Book Description
By virtue of his previous four books on the subject, David Ray Griffin is widely recognized as one of the leading spokespersons of the 9/11 truth movement, which rejects the official conspiracy theory about 9/11. Although this movement was long ignored by the US government and the mainstream media, recent polls have shown that (as Time magazine has acknowledged) the rejection of the official theory has become "a mainstream political phenomenon." It is not surprising, therefore, that the government and the corporately controlled media have shifted tactics. No longer ignoring the 9/11 truth movement, they have released a flurry of stories and reports aimed at debunking it.
In the present book, David Ray Griffin shows that these attempts can themselves be easily debunked. Besides demonstrating the pitiful failure of Debunking 9/11 Myths (published by Popular Mechanics and endorsed by Senator John McCain), Griffin riddles recent reports and stories put out by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Time magazine as well as a new book by the chairmen of the 9/11 Commission. He also responds to criticisms of the 9/11 truth movement by left-leaning and Christian publications--which one might have expected to be supportive.
Throughout these critiques, Griffin shows that the charge that is regularly leveled against critics of the official theory-that they employ irrational and unscientific methods to defend conclusions based on faith-actually applies more fully to those who defend the official theory.
This book, by debunking the most prevalent attempts to refute the evidence cited by the 9/11 truth movement, shows that this movement's central claim-that 9/11 was an inside job-remains the only explanation that fits the facts.
Customer Reviews:
Best book on 911 and very READABLE.......2007-10-09
I am stunned by Dr. Griffin's meticulous attention to facts and research. I challenge anyone who thinks the Truth movement is a bunch of 'crackpots' to actually read this book and THEN decide!
I agree with the positive reviews already posted, so no need to add more, other than to say that I especially liked his analogy of a compact car hitting an 18-wheeler and continuing at its original speed and even gaining speed - right! just like what happened when the upper floors crashed into the much greater mass of the lower floors - and continued on with ZERO resistance! C'mon, people, use some common sense! You don't have to be a scientist to see that we've been duped BIG TIME!
I will just say that I was surprised by how very READABLE it is - I was expecting an exhausting, dry list of technical facts, but I am actually having trouble putting it down! Well done!
Not a great book.......2007-10-02
Having read the book in full, I must admit that Griffin does poke several holes and highlights some inconsistencies in the four documents he challenges. However, despite his critiques, the four documents still appear more scientifically and statistically sound than what Griffin offers as an alternative theory.
Too often, Griffin dwells on the semantics of "conspiracy theory" vs. "alternative conspiracy theory", while making far-fetched claims involving "voice-morphing technology", on the extreme end.
As a book, it simply drags. Griffin is too wordy and repetitive with his arguments. He could have put forth the same claims with half the verbiage. Either way, though, most of the claims are indeed bogus.
An Absolutely Undebunkable Rebuttal to the Official Theory Pushers.......2007-10-01
As a philosopher and epistomologist, Dr. Griffin examines all subjects dispassionately and with pure intellect and reason. Here is a fact. It is indeed correct that "conspiracy theorists," in the pejorative sense of the term, do indeed cherry-pick random facts to bolster their case. They also omit data that doesn't fit their case.
Another fact is that a conspiracy is simply an agreement between two or more people in secret to do something illegal and/or immoral. A conspiracy theory is a hypothesis as to who is responsible for the act. The officially historically sanctioned version of what happened is itself a conspiracy theory: The idea that 19 Muslim extremists conspired to attack America, their motive being they hated our freedoms (or, in an another interpretation, out of "blow back" for decades of aggressive U.S. imperial-style foreign policy) is itself a conspiracy theory.
Throughout Griffin's latest excellent volume, he shows how the champions of the official theory are guilty of precisely what they accuse the alternative theorists of doing: cherry-picking, omitting and distorting.
The NORAD tapes likely involve distortion, as their version is corroborated by no one but themselves. All news reports and personal anecdotes from the time run to the contrary of what the tapes allegedly reveal.
Popular Mechanics engages in all of the negative traits. Here is but one example: Omission. They claim that no one could have imagined what would happen if a large jetliner slammed into the building. They omit the crucial words of one of the chief architects of the towers. He said: "There would be a huge fire, and massive damage, and a lot of people would be killed, but in the end, the structure would still be there."
The above is just one of countless omissions and distortions in the Popular Mechanics book. Griffin's latest volume is especially important for balance in libraries and the like, because many major institutions, such as the BBC and the History Channel, not to mention the U.S. Government's own State Department website page, continue to cite Popular Mechanics as the final answer to debunking "9/11 conspiracy theories." This book is the REAL conspiracy theory debunker.
Excellent Read.......2007-09-26
I loved this book. David Ray Griffin has a lot to say and every bit of it is presented cogently and clearly. He sticks to the facts and adheres to the scientific method. In defending himself and other "conspiracy theorists," he presents an excellent case showing that documents presented to the American public as the "official story of 9/11" rely on two main methods to present their cases: cherry picking of evidence that bolsters the official story, and complete omission of evidence that doesn't.
The backers of the official story would like you to believe that people who believe in conspiracy theories are nut cases. But David Ray Griffin points out that the official story itself is a conspiracy theory. Therefore, the only real question is this: Who were the participants in the conspiracy? This book presents a very strong case that participants included top American officials and members of the Big Business elite. But that's only the case presented by the facts. There's also the case presented by a few of the "really good looking facts." Take your pick.
Logical, rational, and undeniable.......2007-09-17
Griffin's book is a devastating critique not only of the government's story regarding the events of 9/11, but also of the official defenders of that story. It it this book that finally convinced me beyond all doubt that the official story isn't only suspicious, but utterly absurd. I would strongly encourage anyone with even a mild interest in the events of 9/11 to read this book. Dr. Griffin cites strong evidence (with mountains of useful and accessible references) and uses basic logic and fundamental physics to dismantle the (as Griffin terms it) "official conspiracy theory". While there still may not be any solid proof about precisely what DID happen on that day, Griffin succeeds spectacularly in proving what did not. I would without any hesitation recommend this book to anyone, especially those who do not understand what reasons there are to question the government's version of events. Griffin's articulate, dispassionate, and intelligent arguments are very difficult to dismiss.
Book Description
Whether you're a beginner, power user, or seasoned professional,
Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide has everything you need to customize the operating system, master your digital media, manage your data, and maintain your computer -- regardless of which Windows Vista edition you're using.
Why this book and not some other resource? Bestselling author and Windows expert William Stanek doesn't just teach you the steps you need to follow, he also tells you how features work, why they work, and how you can customize them to meet your needs. You'll learn how to squeeze out every last bit of power out of Windows Vista, and how to make the most out of its features and programs, including how to:
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Set up, customize and tune Windows Vista - Optimize its appearance and performance; install, configure and maintain software; customize your hardware; and install printers, scanners and faxes
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Manage your files - Search your computer more efficiently; secure your files and data; share and collaborate; and get the most out of accessories such as the Mobility Center
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Master your digital media - Create media libraries with Media Player; manage digital pictures and videos with Photo Gallery; make DVDs with DVD Maker; and create movies with Movie Maker
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Get connected and start networking - Set up a home or small-office network; learn to use Windows Mail, Calendar, and Meeting Space; conquer Internet Explorer 7; and master on-the-go networking
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Protect your computer - Keep your family safe while on the Internet; set up parental controls and content ratings; navigate the computer security maze; configure Windows Vista's security features
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Manage and support Windows Vista systems - Deal with user accounts, disks and drives; handle routine maintenance and troubleshooting; and resolve advanced support and recovery issues
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Learn advanced tips & techniques - Manage the Windows boot environment, explore Group Policy, discover keyboard shortcuts, and much more
Customer Reviews:
Better than "Vista Missing Manual".......2007-10-09
Vista Definitive Guide is a 922-page Vista bible, much better than Vista Missing Manual in my opinion. I got this after having excellent success with the author's other computer books. Extremely complete and full of answers. Kudos to the author for writing such an excellent book!
An Excellent Guide and information source.......2007-08-12
I have been using windows at home now for 14 years and with each operating system upgrade there's more to learn. I consider myself pretty savvy when it comes to Windows. So what if some people say "it's not definitive by any means," I find that it covers so much and even some things I won't need. I LOVE this book. It is not hard on your eyes, has plenty of diagrams and something I found especially interesting is how virus's, malware and all the nasties can enter your computer and the damage they can cause. I'm the type of woman who is not just satisfied with the "just do it this way" kind of help. I want more meat in the WHY I should do it this way. I use this book along with "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual" That books gives lot's of tips and stuff that has saved me much work and headache. These books work well together
The Only Book Most Windows Vista Users Need.......2007-06-28
Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide is an excellent book. Every Windows Vista User should purchase this book to learn Windows Vista. The book covers everything most users want to know and should know about Windows Vista.
This book is clear and to the point with comprehensive coverage of Windows Vista. It covers all versions of Vista and the many included programs and utilities as well as new security features. It covers Internet Explorer 7 and how to make your own audio CDs and DVD movies. There is an extensive discussion on installation and advanced issues. At a hefty 921 pages it makes a thoroughly detailed reference.
Plus this book is written for easy reader understanding and for enjoyable reading. Great book if you really wish to learn Windows Vista. For administrators, I'd also recommend Stanek's Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant.
920 pages packed with excellence!.......2007-05-29
William Stanek's pocket consultants are excellent - I've been a reader for years. In looking for a large reference for home, I saw this one - the definitive guide and chose it over Vista Inside Out and Vista Missing Manual. Stanek has a better style, and he understands the software better.
He once again is able to take technical topics and infuse clarity and depth while staying clearly focused. I have been running Vista since beta one, and this book is an excellent reference for those of us already familiar with the Windows operating systems.
In my opinion, this is an excellent book for all skill levels. Beginners will appreciate Stanek's ability to clearly and concisely explain even the most complex topics. The fact the book jumps right into the most important topics for home and office users doesn't hurt either.
Advanced users will find this book makes it easy to quickly get up to speed and to learn the new topics fast. Plus he writes in a friendly easy to understand language, so that you don't get lost in computer jargon. At the same time, he has a very organized and clear style. His details are never off topic and that's refreshing. His sense of what's important and what's not makes it possible for you to actually read the whole book and get all of the useful information out of it.
Pro users will find this book to be an excellent reference and regular reference. This isn't a book for administration though. Stanek's Vista ADministrator's Pocket Consultant is the best one for that.
This is THE MUST HAVE VISTA manual for the home and office. Thank you William Stanek for helping me get the most out of Vista!
Truly the definitive guide.......2007-05-25
Should be the #1 choice for all user levels from beginner to pro! Stanek's Windows Vista Administrator's Pocket Consultant is the book I use every day for admin work. When I'm wanting to play with Windows Vista's multimedia features or tweak the interface, this is the book I reach for. I have a copy at home too. At 900+ pages, it is the best all-around guide I've found.
Book Description
Chicago was the nation's deadliest city in 2001, recording 666 homicides. For lawyers in the Cook County Public Defender's Office Murder Task Force, that meant a steady flow of new clients. Eight out of ten people arrested for murder in Chicago are represented by public defenders. They're assigned the most challenging and seemingly hopeless cases, yet they always fight to win.
One of those lawyers is Marijane Placek, a snakeskin boot-wearing, Shakespeare-quoting nonconformist whose courtroom bravado and sharp legal skills have made her a well-known figure around the courthouse. When an ex-convict was arrested on charges of killing a Chicago police officer that deadly year, Placek got the high-profile case, and her defense forms the hub around which the book's narrative revolves.
Veteran journalist Kevin Davis reveals the compelling true story of a team of battle-scarred lawyers fighting against all odds. Unflinching, gripping, and full of surprises, Defending the Damned is an unforgettable human story and engaging courtroom drama where life and death hang in the balance. Davis explores the motives that compel these lawyers to come to work in this dark corner of the criminal justice system and exposes their insular and often misunderstood world.
This groundbreaking work comes at a time when the country has seen how wrongful convictions have slipped through the system, that innocent people have been sent to death row, and that some police have lied or coerced suspects into confessing to crimes they did not commit. Such flaws drive these public defenders even harder to do their jobs, providing scrutiny to a long ignored and often broken system.
Davis's reporting offers an unvarnished account of public defenders as never seen before. A powerful melding of courtroom drama and penetrating truecrime journalism, Defending the Damned is narrative nonfiction at its finest.
Customer Reviews:
Good writer,didn't like the book though.......2007-08-05
I usually don't go for this kind of reading.Meaning I love true crime books,police books,etc.I don't have much sympathy for child murdering,violent evil people and defense attorneys trying to represent them and paint them in a better light with excuses.I know that is the job of a defense lawyer,I know everyone has a right to representation.Midway through the book,even though it is very well written.It just seemed to me nothing but excuses for the horrible criminals in the book.After the half way point,I threw the book out.
what could be worse than being convicted of a crime you didn't commit?.......2007-07-18
"Defending the Damned" takes dead aim on a problem that plagues the American criminal justice system - the conviction of the innocent.
Sometimes, defendants are convicted because they don't have the resources to mount a complete defense.
Even worse, however, they are sometimes convicted because the prosecutor has hidden evidence which would lead to a not guilty verdict.
There is significant documentation of such improper convictions, in a series by the Chicago Tribune, in a study by Columbia Law School, and especially in the marvelous work of Barry Scheck and his colleagues in the Innocence Project (see Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make it Right).
It is a serious blemish on the American criminal justice system that too many prosecutors abuse their power, and get away with it.
My second novel,A Good Conviction, tells the story of a young man wrongfully convicted in a high profile Central Park murder, brought about by a prosecutor who knew the defendant was actually innocent and hid the exculpatory evidence that would have led to a not guilty verdict.
Several prosecutors and appeals attorneys helped me with the legal aspects of a Brady appeal in New York State, and all of them agreed that what I portrayed was both realistic and all too possible.
Readers have found it to be fast paced, exciting, and heartbreaking.
Dan Slepian, network producer of many crime and legal news shows, says ... "Having spent countless hours working with detectives, courts, attorneys, and wrongly convicted inmates I was most impressed with how well researched and accurate your narrative was. You really nailed it. In addition, it was a great read."
Judge (ret.) Leslie Crocker Snyder, former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney, first sex crimes prosecutor in the U.S., (see 25 to Life: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth) says ... "A Good Conviction is a well written, well paced, and fascinating tale of prosecutorial abuse in the Manhattan DA's office. Makes one wonder how many other times something like this has occurred and just how high the abuse is actually sanctioned."
Michael Radelet, one of the authors of In Spite Of Innocence: Erroneous Convictions in Capital Cases, a study of over 400 cases of persons wrongly convicted of crimes carrying the death penalty says ... "A Good Conviction is an unusually gripping story of an erroneous conviction and the passionate fight to correct that injustice. Weinstein's account of what a bad prosecutor does to Joshua Blake provides a frightening and realistic parallel to many of the true life cases we documented in our study."
LEW WEINSTEIN
Fast read... with some gory details.......2007-07-08
Kevin Davis presents a side to the justice system - and of society - that does not generally receive positive public attention. I think he relates the facts fairly, and paints an almost comprehensive view of the characters who work at the CCPDO. I cannot claim a lack of bias and / or prejudice (since I work there as well), but overall I think the lawyers who work on Homocide Task Force are some of the best in the country, and I am proud to call them my colleagues. Best of all, they are great storytellers, humanists, and try to make a broken system work as best it can.
Focus Too Narrow.......2007-06-21
I'm an incoming law school student this fall after a few years teaching elementary school and I'm considering entering the fray of public defender work after I put in my three years of academic time. Hence, I eagerly bought this book hoping it would give me some insight to this sector of the profession because I am attending school in Illinois and assume I'll practice within the state someday.
However, I was saddened to learn that the book focuses merely on Cook County's "Murder Task Force." Essentially, this is a group of public defenders who defend those indigents charged with murder--a high percentage of whom are worthless trash... those speedily deserved of painful executions.
The author should have instead focused on the work of public defenders who do misdemeanor and lower class felony defense--the attorneys who have an actual shot at saving lives worth living.
Subhuman cop killers do indeed deserve a superb defense at trial. However, after conviction they are lost causes in my opinion. Public defenders that can play social worker as well as attorney and give people a second shot at life are the real heroes.
Attorneys who defend indigents who dismember and deep fry their infant children are not.
The author focused on the "Murder Task Force" because murder is a sexy topic. He chose this writing path because he wanted ultimately to sell a book. In the process, he gave up the opportunity to show what it is really like on the inside of the Cook County Public Defender's Office.
Technically speaking--the book isn't poorly written. However, the progression of events in the book is haphazard and includes mention of several smaller cases mixed in with the one big case on which he chose to focus the book. It seemed to me like the author wanted to really write a book about the cop killer case and threw in some extra jibbrish about other cases just to beef up the book he ended up with.
I recommend this book for anyone considering PD work, just don't get your hopes up concerning the insight you'll receive from such.
Totally riveting: the story of those who defend society's worst - and the rest of us.......2007-06-17
Few people leave any lasting mark on the world, their lives soon forgotten. Kevin Davis, with this singular book, will be remembered long after his life is over. It may seem overwrought to compare "Defending The Damned" with, say, "All Quiet On The Western Front", but after you've read Davis's book, you'll see the comparison is very apt.
Davis takes us deep into a world that the vast majority of us will thankfully never have the opportunity to experience directly. It is the world of those who labor on the Murder Task Force of the Cook County [Illinois] Public Defender's Office. Here a small group of men and women, lawyers investigators and others, daily protect the legal rights of some of the foulest creatures to walk the face of the earrh. A mother who cuts up the corpse of her freshly murdered infant and deep-fries the parts. A man who gets his natural daughter pregnant and than beats her to death.
As one of the lawyers asks "How do you come home and explain that you just saved the life of a serial killer who smoked crack and murdered three women?"
Kevin Davis does an incredible job of explaining just that. He profiles several of the lawyers and their helpers who fighr every day to protect the legal rights of the accused - - - an incredibly important job that few people appreciate - - - and then try to keep the state from executing those of their clients who are found guilty of murder.
I am a proponent of capital punishment: those who murder deserve to die in return. It is only just. But I have a caveat: capital punishment should only be imposed when the accused has received a truly full and impartial trial, represented by highly competent counsel and provided with all the resources so readily available to the state, such as expert witnesses. Effectively this means capital punishment, in my opinion, is rarely acceptable.
There either been a spate of books lately on the criminal justice system or I've simply been reading more of what's available. Davis's work ties for a mythical first place with David Feige's "Indefensible: One Lawyer's Journey into the Inferno of American Justice". Davis's book provides an overview of life in the public defender's office, while Feige provides first-hand perspective from a former public defender. Both are to be read by anyone interested in the criminal justice system.
John Grisham provides a terrifying narrative of whar happens when the criminal justice system fails in "The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town".
Finally, the old-time liberal view of blame the victim and society is on display in Steve Bogira's "Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse".
Davis doesn't bring an axe to grind. He reports on the everyday work of public defenders like Marijane Placek, who comes across as an eccentric who is absolutely dedicated to the ideals of Americsn justice. Davis also give fair hearings to the prosecutors, judges, victims and their families and the murderers themselves. It is truly a tour de force rarely seen these days. The objective reporter telling the story.
There isn't a page in the book that isn't in some way compelling. Kevin Davis need never write another book: his reputation is made with "Defending The Damned".
There will be many people who find the work of Marijane Placek and her colleagues in the public defender's office to be reprehensible: their business is to defend some of the most vile people imaginable. The truth is that their work must not only be respected, but must be appreciated for these men and women are protecting the Constitutional rights of all of us when they vigorously defend the rights of these reprehensible people. Why they do it, what motivates them, what keeps them in the fray is what Kevin Davis describes so well. Never overtly stated, but always present is also the message that when these public defenders fight to protect the rights of the worst among us, they are also protecting our rights.
"Defending The Damned" is simply a must-read.
Jerry
Book Description
If M*A*S*H took place in the Bronx instead of Korea and was about lawyers and judges, not doctors and officers, it would look a lot like INDEFENSIBLE, David Feiges darkly funny and thrilling account of an ordinary day in the complicated life of a public defender in the South Bronx. In the span of a single day we meet murderers and misdemeanants, loutish lawyers, and vindictive judges. We race from courtroom to courtroom, judge to judge, and defendant to defendant, in a shocking behind-the-scenes look at big city justice as it really happens. This is a book full of black comedy and outrage, of unforgettable characters and situations. Written with the verve and insider know-how of a John Grisham thriller, but with the social conscience of a Barbara Ehrenreich, INDEFENSIBLE has real crossover potentialand should ignite a profound debate about law and order in America. It puts a human face on the terrifying systemic failures that make American criminal justice the dirty little secret of our time.
Customer Reviews:
Man, Is the System Messed Up or What?.......2007-07-15
I'm an incoming law student this fall and I bought this book because I'm considering working as a public defender after law school. The book itself didn't disappoint. It was written well and really made me feel what it might be like to endure the daily struggle of too many desperate clients and not enough time to adequately represent them. I was very shocked at how much time the criminal judicial system wastes through a variety of substandard mechanisms... Mr. Feige did a remarkable job of explaining it all.
However, after finishing the book... I can't help but feel a little sad. As an ex elementary school teacher, I almost feel as if taking a job as PD would be similar (a job that is very demanding and rough for very little pay). The work of a public defender seems so noble and so important, yet after reading Feige's book... I have to say that I'm actually not inspired to do the work. I'm instead inspired to seek out to practice law in a different setting.
I think I'll certainly use one of my law school summers to intern for a PD office, as I know that I can't possibly understand what the job is like until getting as close to working it as is possible.
But man, is the system messed up. It's frightening. Thanks, Mr. Feige, for giving me a little insight into the world of big city indigent defense.
I recommend this book for anyone thinking of pursuing similar work in the legal profession or for anyone wishing to know just how much time, money, effort, and agony is wasted daily in the process which is our criminal court system.
Great book for more reasons than you would think........2007-06-29
First, the book is terrific and it has been exceptionally well reviewed. The reviews focus on the legitimate and obvious reasons for which the book is great. Specifically, it is well written, riveting, thought provoking, and wildly entertaining--regardless of your predetermined views of the justice system. I agree with all of those reviews and will not repeat them here.
For me, the book has made a lasting impression and it is on my required reading list for all lawyers or aspiring lawyers because it forces the reading lawyer to ask the fundamental question of "what type of lawyer do I want to be?" Most lawyers and law students confuse this question with "how much money/prestige can I accumulate over a legal career?" The book helps the reader answer this question in a profound way. For that reason alone, it is worth reading. For all the other reasons and reviews it is MUST reading.
Keith J. Bruno
A Needed Sense of Balance.......2007-05-22
I pre-ordered this book right before I took the bar exam, but didn't get around to reading it until I visited my parents' house almost a year later. In the meantime I'd passed the bar, been sworn in as a lawyer, and spent nine months as an ADA in the Big City (not the same Big City where Feige practiced, but not much changes in the grimy world of high-volume, high-stress courthouses). I found this book when I came back home for vacation, and just finished reading it last week.
I'm glad I accidentally waited so long before reading it. I think a book like this looks different from the inside than the outside. It has different benefits: rather than giving you a glimpse inside a new world, it makes you look at familiar surroundings from a new perspective. In a career where every professional relationship is adversarial and the other side is often met with suspicion (and often with good reason), it's invaluable to get an honest view of what the other side is thinking. Feige's book is an excellent reminder of the fact that we're still all human in a sometimes inhumane system, and of how it is possible for good and worthy people to stand on both sides of the courtroom. I realize that sounds incredibly basic, but it's so easy to forget in the battlefield. The book provides some reassurance that I'm not failing in my job when I cut defendants breaks, or withdraw charges when justice doesn't line up with the letter of the law. And it reminds me to be decent to the defenders who are decent in turn, because the good ones are horribly overworked and underappreciated in what they do. I'm grateful to be reminded of those things. I needed it.
Of course the book has its flaws; all books do. Nothing is said about extremely pro-defense judges who are as unfeeling toward victims and their families as Feige's pro-prosecution judges are toward defendants. Nothing is said about good cops, or humane court staff, and almost nothing about inept or indifferent public defenders, or the crimes of which their clients are guilty (as, indeed, most are). But the book isn't intended as an even-handed, clear-eyed evaluation of the system; it's a heartfelt and impassioned piece of advocacy for one particular point of view.
So, again, I'm grateful to Feige for writing this book. It's well worth reading. Rarely does this particular corner of the legal profession have such a skilled and passionate advocate.
It's Indefensible Not to Read This.......2007-05-12
If you're teaching a class in law, this is an excellent introduction to the legal system...I had to discipline myself from reading it too fast...
An excellent indictment of the criminal justice system.......2007-04-20
I am not fond of criminals. Nor can my politics be considered left-wing. However, I do believe in the Constitutional right to due process and David Feige's "Indefensible" shows how Americans are routinely denied this right without a whimper from the elitist liberals and their mainstream press pals. Steve Bogira tried showing the nature of the criminal justice system in his "Courtroom 302" (Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Criminal Courthouse, but that came out sounding like a left-wing whine blaming everyone except the lawbreaker.
Feige was a public defender in New York for more than 15 years. He tells the story of those years with a touch of humor, an understated admission of the psychic pain he suffered as the system ground down defendants, their families and their lawyers, while elevating and protecting incompetent (if not corrupt) judges, prosecutors and police. His story has the ring of truth. He talks about innocent people railroaded into pleading guilty just to escape the system. Of evil judges who gave no second thought to wrecking families and lives. (He names names.) He doesn't resort to the usual left-wing nostrums of blaming society, demanding more money to perpeptuate dependent welfare or any of that.
By simply stating the facts from his perspective, Feige makes a strong argument for thorough reform of the criminal justice system. Right now the system isn't concerned with justice, but simply keeping itself going. As I said, I have no sympathy for actual criminals and it irritated me a bit to read of Feige negotiating down sentences of robbers and murderers. My attitude toward them is more like lock them up and throw away the key. But Feige reminds us that every criminal defendant has unalienable Constitutional rights - and that these rights are being violated day in and day out in New York's criminal courts. (Bogira attempted to make the same point about Chicago.) More than likely the same can be said for any criminal court system in America. The system is dysfunctional and doesn't work. So plea bargains are the currency of the day. Society suffers because bad people come back to the streets to soon. But innocent people suffer too, denied a trial, forced into pleas that may harm them or even ruin their lives.
It's a lousy system, far from the promises of the Constitution, and one that must be reformed on every level. Feige makes his points without beating the reader's head against the wall and he makes them effectively. He doesn't make any left-wing, criminal-coddling arguments: he doesen't have to. His experiences as a public defender, representing the truly guilty, the innocent and just those whom life dealt a bad hand to are all that's needed to waken your conscience to the miscarriage of justice we call our criminal justice system.
Jerry
Book Description
In this story of hidden magic and forbidden love, the King's Rider Justin befriends Ellynor, a young novice at a convent-only to discover that she is a mystic being manipulated by the fanatical Daughters of the Pale Moon into hunting down and killing other mystics.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing romance.......2007-06-08
I was reluctant to pick up this installment after reading reviews that little of the main storyline significantly progressed, and especially knowing that the six main characters would be separated. Fortunately, Shinn provided enough tidbits on the doings of our favorite characters, notably concerning Senneth and Tayse that my curiosity on their lives was satisfied. However, as much I've always harbored a soft spot for Justin, I just couldn't care too much about his romance with Ellynor. I cannot even say I disliked her character; in fact reading her portions I found her a sympathetic, lively personality. I didn't even think she was overly feminine. I simply found their relationship completely uninteresting and boring. Maybe it was overly predictable and their "suspicions" of one another's secrets didn't seem all that long lasting to me. Their romance was not only unlikely but it didn't convince me the way the previous novels had. As I said, I was pretty disappointed since Justin was my favorite barring Cammon. I just hope that Cammon's turn at forbidden romance brings something fresh. But I would keep reading just to see how the war turns out.
Shinn's New Series.......2007-05-13
All three books are good, altho' I liked the first and the third more than the second. The third books lets us see the growth of one of the characters and the expansion of his relationship with his world and the people he meets. I really liked it and am anxiously awaiting the next volume of this extended adventure of the small group of comrades.
Best of the Saga of the Twelve Houses so far.......2007-05-03
Dark Moon Defender is the third book in the Saga of the Twelve Houses. The second book in the Saga, The Thirteenth House, was such a disappointment to me that I've been anxious for the next installment to redeem the series. After months of waiting for the local library system to get the third book, it finally arrived. Like a chug of hearty soup after taking a swig of milk gone bad, the bad taste left by the last book was washed away and replaced with something truly satisfying. In short, I liked it.
Justin has been sent to spy on the Lumanen Convent, the stronghold of a group of religious fanatics bent on overthrowing the government of Gillengaria and eradicating all those endowed with magical abilities, the mystics. While performing his clandestine duties he falls in love with Ellynor, a convent novice who could only love him in return if she abandoned religious and family bonds. The situation is further complicated when Ellynor is exposed as a mystic and must fight for her life.
Once again, Ms. Shinn successfully weaves deeper themes into the story without allowing them to dominate the story. This episode emphasizes the true self, the essence of who we are regardless of our setting or our position in life. Neither Justin nor Ellynor are living as their heart would lead them - Justin is cloaked in his clandestine role, while Ellynor's path in life has been chosen for her. In spite of the apparent incompatibility of their stations, and even though they both know the other is keeping secrets, they come to trust each other. Each senses who the other is at the core. Their confidence in each other's true character is what allows their relationship to blossom and eventually grow into complete devotion.
It's interesting to me that I liked this book so much. It has so many of the same characteristics I didn't appreciate in the previous book. Like episode two, the main story line is an undercover romance between two people that would be wise to avoid a relationship. Not only that, but the one thing that saved the second book is nearly absent in this one, namely the advancement of the overall saga (well, that's not quite true - there are some potentially significant alliances forged between various groups, but you can only guess at the future importance of those alliances). With so much in common with the previous book you might expect a similar reading experience, yet in this case I really liked the result.
Can't wait for book four...
Excellent!.......2007-03-16
The book was in excellent condition and it got here quickly. It was also cheaper than I could find in stores, even with shipping!
Emotionally strong fantasy adventure.......2007-01-22
Fanatic followers of the moon goddess are actively hunting down and murdering mystics, and the King and his Riders can do little to stop them. The people have no particular use for mystics and the priestess of the moon goddess has been preaching against them convincingly. King's rider Justin is sent to investigate the monastery where the Daughters of the Pale Mother are headquartered. Still, actually getting information about the cult will be difficult.
Ellynor dreams of finding a middle way between the constraining rules of her culture and independence. When her cousin falls for an inappropriate man, Ellynor joins her in becoming novices with the Daughters of the Pale Mother. But while Ellynor has plenty of respect for all goddesses, her primary faith centers on another goddess, the Black Mother, Goddess of Night. When she is accosted by a drunk nobleman, Justin rescues her--and the two begin a relationship that is forbidden both by the rules of the Daughters and even more by the rules of Ellynor's culture and family. Since Justin is not from her people, her relatives are bound to rescue her, whether she wants it or not. And they won't stop until either they, or Justin, are dead. For Ellynor, who loves her family, neither is acceptable.
Author Sharon Shinn creates a compelling fantasy world. Aside from his loyal Riders, the King is weak and has no male heir. The nobles are restless and looking for an excuse to rebel--and the King's support for the hated mystics gives them just that. Conflict with Ellynor's clan just might be the final blow to the hopes of the mystics and of the King.
Shinn does a nice job describing the magic. Ellynor's powers, in particular, and the mythology of the Black Mother, are compelling and emotionally strong, as is Ellynor's impossible dilemma of falling for the wrong man.
I would have liked DARK MOON DEFENDER to have taken a bit higher-level look at the political situation and the ramifications of Justin's and Ellynor's decisions. Making the King's opponents a bit more three-dimensional and sympathetic would have helped, I think, make the story even stronger. From a romance perspective, I thought that the resolution to Ellynor's dilemma was telegraphed too obviously, and delivered with almost anti-climactic ease. That said, however, DARM MOON DEFENDER is a hard book to put down, delivers both exciting action and a high emotional charge, and is set in a wonderfully strong world. Shinn's writing sucked me into the story and made me care about the characters.
DARK MOON DEFENDER is a fantasy story, but it will appeal very strongly to romance readers as well as the romance plays at the very center of this novel.
Book Description
Alexis Morgan continues her dazzling paranormal series about larger-than-life warriors and the women they love....
As a Paladin warrior, Blake Trahern fights and dies again and again to keep mankind safe from the Others. Sensing his humanity slipping away with each battle, he retreats from the world...until the one person who still has a claim on his soul needs his help. It's been twelve years since Blake vanished from Brenna Nichols's life, years that have turned her from a love-struck teen into a headstrong, sensual woman. He'll fearlessly give his life to protect her -- yet he dare not risk his heart.
Brenna is stunned by Blake's reappearance, and by a shocking discovery about her father. Everything she has ever believed is thrown into question -- everything except the desire that Blake still ignites. But as they search together for a traitor among the Paladins, danger looms: the next battle could tip Blake into madness, destroying his life, his soul...and the only woman he has ever loved.
Customer Reviews:
It must be hard to write a second book.......2007-05-06
Because so many sophomore attempts are awful. (Chance book is an example). The first book was very entertaining with a new concept. This book went for the pity me angle -the I'm so tortured with pain, guilt whatever. I tried to like the characters, but the entire conspiracy angle overwhelmed the story. Also are the others friend's or foes. Make up your mind please. Over all I would borrow but not buy full price.
better than the first.......2007-04-26
I didn't care the first one in this series because there was too many loose ends. I thought this one was better in that it at least addressed the fact that there was loose ends and that even the Paladins didn't understand what was happening, but they were trying to find out.
I also had the impression that answers were on their way. The characters were interesting and worked well together. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Not as good as I thought it would be........2007-04-10
I enjoyed the first in the series, Dark Protector, and was looking forward to Blake's story. Blake is a Paladin and watches the border between our world and the Others. Paladin's are born warriors and often die in the line of duty, but are continuously brought back by their Handlers. Once a Paladin has been brought back one time too many, he becomes an Other and must be put down. In the First book, Blake was very close to becoming an Other. I had the feeling he was on the edge of losing his humanity. I did not get that feeling in this book, even though it kept saying he was close to having to be killed. I just expected more of his character and felt somewhat dissapointed. I didn't care too much for Brenna either. Dr. Laurel Young and Devin Blane's characters were more fleshed out in the first book. I still enjoyed the story but I wouldn't give it 5 stars. It kept my interest for the most part, but just didn't carry me away.
Better!.......2007-02-18
I read the first of the series and it took me a while to wrap my head around the storyline which was very unique. I wasn't sure I was going to care for a hero who died at the end--or I thought I would care to much and then be angry---I was so wrong on it all. I would suggest this book and the first to any who are considering it--just don't go into it with any prepreceived notions--you will be pleasantly surprised either way, but after getting that first book read--this second ones was fantastic because I knew the Paladian universe.
A fun read!.......2007-01-07
What an imaginative story line Ms. Morgan has created! She grabs your attention and then you hang on for the great ride to the end. The barrier divides good and evil, or does it? Can't wait for the 3rd book!
Book Description
Divine dedication powers these crusaders.
This book spotlights the champions of deities in the
D&D game, clerics and paladins. It's packed with ways to customize cleric and paladin characters, including:
New feats, prestige classes, weapons, and equipment.
More uses for turning checks, and new magic items and spells designed specially for clerics and paladins.
Information about special organizations such as the Laughing Knives and the Stargazers.
Detailed maps of temples that players and
Dungeon Masters can use as bases of operation or as enemy structures that must be brought down.
Indispensable to both players and
Dungeon Masters, this book adds excitement to any campaign.
Customer Reviews:
Helpful and condensed.......2006-06-24
In building my D&D library, I asked friends about these paperback guidebooks to the various classes. They told me to instead purchase the "complete" hardbacks now currently out. While the hardbacks may have updated 3.5 rules, they are also much more costly and filled with, in my opinion, rarely useful extras. If, like me, you're simply looking for something a cleric and/or paladin might want to see when leveling up during a campaign, I would highly suggest this book.
The older book was better.......2002-11-15
I am referring to the Complete Guide to Paladins for 2nd edtion. That book had far more material in greater depth than Defenders does. Again, this book also seems underdone, like so many 3rd edition books. The most useful material was the section describing how the faiths of specific alignments, and deities, work. As for the rest, it is "overbalanced". Most of the feats are so "balanced" as to be worthless, as are the prestige classes. The kits found in the Complete Guide are better, I think, with real balance, not +'s and -'s canceling each other out. The organizations listed were a little better, but again, the Guide had more interesting ones. Although I have focussed on Paladins, the same holds for priests. The Complete Guide to Priests wasn't that good, so I can't recommend looking for it. Overall, I wouldn't bother buying this again just four about 10 pages of useful material.
worst so far... BUT..........2002-11-13
i got this book for a paladin so i was really disappointed. the only good parts was the section on dragon mounts. but this book has great stuff on clerics, i look at them in a whole new light now. but if you want paladins, back order Dragon #199
worst so far... BUT..........2002-11-13
i got this book for a paladin so i was really disappointed. the only good parts was the section on dragon mounts. but this book has great stuff on clerics, i look at them in a whole new light now. but if you want paladins, back order
Dragon #199
Good Paladin info.......2002-05-28
I really liked it because I had always done Wizards but decided to make a Paladin. This was sitting on my shelf and was incredibly helpful.
Average customer rating:
- Graphic SF Reader
- Crazy 70s Nostalgia
- Old comics, poor quality
- How it all began
- One of the Best Choices for an Essentials
|
Essential Defenders, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials)
Stan Lee ,
Roy Thomas ,
Steve Englehart , and
Len Wein
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Essential Defenders, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
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ASIN: 0785115471 |
Amazon.com
Essential Defenders Vol. 1 is one of the more invaluable manifestations of Marvel's budget Essentials series. It captures the formation and early stages of the Defenders, a "non-team" of heroes that didn't have a headquarters or a formal charter, and didn't even like to hang out together. They just combined their considerable forces when needed. The 26 issues collected in this volume include the first times the characters crossed paths in their individual books--Dr. Strange 183, Sub-Mariner 22 and 34-35, and Incredible Hulk 126--followed by their appearances in Marvel Feature 1-3 and then the first 14 issues of their own book. Most of the early adventures were mystical Dr. Strange tales backed by the muscle of the Hulk and Sub-Mariner, but the group took better shape with the addition of the Silver Surfer in issue 2, and the beginning of the Black Knight saga in issue 4, which not only introduced the Valkyrie but led to the epic Avengers-Defenders clash, also included here in its entirety. Even though the individual Defenders were well-known in the Marvel Universe, the conflict with the better-established Avengers helped put the "group" on the map. The volume concludes with the two-part Nighthawk/Squadron Supreme story line. While there are drawbacks to the black-and-white format (for example, the Mohammedan's glimpse of the Hulk's green foot in issue 11), the price for this much content is low, and who knows when a Masterworks edition will arrive. (The Avengers-Defenders clash was previously released as a stand-alone trade paperback.) Better to grab Essential Defenders Vol. 1 now and hope for volume 2. --David Horiuchi
Book Description
Dr. Strange. Namor. The Hulk. The Silver Surfer. Set apart from others by nature and choice, this team of Marvel's mightiest loners embarked a string of strange adventures rarely equaled since - joined by some of the most off-kilter heroes of their time. Sorcery! Super-science! The war of the super-heroes! Learn how the "non-team" got its non-start in this multi-title compilation! Collects Dr. Strange #183, Sub-Mariner #22 and 34-35, Incredible Hulk #126, Marvel Feature #1-3, Defenders #1-14, and Avengers #115-118.
Customer Reviews:
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Throw together a bunch of really powerful misfit heroes and not quite heroes and you get a pretty good story. Have them fight the Avengers and you get even more fun.
Later on, the addition of the Black Knight and the Valkyrie spice things up even more, and I am definitely looking forward to more volumes of The Defenders.
Crazy 70s Nostalgia.......2006-11-10
I remember reading these issues in black and white British reprints when I was kid on Summer holiday.
That's why I rated it Four Stars.
If you have never read them before I would suspect the true rating is closer to Three Stars; however there are are a couple of wonderful moments (a drawn-out plot-point across most of the issues that is very well done and the conclusion of the Avengers-Defenders war) which make the collection worthwhile.
It is always amusing to see stupid whiny Hulk again since nowadays he has to be complex.
Old comics, poor quality.......2006-06-28
All of the Marvel "Essential" books/TPBs collect 'old' (60's,70's) comics. Each collection reprints a lot of comics into one volume for a reasonable price; however, they are all in black and white, on cheap newsprint, and bound poorly.
If you are into the older comics these collections might be for you; but personally I was very disappointed.
How it all began.......2006-01-28
Back in the late 1970s and early 1980s, in the heyday of my Marvel comics purchasing, there were really four superhero teams: the Avengers (the heavy hitters, organized and government sanctioned); the Fantastic Four (essentially, a family unit), the X-Men (technically, a group of classmates at a special school) and the Defenders, the non-team. I first started my Defenders reading around issue 50, and with Essential Defenders #1, I have at long last seen how they got started.
The Defenders were a group of "loner" heroes who never worked well in a team environment. The Hulk was like a child with a constant temper tantrum who could not play well with others. The Sub-Mariner was torn between the surface world and his ocean empire and generally had no love of humanity. Dr. Strange, haughty but generally good hearted, typically operated in an environment that was radically different from other heroes. Soon joined by the aloof but benevolent alien, the Silver Surfer, this trio united only when the occasions demanded it, typically when there was a threat to the entire planet. Otherwise, they wanted little to do with each other.
To me, the comic book really hit its stride with the introduction of the Valkyrie (in the middle of this volume). While the other characters were more or less standalone, the Valkyrie was not; she was defined by being a Defender and in turn, helped define what the Defenders were all about. Soon enough, there would be others, including - by the time I really started reading these comics - Nighthawk (who joins at the end of this book) and Hellcat. The more well-known characters began to take a back seat and the Defenders developed their own unique identity.
But that is beyond what this volume offers, which ends with issue #14. In this book, the Defenders are more hazily defined as a team (or non-team), but there are still some entertaining stories, especially a crossover with the Avengers, which forces the two teams to clash before dealing with the combined threat of Loki and Dormammu. Overall, this rates a high four stars, and I am looking forward to the eventual release of Essential Defenders #2.
One of the Best Choices for an Essentials.......2005-07-08
Marvel could not have gotten it more correct. The Defenders is one of their better choices for an Essentials package. Speaking of one of the eager fans who was around at the time, one was not aware there was this non-team grouping appearing throughout various of magazines until suddenly Marvel Feature #1 appeared. Now the stories can be gathered and enjoyed in a running sequence as originally presented throughout the magazine of the Hulk, Dr. Stranger, and the Sub-Mariner. The added plus is that then one also gets the best of original Defenders comic book series, including the introduction of Valkyrie, Nighthawk becoming a hero, and the justly famous Defenders-Avengers battle. The only thing keeping this volume from being perfect is that it could not have stretched a little farther to include the battle with Magneto and a few of the very good Giant-Size Defenders stories. Nothing's perfect, but this come blissfully close.
Amazon.com
Anonymous wears a black shroud and a hangman's noose. Unnamed and masked, perhaps he or she will avoid the fate suggested in the haunting photograph that graces the cover of this remarkable book. Anonymous is one of the mostly unsung heroes interviewed by Kerry Kennedy Cuomo who are fighting for human rights in places where torture, imprisonment, and death are the side effects of speaking out against such atrocities as child soldiers, sex slavery, honor killings, and repression of political rights. In Anonymous's case, teaching Sudanese women their rights where a civil war is being waged by Islamic extremists could land him or her in a "ghost house" of torture, or, if lucky, in prison for an undetermined amount of time. In an age when heroes seem almost a thing of the past, these 51 human rights defenders demonstrate that real moral courage is alive and well on planet Earth. As Kennedy Cuomo writes in her introduction, these are the Martin Luther Kings of the world, and "courage, with its affirmation of possibility and change, is what defines them."
For instance, there is Ka Hsaw Wa, who, after hearing stories of horrific torture and abuse from Burmese villagers, took the bold step of bringing a lawsuit against the American oil company Unocal for using human rights abuses to further its profit margins. To protect himself as he gathers documentation, he travels the jungle in black clothes and has had to interview victims using only his memory for lack of pen and paper. Fauziya Kassindja came to her work through no choice of her own--when she fled Togo to escape genital mutilation she found herself shackled and abandoned in the U.S. prison system, and has become a force for change in both countries. Others have seen a need and filled it, such as Muhammed Yunus, who has achieved miraculous results in Bangladesh by giving small loans to those who no one else would entrust with money--poor women without collateral. The results have been nothing less than the transformation of the women, their families, and the political landscape of a nation.
There are also the famous here: Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, Rigoberta Menchu Tum. Václav Havel speaks on becoming a dissident and the divine, while the Dalai Lama talks about compassion, suffering, and nonviolence. These are extraordinary people, and yet they are as human as the rest of us. As Oscar Arias Sanchez says, "One works for justice not for the big victories, but simply because engaging in the struggle is itself worth doing." An inspiring work made beautiful by photographs by renowned photographer Eddie Adams. --Lesley Reed
Book Description
Speak Truth to Power presents an inspiring rainbow of heroes from more than thirty-five countries and five continents. In searing and uplifting interviews, veteran human rights defender Kerry Kennedy Cuomo examines the quality of courage with women and men who are dramatically changing the course of events in their communities and countries.
Imprisoned, tortured, and threatened with death, they speak with compelling eloquence on subjects to which they have devoted their lives and for which they have been willing to sacrifice -- from free expression to the rule of law, from women's rights to religious liberty, from environmental defense to eradicating slavery, from access to capitol to the right to due process.
Accompanying the interviews are a powerful series of portraits by world-renowned photographer Eddie Adams. This is his first book, representing two years of crisscrossing the globe to make these deeply felt and insightful images of courageous individuals, including the internationally celebrated, such as Vaclav Havel, Baltasar Garzón, Helen Prejean, Marian Wright Edelman, and Nobel Prize Laureates the Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, Oscar Arias Sánchez, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, José Ramos-Horta, and Bobby Muller. But the vast majority of the defenders are unknown and (as yet) unsung beyond their national boundaries, such as former sex slave and leading abolitionist Juliana Dogbadzi of Ghana, domestic violence activist Marina Pisklakova of Russia, mental disability rights advocate Gabor Gombos of Hungary, and more than thirty others.
Speak Truth to Power is accompanied by a major exhibition opening at The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., then traveling nationally, beginning in January 2001 at the Newseum, New York. The authors also plan a fully integrated Web Site as well as an education and advocacy campaign by Amnesty International.
In addition, a theatrical presentation, written by Ariel Dorfman, based on the stories featured in the book, will be performed by internationally known actors, including Glenn Close, Edward James Olmos, Sigourney Weaver, Alfre Woodard, and others, opening at the J. F. Kennedy Center, September 19, 2000.
Average customer rating:
- Defending good taste in comic books
- More fun with Marvel's non-team
|
Essential Defenders, Vol. 2 (Marvel Essentials)
Len Wein ,
Chris Claremont ,
Steve Gerber ,
Bill Mantlo ,
Mary Skrenes ,
Tony Isabella ,
Jim Starlin ,
Don McGregor ,
Roger Slifer ,
Gerry Conway ,
Scott Edelman ,
Sal Buscema ,
Klaus Janson ,
Vince Colletta ,
Mike Esposito ,
Frank Giacoia ,
John Tartaglione ,
Sam Grainger ,
Jim Mooney , and
Gil Kane
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Essential Defenders, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials)
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ASIN: 0785121501 |
Amazon.com
Get ready for another 500+ pages of non-stop non-team action! Essential Defenders vol. 2 collects 16 more issues of The Defenders, plus five crossover issues, four giant-size stories, and a Marvel Treasury featuring Howard the Duck. Beginning with a throwaway issue of Giant-Size Defenders 1 (which is mostly reprints anyway), the real Defenders arc starts in issue 15, with the now-settled lineup of Dr. Strange, Valkyrie (except when she's off in search of her identity), Nighthawk, and (usually) Hulk (Silver Surfer being completely gone and the Sub-Mariner almost completely). They face Magneto and the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in their quest to create the ultimate mutant; the Wrecking Crew with the help of Luke Cage, Power Man; and the Sons of the Serpent in an all-out war that swells the non-team roster as never before.
Particularly welcome are the Giant-Size issues, which feature a meeting with the Son of Satan, a confrontation alongside Daredevil with the games-playing Grandmaster, a development in Nighthawk's personal life that leads to a meeting with Yellowjacket and then a faceoff with the Squadron Sinister, and a meeting with the super-cool Guardians of the Galaxy that brings the Defenders to the 30th century to free the human race from the clutches of the Badoon. This 1974-76 run of Defenders was mostly written by Len Wein and Steve Gerber, with the bulk of the pencils by Sal Buscema, and this edition, like all of Marvel's Essentials, is printed in black and white. --David Horiuchi
Book Description
undefined
Customer Reviews:
Defending good taste in comic books.......2007-07-15
Essential Defenders Volume II: from the very start (the confrontation with Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in issues 15 and 16, by far the best ones there) to the ending (Tapping Tommy and the Maggia goons in issue 30) it's a hit!!! Fine storytelling and artwork (especially by a certain Mr. Buscema), rather interesting characters and the "non-team status" that made this a supergroup different from all the others catch your attention and manage never to lose it. Looking forward to Volume III.
More fun with Marvel's non-team.......2007-04-22
In the Marvel Universe, the big three superhero teams are the Fantastic Four, the Avengers (including various incarnations like West Coast Avengers) and the X-Men (with related teams X-Force, Excalibur, etc.). There were other teams also, and of those, my favorite has always been the Defenders, the "non-team" that had its heyday in the 1970s and `80s and is probably the biggest second-tier team (the Champions and Infinity Watch are definitely less memorable).
Essential Defenders Volume 2 begins to really give the team its identity. In previous issues, it featured several heavy hitters (the Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, Hulk and Dr. Strange), all of whom were not team players. Eventually, as this volume kicks in, the Silver Surfer and Sub-Mariner have gone their separate ways and have been replaced by Valkyrie and Nighthawk. It's these new heroes who help give the team more character. Also, this volume features the beginning of Steve Gerber's writing run; Gerber, also the creative force behind Howard the Duck, would give the Defenders a little bit of an off-beat quality (although, admittedly, this happens more in later issues).
In this set, the Defenders take on several big villains like Magneto, the Enchantress and the Badoon, along with lesser know villains like the Sons of the Serpent and Tapping Tommy. There are plenty of guest heroes too, including Son of Satan, Luke Cage, Spiderman, the Human Torch, the Thing, Daredevil and the Guardians of the Galaxy.
While it might be too much to say that this is really great writing and art, most of the material is at least good and it's all fun reading. For another look at what made Marvel entertaining thirty years ago, this is a good book to pick up.
Books:
- Deltora Quest (Special Edition) Books 1-4 (Deltora Quest, books 1 through 4 (The Forest of Silence, The Lake of Tears, City of Rats, The Shifting Sands))
- Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture: Based on the Competing Values Framework (The Jossey-Bass Business & Management Series)
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- Double or Nothing
- Downriver
- Dynamic Trading: Dynamic Concepts in Time, Price & Pattern Analysis With Practical Strategies for Traders & Investors
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