"Death In Rome", by Wolfgang Koeppen is characterized by Michael Hoffmann, who both translated the work, and wrote the introduction as, "the most devastating novel about the Germans I have ever read". This book was written in 1954 and when published caused a massive reaction, almost exclusively negative, for the primary characters were either participants in, or the offspring of the World War II Nazi regime. Published only 9 years after the defeat of The Third Reich, its subject matter was still white hot and equally sensitive. This was during a time when people were trying to put the past irrevocably behind them in the hope that time would provide distance, and distance would erode the world's memory.

Everything in this book is at the very least provocative even when read from a distance of 50 years. The author even names his characters to overtly provoke, and incite. Gottlieb Judejahn and the other primary characters are family and obviously share the last name. Gottlieb's possession of the name is arguably the most notorious. He is generously characterized as an unreconstructed Nazi SS Officer whose last name combines the word for Jew with the balance that translates to madness, and weed out. Another name Pfaffrath is a disrespectful name for a priest, and the name Adolf needs no elaboration. The author evens ratchets up the tension when the son (the Priest Adolf) of the unrepentant SS Officer witnesses his father as he fouls a room deep in The Vatican. The author says that as he watched, "Adolf Wept".

These examples are just parts of the setting that surround a bizarre family reunion in Rome. While unfortunate that Mr. Koeppen's work was so suppressed; it is not a stretch to understand why. With the wounds of the atrocities still fresh in the worlds' mind, and with some of the architects still roaming the streets of Europe, this author had the courage to not follow the crowd advocating let's put the past behind us, and to be brutally candid about what the end of the war meant and did not mean.

This book is a must for anyone interested in animation history, because it focuses primarily on Hollywood cartoons produced during the years surrounding World War II. All the major studios, from Disney to Warners produced animated cartoons that in some way or another touched on the European conflict, and stepped up production when the war approached their native soil.

The cartoons would often be morale boosters for those who had family fighting the war, and topical humor would be found in cartoons poking fun at Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito, although many would also make light of situations on the home front - women in the work force, rationing, war bonds, etc.

Complete essays discussing different periods of WWII give examples of the rise of wartime references and their eventual disappearance when the war ended. A very thorough list of cartoons is featured with plot summaries and notes of what type of topical references appear in the films.

Reading this book gives one a surprising look at the social impact of cartoons produced during these years, and since many of these cartoons contain what are considered nowadays racial caricatures, it is certain to make you look at cartoon animation in a whole different perspective from much of the tripe that passes for animation today. If you own books by Leonard Maltin or Jerry Beck, this is a perfect companion.

I've had this book for quite a long time. I like this book because it has a great audio drama as well as narations to The Fall Of The House Of Usher. I also like the dramatic reading of The Telltale Heart. The story about the Fall Of The House Of Usher is the story that'll chill you to the bones. It has things that'll send ice up your spine. This book is great. It will scare you.

"Fabulous Harbors" is a perfect introduction to Moorcock's "multiverse", a place where horror, fantasy and heightened realism sit side by side. Fans of Elric will enjoy seeing their favorite hero reimagined in a twentieth century fashion as Ulrich Von Bek. Other highlights include the mysterious and beautiful Rose Von Bek and her quest for a stolen ship. I liked this book because of the author's "Let's throw everything in, including the kitchen sink" approach to storytelling. If you like such contemporary fantasists as Jonathan Carroll and Clive Barker, you might want to give this book a try.

After going to college for a rough two years and bogged down with work, I was given a break. It came to me in the form a freshman named Megan. I was once full of life, energy and laughter. College had drained most of that. Megan reminded me that life is about what you make of it. Life had little to do with the essays, exams and resumes. Life is fun. After knowing her for two months, Megan loaned me a battered, old book, Fairy Tales by Terry Jones. She suggested the tale of Tim O' Leary.

A farmer friend of Tim O'Leary met a goblin who claimed to be Tim. The goblin said that if the farmer would retrieve a witch's treasure, he would turn back into Tim. After undergoing a horrible ordeal, the farmer retrieves the treasure and the goblin steals it away. Disappointed with the loss, the farmer heads home and meets Tim. He explains how he parted with the riches. Tim comforts and thanks him for sacrificing the money. Tim reminds him that all the treasure isn't worth the friendship they have.

The other fairy tales follow suit, and give new life to the realm of fantasy. New twists wrapping Corn Dollies, rainbow cats, and magic wine give the reader a world to explore. Those parents exhausted of sending their children to sleep nightly with the same glass slipper and big bad wolf should seriously consider a new collection of the freshest fairy tales since Grimm.

Dear Readers, I think this book is a very good book. Some of the stories are similar to some of Terry Jones' other books. Part of The reason I read this book was because I liked another book "Nicobobinus" so much. "Fantastic Stories" was very nicely written and Terry Jones' humor comes out often in this, along with his wildly spread and unusual imagination. Micheal Foreman's illustrations were excellent. I believe Terry Jones and Micheal Foreman make a good team. Together, the two individuals have created a very interesting and wonderful book. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales, especially those with a twist. sincerely, Michelle Barbara O'Loughlin

"A compelling and provocative testament to gay eros, this much-talked-about anthology features over twenty of the genre's best writers, exploring gay sex and sexuality." - from Zipper Books

Excellent introduction for any person that wants to have a good introduction to Florida history. Especially recommended for people who know nothing of this land before the malls, beachfront condominiums, and tourists arrived.

Hilarious! This is one of the best books for Children and Adults alike as it manages to entertain on many levels.
There is a great mixture of new and more traditional stories which I never got bored of reading.
Favourites include "The Stowaways" and "Handsel and Gristel" as well as "The Guest who ran away".
It doesn't matter where you open the book, you can always find something to amuse you.

With "Gemini," Michael Burns has introduced himself to the world as an author whose breadth of imagination and depth of perception is without compare. Novels are all about character, and the characters with which Burns presents us are as vivid and as emotionally complex and believable as is possible in fiction. We love the characters for their good points, hate them for their flaws, blame them for the consequences of their actions and sympathize with them for their circumstances. Most importantly, however, is that these character's provide us with insight into what it means to be living in the world we do. The novel opens our minds to the realities of day to day life that we never seem to examine, and, in doing so, sheds light on what we all value and despise, and probes into the reasons why we do. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how we as humans live and interract with each other and anyone who understands what it is to suffer and deal with suffering.