If you are into the history of the Colosseum or aren't you willbe now! This book features excellent quoatations and vividdescriptions of every little aspect you could think of about the Colloseum. But it could have used some more pictures. The author paints a world with excellent detail right down to the size of there shields! Believe me, at first I thought I wouldn't be interested in barbariens fighting but after reading this I needed more! It also tells about the marvelous chariot races and the foreign animals. This book is worth every cent that you pay for it!

A philosopher of history as much as a historian and a sociologist, Michael Mann focuses here on early Modernity among the Occidental Great Powers -- France, Britain, Austria, Prussia/Germany, and the USA. While an inclusion of non-Occidental powers would be enlightening, there is sufficient material here to get an appreciation for the shift from agrarian to industrial bases for power. Mann also well elaborates the asymmetrical nature of power distribution and the variety of strategies used by those in power to maintain and build their power during this shift.

The intensive power of states increased dramatically, as did the larger aggregations and awarenessess within and between them: the nation-state was being born. Small level policies had unintended and often catastrophic effects at larger levels -- which is the kernal of Mann's anaysis of the causes of World War I. An upper-division college level book, perhaps a bit denser than it needs to be, still Vol. 2 is a most stimulating book. I look forward to Vol. 3.

Read this book for what it is, and you'll enjoy it very much. This is not meant to be a literary masterpiece. That much should be clear from the subtitle of the book: "Erotic Tales of the Vampire". Don't expect an all new and brilliant monster epic, and you'll like this book.

I want to praise the publisher for mixing two well-known names (William J Mann and Micheal Thomas Ford) with two names I am not familiar with (Sean Wolfe and Jeff Mann). The diversity of the stories and writing styles are fresh and keep the reader engaged. Much better than reading a long book with one style from one author.

The two Manns (William J and Jeff) have a similar style. Both of those stories, though decent, are my least favorite. They seem to try to be more than what they are. A little superficial for my taste, but not badly written.

I like Sean Wolfe's story very much. It doesn't take itself too seriously, and is comfortable being a short entertainment piece. It doesn't try to be more than what it is. I was entertained and appreciate the "humanness" that the story brings to erotic vampirism. It is both erotic and interesting. Though I haven't heard of Wolfe before, I'm sure we'll hear more from him in the future.

It is Ford, though, who is the star of this book, and a good reason for naming him as the main author. Most of us are familiar with his non-fiction material, which has won several Lambda Literary awards. His fiction writing here is no less brilliant. Ford's talent for putting the reader in the middle of the story and for character description are perfect. I love his story, and look forward to more fiction from Ford in the future.

If you're a fan of vampire fiction at all, you'd be crazy not to get this book. The variety of stories and writing style is fresh and refreshing. The writing is good. It is both erotic and frighteningly engaging. A must have for serious fans of horror, and especially vampire fiction!

MASTERS OF MIDNIGHT contains four novellas in which vampires play a prominent and erotically gay role. The authors have different visions of vampires leading to highly original and entertaining tales.

"His Hunger" by William J. Mann. Thirty years ago in Cravensport, Maine murders and disappearances occurred with no explanation. Jeremy thinks the story will make a good human-interest piece, but he also has a personal stake in the story as one of the vanished was his father. However, he is in peril after visiting Bartholomew, a vampire who plans to enslave Jeremy and convert the writer's lover.

"Sting" by Michael Thomas Forge. Following the suicide of his lover, Ben becomes head librarian in Downing, Arkansas. He sees customer Titus put his hands into beehives. When the two men become lovers, Titus explains that he is a vampire and the bee venom prevents his blood craving. Titus feels strongly about stopping his kind who kills innocent children.

"Brandon's Bite" by Sean Wolfe. His father was a vampire while his mother was mortal. His father taught him how to survive as a vampire. As an adult Brandon discovered he was gay so his father disowned him. Brandon can choose any victim he wants but fears love because he believes he cannot control his urge for blood.

"Devoured" by Jeff Marin. Three centuries ago two Scottish lords shared a secret passion for one another. When they were caught, Angus was killed but Derek was changed into a vampire. He avenged his friend's death before immigrating to West Virginia. Now an affluent businessman, he finally has a chance to love again but must first take care of Matthew's homophobic enemies.

Harriet Klausner

Unlike a previous reviewer, I AM a fan of gay vampire fiction, and of gay horror in general. I picked this book up because I'd read some of the authors' previous work in books like QUEER FEAR I and II, SONS OF DARKNESS, and BROTHERS OF THE NIGHT (all edited by Michael Rowe, in case you want to look them up). So how does this collection stack up? William J. Mann's contribution is an obvious ode to the glorious old cult supernatural soap opera, DARK SHADOWS, and if you read it that way it's a lot of fun. Sean Wolfe and Jeff Mann are new names to me, and although Wolfe's story didn't grab me, I really liked the second Mr. Mann's ability to bring out the most in his setting. But I have to say, it was Michael Thomas Ford's "Sting" that kept me up way past midnight. I saved it for last, because it sounded the most interesting, and was it ever. This novella is totally unique, not just in gay horror but in ALL horror. His writing is gorgeous, and the imagery he creates is both beautiful and terrifying. I defy anyone to read his descriptions of the Death Puppet and be able to sleep with the lights on. I, too, would love to see this story made into a film, especially if George Clooney plays Ben!

Demian, as described by Hesse in the original title, is the "story of a youth." The book relates the experiences of Emil Sinclair, a boy at the beginning of the 20th century whose model childhood is tranformed through his encounter with Max Demian.

The novel reflects Hesse's fascination with mythology and religion. An extensive symbolism drawing on both Christianity and the theories of C. G. Jung permeate the work. The central message of the novel is a powerfully affirming one: that amidst chaos, amidst disintegration, one can remain loyal to a value system that has existed since the first human being.

I have read Hesse's works for many years, and this novel remains my favorite. It has some remarkable scenes, including Sinclair's conversations with the organist Pistorius and the fantastic conclusion on a World War I battlefield in Flanders.

Hermann Hesse is without a doubt one of the most intriguing writers I have ever read. However, when reading reviews and hearing other people's opinions, I usually feel that peopl misunderstood what he is like and what his character represents. This is particularly the case with Demian. This book is often described as a great insight into what it is like going from child to teenager and then entering the adult world. However, I believe that Sinclair, the main character, is not entering the normal world on any level. In fact he is leaving it. The first time he meets Demian, both know there is something different about him. As their friendship/relationship grows, it become smore and more clear that they should not be part of the normal world, where people to choose to be part of a group, to share a religion, to accept the truth as it is told to them. Demian shows sinclair a new world, where people of a higher intelligence, and by that I am referring to more than simply an academic intelligence, will find each other. Those who are different, who choose to be individuals instead of be part of the the main stream mass meet, are Hesse's version of the ubermensch. Where Nietzsche claims that all men can let go of the standards and morals of our society, their religion, their need to be part of a group, can focus on themselves and become better, become the ubermensch, someone who is above all others, someone who is not alone in his existence, but who is alone in his own life, Hesse contradicts this with an ubermensch who is born different, someone who will find others like him, someone who will has a clear vision of what people are like and who he is, an individual, an ubermensch. Hermann Hesse's Demian is not at all about growing up, or understanding "how the world works", Hesse is not for the average reader, but he will only be understood by those who understand themselves and can see themselves as individuals instead of part of the mass. On a more personal note: The very strong homosexual tendencies in this book intensify the emotional appeal of the book and are also simply satisfying.

If the text is to speak to me sans the authorial function surrounding Hesse, "Demian" speak one thing loudly to me - Nietzsche, the Overman is in the flesh.

Apollo and Dionysis are doing battle in Emil Sinclair - specially when he meets Max Demian - an individual in touch with his "natures" and uses them to produce personal greatness, strength and Emil Sinclair. We are all, in a sense, all in a state of becoming - just like Emil, just like Max.

When Max introduces Abraxas the whole texture of the book changes - it really becomes liberating. We are reminded that we are raw stuff - stuck in an existential scenario and the limitlessness of our lives. Max embodies the qualities I would imagine Nietzsche's beloved overman to be - strong and sensitive and not allowed to pity. Demian is wonderful introduction to the complex psyche of Hesse, Demian allows readers to ease their way into his Oeuvre. Part surreal, part mystical, Demian has to be read several times to appreciate its many layers. This volume is one I plan to revisit, and soon.

Miguel Llora

As a student of religions, I came away from this volume with some paradigmatically key concepts: the contributing role of economics and sociology to the development of transcendent ideological power, early christianity as a response to a crisis in imperial social identity, the political and social threats christianity presented the Roman empire; and the importance of the normative role of the church in the early middle ages, and of the christian ecumenical identity that helped glue Europe together beginning with the Carolingians. There is much more in Mann's book than these lessons, such as his expositions of the four sources of social power and their application to human history. I enjoyed his exposition of the contributions of classical Greece to the dialectic of history. On the negative side, I found tedious the author's constant defense of his theory vis-a-vis other sociologists. This book requires serious study, but pays off handsomely in stimulating new insights into the sociology of history.

This is one of the three most stimulating books I've read in the last 20 years. Mann posits civilizations as overlapping networks of power -- ideological, military, economic, and political. He described the extensive and intensive capabilites of each type of network from place to place over time, and is pretty good about minimizing any Eurocentrism, though there is room for improvement.

Although written in an intensely academic style -- not a book for the faint of heart or the short of attention span -- it will well reward the considered reader.

This book was pretty thorough for documenting health and human rights in several areas of the world, apart from those in the middle east. A gross omission was the case of Iraq. It had an appendix with the declaration of human rights (plus others) for those interested in the "ideal" Otherwise, it was a great introduction into health and human rights.

This novelization of the second film in the omen series is a professional job, it just isn't that scary (a problem the film it's based on had as well). It was also written by Joseph Howard, not David Seltzer as listed above. Fans of the series will want to search for it anyway, for there are minor differences in the story that will no doubt be of interest.

Just in case you do not know already, Damien: Omen II is an adaptation of the movie of the same name. Damien: Omen II is a sequel to "The Omen'. The original Omen movie started out as a novel, while Damien: Omen II started out as a screenplay which the novel is closely based on.

The story takes place seven years later in which Damien the Antichrist is now thirteen years old, and totally in the dark about his diabolic heritage and destiny. He now lives with his uncle, who runs Thorn Industries, his second wife Ann, and his cousin Mark. As usual, anybody who steps in Damien's way to his destiny or knows his true nature is promptly knocked off in ingenious and gruesome ways. WHile a huge black mastiff lingers around Damien in the first movie/novel, now a monstrous raven hovers ominously nearby.

The biggest change in the novel from the movie is the Joan Hart character. In the film, she was merely just a reason for the producers to stick in another gruesome death scene. In the novel, her role was expanded. Her association switched from the David Warner character in the first movie to the archeologist Michael Morgan in the second film's prolouge.

Another change is Ann Thorn. In the film it is suggested that she was in league with the DEvil and was dispatched when her usefulness was over. In the book, it is not clear what her true motivation was in the story's finale.

Earlier editions contains photographs from the movie, which you may be able to find in used book stores.

Overall, the book is a good read, even though it lacked the religious details and atmosphere of the first movie, the book still ended with an evil note like the first one, in which evil triumphs.

A good follow up to the original and a good story. But it borrows too heavily from the good versus evil earlier theme of Damien's guardians striking down anybody who learns of his dark secret. This story is interesting because young Damien finally comes to realize who he is and gradually accepts it, then relishes it. Now as a young adult with his destiny set before him the stage is set for the next sequel.

I really do enjoy this book and it is very informational, but I find that the questions at the end of each of the sections, are sometime not in the section read before. I think that if you're going to have question review, a student should be able to look back on the section read beforehand, and be able to answer the question. Besides that, the book is very exciting to read. It holds some very interesting facts about slavery and how it was in the beginning. It is a really good book for the secondary teaching level.

For such highly regarded filmmaker it's a bit of a head scratcher that there is only one book out there dedicated to his career.... and a pretty [bad] one at that.

If you're looking for a basic, blow-by-blow account of his films, then this 96-page quickie is okay. However, more devoted fans will be disappointed by the lack of in-depth analysis or factual detail (most of it taken from various interviews and articles that are easily found for free on the Internet and that aren't even credited!).

Mr. Steensland's writing style is all over the map. At times it's almost academic and then switches suddenly to a more conversational tone. It has a jarring effect on the reader that is very distracting.

Now, I understand that the purpose of this series of books is to provide quick and easy-to-find information on a given filmmaker and their films. That's fine but a filmmaker of Mann's calibre deserves more than this. When's a more detailed book on his career going to come out?

Bottom line: unless you are a die hard Mann fan don't waste your time or money on this book.