White Night (The Dresden Files, Book 9)

Book Description

A sensational addition to the Dresden Files adventures-from a USA Today bestselling author.

Professional wizard Harry Dresden is investigating a series of deaths in Chicago. Someone is killing practitioners of magic, those incapable of becoming full-fledged wizards. Shockingly, all the evidence points to Harry's half-brother, Thomas, as the murderer. Determined to clear his sibling's name, Harry uncovers a conspiracy within the White Council of Wizards that threatens not only him, but his nearest and dearest, too...

Customer Reviews:

Best yet.......2007-10-08

Any series featuring a single main character runs a risk of getting stale, following a formula. I'm delighted to say that has not only NOT happened with White Knight, it's the best book yet.

Harry Dresden grows emotionally. His relationships with his brother and Murphy change and develop in both heartbreaking and heartwarming ways. And the main plot gets more exciting and more engrossing in each book, something that rarely occurs. My only complaint (as usual) is that it will be so long before the next book!

Great as always!.......2007-09-22

Jim does it again! Harry Dresden continues to grow and evolve as a character. Fast paced and I couldn't put it down!

Dead or Disappeared.......2007-09-21

White Night (2007) is the ninth Urban Fantasy novel in the Dresden Files series, following Proven Guilty. In the previous volume, Harry fetched Molly Carpenter back from Arctis Tor, with a little help from his friends. He took her back to her family, but she decided to turn herself in to the White Council for violations of the Fourth Law.

At the trial, the Merlin arbitrarily convicted her of using black magic and sentenced her to death. Harry pointed out that the Gatekeeper hadn't yet cast his vote. Then Ebenezar McCoy arrived with survivors of the Warden training group accompanied by Molly's father Michael. Merlin reconsidered his verdict and Molly became Harry's apprentice.

In this novel, Sergeant Murphy has a probable suicide, but she rides a hunch and calls in Harry. He checks out the scene and casts a spell at a particular place on the wall. The notation "EXODUS 22:18" appears and Karrin knows the victim was murdered.

Suddenly, Murphy strikes out with a foot sweep and a young woman -- little more than a girl -- becomes visible and falls to the floor. Harry's apprentice Molly hasn't done as he told her and now she has a few bruises and pains to remind her to obey her master. Not that she is going to pay attention, but one more lesson won't hurt . . . much!

Harry does congratulate her on the invisibility spell, but points out that both he and Sergeant Murphy had noticed a few out-of-place sounds and smells. Molly needs to put in some extra practice, but she is improving. Molly goes home happy, but aching in several places.

In this story, Harry and Murphy find other victims around Chicago and elsewhere. Most of the Chicago victims belong to a witch group known as Ordo Lebes, which Dresden translates in his correspondence course Latin as "Order of the Big Pot". Karrin, however, suggests that a better interpretation would be "Order of the Cauldron". But one victim does not belong to this order.

Harry also discovers that one of the Ordo Lebes is Helen Beckitt, whom he has had problems with in the past. Although she cooperates with Harry and Murphy and doesn't even deny her prison record, Dresden just can't bring himself to trust her. When he discovers that she works for John Marcone, both Harry and Murphy become suspicious of her behavior.

Harry meets another old acquaintance on this case. Elaine had been his first girl, but they had parted after Harry killed their mentor. While the White Council ruled that the killing was in self-defense, Elaine was already gone. Yet she had not forgotten him and even followed his career path as a consulting wizard.

This story also has a minor side plot involving the fallen angel Lasciel. The shadow of Lasciel residing in his mind provides some useful services, such as translation of dead languages, but is still trying to seduce him to the evil side. It occurs to Harry that such seduction can go both ways and he treats "Lash" as an almost trusted friend. Some surprising changes occur.

While Harry doesn't really like being a Warden of the White Council, he hasn't considered it as a handicap. Then a mysterious Grey Cloak is noticed as somehow involved with the dead witches and everybody is afraid to tell Harry. And his brother Thomas is often observed with these victims shortly before their death or disappearances. Being an enforcer for the Council is bad enough without the paranormal community wondering whether you are responsible for these passings.

Highly recommended for Butcher fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of preternatural creatures, paranormal individuals, and strange happenings.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Another winner.......2007-09-17

The Dresden File books have maintained their quality and readability. This one is no exception. Love the way these stories play out.

Love harry but need more Bob the Skull.......2007-09-05

I love this series and enjoy the way it is going. Harry is amusing and this one does not disappoint. I do miss Bob the Skull. He was not featured as much in this one and i miss that... just my own personal quirk.

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero

Average customer rating:

Really 4.75 Stars - Fabulous Book
Harry Houdini : The Man, The Myth, The Spy, The Secret Service Agent
spooky
Comprehensive and Fascinating
Serious and complete

The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero
William Kalush , and Larry Sloman
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743272072

Book Description

Handcuff King. Escape Artist. International Superstar. Since his death eighty years ago, Harry Houdini's life has been chronicled in books, in film, and on television. Now, in this groundbreaking biography, renowned magic expert William Kalush and best-selling writer Larry Sloman team up to find the man behind the myth. Drawing from millions of pages of research, they describe in vivid detail the passions that drove Houdini to perform ever-more-dangerous feats, his secret life as a spy, and a pernicious plot to subvert his legacy.

After years of struggling on the dime museum circuit, Harry Houdini got a break that put him on the front page of a Chicago newspaper. He never looked back. Soon Houdini was performing for royalty, commanding vast sums, and exploring the new power of Hollywood to expand on his legend.

At a time when spy agencies frequently co-opted amateurs, Houdini went to London and developed a relationship with a man who would run MI-5. For the next several years, the world's most famous magician traveled to Germany and Russia and routinely reported his findings.

After World War I was successfully concluded, Houdini embarked on a battle of his own. He created a group of disguised field operatives to infiltrate the seamy world of fake spirit mediums. In doing so, Houdini triggered the wrath of fanatical Spiritualists, led by the esteemed British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Death threats became an everyday occurrence, but the group would pose an even greater danger to Houdini's legacy.

Rigorously researched, and as exciting as a good thriller, The Secret Life of Houdini traces the arc of the master magician's life from desperate poverty to worldwide legend, initiating the reader along the way into the arcane world of professional magic. In this remarkable book, Kalush and Sloman decode a life based on deception, providing an intimate and riveting portrayal of Houdini, the man and the legend.

Customer Reviews:

Really 4.75 Stars - Fabulous Book.......2007-10-04

This book is fantastic on so many levels. One doesn't even have to like magic to appreciate this book, but it sure helps. The authors have done a wonderful job of painting the social scene, class hierarchy and the world at large during this time period. In the true style of a Houdini dichotomy, while there's not much new we learn, we learn so much that's new.

The book heavily follows Houdini's involvement with the spiritualist movement, in particular, a Boston spiritualist named Margery.

I can not recommend this book highly enough.

Harry Houdini : The Man, The Myth, The Spy, The Secret Service Agent.......2007-05-18

Harry Houdini : The Man, The Myth, The Spy, The Secret Service Agent

A lot of people love reading about Harry Houdini the magician, the Handcuff King the escape artist but did you know that he was a spy & a Secret Service agent? I can prove it with one book & a few well versed words here. The book I am talking about is one I am just over half way through & it is entitled "The Secret Life of Houdini : The Making of a Superhero."

This book is awesome & I encourage everyone to read it and enjoy the story of Harry Houdini from beginning to end. It tells about the man, the myth, the spy, the Secret Service agent who was a performer who made the world love him & his shows & continually conquered his every demon, including his own self loathing while continually re-creating himself for the world at large.

Yes this book still fits into this world of the wide web that is the internet. The book is all about how all of Harry Houdini's having been a major instigator in World War I in the propaganda & success of America while Harry Houdini, or some may know him better as Ehrich Weiss, a Jewish man who changed his identity to fit better into the world and to better sell himself to the world as an entertainer at large for War World I in the rise of Germany the first time it came to power.

The fact that the book is from archival data and letters both from & to Harry Houdini is what makes this book so intriguing. Please feel free to enjoy the book & I would love to hear anyone else's opinion & thoughts on this subject. A lot of people do not know that the Secret Service was a spy agency at one time and was connected to the spy world like the C.I.A., N.S.A., D.I.A. & the rest of the alphabet Intelligent Agencies.

Harry Houdini taught our American Dough Boys how to escape from handcuffs, being tied in ropes, & how to escape from torpedoed ships by being on stage in an ampitheater & having actually being a teacher of the American military.

spooky.......2007-04-26

Good book but Harry was given something to drink by a woman that slowly killed him.

Comprehensive and Fascinating.......2007-04-18

What a fascinating and readable story. The addition of conjectured dialogue, authentic letters, and numerous thoughtfully placed photographs gives this mammoth biography the feel of both a novel and an A&E special.

It is near impossible to condense this book into a review, but I will say what beguiled me the most was the concept of how the extent and grandeur of Houdini's worldwide fame--in his own lifetime--was conceived and flawlessly executed by his own will and brilliance in an age of no television and no Internet.

The thoroughness of the book is what makes it impressive. It's also what makes it hard to finish. For the length of the book, I can't see how the authors could have made it more exciting, but I can't help thinking that some of the details could have been cut out for the sanity of the reader. I would liken it to the most interesting textbook I've ever read.

Serious and complete.......2007-04-15

This is a very serious and complete biography. I bought this expecting something more for the masses, lots of rumor and sensationalism. In fact, it's a very thoughtful book, with lots of detail and very little speculation, presenting many of the lesser known aspects of Houdini's life, including his campaign against spiritualism and fraudulent mediums, and his extraordinary physical prowess. Not everything was a trick. Many things he accomplished by sheer force of will. Houdini was clearly much more multidimensional than portrayed in movies and popular references. The book also includes many details on the culture and other celebrities of the time; the extensive information on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was especially interesting. I give it 4 stars only for the fact that there are no footnotes or references. I understand that the authors chose to put those on their Web site, but they're much less useful separated from the book they document.

A Magician Among the Spirits (Collector's Library of the Unknown)

Average customer rating:

Something to ponder before heading down an endless road
Houdini exposes mediums' and spiritualists' methods

A Magician Among the Spirits (Collector's Library of the Unknown)
Harry Houdini
Manufacturer: Time Life Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0809480700

Book Description

Harry Houdini and his exposure of the fraud spiritualist, spirit photography, spirit slate writing, ectoplasm, clairvoyance, and other quakery and cons perpetrated on the gullible, by the likes of the Boston Medium Margery, the Davenport Brothers, Annie Eva Fay, the Fox Sisters, Daniel Dunglas Home, Eusapia Pallandino, and other con artists of their ilk.

The whole country got excited by Houdini's campaign against faking spiritualists. He careened through the country, offering money for spirit contacts he couldn't duplicate by admitted magical chicanery. It was a heyday not only for Houdini but for the spirit-callers and there was an equally famous protagonist who thought the spirits could indeed be contacted, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A photo at the front records a meeting between Houdini and Doyle and Houdini gives Doyle his own chapter. There's an earlier chapter on Daniel Dunglas Home, the English engineer of spectacular paranormal effects. Houdini raises hell with spiritualists who were giving their (usually paying) clients a vision of heavens to come, and shares the methods used to practice "fake" and sensational spiritualism.

Houdini was nothing if not unrelenting. As a taste of things to come, he ends his introduction with the words: "Up to the present time everything that I have investigated has been the result of deluded brains."

Customer Reviews:

Something to ponder before heading down an endless road.......2001-02-12

Even though Houdini's book refers to spiritualism tricks,the book could be a must read for the many gulliable people out there more than ready and willing to part with their money for a chance to talk to their deceased loved ones.In today's "psychic" world we are bombarded with cold readers without any aids other than there rapid talk and generalistic "messages from the other side" yet Houndini's book is a warning of sorts and we could use his help in today's world with these so called "psychics". Houndini's work is not complete since we need other talented and honest individuals such as he to face off with the charletans we have now a days.I'll say that Houndini's work is extremely valuable and I highly respect him for giving of his time to investigate fraud.

Houdini exposes mediums' and spiritualists' methods.......1998-06-06

Houdini spent a long time and much anguish trying to contact the spirit of a dead family member. Mediums were very popular in his time. This book is his exposure of them as frauds. Great anecdotes, interesting methods described, amusing and fascinating. Highlights include his role in the Scientific American investigative committee, and the many interactions with Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle. Easy reading.

Night of the New Magicians (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

Average customer rating:

From a grandson's perspective
Night of the New Magicians
A Great Work
A belle époque perspective on the magic of science
Another great one from M. Pope Osborne

Night of the New Magicians (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375830359
Release Date: 2006-03-14

Book Description

Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mysterious mission to Paris, France, over a 100 years ago. There they must find four magicians and give them an urgent message from Merlin himself. When Jack and Annie land in Paris, they make their way to the 1889 World’s Fair. Below the Eiffel Tower, built especially for the fair, there are thousands of exhibits from all over the world. But how will Jack and Annie find the magicians in the crowds of people? And who are the magicians anyway? Jack and Annie are about to find out in another adventure filled with history, magic, and amazing surprises!

Customer Reviews:

From a grandson's perspective.......2007-09-16

My grandson has done nothing but rave about how GOOD this book is. Perhaps part of it is because he loves magic as well as reading.

Night of the New Magicians.......2007-06-03

I would recommend this book to kids who like books that have magic, adventure, and information about other cultures. That is why I would recommend this book.

A Great Work.......2007-06-03

Magic Tree House #35: Night of the New Magicians, is another wonderful installment in Mary Pope Osborne's Magic Tree House series. In this book, Jack and Annie go to Paris, France for the World's Fair of 1889. There they have to find "four new magicians" and warn them about an evil sorcerer who is planning to steal the secrets of their magic.

I am just a kid, but i highly suggest that any fans of Mary Pope Osborne should read this book AND the entire Magic Tree House series.

A belle époque perspective on the magic of science.......2007-05-18

One of the best Magic Tree House books I've read with the kids. As usual, Osborne brings history to life. In this case, she turns science and technology into mystery and suspense, with the Eiffel Tower as a beautiful gathering place for brilliant minds and tales of inspiration. The World Fair attendees are awed by inventions that seem commonplace and even old-fashioned to us. This book taught my kids to take nothing for granted... and it gave them the desire to climb the Eiffel Tower - a pretty nice ambition for land-locked Mid-westerners!

Another great one from M. Pope Osborne.......2007-05-14

I purchased this book for my son as an Easter present. He read the whole thing that day and said it was just as good as the rest of the series. We struggled with him to try and spark an interest in reading, and these books were the only thing that worked. Even now, when he reads much more advanced books, he still comes back to these adventures.

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Average customer rating:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers
Pants on fire?
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
Very Interesting
History as Science Fiction

History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2913621058

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

Average customer rating:

Great book!
Warning to Parents - 'R' Rated Language in this Book
CRISS ANGEL VERY GOOD BOOK
Criss Angel: Mindfreak - Secret Revelations
Mindfreak: Secret Revelations - Inspriational

Mindfreak: Secret Revelations
Criss Angel
Manufacturer: HarperEntertainment
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0061137618

Book Description

The hottest magician in years takes us behind–the–scenes of his hit A&E show and offers secret tips to 25 illusions you won't see anywhere else.

Criss Angel is poised to take the magic world by storm. He had his first 1–hour special on ABC in '01, headlined Madison Square Garden's annual Halloween special a year later to an audience of 60,000, performed in front of 75,000 people in Times Square, had two subsequent 1–hour specials on the Sci–Fi channel, he's received countless magician awards, and he currently has a groundbreaking show on A&E called CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK, the first weekly magic show in over 40 years, that consistently wins its timeslot. MINDFREAK – the book – will be an extention of the show, which uses a specific topic each week – like 'Buried Alive', 'Bullet Catch', 'Building Walk', or 'Levitation' – to delve into the history of each subject, and see if Criss can't break new ground by doing something no one has done before. We are also going to try and include secrets in the book – clues to be dissected by readers – that relate back to magic he will perform on the show, where the book will be heavily promoted.

Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2007-09-28

Highly reccomend this to anyone who is a fan of Criss Angel or just interested in magic. It is very well written and includes pictures and some pretty cool magic tricks. I'm a fan of Criss Angel and learned interesting things I didn't know, love this book!

Warning to Parents - 'R' Rated Language in this Book.......2007-08-31

I just received the book so I haven't read it yet and can't rate it. However, while skimming through I came across several instances of language that may be objectionable to some. I purchased this book for my 12 year old son, because from everything I heard and read about it, it sounds like a very inspirational story from a man whom my son deeply admires. Unfortunately he won't be reading the book because of the profanity. Now I'm no prude, I've been known to use some colorful language myself, just not in front of children. I think it's a shame that a book that carries such great messages for kids has to be spattered with words that most parents would deem inappropriate for younger children. I'm looking forward to reading the book myself and may read it aloud to my son, omitting certain words as I go. Just wanted other parents to be aware if this is a concern for them.

CRISS ANGEL VERY GOOD BOOK.......2007-08-26

Good insight into the man behind the mindfreak !!!!
40 mindfreaks you get to try yourself are a good addition.....
steevo

Criss Angel: Mindfreak - Secret Revelations.......2007-08-23

Criss Angel has written a brilliant autobiography that sounds like his own voice talking to you, as if he was sitting right next to you. I could not stop reading the book. I could hear his voice after I put the book down. I could hear his voice after I finished the book. He is truly the embodiment of success using mind, body, and spirit. His imprint on the world of magic and entertainment will be idelible.

Mindfreak: Secret Revelations - Inspriational.......2007-08-23

From the moment I received this book I couldn't put it down. Criss takes you on a journey and shares his story from childhood to the present. He leads you through his life-path and reveals what it took to get where he is and what he continutes to do to be the best at what he does today. It's written as if he is sitting in front of you telling you his story. His strong connection to his family, their support and his drive to achieve his dreams made this a very enjoyable and inspirational read. It made me take note of my own goals and dreams. It motivated me to put the wheels in motion to make things happen in my own life. I've always believed that "it is all possible" and this book and its message reminded me to get off auto-pilot and make it happen.

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine

Average customer rating:

Also a must read for Men.
More stars!
Essential Reading. Deservedly, one of the defining books in the mens movement
To anyone who might be interested in psychology or personal growth
Prequel

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine
Robert Moore , and Douglas Gillette
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0062506064

Book Description

Arguing that mature masculinity is not abusive or domineering, but generative, creative, and empowering of the self and others, Moore and Gillette provide a Jungian introduction to the psychological foundations of a mature, authentic, and revitalized masculinity.

Customer Reviews:

Also a must read for Men........2007-04-14

Two key books all men should read (that are not part of their faith), this book and Iron John by Robert Bly. It give positive models of being a man that is compassionate and effective in the world. Thanks Robert Moore for writing it. This is for a mature man that has the courage to look at himself and life.

More stars!.......2006-12-17

This is an absolutely spectacular answer to a lot of societal gender issues--not the only answer, mind you, but an excellent tool to have in your self-development arsenal. This includes women, too (I'll get to that in a minute).

The four archetypes in the title are covered both in adult and juvenile versions, in brief in the first chapter, and then the mature archetypes get an entire chapter dedicated to each. Both the positive, healthy aspects, and the Shadow aspects, are covered. The language is wonderfully easy on the eyes, conversational without losing content.

As I read, I found myself recognizing a lot of the traits of these archetypes in people I knew--and myself. I strongly urge everyone, not just men, to snag a copy of this. It's not just so that women can finally "understand men". It's because this is also a map to the Animus, that within women which is male, and which is often lost track of. I found myself nodding in recognition at both Boy and Man traits of various archetypes that I found to be familiar within myself, and this has definitely given me more to chew on.

And, in the very back of the book there are several meditations that basically amount to what magicians know as pathworking and invocation for readers to use to work with their own archetypal selves. This is very much a valuable tool, and I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more mention in the pagan community since I've heard grumbling now and then that paganism is too female-centric. This book has been out since 1990, and I think it would go a long way in helping not only pagan men, but (as I said before) people in general understand *human* psychology better.

I also like that it places responsibility at the foot of certain threads of feminism for some of the more recent anti-male sentiments in society, particularly that which blames all men for all the problems women have while vehemently denying that men actually have problems, thanks to their male "privilege". My own approach to feminism had always been similar to Action Girl - Girl-positive and female-friendly -- never anti-boy. While I think the work is far from being over, I'm less of a feminist these days and more of an "everyone-ist". If we're going to really bring equality into reality in any capacity, we have to extend that equality to everyone, not just women. I've talked to enough men who aren't exactly happy with the bad conditioning and pigeonholes they get stuck into, and I believe that rather than trying to place the blame for the way things are in the hands of one sex or another, it needs to be directed at the culture in general that breeds insecurity. As the authors pointed out, patriarchy isn't caused by masculine energy in general--it's caused by immature masculine energy that is not only anti-female, but anti-mature male as well. This book is an excellent tool for deprogramming the destructive, immature masculine and helping to promote the healthy, creative masculine.

Okay, off my soapbox now....

For the bad parts--the authors refer to sadomasochism as "perversion" and male humiliation of women. Um, no. Ignore this part. It's one of the few parts that does date the book. Also, I really wish they'd gone into more detail on how to work with the archetypes, instead of a couple of paragraphs at the end of each chapter. There are books for at least three of the four archetypes on their own, but they're out of print and very expensive to get ahold of.

But, in short, really, really, really good book, recommended to anyone.

Essential Reading. Deservedly, one of the defining books in the mens movement.......2006-12-04

I really enjoyed this book on the Archetypes of the Lover, Magician, Warrior and King when I first read it and find myself referring back to it often. It's based on a combination a study of the archetypes and Jungian psychology. Of course, the archetypes have their foundation in the medicine wheel and the four cardinal directions and all that they represent (earth, fire, air, water etc.).

I've done workshops based on the archetypes which I've really found valuable and enjoyable. Most men animate one of the energies (Lover, Magician, King or Warrior) as their natural home, for myself it has been the Magician and when I first started this type of work I discovered the other feminine polarity, the Lover (which women love!) and worked more on those of the Warrior and King (perhaps the hardest) as circumstances in my life have required. I've found it to be a really invaluable model for the masculine psyche. There are few men who can do all of the quadrants well. That requires becoming concious and doing substantial inner work. Most men tend to hang out in one quadrant, and, unfortunately, animate the negative side of that quadrant... (although thats only through habit, fear and not having awareness) which is why it's invaluable to have the awareness of the positive and negative role models.

I agree with other reviewers, it's not a self-help book as such, so it doesn't contain lots of recommendations about practices, how to practically use the ideas. It is however, I belive, a valuable contribution to the men's movement and something men can use to reflect upon and guide their actions.

Most valuable is the section on boy psychology, the immature form of the masculine psyche and the shadow side, something all men know only too well, something I think it's often hard for women to understand. How many men out there these days have the magician energy and operate from it's shadow form as detached manipulators... (just look at business today)with the knowledge of the shadow, we can embrace it and own in ourselves (no easy task) and see it clearly and not become subject to the covert manipulation of others. These ideas are worth more than the cost of this book alone. When you look at the other shadow forms of the masculine psyche Moore has illustrated - the weakling king (just look at most our political leaders) or the addicted lover (our addictions to sex and to temporary hits of pleasure) or the Warrior (masochist).

Also, while it can be considered a prequel to the other boooks, I think it's worthy of buying on its own. I found a few of the others in the series light on in terms of content / depth (because much of the content is the same across each volume). That said, it must have been a very hard job to research and write the volumes, so have no criticism from that standpoint. The books are undoubtedly inspirational and anything that helps me connect more to my masculine and my fellow men is very much welcomed in my quarter.

I've listened to one of the author's tape sets - on the Magician, and I quite enjoyed it. Although there's no way I'd take much of what he said at face value. It's great when a group of men come together and be real, talk about their challenges, victories, hopes, desires and laugh and connect with one another and for that, those tapes were worth their weight in gold.

I'd highly recommend also Sam Keen's 'Fire in the Belly', Iron John, Knights without Armour, and for advanced spiritual practitioners anything by David Deida, starting with his wonderful 'Way of the Superior Man' for an outline of his 'model' see intimate communion or you'll find him on the web.

Think about it, imagine men being really connected to their warriors (to get things done), their heart (lover), have the tools and awareness to create change and transformation in the world (magician) and be in their true, authentic power (King) to guide, inspire and lead others to create that change for the good of all. And then consider what we see in the world today... people acting unconsciously out of their fears, greed, selfishness, ingrained unconscious patterns and gross sense of separativeness and self centredness. You can see why this work is so important.

There are far too few books in the mens movement, and even fewer good ones, this is one of better ones. We're lucky to have men who've put the effort into creating works like this. Highly recommended reading!

To anyone who might be interested in psychology or personal growth.......2006-11-10

King, Warrior, Magician, Lover is a great book.
Personally, what I've found most interesting was the picturing of how men can manifest the archetype's energies in infantile manners. It's also very interesting how it maps the archetypes with certain myths and religions. Personally, I like the "all the different theories fit together" feeling it gives.
I would not say that this is a self-help book. But in times where children raising is so poor, the book plays its part in helping men become more mature. And that is very, very valuable.
That's it. Sorry for my bad english.

Prequel.......2004-10-02

In such a slim volume, the authors did a splendid job of introducing the reader to their 4 male archetypes. They concisely describe these archetypes and provide some arguments for their theory and some applications of their findings. Moore is a Jungian psychologist and Gillette is a mythologist. It's an interesting and fertile collaboration of specialties. But, they simply cannot do justice to the 4 archetypes in one, tiny, volume. Thus, they wrote and published a volume on each of the 4 archetypes (5 books in all). Therefore, I'd consider this an introductory volume or prequel (a bit like the Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings trilogy). It's good in its own right, but better viewed as part of a much larger work. This larger work rates at least 5 stars. By the way, Dr. Moore has also produced numerous audio tapes for the C. G. Jung Institute of Chicago (I'm a life member) which you can buy (or rent if you join). He's a great speaker. In addition to listening to the tapes, I've heard him in person when he came to Maryland. Great drawl!

Average customer rating:

Wow - Movie and Book, Both Great
One of the rare cases where a film exceeds a book
Vance is MAGIC
Magic is Magic
the prestige

The Prestige
Christopher Priest
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312858868
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Amazon.com

The Washington Post called this "a dizzying magic show of a novel, chock-a-block with all the props of Victorian sensation fiction: seances, multiple narrators, a family curse, doubles, a lost notebook, wraiths, and disembodied spirits; a haunted house, awesome mad-doctor machinery, a mausoleum, and ghoulish horrors; a misunderstood scientist, impossible disappearances; the sins of the fathers visited upon their descendants." Winner of the 1996 World Fantasy Award, The Prestige is even better than that, because unlike many Victorians, Priest writes crisp, unencumbered prose. And anyone who's ever thrilled to the arcing electricity in the "It's alive!" scene in Frankenstein will relish the "special effects" by none other than Nikola Tesla.

Book Description

In 1878, two young stage magicians clash in the dark during the course of a fraudulent sance. From this moment on, their lives become webs of deceit and revelation as they vie to outwit and expose one another. Published in hardcover to international acclaim, The Prestige won the World Fantasy Award and Britains James Tait Black Memorial Prize. It is a sophisticated, breathtaking entertainment for readers of brilliant genre fantasies like Tim Powers Last Call, or of magical mainstream novels like Robertson Davies Fifth Business and Patrick Susskinds Perfume.

Customer Reviews:

Wow - Movie and Book, Both Great.......2007-08-22

If you saw the movie READ THE BOOK. If you read the book SEE THE MOVIE. They are both spectacular, and both are very different. One of the few times when I can say this in full earnest.

If you love Victorian-era magic, plots with spectacular twists and turns, and shifts in perspective, this is a must read!

One of the rare cases where a film exceeds a book.......2007-08-10

This is one of the rare cases where a film exceeds a book. The film tightened plot, focused more on the rivalry, and wisely cut the present-day framing. As the book stands, it comes across as a run-of-the-mill gothic horror, with a touch of the H. P. Lovecraft. There are occasional goosebumps, but, as the film shows, the story could used one more revision.

Don't get me wrong, there are strengths. Priest is a marvel at changing his voice. Borden's and Angier's voices are distinct--lower class versus the aristocrat. As another reviewer noted, unlike actual 19th über-flowery, über -tedious prose, Priest is very readable.

I also found reading the contrasting journals a particular delight. This is what history is really like--each person with their own point of view. It is this person-relative perspective that drives the world. This is why we should not judge unrighteously--we have a limited assessment of the facts. And, sometimes, there are no heroes.

SPOILER: Take the climax, where Borden stops the IN A FLASH machine mid-transit. Objectively, this was just a terrible accident. But the events that lead up to the accident were not. Like a classic Greek tragedy, this book has no heroes. Both Borden and Angier start out as loudmouth punks (rudely debunking versus the crackpot letters), their pride being a poor cover for callowness. And you know full well that they loved their rivalry. In sum, Borden seems the nastier: in March 1896 and further on, Borden does a series of sabotages, overstating his point. And the water-tank is unpardonable.

The ending is classic--even vintage--gothic horror. There is always a beast lurking in the hidden room, symbolic of the hidden corner of our hearts. But this maybe the books weakness--it aims too low. Instead of tightly focusing on the rivalry, a GREAT, COSMIC, ETERNAL TRUTH, Priest leaves us with a lowball bunt.

Vance is MAGIC.......2007-08-09

Simon Vance takes the audio listeners on a journey of the mind you will never forget. If you saw the Michael Caine/Hugh Jackman movie a few years ago, this audio production is better. Remember what someone once told me, "Books are always better than movies"...well audio is another world, in my opinion, and better than both books or movies.

If you don't know the basic story, it is about two rival magicians at the turn of the century who try to outdo each other illusion by illusion. There is an evil in their rivalry to out do the other.

Vance's narrative skills is fantastic to listen to. He can do amazing things vocally as he recants the tale, written by noted author Christopher Priest. He knows his way around an accent/vocal character showcase the talent of the performer.

So go get this now before this audio disappears from view.

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

Magic is Magic.......2007-08-06

"The Prestige" is truly exciting reading. It chronicles the rivalry of two outstanding magicians of the latter 19th and early 20th centuries. It is written in diary form (akin to Bram Stoker's "Dracula")which heightens the intimacy of the characters for the reader. Add to that a plot with many twists and turns that keep the reader's attention at a high pitch. Since the book is about stage magic, it gives some insight into traditional magic tricks but doesn't give all the magic away. I recommend it as very enjoyable reading.

the prestige.......2007-07-19

it's taking forever to read; the story appeal to readers with interest in magic, the book drags and drags and and it's quite different from the movie, like always.

Average customer rating:

Dreadful
Really good book
The New Dragon Riders
Aerie
Ending the series with a whimper

Aerie (The Dragon Jousters, Book 4)
Mercedes Lackey
Manufacturer: DAW Hardcover
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 075640391X

Book Description

Kiron has secretly gathered an army of dragon riders to seek refuge in the abandoned desert city they have named Sanctuary, where they join with other dragon riders to rid their world of both war and magical domination. But now it is time to build a new society in Aerie: an ancient city that seems to have been designed for dragon riders and their dragons.

Customer Reviews:

Dreadful.......2007-10-02

I absolutely adored the first two books in this series. The characters were awesome; believable, funny and easy to relate to. The third book was pretty good, but begged for a proper ending. Sadly it never got one. The characters I loved in the first three books apparently got personality transplants. The couple that had been soooooo incredibly in love with each other inexplicably started hating each other (ok, not actual hate, but close enough). The only character in this book I found believable at all was "the other woman", in fact most of the book I was rooting for her to get the guy. But alas, I was disappointed even at that.

By itself not a bad book. As an ending to this brilliant series, and by this wonderful author (whose other books I have enjoyed a great deal) it was positively dreadful.

Really good book.......2007-05-13

This book is funny and exciting and interesting. You don't really have to read the first three books to understand it, but it's better if you do. It's about someone who was a serf and became a dragon-rider who Jousted, and then saved a country from magicians. Then they found a new place to live, where they help protect the desert from evil people.

This is a good book. I really liked the dragons.

The New Dragon Riders.......2007-03-08

Aerie (2006) is the fourth Fantasy novel in the Dragon Jousters series, following Sanctuary. In the previous volume, Kiron rescued Aket-ten from the Magi and inadvertently initiated feedback within the Eye, which then ran wild. Deadly heat beams and the resulting earthshakes destroyed the central island of Alta and the damage spread outward. As the Tian army was invading across the Great Causeway, the final earthshake totally demolished the bridge. Amidst all the destruction, the Great Kings of both Alta and Tia were killed and so were most of the Magi.

In this novel, Great King Ari and Great Queen Nofret rule the united Kingdoms of Alta and Tia from Mefis. Sanctuary is mostly occupied by priests. Aerie, however, has been claimed by many tradesmen and the dragon riders.

Carved into the stone walls of desert canyons, Aerie seems to be made for dragon riders. The bottom floor of each dwelling is a tall room without windows and partially underground; filled with sand, it makes a perfect dragon wallow. The second and, in some cases, third floors have thick walls and small windows to protect against the sun and sand storms.

The dragon riders need the extra room, for dragon taming has become a highly prized vocation. Kiron is now the Lord of Jousters, with eight wings under his command; some riders are former Tian jousters, but many have come from the common classes. Aket-ten has even organized a Queen's Wing with eight other females. Although the rank and admiration are welcome, the dragon riders do need to find a new use for their skills.

The military in both Alta and Tia has been greatly disrupted by the machinations of the Magi and the subsequent destruction of the higher ranks. The caravan routes are no longer being patrolled by the armies and some soldiers have even become bandits. Obviously the dragon riders have a role to play in suppressing these thieves and murderers.

Kiron starts having the dragons and riders train in patrolling and anti-ambush tactics. Even before they have completed the first day of training, the dragon riders have a live fire exercise against a group of bandits. He even finds a way to dispose of the captives. The caravan masters are very pleased with the new protection and make known their approval at court.

Aket-ten finds her plans for the Queen's Wing to have Nofret's permission and approval, but the women are not volunteering for the positions. Her first recruit, Peri-en-westet, was eager to accept the job, but others are reluctant to undertake a vocation so associated with males and violence. Finally, Aket-ten draws on her on experiences and recruits seven other females from among the minor priestesses.

Peri meets Kiron at dinner in the Jousters Court of Sanctuary. She is struck by the similarities between him and the stories told to her by Letis, her old mistress. As Peri learns more, she becomes convinced that Kiron is Letis's long lost son.

In this story, Kiron finds the body of a lone border guard in the desert. After the body is taken to Sanctuary, the priests discover his duty station, but cannot find anything significant about his death and nothing at all unusual about the border fortress or town. Kiron has to go out with other dragon riders and a priest to take a closer look.

A new menace seems to be developing in the East. Far in the past, the Nameless Ones had come out of the East and are still feared both by the ignorant and the informed. What could be coming toward them?

Highly recommended for Lackey fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of tame dragons, aerial tactics, political intrigues and a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Aerie.......2007-02-17

This book sucks big time. I really like the writing of Mercedes Lackey. I do not believe she wrote this book. I feel cheated out of purchase price. It wasn't worth anything.

Ending the series with a whimper.......2007-02-04

It took several pages before I could get interested in this book, but once I did I was pleasantly surprised ... for about half the book. The characters of Kiron and Aket-ten were showing greater complexity than they had in the past books, and I enjoyed the misunderstandings in their relationship, as well as the developing mystery that drove the plot. Then - POOF! - the real, understandable reasons for their disagreements were swept aside, the mystery was cleared up, and deus ex machina descended to solve all the problems for the Tians and Altans. It was such a disappointing ending to the series. I've been loyally reading all of Mercedes Lackey's books for the past twelve years, and I can't help feeling a little betrayed by the decline in quality.

The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit

Average customer rating:

Love it, always have!
A little simple, but an engaging series that doesnt drag on forever
Nothing inherently wrong with the writing but....
A good, simple read!
The Belgariad

The Belgariad, Vol. 1 (Books 1-3): Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit
David Eddings
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0345456327
Release Date: 2002-08-27

Book Description

Millions of readers have discovered the magic of David Eddings’ New York Times bestselling series The Belgariad. Now the first three books in this monumental epic appear in a single volume. Here, long-time fans can rediscover the wonder—and the uninitiated can embark upon a thrilling new journey of fantasy and adventure.

It all begins with the theft of the Orb that for so long protected the West from an evil god. As long as the Orb was at Riva, the prophecy went, its people would be safe from this corrupting power. Garion, a simple farm boy, is familiar with the legend of the Orb, but skeptical in matters of magic. Until, through a twist of fate, he learns not only that the story of the Orb is true, but that he must set out on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger to help recover it. For Garion is a child of destiny, and fate itself is leading him far from his home, sweeping him irrevocably toward a distant tower—and a cataclysmic confrontation with a master of the darkest magic.

Customer Reviews:

Love it, always have!.......2007-08-15

Approximately 15 years ago, I was given a copy of Pawn of Prophecy (Belgariad). I quickly read all the Belgariad, then the Mallorean and moved on to Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. I have never read anything like these books. Over the last 15 years I have read all these books at least 20 times. Everytime I read the series something else comes out of the books that i either didn't notice last time or that became more important as I aged. David and his wife Leigh Eddings intersperse just enough philosphy and aged wisdom to enhance the reading experience. Dialog is often funny, while maintaining the seriousness of the story.

For a great read, and an engaging read, I recommend you read the best series of books I have ever read.

A little simple, but an engaging series that doesnt drag on forever.......2007-07-11

While the plot line is of a simplish epic quest, good vs evil, type, that doesnt detract from the enjoyment of reading these books at all. Not only is the entire series fast paced and full of action, but the interactions between the characters, whom I love dearly, are also very entertaining and hilarious.

Both this series, and its sequel series, are well worth the read, so buy them, and don't cheat yourself out of a great read by only buying the first few.

Nothing inherently wrong with the writing but...........2007-07-06

I read some good reviews of this series and thought it might be worth checking out. There is nothing horrible about the writing. The storyline is interesting, though a bit of a cliche. The problem with the books (I only read the first two) is that every character is a stereotype. All Drasnians are cunning and secretive, all Chereks are big brutes who get drunk and like to fight, all Murgos are bad etc. etc. No one in the books seem to have a free thought apart from where they are from. There is nothing inherently bad about the writing, but I found the shallow stereotypical characters mundane and a little disturbing. But if you can read the books without actually thinking about what you are reading than go for it.

A good, simple read!.......2007-06-21

I have to admit that when I started reading these stories, I felt the plot was somewhat slow. But keep going! the books are not all that long. You need to read through at least book 3, which is my favorite so far. Eddings writing gets better the further you read. Some people have complained that these stories are cliche. They are not exactly original, but if the writing is good, it's worth it to read them. Why can't we every now and then just read a good book and not worry about its originality, how deep is the story? Just once in awhile read a book and enjoy it for the journey it takes you on. This is one of those books!

The Belgariad.......2007-05-31

I regret that I was forced to give it 1 star. If I had to write Cliff Notes for book one It would say "They went from here to there." Over the course of 5 books this kid casts 4 spells and at the end he is Fencing with a God and wins! I will say Eddings writes a character like no one. They really have a personality, but I found the entire experience of reading the Belgariad to be a waste of time.

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