The reprints are gorgeous and in a wonderful hardcover that shouldn't fall apart too quickly. The text prefacing the book is boring and unneccessary, mostly, this book just costs waaayyyy too much. I would've preferred to get it in comic book format for about 10 dollars, but they no longer reprint this stuff. The stories aren't very good, but it's interesting to read in it's amateurishness and see how things originally were intended.

This is actually some great stuff. I think the early Superman stories are good examples of exciting storytelling with interesting social commentary.

For example, the first Superman story contains a none-too subtle anticaptial punishment message, as our man saves a lady from an execution and a man form a lynching (remember, this is 1938). The second shows Supe stopping a war that is concocted by munitions manufactureres (an early anti-WW2 message).

Along with that, reading these early adventures gives you the feeling that you're a little kid in pre-television 1938-39, sitting with awe and wonder with these exciting tales either being read to you by a skilled adult storyteller, or by yourself with a flashlight at night. Once you get in that mood of an inner child, you can really get into this stuff and it's lots of fun.

However, I would agree that the cost is a bit much for a new edition. Buy a good used copy. Gather the kids (over age 10, that is) around, turn the lights down low, read it with vigor, and have a ball!

DC's Archive editions are the pinnacle of classic comic book reprints. Lovingly restored and printed on high quality, glossy paper, they give the material the classy feel it deserves. In this, one of their earliest Archive editions, they reprint in their entirety (advertisements and all) the first four 1939 and 1940 issues of SUPERMAN, four issues that would easily fetch upwards of a quarter million dollars. SUPERMAN ARCHIVES VOL. 1 is not just a bargain. It's a glimpse into pop culture and comic book history.

Most of these four issues are reprints of stories published in ACTION COMICS, other adventures from which appear in SUPERMAN: THE ACTION COMICS ARCHIVES, although several others were taken from the newspaper strips, which are reprinted in their original black and white form in Kitchen Sink Press' SUPERMAN: THE DAILIES.

These early adventures are, compared to modern comic books, crude and childish, but they reveal a sense of wonder and awe absent from many of today's comics. In 1939, the readers and creators were still enthralled by the idea that a man could do whatever he wanted and dispense justice without rules. Just as Superman is different in these reprints -- a swashbuckling, two-fisted pulp hero, not the "big blue boy scout" of today, most of his earliest menaces are a far cry from the criminal masterminds and alien invaders he later fights. They are enemies of the Depression-era everyman: war profiteers, abusive husbands, incompetent mine owners, con artists, fascist spies, corrupt orphanage directors. Anyone who preys on everyday folks receives swift justice from the Man of Steel's fists.

Comics creator and historian Jim Steranko provides a thorough analysis of the adventures in his Introduction and Afterword, so comics historians will want this book, as will Superman fans, nostalgists and collectors of all ages.

During most of 1999, Dark Horse Comics pursued a single long story line with intermittent breaks. In a sense, this was an imitation of the television show, with its combination of episodic tales and extended story arcs. While this was a mixed success with the readers, it did produce its share of great moments, and established some basic principles for the series that have lasted for almost regular 50 issues and countless specials.

This trade paperback contains the last three episodes of the 'Bad Blood' story arc that consumed nine issues in total. The force behind the series is the efforts of Selke, a horribly scarred vampire, to recover her looks, establish a power base, and to destroy Buffy. Selke and her accomplice Dr. Flitter have found away to create an evil Buffy twin whose assignment is to track down her original and 'slay' her.

Of course, we know that Buffy will survive, but the clone's ability to anticipate Buffy's every move allows her to accomplish the impossible - leave Buffy for dead in the Sunnydale sewer and shop for clothes in the same night. Buffy find help from an unexpected source and works her way to a final confrontation with Selke in the middle of the Sunnydale Mardi Gras celebration. A final short story tells the story of a sorority initiation that nearly stomps the clock permanently.

These are probably the best three episodes of 'Bad Blood,' both in terms of writing and artwork. Even so the long stretch of the comic book series works against it and it lacks the spark that a shorter series like 'The Blood of Carthage' can produce. It is hardly a failure however. I do suggest that the reader begin at the beginning with the first trade paperback, 'Bad Blood.'

"Your Cheatin' Heart" continues the Selke storyline featured in this trade (issues 17-19 of the series). Buffy has a run-in with the Dark Slayer -- the dark slayer turns out to be a favorite with Cordelia because of her fashion sense, and the Dark Slayer advises the gang to make a clown float for a high school parade (ah, the unspeakable evil). Next is "She's no Lady" where the real Buffy is saved from the sewer by one of the failed versions of the Dark Slayer while the dark slayer herself is pretending to be the real Buffy. Angel investigates the new blood Selke's vamps are using, has someone tampered with it? Then, in "Old Friend" Dru and Spike make another appearance as Buffy must fight the Dark Slayer again. The Scoobies have found out about the imposter but must go on with their clown float. A fun issue. Lastly there is a bonus story "Killing Time" which isn't too interesting, just a few pages long.

This installment of the Selke saga turns the focus from the diva vamp to Buffy and her friends. A clone takes over Buffy's life. But when she bonds with Cordelia, the gang becomes suspicious. The story flows well. The graphics add excitement. I particularly liked the show down between Buffy and her clone. I recommend this book to graphic novel lovers

This book is definetly for an avid fan! Christopher Golden is a great author with fantastic ideas. The graphics of this novel were outstanding, and the plot terrific. A must have for any Buffy collector

Set in the third and fourth seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, this is a medley of eight stories buy a variety of authors and illustrators. The keynote tale is the two part 'Food Chain,' which traces the fate of a young juvenile delinquent who first runs afoul of a high school student/very bad demoness, and then, when that doesn't work out, invokes a demon who likes murdering all his friends. Buffy, of course, to the rescue.

Other tales include 'The Latest Craze,' the story of what happens when owning miniature demons becomes a fad for the rich and snooty, and 'Double Cross' about a demon who resembles the Alien on steroids and has a knack for being in two places at once. Then there is 'One Small Promise,' a Buffy/Riley tidbit and 'City of Despair,' an interesting story that pits Buffy and Angel against each other in a final confrontation in yet another dimension. The remaining two tales are 'Bad Dog,' in which Oz is freed to so that a geek with low self-esteem can drain Willow's power, and 'Punish Me with Kisses,' a ghost story that is a bit too cute.

On top of offering a set of interesting, well conceived stories, 'Food Chain' has a stellar cast of illustrators. Both the stories and the full page artwork offer a far greater variety than the regular Dark Horse productions, which gives the reader a chance to appreciate different styles and better understand the arcane art of comic book production. If you aren't normally drawn to the graphic novel format, but want something that offers a representative sample of its potential this is the one to own.

I bought this book when I first became interested in King Mackerel (Kingfish) fishing. As with any sportfishing fishery, more experienced anglers tend to leave out some of the key details, but Richard doesn't hold back. I read the 1994 printing, but Judging from the number of pages, this is basically the same book. The SKA has developed considerably since the book was written so Richard's comments are incomplete. Also, Richard's tends to be biased towards heavier tackle than is common along the eastern seaboard. Still, this is the best book I have found for a good introduction. If one is interested in LIVEBAITING for King Mackerel in the East Coast Style, Dave Workman's video is a better source of technical details of takle. My advice: Buy both and start catching Kingfish. (If you are interested in high dollar fishing tournaments, check out the SKA (Southern Kingfish Association). They have a web page at anglersworld.com.

At just over 100 information-packed pages, Capt. Joe Richard's "The Kingfish Bible" is a fisherman's one-stop resource for tips on how to catch that brawny king of the mackerel family. The book's 14 chapters outline everything from the author's conversion from a snapper hound who disregarded kings as a mere "trash fish" to one who would eventually cherish the fish as a resource and preach the conservation of its species. The first four chapters, in fact, establish the bio-basics of the Scomberomorus cavalla, including an imaginative characterization that serves as a first-hand portrait of a king from small fry to the jazzy predators anglers love. Like Richard, I, too am a Texas Gulf coast fisherman with a deep respect for king mackerel, and I found his book full of helpful insights that have helped me locate and successfully land my share of the stunning fish. I give this book five stars.

I have just tried searching for this book (which I bought and read in 1990) on the UK Amazon site, with no success. What does that tell us about us Brits I wonder? Perhaps we don't value our creative talents enough? In my view, this is a book whose time has come, but do not be deceived by it. It reads amazingly easily and I came away with a feeling of empowerment. However, the key to producing results is still hard work, albeit on a pychological and psychic level. I have always dreamt of being a £ millionaire, but I have not yet achieved it. In fact, my reason for re-reading the book now is that I need to boost my income and achieve financial independence. I still believe I will succeed, and I believe that the Dyna/Psyc techniques described by Joe in this book are the key. The book is a tough training course in itself. It demands self-analysis, self-discipline and honesty, particularly in the section concerning self-image. I believe we owe Joe a great deal of gratitude, and if others are interested in joining me on my journey to wealth and financial independence through the applicaiton of these principles, I would love to hear from you. Christopher Simon-Evans, England.

I read Joe Karbo's The Lazy man's way to riches whilst still living in New Zealand in 1983. Joe's philosophy impressed me a great deal and not long after that I left NZ for a new life in Australia. In 1984 I began implementing the strategies and techniques from Joes' book in my own life and met with a great deal of success. Since 1989 I have been working as a personal growth and development consultant with unemployed people throughout Australia, using many of these strategies, alongside those of Anthony Robbins, Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Kiyosaki, Steven Covey and Edward de Bono in my presentations and training. Over all the results have been amazing, and my heart bursts with love and pride when I witness the changes that occur in peoples lives when they take on and apply the things Joe Karbo wrote about.Joe's book became my bible and I lost count of the number of times I lent it out and/or had to tape it back together again because it was falling apart. Eventually in 1995 it disappeared and I have been searching for it ever since. So it is with much joy that I order a new copy from amazon.com. The primary reason for this is that in my life I have been blessed with meeting so many incredible people, one of whom was Robert Kiyosaki who wrote a wonderful book called, "If you want to be rich and happy don't go to school". I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Robert for short time on one of his sojourns to Australia and he gave me some advice which I have never forgotten. That is, that no matter how many times you may read, try, do or see something, there is always some new thing to learn or some new distinction to make. This has been so true in the work I have done using Joe Karbo's The lazy man's way to riches. Dyna /psych is simple and powerful and does make a difference if you apply it with persistence, discipline and determination. The rewards, both material and spiritual are immense. Life is beautiful. Thank you Joe.

I've read about 75 of the best known self-help books, and TheLazy Man's Way to Riches is the most unusual one, and it actuallyworks! If you want to actually accomplish things, get it - but get the ORIGINAL, 1973 edition, which AMAZON.COM has in paperback and hardcover. Avoid the re-issue or the "Roadmap" workbook, both written 13 years after Joe Karbo's death. They are loaded with extraneous writing that sometimes contradicts the original text within.

This is one of those special moments when you realize that somebody out there in the world of publishing simply ran out of ideas for a title. I have no clue why Scott Allie (the usual editor for the trade paperbacks) decided that 'Crash Test Demons' was the perfect title. Well, a car is crunched (by Buffy), there is a test (Cordelia's) and, of course, where there is a Buffy there are demons. Fortunately, one does not judge a story by its title.

Now for a little continuity. This graphic trade paperback presents the stories from BTVS comics 13, 14, and 15. They also comprise numbers 4, 5, and 6 of 'Bad Blood,' the story of Buffy's conflict with Selke. It is the sequel to the trade paperback of the same name.

"Delia's Gone" introduces us to an entirely new Cordelia. She is determined to help Willow win the intramural quiz-bowl competition when another contestant is vampirized at a bad time (it there a good time?). Selke has her looks back and does a little partying before hatching a plot to take out The Slayer and turn Sunnydale into a meat market.

"Love Sick Blues" finds Buffy trying to figure out where a sudden run of super vampires is coming from. Fortunately, they seem to spend as much time picking on each other as they do making food runs. Of course, Selke and Doc Flitter know what's cooking, but they are not about to share the information.

Angel and Giles try to track down the source of the strange vampires in "Lost Highway." Buffy is trying to make it to a concert one what was supposed to be her night off, but, as usual, a few 'things' get in her way. Selke and the Doc have gone over the edge cooking up a bit of a surprise for our girl with the stake.

Artwork is by Cliff Richards and Joe Pimentel and is up to their usual high standard. The 'extra' in this book is an interview with Cliff Richards (who lives in Brazil) and includes many of the trial sketches that got him the job. Of all the illustrators that have worked on the comics, Richards seems best at capturing the characters as they appear in the program.

Andi Watson's story line is getting a bit erratic as the series progresses. The individual plots compete with the Selke story arc, creating a profusion of scene shifts. This doesn't seem to work as well in the intense format of a comic story as it does in a media where there is more space to grow the story. Even so, this is another 'must have' for the determined Buffy fan.

Crash Test Demons contains three tales of horror: Delia's Gone, Love Sick Blues and Lost Highway. Selke, an old enemy of the slayer, is the glue that holds the stories together. Just to sweeten the plot Spike and Dru make a cameo appearance with a promise of things to come. The sub plots of a quiz show, a love sick suitor, and Buffy's driving are not as developed as they could be. The art work is very detailed. The characters are well drawn although I believe Willow could be improved. Her face is a bit too rounded. The action sparkles with color. The vampires are quite nasty and entertaining. For those who enjoy graphic novels and especially for those who have read Bad Blood and Remaining Sunlight I recommend this book.

This trade collects issues 13, 14, and 15 of the ongoing series. The cover art for each issue is great, and the interior art is crisp and clean. It makes for easy reading. In "Delia's Gone" Cordelia wants to be a quiz champion so she employs a little magic. Things go awry, and in the meantime Selke continues to plot and plan. This issue has some very funny dialogue, I really enjoyed it. Next is "Love Sick Blues" with everyone's favorite -- Spike and Dru! Also, Selke is trying to make some sort of Buffy clone. . .a very good continuation of the storyline. In "Lost Highway" Selke and co. are trying to make their dark slayer but with a few mess-ups. This trade is well drawn, exciting, and well written. Certainly worthwhile.

This book has some good stuff, but it's definitely not for dummies, at least not for a baseball virgin like me. The presentation is extremely unclear and there are a lot of omissions in the main text (like, what on earth is an RBI?). After I read the book I still felt like a virgin, so I bought a copy of "Complete Idiot's Guide for Baseball," which is much better and cheaper, too.

An excellent book, but badly focused. It really needs to be split into 'Playing Baseball for Dummies' and 'Watching Baseball for Dummies'.

As an avid baseball fan for most of my life, I often did not understand aspects of the game (e.g. types of pitches and how they work) to a great degree. Joe Morgan, in Baseball for Dummies, not only explains this information and other aspects of the game, he does it with unabashed enthusiasm and a simplicity that has only deepened my love and appreciation of our national pasttime. This book is a must-read for baseball fans at any level of understanding.

Well, start off with very flat stereotypically characters: Brave dashing American Hero (hot pilot low responsibility), Toss in some evil Arabs (chemical warfare types), some brave Zionists (protecting their country), even a sexy female spy (only there for the love interest and honey trap). Now mix this well with a scene stolen right from TopGun, a tragic flight accident to turn our hero around by interfacing him with a experienced legend.

This book is the typical formula that that was old after Clancy's first book - it is looking no better with age. So, we have nothing new - but the death of many trees. It is a sad thing that this type of book gets published when there are probably much better books just waiting.

Israel is under siege (again) in "Firebreak" by USAF Veteran Richard Herman. While armies and fighter planes converge on Israel, both Israel's and America's leadership grapple around like blind men, and opportunists on overy side use every subtle (and not so subtle) trick to turn things their way. Author Richard Herman is supposed to be an expert on military aviation, but he may be out of his league when he goes into the political sphere (actually, few of the political machinations in "Firebreak" are subtle), and when he goes into combat flight mode - supposedly his expert area - Herman creates flight scenes to anemic to remind readers of the high-speed knife-fights that first aroused their interest in air combat.

In between the combat, Herman shows a less-than-deft approach to Israeli politics. USAF pilots, well educated as they are, usually have their own opinions about such subjects as Israel's occupation of the West Bank and the settlements erected there - but Herman's protagonist is conveneiently clueless, and the readers can take heart that a sultry Israeli love interest is on hand to explain the UN resolutions against the Settlements while arab bombs rain down from above. The Knesset scenes, where charachteristically litiguous Isreali politicians censure each other for believing their own propaganda, is probably accurate. Less so are scenes meant to depict life in typical Israeli combat units. One such unit, a tank platoon, contains a Druze arab and an orthodox jew, the latter of the two doesn't really do anything but annoy his commander. Because the orthodox doesn't really exist outside his CO's negative perspective, he comes across less as a separate charachter than a blank apparently intended to symbolize all orthodox jewish soldiers. Let those orthodox jews who serve extended military tours debate the accuracy - it's simply poor writing, the product of any writer who can push just about anything with his miltary credentials, no matter how unrelated to his area of actual expertise. Doubtless orthodox soldiers still unaccounted for in the Lebanon war weren't given copies of "Firebreak" to enliven their captivity (assuming they lived long enough for the paperback ed.)

Worst of all, Herman's Israeli protagonist is the sexy Israeli linked up with the novel's hero. When are writers going to wise-up and realize how dated this stereotype is? This has to be the 3rd book I've read since the Gulf war that featured Israelis exploiting sex. Desert Storm, which showed how far ahead our military is in just about every way, has also revealed the how medeival technothriller writers are. Herman's understanding of the mid-east clearly neglects how often real-life anti-zionists (whether Islamic fundamentalist or secular pan-arabist) fall back on the stereotype of Female Mossad agents seducing otherwise stalwart arabs into sedition. So dated is this stereotype that, were Herman's military units comparably equipped, they'd be fighting with slingshots and pointy sticks.

Instead, Herman applies his critical thinking to his command of military technology, but even here comes up flat. These have to be the flattest flight scenes of any technothriller - comparable to some circa-1991 flight simulator. As usual for this sort of book, the plane come off feeling less like soaring engines of military might than cheap plastic models. Ofcourse the author refuses to depict air-to-air confrontations from a single point-of-view, preferring instead to show where his planes are at all times. In real air combat, the relative positions of different planes is one of the single most important factors. Herman's inability to exploit this element robs his air combat of both drama and realism, marring a book with little credibility to recommend it.

In the footsteps of his previous novels The Warbirds and Force of Eagles, it shows formerly irresponsible pilot Jack Locke in command of a squadron in the 45th with the grandson of the President under his command. This book shows how Matt Pontowski changed from a spoiled grandson to a top-notch fighter pilot with confirmed kills in combatOne thing about Herman that happens quite often, is that he seems to kill off his characters prematurely, such in the case of Col. Waters, Thunder Bryant, and in this book, Jack Locke and Mike Martin. However, this "aura" of death serves as a prod for the upcoming officers to prove their worth. Some do, and some don't. The former fighter pilot certainly writes a great book, one that is worth reading over and over without losing any of its impact.

I've always enjoyed Joe Morgan as a baseball player and in the broadcast booth, but I was a bit leery about this book. I shouldn't have worried. Joe did an excellent job sharing his thoughts on what's wrong with Major League Baseball as well as what's right. I don't always agree with his opinions, but that's what makes the book interesting.

Pete Rose should read this book and take some of his former teammate's advice to heart. Joe's suggestions to Pete are not particularly new, but he's got insight into the man that many other commentators do not.

I definitely recommend this book for any baseball fan.

Joe Morgan is a thoughtful and intelligent commentator on baseball. It's apparent in his work for ESPN and, now, in his most recent book. While I do not agree with some of his views, i.e., his high opinion of Bud Selig or his touting of revenue sharing as the solution to all of baseball's economic woes, he argues his points thoroughly and rationally, unlike many so-called sports "authorities." My only reservation about the book comes from the fact that, as a former player,he tends to exonerate players and their union from any culpability in the game's current environment. However, his commentary on his former teammate, Pete Rose, should be mandatory reading for those with short memories about Rose's actions.

I picked up this book in the bargain bin at a bookstore (...). This is a book every serious fan should read. It's probably the best baseballl book I've ever read. Joe Morgan knows baseball. He should be the commissioner.

What happened to the four man rotation? Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame? What should the Lords of Baseball (excuse me Dick Young) do? Joe knows. Read this book. You'll know too.