"Nudes 3", Graphis Inc.(1999) ISBN: 1-888001-66-6 is a superb 255 large-sized page presentation of some 200 nudes, mostly female and almost exclusively in B/W monochrome with a rare duotone or color. Publishers deserve praise for this elegant edition.

There is an excellent, quaint but all too short introductory commentary by photographer Barry Lategan who provides a brief digest of the nude form both historically from Biblical and pre-16th Century Irish churche times down to its present-day employment in advertising, girlie magazines and calendars. He provides some reflections on perceived but not totally explained limitations and restrictions governing male nudity. He also gives an interesting explanation of why horseshoes are hung over door ways, a Celtic custom handed down from olden times.

The majority of images are excellent, nicely representative of acknowledged and established photographers of the nude body and I had especial respect for the artisitic works of Herb Ritts (folio of 12 images from "Women Through the Ages"), Barbara Bordnick, Howard Schatz, Barry Lategan and many others. However, I found Suzanne Opton's "Device" (from the midriff tragedies) and Nancy & Matthew Sleeth's "Venus at Thirty" (still no pubic hair?) contrived and of uncertain merit in the context of this book. Nonetheless, "Nudes 3" - Graphis is substantial, and could find place on many coffee tables and open library shelves.

Graphis Nudes 3 ranks as one of the best photography collections of the year. One of the most impressive aspects of the collection is the editor's decision to include emerging artists alongside some true legends in the field. One of these exciting new voices was the Maine couple of Nancy and Matthew Sleeth who have five (!) photogrphs included in the book. Their passion for the female form, as well as the personal subtext of their work qualifies these pieces as truly exceptional. I had the luck to find a collection by Nancy and Matthew at a wonderful little art gallery in the Georgetown part of Washington, D.C. called Urbanspace. Their work in Grapis Nudes 3 was amazing, but seeing it in person was an extra treat.

Graphis has put out yet another elegant, handsome collection of some of the finest nudes ever reproduced. With over 200 classic and innovative photographs from around the world, this book features exceptional work from some of the most esteemed talents, including Herb Ritts, Sheila Metzner, and Robert Farber--as well as some exciting emerging artists. Editor Nichole Ray did an exceptional job of collecting the best in fine art nude photography today. The elegant presentation will please and inspire you for years to come. A defite BUY for anyone interested in respectful and intriguing photography of the human form.

read one of the short pieces in this anthology. They are also incredibly uplifting too. A brilliant bedside companion for any dog lover.

Although each of the pieces in this book was inspired by the loss of a much beloved dog, this is really a book about vibrant, fully-alive dogs: family pets, fellow hunters, soul mates, and best friends. And while none of the dogs remembered so fondly here still lives, Old Dogs affirms the remarkably special place in the heart we reserve for our dogs. My own dog is sturdy in her middle-age, but reading the eulogies and odes in this moving anthology has made me appreciate more all the quirky habits I take for granted, like how she can't resist running off with one of my Reeboks when I'm shoeing up for our evening walk--the little prance she performs when I tell her, "Bring the shoe back!" Not a sad read but a celebratory one, required for every dog owner!

This is a remarkable anthology of stories and poems by outstanding authors of the past, as well as more recent times. Although these moving remembrances are only of beloved dogs, the lovers of any species of pet will find identical sentiments for their own losses. Whatever kind of companion animal you had, you will find your own bereavement and healing tears reflected here, as well.

Care was taken to avoid over-sentimentality, in this assortment of loving reflections of dogs, celebrated here. These accounts are full of love, and are sometimes even funny - and we are thrust into the realization that perhaps that is the most wonderful kind of living memorials we can have for a beloved pet. Too often, we lose this perspective, while trying to keep from drowning in our own bereavement and sorrows.

Rather than being a collection of sad literary memorials Old Dogs Remembered is a joyful celebration of life with pets. This inspires healthy new points of view and adjustments to moving on into our new lives, without them.

Here we are treated to many different outlooks on how they permanently enriched the lives of their owners. Reading these heartwarming pages will broaden the understanding of each reader, concerning his/her own personal bereavement. Here, we are offered the collective wisdom of others, who reminisce on their honored pets. There is much to be shared and learned here, as well as enjoyed.

With so many different authors, one must appreciate that references and styles have changed drastically, through the ages. As an example of this, some might find the essay by the dramatist John Galsworthy to be interesting, but a bit troublesome to read. And, as with any anthology, there may be some accounts not everyone would appreciate. But all pet lovers will readily identify with the overall shared remembrances, here. This is a heartwarming collection, which can be enjoyed comfortably, in several installments.

There will be many an uplifting tear shed in its reading, and we suggest it for your reading pleasure.

Here is an average American couple that does something we all dream about - but most never do - sail away to the South Pacific. In addition, the author takes us through their boating and non-boating lives in an interesting way.

Probably the most compelling theme is choosing to run your own life - i.e. they had to decide to quit working, deal with home ownership, grown kids and so on, to realize their dream.

So in that sense it is resource for anyone thinking about realizing some dream, it doesn't have to be about boating. But for those of us that like boating, well it is that much better.

She's a good writer and I'd sure like to see another book on what they did after they returned from the South Pacific. Highly recommended!

An extremely captivating, well written book! It was a relaxing read that allowed me to see what life would be like living on a boat. There is so much more to cruising than I ever imagined - although it would be amazing to see the world aboard a boat, you learn what hard work it is and how dangerous it can be. Not only is this a book about cruising, but also about real people and their emotions and their relationships. The author and her husband's relationship is strong, but its strength is tested by this trip. I absolutely loved this book and hope you'll get a chance to read it sometime!

What a wonderful book. You tell such a descriptive story. It is just fantastic. I have been reading numberous books on sailing addventures and yours deserves to be on the book shelf of every boating store.

Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus is back in Rome, standing for election, when the always dangerous city is convulsed by a Tribune's curse. The Tribune curses Crassus as he sets out for war against the Parthians (a war that ended with Crassus's death and one of the worst defeats that Rome had ever suffered), invoking a number of secret gods and the secret name of Rome itself. Everyone knows that knowledge of the true name constitutes power, and Rome must take extraordinary measures to purify itself. When the Priestly colleges come to Decius and insist that he bring them the name of the one who betrayed Rome's secret name, Decius is thrust into mystery, danger, and death.

Author John Maddox Roberts makes this turbulent era in Roman history come to life. From details of Decius's candidate toga (whitened with chalk to stand out), to the economics of being a Roman politician, to the scheming of the three men--Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar--who rule Rome, THE TRIBUNE'S CURSE drips with authenticity. Better yet, the history lesson is fully integrated into the story. Roberts delivers information as it is needed, involving the reader in the mystery and the history simultaneously.

Decius, with his fears of poverty, his love of wine, and his loving but greedy wife, makes a sympathetic character--important since the story is told as a first person narative. He is positioned high enough in society to have access to information and contacts, yet low enough to be fair game for anyone who thinks that the truth would be better hidden.

Fans of Roman history, historical mysteries, or fine writing won't go wrong with this compelling mystery.

The year is AUC 700, or 56 BC by our calendar. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, back from several years in Gaul and happily married to his longtime love, the niece of Julius Caesar himself, is plunged into a whirlpool of intrigue when a tribune attempts to derail a powerful politician by invoking a curse on him, using religious elements he had no business using.

Reading this, the reader gets a sense of how alien the Romans really were---and how much they really believed in their religion.

After fighting the Gauls for a year under Julius Caesar, Decius Cecilius Metellus, the black sheep of the powerful and wealthy Metellus clan, is glad to be home again in his beloved Rome. Married to Caesar's niece Julia and running for political office that could lead to bigger and more powerful positions, Decius is a very happy man. The populace is not in favor of Tribune Marcus Licinus Craessus going to war against the Parthians.

On the day he is to depart, the fanatical opposition leader, the tribune of the people Caius Ateius Capito delivers a curse on Marcus, daring to speak the secret name of Rome. Decius is ordered to find out how he learned such a sacred name but before he gets very far in his investigation, the mauled body of Ateius is found. Decius must get answers and soon otherwise the frightened populace will start rioting.

John Maddox Roberts, through the use of the first person narration of his protagonist, gives the reader a glimpse into the mindset of the citizens of the Roman Empire on the subject of slavery, magic, politics, and war. The story line is colorful allowing readers to feel as if they have gone back in time to Ancient Rome. THE TRIBUNE'S CURSE is an exciting, well-researched historical mystery.

Harriet Klausner

I chose this book for my final project in geology class because I was interested in Yellowstone National parks though I have never been to, and this book was very good not only to read but also to review my studying in the class. Yellowstone and Grand Teton ground systems such as ground movements and heating systems are covered and also advanced my studying. Actually, I had totally no knowledge about geologic activities before I studied in the class, so this book was also really good to review my studying. In addition, this book introduces these parks view points with beautiful and colored pictures, so this book also can be used for a tourbook. It is no doubt that I will go to these parks with this book!

A friend loaned me this book two months ago. I haven't returned it yet. It is simply the best book on these two parks that I have ever read. The authors accurately portray the very considerable geological power present in each park, and yet do not manage to make either park a fearful place to be avoided. Instead, their writing is a persuasive invitation to visit these wonderful manifestations of nature for an extended period. I was particularly impressed by the visitor's tour set out near the end of the book. I took a part of that tour in 1994, and the narrative is very accurate. I will certainly use my OWN copy of the book when I go back again this autumn. (I don't want anyone to think I don't return borrowed books!) This book is an absolute musthave-mustread for anyone going to the parks or interested in the geological processes that have made the West. Enjoy.

This treasure will turn "topography" into a household word. Dedicated to a fellow geologist recently killed by an avalance while conducting fieldwork, "Windows" is a slick and dramatic feature presentation of volcanism, earthquakes, and geysers. Superb maps and graphs colorfully illustrate variable stratae formed through the eons. An informal and friendly text is scholarly without being stuffy. The writers establish a tone of substance and humor as they discuss multiple upheavals that created Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. This is the kind of book that will impress early rock-ologists and even be hoarded by their more secretive, sedimental parents. The writing never "dumbs down" but is lucid with factual attention to landscape formation without snubbing the human astonishment that continually witnesses it. Thanks to geologist Smith and naturalist journalist Seigel, the book is threaded with lively accounts from park rangers, tourists, and waitresses at the Old Faithful Inn. Appeals to romantics and literalists alike. Studded with beautiful, full-color photographs. Every page is hefty and sleek to the touch, a feast for the eye as well as the brain. Kind of a wonder-book for anyone who seeks the phenomenal in terra firma.

A really invaluable referance guide to the sport of boxing. If you are a real afficiando of the sport or like myself, just a casual fan it doesn't really matter. This book has all the information that you could want. All the champions from the various weight classes are here. Each boxer has a record of all of his fights, and a (surprisingly) entertaining overview of his career. Wether you are checking out a specific fighter for a specific fight, or just want a few moments of reading. This is the book for you. From the heavyweight super stars that we all know, to the 98 pounders that could tear the most 'macho' of us apart before breakfast, this guide has them all. Informative and VERY intertaining. But it, read it, and revel in the history of the "manly art" You won't be dissapointed.

The authors and the International Boxing Hall of Fame based in Canastota, NY deserves a lot of credit for this excellent contribution to boxing - "the sweet science". This is a treasury chest of information on boxing history, fighters records and inside stories in a handy book format with lots of great photos and illustrations. Whether you want to know about the sanctioning bodies or the weight divisions, the records or the biographies of the fighters inducted into The Hall of Fame, you will find it all right here.

Content data, records and biographies about the fighters are divided in three main sections: 1- the early pioneers from bare knuckle brawlers to the Boston Strong Boy; 2- the old timers when the sweet science becomes an American passion; and 3- the modern era when boxing waxes and wanes but the grear stars shine. Names like James Figg, John L. Sullivan (The Boston Strong Boy), Max Baer, Jack Dempsey (The Manassa Mauler), Jack Johnson (the first african-american heavyweight champion from 1908-15), Gene Tunney, Joe Louis, Archie Moore, Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali (The Greatest) and many other great fighters, they are all here. You will also find information about boxing's supporting cast with names like Gil Clancy, Cus D'Amato, Angelo Dundee, Lou Duva, Don King, Arthur Mercante and others. Additionally, there are short essays on the governing bodies ruling the sport, the seamy side of boxing scandals, the influence of television in the sport, etc.

In conclusion, this is an outstanding source of reliable information on boxing as well as on individual fighters in a handy, manual, illustrated book format for a very reasonable price.

This book gives great biographies on all the great fighters. This book is great for a person just getting into boxing or a long time fight fan. I think you should definately buy a copy.

Water F. Otto's Dionysus: Myth and Cult is a difficult but extremely rewarding study not only of the god Dionysus but of myth and cult as well. The book is divided into two parts. The first looks at the meaning of myth and cult and their relationship, the second attempts to arrive at the essential characteristic of Dionysus. By no means should you skip the first part. In it Otto lays the groundwork for his penetrating analysis of the god. It is a scintillatingly brilliant and illuminatingly original exposition of the meaning and origins of myth and cult. Anyone interested in Greek religion or for that matter liturgy alone, should read it. Although written over forty years ago it will still challenge and startle. Otto is gifted with a poetic depth of perception and gnomic expressiveness worthy almost of Heraclitus. For example at one point he states: "The more alive this life becomes, the nearer death draws, until the supreme moment-the enchanted moment when something new is created-when death and life meet in an embrace of mad ecstasy."

Otto holds that "The true visage of every true god is the visage of a world." In the second part he sets about discovering the form or visage of Dionysus. This he brilliantly lays out in chapters dealing with every aspect of the god. Chapters include: The Vine, The Somber Madness, Dionysus and the Element of Moisture, Dionysus and the Women, and Dionysus and Apollo. I will not attempt to recount his conclusions. Get the book and read them in Otto's lapidary language. Don't be put off from reading this book if you don't know Greek. While there are a fair number of untransliterated words, you can understand the meaning of the sentences from the context. However, be aware that this is not "lite" reading but a serious study that requires and will repay thought. The book itself is a handsome, sturdy paperback with glued signatures.

The author brings the immediate experience of Dionysus to the reader. In the first part, a general context is laid out. In the second, the stories of Dionysus are told, of a living presence. This immediacy makes the essay both powerful and compelling.

This book is written in two parts. The first is an essay about the use of Cult practices as a source for the substance and interpretation of myth. The second (and longest) describes the myths themselves.

I have only read the second part. Ottos description and interpretation of the myths surrounding Dionysus is poetic and, and at times borders on the sublime. His impact is emotional as well as intellectual, and I came away feeling that I knew the God of whom he writes. This must say something for both the passion of the author for his subject and the skill and sympathy of the translator.

The book is well (exhaustively ?) documented. Only one thing was irksome. Reference is constantly made to words from the original Greek using greek characters with no transposition into english characters (for a non-classically trained person such as myself). While the commentary surrounding these texts usually explains their meaning and impact, I have had to learn the Greek alphabet and buy a classical greek dictionary (Langenscheidt) to verify and fully understand the commentary. Even so, the book is otherwise beautifully accessible for a lay person such as myself.

Ben Baron is a hero the equal of Repairman Jack, The Lone Ranger, Spenser, Tony Soprano or James Bond. Here is an ordinary guy in his twenties confronted with the Staten Island mob, the Columbian drug cartel, and a karate killer. He confronts each of them to save his teenage brother, a wiseguy who ripped off their drugs.

The book is well-written, easy to understand, funny, loaded with action, mystery, irony and plot twists. The ending had me shocked. I should have seen it coming but I didn't.

I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait for the next one.

The author speaks to you and you are at his side thru the whole story. Hard to put this book down as you get pulled into the workings of the mob and you anticipate the fate of the charactors and the twists of the plot. The reader become well informed of how it all goes down and why. You will know there is more than one Godfather!

Double Dealing is a masterful work of fiction that is doubly entertaining. With twin plots working together to a final climax rich in irony and surprises, Bruno kept me intrigued with his action packed story. I felt like Ben Baron was talking to me during the entire book, like I was right there in the room, a fly on the wall, witnessing first hand the drama and action in every scene.

Robert Tucker's latest book, Driving Growth Through Innovation, is a powerful blueprint for transforming ad hoc, seat of the pants innovation into systematic innovation that can help to drive growth, profit and competitive advantage in your organization. This is one of the most important, insightful books on innovation that I've read in some time. Using extensive real-world examples from 23 "Innovation Vanguard" companies -- some of the world's most successful and innovative firms -- Tucker informs and inspires as he reveals their best practices and how your firm can adapt them to your needs.

Tucker begins the book by building the business case for systematic innovation: Why is it a survival issue for organizations today? Why do so many corporate leaders agree that innovation is a key strategic issue, yet have great difficulty in actually implementing systematic, pervasive innovation within their companies? What's needed is a systematic and comprehensive strategy for innovation, and that is the focus of this book. Systematic innovation, according to Tucker, is comprehensive, involves all employees, is focused on an organized, systematic and ongoing search for future business opportunities, and is focused on delivering new value to customers.

In Tucker's quest to deconstruct the DNA of systematic innovation, he covers an impressive collection of key strategic innovation issues, including how different corporate leadership styles and cultures can influence an organization's commitment to innovation, or lack thereof; how to identify unmet customer needs and build market-leading new products around them; and techniques for "future scanning" -- "mining" emerging trends in an organized, systematic way to uncover exciting new business opportunities.

Driving Growth Through Innovation is highly practical and inspiring book, a field guide to successfully implementing systematic innovation that should be on every entrepreneur and innovation manager's bookshelf, yet at the same time a compelling manifesto for change in how most companies approach innovation. Tucker does a terrific job of clearly and compellingly explaining the systematic innovation methodologies used by the Innovation Vanguard companies, and provides readers with one valuable insight after another into how to make these principles work for you.

I highly recommend this book!

Extending my knowledge in Product Development lead me to read Tucker's book - Just one simple comment - Well written, full of common sense and very practical in the approaches and ideas. Surely inspiring and putting me in a position where I know I have to innovate myself in integrating many of the book ideas and link them with other great Product Development concepts.

Robert Tucker speaks with authority; he does not write in empty generalities. He cites facts, figures, case studies and innovation luminaries. He poses questions, provides solutions and presents answers. Finally, he describes six growth strategies. It is obvious he knows his stuff. This scholarly book is fascinating and fun to read.

If you liked the two books by Jim Collins: Built to Last and Good to Great, you will want to read this book.

As a publisher, author of 28 Books, 109 revised editions, six translations and over 500 magazine articles as well as a consultant to the book publishing industry, I rely on books like this. I will refer to this book again and again.

Dan Poynter, ParaPublishing.com.

This is a phenomenal reference guide to the bizarre world of Jack T. Chick. Anything you could ever want to know about Chick, his writings, and his critics is collected in one volume. Here his evangelical comix are coded, sorted, analyzed, reviewed, and placed in context within the Chick canon. The obvious dedication and love put into this book is incredible. Equally obvious is the enjoyment, fascination, and obsessiveness of the author.

The only way this book could be improved would be to spruce up the table of contents (page numbers would be helpful), make the section headings more obvious, and provide a key for the code (maybe it's there and I just haven't found it). But those are pretty minor flaws in an overall great work.

In reading the reviews of "The World of Chick?" most reviewers don't seem to understand that Chick DOES represent a fairly mainline belief structure in the U.S.

Jack Chick is just reflecting standard theology (fundamentalist theology) in his tracts, and by and large, Christian fundamentalists in the U.S. buy all this stuff without flinching. In fact, the whole "Bible Belt" generally believe the following examples -- all of them straight from Chick's tracts: A) Religions that don't accept salvation through grace alone are not "Christian" / save (thus, Mormoms and Catholics are going to hell), B) Salvation -- even at the last minute -- is enough to get into heaven, and C) God doesn't judge on the basis of skin color at all -- but instead, on the basis of one's own belief in a righteous god and a saving Christ on the cross.

I should know, I was raised as one of these fundamentalists. And you know, they're not bad people. Just people who are firmly convinced that they've found the secrets of the universe in the Bible, and that the world needs to learn these secrets as well in order to be saved from a certain doom. (Which, of course, is exactly what Jack Chick's tracts so effectively communicate!)

An amazing resource to the odd world of Chick collecting. Mr. Fowler has crafted an exhausting, almost overwhelming guide to all of Chick's works and articles about him. Everything is cross-referenced to the point of where the reader is nearly overwhelmed with information. Minute details of publishing histories and changes to individual tracts are documented down to the smallest letter. The book (presented in a distinctive computer printout style, possibly due to its origins as a self-published work) is packed with charts of pricing info and catalog numbers. But even casual Chick fans will enjoy the "History of the World" segment, which ties all of Jack's wild theories into a cohesive narrative, and a segment devoted entirely to fun trivia (there's a list of every instance of the term "haw" for instance). Each tract and comic is described, and info is given on various parodies and rip-offs. This is a must for all Chick fans (both "saved" and otherwise)!