I've just finished getting through a book on Lingo, and decided to pick this book up in the hopes of becoming an Actionscripter. The writing style of this book is excellent-- it wastes NO time with senseless conceptual jargony and gets straight to the point. You'll find yourself actually learning at a quick pace through a series of short examples of Actionscript that become more advanced and build on previous examples in the book. Better yet, the CD is packed full of open source examples for every short tutorial in the book.

This book is the definitive actionscript reference. Though, beginners be forewarned-- this is not a book for those who are not familiar with the fundamentals of programming and those who are not fully acquainted with Flash's interface and a conceptual understanding of animation.

I started with Macromedia's Flash MX ActionScripting Advanced and I learned a lot. However, it does not contain a complete dictionary. I bought John Davey's book and in addition to the complete dictionary in the book, it is also on the CD. I keep the online version loaded when programming Flash. Furthermore, the 400+ pages of tutorials, are simple, plentiful, and each one illustrates one learning objective. Both books are good, but this one is better.

I thought this would be a reference. Well guess what, I was wrong. This is a reference in the back half, but a How-To in the front half. I'd say, skip every other ActionScript book till you buy this one. If I'd known this would have tutorials in the first half (yes the first 400 or so pages are tutorials), I wouldn't have bought some of the other ones I have. Combined with the CD content, this book is a great first book for the intermediate animator moving into scripting. And, it will stay usefull for as long as you are using Flash MX. Between this book and the O'Reilly book "ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition" by Colin Moock, you'll have all you really need. Then you can buy the specialized stuff on games or UI or whatever.

I bought this book and found it to be well written and easy to understand. I studied it for a few weeks and I was able to pass my technician license test with a 100%! Keep up the great work, John! I recommend this book highly to anyone wanting to get involved in amateur radio.

This is a great book to help both young and old (and everyone in between) learn about amateur radio. John, K6YB, has presented all of the technical concepts and FCC rules and regulations in a light hearted and engaging way that works. Using graphics and text, each idea is explained clearly and matched with the appropriate questions from the FCC Techincian License Question Pool. For anyone interested in becoming an amateur radio operator, this book should be their first choice!

The book "ALFA & ZULU" has been a great book for me and my friends. K6YB did a great job of explaining all the answers! I have gotten my Novice and Tech with this book. My friend has recently gotten into the hobby of Amateur radio and I let him borrow the book. It has helped him a lot. I later upgraded to Tech Plus and am trying for the General. My friend is taking the Tech. Thank you for your great book K6YB....

This is the next best thing to seeing Cabaret in studio 54! Pictures of the Roundabout theater production light up this book and tells the story of the revived new musical. This book does not tell the story of the Liza Minelli version, or any of the other Cabaret versions, but of that of the revival. I have seen the new production in person, and can only say that this is the next best thing...and the book even has the whole libretto in it!

This book is absolutely delicious. It is filled with gorgeous, glossy photos of the entire beautiful cast, with lots of attention paid to my favorite, Alan Cumming. This book is a must have for any Cabaret fanatic. Even my roommate, who isn't really a fan, couldn't help but read it cover to cover! This book is breathtaking.

I've seen the movie, the revival, and I remember the original production with Joel Grey from my childhood....but nothing ever beats the book! A complete script, with stage directions and brilliantly captured moments of the play; a thick and hearty slice of life backstage at one of Broadway's most fun and intriguing shows-- get it now!

Well, all I have to say to fellow Hanson fans is; if you haven't read this already...you better go out and buy it as soon as you can (if your local bookstore hasn't run out of copies yet!!) It has great behind-the scenes photos, cool tid-bit facts, and anything you wanna know about Hanson's drummer boy!!! (Beware of a little false info here and there)

Hey there Hanson fanz! This book rocked! I'm surprised that the author didn't even interview Zac herself! I love the pix and the quiz in it to see if you're the type for Zac. Very well written! There may be a tinie tiny bit of false info, but still cool!

As Zac once Said: "'Peace, Love, Happiness, and Bullet-Proof Marshmellows!!"

Hey there Hanson fans! This book is totally awesome! I love the pix in it! The info is also a little bit different too! There are 16, yes 16 pix inside!!!! Is that cool or what? This author is AWESOME for a unautherized writer!

~Soni

P.S. This book rocked!!!! It also had funny stories about Zac and his bros!

In general, Out Of The Shadows is well written and well-presented. However, I found the author's ideas on the topic to be rather shallow. I must say thatI found the whole issue of the 'gothic' subculture to be as irrelevant to the theology of Paganism as, say tie-die and flowers might be. Personal aesthetic choice does not, in my opinion, have much to do with spirituality, and the book spends far too much time defining and defending goth culture (to which I have no objections)for my taste. On the other hand, when it comes up against actual theological issues, such as the presence of pain and death in the world, the book seems to fall short of deep thought on these interesting matters.
All in all, an interesting first effort on a topic that deserves more thought - maybe, in the end, we can simply discard the ideas of 'light' and 'dark' as useful spiritual metaphors...

Dark paganism and spirituality aside, this book is a fantastic modern adaptation of Jungian theory (esp. "the shadow"), which can be very therapeutic for those who find themselves stuck between the "goodie-goodies" and the gung-ho Satanists. While this book definitely appeals to those who veer towards the "darker" path, it is in no way extreme to that end. I found it to be much more about the theories behind darkness and paganism (or whichever alternative lifestyles), rather than about the nuts and bolts of practical paganism. It is very refreshing to see someone else who is paying attention to the concept of achieving **balance** for personal growth, rather than adopting a brand of spirituality as some crutch or political statement. I was on Mr. Coughlin's mailing list for a long time awaiting this book's release, upon which it greatly exceeded all my expectations. If you like dark spirituality and/or paganism, but can't stand the "fluffies" and don't agree with the Satanists, this is your book.

I learned about the existence of this book just as I was desparing that there were no good intermediate or advanced pagan books out there. "Out of the Shadows" was everything I was looking for and more. As someone who has long been attracted to dieties with darker, less nurturing aspects like Sekhmet, Kali, and Coyote, I agree that this book was much needed in presenting paganism without the "good vs. bad" dualism. The left hand path is often misunderstood, and I think this book is a wonderful introduction to it. It is a very psychological, thought provoking view. One will find no pre-made spells or rituals here; Coughlin explores the philosophy and mechanics of magic to help you understand why they work. -Quite a liberating thing!
It is also a joy to read; I really enjoyed the conversational style of writing that Coughlin used. He defines and clarifies several aspects of dark spirituality/goth subculture that I would not normally have read about, such as Vampirism and Satanism. He also goes into depth about subjects that would never see the light of day in other books: blood, pain, insanity, sex magic, curses, and drugs. Always there, though, is a reminder of the need for balance and responsibility. The final chapter on haunting was superb; it made sense of the hauntings that I have experienced and caused me to see them in a new way. This book tops my list of favorite pagan books; I reccomend it to everyone who can handle the subject matter and wants a full course meal in magic.

Bill Belleville takes to Florida's St. Johns River in "River of Lakes" to tell the story of its history, culture and nature with eloquence and ease. He is truly smitten with the waterway, and it shows. His descriptions of the river's flora and fauna are sure to captivate readers, taking them along for a vividly colorful ride as he explores the river and its tributaries and springs via airboat, houseboat and kayak. Belleville's provocative thoughts also prompt deep ponderings of the river and its fate as Florida steps into the next millennium and struggles with the issue of balancing growth with its fragile environment. This is a Florida rarely seen by tourists, and, thankfully, Belleville delivers a stunning and remarkable guided tour.

Bill Belleville's sublime story of the St. John's River was a book I could not put down. A modern version of William Bartram's Travels, "River of Lakes" truly catches the history, geology and flavor of life along the St. John's River. For those of us who have grown up on the river, and who have played in its creeks and springs since childhood, it was an absolute joy to read. I hope that Belleville (who also makes films about rivers) makes a film about the St. John's based on this book. Hang up your hammock by the river, sit back and soak up the beauty of this poetic odyssey. If you haven't seen the St. John's before, you will want to now!

Every river should have a writer-in-residence as fine as Bill Belleville. He gives the St. Johns its due, and commands a reader's respect with the quality of his prose and depth of his research. "River of Lakes" is personal without being confessional. Belleville is river-absorbed, not self-absorbed, and the result is a rigorous and companionable book. I'm just sorry Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (another important witness to the St. Johns) isn't around to read it.

"The Prettiest Feathers" began the bizarre saga of two men, Lucas Frank, the reluctant, semi-retired psychiatrist who knows crime and criminals inside out, and John Wolf, the brilliant, insatiable killer fixated on Dr. Frank. "Tunnel of Night" continues the tale. The authors' characterizations are real and totally believable, and give substance to a quick moving plot that doesn't let up. Read these books! They are psychological thrillers and so much more! With a supporting cast of quirky characters, and a myriad of seemingly unrelated details that tie up nicely at the end, these novels are tremednously satisfying. Can't wait for the movie that's sure to come. A month ago I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Philpin speak and read from his work. He is every bit as mesmerizing as his books. Best news: he assured me that there will be additional titles in the Lucas Frank series.

The serial killer in this novel, originally introduced in "The Prettiest Feather" is named John Wolf, and boy is he one sick but intelligent individual. His cold, calculating approach to murder goes beyond what most of us have experienced in other serial killer novels.

Philpin and Sierra have given us a credible coda to the first book, bringing the notorious Wolf back in a highly believable manner. Matching the evil Wolf is the less than perfect hero, Lucas Frank. His understanding of the dark side of evil is enhanced by his own dark thoughts and obsession with solving murderous crimes.

The authors use effective narratives in the first person by Lucas, his daughter Lane, and Wolf. Much suspense and mystery are piled on throughout and the resolution, although a little quick, is satisfying.

A great entry in the serial killer genre.

John Wolf was supposed to be Lucas Frank's final case as a psychiatric profiler, but the cunning sociopath had other plans. Lucas, accompanied by his daughter Lane, tracks Wolf to his Vermont lair. Lucas uses the killer's bomb against Wolf to enact justice.

Almost a year has passed since that explosive summer day in Vermont. Frank is enjoying his retirement. However, unbeknownst to Frank, John Wolf turns out to be a cat as he survived the bomb. Wolf has been working on vengeance against those who tried to stop him with Lucas and Lane heading up the list. By the time law enforcement officials realize that Wolf is back, it is too late as the killings have begun anew. The stage for a final confrontation between profiler and serial killer is set with only one person expected to walk away alive.

TUNNEL OF NIGHT is hair raising psychological suspense that evokes terror in the bravest of humans because readers will believe that Wolf is modeled after a real human monster. Lucas is an anti-hero who does his job well because he values his principles instead of a simple law book. John Philpin and Patricia Sierra address social issues with dignity inside a well designed novel that will have the audience demanding the return of the father and daughter team.

Harriet Klausner

Flannery O'Connor, John Updike, James Joyce, and now: Chenoweth! Each story does the work of a novel, and the novel does the work of twelve stories. They intertwine in a threnody of hope and longing. Congrats, I say. Highbrow style covers these poor cousins to the rich in a multi-hued texture of language and wit. The view from the outside, like a poor boy staring at the candy store window, or F. Scott looking longingly as the belles of the ball circulated in their pastel dresses inside the country club of his imagination, is the predominant flavor of the book, and a haunting one too. Wilde wrote that all of us are in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars, and Chenoweth renders this aphorism into fiction that both dazzles and despairs. Next time, though, he should go for the money with a novel that reaches the folks in the trailer park as well as those in the halls of literary academe.

It will be a long while before the reader forgets the Goodpasture family members. This superbly written first collection of interrelated short stories depicts a seemingly dysfunctional American family that, on reflection, are not all that unusual in their struggles with life and with each other. The collection includes two of the funniest scenes I've had the pleasure to encounter in a long time. The one in "If I Were You," the final story in the collection, had me giggling hysterically, albeit a bit nervously, since the devastating truth that the sharp humor cloaks is revealed only at the end. I look forward to this writer's next effort, whatever it may be.

These stories connect on many levels; I found them very entertaining. My favorite was Going Back-- a universal story of college days done as a complex of witty and constantly shifting dialog. This one ought to be a movie!

As his narrative style demonstrates, author John Waugh is a great storyteller; his vivid descriptions of the many players involved in the campaign of 1864 are details one might expect from a work of historical fiction. But this is not a novel. It is a well-researched, very readable history that illustrates Abraham Lincoln's political skill and the importance of his re-election to the fate of the union. What quickly becomes apparent is Lincoln's skill in successfully juggling the interests of opponents both inside and outside his party. While other politicians may have been more dedicated to the immediate abolition of slavery, one begins to understand that Lincoln's overriding goal above all else was the end of the war and the restoration of the union. Waugh's work suggests that Lincoln's personality, and perhaps more importantly, moderate ideology, were crucial to that goal.

The book does a thorough job of showcasing Lincoln's many opponents as well as illustrating the President's own doubts about getting re-elected. Still, after finishing the book, I never really got the sense that Lincoln's re-election was ever really in serious jeopardy. After all, the subject of the book is the "battle for the 1864 presidency." Granted, we have the advantage of knowing the outcome, and, for Lincoln, the threat of defeat was indeed real. But many of the quotes of the doomsday prognosticators seemed more like wishful thinking from Lincoln-hating politicians who could never attain the numbers to give him a more serious challenge. When one removes the book's microscope on Lincoln's political opponents, the big picture would seem to suggest that the people of the north were loyal to the President all along. In any case, keeping one's perspective might be a good idea.

Still, I'd recommend this book-it's a fun read that is well-written and very accessible. Another theme that I took away from Reelecting Lincoln was the reminder that our heroic leaders were ordinary politicians once-fallible with friends and enemies alike.

The election of 1864 was probably the most important Presidential election in our History.It is no understatement to say that if Abraham Lincoln had not been re-elected Our History would have been very different.In fact had Lincoln not won the United States might not even exsist today. In Re-electing Lincoln John Waugh gives us a superb account of this crucial campaign.Mr. Waugh is a former Political Reporter. And it shows.As I read this Book I often had the sensation that I was reading this in the newspaper or watching it on CNN. Mr. Waugh also has the gifts of a Novelist. He gives us a powerful and a suspenseful story with a cast of simply unforgetable Characters. As a History Teacher the thing that I gained most from Re-electing Lincoln was the realization that Political campaigns really have''nt changed much in 134 years.Those who think Campaign finance practices are sleazy today will find this Book a real eye opener.This Book is a wonderful read,even if your not a Civil War Buff. Don't pass it up.

It fascinates me how many great histories and biographies there are to read these days. You don't have to be a historian to enjoy this analysis of one of the most influential times in US history. It entertains, it enlightens, and it builds momentum like a well-written novel.

I spent my boyhood worshipping Long Abe, influenced by the school texts that anointed him a hero. Reelecting Lincoln reveals a more human Lincoln, yet one that I admire and respect. John Waugh exposes the Saviour of the Union for his frailties as well as his strengths. His research unveils the criticism of the President during this important period of the war, the fact that he was seen by many as a yokel, undeserving of the presidency, and the multiple factions, North and South, within and without his own party, even within his own cabinet, that were plotting to defeat him in the 1864 election. This book is well-researched from primary sources, including Lincoln's two personal secretaries and the letters and biographies of major and minor historical figures of the day. A journalist, Waugh also uses material from a multitude of very political newspapers, most of them embued with the opinions of their egomaniacal editors, men like Horace Greely, to describe the events that shaped the campaign during the conflict of the rebellion. There was indeed much underfoot during this year that was so essential to shaping the young nation. The United States was very close to turning out very differently than it looks today. Waugh weaves this story expertly. Reelecting Lincoln is a fascinating, entertaining book.