Don't be misled by the title which indicates the central area of research. This book will be useful throughout the remaining grasslands in Texas and neighboring states. For someone who lives in central Texas and who has been looking for an accurate guidebook to native grasses, this book has been a godsend. Dr. Powell and his illustrator, Patricia Manning, have made a book which is scholarly, reliable, attractive, readable and detailed without being overwhelming. Grasses are hard to identify. What better than to know that if I go to "6 mi. below Redford...NW slopes of Wildhorse Mts.... Dog Canyon Flats... Pecos River crossing on Pandale Road" I'll find what I'm looking for. Lots of experts seem to find it hard to communicate with the bungling amateur. Dr. Powell and his collaborator, in contrast, are helpful and clear. Highly recommended.

This book looks rather strange at first, but after getting past the first couple of pages you really appreciate the beauty of layout and contexts. Some of the ideas are truly excellent! Well worth putting into action. After trying out several of the exercises at work I was promoted to the post of Private Secretary! So the book speaks for itself!

Not as strong as his later book Transeptor, but Spider Garden is a cool dream world of bondage and domination. Buy it for the art...and you'll be taken to places that will fill your dreams for years to come.

Many of my favorite comix share the quality of appearing to be self-contained artifacts dropped in from a different world, like the encyclopedia volume in Borges' "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius." They create little worlds with a totally persuasive ecology and aesthetic. Some examples of this have been THB #1 by Paul Pope, Louis by Metaphrog, New Hat by Tom Hart, and Cave-In by Brian Ralph (only the last of those is available through Amazon, unfortunately).

The Spider Garden and its sequel, Hydrophidian, overflow with this quality. Drawing on Japanese woodblock prints and Cyberpunk science fiction, Manning creates an engrossing world of intrigue and decadence.

It's worth emphasizing that Spider Garden is also extremely kinky and explicit fetish porn. It's rare that someone creates a work of artistically ambitions erotica where the sexual heat is not stifled by the author's pretentions, but here the intricate and subtle plot and the extensive sex scenes achieve a symbiotic relationship that increases the power of both.

Manning has only begun to explore the world he suggests in these books, and his output is notoriously slow. I hope to see many more volumes of this story before he ends the series.

Note: Unfortunately, like so many NBM books, the binding is lousy. The content bears repeated re-readings, but the spine does not.

It's great. But it's not for the sexually weak hearts. This book is best viewed with an open-mind and a love for erotic art. At first, I thought it wasn't going to argee with me but it did. It's very good and the stories will pull you in. The art is fanstastic and beautifully detailed. This is just my opinion on the book. If you do buy it, I hope that you will enjoy it.

Lytton Strachey, a member of the Bloomsbury group, altered the way biographies were written with this volume of four well-known Victorians. At the time the book was published, it skewered the hypocrisies and self-assured nature of the Victorians. Even today, when we are so far removed from the Victorian age that it seems quaint and even attractive, this book's attack on the deadening effect of much of that time still rings true. And it is as readable now as it was then; Strachey was one of the wittiest men of his time, and this book is his most successful work. Interestingly, he became less iconoclastic as he grew older, and his later biography of Queen Victoria (not one of the four figures contained in Eminent Victorians) is rather respectful. If you enjoy this book (and almost anyone would), you might want to try to see the movie released several years ago titled "Carrington." It is based on a biography of Strachey by Milchael Holroyd, but is told from the point of view of a woman who fell hopelessly in love with Strachey; unfortunately for her, he was a confirmed homosexual, but she loved him anyway. Emma Thompson plays the title roal and Jonathan Pryce is an excellent Strachey.

Most of us here in the old "colony" have probably never heard of General Gordon. For Brits, he's a legendary eccentric military man of the late 1800's who died a hero in terrible circumstances.(At least that's what I think many Brits think..) After a brilliant career in many parts of the vast Empire, and beyond, Gen Gordon was sent to control some Islamic revolutionary jihadist types (sound familiar) led by a charismatic Mahdi (messiah). By all accounts the general was a man worthy of this assignment, and brought his small force to Khartoum to free the slaves, and rally the locals...The rest is bizarre and insane in the extreme with the good general suffering breakdowns of sorts, including having dinner with some rodent friends...When word gets to London, after political maneuvering and bickering, the people damand an expeditionary force to save Gordon and his men.Too late!! A great tragedy ensues. If there's a better short bio out there than this one, I'd read it ASAP...Florence Nightingale has a great story too, and her experiences show once again the horrors of war (this time the earlier Crimean one), and indifference of the comfortable few sitting at home by the fireplace in willful ignorance. No doubt she was a force to be reckoned with, and her ideas about clean hospitals and nursing helped change the world...This book is recommended to those looking for a different historical perspective on current events, and for nurse everywhere! The other two bios are good, but may be put aside for later.

The most famous anecdote about this book (and the one that made me aware of it) is the scene of Bertrand Russell in his prison cell incarcerated for his Pacifism during WWI laughing hysterically while reading the work. (And being henceforth rebuked by a guard for doing so in what was, after all, a penal institution.)-The other reviewers are pretty much on the mark in that Strachey set a new standard for biography.-But the piece on General Gordon surpasses all. I can see myself on death row laughing over this section.-It is in part a sad reflection on what years in the Sudan can do to an orthodox Englishman's mind. It is indeed uncanny to hear Gordon aver, on his famous expedition to save Khartoum, nearly the exact words of Baudelaire as he gazed across the perhaps too familiar desert landscape:"It is necessary to be drunken always. This is everything. This is the unique question." (my translation)-This is the aged General the sober English sent on this perilous quest. This is the man who daily battled with the question of what God's Will was for him.-What the Gordon section and the others show, of course, is that man (or woman) is not one-dimensional. Far more often, he(she)is multi-dimensional to the point of being paradoxical. The hypocritical Victorian mindset was pushed over the edge by this book.

Mark Manning, the gay publisher of a small-town Wisconsin newspaper, faces a murder investigation where the lead suspect is his friend. Is he trusting his friend too much, or is something serious wrong with this all American mid-western town?

Michael Craft writes excellent characters, giving the reader Manning himself, Manning's relationships with lover, adoptive son, friends, and newspaper staff--as well as an assortment of suspects. Each of the suspects is distinctive, each with their own motives. As Manning digs deeper into the crime, a lot more than the initial 'small world of miniatures' comes apparent. Lots of axes are being ground over pornography and Manning, as newspaper editor, cannot just stand by.

In Name Games, author Michael Craft offers us the fourth entry into the Mark Manning series of mysteries. With Name Games, Craft has certainly hit full stride. Manning is a well-developed, familiar protagonist and Craft seems to have fully taken hold of Manning's character development. Although this publication marks a switch in publisher from Kensington to St. Martin's Press, absolutely nothing suffers by the change. Manning's latest adventures find him well settled into his new home in Dumont, Wisconsin, where he is editor and publisher of the Dumont Register. His partner Neil is present throughout the story as he is on an extended work assignment for Quatro Press in Dumont. (Neil was more intermittant in the last story because of Mark's move from Chicago. Neil remained in Chicago and commuted to Dumont on weekends). This is an extremely postive development as we can witness Mark and Neil grow more settled as a couple. In addition, the character of Doug Pierce (country sheriff) continues and he is a welcome face in the Manning series. Mark's ward Thad Quattrain has developed from a total brat (as we met him in the last installment) to a decent and loving sixteen year old who has formed an excellent relationship with Mark and Neil; Thad appears quite proud to have two gay surrogate parents.The story revolves around a "miniatures" exhibiton to be held in Dumont. The celebrity judge is murdered and Sheriff Doug Pierce is implicated. Mark takes hold of the murder and works diligently at solving it. There are plenty of suspects and each is well portrayed in Craft's development. While there is a bit of foreshadowing, the reader is urged not to jump to conclusions. I managed to wrongly solve the mystery about four times through the book!Craft provides an engaging read from start to finish. His writing has improved and in addition to the action of the story, he cleverly manages to bring us into some of his more reflective thinking on a number of issues throughout the story. The conclusion is somewhat surprising and yet satisfying. Manning is well entrenched on my must read list. The only unfortunatel thing about finding a new author or series at the start is the wait for the next one. For those not familiar with Michael Craft's "Mark Manning" series, there are four waiting to be read. By the time you're finished, they'll probably be a fifth. At least this reader hopes so!Great work Michael! Keep them coming ... a little faster perhaps!

Name Games is book four in the Mark Manning Series. Mark Manning is a newspaper publisher. He once again had to come to the rescue and solve a murder. This time, there were many suspects, including the Sheriff, the Sheriff's deputy, the DA and a retired physician, just to mention a few. As always, the book read so well, that I felt I was there, and could actually see everything that was described.

The origin of the term Name Games comes out in the story. It is mentioned a couple of times. This book is a winner! You will not regret buying it! Enjoy!

By the way, my name would be Rusty LaRue! Now you will have to read the book to find out what that means!

If I were Mark Manning, I might think that I were cursed. BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO THOSE AROUND HIM. In the fifth book of the series, Mark's ward, Thad, was the prime suspect in the murder of a fellow classmate. In this one, it is longtime friend Roxanne Exner that must face the air of suspicion in the untimely (and rather gruesome) death of a Dumont philanthropist.

Besides the task of proving the innocence of his pal, Mark must also contend with Thad's impending departure for college.

Boy, is life tough!

So that the uninitiated reader can become acquainted with the book's "personnel", Craft introduces each in a way that does not distract from the story-at-hand.

Craft's attention to detail of set and character is what makes him of major appeal to his readership. Occasionally, Craft "speaks" through his protagonist Manning with a few narrative lapses on political and religious issues, the latter especially in regards to Manning's sexuality.

It works for him!

Although not quite up to par with the other five entries, "Hot Spot" is still a relaxing way to spend a hot, summer day or a crisp autumn afternoon.

For his fans, Craft pays homage to his own series in a "cutesy" paragraph that begins at the base of page 271 and concludes at the top of the subsequent one.

It'll bring a smile!

Mark and his partner Neil are hosting their best friend Roxanne's wedding to a man who's a candidate for the Governor of Illinois. The wedding is a beautiful affair, hosting all the big names that the small town of Dumont, Wisconsin has to offer. And then a freak accident results in a death at the reception. While at first it seems like a tragic accident, soon evidence points to a planned murder, and the prime suspect is none other than Roxanne, the newlywed. As Mark tries to unravel the convoluted threads of this mystery, more questions than answers come to the surface, but he's determined to clear the name of his best friend, the woman who introduced him to Neil. This book is a bit more staid than the previous Manning mysteries, but with a keen eye and mind, "Hot Spot" blooms into an intellectual puzzle that leads the reader through Manning's thought processes as he sifts through the bewildering tangle. At the heart of this latest mystery is the notion of family in the lives of gay men. Not only do Mark and Neil have an adopted son (Thad, who's leaving for college as the story ends), but they also have a wide circle of close friends who are indeed equal to family members. Since Roxanne is part of this chosen family, Mark won't sit idly by and let her go through this alone. Family, whether by blood or by choice, is wholly important. And this is what makes the Mark Manning series so endearing to fans.

HOT SPOT, the sixth novel in the Mark Manning Mystery series is a tale of transitions. First, Thad Quatrain, Mark's ward and nephew, is preparing to leave home for college. Next, Roxanne Exner, Mark and Neil's best friend, has finally committed herself to matrimony to Carl Creighton. And the wedding is to be held at Mark and Neil's home in Dumont. And to top everything else off, Carl is running for political office in Illinois; a move, which if he is successful, would take him and Roxanne from nearby Chicago to the state capitol of Springfield.

Knowing Roxanne from the past books in the series, you'd expect the wedding to be a major disaster. But other than the actual joining of Rox and Carl, it takes place without a hitch. (Joke) Unfortunately, it is the reception that becomes a disaster when an elderly and wealthy Dumont matron is electrocuted in a freak accident. But was it an accident? It begins to look like homicide and the new bride is the prime suspect

As I've said before, the author keeps getting better with each book in the series, and this one is the best yet. The plot is littered with possible suspects and red herrings that keep you guessing to the very end. And other than "obfuscation" I loved ever word in it. (Another joke) Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the dust jacket illustration. The Bride of Frankenstein photo will probably attract consumer attention but it demeans the text inside.

This story is set in the same timeframe as that of Desert Autumn, the first book in the new Claire Gray series. In that book the noted stage director, Claire Gray is preparing for the opening semester of the Desert Arts College in California, which just happens to be the college where Thad is heading. (Insider information - Mark will be making a guest appearance in the second book of the series scheduled for a February release.)

The final transition has Mark and Neil alone in the big house in Dumont. Sounds pretty tame, but you know that something is going to come up soon. And it's sure to be a dozey! So far, you can't go wrong with this series and HOT SPOT will keep you up late turning the pages.

I've really enjoyed the Mark Manning series. They're fun, the characters are enjoyable, the writing is usually well done, and not only am I usually unable to solve the mystery until Mark does it himself, I find myself laughing the whole way through. But this latest offering left me disappointed. I still had fun, I still laughed, and I still enjoyed the read; but eighty pages into the novel I had already figured out "who dunnit" and was ready to strangle the protaganist with the sheer strength of my frustration.

Boy Toy delves deeper into Mark Manning's new life in Dumont, WI, as the publisher of a small-town newspaper. He's started an unconventional family with his partner, having become the guardian of his 16-year old nephew, Thad. It is around Thad that the plot of Boy Toy revolves. Staring in a community-theatre play, Thad's costar is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and suspicion quickly turns to our protaganist's ward. Mark immediately sets off to discover the true identity of the murderer, simultaneously clearing Thad's name.

To put it simply, the author has become too formulaic. He's following the same formula for each and every one of his books, and the mystery is disappearing. It's not so much a mystery or even a riddle as it is a puzzle... and once you figure out how the puzzle was designed, it's easy to solve. The character's are still enjoyable (Craft's skill in this arena has not waned) and it was a fun read if only to keep up on Mark and Neil's lives. The setting is well crafted and truly does read like a small town in Wisconsin. But if you've read a few other books in the Manning series, you know where this one is going.

To his credit, Craft throws a last minute curve, a nice little plot twist, in the last ten pages. But this curve isn't so much a neck-wrenching 180 as it is a modest 5 degree bend in the road. Buy and read only if you've enjoyed the characters and want to see what's going on in their lives... skip it if you're looking for a real mystery.

"Boy Toy" is the first book by Michael Craft I've read and my first experience of his amateur sleuth, newspaperman Mark Manning. I loved the characters and found the plot intriguing as well as the small town Wisconsin location. I was gratified to discover that this is the latest book in a series by this author featuring the same main character, who functions as narrator of the story. This one had me guessing! I'm from Los Angeles originally, have lived in San Francisco for 22 years, and spent a year in Dubuque, Iowa going to school in the mid-1970's. The midwestern setting of this book wasn't a problem for me, even if it's where I don't want to live.

My one quibble -- and it is a quibble -- is that more than once Manning describes his prairie house as having come from one of Frank Lloyd Wright's students at Taliesin in Wisconsin. Sorry, but the Prairie School was founded by Wright and his associates who worked out of Wright's original studio in Oak Park, Illinois. By the time Wright moved to Taliesin, the prairie house was on the way out and by the time Taliesin established its program of architectural apprenticeship, it was the 1930's and Usonian houses -- prairie houses were long gone by then.

It has been both interesting and gratifying to watch Michael Craft develop as a mystery writer. With his fifth Mark Manning installment, "Boy Toy," Craft truly hits full stride. Now that Michael Nava has retired from mystery writing and two other fine series by R.D. Zimmerman and J.M. Wilson seem to be on hold, Michael Craft steps to the forefront of the gay mystery genre.

Craft is ready, and "Boy Toy" really delivers. The plotting is airtight, and even though I was sure I had it figured out, a neat twist-ending proved me wrong. Craft has clearly done his homework in researching the forensics of this story, and it's safe to say I'll never again feel quite right about mushrooms. Craft also excels at characterization. Mark Manning, the hero-narrator, and his lover Neil have matured into a wonderful couple, two guys I'd love to have dinner with and know as friends. And their physical relationship now leaves NOTHING to the imagination.

All told, "Boy Toy" is just about perfect. I look forward to reading many more Mark Manning mysteries.

The art in this book is pretty good, if a bit broader of stroke than I tend to like. Still, the imagery is solid, and the motions of the characters really carries itself off the page well.

The rest of it is pretty much crap. The story is basic, with very little to endear one to the any of characters. The happenings are boring enough that I was distracted by the weather outside the window. The erotic part of it can be better attained by one's own imagination. Not what I would call a worthwhile read, and certainly not for the price I paid. If you see somewhere for $3 or so, pick it up. Otherwise, hang loose and look for some stuff you can count on. Or check my dumpster.

Wow....
This book is filled with all the erotic imagery that you can expect from Manning. His Plays with Pony play and other BDSM views are amazing. This book along with Spider Garden make up the most thumbed though books in my house.

Tranceptor is a graphic novel about a beautiful domme in a post cataclysmic world. Our beautiful heroine is attacked late one night by a mystery assailant, so she sets off into the industrial wastelands, chauffered by her pony girls, to search for answers. Along the way, she meets a very lucky stable boy name Hyu and her treacherous sister Tranceptor, Ravanna.

A little short on plot, it has all the Manning signature elements of high quality illustration and incredibly inventive settings. The scenes and the characters are original and beautifully rendered. This book has something to appeal (or offend) almost everyone - elaborate costumes, ponies, bestiality, female bisexuality and good old hardcore sex. Interesting and inventive - I can't wait to see the next book in the series.

This is my favorite book of the series. Michael Craft is definitely improving as a writer. This story is much more developed that the previous ones and I enjoyed the move to a new local. But... as much as I enjoyed it, I agree with everything in Drew Brainard's review below. With the exception of Manning, the characters lack depth. I too would love to get inside Neil's head - learn what makes him tick.

Minor criticisms aside, I too had a hard time putting this one down and can't wait till the next in the series. Great mystery - buy it!

Craft's third installment of the Mark Manning series is without question his best work yet. When I opened the book and read Craft's thank you to Dame Agatha Cristie I was a bit dubious. Having read every Agatha Cristie novel, I wondered if Craft could pull it off. Well........ he does with aplomb! As any dedicated Christie reader can tell you, the reader always figures out who the killer is before the Perot or Marple does. The talent Christie and Craft share is they both have the ability to keep the reader interested even though the reader knows who the killer is.

Craft development of the characters and plot makes the reader "feel" he is there, whether it's jogging with Mark and Neal, eating cavier on New Year's Eve or witnessing the "outing" of the killer.

Mr. Craft, Dame Christie would be proud of your work!

Well done, as usual.

Chicago journalist Mark Manning has many reasons to be the happiest person alive. His relationship with his spouse Neil Waite has solidified, turning them into a blissful couple. He is wealthy enough to maintain his current lifestyle for the rest of his life and Neil,s architectural expertise has them living in a near perfect home. Still, Mark feels despondent after reporting the story of the century.

Mark seeks a new Everest to climb and thinks he found it in Durmont, Wisconsin, the home of his cousins, the Quatrains. He purchases their former home and the local newspaper, and settles into life in the small town. He meets Suzanne Quatrain, her retarded brother Joey, and her son Thad. However, someone murders Suzanne, leaving Mark as the prime suspect because he suspiciously inherits a large chunk of cash. The intrepid reporter begins an investigation to clear his name.

BODY LANGUAGE carries less of the emotional tome normally included in a Mark Manning novel because the protagonist and his partner seem more durable and loving than the turmoil of the previous books. The truth behind the well-designed mystery surfaces diabolically but cleverly slow as readers are unable to stop reading until Michael Craft reveals whom the culprit is. Adding to the fun is a twist that alters the Manning-Waite relationship and making the audience want more crafty tales from this stupendous writer.

Harriet Klausner