Zodiac

Average customer rating:

Not as good as the movie.

Elusive

What a waste of time

This is supposed to be a true crime book?!?!?!

Great!

Zodiac
Robert Graysmith
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Murder & Mayhem | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Serial Killers | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America's Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed

The Night Stalker (Pinnacle True Crime)

Zodiac Zodiac

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders

Killer Clown: John Wayne: The John Wayne Gacy Murders

ASIN: 0425098087
Release Date: 2002-04-02

Amazon.com

"SHE WAS YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL BUT NOW SHE IS BATTERED AND DEAD. SHE IS NOT THE FIRST AND SHE WILL NOT BE THE LAST." Few cases in the history of true crime are as colorful and intriguing as that of Zodiac, the bizarre gunman in an executioner's hood who hunted the streets of San Francisco in the late 1960s and sent dozens of taunting letters to the police. Robert Graysmith provides ample details about the police investigation, including the full text and photos of most of the letters. Zodiac is an excellent starting point not only for the casual reader, but also for those interested in retracing the author's steps in order to pursue their own ideas about who the killer may have been. This book has been praised by the San Francisco Chronicle, the very paper in which the Zodiac's eerie messages and cryptograms were published: "Graysmith's taut narrative brings the horror back with jolt upon jolt."

Book Description

Who was Zodiac? A serial killer who claimed 37 dead. A sexual sadist who taunted police with anonymous notes. A madman who was never apprehended. This is the first, complete account of Zodiac's reign of terror. Is he still out there?

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as the movie........2007-06-10

Caught the movie first, and then went to the book after my appetite was wetted. The movie is largely faithful to the book so if you're interested in the story of the Zodiac, I'd watch the film instead. This edition is out of date. The chief suspect in the case died after the printing of this edition and it appears they could be more honest about the guy after he was no longer in a position to sue. A good book, but I recommend the movie. If you want to read the book, get the updated edition.

Elusive.......2007-02-19

Several years ago, I read "Zodiac Unmasked" by Robert Graysmith. The disorganized writing style detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I recently got around to reading Graysmith's original book "Zodiac". While this book is much more professionally written, it only differs from "Zodiac Unmasked" in that "Zodiac" refers to prime suspect Arthur Leigh Allen in the alias Robert Hall Starr. Graysmith still has the same suspect in mind for both books and he has only convinced me that to an 80% degree of certainty that Allen is a viable suspect.

Rather than recount the crimes of the Zodiac in this review, I would recommend using several web sites which might give those interested a concise version of the Zodiac. Many aspects of this story that are not in print are suggested on the web, though truthfulness has to be questioned.

The Zodiac Killer may be the most mysterious and elusive serial killer in American history. The continued question about the killer's identity has left readers looking for answers. This book is a good place to start your search to for an answer that may never be found.

What a waste of time.......2007-02-17

This is a good read if you want to know exactly who the Zodiac is NOT, Graysmith's suspect has been debunked. Not just by people who "didn't like his book", but by fingerprints and DNA evidence. Graysmith will still try to sell you on Starr (aka Allen) as a viable suspect but can not do so with facts. I'm hoping the upcoming movie wont be quite as fictional but it most likely will be.

This is supposed to be a true crime book?!?!?!.......2007-02-03

When this novel first appeared in 1986, everyone assumed the author, Robert Graysmith, had honestly and accurately documented the unsolved case of the Zodiac murders. Nothing can be further from the truth.

I first noticed errors in his work as early as 1993, but assumed they were perhaps typos or he was a little mixed up with directions. I had known since 1991 that "Robert Hall Starr" was none other than Arthur Leigh Allen, the most well-known Zodiac suspect, and I knew he lived at 32 Fresno Street in Vallejo. After reading this novel thinly disguised as a non-fiction true crime book, I assumed, as did everyone else, that Allen lived close to Zodiac victim Darlene Ferrin (pp. 33, 293) and later moved to Santa Rosa (p. 268); since he was in Vallejo in the 1990's, I assumed he moved back. After unsuccessfully trying to locate his place of employment in Santa Rosa (which Graysmith described in detail, pp. 271-272, 277, 281, 305) in late 1994, I started looking at things in Vallejo. It was then that I realized how close 32 Fresno was to 1300 Virginia (where Darlene Ferrin lived, p. 16), and I wondered what the odds were against Allen living close to her in 1969, moving to Santa Rosa and then returning to the same general area in the 1980's or 90's. A little further checking into old directories for Vallejo revealed that Allen had never moved away!

It was then that everything began to unravel for Graysmith. I noticed as I looked back over old newspaper accounts that I had read much of the dialogue before; Graysmith lifted it straight from the newspaper stories without even giving anyone credit! But it didn't end there. His theories never made any sense, such as the infamous "projector theory" (pp. 218-219). He claimed that, after closely studying the April 1978 letter (which was ultimately found to be a forgery), the Zodiac Killer used a projector to trace over the writing of other people, so that, if his own writing was checked by law enforcement, there would be no match. Nice theory, however, how did the Zodiac use the projector to write on the car door of victim Bryan Hartnell (pp. 72, 76-77)? Not only that, if he was so certain in 1978 that the Zodiac was using a projector to disguise his writing, why was he just two years later trying to get samples of Arthur Leigh Allen's handwriting for expert Sherwood Morrill to examine (pp. 281-283), and why did he spend at least four years trying to do so (p. 305)? Graysmith claimed that Allen's writing "was the closest to the Zodiac printing that I had ever seen" (p. 281). If Allen was the Zodiac as Graysmith is trying to make everyone believe, what then was the point of Allen using a projector to disguise his writing when it looked just like the Zodiac's writing anyway?

It's absurdities like this that make this novel a waste of time if you're interested in the truth and the facts of the case, but it is totally entertaining on another level entirely as we watch Graysmith painting himself into corner after corner and sticking his foot in his mouth time and again.

One thing that bears special mention is how and, more importantly, when, Graysmith claims he first heard about Allen. In his 1986 version of the story (p. 260), he says it was on March 2nd, 1980, and he was asking Inspector Dave Toschi if any Zodiac suspects ever wrote to him. Toschi claimed Allen was the only one, and Graysmith details the conversation. In his 2002 followup novel, "Zodiac Unmasked" (pp. 181-182), Graysmith claims this conversation happened sometime after August 31st, 1977 (the day Allen was released from Atascadero) and before January 3rd, 1978; it is apparently early September 1977, and not only are the details of the conversation different than in his original version 16 years prior (though they still revolve around Graysmith inquiring as to whether any suspects ever wrote to Toschi), he now claims the time it happened was two and a half years earlier!

To top things off, we find in the 2007 reissue of "Zodiac" yet a third version of that conversation (p. 346)! In this case, the director of the new movie "Zodiac," David Fincher, is detailing how Graysmith became involved, and it had nothing to do with asking about suspects! The time is just prior to Allen's release from Atascadero, so it is July or August 1977, and Graysmith wants to help with the case so Toschi essentially enlists his aid and tells him to check out Allen in Vallejo!

So, Graysmith details three different versions of the conversation and gives three different dates as to when it allegedly happened, and he was one of the only two people who were there! What gives?

The answer is obvious, and if he can't be truthful about an incident that he himself participated in, then we know precisely what to expect from the rest of this novel. If you want to know the truth, then don't waste your time with this book. If you want to read a scary and entertaining piece of fiction, then this novel is just what you're looking for! Just don't confuse it with reality.

Oh, and I had to give it a one star rating because there are no zero star ratings.

Great!.......2007-01-15

Great book. Good true crime reading. Very detailed, author spent much time researching for his novel.

The Taste of Night (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Much better than the first
Taste #2
A great follow-up to 'The scent of shadows'
Even better than I'd hoped!
Leaves you Hangin'

The Taste of Night (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 2)
Vicki Pettersson
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Contemporary | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0060898925
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

Vicki Pettersson returns with the second sign of the Zodiac! Joanna Archer has discovered the truth about her mysterious heritage to become a fully–fledged member of the supernatural Zodiac force, the Archer.

Even as a mortal, Joanna Archer was nobody's idea of a victim. But now, infused with the power to alter the supernatural battle between Shadow and Light forever, what she's become is a target. And when a toxic virus invades the valley, so do all of her allies. It's up to Joanna to find the cure that will save them all, but in order to do so she'll have to embrace her Shadow side ... even if it leaves her with nowhere to hide in an all–out battle with the demons of her past.

Customer Reviews:

Much better than the first.......2007-09-28

With the worldbuilding that dragged the first book down out of the way, Petterson really picks up the pace in Taste of the Night. There is a good amount of action and Petterson did do a good job at fleshing out some of the Joanna's relationships. Joanna comes to an understanding with Hunter. She also has a chance to interact more with her father and was quite interesting.

I still had problems through most of the book with the main character. I found Joanna/Olivia quite frustrating and at time not a very sympathetic character. She tended to act on impulse without thinking things through and does a great deal of damage to the members of her team and to the innocents she's supposed to be protecting. She is self-centered and murderous, and extremely focused on vengence. She is oftern more dark than light and sometimes its is pretty hard to tell this heroine from the bad guys. She does go through a maturing at the climax, so I hoping that the this will make her more palatable in the next book.

Taste #2.......2007-08-26

HI, Vicki - if you need a Medical Advisor for the series, let me know. My wife and I met you at the McCarron Airport at your book signing last month. We talked to you about real estate in Las Vegas - and I had my picture taken with you. My wife's the redhead who took the picture..Ken.. I love the books!!!

A great follow-up to 'The scent of shadows'.......2007-08-26

'The Scent of Shadows' was Vicki Pettersson's debut novel and the first book in the 'Signs of the zodiac'-series. It introduced the characters and the premise of the fight of good versus evil through 12 Agents of Light and 12 Shadow Agents, one for each sign of the zodiac. Every major city has their own teams of agents, and this series is about those of Las Vegas.
In the first novel, Joanna Archer lost her old life and the people in it when she turned 25, the age when agents go through a metamorphosis that sets their powers free. Her situation was special since her mother was on the side of light, while her father is the leader of the dark side. So she has inherited powers from both parents and according to ancient prophesy, she will play a decisive role in the battle between good and evil. While the shadow zodiac would like to make her join them, her fellow fighters for good don't really trust her because of her mixed heritage. In this situation, she is bent on revenge against a shadow agent who raped her as a teenager. Her best chance to do so seems to be a deal with Regan, a 24-year-old shadow zodiac who hasn't come into her powers yet. But not all is as it seems and the price she has to pay for going behind the backs of her comrades is high. The shadow zodiacs want to kill all their opponents and don't mind killing innocents to achieve their goals. Not only Joanne will have to decide whose side she's on and who to trust...
'The scent of shadows' is a worthy follow-up to the first part of the series. It has the same mixture of an intelligent and original story with great action scenes, a sense of humour, and emotional depth. I think this is one of those novels that are even more fun when you read them for the second time, because some things seemed flawed and began to make sense / be great as the novel continued. The heroine is strong and intelligent, but also has flaws and doesn't always do the right thing. I appreciate this, since I prefer realistic mixed characters to clicheed heroes or villains who are completely good or bad. The result is that you can't always be completely on her side since Joanna makes mistakes and goes through a learning process. Don't let this stop you from reading (on), Joanna's development is very interesting and convincing. At first also I thought there were some logical weaknesses, especially regarding the 'secret' of Joanna's identity. But the solution made it clear that in context it all made sense. So after I finished it, I felt it was as good as the 1st book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes intelligent dark fantasy like Kim Harrison or also Charlaine Harris (+ action scenes). I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Vicky Pettersson's novels!

Even better than I'd hoped!.......2007-08-25

I loved the first book of this series, so I was very excited when the second came out. The Taste of Night did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The plot was so interesting and original. I didn't want to put it down! I like the idea of having each book be a fulfullment of the "signs" of the Karios. This book dealt a lot with resolving the Joaquin angle, and I liked how it played out. I know several reviewers comment on how often Joanna messes things up, but I think it's a nice touch that even though she's the big bad Kairos, she's still new to this life and needs help.

If you liked the first book, you'll love this one even more! Brilliant writing and great characters. You won't want the book to end!

Leaves you Hangin'.......2007-08-23

I enjoyed the first book immensely. This installment was not quite as good, but it makes me want to read the next in the series. The lead character gets her butt kicked a little too much to have all these super-powers in my opinion...but that seems to be the norm lately in the superhero genre. It is reminiscent of the early Anita Blake books before Ms. Hamilton, turned them into soft-core porn! It has plenty of action, and that is what I read these types of books for.

Average customer rating:

Political Cartoonist turned Wanna Be Cop
Early Impressions
Disturbing truth
Deadly Killer, Dull Book
Incredible detail

Zodiac
Robert Graysmith
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Serial Killers | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0425212181

Customer Reviews:

Political Cartoonist turned Wanna Be Cop.......2007-10-06

This extremely long-winded version of the Zodiac Killer investigation, as portrayed by political cartoonist Robert Graysmith, is full of detail; unfortunately, it has been saturated with detail that serves no purpose other to fill pages.

Graysmith, an apparent wanna-be cop, takes on the role of a "private investigator" and attempts to gather "evidence" on his favorite Zodiac suspect, Arthur Allen Leigh. However, readers are given some insight into other possible suspects while others that police favored are not mentioned at all.

While this book is filled with reproductions of Zodiac's letters, etc., readers are not invited to envision the victims as no photos of these individuals are included. I was only able to gain an image by Googling for information on the Zodiac Killer.

If one can weed through the usless dribble, there is an excellent story within; however, one most remember that this book was written based mainly on the author's opinion. And, to be quite frank, the opinion of a political cartoonist is not the first I'm looking to take; but readers can leave that up to their own judgment.

Early Impressions.......2007-09-25

After watching the movie twice & reading the first couple of chapters of the book, I offer the following observations. First, there is a lot of detail. One gets the sense that Graysmith put in every scrap of information he had (whether or not it was truly relevant). As an example, I offer below the list of characters introduced in Chapter Two alone. Second, his writing style is neither here nor there. It doesn't read like a fictional account of the same subject yet it is more than a summary of known facts in the case. If it were not a real case, I would not continue reading as the storyline is overcrowded with seemingly unimportant data. However, it's this same jumble of information that gives the reader a sense of what it must have been like for the detectives working the case.

1. Darlene Ferrin: shooting victim
2. Bobbie Ramos: Darlene's co-worker at Terry's Restaurant
3. Dean Ferrin: Darlene's current (second) husband
4. Dena Ferrin: Darlene & Dean's baby daughter
5. Bill & Carmela Leigh: Ferrins' landlords; Dean's bosses at Caesar's Palace Italian Restaurant
6. Karen: Darlene's 17 year old babysitter
7. Pam Suennen: Darlene's younger sister
8. Jim "Phillips" (assumed last name): Darlene's ex-husband
9. Bobbie Oxnam: previous co-worker of Darlene at San Francisco phone company
10. Leo Suennen: Darlene's younger brother
11. Mike Mageau: shooting victim; close friend of Darlene's
12. David Mageau: Mike's twin brother; also a close friend of Darlene's
13. Jay Eisen, Ron Allen, Rick Crabtree & Sydne: friends who attended Darlene's painting party
14. Richard Hoffman, Steve Baldino & Howard "Buzz" Gordon: police officers who attended Darlene's painting party
15. "Paul" the bartender (not real name): "creepy" attendee of the painting party; later a prime suspect in the murders
16. Linda Del Buono: Darlene's other sister
17. Leo: Linda (& presumably Darlene's ) father
18. Christina: Darlene's 15 year old sister
19. John Lynch: Detective Sergeant with Vallejo police
20. Harley Scalley: manager at Terry's Restaurant
21: Jane Rhodes: Darlene's acquaintance at Terry's Restaurant
22. Janet Lynne: Darlene's second babysitter
23. Pamela: Janet Lynne's friend
24. George Bryant: Blue Rock Springs Golf Course caretaker
25. Debra, Roger & Jerry: teens who came across the victims following the shooting
26. Nancy Slover: Vallejo P.D. switchboard operator
27. Ed Rust: Sergeant with Vallejo P.D.; John Lynch's partner
28. Richard Hoffman & Sergeant Conway: Vallejo P.D. at the crime scene
29. Arthur Ferrin: Dean's father
30. Officer Shrum & his partner: Vallejo P.D. sent to notify Mageau family of shooting
31. Evelyn Olson: Darlene's co-worker at Terry's Restaurant
32. Lois Mckee: cook at Terry's Restaurant
33. Carmen: Mike Mageau's mother
34. Detective Sergeant Bidou: Benicia P.D.
35. Jack Mulanax: Vallejo P.D. who inherited Ferrin case from Lynch

Disturbing truth .......2007-09-03

Well-written book, excellent research. Disturbing that several police departments were unable to solve the case and unwilling to share information to help bring down the killer. Disturbing that Californians apparently didn't demand better police work. Sad that Mr. Graysmith worked night and day looking for a killer while tax-paid police feigned interest but didn't join in. Sad that the SF's lead investigator blames others when he loses his job even though it was nine years and counting at that point with no one behind bars. How is it investigators get only one search warrant for a suspect with several homes? A sad and disturbing story all around.

Deadly Killer, Dull Book.......2007-08-27

A terrific new cover for the paperback edition, the legacy of America's most notorious uncaptured serial killer, and a tie-in to a well-regarded David Fincher film can't disguise the fact that "Zodiac" the book (first published in 1986) is one extremely slipshod piece of work.

There's ample warning from the first page in that truth is taking a holiday even if death isn't. Author Robert Graysmith channels the mind of David Faraday, taking in the sights of the Golden Gate Bridge just hours before being killed by the title figure, a serial killer who terrorized Northern California in the late 1960s. Faraday didn't have a chance to share these observations of his; so they can only be fictional constructs sent up by Graysmith to give his true-crime book a novelistic feel. It's a small moment of irritation that grows steadily as the pages turn.

First come accounts of each of the Zodiac killings. These are decently presented in some cases, with Graysmith delivering some of the same flair for setting that made his Bob Crane murder book "Auto Focus" such a good read. Unfortunately, he also reveals that book's difficulty with exposition was not a one-time thing. He mentions intriguing clues (an early victim's escapades with dangerous pals, a rumored recording of the Zodiac phoning in one of his crimes) and raises questions (why was one of Zodiac's victims dressed in several layers of clothing on a warm summer night?), but he drops these and other tangents just as soon as he picks them up, never tying them together or providing context within the larger scope of the crime.

What was Graysmith, a political cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, doing at the center of this case? He notes the Zodiac's use of cryptic lettering.

"As an editorial cartoonist you develop a strong sense of justice, a need to change things, and as a painter and cartoonist I worked with symbols every day," he writes. "The tools of my career were being misused, appropriated by a murderer."

If that sounds less than convincing, Graysmith goes on to decipher one of Zodiac's cryptic notes to the media, explaining that he did so by taking his commonly-used words from other writings and grafting them onto promising-looking patterns. Then he discloses the message he got out of it, revealing a jumble of catch-phrases and clearly random words.

It's clear that operating without any professional sense of discretion or detachment, Graysmith became too enmeshed in the drama of Zodiac for his own good. He visits the former hangouts of suspects, like a movie theater where he talks to a guy he is sure knows more than he is telling. Meanwhile, he notes footsteps on the floor above.

"I had a feeling that at any moment a stocky man in a black hood could step into the room holding a pistol," Graysmith writes. This episode occurs in 1978, nine years after Zodiac's last known murder. Needless to say, no hooded stranger appears.

The whole book is like that, full of twists and turns leading nowhere. He spends a chapter on a psychic who comes up with the numbers "2" and "11" before leaving the case, and another on the phases of Saturn during each of the killings. By the time Graysmith finally begins to discuss a suspect he believes is the Zodiac, he employs the pseudonym "Bob Starr" because of the threat of a lawsuit. Here's an idea: Stick to the facts, then the guy can't sue you.

Well, now the guy can't, 'cause he's dead. Graysmith mentions his name now, in a long paperback postscript devoted to the movie. While authorities have apparently ruled him out, no one has mentioned another suspect to take his place. That gives Graysmith a sliver of credence, no one else has come up with a better. Yet it is likely the wrong name.

I didn't care so much about that. I just felt my intelligence insulted by Graysmith's poor writing style and overall turgidness. "Zodiac" performs the amazing feat of making murder as exciting as accounting, only this time the book doesn't balance.

Incredible detail.......2007-08-21

Robert Graysmith is no Vincent Bugliosi, but he does know more about the Zodiac killings than anybody else on the planet. The detail about each of the five known killings is incredible, and Graysmith unearths another killing that occurred in Riverside prior to the Zodiac killings that may have been committed by the same person. And he does come up with a likely suspect.

Prior to reading ZODIAC, I rented the David Fincher movie. I was expecting the movie to follow the book pretty closely, but there are some composite characters in the movie. Graysmith tells us about three main suspects; whereas, there were only two in the movie. Graysmith also speculates (pretty much believes) that Zodiac went right on killing after the murder of cab driver Paul Lee Stine. He lists 41 possible Zodiac murders, the last one occurring in 1981. Graysmith also had access to the Zodiac letters in which the murderer claimed credit for many more murders than those generally attributed to him.

Graysmith has some annoying habits. For one thing, he describes every stitch of clothing one of the early murder victims is wearing. He's also awfully skittish about using real names. So many people are given pseudonyms this might as well be fiction. Later on he goes into elaborate detail about the phases of the moon, and how the Zodiac could have been planning his murderers to correspond with them. Then there's the sycophantic description of Filcher's movie as an addendum to the book. Here's Graysmith's description of Filcher's attention to detail: "His eye is calculating, more precise than any mechanical optics."

Something else that I find puzzling was the police's inability to keep track of two of the victims who lived through Zodiac attacks, Mike Mageau and Kathleen Johns. Kathleen got a really good look at him. I would have liked to see a "where are they now" epilogue concerning some of the major characters. Mageau is barely mentioned, strange since he supposedly identified the man who tried to kill him. I would imagine that's covered in ZODIAC UNMASKED, the follow-up.

The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

The Scent of Shadows (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 1)
Vicki Pettersson
Manufacturer: Eos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0060898917
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

When she was sixteen, Joanna Archer was brutally assaulted and left to die in the Nevada desert.

By rights, she should be dead.

Now a photographer by day, she prowls a different Las Vegas after sunset—a grim, secret Sin City where Light battles Shadow—seeking answers to whom or what she really is . . . and revenge for the horrors she was forced to endure.

But the nightmare is just beginning—for the demons are hunting Joanna, and the powerful shadows want her for their own . . .

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

Chinese | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Irish | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Japanese | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Doctors & Medicine | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Lawyers & Criminals | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Love, Sex & Marriage | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Assyria, Babylonia & Sumer | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

Early Civilization | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

Historiography | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

French | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Victorian | Erotica | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Epic | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

German | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Russian | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Chinese | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Conspiracy Theories | Current Events | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

War on Drugs | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

English (All) | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

Science | Dictionaries & Thesauruses | Reference | Subjects | Books

Online Research | Genealogy | Reference | Subjects | Books

Native American | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Sailor Moon | Popular Characters | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Pilates | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

History | Fashion | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

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.

Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America's Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed

Average customer rating:

BOOK A+, BUT TOO LONG
Not as good as it should have been
chopping, uninteresting, self-promoting
Obsession Continued
Mike Mageau's Man

Zodiac Unmasked: The Identity of America's Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed
Robert Graysmith
Manufacturer: Berkley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Serial Killers | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0425212734

Book Description

The San Francisco Chronicle hailed Robert Graysmith's Zodiac as "provocative...the taut narrative brings the horror back jolt upon jolt."

And that wasn't even the whole story.

When the Zodiac killings began in 1968, Robert Graysmith, employed at the San Francisco Chronicle, became fascinated with the case. Before the murder spree was over, Zodiac claimed 37 victims. His mocking notes to authorities dared them to catch him. They never did. Now after following the clues for thirty years, Graysmith provides the final chapter-with hundreds of never-before-published photos and the only complete reproduction of the Zodiac letters.

Customer Reviews:

BOOK A+, BUT TOO LONG.......2007-08-27

I enjoyed both Graysmith/Zodiac books, but ZODIAC UNMASKED was 100 PAGES TOO LONG. Plus much of the info was repeated 2-4 times. I was almost expecting a test at the end!

Not as good as it should have been.......2007-08-01

Author too long winded. I love true crime, but this book just couldn't hold my attention.

chopping, uninteresting, self-promoting.......2007-07-22

This is an awful book is myriad ways, but I'll try to mention the very worst aspects. Graysmith's style was choppy and very hard to follow. he frequently refers to events with no context at all and in random order - unless you have committed the entire Zodiac case to memory (and he seems to assume everyone has), you will be as lost as I was. The direct quotes are often difficult to make sense of, as is of course typical when quotes are taken out of full conversations, but a good writer provides elaborating text; Graysmith never bothers. The date format Graysmith imposes is probably intended to give some kind of structure to what really seems to be a bunch of random notes, but it doesn't work at all as he still jumps forward and backward in time and the dates don't seem to be related to anything in particular.

Graysmith's case for Allen as the Zodiac seems no more compelling than the cases for other suspects, and the fact that there was no DNA match, no fingerprint match, and no handwriting match make it clear his whole theory is pure speculation. If Allen hadn't been a pedophile you'd feel sorry for the guy. Whe middle of the book contains constant references to Graysmith's book "Zodiac" and how it was used as a "bible" by police, whom he states bought enormous numbers of copies to learn from, and how "Zodiac" was so wonderfully helpful to a wide variety of people. He also makes several statements such as "had there ever been a greater mystery?" and calls the unresolved hunt for Zodiac "one of the greatest mysteries of all time." Is he kidding? My only remembrance of the Zodiac was because of some old Clint Eastwood movie. If I were to rank eternal mysteries, Zodiac wouldn't even make the list. Graysmith seems to be so obsessed with this topic that he thinks the whole world revolves around it. Move on already.

Obsession Continued.......2007-05-29

It is true that this book is not as engaging and riveting as the first. For some reason though, some people have it out for the author Graysmith. This book is based on and is a literal text of Graysmith's thought process. Like anyone's thought process, this doesn't mean that it's all based entirely in fact. As I said in my review of "Zodiac", most police work isn't based totally in the facts but in speculation that most likely fits those facts. Being as how we weren't at the scene as the crimes were being committed, and if we had all the facts we'd know without a doubt who Zodiac was or is, speculation, whether loosely based on the facts or not, is necessary.

It is fact that Arthur Leigh Allen is the favorite suspect of many of the law enforcement officials closest to the Zodiac investigation. This book isn't how they came to that, but how Graysmith did. Graysmith is no Mike Hammer or, even a spin-off of Zodiac's favorite SFPD inspector Dave Toschi. He's a novice taking a novice's approach. This book is a good continuation of the first book, but it obviously loses a little bit because it doesn't contain the introductions to the crimes and the imagery that comes with such descriptions. I enjoyed it for what it was; don't let people deter you from this work because they have it out for the author. Read it and decide for yourself, make your own conclusions. I'm glad I did.

Mike Mageau's Man.......2007-05-21

Didn't think this was that bad a book. Admittedly, not as well written as "Zodiac", as it does tend to meander back and forth and there were some typos/grammatical errors, etc.

I always had the impression from reading the first "Zodiac" that there was something personal (Allen or whoever did it) with one of the attacks, and that the others were done to make it seem that there was a serial killer on the loose.

Darlene Ferrin, the second of the string of victims, seems the most likely candidate for the "real" target of the killer. As those who read either book know, Darlene, a married woman, was out "chatting" with a friend, Mike Mageau, in a car at an isolated location - a parking lot of a country club or golf club.

Witnesses at the Ferrin's house (she had vistors and babysitters over, as a Fourth of July party had been planned) say that a car had pulled up at the Ferrins' house and the car's occupant appeared to be stalking Darlene. We're led to surmise that the killer followed Darlene and Mike Mageau to the location where they were shot.

Years later, Mageau identifed Allen (from a photograph) as the man who approached the two in the car that night.

"This Is the Zodiac Speaking": Into the Mind of a Serial Killer

Average customer rating:

Probably the best book about the Zodiac Killer
"This is the Zodiac speaking"
BUY THIS ZODIAC BOOK
the zodiac speaks!
Jack Redux

"This Is the Zodiac Speaking": Into the Mind of a Serial Killer
Michael D. Kelleher , and David Van Nuys
Manufacturer: Praeger Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Criminology | Crime & Criminals | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Murder & Mayhem | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

True Crime | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0275973387

Book Description

California was thrown into a paralysis of fear in 1969, distraught over the unsolved murders of the Zodiac killer. The Zodiac became the most elusive and frustrating adversary ever encountered by the law enforcement community in the San Francisco Bay Area. A series of letters, allegedly written by the murderer himself and published in local newspapers, only added to the mystery and panic. Over 30 years after he exploded onto the headlines of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Zodiac serial killer remains an enigma that is unparalleled in the history of crime in America, and the case remains unsolved. Violence expert Michael Kelleher and psychologist David Van Nuys attempt to provide a glimpse into the mind of this mysterious murderer. Kelleher and Van Nuys reconstruct the crime scenes, delve into the records, and psychoanalyze the Zodiac's letters to newspapers and the law enforcement agencies. The facts of the case and the fragmentary glimpses of the Zodiac's psychodynamics that came through his letters forced the authors, reluctantly, to draw a conclusion that is sure to be controversial-namely, that the Zodiac suffered from multiple personality disorder. They also debunk many popular legends and myths about the case, laying out the limited facts that we do have on the notorious Zodiac.

Customer Reviews:

Probably the best book about the Zodiac Killer .......2007-10-09

Flowing prose and a penchant for sticking to the established facts make this book a must for anyone interested in the Zodiac. DEFINATELY read it if you think that the recent film ("Zodiac") is some type of definitive presentation of the what really happened in this truly remarkable case.

"This is the Zodiac speaking".......2004-01-29

Michael Kellehers book on the Zodiac killer is well worth the time and effort and money to obtain and read!
Having researched the Zodiac case since 1987(zodiacmurders.com) I would say his book is a crisp tight narrative that fully lays out the case with exactness as he makes the story interesting while giving the reader a multi-faceted view into all aspects of the killers mind and criminal activities.
Many have related they just 'couldn't put it down' until they read the entire book!
One correction I would like to make- while STILL focusing on this fine work-is that it says Bill Nelson wrote a book on the possible connection of the Zodiac to Charles Manson and some of his associate/s.Only a small portion of the book presents this link.The majority of the content in Nelsons (now out of print) book, is about the Manson Family.It is my book ,The Zodiac Manson Connection, that has, as its MAIN theme,a possible link to the Manson Family.
Get Kellehers book is all I can say-a must for the true crime buff and members of law enforcement!

BUY THIS ZODIAC BOOK.......2003-12-07

Look no further, this is the Zodiac book that is worth your investment of money and time. Simply excellent, both factually and as entertainment.

the zodiac speaks!.......2003-04-14

This is in my opinion slightly better than Robert Graysmith's Zodiac but it does get bogged down with the information of the analysis of the letters.However, this book discounts a few theories about the Zodiac.It denies that Zodiac was a brilliant killer. It denies that Zodiac intentionally created a Z around the city when he did his crimes, the author stating it was more a connect-the-dots connection that was weak by any stretch of the imagination.Another popular theory was that Zodiac only killed near water. This book discounts that theory too, saying that San Francisco is surrounded by water on three sides.Yet another speculation was that Zodiac was brilliant in eluding the authorities when there was evidence to the contrary. Two policemen stopped him after he killed Paul Stine, a taxi driver, and if it wasn't for a wrong description about the killer (the description was of a black man) Zodiac would have been apprehended.There is more speculation about that too, that Zodiac would not have been so easily arrested; he would have put up a fight.
I also think that the suspect in Graysmith's Zodiac Unmasked was not Zodiac because he was cleared through finger-printing. Zodiac had sloppily left two partial finger-prints on a taxi after he killed Paul Stine.
This book does more of a psychological profile than Zodiac and much of it made sense, I think the author got it right about the Zodiac.
The author, Kelleher, and David Van Nuys, Chair of the Psychology Department in a Northern Californian University, differ occasionally in their opinions about the Zodiac, but mostly agree.
Van Nuys claims that Zodiac had a multiple personality disorder, brought on from a childhood trauma. Van Nuys claims that possibly he was sexually abused and had a dominant father.He states that the normal well -adjusted personality didn't know what the Zodiac personality was doing and vice versa.
The book goes on to say that Zodiac, if he still was alive,he would be looking back on his crimes now and may have been horrified by them. Van Nuys claims that possibly the good personality might have won over the Zodiac personlity. Or possibly Zodiac had committed suicide or was dead as a result of age...if he was alive he would probably be in his mid sixties.
This book doesn't really come up with any good suspects although that has been done before with other books and failed to yield results. The suspects in Graysmith's book Zodiac, I believe were not Zodiac so this subsequent book doesn't go into suspects...I think it adds to the mystery.
****&a half.

Jack Redux.......2002-12-21

I'm still reading this, and enjoying it, but was struck by its divergence from previous theories. The other recent work on Zodiac devotes several hundred pages to a suspect which that author names as the Zodiac killer. This book mentions his name once, in a one sentence dismissal. It's getting to be like Jack the Ripper, where a new theory emerges every few years (Maybe this will be next on Patricia Cornwell's list). I don't have a favorite suspect or theory to defend, but I enjoy an articulate examination of a compelling mystery. This is one.

Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis: The Original Symbols Fully Revealed

Average customer rating:

The New Standard of Excellence in Sabian Symbols
A Joy to Read
The New Classic
The "Diamond Book"
Brilliant, insightful, enlightening

Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis: The Original Symbols Fully Revealed
Blain Bovee
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0738705306

Book Description

The Sabian symbols are a set of 360 channeled images corresponding to the degrees of the zodiac. A rich source of wisdom and inspiration, these symbols are indispensable for astrological analysis. The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis offers an insightful look at the Sabian symbols, based on the original notations of their creator, Marc Edmund Jones.

Discussing each degree of the zodiac, Blain Bovee helps readers understand the Sabian symbols, while leaving plenty of room for individual interpretation. The extensive use of key words and phrases prompts the reader to use a creative approach and to find the relevance of a specific symbol to his or her life. Bovee also demonstrates how to draw meaning from astrological pairs and opposing degrees.

Customer Reviews:

The New Standard of Excellence in Sabian Symbols.......2005-10-01

There have been a few books written in the last 10 years about the Sabian Symbols. Though each, in its own way, has relied on the genius of their creator, Marc Edmund Jones, several have liberally modified, "corrected" or altered the Jones symbol wording.

Enter "The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis: The Original Symbols Fully Revealed" by Blain Bovee, a beautifully written look at the Sabian Symbols and their practical application as an illuminating tool in astrological analysis. Here is a book that brings Sabian symbol research to a new professional level. Bovee has chosen to work with the words of Marc Edmund Jones, noting that "Any alteration whatsoever risks deflecting the original genius of the Sabian Symbols, risks distorting, through interpretive assumptions, the intuitive integrity of how the Sabian Symbols came to be. I have discovered that the Sabian Symbols are richer and more internally consistent when the original wording is honored".

I highly recommend this book for several reasons. It is professional, fully attributed, erudite yet poetically sensitive. It has everything needed for practical application and advancement of understanding of the symbols. Bovee has organized the book in opposing symbol format which invites the reader to experience the interweaving of themes and shared motifs so important to a full illumination of the symbols. He also incorporates the fivefold cycle corresponding to five aspect relationships in astrology into his interpretations noting that through this cycle "one can easily detect an unfolding story, an unfolding of general themes throughout the text of consecutive degree-pairs". And, at last, here is a book that incorporates quick reference guides, one for the symbols themselves and one for useful keywords from both Jones and Bovee, both easily accessible at the back of the book making it very easy to use for practical purposes.

This is the must have book, whether you want to learn more about the Sabian Symbols as a practical tool for chart analysis or you just want to read for the sheer pleasure of enjoying the symbols for their own sake, and far outshines anything else that I have read. Bovee is a gifted writer whose work on the Sabian Symbols will surely stand the test of time. He deftly captures the essence of the symbols while leaving plenty of room for the reader to open to his or her own interpretations. His exploration of the meanings and background of the words held within each of the original symbols and his ability to take us on a journey through these beautiful symbols is unsurpassed. He intelligently, poetically and cogently demonstrates that they need no alteration or changes and are invaluable as presented by their originator. Bovee's book truly honours both the wonderful original symbols and the genius of Mark Edmund Jones.

A Joy to Read.......2005-03-22

I recently heard Blain Bovee quote Ralph Waldo Emerson--"Every word was once a poem". Reading Blain's book indulges the mind's need to infuse magic into words--as with poetry. I work as a professional astrologer,and I use this book daily. The language, his exploration of significant words used in each of the Symbol pairs opens up great possibility for the use of the Sabian Symbols. As an example, last week I prepared an electional chart for a weblaunch. When I had gotten it just right, I checked the Ascendant degree for its Sabian Symbol. The words for that particular degree unfolded the chart I had prepared so eloquently It took my breath away! This is a book for every astrologer's library--especially that part of the library that is within an arm's reach!

The New Classic.......2005-03-20

.
"Besides guiding us carefully through the etymological backdrop of words, fine-tuning the incredible references that came out of the dark to Elsie Wheeler and Marc Edmund Jones, Bovee shows a style of relating symbolisms to personal awareness ... by following Bovee's lead-in, we learn large gulps of knowledge with every symbolism we study." Noel Tyl on "The Sabian Symbols & Astrological Analysis".

Astrology is the universal language of life and Blain Bovee's masterful work strikes at the very heart of our language, prompting us to spiral to even greater heights in our understanding and interpretation.

As the leaves of this book unfold, like the graceful and delicate petals of a lotus blossom each page leads us to the inner hidden beauty of a symbol's bloom like never before.

This rare, erudite and eminently practical masterpiece sets a whole new standard in current research and literature on the Sabian Symbols - indeed, it is the new classic, an essential "must have" for both aspiring and practicing astrologers, and in fact any individual pursuing a path of enlightenment.

For the first time Mr Bovee fully reveals how the inner dynamics of the symbols relate to one another cohesively within the astrological matrix, offering a practical process for applying the symbols to horoscope interpretation.
An accomplishment achieved only through his clearly demonstrated commitment to presenting the "original symbols" intact and holding to their essential and central truths that express universal themes of human collective thought throughout time - rather than the corrected, expanded, interpretively enhanced versions of others.

Be prepared ... your astrological skills will be rapidly and profoundly accelerated inspiring a newfound appreciation, insight and respect for the horoscope as a whole. Mine were, and this book is now my constant companion in all astrological work.

Drink deeply from this well-spring of wisdom for rarely, if ever, has an opportunity of this magnitude been presented to gain such a depth of perspective within a cohesive context - both practically and spiritually - of the Sabian Symbols in the astrological mandala.

Barbara Noble (Australia)

The "Diamond Book".......2005-01-15

I have a strange relationship with my favorite books -- I kiss them all the time! Hell, I never said I was normal! The cover design... the touch... the fresh smell of the paper... the gratitude for what's within... It's a unique physical and emotional experience.

Blain's book it's definitively a book to kiss and tell! Like many lovers, most books cannot stand the test of time... but this one was born to walk with us throughout our life. As we walk this book, we soon become captured by the evocative power and grace of Blain's vision. Yet, there's no fixed path in this journey of discovery, "only" the inspiring guidelines from a shaman's mind...

The book cover reminds me of an exploding white diamond! So, I call this book the "Diamond Book". Then, the invitation is clear and it's my pleasure to quote the Pink Floyd: "Come on you raver, you seer of visions, Come on you painter, you piper, you prisoner, and shine!"

Yep, we don't need to cry to the dark moon anymore. This "crazy" diamond reflects its pure light through 360 suggestive angles of creative thinking that will further enhance our perception of any Astrological chart! In sum: If the Sabian Symbols are the poetry of Astrology, then Mr. Blain Bovee is one of the Sabian's greatest BARDS!"

Brilliant, insightful, enlightening.......2005-01-11

This updated interpretation of degree-specific Sabian Symbols offers an uncanny insight into chart analysis.

Whether you're new to astrology or a professional astrologer, this powerful, thought-provoking book deserves a place among your most frequently used astrology books.

Average customer rating:

No Astrology Reference Library is Complete Without This Book.
Invaluable reference book for astrologers
The First Real Astrology Book I Studied!
An apology of transformation
An excellent resource

Alan Oken's Complete Guide to Astrology
Alan Oken
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Parapsychology | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0553345370
Release Date: 1988-07-01

Book Description

"Our job is to lovingly and consciously cooperate with the forces at work on this globe at this time.  Astrology provides a way to link the individual with a conscious attunement to the planetary forces that are part of and affect the whole."

More than fifteen years ago, Alan Oken pioneered the development of New Age astrology with the publication of three books collected in this comprehensive edition.  Now, newly updated, Alan Oken's Complete Astrology charts the cosmological pathway to greater personal fulfillment and spiritual attunement through a deeper, more intuitive understanding of our own power--and the age we live in.

Featuring state-of-the-art astrological charts and diagrams, line drawings, charts of contemporary celebrities, an exhaustive bibliography and much more, this new edition of the classic trilogy is one of the most accessible and informative guides to the heavens ever written.  For beginners and experts alike, Alan Oken's Complete Astrology is your key to understanding the laws of the new planetary age.

Customer Reviews:

No Astrology Reference Library is Complete Without This Book........2005-07-26

This book, hands down, is the most recommended book for serious astrologers as well as those that are more than just curious, those that want to delve a little deeper. This is definitely in my top five of most valuable books on astrology.

Invaluable reference book for astrologers.......2000-05-05

No astrological library is complete without this book. Designed for quick reference to signs, planets, houses, and aspects, I use it constantly when interpreting charts. It's the first book I recommend to others interested in studying astrology.

The First Real Astrology Book I Studied!.......2000-01-24

Alan Oken's book was the first Good astrology book I really studied. I've now been a full time professional Astrologer since 1976! Alan is a great person and teaches the material very well. Thank you Alan, you made a difference in my life!

An apology of transformation.......2000-01-15

Alan Oken is for sure a very blessed beeing from the stars, who teaches a lot about ourselves, our world, our life, with a very pretty and strong sense of love!

An excellent resource.......1999-11-10

I've read earlier incarnations of these texts over the years and am pleased to see it all collected in one volume. The writing is clear and easy to understand. This is a great book for beginners. Once you master the basics, I would highly recommend Horary Astrology Plain and Simple by Anthony Louis to further your education in classical astrological techniques.

Average customer rating:

Amazingly Accurate & Entertaining
Accurate, but save your money and buy better.
Hysterical - loved it
Darkside Zodiac
So funny... because deep down... you know it's true!

Darkside Zodiac
Stella Hyde
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1578633109

Book Description

Aren't Cancerians fed up with being the mothers of the universe? Don't Leos become weary of being told they're just fun-loving party animals? Does a girl--or boy--ever get to flash their mean streak? Do they ever--in Darkside Zodiac, the book that exposes the hidden underside of the stars, and how they affect the dark side of everyone.

The zodiac definitely has a dark side that influences the nasty in every one under every sign:

When Scorpios shed their Ms. Manners persona out pops a sex-mad control freak.

Capricorns are really bean-counting misanthropes.

Aries are head banging psychos.

Aquarians can't wait to be beamed back to the mothership.

Darkside Zodiac covers personalities, rising sign, ruling planet, Moon, qualities, and elements. It also details lifestyle choices (jobs, vacations, fashion, interior design, partners) all from a gripping, yet rarely discussed perspective.

Customer Reviews:

Amazingly Accurate & Entertaining.......2007-09-06

This is my all time favorite astrology book dealing with the negative side of the signs. The set up with colorful pages makes it a pleasure to read. The best part is that the book brings up planetary combinations such as Sun in Gemini/Venus in Leo which takes it a step further than most "dark side" astrology books that exclusively focus on the sun sign. Great bonus sections such as "What kind of Criminal are You?". I can also recommend the corresponding book for Chinese Signs- "Snarling Tiger, Dirty rat".

Accurate, but save your money and buy better........2007-06-13

If you are familiar with Stella Hyde's writing, you will know why I said accurate, but save your money. If you are not familiar, please know that she writes words but does not say anything. The accurate parts are the parts that can be understood. I do not know who taught this woman English, but it cannot be someone who was alive in the past 100 years.

Her other book, Snarling Tiger, Hidden Dragon was even worse! If you are a serious student of Astrology, go to an actual store and browse thru their books, then order it cheaper from Amazon (unless you can get it elsewhere, I can get a lot of books from 2 other suppliers at wholesale prices).

Hysterical - loved it.......2007-03-20

This book is ridiculously funny.

Caveat: as the author herself warns, this is not for the faint of heart. If you can't laugh at yourself (or your friends), this is not the book for you. If, however, you can deal with a little tongue-in-cheek cynicism and equal-opportunity send-ups of all 12 signs, this book will provide hours of teasing your friends and loved ones, while surreptitiously tearing out the pages of your own sign and hiding them where no one can find them.

Speaking as an Aries - I put up a good front. I have a carefully - very carefully - maintained facade as a sane, intelligent, enlightened human being, fit for civilized company. But once in a blue moon, while it's not what anyone in their right mind would call "flattering," it IS rather refreshing to see someone call me on it - someone who knows that under that thin innocuous veneer of decency lies a seething, rage-filled, carnivorous soul, bent on fire and destruction and entirely unreasonable, one which has no truck with such niceties as patience or logic, not when there's people out there who just... won't... do... what... I... SAY!!! *face turns red as fist slams through desk*

Ahem. Sorry about that. Where was I?

The information in the book is exaggerated and distorted (of course!) for maximum comic impact; the basis of it, though, is pretty astrologically accurate. My only complaint is with the quick-and-dirty moon sign chart in the back, which kept trying to put my moon in Taurus (it's in Gemini) - but then, the book does say it's only an approximation, and gives the address for a very nice website that will give you a complete chart for free. So that's ok then.

And again, the true value of the book lies not in pointing out your own hidden darkness (because you already knew all about that!) No, it's in what it has to say about *everyone else*. Point and laugh at your Cancer roommate when they get the sulks - again. Snicker behind your hand at the Taurean and his cake habit. Call your Gemini best friend on it when he tries to fast-talk you into a bad idea - AGAIN. Tell your Scorpio buddy - wait. Maybe that's a bad idea. Just... quietly back away from your Scorpio buddy. And don't make eye contact.

All kidding aside, it's a really fun book. If you have any interest in astrology, or just want a chuckle, check it out.

Darkside Zodiac.......2006-08-19

This is by far one of the best books on the dark side of astrology, this give's insight into the dark side of the zodiac, all too often other astrology books gloss only seek to list the positive traits, but there lurks dibolical traits, I'am a Cancer with a moon in Scorpio and rising Aquarius and have found the so called "traditional" Cancer traits does not alway's apply to me. this book was very accurate. Currently I'am dating a Gemini which was the equivlent of siging a pact with satan. this let's me deal with him without going to prison. lol by far a superior book on the darkside of astrology. everyone should be so honest and fourthcoming.

So funny... because deep down... you know it's true!.......2006-07-21

Well, the majority, anyway...

While I thoroughly enjoy Hyde's style of cynicism, and the glossy paged, odd picture style of the book, this book is certainly not for the sensitive, or those looking for anything positive about their character, as told by the stars...

As a "slippery fish" on the cusp of a "cold hermit alien" (that's Pisces on the cusp of Aquarius) who's dating an all out "perverted scientist" (Aquarius), I laughed out loud when reading (and agreeing with, for the most part) both profiles, and have handed this book over to every friend that I thought could handle it, and from doing so, was given "Snarling Tiger, Dirty Rat" (Hyde's 'darkside' of the Chinese Zodiac) as a gift from a friend (who happens to be a Gemini - the most "psychotic" of the Zodiac).

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books