Book 1 of The Seventh Sword

While the formula is now become traditional (man from our world transported to a different universe), this story is an absolute delight to read. The prose is very descriptive and evocative without being flowery or tedious (a very difficult tightrope to walk), the characters quickly develop depth and personalities, and it is very, very easy to suspend disbelief and immerse yourself in the story. The ending prepares you for the next book without really being a cliff-hanger. Sword and sorcery, sort of -- with a twist. Does Clarke's Law explain everything? You decide..

I'd rate this 'G.'

It kills me that this book (and the series) isn't available in a more durable (hardcover) edition! This is one of my favorite series and I have read and re-read it several times over the last few years. Duncan has taken the old "stranger in a strange land" fantasy novel and given it a fresh and delightful new feel. Read the series the first time just to enjoy the interaction. Read it again to see just how many clues leading up to the ending that you missed (and then tell everyone you really knew they were there all along! :) ). Gives the series a try! It is worth your time.

"The Reluctant Swordsman" (Seventh Sword, Book 1)introduces the characters and world/universe the author continues with in "The Coming of Wisdom" (Seventh Sword, Book 2)and "The Destiny of the Sword" (Seventh Sword, Book 3). This is a brilliant trilogy which remains at the top of Dave Duncan's impressive body of work. This first book introduces the main character to the world/universe and the other characters. Then he is presented with a problem, beyond just adjusting to everything, which he overcomes by the end of the book. So this is a full stand-alone story which can be read by itself. The next two books don't just follow this first one. They reveal things which the author put there all along, giving the reader a new appreciation of the characters and events. That sounds confusing, but read it and see.

The characters remind me of Dungeons and Dragons Roll Playing Games (D&D RPG's). The hero is a 7th level swordsman who picks up a 7th level priest as a travelling companion. There is the same satisfaction of watching a companion swordsman advance through the ranks as there is developing your own character's skill levels in an RPG. There are also some other character types familiar to RPG's (archer's are held in contempt). This is not one of those cheap knockoffs on a D&D game though. This is just one element of the world the author has created which is kind of fun.

The author created a universe with a multitude of gods, like the Greek and Roman gods. While this is very common in the sword and sorcery genre, Dave Duncan has made the gods active participants in his story. One god makes repeated appearances, talks with the hero, and performs the occasional miracle. The author is able to keep the gods from completely overshadowing the human characters by stressing how they value "free will" for there own purposes. The author's brilliant use of deity characters (a recurring element throughout his best series) add facets to this story which lift it above a simple Conan type "guy with sword" story.

This trilogy has a detailed, multi-leveled plot which twists enough to keep you in suspense right up until the ending. And the ending reaches the appropriate dramatic climax, then has a satisfying denouement where the characters reap their rewards and the author ties up any loose ends. When this book ended, I was left saying, "Wow, imagine that!"

The only thing I can even think of that I didn't like about this trilogy is that it ended. The author really wrapped things up for the characters. It would be almost impossible to continue the story. I do hope that Dave Duncan comes back to this world with some new characters though. Maybe the old characters can have a cameo in the new story. . .

Get The Ring is an excellent six CD audio collection that provides invaluable insight for singles about finding the right person for marriage. David LeVine interviews many reliable resources within the Jewish Dating Community who provide common sense back to basics advise. Whereas this CD is a bit more focused on the Jewish Community, persons of other faiths can certainly utilize this information.

The people interviewed on this CD set all have varying styles. Rabbi Shimon Green is certainly the must humorous of the bunch. Lawrence Kelemen certainly reflects on societal issues the most. Excellent points on how seeking the one you love is not taught in school. Too much of an emphasis on veneral diseases instead of how to treat a member of the opposite sex.

Regardless of who is speaking, excellent advise flows like a river into a stream. Its important for single people to evaluate strengths and weaknesses carefully. What are key deal breakers? Also what are potential red flags? Its very important to notice how someone treats those whom he or she has a casual relationship with like a telephone operator.

Also the importance of physical attraction, ethics, and how long should one date someone. Another key point is to network when dating someone. Getting recommendations from trustworthy people always helps. You are oh so precious why not go the extra mile.

Other sections emphasize the value of being humble and acts of kindness as more important than raw chemistry. Kindness and a humble attitude can actually create long lasting chemistry as opposed to a flash in the pan relationship where both parties never take the time to know the person.

I could emphasize so many other good moments of this CD for many more moments. However the deep meaning behind the words of wisdom from these speakers is what will provide long lasting knowledge to many single people out there. This is a must purchase for anyone in search for true love.

Dear Mr. Levine,

Thank you so much for putting together this comprehensive overview on love, dating and marriage. I always thought I knew everything one needed to know about finding a mate until I listened to your Cd's and heard what your experts had to say! Wow, now I have a whole new attitude and approach to dating and relationships. Never before had I heard the information that was revealed, such as who to say NO to after one date, what qualities are a MUST to determine the right mate and what's needed in the foundation of a relationship to make a happy home. I am very excited to begin my search with a new perspective, thanks again and come dance at my wedding - soon!!

Warmest Regards,
DLR 33 from NYC

Get the Ring is a must-buy! There is at least something (actually, lots of things) for everyone on every single CD. I myself was amazed at how the series seemed to be talking personally to me. The issues it addresses are exactly the ones that I have come up against again and again while dating.

For example, the information about the differences between men and women is priceless. I know that lots of people today have trouble with this idea, but what can you do? Men and women really are different, and this series does an excellent job of describing each one fairly.

Not looking for perfection is another key theme that struck home. I found that I have really been looking for that "perfect" someone, just like in the movies and the novels, and that's one reason why I've always been disappointed in relationships - they never measured up!

The advice on actual dating is terrific. Even though it might not all be relevant to everyone, there are a lot of good, sound principles in there that can be applied in different ways to fit different situations - for example, the need for down time, which is something I had been ignoring.

Another aspect of the series that I really appreciated was the emphasis on character development and how the person you are is what's really going to determine the nature of the relationship and how well it goes. That was a big revelation to me.

The 10 ways to marry the wrong person are fantastic! I felt like whacking myself on the head with each one. Why couldn't I have heard this five years ago?!

But the biggest advantage to Get the Ring is how realistic it is. On the one hand, it dispels a lot of illusions that people (including me) have (in my case had, because I already heard the series) about dating and marriage. But on the other hand, it doesn't leave you with the feeling that you're stranded holding a burst balloon. Each speaker explains - with lots of empathy, I must add - how to rebuild your outlook on dating so that, if you follow their guidelines, you're sure to be more successful in the future.

If you are dating - or married, for that matter - than you owe it to yourself to buy "Get the Ring." Even if you never listen to self-help products, change your policy this one time. I promise you that you won't regret it. I didn't. I am now going out with someone and Get the Ring is my bible - and things are going great!

I have read many anthropological ethnographies and personal descriptions; this is perhaps the best I've read. (Another interesting book about the Yanamami, by a woman anthropologist, is Shabono.) I wanted to add to the previously contributed reviews that there is a follow-up documentary, done by National Geographic Society (I believe) a few years after the book was written, which describes what happened to the marriage between Kenneth Good and his Yanamamo wife. His wife was completely unprepared for life in the West and had almost no support systems available to her. She ended up returning to her people.

I have used Ken Good's book, Into the Heart, as a text in my anthropology classes with great success. This is a captivating book that students devour, students have told me that they pass this book on to family members after reading it in class. It does much to dispel the erroneous claims that the Yanomama are somehow an overly fierce and unusually violent people. Good's extensive ethnographic experience and detailed account of Yanomama life make this a classic ethnographic text that will last for generations to come.

Ken Good's Into the Heart is a valuable addition to anthropological literature for several reasons: it gives us a personal account of the trials, tribulations, and rewards of fieldwork; it adds some balance to the literature on the Yanomama, which has at times focused almost obsessively on the violent aspects of their culture; and it provides a context within which some aspects of the ethics of ethnographic fieldwork can be discussed.

Ken's book is an account of the encounter between one anthropologist and the people he studied. It is absorbing always, joyful at times, painful at other times, and it certainly contains lessons about the difficulties of cross-cultural relationships.

Ronald Kephart Ph.D., Anthropology

Pecar and Garbin have the rare ability to convey a complex technical subject in an easy to understand manner. The New Telecom Factbook can be read from cover to cover, piecemeal, or be used as a reference manual. This book weaves the confluence of Telecom Network Architecture, Technology, Regulation, and Services into a story of amazing clarity. If you need to rapidly come up to speed in Telecom, I highly recommend this book. If you are getting started in Optical Networking this book will be an important tool to help you place the current optical build-out into perspective. I will refer to this book often. -Brad Boersen, MIT System Design and Management Program

The New McGraw Hill Telecom Factbook 2d Edition by Joe Pecar and Dave Garbin is one of the best reference books I have ever used.It is long overdue and a must have reference on your shelf. It addresses subjects that other authors seem to treat only slightly if at all. The authors ability to explain complex subject s in a clear easily understandable manner is unique. The many illustrations and diagrams are usable by both lay persons and engineers alike. This would have been an excellent text to have had available for my college courses. This book is a key reference in my program office and I continually need to add more copies.I recommend the reading and use of this factbook to all professionasl and laymen alike who are serious about understanding the modern complex world of Telecommunications and Information Systems. Norman D Jorstad, Telecom and Information Systems Engineer and Program Manager.

Pecar and Garbin have the rare ability to convey a complex technical subject in an easy to understand manner. The New Telecom Factbook can be read from cover to cover, piecemeal, or be used simply as a reference manual. This book weaves the confluence of Telecom Network Architecture, Technology, Regulation, and Services into a story of amazing clarity. If you need to rapidly come up to speed in Telecom, I highly recommend this book. If you are getting started in Optical Networking this book will be an important tool to help you place the optical build-out into perspective. I enjoyed reading this book and will refer to it often. -Brad Boersen, MIT System Design and Management Program

Required to read Henry for my AP English Language class, I came into the play with a bias. I honestly felt that it would be a boring political play. I was utterly wrong! A huge fan of Shakespeare, I found Henry V to be a formidable match for the Bard's more critically acclaimed plays, such as Hamlet and Macbeth. Henry has it all! Shakespeare's attitude toward Henry the King is certainly one of admiration. By communicating the fact that an effective monarch must have a complete understanding of the common subjects (Pistol and Bardolph and Quickly), Shakespeare sets up Henry to be the ideal Christian king. The controlled language of Henry's speeches, particularly his response to the Dauphin's idiotic insult, also glorifies Henry. I certainly recommend this play to anyone, fan of Shakespeare or not.

Written by Shakespeare for Queen Elizabeth I amidst a time of Irish rebellion, Henry V more than adequately serves its intended purpose of galvanizing nationalistic fervor. It proved itself to be an unwavering and unfaltering impetus of patriotism in Shakespeare's day, during WWII, and still today it continues to resonate and reverberate this provocatively telling tale of the most gloriously revered monarch in English history.

Henry V's stirring orations prior to the victorious battles of Harfleur("Once more unto the breach") and Agincourt("We few, we happy few, we band of brothers") astonish and inspire me every time I read them. Simply amazing. Having read Henry IV Parts I&II beforehand, I was surprised Shakespeare failed to live up to his word in the Epilogue of Part II in which he promised to "continue the story, with Sir John in it." The continuing follies of the conniving Bardolph, Nym, & Pistol and their ignominious thieving prove to be somewhat of a depricating underplot which nevertheless proves to act as a succinct metaphor for King Harry's "taking" of France.

Powerful and vibrant, the character of Henry V evokes passion and unadulterated admiration through his incredible valor & strength of conviction in a time of utter despondency. It is this conviction and passion which transcends time, and moreover, the very pages that Shakespeare's words are written upon. I find it impossible to overstate the absolute and impregnable puissance of Henry V, a play which I undoubtedly rate as the obligatory cream of the crop of Shakespeare's Histories. I recommend reading Henry IV I&II prior to Henry V as well as viewing Kenneth Branagh's masterpiece film subsequent to reading the equally moving work.

On D-Day British officers read Henry's famous words to their men as they approached the beach. When Churchill needed material for his famous "Few" speech, his thoughts turned to the pages of Henry V. From "once more into the breach" to "we happy few, we band of brothers" this play resonates with Shakespeare's paen to England's warrior king. Oh, you'll be a bit confused at the start if you haven't read Henry IV parts 1 and 2, but this is primarily the story of Henry V's victory at Agincourt. Whether the play glorifies war or just Henry you will have to decide. There is much food for thought here for the perceptive reader. But then Shakespeare is always provocative.

As a professional economist who is constantly looking for better ways to communicate the essence of economics to non economists, I couldn't be more enthusiastic about Henderson's The Joy of Freedom. Without mind numbing diagrams and equations, Henderson conveys more economic understanding than any of the standard text books I know--and I know a lot of them, having written a few myself. And it is not just economic concepts and the standard perspective on economic efficiency that he communicates so compellingly. With a personal story beautifully woven into the narrative, Henderson shows how humane and socially concerned economists can be (and generally are). Read this book and find out that economists can be passionate in wanting to make this world a better place, and have real guide posts in going about it, guide posts that elevate the ideal of freedom to the central organizing principle. The next time I teach a principles courses I'm going to do my students a tremendous favor by using David Henderson's The Joy of Freedom: An Economists Odyssey as the main text.

In the mid-80s, I took a casual poll of free market leaders:
What are the top-five free-market books for a novice to read?

Every one of them put Henry Hazlitt's "Economics in One
Lesson" on his or her list, typically at the top.

If I were to repeat the poll now, I suspect Hazlitt's classic
will have a contender for first place, my friend David
Henderson's "The Joy of Freedom."

Henderson seduces the reader with his personal stories,
like why as a college kid in Canada he resigned from
a great summer job measuring trees. His stories are
so much fun to read that learning economics kinda
sneaks up on you.

Indeed, it's Henderson's charm that is the anti-dote
for what von Mises called the "Anti-Capitalist Mentality."
(BTW, Mises' book of that title was on many 'top-five'
lists, and Bastiat's "The Law" was on every list.)

You'll want an extra copy or two of "Joy of Freedom"
for lending to friends who do not share your love of
freedom, especially those who will even argue about its
meaning.

David Henderson is my friend and I helped him with this book, so I suppose I'm biased. But my familiarity can help you decide whether to buy this book or not.

The Joy of Freedom is the work of an exceptional teacher who has a skill for communicating economic concepts. It is the result of his lifelong desire to understand the world, to better himself, and to help others. As the reader, we walk side by side with David as he struggles to understand complex and important issues. He tells us stories from his life, from childhood through his successful career as an economist. The result is an interesting, easy-to-read, understandable, and enjoyable book about some of the more pressing problems of our time. How many other books can make that claim?

If you care about your personal retirement assets, your ability to get good health care, the education of yourself or your children, your rights and security, the inner workings of the government, the laws of economics, discrimination, or the environment, this book has something for you. You don't have to agree with everything Dr. Henderson says. In fact, because he is such a good thinker and communicator, his path of discovery should help you on your own, whatever course it may take.

This is the comprehensive, huge, heavy, expensive book that used to scare me to death at the bookstore when I was just contemplating getting a computer 2 years ago and abandoning my life as a Ludite. These books are actually pussycats and just big and heavy because they contain every single particle of information about Quark that you could ever want to know. It is written in plain English and begins at the beginning. Follow it through and you will come out the other side a Quark Guru. It is a fabulous resource when you get stuck and just can't remember how to do something or what this or that tool does. It really does answer any question you might have about how to Quark. Essential for Quark freaks and geeks and wannabes.

David Blatner's sense of style and wit are put to excellent use in this manual for QuarkXPress, easily one the best software books on the market, and light years ahead of everything else written on Quark. Unlike other computer writers who seem to insist on demonstrating their sense of humor in every other paragraph, Blatner's observations are sometimes serious, sometimes witty, and never dull. This book is also very well designed and easy to read, which also bucks the current computer book trend. The computer software third party book industry has released the most awful prose and hideous book designs in the history of books. Blatner has gone against the grain of mediocrity and put out this insightful and quiet giant of a work. His Real World Photoshop 5, written with Bruce Fraser, continues the trend. Now if only he would replace Deke McClelland and write the definitive work on Illustrator!

This book is one of the best I have run across for learning and using a piece of software. I needed to learn Quark quickly and after reading his "Learn QX in 30 minutes" chapter, I felt I had enough of a handle to get started on a project.

I am constantly referring to the book now as a reference.

Can't go wrong with this one.

Enough with exposês of the latest corporate scandal. It's refreshing to read a book that features companies that are doing the Right Thing. Better yet, the author gives me a road map for making changes in my own company as well. Saving the Corporate Soul is obviously written by a journalist who knows how to tell stories. He adds in events that have taken place in his own business experience, and those are some of the best parts of the book. I've already told everyone at my company that this is a "must book" to read.

Finally, a book that outlines what CAN BE RIGHT with the corporate world. I've been a fan of David Batstone's journalism for years. In Saving the Corporate Soul, he outlines what all of us--leaders, managers, office workers--need to do to fix what's wrong with business in America. His eight principles are right on--and readily implementable. I've bought a copy for everyone on my management team. Read it now.

David Batstone's excellent book on corporate integrity is a must-read for executives and managers who want ideas on how to create profitable but soulful businesses that show heart as well as logic. This is not a text that preaches from the pulpit or revels in moral condemnation of Enron's misdeeds. For those of us who are sick to the teeth of reading Enron/Anderson post-mortems, Batstone's book will come as a refreshing change.

Reputation building has always been a profitable way to grow a business. 'Reputation is not the same thing as a brand' Batstone says. Instead he says, 'Reputation is the perceived character a company holds to public eye', which is probably the best definition this reviewer has read. Using the eight principles outlined in the book, managers are guided through examples that have helped or hindered individual companies. IKEA vs Home Depot for example is cited in the Community section of the book - the underlying principle being 'A company will think of itself as part of a community as well as a market'. Which one would you rather have open a store in your community, and why? For the record, the residents of Mountain View, CA (a pretty town near to Silicon Valley) said they'd prefer an IKEA, and not because they like modular Swedish furniture.

The eight principles outlined in the book are:

Principle One: The directors and executives of a company will align their personal interests with the fate of stakeholders and act in a responsible way to ensure the vitality of the enterprise.

Principle Two: A company's business operations will be transparent to shareholder, employees and the public and its executives will stand by the integrity of their decisions.

Principle Three: A company will think of itself as part of a community as well as a market.

Principle Four: A company will represent its products honestly to customers and honor their dignity up to and beyond a transaction.

Principle Five: The worker will be treated as a valuable team member, not just a hired hand.

Principle Six: The environment will be treated as a silent stakeholder, a party to which the company is wholly accountable.

Principle Seven: A company will strive for balance, diversity and equality in its relationships with workers, customers and suppliers.

Principle Eight: A company will pursue international trade and production based on respect for the rights of workers and citizens of trade partner nations.

If you are looking for one book to share with others in your organization to start a discussion on integrity and reputation, Saving the Corporate Soul should be it.

Ulrich's book is not excellent guide for not only HR managers, it should be read by all professionals working with human and their values. I'm waiting for new books of Ulrich.

Ulrich presents one of the better models of human resources management. He addressess and answers once and for all the stress which is felt by all HR practitioners between the demand for providing administrative support for their organizations and the need to paly a role in the proactive business strategy development. Ulrich is one of the few academics who clearly knows his way around the HR practitioner world. His strategy chapter is worth the purchase price of the book. The only regret is the title of the book which I am afraid will diminish possible readership.

Purchased the book after hearing Mr. Ulrich speak at the 1998 American Society of Healthcare Human Resources Association Convention in Phoenix. One of his initial comments at his talk was that he would be guilty of taking his ideas and making them practical realities. Although the talk was excellent, the book was better. A practical guide to taking HR to the next level. A challenge to practitioners to move beyond doing things to delivering quality activities to the organization. This book will become a classic.

"The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail" is a play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, who also coauthored the classic "Inherit the Wind." "Night" is inspired by the life and writings of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), naturalist, political radical, and seminal American intellectual figure. The play was first performed in 1970.

"Night" takes place during a night when Thoreau was jailed for an act of civil disobedience: he refused to pay a tax in defiance of the Polk administration's Mexican War. The action of the play consists of a series of interconnected, dreamlike scenes that explore Thoreau's life, ideals, and relationships. We see his theory of education, his strong opposition to slavery, his family ties, and, quite strikingly, his problematic yet enduring relationship with fellow American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson. Particularly moving is Thoreau's encounter with an escaped slave.

"Night" is a moving, even inspiring, play. Thoreau is celebrated as not merely a crucial thinker and a great man, but as a truly transcendent figure: a prophet whose voice continues to resound. Highly recommended for literature classes, reading groups, and individual readers.

Review of ¡°The night Thoreau Spent in Jail¡± Henry David Thoreau, born in Concord, Massachusetts, in early 1800¡¯s, rejected paying taxes because the U.S. government exercised its authority to the slaves, Mexicans, and pageants through the fugitives slave law, the Mexican War, and so on. The play, ¡°The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail,¡± written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is based on his spending one night in jail. The circumstance, a cell in the prison, allowed him to recall his past and discover himself as a pencil-maker, a school teacher, an author, a handy man, etc. Each scene implies his various talents as showing him not just as a great philosopher or a writer, but as a human being.

Thoreau had been inspired by the humanism speech of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who was the Sage of Concord. In order to follow Waldo¡¯s lecture, he declared himself free, and he tried not to yield another¡¯s will. He practiced his philosophy by teaching the nature to the students, trying to distinguish himself from others, surveying living things in the meadow, and refusing the taxes to the unfair government. He was so called, a ¡°transcendentalist¡±, and he kept emphasizing ¡°BE YOUR OWN MAN!¡± His saying, ¡°The freest man in the world! And you, out there, are chained to what you have to do tomorrow morning!¡± in jail showed his position against the civilization and the world. After spending one night in jail, Thoreau eventually decided to face the real lives instead of avoiding them.

Thoreau met another prisoner, Bailey, who had waited for the chance to prove his guiltlessness and had never spoken up for himself to avoid trouble. Bailey barely understood what happened in the world or what were right things to be done. He stands for the victims, who can¡¯t get along with others and be protected by the authorities, like Henry Williams, an escapee and slave trying to get to Canada. On the other hand, Deacon Nehemiah ball, the chairman of the Concord School Committee, stuck to insisting on having an obedient attitude, taking the strict policy. He is the symbol of the power and violence.

Thoreau¡¯s brother, John, understood, supported, and ran the meadow school with Thoreau, but he died young from lockjaw. Besides John, the young lady Ellen Sewell also understood Thoreau¡¯s transcendentalism. She attended his lectures and attracted his attention. However, she didn¡¯t dare to stand up to the authority. One more woman is there, Lydian Emerson, who is Dr. Emerson¡¯s obedient wife. She, who is warm-hearted, tries to make Thoreau get in the mainstream. Despite her sympathy toward Thoreau, she maintains her position, observing the majority. Sam Stapler, the constable in Concord, has difficulties because he persuades Thoreau to pay his dues. Finally, he carries out the law and arrests Thoreau.

This play is not just for those who started to know new spirits, which are the transcendental movement and the abolition movement in the late 1800¡¯s, but for all of us who are educated, rationalized, and law-abiding in the societies, so that we can justify their own determinations. We always assimilate social conditions to be alike. We often forget thinking about what we are doing as keeping pace with others. This play is insightful enough to extend their point of view about the world and think over our attitudes toward societies. It deserves the best compliment and is recommended to read. Why don¡¯t you stop wandering around in your cage to see your outside world?

This is a great play to read before reading anything by Thoreau himself--it will help you to get a better understanding of him. Also great for Thoreau fans, or anyone who likes to read something worthwhile. This book is simply amazing, you will not regret reading it. I don't often cry when reading....but I'll admit that I did when reading this one. The authors of this play depicted Henry David Thoreau's life and philosophies so clearly yet with such an eloquent and touching manner. I loved this play 100% and I will definitely read it again!