When I first picked this book up I was a little apprehensive, but after the first page I was engrossed. Andre Norton and Susan Shwartz do a fabulous job at showing both the light and dark sides of Silver Snow's journey from beloved daughter to forgotten concubine and finally queen of the barbarians. They paint a realistic picture of the subservient nature of women in Han China without over-emphasizing the fact. This book was a perfect blend of fantasy and history.

When I first checked this out from the public library, I was desperate for a good read. Andre Norton has always been one of my favorite sci fi/fantasy writers, so I checked to see which of her books were in. I saw "Imperial Lady" and thought it would be worth a try. I'm only 15 and very picky about what I read, so I was surprised to be totally engrossed in the life of Silver Snow. I was definately captured by the elaborate life styles and customs that differ greatly from my life half-way round the world in Gretna, Nebraska. I also enjoyed "Willow", whose changling ways offset Silver Snow so greatly it was almost humorous. "Imperial Lady" was of great historical value and was also a great read. I encourage anyone to check it out from a local library or buy it here on Amazon.com soon.

Ashe Gordon and Ross Murdock, angry following the loss of their fellow agent and friend, Travis Fox on the planet Topaz, are on the planet Hawaikan, a warm planet that is mostly ocean, intent on setting up a time gate. The world is so different from what they expected after viewing the information from the alien ship that brought them to the planet, that they have decided to do a risky experiment and travel into the past of the planet. They are joined on this venture by two mutant dolphins and a female agent of Polynesian descent.

However, just as they set up the time gate, a storm blows up and disaster strikes. Murdock is flung through the gate and into the planet's past. The time gate is destroyed. Murdock is left to try to cope with the different and aline world he finds himself in, where it seems there is currently a three way struggle going on even without the presence of the mysterious aliens who have dogged the Time Traders from the start.

Without many references to the Russian/US race to colonize space, this book is not much dated at all. Murdock's resentment about the interjection of a woman into their crew is all too believable. However, Norton rarely takes the expected route and the story remains thoroughly entertaining.

Key out of time is one in the series that I think started with Time Traders. This is the race between the U.S. and USSR to utilize technology left in the distant past on Earth by an interstellar race.

The setting is on another planet and goes back into time on it and the travelers meet the race that originated the time technology. Throw in a coven of real witches, dolphins that can communicate with humans and you have one heck of a good story

This is a reference among Malraux's writings, because it describes perfectly his own obsessions. Malraux has traveled a lot, and has experienced a lot of different concepts, and a lot of different situations.

He started by exporting stolen antiques in Thailand, and spent some time in prison there. He was a convinced communist, and went to several countries, where revolution were occuring in the 50s. He finally became a ministry of Charles de Gaulles, who is the symbol of liberal people in France. His ashes were recently transfered to the Pantheon by Jacques Chirac, as an acknowledge to his work, as a writer, and as a politician.

Malraux loved to build his books around historical situations, where it appeared clearly they were made by individual contributions.

This also might be one of Malraux's obsessions. Where does the individual stands in a nation. What importance should be given to the collective organism when it has to be opposed to the interests of a particular individual ?

During his life, Malraux seems to have explored all the range of possibilities, moving from a concept to another.

La Condition humaine really shows all the ambiguity of this duality Collective/Individual.

Some characters are folded up on themselves, and might represent the extreme individuality, some other die for the good of an idea, and might represent the collectivity. But at the end of the book, no one has achieved to find the Answer.

If you would like to learn about the French culture, I would highly recommend this book, for three reasons. First Malraux did a lot of interesting things at the end of the 60's, as a ministry of culture, and so impacted the current French culture. Second, the duality between collective / individual is something that perfectly describes France itself, and is the heart of the current situation of this country. And third, the book itself is really well written, and a pleasure to read.

Being a French student, I have been able to read the French text. Hence, I find it quite difficult to comment the style, since "tradutore traditore". However, I would like to insist on the philosophical content of the book. Of course, it still remains plain litterature and therefore cannot be compared to a full philosophical work. Malraux reaches the deepest essence in the XXth century : every character is fleeing his own existence, indulging in drug addiction and contemplation, or in political action. Who really overcomes his condition ? Can it be said ok Kyo : this is doubtful. The absurd dimension in the book must not neglected : the pitiful diplomatic negociation of Ferrat close the book, while the old Gisors engulfes in the blackest of nights, the same one that Tchen, in the very first pages, had vainly tempted to overcome. It is of course, the vnity of human engagements that appears, which already evokes Malraux's elvolution.

No entertainment assistant should be without the Gayot L.A. Restaurant guide. All of the assistants in my office use it and keep it on their desks. We refer to it as the "bible." On a daily basis, we need to come up with the best restaurants for important breakfasts and power lunches. A major part of my job is arranging such meals, and the Gayot guide always provides us with reliable suggestions. Everyone's satisfaction with the food, ambiance, and service at a restaurant I send them to is very important. Knowing that Gayot sends food critics to review each restaurant gives us all peace of mind - which is often hard to find in our busy work environment. We live by it, we swear by it, and we'd be at a loss without it!

I appreciate the frank and witty reviews in LA RESTAURANTS, and take comfort in knowing this is the only guidebook available that actually sends profesional critics in to review the food. Zagat is unreliable, relying only on questionnaires, to make their judgements on a restaurant. It has been proven to me on a number of occasions while using a Zagat guide that surveys don't take the place of a through review by a critic. I have been able to avoid paying lots of money on bad meals ever since I switched from Zagat and bought Gayot's LA RESTAURANTS. I keep a copy in my car, home, and office.

Beast Master was one of my favourite teen books and this is an unusual sequel inasmuch as that it is at least as good as the original.

N.B. The film "Beast Master" is very obviously based on these books, though migrated to a fantasy setting. I never saw them credited anywhere though. The film is an enjoyable romp, nice humorous touches without going over the top. The hero looks very good though he is awful with a sword. Worst moment: practicing sword on mountain. Best moment: "ferocious" feline threatening pretty girl.

This book is a continuation of the Beast Master. I was only able to read it 2 or 3 times and now I cannot find a copy. The book continues with the adventures of Storm and his companions. The hunt for the downed shuttle and the journey through the caves of the Old ones was exciting. Norton has a way of describing things that allow you to see with your imagination. I also enjoyed the conclusion with the final battle between the Nitra, Storm, and the Lord of Thunder. I hope that there are further books in the series.

If you can't find this volume, note that everything herein (except "Legacy from Sorn Fen" and C.J. Cherryh's introduction) also appears in Norton's collection _Wizards' Worlds_. Most first saw the light of day in non-Norton anthologies or in magazines. I've discussed them below in order of internal chronology, as best I can determine, rather than their order within the book or order of publication.

"Falcon Blood" (1979) - A Sulcar woman and a Falconer are the only survivors of a shipwreck - cast up on the land from whence the Falconers originally came, before they founded the Eyrie. If you ever wondered *why* Falconer men so hate and fear women, especially women who traffic in magic, here's your answer.

"The Toads of Grimmerdale" (1973) - In the last days of the Invaders' War, Hertha had been sent from her family's keep to an abbey for safety - only to meet an Alizon ambush en route. A band of High Hallack fighting men caught the Hounds before they turned to their captive, but they weren't rescuers. Now, on this last night before the Year of the Unicorn begins, Hertha is once again leaving her brother's keep - because she refuses to abort the child she carries, and she wants justice on the man who raped rather than rescued her. After making a plea at Gunnora's shrine, she seeks the ruins at Grimmerdale, to treat with those who may locate the man she seeks.

"Changeling" (1980) - The child whose conception precipitated "The Toads of Grimmerdale" has been born - with stigmata like those of the Old Ones with whom her mother, Hertha, dealt in her quest for vengeance. So Hertha takes the road again, this time seeking to undo the damage done, that her daughter Elfanor may be free.

"Legacy from Sorn Fen" (1973) - Set in High Hallack, immediately after the Invaders' War; first appeared in _Garan the Eternal_. As you may have gathered, Lord Imgry wasn't the only man of High Hallack to see opportunity amid the upheavals of the war; many dales, bereft of their lords and fighting men, provided a chance of betterment for fighting men who could lead. Nordendale, in the 2 stories mentioned above, was lucky in acquiring a good man by the time "Changeling" rolled around.

Klavenport hasn't been so lucky. Oh, Higbold wed Lady Isbel, right enough, but he's an unscrupulous, ambitious man. So much so that when Caleb, the mauled veteran taken on as Isbel's gardener, overhears one of Higbold's secret meetings, Caleb flees for his very life into uncanny Sorn Fen. But the real monsters in Sorn Fen aren't what you might expect...

"Spider Silk" (1976) - Ingvarna, Wise Woman for the village of Rannock, had just enough warning from the Guardians of Estcarp to evacuate the village before the Turning - not enough to save the men of the fishing fleet (half were lost, in the tsunami and storm caused by the rending of the mountain range on the Estcarp-Karsten border). The night of the Turning gave as well as took away, though; Rannock's right of storm wrack brought them to salvage the raider ship washed ashore.

Its cargo, though, consisted of no wholesome trade goods; the raider was a slave ship that had touched far shores. Only one little girl, stricken with amnesia and hysterical blindness from the horrors she'd lived through, survived: Dairine, taken as an apprentice and fosterling by Ingvarna. She proves to have a great talent for weaving - enough to keep the interest of occasional Sulcar traders. So when, after Ingvarna's death, a young Sulcar captain tells her of the spider-silk weavers of Usturt, who produce priceless silk, but kill men from outside on sight. Might they teach their art to a woman who seems to be no threat?

"Sword of Unbelief" (1979) - An Elys and Jervon story, set near the end of the Invaders' War (a.k.a. the Kolder War); although the Weres turned the tide of battle, the Waste is still haunted by outlaws and other dangerous creatures. Elys returns from an exploration of nearby ruins to find that raiders have struck their camp - and they kidnapped Jervon rather than simply trying to kill him. And this world really *does* have fates worse than death, as Elys knows all too well, tracking the outlaws across the Waste, hoping to intercept them before they reach their mysterious destination.

"Sand Sister" (1979) - Set in the Tormarsh, in the generation born after the Kolder War. As told in _Witch World_ and _Web of the Witch World_ (and recounted here in passing from the opposing viewpoint), Koris of Gorm's mother was a Torwoman, one of the remote people of the marshes who are not quite of humankind. Their history stretches back very far indeed: back unto a day when they were nearly brute beasts, when in his loneliness, the Old One Volt took them under his wing. (They know he wasn't a god, but they revere his memory greatly.) They greatly love their homeland, so the Witches' sealing off of Tormarsh after the war doesn't grieve them much; Norton skillfully illuminates the beauty of the marshes, as well as Tor culture (which is not only ancient, but somewhat hidebound), through the eyes of the Tormaiden Tursla.

In these latter days, their people are gradually dying out, so even an odd child like Tursla is accepted, and like all children, raised in common by the clan. Tursla thinks of Koris often, wondering if he ever yearns for his Tormarsh heritage, feeling any lack, as she does, having been marked from birth as strange. She dreams - and ever she sees a pool of blue-green water surrounded by red-gold sand...

This group if shorit are gread and, in a way, introduce us to several characters that are filled out in "Witch World" novels. I own the Daw'80 paperback and have read it many times. If you can find a copy, I highly recomment it!

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus according to St. Gertrude. Our Lord chose St. Gertrude to be the Messenger or Herald of Divine Love, and He guided her as she wrote, so that through her He might make known the secrets of His Heart, and thus draw many hearts to Himself. Jesus said to St. Gertrude, "I wish your writings to be for later times a proof of the tenderness of My Heart, and I will make them a source of grace to many souls. While you write, I will keep your heart near to My Heart, and will instill into it, drop by drop, what you are to say." By following these actual words of Our Lord to St. Gertrude in our daily life, a soul will become enriched with incomparable merit, and will be filled, even in this life, with the profound peace and joy which come from loving the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 203pp. PB. Imprimatur.

Just when I thought I knew all the classic spiritual/devotion books this jewel came as a gift to me! It is a must read ranking close to such as "The Story of a Soul," "Introduction to the Devout Life," "Imitation of Christ," et al. May help bring one to know more deeply the Love and Mercy of Jesus whose Heart was pierced for us!

From cover to cover, this book is full of insight backed up with proof and biblical principles. A must read for anyone interested in the facts behind our society's belief in the paranormal.

Andre has teamed with another magician to present the facts, from a Biblically true standpoint, about the false beliefs that are constantly attributed to psychics, or to Satanic powers. From a Christian standpoint, Andre deals with the fact that (1)nothing pertaining to psychic "power" has ever been shown true, and (2)that many Christians falsely attribute supposed phenomena to Satan and his minions, when in fact Biblically it is not possible for Satan to HAVE these abilities, nor give these abilities to people, so-called psychics. Read this book. It hits the entire realm of psychic power right on the head. I highlighted the important lines and the book literally glows in the dark.

I've been searching all over for this book, which was such a delightful read when I was younger. The combination of magic and history in this wonderful story makes this a terrific gem for children of all ages. It's especially touching for anyone who has ever pretended to be someone else, and wished it could become reality. In these days of Harry Potter and magic mania, I would love to see this book reprinted for a new generation.

I hope every young adult discovers this wonderful little book. Lorrie, the main character, has problems to deal with just like all young adults. Then one day she enters a mysterious house where she travels back in time. But most importantly, Lorrie meets a wise old woman who helps Lorrie to grow as a person.