Although the words "a real page-turner...couldn't put it down" are as over-used in reviews as an ATM in Vegas, no other words more accurately describe this book. From page one, Craig carries the reader through a delightful roller-coaster ride of emotions. Combining our hero's search for the truth (about his deceased mother) with the fairy tales (his Mother wrote) he can not escape, IN A DARK WOOD makes for an intriguing novel, sure to be on every critics "ten best" list come December. Please, more from Amanda Craig (she has a number of novels available in England, but not America)- and soon!

IN A DARK WOOD is unlike any other book I've read - and I loved it! Topics include England, America, divorce, fairy tales, and skeletons in the family closet.

A man nearing 40 is getting a divorce from his wife and has to re-evaluate his life. He discovers a dark fairy tale book written by his mother, who killed herself when he was 6, and he has very little recollection of her. Tracking down his mother's friends and reading the stories help him learn about his past, his family and himself.

The writing style is very smart. The dark fairy stories within the book are killer and they neatly parallel what happened in the mother's past as well as the protagonist's present. The story starts off right in the middle of his moving out of his house, and then continues on a steady pace, building and spiraling until the end.

This book was right up my alley. I look forward to reading more works by Amanda Craig.

This is a mesmeric, haunting novel, and for those of you who are fooled into thinking this is primarily about mental illness...Think and READ again. You have fallen into a sort of trap set by this extremely subtle, almost wily, author. Yes, mental illness is one thematic level on which one can read this, in so many ways, disturbing and original book.-"And when the ink begins to write/ It makes the paper black and white."-The poem from Benedick's visionary mother pops up at beginning and end of the narrative. Why?

Read aright, the story of Benedick's quest interlarded with his mother's dark tales WILL keep you up at night. To come to the conclusion that all she and Benedick need or needed is/was some psychotropic drug like Lithium is to say the same of, say, Shelley or Van Gogh. If you think the ending, at first glance, is simplistic, you're right. But if you think that it undermines the the otherwise terror and fairy tale ridden narrative, then you're reading it on the level which most adults read fairy tales: That is, you're not reading it.

For the ending is the most terrifying part of the book: a fairy tale full of fairy tales that tell us more about ourselves than we like to think. Why is the ending so almost hostilely, one might say, simplistic? Again, ask yourself, what's the line with which fairy tales, including the dark fairy tales of Benedick's mother, end? Then reread the book, as I did...if you dare!

Great for veteran fans and newbies alike, Sanderson offers up succinct histories of the popular Marvel characters, easy-to-read commentary, and best of all, a TON of panel/art excerpts from actual comics. A bit of the material is dated (it was published in '96), so storylines like the Spider-Clone, the 2099 Universe, and the Avengers' "Crossing" may make some wince in sorrowful remembrance. But these certainly do not detract from the overall appeal of this neatly put-together book.

"Marvel Universe" is the companion volume to "Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics," but I did not read that volume so I am looking at the volume introducing the superheroes and supervillains of Marvel Comics. Unlike the other volume, which looked at the history of Marvel Comics decade by decade, author Peter Sanderson takes a more thematic approach, although there is a semblance of chronology involved in the order, beginning with the Fantastic Four, the comic book that effectively created Marvel Comics, and ending with the X-Men, the most popular series of today (comics like "Conan the Barbarian" therefore fall outside the scope of the "Mravel Universe"). Specifically the eight chapters divide the Marvel Universe as follows:

1. The Fantastic Four: Marvel's First Family, begins with the working relationship of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, relates the origin of the FF, focuses on the compelling character drama of the Thing, and the group's main villain Dr. Doom. After covering some of the FF's epic adventures, including the first confrontation with Galactus and the Silver Surfer, the chapter looks at some of the heroes that were created in the comic such as the Black Panther and the Inhumans.

2. The Antiheroes: Human Torch, Sub-Mariner, and Hulk looks at how two Silver Age heroes were updated for the modern era but focuses primarily on old Greenskin, including the pivotal issue #140 written by Harlan Ellison.

3. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man looks at Marvel's most popular superhero, drawn originally by Steve Ditko. This chapter covers the problems of a teenage superhero, his remorse over Uncle Ben's death, and the supporting cast, as well as the darker vision of Spider-Man brought to the comic by Todd McFarlane. Special consideration is given to the "Kraven's Last Hunt" storyline and "The Death of Aunt May" issue.

4. Avengers Assemble! covers not only Marvel's answer to the Justice League of America as a group, but the individual comic books of Captain America, Henry Pym and the Wasp, Iron Man, Hawkeye and the Black Widow, the Mighty Thor, the Vision, Wonder Man, and even the Black Knight (so you know they have covered pretty much everybody).

5. Strange Tales: Heroes of the Supernatural covers a lot of ground as well with Doctor Strange, Dracula, The Man-Thing, Howard the Duck, Ghost Rider, and other Marvel monsters.

6. Protectors of the Universe is mostly about aliens such as Captain Mar-vel, the Silver Surfer, Adam Warlock, and Nova. Also covered are such diverse comics as "Power Pack," Don McGregor and P. Craig Russell's "Killraven," and Jack Kirby's last comic creations.

7. Vigilantes and Lawmen starts with Daredevil and the Electra Saga, continues with Nick Fury (both with his Holwing Commandos and as an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.), and ends with the Punisher.

8. Mutantis Mutandis: The X-Men begins with the original X-Men and Magneto, through the Second Genesis and the Dark Phoenix saga, the ascendancy of Wolverine, to the proliferation of mutants in Alpha Flight, Excalibur, X-Force, and Generation X. Artists Neal Adams, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Rob Liefeld are featured in this section.

My test case for evaluating this volume was the section of 'Tomb of Dracula' (146-48) a minor cult hit all things considered but one of the best comic books I have ever read. Sanderson agrees with the verdict, praising writer Marv Wolfman, penciller Gene Colan, and inker Tom Palmer for their skilled delineation of character. After a concise description of the cast of characters and their complex relationships, there is a description of the choice story line where a character (purporting to be) Dracula, removed his vampire powers. I would have liked to have seen a reference of Dr. Sun, and the comic's wonderful sense of pacing, but this was a decent synopsis.

The key thing to remember her is that Sanderson is juggling a lot of balls. He needs to not only describe the history of each comic book along with the key characters and villains, but also try to work in an appreciation of great artists from Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko to John Byrne and Todd McFarlane, along with some of the key issues and storylines. So I was quite impressed when Sanderson worked in 'Days of Future Past' from X-Men #141 and the Silver Dagger story line in 'Doctor Strange.'

For that matter, I was also impressed that Sanderson worked in some of the most memorable PANELS from these comics: Jack Kirby showing Doctor Doom stripping the Silver Surfer's powers from FF#57, Steve Ditko's Spider-Man struggling free in ASM#33, and John Byrne's shot of Mangeto from X-Men #111. Yes, you can quibble over the details in terms of what was included and omitted, and certainly there is a better way to reproduce comic art than photocopying it or whatever, but Sanderson gets credit for covering a lot of ground and for showing a clear sense of appreciation and affection for these comic books. That is what tips the scales for me in the end.

The bottom line would be that 'Marvel Universe' constitutes a nice walk down memory lane for those who remember buying 10 cent copies of these comic books when they were called Marvel Pop Art as well as a nice history lesson for those who have come to the game when Marvel launched Volume 2 for all of its major titles.

If you read Marvel Comics you gotta have this book. I've been reading comicbooks from Marvel for 20 years now, so this title brought practically no news for me, but I love it. It's full of pictures and informative and usefull captions, as well as characters and creators profiles and synopsis of the greatest sagas of the Marvel Universe. So, if you read either Sider-Man, the Hulk or the X-Men this has it all ('till 1996, that is): from Namor's first appearence to the Elektra Saga and Marvels, from Byrne's run is the Fantastic Four to the Age of Apocalypse, Marvel Universe covers it all. 256 pages of pure Marvel. Excelsior! P.S. If you like this book take a look at 'Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades'.

After reading this book it seems to me the author had his friends write the preceding reviews. I don't want to put Daniel down, most youth at 14 don't sit down and write books. Unfortunately, there's a reason for that. His command of the english language is very far from complete both grammatically and in terms of spelling. I am thinking there was no copy editor, small publisher.

The plot itself is bland and progresses badly. Even when time is spent trying to give characters depth they end up shallow and boring. The dialogue is poor. The universe has a lot of stolen elements from Dungeons and Dragons (except as futuristic sci-fi) with no really original content or application. I kept thinking this had the potential to be an above average book if the author had written it 8 years later than he did.

If you want to support a writer that might really be worth reading after he finishes college, buy this book. If you're not feeling charitable...don't.

This book was extra-ordinary in every way comprehendable. It has opened up a door for me. Because of it, I now plan on reading more novels in this category.

This Sci-Fi novel takes you on a riveting journey of a socially rejected hybrid and his team of wizards, the Elites, who are out to fufill what they believe in. Rights for the good magic users. But, many obsticles stand in their way. This brings us to the other main group of characters.

Division 33, the best team of Enforcers in the galaxy, enforcing the law among all citizens. With many twists between these two sets of characters, the author, astonishingly enough, is able to add a political plot into effect. Two parties create the pro-magic users and the against-magic users. Keeping this in mind the novel is full of Demons and Vampires which keep you interested in the somewhat short boring parts of the Political arena.

To top this all off, it's hard to believe that all this turmoil is part of a plan of a master-minded individual. Can the Elites reach their goal as they explore caves, space stations, and high-security prisons. Read the book and find out. This book, part Sci-Fi, part Fantasy, and part Political has the biggest, and most surprising ending I have ever read.

I suggest you read this book as soon as you can, because it is certain there are more books to come from this author, and each one will take us on a breath taking journey of deceit, frendship, death, and journey for righteousness.

This book was really exciting. The writings by the author were so surprising. It was a real page turner and I am not a science fiction reader as such. It will keep you interested from beginning to end. Can't wait for the sequel from a very talented young man and writer.

Daniel Drennan's unique writing style pulls his readers into his New York City life, entertaining us from the first page to the last. With every story he related, I found myself nodding my head in empathy; he captured the nuances and emotions of post-college life so clearly. This book was a wonderful read.

Drennan's hilarious(if skewed)view of the naked city's million stories rings true -- an "it could only happen here...and to me" recounting of the daily events that shape our lives. From the "dog people" to brunch, his eye for the absurd is sharp, and he brings the reader into his quirky mind. The stream of conciousness style somehow follows a path we understand, and it all makes sense. It's wickedly funny and I can't wait for the next installment! One of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while.

I've been a fan of Danny Drennan's for quite a while, and his book does not disappoint. He is a wicked writer with a sharp eye for the ironies that exist in the details of everyday life. New Yorkers, fans of New York, and other urban dwellers will find much to make them laugh in this cutting look at city life.

I had a chance to review the galleys before it went to press, it is a wonderful book that shows how values, character and sportsmanship can take you to the highest levels of life. It is a preparation for success in life. A father son team, where the player Dan Bylsma is a great young player, but when he hits college and pros, he has to be a smarter, harder working player.

Bylsma is a true role model, especially in today's world.

Jay Greenberg of the NY Post writes, "THE BEST ADVICE SINCE DON'T RILE GORDIE HOWE!"

For all sports, for kids and parents alike. Inspiration, motivational, I couldn't put it down

Since reading "So your son..." nearly two years ago, through various routes, my son and I have become good friends with both Dan and Jay Bylsma and the rest of the Bylsma family. I can honestly say that these guys really do "walk the talk" by putting into practice what the book says. It's a great read if you're a hockey fan but its not just about how one of kid made it to becomming a professional sportsman - their emphasis on a moral compass, sound family values and good educaton really can be used as a practical guide to parenting. Kids don't come with an instruction manual and most of us parents need all the help we can get! I would suggest to anyone wanting a "how do you do it" guide to practical, commonsense, no nonesense child rearing "GET THIS BOOK!" and read it. Great stuff!

I have a son and two daughters who lettered several times in high school sports. I got caught up in not only the book but in thinking about the opportunities I missed to use sports to teach about life. My kids were home for Christmas and I found myself reading and sharing from this book. I wish I could have read it 20 years ago because I would have been less tied into what the kids were doing for me, and more in tune to struggles my kids were going through. I got choked by the story and was unprepared for the epilogue. The structure of the book was very good. Jay the parent's discription of what was happening did not always match what Dan was experiencing. Reading about the samething throug two view points added to the value of the book. Dan and Jay speak less to the potential pro than to every son or daughter who has suited up. The message of love the kid no matter what happens in a game is a powerful one. The "how to directions" are on the money and help to give structure that parents need. I did not expect to have any emotional reaction to this book. I was wrong and glad of it. Wayne Van Zomeren

As in The Scapegoat, Pennac has written a crime novel where the crime aspect isn't actually all that compelling. Pennac makes some hay with police racism, but it's nothing special in that regard. Once again, the translation doesn't really work for me and I'm sort of baffled by the notion that people found this book to be hilarious. Hard to imagine spending time on the third or fourth books in this series.

I read this book in it's original French, and then went on to read the rest of the series...Benjamin Malaussène is amazing. My favourite character to date. Worth a read, even just for Pennac's amazing style.

Life is too serious to be spent reading crime fiction. And most crime writers are too in awe of themselves to write a good story, rather rendering technical reports readable and twisting shaky plots as if they were helter-skelter designers. I have made exceptions in the past, for the likes of Chandler and Hammett, who could use language with skill. I've even made allowances for James Ellroy, but I think I might just have been revisiting the Stephen King phase of my youth there.

Time for another exception to the rule. The Fairy Gunmother, by Daniel Pennac. No summation of its plot would do it justice. Suffice to say it's set in Paris (originally written in French, translated into English) its got old people, drugs, guns, good guys and bad guys and some very very very likeable characters. Just find it and read it and bathe in the beauty of the writing. It's got all the characteristics you'd want of an old friend, plus a plot twist or two that might genuinely surprise you (now how often does that happen?).

Everything anyone could possibly want to know about the history and background of "The" Necronomicon. Every library should have a copy of this excellently researched and nicely written book. Clear, concise, well reasoned -- and unfortunately all too rare to get a hold of.The last section itemizing theNecronomicon in film and television is amusingly done and valuable in and of itself.Most of all, the authors' careful, informed, level-headed approach to the entire cultural phenomena thathas developed out of Lovecraft's fictional grimoiredeserves praise. Obviously a labor of love.

I think the reviewer from San Diego may not have read the same book I read. The one I read was well-researched, well written, and stocked with interesting facts. The entire point of the book, in fact, is that the Necronomicon is a myth - but it's an interesting myth, which came from Lovecraft and developed a life of it's own. A great read, well worth the money, and highly recommended.

Anyone interested in learning the truth about the Necronomicon should read this. This book is definitely a well-researched,well-written piece of work. Lots of surprises in store for the reader. The authors carefully unfold issues, ideas, and facts behind the Necronomicon that are both easy to understand and absorb. A great reading for Lovecraft fans and newcomers to fantasy and horror literature. If you want to know what the Necronomicon really is, then get this book.

Like a Velvet Glove cast in Iron is an extremely good book. One of the reasons is how much it makes you think. This is the kind of book that you have to go back and reread to understand certain parts...not thats its incomprehnsable entirely. Rather, everytime you go back you discover something new, surprising, and maybe even disturbing. I highly reccomend this along with all other Danial Clowes books.

You have to be appreciative of either Eightball or Dan Clowes (if it's possible to separate the two) to like this.

It was serialized in Eightball and was a hefty portion of many issues. If you read them in order and liked it, maybe buy this. I'll admit - I was familiar with Twentieth Century Eightball only, and I wanted to read this from the beginning. Since then, I have been buying up back issues.

It's not as shocking as many people say. It is, however, as confusing as many people say. You have to use your imagination, inductive logic, and movie-watching experiences to really glue it all together.

And by the way, the people who compare this to Twin Peaks are insane. Twin Peaks cannot be messed with. And I love this book.

I bought this book expecting something similar to 20th Century Eightball and Caricature. Er, I was wrong!

Bizarre, nightmarish, surreal, yet riveting. A strange, disturbing read. I loved it, but it certainly isn't for everyone.

Before I ordered this book, I read the reviews. I bcame convinced this must be a zany, funny book -- just the thing for my children. So I went ahead and ordered not *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency" only, but a volume of novels by Pinkwater. Oh, well. It's only money (though it could have been better spent elsewhere).

*The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* does have a wonderful premise and some satire as well (hence my pleasure at reading its reviews). I suppose it also has lessons to be learned about fearing the unknown -- but didacticism is not enough to make a good book. Nothing covers up for the fact that this book just plain isn't very good -- not for a modern child to read. I knew I was in trouble when I began reading it aloud to my son: each sentence had a dying fall, and the wit was strained, not spontaneous and fetching. "What am I getting into," I thought. Henrietta the chicken is lost and Henrietta is found, but the whole thing was a contest to see if I could finish the book before my child rebelled -- or I did.

Sad to say, this book shows its age. Some of the writing, too, needs polish. If you are tempted to buy this self-consciously zany book, buy *I Was a Rat* instead. *I Was a Rat* is all heart. *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* is all lumpy prose. I'm hoping for better things with the other Pinkwater volumes I purchased, but we shall have to see. I love older rediscovered books, but this one doesn't work. Children expect more depth of story, not just cleverness at the expense of story. I'm very sure readers have fond memories of this book, but memory alone cannot bring the book alive for a modern audience. Give *The Hoboken Chicken Emergency* a pass, and go for a funny book that's meaty with heart and soul. If *I Was a Rat" doesn't appeal, you might try *The Little Prince* (Antoine de Sainte-Exupery) -- my son doesn't really understand it, but he loves it and seems to recognize that there are real issues underlying the surface.

The Hoboken Chicken Emergency was a really good book. It is a good book for third grade and up to read on their own. It takes place in Hoboken, New Jersey around Thanksgiving. It's about a boy named Arthur who goes to look for a turkey for Thanksgiving. The problem comes when he can't find one. Instead he ends up getting a 266 pound chicken named Henrietta. Arthur tries to keep the chicken as a pet but it runs away. Henrietta (the chicken) feels unwanted and creates diasters all over town. Read the book to find out what happens next. We thought the book was hilarious, funny, and exciting. We are nine and ten years old and we liked the book alot!

I didn't enjoy this book as much as Lizard Music or the Snarkout Boys and the Avacado of Death, but I found it on the whole to be a very enjoyable read... Much reccomended for Pinkwater fans, and seems to be a popular first book for people who've never read any D.M.P.

Not the easiest book to read. Lots of heavy reading that required many re-reads in various parts of the book, which is an inspiring account into the mystical nature of events surrounding the life of Jesus, the Essene and Jewish communities, the Romans, and the Christ. From the exerpts, one sees new and different insights into strange and supernatural occurrences that religions have interpreted and tailored into what they want us to believe. Be ready to see a different take on the Star of Bethlehem, the moment of when Jesus became the Christ, and the commotion surrounding the crucifixion and its aftermath.

The book reflects the Akashic Records journeys (in 1st person form of each) of the two Essenes who befriended Jesus at an early age, then followed the Master during his teachings and eventual physical death. The book is not all about Jesus, but is also about the people (and their lives) who were influenced by his teachings of Love and Kindness. Its a great book but be prepared to be surprised, amused, and knocked off your conventions.

This is an extraordinary book for several reasons:
1. Anyone with an open heart and mind will be be spiritually inspired by it to a very high degree, and there is surely little more that one could ever hope for from a book than this.
2. For those familiar with Rudolf Steiner's Christology, this book provides to my knowledge the first independent corroboration of some of the claims he makes about Christ's esoteric genealogy (specifically about his relation to Zarathustra and about the composite nature of the Jesus-Christ individuality). Steiner of course goes into far more detail - based on his own reading of the Akashic record - than do the authors of this book (who hint at much that they do not say explicitly), but the parallels are nonetheless striking. (For those interested in the relevant Steiner material, I would recommend his lecture series entitled 'From Jesus to Christ', as well as the lectures he gave on the gospels.)
3. For those who feel an inner connection with the esoteric streams of religion and Christianity in particular, this book will convey the strong conviction that these traditions are very much alive and accessible to those who seek them in the right way.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. I learned so much more from this single book than from my entire Catholic upbringing. This book delves into the true meaning of baptism, healing, Jesus' life here on earth and especially, what actually happened during the crucifixion. This is an excellent, informative, and uplifting text that is well worth reading!