Ever since FASA discontinued their mediocre Star Trek game, I've been waiting for a new one. The folks over at Last Unicorn Games have done a great job with this one. Thier Icon gaming system is simple to learn, yest intricate enough to hold the interest of seasoned gamers.

Designing a player character for this game is a lot of fun. The templates and overlays are well thought out, and the advantages and disadvantages add the extra flavor to make all the characters in your campaign stand out.

The book can be a little wordy and confusing at times, but that point is barely even worth mentioning. Many more supplimental books are available and many more are scheduled to be released soon. A definate good buy.

This Book is GreaT! it took me less then an hour to learn a song but im a self taught musician (for guitar) It might be difficult for you but it is a very good book

Amid the fluff and poorly-crafted analogies that abound in Christian fiction, these books are exemplary of good, solid writing. All of the books in this set are entertaining, endearing, and sometimes firghteningly realistic.

This is a great card game. Based on the hit Munchkin which is much like taking the Fun aspects of D&D removing the teadious rederic and turning it into a slapstick card game. Star muchkin goes further turning it from a fantasy game into a sci-fi game.
This is fast to learn, easy to play and great replayability. Many characteristics lacking in many of today's ordinary games.
Other interesting games to play are Settlers of Catan, Street Car, Formula De, EuroRails, Dragon Rails, Tekal, Once upon a time and Robo Rally. Try them all.

Worf fans, in particular, will enjoy this exciting action-packed adventure. Characterizations were on target. Ensign Ro also figures prominately in this one. It certainly held my interest throughout. Although there is a message, it is not preachy as some of the message-stories can tend to be. The only drawback,(and its not the book's fault), is that later developments cause some of the continuity to be a little off. An Enjoyable read- recommended.

Quinlan Voss and his Padawan have been suffering the effects of lost memories, and for each the consequences have been harrowing. "Darkness", is a very good graphic novel for the information it shares and the history that is filled with formerly missing detail.

The character of Quinlan Voss has an almost Native American look about him, and the enemy in this tale has a name that is very close to another group associated with a real people from many years ago. The form they take in this science fiction is something akin to vampires, and they make a claim for one of the creepier life forms in the Star Wars Universe.

There is an aspect of this tale that seems a bit out of step with what we have been told about a Jedi never knowing vengeance. A Jedi in this tale is judged, and judged very harshly by his fellow Jedi for his crime. He is not only held prisoner in a stasis field, he is left within sight of his lightsaber as a reminder of all he lost, and of those he betrayed.

This is one of the better graphic novels, although I would place the story ahead of the artwork.

I HIGHLY RECOMEND THE EPISODE 1 CLARANET SONG BOOK FOR 2 REASONS . 1 - IT HAS GREAT ,EASY-TO-READ MUSIC THAT IS FAIRLY SIMPLE TO PLAY, PLUS A CD THAT REALY HELPS ON THOSE TRICKY SONGS.2 - IT FIANALLY BRINGS THOSE SONGS WE KNOW AND LOVE TO LIFE. THIS BOOK IS SO GREAT, YOU'LL FIND YOURSELF HUMMING ALL DAY THOSE GREAT SONGS YOU NOW CAN PLAY ON YOUR CLARANET:] !

As its title suggests "Stars and Strife: The Coming Conflicts Between the USA and European Union" is supposed to be about the friction being generated between the US and EU over such things as trade, foreign policy, and civil rights. However, what it is really about is the choice that the United Kingdom must make in the coming years about what kind of a relationship they want with both the EU and the US.

"Stars and Strife" is written by a UK Conservative Party MP by the name of John Redwood. He has been a voice of caution regarding Britain's ever increasing ties to the continent and a staunch believer in the common market concept of the EU. Redwood seems to have written "Stars and Strife" with as much an eye to the American reader as to the British one, which would explain the misnomer title.

As Redwood sees it, the EU is a Franco-German alliance whose intention is to bind the continental powers to each other in such a way as to lessen the reasons why Europe has so often been plunged into war. Those reasons are namely territorial envy and overzealous nationalism. France and Germany have fought three wars in the last 120 years, each more destructive than the last. Both countries looked to the idea of common market as a way to prevent that fourth war from occurring, the one which might finally destroy both nations.

Britain initially opted out of the continental arrangement. They didn't think it likely to succeed and didn't really trust their European neighbors. When it became clear that the common market would succeed and could offer Britain help in its economic troubles (self-imposed through a flirtation with socialism), they decided to join. In the 1970s Britain voted on a referendum of whether or not to remain in that common market. The concept of political union, as well as economic union, had already gained life on the continent and Britain was wary about being dragged into that type of union. However, those in favor of the referendum assured British voters that they would never be dragged into such a political union and could opt out of the common market at any time.

However, time has shown this to be easier said than done. Britain is not as fully enmeshed in the trappings of union as France and Germany are; but, the idea that Britain may one day be pulled into a political union with the rest of western Europe is no longer far fetched.

This possible political union does have serious implications for the US. Britain has been the soother of egos and interpreter of intentions between the US and Europe ever since the end of World War II. It's often been said, regarding Britain's relations with the US and Europe, that the Atlantic is 3,000 miles narrow and the Channel is 30 miles wide. That may not be the case any more, as Britain has become closer to its continental neighbors since WWII; but, Britain is still firmly entrenched figuratively in the middle of the Atlantic.

Britain is America's most important ally in matters both political and economic. The US could act like an 800 lbs gorilla and get everything it wants; but, it is much easier to get those things by acting like a regular-sized member of the community with British backing. There have been times when the US and UK didn't see eye-to-eye; but, those have often been extreme circumstances, like when Britain refused to join us in Vietnam.

If Britain were to become a part of a larger European superstate, we would likely lose our closest ally on the world stage. British policy views would become a diminshed presence within a larger European nation as the Franco-German views would likely dominate.

Redwood's main aim in bringing this issue up is that those Franco-German views, especially the French ones, have often been diametrically opposed to the American ones. France has often chafed at the idea of an American led western alliance and has even opted out of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the past. Redwood believes that any unified European state would not necessarily be hostile to the US; but, it certainly wouldn't be as friendly as most of the individual states now are.

Redwood instead believes that Britain should attempt to renegotiate the country's role within the EU to something resembling a free trade relationship. He feels that Britain should be able to enjoy the economic benefits of free trade with the continent without having to cede any of its sovereignty against its will. Along with this renegotiation would go the acceptance of the UK into the North American Free Trade Area.

Redwood points to Winston Churchill for inspiration for what he calls an association of the English speaking peoples of the world. This effectively means the US and the British Commonwealth, plus a few other countries. Redwood believes that the ties that bind Britain to the other Anglophiles is stronger and closer than the ones with Europe. Ideas like free trade, representational democracy, and freedom of speech originated in England and have spread out with its empire. Redwood contrasts this with the EU and continental powers which have largely eschewed the type of free and open societies advocated by English speaking peoples. They certainly are not as repressive as they were only 60 years ago; but, free speech as it exists in the US or UK is a frightening prospect to continental European governments.

Whatever way Britain decides to go, it will have important implications for the US. I for one like Redwood's position and wish to see the UK remain a part of the special relationship that the US has with it. It's lonely at the top and having Britain as a close friend and ally has often bolstered American ideals and principles within our government and has acted as a deflector of world criticism. To lose that could do serious harm to our ability to steer world progress toward the open and democratic principles we ourself hold so dear, the principles of the English speaking peoples.

This book was over-all a delightful contemporary romance with a reasonably interesting plot, and a surprisingly endearing heroine- Kendall O'Reilly is a fifth-grade teacher who opresses the pain from her painful childhood by dedicating herself entirely to her students. Her winning attitude and caring, compassionate ways win over many a child in her classroom.

However, when Jade Zukowski comes to Kendall claiming his young daughter, Cait, no longer enjoys coming to school because of her new teacher, it sets in motion a series of events that make up the story line. Ultmately Kendall's teaching position is threatened, and it's Jade, who, after seeing her for the gifted teacher she is, supports Kendall in her struggle to keep her life's work. As you might expect, both Jade, his daughter, and Jade's father grow close to Kendall thoughout the book, but the romance isn't easily come by, and the book will keep you turning pages to see if the main characters will be able to put their painful pasts behind them. As a whole, it was a worthy read. I admit when I first learned Kendall's nickname was "Pollyana", and well-deserved, I was tempted to stop reading for fear the heroine would be a bit to "cute" to stomach. Such was not the case. Kendall was a loveable, approachable character, making this book well worth your time.

I'll admit, this book was not quite up to the usual excellence and heart-gripping, edge of the seat drama that I've come to expect from Peter David's ST novels. However, it was still well written and had a unique value of its own, for the open minded reader. The book was not meant to be deep and serious; it was meant to be a humorous story of Q, and a solid dose of all the amusing Q/Picard interactions we've come to love from the series. In this, I feel it has definitely succeeded; Q's words and mannerisms are very much evident from John de Lancie's contribution, and it really seems as if Q himself is narrating his point of view. On the whole, if Peter David's books are each extended European vacations, think of "I,Q" as a mini-weekend vacation a few hours away at a nice Inn.

I enjoyed reading this book as I'm a big Q fan and admire De Lancie a lot, but I was disappointed that the story was so short and that it lacked a certain depth. Reading Q's point of view was fun but it was obviously a biased standpoint, with a lot of limitations. It would have helped, and made the story longer, if we could have had Picard's point of view as well, either as captain log entries or a report, alternated with Q's writings. It would also have improved Picard's characterization a great deal. One gets the impression that since the publishers knew they were on a sure thing (2 great authors, a very popular character) they didn't put too much effort into this. A good editor would have polished the story to make it tighter and smoother, as well as helped the authors write a longer and more complex novel. I'm sure they both were up to it, with the right editorial guidance. The end result is good but could have been so much better. It's a pity that nowadays Star Trek more often than not does that: settles for average or even mediocre rather than have the vision to go for greatness.

The Star Trek fan will love this book. Especially those who enjoy the character of Q. John de Lancie was the perfect man to bring out the true character and humour of Q. Some parts have you giggling to yourself, some have you laughing out loud. The book is packed with bitter ironies and an amazing plot. Q's son and wife are falling victim to a strange phenomenon, as are many speices all over the multiverse. Q enlists Picard and Data to help him find out what the heck is going on before its too late. Some examples of the irony I mentioned earlier:

1. At one moment Q, who is the narrator of the story, tells the audience about a discussion he has with he child. He tells him that his father is NEVER afraid. A few pages later he's scared out of his wits

2. He tells the audience that he trusts his first instincts, and a page later, goes against that!

3. He tells us he is omniscient, but then doesn't know something!

This book is a real must have for any Star Trek fan, and a laugh riot for those Q lovers.