I tried for fifteen years to successfully brain tan a deer hide. I read every book I could on the subject. I usually made rawhide chew bones for the dogs.

Since buying "Deerskins into Buckskins" I have successfully tanned about 65 hides,and the dogs haven't had a chew bone.

If you want to be successful at brain tanning, buy Mr. Richards' book and use his simple method. You won't be disappointed.

There are several books on learning to make braintan buckskin, several of which are really good and contain lots of correct information, but Matt's book is the best I've seen...and used. I do braintanning, and have done so for years, so I know what I am talking about when I say that Deerskins into Buckskins is the easiest book to use to get good, solid, consistent results. I also believe that the format is the best for beginners because Matt clearly defines each step crucial to success. Braintanning can be a frustrating endeavor for a beginner if steps are missing or incomplete; Deerskins into Buckskins makes it hard to miss a step or misunderstand what is required.
I would not recommend learning to tan without this book...unless you have an expert living with you!

This is really an excellent how-to and reference book. It is easy to read and explanations are very clear. Matt writes with an easy sense of humor that draws you into the subject.

Tanning skins is a subject that is treated superficially in a number of books on outdoor and primitive survival, with the result that if you follow the loose instructions you may just end up with stiff, high-protien-cardboard.

Been there and done that.

After following Matt's method I ended up with soft buck skin the very first time with significantly less effort.

Matt's book covers the subject in very good detail, covering the bucking/wetscrape tanning method, theory of how brain tanning works, the tools necessary including primitive tools, and the basics on how to make garnments.

I think that if you are going to try brain tanning deerskin, this book is a must-have.

Janusz Korczak (pseudonym for Henryk Goldszmit) is one of Poland's most beloved children's authors. There is not only this story, but also a sequel... . (One can see why an American publisher might not have wanted to publish the translation.) I am only sorry that neither of these stories are always in print in English. If you can read German you can get both it and its sequel in German from Amazon.de.

The first English translation, brought out by Roy Publishing, was one of the joys of my childhood. I was lucky - a decade or so later I wrote to the librarian at the library where I had checked it out so often in childhood - I wanted the publishing information so I could look for it - and she sent me the book! It is one of my cherished possessions, and I bless that dear librarian always. I like to write, and Januzs Korczak is one of my primary influences, others being C.S. Lewis and Francis Hodgson Burnett (for stories about children who become kings or queens). If you can't read King Matt's story, I recommend those authors, and also E. Nesbit, Connie Willis, Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, R.A. MacAvoy, James Blaylock... This list could go on forever, but I will always think it imperfect as long as Korczak cannot be at the top because his stories are unavailable in English.

Lourie's translation gives more of a European flavor to the story; the earlier translation is softer, and it appears that some detail was omitted. My guess is that the earlier translators wanted to present an impression of the story that did not show as much of the sad, or the tongue-in-cheek, quality of the original, because the Polish people were then under occupation by the Nazis. I rather wish Lourie would translate the sequel, and that both books would stay in print in English FOREVER.

This is a truly unique book. The author has a great understanding of the way a kid thinks. The main character is a young boy who is crowned king. He has various adventures as he learns about the world of grownups: going to war, starting a parliament for kids, traveling, etc. My only regret is that I read a library copy and I want to own my own but it is out of print.

I have been working in the service related to mechanics a lot. I really found very wonderful when catching it on net. I think I will do all my best to buy this book via Internet.I'm working as a sales engineer in Surface Mount Technology, doing maintenance and troubleshooting SMT machines of KME (Japan). If I can get it, surely my skills will be leveled up and I will feel more self-confident in my job.

Basic Mechanics simply put and easy to understand. Easy explanations from screws to Charles Law. If I talked to a mechanic in any manufacturing facility or maintenance crew, who had been working there for 25 years, this book exemplifies the insight and knowledge that that person would pocess. Thanks Rich and Matt for a book well written!

ý am a mechanical engineer in þanlýurfa/ Turkiye ý want to have this book write me please whats conditions

Every bit as intense as the new WWII airwar novel I just read, "The Triumph and the Glory", and as action-packed as any of Clancy's best, "Iron Gate" is a super book, I was very impressed with it.

This is an action-packed thriller for readers who like fast actions and war scenes. Unlike Tom Clancy, (who slow down the actions with too much tech-data), Richard Herman does not waste too much time to bring the readers right into the actions. The flow of the story is smooth and the writer keeps readers interested at all times. I would recommand reading Dark Wing before reading Iron Gate (although the story is not as smooth, it gives you more information about the main characters).

Dale Brown and Tom Clancy are great, but Richard Herman is the best! His only equal is Stephen Coonts. The only problem I have with Herman is that he kills off his main characters (eg., Muddy Waters and Jack Locke). I am presently reading Iron Gate and cannot put it down. Keep up the good work Mr. Herman!

By: Matt Christopher

Have you ever been away from your parents or someone you loved for a long period of time? Well if you have I bet you don't like it. In the book "The Hockey Machine" by Matt Christopher, the protagonist, Steve, plays ice hockey for hockey team called the Bobtails. Steve lives with his parents, or used to anyway. One day after hockey, just as Steve was leaving, he heard a voice say, "Hi Steve, I'm Mark," he announced. Steve did not know who this was.
Then Mark added, "Me and my older friend have been watching you play hockey". " Come on he is in the car waiting to meet you." Marks older friend is Kenneth. Kenneth is a coach of a ice-hockey team in Indianapolis. When Steve and Kenneth met they talked, and after that Kenneth asked Steve if he wanted to go and get something to eat for lunch. Steve told him no because he had to get home. Kenneth said that he would take him home right after they ate. Without saying anything Mark pushed Steve in. Steve got in and Steve, Mark, Kenneth, and the driver all went out to lunch.

On the ride back to Steve's house, Steve fell asleep. When Steve awoke he was still in the car. Then he asked in a worried voice, " Where are we going?"
Kenneth answered, "To Indianapolis."
Steve shrieked, "What, you said that you would take me home right after lunch." Kenneth ruled, "You're going to play on my hockey team, the Chariots.
I already asked your parents when you were asleep."
Steve said "Prove it." Kenneth pulled out a letter and gave it to Steve.
The letter was typed out. Steve thought in his head that anybody could have typed this letter. After Steve was finished reading the letter he finally questioned, " how come I didn't even get a chance to say good-bye to my parents?" No one answered.
As soon as they reached the airport they got on to an airplane to fly to Indianapolis. After they got there Steve met the hockey team. They stayed in their own hotel. After Steve met the guys he asked Mark if Mark would talk to Kenneth because Steve was already feeling home sick. Mark told him "quit thinking about your home. It just makes you more worried."
Then he advised "all of the guys and I did." Steve just bowed his head in sadness, and all he could do was think about home! If you've ever felt like Steve has, all you want to do is go home and see your parents. See what happens to Steve if you get the book The Hockey Machine

This book is a good book, I recommend it to others. It has adventures and is about hockey.
If you like hockey, adventure or mystery's you would like this book.
It is a fairly easy book to read and not difficult to follow the story line.

The Hockey Machine is about this kid who is taken to the Indians to play hockey. So, if you want to find out what happens to Steve, read The Hockey Machine!

Triage gathers three of the leading lights of horror fiction, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, and the late Richard Laymon, under one cover for a hellacious trio of novellas all spun off of the same premise: A man walks into a place of business with a gun, and starts shooting....

Richard Laymon leads off with the title story, "Triage". He takes the most straightforward approach to the subject matter, with a grim tale of Sharon, a woman trapped in an office building with the madman who just killed all of her co-workers. Laymon hammers the reader with all manner of grotesque, twisted doings, so faint-hearted readers might want to give this a pass. The more daring reader will find Triage to be a fast-paced walk on the dark side; Laymon makes his heroine too real for this to be chalked up as mere exploitation. I actually had a few moments where I was afraid to find out what was going to happen to poor Sharon next....Now how many books have YOU read lately that got a reaction that visceral out of you..? Laymon was one hell of a writer, and I'm sorry I didn't discover him until after his untimely death. He left a great legacy behind, though....

Edward Lee's story also stars a heroine named Sharon, but his take on the subject couldn't be more different. "In The Year Of Our Lord: 2202" takes place in outer space, aboard a ship bound for a top-secret destination. Lee quickly gets away from the book's theme, and spins his story off in a totally different direction, effortlessly combining theology, sci-fi, and horror into a gripping, fast-paced tale. I'm generally not much of a Sci-Fi fan, so for Lee's story to grab me the way it did is really a neat trick. I was absolutely floored by the ending. This is a must-read.

Last, but not least, is "Sheep Meadow Story", by Jack Ketchum. It's the shortest story, and although I liked it a lot, I thought it was the weakest one due to it's far-fetched ending. It's a more down-to-Earth story than it's companion pieces, but it manages to be funny, creepy, and touching all at once. Ketchum is clearly a VERY talented storyteller.

The book is part of a limited-edition of 1500, signed by Ketchum & Lee, and Editor Matt Johnson. (Richard Laymon passed away before publication.) As you would expect from the always dependable publisher, Cemetery Dance, the book is just gorgeous. The only problem is this: Stories of this caliber deserve to be seen by more people than this limited-edition could possibly reach. In a perfect world, these three Authors would be topping the best-seller list....

A woman sits alone at her desk, waiting for her shift to end, when her telephone rings. She hears a man whisper the words: "I'm coming to get you!" Seconds later, a man enters her work palce, holding on to a gun.

This is how the three stories of Triage begin. But what follows this differs greatly from one story to the next. The three masters of independent horror - Lee, Ketchum and the late Richard Laymon - each tell their own take based on this scenario.

Laymon's tale is dark and disturbing; the story becomes a race for survival as the killer chases after the heroine as she tries to find a place to hide in the building where she works. Lee's take, although fun and different, is a bit over the top and a little too long. He decided to bring his story to the year 2220 and sets in a a spaceship that just happens to be on a Godly misison.

The real reason to get this book is for Ketchum's take, which is called 'Sheep Meadow Story'. It takes the reader through a very realistic nightmare, where a down-on-his-luck man tries to make sense out of his disturbed existence. This story alone is well worth the price of the book. Another great story from an amazing, underrated writer.

This book is a great one for any horror fans. It has it all! I was greatly pleased by it and I know this is one book which I'll want to read again and again.

For a more thorough review of this book, check out the review I posted on my Yahoo groups site: "sanantoniodandd." My one complaint about this book is that it does not quite have enough crammed between its pages. The artwork and design are spectacular and, as the title of this review indicates, The Unapproachable East contains enough intriguing campaign information to make most DMs and players agree that it is a far superior adventuring locale than, say, the overplayed and ultimately boring Dalelands and Cormyr. The bad guys are tough: just the way I like them, and, unlike the remainder of Faerun, in this isolated portion of the Realms, you are not likely to have one of the Chosen pop up at the last moment to save the day.

Overall, this is an essential component of any Forgotten Realms library.

In the tradition of The Silver Marches this book does a excellent job of detailing the areas of east of the Sea of Fallen Stars. I personally like the The Silver Marches book a bit better. (But I am sure thats just my preferance for adventuring local.) There are, the now, traditional prestige classes, that are well done. Over all I would say it is worth the purchase if you plan on having your players travel that far east.

Anothe book about Luke Starbuck. His friend Ben Laugham has ben gunned down. He is determined to find the killers, little knowing it would lead him to Billy the Kid. He faces The Kid and also has to face the men The Kid is working for. He also has to put up with Pat Garrett, who is more concerned about getting relected than doing his job. Can Luke find all the powers behind the killing? A fairly fast moving western. I gave it a four instead of a five because several pages are all talk with out much going on. As a whole it will hold your attention. I like Lukes brand of justice. It is much better than some we have today.

This book, edited by Goldish and Popkin, presents essays on messiahs and messianism from a conference at the Clark Library. It covers a period from the late 15th century to the mid-18th century. Included are: Eric Lawee on Isaac Abarbanel's messianic theory; Matt Goldish, "Patterns in Converso Messianism"; Kenneth Krabbenhoft on Herrera's Kabbalah; Jacob Barnai's discussion of Sabbatian polemics; Richard Popkin on Christian reactions to Sabbatai Zevi; Allison Coudert, "Kabbalistic Messianism versus Kabbalistic Enlightenment"; Elisheva Carlebach on failed messiahs and Jewish conversion to Christianity; Elliot Wolfson the convert Johann Kemper's use of messianism to try and convert other Jews; Harris Lenowitz on Jacob Joseph Frank in Offenbach; and Martha Keith Schuchard, "Dr. Samuel Jacob Falk: A Sabbatian Adventurer in the Masonic Underground." Although these are separate essays, various themes recur. These include the interplay between Christian and Jewish ideas, and the common hope for an end to history as we know it. This volume contains much information not readily available elsewhere and I highly recommend it.

It's flashback time. So to make this even happening, let's keep our regular mad writer and bring three different artists to make this story work out. Guess what? They do make it work out!

Garth Ennis takes us back in flashback sequence one four major characters of his Preacher series to make us see, what makes them tick. Saint of Killers, TC and Jody and last but not least the well named, Arseface.

The story of the Saint of Killers is perhaps in this three part trade paperback in the ever popular Preacher series. You never would have guessed that a cold hearted killer was really human. Heck you might never even guess what this guy's true function in this life is really all about, until you read this for yourself. Anything I say can be considered a spoiler. The art works well. I can't see Steve Dillon's work working well here so it was great having Steve Pugh filling in. His art is grittier and darker and makes this character just a teensy weensy meaner than anything you've ever seen.

Arseface comes in next. This guy is just plain old out of this world. You would never even believe he was human before, but it turns out that he really was. This is the most human of the stories depicting the origin of the character and what makes him who he really is rght now. The way Ennis makes him talk and ctually have the translation for you is unbelievably insane.

TC and Jody's story is fun. These guys are whacko. They have always been whacko ever since they were first introduced. So unlike the other stories, this one would be the goriest of them in terms of things done to people that you never thought can be done. TC's fetish for making out with creatures really is turned up a notch here.

Despite the inconsistence of the art, the 4the volume of the Preacher series stands as an important part. The telling of the origin of these characters makes them more accessible to the reader. It was good for Ennis to talk about these characters. Dillon or no Dillon, Ennis continues to fight the good fight.

When I first laid eyes on Ancient History, the fourth book in the Preacher series, I was leary about it considering it does not follow the ongoing storyline of Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy. But like the old saying goes, I shouldn't have judged this book by its' cover. Garth Ennis' fantasticly written stories on the pasts of supporting characters (including the Saint of Killers, Arseface, and Jody and T.C.) combined with great art by Steve Pugh, Carlos Ezquerra, and Richard Case (no Steve Dillon for this volume) make Ancient History one of the best in the series. The first story (and arguably the best) deals with the past of the Saint of Killers, a man whose burning, never ending hatred condemned him straight to Hell where he shot the devil and became the new Angel of Death. This story is extremely violent and the scenes of Satan and the Angel of Death playing cards in hell is laugh out loud hilarious. The second story explains just why Arseface shot himself in the face and deals with his abusive past. The final story, which is extremely funny, is a semi-spoof of older action films starring Jody and T.C. being the "good 'ol boys" that they were. All in all, this is an essential read for Preacher fans.

This has got to be my favorite Preacher book yet. I tore through it in about half the time it took me to read any of the first three books. Once I picked it up, I just couldn't put it down.

"Ancient History" doesn't follow the main story of Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy, but rather makes some entertaining detours to pick up the back stories of three of the side characters who up until this point have only reared their various ugly heads in perplexing cameoes.

This time out, we get treated to the inner workings of the Saint of Killers, the mysterious craggy-faced gunslinger who for reasons unknown has been persuing Jesse Custer. We also learn just what makes Arseface tick, and how Jody and T.C., Jesse's down-home good-ole'-boy relations, set their ducks in a row.

The illustrations for these side-stories were done by a series of hired guns (Steve Pugh, Carlos Ezquerra, and Richard Case) while Steve Dillon was working on the main storyline, but the stories are all classic Garth Ennis. In fact, I think the tales here include some of his best writing.

I especially enjoyed the prologue by Ennis himself in which he details some of the origins of the Preacher story, and what first interested him in the legends of the West.

This is a great comic. Definitely don't skip this one!