I got this book because I'm a fan of Kennedy. As I expected I got a very good overview of Kennedy's acting career. But what surprised me is how this book places Kennedy's work in historical context. It's a remarkable achievement. The pages written by Kennedy's daughter are a great addition -- poignant and richly detailed.

It's about time that someone wrote a book about one of the greatest, and sometimes overlooked, American actors of the 20th Century. This book is one of the best film biographies I have ever read for two simple reasons (besides the fact that it is extremely well written and researched): 1) It is about the man and his WORK - and I emphasize W-O-R-K as apposed to G-O-S-S-I-P.
The main thrust is focused on the richeness that he has brought to the screen and shared with his audience. 2) It ties his life and work by interjecting what was going on in the world at each major step in his illustrious career. This is a very illuminating device for me as I believe that artists cannot separate themselves from the events and idiologies of their time. For actors, choices such as the roles they accept or reject and, needless to say, the films themselves are a reflection of their times. So this becomes a vaulable avenue by which one can better understand the artist.
The research that must have gone into writing this book, and the careful attention to detail is impressive. This a book that should set the standard for other books on actors and one that should be part of anyone's bookshelf if they are seriously interested in the history, art and legacy of a great actor. My only critisism is really directed toward the way the book is promoted. On the surface, it appears that the publisher is bent of promoting Kennedy as an actor in Westers when his greatest roles (such as in "Elmer Gantry and Lawrence of Arabia") were clearly not. So don't let the cover of the book deceive you. This is an exceptinal book about a very great artist who left an impressive body of work for us to enjoy. Meredith Macsoud, we can never thank you enough!

This book brings to life a time when character actors were an integral part of a film. Arthur Kennedy's role in each of his films demonstrates the vitality of the character actor. His ability to give meaning to a scene by just a gesture, glance or reflection of his voice made the difference of caring about the story and its characters. He made each one come to life. From the beginning of his career on stage at the Globe Theatre in New York in 1937 to the end of his career in a film called Grandpa, in 1989, a span of 52 years, Kennedy gave us a quality of acting that even Laurence Olivier called him a "lovely" actor during their production of Becket in 1961. The book is a treasure.

This is a wonderful little book, designed to teach us not to let go of things if they seem to be worthless, or of little worth. Arthur, in this case, wants to have a "tag sale" and get rid of all his old junk. Now there's an interesting idea. Unfortunately his sister, Violet, doesn't believe she has any old junk, so he sets out to put up signs, place tags on his "old junk" and price them accordingly. All except, of course, his honey bear with the one eye. In the adventure which follows, we see him trying to protect his bear and hide him so he won't get bought, only to have his sister "bargain" with him for the old bear. Then, of course, because he doesn't own it anymore, his sister sets out to re-invent the bear to her image. Arthur's idea of trying to control the bear are shattered, and he comes up with a way of continuing to bond with the bear in another fashion. A great story, with wonderful illustrations. Highly recommended!!!

Arthur can part with Baby King Kong and a bent hula hoop, but can he part with his Honey Bear? He wants to be grown up, but isn't so sure he can actually go through with it. We see his reluctance at a near sale, and then his little sister is so insistant that he gives in. But the items she's traded pallor in Honey Bear's absence. What will Arthur do?

Well drawn-- kids will find a lot to look at even if the book is being read to them. It's nicely written too, simply but with enough detail to make it interesting and funny. If you find the version with the read-along audio tape, get it. It's very good!

This book has a lot of depth for a beginning reader. Arthur and his little sister Violet (they are chimps) set aside some old toys to sell at a tag sale during spring cleaning. Arthur decides he can part with Honey Bear, his one-time favorite stuffed animal until his sister Violet makes him an offer he can't refuse and purchases it from him. A reluctant Arthur braves the deal, and soon regrets it. Lillian Hoban has great integrity as a children's author. Arthur does the right thing -- he doesn't cancel the deal with his sister even though he is clearly troubled by loosing Honey Bear. He reminds Violet that since they are brother and sister, he is Honey Bear's uncle and should have some quality time with his nephew by taking everyone out for an ice cream cone with the money he made from selling Honey Bear. A very sweet story that encourages children to find creative solutions to their troubles.

"Masks" and "Tao" are my personal favourites both because of their intelligence and beauty, something hard to find together.
Masks is a disturbing and compelling tale of identity while the eastern quest of 'Tao' fits Batman's spiritual history quite well.

One of my favorite Batman graphic novels! I especially liked "Sanctum" and "Masks", both of which stand on their own as excellent Batman stories ("Sanctum" gave me chills!). The artwork is all first rate, too, making this one a winner on all counts!

I first read "Masks" one of the several stories featured in this excellent collection when I was a kid and it's haunting, dark imagery, has not ceased to entertain me. As well as the above mentioned story, Batman: Dark Legends also has a tale about Batmans first encounter with the Joker, which is one of the greatest Batman stories in print buy this book now, you'll treasure it forever! Peace.

This is a P.S.

Battered & Bruised, should be required reading in every college and university in the country that have or DO NOt have Women and Gender Studies.

Just got the book out of the library last night and I'm nearly 1/3 through it. It is wonderful. In reading the bible, I could never understand how such vile and derogatory outpourings against the few women they wrote about could have been so well hidden. Women seem to make up the baulk of religious worshipers and yet not a kind word is directed at them.

Arthur Ide has my deepest appreciation for stating out right what has been so cleverly distorted regarding the reality of women in the OT.

Thank you.

Arthur Frederick Ide work should be available in school reading lists. I did not know what to expect until I realized that with the bible in hand you can check every footnote and discover that what he says is true. The bible is written as a rabid assault on female sexuality and women in general. Especially note worthy are the comments regarding foreign women, racism is rife a long side hypocrisy and gang rapes. Ide writes well and offers up some thought provoking material .

Outstanding book that would be even better with pictures.

My brother sent me a copy of Beyond Burlap for my birthday. I fell in love with this cookbook. Now, I send it to all my friends who have ever asked what can I make with potatoes. It is very complete and appeals to all tastes and ages. A perfect gift for anyone!

Beyond Burlap has an excellent assortment of potato recipes! I never knew there were so many ways to prepare a potato! The Potato Mocha Poundcake is my favorite. The stories and fun potato tidbits make Beyond Burlap a fun cookbook to own!

All potato lovers should own this book!

Mathews deals with the subject of spiritual warfare from a front liner's viewpoint. He spent significant time on the mission field and learned tremendous spiritual lessons as he participated as a soldier in Christ's army. He shares these insights in short chapters which should be read more than once. Each lesson is relevant for today even though written in years past. Get ready to use your highlighter as you get new understanding on the believer's battle.

I read this book while I was serving as a missionary in Asia; my experiences paralleled those of the author and his insights helped me a great deal

Mathews was an officer in the Indian Army during WW II, which accounts for his liberal use of a military vocabulary in these brief and excellent studies. As someone born for battle, Mathews is obsessed (in a good sense) with the absolute and unquestioned victory of Jesus Christ. His insights, therefore, should boost the spirits of even the most down-trodden Christian. The titles of a few of the meditations on spiritual warfare and the power of Christ reveal his clear convictions: "The Soldier of the Cross" "The Soldier's Best Friend" "Our Wrestling" "Rendering the enemy Powerless" "Lions' - Den Loyalty" "Discipline Accepted . . . Mission Accomplished." It's hard to imagine how these brisk, to-the-point, yet warm devotional thoughts could fail to stir up the reader.

Based on the "Arthur" episode by the same name, "Buster Baxter, Cat Saver" teaches a lesson, but at the same time includes humor that escalates to greater and greater levels throughout the story. When Buster "rescues" a cat from a tree, he at first denies that it was an act of heroism; he just happened to be in the right place at the right time. As more and more attention starts be heaped on him, he starts to really get into being a hero, even starting a script for his own television series, which he states will be "edutainment." ("It's supposed to be a combination of entertainment and education, but often ends up being the worst of both.") When he starts trying to get the Brain to do his homework and being otherwise pompous, his friends start hatching schemes to try to bring his eager down to size. This is one bunny, though, who isn't so easily swayed.

My class of first graders loved this story. This story hasfunny things happen to the characters. Arthur is upset because Busterthinks he is better than everyone. This story has many plots and mysteries as Buster's friends try to show him that he is not as brave as he thinks. It is easy to read and easy to follow, but NOT BORING!

My 7-year old daughter (2nd grade) loves this entire series of books. When she was younger (up to kindergarten) she loved the "adventure" series of Arthur books. We made the transition to the chapter books because they have so much more story to them. They were perfect at the age where I would just read them to her, and by now we're at the point where she reads them to me. We have LOTS of books, but no others have held her interest as well across these stages. Fantastic value for the money. I automatically buy each new chapter book as they're released.

Fans of the authors in this will want to scoop up this highly original collection, as well as any Arthuriana buffs. The authors include such greats as Anne McCaffrey, Terry Pratchett, Debra Doyle/James McDonald, Diana Paxson, and others.

McCaffrey's story is an excerpt of "Black Horses for the King", a YA novel about a young boy named Galwyn, whose abusive uncle is shipping enormous Libyan horses for Lord Artos. Pratchett's story is the entertaining "Once and Future" about a time traveller who creates the sword in the stone. We see the roots of Nancy Springer's bittersweet "I Am Mordred" in the story "Raven," in which young Mordred's soul is imprisoned in a raven's body. Doyle/MacDonald craft a hilarious story called "Holly and Ivy" about Lancelot having a little fun with Gawain.

The writing styles range from "kooky" ("Holly," "Once and Future") to detailed ("Black Horses") to dreamy ("Raven").

As a previous reviewer stated, the only flaw with this is the last story. Honestly, we've had enough drooling in the area of the former president, haven't we? The final story isn't really Arthurian at all.

However, the final story is the sole flaw. It is, overall, a lovely collection of highly original stories about Arthur, Merlin, and Camelot. A must-read for fantasy and Arthurian fans.

Ah, Arthurian fiction! I love it!

This is a stunning collection of short stories, often reflecting the different ideas of the various authors. There are stories about Merlin and Arthur, Guinevere... and a few that are out of the ordinary. A part of the Anne McCaffrey book "Black Horses for the King", the short story that led to "I Am Mordred," the glorious alternate view of Arthur's unfortunate son. Almost every story is accompanied with illustrations that go with the story's theme-"Black Horses" has a realistic drawing, while "Mordred" is strange and dreamy. The cover art is simply stunning--Merlin, you glorious old crank!

My only problem is the last story. Does this REALLY count as Arthurian fiction? But if you ignore the last one, this is as close to perfect as you can get!

This book is great i reccommend it to all of you. There is detail and adventure. the characters are great, and the fact that it is written by different authors is good, because people get a sense of the characters. Otherwise one author may have a different interpitation of a character or setting, now it would be easier to see what it was really like.

Michael is a three hundred and sixty year old vampire who works for The Circle, an organization of paranormal beings dedicated to destroying their evil kin. Nikki is a thrall, a being similar to a vampire without the need for blood. She and Michael are a couple in trouble because he wants to protect her and she wants to work with him for The Circle.

When Michael arrives home after an assignment, he finds that Nikki is not there, she has gone to help her partner in their private detective agency track down a killer who is abducting, torturing and killing women. When Michael arrives, they learn that the killer is a vampire out to settle some old scores from his high school days. Only through teamwork can this killer be stopped, but even working together that remains a dangerous proposition since he has targeted Nikki as one of his victims.

Keri Arthur is one of the best supernatural romance writers of the new millennium. Her books are always refreshingly different and she has a knack for creating characters it is easy to care about. CHASING THE SHADOW IS ONE OF HER BEST works to date because equal attention is given to the relationship and the hunt. Vampire lovers are going to love this book and want to read the next book in the series because there are questions that need answers.

Harriet Klausner

While Michael is in Ireland hunting vampires, Nikki, at loose ends, is contacted by Jake to assist him in a case. Three wealthy women have been kidnapped and held for ransom. After the ransom was paid, two of the women were found dead, mutilated and drained of blood. The third is the wife of Jake's best friend. They have to find her before she meets the same fate. Annoyed at Michael's overprotective ways, Nikki jumps at the chance to work on a case again. Unfortunately, Michael has been assigned to the same case by the Circle and doesn't want her in any danger. And, there's the little problem of the new powers that Nikki seems to be developing faster than she can control them.

I am hooked on this series. The characters are strong, the villians wild, and the story line intense. Once I picked this one up, I couldn't put it down. This is an outstanding addition to the series.

Michael is a three hundred and sixty year old vampire who works for The Circle, an organization of paranormal beings dedicated to destroying their evil kin. Nikki is a thrall, a being similar to a vampire without the need for blood. She and Michael are a couple in trouble because he wants to protect her and she wants to work with him for The Circle.

When Michael arrives home after an assignment, he finds that Nikki is not there, she has gone to help her partner in their private detective agency track down a killer who is abducting, torturing and killing women. When Michael arrives, they learn that the killer is a vampire out to settle some old scores from his high school days. Only through teamwork can this killer be stopped, but even working together that remains a dangerous proposition since he has targeted Nikki as one of his victims.

Keri Arthur is one of the best supernatural romance writers of the new millennium. Her books are always refreshingly different and she has a knack for creating characters it is easy to care about. CHASING THE SHADOW IS ONE OF HER BEST works to date because equal attention is given to the relationship and the hunt. Vampire lovers are going to love this book and want to read the next book in the series because there are questions that need answers.

Harriet Klausner

Even now, more than 20 years later this book is permanantley in my mind as being an all time classic. Not only does the story inspire me as to its imaginative structure but also the illustrations within the book brought the story to life. I can still remember to this day peering through the crack of the fridge door trying to catch even the smallest glimpse of Chilly Billy turning off the light. This is a book that all adults should return too, to remember that there is no need to ever forget the limitless imagination of being a child. Next time you're in the kitchen see if you can catch out Chilly Billy as he skates around the fridge.

I read this book when I was 6 years old during 'reading hour' at my school. We would be expected to read a book every week or so, and I must have read hundreds! This book was special. And now, nearly 13 years on, the title 'Chilly Billy' still fresh in my memory, I'm searching to find this special book again. As a child I was drawn into the fantasy of the story - this is the work of a true genius. I remember clearly the little details added, like the suckers on Chilly Billy's shoes so he could walk up to the ice-box. Every child should have the opportunity to read this magical tale, and every adult should be reminded that imagination does, and should, be stretched like a rubber band. Who switches off the light in your fridge when you shut the door...?

It's a book for peaple who like to use their imagination , not only has this book earned 5 stars but so has the intreging sequal , Foot-prints in the butter . The charactors are funny, creative and all have somthing to do with the fridge or food in it. My favourite charactor was stripey normin the caterpillar who met Chilly billy by being on a lettuce in the garden and it was transfered into the fridge. It's a great read for anyone at any time.