This unarguable classic collection of stories appeared at the end of the 1980s. Horror fiction, or what publishers chose to market as horror fiction, was big business. However, there is a large variety of styles under this arbitrary umbrella ("Horror isn't a genre, it's an emotion", editor/author David Hartwell). Authors such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz had become best sellers with novels often using pulp-orientated elements (vampires, ghouls, werewolves, or assorted permutations) that invade our modern society. Others wrote popular horror novels with the villain(s) being psychotic or sociopathic, but an explainable (and real) element in our society. One of my favorite styles of horror, however, could best be described as "hallucinatory nightmare", which is rarer and probably more difficult to pull off. Ligotti succeeds time and time again with a rich lyrical style that is varied, multi-leveled, and often witty as well. There are the former mentioned types of tales here. There's a great vampire story, and you'll meet a few psychos, one for instance who loves flowers, but it's the stories of reality rotting away or perhaps take place entirely in an askew dream fantasy where Ligotti makes his mark. Stories like "Dr. Voke and Mr. Veech", or "the Greater Festival of Masks" take place in the landscape of a surreal nightmare. In one of his best stories, "Alice's Last Adventure", a twisted ode to Lewis Carroll, the narrator's reality may have literally turned inside out. Amongst all the vacuous abstract blather about literature and art, good fiction's ultimate goal, along with telling a good story, is to create the mental state in the reader of a "waking dream", as the late John Gardner accurately described it. A world is created in the reader's imagination and he or she, while reading, forgets it's merely words on paper. For myself, good horror fiction, for perhaps a number of reasons, has always produced the most vivid "waking dream" state, and the hallucinatory nightmare style best of all. Probably since the logic is often skewed or hidden as in actual dreams. "Notes On Horror: A Story", which unfortunately does not appear in his later comprehensive collection, "The Nightmare Factory" makes a great litmus test for whether you're a lover of "weird fiction". If you finish it and question what is this Ligotti guy's problem, this type of horror probably isn't for you. On the other hand, it may thrill, delight, and amuse you and you may after all, as Ligotti says, "find it all so easy".

Here's the biggest compliment I can pay Thomas Ligotti: he writes as though he were completely unaware of any other horror fiction written in his lifetime. There is not a major horror writer today whose work even vaguely resembles Ligotti's. I've heard him compared to Poe and Lovecraft but even these comparisons are misleading. His prose and imagery are far more akin to those of Bruno Schulz, the great Polish fantasist who wrote "Street of Crocodiles." These stories spill over with chilling images, irrational "plots," and a sense of dread that feels less like fiction than it does the kinds of horrible dreams we have while suffering a high fever. If you don't recognize that as high praise, you probably shouldn't read this book. But I love it.

"Songs of a Dead Dreamer" is his earliest collection, and perhaps because of this, I feel it still packs the biggest wallop. But if you like these stories, I recommend "Grimscribe" and "Noctuary."

A personal note: Years ago I had the chance to illustrate Ligotti's story "The Night School" for a small press publication. The editor sent me a copy of the manuscript, full of Ligotti's own notes and corrections. Reading the story in that form, feeling that much closer to the original process that brought the story into being, was an awesome experience. I felt compelled to examine the manuscript, as though somewhere amid its wandering margins and sloppy typing I might detect a sign, however cryptic, a clue as to how to tap into the same chilling dreamworld that Ligotti described so beautifully. It didn't work, of course. But "Night School" did inspire a pretty good illustration and reading Ligotti did provide one of the high points during my own dubious ventures into the realm of horror fiction.

The truth is that Thomas Ligotti has come out of seemingly nowhere in just the last ten years and has, in that time, set a new standard in literature of the supernatural. I picked up _Songs_ in 1992, initially for the Washington Post's declaration, "Put this on the bookshelf between Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft where it belongs." My hopes were more than realized. Ligotti is not only as good as the nineteenth and twentieth century masters of the macabre. For the select few who have read his material, he is simply one of the finest authors of the terrifying and disturbing short story and novella ever to grace the English language. Do I exaggerate? Read this compilation of masterworks and ask yourself afterwards whether Ligotti will be considered the groundbreaking Poe or Lovecraft of the late twentieth century. When the likes of King and Straub are mostly forgotten in a century, it is my firm opinion that Thomas Ligotti's stories, such as the terrifying "Dr. Locrian's Asylum", will still be read by those students of the genre who will still appreciate the authors subtlety, flowing eloquence, and his chilling originality and detail of plot and character

I have finally found a concise yet thourough story of Zen Buddhism ...it is a book called THE STORY OF CHINESE ZEN by Huai-Chin...trans..T Cleary. This books is written by a learned Zennist and accomplished historian and professor of Taoism and Confucianism....this well written book is without equal in its Buddhist approach to Ancient Indian History and the period of Shakyamuni and the intricate web of philisophical factors influincing Buddhism and the nature and causes of spread of Zen and reasons and splits of Hinayana and Mahayana trappings and practices and their roots....As a complete 180 degrees from the professorly books on Buddhist history that takes a dry and bland timetabled look at Zen and Buddhist history this book is both straigthforward in every sense of the term ..not only from the point of view as being written by a very competent Buddhist but by a equally skilled historian ... This book appraoches the branching of Buddhism and the external and internal shapings that were undoubtably the reasons for the formation of the Zen school.....of ALL the scholastic and analytical writtings on Zen and its philosophical compare and contrast chapters ...this is the ONLY book that is written succinctly and thoruoghly on the subject of Buddhism starting with the period of Shakyamuni and the historical catalysts that shaped Zen to its present day form....in short wow......remarkable in all aspects. Having a great deal of experience with other such books in the same genre. I can say with a strong basis for comparison that this book is a real diamond among the numerous lumps of coal that are dry analysises of Zen.

a great book on the history of Zen. Lucidly written!

This is Master Nan's fifth English book. It is translated from the Chinese edition which was first published in 1968. It provides a succinct summary of Buhddism from Buhdda's enlightenment path to Chinese zen. The summary on the various Buhddist doctrines from the viewpoint of an enlightened praticioner is particularly valuable. It also provides the history and background of zen in China. Buhdda did not particularly speak on zen, because zen cannot be expressed by words. It has to be passed on from one zen master to another. You cannot possibly grasp it through books, audio, video, etc. However, the book will tell you what zen is and what it is not. It will also tell you how zen developed in China. As such, it contains stories of many zen masters as interpreted by Master Nan. The interpretation of zen dialogue by an enlightened master is invaluable. Many zen practioners went astray for misinterpretation of the dialogues. Invest in Mater NAN's books. They have ever-lasting values. Some of his Chinese books first published in 1955 are still print. Some of the more popular ones went into 20th edition in Taiwan. His Chinese books - 33 of them published both in Taiwan and mainland China - cover subjects in Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese culture and history. His books are widely respected by Chinese academicans.

Emotional Toxic Shock Syndrome, or PTSD, thought by many to exist only in situations where extreme conditions cause children to fall victim to the illness characterized by its now well defined symptoms, is now a nearly universal phenomenon that goes largely unrecognized in its many variations. The interests of children would be best served by making the connection between violence, neglect and trauma that forms the foundation of PTSD, the perpetual kind, that undermines adult potential and leaves its victims vulnerable to and the most probable outcome of any and all "emotional overload" setbacks in childhood we tend to ignore or dismiss as unfortunate influences. PTSD, rarely the first inquiry (and rarely examined) as the most probable diagnosis of children caught in domestic conflict, or those troubled, or in trouble, is a constant and continuous affliction in modern society where family conflict is "nearly presumed" as ordinary occurrences. Diagnosed with a myriad of "other" less likely performance-undermining illnesses, it is far easier to medicate, counsel, and address anything but the real source of their problems, the desperate situations out of which their troubles come. Medication, inappropriate ridicule or punishment and inadequate counseling insures circuitous examination that prevents the real diagnosis and the real resolution of their problems, often leaving us wondering why they "cannot be reached," or foolishly justifying the compounding of social and educational dysfunction laid upon them, and further crippling them for life ignoring all forms of social conscience due to our own neglect and ignorance. Failing to recognize that orphans, or orphan-like children are not likely to receive the remedial steps for recovery, and that adoptees are actually former orphans with unaddressed impact can only be detrimental to wellness. Continuing conflict among the almost-orphaned is little better. All reside in varying states and levels of PTSD which do not disappear with age but become buried within the makeup of the individual further complicating the healing and health of those who suffer, or once suffered the conditions that caused it. Recognizing the realities and necessities of treatment should be a first concern and the first step in diagnosis for any child, or any adult. Awareness is always the key to understanding how illness becomes health in the non-physical sciences, a.k.a., the world of emotional, mental and cognitive health. More discussion is needed, not silence.

This book is absolutely perfect for helping children who have experienced trauma understand their feelings, consciously and subconsciously. The story is straight forward about how sometimes we try to hide from the scary feelings created by trauma and how we may act out because of our trying to suppress those feelings. It also gives children an entre' into how to handle these feelings while not telling them that everything will go back to the way it was. Spectacular! Probably the best child's self-help book I've read in a long time.

This is a wonderful book for teachers or parents to use with younger children. It uses a fun character to show different emotions that children have after witnessing or being a part of something that is tramatic to them. This could be their parents fighting, divorce, abuse, etc. That is what is so wonderful about this book; it does not tell what the character witnessed. As a result of this, it can apply to a number of situations. This book also helps children to realize that it helps to talk about what is bothering them. This is a must read!

This is one of the few nonfictional books that I have ever read that I have literally had a hard time putting it down. Dr. Altman not only wrote a book of significant importance about the need for self-experimentation, and the history of it...but he wrote it so well that I wanted to know what and who did the next group of experiments. It also explained a lot of procedures I learned about in medical school, but sometimes without the knowledge of the history behind it complete understanding is impossible. The author also explains quite clearly why we can't use just animals in experimentation, and gives numerous illustrations of physicians and scientists who...surprise!...actually think about others compassionately and are able to put themselves in the shoes of the patients. After undergoing an experimental cochlear implant which failed (in its early days), this book makes it a lot easier for me to explain to others why I undertook such a risk and didn't sue when it failed and made me ill. The book also makes clear the need for both patient and doctor awareness of informed consent...for all patients, including those who are disabled or those who lack a complete education. Dr. Altman wrote a book that should definitely be required reading by all medical personnel in ethics classes. Karen L. Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh, klsst23@pitt.edu

This book discusses a taboo in medical research--self-experimentation. The self-experimenters ranged from the oddball to the dedicated, experiments ranged from shots in the dark to well planed out Gives a glimpse into the courage of these men and women. I highly recommend this unusual and thrilling book.

This is a wonderful book about a nearly wholly ignored aspect of medical research - - doctors who are the cutting edge of experimentation. Hopefully it will be in paperback soon

I don't know whom to start with, the writer or the illustator. The book is very funny and to top it the drawings add humor to it. My 8 and a half years old boy laughed and loved it. Because we liked it so, we bought winnie can fly which is just as great.
Ran to buy it or just klick it.

I found this book at the library. My 4 and 6 year old love it so much they asked for their own copy to have for always. Winnie's whole house is black and so is her cat Wilbur. This presents a problem when Winnie trips over Wilbur several times. She decides the solution is to magically turn him multi-colored but Wilbur is so unhappy Winnie changes him back and comes up with a much better solution. Any child will love this endearing story. Winnie the Witch is a great read anytime of the year.

A wonderful brilliantly illustrated book. It's impact has been so large in the UK, that children now draw their witches with socks the same colour as Winnie's.

Not just for Halloween.

I bought this book when my son was 2 months old, now he's 2 years old and he STILL loves it. I love the illustrations of the baby. This is a time when my son can appreciate what the words mean and not just how well they sound together. I'm going to find other books from this group to add to his collection. I'm looking now to purchase one for a friend who's having her first child.

This little book is our favorite. Our son is 3 months old now and we have been reading this book to him since he was just one week old. He loves to focus on the baby's face and wiggles all over. It's wonderful to have multi-cultural books to offer children. Our baby looks like the baby in the book :) We can't wait to collect the others in this series!

This book is a delight! My child loves to look at the bright illustrations of other baby faces, and loves it when I get to the part that says "You are my perfect baby!" The message of this books is unconditional, affecionate love. Great text! He quiets down whenever I open the pages!

I've read at least half of Thomas' twenty some novels (including Vandenberg, written under the pseudonym Oliver Bleeck) and I don't know that I could rate any of them higher than Ah, Treachery!(a pretty strong statement considering how fondly and vividly I remember The Fools In Town Are On Our Side, even after twenty-five years). Thomas has a dry and ironic tone in his fiction and a gift for understated outrageousness that is pretty nearly incomparable among today's writers. It's no exaggeration to say that Thomas does better in a paragraph what takes a goodly number of authors a page. He's been compared to Raymond Chandler, and I think he "out-Chandlers" Chandler. As I read Ah, Treachery!, knowing it was his last, I had to marvel at the control and effortlessness of the work--no fading talent here.

Ross Thomas' last published book is typical of his output and agood place to start reading one of America's finest, mostunderappreciated writers.

All of the classic Thomas elements are here: the brilliant opening scene, the quirky character names, the sly political wit, and, of course, plenty of great fun.

The plot is too complicated really to describe in just a few lines. Besides, it is more fun to read and discover it for yourself. As you can expect from Thomas, it is inventive and unique, with plenty of delicious twists and turns.

When Thomas died a few years ago we lost one of the true greats in the mystery/suspense--or, truly, any--genre. His body of work matches up favorably with that of any writer. Each of his books deserves to be read and savored. He is sorely missed.

I thought the book was a wonderful recount of the happenings. One of the family, Aubrey Alday, was my uncle. He was married to my father's sister. The entire family was very friendly. I visited them several times when I was younger. I would go spend the night with my aunt and uncle sometimes. I just wish the men that killed them would get what is coming to them. They need to pay for what they did. They have no remorse.

Hello my name is Christina Hope Alday. I am 17 years old and i want to find out some infromation on the killings of these six people. You know like their past History and who they were related to. If anyone can help me please e-mail me at: dopey_31728@yahoo.com. I would really like to fing out this info.

This is a compelling "must read" for anyone accepting the challenges of being called "Christian".

This is an excelent book that tells the history of the Catholic martyr and how their examples led others to follow in their footsteps, creating many conversions and great growth in the church. I recomend this book to anyone who wants to grow in their faith and love for christ.