I received my copy of Windows 95 Secrets 4th Edition a couple of weeks back, and already I'm seeing the benefits. Brian Livingston & Davis Straub get really detailed in this edition. My colleagues and I feel like there isn't a part of Windows 95 that we don't know about! If this is the one computer book you ever buy, you definitely won't regret it

This excellent reference manual has become an indispensable corner stone of my computer library. Well written in clear and concise English the book is full of tips and tricks -- many of them undocumented by Microsoft. "Windows 95 Secrets" has helped me through a number of problematic situations including ones having to do with Network, modem, fax and printer setup and trouble shooting. If you are considering the purchase of only one Windows 95 reference book: this is the one.

Getting Deeper and Deeper Into Microsoft Windows 95

By Edward Mendelson

If you want to change Windows 95's new interface and file system so that the generic "My Computer" feels more like your own computer, the one indispensable guide is Brian Livingston and Davis Straub's Windows 95 Secrets.

Unlike most Windows books, this one doesn't make you pay for a rewrite of Microsoft's help files. Instead it reveals undocumented and underdocumented techniques for changing almost anything in the Windows environment. Some of the simpler tips tell you how to customize the list of SendTo and New... items on the right-click menu. Others give you the details you need to use the new wildcard options in Explorer and explain that hotkey choices only work for shortcuts that you place on the Start menu.

The best tips--including the ones you won't learn from Microsoft--send you to the Registry Editor to add or modify entries. This isn't a job for the fainthearted, but if you have the courage, you can stop Windows' distracting and time-wasting habit of making application windows jump visibly from the taskbar to the screen and back again. You can add the Control Panel, Dial-Up Networking, and Printers to your Start menu. Best of all, you can change Windows' annoying habit of putting a tilde and the numeral 1 in the old-style 8.3 filenames that it automatically creates when you use a new-style long filename.

Livingston and Straub explore the depths of the Windows memory management and DOS support. They even tell you when to ignore the advice you get from Windows itself. When Windows displays an error message telling you to increase the Files setting in CONFIG.SYS, they tell you to make a change in SYSTEM.INI instead.

Like most Windows books, Windows 95 Secrets comes with a CD-ROM of shareware and freeware, most of it worthless, but Livingston and Straub one-up the competition by providing a one-stop installation program for virtually all the programs on the disk. If you don't like the one you just installed,

I have read many books about death since I have experienced so much of it within my own family system. I must say this book has helped me more than any other because it actually focuses on sudden death. Many other books do have a chapter that will offer advice about how to cope with a sudden loss but Death Without Notice was written specifically for those who are grieving from unexpected death. It's written in a way that any person can pick it up and understand its content. It has helped me immensely with the sudden losses I have experienced in such a short time. Thanks to the author!

This is an excellent book,, one which can help people through any types of losses. It is to be read over and over again.

Dr. Straub compassionately delves into the subject of death and dying from both a personal, as well as clinical perspective. Her tender treatment of the issues encourages us to read on. Inspirational verses are intermingled with solid information on the process of dying and bereavement. This book should be required reading for both professionals and the public alike. Each of us will walk the walk of life's final journey, either as a companion to a loved one or on our own. This is not simply a text - it's a road map!

'The Wine Dark Sea' is a fabulous collection by an unjustly neglected author. Robert Aickman writes stories unparalleled by any other writer. It's not hyperbole to call him the finest spooky story writer of the 20th century.

This particular collection, published several years after Aickman's death, gathers together several of his later stories. My favorite story is the eerie 'The Wine-Dark Sea' which tells the tale of a vacationer in Greece who, against the admonishments of his Greek hosts, takes a boat out to a deserted island. Once there he finds three exotic women who claim to be sorceresses. What follows is a magnificent story of magic, love, and betrayal. Quite simply one of the finest novellas I've ever read.

The rest of the stories in the collection are all fine reading, but none approaches the level of the title story. Of particular note is 'The Trains', the creepy story of two girls bumming through Europe who stumble across a mansion with a mysterious past.

As a previous reviewer noted, Aickman's stories aren't easy to read. You get the most out of an Aickman story if you go slowly, read every word, and occasionally re-read paragraphs. This method, combined with his lengthy stories, means that one story can take you up to an hour to read. It's a lengthy process, but the stories are worth it.

I'm only exaggerating a little when I say that it's a tragedy Aickman's stories are out-of-print. There was a very ..., complete collection released in the UK in 2000, but that doesn't help us Americans!

This is the only book entirely by Aikman I have, and it has given me enormous pleasure. The title story is my favourite, though "The Trains" (I think that's the title - book is not to hand)was delightfully unsettling. Aikman, similar to Blackwood, weaves an atmosphere that surrounds the reader all too snugly, making the impact of each occurrence in a tale similar to having the wind knocked gently out of oneself. I first met RA in an anthology of 'ghost' stories, his selection being "The Hospice". Not a true horror story per se, but discomfitting, with a lasting, lingering impression which is still with me. Based on that reading, I've been collecting what I can find of his since. Nothing personal, but with Stephan King hardcovers on the remainder tables (and everywhere else!), it is a shame that this master of the "strange story" should be allowed to go out of print! Find him if you can, and settle in for a memorable and probably disquieting reading experience.

Enjoy!

Robert Aickman's "strange stories" are far from the usual horror fare, and readers who prefer straightforward, no-nonsense spectres are well-advised to steer clear of Aickman's work. But if you are a fan of the beautifully-crafted supernatural stories of Henry James and/or Walter de la Mare, Aickman will be *essential* reading for you. At his best, his stories are small masterpieces of the uncanny that are all the more disturbing because it's often not entirely clear what has happened. *The Wine Dark Sea* is an excellent collection, which brings together a number of Aickman's most evocative tales. Try "The Inner Room" if you're skeptical--if it doesn't work for you, then Aickman may not be your cup of tea. Some of the stories in this volume are a bit uncharacteristically direct--"The Fetch and "Never Visit Venice" for example--but even they have layers of multiple meaning that make them very rich and rewarding reading. ...................... so don't give up on finding some of the stories of this great and sadly under-appreciated master of the supernatural story.

I want to thank and applaud Diana for her wonderful book. It touched my heart and soul and made me cry. I can honestly say I have a more open and forgiving soul because of her work. She has helped to let Jesus back into my life and heart. This book is a must read for all those people who aren't sure if they believe in the Lord. It will heal your heart and strengthen your soul. She is truely blessed with a gift from God.

Diane Straub has shown a character that is missing something in her life and tries to fill it with sex. But as we know only God can fill the void. I highly recommend this book, it represents the search in us all for belonging and true love that can only come from God.

I think Diane did a very fine job of research and telling the story of Jesus and how Mary was affected by the many miracles that Christ preformed. The book gives people of today the feeling that they are right there walking and seeing what is really happening. My hat's off to Diane Straub for writing such a eye opening book. It made me cry and laugh both.

I recently purchased this book in "used" condition from the bookseller booksbyjoe.com. The book arrived within three working days and in perfect condition. I recommend this book for all new school psychologists, or school administrators who must be aware and prepared for the events that may occur on their school campuses.

As a school crisis coordinator, I used this book a number of years ago to write a crisis response plan for a school. As a presentor at conferences, both at state and national level, I often recommend this book to individuals who have the responsibility to write a crisis response plan or to provide intervention during times of crisis. I was pleased when it was again made available after being out of print. Thank you.

As a school crisis coordinator, I used this book a number of years ago to write a crisis response plan for a school. As a presentor at conferences, both at state and national level, I recommend this book to individuals who have the responsibility to provide intervention during times of crisis. I was pleased when it was again made available after being out of print. Thank you.

I love this book and, in fact, I'm buying copies to give to friends. The story of the ongoing conversion of the author is an example of the journey of any seeker of God: great awakenings, stumbles, doubts, reassurances, understanding.
The first portion of the book is compelling and hard to put aside. The other chapters, however, are so rich with material from additional sources that I found them best to meditate on, think of as you live your life, and then dip into once again. This is perfect as a devotional for the liturgical seasons of advent and lent.

When I pick up a book on spirituality, that is nearly 600 pages long, I find myself flipping back and forth, counting the number of pages I still have to read (yawn). Having admitted that, I will add that "religion" is probably my first choice when searching for new books. Conversely with this book, I found myself counting the pages to see how many pages were left, because I didn't want it to end. Straub takes us along on his spiritual pilgrimage. In his "Thoughts Scribbled While walking," we can almost chart his spiritual growth (like an ascending line on graph paper). This book will inspire you to follow his lead by pursuing a deeper relationship with God. I was skeptical upon reading his background as a TV/soap writer, but I found it (along with his honesty and humility),to lend credibility to his personal transformation . I have never read a book that inspired me to write the author to tell him how much his writing touched me. This is one author I would like to thank.

This is a book to be savored. As a resident of Southern California, I found his personal observations on the cultural values of Americans right on target. It's too bad this book may never make the N.Y. Times Best Sellers' List, it could change the world.

As St. Francis is a man for all Ages, This book can be read on so many levels. As a straightforward biography of Sts. Francis and Clare it offers a modern no nonsense rendering of the lives of Assisi's greatest progeny. The chapters on Francis and Clare have a spiritual depth that would enhance the formation and understanding of any inquirer into the lives and spiituality of these two great saints.

Straub's honesty and openness in describing his own personal journey from being an atheist to a believer with a special evangelical vocation, the insightful musings of his Pilgrim's Diary, the history of the churches of Assisi all add up to a tour de force. I believe this book will have a great appeal to the general reader in addition to those with a special love for Franciscan and spiritual themes.

Certain parts of the book radiate incandescently. The rule of synergy states that the "whole is greater than the sum of it's parts." And yet, there are so many "parts" in this book that seem to stand alone in excellence at least equal to the power and depth of the whole. The treatment of Francis' timeless elegy to his God's creations, The Canticle of the Creatures, is truly inspired. The poem's majesty is wonderfully underscored by Staub's personal reflections and those the of other writers quoted in praise and awe of St. Francis' spiritually poetic genius. In closing his reflection on the canticle with Fr. Eloi Leclerc's The Language of the Soul's Night, Straub poignantly illustrates how St. Francis was as relevant in elevating souls in the rawest and most dire moments of the twentieth century as he was in the past and, most assuredly, will be in the future.

A specific charism of the Franciscan is to be able to shed the layers of meaningless diversions, vanities and preoccupations that restricts us from either confronting or exposing the truths and essential realities of our lives. Straub is able, in the most literary and articulate fashion, to expose his spiritual (human) doubts and shortcomings as he grapples with the profound search for meaning in his life. His "inner life" is shared with the reader in the most intimate terms without apology or embarrassment. I felt priveleged to become a part of Straub's journey and reveled in the awareness of how much we humans have in common with each other.

the illustrations in this book are outstanding. I saw a few of the authors included in it read their stories at New School University and I loved them all so much. The authors readings were stupendous, but I imagine reading this book silently and alone could be a lot of fun for your imagination

This is a new collection of short stories edited by Peter Straub. It's much better that "Ghosts". His short story is called Little Red's Tango, and it's a very nice piece of fiction that reminds me of another fiction by Mr. Straub called "Pork Pie Hat." What a fine mystery is Little Red's story ! Thank you, Mr. Straub.

I really can't say enough good things about this fascinating study of Straub's fiction, which, to the best of my knowledge, is the first of its kind. Sheehan tackles Straub's oeuvre with great intelligence and verve, providing new insights into an author whom I only thought I knew well.

Beginning with Marriages, and ending with Mr. X, Sheehan delivers an affectionate, but rigorous inquiry, celebrating Straubs triumphs, but also gently taking him to task for his occasional excesses and misfires. Sheehan also brings his considerable knowledge of the genre into play, as when he recounts a 1981 exchange between Straub and an interviewer at NECON that Straub himself had forgotten. In Sheehan's own words,

"The interviewer asked Straub the arch and somewhat overly clever question, "What's the worst thing you've ever done?" Without missing a beat, Straub replied, "The worst thing I ever did was kill off Sears James. I loved him very much."

While Sheehan's chapters are uniformly excellent (hell, he single-handedly rekindled my interest in "Floating Dragon," a book I had heretofore viewed as a disappointment), he's at his best in his extensive, incisive exploration of Straub's Blue Rose Trilogy, comprised of Koko, Mystery, and The Throat. Sheehan deftly navigates those (purposely) muddied waters, making sense of the complex triptych and associated short stories, ultimately tying everything together in his chapter on The Throat. Here's a sampling from the first paragraph of Sheehan's chapter on that novel:

"The Throat, more than any of Straub's previous novels, is the literary equivalent of an extended jazz solo: a long, sinuous composition that circles and recycles a familiar series of themes, scenes, and characters, improvising its way toward a number of revelations that retrospectively illuminate the central events of both Koko and Mystery. In fact, the primary impetus behind the writing of The Throat was Straub's belief that he had not yet exhausted the emotional content of those books, and that their central elements--the war in Vietnam, the auto accident, his concern with the grief, bitterness and buried rage that are the frequent after-effects of childhood traumas--virtually demanded further elaboration. Added to this was Straub's obvious affection for the characters he had lived with for the past five years, particularly that battle -scarred survivor, Tim Underhill."

This paragraph is illustrative of the depth and poise of Sheehan's analysis and writing; the good news is that the rest is consistently excellent.

Coming to the end of this review, a quote from Straub himself springs to mind. Describing his respect for Stephen King, he once said:

"...it was clear that if I had an ideal reader anywhere in the world, it was probably Stephen King..."

If asked today, I'd suspect that Straub might respond that his number of ideal readers worldwide has at least doubled.

This is the best Sandman story, without a doubt. I have read each of the ten volumes many times, and have come safely to this conclusion. Brief Lives has more meaning, heart and humanity than any comic book ever produced. This is It. This is the Big One. There are no substitutes. There is no comic book better than this; there is no comic book that means this much. This is also the volume of the series in which all the various past threads begin to converge, forming one tight whole, leading into the last three volumes, World's End, The Kindly Ones and finally, The Wake. If this book doesn't move you, you have problems.

Oh, yes! Change is indeed the topic debated throughout Neil Gaimans masterpiece volume in the highly thought-stimulating saga of the Dreamlord. It is the book that sees Gaiman making his main character emotionally vulnerable (whereas "Preludes & Nocturnes" portrayed his "physical" weakness), thus more human in action, thought and word. By doing this Gaiman's genious sends this fascinating, somewhat inexplicable dark and mute, "human" incarnation of dreams from the rather easily awoken sense of a "sympathetic" prothagonist in action, to the empathetic core of our hearts. His clumsy approach at establishing a dialogue with the elf-housemaid Nuala on his return to the dreamcastle, stands out as proof of change - actions and reactions within this brief conversation bear witness to the Dreamlords waking will to take other beings welfare into consideration, within the limits of all realms.

The turning points are, due to the non-linear narrative, generally spread out through most of the volumes of the Sandman story, but to me the ultimate change of the storyline occurs as Morpheus initiates a final rendez-vous with his human son, as described in this wonderful, and not least powerful, collection of beautiful stories. In short a powerful set of thoughts on the nature of "the word for things not being the same always".

The presence of the Almighty is felt briefly through actions, beyond the control of even the Endless Seven, and dialogues reflecting an inevitable masterplan that will seal the fate of Morpheus as we have come to know him.

I have a soft spot of the Kindly Ones because that was my introduction to Neil Gaiman (I had read about him in Wizard, the monthly bible of the comic book world, but I was young, and stupid, and my ignorance kept me away from revelation), and for The Wake because Micheal Zulli's pencils are exquisite - but whenever I _need_ exactly what it is the Sandman has to offer I turn to Brief Lives.

It's the distilliation - the essence - of what Sandman is about. Some might argue that Fables and Reflections or even Dream Country would be a better representative, a series of stunning vignettes whose swirling, mythic and dream like quality (I'm thinking of the fabulous Ramadan story) are about horror, fate, the depths of humanity and all that good stuff in the great traditions of fire-side story tellers.

But Brief Lives is something even better.

As Mikal Gilmore noted in his introduction to the graphic novel edition of The Wake, one of the seminal joys of the Sandman is hearing Gaiman's voice grow clearer with each passing issue. The progression from "The Sleep of the Just" to "The Tempest" is an astounding one; watching him grow makes any burgeoning and would-be writer both jealous and elated. The entire idea of the Sandman was revolutionary and different and pregnant with greatness (yes, a dangerous term, but applicable) - but it wasn't until Brief Lives that we _really_ saw what this thing could be capable of. Some argue that point occurred in "The Sound of Her Wings" in the first story arc, or perhaps Seasons of Mists, but _anyone_ who has read Brief Lives understands the truth....

This story is breathtaking. It's a romp. It's a ride. It blows you away, grabs you, throws you down forever into the endless sky with a wild rush of words and images (the matching of Jill Thompson to this story is once more pure genius), it picks up a fatal and final inertia that doesn't slow down until the final page is turned - that is, the final page of the last issue of the series. It's from this point that the story picks up speed and urgency. Everything revolves around the central act of kindness that concludes Brief Lives, and all the tragedy and death and destruction and redemption that occur later on are merely a reflection of that single act.

This is _the_ story. Everything before was technically brilliant, possessed of a fresh and blindingly new verve that the comic books medium hadn't seen in quite some time - but it was somehow _distant_. Brief Lives is full of a passionate proximity, a feeling of the here and now, a sense of both the confusion of every day life and miraculously together with that, the grand rush of scope. This is where Gaiman gets his chops.

I can't recommend this book enough. It's got a winding, willowy wisdom (how's that for alliteration?) that stays with you beyond the waking realms, the kind of gift you return to as the years pass by, something that grows with you as oppossed to on you. Each time I read it I read something new and fresh, and each time I read it I never fail to be moved and inspired.

Brief Lives is what it's all about. Peter Straub couldn't have said it any better when he wrote in his afterword....

"If this isn't literature, nothing is."

Oh looks so tempting. From the way windows 95 secrets went i could only wish. This is really torture because it's infront of me and i can't have it. Dag! WOW Nice Book i don't want to leave this web page.

This book gives you every tool you need to get yourself through the rough edges, yet get the most from the Operating System! I love it and its tools!!!

This is THE book on WINDOWS 98! I also have the Windows 95 version, and find it to be the most helpful, so I am now reading my new copy of Windows 98...AND with 4 CDs, it is truly a great deal! Windows 95 users can benefit from this book also! A MUST have book for YOUR library.