Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars: Umpiring in the Negro Leagues & Beyond

Book Description

The Kansas City Monarchs. The Chicago American Giants. The St. Louis Stars. The Newark Eagles. The Birmingham Black Barons. The Homestead Grays. The Cuban X Giants. For over 50 years, they were the Yankees, Cardinals, and Red Sox of black baseball in America. And for over a decade beginning in the mid-1940s, umpire Bob Motley called balls and strikes for their games, earning the opportunity to work with such legends as Satchel Paige, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Willie Mays. Today, Motley is the only living Negro League arbiter, and Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars is his revealing, humorous memoir.

Customer Reviews:

Ruling Over Monarchs, Giants & Stars: Umpiring in the Negro Leagues & Beyond.......2007-03-27

A must have book on baseball history, and what the Negro Leagues went through.
It's an amazing life that unfolds as you turn the pages. Hard to put down as
each chapter will leave you wanting more.

A must read!.......2007-03-26

It's great to focus on some great moments in history. Bob Motley has lived an incredible life. Well worth reading and admiring!

Memories From Behind The Plate.......2007-03-14

With a triple-play of anecdotes, humor and history, former Negro Leagues Baseball umpire Bob Motley and co-author/son Byron Motley present a unique perspective of the game from behind the plate and calling balls & strikes.

Motley, the last living umpire from NLB, worked games for more than ten years, starting in the mid-1940s. He had a flamboyant style which is captured in the photographs.

There are sections on established stars like the legendary Satchel Paige, young players who ultimately reached iconic status in Major League Baseball like Ernie Banks, Willie Mays and Henry Aaron, and trail-blazing females Connie Morgan, Toni Stone and Peanut Johnson.

"Nothing compares to the sound of an oncoming Satchel (Paige) fastball," recalls Bob Motley.

There are diamond gems like NLB players were the first to wear batting helmets. Willie Wells wore an old coal miner's hat to the plate because he was tired of getting hit in the head with errant - or aimed - pitches.

As enjoyable as Ron Luciano's The Umpire Strikes Back, the Motleys show that one of the game's most famous arbiters also oversaw a wealth of great memories that makes for a great read.

Ruling over Monarchs, etc........2007-03-09

I absolutely love this book. I happen to know the author, and that makes it even more special to me.

Vendetta: The Giant Novel (Star Trek the Next Generation)

Average customer rating:

How do you out Borg the Borg?
Great Novel that ties in TNG to TOS Doomsday Machine
Not a particularly good Star Trek novel
For every force there is an equal and opposite force
STNG Vendetta - Another well told Peter David tale!

Vendetta: The Giant Novel (Star Trek the Next Generation)
Peter David
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

ASIN: 0671741454

Book Description

Vendetta The Borg -- half organic being and half machine, they are the most feared race in the known galaxy. In their relentless quest for technological perfection, they have destroyed entire star systems, enslaved countless peoples, and, in a single brutal attack, decimated Starfleet's mightiest vesels. Only a final desperate gambit by Captain Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise™ crew stopped the Borg from conquering the entire Federation. And now they have returned.

VENDETTA

In the bestselling tradition of Metamorphosis and The Lost Years, here is the newest Star Trek ® Giant Novel, a story of vengeance and obsession.

Answering a distress call from a planet under attack by the Borg, the U.S.S. Enterprise crew meets Delcara, the lone survivor of an alien race the Borg obliterated. Blinded by hatred, Delcara seeks the ultimate revenge -- the complete destruction of her race's executioners. But the U.S.S. Enterprise crew learns that Delcara's vengeance carries a terrible price, for once unleashed, the destructive force she commands will annihilate not only the Borg, but countess innocents as well...

Download Description

The Borg -- half organic being and half machine -- are the most feared race in the known galaxy. In their relentless quest for technological perfection, they have destroyed entire star systems, enslaved countless peoples, and, in a single brutal attack, decimated Starfleet's mightiest vesels. Only a final desperate gambit by Captain Picard and the U.S.S. Enterprise crew stopped the Borg from conquering the entire Federation. And now they have returned.

In the bestselling tradition of Metamorphosis and The Lost Years, here is the newest Star Trek Giant Novel, a story of vengeance and obsession.

Answering a distress call from a planet under attack by the Borg, the Enterprise crew meets Delcara, the lone survivor of an alien race the Borg obliterated. Blinded by hatred, Delcara seeks the ultimate revenge -- the complete destruction of her race's executioners. But the Enterprise crew learns that Delcara's vengeance carries a terrible price, for once unleashed, the destructive force she commands will annihilate not only the Borg, but countless innocents as well....

Customer Reviews:

How do you out Borg the Borg?.......2006-08-15

In Vendetta, the Enterprise again meets the Borg. This time, however, the Borg have an enemy that, initially at least, can cut through a Borg cube ship like a hot knife through butter. But the Borg learn and adapt, remember? Then Starfleet has to decide who is their biggest concern: multiple Borg ships coming into Federation space to battle this new threat, or this new ship that has technology that could either be assimilated into the Borg (if they lose) or roam Federation space devouring planets for energy (if they win). Which is the biggest threat?

An exciting STNG story. The side story in attempting to "un-Borg" a captive is also interesting.

Great Novel that ties in TNG to TOS Doomsday Machine.......2006-02-18

I read Vendetta a long time ago and really enjoyed it. It dealt with one of my favorite Original Series episodes, "The Doomsday Machine". The story goes into some speculation as to the origin of the machine that the original USS Enterpise encountered at System L-374. If you like Trek, you will love this novel. It was be awsome if they made this story into the next movie.

Not a particularly good Star Trek novel.......2005-12-02

I am an ex-Trekker, but the reasons why are not important here. What I can tell you about Vendetta in this review (which I wrote even knowing that newer reviews would bury mine--oh, well, you're reading it, aren't you) is from my literature major's perspective.

Vendetta is not a well-written book. If you don't know, Peter David writes (or wrote) Star Trek comics for a living; so, understandably, the narration of this book, and the dialogue, frequently sound like a comic book. I don't really have a specific example in mind, but compare the narration with that in a ST comic edited by Peter David, and you may notice the similarity. The Enterprise crewmembers' dialogue, especially Geordi La Forge's (who is one of the main characters in Vendetta) sounds *very* UNauthentic--not very much like what you would expect to hear on a television episode, I mean.

Do you prefer your ST writers to be faithful to the series? Well, Mr. David often isn't. Here, Captain Picard (whose dialogue, to be fair, is somewhat more authentic than La Forge's) is a devotee not of Shakespeare (as he always was on television), but of Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote. (La Forge is also a DQ fan, apparently.) Well, to be fair, perhaps Picard likes both Shakespeare and Cervantes; and I won't bash that, because Don Quixote is my idol. And perhaps you recall that, only in a few time-travel situations (such as Star Trek IV), has a vessel exceeded warp ten and gone into a time warp, and even then, it required a slingshot around a star. Here, the Doomsday Machine (the subject of Vendetta) reaches warp ten simply because its pilot, Delcara, has such enormous willpower. Also, making a guest appearance in Vendetta is the USS Repulse, commanded by a woman named Ariel Taggert; this makes anyone who saw the TV episode "Unnatural Selection" wince, because there, Captain Taggert was a white-bearded *man.* (If PD remembered Captain Taggert at all, he had to have known that. The reason he changed Taggert's gender is probably so he could name the character Ariel--that's the name of one of his daughters.) However, there was one clever tactical idea which tied in with the TNG episode "Remember Me." Because that episode had Dr. Crusher trapped in a warp bubble, PD has the Enterprise dispose of a Borg ship by dropping a warp bubble on it. Interesting.

Does it happen to bother you when an author shows gives excessive focus to one or two favorite characters, and clearly snubs the others? Well, that certainly happens in Vendetta. The only important Enterprise crewmembers are Picard and La Forge; Dr. crusher and Counselor Troi, plus two characters from another starship, have supporting roles; and Riker and Data have very few lines. Except at the climax of the novel, when Riker commands the Enterprise bridge because Picard is trapped aboard the Doomsday Machine, Riker is so insignificant here that I had a hard time remembering if he does anything else in the entire book. Data has only one important scene in this book, which involves him helping to disconnect a Borg drone from the collective; after that, he is a bit player. In fact, near the climax of the book, he gets his face smashed in by someone's prosthetic hand. Peter David evidently does not like Data very much; you can figure that out if you read Imzadi, in which Data is a villain.

How about totally gratuitous sexual references? At least one shows up in every Peter David novel I have read, including Vendetta. Here, while La Forge talks to a simulation of a legendary character on the holodeck, the woman happily reminisces about the great sex she has had with multiple men during her travels. (You can find another obnoxious bit like this in Strike Zone, an earlier TNG novel by PD, in which a teenage girl plays with Riker's beard in a turbolift; and Imzadi...well, Imzadi is about Riker's and Troi's pre-Enterprise love affair, so, as you can guess, it's drenched in smut.)

Still, any novel involving the Borg is good enough to be read at least once, so if you run out of books to read, then read Vendetta. It's not a bad ST novel, but neither is it a great one. After finishing it, you should have an idea of why Peter David, known as a very popular Star Trek writer, is sadly overrated.

For every force there is an equal and opposite force.......2004-06-26

It's really too bad Rick Berman lacks much of the vision that the Star Trek "enterprise" [business wise] has demonstrated over the years. The Borg, not entirely a unique Star Trek creation, have been over used time and time again. Even though The Borg are the ultimate user, as Q put it, The Borg are in an evolutionary dead end. Even though they may be able to assimilate entire worlds, they are no more than parasites rather than creatures reaching for "perfection".

It was nice to see a balance, if you will, for The Borg. Vendetta also gives allusion to the TOS mention of The Preservers who might be related to the beings who hid clues of their own existence in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode, of which I cannot remember. All I do remember is the representation of that billion year old being, who'se race put their DNA into the primordial soup of many planets, is non other than the actor who plays the Dominion leader! Surprise, surprise!

Vendetta also reminds me of the famous The Count of Monte Cristo. At first vengence seems a keen sense of justice, but in the end is realized to be pitiful and utter non-sense, often times with a high price, as Sarek once said in the TOS series.

I'm also tired of seeing Star Trek with humans aka Terrans as the central point of any story. How about a story of the early Vulcans. The split that created the Romulans. The Breen. The creatures from Andromeda, from the TOS series. Terrans are great, but it would be nice to have the central point of view from another species, but perhaps that is asking too much imagination and vision.

Often times, the plots of various Star Trek shows, television, movies, books, have horrible plots to them. The original idea is great, but by the middle of the story, there are so many loose ends that at the end of the story, they are never tied together or allowed to be open ended with a semi-conclusion perhaps for a sequel. I'm particularly angry that just when a Star Trek television series gets going good, the series ends, usually after 7 or 8 years. Case in point, Deep Space Nine. I HATED the show when it first started, but by the 5th season, I was falling in love with the show. Characters were being developed, they were evolving and the plots were getting better. The ending of the Dominion War was so absurd that I nearly threw my television out the window.

Vendetta, in my humble opinion, is an excellent book, which likely lead to the creation of the movie Star Trek: First Contact, a few too many Voyager episodes and far too many Star Trek: Enterprise episode. Who was the idiot who decided to take the viewers back to the creation of the Federation? Star Trek has always been about moving forward, a vision of the future. Going backwards, from the point of view from TOS, TNG, Voyager, DS9 makes no sense whatsoever. Hopefully the new series being created by Strazinsky will be more visionary and creative than anything Rick Berman can think up.

Live long and prosper, you will be assimilated.

STNG Vendetta - Another well told Peter David tale!.......2003-09-03

After reading one or two Peter David novels, one quickly learns that his novels are to be looked forward to with great anticipation. Vendetta is no exception to this rule as it is an outstanding story that makes one wonder why it wasn't published as a hardback. Of course, at the time of this exceptional novels release, Star Trek The Next Generation stories hadn't quite made it to hardback status yet.

What can one expect from a Peter David Star Trek novel? An intriguing and exceptional plot; extraordinary humor; writing that is very true to characters; and so much more, all of which is delivered in this novel.

The premise:

The Enterprise answers a distress call from a planet that is under attack by the Borg. Rushing in, they discover a lone survivor named Delcara. Delcara is thoroughly outraged by the atrocity she bore witness to and sets herself on the path of revenge. Seeking to completely destroy the Borg for their crime against her people and others, she sets out to find a Doomsday Machine. When Captain Picard and crew learn of her intentions they must find a way to stop her because they "know" that the Doomsday Machine will not stop with the Borg...

What follows from there is as stated above, one of Peter David's earliest Star Trek stories and one of his best from that timeframe. I'd definitely have to say that the most hilarious part of this story is a Ferengi Damon being assimilated by the Borg to fill a role much similar to what they did to Picard when they assimilated him into Locutus.

I would definitely recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek fiction and especially to Peter David fans; it is definitely not to be missed. {ssintrepid}

Average customer rating:
Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars (Astronomy and Astrophysics Library)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
Astrophysics & Space Science | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
Star-Gazing | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
Rocks & Minerals | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
General | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books
Astronomy | Astronomy | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Astrophysics & Space Science | Astronomy | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Physics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0387008802

Book Description

This book deals with the underlying astrophysical mechanisms of the objects known as asymptotic giant branch stars -- the structures that occur during the dramatic period prior to a star's death. Over the past three decades, asymptotic giant branch stars have become a topic of their own, and the contributions to this volume all focus on these entities themselves, rather than their connections to other fields of astronomy. Among the many topics covered are new methods of high- quality infrared observation and the more detailed and realistic simulations made possible by increasingly fast computers. This collection should be useful to graduate students who work in the field, teachers who want to address the subject in their courses, and to astronomers from various backgrounds who are interested in the astrophysics of AGB stars.

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of The Zodiac

Average customer rating:

My little reference book
80% Accuracy
Cute Lil' Reference Guide
Surprisingly the most accurate, for being so little!
easy-to-read little book with lots of bullet points!

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of The Zodiac
The Diagram Group
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

Parapsychology | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0806995297

Book Description

Anyone who is fascinated with astrology-Chinese or Western-will find this super-thick sourcebook a must-have. First, straightforward explanation of both methods of astrology, symbols, charts, and a glossary of terms for each will help you understand where you fall in the scheme of it all. Then read about your specific sign or animal year to gain important insight into your character, with regard to: personality, appearance, behavior, work habits, love and sex, friends and partners, leisure interests, health. Use this valuable wisdom for entertainment, or as a tool for living harmoniously with your natural character. Whether East or West, Yin and Yang or Air and Fire, this giant astrology reference is guaranteed for hours of fun-and might just help lead to a better-balanced life.

Customer Reviews:

My little reference book.......2006-07-13

This is my astrology reference book. I have given my copy away several times, and then ordered another for myself. This is a must have in my collection! Very informative!

80% Accuracy.......2002-06-03

This book is very interesting. It gives you detailed information about each zodiac sign as well as the Chinese astrology. This book seems to be 80% accurate on the zodiac signs. It describes your characteristic traits, personality, work, occupations, love, sex, your childhood, parenting, and which zodiac sign you get a long with and dont. The Chinese astrology chart is not that accurate...probably about 40% accurate. I recommend this book to anyone who is into the zodiac signs and the signs of their friends and family.

Cute Lil' Reference Guide.......2000-09-26

I personally like this book because it blends both Chinese astrology and Modern astrology together. It is about four inches tall at best, about three inches wide and maybe two inches thick. It is great for carrying with you to work or on the subway to read. I also like how the authors have listed the common characterisitcs for kids, adults, males, females, parents, bosses, co-workers, employees...whoever you may come across in life. If you know a persons sun sign or even just a birthdate, you will find not onl a generalized decription of them, but also how they will tend to act and react in situations. Also, how to get them to bend. Now I wouldn't call it a must have, but it sure is a nice reference and ice breaker. I keep it with me at work and it never fails to catch someone's eye.

Surprisingly the most accurate, for being so little!.......1999-07-04

If you're interested in astrology, but you don't know where to start this is a great little book. It has absolutely EVERYTHING you want to know about the zodiac and some Chinese Horoscopes, as well. It's straight and to the point, and I carry it with me everywhere for handy reference at any time. A definite must if you're into that mystikal stuff!

easy-to-read little book with lots of bullet points!.......1998-11-15

OK, so this isn't a serious astrology workbook or anything like that, but it's a great little guide to Western Astrology and Chinese Astrology, and the combination of the two. I've read many pages over the phone to my friends, and I pick it up quite often to check things out. For a quick-and-easy reference, it's fabulous!

The Giant Leap: Mankind Heads for the Stars

Average customer rating:

Great Book!
A good read on a fascinating subject
A good book for mankind.

The Giant Leap: Mankind Heads for the Stars
Adrian Berry
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Aeronautics & Astronautics | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

Astrophysics & Space Science | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Book Description

At some point in the next two centuries, mankind will accomplish the Giant Leap. People will make the ultimate voyage; they will leave our solar system and head out to the stars. This is one of the first books to explore the subject of interstellar flight and mans future among the stars.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!.......2004-02-23

One of the best I have read that shows the way to the future of space exploration, and technology of the future.

A good read on a fascinating subject.......2001-12-14

An enjoyable light read which can be achieved at near light speed! This is journalism close to its best, addressing a complex subject from multiple angles. Where it succeeds is in the subject matter. How many of us have wondered what the step beyond exploring our solar system will mean? It's pretty much all here, though there are a few caveats needed. This is not reference material and is almost totally derivative of previously published books and papers.
The coverage is also rather wide and some may feel short-changed by Mr Berry not following through on some of the topics covered.
Some may find the topic of politics not addressed to their satisfaction - in chapters 'Starships and Politicians' and 'Twilight of the State'.

Elsewhere, the detail is reminiscent of a newspaper article: when it comes to detail within ones area of expertise there are real howlers. This may be to some the weakest part of the book, challenging the authority that Mr Berry assumes by writing this book. Another reviewer has spotted the error in the timeline for 1965, which has Ed White being the first spacewalker instead of Alexei Leonov. A minor slip, but not solitary. The author fails to flag that civilisations are unlikely from first generation stars (no heavy elements from which life can appear) (ref p61 etc). The discussion of navigational errors getting the crew 'lost' is unlikely as we have 3-D info on every star within 100 light years of the Sun and computers even today can create star maps from anywhere in the vicinity of the Sun.

There are some throw-away lines that need that - to be thrown away. The author occasionally uses too wide a paint-brush for his canvas, notably p182, "the modern electronics industry" is supposedly based on the Apollo lunar module descent computer. An almighty howler is (p29 and p258) that the Managing Director in JVC invented videorecorders in 1975. The first practical video recorder was first demonstrated in 1956. Even John Logie Baird made video recordings in 1927! Of course he means domestic videos, but even then 'invention' is too much.

But these are simply where technical proof-reading has been inadequate. The book remains enjoyable despite the above comments.
(page numbers refer to UK edition which may differ)

A good book for mankind........2001-11-10

What a great book! I learned a good deal on subjects ranging from the internet, Polynesian colonization and economics. The author's idea for investors using their money while on long interstellar voyages I think is ingenious. At last someone has come up with a good use for the planet Mercury and why we should go there. Some people might take issue with some of the things listed in Appendix I, like who invinted gunpowder and who made the first spacewalk. All in all a very good read.

Star Wars Giant Coloring Fun (Coloring Book)

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Star Wars Giant Coloring Fun (Coloring Book)
Lucas Books
Manufacturer: LucasBooks for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0375802347
Release Date: 1999-08-17

Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology

Average customer rating:

The post-war development of US astronomy

Giant Telescopes: Astronomical Ambition and the Promise of Technology
W. Patrick McCray
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Astronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

Star-Gazing | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Optics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0674019962

Book Description

Every night, astronomers use a new generation of giant telescopes at observatories around the world to study phenomena at the forefront of science. By focusing on the history of the Gemini Observatory--twin 8-meter telescopes located on mountain peaks in Hawaii and Chile--Giant Telescopes tells the story behind the planning and construction of modern scientific tools, offering a detailed view of the technological and political transformation of astronomy in the postwar era.

Drawing on interviews with participants and archival documents, W. Patrick McCray describes the ambitions and machinations of prominent astronomers, engineers, funding patrons, and politicians in their effort to construct a modern facility for cutting-edge science--and to establish a model for international cooperation in the coming era of "megascience." His account details the technological, institutional, cultural, and financial challenges that scientists faced while planning and building a new generation of giant telescopes. Besides exploring how and why scientists embraced the promise and potential of new technologies, he considers how these new tools affected what it means to be an astronomer. McCray's book should interest anyone who desires a deeper understanding of the science, technology, and politics behind finding our place in the universe.

Customer Reviews:

The post-war development of US astronomy.......2004-05-09

This is a very well-researched history of the twists and
turns of post-war US large telescope astronomy and its
desire to retain leadership against growing competition
from Europe and Japan. The story involves a seemingly
endless conflict between private and publicly-funded
astronomers and differing mirror technologies and their
outspoken advocates, against a backdrop of
international partners attempting to join the US effort
and simultaneously knock some order in the US process.

Amazon.com

While Oscar Wilde is best known as the author of The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, he was also a teller of fairy tales. After polishing his tales through private readings over the years, Wilde eventually published them in two collections between 1888 and 1891. Although these stories have remained engaging throughout the years, this volume allows acclaimed artist P. Craig Russell to breath a vivid freshness into them. Like any good illustration, the art never gets in the way of the story; Russell's depiction of the characters always remain real enough to believe in, but never so real that they take you out of the fantasy world. Russell makes illustrating look easy, and the result is pure enjoyment.

Book Description

One of comic art¹s most respected and pioneering artists, well known for his opera adaptations and beautiful fantasy work, P. Craig Russell is in the process of adapting Oscar Wilde¹s famous fairy tales in a series of landmark volumes.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful storytelling, in words and pictures.......2005-02-07

P. Craig Russell is one of the most literate comic artists now active. He is best known for his opera adaptations, but he goes after a different kind of story here.

These start as fairy tales in the classic mold, with giants, ice fairies, enchantments, and royalty lost and found. Even though Wilde wrote them, they're tame enough for kids and carry moral lessons I wouldn't mind a kid seeing. Wilde made sure there's plenty for the adults to hold onto, including a surprisingly religious turn in "The Selfish Giant." To tell the truth, I haven't read Wilde's original stories. This book is good encouragement to do so.

Russell's gentle artwork brings these stories to life. He has a unique way with fantasy elements, vividly seen in the Giant's perpetual winter. He also has a fine sense of how much cartooniness to allow - just enough for the story, but not enough to Disneyfy Wilde's text.

I consider these kid-safe, but "Star child" has a few harsh turns that may not suit the delicate - read the story first, yourself, then decide whether it suits your family. Or just get it for yourself, as I did.

//wiredweird

UGH!.......2002-12-14

I'd like to give it a score of "-5" but 1 is the lowest available here. This is absolutely and positively the ugliest artistic rendition of Oscar Wilde's beautiful fairy tales and of that of thousands of children's books I have read or collected over many years. The comic book style illustrations draw the reader away from the inner poetry and beauty of Wilde's prose. This is truly the first book I have ever thought of burning - it would make good kindling for the fireplace.

A beautiful adaptation of my favorite fairy tale..........1998-09-23

I have a vivid memory of a film strip adaptation of "The Selfish Giant" that I saw several times in kindergarten and first grade. I didn't really understand the Christian allegory at the time, but I was entranced by the beautiful, melancholy nature of the story. Years later I still find it deeply moving, and P. Craig Russell's adaptation is as perfect a retelling as I can imagine. Though a non-Christian, I find that the story loses none of its impact or beauty. This is a story for anyone with an open mind and a love of well-told children's tales. Russell is one of the modern masters of cartooning, and his artwork and sense of design really compliment the story. His second collection of Wilde's fairy tales is also highly recommended, as are his adaptations of various operas and the fantasy stories of Michael Moorcock.

The Greatest Children's Story I Have Ever Read........1997-12-17

The Selfish Giant is without a doubt the most touching, deeply moving, powerful, uplifting, but sad, children's story I have ever read. I recommend this book to all adults, students, and children who haven't cried for a while, or need a great, quick, life-changing read.

Average customer rating:

Didn't Live Up
I never wanted it to end!! Fabulous!
An all-star cast of my generation! I swooned over Rod Taylor and Robert Culp!
WONDERFUL cast, beautifully performed, an EXCITING thrilling journey you won't forget!
"Hard Rock Lovers".....Beautifully done!!

Hard Rock Lovers
Paul Kyriazi
Manufacturer: Ronin Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Product Description

Computer programmer Alan Bartlet takes his new girlfriend to Las Vegas. There he meets Medusa, a backup singer for the now dead rock star Shane. She hints that Shane might be alive. In flashback, we see the rise and fall of Shane. Alan pursues Medusa and descends into a world of mystery, lust and murder to find out: Is Shane Alive?

Customer Reviews:

Didn't Live Up.......2007-07-03

I absolutely love "The James Bond Lifestyle Seminar," but this audiobook fell short. The plot was decent, but nothing better than you'd expect based on the synopsis. The main character is supposed to be 33 years old, yet his voice sounds like an old man. He sounds very unsure of himself. Also, a lot more could have been done with the sound effects. They did not immerse me in the scenes, as another reviewer claimed.

I never wanted it to end!! Fabulous!.......2007-01-16

Mr Kyriazi's production of Hard Rock Lovers was just fantastic! I was on the edge of my seat on a daily basis! I put the audio book on my iPod and listened while I jogged. I gotta say it motivated me to get out there and I am so sad it is over! I cannot wait for his next Audio production!

The story is fantastic, gripping and sexy. I absolutely loved it!

Bravo!!!!

An all-star cast of my generation! I swooned over Rod Taylor and Robert Culp!.......2006-05-22

Wow! My sister pointed me to this audio book and I couldn't believe my ears. I just relaxed on my bed to listen and was absolutely delighted with the movie-quality of the sound effects. Not only is this a masterful, well-written plot, it's also a quality production. The best I've heard.

And those stars that the magnificent author/director Paul Kyriazi lined up for this special version of his book!!! Well, all I can say is that I remember swooning each time I saw any of them on the big screen. (I hope my hubby doesn't read this.) But when I saw Rod Taylor--who narrates this story, with such a come-hither voice--starring in The Birds with that gorgeous Tippi Hedren, I almost fainted. Yes, he was that much of a hunk ... and still is, according to my sister!

Incidentally, people used to say I looked like Tippi. Ah-hhh, memories ... But getting back to this audio book, I loved it to pieces.

Keep up the excellent work, Mr. K. You're terrific, and almost as handsome as the great Rod! Ciao, baby ...

WONDERFUL cast, beautifully performed, an EXCITING thrilling journey you won't forget!.......2006-03-15

From the moment Hard Rock Lovers comes on ... it takes you by the hand and mind, and immediately draws you into this intriquing story, narrated by the imcomparable Rod Taylor, of revenge, love, lust, cold reality and spiritual enlightenment.

Robert Culp kept me laughing with his perfect low-life agent performance, always the best! James Darren was the perfect rock star, mean, talented but sad, his performance was # 1. Ishtar Uhvana was great as Medusa, she added the sweetness to keep some reality in the rock world and her ending dialoque brought tears to my eyes. Loved Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris was brilliant as the evil Reynaldo, and Nefta Perry as Connie played the perfect Rosie Perez.

The ending gives you hope and leaves you with happy feelings. You will want to play it again and again; it only gets better each time you listen.

Paul Kyriazi is my hero. I am his BIGGEST fan.

Thank you Paul for the fun and exciting adventure!

"Hard Rock Lovers".....Beautifully done!!.......2006-03-14

The "Hard Rock Lovers" audio book was not at all what I expected, but what a wonderful surprise! It's a twisted, tangled web of events played out by a handful of multi-leveled, intertwined characters. The story is well written, beautifully told and convincingly enacted centering on the heights of a successful rock star and the terrible costs that are paid when that success is abused. People and events are manipulated by all the characters to satisfy their own needs and agenda.

"Good" and "evil" are blurred. "Life" and "death" are blurred. Relationships are blurred, but the irony of fate is boldly presented and it's made abundantly clear that our "next" existence offers another chance to hopefully do better. The inevitability of change, the subtle and sometimes dramatic interrelationships between cause and effect as well as the ever-present, ever-looming scales of divine and poetic justice are persistent threads. A beautiful blending of drama and melodrama are used to develop both the story and the characters. The audio presentation is top-notch entertainment, particularly when you consider that all acting is accomplished solely through vocal artistry. The actors do a fantastic job of inviting the listener into their world and moving you effortlessly through the story.

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. It is wonderful from start to finish and my congratulations go out to all involved. It's a winner on all levels.

Average customer rating:

Simply the best
Still a good yarn
An intriguing continuation to the Inherit the Stars saga

Giant's Star
James P. Hogan
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

ASIN: 0345287711
Release Date: 1981-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Simply the best.......2005-07-05

Excitement and technical accuracy (Mr. Hogan was an engineer in his earlier career) have always been my favorite attributes of James P. Hogan's books. The Giant's Trilogy is my favorite. If you are a hard science fiction fan, you simply must read it.

Still a good yarn.......2003-12-20

Once again, Hogan's ideas are better that their execution. If he had real flesh and blood characters that actually developed I would gladly give a *****, but alas, Hunt seems as predictable as ever. Only that ZORAC alien is more formulaic. But these characters are only a foil for the real story: The discovery of mankind's origins and the problem facing us today now that we have finally met the allegedly died-out race.

Best aspects: Great VR, description of the Giant's world, the almost magical technology.
Worst aspects: Characters and style

An intriguing continuation to the Inherit the Stars saga.......2000-06-26

Giant's Star picks up almost precisely where The Gentle Giants of Ganymede left off. This entry continues the problem solving theme of the first volume (Inherit the Stars), except the mystery is a current and urgent one, threatening the future of mankind, not just an ancient puzzle concerning man's origins. The cast of characters includes the familiar faces of Vic Hunt and Chris Danchekker, their Ganymeans friends (including the irrepressible ZORAC) and many new friends, and, in something of a first for this series, enemies. Typical Hogan high tech extrapolation, including the use of a virtual reality technology by the aliens (impressive for a book written in the early 80s). If you've enjoyed this series so far, you'll find this volume a worthy successor. Enjoy!

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