Book Description
What the Kremlin wanted during the Cold War—and what it was willing to do to get it.
Nikita Khrushchev was a leader who risked war to get peace during the most dangerous years of the twentieth century. In Khrushchev's Cold War, Aleksandr Fursenko and Timothy Naftali, authors of the Cuban missile crisis classic "One Hell of a Gamble," bring to life head-to-head confrontations between Khrushchev and Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. Drawing from their unrivaled access to Politburo and Soviet intelligence materials, they reveal for the first time three moments when Khrushchev's inner circle restrained him from plunging the superpowers into war. Combining new insights into the Cuban crisis, startling narratives on the hot spots of Suez, Iraq, Berlin, and Southeast Asia, and vivid portraits of leaders in the developing world who challenged Moscow and Washington—Castro, Lumumba, Nasser, and Mao—Khrushchev's Cold War provides one of the most gripping and authoritative studies of the crisis years of the Cold War. 16 pages of illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
More a book on foreign policy.......2007-06-29
Khrushchev was a fascinating character. He is one of the few Soviet leaders, which had humanity and warmth. If there is one issue that Khrushchev stands out for it is desalinization. I found it disappointing the book did not cover this part of him better. I would also have liked a more extensive section on the Soviet people and economy and how it affected his leadership.
However it is a terrific study of USSR's foreign policy during his era. While reading the book, It was surprising just how aggressive he was in his foreign policy. I had read it before but I thought that several cold war warriors (historians and politicians) were overdoing it. But it was interesting to read that they had not. His pressure tactics brought the world several times close to a major conflict and was the author of the closest call to a nuclear war that we ever had.
I look forward to Aleksandr Fursenko next book.
Nikita, the Wizard of Red Square.......2007-05-01
A solid history of the always probing, somewhat erratic, but ultimately war-adverse reign of Khrushchev during the 1950s and 60s. Those wanting to acquire direct insights into the thinking and motives of the leadership of the Kremlin during some of its most important Cold War confrontations with the U.S.--Suez, Berlin, Laos, and Cuba--should buy and read this book.
It is a wonder that a hot war was avoided when you are confronted by the authors, Fursenko and Naftali, with the gamesmanship, often played during this period in a vacum of real knowledge, on both sides of the Iron Curtin. It is a further wonder that the bankrupt political and economic system that was the USSR lasted as long as it did.
Khruschev - A most Amazing Mixture of Mercuriality and Idiosyncrasy Brought Vividly to Life.......2007-03-08
If - and that is a big if (the book is fully 600 pages long - it helps to fall ill when you read it - I did!) - you have the time and want to invest it for obtaining a first class overview over the great power play during the decade between 1955 and 1965 - the Khruschev era - this definitely is the book to read! Its authors not only provide a refreshingly new perspective to the (more or less well-) known events of, i.a., the first Israeli-Egyptian war, the (Soviet) occupation of Hungary and the Cuban missile crisis, they fully succeed in transforming this period of history into a most plausible and very exciting "story", in fact, into something of a "thriller" (in the best sense of the word). It is the story of a great power desperate to come up to its claim to possess or at least to be accorded equal status with the other - even greater - super-power, the United States or, more generally, the "West". In order to achieve that one goal, almost anything would do, even extreme brinkmanship that several times brought the world close to thermonuclear war. Khrushev is shown as a man to have carried within himself the dominating characteristics of the Soviet Union itself, viz., an enormous inferiority complex, trying to combine it with catching any opportunity that would present itself to bring pressure to bear on the other side, even using or better: threatening the use of force, wherever it seemed this might bring political advantage. Fortunately for the world, this mercurial leader who disposed of the means to blow up the world (or at least: great parts of it) was restrained enough (be it on his own reason, be it by his more risk-averse colleagues within the Presidium) not to actually let the world go "over the brink" but to withdraw each time at the last moment. It is the humiliation of these retreats as well as the sense of responsibility displayed by him in making them which, if anything, ultimately cost him his job and earns him the status of a statesman (rather than merely that of a cunning politician).
Against this background, only two - very minor - criticisms:
First, there is a really unwarranted "blank space" in the book as regards the European Economic Community (today`s "European Union") whose very creation was decisively triggered by some of the events described in it (Suez; Hungary), by making the European states mercilessly feel their own palsy vis-à-vis the super-powers. It is ironic - and should clearly have been mentioned in the book - to see how the very institution for whose creation Khruschev bore no minor responsibility - would become one of the cornerstones of the West's economic superiority and thus a decisive factor for the eventual downfall of the Soviet Empire.
Second, even though this would admittedly go slightly beyond the clear scope of the book (Khruschev's Cold War, restricting its topic to his role as politician), it might have been interesting for the reader to be permitted at least a brief peep behind the veil of this astounding politician's official role into his private life, if only to underpin/corroborate some of the conclusions regarding this most Mercurial character!
This leaves only one thing to be hoped for: at least I, for my part, am dying to read PART II: "The Breshnev Years", by the same authors, should it ever come out!
History in the Raw.......2007-03-07
Aleksandr Fursenko & Timothy Naftali's KHRUSHCHEV'S COLD WAR is an account of the major incidents of the Cold War from 1955-1964 told primarily from the Soviet (and specifically Khrushchev's) perspective. What distinguishes this book is that instead of relying on interviews and memoirs and third-party reporting, the authors have accessed contemporaneous notes and minutes taken at the meetings of the Politburo (Presidium), that handful of men who actually made the decisions guiding Soviet policy during this time. In other words, they get their data straight from the horse's mouth, untainted with revision and wishful thinking.
This makes for startling reading. For those of us used to seeing history in broad terms as a somewhat logical result of competing forces (political, military, moral, economic and cultural), this book provides a bucket of icy water in the face. The drivers of policy were all too often not reasonable responses to existing circumstances but irrational, thoughtless, ill-considered and unrealistic reactions based on hubris, petulance and plain stupidity. Khrushchev was clueless (perhaps we already suspected this). But so too was the entire Politburo (less predictable). And so too were the Western leaders--de Gaulle and Eden in particular; Adenauer also; Ike and JFK come through a little better, although far from unscathed.
This last is especially troubling. In authoritarian regimes thugs and idiots rise naturally to the top, but in developed Western democracies the system should inculcate a certain rationality in leadership, something mandated by the need to respond to the will of the electorate.
Which of course brings us to today. The Suez debacle and Iraq have obvious parallels. The incredible operational incompetence of the Soviets in building the missile sites before getting the weapons to Cuba (thus allowing the blockade) makes one think of the removal of troops from Afghanistan for the Iraq war, right when we had the Taliban cornered. The poor quality of intelligence brings to mind our own failures (WMD in Iraq, apart from others). And the consistent inability of Khrushchev to judge the consequences of his policies, as well as the failure of the remaining Soviet leadership to check or challenge him, brings to mind the current administration and the entire post-War Iraq strategy.
In this book, the blunders were Soviet (or English of French). Today, they are ours.
An outstanding achievement.......2007-02-21
The book is very detailed and examines the critical 1955 to 1963 period of the Cold War largely from the viewpoint of the Soviets. The authors had access to documents not before released, including minutes of the Presidium meetings. The authors portray the Soviet leadership in a new light with most members of the Politburo seeking to avoid any conflict with the United States and unwilling to follow Khrushchev on his more dangerous adventures in Cuba and Egypt. It is evident that neither the Soviets nor the communist block were unified in seeking world domination. Rather, the communist leaders were largely constrained by the same political concerns as American leaders. There is also very interesting information towards the end regarding the CIA's role in bringing the Baath party to power in Iraq.
Book Description
Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Gia, Repairman Jack doesn't deal with electronic appliances-he fixes situations for people, often putting himself in deadly danger. His latest project is recovering a stolen necklace, which carries with it an ancient curse that may unleash a horde of Bengali demons. Jack is used to danger, but this time Gia's daughter Vicky is threatened. Can Jack overcome the curse of the yellow necklace and bring Vicky safely back home?
Book Description
If Civil War battlefields saw vast carnage, the Northern home-front was itself far from tranquil. Fierce political debates set communities on edge, spurred secret plots against the Union, and triggered widespread violence, such as the New York City draft riots. And at the heart of all this turmoil stood Northern anti-war Democrats, nicknamed "Copperheads." Now, Jennifer L. Weber offers the first full-length portrait of this powerful faction to appear in almost half a century. Weber reveals how the Copperheads came perilously close to defeating Lincoln and ending the war in the South's favor. Indeed, by the summer of 1864, they had grown so strong that Lincoln himself thought his defeat was "exceedingly likely." Passionate defenders of civil liberties and states' rights--and often virulent racists--the Copperheads deplored Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus, his liberal interpretation of the Constitution, and, most vehemently, his moves toward emancipation. Weber reveals how the battle over these issues grew so heated, particularly in the Midwest, that Northerners feared their neighbors would destroy their livestock, burn their homes, even kill them. Indeed, some Copperheads went so far as to conspire with Confederate forces and plan armed insurrections, including an attempt to launch an uprising during the Democratic convention in Chicago. Finally, Weber illuminates the role of Union soldiers, who, furious at Copperhead attacks on the war effort, moved firmly behind Lincoln. The soldiers' support for the embattled president kept him alive politically in his darkest times, and their victories on the battlefield secured his re-election. Disgraced after the war, the Copperheads melted into the shadows of history. Here, Jennifer L. Weber illuminates their dramatic story. Packed with sharp observation and fresh interpretations, Copperheads is a gripping account of the fierce dissent that Lincoln called "the fire in the rear."
Customer Reviews:
Ripped from today's headlines.......2007-09-18
Fantastic book and amazing for its relevance today. Even the exact words used by people over a hundred years ago seemed like they are ripped from today's headlines. History really does repeat itself. Sometimes verbatim.
A much needed piece of history revealed........2007-09-17
Lincoln could very well have been defeated in 1864. The military victories of the summer of 1864 resulted in victory not only for the Union military but also a continuation of the Lincoln Presidency. His opponents in the 1864 election were the Democrats with a large peace faction. This peace faction were called the Butternuts or Copperheads, and they basically wanted peace at any price. Lincoln faced these opponents and stood his ground. Slavery would be ended, and the Union reunited. This book is about his 1864 opponents and how their slavish devotion to peace at any price basically cost the Democratic Party fifty years of losing Presidential elections.
This is a valued addition to the history collection. The author shows how the Copperheads were both a military and political threat to the Union. Lincoln managed to out manuever this movement, and reunite the country.
Absolutely Relevant to Our Own Times.......2007-07-22
Anyone interested in the debates over Guantanamo and the state of civil liberties in the post-9/11 United States should read this book. It is extraordinarily relevant in this regard. The book is a study of the anti-Lincoln wing of the Democrat Party during the Civil War as well as a detailed look at Lincoln's response to that faction. To sum up briefly, Lincoln dealt very harshly with them, with little regard for any notion of respecting civil liberties. He threw an Ohio Senator (Clement Vallandingham, who was arrested in a midnight raid on his home by Federal troops) in prison and shut down a major newspaper (the Chicago Times). These are only two of his "crimes" (depending on your perspective) against the rights of civilians to free speech during wartime.
Imagine George Bush throwing Harry Reid into prison or shutting down the New York Times! These might serve as a rough parallel to Lincoln's wartime actions. INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, the Lincoln-worshippers (like Eric Foner and company) are usually on the attack when it comes to G.W. Bush's anti-civil libertarian agenda in the context of his "war on terrorism" (Foner, I might add, has absolutely no problem with Ulysses Grant's "war on terror" against the Ku Klux Klan in the 1870s). Just goes to show that leftists maintain a double standard when it comes to free speech issues. Since left-liberals generally seem to hold Lincoln and his prosecution of the war in high regard, it is worth reminding them of this rather embarrassing episode in his presidency.
An extraordinary amount of original research.......2007-05-26
Weber has done her homework. The early part of the book, in particular, shows wide ranging new sources: letters, diaries, small town newspapers. This is the most important part of the book because it brings together new information and provides a basis for further scholars.
Examples from all of the northern states (or so I think, I didn't count) show how widespread the movement was. The nature of the anecdotal material does not demonstrate how deep it was. It appears to be deep in some communities and families, but the only polling data of the time, the elections of 1862 and 1864 do not reflect that depth. Weber points out the circumstantial nature of these elections and how the Copperheads' fortunes rose and fell with success on the battlefield. I held back a star, though, because in the MANY stories of people, towns and politicians I did not find a central overview.
The later part of McClellan's nomination and the election that follows while not so rich in new material, for me, it was an excellent read. Weber documents and explains how a "War" candidate and a "Peace" candidate came to be nominated in the same convention. She goes on to explain Lincoln's landslide.
The description demise of the Copperheads is brief. Maybe this is all that is merited, but it would have been good to have some examples here, especially of the aforementioned communities where the Copperheads caused loss of life and property damage.
Weber sticks with history and does not draw parallels for today. Since it is mentioned by other reviewers, I will note Weber's observation that this peace movement was one of the conservative faction of the Democratic party. Today's peace movement has its origins in the liberal faction of today's Democratic party. It seems that the only thing Copperheads have in common with those against the operation is Iraqi is being against "a" war. Weber clearly shows how racism fueled the Copperheads. This issue is not at all present in the current peace movement.
This book is a good contribution to Civil War research. Its substance and sources will surely be used for future material.
To Each Their Own.......2007-05-15
I don't quite know how to digest the notion that the Copperheads were 'the conservative element of the northern anti-war democratic party; or that (as is often noted) they were "Lincoln's opponents'.
. . . bit of a stretch . . .
Having noted this, I believe the book to be a thorough, accurate and well-timed history and documentary on that rabid, anti-American, treasonous remnant of the Northern democrat party.
Good work and well-received by this Civil War historian/writer.
Book Description
The battle is real, and you are involved whether you like it or not.The Bible plainly tells us that Satan schemes against us, that he wants to devour us, and that we struggle-not against the usual human enemies-but against Satan's highly organized kingdom. This battle will not go away. Ignoring it could be disastrous. But don't be afraid. Your victory is already won! No enemy-not even Satan-is strong enough to overcome the God that lives in you. Now it's your responsibility to claim the victory. Here at last is a practical handbook that has proven itself in the field of spiritual warfare. Learn the answers to such questions as: What is Satan's strategy in spiritual warfare? Can a Christian be oppressed by demons? Can demonic affliction be passed down through family lines? What are the symptoms of demonic activity in a person's life? This best-seller will help you aggressively plan your triumph by relying on the almighty and powerful Word of God.
Customer Reviews:
Taught Me to Pray!.......2007-03-29
I first read this book in mid-1978 as a brand new Christian. As I read the doctrinal prayers in it, the Lord taught me to pray the Word of God, taught me my position in Christ, and brought me into a depth of understanding of my Christian faith that most Christians don't reach for 20 years. Because of this book and it's author, Dr. Mark Bubeck, I became committed to praying the Scriptures. Seventeen years later I wrote, PRAYING IN THE WORD OF GOD: Advancing Christ's Kingdom, a Scripture based prayer guide that enables every Christian to pray for all the will of God. I can't recommend THE ADVERSARY highly enough! If you do nothing else but read Dr. Bubeck's prayers it will change your life!
Decent Treatment of Spiritual Warfare.......2004-04-30
This title is a fairly easy read, but was rather disappointing in its treatment of spiritual warfare. While the author avoids the excesses of Pentecostalism and emotionalism that are so often associated with spiritual warfare, he places too much emphasis on the adversary and not enough emphasis on the Conqueror of the adversary. The book is also rather dated.
"Disciplined Warriors" by Chuck Lawless is a much better, much more helpful volume on this subject. In short, Bubeck is good, Lawless is better.
Excellent Bible-Based Study.......2001-10-24
This book is not about sensationalism and "demon" stories. In fact, the author strongly warns against such harmful interest in the occult. The Adversary is a totally Biblically-based study on "the world, the flesh and the devil" as revealed in Scripture. It focuses on the balance Christians should have between having an awareness of Satan and his schemes, while not giving him any glory by focusing more on him and his power than on his total defeat on the Cross. This is an excellent book regarding the authority of the believer. Christians need to know what the Bible says regarding this Enemy, so that we will not give place to him in any way. Praise the Lord for the victory He has already won!
Warfare Basics.......2000-09-15
If there was one quick book you wanted to read on the subject of Spiritual Warfare, this would be it. It is to the point on most issues and easy to read. There are several great examples of types of warfare prayers and lists of what to look for as far as spiritual oppression. All in all a must for anyone who feels led to this ministry.
Dry Demonology.......2000-03-28
It's hard to believe that a book by a fundamentalist Christian about the Devil could be this dull. Usually the field of Satan-sniffing produces works filled with amusement, even hilarity, and massive evidence of human credulity. This book has only a vast vast number of Bible verses and a few anecdotes so un-lurid that they wouldn't even interest Pastor Fletcher Brothers on a dull day. It does, however, provide a good groundwork for understanding the philosophical basis of the fundy attitude towards demons - if you happen to care.
Book Description
America's foremost expert on financial protection tells how to protect yourself from ruinous lawsuits. "Jay Mitton's financial protection plan is a must for anyone who wants to keep [his wealth]."--Robert Allen, author of
Creating Wealth.
Customer Reviews:
What a flop.......2007-02-24
This guy appears to be pushing some fairly common stuff like family limited partnerships. I wasted my money buying his book. Nothing earthshattering or creative about his structures. They put "JD" after his name and not "Esq" does that mean he never passed the Bar exam? I found that by simply searching for asset protection on Google you can find a lot of law firm and other websites where you can learn about all these strategies for free.
I read this book and it was great!.......2005-04-21
I found this book very easy to understand and informative. I have attended estate planning seminars and other financial conferences, but came away overwhelmed and confused. Jay has a great personal story that really adds to his credibility. After I finished reading it, I immediately read it again. I know what to do and what not to do. I have changed the way I do business since I read this book.
The negative review by "Cool Cat" is obviously biased if you read all of his reviews. He only endorses one asset protection book and it's probably his own. My guess is that he never read any of these books and is eihter Jay Adkisson himself or one of his associates. Notice that his review doesn't focus on the book, but rather attacks Jay Mitton. This seems typical for most attorneys.
Fantastic Book .......2005-04-21
I have read hundred of books on finances and I would rate this book near the top as to its usefulness. I learned more about asset protection from reading this book than I have learned from the hundreds of hours I have spent with CPAs, attorneys and financial advisors over the years.
Pass.......2004-10-25
Among his estate planning peers, Jay Mitton is one of the least liked and most notorious attorneys because of his heavy marketing of arguably worthless pre-made kits for family limited partnerships. The low quality of these kits, combined with Mitton's less-than-truthful marketing, has generated some scathing comments on the American Bar Association's estate planning bulletin board. The Supreme Court of Florida in fact entered an order prohibiting him from marketing in that state. The guy is a great marketer, to be sure, but his products can be charitably described as substandard and if you buy his book you need to also buy a ton of salt to go with it.
Book Description
You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Watch your step -- inside this book, you’ll encounter a fully illustrated menagerie of foes to pit against the heroes of the galaxy. Discover nefarious characters, fearsome creatures, lethal droids, and diabolical organizations, any of which could become a true nemesis in your campaign.
This sourcebook features:
- Over 30 pregenerated villains, both new and noteworthy, including Bossk the Trandoshan bounty hunter and C-3PX the assassin droid
- More than 75 alien creatures, many of which first appeared in the Ultimate Alien Anthology but have been updated for the revised rules
- New creature templates, including templates for creating Yuuzhan Vong-shaped creatures and Sithspawned creatures
- 11 types of droids, including droids from Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Customer Reviews:
Rounding out the GM's toolbox.......2004-06-26
Ultimate Adversaries is primarily a tool for the Gamemaster. I also like to think of it as the companion piece to the Galactic Campaign Guide. Where the latter book focused on the planning and development side of running a campaign, Ultimate Adversaries gives the GM a variety of the actual villains and creatures that might inhabit the setting.
Chapter One: Villains begins with detailed descriptions of 47 non-player characters. While we have received large numbers of NPCs from other sourcebooks before, the ones presented here are considerably more detailed. Each character has a picture, and in addition to the usual background and basic description, each NPC profile also lists goals, preferred tactics, and roleplaying tips. Also included are notes on how the GM can transplant the NPC into each of the main eras. These characters run the entire range from troublemaking dilettantes to psychotic bounty hunters and desperate con artists. Levels are from 2 to 15 (challenge code B to G), with most falling around level 6 or 7. This is a tough crowd, but only a few of them actually fall into the high-level supervillain category. Some of the characters aren't even bad people, but each NPC's unique motivation and personality sets the stage for opposition to the heroes. Though there are a few clichés, it is the extensive setup for each character which earns the title "Ultimate" and which should be most helpful in providing memorable encounters.
Because each character is completely ready-made, the GM can easily take whichever NPC he likes and insert it directly into his campaign with minimum preparation. Some GMs won't like that method, preferring instead to create everything from scratch. Not everyone has the time or ability to do that though. For the GMs who fall into that category, this section is a boon.
Chapter One also includes a brief section on ready-made generic organizations, including mercenary companies, crime syndicates, and resistance movements. By selecting from a broadly similar type, this allows the GM to introduce encounters with a new organization while eliminating most of the paperwork.
Chapter Two: Creatures is by far the largest section of the book. Basically, this is the Monster Manual for Star Wars. Over 80 creatures are presented, from the mighty Krayt Dragon to the tiny Voorpak. Most of this is new material, but a number of creatures from earlier sources like the Alien Anthology and NJO Sourcebook make revised appearances. Every creature has a full description and labeled picture. Challenge codes range from A to H, with the majority around a rating of D. Also included are a number of new templates, including Enlarged, Shaped, and Sithspawned. With so many options a GM should have no problem giving his players plenty of creatures to fight.
Chapter Three: Droids briefly describes 8 new droids as well as 3 Separatist droid vehicles, including the Hailfire Droid. Also included at long last is a table of specific traits which may be applied to any droid produced by one of the 22 major droid manufacturers.
Finally, the Appendix lists new combat techniques, weapons, armor, equipment (including several pieces of droid-specific equipment), one new vehicle, and two new starships. Also included is a reprint of the Transfer Essence force skill, reprints of the feats Multidexterity, Multiweapon Fighting, and Sith Sorcery, and a table listing all opponents in the book by challenge code.
As a side note, Ultimate Adversaries is probably the best-looking, most well-organized, and error-free Star Wars RPG product yet. The artwork is truly top-notch, particularly the character portraits. The layout is tasteful and information is easy to locate. Furthermore after a few readings I saw a mere handful of typos.
My single complaint is that there could have been a greater variety of high-level villains and creatures. This could have been easily accomplished by eliminating some of the content reprinted from other sources.
Overall, Ultimate Adversaries performs exactly as advertised. It has the potential to be an extremely helpful tool for a new or moderately experienced GM due to the prepackaged nature of some of its material, but veteran GM's may be turned off for the same reason. However in my opinion even veterans should consider it for the Creature section as well as its general wealth of ideas. The casual player could certainly use the book as a spur for new ideas too, but this is not advised if your GM plans on using it himself! Ordinarily I would give Ultimate Adversaries a 5, but because it is directed at a limited audience, I am instead giving it a very strong 4.
Average customer rating:
|
Caesar Against Rome: The Great Roman Civil War
Ramon L. Jimenez
Manufacturer: Praeger Publishers
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Book Description
Caesar Against Rome is an absorbing narrative of the four-year Roman Civil War that began with Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon in 49 BCE. Focusing always on Caesar, the book sketches a panorama of Roman society--the first society to display the ambition, greed, and intrigue of modern politics--in the last century before Christ. Caesar was a complex and contradictory figure, extraordinarily talented and extremely ambitious, but at the same time vain, careless, and inclined to be forgiving. While Caesar's unusual clementia was a major factor in winning popular support, soldiers, and towns to his side, it allowed virtually all enemy leaders to return to the battlefield against him. Supplemented by the writings of other ancient historians as well as the latest research, this book is based primarily on Caesar's own detailed Commentaries, written to explain and justify his military campaigns. Those interested in Roman history will find a wealth of information about every aspect of life in the late Roman Republic, including political issues, class divisions, marriage customs, travel, food, and entertainment. Military historians will discover details about every facet of Roman warfare from weaponry to personnel policy, to tactics, operations, and logistics. Single chapters are devoted to each campaign: Greece, Africa, Spain, and Egypt.
Book Description
LIBER HVHI, the awaited grimoire of the Luciferian Path is now published containing the infernal rites of the Qlippoth, an extensive ideological and magical system presenting a grounded and understandable form of working with the Qlippothic Tree of Da'ath and tunnels. The second part of the grimoire is based on the ritualistic inversions of the Avestan texts and the forbidden path of Predatory Spiritualism. LIBER HVHI contains the 22 spheres of the Infernal Qlippoth, the methods of filling and draining those "shells" and the Luciferian Rites of the Supper of Cain, symbolic of the first Satanist from the ancient Hebrew texts relating to the devouring process from a symbolic and ritualistic approach. The second half of Liber HVHI is the workings based on the demonology of the Avestan texts and ancient persian sorcery and predatory spirituality.
Customer Reviews:
Booger Boos around the world, Unite!.......2007-04-03
Dear Nerd,
How's your imaginary world doing? Any good blood-letting or disembowelments lately? Not too many, I hope. You'll run out of imaginary friends/enemies pretty soon if you don't ration yourself! I'd hate to see that happen.
But seriously though, how's losers anonymous going? Just because you were picked on in high school doesn't mean that you have to resort to spelling magic m-a-g-i-c-k, or just making up words to be clever. Especially since it isn't really clever at all.
What's that, you say? Witchcraft is real? Instead of writing that here, you should try saying it out loud. Go ahead. There you go, good girl. Sounds pretty stupid doesn't it? I mean, come on now, even the atheists have a better grasp on reality than you do. They at least use a cowardly sort of logic for their basis of self worship, but you've got, what, your lonely imagination and fairy tales?
Oh wow, get a load of the book description! "Approach with caution, you may open the gates of hell within!" Shouldn't that read, "Approach with caution, this book will prevent you from ever getting laid"? Swamp thing from last night's naked tree dance DOES NOT count.
The Bottom Line: If you're weak minded enough to actually buy into this childishness, then please, Harry Potter, go right ahead buy a copy. Otherwise, try finding a more constructive way resurrecting your self esteem. If you don't respect yourself, no one else will either.
Sincerely,
- Someone who prays you will not try to reproduce.
excellent in its darkness.......2007-03-01
wow - kudos to the author for writing something original, not just re-hashing the same stuff over and over again ad nauseum, like so many other occult books. This is DARK stuff - but then again, we all have a dark side. Balance is the key. If you don't confront your demons, how can you control them? Master the Abyss - and master yourself.
Infantile twaddle.......2007-01-24
The author seriously needs to review what niche market there is "traditional Witchcraft" as the material herein is already covered elsewhere in a more ethical, efficient, and straight forward manner. Whilst I can see the need for some people to be as dark an mysterious as they can, puleeeze, this is way OTT. Surely the market for dark-childe-ov-kaos is pretty limited.
Insidious........2006-07-27
I've left a longer review over at "Luciferian Witchcraft". Here, I'll be brief. Both of these books, individually, are strong. Combined...well. Read them for yourself.
Although, in all fairness, these are NOT workings for everyone, or even for just anyone. There's a very select few out there who will benefit from them.
A soul magnet.......2006-07-18
I applause mr. Ford. Technically this text shows that the author has become a serious writer (compare it to earlier writings of the same author- i.e. Luciferian Witchcraft). The layout of the text is very unique and gives to it some interesting structure. Oh, the text does flip easy- something I especially like when having to put the text to use (it is softly bound with neat super white pages)! The art/presentations/drawings within the text does reflect the extent to which the author is mentally involved with his topic. It reflects anticipation. But that's the shell. What about its contents? The text serves as an advanced guide to those that wish to follow the true path of the Adversary. It is a grimoire of higher learning. In the wrong hands this text can be self-destructive. Very few people will be able to comprehend what has been written in this grimoire. This text is what the true LHP is all about. Once you have tasted the sweet fruit of what it has to offer, you will see it as if through the eyes of the author! Mr. Ford is an expert and you can trust him to take you on this journey.
Book Description
The fourth and final volume of The Saga of Pliocene Exile.
Until the arrival of Aiken Drum, the 100,000 humans who had fled backward in time to Pliocene exile on Earth knew little but slavery to the Tanu -- the humanoid aliens who came from another galaxy. But King Aiken's rule is precarious, for the Tanu's twisted bretheren are secretly maneuvering to bring about his downfall. Worse -- Aiken is about to confront a man of incredibly powerful Talents who nearly overthrew a galactic rule. He is Marc Remillard. Call him . . . The Adversary.
Customer Reviews:
This hard to find .......2007-09-11
book was a gift to out son-in-law. He had all of the other books in the saga and was very pleased with finally getting this one to complete his set.
Super Reader.......2007-08-30
The human Grand Master operants are a focus of this book. Elizabeth is a grand master farsensor, and she realises Marc Remillard is in the Pliocene, and who he is, and asks for his help in curing a Tanu baby. Some of them reject the Torc and will die, in general, but Elizabeth and Marc know techniques that may help, and lead the Tanu to operancy, something the Firvulag already enjoy.
As Marc and Elizabeth grow closer, he must deal with his own rebellion, as the number of Milie rebels dwindle, and his children don't want to participate in his breeding plans for them, and his Mental Man project. The children want to return to the Milieu.
A stubborn conservative part of Tanu and Firvulag society still wants to bring about their own Armaggeddon, the Nightfall War.
BLOWS MY MIND.......2004-09-21
My Dad has had the first three books in The Saga of the Exiles hanging around for as long as I can remember and I finally got around to reading them about 2 weeks ago. And I ate them up, hoo boy. The first three were a literary feast and by the time I finished The Non-Born King I NEEDED to read The Adversary and I finally found it in the library at my university. And let me tell you, folks, this book is the crowning glory on the best achievement in sci-fi writing to date. What an amazing culmination of all May's talents- her wonderful, evocative prose, the flawless creation of her characters, the twisting, thrilling plot, to name a few.
The Adversary details the lead up to the Grand Tourney, Aiken Drum's substitute for the Grand Combat, the contest itself and its repercussions. And what repercussions. I'm not gonna tell you, you'll have to read the book ;). Such a short summary is hardly worthy of the novel itself, but to go into more detail would be to ruin May's carefully crafted work- and by the time you finish the last page, you'll be astounded by the depth and breadth of her vision.
Before I read The Saga of the Exiles, my favourite fantasy/sci-fi series was Gene Wolfe's Book of the New Sun- but I found Julian May's Saga infinitely more gripping, confronting and so much more entertaining. I've heard criticisms of the series, none of which I agree with, the two foremost that 1. it's difficult to understand a lot of her language without a dictionary by your side, but to this I say: even if it's so for you, PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T BE PUT OFF. You'll never find a series more rewarding than this one.
The second criticism I've heard was 2. that it's clear cut good vs. evil. I've never heard anything sillier in my life. One of the main things I loved about the Saga was its ambiguity in terms of where the reader's loyalty can lie- I wanted EVERYONE to win at some point, `elfin' Tanu, `demonic' Firvulag, Lowlife humans; and I've heard a lot of people express their love for Marc Remillard, the infamous Adversary himself.
All I can leave you with is this: wow. What a beautiful series. The Adversary- what a BRILLIANT bloody ending. So satisfying. Oh. God. I think I'm going to go start The Many-Coloured Land again and read the whole series a second time. How fabulous. Oh. Wow.
SIX STARS-- holy **** May is brilliant........2003-10-10
The breathtaking conclusion to the Saga of Pliocene Exile,
we are confronted by three principals-- King Aiken Drum, former misfit; Elizabeth Orme, former psychic, now ohmbudsperson of the Many Colored Land; and Marc Remillard, felled leader of a Rebellion against a 22nd century galaxtic civilizatio.
I cannot emphasize my admiration for May's writing. Her style is vivid, smooth, alive. In this book, Remillard takes center stage, the most provocative character in sci-fi. He is Milton's fallen Lucifer-- brilliant, driven, obsessed to the point of cruelty-- ultimately noble, self-sacrificing-- in this way he is reborn
But don't think that May ignores her other characters. They continue to evolve, gaining substance, soul. I never found myself saying "No, that doesn't fit"-- she makes this incredibly complex work while remaining true to the personalities of her characters and the scenario she has created.
The tension in this book is less about epic battles with armies of thousands (although there is that here), as in Nonborn King, and more about a war of wills, manipulations of chess pieces on a board by the principals. Somehow, the story gets still deeper, then comes to a satisfying, appropriate conclusion.
IMO, the best sci-fi series ever written.
Armageddon - Pliocene style.......2001-01-09
The end is nigh, Night is about to Fall. The ogreish Firvulag plot amongst themselves, eager to fight the Final Battle and defeat their Foe once and for all. The elfin Tanu, finally united under their new Golden King, are rapidly changing traditions that have stood for millenia. The scattered Lowlives, once renegade humans hiding in the woods, are forming a third power block, using technology smuggled from the future and the deadly bloodmetal, fatal to the alien races. And high above them all, in her self imposed isolation, reluctant planetary guardian Elizabeth Orm bears the burdens of three races on her tired shoulders.
The signs are all around, the portents fulfilled, the NightFall war is coming, and with it, the Adversary - Marc Remillard, Paramount Grand Master Psychic. Rebel. Monster. He was one of the most powerful minds in the future, before he turned against everyone he loved, and led thousands in a war against the peaceful Galactic Milleu. His actions caused the deaths of millions, and he fled through the time gate, hoping to restart his plans with a six million year head start. The Tanu and Firvulag call him The Adversary, but his own people know him as Abaddon - the Angel of the Abyss.
His dreams for humanities future led him into its past, and know he stands on the brink of the abyss, torn between his humanity and his destiny mistaken about both.
Average customer rating:
- Thrilling, dark, and surprising
- Very good book!
- A Mix of Quality and Lack Thereof
- Great supernatural historical fiction!
- A great book that starts an even better series!
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The Keep (Adversary Cycle)
F. Paul Wilson
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
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The Tomb (Adversary Cycle/Repairman Jack)
ASIN: 0765357054 |
Book Description
"Something is murdering my men."
Thus reads the message received from a Nazi commander stationed in a small castle high in the remote Transylvanian Alps. And when an elite SS extermination squad is dispatched to solve the problem, the men find a something that's both powerful and terrifying. Invisible and silent, the enemy selects one victim per night, leaving the bloodless and mutilated corpses behind to terrify its future victims. Panicked, the Nazis bring in a local expert on folklore--who just happens to be Jewish--to shed some light on the mysterious happenings. And unbeknownst to anyone, there is another visitor on his way--a man who awoke from a nightmare and immediately set out to meet his destiny.
The battle has begun: On one side, the ultimate evil created by man, and on the other...the unthinkable, unstoppable, unknowing terror that man has inevitably awakened.
Customer Reviews:
Thrilling, dark, and surprising.......2007-05-24
In the spring of 1941, a German Army commander stationed in a remote castle high in the Carpathian mountains sends the following message to his superiors: "Something is murdering my men." That something is an ancient and evil creature named Rasalom, who was inadvertently released when a strangely shaped silver cross was removed from its resting place. Rasalom cannot be seen or heard, but can suck all the light and warmth from a room, select his victim in the darkness, and leave a bloodless, mutilated corpse.
Captain Claus Woermann and Erich Kaempffer, the aforementioned commander and the aggressive SS officer sent to solve the problem, have only one thing in common, their mutual dislike. They realize, however, that the situation is slowly getting beyond their control. Seeking answers, they summon Jewish historian Dr. Cuza and his daughter Magda to the castle. Also on his way to the Keep is Glaeken, an immortal warrior who has battled Rasalom over the centuries.
The Keep, which earned an entry in Horror: 100 Best Books, is the first installment in Wilson's Adversary Cycle, a Lovecraftian take on the Christian Apocalypse; the series also includes The Tomb, The Touch, Reborn, Reprisal, and Nightworld. The book was instigated by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's novel Hotel Transylvania, which featured Count St.- Germain, a sympathetic vampire as its protagonist. Wilson contended that vampires are parasitic, evil creatures, unworthy of sympathy. Intrigued by the notion of a vampire pretending to be an ally, Wilson added the premise that the "vampire" was also pretending to be a vampire, concealing his true, more horrible nature. Thus was born Rasalom, a cosmic villain who thrives on human misery. Although ostensibly defeated at the conclusion of The Keep, Rasalom has appeared in subsequent Wilson novels, most notably in Wilson's above mentioned Adversary Cycle, and in the author's ongoing Repairman Jack series, which is set between the events which take place between the novels The Tomb and Nightworld.
Very good book!.......2006-11-23
This is one of the fastest reads I've had in my life. The pace is breathtaking, the tension is gripping, characters are well-rounded for this kind of book.
Very, very good.
A Mix of Quality and Lack Thereof.......2006-10-22
F. Paul Wilson's Lovecraft-inspired horror follows an ill-fated group of Nazis who attempt to occupy a small castle high in the mountains of Romania and quickly learn that the Keep is occupied by something else both menacing and powerful, forcing them to call in a folklorist and who happens to be Jewish. It is ironic, or perhaps fitting, that H. P. Lovecraft (a champion of eugenics) should provide the inspiration for a novel in which Nazis feature as both villains and victims. Wilson's characters are well-rounded; considering the setting and subject matter, it is impressive that he produces Nazis who are both vicious and sympathetic, and treats a number of worldviews with at least nominal respect before sweeping them away and presenting the novel's own fantastical pseudo-history.
Though the scenario is largely conventional, it is truly thrilling, but unfortunately, Wilson inflicts a fatal wound on his otherwise competent novel by inserting an agonizing love story that could find a home in the schlockiest Harlequin. When it comes to love (or more accurately, lust), Wilson knows all the cliches. From its stilted beginnings to its hackneyed and gratuitous sex scene, this prime example of bad storytelling proves to be the novel's true horror. It poisons the whole work, and Wilson even allows it to destroy what could have been a powerful (and Lovecraftian) conclusion.
Great supernatural historical fiction!.......2006-10-19
I'm a first time reader of F. Paul Wilson. I picked this book up randomly because it sounded like an interesting read. The story is written from the point of view of multiple characters, which given that the narrators range from an SS Major, a German Army Captain, a Jewish scholar, his daughter, and a mysterious traveler make the reading interesting. The various points of view allow you to see the motivation & emotions of the characters who are quite different from one another. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes supernatural suspense novels.
A great book that starts an even better series!.......2006-09-21
I read this book a long time ago and have since reread it several times. This is the first book in a series that is one of the best I've ever read. I have read everything that F. Paul Wilson has written and loved all of them. He is one of those authors that make you really care about the characters and what happens to them.
Books:
- Learning to Eat Soup with a Knife: Counterinsurgency Lessons from Malaya and Vietnam
- Life Preservers: Good Advice When You Need It Most
- Lincoln's Sword: The Presidency and the Power of Words
- Lonely Planet the Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine (2 Volume Set)
- Mastering Windows Server 2003
- Monkey Business: 7 Laws of the Jungle for Becoming the Best of the Bunch
- Night Stalkers: 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (Power)
- No Good Deeds
- No Retreat, No Surrender: One American's Fight
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