A mesmerizing tale of damnation and salvation set in a horrific far future where human bodies are infinitely malleable material for artistic manipulation. This novel is definitely not for the squeamish but it has a real integrity of vision that is both uncompromising and unfliching. But beyond the dazzling narrative of a half-man half-golem Orpheus's descent into hell in search for his beloved, there is a real emotional and moving tale of a lost soul in search of itself, its identity, and the solution to the riddle of its past. And it is this natural blending of an enormous, apocalyptic plot and an intimate portrayal of a vulnerable searcher that makes this novel so intruiging and profound. Highly recommended for those who seek works that use imagery and concepts from sci-fi and fantasy at the highest literary level. A great achievement by one of the most innovative and intelligent writers in the field.

Veniss Underground is one of those books that makes you think about it long after you've read the last word. Vandermeer's prose is astonishingly good, and even though the novel is on the slim side, it packs in so much phantasmagoric detail that you'll swear you've read something twice as long. Vandermeer's style is Gene Wolfe mixed with Samuel Delany and a dash of Hieronymous Bosch added. Simply phenomenal. I definitely see this making some award lists next year. I'm still out of breath, two months after putting it down.

Veniss Underground is an entertaining, action-packed story with real characters that develop (or otherwise mutate) as the story progresses. The only problem with the narrative I found was its numerous references to other authors and artists, which probably everybody else will have a great time with (I know, I'm hard to please)! Considering all the virtues of the book it's a trivial problem: from the word go it is an astonishing and vividly written story with some of the most hallucinogenic descriptions this side of Max Ernst. Knowing something of the author's rep as a "literary" writer, it also comes across as a slight anomaly that this is also a tough in-your-face action-adventure that slithers with ease from a scene of grotesque horror to another by way of mind-enlargingly sur/real set pieces. It is a brilliantly visualized nightmare narrative that sustains its momentum, providing enjoyment for those seeking more esoteric joys as well as the casual reader hungry for a snortin' good time. So what's not to like? VanderMeer delivers the goods in more ways than you'd expect.

I am a leader of a creative writing group. We decided to do poetry in our group as lessons. I have read this book before and decided to use it again for this project. From the members of The Society for Creative Writers in Salina, KS, this is the best book out there for poetry.

If you are in a writing group and planning to do a learning session with poetry from a text, use this book as your text, trust me, your fellow members will be glad that you choose it.

I have to admit that I am a bit skeptical about a book series such as this one and about a book with a title like this. Could it really be that simple? YES. Jeff Mock's book provides the perfect blend of anecdote, writing samples, exercises, advice, and knowledge to help anyone begin to write poetry. While Jeff Mock seems to be highly intelligent, his text is accessible even for the beginning poetry writer. His poems are excellent. I like that he made poetry terminology understandable. His exercises have resulted in many, many poems. Thanks, Jeff Mock!!

I read many books on writing poetry. I picked this up at the same time I did 6 others. While I read this book I ended up writing a dozen poems before I had finished reading it. I have read the others and wrote very few poems in comparison to this one book. I am planning on reading this book again in 2001 I may very well end up writing another dozen poems.

Nate Shaw was the father of my Uncle Oscar Turner's best friend. His real name was Nate Cobb and the family of the son, Lorraine, is prominent in the Middletown, Ohio ghetto.

The author has done a masterful job of illustrating how greatness was thrust upon him. Nate never set out to become a hero, only to protect his own dignity and provide for his children.

I do not believe that there is a better book for teaching about the lies of 20th century sharecroppers. Theirs is an overlooked legacy.

I am hoping that by entering a review here, I can see other reviews that I can use to write a book review on this title. Its due tomorrow! Yikes!

Ted Rosengarten is a masterful writer. All God's Dangers is an amazing undertaking that brings Nate Shaw's story to life. After a few pages, it's almost as if you can hear Nate talking. A must read for anyone interested in history and anyone who wants to learn how a book should be written. And Rosengarten's Tombee, if it can be found, is another must read.

This man is a major role model. Track this book down! He personally says this is his best book!

Here's a few excerpts from essays in the book.

From "Spice of Life":

"Danger - not variety - is the spice of life. ... "Fear" and "terror" are words too oftern used in the Age of the Common Man. [Referred to elsewhere as the "Age of the Wimp".] When I was a lad they were not admissible. Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan, for example, said, "I do not know what you mean by 'fear'. I do not want to die, if that is what you mean, but you speak as if there were something more to it than that." Fear nullifies a man's ability to cope with the danger which gives rise to the fear is an unacceptable emotion."

From his his trip down the lawless and outlawful "Rio Balsas" in Mexico:

"It is my belief that people are afraid of the unknown essentially because they are afraid of freedom. Freedom is scary. While the idea of living without politically imposed limits is glorious to a few, it is terrifying to the many. This is a function of one's ability to cope. Those who feel, rightly or wrongly, that they can cope with whatever happens are enormously outnumbered by those who do not."

From "Nocturne", when Cooper was a security consultant for a coffee plantation owner whose staff was randomly bing killed by communist agents with social change in mind. His client said to him,

"In the twentieth century we have had three classes of wars, all total. First we had the static war of great empires, an essentially defensive war ruled by the technology of the time. This was World War I.

"Then we had the mobile war of national ideologies, in which you served. Its fluidity was likewise dictated by the march of technology. This was World War II.

"And now we have World War III, the war of international ideologies. It's all one war, whether fought in Korea, of Viet Nam, or along the Sino-Indian frontier, of in the streets and on the campuses of your country, or here on my farm. In this one war there are many fronts and many battles. Right here, right now, I do my small best to help us all. As do you."

Cooper replied' "You make me ashamed to take your check, senor."

He's a real pro and his adventures' excitement never comes from error or poor planning, the excitement comes from excellent planning!

A book about history, travel, valour, and living life properly. The Master recounts his personal experiences from a full life well-lived, and does so with eloquence, wit and well-tempered nostalgia. I expecially recommend the chapters dealing with his education, early military career and his devotion to wife and family. His thoughts on weaponry are, as always, well-reasoned and impeccably presented. A must-read. The edition is superb.

This autobiographical collection of short stories are glimpes into the life of an extraordinary man. From crossing the Atlantic in a great ship in the 1920's, to hitting the beach at Iwo Jima as a Marine Officer, to exploring an uncharted river in Mexico, these stories show us what Col. Cooper has accomplished in an America very different from the one we live in.

Amongst many gems ("Art of the Rifle", "Fireworks", "To Ride, Shoot Straight..") this book ranks as his finest work. It shows that age and time have just honed his ability to express events, people, and actions that defined his life. If you like Hemingway, Capstick, or Beryl Markham's writing, then "Another Country" will not disappoint you. If only Theodore Roosevelt had these powers of writing; his life illustrated through this pen would have tremendous.

Aloha! I am the editor of this fine publication (and the owner of more than one completely stained, well worn copy) and wanted to throw in a quick pitch about the Grog Log's place amidst the bevy of "Trendy Tiki Drink Books of Questionable Quality".
If you are a Tiki Freak / Cocktail Enthusiast who legitimately wants to experience these classic recipes in their original, robust forms, the Grog Log is the only way to go. I sought out Jeff Berry after seeing his original self-published Grog Log five or six years ago. I was intensely facinated by these old restaurants and all of the amazingly complex creations they served. No matter how many modern (or vintage) drink books I came across none captured the true nature of these original (mostly) rum drinks (with the possible exception of some of the classics in Trader Vic's own line or the Hawaii Kai Cookbook). Jeff's self-published, xeroxed zine was the only authentic source.
We decided to team up to do an expanded mass produced version of the book to make it available to a wider (although niche) audience. Since that time (1998) the Tiki craze has exploded and more Tiki-focused drink books have been released. Don't get me wrong ... I own each of them myself ... for the most part the art, design, and production make them interesting ... but for actual recipe content they are sadly lacking. If you really want to dial up the way back machine and sip with the Masters (Trader Vic, Donn Beach, etc.) the Grog Log is for you.
NEWSFLASH: Jeff and I are just about done with a sequel to the Grog Log titled "Intoxica!" to be released in the Summer of '02. Check back often to Amazon.com as they'll be selling it once it's available. Mahalo!

You finally found it -- the ultimate cocktail recipe book. Click that "buy now" button and begin your exciting journey into a land of exotic tastes and potent potions. I've had a blast hunting down the ingredients and whipping up drinks for my friends. I own many cocktail recipe books, but this is the one I always use.

Most highly recommended!

This book is great fun! My copy is already stained with the Blue Curacao, and sticky with Marachino Cherry juice. Lots of great recipes- some easy to make and others an adventure to find all the ingredients, but all of them are tasty and impressive. Wonderful graphics to check out while your blender is running. There is even a guide to how potent your potion will be and what type of glass to serve it in. Really a great book--

I am very excited about this book and the history,This story is about my family ,, Frances Short Smith is my Great- Great Aunt ,, I recall the stories from my Grandfather ,, and looking at the origanal book was so exciting ,, this is a must for history buffs ,,,,

By pure luck, I ran across this excellent first hand account of the Smith brothers captivity by Comanches in Texas. Written before a revisionist philosophy dominated history writing, their accounts of Indian raids and murders in Texas in the 1870s are the opposite of what is usually written or shown on screen today. My sympathies are with the Texas pioneers who suffered so much. Outstanding reading from such a little book.

Amazing story of a boy who was captured and lived with the Comanche Indians for five years. He actually became a Comanche and identified as an Indian while he was with them. Fought with them against other tribes and the US army, etc. Told in an absolutely matter of fact manner. Written in 1927 so not "politically correct" but gives an amazing view of frontier life and life with the Indians. It is in print.

Jeff Wilson, a Buddhist who practices in the Pure Land tradition, has written an indispensable guide to Buddhist practice in New York City...

His book is very reader friendly and gives a tremendous feel for all the various places to practice which are available in the tri-state area...the book is a must have for both the experienced practitioner who wants to have a guide and the new practitioner who is looking for a sangha...

I bought this book mainly to get a better feel for the various Buddhist sects proliferating today, as the book has a great capsule overview of what the focus of each main group is. However, the book is book insightful and amusing, and will save the novice Buddhist visitor or tourist many a misstep or faus pas, not to mention wasted time. Wilson gives great, easy to follow information and covers not only NYC but I think the whole state. Definitely goes in my bag the next time I take a trip north!

A Bread-and-Buddha book, a MUST, for any visitor to New York City or State.

This book is SUCH an easy read. It explains everything you'd need to know in plain english and gives many real life examples. I've just started to put what I've learned in the book into practice and I can't wait to see the results.
Two things would have made this a better book: 1) a tearout that can be used as a quick reference guide and 2) it really could use to be updated. It was written in 1986 and many organic and chemical products have been introduced since then that I would like to get his take on.

I was quite starved for information to help me repair drought damage to my front lawn as well as seed a new lawn from scratch in the backyard. I read the book from cover to cover quite quickly and I feel somewhat enlightened. The concepts put forth by Stuart et al for maintaining a healthy lawn are quite simple to understand and execute. Each aspect from choosing a grass type to how to effectively seed and then eventually maintain your lawn is covered in detail in its own chapter. One aspect of the book which I particularly enjoyed was the explanations of exactly what you need to do to cause problems in your yard. I think sometimes its just as important to be informed how to to screw up as it is to do things right. Sometimes people can accidently kill their lawns without the knowledge of exactly what they are doing wrong. The book covers the functions of different chemical approaches to lawn care, but maintains that natural care is the most cost effective and safest way to maintain a lawn in the long term. I was very impressed by the book, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

This is the best book I have read on the topic. It is clearly written, and loaded with useful information. I recommend it as a great book for those who want to understand why their lawn looks so bad.

Its a "behind the scenes" of rise of a young, talented artist. Its not too often you get to hear and see an artist's perspective of another artist.

Merri was allowed to photograph Jeff when he was starting out in New York and became his exclusive photographer. The pictures are outtakes from the album artwork and live shots of Jeff in concert.

If you are a true fan of Jeff Buckley, you have to have this book.

I think of something so hot, you can't stand to touch it for longer then a second--but that one second leaves a burn and scar and memory that will last forever. That's how I think of Jeff, from his music, and how this book presents him. It's a book celebrating his life, which, by fate, memorializes his death. Jeff "was." He didn't make enough music before he became a past tense, but what he left is worth the continued praise and thoughts it still generates. I wish I could send every teenager who likes boy bands this book, to show them what a real artist looks like.

The photographs are beautiful, and the anecdotes are truly insightful. I'm used to reading about how Jeff touched so many fans. This book differs in that those who really knew him offer glimpses into his personality. Very candid and touching in parts. Highly recommended.

Like the other reviewers, I loved this book. It will keep you interested in running for a long time to come. Henderson makes sense.

But I want to make sure that serious runners know what the book is really about. It's not a book about developing a competitive edge--at least not in the normal sense. It's not about living on the edge--in terms of high mileage training. It's about not falling off the edge--that is, staying healthy and interested in running over the long haul.

As much as I loved the book, I couldn't give it 5 stars because right now I'm in the competitive mode, determined to qualify and run the Boston Marathon. I need more tough training right now than Henderson promotes.

Once I run Boston, I'll come back to this book and love it more than ever.

I've only been running for about a year, and I was afraid this book would be too technical, or too focused on competitive/marathon runners. But I've gone through this book with a highlighter time and time again finding helpful tips to make running safer, healthier, and more fun. It's a keeper!

I am a triathlete, and as such I am always searching for ways to increase both my endurance and my enjoyment of excersize. Joe Henderson, not only makes reading about running fun but offers some unique and worthwhile suggestions for even the serious athlete.

Hey if it isn't still fun to run then read this book and follow his advice. Before long you will wonder why did not think to make these changes earlier and save yourself some unproductive pain.

Also, many of these lessons transfer nicely into other sports so do not be afraid to try them out.