For any Rifter, this is the must have of the collection. With details of the Pecos Riders and other such empires, the information alone is worth it. But there is also more character classes, weapons and gear than one can shake a stick at. The best part of the sourcebook it that it'll help recall some of the best (and worst) westerns you've seen and BAM instant adventures.

This book is great. I suggest the preacher, which is good for interesting play. For psychic players, there is a psi-slinger and it is great. The best list for the best TW weapons I have ever seen.

Michael Perry's essays are some of the best pieces of writing I have read. His insights always ring true and his words dance across the page in a rhythm that is never disappointing. I'm hoping this author will have more for me read.

A riveting murder mystery involving race and sex in the Old South, "Death of an Overseer" is equally fascinating for what it reveals about the historian's craft. Besides this, it is beautifully written. Historians and the general reader alike will find this book hard to put down.

I own two books of this series (Andalucia and Normady, aka "Across the Channel") and love them both. If your holiday plans ever revolve around finding the best food, or if you're trying to relax, not just go, go, go then these books are perfect. Each short chapter is a separate tour focusing on one excellent restaurant, something worth making a drive for. Then it gives tourist information for the surrounding area (choosing the best of what's around, not just listing everything). Churches, museums and other cultural sites, national parks, a local winery, etc. The idea is that you set out from wherever you're staying, see the suggested sites (most likely something off the beaten path, but there are city suggestions as well) and then settle in for a nice leisurely lunch (ideally something with a great terrace and an incredible view). The practical information on both sites and restaurants is accurate and detailed. Maps and driving directions are included for every little tour. The restaurants tend towards the pricier, but as many of them are small town or country places, they are often quite affordable. I looked this up hoping there was another in the series for my next destination.

This is a horrifingly wonderful book showing the life of Wayne Dresbach. It is well written, portraying the feelings Wayne felt as his horrible childhood turns into a tragic adulthood. I believe this book shows just how life can be unfair and how you always have to take care of yourself. That means doing whatevers necessary. I couldn't put the book down, the way it was written makes you fell as if he were talking to YOU. My advice, read it, love it, remember it.

Professor Edward Younkins has selected 29 articles from newspapers and journals, beginning with Novak's first break from social democracy "A Closet Capitalist Confesses" Washington Post (March 1976) and " An Underpraised and Undervalued System" (Worldview August, 1977) up to "Solidarity in a Time of Globalization." He collects these essays under five headings -- the theory of democratic capitalism; free persons and the common good; religion and morality; the responsibilities of the corporation; the global arena - and concludes with the autobiographical essay "Controversial Engagements." Younkins located these articles in well-known journals such as The Public Interest and First Things, in lesser-known journals such as Worldview, Public Opinion, Economic Affairs (London) The Journal of Ecumenical Studies, and the Dravo Review and previously unpublished material. He has included substantial essays such as "The Communitarian Individual in America," "The Silent Artillery of Communism," "The Evangelical Basis of a Social Market Economy," "The Future of Civil Society," "The Jewish and Christian Foundation of Human Dignity," "Economics as Humanism," and "The International Vocation of American Business." He also retrieved two unpublished pieces, one of which offers a new definition of social justice to overcome the powerful objections of Friedrich Hayek. Much of the periodical literature in which Novak has developed the idea of democratic capitalism over the years appears in this collection, in addition, Younkins appends a valuable bibliography listing further articles. The collection displays the development of Novak's thought on democratic capitalism from its embryonic beginnings through its later unfolding.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy it!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wayne Sarf's Little Bighorn Campaign is a clearly written and accurate account of the famous battle of 1876. Its other great virtue is balance. Sarf presents all aspects of this complex event in a fair and readable manner, a "must read" for anyone interested in the Littler Bighorn Campaign.

If you read one book on the Little Bighorn make it this one. I read it in one sitting . . .couldn't put it down. Sarf has given an easy to read, level account of the events leading up to and including the battle. Clear and easy for the novice to follow and yet broad enough for the avid buff. A great over all account of one of the darkest days in American history.

This book is the best overview of the 1876 Custer Campaign available. Because the author has covered all salient facets of this disaster, the novice reader will gain expert status, and the Custer Buff will be challenged to delve even deeper into the Custer mystery. This book is a pleasurable read and will always will be kept close at hand.

It's been some time since I last read this biography of Wayne Rainey, but I certainly remember the emotions, and especially the growing pride, I felt with each turned page. The writing was very easy to read, and the content flowed well from Wayne's childhood and foundation of a Champion in the making, through his personal relationships, and to the present (time of writing). I recommend this book to all that loved to watch his battles with Eddie Lawson, Kevin Schwantz, Freddie Spencer, and Mick Doohan, and wish to simply know more about the Champion. And I recommend it to anyone that thinks the world and life aren't fair. Perservere!

I met wayne as a fan in 1987 at Road Atlanta when he rode for Honda after having read so many magazines about him.I never Heard of Kevin Schwantz until that weekend and Wayne despite being very busy, courteously found time to have Shay take a photo of both of us and give me an autograph.He was so receptive and pleasant.That weekend I watched in awe his amazing battle against Kevin's Suzuki and would never forget that day for the rest of my life.Then I continued to watch him on TV from 1988 to that fateful day.The book brought tears and lumps in my throat.This book tells it all and is a must buy.I am also a racer a know the will and the determination to win at all costs.This book also helps us analyze ourselves and our personal relationship with GOD.A precious collector's item to have.

This is a must for every motorcycle racing fan. I am a GP fan but unfortunately Wayne's career ended a couple of years before I started getting into bike racing. This book is an amazing tale of courage. I could not imagine going through what he had to go through. One of the best biographies I have ever read.

Radencich has produced a work of art in this book. The photographs are outstanding, and there are not enough superlatives to do them justice. The steps are so well done as to present a short course in photos alone. Very well done.

As other reviewers have noted, this book is not strong on its historical content or presentation of utilitarian (read: flies for fish...) patterns. It also goes into excruciating detail on wall mounts which while interesting, might have been better spent on other patterns. I found the section on hook making to be very interesting and unique in the literature of salmon flies. This book is hard to put down and sets a new standard of graphics for this genre. Well done, Michael.

Radencich's book is nicely written and proved very helpful in thje areas of tying instruction and techniques. Color photography is used extensively throughout and is finely detailed. The chapters on custom hook making and fly mounting are nice additions to the book as it really concentrates on presentation type flies. If I have any complaint at all is that the book does devote a lot of its content to complicated modern patterns and not what I considered true "classic" flies. Though many of these flies are beautiful and, without exception beautifully dressed, I was hoping for a more traditional selection. Also included is a great method for substituting Indian Crow, which I'll be attempting soon. I wished for an expanded section on the substitution of the all but impossible to obtain feathers. This is a major issue for the modern tyer of these patterns and would have been a welcome addition. If the feather in some of the fly patterns that is referred to as "speckled bustard substitute" isn't natural bustard I'd be surprised. It sure isn't turkey! Overall I'd highly recommend this book as a guide to the mechanics of fully dressed salmon flies. My flies have been better proportioned and more neatly tied since I began utilizing some of his tips and I've been tying these patterns for over 15 years. Thanks Mr Radencich

Distinguished by sharp colour photography and clean layout, this book is highly recommended as a reference work for anyone interested in tying and presenting the Classic Salmon fly. I enjoyed the chapter on hook making, (flashbacks to college metal work days), and having previously undertaken some picture framing, found the tips in the fly mounting chapter very useful.The colour photography of the Traherne collection and other patterns presented is excellent. The books contents will be of considerable use to beginner and expert alike.