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

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.

The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection

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The Dark Shadows Companion: 25th Anniversary Collection

Manufacturer: Pomegranate Press (CA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0938817256

Average customer rating:

pride and prejudice meets cozy mystery meets vampire romance
Very Different....3 1/2 Stars
Great book!!!
Good but wish there was more
The triumphant third book in the Laws of the Blood series

Companions (Laws of the Blood, Book 3 )
Susan Sizemore
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0441008755
Release Date: 2001-10-01

Book Description

Selena Crawford is a Chicago homicide detective. She is also the unwilling companion of Istvan, chief of the Enforcers. They do their best to avoid one another-until they both find themselves investigating the murder of a vampire.

Customer Reviews:

pride and prejudice meets cozy mystery meets vampire romance.......2007-08-12

This Elizabeth-like character is intelligent, irreverent, and naturally not looking to fall for the tall dark handsome hero. The most powerful testosterone carrier around, the Darcy-esque lead doesn't want to be attracted to her, but because she's the only one who doesn't completely fall under his spell, he can't help it. The cozy mystery wrapped around these rather traditional characters is very predictable, though there is a certain novelty given that the traditions the characters are flouting aren't those of 18th century English manners but Vampire/companion behavior in a modern setting.

I've never read a vampire "romance" or any vampire books, and I've read very few traditional romances, so I'm perhaps no good judge of this genre. I happen to read Companions because, grocery shopping and combing the offerings at a Virginia Beach W**mart looking for some surfside reading on vacation, I recognized the author's name from the "In a different Reality" fanfiction zines of twenty years ago.

While the base set of characters can be considered "classic", there was enough cute dialogue and attractive details to carry a reader along through the story pretty well. At times the heroine was a little too smart and snappy for her situation to be believed, and the hero too self deprecating for such an alleged bad a**, but I might have been expecting too much reality of a genre that, to be enjoyed, apparently has to have a much wider than usual acceptance of disbelief.

Because I don't really get the vampire attraction. Not the one between the characters, which seems is partially involuntary, but for the reader. For one thing, the hero hates vampires, yet knows that his association with the girl will lead his lady love into becoming the very object he despises. The girl hates dependence, yet realizes that the more she hangs around her hero, the more slavish she's bound to become. And I suppose it also requires a stronger stomach than mine to have people talk casually about being someone's literal slave. Since there really can't be a happily every after for this pair given their circumstances, you sort of wonder how this genre can be popular as a romance one. However, if you overlook that as being part of the drawbacks of the genre, and the author certainly slogs against their fate, much as Jane Austen had Elizabeth slog against her "duty" to get a rich husband without love, then the book reads as well or better than it could be expected. You know, though, that unlike JA's novels where the romance ends happily, there really can't be a happily ever after for this couple. In fact, probably rather the reverse. That knowledge and the fact that those issues, so important throughout the book, were ignored at the end, left me feeling the ending was rushed and not fully resolved.

The cozy mystery part is very very predictable. Most of the details that were supposed to be a surprise to the reader (and were to the heroine) were foreseeable to this reader. But even though there was a slight disappointment that the book had no unexpected twists, it still read pretty well, because you were expecting them. When the events came out as predicted, you just ended up thinking a little bit less of the heroine and wondering if she was as smart as she thought she was, if she couldn't see that coming.

If you take this book for what it is, and not expect more than the genre can deliver, then this is probably a good example. The vampire hero was extremely endearing, too much so to really be believed, but still enjoyable. He even had his Miss Bates in the person of the heroine's aunt. The heroine a little too full of herself, bordering on Mary Sueism, but at least she was no shrinking violet. The plot moved well, if in well worn tracks, and the dialogue was entertaining if at times a bit cutesey.

I liked it - it made a good beach book. The drawbacks were I'd have really liked to have seen a little more character development, a little more seriousness as to how that relationship was going to actually work, particularly some address to the vampire/companion issues they keep raising throughout the book and that were ignored as issues when they got together. Why spend all that page time putting that conflict in the relationship, only to not address it satisfactorily at the end? When the mystery plot resolves, the characters' situation does too, in spite of no real change in their initial objections against it. They seem to just stop struggling against their attraction, perhaps only for the moment. I didn't know what to expect there, not being familiar with vampire romances, but I didn't see any resolution to all that set up angst, no clever way to have their relationship and get past the fate that awaits, them, they just succumb to it. Particularly for the girl who's looking toward a slave like fate she would have despised, regardless of her attraction to the "hero", that was unsatisfying. And a little twisty mystery plot surprise somewhere along the end so it didn't curl up so predictably would have helped too. 3 1/2 stars really, but give it a four because its hampered by its genre. Literature it's not, but it was reasonably entertaining for an afternoon by the waves.

Very Different....3 1/2 Stars.......2007-07-15

I saw this in the "New Releases" section and thought it was new. Obviously was a reissue. I had not read books 1 and 2. The first chapter in this book was very confusing. I'm no dummy, but throughout this book, some of the dialogue didn't not make sense to me. I found myself wondering, "What's that supposed to mean?" It was a very different type of vampire book: Companions that are sometimes abused (slaves) who--eventually--turn into vampires who then take companions for themselves and the cycle repeats itself. Huh. Also, there was some witty dialogue that just didn't fit into the scenes. Not crazy about "Steve" either. No hero in my opinion. Two years he left her alone after biting her. That was cruel. And Selena went to the reception with "helpers," but didn't bring her own weapon??? What??? I just didn't care for this book enough to try to go back and read books 1 and 2. I have read Primal Heat and a few other books by this author and enjoyed them. Go figure?

Great book!!!.......2007-01-03

The last 2-3 vampire books I read were cheesy. Glad to find one that lives up to my expectations. The author didn't fill up space with babble (which I hate by the way). I really liked the characters and plot. I really can't find anything negative about it.

Good but wish there was more.......2005-09-17

I think that as characters, the two central ones here, Selena and her "master" Steve/Istvan are very well written. The intensity of the feelings this bloodbond and their personalities create is very deep and demanding. It is a testiment to their personality that they are able to overcome it enough to do their jobs. However I really wanted more on what "normal" was in this world -- more on how Istvan is different, what the normal life of companion is life to an average vampire. Yes, I could sense it wasn't good but I think it would have been stronger to see some clear examples and not just the results or the emails about it.

The triumphant third book in the Laws of the Blood series.......2004-04-13

The first two books in Susan Sizemore's Laws of the Blood series are quite good, but Companions is really something special. The dual protagonists are as dynamic as they are fascinating, the expanded commentary on Sizemore's unique fictional universe of vampires and companions is impressive and illuminating, and the action-packed storyline is a true page-turner. Mention of Istvan has been made in the previous books - whispers of his unparalleled prowess among the Enforcers of the vampire laws - and I must say he lives up to his reputation in spades. In Companions, we learn his remarkable story, but even Istvan, with all of his might, wisdom, and power, pales somewhat in comparison to Selena, the most unusual of vampire companions.

Istvan is a dhampir born over five centuries ago - he actually worked for Count Dracula for awhile. He hates vampires and has killed many over the centuries; even though he was turned into a vampire himself (a dangerous mistake rectified in the laws soon thereafter - there is no more formidable vampire killer than a dhampir who has been turned) and works ceaselessly to defend vampire law, he has always kept himself apart from a traditional vampire lifestyle. That includes the taking of a companion, a practice virtually all vampires engage in. A bit of deception, though, brought him together with Selena Crawford two years earlier; he has fought the bloodbond that was forged between the two, however, and pretty much left Selena alone. She herself both hates and likes the situation; while she wants nothing to do with Istvan, the bloodbond is a powerful force that cannot be defeated by even the strongest of personalities - and Selena happens to have one of the strongest personalities you will ever encounter.

Now, Enforcer and companion are brought together once again, however, in the search for a vampire killer roaming the streets of Chicago. Selena is a homicide detective, but she knows that a beheaded vampire dumped in an alley falls under a very different jurisdiction than her own. While the local enforcer Ariel and eventually Istvan take over the "case," Selena does plenty of work on her own, identifying the killer and, blaming a particularly despicable vampire for indirectly causing all the trouble, takes the initiative to do something about the evil perp. Companions are not supposed to even know of each other's existence across the different cities of the world, yet there is a cybersecret support group for them, and this connection with others like herself provides Selena the support she needs to stage a mini-revolution among the ranks. In essence, she takes on the role of Enforcer among vampire companions.

The story of the killings and the thrilling conclusion of events makes for an engaging read, but it is the relationship between Istvan and Selena that makes this book such a triumph. Selena does not act like a companion; while the heat of the bloodbond keeps driving her and Istvan together in the most physical of ways, she refuses to fawn upon him or allow his actions to go unchallenged. This both antagonizes as well as delights the chief Enforcer of them all. Their sporadic relationship is remarkably human in several ways, boasting the kind of give-and-take you won't find elsewhere in the vampire world. Heck, she even tries to kill Istvan a couple of times, and that is something companions are really not supposed to do. You'll find a lot of humor in these pages alongside plenty of vampire action, but the heart and soul of Companions is the amazingly nontraditional relationship between vampire and companion. If you are tired of the same old vampire plots of old, you would do well to give Susan Sizemore a chance to impress you with her increasingly beguiling reworking of the vampire myth.

Average customer rating:

Absolutely essential..... and try to ignore the cover art!

And the Core is expanded.

Excellent for Dark ages

DA Companion: Absolutely Essential

Details Details Details

Dark Ages Companion: A Sourcebook for Vampire : The Dark Ages (Vampire - the Dark Ages)
Fred Yelk , and Leif Jones
Manufacturer: White Wolf Games Studio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1565042794

Customer Reviews:

Absolutely essential..... and try to ignore the cover art!.......2006-03-16

This is an absolute essential guide for Dark Ages: Vampire players. It has info on Medieval life, history of the time, religion of the time period, and fictional info on more obscure DA:Vampire bloodlines and disciplines, including the frightening Baali and the mysterious and doomed Salubri. Definitely recommended, excellent reading..... If you're going to play a Dark Ages Vampire game, get this!

And the Core is expanded........2002-03-19

If you have just purchased Vampire: The Dark Ages, then you will want to look deeply into this book. This book contains information to help make vampire chronicles even more dynamic than before. This volume contains a detailed section outlining the various actions and reactions of different religious organizations. I state organizations because too often the word Church is assumed to mean the Holy Roman, or Catholic Church. Although it was a major power in Europe, there were still plenty of other religions in the world; each religion had its own agenda and these are illustrated in the Companion. Now a Storyteller can be sure throw a massive curve into a Chronicle when Cainites are now confronted by not only Catholic clergy, but also pagan and followers of even more remote religions. What basis of belief do the Assamites follow? It is most assuredly not catholicism. With this book, you can get a slight taste for their beliefs, or the beliefs of those in their homelands.

So that is the church, but what about Cainites themselves? The Companion carries the higher level disciplines for the one listed in the Dark Ages core book. The authors have also included more Thaumaturgical paths as well as power to make better Infernalists. This book carries a wide selection of Dark Thaumaturgical paths and rituals. It also carries a few new disciplines altogether. Wait! New disciplines? Who wield them? This volume also adds four new clans/bloodlines. The Laibon, Lhiannan, and Lamia make their possible First Appearances in the White Wolf canon. Their chapters contain information on their origins, structure, beliefs, and discipline just as it does for all others. The one exception is that it also spells out each bloodline's fate. These Cainites do not survive into the modern days, and now you know why. But, I only mention three, who is the fourth?
The Dark ages are a strange time. Not only does it see the "birth" of a new clan, but also the genocidal hunting of another. Yes, the Salubri are still alive at this time and the Companion provides both a clan overview as well as a long listing of Valeren, the Salubri principle power. For all you veterans, Valeren is not the same as Obeah. Now we have the actual power the Unicorns wielded long ago in Enoch, the very power that is said to have temporarily soothed Malkav of his madness. This alone makes the book worth its cost, but the authors have included so much more.

In summary, coupling this book with Vampire: The Dark Ages will only enhance a chronicle. If players feel they done this before, add a few new religious antagonists, or just drop one of the unknown clans into he story to add danger, intrigue, and a huge new enigma to solve. Do not forget to spice the game with the upper levels of Disicplines. You may have a Brujah or a Nosferatu with a ton of Fortitude, but what good is that when you opponent can strike you from across the room without moving? What good is a ton of Potence and Celerity when your weapons shatter upon impacting another Cainite and not leaving the slightest mark? Who said the "things-that-go-bump-in-the-night" in the night do not have their "things-that-go-bump-in-the-night" as well? Can we say Methusala? Sleep well, childer. Sleep well.

Excellent for Dark ages.......2002-02-02

If a chronicle is hard to build, it is a dark ages chronicle, not because of lack of plot, but excess of it, there's too much going on with the church, also there's chivalry and clan differences begin to break the vampire society. Certainly it is a good time to have a companion to give you few details.

It expands existing disciplines providing new ones, with even new rituals. The blood lines also prove to be interesting characters that players might enjoy, and storytellers trying to run the dark ages chronicle will find this book quite useful.

DA Companion: Absolutely Essential.......2001-03-15

While Vampire: The Dark Ages is infinitely resourceful, the Dark Ages Companion is infinitely more so. It has detailed information on aspects of the dark ages which will help any chronicle. Included are several new bloodlines, plenty of new disciplines and new powers for old disciplines, and details on several religions. Possibly the most valuable resource is the new data on combat, including the mass-combat for the armies of the day.

All in all, this product is essential to run a complex chronicle, and well-worth the money.

Details Details Details.......2000-06-19

Great book filled with lots of info on different religions, really helps form backgrounds for npc's. On top of that I also have a pc who is a salubri and It REALLY helps, thank god I found a book that has the discipline of Valeren in it. Anyway overall this book was very helpful.

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The Dark-Hunter Companion
Sherrilyn Kenyon , and Alethea Kontis
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0312363435
Release Date: 2007-11-13

Book Description

Consider this handbook your education.Hunter 101.And don't go thinking you got off easy just because there's not a pop quiz at the end.This is the good stuff. The real deal.In here you'll find out all there is to know about being a Dark-Hunter. Now for the disclaimer: This book is mutable. It goes with the wind.It changes more often than the mind of a sixteen-year-old Gemini with a closet full of clothes and a date in an hour.Don't be surprised if you open it up for the thirty-five thousandth time and find something old, something new, something borrowed or. . .well you get the point. Curl up in a comfy chair with some millennium-old scotch and feast upon the informative banquet I have prepared for your enjoyment. Welcome to your new life. ---From the Dark-Hunter Companion

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Two Dark Tales
Tells of two very different heroes who battle evil in alien worlds.
Dark Companion
Excellent Norton Tale
Two of Norton's best Forerunner novels

Dark Companion
Andre Norton
Manufacturer: Baen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 1416521194

Book Description

In a future where humanity has scattered itself across the stars and Earth itself is now a dimly-remembered place of legend, two worlds of near-supernatural strangeness challenge two naive but courageous heros. The planet Beltane had been unscathed by the all-encompassing war of the four Sectors when Vere Collis and his friends, exploring caves underground, were trapped by powerful explosions on the surface. Their leader was killed, but the group wandered for days underground to find a way to the surface. They emerged to find that they were the last human survivors on Beltane. Only strange and deadly mutant creatures now roamed the surface. Elsewhere in the galaxy, Kilda¿s home planet had no place for her, so she took employment as a teacher and governess to two young children on the planet named Dylan. But she soon found that one of her charges has an invisible ¿dread companion¿¿and soon Kilda knows that the companion is not imaginary at all, as it leads her charges into an other-dimensional world resembling the legends of Faerie. Though the other world has unknown dangers on every hand, Kilda follows the children across the spatial barrier, knowing that she is their only hope. Two complete novels of two very different heroes battling alien and unknown evil, and fighting to protect the helpless in worlds that are wondrous, terrifying, and utterly alien.

Publisher¿s Note: Dark Companion has previously appeared separately as Dark Piper and Dread Companion. This is the first combined publication in paperback of the complete book.

Customer Reviews:

Two Dark Tales.......2007-09-26

Dark Companion (2005) is an omnibus edition including two SF novels: Dark Piper and Dread Companion. These stories are unrelated except in their mutually dark ambience.

In Dark Piper (1968), Beltane had lost most of its security and technical men during the ten years of the Four Sectors War. Those that remained became even more work focused and pacifistic, especially after the Corfu incident. Now the war has ended, not by victory but mutual exhaustion.

The Beltane population rejoices that their forced separation from the outside worlds will no longer continue. They are looking forward to word of new scientific advances and renewed trade with other planets. The end of the war will surely bring good things to their world.

In this novel, Vere Collis is the son of the former Security Commander on Beltane. On the day that a fifth-rate tramp brings the Beltane survivors back home, Vere recognizes Griss Lugard among the other halt and lame. He was much too thin and had a partially restored face, but Vere recognized his father's former second in command.

Lugard has been given title to Butte Hold and all that it contains in lieu of back pay. The old security hold is probably the sturdiest structure on the planet. Shortly before the war started, Lugard had discovered artifacts in a lava cave nearby. According to his papers, Lugard is assigned responsibility for continuing these studies.

Vere gives Lugard a lift to his new home Their conversation during the journey does not forebode a peaceful future. Lugard discusses the ships and men that have lost their homes and now have no central control to restrain their actions. They talk of pirates and raids upon the central worlds. After seeing Lugard into his hold, Vere leaves with an invitation to return at any time.

In this story, Vere brings the Rovers -- a study group for the younger set -- to visit Butte Hold. Lugard makes them welcome and invites them to return again. The Rovers are very interested in the Hold, but Vere puts a damper on any talk of forerunner treasure.

This story introduces a homeless ship that asks permission to settle on Beltane. Despite Lugard's objections, the ruling council agrees to let the refugees have land in the vacant areas. Then two more homeless ships turn up asking to join their associates.

Lugard invites the Rovers to explore the lava caves on the day that the council has scheduled a full meeting to discuss this request by the new refugees. Vere and the youngster arrive later than expected, but Lugard has a troop carrier ready for their journey. They have entered the cave and are enroute to the old underground shelter when the earth shakes.

Dread Companion (1970) is set in the 25th century After Flight. The Survey Service allowed their space personnel leave to marry and to produce children. After several years, the marriage was break-bonded and the couple went their own ways. Any children from the marriage were raised in a Service creche.

In this novel, Kilda c'Rhyn was born on Chalox. Her father was Rhyn Halcrow, a Survey scout, and her mother was a Forsmanian of a trading family. After three years, the marriage is ceremoniously broken and Rhyn spaces out. Kilda's mother remarries within her clan and Kilda goes to the creche.

Kilda does well in the creche. Unluckily, she takes after her father in her restless nature. She doesn't want to just bear children and raise a family, but to explore new worlds.

Her mentor and sponsor -- Lazk Volk -- finds her a job that will get her off the planet to a less conventional society. She is employed as a house aide for a woman traveling to Dylan to be with her husband. Kilda is to take care of the two young children.

Oomark -- the younger child -- is a typical boy. However, Bartare -- the older sister -- probably has too much influence on the boy. Kilda notes an element of slyness in the girl and hears them talk about a mysterious "She" in their private conversations.

Gentlefem Guska -- the children's mother -- journeys to Dylan in deep sleep. Kilda stays with the children to supervise their activities during the journey. When they reach the spaceport at Tamlin, Commandant Piscov meets them with bad news. Konroy Zobak -- the children's father -- has been killed in a freak accident. But Bartare already knows of the death.

In this story, Kilda finds herself living in a daze for days at a time. She suspects that Bartare is an esper, but forgets to call for an appointment with the parapsychologist. Eventually she breaks out of the daze, but is still unable to talk to any other person about the girl.

Bartare wants to go on a field trip with Oomark's class. Her brother refuses and something bad happens to Griffy, Oomark's fur friend. When Oomark changes his mind, Griffy starts to recover.

On the field trip, Bartare and Oomark slip off and down the hill. When Kilda notices their absence, she follows behind the pair. Kilda finds them striking rocks against red boulders, producing clear tones. When Kilda tries to catch up, she slips and bumps the supply bag against a boulder at the same time as the children strike their boulders. The three tones blend and Kilda falls unconscious.

When Kilda recovers, she finds herself in a gray space filled with bright, colorful geometric figures. Oomark is also there, but he sees normal terrain, plants and insects. When Kilda drinks from a stream, she too starts to see a normal environment.

This work is a precursor to the Witch World series. In the other world or dimension, magic is effective and controlled by the Folk. So, too, is magic a force in the dimension containing the Witch World.

Recommended for Norton fans and for anyone who enjoys tales of strange worlds, struggling youths, and desperate actions.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Tells of two very different heroes who battle evil in alien worlds........2007-09-03

Norton's DARK COMPANION is vintage Norton writing at her best. It combines two of her classics - DARK PIPER and DREAD COMPANION - under one cover and tells of two very different heroes who battle evil in alien worlds.

Dark Companion.......2007-06-29

Classic period Norton, both stories reflect the mood of the "Cold War" era though they were both enjoyable to reread after these many years and stand on there own.

Excellent Norton Tale.......2007-05-26

These two novels in one volume are well crafted and highly enjoyable, classic Andre Norton. The first of the two, Dark Piper, is particularly
notable for a richness of texture, fast flowing action, and almost eerie
settings on the surface of the planet Beltane as well as below, in a series of caverns. Well worth a read and a reread, fine storytelling!

Two of Norton's best Forerunner novels.......2005-10-07

"Dark Companion" is a reprinting of two novels: "Dark Piper" and "Dread Companion." Both are set in Andre Norton's Forerunner universe, in which humans have been exploring space for so long that they barely remember Earth. Both books take place late in the greater story arc of this universe, but they can be read in any order. (Click on my name to see the list.)

In "Dark Piper," scientists have established a colony on a distant planet, where they can conduct their experiments and ignore the terrible war that is happening in the rest of their galaxy. When the war suddenly ends, a soldier returns home to the colony, full of dire warnings that civilization is about to collapse. Fearing an invasion of marauders from space, he becomes a sort of Pied Piper, befriending some of the children and leading them on a dangerous expedition into an underground tunnel system where, according to rumor, the remains of an alien society have been discovered.

"Dark Piper" is excellent science fiction, engrossing and fast-paced, with admirable characters who behave in an intelligent, believable way. It contains nothing objectionable for young readers, but it does deal with some grim topics. In fact, it seems to have been written for a young-adult audience. I highly recommend it.

The second novel, "Dread Companion," is a creepy story about a governess named Kilda, who senses something sinister about the two children in her care. Eventually she realizes that one of the kids has an invisible friend, a powerful and malevolent entity who has plans for the child. Kilda accompanies the kids and their mother to a remote planet, where the invisible entity makes its move to claim the child for its own purposes. Scary and bizarre adventures ensue as Kilda tries to protect her young charges and escape from a world that is unimaginably alien.

I must admit that I didn't enjoy "Dread Companion" as much as "Dark Piper," because the alien scenes were so fantastically odd that it was sometimes hard to figure out what was going on. Nevertheless, if you want to learn more about the mystery of the Forerunners, you should definitely read this book.

Average customer rating:

On my "little known gem" list.

Dark Companion
Jim Nisbet
Manufacturer: Dennis McMillan Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0939767546

Customer Reviews:

On my "little known gem" list........2006-10-27

A tragicomedy with a lot to say. Part farce, part indictment of our corporate culture, part parable on the fragility of human existence.

The book opens with a style and pace reminiscent of Thorne Smith and Damon Runyon and Peter De Vries--comic in the way of TOPPER, say, but updated to recent times. With just a few deft brush strokes, Nisbet paints a picture of a simple and reclusive man in a happy marriage, just trying to get along. But as Damon Runyon used to say, "all life is 6-5 against," and soon his life begins to unravel.

Jim Nisbet writes well and he interlaces his narratives with images and ideas, laughter and madness, and just as supernovas flare and die, a human destiny might follow its own falling-star-arc as if by deathwish. Here, we watch and admire the beauty of it.

And this is indeed a work of art, all the way around. Jim Nisbet's novels are instant collectors' items. The dustjacket of DARK COMPANION is especially gorgeous and symbolically relevant to the text. This is a quick read, even though I made myself slow down to relish it, with just 144 pages and set in an easy-to-read font.

A small gem, and easily one of the best novels I've read this year.

When God Walks Away: A Companion to the Dark Night of the Soul

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When God Walks Away: A Companion to the Dark Night of the Soul

When God Walks Away: A Companion to the Dark Night of the Soul
Kaye McKee
Manufacturer: Crossroad
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0824523806

Book Description

The newest book in the informal series of spirituality seen from a woman's perspective: When Women Pray, when Women Build the Kingdom. The theme of this book is the experience of a believer seemingly losing the faith that has sustained them.

Customer Reviews:

When God Walks Away: A Companion to the Dark Night of the Soul.......2007-01-10

This book is very well written in simple language for all to understand. While it is not a long book, it requires thinking and contemplation. It is truly a work written from the author's heart and personal experiences. I like the suggestions of art, music and cinema to enhance the reader's understanding of the material. Kaye is a wonderful writer. This book would benefit anyone who has gone through an experience of depression or other tough times in their lives. Kaye helps the reader know there is hope and God never leaves us, but we sometimes walk away from God.

Ways That Are Dark: A Musical Companion to Horace Kephart's Our Southern Highlanders

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musical companion to Horace Kephart's Our Southern Highlande

Ways That Are Dark: A Musical Companion to Horace Kephart's Our Southern Highlanders
Daniel Gore
Manufacturer: University of Tennessee Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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Our Southern Highlanders: A Narrative of Adventure in the Southern Appalachians and a Study of Life Among the Mountaineers

ASIN: 1572331305

Customer Reviews:

musical companion to Horace Kephart's Our Southern Highlande.......2001-10-09

by: Murphy Henry for Bluegrass Unlimited
First, the cast of players: Peter Rowan, Tim O'Brien, Scott
Huffman, Craig Smith, Rickie Simpkins, Jack Lawrence, and
Tony Williamson. These guys are the heart of this CD. But
Daniel Gore, who composed all but two of the songs, is the
soul of this most unusual recording even though he plays
mandolin on just three numbers. "Ways That Are Dark" is
described as a "musical companion to Horace Kephart's Our
Southern Highlanders, a book first published in 1913. Kephart
wrote stories about the mountain folk who lived in the North
Carolina highlands, using the words and expressions of the
people themselves. When Daniel Gore read the book, "every
story sounded like a song." So, he set out composing words
and music to some of the stories. Like Kephart, Gore speckles
his songs with unusual mountain words and phrases, for
which he thoughtfully provides definitions. The surprise is
that Gore was able to transform these songs into a successful
bluegrass CD. There are two reasons for this: the songs are
extremely well-crafted, and Gore chose some of the best
team players in the business to bring these songs to life.

Compacting a story into a song is not an easy task. Making
the song fit the bluegrass style is even harder. Daniel Gore is
a master at both. As a songwriter, his use of a chorus is
brilliant (and bluegrassy). While the verses provide often
complicated details of the story, the chorus gives you the
story's essence and a musical resting place. However, if the
musicians had been less talented, these songs could have
withered on the vine. Craig Smith provides a tasteful tour de
force in how to play the melody of a song Scruggs style.
Peter Rowan is in his element singing "Ways That Are Dark"
and the "Killing of Hol Rose," which echo some of his own
fine story songs. Jim Watson and Scott Huffman, with their
down-home accents, are completely at ease with the North
Carolina dialect and never make old-time mountain words
such as "cheer" ("chair"), "hyar" ("here") and "spile" ("spoil")
sound forced or disrespectful.

Book Description

Here is the book that Tolkien fans have needed for half a century--a detailed, book-length chronology of J. R. R. Tolkien's complex tale. Whether you are a serious Tolkien fan or simply someone who enjoys reading the story over and over again, this is the book for you. It's the first totally new reference for The Lord of the Rings since the 1970s.

Beginning over 1400 years before the major events in Tolkien's epic, it describes, year-by-year, the amazing and imaginative background history that Tolkien created for his masterpiece. Then for the main narrative, it becomes a day-by-day reference, describing what each character does on that day and all the places where those events are described in Tolkien's writings. You can find out, for instance, what Merry and Pippin are doing as Sam perpares rabbit stew on the morning of March 7.

Probe deeper into Tolkien. See why someone as serious as Gandalf was interested in fun-loving Hobbits. Discover an exciting new plot, based on Tolkien's notes, that begins when Aragorn captures Gollum. Follow along as the Black Riders and Gandalf race for the Shire. Decide for yourself whether Sauron and the Ring have any ties to Hitler and Stalin. Explore what Tolkien believed about nature and technology.

A few facts illustrate how helpful this chronology is. Most of narrative is a deliberately confusing sea of next days and third days that leave readers as confused as the tale's main characters.The middle 60 percent of The Lord of the Rings gives the current date only once. In the narrative as a whole, the date is given only 23 times, or once for every 43 pages, and most of those come when the plot is moving slowly. That's why those who want to dig deeper and understand better what Tolkien was saying will find this book a must-have.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Resource.......2006-12-10

Perry has done a wonderful job in untangling the very intricate tale woven by J.R.R. Tolkien. Of particular help are the copious margin notes which reference exactly where Perry is drawing the information contained within that section of his book. The commentary made by the author is a welcomed pause for reflection on the events that are taking place and keep the book from being a mere listing of dates and events. I teach a course on J.R.R. Tolkien and have found Untangling Tolkien a valuable resource, since it covers the entire history of Middle-earth: what comes before The Hobbit and what takes place after The Lord of The Rings. Bravo Mr. Perry, I look forward to reading your other books.

Knits up the ravels.......2004-10-31

An amazing accomplishment by a dedicated Tolkien fan.

That is how I'd sum up the book Untanging Tolkien. Michael Perry has first unraveled all Tolkien's "dates" -- which can be extrapolated from phases of the moon -- and then knit them together again in a cohesive outline, presented in much greater detail than Tolkien's own timeline (found buried in Appendix A of LOTR). By incorporating information from other Tolkien writings, the author of Untangling Tolkien collates additional facts about all the characters and the circumstances surrounding the War of the Ring, folding them all into this detailed chronology. He includes material that sheds light on possible parallels between Tolkien's work and events that were contemporary, and he provides original commentary that suggests some additional motivations for Tolkien's characters. Sidebars offer references to every source for the information presented and for each conclusion the author has drawn.

I found the format, with quick-reference bulleted lists and clearly delineated sections and subheadings, well-organized and easy to use.

NOTE: I read the third printing that was published in May 2004. Apparently the author has corrected many of the errors that David Bratman objected to (below). You won't find a better overview or a more throrough treatment of time and dates in LOTR than Perry provides in this book.

A Radiograph of LotR........2003-12-27

This book is layed out as a chronological record of the events covered by Tolkein's masterpiece with prefaces that explain the calender system created by Tolkein and its conversion to our more mundane (and possibly inferior) system. The type is clear, and margin citations clear and present for every entry. It's primary utility, at which it succeeds admirably, is as a kind of radiograph of Tolkein's work that reveals its astonishing complexity more clearly and allows one to admire, and more importantly, explore the book itself more quickly, easily, and deeply.

The book also contains copious notes inline with the chronology. These vary from informative to tangential, but at worst do not detract from the book's primary function. Mr. Perry is perhaps foremost as Lewis scholar, and so C.S. Lewis, a close acquaintance and friend of Tolkein, makes a number of appearances. Also making appearances in the notes are William Shakespeare and Winston Churchill.

All in all, a unique book which will save anyone who wants to do an in depth study of LotR a lot of time.

Splendid Tolkien Reference Work.......2003-12-21

Superb, exhaustive chronology of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings saga. Perry does a superior job in untangling a number of thorny chronological issues in Tolkien's narrative, and he employs some fine literary detective work in reconstructing what events are happening across Middle Earth on any given date. Especially admirable is his reconstruction of how much moonlight there was during each day of Frodo and Sam's journey into Mordor.

In addition to chronology, Perry supplies a lot of background information about Tolkien's themes and sources, as well as biographical tidbits about Tolkien. For example, there are fascinating discussions of Tolkien's views of technology, freedom, and totalitarianism. Perry also discusses Tolkien's stance toward the misuse of Germanic myths by the Nazis.

This is a great resource for Tolkien-lovers everywhere.

a giant mass of undifferentiated trivia.......2003-12-21

A year-by-year, later day-by-day, chronicle of the war against Sauron from the founding of the Shire to the glorious conclusion seems at the outset like a good idea. Perry calls LOTR's Appendix B, the Tale of Years, "far from complete" but it covers the whole period: what he means is that it's not detailed enough for him. Appendix B won't tell you which day Sam cooked coney for Frodo; Perry will.

But alas, the book does not stop there. The entries are written as bullet lists like a PowerPoint presentation, and many add pointless little flowcharts such as two-generation family trees. They reduce Tolkien's magnificently complex subcreation into a giant mass of undifferentiated trivia. And each yearly or daily entry comes with its commentary, whether directly relevant, side points, broader considerations, or dogmatic essays in applicability. The unrelieved banality and inappropriateness of these must be read to be believed; as also the author's clumsy, grammatically inept style, and his smug superiority to the characters. (He frequently criticizes the good guys' "blunders," all of them more complex than he implies.)

There's actually some good chronological analysis and speculation hiding in here. But how can someone who knows his Tolkien that well say that the wizards were Valar, or that Rohan gave Isengard to Saruman (it wasn't theirs to give, and Saruman was made its warden, not a freeholder), that Boromir and Faramir had a sibling rivalry (Tolkien specifically says not), or suggest that Galadriel should have sent daily eagles to check up on the Fellowship?

These are not isolated examples: the bloopers and misconceived ideas go on and on. The whole book is like that: it has the soul of a PowerPoint presentation. I can't recommend it on any terms.

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