This a must read! The characters in this book jump right out at you and nibble at you until you've entered their world! I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN UNTIL I FINISHED IT. The Author, Michael Curnes is a gifted writer. Curnes is able to bring to life Valentino's spirit into the present world. The story takes place in the present but Rudolph Valentino's spirit enters with humor and style from the past to influence a young actor. This book is so fascinating that I found myself wanting to know more about the past- more about silent film stars- Curnes completely provokes our imagination....he makes us start to imagine...what if? Michael like an energetic spider- weaves a magical web that won't let us go free until we reach the book's end....he entertains and constructs his web with the nimble fingers of a talented writer...giving his readers an exhilerating, tasteful ride. There are many surprises in this fast paced treasure and the ending catches you off guard and is unique. Curnes, while in the present day, takes you back to the 1920's silent era past to give you glimpses and peeks at both time periods...the past becomes the present and the present transends the past... which will cause you to think about the book and the characters he breathes life into, long after you are able to put the book down....I applaud you Michael Curnes for giving this reader several hours of real pleasure...I thank you for your sensitivity for letting your readers into the spirit world...and now because of your gift as an author I will forever find myself wondering how many spirits are around us....I will forever imagine the endless possibilities that might exist in the world....and I will forever feel the Roaring of the 20s and hear "That Night in Araby" playing far off in the distance and once in a while if I squint in the early evening I just might catch a glimpse of a Sheik's bright turban in my living room as I sit myself down to play music I am unfamiliar with and as my fingers are moved by Rudolph Valentino's presence I know he is very eagerly getting ready for his final close-up. BRAVO MICHAEL CURNES and thanks for bringing Rudolph Valentino to me and for keeping his spirit alive!

You can read almost everywhere about Mind/Body medicine; it's almost a catchword. Yet here is a book,Virtual Medicine by Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby, which details, in a friendly, passionate way, the actual research and development of the science that supports the theory. His first three chapters, including a history of energy medicine and a well-reasoned explanation of how energetic information is communicated outside the body, are worth the price of the book. Perhaps for the first time you will be able to see that what seem to be esoteric energy theories are firmly based in Quantum Mechanics, based on theories that have been accepted in physics since the 1920's! Emphasizing the diagnostic devices that can read the body's energy and therefore help predict, determine and cure diseases, Scott-Mumby goes much further, examining different healing modalities (such as sound and light). Even though he examines the dangers in such modern phenomena as ELF's (extra low frequencies) and amalgam fillings, he maintains a positive, upbeat and inspiring tone. As a researcher and bodyworker I was totally excited after finishing this book. It's a must for anyone seeking to understand the science behind the New Medicine.

This book is a good warning to Christians who tend to hide from the world for fear of losing their faith. The author argues for the Christian's liberty to read fiction, to listen to good music, or to engage in scientific research without feeling guilty that his activities are "purely secular" and that God's time is too valuable to be "wasted" on such things. Prudent participation in culture is both a duty and a pleasure. It helps God's children to see Him as the Creator of everything that is beautiful and brilliant and to be able to say with J.S. Bach: SDG (Soli Deo Gloria)! The author does a wonderful job supporting his conclusions Biblically.

This is the ultimate reference tool for the IT Professional required to work with NT Server. It covers the trickiest issues, and gives you simple solution options. A must have!

This was a wonderful book! I was captivated by the first story I read. I am a nightowl and chose to start reading this book around 1am. (Which wasn't the brightest idea!) I had chills running up and down my spine and actually found myself jumping at every tiny noise that arose. I couldn't put it down! I love how the book was divided into the different states. If you live in the Midwest, some of these stories will hit close to home. If you enjoy this book, I recommend Haunted America and also Haunted Wisconsin. This is definitely one of those good books to read around the camp fire in the summer.

Who doesn't enjoy a good ghost story? For the most part, it doesn't even matter if the story is true or not. Perhaps the best thing about this book is the fact that its authors are not trying to prove or disprove any of the stories. Each tale speaks for itself. Some are somewhat funny, almost all of them are weird, and a few of them are downright spooky. As an added bonus, we learn a little bit about the history of the American Midwest; most of the stories carry the reader back a century or more in time. There are ten to fifteen tales from each of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin. For the most part, all of the stories are hum-dingers. About a dozen of them struck me as pretty scary, so I would not recommend this book as a late night read except for those of more stalwart heart than I possess. There are a couple of stories that don't fit into the typical haunting milieu, but such stories are so interesting that the authors surely could not resist adding them to the collection. For the most part, though, these tales reflect hauntings in the traditional sense, and many contain accounts of actual sightings of ghostly figures. The authors do a very good job in telling the stories, giving us enough information to appreciate and understand each unique mystery while refraining from offering any conclusions of their own. You can read a few tales at a time or sit back and dive into large sections all at once; the organization of the tales by their respective states of origin is well-done and helps to maintain a cohesive framework to the entire book. I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued from beginning to end.

It is rare to find a book that purports to relate "true" ghost stories that does so in a way that neither accepts nor denies out of hand the veracity of the stories. Sources are quoted, stories related, narratives spun without any editorial voice saying "this is folklore" or "this is fact". I guess at my age I don't need to know whether ghosts really exist to be fascinated in them. As Carl Sagan said, (paraphrased) "I am tolerant of ambiguity in this regard". I have many books on my nightstand, but somehow "Haunted Heartland" always works it's way to the top of the stack, upside down, open to a story that I've probably already read 7 times, and can't wait to continue at bed time. This is the perfect nightstand book, but I'd recommend you buy a nightlight to go with it. You'll need it... PS - I have ordered the second book from these authors on this topic, titled "Haunted America", and am waiting for the UPS truck to pull up!

This book is very short and to the point but it doesn't leave anything important out. It is the true story of U.S. Air Force Captain Scott O'Grady who was shot down in Bosnia in 1995 by a surface to air missile while flying missions for the United Nations forces there. He ejected from his disintegrating aircraft and had to survive and evade capture for six days behind enemy lines before he was rescued by friendly forces.

While not the most harrowing aviation survival account I've read (BAT 21 was much more intense) it is nevertheless a good, solid example of how people can survive if they have the right training, equipment and, above all, the right attitude. O'Grady's account is told in a frank no-nonsense way and he is quick to admit his own mistakes and fears and he quickly acknowledges that the real heroes were the guys who came to get him.

I loved this book. I have read it 3-5 times. My goals and ambitions is to be a F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter pilot in the Air Force the same as Capt. Scott O'Grady. I admire this guy. I admire his will to survive and his will to live. If I should ever be in his situation I will remember everything that he did to survive and I will not give up even if the going gets tough. Thanks Scott for telling us the true story from your point of view. I know it was a hellish ordeal but you survived and that is the most important thing.

I am really interested in milatary books aircraft anything I could get my hands on. When I started reading this book I loved. It was the best book I have ever read. I would incourage people of all ages to read this book. It has a lot of information about milatary.

Michael Scott Horton exalts the sovereignty of God in this excellent work. I highly recommend this book and believe it will make a powerful contribution to a clearer understanding of the Biblical concept of "grace." This is no dry and humorless book ... each chapter is illustrated and comes with questions for further consideration. Good for Bible study groups or individual study.

Michael Horton's book on the Reformed faith is unlike any others. On one hand he packs a lot of theology in this book. On the other hand, he makes it look it readable with the various illustrations in the book, neat chapter titles and sub-titles and "less than serious" looking front cover.

Those who are familiar with the Christian organisation Mike works for [Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE), previously Christian United for Reformation (CURE)] and the organisation's Christian magazine - the excellent modern Reformation (mR) - will know what Mike is talking about in this book. Most of the insights in this book are used very often in an expanded and elaborate fashion in previous issues of mR.

Horton goes beyond mere 5 point Calvinism - though he writes no less on it in this book. He talks also about the 2 Sacraments and a bit of the Christian's role in the world (which is expanded in his other book, "Where in the world is the Church")

As i start to mature in my understanding of the Reformed faith, I've always been brought to refer back to this book. What this shows is that this book contains a lot of good stuff! Horton does a wonderful job in trying to write an introduction to the Reformed faith. But I always wonder if this would be a good book to give my non-Reformed friends. I don't know. For those who aren't familiar with the Reformed faith, they won't be able to get the full gisp of what Horton is saying. Nevertheless, that only shows that there is so much to learn in Reformed theology and that a book on introducing the Reformed faith is no doubt going to be very general in nature.

After all has been said, this still remains the best book and most comprehensive introduction on the Reformed faith!

This simple and easily understood volume is one of the best, if not THE best introduction to Biblical Christianity. Horton explains man's helpless condition and his need for a grace that only God can provide. He shows that the Triune God is not only the finisher of faith but also its author. Not only does he document these doctrines with Scripture but he also provides a nice appendix which contains several quotes from Christian thinkers throughout the history of the Church, showing that the idea of sovereign grace is not some new theory of Christianity developed by the Reformers, but that the message of grace is the very heart of Christianity. This book explains how the grace of God through Christ is truly amazing and that 'Salvation is of the LORD.' 5 stars.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! You will too if you love adventure, excitement, love, mystery, surprise, suspense...etc. etc. etc..... this could go on forever! I am in 8th grade and although it was an easy read, I loved this book from page 1.

It is the story of a young watchmaker mouse, Hermux Tantamoq. He lives an ordinary everyday life until an adventuress, Linka Perflinger, comes in with a smashed watch claiming that the watch must tell perfect time otherwise one second could mean life or death. Hermux sets to work right away and finishes by the deadline but when the deadline comes Linka doesn't come, but a shady looking rat, that demands the watch but does not have a claim ticket. Hermux then becomes suspicious and worried and follows the rat into a twisting adventure which he must get out of. This book makes a WONDERFUL gift!

Hermux Tamoque is a quiet old mouse/watchmaker. Some of his neighbors annoy him, like Tucka Mertson, but he loves his life any way. One day, an adventuress named Linka Perflinger asks Hermux to fix her watch and have it done by the next day. He fell in love with her when he saw her. Hermux fixed the watch perfectly, but Linka never came to pick it up. Soon a rat came and demanded Linka's watch. Hermux didn't give it two him, instead he followed him. He eventually came to Linka's house. He saw Linka taken out of her house and forsed into a car. After that Hermux started to become a detective. He found out that some people are not what they seem. The book has a surprising ending. Time stops for no mouse is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It was terrific!

Hermux Tantamoq is a watchmaker who lives a quiet life with good friends and a pet ladybug named Terfle. One day Ms. Perflinger, a beautiful adventuress, sweeps into his shop with a broken watch which must be fixed immediately. Dazzled by her, he agrees. Several days go by and she doesn't pick up her watch. An obnoxious rat tries to getit without the proper ticket and Hermux becomes suspicious. He follows the rat and subsequently is convinced that the adventuress(and aviatrix) has been kidnapped. A secret formula is involved. Hermux has adventures he never dreamed of.

This is the kind of children's book that the parent will have a hard time putting down. Hermux and his friends are realistic and alot of fun to read about. The best part is that the good guys win in the end.

I found this book good when trying to fine an album, but disappointing because it shows albums which are not in print (sometimes not even explaining that the album is unavailable). The reviews are inconsistant because of the many critics. Also the star rating I found to be very confusing. The artist profiles are interesting and informative. The charts for each specific instrument are also interesting. I wish the personnel was identified for each album, then indexed like the Penguin Guide, which is a better quality publication when it comes to jazz CD guides. Overall good reading and a decent resource when looking for an album.

My reasons for liking this book is probably different than most people. As an LP collector, I welcome information on vinyl no longer in print. I also like the fact that this book tells you the original title for the LP. Many CD's change the title and add alternate cuts. If I am going to purchase CD's I'd prefer the programming to be just like it was on the original LP.

As far as the reviewer's being too easy with their ratings , I've purchased nearly 600 LP's and CD's from various sources over the past year and many of them I bought at the recommendation of this book, only 1 of them was not to my taste (The World Saxaphone Quartet's Tribute to Ellington).

I've also had the opportunity to utilize the penguin guide as well others guides, I actually found the Penguin to be way to critical on some of the greatest recordings in Jazz History. The Penguin also doesn't seem to be as user friendly to vinyl fans.

One area that this book may come up short is for fans of "Smooth Jazz" it is easy to see that the author is not a fan of this genre (neither am I for that matter)!

I'd recommend this book strongly to anyone wanting to purchase a Vinyl and CD collection. I'm sure an argument can be made for the Penguin book, it is also a sound option, but as for me I'll take the AMG!

I wore out my copy of the AMG during the Ken Burns telecasts for a good reason. This book provides the best capsule overviews of jazz artists and their recordings, both for the famous and the obscure. Some artists have CD catalogs so big that it takes a book such as this to get a handle on their music. While a book of this kind tends to get outdated very quickly because so many CDs go in and out of print all the time, it is useful in finding that one recording which can give you the essence of the artist and where to go next. Some of the critics have a tendency to be repetitive or gushing but for a book of this size and scope, they do a good job on the whole. I'm eagerly awaiting the next edition of this book, which is probably the best version of all of the AMGs.

I wanted to love this book. I was so excited when it first came out -- ecstatic, really. "Ender's Game" has been my favorite book since I first discovered it over 10 years ago, and I couldn't imagine anything better than rereading my favorite story through another character's eyes.

Boy, was I wrong.

The story itself was well told, and if I had read this before "Ender's Game," I would have loved it. Unfortunately, what the book did for me instead was ruin the character of Ender. I loved Ender, his gifts and his faults, his failures and successes. I love his story and I've read it countless times. I didn't like the view I got of him from Bean, who according to "Ender's Shadow" was smarter and faster than Ender, who was ready to step in any time Ender stumbled, and who was basically just all around "better" than Ender. It felt like I was reading the self-absorbed biography of a jealous child trying to knock Ender off his pedestal, and I was left actively disliking Bean a whole hell of a lot.

This book has colored everything I ever loved about Ender and "Ender's Game"; I pretty much am trying to just forget I ever read it.

Orson Scott Card's fifth novel in the Ender Quartet series is one great yarn that really entertains you and keeps you reading until you reach the back cover. Keep in mind, this story is very smart and incredibly insightful upon all these magnificently created characters of one totally unique story, and, if you look at it closely, you'll find that this novel is pretty much based one hundred percent around characterization, entirely involved around Bean, his origins, his friendship with Ender and the daunting tasks he had to suffer through, everything from his emotional stresses to his rough life. Although this novel is Sci-Fi, it is not your regular blast up the alien un-originality that manifests itself within many SF stories today. There is actually very little violence, destruction, gore and war in this book, even though it shows up in some places. No, 'Ender's Shadow' is more scientificly suspenseful with just tension and unpredictability alone, with colourful characters and a visually impressive picture of a dark, gothic vision of Rotterdam after the first two alien invasions. After the invasion, we find ourselves, once again, in Space.
Even though I've never really liked Sci-Fi, I found this book a great read. The only problem that I had with it, however, was the fact that although Mr. Card was building enough tension to the fact that a third invasion of the Formics would be coming, he didn't make the ending battle scene very dramatic or climactic to support that theory. Like I said earlier, however, this is not a video game book, this is not circled around violence or blood; just pure characterization.
I enjoyed this novel thoroughly, however, and would without a doubt reccomend anybody to read it, Sci-Fi fan or not.

There are only two types of books I review. The very worst and the very best. I try to help other people avoid buying any book I disliked. This is a great example of one of the best books I have read.

If you have read Ender's Game, this is a MUST READ! Ender's Shadow compliments Ender's game. It fills you in on some of the details missed in Ender's Game. The characters have depth, the writing is magnificent, and trust me. You will not want to put this book down.

If you have not yet read Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow is still a good book. Or so I have heard. Most people have already read Ender's Game before Ender's Shadow. If you are not sure, read Ender's Game first. I promise. You will not regret reading Ender's Game or Ender's Shadow. Card has taken a very difficult(in my humble opinion) topic, writing the award winning Ender's Game in the perspective of another key character, Bean. If you have already read Ender's Game, when Bean meets Ender, the reading slows a bit, but Card has made it interesting by filling details missed in Ender's Game.

I strongly suggest you buy this book. If you still aren't sure, then by all means wait until it's paperback, but either way. Trust me on this. You will not be disappointed. Well, I hope not anyways.