Book Description
The first book-length account of the initial phase of Operation NORDWIND, the last German offensive on the Western Front in World War II, Seven Days in January is also a personal memoir by a key participant. For perspective, the author includes a detailed, yet concise, summary of his division's operations during three years of combat against the Soviets on the Arctic Front near Murmansk, and its epic 1,000-mile fighting withdrawal across Finland and Norway after the Finns concluded a separate armistice with the USSR in 1944. With this as background, the author focuses on a day-by-day description and analysis of Operation NORDWIND, based on not only his personal experience in the campaign, but on extensive use of both German and American archival sources and dozens of interviews with the combatants of both sides. A gripping and detailed account of an important, yet until now obscure unit's participation in the last critical contest on the Western Front in WWII. Includes 36 highly-detailed maps, including eight textured 3-D maps derived from satellite imagery to facilitate the reader's fullest possible understanding of the terrain's effects on operations. 6" x 9" format; photos; index.
Customer Reviews:
Well Researched and Written History by Participant in Operation Nordwind.......2007-06-06
At the tender age of 22, the author was the senior staff officer and second in command of the 3d Battalion, SS-Mountain Infantry Regiment 12, 6th SS-Mountain Division NORD. This book is his story.
It begins with an amazing account of how he was captured hiding in a foxhole with two American soldiers that he declared were his prisoners of war. One of the soldiers in the foxhole had shot at the author, hitting him from about 30 meters away. The author instinctively charged right at the foxhole. The surprised soldier got off one more round before the author jumped in the foxhole, hit the soldier on the head with his fist, and declared him to be his prisoner as he unbuckled his pistol. He then discovered that there was yet another soldier in the foxhole who had slept through all this. The author declared him to be his prisoner too. The author was eventually captured when a GI sergeant became upset that one of the men would not leave the foxhole and grabbed the soldier's blanket, uncovering the author as well.
The author then recounts in a very absorbing way his introduction to life as a German soldier where he became a member of the division of German mountain troops that eventually (in 1943, when Waffen-SS Divisions were officially numbered, based on seniority) became the sixth Waffen-SS division, the 6th SS-Mountain Division NORD. In so doing, he also provides a fascinating history of the training, experience, and development of this division, which, after an inauspicious beginning, obtained a well-deserved reputation for being a skilled and respected fighting force. This division spent almost the entire war fighting in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Finland with the Finns against the Soviets until the Finns and Soviets achieved an rapprochement, part of which included that the Finns capture, disarm, and turn over to the Soviets any German soldiers left in Finland after a 10-day allowance for their withdrawal. (The German wihdrawal was designated Operation BIRKE ("Birch").)
After the division's withdrawal from Finland, at the end of 1944, the Germans decided to utilize it (as well as other troops) in Operation NORDWIND ("Northwind"), an adjunct to Operation WACHT AM RHEIN ("Watch on the Rhein"), the offensive launched in Decermber 1944 through the Ardennes forest, better known in the West as the Battle of the Bulge.
The vast majority of the book describes in great detail, not only day by day, but hour by hour, the 7 days of fighting by the author's battalion and other elements of the 6th SS Division ("Combat Group Wingen") in January 1945 in and around the mountain town of Wingen-sur-Moder, in the Low Vosges in Northeastern France, primarily against forces of the U.S. 70th Infantry Division.
Drawing upon a wide array of sources from both sides of the battle, American and German, including numerous personal recollections by participants on both sides, the author not only describes what happened in an engaging writing style but objectively analyzes and criticizes the strategies and tactics of each side, giving credit where credit is due, during each stage of the fighting. The book is an invaluable addition to the history of this battle, mountain fighting, World War II, and warfare in general.
The entire book is enhanced by the use of about 3 dozen well-drawn and clearly stated maps of the fighting in Finland, the withdrawal, and Operation NORDWIND, including the daily battles around Winger-sur-Moden. There are no photos to speak of (the cover photo is not that of the author).
Excellent Account of Operation NORDWIND.......2007-04-22
The author was the adjutant of a German SS mountain infantry battalion that successfully infiltrated through the mountains and American lines before seizing its objective, a small village where most of these highly trained and well led soldiers were surrounded and killed in action while awaiting a relief force to link up with them that never came. The combat performance of this superb unit, and its strict adherence to the rules that govern modern warfare, so impressed their American opponents that both sides routinely met at annual reunions after the war. Parts of the book read like poetry, particularly the all too brief description of the German retreat across Finland and into Norway where the soldiers embarked on rusty transport ships that would transport these doomed soldiers to the shrinking perimeter of the Thousand Year Reich where they would be sacrificed on the fields of Mars during the last operational level German counteroffensive in the west.
Reads like an after action report.......2007-02-26
Yes, it is a great commentary on a unit as it progressed through WW2 and a particular action. However if you were looking for a more personal account of Wolf's experiences you will be disappointed. As my title states it reads like an after action report, NOT A NOVEL, not engrossing, just the facts, I found it pretty dry in fact. What is of great value is the dissection of the problems and how they contributed to the failure of the SS-Mountain to prevail against the US forces. "Those that don't read history are doomed to repeat it". If this is what you are looking for then you will not be disappointed. I give it five stars in that regard.
Credit where credit is due.......2006-03-04
It would take a German to give credit where credit is due.
Nordwind was a German offensive made at the same time as the more famous Ardennes offensive. It was of a slightly smaller scale, but no less fiercly fought and could potentially have had devastating consequences had it succeeeded.
Wolf Zoepf was a veteran from the war with Soviet Union north of the Arctic cirlce and gives a clear and concise description of the development of the Sixth Waffen SS Mountain Division, of its tactics and organisation, and of its heroic part in the failed Nordwind offensive.
The book not only describes in detail the course of the battle, but also - which is even more important - the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing military organisations.
It is not enough to say that the US army had superior manpower and superior firepower - history is full of examples where the inferior side carries the day, take for example the early German and Japanese victories in the second world war, or the Macedonian victories against the Persians.
The German strengths lay in superior tacical skill, initiative, off-road mobility, and tactical organisation (up to, say, regimental level). Usually, these factors would be enough to carry the day in any battle, but the US army had a superior organisation on the army level: not only did they have the manpower and the firepower, they could see to it that it got where it was needed! What played a role was also the superior US communications technology, and that they had one sole Commander who knew how to utilise his advantages and whose orders were obeyed. I get the impression that by this stage of the war the US army had developed a military organisation that was almost fool-proof; even mediocre army or divisional commanders could succeed by just following the rules. The German commander had to co-operate with other army commanders, including Himmler! and had cope with meddling superiors, including Hitler! He could not give orders to other units than the ones under his direct command, and then the communications were often so faulty that orders were not always received.
This book gives the reader so much more than just a first-hand account of the battle (which is interesting enough), and it is a valuable addition to any second world war or military history collection.
Let us not forget that the blood on the snow and the unmarked graves are no less real just becuase they are written on paper and happened over sixty years ago. This kind of madness continues, and shows no will to stop.
Great World War 2 History.......2005-09-29
This is a great history of the 6th SS-Mountain Division. I enjoyed the play by play of Operation NORDWIND and the research that was put in to getting the facts of the battle right. Read Black Edelweiss: A Memoir of Combat and Conscience by a Soldier of the Waffen-SS first to get a really good look at what is was like fighting in Finland and in Operation NORDWIND. They compliment themselves very well.
Book Description
Although many books have been published about the B-29, none has been an in-depth look, with most being either superficial pictorials or focusing on the bombing campaigns, particularly the incendiary attacks and atomic bombings. This book, using rare, previously unexplored sources, intends to provide the definitive look at the bomber and crew, detailing every facet for the air enthusiast, historian and modeler. The author was granted rare access to the Pima Air & Space Museum's restored B-29 "Sentimental Journey" for inspection and photography, resulting in the most extensive photographic documentation of the B-29 ever published. The Pima Museum's archives, filled with B-29 technical and crew manuals also gave the author extensive information that had not been previously published. These sources, the author's extensive personal library, and microfilm resources enabled the author to produce this comprehensive look at the bomber and its crew in the context of the bomber's development and operational use. It is truly monumental in scope, both in words and photos.
Customer Reviews:
In Defense of a Labor of Love and Years of Research (See BillH review).......2007-08-28
Like many of my fellow aviation writers, this B-29 book and my seven other books (amateurs write one book for a vanity press) were done as a labor of love and the many years of research and writing certainly are not equally remunerated monetarily. So when reading a review such as that by BillH that does not comment on the quality and quantity of the text but focuses on the quality of hundreds of B&W and original color photos and on the rare original B-29 drawings and charts; it is much like saying that someone's baby is ugly.
The B&W photos originally showed their 60 years as did the drawings and charts from yellowed manuals. Many of the photos and drawings were actually enhanced from the originals. One manual had a bullet hole through it! As for using a professional photographer, this was not allowed by Pima and would be exceeding expensive (as I found when engaging a professional photographer for my daughter's wedding!). Access to the aircraft was only allowed for a very short period of time during closing hours. With the bomber's limited interior space, lighting considerations, framing, and focusing were very difficult. The quality of the drawings and photos in this book certainly equals or exceeds that of the only other available B-29 books (e.g. Crowood (200 pages), Warbird Tech (96 pages), and B-29 Combat Photo Diary (160 pages, paperback).
Portions of the text, are paraphrased from original B-29 manuals and official publications and documents, and put into layman's terms as that method best explains the various too technical aspects and components of the bomber. From what other sources besides these rare materials could an "ultimate look" be written? There is some repetition only to clarify and maintain continuity of the overlapping components being discussed in different sections of the book. As the bibliography shows, the book used literally 100's of sources from my collection of 16,000 WW-2 books and magazines and 15,000 feet of official WW-2 aviation microfilm.
Since the book was so detailed it was difficult to write captions that would add any new information. Many readers do not read a book of this size from cover to cover but use it as a reference. They thumb though it, looking at photos and reading captions first to find subjects of interest in the text.
The book is meticulously organized and contains an extensive index. At 360 pages and 500+ drawings and photos from many rare sources; this book is by far the most comprehensive, detailed "Ultimate Look" on the B-29 to date.
A lot of material, poorly presented.......2007-07-14
Wiliam Wolf's "Boeing B-29 Superfortress" is awash in detail covering every aspect of the bomber from earliest development to the final missions at the end of WWII in the Pacific.
That said, the book was a great disappointment to me. The author has clearly researched every detail of the bomber's history and has an impressive bibliography at the end of the book. Nevertheless, the entire presentation seems amaturish. The book badly needs an editor. The text, often parphrased from or quoted from manuals and government publications of the day is sometimes repetitive. Occasionally, directions to the printer to insert pictures in particular locations are left in.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the book is the illustrations and photographs. The graphic content is crucial for a book like this; every reader wants to see the wealth of pictoral detail the author tries to present. Unfortunately, most of the black and white photos and reproductions of drawings and charts are muddy and indistict. Even worse, while the author was allowed complete access to the B-29 in the collection of the Pima Air Museum, he failed to engage a professional photographer or even to learn basic lighting techniques himself. The result is that nearly all the color pictures of the B-29 interior and exterior details are glaringly lighted by the single flash on his camera, leaving some detail washed out and over-exposed and other components lost in shadow. A simple bounce flash or two-flash technique would have produced much better results. A couple of pictures are even blurry because of camera movement or poor focus. This was a unique opportunity to illustrate a rare aircraft wasted.
Picture captions, usually used to impart information that supplements the text of a book and to describe some unique features of the illustration, are, in this book, simply a sentence or two lifted from the nearby text without modification.
In a history and reference book such as this, a comprehensive index is essential. The index in this book is scanty.
Anyone with an interest in the B-29 will want to read this book. Because of its poor quality, I suggest borrowing a copy or buying it used.
The awesome result of complete research!.......2006-05-19
This is book that every famous plane deserves.Every aspect of the plane is covered.That is an understatement!It is all here.Great photos of the plane from Pima Air Museum(another must see).This is definitely a technical book that delves deep into the design,opearation,and logistics of a plane that has remained elusive though known by almost everybody because of its place in history.This book will give all the aviation lovers something to savor for hours on end.
Book Description
These three classic SF stories follow the adventures of Ragnar the Space Wolf, from his recruitment by the Space Marines on the savage world of Fenris to his aventures amongst the stars. Whether Ragnar and his friends are fighting orks, mutants, or the foul forces of Chaos, adventure is never far behind!
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing.......2007-06-17
The Space Wolf Omnibus is just short of 800 pages of poorly executed sci-fi action set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The author's style (or lack thereof) is rudimentary, particularly evident and offsetting in the first novel, which at times is so clumsily and laughably written that reading it becomes an unpleasant effort. Every action of the main characters is preceded by arrays of superlatives, as King struggles to competently convey the sense of scale and "authentically" depict Space Marines. There is very little character development, aside from the predictable pattern of the protagonist progressing from a naive youngling to a weathered veteran of a thousand battles.
It's not all bad, though. King somehow manages to create likable characters the reader may eventually grow to care about. The dialog is often amusing, and the omnibus does get progressively better toward the end. Two and a half stars for this mess - one for the setting and one and a half for the effort. I did try to like it. Recommended to w40k geeks like myself and no one else.
A must have for fans of WH40K. An excellent Sci-Fi adventure series........2007-06-13
William King's Space Wolf novels have helped shape the world of WH40K. This omnibus collection contains the first three (of five) and would serve as an excellent place for WH40K first-timers to get an introduction to the world and setting. Through reading of the ascension of Ragnar Blackmane and by witnessing his trials and battles throughout the Imperium, much can be learned about space marines and the WH40K universe.
The first book of this omnibus edition, Space Wolf (Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf), chronicles the rise of Ragnar. From a young member of a small islander tribe of Fenris to the glory of an ultimate warrior of the Imperium, this is a tale of growing and learning. Because Ragnar is devoid of any knowledge about the universe and proceeds to learn and observe, this book serves as an excellent introductory book to the WH40K world. Principally, this first book serves as an introduction to Ragnar and the Space Wolves, and nothing much more. Almost like a primer for the next books in the series.
The second book, Ragnar's Claw (Space Wolves), tells of Ragnar's first adventure off-world of Fenris. He and his claw are sent to assist an inquisitor on a mission to collect an ancient artifact and save a hive city from a deadly plague. Their mission takes them through vast distances to fight orks, genestealers, and daemons in a multitude of different environments. The character of Ragnar is further developed, with him being critically wounded only to be revived with a new fear of mortality. There is an undercurrent of uneasiness throughout the book that is only explained in the last couple of chapters as the heroes discover the true puppeteer of their mission.
The third book of the trilogy, Grey Hunter (Space Wolves), is my personal favorite. It has a much more epic feel with a heavy involvement by many Imperial forces, including a battalion of Titans. The planet of Garm, an industrial world that has special ties to the Space Wolves and houses a Shrine to Russ, has entered a civil war in which the forces of Chaos seem on the verge or bringing about the resurrection of the Thousand Sons Chaos Marines. Nearly the whole Space Wolf chapter is mobilized for an immense invasion of the shrine world -where they find great adversity. The action and suspense of this final novel is the most intense of the three and caps off this omnibus edition in grand fashion.
The fighting scenes and descriptions of the Space Wolf Space Marines are excellent, and as Ragnar discovers the vastness of the Imperium the reader develops a better understanding too. Perhaps the best aspect of this book is the sheer epic feel. The multitude of enemies Ragnar encounters and the vast spaces he travels make this stand out as an excellent resource for those wishing to learn more about the WH40K world. The only complaints I have with these stories arise from the writing of King. He tends to over-use descriptive words and phrases, creating a very repetitive feel to some of the scenes. Overall, a must have for any WH40K fan and highly recommended for any fan of Sci-Fi.
Damn Good Book.......2007-06-06
This is the best book I have ever read if you like Warhammer 40K than this is a must have. But even if you have never played or read a Warhammer book before this is probably the best one to start out with. It tells you how space marines become space marines and how the universe is viewed through the eyes of humans in the 41st millennium. Also you do not need to know alot about the Warhammer history to understand this book. This book is a great read and I recommend it to everyone.
Space Wolves Rule:).......2007-04-18
All i can say is read the omni-bus,the books are very good,i like the authors way of still keeping the space marines human,and not just some godlike human tanks,im looking forward to more books.
Best of the Best of the Black Library.......2007-03-13
To sum up the Space Wolf Omnibus - mind-blowing. To give some perspective, I am an avid Warhammer 40k reader and thus far have purchased and read every Gaunt's Ghost novel, the Eisenhorn and Ravenor trilogies (minus the as-yet-unreleased third Ravenor novel). I have also read the Soul Drinkers Trilogy and numerous other books from the 40k Universe.
With all that said, I initially bought the Space Wolf Omni just to add to my collection. I WAS BLOWN AWAY at the fantastic depth of story that William King has crafted surrounding the history of Ragnar Blackmane. As a lifelong Fantasy/Sci-Fi reader and RPG veteran, this book was 'crack' to my addiction!! Page-turning through all three novels, Bill King delivers a compelling story with an easy sense of humor.
Dan Abnett shows us one aspect of life in the 40K Universe in the two Inquisitor trilogies. Abnett shows us another aspect in the Gaunt's Ghost series. Bill King adds to these works as only a Master can. As an American reader I often have to filter out the inherently British euphemisms, cultural flavors, etc. that Dan Abnett delivers in every novel. William King, despite being a Scot, delivers (IMHO) a nearly ethnically neutral series of books and that (to me) allows me to suspend disbelief just that little bit more.
Fans of 40K should consider the Space Wolf Omnibus as a MUST HAVE. I would actually recommend to ANY new 40K reader that they start with the Space Wolf series as Bill King delivers a 'from the ground-up' experience that both educates new readers and provides compelling stroy for us 40K veterans!!
Book Description
In this astonishing and illuminating book, Joshua Wolf Shenk reveals the deep melancholy that pervaded Abraham Lincoln's life and its influence on his mature character. Mired in personal suffering as a young man, Lincoln forged a hard path toward mental health. His coping strategies and depressive insight ultimately helped the sixteenth president find the strength that he, and America, needed to overcome the nation's greatest turmoil. Drawing on seven years of research, Shenk offers a nuanced, revelatory perspective on Lincoln and his legacy.
Customer Reviews:
A sensitive exploration of Lincoln's emotional life.......2007-08-05
Lincoln's Melancholy is one of the best studies of the mental depression that troubled Lincoln throughout his life. Author Joshua Wolf Shenk draws on both scholarship and personal experience with depression to produce a sensitive and insightful account of Lincoln's struggles.
Shenk's research is so deep that he even examined changes in Lincoln's penmanship to reveal a mood shift while Lincoln was writing a letter. Such care is evident throughout Shenk's book.
Readers interested in Lincoln's personality should find Lincoln's Melancholy rewarding. The book documents that depression is unpleasant but, in one case history at least, was no barrier to a productive and fulfilling life.
A new look at Lincoln.......2007-05-16
Just when you think every conceivable nook and cranny of Lincoln's life has been explored, along comes this book. I found it to be extremely well-written and researched, and a fascinating look at the depression, bordering on mental illness, that dogged Lincoln his entire life. The author's premise, well-founded and convincing, is that Lincoln was able to accept (not overcome) his depression and use it to fuel his greatness. The reader interested in Lincoln history and an insight into the achingly human aspects of Lincoln as an individual should find this book highly informative and entertaining. It is not a history book, and not another tired review of Lincoln's life. It sheds new light and new research on one of the great men in American history, but as a flawed and suffering human being, not a distant icon. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Read This Book.......2007-03-23
Although this book focuses on Lincoln's early life it can help explain his mindset during the Civil War. The author approaches Lincoln like a case study giving a well reasoned case for not only Lincoln's ongoing depression but also other illnesses. Loved the book and would read it again.
Inspirational.......2007-02-11
This book was inspirational because I didn't realize how much Lincoln had to persevere through personal traumas. After reading the book, I had the chance to go to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, Illinois. I loved the book, and I loved the museum.
Outstanding !.......2007-02-06
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I was astonished to learn how a person with such melancholy could live through the struggle of the Civil War with all of the problems that went along with it. After getting through the toughest presidency in history only to be assasinated .
Average customer rating:
- Not as good as the original but give it time
- New writer, same great pulp
- Sons of fenris a good read
- Sons of Fenris a little Thin
- A poor imitation of the original.
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Sons of Fenris (Warhammer 40,000: Space Wolf)
Lee Lightner
Manufacturer: Games Workshop
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ASIN: 1844163881 |
Book Description
Ragnar and the Wolfblade are sent to investigate reports of Chaos attacks on the planet Hyades. When the Space Wolves come up against a squad of Dark Angels, the situation quickly escalates out of control, as both Chapters call in reinforcements. Unless these two ancient rivals start working together, the forces of Chaos will surely triumph - can the heroic Ragnar save the day?
Customer Reviews:
Not as good as the original but give it time.......2007-05-29
I will cut Lee Lightner a little slack as this is the first Black Library novel by the author and William Kings first Ragnar book was not as good as the three following it. Lightners book has some plot points that deviated or contradicted the original books but still has some memorable moments. The series is set up for another novel after this one by the ending but it seems like the ending was to rushed and to big of a setup. Whether Lightner of King writes the next edition I believe they will do better. The book will continue the saga for you if you liked the last three but if you were only so/so with the last books this one may not be for you.
New writer, same great pulp.......2007-05-16
I hardly noticed the changeover from William King to Lee Lightner on this series. The book was very engaging and while it setup at least a couple more books in the series it did it in such a way as to not seem too cliffhanger-ish, which was nice. I especially enjoyed that they stuck to the formula and kept the Prologue and Epilogue chapters set in what is "present day", while the rest of the novel is a look back at Ragnar's career as a Space Wolf leading up to his promotion to Wolf Lord. All in all, a good read.
Sons of fenris a good read.......2007-04-12
I have been an avid spacewolf fan since the beginning. This is a pretty good book with just a few inconsistencies like the dreadnought which changes weapons from one scene to the next. Its not a bad chapter in Ragnars life so I would recommend it if only because its about Ragnar.
Chris Hawkes
Sons of Fenris a little Thin.......2007-04-04
I must have spent at least 45 minutes debating what to give this book. 3.5 (a 7 on a 10 scale) stars is more like it. As part of the space wolf series I had certain expectations that were almost meet.
When I originally purchased this book, I read the reviews here. I was a little concerned to see such lower reviews from some people. However, I think anything less than 3 stars, than it's a fan boy.. and not a genuine review of the book.
This book is a bit more 40k Universe heavy, so more knowledge of the 40k universe is required. Things as simple as what a Land Raider Crusader is and what a Predator Annihilator is aren't really described (no mental picture created) and it feels like that they were more thrown in 'just cause' instead of a legitimate need for them in the story. This might be nitpicking but I had a hard time getting past that. I also think that the author strayed way off course and didn't stay true to the Space Wolf Series and also relied a lot on what has already been written by William King (some previous reading is probably necessary to fully understand this book).
I found the story a little thin in the beginning and end up trying a little too hard to pull out 'fluff' out of the 2nd edition Space Wolf codex and the 40k Universe and put it into this book. Other short comings in my opinion was that the character development of 'minor' characters was also very 'thin'. I felt like there was a lot of effort to flesh out the 'major' characters which really didn't make them believable... but more like these new attributes/qualities were forced on them instead of a natural progression had taken hold in the characters. Also in stark contrast with other Space Wolf (but not 40k fiction books) a lot of characters referred to once or twice had at least names. There seemed to be a lot of 'Hey Wolf Blade #4.. no not the new guy with a name..'. Everything 'too convenient', like the odds were immeasurably against them the whole time; like they would have failed if it weren't for a few lucky breaks (the few that they got). My last 'thin' note, I wish to mention is the Space Battles. I love them.. don't get me wrong. But I think they didn't suit this 'series' of books. I kinda felt like this was more them bragging about how much of the 40k universe they knew (and could cram in) instead of it being effective in the story telling. Although, don't get me wrong.. it really added tension to the story.. but I think the book should have gone in a different direction but have a similar conclusion.
Okay, enough about the 'thin' and lets talk about the 'thick'. The parts that just were great were the fighting, the action and the re-use of existing characters. This is both a plus and a minus. The old characters felt the same, but 'added' some major details to some characters that should have been left out and were very much unnecessary. The book is very thick in the middle with lots of action and intrigue to keep ya reading on. The Space Marine Chapters are depicted very well in my opinion staying true to the 40k fluff out there. The Space Battles were very good (though brief). I love how they ran with the existing members of the wolf blade and kept them as solid as ever. The story of a group of Astartes being a loyal group of brothers is ever present in this book with the continued themes of redemption, honour & forgiveness reflects well on the other non-chapter brothers. Ragnar's character continues to see Gray in a black and white world which continues with the characters' complexity. The fights/battles are great and some 'creative license' with the 40k universe was very interesting in some parts.
All in all, if you must read another 'space wolf' book, do read this one. If you want to read another 'William King' book.. I don't recommend it. The book feels like that they originally gave the editor 200 good pages, and were sent back to add more pages. A lot of filler! A lot of forcing the square peg into the round hole. This book tries its best to follow his tradition but honestly falls short.
For the most part, I agree with AL, but I think he is a little harsh and can't see past the short comings of the book.
A poor imitation of the original........2007-02-27
I am a big fan of the Warhammer 40k universe and I have read many of the novels put out by the Black Library to include the entire Space Wolf series. This book did not do justice to William King's exceptional Space Wolf series. It is hard to find a place to start with the shortcomings of this novel because they are many and varied. However, the real tragedy of this novel is not how bad it is; the real tragedy is that the authors have the seeds of talent; however, they are obviously far out of their depth in this effort.
I must agree with another reviewer that it is not apparent that the authors (Lee Lightner is the pen name for two Baltimore area writers) are even aware of the back-story for the genre in which they are writing. One of the central draws of the Black Library's material is that its authors are very well versed in the 40k world, and that the authors create an environment which immerses the reader in the 40K universe; allowing the reader to suspend their disbelief at the fantastical setting. This novel fails to accomplish this lofty goal.
The Black Library authors typically achieve this immersion through well thought out and believably rendered characters. The depth of detail in characters such as Gregor Eisenhorn is astounding. None of this is present with Lightner's rendition of Ragnar. King's Ragnar is a believable and sympathetic character trying to do his best in an unforgiving universe, but never quite living up to the ideals that he sets for himself. Lightner's Ragnar is barely believable as a character. The authors so over rely on King's work that they are able to take a lovable character and make him boring.
Lightner's inability in character writing is most clearly visible in their new characters the Dark Angels. The new Dark Angels characters are neither interesting nor believable. One might be tempted to believe that they randomly pulled names from the biblical names section of a modern baby-naming book to create their characters, and stopped the character development with that act. Jeremiah, the leader of the Dark Angels, has some of the worst dialogue of the entire novel, sounding as though he is a teenager playing soldier rather than one of the Emperor's finest and most disciplined super-soldiers. The rest of the characters are similarly stilted and unbelievable.
The other major drawback in Lightner's work is the plethora of oxymora in the scene descriptions. Lightner will describe things such as jagged tears in space being minor yet "imperceptibly" becoming giant holes in short spans of time. There is nothing gradual about a minor tear becoming a hole big enough for a space cruiser to pass through in moments. There are far too many of these poorly written scenes to describe them all, but they are chronic throughout the novel and serve as speed bumps to the continuity of the text for all but the most imperceptive reader.
Ultimately, Sons of Fenris is a shadow of King's work. It is formulaic, taking the general theme of a King novel, but failing to translate the potential into actuality. I am disappointed that the Black Library allowed this novel to press considering some of the other stellar works that they have published by authors such as Dan Abnett, William King and Graham McNeil. Giving Lightner a flagship series such as Space Wolf was a mistake. I hope in time that with practice, Lightner will gain more experience and make a better showing, but for now, I cannot recommend another of the authors' books.
Book Description
Old Guns & Whispering Ghosts brings to life the history, spirit, character, and contradictions of the Old West ...in the process of recounting the dramatic stories of its most legendary firearms. Author Jesse Hardin entices us into the fascinating world of shootists and drovers, defiant Indians and backwoods hunters. The dramatic photographs and inspiring text powerfully describe the period of rapid arms development and cultural change occurring between 1866 and 1916, from the close of the Civil War until what he considers to be "the last organized Indian raid," Pancho Villa's cross border attack on Columbus.
Old Guns & Whispering Ghosts "reads like a poem, and has all the depth and fascination of a psychological thriller," essayist Susan Weed writes. "History really IS more riveting than fiction! Here the lore and allure of firearms is used to shed light on not only the Wild West but the human condition, and our undying dreams."
Includes: John Wesley Hardin & the lonely truths about "shootists"; Teddy Roosevelt: cowboy hunter and conservationist; Buffalo Hunters & the mystique of the single-shot rifle; Ben Lilly, last of the mountain men; Elfego Baca & the most uneven gunfight in Western history; Frontier kids & early .22's; the importance of a code of honor, then and now; and much more!
Customer Reviews:
Great Book.......2007-09-14
If you like old guns and western history you will love this book. I highly suggest this if you are cowboy minded.
Excellent historical account of old west firearms........2006-11-03
I am fairly new to the cowboy action shooting scene. I have a specific interest in American western history and how firearms were an intricate part of the history of the western expansion. Old Guns and Whispering Ghosts is truely a masterpiece of literature. Jesse Hardin presents a beautiful narrative document of the old west and some of the best firearms ever made in a finely printed hard cover book. The pictures are wonderful and the prose outstanding. From the start of the book one can not help but note the authors love of the subject. For those of you who love old western firearms, the history of the west and wonderfully presented narrative, this is the book you must add to your library.
Book Description
Where the Shadows Grow Long
We live our days completely ignorant of the true terrors lurking around us. Only rarely do our experiences draw back the veil of shadows and reveal the horror in our midst. These glimpses into the supernatural can cause us to retreat into comforting lies -- "There are no such things as monsters" -- or stir our morbid curiosity. Only a few, however, can overcome their fear and dare to look deeper.
Abandon Hope All Who Enter
The
World of Darkness Rulebook introduces a version of our contemporary world where the supernatural is real. Players join to tell tales of mystery and horror, where theme, mood and plot are more important to a character's experiences than his weapons or equipment. Inside are rules for character creation, task resolution, combat and any activity your character attempts as he delves into the shadows.
Customer Reviews:
This is INCREDIBLE.......2007-07-04
Just picked this up and Im so jazzed. It is probably the best rpg me and my group have played to date. This is the basic rule book for the other games, you need it in order to play vampire, werewolf or mage. Without thsi book you dont have the basic rules, like combat, characters merits and skills, so be sure to buy this book FIRST. In fact, its so good that you can just play mortals with this game without having any of the supernatural settings like vampire or mage. I researched this game alot before buying it and this game book has even won MAJOR game awards! Im a huge werewolf buff and my GM is running a great game for us.
This game ROCKS hands down!!!!
An excellent REBOOT to the World of Darkness.......2007-06-08
This book is essential in order to play one of the core setting books such as Vampire the Requiem, Werewolf the Forsaken and Mage the Awakening. This book provides all the core rules and mechanics for character creation, combat, actions and the World of Darkness setting, a fictional world much like ours where the supernatural exists. White Wolf has produced books for the World of Darkness, their core game setting for many years, but this version presents a new "reboot" or re-imagining of their game world. Many of the mechanics have been fixed, such as massive dice pools which resulted in having more chances for a botch. Additionally, the game makes use of the common everyday Joe mortal as the basic character. You begin as a mortal and then may acquire one of the supernatural templates such as vampire, werewolf or mage.
The introduction of virtures and vices adds an element of roleplaying that was missing in the previous version. To that add an extensive chapter on storytelling and setting building. One of the things I like most about this game is that you have so much development of the World of Darkness that you need never play a vampire or mage. Humans have as much devoted to them that it makes this a stand alone game if you decide not to purchase the vampire, werewolf or mage setting books.
I was a fan of the old World of Darkness, but with this version I have become an avid gamer like never before.
Gift.......2006-11-05
I got this as a gift for my son and he (13 years old) has really been enjoying it - says it is a great game book.
Nice Update.......2006-10-13
This is White Wolf's generic system book for its various product lines stuffed with system rules.
The system is much more solid then the previous storyteller system. Rolls are difficulty 8 with modifiers to the dice pool. Even when you shouldn't be able to go for something you can roll one die but risk dramatic failure. Borrowing from some systems there's also a 10-again re-roll rule.
Players familiar with DC Heroes will recognize the much more streamlined approach to abilities in the three catagories: power (attacking: intelligence, strength, presence), finese (agility: wits, dexterity, manipulation), and resistance (defense: resolve, stamina, composure). These are in mental, physical, and social columns, respectively. If you want a good looking character, (Previous Appearance ability) that's a Merit. Backgrounds are now called Merits too. A standard starting character begins with 7.
I like it. Alot. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is I feel it could have been thicker with what shows up in books such as Armory. Lowering the final cost-per-page for the buyer.
Why?.......2006-09-20
Why make this book? The "Old" WoD was too widely distributed, so they had to create a new version to sell. The last time White Wolf did this, at least they didn't nuke the setting and have a do-over. If you look at this book, with it's vampires' blood potency that makes them go into torpor and therefore become weaker only to awaken and repeat the process, why be afraid of elders? You might as well be afraid of someone reincarnated as a butterfly!
What I think is funny is that when I talk to bookstore people, they try to sell this book as a revision. What it really amounts to is creating a market for more books.
Like the book? You should check out the old ones. The bottom line is that if it was so important to "streamline" parts of Vampire, Werewolf, etc, that could have been a pamphlet sized companion to the 3rd edition.
Book Description
Full Moon Rising
The world is in shadow. To one side stretches the forest, to the other the city. Your claws are stained with blood. Your senses whisper of prey that runs before you, and of predators who stalk even the likes of you. You hear the howls of your brothers and sisters. Luna rises. Your blood boils. It is time to hunt.
Wolves at the Door
Werewolf: The Forsaken -- the game of bestial violence and supernatural terror -- is the second core setting sourcebook intended for use with White Wolf's new Storytelling System(tm). Werewolves are creatures of original sin, tainted by ancestral crimes and driven to hunt by the shame of being abandoned. This book details what it is to be Forsaken, one of the Tribes of the Moon. Create your own werewolf pack and seek redemption or give in to your savage nature. Hardcover. For use with the
World of Darkness Rulebook.
Customer Reviews:
Leader of the pack.......2007-07-20
Some of you may have read my review of Requiem. If not, then allow me to retread some of it in order to preface this review.
When the Original World of Darkness ended, White Wolf promised something new to those who had been longtime fans and players of its games. They released Requiem first, but it wasn't until Forsaken hit the shelves that the promise was really fulfilled.
Werewolf: The Apocalypse was about a dying race's futile fight. Geopolitics and ecological concerns injected themes that were off topic for the subject matter.
Forsaken lacks these flaws.
The mechanics, though sometimes convoluted, are strong. They serve the themes of the game in unique and interesting ways.
The presentation is complete, and conveys the primal nature of the werewolf. The mythology feels old, as if told from the beginning of time. The individual psychologies of the various factions are understandable, compelling, and complex.
The setting itself focuses on a much more tightly constrained level than its predecessor. Instead of a large region, the pack is intended to take charge of a small territory, dealing with the brutal threats of other packs, while at the same time hunting in the spirit world... both because it is their nature, and because it is their responsibility.
Nothing save a few minor terms from Apocalypse are reused, although some concepts see resurgence (the spectrum of forms is nearly the same, and the five auspices are similar to their old counterparts.... though care was taken to make the new renditions distinct from the older versions). There are small nods to the old game, but generally speaking the themes, cosmology, and setting are all new.
Though the Breeds of Apocalypse have been Excised (all werewolves descend from human lineages), the society and psychology of the Forsaken are remarkably lupine, and the game takes care to emphasize that fact. A legal code is counterpointed with a morality trait (a first for a Werewolf game) that allows the characters to find an animal ethic in acts that would be monsterous to a normal human. Make no mistake, Werewolves are savage beasts, not shape shifting world savers.
As with Requiem, this game lacks a metaplot. The world is for the storyteller to develop... but discussion of past events, and history goes far to make the setting feel as though it were genuinely alive.
I daresay there's more wolf in the core rulebook of Forsaken than there was in the entire revised edition of Apocalypse... and in a game called 'Werewolf', that's a good thing.
Probably the BEST of White Wolf's rpg's!.......2007-07-04
I got this along with World of Darkness, Mage and Vampire. My group has decided to "graduate" from Dungeons and Dragons to World of Darkness because its much more sophisticated. In this game you play modern day werewolves who hunt evil spirits and keep a balance with nature. It mixes well with all the other 3 core games and you can easily do crossovers. This game is about modern day horror, not furry power rangers.
The illustrations are incredible, White Wolf really produces amazing work. I cannot rate this game high enough. If you are bored with D&D or other munchkin games like Magic the gathering or even substandard imitations like WitchCraft from Eden Studios, then THIS game is for YOU.
On a scale from 1 to 4..........2007-02-19
This white wolf product is a perfect 5 in my opinion. I love the animism and Father Wold legend far better than the Wyrm from the old werewolf. But, I think that most people, this is assumed. I'm writing because I've read every other white wolf core rule book to date, and I rank them as such:
1) Vampire. Always has been their best work, they put a lot of thought into it and I think its awesome. Unfortunately, the way that the game fluff works, no coterie of neonate vampire is destined to last a long time. For the game to work more than a few months, make sure that all the player's characters want to be in the same covenant. I plan on running a game where all the players start with 20-30 experience and are all the higher-ups in the same covenant. That way they work together for a common goal (to take over the city from the bottom up), instead of at each other's throats in order to gain status in their individual organizations.
2) Werewolf. As stated above, the fluff was vastly improved over the old edition. And I love the whole pack mentality reinforced time and time again in the book. I like how the players form a pack and protect a territory and shape it to their needs, then take on more as they grow more powerful. Only problem is I'm having trouble thinking of ways for players to get tother.
3) Mage. This is honestly the worst new game white wold has produced, and it kills me a little inside because it was my favorite in the old world of darkness. Back in the old system a neonate mage was nothing short of a demi-god among the ants of humanity. Now they're basically human with a few minor powers. The sheer number of experience points necessary to do anything you want to do is rediculous. If I'm ever playing mage again, I will demand we start with at least 20 experience points, otherwise there is no reason for the cabal to do anything and just refer to the council to take care of your problems since chances are you're not powerful enough to take care of anything supernatural anyway.
4) Promethean. There's only one reason that promethean is ranked below mage. It is completely and entirely unplayable in any way shape and form. With the way that torment works, prometheans eventually begin to hat even the presence of each other. Which means even if the PCs form a bonded throng, they part ways after not too long. So the majority of a promethean's life is spent in 'down time' so the GM doesn't have to run for each player individual life. Which defeats the purpose of the game entirely! I love the horror aspect, how everything, even nature itself, rejects these abominations. Unfortunately, that means they can't hang out together or form a party. Which defeats the purpose of it being an RPG. If you only have one friend and time to kill, this is a fantasic game. On the other hand, I have definatly thought about making a promethean a villian in any of the previously mentioned games above. That is a fantastic reason the grab this book.
disappointed.......2006-11-13
As a current user of old WoD I find fewer and fewer places to use the system. A lot of people have embraced the new order and so I bought this book to continue my shifter role playing. While the new system simplifies some combat and scenarios, I hate it. Hate it hate it hate it. Mostly because I can't play using just this book! It's a core book for crying out loud. But the section that should cover skills/abilities/etc has far too many paragraphs ending in "Please see World of Darkness, pg XX". Why did I bother buying the shifter book when all I need is the other core book (which appears to be 35 pages long). I will just look harder for the old WoD and wait until White Wolf comes out with a better, less 'squeeze the players for everything they got' game.
It took me a while, but I'm ready to accept this for what it is.......2006-07-19
The book is very well-written. The art is excellent. And the game? Well. I'm going to reluctantly admit: It may just be an improvement on its predecessor, Werewolf: the Apocalypse.
I completely blew off the new World of Darkness at first. I finally bought this book 6 months ago (long after its release)), skimmed it once, then threw it aside. I had my game of choice already, and this wouldn't replace it.
Was I wrong? I think so. Here's why:
- Streamlined tribe system makes characters of every Forsaken tribe (the main ones for players) playable together, which wasn't the case under the original.
- Game systems are superior. Renown, caerns vs. loci, Gifts (and their systems), etc. -- they're just designed better, a clear example of learning from the mistakes of W:tA.
- Auspices are better delineated, particularly the gibbous and new moons.
- The creation legend is better.
- The antagonists are less cartoon caricatures. The "bad guy" werewolves are huge improvements upon the W:tA version.
- The personal horror that is a werewolf has been better infused into this game.
- The system of Lodges gives limitless opportunity to expand upon the tribes in much the same way that W:tA's myriad of tribes did from the outset.
What's it missing?
The sense of purpose for the Werewolf. Probably other things too, that I'll find in the course of playing this.
But that said, I'm excited to try it, whereas before I wouldn't even give it a chance. It's a superior effort from White Wolf. The major drawback is WW didn't promote it right, and most experienced players, like me, were predisposed against it from the get-go.
Book Description
A Hail of Bullets and a Cloud of Gun Smoke
The ability to cause harm in the World of Darkness doesn't belong solely to the fiends of the night. Humanity is quite capable of innovating its own forms of violence. This book depicts a variety of those weapons, from an improvised skillet to the latest in sniper technologies.
A Character Book for all World of Darkness® Games
A comprehensive and descriptive "weapons locker" with game statistics for hundreds of weapons and equipment
Includes details on firearms, melee weapons, tactical weapons, vehicles and other equipment
Offers optional, additional rules for adding complexity and tactics to a World of Darkness game
More than just weapon tables--includes information on international weapon laws, weapon use and safety, and black markets
Usable with any World of Darkness game, including Vampire, Werewolf and Mage
Customer Reviews:
A Great reference.......2007-10-10
Gives the user all up todate information on weapons and weapons and brawling. Features swords and guns alike.
Excellent resource for weapon enthusiasts.......2007-06-25
I was reluctant to get this supplement. My games are not combat heavy or combat focused, but this book does an excellent job of detailing any possibly weapon a player can use in the World of Darkness game. It is also usable in any WoD game such as Vampire the Requiem or Werewolf the Forsaken. It even covers combat merits and maneuvers for developing good cinematic action games. I am very glad to make this book an essential part of my gaming library.
Not your typical equipment book.......2006-09-26
I appreciate most about this book what it does that isn't typical of an equipment guide. It offers legal context for items. It lists common myths about weapons and the truth behind them. It gives results for the often silly and overly cinematic things that the players may try. It offers guidelines on how high a character's skill should be based on background and training, often giving creative means to justify having a score (Weaponry dots justified by playing baseball, for example). Lastly, it doesn't feel the need to provide lists and lists of weapons, rather it encourages the Storyteller to just use the stats of the most similar item provided. Not at all what I expected and I am very happy with it.
Armory delivers new options while keeping the system simple........2006-09-19
Armory presents a wide variety of new weapons, vehicles, and equipment for any World of Darkness game. New fighting styles and other merits add many new combat options for characters, and the discussion of how real world equipment and weapons training works is very helpful. If you want more detail than the World of Darkness corebook offers, or just don't know a lot about guns and weapons, then this is a great product offering enough detail and discussion to flesh out equipment without overwhelming the reader with endless lists of identical weapons.
Just wonderful!.......2006-08-04
If you want weapons for your game, this book is it! Fantastic Book!!!
Customer Reviews:
B-18 "Bolo" book.......2007-08-23
An excellent book, on a rather obscure aircraft, and is done within the context of showing how unprepared the U.S. was for World War Two, from fighting submarines in the Western Hemisphere, to nearly being dependent on this 1930's "budget bomber" as our only medium/heavy bomber.
By Far the Best Reference on this Forgotten Bomber.......2007-08-09
Since WW2 the little-known B-18 has been in much-deserved obscurity. Developed from an airliner, it was reliable but did not have the performance or development potential to play a significant role in the fighting. This book details every aspect of the airplane, its development, and operational history, including its most important wartime use as anti-submarine plane. If you are interested in this obscure aircraft, this is the book to get. Good quality, lots of photos, would have been improved by a section of color profiles and a table of contents with more page numbers to help the reader navigate the book.
Books:
- Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble (Skippyjon Jones)
- Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work
- Staffordshire Terriers: American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Staffordshire Terriers: American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- That's Not My Puppy: Its Coat Is Too Hairy (Watt, Fiona. Usborne Touchy-Feely Books.)
- The Bearded Dragon Manual (Advanced Vivarium Systems)
- The Bernese Mountain Dog: A Dog of Destiny
- The Best Cat in the World
- The Boston Terrier: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
- The Boston Terrier: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet
Books Index
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