Book Description
For millennia, the culture and philosophy of the ancient Egyptians have fascinated artists, historians, and spiritual seekers throughout the world. Now, with this deluxe edition, the legendary 3,500-year-old Papyrus of Ani—the most beautiful of the ornately illustrated Egyptian funerary scrolls ever discovered—has been restored in its original sequences of text and artwork, using the latest advances in computer-imaging technology. Four exquisitely illustrated gatefold spreads and an acclaimed translation by two noted Egyptologists showcase the Papyrus's elaborately bordered images and convey its intended sense of motion and meaning in a way that other books on the subject cannot begin to match. For both lay readers and scholars interested in a wide range of topics—from mysticism and philosophy to anthropology and astronomy—this sumptuous and accessible new volume will be an essential acquisition.??
Also check out www.bookofdead.com and www.studio31.com/botd.html for more information about this book.
Customer Reviews:
Awesome!!.......2007-09-16
I ordered this book as a birthday present for my partner, he has always wanted a copy of the book of the dead, he was absolutly thrilled with it. He loves the fold outs of the scrolls and having the english translation as well, and i was very thrilled at how quickly it was delivered and the quaility of the book, this was the first time i have ordered anything online and i will definatly be doing it again. ( we live in New Zealand and the book was delivered in 3 days!!!!!! thats fast)
Modern Translation With Some Lacking Overstanding and Obscure Structuring.......2007-09-13
Revised review: This book is even more difficult to rate than The Tibetan Book of the Dead: First Complete Translation (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) and The Ethiopian Book of Life (aka An Ethiopian Book of the Dead). As it isn't only the ancient book and the modern revised translation to be considered. Because the so-called Ani Papyrus is ancient, yes, yet a faulty, abridged and erratically composed pre-manufactured work. For example, it had been forgotten twice to include the name of the customer, this papyrus had been purchased for, into the blank space provided for this purpose. Even in the unabridged and correctly structured version of the "(The Chapters of) Going Forth by Day and Night... to the Place he Might Desire to Be", as the complete real title translates as, the author of the edition, James Wasserman, writes about: "Much of the book is frankly incromprehensible, even for experts. No amount of exegesis can explain many passages. Images and allusians follow one another with bewildering force and frequency, lacking thematic and logical connection." In this "Ani Papyrus" (Ani being the Western version of the name of the deceased this papyrus had been purchased for) the vignettes and/or chapter titles do not necessarily match the text beneath them.
This "Book of the Dead" isn't really the/a full theology of ancient Egypt, but PRESUPPOSING full knowledge about it. Which is simply not obtainable to the modern reader by merely enjoying this text as a supposedly funerary object. In reality it isn't, but an INITIATION ritual of the new/renewed pharao. For a mystical approaches read Shamanic Wisdom in the Pyramid Texts: The Mystical Tradition of Ancient Egypt and Egyptian Yoga Vol. 1:: The Philosophy of Enlightenment.
As for the modern publication: The facsimile of the vignettes had been published originally in 1890 under the supervision of E. A. Wallis Budge and quality enhanced for this new edition. The translation is based on the 1972 version of Raymond Faulkner, and additional corrections have been included by other translators after that. The book was published first in 1994 and was then revised in 1998. The presentation of the papyrus is well done. However, the structure of the entire modern book leaves much to be desired. As I read from cover to cover as usual, afterwards, I wished I hadn't. I would have gotten more out of the book in a different approach: Glossary (at the very end of book), foreword-preface-introduction, commentary p.137-154, then in combination the individual Ani Papyrus plates + English translation with the explanations of those individual plates in the commentary p. 154-170, with the abridged chapters of the "Theben recension" p. 99-135 in between. It should be noted that the translation directly beneath the "Ani Papyrus" isn't a 100% match to the papyrus presented above, as some sections have been included or changed according to the "Theben recension". Sounds complicated? Exactly. And the book isn't really that easy to handle, for oversize also means overweight. What is missing is vignettes and most certainly comments of the "Theben recension". Be upwised that the "Ani Papyrus" is a mere fraction of the entire "Theben recension". In other words, to read the entire so-called (Egyptian) Book of the Dead, the "Ani Papyrus" qualifies as a trailer and this edition of the modern book makes for a major obstacle reading - which you find out only, after having read this book unsuspectingly for the first time.
Also considered has to be the content of the commentaries and introductions. Honestly, I wouldn't do without, no question. However, James Wasserman and his colleagues are orthodox egyptologists. For one thing, they are still working with the traditional Imes (time) frame for ancient Egypt, which is explainable in having worked on this book in the early 1990s. Sin-ce then, the Imes fakings of an early Berlin egyptologist have been exposed, who attempted to make the ancient Egyptian civilization appear to be much younger in order for less embarrassment for Europe in relation to that. The further you go back, the more additional Imes get accumulated. By the Imes of this specific Ani Papyrus, this is a bit more than a century of difference only, earlier it is about millennia. (Read more in When We Ruled: The Ancient and Medieval History of Black Civilisations.)
Next, the Western rendered names of ancient Egyptian names are used. Though currently, it isn't EXACTLY possible to produce the real pronouncation/Western transcription of names, much better approximations are possible and indeed used in more African centered books. (The Black African nature of the ancient Egyptian culture is attempted to get veiled by orthodox [= Euro centered] egyptologist. For example, there is no mention in the otherwise meticulous commentary of the various - and changing! - skin colors of the characters depicted in the vignettes. As is still the case in religious paintings of today's West Africans, some of the ancestors of the ancient Egyptians, these colors do not always represent the real skin color, but religious meaning according to the respective function of the situation depicted.)
Last not least the book isn't only averring a purely polytheistic religion, but directly denying any mysticism and monotheism of the ancient Egyptians. Thereby, the direct ancestry of the Judo-Christian-Islamic culture is attempted to get severed from (Black) Africa. On first sight, ancient Egypt APPEARS to be polytheistic. Yet, in reality, all the gods were considered to be facets of a single one. Even more: Everything is One, not only the god(s). At the Imes, this book had been written, it may have been quite easy to sweep away any claims of monotheism (or actually pantheism) for ancient Egypt, without even taking the time to go into those claims and attempting to disprove them. Today that approach simply cannot be done anymore. Too many mystics and progressive and African-centered egyptologists have come forward. Read for example Egyptian Divinities: The All Who Are THE ONE or the books by Muata Ashby, such as The Mystical Journey from Jesus to Christ. The difficulty the author of this book experiences is that he doesn't know the mystic level of the Western religion, Christianity. By overstanding e.g. Master Eckhart of the 14th century, he would be capable of not blinding the monotheism of ancient Egypt better. Instead, James Wasserman says that it would sound hubris to us today that after death one becomes (a) god. Yet, mysticism all over the world - ancient or modern alike - knows that we already are, but have forgotten that until we "die". Accordingly, Wasserman blinds "denial of death" and vocabulary such as "passing on" instead of "dying" as euphemisms of supposedly avoided dealings with the inevitable perishing quality of the death concept. That is, because he is caught in the myth and rites level of his branch of religion. Which makes it difficult to REALLY translate and comment ancient Egyptian religious texts, especially this one. The literal words may come closer and closer, but the meaning will remain sphinxed. For example he gives the translations of the "prime" god Atum as "He Who Is Entirety" or "The Undifferentiated One", but can't see that this means that EVERYTHING is meant with that, as God is undifferentiated from anything and within. Which includes ourselves, returning to the state of this knowledge after "death", i.e. "becoming" God/Jah/the universe/etc., (Asar/Osiris in this case).
Besides all of that I find it interesting that this papyrus contains the odd gender bending in the text as well as the vignettes, but does NOT contain any amorist (homophobe) notions. Simply, because I have come across some books averring that. Referred to are the up to 42 "negative confessions" or rather "declarations of innocence" which are often compared to the Christain Ten Commandments. This may have been a result of the previous, faulty and prejudiced translation of E. A. Wallis Budge. I always wondered about that supposed Egyptian amorism, as it didn't really seem to fit either the "androgynous"/non-dualist religion and the Imes, as amorist interpretations of earlier holy texts occurred much later historically for the Egyptians really to have been able to be amorist in the first place. Instead I could find declarations of innocence of not making slaves, not making hungry, not building a dam on flowing water and not hunting animals. But also of not fornicating and at first sight strange appearing ones such as not copulating and not extinguishing fires.
New computer enhanced version of the Book of the Dead.......2007-03-24
The ancient Egyptian bible, everyone who could afford one was buried with one. This is a new version, and has English translations on each page with color images. It is a guidebook for the deceased person to follow to find his way to the afterlife to live on forever. The Egyptians were not obsessed with death but with obtaining the perfect afterlife. Sound familiar?
By the way I do agree with the excellent reviews already here. But, to make it accessable to Western eyes, I think NOT to refer to it as a sort of "Bible" is a bit confusing I think. The ancient Egyptians studied it, tried to memorize it, and took it with them in their sarcophagus if they could afford to, in order to have access to it when they awoke and needed to start their journey to the West (afterlife). It held all they needed to know to get there safely.
This version, I understand, is the best new one ever and most accurate translation. Fascinating just to go through, the art is wonderful.
Egyptian Book of the Dead.......2007-01-17
This was a gift to an Egyptologist.
Very much appreciated.
The Book of Going Forth by Day.......2007-01-11
A great reference of the original writings of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. A valuable read for anyone studying Ancient Egyptian History.
Book Description
Jonah Caine, a lone survivor in a zombie-infested world, struggles to understand the apocalypse in which he lives. Unable to find a moral or sane reason for the horror that surrounds him, he is overwhelmed by violence and insignificance. After wandering for months, Jonah's lonely existence dramatically changes when he discovers a group of survivors. Living in a museum-turned-compound, they are led jointly by Jack, an ever-practical and efficient military man, and Milton, a mysterious, quizzical prophet who holds a strange power over the dead. Both leaders share Jonah's anguish over the brutality of their world, as well as his hope for its beauty. Together with others, they build a community that reestablishes an island of order and humanity surrounded by relentless ghouls. But this newfound peace is short-lived, as Jonah and his band of refugees clash with another group of survivors who remind them that the undead are not the only-nor the most grotesque-horrors they must face.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best zombie novels I've ever read.......2007-10-06
Title mostly sums this review up. I've read a lot of zombie novels and this by far one of the best I've ever read. It's ranked up there with World War Z in my opinion. I find it really explores human nature in times of crisis. You got your good and your evil, with some being truly kind and others doing some of the most despicable things ever. But lets not forget the zombies, they're ever present and the author truly paints some gore filled scenes with his shambling masses of undead.
Good Zombie novel!!.......2007-09-18
I have read alot of zombie books and this one uses the more common ideas for them. BUT it has a neat twist with one of the people involved. I really enjoyed this book and think all zombie book lovers will like it too!!
Zombie Fiction at its Best!! A Must Read!!.......2007-09-16
I have read most of the zombie fiction available out there and Dying to Live manages to deliver where most others fail. Here are the reasons:
1. Finally a zombie novel with horror in it. True horror.
2. Tons of action.
3. A storyline that doesn't involve survivors sitting around in a safehouse the entire time waiting for help.
4. A character with a mysterious ability over the undead that doesn't turn the book into the mummy returns.
5. Great bad guys. Characters that we pretend don't really exist just to be able to sleep at night.
SOLID ZOMBIE NOVEL.......2007-09-14
Permuted Press has been making quite a name for themselves in the genre of zombie fiction and their latest release is Kim Paffenroth's "Dying to Live." The problem I have had with some zombie novels in the past is that the authors tend to set their sights a bit too high. While trying to tell a world-spanning tale of a zombie outbreak they often try to do too much and forget the smaller, personal stories. The best zombie stories/films were those that concentrated on the smaller picture, such as "Night of the Living Dead." Thankfully Paffenroth does not fall into this trap. He gives us one small, yet very appetizing piece of the zombie pie.
Paffenroth doesn't waste a lot of time explaining the zombie outbreak, preferring to jump right into the introduction of the main character, Jonah Caine, who has been surviving on his own since the catastrophe took place. Jonah is a plain, everyman...a former English professor at a community college, who has been resourceful enough to stay alive but grown weary by the stress of being on the run. A risky foray into a city to find food leads to Jonah meeting a small settlement of survivors who have turned a museum into their own fortress. The settlement's leader is Jack Lawson, your typical former military man but the most interesting character is the settlement's spiritual leader, Milton. In Paffenroth's zombie world, animals can also become zombies. When one of these undead animals bites Milton, he becomes essentially a human/zombie hybrid, carrying the stink and rot of death, yet not actually dying. Further, other zombies seem to fear Milton and are repelled when he walks among them, a useful ability indeed.
These survivors live in relative safety in their stronghold, leaving only for quick raids for food and supplies in the city. Jonah has to prove himself with a dangerous initiation rite by going on one of these raids. It is during one of these raids that they encounter another survivor, living alone with his newborn son in what turns into a harrowing rescue. With no real threat to them, they decide to go to the threat, by investigating smoke seen at the far end of the city. It's here where the survivors face the real horrors...a state correctional facility whose inmates have secured their own fortress.
"Dying to Live" is a solid, and often terrifying novel. The confrontations with the zombies keep are slam-bang thrill rides with something lurking behind each dark corner. The only real problem with the story is the last quarter of the book when Jonah and a few others encounter the prison inmates. Paffenroth ultimately made his characters too safe and secure in their museum home. The zombies were completely unable to mount any kind of a threat to them in their makeshift museum fortress. Paffenroth had to concoct a more serious threat than the legions of zombies themselves. A bit contrived, but not enough to spoil an otherwise brisk moving story with sufficient scares for any zombie fan. While I would have liked to have seen the characters developed a bit more, this is still an entertaining zombie fiction read.
REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON
Zombies, with a side order of religion........2007-08-30
There are parts of this book that are great - some flat out fantastic zombie fiction. Original, and yet mostly true to the Romero template (though that's not something I live and die by, as it were). I can see why this has earned his book the compliment of being 'the thinking man's zombie novel' - but I think that description is somewhat misleading.
The plot and geography of his world are very nicely done - and the nods and respect for what is horrific about the genre are intact. That aspect is intelligent and fun writing.
There is a lot lacking, however. The dialog is pretty bad, with exposition coming about in unnatural ways. There are some awkward treatments of gender, and race, that read like they are coming from someone a few generations older than the pop culture norm. The narrator and male characters have a kind of 'tin masculinity' - cliches abound. The women are treated nearly as a different species, rather than gender.
Especially odd is the way the narrator lingers on many emotionally difficult things, yet - he doesn't think about his wife and kids at all after trying, unsuccessfully, to find them (not really a spoiler - its covered in exposition). He writes of sexuality as if he is Mr. Rogers. In a prison environment, he refers several times to 'the black man'(previously met)- it would be more apt to point out 'the white man', who is more likely a minority in this setting. Better yet - I'd rather have characters described as something other than their race. In a zombie infested convenience store he comments about how the races are all finally getting along now that they are undead... last time I was in a convenience store many races were represented and they were getting along fine. There is some ugly judgement and generalization of inmates in prison - all lazy stupid sodomites.
All of this can be forgiven for a fast paced romp through a zombie apocalypse.
Harder to avoid, however, is the ever present discussion of God, the Bible, spirits, and souls. Luck and 'all these little miracles' are written of in a way that tauntingly suggests that anyone who doesn't think God is pulling the strings is crazy. The word or name God is on nearly every page - especially in dialog - many characters like to chat about God. An unlikely character points out the difference between the Tribulation and the Apocalypse (having overheard it from elderly relatives!?). The Bible is quoted several times, sometimes in casual conversation. People don't talk like that, in my experience, except perhaps in church lobbies or study groups. For the most part - people avoid discussion of religion and politics in polite company of casual acquaintances.
This would all seem more plausible, and less hard to accept and digest, if the narrating character was a professor of religious studies (like the author of the book) rather than an english professor. That would have been a good solution, I think.
Aside from dialog - there are several biblical references in the action of the story. A man first looses his ear in a scuffle - then has both hands pierced with knives and is finally killed with a spear in his side while his friends talk about how forsaken he was, and how 'like a lamb to the slaughter' (this read as crass and tasteless, not merely out of place and unlikely). There is an outright messiah character who didn't bother me half as much as the frequent references to God and impromptu religious discussions (and untimely internal reflection of the narrator) throughout the rest of book.
How reviewers fail to mention this religious undertone is beyond me. I found it very distracting at times - and feel it detracted from an otherwise fantastic read.
The highs were strongly tempered by the lows - I would have gone to 5 if it hadn't had a subversive religious tone.
Book Description
An ongoing journal depicting one man's personal struggle for survival, dealing with the trials of an undead world unfolding around him. An unknown plague sweeps the planet. The dead rise to claim the Earth as the new dominant species. Trapped in the midst of a global tragedy, he must make decisions...choices that that ultimately mean life, or the eternal curse to walk as one of them.
Customer Reviews:
Edit, edit, edit.......2007-09-29
I wish I could give this book more than two stars, but here we are. This work suffers from under editing. There are place where the author uses the wrong character name in the scene. This takes the reader out of the story. Yes, he is true to the pure form of zombies but the story is not paced well. Because it's in first person (which from what I'm told is very hard to pull off) the view of the world is very limited. It lacks scope, emotion and fear, the two things you need in a good horror story. I didn't care if any of his companions died save the dog and little girl. The ending lacked any true climax. This is because in journal form and you know he's going to be OK. I felt more time should be spent on his feelings. Most of the time he wrote about the type of guns he had or how much food but not many feelings. Humanity is crumbling around him, this should unnerve the main character a little more than it did. When people write in journals, it's about what they are mentally going through as much as what they did. The final thing that bothered me was the use of the word evil. Zombies are mindless creatures driven by hunger. This is not evil. Evil needs thought behind it. The living who attack the main character, they are evil. The people who created the zombies are evil, not the zombies. I will say that if this author writes another book I will give it a try. Why? Writing is not easy and for all the things wrong with this story, I think he will get better with time.
A bad story poorly written.......2007-08-28
The first rule of writing in a journal style is that you have to make your writing sound like a person would actually write it in a journal. While a first-person narrative is often a great way to build tension and help the reader identify with the main character, the way this one is done is so un-natural it distracts from the story.
The story itself is inconsistant and often consists of long, boring descriptions of unimportant details.
As far as post-apocalyptic stories go, this one is not worth the time.
Journal of Living Hell.......2007-08-03
When there's no more room in Hell the dead shall walk the earth. In Day by Day Armageddon the first part of the world to be hit with the Zombie outbreak is of course, China. Considering the Chinese make tainted pet food, baby food, and children's toys it only makes sense the Zombie outbreak would begin there. The narrator's military experience helps shape a sophisticated survivalist tale. The story quickly moves to San Antonio, Texas home of several military bases in the area. The narrator is in the Navy and discusses his communication with other sailors still on base. The narrator however decides to stay off base to survive the Zombie outbreak. Though the narrator is a savvy survivalist type he also discusses his concern for his family in Arkansas and friends on base and often risks his life for others. I think one of the best parts of the books is the description of how the federal government would react to the Zombie outbreak; the first lady's announcement on the emergency broadcast system still gives me the chills. Life in America as we know it is now gone forever!
As a dog lover, I enjoyed the Annabelle part of the story. I always wondered what happened to poor pups in a Zombie apocalypse. Did they all get eaten up by Zombies? Although Zombie movies and novels differ in opinion whether Zombies devour or ignore the canine species. The characters in the story make several complicated actions to always keep Annabelle safe, I thought that was cool. Again the narrator is compassionate without being dorky.
I began reading this wonderful tale online and was addicted to the site, so I had to buy the book. Now some crazy folks are trying to sell the book for $100. I gave it 5 stars but give me a break. Whatever the case, I found the author's journal style to be unique in the zombie genre. The narrator even provides basic illustrations to describe where his neighbor is located in relation to his house. I think this book would be a fantastic movie. Bourne's use of his military experience for the book makes it a great piece.
Quite the awesome journal of the apocalypse.......2007-07-27
Day by Day Armageddon is a book that I think I had placed in my shopping cart upwards of 10 times only to remove it. Eventually, I ended up buying it and was quite pleased with it. The book tells of a man on the run from a zombie outbreak that somehow manages to keep a daily journal of the events. The book is very gory and I will commend it on that. It manages to scare without over-the-top hijinks (not that I have a problem with over-the-top hijinks!) but if you are a fan of the zombie genre, do pick this one up.
Also, I've read a lot of people complain about the writing. One thing you have to remember is that this book is supposed to be kept by a military pilot on the run from zombies - I think the diction works. I'm not for a moment saying that the the typos and grammatical mistakes were intentional, but they add to the journey nonetheless.
Very Impressive.......2007-07-21
The "journal" structure of this book works surprisingly well. The author does a good job of making the protagonist real and accessible to the reader, such that empathy comes naturally. This is an enticing read that's hard to put down, and over too quickly.
Book Description
In today's job market, getting to "yes" doesn't mean getting a break. Like most new employees today, you'll probably get thrown into your new position with little or no orientation. You'll have to "sink or swim" in the first 90 days-or face termination.
No worries. Sink or Swim shows you how to be a top performer from day one.
"Everyone starting a new job should have this book under their arm at work, next to their plate at dinner, and under their pillow at night." -Jeffrey Fox, author of the national bestseller, How to Become CEO
With week-by-week charts, and straightforward, no B.S. information, Sink or Swim enables you to decode the company's culture, discern what your priorities should be, and survive and thrive in your first twelve weeks-no matter what industry you're in.
Customer Reviews:
Read This and Refer Back.......2007-08-22
Within the first week of starting my new job at a startup internet company, I came across this book and it made all the difference. Working at a startup can often be disjointed, especially since we didn't have an office to call our own. By incorporating some of the advice in my weekly routines, I created a structure for myself that I continue to follow. The advice was clear, concise and right on.
This is definitely a must-read for anyone starting a new job.
Another 5-star review from SF, jeffnc!.......2007-07-03
Pay no attention to Jeffnc, the bitter reviewer from SC! I live in SF and have no idea who the Sidells are, but this book is fascinating! Follow everything they say week by week,a nd you'll get that "This is going very well" at your 90-day review just like me! What's more, you look not only super organized with this book on your desk, but also super-conscientious....I brought this book into a one on one with the boss, and I cracked the book and said "I'd like to talk about my career goals.." she asked me what the book was...she was impressed!
A Great Resource/Tool.......2007-04-10
"Sink or Swim" is the book that I wish I had when I started in the working world over 18 years ago! It is a simple, step-by-step tool that shows new hires how to "get it right in 12 weeks". The week-by-week approach gives individuals the opportunity to set good habits and strategies that can be applied throughout one's career. This book has been very helpful to me as an HR professional in getting my recent college graduate new hires to better engage with the company and job they accepted within it! I would highly recommend this book.
Mediocre.......2006-12-20
Be knowledgeable about your industry. Be knowledgable about your company. Be knowledgeable about your required job skills. Communicate well with people. Set goals for yourself. Dress like others around you dress. Pretty common sense stuff.
By the way, check out some of the other reviews. It's pretty unusual for any book, especially a one like this, to get all 5 star reviews. Look at the earliest 8 reviews. This is the only review that has been written by each of these 8 reviewers. All written on May 8. Almost all from San Francisco/California (interesting that the company founded by the authors is in San Francisco.) A bunch of people from San Francisco just happened to swarm to Amazon on May 8 to give the book a bunch of 5 star reviews. Interesting.
An Excellent Guide that Came in Handy.......2006-09-25
Let me begin by saying that I started a new job, and before the transition, I bought four books on this same topic. I hoped that between all of them, I would learn everything necessary for my first 3 months at my new job.
After having read all of them, I came to the conclusion that I would have saved some money had I only purchased Sink or Swim. It was by far the most comprehensive, week by week guide about how to start a new job and successfully chart your path within the first three months of your new job.
Some of the sage advice includes simple matters like knowing the right time to speak to your boss, the types of conversations you want to have when first being introduced to your new colleagues. Some of the best advice comes in the form of advice for the reader that helps them present the best possible image to others.
Readable, engaging and formatted in a clear reference style, I highly recommend this for anyone who is starting a new job, or for anyone who wants to start their old job, anew.
Book Description
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.
Customer Reviews:
Amazing zombie comic!.......2007-09-05
This is the first volume in the Walking Dead series. Its centers around Rick Grimes, a former officer of the law, who wakes from a coma to see the world flooded with zombies. This first volume chronicles his journey to find his wife and kid and his getting to know fellow survivors.
The book seems familiar but manages to keep from clises and stay fresh. Every character is deep and multi demensional and there is no one you can just flat out hate.
If you are a fan of sophisticated horror comics then this is the best there is. Excellent story with absolutely beautiful black and white art (which I think works even better than if it was in color).
Just buy it and you will not be dissapointed.
*****
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Kirkman has come up with a winner here. A thoughtful zombie story that isn't so much about massacring zombies. Much the same as in the movie 28 days later, a man wakes up and finds the place deserted and has no idea what the hell is going on. In this case, however, the wakee is a cop, so is a little better prepared psychologically to deal with some serious problems, so he sets out to find his family.
ready for more.......2007-07-26
This is a very good horror comic series. It's not going to change your life or anything. Both the story and artistry are good, not outstanding. If you like zombie stuff, you should get this. You'd like it a lot.
I titled my review ready for more because while I'm not blown away, I certainly would like to keep reading this series. Fortunately, I've got a brother in a comic shop, so I don't have to pay retail!!
Nice!.......2007-07-21
Not having much exposure to graphic novels or comics, I was impressed at how enjoyable this story was to read. A good zombie fix that's blessedly free of plot holes and other flaws that tend to trouble this genre.
It's over way to fast, but it's good.
Let your imagination take over and be horrified for days after........2007-07-17
First off, let me say I'm not a fan of horror movies and books, which is why I only rate it at 4 stars, But it's because of movies and books like this that I'm not a fan. They are just so well written in the sense of what really happens to us when the very world and society we've grown up in is completely taken from us. Second, the graphics are amazingly realistic. I've seen some "Horror" comics but they didn't insight any type of visual fear because there was no real detail in the graphics. Now, I'm not an expert of horror books and movies but I can say that this scared me stiff, pun...kind of intended. To be fair Zombies are something I've always had a childish fear of and I"m very frightened of especially since the recent zombie boom in the media so for them to be the topic was off the bat a scary topic for me. I've got a huge imagination that brings these types of comics, Zombies/Vampires/aliens, alive in the sense, I'll want to look around me while reading or days after I've read them to feel safe, since it sticks with me. So, if your an avid reader and viewer of horror then my review isn't really for you, but if your someone who is interested by horror but don't like being absolutely horrified. Then this will surly do it's job to scary you out of your wits but give you the chance to just stop and close the book if it's too much.
Book Description
The walking dead. A global crisis. The remnants of America. Around the globe, the dead are rising to devour the living. Hospitals are overrun, and martial law has been declared. The streets are in chaos. Society is disintegrating. In a small south Texas town, the mayor has rallied his citizens against the living dead and secured their borders. Isolated in the countryside, the community holds their own. But when two strangers from San Antonio stumble into town, they bring news of a global peacekeeping force sweeping toward the city. Led by a ruthless commander, the force is determined to secure the republic of Texas on its own terms, and establish a new, harsh government for the plague-ravaged nation. Will the independently fortified Texas town hold out against the flesh-eating zombies and the tyrannical foreign army traveling down the road?
Customer Reviews:
Down the drain with the UN.......2007-09-27
I agree with Patrick S. Dorazio on his review - the story is good but the execution is very flawed. It's too obvious that the author does not think highly of the UN which in itself is not a crime however to assume that European UN peacekeepers would start slaughtering innocent US civilians... I personally could see a planned military coup as being more realistic.. after all the Europeans and other UN members would be too busy fighting their own zombie plague before even thinking of "helping" another nation. The end was also a letdown and I think he can do much better. Maybe next novel...
Small Town Terror.......2007-08-13
I can honestly say that Bowie's take on the zombie attack genere is the most original. I guess its because he tells the story through the eyes of small town life. Its easy to think that small towns will band together but he takes into consideration the different personalities still imbedded in the town. He uses the people and the town and builds so much structured charisma that youd think you could smell the pie sitting on the window sill. He uses the town almost like a character itself, and the people are rich in history and personal struggle. It reminded me of a mix between 28 days and 28 weeks later, showing personal stuggle during a time of great stress and small military side that arrogantly tries to fix what seems to be working.
The story is a fast read, and his words are chosen very carefully. To me it was like reading Fight Club or any Koontz books, it may be a short book but still it reads very quickley. And for anybody that is busy it is a great pick. I appreciate Mr. Ibarra's take on small town life and the struggles they may have during a zombie invasion, it is great to read a book that takes the zombies out of the urban jungles and puts them into your back yard, or even DOWN THE ROAD.
Zombies, government, incompetence, and the Lone Star State.......2007-05-08
Reviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar for Reader Views (4/07)
"We have to kill her"--thus opens Bowie Ibarra's second zombie novel "Down the Road: On the Last Day," set in the same world as his first book "Down the Road," although the second novel is a stand alone work in itself. This fantastic opening sentence draws the reader in as a father and mother come to terms with knowing they must kill their daughter before she kills them; their daughter has been infected with the zombie disease which in the last few days has begun to spread across the globe.
Numerous characters living in the town of Beeville, Texas are the focus of the novel as they struggle against the zombie threat, having to secure their town, kill zombies, and often put loved ones to death before they turn into zombies. For a good part of the novel, the town has lost contact with the outside world, but then television is restored and the townspeople learn the President of the United States is allowing United Nations forces to enter the country to help secure it. These forces are urging people to go to FEMA security camps where they will supposedly be safe. The people of Beeville, however, feel safe already because they have effectively blockaded their town from zombies entering or any potentially infected humans. With the world in crisis, the US government has broken down, and the United Nations forces appear to be seeking world-domination. When the UN forces reach the town of Beeville, they warn the townspeople if they do not surrender and go to the FEMA camp, they will be considered terrorists. When the people refuse, a showdown occurs.
The novel offers some criticism of government ineffectiveness, in the wake of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina. The novel's setting in Texas is interesting because Texas is the only part of the United States that was once its own separate country, and once the United Nations is taking over the country, the town of Beeville, Texas remains the last vestige of independent and democratic America, with images of the Alamo and the Waco showdown in the background. The people of Beeville are capable of caring for themselves, but government intervention causes the zombie situation to become far worse for the townspeople.
Overall, the novel is fast-paced and enjoyable to read. The apocalyptic situation reminded me of Stephen King's "The Stand" but I felt "Down the Road" was actually more fun and better thought out. I felt the beginning had too many characters, and not as much character development as if the book had focused on the viewpoints of just two or three main characters rather than twenty, so that occasionally I could not distinguish between them; however, overall, the multiple characters kept the action fast-paced as the zombie threat was depicted in various parts of the town. I wish more had been explained about how the plague of zombies started. There was a passing reference to the character George Zaragosa, the main character from Ibarra's first novel. But what happened to him is not really clear from reading this second novel, and I only knew he was from the first novel from reading the advertisements for the publisher's other books in the end pages. It sounds like George brought the plague into the United States from a visit to Mexico, which suggests further political commentary on the US's failure to keep its borders secure from aliens.
"Down the Road: On the Last Day" is enjoyable reading for anyone who likes apocalyptic stories and a fast-paced action or horror novel. Those who choose to read at a deeper level will enjoy the novel's social criticism.
Great Zombie Book........2007-03-17
The book had alot of actions. Zombies moved and acted like our old favorite zombies.I would have enjoyed the book more if it had alittle less sexual content. It was like a horror with a little porn. ;)
Are you ready to go back Down the Road?.......2007-02-28
A Plaque is sweeping the country. The Dead are rising and they are attacking and devouring the living. The Government is trying to contain it but with no success. Civilians are taking up arms and banding together in hopes of surviving the Zombie Apocalypse. Civilians in a small south Texas town has banded together and fought off the Zombie Hordes. They have successfully quarantined their town from the the chaos that has consumed the outside world. Everything seems to be going good and they believe that they will be able to survive the zombie plague. Two strangers from San Antonio soon arrive with news that will threaten the towns very existence. They learn that it isn't only the undead they have to fear. A global peacekeeping force lead by a brutal and ruthless commander is heading towards their town. He mission is to round up all civilians and send them to refugee camps. Anyone who will not give up their arms and comply with his orders are mercilessly executed.
A showdown to about to happen in this small Texas town. The residents will have to not only fight the endless hordes of the bloodthirsty dead, but a madman and his army of thugs that wants to destroy all remnants of American life. The town will have to unite and fight for not only their way of life, but their very existence. It is time to go back Down the Road.
I loved Mr. Ibarra's first story so when got my copy of On The Last Day I was expecting nothing but great things, but I must say that my expectations were actually exceeded. I enjoyed On The Last Day more than I did his first installment. I was completely consumed in the world Mr. Ibarra created. Zombie fans will be completely satisfied with this story. It has loads and loads of blood and guts, and action from beginning to end. On The Last Day is also a very deep story with great pacing and deep characters. Mr. Ibarra is starting to perfect a writing style all his own. He is becoming one of the premiere names of Zombie fiction and he will be a force to be reckoned for a long time. Permuted Press is producing some of the best Horror Fiction available today and On The Last Day has to be one of the best releases to date. I cant wait to see what they give us next.
I highly recommend On The Last Day to all Zombie Fiction fans. It is one of the best Zombie stories ever written in my opinion. Go grab a copy for yourself and see what I mean.
Book Description
THE EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD MYSTICISM OF THE PERT EM HERU " I Know myself, I know myself, I am One With God!-From the Pert Em Heru "The Ru Pert em Heru" or "Ancient Egyptian Book of The Dead," or "Book of Coming Forth By Day" as it is more popularly known, has fascinated the world since the successful translation of Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic scripture over 150 years ago. The astonishing writings in it reveal that the Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and in an ultimate destiny to discover the Divine. The elegance and aesthetic beauty of the hieroglyphic text itself has inspired many see it as an art form in and of itself. But is there more to it than that? Did the Ancient Egyptian wisdom contain more than just aphorisms and hopes of eternal life beyond death? In this volume Dr. Muata Ashby, the author of over 25 books on Ancient Egyptian Yoga Philosophy has produced a new translation of the original texts which uncovers a mystical teaching underlying the sayings and rituals instituted by the Ancient Egyptian Sages and Saints. "Once the philosophy of Ancient Egypt is understood as a mystical tradition instead of as a religion or primitive mythology, it reveals its secrets which if practiced today will lead anyone to discover the glory of spiritual self-discovery. The Pert em Heru is in every way comparable to the Indian Upanishads or the Tibetan Book of the Dead."
Customer Reviews:
THANK GOD FOR ANOTHER!I.......2007-02-07
I HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF READING THE TRANSLATION BY THE BIGOT BLUDGE. WHAT A LOT OF NONSENSE. HIS BOOK WAS BASED OF THE MISINTERPETATION OF AN AFRICAN RELIGION THROUGH THE EYES OF A EUROPEAN.
THANK GOODNESS OF MUATA ASHBY AND HIS UNBIASED INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE BOOK OF THE DEADS.
An Ancient African System of Enlightment.......2004-09-22
Ashby does an excellent job of selecting and highlighting pasages and unraveling the science of the soul.
Simple and Undeniably Intense.......2001-01-17
htp. Sehu Maa has done an extraordinary work with Prt m Hru. In the beginning parts of this work, he explains the terms used, concepts, history of KMT and Prt m hru, language use, etc. He supports the book with Mdu Ntr(words of the Ntru, divine speech), pictures of tomb inscriptions, and best of all, Sehu Maa explains each chapter from its intended implications. Thusfar, I have learned that we didn't call the Prt m Hru, "the book of the dead", this is a guide for the spiritual journey of the living. ankh udja snb Sehu Maa
Lectura del Rostro.......2000-04-23
Its very intriguing, i read the information and made obsewrvations and the book is very accurate with people who i know that would mean that i can do the same with those who i dont know and i dont have to waste my time getting to know those that aren't worth it. the book is beyond interesting its factual.
Book Description
Former New York Daily News gossip columnist and bestselling author Mitchell Fink made his livelihood reporting on celebrities lives. Now, he reports on their deaths. John Lennon, Ted Williams, Lucille Ball, John Ritter, Warren Zevon: these are just a few of the fifteen larger-than-life celebrities whose final days are detailed here. No one is better qualified than Fink to tell these stories. Working with an extraordinary level of access -- and the cooperation of the stars families and friends, all on the record -- he has unearthed exclusive and moving material. He portrays here the broad range of emotions these very sympathetic icons experienced. Our cultural obsession with celebrities verges on the macabre. Now Fink answers that obsession literally, telling of his subjects physical, emotional, and spiritual journeys to the end of life. He talked to Yoko Ono about the optimism of John Lennons final week; Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi about the frenzy of John Belushis debauched ending; David Blooms NBC colleagues about the acceptance, even peace, he found in the chaos of war in the desert. Describing John Ritters last few days on the set of his hit television show, Fink focuses on the camaraderie and warmth that Ritter created -- as remembered by pals Henry Winkler and Peter Bogdanovich, who happened to be guest stars that week. Finks tender profile of Warren Zevon chronicles the bittersweet year during which the musician faced his mortality in his iconoclastic fashion, embracing a sex-drugs-rock--roll attitude, before greeting his death completely on his own terms. Mitchell Fink has captured the intimate moments and sets the record straight on these very human, very vulnerable public figures.
Customer Reviews:
Thoughtfully Written.......2007-03-19
If you're into this sort of reading, this is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. The author has apparently done a great deal of interviewing and research to write these stories, and they are well and thoughtfully written. I, personally, wasn't interested in everyone in the book, but the stories of the last days of the people in which I was interested made me realize afresh that we are all, celebrity and non-celeb alike, common in our humanity, and are all traveling the same road to the same destination.
Dead Celebrities.......2007-01-16
This book tries to sell itself as a Hollywood Babylon, slezy stories, dead celeb type of book - but open it and find a dreary book indeed. It's got no real information in it, in the case of Orson Welles, the author simply transcribes his last intervew. It's a dull book that tries to sell itself as something different. Don't buy it.
Couldn't put it down.......2006-11-25
I was away for a convention for four days and this book consumed all my airplane time to and from the destination city. I finished it and gave it to my mother when I got home, and now she can't put it down. What surprised me were the sensitive, first hand accounts of these celebrities from people who were with them in their final days or knew them. But mostly those who were there. It was very first person as a read, as opposed to third person, from the outside of their world looking in.
And it reminded me how real these celebrities are. They do dumb things, or great things, but have normal moments or occasional hissy fits and then die. I know the topic is rather grim and someone voyeuristic, but I highly recommend this book.
Written with grace, style and tact.......2006-09-12
If you fear this is going to be a morbid book, think again. The focus here isn't so much on how celebrities ranging from Arthur Ashe to John Lennon died but on how they LIVED their lives. Mitchell Fink seems to recognize that there is actually inspiration to be found and steers clear of a sleezy tell-all. He treats each celebrity with a modicum of respect, while also putting in the details that readers want to know.
There were many part of this book which I found moving, from John Ritter's attempts to comfort those around him by saying "I'll be fine" (or words to that effect) in the midst of agonizing physical pain to the courage Arthur Ashe diplayed even after a tactless reporter decided to reveal he had AIDS.
The author relies heaviy on actual quotes from people who knew the subjects of this book well and that adds special power and vividness to this book.
Mediocre treatment of geniuses.......2006-08-21
The selection of celebrities is terrific, but the treatment the author gives them is fairly blah. Most of the Orson Welles chapter is merely a paraphrase of Welles' appearance on the Milton Berle show the night before his death. The author's writing style is not strong or engaging, so the subject matter has to pull its weight alone. The author also assumes that readers know everything else about the celebrities, and gives little background on their lives. I was disappointed.
Book Description
Of the 112 pages of this third book of this series, more than 120 color photographs illustrate the written description of the celebrations in Mexico City, Mixquic, and several towns of the state of Morelos, including Ocotepec, which is located almost inside of the beautiful city of Cuernavarca.
The buying of the objects in the tianguis (market). The preparation of the special dishes to be placed in the ofrenda, the ritual of the building of the altar, together with the vivid testimony of how strong is the influence of this pre-Hispanic tradition in the beliefs and lives of the people.
Customer Reviews:
Beautifully presented color photography enhances the text.......2001-06-07
Mary Andrade's bi-lingual (Spanish/English) Day Of The Dead In Mexico: Through The Eyes Of The Soul presents the celebration of one of Mexico's most beautiful, pre-Hispanic traditions as observed in Mexico City, Mixquic, and Morelos, when families honor their ancestors through ritual, festival, and celebration. Beautifully presented color photography enhances the text throughout, including information on the celebratory preparations, buying of items in the marketplace (tianguis) that will be used in the altars; the offerings (ofrendas) in homage to the souls of the dad; and the cemetery vigil. Also very highly recommended for multicultural studies collections and Hispanic culture reading lists are Mary Andrade's companion volume, Day Of The Dead In Mexico: Oaxaca ... which focuses on how the festival observances in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.
Book Description
Annie Darling, owner of the Death on Demand mystery bookstore, is understandably upset. It isn't like her p.i. husband Max to abruptly disappear—and homicide is definitely not his style. But when his car is found abandoned on a remote road with a brutally slain, once-beautiful young woman nearby and the murder weapon stashed in the trunk, Annie's worst fears seem justified.
The police have Max all but tried and convicted—except for Chief Billy Cameron, whose unshakable belief in his friend's innocence prompts his removal from the case. And as a media circus descends on tiny Broward's Rock, Annie will have to place her own life in jeopardy to clear her husband's name. But time is running out—and she has only one slim chance to unmask a killer who just may have committed the perfect crime.
Customer Reviews:
'Dead Days of Summer': Finest of a fine series.......2007-07-29
This is Carolyn Hart's 17th mystery in the Death on Demand series alone. She can't turn them out fast enough for me. I loved it, all the way through.
I had only two problems with the book: (1)I really relate to Max Darling -- what loving husband wouldn't? -- and he is incapacitated and powerless virtually the entire book. (2)For more than a hundred pages I believed I knew the identity of the murderer; I was wrong.
What a fine read. And when is No. 18 coming out?
No Dead Days Here.......2007-06-06
Dead Days of Summer
Carolyn Hart
If you like murder mysteries or the author Sue Grafton, you will love Carolyn Hart's Dead Days of Summer. The book is one is a long series called Death on Demand. I have no idea where this book fits into the whole picture, but I never once felt that I was left out of the loop because I had not read any of the others. The book does not have a strong Christian base, but it does speak of the Lord, church, belief, and faith. There is even a character who quotes scripture. As a Christian you would not feel weird, or wrong reading this book.
The story opens up on the slow side, and introduces you to a lot of characters right off the bat. This is definitely one that you have to pay attention to from page one or you could get lost in the mix of all the mayhem.
Annie Darling is the main character. The story revolves around her and her husband Max. Annie is the owner of a mystery book store called Death on Demand. Max is a private detective, but cannot call himself one because of the laws of the island that they live on. Broward Rock is the name of the island that they live on. It is one of the islands off of South Carolina.
Annie and Max had lunch together and are walking back to their offices, Annie insists that Max go to the office today and maybe someone will come in. Annie goes to her bookstore and immediately picks up where she left off on planning Max's surprise birthday party. Her mother-in-law Laurel is helping with the planning. It is almost close of business time when Max calls and says that he has a client and will be home later and call if it is going to be real late.
The client that hires Max is a beautiful woman who says that she is looking for her brother who disappeared the previous year. She shows Max pictures of him, and a note that states that he is seen most nights at a place called Dooley's Mine, which is a sleazy bar, that not many people would be caught dead at. They plan to meet there later that evening to scope the place out and see if he is there.
Max never calls and Annie freaks out. She goes to Max's place of business and finds and intruder. She then calls the police. Nothing is making sense, and just as a precaution a missing persons is released, just on a hunch because there is not enough evidence to go on. Annie calls all of their friends and they all start looking for Max. The friends that she calls are a mystery writer, and ex-military woman, an ex-editor, an ex-reporter, an actress, a newspaper man, and others.
The next morning they find a woman who has been murdered, and Max's car just outside the cabin that she has been murdered in. They don't find Max though. Annie knows from gut instinct that this is the person who hired Max. When they don't find Max, the search is on even harder. One of the friends Emma, who is the author, hires a great attorney for them, since it now looks like Max is wanted for murder.
Later on the same day that they find the dead woman, they find Max. He wakes up, confused, sick, and covered in blood. When the police find him they take him into custody for the murder of Vanessa Taylor, who is the woman that they found dead in the cabin. Max has never heard of Vanessa Taylor, and cannot remember anything that has happened. The police chief ends up having to put Max under arrest for the murder of the woman. While he is in the cell, Annie enters the jail and they talk. She vows to find who set him up, and get to the bottom of all of this mess.
Annie, her mother-in-law and her friends do just that. The majority of the book is them sleuthing around and getting information. They follow leads and end up unraveling the whole set up. Max is freed and life goes on as usual.
The book on the whole is good. It takes a long time for the story to develop and get into the action. If you are into meat and grit from page one this one will leave you wanting. If you have patience and don't mind a long build up and climax, then this is the book for you. Ms. Hart has wonderful characters and many of them. She also finds a way to keep them all tied to the story, even if it is just a sentence in the middle of the book. That is a definite gift, and I am glad that she does not leave the reader wondering what happened to so and so even if they were a minor character. Not a bad read at all, life as usual...until the next Death on Demand book.
best yet.......2007-04-29
this is by far to me the best of the best Hart always peaks your interest from the very first sentence..but this one tops them all..you have to read it clear though..wow!!!
A Death On Demand Mystery.......2007-04-20
This book is the best of the series that I have read. Ms. Heart is an excellent cozy mystery writer. I have all of her books in my library and have read them all. My favorite was a Henrie O mystery "Dead Man's Island".
A Nice Entry in the Series.......2006-12-30
I had grown disenchanted with the Darlings and their friends and family on Broward's Rock. Out of habit, however, I read "Dead Days of Summer" and enjoyed it. I felt that Max and Annie were more *human* in this book, with Annie facing the strain of the speculation that Max may have been (a) unfaithful, and (b) responsible for a death, and with Max struggling with limitations that are not surmontable in spite his incredible wealth. Indeed most of the characters seemed more real (well, with the exception of Laurel... but really, Laurel is nothing short of otherworldly!)
Books:
- The Gregg Reference Manual
- The House of Dies Drear
- The Hundred Languages of Children: The Reggio Emilia Approach Advanced Reflections, Second Edition
- The Hunt: A Novel
- The Key to The Name of the Rose: Including Translations of All Non-English Passages (Ann Arbor Paperbacks)
- The Last Gentleman: A Novel
- The Maiden King: The Reunion of Masculine and Feminine
- The Mammoth Book of Roaring Twenties Whodunnits: Murder Mysteries from the Age of Bright Young Things
- The Master Cleanser
- The Prey: A Novel
Books Index
Books Home
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- Enhancing Trader Performance: Proven Strategies From the Cutting Edge of Trading Psychology
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- Daddy's Girl
- Bearded Collie
- Years with Frank Lloyd Wright: Apprentice to Genius
- This is Charleston;: A survey of the architectural heritage of a unique American city undertaken by
- Who named the daisy
Ancient & Classical | Schools, Periods & Styles | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Teach Yourself, Revised Edition
The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt
An Egyptian Hieroglyphic Dictionary : With an Index of English Words, King List, and Geographical List with Indexes, List of Hieroglyphic Characters, Coptic and Semitic Alphabets (Vol 1)
The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
The Book of the Dead
