I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts of as what appears to be a breezy summer read with plenty of romance and some hot and heavy sex scenes thrown in for good measure. However, the denouement reveals that the book is much more than this. All the loose ends are tied together beautifully in the thought-provoking ending. The spirituality of the book really gets one thinking about the relationships in one's life. Why are we drawn to the people in our lives? What purpose do we serve in the lives of others? Do the choices we make in life have a greater cosmic significance than we know? Read this book. Laugh, cry, fantasize, enjoy, and reflect on your own place in the universe and the effect your actions have on others in this world and in the greater cosmic realm.

Knights in Shining Armor Sometimes Play Guitars is a
contemporary romance that refuses to be categorized by
normal standards. It is romance, it is how to be a
great lover, it is suspense, most of all it is a love
story. You will fall in love with Johanna, a brilliant
mid-management executive and Ian, a rock star from the
sixties who is enjoying continual fame and revival, as
they fall in love with each other. The fact that
Johanna has followed his career and had a secret crush
on him for the past 25 years plays a part in their
co-incidental meeting. D.P. McHenry draws the
characters so fully formed you set aside the knowledge
that you are reading fiction. The warmth of the
characters, the realistic trials, tribulations and
triumphs will have you laughing as they appreciate
life, crying as they miss each other through
circumstances out of their control and cheering as
everything seems to be winding down to a satisfactory
conclusion. Sensual love scenes tastefully done are a
great plus for this wonderful read.

Suddenly, you realize that Johanna and Ian's love
story has come full circle they are together. Then
your heart sinks because fate has to drop kick the
hero, heroine, or both, into some horrendous trial
because you are only at the halfway point in the book.
D.P. McHenry throws in her first twist here. The first
part of the book aptly titled 'Lady Slippers and Fairy
Dust' is over. Kate's Story part 2- the woman who the
book is really about, has just begun. DP McHenry has
created every woman's fantasy the perfect romance with
the perfect man in the Fairy Dust part 1. Which is
also the book Kate wrote we discover in part 2. The
book she has written to encompass her fantasy begins
to create eerie similarities to her real life. A book
signing and television appearance signal a start of
events that rival a King or Koontz novel for suspense.
This is no ordinary romance story told in the normal
order. It is not easy to tell you how the two parts
connect, but connect perfectly they do. The author has
skill fully manipulated the plot to ensure continuity
and an engaging read.
First, the reader becomes entangled -happily and
willingly - in Kate's life, but now it's hard to
separate her life from Johanna and Simon's life from
Ian's. The author is not through with us yet she
isn't about to tell us a sweet love story we thought
we were reading in the beginning. Hero meets heroine,
they fall in love, they sleep together, they live
happily every after, sorry this is not Knights in
Shining Armor... D.P. McHenry mimics real life with a few
more twists and turns that catapult the story into
high gear as we race toward the end. We cry for Kate,
we want to shake her for not seeing what we see. Our
hearts ache for Simon, because he can't see the
anguish Kate is going through that matches his own.
The final twist terror squeezing our hearts as we
follow the people we have grown to love and we find

ourselves praying for the happy endings that all love
stories have, though we are never sure. We are hanging
on by the skillful thread D.P. McHenry tethers us with
to the story.

The lyrics Ian/Simon write for Johanna/Kate are the
thread tying the two stories into a book you'll stay
up nights to read. You will want to set the book aside
after each chapter to savor the romantic renderings of
each. Until nearly the end, you will not be in a big
hurry to read forward as it is so much fun to loll in the
forever romantic of McHenry's portrayal of the woman
we all wish we were. For this reason, towards the
end, McHenry pulls out all the stops, drops a bomb on
the reader and then you need to race through the book
to the satisfying - you hope - conclusion.

Mc Henry knows what keeps a reader reading -
believable characters with a believable story. I would
highly recommend this book to the romantic in all of
us, but also for those who want an engaging story told
with the skill of a master. Don't think women only.
Men who are interested in becoming every woman's
fantasy, learn how. Read Knights in Shinning Armor
Sometimes Play Guitars and I guarantee you, you will
not have to play the guitar to snare a mate.

Admit it - what woman hasn't dreamt of actually meeting the rock star she's idolized? And what if he then falls in love with her? "Knights in Shining Armor" explores this theme, and much else, in such a believable style that you are quickly caught up in the dilemma. The work is actually a "book within a book" with two very aproachable and likable heroines, well drawn, even glamourous male characters (both heroes and villians),and warm and sensous love scenes. This is romance for the woman who is not afraid to grapple with the moral and spiritual issues of who and how to love, who is willing to work hard to suceed both in love and in life, and never lose the willingness to laugh at the world or herself. A delightful take on "It could happen to you!"

THE WARHORSE was one of the best adventures for young people I have ever read. It combined action, romance, life lessons and family relations in ways that any parent would approve and any kid would enjoy reading. In a world of video game violence and quick fixes to teenage restlessness, this book shows what patience, honesty and occasionally breaking the rules for the right reasons can do for a boy trying to find his way in the world. By using the Lorenzo's sketchbook as the basis for the illustrations, I was free to imagine the scenes on my own, while learning more about the period and the background of the characters.

I would compare The WarHorse favorably to Johnny Tremaine, a true classic of the genre. Despite the fact that both boys dream of going to war, neither book has a pro-war message. In fact, Lorenzo follows his heart into a very peaceful life. The lessons that are taught are presented as realistic choices that any young man faces, not just as things that only happen to Lorenzo or only happened during the renaissance. They also don't come across as lessons, which will be a relief to the young readers who can just enjoy a great story.

THE WARHORSE was one of the best adventures for young people I have ever read. It combined action, romance, life lessons and family relations in ways that any parent would approve and any kid would enjoy reading. In a world of video game violence and quick fixes to teenage restlessness, this book shows what patience, honesty and occasionally breaking the rules for the right reasons can do for a boy trying to find his way in the world. By using the Lorenzo's sketchbook as the basis for the illustrations, I was free to imagine the scenes on my own, while learning more about the period and the background of the characters.

I would compare The Warhorse favorably to Johnny Tremaine, a true classic of the genre. Despite the fact that both boys dream of going to war, neither book has a pro-war message. In fact, Lorenzo follows his heart into a very peaceful life. The lessons that are taught are presented as realistic choices that any young man faces, not just as things that only happen to Lorenzo or only happened during the renaissance. They also don't come across as lessons, which will be a relief to the young readers who can just enjoy a great story.

Don Bolognese has presented the romance of art and war placed in Renaissance Italy with exciting text and detailed illustrations. Hidden between the lines and behind the words the author has successfully described the ever present conflict of adolescent immediate gratification versus adulthood. It's absorbing and wishful, even lusty yet presenting the youthful reader with history while reassuring him/her that time can place us back on the right track, whatever and wherever that may be.

This is a very well-structured, well-written book set in an alternate version of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The settings are finely drawn, the characters are engaging, and the plot is gripping. I reread this book about once a year just for the pleasure of it, and I snapped up this hardcover when it came out. If you like alternate history and fantasy, and don't mind them mixed together, read this book. If you just want to read about people living in Elizabethan England, read this book. And if you just have to have any book with Shakespeare as a character... you, too, have some reading ahead of you.

I'm the cover illustrator, and I don't always like everything I read. Often, even if I liked a story the first time, I don't like it when I have to read it about the fifth time to check on the color of someone's shirt. Or I start noticing the lapses in historical detail or logic or characterization.

This book I still read for pleasure, even after I finished the cover. I read a lot of alternate history, and this surely ranks among the best.

This is the best work of historical fantasy, and one of the best works of historical fiction, which I have ever read. Although the universe (an alternate history Elizabethan England where magic works and where Sydney and Marlow survived the events which killed them in our time line) is fantasy, the approach is basic science fiction "what if", extrapolated on a magical rather than physcial technology. Rather than overlaying modern concepts of magic onto their characters and history, the authors present magic as it was understood by the various classes of Tudor England, and in so doing create a world that feels like reality and avoid the one-dimensionality common to much contemporary fantasy. All this, and a great read, too.

An incredible perception into a disease that threatens half the world's population. Although its major thrust is on highlighting the impact of malaria on military campaigns and vice versa, the seriousness of the disease in malaria endemic regions is not lost to the reader. Outside the depressing statistics, the book is written in a witty style that guarantees the reader remains generously entertained. And there is a wealth of historical anecdotes, for example: "If you mentioned the name Ferdinand de Lesseps in the latter part of the nineteenth century among those who understood what global economy was all about, you were bound to have heads turning. First to tell you that this was a brilliant man who had excavated the Suez Canal, and then to go on in subdued voices that he was probably the richest entrepreneur of the age - a nineteenth century Bill Gates." And the book also succeeds in highlighting why the rich west (not famous for its malaria!)should not drag its feet in the search for the ultimate cure since "dyanism of movement globalizes malaria". An informative and well-written book that will keep the reader entertained.

Fascinating and thoroughly researched book that explains a complex medical subject in words that are familiar to ordinary folk. The book is divided into two sections. The first part examines the impact of malaria on immune-naive people (soldiers in this book, but could as well be anybody in a malaria-free country, and the second part concentrates on how the military establishment has focused resources into understanding and controlling this global menance.

This book gives a comprehensive insight into how malaria has shaped our history - especially through effects on expeditions to malaria zones. It surely emerges from some serious investigative medical journalism that differentiates between the myths from reality about malaria. The book presents the medical, epidemiological and technical insights on the various historical accounts as if in an encyclopaedia and yet it still reads so easy as a novel. It would be an excellent surprise present for a veteran of one of the wars or someone travelling to any of the malaria zones, soldiers (particularly commanders and trainers), medics and paramedics, development workers, medical historians and epidemiologists. It is amazing to see how and why the military in some developed countries have lead medical advances! The book is all you will need to differentiate the myths from facts about malaria!

I really like to color,eeven tohough i am an older person. A whole lot older than thirteen. 47 to be exact. Just please dont repeat that HaHa. Any way from all ive seen and have received i have really enjoy. I cant find theses kind of coloring books any where else.Thank you very much. and age isnt an factor.

I bought this coloring book as a birthday present for my eleven-year-old son, who is really into art, history and drawing. He absolutely loved it! The illustrations are very detailed and not at all cartoonish. He uses colored pencils, which I would recommend over crayons or markers for this particular book. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in historical costumes, too.

Wonderfully detailed line drawings to color. Each has an historical note and date. My only caveat is that felt pens bleed through the paper so crayon or pencils only.

This is one of the first books I bought when I started collecting arms and armour. The color photographs are detailed and of good quality, and there is a fairly good range of swords from European to Indian/oriental. I have found myself reaching for this book as a resource many times. I highly recommend it.

As a child I took weapons, swords, daggers, Sgian dubhs, dirks hanging on the wall as the norm for decor. My Grandfather's home was covered with this items that looked wonderful. As I grew I came to appreciate the beautiful and craftsmanship in weapons that dominated warfare for millenniums, until the coming of the more clumsy equaliser guns. Anyone can pick up a gun and fire it, but to use a sword with proficiency was something akinned to a ballet. Thrust, parry, block, defence and offence, from claymore to épées were breathtaking to watch, even more so was the feeling of hold these metal wonders in your hands. So it was not surprising I went on to collect swords. And this book satisfies that love of the weapon. With various contributors, they trace the earliest origins from stone area, bronze age and bronze age to the swords of World Wars I and II. It covers swords from the Middle East, the unsurpassed Japanese Samurai blades, Swords used in China and Central Asia, even into India, Africa and Pre-Conquest America.

It is LOADED with colour pictures of the weapons, historical paintings showing them in use, even details spectrograms on the composition of the swords, how they were made, used from the most basic to the most ornamental dress swords. Every page just is simply amazing.

Highly recommended any any sword collection, anyone interested in knowing more about these weapons that forged our history and especially of interest to historical writer and historical romance writers. An Absolute MUST for them.

This is the most complete reference I have seen on the subject, rife with good photographs and superb research. Each chapter is written by a different person (experts I assume) and provides exceptional detail. It has sections on Bronze and Iron Age weapons; western weapons from Rome through WWII; Japanese swords; Indian weapons; and Chinese and Southeast Asian weapons; it even covers African weapons quite well. If you are starting a library of edged weapons, or already have one, this book must be in it!

I'm lucky enough to own this book. If you can get your hands on this book you need to beg borrow and steal to pay whatever purchase price is asked. More Roman helmets from the republican to the principate than any other reference in print. Robinson makes short commentary on most helmets and there are invaluable photos of the real finds and his much copied reconstructions. This is THE book to own if you are serious about Roman reenactment and armour reproduction.

A comprehensive and authoritative study on Roman military equipment: helmets and armor, that established the classifications for all scholars to follow. An absolute treasure and wonderful reference: if you're lucky enough to find a copy. Printed once in large format in 1975, it is occasionally available through used book sources, and you can expect to pay $100 to $300 for a copy.

Jonathan "SCREAMING BOY" Bell, demanded you read this book in his infamous short-lived televangelist show. Screaming and hollering, at the top of his lungs (literally). DRESSED TO KILL, is THE 'Full armour of God', of books to read. Jonathan Bell (whom is currently serving time for sexual molestation charges) highly recommends, this book. If you desire to watch the infamous Dallas Cable Access shows where Mr. Bell goes through a myriad of psychotic mental breakdowns (on the air), you can find it at your finer obscure video rental stores. Look for "THE INCREDIBLE SCREAMING BOY" Bucko!

Rick Renner is a master teacher who knows how to permanently etch the Word of God into your heart and mind with powerful images and detailed understanding of Biblical text. After reading "Dressed to Kill," I came away with no questions, no doubts, rather with a lot more confidence in God and the person I am in Christ. This book is a major component of my Christian book aresenal, and one I can't recommend highly enough. GET THE BOOK! You can't afford not to! I guarantee it will help you with ANY struggle you are facing and pre-prepare you to deal effectively with those yet to come

This is a fairly serious overview of Samurai swords intended for someone who is interested in collecting them (or perhaps has inherited one). That is, this is quite a 'theoretical' book intended to convey, in a quite concise manner, the myriad of details needed to identify Samurai swords.

The book goes through a very brief overview of Japan's sword history including some very rough information on the swords produced in various time periods. Mixed in here is a tiny amount of non-technical information in the form of some tales of how the special clay-coating heat-treating process was invented.

The book then presents detailed information on such subjects as blade curvature, temper lines, tip profile, tang markings and finishing. This section has a number of line drawings that do help convey the information in a clear and simple manner.

This leads into a very in-depth section with the Japanese characters that could be found on a sword tang. This section is quite long and, considering the book's purpose, not really very useful to the majority of people. That is, without understanding Japanese you really aren't likely to be able to use this section - it would be much better to consult with someone who does understand Japanese.

I really had hoped for more of an overview of the history with some details on the more famous crafters. There is also very little information on the manufacturing process other than some very cursory paragraphs and drawings. I agree that this subject deserves many books but I also think that since it is not really highlighted in this volume, a beginner will have no real reason to understand WHY certain eras and smiths were regarded so highly. That is, without more background on the process one is left asking the question "what is wrong with a stainless-steel blade?".

One for the serious collector but you will definitely need other books on the subject to really get an appreciation of the remarkable nature of the Samurai sword.

This book is exactly what you need to understand the factors that determine rarity and value. It contains a comprehensive deliniation of the varieties of each sword part, maker dates and places, and a good dose of relevant history to the development and use of the sword.

This small investment can literally save you thousands in mistaken purchases...you will quickly see why you should save your money and buy that "special" (albeit expensive) blade. Would you buy coins without a Redbook? Stamps without a Scotts'?

Yumoto's work was one of my first books on Japanese swords. Over twenty years later I still refer to it as a quick reference. While not a comprehensive reference it is nonetheless broad and nothing short of expert on the subject. Compared to more voluminous references, it is easily taken on the road while in search of these evasive art treasures.

This book was pretty sweet. Peter Connoly really knows his Ancient Greeks and Romans. Copious detail is given about just about everything you ever wanted to know about Greek and Roman Warfare. Like other Connoly books the pictures are at least half the fun(if not more) and this book includes totallyfly pics of everything from archaeological remains to modern reconstructions. I would say the copious info and incredible pics from a consummate professional in the field make this book well worth your time and deserving of five stars.

This is the best book I have read since doing research into the Viking age and using "The Viking World". Bold color photographs and illustrations help to drive home the text. I am very pleased with the amount and quality of the information provided within this volume.

Why do I say this? First of all, it's very readable and approachable. Even kids will love it. (OK, admittedly, few will read it cover-to-cover, but that's hardly the point. DON'T be surprised if they do, though. In spite of its density and scholarship, I've known a few lads who've mined seemingly every page.) The pictures in it are absolutley wonderful, as well. Connolly is an excellent illustrator, and his pictures are still unsurpassed. (Incidently, Connolly put out some excellent children's books as well, some of which are still in print.) For the older reader, though, Connolly is still a must-have. He knows the archaeology as well as anyone. What makes him unique is that he's enough of a craftsman to go out and try to make these things so that he could get a feel for how they were used. Thus, his attempt at re-creating a Roman shield found in Egypt caused him to create a revolutionary theory for how the legions fought in the republican period. Likewise, his reproduction of a Greek hoplite shield led him to modify his understanding of how the Greek and Macedonian phalanx differed. Further, while most books before him concentrated heavily on the "ideals" (i.e., the fully developed Roman legion or Macedonian phalanx), Connolly took some time to spin some theories on the transition phases through which these things developed. Thus, for example, he spins a novel theory on how the Macedonian phalanx developed out of the Theban tactics of Epanimondas and that the odd-shaped "boetian" shield was a part of this development. All of this is not to say that he is an unquestionable authority on such matters where we are bumping up against the available data and controversy results. Nevertheless, Connolly is a wonderful teacher in those areas where consensus reigns and an important voice to take into account even where he may be controversial.