So you didn't play much baseball as a kid. Or, maybe you played so much baseball that you know too much to work with your inexperienced kids without loosing your patience.

This handbook has it all. How do you get a 4 year old to throw a ball effectively? Not an easy task for someone with a short attention span an no idea what you are talking about. Swing a bat level? Why bother when you can hack at the ball like a woodsman? Tips, techniques, and pictures either teach a parent what is important, or remind him or her what they have known for so long they have forgetten to pass it along.

These are just a couple of examples of the problems I faced in teaching baseball to my kids and areas the handbook was helpful. From catching, throwing and hitting for the youngest of players, all the way through to strategy, baserunning and conditioning for older players. This book will help you get them started on the right track and help them help themselves when they are old enough to read on their own.

Talk yourself into coaching your kid's team so you can be sure they get quality instruction - only to find that the parents are the ones who drive you to give it up? This handbook can help you lay the groundwork up front that will turn your parents into assets.

I could go on and on. This book may not have everything you will ever need, but it does have something useful about everything. A great read and a great resource.

I have just passed my exam last week with 800 marks. I read the review and bought the book and I must admit that the author has done a great job. He has covered most of the topics very concisely.I also used Transcender product which is a must. I got a lot of questions which were identical in transcendar exam.

This book does not talk about RDO at all and in the exam there were 3 questions about it.If you use transceder then it covers some questions about RDO

One does not need any experience to pass this exam. I also used it to pass VB 6 Desktop exam, and the exam cram for desktop is not at all good compared to distributed. Read all the chapters completly.

I used this book along with Howard Hawhee's Training Guide and got a 928 which surprised me. The distributed exam that I took was quite a bit simpler than the desktop exam. Thomas is a skillful writer and obviously a master VB programmer. He packs a lot of information in a few pages while still maintaining a friendly, human tone. The tests at the end of each chapter and the big practice test at the end of the book are very valuable in preparing for the real thing. Also, don't pass over the preface to the sample test at the end of the book. It gives good test-taking advise although I was not courageous enough to use his technique of quickly reading through each of the questions before answering any of them. Thomas' book has one thing in common with other good (note the adjective) prep books in that they provide a comprehensive reference that is often superior to the reference books themselves. So this book stays on my shelf.

This book is a must in order to pass the VB6 Distributed exam. (I just took the test today for the first time and passed with a very high score.) It's well written and covers about 70 to 80 % of what's required to pass the certification test. It does have some typos and errors in the sample code but these are covered in the errata section of the Exam Cram Web site.

I would not consider, however, this book to be enough to pass the test unless you have extensive experience in using IIS, MTS and building COM components. The MSDN library is an excellent source of information for those items which only receive light or no coverage in this book. At the end of each chapter, there's a "Need to Know More" section which indicates where to get more extensive explanations and examples of the topics covered in the chapter. I found this to be very valuable in saving me time by not having to research this information on my own.

The test at the end of the book is very similar to the actual test. There's also a test included on a CD when this book is purchased as part of the Exam Cram pack. I bought the 3-book pack myself and believe it's worth buying. I found the exam included on the CD to be helpful plus I have read that the book on the Architectures exam is good too (I haven't read it yet). The book for the MCSD VB 6 Desktop is okay (not great).

In addition to this book and MSDN, I highly recommend taking the Transcender exams. Many of the questions on the test were also similar to the ones on the Transcender CD. And only by taking the Transcender exams, will you know what this book is not covering. Then it's up to you to find this information on your own.

Good luck on the test! I think this exam is easier than the MCSD VB 6 Desktop exam.

Demian, as described by Hesse in the original title, is the "story of a youth." The book relates the experiences of Emil Sinclair, a boy at the beginning of the 20th century whose model childhood is tranformed through his encounter with Max Demian.

The novel reflects Hesse's fascination with mythology and religion. An extensive symbolism drawing on both Christianity and the theories of C. G. Jung permeate the work. The central message of the novel is a powerfully affirming one: that amidst chaos, amidst disintegration, one can remain loyal to a value system that has existed since the first human being.

I have read Hesse's works for many years, and this novel remains my favorite. It has some remarkable scenes, including Sinclair's conversations with the organist Pistorius and the fantastic conclusion on a World War I battlefield in Flanders.

Hermann Hesse is without a doubt one of the most intriguing writers I have ever read. However, when reading reviews and hearing other people's opinions, I usually feel that peopl misunderstood what he is like and what his character represents. This is particularly the case with Demian. This book is often described as a great insight into what it is like going from child to teenager and then entering the adult world. However, I believe that Sinclair, the main character, is not entering the normal world on any level. In fact he is leaving it. The first time he meets Demian, both know there is something different about him. As their friendship/relationship grows, it become smore and more clear that they should not be part of the normal world, where people to choose to be part of a group, to share a religion, to accept the truth as it is told to them. Demian shows sinclair a new world, where people of a higher intelligence, and by that I am referring to more than simply an academic intelligence, will find each other. Those who are different, who choose to be individuals instead of be part of the the main stream mass meet, are Hesse's version of the ubermensch. Where Nietzsche claims that all men can let go of the standards and morals of our society, their religion, their need to be part of a group, can focus on themselves and become better, become the ubermensch, someone who is above all others, someone who is not alone in his existence, but who is alone in his own life, Hesse contradicts this with an ubermensch who is born different, someone who will find others like him, someone who will has a clear vision of what people are like and who he is, an individual, an ubermensch. Hermann Hesse's Demian is not at all about growing up, or understanding "how the world works", Hesse is not for the average reader, but he will only be understood by those who understand themselves and can see themselves as individuals instead of part of the mass. On a more personal note: The very strong homosexual tendencies in this book intensify the emotional appeal of the book and are also simply satisfying.

If the text is to speak to me sans the authorial function surrounding Hesse, "Demian" speak one thing loudly to me - Nietzsche, the Overman is in the flesh.

Apollo and Dionysis are doing battle in Emil Sinclair - specially when he meets Max Demian - an individual in touch with his "natures" and uses them to produce personal greatness, strength and Emil Sinclair. We are all, in a sense, all in a state of becoming - just like Emil, just like Max.

When Max introduces Abraxas the whole texture of the book changes - it really becomes liberating. We are reminded that we are raw stuff - stuck in an existential scenario and the limitlessness of our lives. Max embodies the qualities I would imagine Nietzsche's beloved overman to be - strong and sensitive and not allowed to pity. Demian is wonderful introduction to the complex psyche of Hesse, Demian allows readers to ease their way into his Oeuvre. Part surreal, part mystical, Demian has to be read several times to appreciate its many layers. This volume is one I plan to revisit, and soon.

Miguel Llora

When I first heard of the X-wing series of Star Wars books, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. It was mostly about the pilots from Rogues Squadron, with some cameo appearances by Han, Leia, and Luke. I thought the books might be dull do to the lack of my favorite heroes. Boy, was I ever wrong!! These books are fast-paced and exciting from cover to cover!
In this excitng installment, Corran Horn is believed dead and Tycho Celchu has been arrested for his murder. Celchu faces a treason and murder trial, with all the evidence working against him, despite all of the heroic work he's done for the Republic. The Alliance is struggling to become the New Republic. The dreams of setting up the main government at Coruscant are beginning to collapse as the deadly Krytos virus begins to attack non-human members. Bacta, the only known cure, is scarce and the prices are climbing. To make matters worse, a terrorist group on the planet of Coruscant is threatening to tear the government apart before it even begins. As Rogue Squadron deals with the loss of its top fighters, Corran struggles to stay alive in the horrific Lusankya prison, run by the evil Ysanne Isard.
The best of the series so far, this book is packed with action and suspense. And the dogfights - WHOA! This book has something for every type of Star Wars fan: action, intrigue, suspense, mystery, you name it!

The third installment in Michael Stackpole's "X-Wing" series details the aftermath of the taking of Coruscant by the rebels. Anyone who's been following this series will want to pick this one up - it's consistent in tone with the earlier novels, and the plot is both fast-moving and believable.

Unlike other authors of new Star Wars material, Stackpole has drawn directly from contemporary issues. Readers will recognize the similarity of physical symptoms of the Krytos virus to Ebola, and takes the opportunity to draw a parallel between human/non-human relations in the Star Wars universe to racial tensions in our own world.

Despite this, the tone of the novel is anything but grim. The primary focus here is entertainment, and in this Stackpole succeeds - my lunch hour extended to two hours from reading this book! It's a real page-turner, something that is necessary for anything bearing the Star Wars name, but which few Star Wars novels have managed to achieve.

The interesting thing is that the character I found myself most interested in is Kirtan Loor, Corran Horn's nemesis. Loor's struggle to extricate himself from Iceheart's clutches, and only managing to ensnare himself further, makes for some of the most compelling reading in the book. In fact, the fate reserved for him is a little disappointing; I was not left with a sense of closure in Loor's case.

The trial of Tycho Celchu is clearly the trial of the century in the Star Wars universe, and provides Stackpole with the opportunity to level a criticism or two at the media. The effect of the trial on the fledgling New Republic government is one influence that is clearly felt throughout the book.

One criticism I do have - I just wasn't as interested in Corran in this book as I was in previous books. It seemed pretty evident from the outset that he would survive with his sanity intact. After reading such novels as C.J. Cherryh's stunning "Cyteen," I may have an unusually high standard for stories dealing with this topic, but these sections of the novel weren't as effective as I felt they could be. It's true what they say - a reader won't believe it if the character has good luck, but we'll believe in bad luck readily enough - and the more of it the better! Corran just doesn't seem touched as deeply as he should be by his experience; this is one aspect of the novel that I really felt could have been better done.

Overall, though, the X-Wing series still outshines most of the other Star Wars books that have been recently released. It's fun, as the original films were fun, and while no novel can come close to matching the films, the same tone and cinematic breadth are absolutely necessary. Stackpole is one of the few who has managed this.

Set after X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble. The virus is loose on Coruscant. Isard (IceHeart) has captured Corran Horn. Tycho Celchu is on trial for spying. It's a mess, but exciting. This is one of the best books ever! All *stuff* breaks loose and it is very riveting. If you want to read a good book, this is it. (assuming you've read the previous two, they might help you grasp some of the basic concepts at hand)

My decision to read Elric of Melnibone was based solely on the reviews I read right here on Amazon.com. I must say that I was not disappointed! This book now ranks as one of my all time favorite fantasy novels.

THE GOOD: 1) It is easy to read. The book is short (180 pages) and divided into chapters of about 10 pages each. The author's style of writing also makes for quick reading as he gives only the important details. Thus, a few pages might be devoted to intense action that is taking place over a few minutes, or they might cover a half-year of searching for a missing person. I like this style, but if you are into super detailed accounts of everything then you may not like it. 2) It is a good story. I really liked the blend of story elements. It seems to be part adventure story, part love story, part hi fantasy and part ruler-fighting-against-all-the-treacherous-relatives. It keeps the book interesting, and makes it move at a fast pace - not many dull moments here! 3) There are a lot of familiar fantasy elements that we all know and have come to love. There is the wise and talented king, dragons, powerful sorcerers, and all kinds of good and evil gods. 4) There are a lot of unique elements of hi fantasy. One of the reasons that I read fantasy books to come in contact with new ideas that really stretch the imagination - this book did not disappoint me in that regard! There is a ship with a unique way to travel, a mirror with a capacity for more than looks, a nice pantheon of elemental gods and a twist on the Greek Labyrinth maze!

THE BAD: While I liked the brevity implored by the author, there are a few times that his brief writing style fails to fully capture the feelings of the characters. So while we believe that there is a lot of love between Elric and Cymoril, the author doesn't make a great effort to convince us. Personally, I don't mind this style of writing (being brief), but if you are more into nice, long, enriched accounts of great detail then you may not like the book as much.

OVERALL: If you like classic fantasy, then you should give this book a try. It is a good read and a great story with lots of ideas that make people like me read and totally enjoy fantasy novels!

This series starts off in a rather subdued, moody tone and gathers momentum as it goes. Very little in Moorcock is unexplained and apparent loose ends often get tied up in a different series altogether! His trick is always to leave you with a new set of mysteries, rather like the best detective story writers. It's one of the reasons you keep turning the pages and, indeed, keep reading the series! Exploration with Moorcock promises a great journey, some interesting discoveries and some mighty mysteries, just like space exploration, really, or 19th century exploration. This is what maintains the sense of wonder, even through his non-fantasy books like the great MOTHER LONDON or the Pyat series. As Angela Carter says in her introduction to Moorcock's book on writing technique DEATH IS NO OBSTACLE, he is a writer driven by a generous talent and an enormous curiosity. It is that curiosity which constantly drives him to explore new ideas, new ways of story telling and new ways of looking at the world! His influence has been immeasurable on the science fiction field alone. His ideas infuse the field. I read this first when I was a teenager. It led me to some of America and France's greatest modern writers, several of whom have already acknowledged Moorcock as a contemporary master! In England and France he is known as an important literary talent. This is a great introduction to the Eternal Champion series, but it is only a fraction of the mighty multiverse that is Michael Moorcock (as one of his own music hall characters might proclaim)! If you want wit and farce and Elric, try Elric at the End of Time. If you want dark melodrama and moody characters, Elric of Melnibone is the guy for you!

"Elric of Melnibone," by Michael Moorcock, is a sword-and-sorcery tale whose hero, Elric, is the albino king of an ancient island nation. Elric lives in a world of magic and warfare; it's a place where humans have dealings with powerful supernatural beings.

This is a decidedly adult fantasy story; Elric's is a world of drugs and slavery, and this story is dark, violent, and full of political intrigue. Moorcock succeeds in giving the story an evocative, mythic feel. The author has created, in addition to Elric, some really memorable characters (such as Doctor Jest, the master torturer). The book is full of wonderfully cinematic scenes and skillfully realized fantasy concepts. And the melancholy Elric makes for an interestingly offbeat hero.

Ultimately, "Elric" is about such resonant issues as love, ambition, responsibilty, and the seeming pull of destiny. For a compelling companion text, try Ursula K. LeGuin's "A Wizard of Earthsea."

In X-Wing:Rogue Squadron, Michael Stackpole has done the impossible. He has taken a concept that has probably achieved its pinnacle of success and popularity, with the Star Wars films, and created an off-shoot that could become more popular. Rogue Squadron, while having too many characters and no ship diagrams (would have been nice to the Star Wars neophyte) is a compelling read.

Stackpole creates characters so interesting that George Lucas should think about using them for his third trilogy. Corran Horn, Gavin Darklighter, Tycho Celchu, and of course, Wedge Antilles will make you forget all about Han, Luke and Leia. If the Force truly is the most powerful entity in the universe, then maybe the series will continue. A solid PC game would be a bonus as well. Until then, pick up the books and open the pages, pretty soon you'll hear the Imperial March thrumming in your head.

For some, Star Wars without the main characters would probably seem kind of strange. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron proves that there are many stories left to be told that don't involve Han, Luke, Leia, et al. Detailing the reformation of Rogue Squadron under the command of Wedge Antilles (one of the few supporting characters to appear in all three of the original Star Wars films), the book tells the story of some of the New Republic's victories after the death of the Emperor. Although the technical jargon and space battles can be a little tough to visualize at times, the characters are interesting (almost all of them have a backstory) and the plot draws you in. A nice look at another side of the Star Wars universe.

I bought the entire set of the x-wing series when I ran out of my current obsession, "The New Jedi Order." I had actually skipped this series when it first came out because it didn't seem like something I would want to read. However, when one is high on Star Wars reading, and needs a fix, one will read anything they can get their hands on.

Needless to say I was surprised by this book. I have always enjoyed Stackpole's writing, but I just didn't think he had much to work with in this particular sub-genre of the Star Wars universe. I mean come on, no Jedi, no c3PO, no R2D2?! Just x-wings flying around and shooting Imperial forces? I thought the book was going to be ... well, boring.

The funny thing is that I had read "I, Jedi," by the time I picked up this book, so I know what Corran Horn's future holds in store for him. But that spoiler knowledge hasn't ruined the series for me.

The plot line is well developed, and pulls a couple of nice twists and turns that leave you with a satisfied experience in the thinking department. The fighting scenes are descriptive without being "Tolkien-like," in as much as you get description, but not description that would put even ever patient Yoda to sleep. The character development is interesting and doesn't seem forced at all.

Then you have the most important piece of these stories, the HISTORY! You won't realize it until you have read these stories, but a lot of the stories that are staged after these stories are supposed to have taken place, refer to incidences in these stories! The other authors do a good job of giving you clues as to what they are talking about, but reading these stories helps flesh out some back history for anyone that has missed these.

Read them, you will like them.

Ford moves beyond the Dark Curtain that seems to have descended sometime in the late `Eighties and early `Nineties into a joyous celebration of life as it is and always has been among us. He examines the world we live in not through any perceived or special angle but through us as "Beings-in-the-World." Certainly, he makes concessions for our unique perspectives, and, particularly, our fears, but what sentiment comes across more than any in this collection is our realization that we all - gay, straight, whatever - make our own unique way in this world, while at the same time proving that we are all human, that we all share the same laughter, the same disappointments and the same ability to look upon one another with a cynical and still-loving eye. This book is a joy. Read it, laugh, be wry, and weep. Ford is a master of the well-chosen word, and he provides his essays with a geography of irony few can match. The only reason I gave his book a four instead of a five is because in this milieu we cannot afford to even joke about violence towards others, even towards those who are violent towards us. Let's take the high road.

My best friend and roommate told me that he is gay about a year ago. Recently he bought this book and I read it to see what someone would have to say about being gay that would take a whole book. It turns out a lot and so much of it made me think about how normal both my friend and every other gay person I have ever met are. This book had me rolling on the floor tears of laughter making it hard to read. My friend read it after I did and we sat and laughed for hours over the humor and truism that MTF has brought to print. I strongly recomend this book for straight people who want to understand, for gay people who need to laugh and for the lot of us who are still drifting trying to find out who we are.

THAT'S MR. FAGGOT is an essential read for both queer and straight readers. Anyone who can write a book with that name should be given a big kiss. I wasn't disappointed at all. There's something for everyone in this novel: dogs, butches, femmes, cybersex, tennis, toys, and so on and so forth. Ford has a very witty and subtley moralistic way of perceiving and writing about his surroundings. Even though the essays are full of laughs, there's definitely something to be learned from each of them. MR. FAGGOT shows a lighter side of Ford's queer life without completly ignoring the seriousness of it; it proves that we can laugh about our lives, rather than take it too seriously. Without deconstructing it too much, my point is that MR. FAGGOT is a most stimulating read and should be read by everyone, including every Republican right-winger out there...

I haven't been to the Canyon yet, but it's on my list of destinations to make in my lifetime. After reading "Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon" I'll know to be careful when I get there. I was unaware that the place is so hazardous--other than the obvious, that a fall off the edge is likely fatal. I read the book for the reason I assume the authors (and certainly the publisher) expect people to read it: morbid curiosity. And I suspected that was going to be the intellectual depth of their work. I was wrong.

The book is not highbrow literature by any stretch, but there is more research invested than I expected. The writers, Michael Ghiglieri and Thomas Myers, both experienced canyoneers, exert maximum effort to dissect the statistics and draw conclusions about the causes of death and what steps individuals and/or regulatory agencies might do to prevent more. This level of detail may be a turnoff to some readers, but I found it interesting and useful.

The authors can rest assured they've written an entertaining book that, through its popularity, might even help prevent an unnecessary death someday. ...

This is a MUST-READ for anyone attempting to hike Grand Canyon. So much has been written about its grandeur and beauty. It surely is all of that, but we needed to have a book describing, in vivid detail, the "wrongs" that occur there every year because people just can't comprehend that NATURE is in control if you don't heed the warnings posted by the park service. It is so easy to think that the warnings won't affect you. I have hiked through the Canyon several times knowing about its dangers, and I have seen people suffer on route of well-marked, common trails, but you truly are on your own out there and must do the most necessary to assure a safe and fun hike. You must know your limits. This book is not meant to "scare" people because Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular places in the world to visit and surely should be experienced from below the rim, but it is vital that people know about its potential dangers. This book illustrates that many people who suffered and died had the same attitudes that many of us have when we don't know what we're getting into. "Oh, I think I have enough water", or "Let me just step out on this rock for the perfect photo", or "I'm a good swimmer, I just want to wet my body in the Colorado", and so much more!! Grand Canyon is NOT a casual "walk in the park". It remains as nature designed it, and you will surely have a rewarding experience IF you take precautions. This book is well organized and has a good summary of all the mishaps at the end of each section. So interesting to read. You'll find yourself wanting to read it at every free moment. It could, however, have used photos where they were available to really drive the message home. Still, this is a serious and gripping book, and I like the amount of detail utilized in describing each situation. This book is necessary in a world that's become a place where we depend on others to think for us and to be at our every bek and call. This book brings the message home that "nature will always win if you let it".

I was at the Grand Canyon North Rim a few weeks ago. Looking for information at the visitor's office, I was cautioned that a hike into the canyon is extremely dangerous and difficult. This was made clear both in the literature and by the person behind the desk. I was skeptical - I mean how tough can hiking be - and wondered if these cautions were dramatic. The night before I was to hike down, I wandered into the gift shop and flipped through this book. Before I could say "help!" I was laying down bucks to take it back to my cabin for a nightly reading experience which ran from incredulity to horror to fear for my own safety. Because of this book, I cautioned my hiking buddy not to wander off the trail, not to pretend to be falling and to avoid the temptation to urinate over the edge of a cliff (sorry ladies, it's a guy thing, and it's gotten a number of us killed). He later admitted that he was, in fact, tempted to do all these things which proves how naturally we invite accidents. Needlesstosay, after hearing about the intense heat and cases of dehydration we packed lots more water. Despite the heat headaches and blisters at the end of the day, it was a fantastic hike that ended with an awesome respect for nature.

This book breaks through the assumption that a national park can be visited with the same indifference to safety as an amusement or theme park. It is written in a surprising straight-forward manner with direct comments on safety. There are discussions about how some deaths could have been avoided, as well as intelligent and professional assessments regarding events surrounding obscure or unwitnessed accidents. Accidents of all manner are organized and discussed: on the rim of the Grand Canyon (picture-taking on the rim can become a nearly fatal activity!), by environmental conditions, by flash floods, on the Colorado river, by aviation, suicide and freak accidents. Each chapter is followed by a list of victims and brief circumstances surrounding their deaths.

There's a lot of history here and several tales of prospectors and frontier adventurers. Some of the stories of more recent accidents are deeply disturbing and demonstrate how much people have suffered. This book serves not only as chronicle of deaths in the Grand Canyon but also as a guide to those who visit and appreciate the enormous power of the place.

Coupled with a person that has a life of aviation much like my own, Nelson Demille has pleased me with another book again! Thomas Block, the second author to Mayday, grew up around aviation. He started to fly airplanes when he was fourteen years old. At age seventeen he obtained his pilot's license and later joined the Air Force. The book Mayday is a book that I bought on my way to Dallas. I was waiting in the airport terminal and I wanted something to read. After browsing through magazine rack, this book caught my eye. Knowing that Nelson Demille writes about airplane and army related issues and predicaments and reading books of his before, I had to give this one a try.
The Straton, a large Trans united passenger jumbo jet, is flying just above Hawaii when it is struck by a drone missile. At sixty thousand feet above the earth this is a problem. Afflicting oxygen deprivation to most of the passengers and all of the flight crew, only a few lucky passengers are now faced with landing this airplane. This is a very suspenseful type of situation. Put yourself there, not knowing what any of the hundreds of flashing buttons and switches are meant to do while you are landing and flying this large aluminum bird. Now, the United States Army is wanting to just brush this asinine situation under the rug. How are they going to do that?. Things gone wrong thousands of feet off the ground tend to attracted attention.
If you like this book, or the writing style of Nelson Demille, you will definitely like the book CHARM SCHOOL. It follows a very different plot and has a bit of different pace as well. None the less, it is another master piece by one of my favorite authors.

Ever suspect some underhanded cover ups by our own military and government? Ever think that TWA 800 out of NY was part of some ghastly hush-hush job by higher ups?

DeMille urges us to believe anything is possible. He and co-author Tom Block are right on target in this updated and re-released disaster novel.

In "Mayday", we meet John Berry, a survior of an errant missle blasted Straton Flight 52. He is a private pilot and takes on the responsibilty of landing this flying coffin. The dead and brain damaged souls aboard are grahically depicted as decompression at 66,000 feet would dictate.

I am an avid DeMille fan and have been working my way through all of his books since "The Lions Game". DeMilles talent for drawing us in with smooth dialouge, taut as tight-rope riveting action, and dabs of comic or romantic relief with his well defined characters makes him one of my favorite authors.

I could go on and on about this laser paced read. However, I'll let you find your own copy. Simply put..."Mayday" is to the sky what "Jaws" is to the sea.

Thanks for your interest in my comments--CDS

I was coerced into buying this book because of an interest in flying and action/adventure novels. But once I started reading it I didn't remember why I needed coersion. It simply a terrific read from begginning to end. I thought that it would be similar to books like Arthur Hailey's 'Airport' which I had read years ago and quite enjoyed but I wondered how DeMille was going to do anything new with the genre. Although a big fan of the 'X-Files' and the like I was just about "conspiracied" out. But DeMille makes the missile tragedy and cover-up very believable. The attention to detail (as he acknowledged, Thomas Block's aeronautical knowledge was vital)is excellent but he never lets the technicalities (either the problems experienced at the altitude or the militaria) bog the story down. You find yourself in the cockpit right next to John Berry with your heart pounding.

Interestingly the romantic sub plot was barely touched on and was refreshing in this age of sex/sexual tension influencing everything. Rightly, the protaganists put this to one side to concentrate on the more important issues at hand. This leads to the sexual tension being there, just in the periphery. 'Mayday' is brilliantly written and while originally published in the late 1970s, the version that I bought was updated for the 1990s (in much the same way the Stephen King updated 'The Stand') and I can honestly say it's an excellent book. I bought 'Mayday' about 3 months ago and quickly got my hands on and read 'Spencerville' and 'The General's Daughter' by DeMille (both of which are excellent) and we also now have 'Gold Coast', 'Plum Island' 'Word of Honour', 'The Talbot Odyssey' and 'By the Rivers of Babylon' in our bookcase.

For fans of the action side of the story, I can also recommend Clive Cussler, whose earlier books resemble 'Mayday', including coincidentally one called 'Mayday', although I think its American title was 'The Mediterranean Caper'.

I've never laughed as much or as hard as I did while reading this book. From the very first chapter, "Diary Of A Would-Be Porn Star", where Ford describes a job he once held reviewing porn films, and his hilarious attempts to make his life resemble them, he kept me in stitches with one outrageously funny essay after another, tackling such diverse topics as dating, his aversion to shopping, "The Sound of Music", cybersex, his addiction to Martha Stewart, and of course, Alec Baldwin. Ford's observations are always wickedly funny, and right on target. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it's truly outstanding.

Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me, is one of the funniest books that I have ever read. When I first started reading the book in the bookstore I found myself laughing out loud. I think I read the first three essays before I even made it to the cashier. Michael Thomas Ford's humorous attmept at exposing gay life is a great success.

As a 33 year old budding queer, I saw this book, and started to read. I could hardly put it down! Ford's insights in to life and the queer life are so true to form. I already bought the next book(That's MR. Faggot to you!) and I can't wait to start reading it. Did anyone mention that Mr. Ford is VERY handsome?? Hmmmm?