I first heard about this book on the CBS Sunday Morning program, telecast just before Christmas 2000 (write to CBS for a copy of that tape, if you missed it. It features the book's authors and some of the women they photographed. You won't regret it!) I fought Christmas crowds to go to the nearest bookstore to see it firsthand. I was blown away! I'm getting to "that age" when the mothers of the church are wondering when Miss Esteen's girl is finally going to start wearing hats to church. This book is pushing me closer to that day! Don't let the fact that the photos are in black & white, not color, deter you from buying this book. In a lot of ways, the black & white photography helps bring out the true beauty; I think color photography might have actually been a distraction from that. The only thing more beautiful than the hats in this book are the women that are wearing them! Pride, dignity and strength are on each page. If it were only about fashion, I wouldn't recommend this book so highly; it's the women who wear the hats, their spirit and their thoughts and that make this book. To the ladies photographed, I have only one thing to say: I want to be just like you when I grow up!

I live in Atlanta and for years I have driven by African-American Churches getting out on Sunday morning. When I pass these churches I often slow down and gaze at the uniquely dressed women coming out the doors -- all dressed to the nines, and most of them are wearing their crowns. For the African-American churchgoing women hats are not mere fashion statements they are integral expression of faith and cultural identity. The Apostle Paul should be thanked daily by all milliners for Paul furthered the fashion of wearing hats to church by writing "Every woman who prays or prophecies with her head unveiled dishonors her head" (I Cor. 11:5).

The hats in this book are as unique and alive as the women that wear them. Michael Cunningham, using black & white film, has beautifully captured the panache that these women and their chapeau's express. Just as every hat in this book has a woman, so every woman in this book has a story about her hats, and I think you will love their stories. This is a refreshing, original book that is not only is captivating but anthropological educational. Highly recommended.

I am called the "Hat Lady". I relate to the queens in the book. In fact, some of the ladies made comments that I found to be very profound, i.e, wearing a hat in a coffin. I wear hats and love them. Like the ladies, when I put on a hat I stand taller, walk with a strut, and feel I am invincible. It's something about a hat that seems to add to my stature. "Crowns" gives a lot of insight into why we look so good in hats. It's true it's all about attitude and self-esteem. I try to wear them at all times. "Crowns" is relative. I felt so good about myself after reading it. The queens really put hats in their proper perspective in relation to African-American women. I always get a compliment like, "Girl, you're wearing that hat" from one of my sisters and from strangers I hear, "That's a bad hat you got on." (Mostly males) Several times I saw myself in those. I smiled and shook my head at the comments. It is a story that needed to be told. I commend the author & photographer, for I found no fault with "Crowns". A good read.

I was reading the golden one when I thought crosses my mind. Would Elrabin meet Ampris in the arena? But as I read the second I found that untrue. My question is, in book number one it says Elrabin was sold to the Utar Dan gladitory school. How did he end up a servant for Sir Galard and the blues? That's my only question. Otherwise both books are great! I can't put them down. In Homeroom, Language Arts. You name it I read it there. Hopefully after the trilogy you will keep writing your amazing and wonderful Alien Chronicles

I loved it! This is a great book and it lives up well to the first of them 'The Golden One' This one also ends leaving you hanging. But I truely believe Debi's next will be just as great. Debi ( I hope you don't mind me calling you that) I have one question for you if you ever read this please answer. Will there be anymore, now ofcourse there will be the end of this, but what about AFTER that, will we here more about Ampris? I think that after this you sould do more books about Ampris and Co. Because I read many fantasy books and this is one of the few that really reach my high standers. Thank you.

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The Crimson Claw

A Review by Bob Berry

I picked up "The Golden One", along with several other books in a store going out of business. It sat around for months while I read the other books. I finally started to read it and about half way through decided I needed Books 2 & 3 right away. I found Book 2, "The Crimson Claw", but much to my surprise Book 3 hasn't been published yet!

I finished "The Golden One", and thought, "I'll save "The Crimson Claw" and wait until I get Book 3 to read it", as I hate to be left hanging, waiting for the next book in a series to be published. That thought lasted at least two days after I finished the "Golden One". So, now I have almost finished "The Crimson Claw" and I don't even know if Deborah Chester has started writing Book 3!

If you read these reviews, Deborah, please respond with a timetable for your third installment. Since Lucasfilms is associated with this, could we also be in for a real treat in the form of a "Star Wars" type saga once Book 3 is complete? That would be wonderful!

One thing I have noticed in the first two books. Deborah Chester has reversed the scale of beauty and ugly. If you go to the Alien Chronicles web site you will see a picture of Israi, the "beautiful" Viis princess. Beauty most certainly is in the eye of the beholder!

These books carry another message, one that history teaches also. Governments usually fall due to corruption from within. Although the Viis Empire has not fallen yet, it is on the brink, and all that is needed to give it that final push is a rebel force, ("Star Wars" again). It appears that Ampris is that rebel force.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can't wait for the third book. Please hurry, Deborah!

You may not wish to print this last comment, but I will make it anyway. It might be helpful for some of your reviewers to type their reviews on a word processor with a spelling and grammar checker and then cut and paste their completed review into your review space. I grew up in an era where spelling and grammar were more important than they appear to be now. Using a spelling and grammar checker might expose your reviewers to some of the more common misteaks (Ha Ha), and their reviews would be much more readable.

Thank you Amazon.com for providing us with an opportunity to present our thoughts to others.

I was a big player of the old AD&D system in highschool and only recently returned to Dungeons and Dragons. Have been learning the D20 system and have been quite impressed with the changes. One of the problems I always encountered with AD&D was finding many of the hirelings and townsfolk completely two dimensional with no clear definition of their abilities and skills other than a name, hit points and an armor class to await slaughter by the next attack of bandits/orcs/or chaotic PCs.

'Experts' is awesome. Everything I always wanted to have back in my AD&D days, providing detailed skills, career development paths and background information on a host of professions that will often interact with players as hirelings and NPCs. Actually the book has a tremendous potential for Dungeon Masters who want to develop a thinking man's dungeon in which the use of NPC or even PC experts is the initial plot hook or required for the successful completion of the adventure.

The book is a great resource and I HIGHLY recommend it. The perfect cure for the cardboard NPC... and even offering a unique challenge for PC's who want to try their hand as an expert character on a special adventure.

Very rarely in the role playing universe do I believe that there are more than one "core" book for any roleplaying game. Really, if one has the main rulebook, than all the rest are secondary as your own imagination can fill in the gaps. This belief was shattered when reading the "Experts" book. In it is so much information, so well thought out, and so, well, full of information that a good DM NEEDS for games that I wouldn't mind listing it under "Core books" for this genre. I could list for you the multitude of different feats/classes/items/NPCs/etc, but this can only be 1,000 words, and that's not nearly enough to do this book justice. Support the little guy and find small press books like this, these are the people that don't put money before their love of gaming. And besides, if Gary Gygax says it's a good book, I'm one to agree.

Experts is a key asset for DMs interested in extracting the _roleplaying_ from 3rd Ed.

Once key NPCs are 'fleshed out' as bonafide skilled individuals, it only follows that they have personality, unique goals, and complex motivations. This book is a wonderful tool towards the goal of creating 'three dimensional' NPCs by covering that first step (clearly defined skill sets).

From the players' perspective this book is also valuable, as multi-classing a core adventuring class with one of the Expert classes in this book ought to provide players with noteworthy roleplaying opportunities. What fighter wouldn't appreciate some knowledge of battle dressing? What spy can't use a cover identity? Why shouldn't wizards also be scholars of a less arcane sort?

Experts, as presented here, also make ideal henchmen a la the Leadership feat. Designing a patently non-combatant henchman around a skill set that distinctly contrasts the skills of a typical adventuring party will vastly expand the types of adventures that are viable for typical parties.

Super book! Theophany is an emotional and spiritual adventure. After reading a few pages, I loved Sarah and Josh. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I couldn't stop reading, except to try to recover my emotions. The story is going along beautifully, and then Mr. Vines sends a jolt to your heart. He does this several times. The humor and evil he adds to the story complete the adventure. Sarah and Joshua will be with me forever. I'm reading it a second time, and finding even more in it. I'd recommend it to everyone. I am anxiously awaiting the next book.

If you think you have read all of the "angel lit" (surely a whole genre by now!) that you can handle, I beseech you to try one more. Michael Vines' THEOPHANY deserves to be read as the unique story it is, rather than as just one more take on angelic intervention into mortals' lives. THEOPHANY begins with a "one two" punch in the first paragraph that lets us glimpse that this story will deal in the unexpected and in wholly new ways. The story opens with a description of a beautiful, tranquil scene in the Rocky Mountains. . . a scene that the young heroine, Sarah, contemplates as being "a wonderfully perfect place to die." The tone of the book reads mostly as a sweet fable...belying the tragedies and acts of pure evil that unfold in its pages. Sarah, seemingly a most-typical American girl, has an imaginary playmate. . .except he's not. Imaginary, that is. Of course, this companion, Joshua, is the angel in question. But this tale is not an an ordinary tale of God's assistance to a human being through angels. THIS human has been chosen for something special; born to it, if you will. . .but, and here is where Vines' message begins to take shape, so have we all. Vines traces Sarah's mission from her childhood and early adolescence, through first love and its horrible consequences, through numerous miracles, and lessons learned and taught. As Sarah says, "I cannot teach what I do not know." Vines style eases us into situations, and then lets the situation itself do the teaching. He rarely pontificates, with or or two permissible exceptions. His three main characters--Sarah, Joshua and The Stranger--are each compelling in specific ways. Leading us into a decidedly NOT typical mystery/thriller involving collusion, conspiracy and corruption at levels only we in the late twentieth century could begin to find plausible, Vines weaves in the lessons which Sarah takes to the world. "Moderation even applies to those things spiritual." "Sometimes the answer is . . .no answer, and sometimes the answer is simply . . .no." Sarah learns these lessons and becomes the most loved and hated person in the world as she goes about trying to impart them to a world in need of them. This book is one of those in which the reader must, of necessity, become a character in the book and interpret its message through the perception of his or her own "character." I am fairly certain a great many people will focus on the feminist aspect of Sarah, a female, being chosen as the vessel through which God reveals Himself. And on the message of love which permeates the book. However, for myslef, the primary message is one which Sarah articulates quite clearly, leaving no room for doubt: "But the real essence of hell will be knowing what your potential was and never being able to achieve it." Michael Vines has, perhaps, not fully achieved his potential as a novelist; but with this first effort he is obviously well on his way.

Theophany is a charming and touching novel, with a lovable main character that we quickly grow to care about a great deal. The story is so engrossing, that its not especially apparent that you are being challenged to think. Its message of spirituality, love and sacrifice, seem very apt in the manic, sometimes rather cold seeming world we live in. As Sarah makes her journey, we journey with her and see the light in humanity that Michael Vines obviously does. Its universality and hope will appeal to anyone of faith, or indeed to anyone who has faith in the human heart. I recommend Theophany highly

Michael Rosen's "We're Going On A Bear Hunt" is a cute tale suitable for any beginning reader or elementary level class. It has a repetitive and rhythmic verse. The story is a light-hearted adventure, with a fun twist at the conclusion for childrens enjoyment. The illustrations suited the text well, as they were not eccentric but not dull. I used the book for a lesson on sequencing for a first grade class. It can also be used to foster reading skills because of it's textual predictability and repetition. Overall, a helpful tool for fun activities and learning in the classroom.

When reading this book to my kids they all loved it. (Ages 3-7) Just reading the title to them and showing them the front cover were enough to raise their curiosity of what the story would contain when it was being read. They asked questions like: "Why are they hunting for a bear? Do you think they will be ok?" We're Going on a Bear Hunt does a great job of making reading out loud to your kids a thing to look forward to. Your kids will enjoy this little story as it takes you onward towards the bear.

When reading this picture book you will see that the Illustrations are colorful, lively and accurate in their support of the text at all times. The clearly defined illustrations also complement the mood and setting of the adventuring family along the changing terrain. You will notice the contrast between lighter and darker scenes as the storyline changes emotions and how they help develop the plot throughout.

Just like the illustrations, the text of the story is lively and fun to read. The themes are repetitive and easy for young ones to anticipate. (Another good thing for beginning readers) The page has text that imitates the sounds that the family makes while on the bear hunt. You will also notice that the text and Illustrations are not mixed up with the layout on the pages, thus avoiding the confusion that some books do have. The text is large enough to easily read and good for beginning readers. My oldest enjoyed reading it to his younger siblings.

Overall, I would say that We're Going on a Bear Hunt is a great way to teach your kids, in a fun way, a little about what not to do when you go on an adventure in the wild;-) It will provide plenty of good reading, laughter and silliness. I am sure you will have your little ones asking you to repeatedly read this charming, fun and well-done book.

...to read this book over and over and over. It's a mini-study of what appeals to toddlers (and adults!) with its strong beat, a cyclical form, noises to make ("Swishy-Swashy!")and an energetic plot. No matter how sleep-deprived you are, or how tired you may be from chasing your little one/s, the book is so inviting you will find yourself giving a highly dramatic reading ("Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe....WHAT'S THAT?"). My 18-month-old daughter is wild about this book. She knows every silly noise and shrieks with delight each time we turn to the page with the bear. The text is wonderful, the illustrations are even better, and the appeal will last for years. Enjoy it.

I first read the Borribles trilogy when I was about 13 - and haven't stopped thinking about it since. Having been an avid fan (along with my brother whom I caught "secretly" practicing with a catapult in the back garden), it's been amazing to come to London and discover the settings of the stories. I used to block book the trilogy from my local library in Durban - re-reading the stories constantly - totally captured by the imaginative tellings. If ever there was a set of books that deserved to be put back into print - these are they. Please sort this out, publishers???!!

I was extremly lucky enough to have read this book a long time ago ,I am searching for a copy if anyone can help please e-mail me. This book inspired me to read at a very young age.

I read the borribles way back when i was twelve. the story was so compelling that i spent the entire night reading it straight through. it is the best adventure book. for years i woke up- every morning hoping my ears had grown points. what a shame, i'm 26 now, and i cant find the book anywhere. this book cintains some of the most incredible fiction that belongs back in print. Grab your slingshot and sit down to one great story, if you can find it.

Dr. Walter Lillehei's last name is atually easy to pronounce. When reading G. Wayne Miller's newest non-fiction thriller, "The King of Hearts," just read his name as 'Lilla - High.' Almost like the name of a high school . . . Lilla High.

But Miller's quest for the truth about 'Lilla High" turns into a reader's quest for the true story about the almost unbelievable account of how heart surgery began on this planet. Most of us remember or have heard about the Dr. Christiaan Barnards's headlining heart transplant in 1967. Maybe the recipient's name - Louis Washkansky- would be a good trivia question on 'Who Want's to be a Millionaire?' or 'Jeopardy.' But it might be better to learn about or remember the name of this maveric medical pioneer by the name of Dr. Walt Lillehei (prounounced like the high school!) who began the heart surgery revolution.

This book is a suspensiful portrait of a fascinating man and his incredible determination, at any cost, to forge ahead where no doctor had before. We take for granted that our relative, friend, neighbor, even ourselves! can now go through a simple open heart surgery procedure and recover gracefully to enjoy a long life. But do you remember history just 30 or 40 years ago when heart disease at any age meant almost instant death? Do you know how many children just died from what we know demand from doctors to routinely fix?

G.Wayne Miller answered so many questions for us through an amazing eight year project which is now titled "King of Hearts." Miller's project has become this 245 pages of reading that one WANTS to read all at once. Filled with suspense, drama, intrigue and the always-present element of actual human life and events that makes for a non-fiction, the reader is torn between what makes this book such a page-turner. Is it because it reads like a literary 'E.R.' or 'Chicago Hope,' or is it the because it is a fascinating medical story of real life with all the suspensful parts? Motivated, almost possessed doctors. Desperate people and parents of dying children. A doctor on an emotional roller coaster who pushed life to its fullest - both personally and professionally.

This is the story of one of life's greatest accomplishments by a pioneer doctor, who like most pioneeers of anything - took great risks, pushed the limit, and believed in breaking the rules. He was the doctor who began what we all now call heart surgery. He was the doctor whose student, Christiaan Barnard, made worldwide headlines by performing a heart transplant - something we now take almost for granted, but what is it really?

Doctor Walt "Lilly High" deserves more than 245 pages of drama and suspense. He dared where no others would - both professionally and personally. But the chances he took, the new opportunity he pioneered for all of us, and the personal life he led gave author Miller more than he needed.

Miller's ability to chronical his eight year study of Walt Lillehei's life into this page-burner that you'll want to reread to catch all those facts again is why I recommend "King of Hearts" to all readers. Whether a thriller reader, non-fiction master, medical fan, or Miller follower, you'll find a great read about trail-blazers who made a real difference in this life.

Enjoy it!

King of Hearts contains the topics of great literature - death, heroism and pride. The real beauty of this story is that it's all true. This is the tale of a brillant doctor and flawed human being who overcame great odds to develop open heart surgery. How quickly we forget in our technologically advanced world about the human sacrifices made for the sake of medical advancement. This book is a moving testament to the doctors and patients involved in the early struggle to repair heart defects. I was hooked from the opening scene and barely looked up until the final page. King of Hearts reads like a thriller and Miller carefully supports each plot twist with facts culled from medical archives and countless interviews. I think it is an impressive piece of reporting. Moreover, it is a powerful piece of writing. Miller uses his story telling skills to bring to life a milestone in medical history. So if you're in the medical field, you're an ER fan, or you crave great journalism, I highly recommend this book.

"King of Hearts" is an engaging adventure into the world of heart repair 50 years ago. Mr. Miller tells the story of Walt Lilihei, one of the pioneers of open-heart surgery, with spirit, accuracy and compassion. He is ever sensitive to both the goals that Dr. Lilihei had and the lives that were lost in the process. Instead of viewing these lives as just statistics, we see how they were people, loved and valued by their families, who had no alternative but to try surgery. Their deaths are respected and honored, as they went before the world knew what it knows now about open-heart surgery. But they were instrumental, as was Dr. Lilihei in teaching the world what it knows now about repairing the heart.

Although some stay away from biographies, "King of Hearts" stands alone. It is a fast-paced, exciting exploration of one man's search to radically alter the surgical options for heart disease. Once one picks up this book, it is difficult to put down. I confess to reading it straight through the moment I received it. The reader wants so very much for Dr. Lilihei to triumph, to find a way to save his patients. And Mr. Miller's style of writing is enough to keep any reader engaged. He writes with energy and with a no-nonsense portrayal of this great man. He skillfully avoids the overtly technical and instead writes for the layman reader, though I have no doubt that those in the medical field will also enjoy reading the story behind the facts they learned about Walt Lilihei.

I am reminded of Grisham and Turow in the reading of this text, yet Miller stands quite by himself as well, marking out an aggressive and fast-paced style of writing which tells both the facts and the emotions but never dips into pathos or excessive sentimentality.

As Mr. Miller points out, Lilihei was essentially as human as any of us. His faults and virtues are both explored in this excellent text. He is in essence the quintessential hero, and his story could easily be taken from the great Greek tragedies. As portrayed by Mr. Miller, Dr. Lilihei is man against nature, sometimes trapped by his own failings, and sometimes triumphant in his earnest attempt to better the human race.

And the fact that Dr. Lilihei succeeded in his efforts makes this book both triumphant and glorious. As with the modern day film "Rocky," one gets to cheer the accomplishments of someone who fought against the odds, while at the same time recognizing that these accomplishments were sometimes overshadowed by a questionable personal life.

"King of Hearts" stands as a contribution to the wonderful texts which tell of the indomitable human spirit, of the need for man to reach out and better man. It is as much a study of human nature as it is a retelling of the field of cardiology in the early days and the frustrations which doctors encountered when they had to let their patients die because no surgical options existed. This book surpasses a mere retelling or biography and instead becomes an example by which other biographies should be judged. In other hands, this subject might be dry and overly technical, but in Miller's telling it comes alive and teaches us all a little bit about ourselves and the human condition. Bravo to G. Wayne Miller for his extraordinary talent and for this extraordinary book!

This is a big book, but it really doesn't take long once you get into it. The story line is very good, and it's exciting and holds the attention. This is one of the best books I've read where the characters are travelling. Having two sets of people going to the same place made it interesting. This is my second favourite book so far in the series,:"People of the Fire" being first. This one is more like a prehistoric romance than any of the others.

I have read many of the "People of" books, and this is so far, my favorite. The book follows Otter, a trader, Black Skull, a Warrior, Green Spider, a spiritual man, Pearl, a runaway and Star Shell, the beautiful daughter of a cheif, as they quest in pursuit of a the Many-Colored Crow's mask. The book is filled with beautiful descriptions, and fabulous dialogue. I started the book on a plane, and didn't want to put it down. I like to try and guess what's going to happen in a story, and in this case, the story line kept me guessing right up until the very end. And, most importantly, this book was very historically accurate. This is a great read, especially for those people who are interested in Native American cultures.

Some of my friends have wondered how I could read a book this long without losing interest-- I tell them to read it! A very enthralling story with the charm of all the Gears' books. Green Spider's hilarity and wisdom are something hard for the great Black Skull to understand, yet in the end, he would give his life for Green Spider. This delightful story has a surprisingly modern tint to it. This book is recommended to everyone!

Michael Pearson has the right idea, but the ideas that are gathered into the book are a little disjointed and fractured. If he could smooth out the stories so that blend one into the other, the entire book would read better.
On the positive note, Dreaming of Columbus would definitely stir memories of the neighborhood for those growing up in that part of New York. He does have some descriptive stories of people, places and landmarks in the book that are entertainingly delightful.
If you are a Bronx native, I would recommend this book so you can remember things you may never see again.

Norfolk's Port Folio Weekly reviewed this book and said: "For Pearson, the world was dominated by the Bronx. And in this beautifully crafted memoir, he has brought that world to life.

His recollections of his literary experiences -- set against his memories of everday life on the street -- create a tension that is sustained throughout the book. One gets the impression that he was forever torn between the small world in which he lived and the wide world of his book-fueled imagination.

Dreaming of Columbus gives us a brilliantly detailed picture of one boy's life in the Bronx. But to a great extent, it also transcends the particulars of time and place. Regardless of where you grew up, this is a book that will help you see your own past in new ways."

"Dreaming of Columbus" is a funny, poignant book -- really nicely written. It gave me a real sense of what it was like to grow up Irish Catholic in NYC in the 1960's. The writing is poetic and sharp.

THREE MINUTE THERAPY is a wonderful book! It has enabled me to overcome my lifelong bouts of anxiety and depression. Two psychotherapists failed to help (although they were warm, caring people). I'm so much more confidant at work, that sometimes I feel like an entirely different person than I was before discovering this book. It's like I've emerged from the dark ages. I do the "Three Minute Exercises" regularly--a small price to pay for the deep satisfaction I'm experiencing as a result.

The concepts are explained so clearly, make much sense, and are so effective, that I wonder how my previous therapists can get away with what they're doing. THREE MINUTE THERAPY is one of those books that you're bursting to tell everyone about. It has the ring of a tract that will be useful and in demand eternally.

For economic reasons, I practice self help whenever I can, so self-help books appeal to me. I have lots of them, but not often do I read a book like Three Minute Therapy which began to help me from the first chapter. Reasonable thinking lies at the heart of this therapy. The simplicity of the author's technique fit right into my busy life in that I did not have to wait weeks or till midway the book to comprehend Dr. Edelstein's technique or start getting obvious results. I have compulsive shopping and anxiety, family disputes and job tensions. I started using Dr. Edelstein's simple, down to earth, rational therapy and already become aware of positive improvements in my life. I talk to my mother more affectionately now thanks to this book because I learned to accept her and not require she become my ideal. I find my work more enjoyable because of changed expectations and reduced anxiety about having to be perfect. I find play more fun, and started again on creating an office manual, now that I understand it need not be the ultimate, most perfect one. I like the new feelings I am still obtaining from this book. Socially, I feel less of a need to have absolute approval from friends, and this freedom has given me a great deal of comfort. I say feeling because my new reasonable thinking actually has benefited my emotions. These improvements I am sure came from contact with this Three Minute Therapy book. I would like to recommend it to everyone I know. Cliff Cin, San Francisco

Dr. Edelstein has written a simple, straightforward and very helpful book here. REBT made easy. There's gold here folks! I recommend not only the book, but also Dr. Edelstein as a therapist.

One of the things I've learned from him and his wonderful book is how to get control of my unhealthy eating habits and to start exercising. I've lost 40lbs so far, and I am continuing to lose. To get help losing weight was the reason I started therapy with him, but I got so much more out of it. I only wish I had discovered this way of thinking 20 years ago. But as I have learned, it is never too late to turn your life around.

In addition to this book, I also highly recommend Albert Ellis's "A Guide To Rational Living".

Thanks Dr. E for all the help and for writing this book!