in Elkins Park, PA....the artglass above the pulpit?????? GEE GOOD research on the rest of it though.....lots of detail but she didn't do a good job on the rest of it.....by the way a sketch in Wright's drawings was done for the Greek Church in Madison, Wisc. originally to be christian "figurines"...the only sketch by Wright in artglass that was realistic other than his unexecuted "waterlilies" artglass that is known of and printed in color form today on rugs and prints. And gee I didn't even spend time to research this data, it was all known to me as an architect, & enthusiast. I'm also a member of the FLLW conservancy, FLLW Home & studio, Taliesin Fellows, and Taliesin Associates member. For non-architects who do books....CLUE: next time do thorough research since it makes your efforts and detailed work look shabby for so lengthy of detailed data excerted in your book. Good luck next time and PLEASE add a GOOD redone 2nd edition.

This is a very well researched, well presented analysis of FLW's windows. It speaks for itself. The pictures are well chosen and do a very good job of illustrating the books themes and analysis.

The "cover" image shown with this book is flipped 180 degrees from its actual orientation. To see the book in its actual design, go to www.lightscreens.com ... both the hardcover catalog to the exhibition and what I call the "Big Book" (the slipcased 400-pager) are there. (The paperback catalog is available only in the museums where the exhibition is mounted.)

Others have referred to the photographs as "bland." Well, I'd have to agree where the museums that own Wright windows are concerned; Wright intended to "bring the outside in," but museums for some reason insist on photographing his windows against a white background. Since I took most of the photographs in these books, let me tell you that I always photographed them with their backgrounds - the landscapes in the middle and long distance - integral to the windows themselves, as Wright intended.

The drawings are smaller than Wright made them because any 9x12 book is smaller than Wright's drawings. And as for "came" vs. "leaded," the latter term is a commonly used generalization to describe any glass held in a metal matrix ... Wright usually used copper or brass came, but not exclusively.

Since the book is in print after 20 years of research, the fact that its designer didn't meet the first reviewer's expectations or desires is beside the point. Until now there's been no definitive overview of Wright's stained glass. We should rejoice that this books exists ... and I do. Why do I rejoice? Beause I took most of the photos in the book (I'm the ALL of ALL/JLS in the credits) and I know how difficult it was to gain access to the [lived-in] homes of Wright homeowners, so I celebrate the fact that the author's been able to share this work with the world. It would otherwise be inaccessible.