One of the last of the original Bond Books, On Her Majesty's Secret Service is also one of the best. Picking up a year after the end of Thunderball, this book finds James Bond again battling the nefarious schemes of Ernest Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE and, most importantly, falling in love with the beautiful, resourceful, and ultimately tragic Tracy. Though the usual intrigue is well-presented by Fleming, he also makes it clear that Blofeld's plan is hardly meant to be taken all that seriously. (Without ruining it for those who might never have read the book or seen the surprisingly faithful film adaption, it all comes down to Blofeld hidden away in Switzerland, pretending to be an allergist, and brainwashing English farm girls. No, it doesn't make a lot of sense but Fleming obviously had so much fun presenting it that most readers won't take offense.) The heart of this book -- and this Fleming treats with an admirable seriousness that should take his critics by surprise -- is the love story between Bond and Tracy. In Tracy, Fleming has created perhaps his most fully realized "Bond girl." Vulnerable yet resourseful and more than capable of taking care of herself (and, at times, perhaps even more so than Bond himself), its hard not to fall in love with this character and when Bond finally does decide to reject all others for her, its impossible to disagree with his logic. Its a compelling, rather touching love story and, even though most Bond films know how its going to end, the ending still packs a heavy impact.

As for Bond himself, after being a rather predictable presence in Thunderball, he's back in full form as a full realized, interesting character in this novel. On Her Majesty's Secret Service was written after the release of Dr. No (Ursula Andress even makes a cameo appearance at the time) and one can sense that, with this book, Fleming is reestablishing his claim on the character. From the intentionally ludicrous evil scheme to the frequent excursions into Bond's head (revealing him hardly to be the ruthless, unflappable killer that filmgoers though him to be), Fleming comes across as a reenergized writer in this book -- determind to let all the new Bond fans out there know who is really in charge of their favorite secret agent's destiny. The result is one of the best of the original Bond books and one of the best spy thrillers I've read in a long time.

Without a doubt, Ian Fleming's finest James Bond Novel. Mr. Fleming neatly round out the character of James Bond as the reader sees the complete person behind our favorite government operator. The book begins with Bond begining to becomed bored with his assignment and meeting the love of his life. Due to the nature of his work and the emotional scars from previous relationships, Bond is always reluctant to engage in a serious romance with a woman. However, this time, Bond is willing to take his chances to find someone to fill the void in his life. Aside from the romance, Bond also has a job to do. Reinvigorated by progress in his once moribund assignment, Bond tackles his arch enemy Ernst Stavro Blofled through Fleming's engaing narrative. References to Bond's childhood memories, past assignments, and his dreams are particularly effective. Fleming's rich imagination transports the reader from Bond's old haunts on the Northern French coast to the Swiss Alps, where 007 once again takes his licks for "Queen and Country." Hats off to Fleming for his gutsy ending, which unfortunately for Bond, underlines the fact that 007 will always belong to "Her Majesty's Secret Service."

The downside of the massive popularity of James Bond on film is the shadow cast over the extraordinary Ian Fleming source novels. In truth, nothing Fleming wrote - the 13 novels, two books of short tales, a children's book (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and two non-fiction journalistic works - falls short of high inspiration. "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", a book written in the glow of the first Bond movie success in 1963, is among Fleming's best. It is poetic, ingeniously plotted, and shows a full-dimensionality of character in Bond that John Grisham or Freddie Forsyth can only drool for. This is the book in which Bond finally falls in love (it came late in the book series), and it shows the maturation of Fleming's style - a style much admired by Raymond Chandler and the poet William Plomer, to name but two stalwarts - and also reveals the cynicism of battle scarring that Fleming personally was suffering in his copyright disputes on the earlier "Thunderball". The novel begins with a description of beachside, late summer, that is as richly evocative as a sonnet, and takes us into an Alpine Christmastime. Here was Fleming's "secret": like Dickens, he had the ability to create ambience so intense that one could taste the soft shell buttered crabs, and feel the cold sand of a winter strand. No recommendation is more heartfelt. So much snobbery pollutes novel reviews, but the driest academic will see the deep wells of Fleming, and the pure thrill of fantasy. Rider Haggard and John Buchan come close, but Fleming is perhaps the best escapist romancer of the twentieth century and "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (along with "Dr No" and "From Russia With Love") are his masterworks. It is nothing short of criminal that these great romances are no longer available in their elegant Richard Chopping-designed hardcovers, or in well-styled mass paperbacks. They are, in short, the stuff of connoisseurs. Forget the sugary dribble of Kingsley Amis ("Colonel Sun": not bad), John Gardner (better with his originals, like "The Werewolf Trace"), or Raymond Benson. Go for gold.

This is the best and most accurate up-to-date book about vampire lore. If you've every thought about reading a book about the demons that walk the night this has to be your first pick. It lists all the clans in full detail with the last words of the 2nd generation clan elders to their childer and a very in depth story about the first vampire Caine. Although some of the writing may be hard to read (like the Malkavian clan text) this is still a great book. But the only way to complete it is to read The Erciyes Fragments which will complete the Book of Nod. ENJOY!

When I first read this book, it was in one sitting, and several times I have retuned to it to brush up on my lore. I play live-action Vampire the Masquerade and thoroughly enjoyed this book not only as a great book ITSELF...but as a great supplement. In my opinion...IT and the "sequel book" The Erciyes Fragments create a FULL volume of the Book of Nod. GET BOTH! Whereas the Book of Nod has what I consider to be THE outline of the laws of the clans as dictated by Malkav, Toreador and the others, The Book of Erciyes (which some fellow gamers have affectionatly been calling the COMPLETE version of the Book of Nod) contains more history about Caine's curses HE put on the clans, his exile in the land of Nod as well as a rather interesting bit with Lilith. Why get both? Well I don't feel the story is COMPLETE without both and they're a combination of georgeous art and some of the most creative gothic writing I have seen in a LONG time.

This is a must for every "Vampire The Masquerade" lover. You'll get more insight reading the first 3 chapters than you have got so far...

IT IS CALLED THE VAMPIRES BIBLE

And it lives up the nickname

Read it and be afraid of Lillith's curs on man.

Caine was exhiled from paradise to the land of Nod, and that is all the Holy Bible says about Caine's stay in Nod. This book goes in detail where our bible stops and TAKES US INTO THE IMAGINATIV WORLD WE LOVE TO EXPERIENCE.

I saw this amazing exhibit, "La Terre Vue Du Ciel", of Yann Arthus-Bertrand's in the Jardin du Luxembourg Senat when I was in Paris a few weeks ago. The exhibit included much larger-than poster-sized photos that are some of the same photos contained in the book. They were spectacular and breath-taking. Stunning really. But if you can't afford to go to Paris, or if you can't get a hold of a poster of his work, this book is a fantastic collection of awesome, thoughtful, inspiring, thought-provoking, and humanistic usually unseen images taken from above Earth, that have an incredible aesthetic beauty. I can't recommend this book more highly. I was going to purchase 3-4 of them myself for me and my family and friends. However, I waited to get back to the US before doing so since they are large and very heavy due to the high-quality paper the photos are printed on. I was sorry they would not fit in my luggage as I had wished to stare at the photos for many hours on the plane trip home. Many kudos to Yann Arthus-Bertrand for an outstanding artistic work! Bravo! I hope to see another exhibit by this talented photographer in Paris or the U.S. in the near future.

This is a book that I would have loved as a child. Don't get me wrong, I love it today but a child would bask in the wonders of the Earth for hours with these images. It's hard to believe that some of the locations in this book are on this planet. There is such beauty and awe in these pictures. At almost every turn of the page there is a "wow" coming out of my mouth. Well worth the money. The only gripe I have is the reference of the locations. You have to flip around all over the place to find out the location of the photographs. There does not seem to be any order connecting the photos to the descriptions. Don't worry though! Still get the book.

This book is a jewel. In my opinion, everyone should have a copy of this book at home.
I first saw Yann Arthus Bertrand work during an outdoor exhibit in Paris. I was fascinated with the photos, and the next day I ran to buy the book (although some people to whom I have recommended it find it rather expensive).
Certainly, the photos are sensational, but that is hardly the point. Yann is a true citizen of the world, and represents globalisation in its 'kindest' -and most 'useful' form, if I'm allowed the expression.
In this book, Yann Arthus shows us that earth is sick. Whether it is the Amazon rainforests, Alaska, Africa or Australia, clear signs of decomposition appear in the photos. This book is a waking call for many of us, however, at the same time it reminds us how beautiful is everything around us, and how rich is this planet we live in.

A Tale Of Three Kings is a an awesome piece of Christian literature. If you are tired of all the "holy spirit, healing, prosperity, achieving wealth through biblical principles" type books, than Gene Edwards is your man. In this book, Gene lays out a refreshing perspective on brokeness that is not quite traditional in mainstream "Sunday school, pulpit preachings". Through his wonderful and simplistic story telling style, Gene goes into the depths of the hearts of three kings, namely King Saul, King David, and King Absolom. Not only will this book aid in your journey towards the deep things of the Lord and His ways, but it will cause us to look into our very hearts and ask the question, "which heart of these Kings do I have....." Indeed men fix things that break, but after we read this book we emerge w/ the understanding that God breaks men to fix them.

This story appears to be written lightly but it is full of deep thoughts and truths. I picked this up to read about Kings Saul, David and Absalom. Could not put it down. Read straight through. God had me pick this book up to read about the condition of my own heart. Am I as King Saul seeking God's power or King David a man after God's own heart. Gene Edwards truly writes to the heart of brokenness, submission and authority.

I have owned this book for years. The other night God had me to read this book at 11:30 pm. I read the first chapter and I wanted to put it down (it made me weep). Gene Edwards said I know you didn't like that chapter and you won't like the other chapter either. He was right. It showed me of myself. When I read I heard myself saying the same words that I was reading. After each chapter, God said keep reading. This book was awesome. I never looked at David the way he was protrayed in this book. I read the whole book before going to bed. I learned alot about myself, people in church and especially leadership over me. Everyone should read this book.

My first introduction to totemism was a group of pagans I hung around with in college. Some of them were really, really enthusiastic about this deck, but I only picked one up for myself within the last few years. I even did my senior thesis on the idea of personal, urban totemism. And even with all that, "Medicine Cards" scare the heck out of me.

Unless you believe that the only important totem animals are the ones that you can find on belt buckles (Eagle, Bear, Random Big Cat, etc.), there's no real Major Arcana/Minor Arcana distinction here. Every single card in this deck is big ju-ju. My first two readings kinda freaked me out, really. If archetypes, animal mythos and anthropomorphism are pretty much second-nature to you, just give up and get this deck. You will probably understand the cards without needing to check the book all that often.

Unless there was a slip-up at the publisher's, the standard deck does not come with a little reference pamphlet like most tarot decks do. It comes with a medium-sized hard back book (A nice treat, but not convenient for lugging around spontaneously -- this could be why they made the "Just for Today" deck) that explains each card, including an occasional story, and some spreads and an exercise to figure out which totem animals represent you in this spread. Two of three totems that I'd already figured out for myself showed up in the exercise, and the third was kinda iffy for me at that point anyway.

The cards are 5.5" by 3" and have an alarmingly boring back -- government blue with a single yellow lightening bolt. They're coated with something incredibly shiny, but aren't particularly slippery. There are 52 cards in the deck, plus 9 blanks so that you can fill it in with any animals that you think are missing. They're almost a little too large for me to shuffle them easily (and I've been told that I have large hands for my gender). The book's table of contents tells you what animals are included.

The artwork works inwards from a white boarder to a thinner red boarder that also bisects the interior design. The top half of the inside is sky-blue, and the bottom is an earth-tone green. In the middle is a Medicine Shield inside which is a picture of the featured animal spirit. Above, in the blue, along with the number of the card, is the aniamls name in a black script font.

The artwork is good. It's not cute, and it's not dazzlingly beautiful in a way that draws me, but I'm still impressed with this deck for all my nitpicky comments. If you think you're up for the challenge, I recommend "Medicine Cards."

I BOUGHT THESE CARDS AFTER PURCHING HER BOOK DANCING THE DREAM I can not tell in this short space how much these card have help me find my path of enlightment. I have been looking for different ways for peace of mind for years. Thank you Jamie for showing me the way thru "all of relations". I have to say when I got home I wonder what the cards would say. I have always been impressed with spiders. And when I did my totem reading the frist card I picked was the spider. Also I love dragon flys and that was my last card of the seven. Any one wanting to connect with nature and find your path thru nature. this is a must. Also when I got it was the last in the store so don't put off getting these cards. you will be amazed. MUST READ DANCING THE DREAM. I have read many a book on finding happieness and this was the best by far/

Excellent divination method and well-written book. I recommend it to anyone who follows a Native American path, or who just wants to learn more about their power animals.

The comics masterpiece that is truly Frank Miller's zenith in four-colour art form is not the overrated tale of an elderly Caped Crusader, but rather that of a blind hero whose life is stripped bare leaving him a shell of his former self, only to crawl out of the pit of despair in triumph. Miller's collaboration with David Mazzucchelli is the single greatest story in the history of Marvel Comics (including Marvels). "Born Again" is more about Daredevil's alter ego, Matt Murdock, as the Man Without Fear's worst enemy discovers the dual identity of Hell's Kitchen's guardian devil from a desperate drug addict from Murdock's past. The Kingpin systematically dismantles Murdock's life, piece by agonizing piece, as Murdock's is rendered bankrupt by the IRS, his livelihood of practising law taken from him, and his home destroyed. This turn of events provokes both Murdock as himself and Daredevil to gradually become so violent and paranoid to the point he teeters on the brink of insanity. Adandoning all his social ties, Murdock lives on the street and his attack on the Kingpin leaves him dying in a cab at the bottom of the Hudson River. On the edge of death in a church shelter, a nun nurses him to health as Murdock returns from the lowest depths of damnation to rescue his loved ones, as well as himself. This is the most personal tale of a superhero ever, you are dragged into the alleyways of Hell's Kitchen by Mazzuchelli's art and leap across the rooftops of Manhattan with Miller's writing. A truly underrated work that deserves more recognition than it gets.

Frank Miller... the words fail me. I'd have to say that anyone who reads Miller just once is more than likely missing half the story! There're just too many instances when you're reading one of his masterpieces (The Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One, Daredevil Born Again, Sin City , 300) for that second or third time, when you stop, read back through three or four of the prior issues, and come face-to-face with the fact that you've been set up!!!

Miller subtly drops these apparently irrelevant scenes on you halfway into the stories, which serve as a preamble to some of his most powerful lines/images... [among my favorites: In DK Returns, Commisioner Gordon's speech to Captain Yindel "Roosevelt knew about Pearl Harbor but didn't stop it because 'it was too big'" only to have Yindel return in that single frame on the last book to say [about Batman]: "He's too big" - [she finally "gets" Gordon!] second-favorite: The splash page in every issue of DD Born Again, showing Matt's sleeping journey, from the lap of luxury down to the gutter, and then back to the most comfortable bed any of us will ever know - must've took me three reads to click, and realize what Miller was doing (you just don't see that too often in this medium, and by all means NEVER as masterfully executed!). I won't even go into Sin City, "it's just TOO BIG")

Do yourself a favor. Pick up Daredevil Born Again and read it at least twice, then pick up Dark Knight Returns, Batman Year One, Sin City (all of 'em), and 300, and READ THEM SLOWLY, cause, believe me, when you're done with them, you'll be sad... because you'll have to wait, like the rest of us... patiently... for Frank's next work of art. And make no mistake, this is art of the highest form!

Now that the Daredevil feature film is out - and it's got some great moments, but suffers from cramming years of much comic book continuity into 90 minutes of action with a nu-metal soundtrack - it's well worth revisiting this, the greatest Daredevil story ever told.

Frank Miller's writing and David Mazzucchelli's art are career bests in this eight-issue story. Like so many great superhero stories of the modern era, this one interrogates a fundamental aspect of the comic book tradition - namely, what would happen if a hero's worst enemy discovered their secret identity?

The story is laden with Frank Miller's usual grit, but this feels integral to the story, rather than tacked on. In the hands of other comic book writers, themes such as prostitution, destitution, pornography, drug addiction and US military intervention abroad are often used to give superficial stories a faux-profundity. But in 'Born Again' these themes are served well, and not wallowed in any more than they need to be - Matt Murdock, Karen Page and Ben Urich may be sent to Hell in the story, but all three are then redeemed. The blossoming romance of Foggy Nelson and Murdock's ex Glori O'Breen is a corrective to all the misery as well.

As well as being Daredevil's finest moment, this is also the Kingpin's. No artist has made the Kingpin's bulk look more imposing than Mazzucchelli does, whether big baldie is seen on a yacht at sunset, in his trademark suit, working out with weights, or sitting in a sauna. Another beautiful artistic touch is that several issues of the story open with a page showing Matt Murdock waking up, each one a snapshot of the state of his life at that point. And in one sequence, where Ben Urich listens to a murder on the telephone surrounded by the chaos of the the Daily Bugle, his face becomes progressively less naturalistic in each panel to reflect his growing horror - eventually, he looks like a Picasso.

The godlike cameo of the Avengers towards the end of the story is a great example of the 'less is more' approach to comic books. And it's a pleasant surprise, in the last couple of issues, when Miller decides that since he's writing the best ever Daredevil story, he might as well have a crack at writing the best ever Captain America story at the same time. Cap Ap's tortured role in 'Born Again', torn between his patriotic ideals and US injustice, is exactly the same as Superman's role in the Batman story 'A Death in the Family' - but the set-up works better here.

Daredevil is taken apart and put back together in 'Born Again', which is what makes the story so good. It contains an important revelation concerning Matt Murdock's family - typically, Miller delivers this bombshell with a light, blink-and-you'll-miss-it touch. And the story's final page, which shows Matt Murdock and Karen Page walking down a sunlit street in Hell's Kitchen, is immensely satisfying - a clean slate for the character. As the accompanying text says: 'My name is Matt Murdock. I was blinded by radiation. My remaining senses function with superhuman sharpness. I live in Hell's Kitchen and do my best to keep it clean. That's all you need to know.'

I have loved this book since it first came out. The pictures are beautiful- very detailed and fun to look at. I have never seen such pretty flowers and colors in a children's book. Since reading this book, I am a big fan of Miss Spider and collect Miss Spider toys, books, etc. The story sends a very good message to kids. The story rhymes which makes it fun to read aloud.

I happened upon Miss Spider about three years ago at the Denton public library. At the time my daughter was 3, I love the prose, I love the art, I love Miss Spider!

David Kirk does a wonderful job of creating an adorable "mis-fit" Miss Spider is so misunderstood! None of the other bugs want to come to tea. The story breaks your heart then shows how persistance and kindness pay off!

My daughter isn't as thrilled by the books as I am. but then again, I LOVE them. Thank God for people with such great imaginations as the author and illustrator of the Miss Spider series. I recommend Miss Spider to everyone, not just kids, the lessons are profound and the flowing prose style is wonderful. This is my very favorite book to read to children. I am a life long fan of Kirk!

~ Miss Spider's Tea Party is one of those children's books that brings delight to the adult reader as well as the child.
~ The illustrations are beautiful and vividly intricate, but not too complex for children to enjoy, the story has a very gentle wit, that adults will appreciate.
~ Poor Miss Spider invites all kinds of insects to tea, but for some reason they seem reluctant to befriend her. : - )

~ Happily, her naturally sweet charm wins her popularity in the insect kingdom over, as well as a true fan in the reader. Children really seem to love this simple tale, mostly for the beauty of the illustrations, and the sense of a happy conclusion approaching.

I highly recommend this as a book you can enjoy reading with your child. And I would definitely also recommend the sequel "Miss Spider's Wedding"!

Dead souls is a book which starts of amusing you and leads you to believe that it must have an intricate plot and Chichikov, the protagonist, leaves you wondering about his devilish motives. Chichikov is here in this town to purchase serfs who have died since the last government census. The landowners therefore, must still pay taxes on these 'dead souls' until the next census. Chichikov, in possession of these cheaply purchased dead souls would appear to be a rich and prosperous landowner to those ignorant of his scheme.

Gogol describes how Chichikov ingratiates himself with the town's most powerful and respected officials. There are vivid descriptions of his various excursions to meet different landowners. The first meeting between Chichikov and landowner Manilov was absolutely hilarious in its description of how two absolutely disparate and removed people can feign such affection and friendliness, one out of greed, and the other simply from a naïve sense of propriety. As the story progresses, you tend to realize that the book doesn't really attempt to maintain a plot, but Gogol's criticism of the depicted Russian society is much more apparent and seems much sharper and more incisive. The story unfolds in such as a way so as to create the most opportunity for observation and comment on all the characters and situations rather than a story that drives itself towards a particular climax. Gogol's style of writing soon pulls you out of the main story- the reader first being an observer of the general happenings around the various characters is soon put into a different position from where he witnesses how Gogol's subtle humour and sharp criticism blend to create a clear picture of Russian society. Gogol's masterly creation of humor in this book is the essence of its brilliance. Through certain generalizations and allusions made throughout the book, his subsequent observations on each character are much more amusing.

This book is absolutely wonderful in that Gogol, sharply criticizing the kind of culture depicted in this book, earnestly regards these people as in fact, very Russian. The consummate Russian society would have to include besides great writers, thinkers and scholars, those such as Chichikov, Nozdrev and Manilov. Gogol sharply criticizes them but acknowledges their existence as very much a part of Russian Society.

As much as you would scorn the fatuous lives of the landowners and senior officials portrayed in this book, you would fall in love with the image of that perennially drunk Russian serf who's likely to be a swindler or that sincere, unlauded worker ...who might even be dead and purchased by our Chichikov!

Nikolai Gogol has a very creative mind as well as a unique style of writing. While reading Dead Souls, one is more likely to view the world from Gogol's point of view than his own. His writing contradicts everything Americans think they know about Russian literature. This book is a discussion of a world whose values are radically flexible. Though the concept can be frightening to those who do not take time to ask questions about their lives, Gogol has used crazy comic genius to exhibit an honest and impartial view on what is known today as "The Human Race." His book shows that humans' actions are motivated by greed and that the idea of money does not have any real significance because the value of everything that is sold is created by the human who is selling it. Gogol has also written the book in such a way that every single sentence is a universe of its own.

Dead Souls takes place in the Russia of the late 1800s, where, unlike in America, one must be born into a prosperous family in order to have opportunities. The main character, Chichikov, is clever enough to develop a scheme in which he can rise from being a petty clerk to a respected landowner. In order to do this, Chichikov moves into a new town, pretending to already be a landowner, and begins a quest to buy the names of dead serfs who have not yet been officially reported dead. Each person that Chichkov presents this offer to has a different reaction, starting with the shy and introverted Manilov. Though he does not understand Chichikov's need for the names of these dead serfs, Manilov is a character that is so desperate for company that it does not take any effort to trick him into selling his dead souls cheaply. However, as Chichikov continues his journey, he starts to deal with more clever landowners who become suspicious of his scheme.

Chichikov finds that the townsmen known as Sobakevich and Nozdrev are much harder to negotiate with. This is because they are more and attempt to trick Chichikov even though in truth, Chichikov is the one who is playing the trick on them. Nozdrev agrees to sell Chichikov his serfs under the condition that he can sell him something else along with the serfs, such as a horse or a pair of hunting dogs. Chichikov, of course, refuses the offer because he owns no land and has nowhere to keep any horses or dogs. Because of this, Nozdrev curses Chichikov and orders two of his guards to beat him up. However, by sheer luck, the police show up at that exact time to arrest Nozdrev because of crimes he committed in the past. Seeing this, Chichikov runs away and immediately sets off to visit Sobakevich. In his encounter with Sobakevich, Chichikov offers him less than one hundredth of what Sobakevich claims is the rightful price. However, the reason for Sobakevich's logic is that he claims the serfs have just as much value now that they are dead as they did when they were alive. In the end, however, Chichikov's stubbornness surmounts Sobakevich's absurd logic and Chichikov ends up buying the souls for the price he offered.

Unfortunately, as they say, "there is no such thing as a perfect crime." In the end of Dead Souls, Chichikov is stabbed in the back by the people he does business with, and does not get away with his ingenious plan. The main thing that Gogol is proving in his novel is that the entire human race is very similar to Chichikov; their interest lies in money and in prosperity. So if human beings are constantly trying to outsmart each other, a perfect society will never be obtained.

The plot is simple: Pavel Chichikov arrives to a provincial capital of Russia, impresses everyone with his social skills, gets adopted by the "high society" of the town, and then sets out to business: trying to persuade landowners (who are also lifeowners) to give or sell to him all the peasants who have died since the last census. These people, although dead, still generate taxes for the owner, so in principle it is convenient for them. But, of course, everyone asks themselves: "Why would anyone want to buy dead people who cause taxes?". I won't spoil the plot by giving the answer. The important thing is that Gogol uses this plot to paint an exhilarating (but in fact sad) portrait of the Russian society of his time, and of human nature in any time and place, which gives this novel its status as a classic work of art. Corruption, stupidity, naiveté, extreme individualism instead of a spirit of community, and other social vices, present in any society, are represented here by the very funny characters created by the author. Every landowner is a particular form of strange person, procuring Chichikov with crazy adventures. Gogol's writing intersperses the narrative with social reflection and thoughts on human nature, never boring or pretentious, but always funny and satirical. In fact, Gogol's irony and cynicism are probably the most valuable assets of this novel. It belongs to that literary family of books which portray heroes or anti-heores, wandering around, pursuing a fixed, idealized goal. Sometimes this goal is foolish but noble (like Don Quixote), sometimes it is narrow or despicable. These characters illustrate the virtues and vices of us humans, and that makes them live through the centuries. "Dead souls" is undoubtedly a dignifed member of that family, a book which will make you laugh, think and laugh again. By the way, another valuable thing is the way in which Gogol depicts the Russian countryside.

This is the first Dun book I've read but I'm certainly going to give the others a try. Dun does a great job of sustaining interest throughout and the pacing was very good. Dun is gifted at describing the settings particularly the Northwest. The opening action scene was really good. You can feel the pain. Dun generally does a good job with his action characters. The main character Sam might be a little thin but part of that may go with the fact that he's a shadowy spook who we get to know slowly. The other characters are interesting and unique. The best part of this story is the plot and the way it moves always keeping your interest. The novel isn't really brilliant at any point but does a lot of things well and hence the total reading experience is pretty great.

Sam Wintripp is a cool guy with an interesting way of solving high powered problems created by high flying criminals. He doesn't chase anybody but the best of the best and therefore we get the idea that he has to be the cleverest of the clever. This is a great mystery thriller although plenty wordy with lot's of action and a whole cast of bad guys who keep you guessing throughout. Dun gives the reader a myriad questions to puzzle over in this well crafted and somewhat unusual story. Dun loves the outdoor chase with man against nature and man against man and this book is no exception.

I was intrigued with this story right from the first few pages. It's a super sleuth story with a pretty good love angle and lots of action. Sam the hero is not your usual macho guy given the blend of back woodsy Native American mysticism woven into his character. It's a nice touch that take's him out of the crowd of action heros. In Overfall Sam is confronted with a number of brain altered people and sets about trying to discover the reason. He is hired by Anna, a celebrity, whose genius brother is suffering from an unknown ailment that soon takes on sinister overtones. Of course it turns out to be the tip of the iceberg and Sam ends up trying to unravel a far reaching plot while he tries to keep everybody important alive. Grady the ex-stripper is another unique and memorable character and Dun does a good job of bringing in another mind catching point of view.