The atlas is U. S. centric even though the title is 'world atlas'. The map of the U. S. takes up about 25 pages, while the map of Italy, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, and Yugoslovia (formerly) take up 2 pages. And the spelling is unbelievable. Many of the place names are rendered in the native language instead of English, at least I assume so. North and South Korea, about the size of Kansas is shown at about 1/2 the size of Kansas. One normally buys a world atlas to learn about the world, not the U. S. A disappointment.

The twentieth edition of Goode's atlas of the world continues to be a standard for U.S.-educational purposes. The reference maps themselves are not too accurate and detailed, but they provide a reasonably well-balanced coverage of the world, with handy larger-scale inset maps for the more populous regions of each continent. There is an elaborate thematic section on a variety of topics about the world, the continents, and the United States in particular. This is supplemented by a very good statistical section, and the 30,000 entry index gazetteer contains a pronunciation guide for each entry, which is unique for a world atlas. Non-US buyers probably have better alternatives, but for school purposes for North America, this is a very good choice. The publication of this twentieth (!) edition illustrates the endurability of this work since 1922.

When I took my first college-level geography class, my professor told the class that Goode's World Atlas is the best atlas on the market. Fifteen years and a couple of editions later, it's still the best atlas I've ever seen. The atlas includes a commendable section on map projections, many excellent thematic maps, easy-to-read regional (general) maps, tables of country and landform sizes, and a wonderful index. If you're looking for a road map, this atlas probably won't help. If you want to learn about the world, or teach school-aged children about the world they live in, then this is one of the top resources out there.

This is a pretty good book. I liked it but: 1. Too Long 2. Hard to understand I still recommend this book if you need a sports almanac.

This book is a must read for ESPN fans. It is an amazingly detailed book, and one that you are able to look through for hours and never get tired of.

Would'nt you like a book that covers records for ALL the popular sports, instead of just one or two? Well you've come to the right place!!! Baseball, college Basketball, Pro Basketball, College Football, Pro Football, Horse Racing, Formula Racing, Nascar, Hockey, Tennis, Golf, Summer Olymipics, Winter Olympics, Bowling, Track and Field, Boxing, and Fishing, are just a FEW of the sports covered in this extra thick publication!!! You get last years season records for baseball, football, and basketball, plus, the most popular All Time Records. There's hundreds of breath taking photos as well as coverage of last years World Series, and All Time World Series Records. Ever had an argument with someone about a popular sports record? There are tons of records recorded in this fine publication. Want to improve your knowledge on sports trivia without having to thumb through thousands of sports memorabilia books? Well, here's your answer! Folks, to put it simple, this book is the best publication for sports trivia in the World PERIOD I started buying this book in 1998, and it's a big help for me. I can keep up with how my favorite players and teams are faring, plus, I need it to help me pick whose sportscards I'm going to invest in. So can you tell me who the all time Rushing Leader is? If you can't, you can find out by getting this book! ENJOY!!!

I read this book to my daughter and thought it was really cute. A rabbit (ABBY) joins in with all the other animals in picking on a different looking rabbit. Later she learns not to judge someone on their looks. When I turned to the last page and learned this book was written by a 6th grade girl I was very impressed. This book is fun to read with your child with rhyme and great illustrations.

The appearance of this book is deceptive. The full-color illustration on the oversized cover indicates a volume dedicated more to color plates than to substantive text. No impression could be further from the truth. THE AGE OF THE GALLEY is a well-organized series of chapters, each written by real experts in the field, such as trireme specialist John Coates and the brilliant John H. Pryor.

Because each chapter has a different author, the quality isn't uniform; I found the chapter on medieval naval architecture to be a little obscure.

Overall, however, this book is an excellent single-source collection for anyone interested in just how oared warships worked. Excellent line drawings and diagrams illustrate what the various vessels looked like and help explain the dynamics of rowing each type.

If you're looking for those color plates or stirring accounts of ancient naval battles, this book will be a disappointment. If you have a real interest in galley warfare and the capabilities of these vessels, THE AGE OF THE GALLEY is a must-have.

John McLoughlin is called -- by vote of the Oregon legislature -- "The Father of Oregon." Yet the government of the United States deliberately invalidated his claim to his Oregon home.

McLoughlin helped the early pioneers get a foothold in the Oregon wilderness, then was accused of keeping them in poverty for his own enrichment.

He was a compassionate man with a violent temper. McLoughlin was loved, hated, respected, reviled. And now he is the subject of a thorough, honest and compulsively readable biography.

In one sense, this book is an unexpected treasure coming from this writer, who is a respected author of history and fiction for young readers (including a work for young people about McLoughlin), not a traditional writer of biographies for adults.

"Outpost: John McLoughlin and the Far Northwest" is the work of Dorothy Nafus Morrison, an accomplished historian. "Outpost" is a major historical work designed for the general reader and for historians. But it is also a natural step in her development as a writer. It is an astonishing tale, exceptionally well told.

In my former hometown of Oregon City, John McLoughlin is an unavoidable figure. He virtually founded the city, is buried there, his home is a landmark, streets, schools and businesses are named for him. There every school child knows about Fort Vancouver and the Hudson Bay Company. In the rest of the world I fear he is an obscure personage. Ms. Morrison has done extensive, (colossal?), research on McLoughlin and this is the most comprehensive biography of the man we are ever likely to see.

The book is also an excellent resource for information on the HBC and the lengths to which the company went to attempt to keep the country North of the Columbia River in the British Empire. McLoughlin is a towering figure in the history of the United States and deserves more fame and renown. His likeness even stands in Statuary Hall in the United States capitol. Unfortunately despite Morrison's best efforts he is likely to remain obscure outside of the Pacific Northwest. The story of McLoughlin and his Empire is all here...if you care.

This field guide to seashores is well explained, especially for beginners encouraged to learn more about the life in tidepools. The color illustrations are also nice and detailed. Buy this one before you start on the original official Peterson Field guides.
Recommened for beginning and intermediate learners.

This is perhaps the worst New X-Men TPB of the lot, possibly because the stories in collection are rather slow-paced, and littered with poor artwork from Igor Kordey. I don't know why he has to draw everyone with wrinkles all over - Xavier, Emma Frost, Jean Grey... none escaped. Nevertheless the standard set by New X-Men is maintained. It's also nice to see cameos from X-Men who are not the main characters this series, like Archangel, Storm, etc. Also included appearances from younger X-Men like Siryn, Multipe Man, etc. Overall an acceptable read. Get it to complete your collection.

Grant Morrison's writing in this book is up to his usual great standards but, this time out the inconsistant art really hurt's the overall enjoyment. As many know, Frank Quitely, the book's "regular artist" can't keep a deadline to save his life, so we have Ethan Van Sciver as his back-up, Sciver, while having a style that dosen't really mesh with Quitely's still look's good on the X-Men and during the issues in this book, he really started to come into his own. Then, he start's having trouble keeping up, so Marvel does the worst move they have done in recent year's by bringing Igor Kordey in to become the book's main artist. Kordeys art is just plain ugly. Totally clashes with Morrison's style of writing and Kordey draws a couple of the pivotal issues of this storyline killing the flow of the story. Still, through all the ups and downs of the art, you still have Morrison's awsome writing injecting these characters with excitement and life for the first time in many years, however watered down it is.

Well first off i have to say New X-men is the reason I love comic books. It has amazing storytelling, amazing artwork, and amazing characters. Grant Morrison never, ever fails to amaze me. His storytelling is definitely one of the best in comics (along with Jeph Loeb and Kevin Smith). He just has such vision and depth and thats one of the main reasons this comic book is an awesome read. Then the artwork, I think Quietly's, van Sciever's, and Kordey's work are all top notch and if they got any better it would be sickening. I've always liked Quietly's artwork since the first time i saw it. Ethan van Sciever's art work is also great. The way he makes Beast look is awesome. As for Kordey I really don't know what some people are complaining about, I think his art work is really cool. Now I know everyone has their own opinions and i just think some people want to complain about the smallest thing. Here's a little piece of advice. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. Picasso was different from da Vinci but just because he was different didn't mean he was a bad artist and just because Kordey's is a little different doesn't mean he is a bad artist. So what i'm trying to say is I liked Kordey's, Quietly's, and van Sciever's artwork the same and for anyone who hasn't read these books, I suggest you do. You will not be let down

On the plus side this small book has a fair bit of information about Van's works.However, the author is very opinionated and off-beam at times.He disparages some great Van songs.He calls 'Ballerina' a "lethargic meditation".'Autumn Song'is tagged "an insubstantial fragment".He says 'Summertime in England' is "hopelessly indulgent" and "pretentious".These are excellent songs and help create the distinctive Van Morrison mood which so many fans love.Humphries includes many cliches in his writing,for example, words such as "seguing","guesting" and "encoring".Two albums, "Hard Nose the Highway" and "Hymns to the Silence" are called "curate's eggs" (ie good in parts), another cliche.Although he quotes Van emphatically denying that he is a rock n roll artist, Humphries throughout places Van in a rock n roll context.It is little wonder that Van gets annoyed with journalists when so many of them are not up to understanding him and his music.Fans will get something out of this book, but not a great deal.

Patrick Humphries' concise CD sized booklet lives up to its name. It is highly recommended for both new and old fans alike.

Humphries' review of Morrison's albums will provide an excellent starting point for the neophyte Van fan who may well be overwhelmed by the abundance of choices in the back catalogue of Van Morrison.

The seasoned Van fan will likewise enjoy (and more than likely disagree!) with Humphries' knowledgeable critique of the albums.

Patrick Humphries obviously knows Van's music and Van's life.This is a work of respect , well illustrated and well written. He isn't afraid to show his personal likes and dislikes in Van's extensive discography.All in all , an excellent overview of over 30 albums and a good introduction to the neophyte.

This is Vol. 2 following "JLA: New World Order". Grant Morrison seems to be making a little bit more sense. He still doesn't explain the action and events. We just have to withhold our disbelief and have faith without understanding what is happening. This book contains two stories; one concerning Zauriel the angel and the other concerning a villan named The Key who I think I'm supposed to know, but frankly I can't place. This is not Zauriel as I know him. Here's a quote of his from this book: "...Asmodel? Sure, he'll be back. He'll use flesh-suits next time, I'll probably kill him, there'll be courtoom dramas in Heaven, and in the end none of it matters, so why can't we all just be nice and have babies? That's my pathetic prayer every night before I go to sleep. I can't thank you people enough." Flesh-suits? Courtroom dramas? Be nice and have babies? Is this the way angels speak? And as for The Key... It's short and makes reasonable sense... but Grant Morrison could spend a bit more time on plot, story, and character development... and less time on posteuring.

Grant Morrison can pen some cool tales, and while these aren't his best, their are quite good and clever? The three stories (from JLA #5-9) include a new JLA member, a plague of angels and the JLA saving the day... which will give one villain ultimate power.
In the first tale Professor Ivo and T. O. Morrow create the Tomorrow Woman: a superhero to infiltrate the JLA and destroy it. But T. O. Morrow's plan might not be what anyone expects and may save the day. A great tale about personal [word not in vocabulary].
Then the Zauriel, the Angel of love is found on the run from other angels? What do they want and why are they trying to level a city to get it? Only the JLA can stop these evil cherubs but with the arrival of Asmodel all hope seems lost. If that wasn't enough Flash is trapped in a teleport and Superman is stuck on the moon, trying to stop it from crashing into the Earth courtesy of Neuron? How can all of these problems be solved? Within two issues no less?

Finally the JLA gets home and prepares for the arrival of Green Arrow when they are all knocked out by the Key. The enlightened madman puts the JLA through mental interpretations of alternate realities. Appearently, when they all figure out it ain't real, the Key will be able to conquer the universe. Only Conner Hawke and his dad's goofy trick arrows can save they day! The story is as strange as it sounds and it's great!
Grant Morrison is obviously having a lot of fun with these stories and finally giving the JLA worthy foes. Check it out!

lots of fun , lots of action , with little or less to complain about :

first story : is about the new pizaro , a lovely woman chapped called "Tomorrow Woman" made by pizaro's maker & another , to destroy the JLA , but with a twist as the machine prove to be alive .

the second story : as superman use all his resources to prevent the moon from going out of orbit while the rest fight the king of angles to save he X-Angle azreal the newest super hero of earth . stupid I know , but never the less a full action story .

lastly but not least the Mad man who took control of the moon taking offer the JLA with one blow , controlling them with their dreams and with using their resources almost becomes the Master of the universe only to be stopped by the JLA youngest members the green arrow and Flash .

really every story of them is wonderful by its own , but the three of them where to short , specially the first one , I really would've liked if Tomorrow Woman was to face the JLA & lose , at least that would be something to see , and that was the missing star in my book