Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 5)

Book Description

The ruthless and brilliant brother Vishous possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time-until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that does not include her...

Customer Reviews:

Lover Unbound.......2007-10-12

This is a great series of books with great characters. I'm a sucker for a strong alpha male lead and Ward really delivers that in all her books. I loved the beginning of the story and I even liked the side stories of John and Phury, from the little bits and pieces you get it makes you eager for their story. I had no problem with his love of Butch, come on they are supposed to be ancient people, I'm sure they've DONE everything and everybody! I liked the interaction with Jane and V, but I wish Ward would have played up their love story a little more and shaved off some of the set ups for future books. The ending of the book was so depressing and completely off in left field I was speechless. THIS IS A SPOILER SO DON'T READ. How the heck is V and Jane going to have a relationship as a ghost and brother??? I know the last scene was supposed to be funny with Rhage standing inside her, but that just made me sad instead. I hope Ward has worked out a way to give Jane back her body in the future books or it'll just be too weird.

ALL THUMBS UP! 4 THE BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD!.......2007-10-11

WHERE DO I BEGIN, WHERE DO I BEGIN!
V..BUTCH ,DR.JANE, MAMA SCRIBE VIRGIN!
I WAS SURPRISED THAT JR WARD TOOK V AND BUTCH FEELINGS FOR ONE ANOTHER, WHERE SHE DID, BUT NEVER THE LESS I WAS PLEASED THAT DR. JANE ACCEPTED V JUST THE WAY HE WAS, ALTHOUGH HE HAD FEELINGS FOR BUTCH, HE ALLOWED HIMSELF TO LOVE DR. JANE. BUTCH AND V ARE JUST TOOO MACHO AND MANLY FOR ME TOO SEE THEM ANY OTHER WAY THAN I SEE THEM AND THATS AS BROTHERS..THE LOVER THING I HAD TOO PUT OUT OF MY HEAD RATHER QUICKLY..LOL
THE SITE WASNT PRETTY AT ALL (WAY TOO MUCH TESTOSTERONE!)..LOL
THEN THATS JUST MY OPINION..HEY WE ARE ALL INTITLED TO THAT.. RIGHT?
NOW.. ABOUT MAMA SCRIBE...I WAS IN SHOCK! AND I REALLY FELT SOME KIND OF WAY FOR V ONCE HE FOUND OUT THAT SHE WAS HIS MOM..
PRAYFULLY THEY WILL DEVELOPE SOME KIND OF LIKABLE RELATIONSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE..
I CANT WAIT TILL THE ADVENTURE..WITH Z'S TWIN PHURY..
IM ON PINS & NEEDLES JR WARD!!

Fifth in series, not quite as good but still brilliant!.......2007-10-11

J R Ward's 'Black Dagger Brotherhood' series is just fantastic. The vampire warriors are different enough from the usual vampire genre types, the stories are all complex and the characters all learn, change and grow and the writing style is earthy and fund. Number 3 in the series, 'Lover Awakened', is still the highlight for me but this book is still a really good read.

'Lover Unbound' follows Vishous, the intelligent, computer expert but sexually ambiguous brother whose feelings for Butch his room-mate have always been a bit shady. In 'Lover Revealed', the novel before this one, Butch finds his mate in Marissa, thus leaving Vishous now rather out on a limb. V begins this book not sure of his position and place in the world, especially when he discovers some unexpected news about his past and his mother and his future role.

However, when V is shot he's taken to a human hospital where Dr Jane Whitcomb operates on him. She soon discovers he's not quite human - he has a 6-chambered heart, they can't get good x-rays of him, etc. When three large males come to rescue him from the hospital after a few hours, V says that Jane must come with them and so she is kidnapped.

Jane finds herself stashed with V in the Brotherhood's mansion, learning about vampires but knowing her memories will be wiped once V is recovered and she's returned to her home. However in the meantime she and V seem to be connecting and she is learning more about his past and telling him about her own. V knows there's no future in it because of his responsibility to his race as the Primale, a stud-male for the Chosen, sort of like the Priestesses of the Vampires' religion, and yet he feels too much of a connection to Jane.

Many reviewers have commented about the ending of this book, the way in which Jane and V are able to be together long-term, with some disfavour. I also found this rather an awkward ending; and yet in some ways I was glad that J R Ward didn't resort to the Scribe Virgin's capabilities as a Deus ex Machina which I felt rather short-changed me in Rhage's and Mary's story. However, the Happy Ever After isn't quite as clear for V and Jane in some ways at the end of this book.

But this was still a great read. The threads of other stories are continued, new plot lines are opened up (including at least three interesting new characters), John Mark's transformation takes place, Phury comes far more to the fore and his nature begins to change and we even learn of trouble in Paradise amongst the Chosen. This is a series that benefits from being read in order and this book, particularly, would be tricky to appreciate if read as the first novel. There are some stylistic changes in it, most noticeably the lack of the lessening society (they feature very sparsely and we don't have any chapter sections from their point of view). Vishous's character seems to reform very quickly when he finds the love of his life and in fact I thought that more would be made of his dominant tendencies - they actually appeared fairly insignificant in the overall plot.

In some ways the central love story of this book is a little less engaging than the other stories - perhaps because both Jane and Vishous seemed reasonably happy on their own and also quite self-sufficient. V seems to very quickly become a soppy man rather than the super-hardened warrior he was before. However it was always an enjoyable read, I didn't want to put it down, and I'm really looking forward to Phury's story out next. This isn't the best in the series ('Lover Awakened' and 'Lover Revealed' are significantly better) and yet it deserves its five stars, despite the reservations I've mentioned above, because this author writes a cracking good tale and the depth and complexity of her characters always make the books well worth reading.

AWESOME.......2007-10-11

I loved the romance between Jane and Vishous. The novel had a bit of everything, and had three main story lines: Jane and Vishous; Phury and Bella (important for the next book) and John's story, my favorite running plot for the last four books. I absolutely loved the ending, and am intrigued by what the next book will hold, as Phury is such a beautiful character, especially in his heart.

About the ending...(no spoilers).......2007-10-10

Very interesting ending. And I mean that in the most sincere way. Ward has shown us throughout this series that she's not afraid to genre-bust. Have you ever seen a mainstream romance novel in which two alpha heroes, one of them mated (married), admit to having sexual feelings for each other? And can tease each other about it? A series where characters mated two books ago still get meaningful character development? Why NOT produce a novel where the hero and heroine don't quite get the happily ever after we've been led, through genre convention, to expect? Ward's mixing it up, driving the genre into new directions - directions some of us aren't entirely comfortable with. And that's OK. I think it's really cool. She's driving the multi-book series into uncharted territory.

This is my take on the ending, and I have no inside knowledge: Jane and V's "permanent" HEA is yet to come. The series isn't complete yet.

Average customer rating:

A disappointment for an amateur
Beauty and The Book!!!
Exuberant and inspiring
The Ultimate Bookmaking Book
These projects sizzle and pop!

Books Unbound
Michael Jacobs
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Making & Binding | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Expressive Handmade Books
More Making Books by Hand: Exploring Miniature Books, Alternative Structures, and Found Objects
Creating Artists' Books (Printmaking Handbooks)
Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books
New Directions in Altered Books

ASIN: 158180718X

Book Description

Create handmade books like you've never seen before! Go ahead, break the boundaries of bookmaking—it's fun and easy with Books Unbound. Using simple bookmaking techniques, you can turn an ordinary book into a handmade sculptural masterpiece.

Book artist Michael Jacobs takes you step-by-step through twenty innovative projects, including travel journals, modular books, wired books, and books within boxes. Inside you'll also find:

• Project templates that make book construction a snap • Expert advice and valuable tips on bookmaking tools, materials and techniques • Imaginative variations to give each project a unique twist

The pages of Michael Jacob's book constructions are filled with excitement. Featuring inserts, flaps, pockets and secret compartments, the books invite viewers to explore and experience the surprises hidden within. And now, with Books Unbound, you can create your own new and unexpected book creations!

Customer Reviews:

A disappointment for an amateur.......2007-08-17

I bought this book thinking that my granddaughter(7) and I could use it to guide us in making books, but the designs were elaborate and artsy. I sold it on e-bay shortly after I received it.

Beauty and The Book!!!.......2006-03-15

Absolutely Michael's best work to date and the book only he could do justice to. This book really has it all and is not only perfectly written with THE most concise instructions that one could hope for and anyone can follow ... each project becomes more exciting than the last.
As an author, project designer and workshop instructor, working with my amazingly talented husband Opie, we truly believe the success of a how-to book depends on the quality of instruction given and this book is like having Michael with you, 24/7.
The entire book appeals to us on every level and I particularly love the range of creativity shown in the alternate endings. Every project is eye candy and i'm totally blown away by both the Sky House and the Story House books. If you have an interest in bookmaking, paper, sculpture or just appreciate beautiful things in general, then this book is a definite must-have. Highly recommended by Linda and Opie O'Brien, authors of Metal Craft Discovery Workshop.

Exuberant and inspiring.......2006-03-09

My book shelves are full of books on bookmaking. Many repeat the usual instructions for traditional bindings, sometimes with a little twist or inovation. However this book takes inovation a giant step forward. I have made matchbook drawers and pyramid boxes before but Michael Jacobs sent my imagination reeling. His creations are so exuberant and so inspiring but not beyond the capabilities of an average crafter. The illustrations and instructions are well laid out and easy to follow. This book is a "must have."

The Ultimate Bookmaking Book.......2006-01-31

Books Unbound: 20 Innovative Bookmaking Projects is the book Michael Jacobs has always been meant to write.

Michael is a mixed-media book artist who teaches paper craft and book arts workshops at art retreats, conferences, and workshops. He has written two previous books, Cards That Pop Up, Flip & Slide and Creative Correspondence (which he co-authored with his wife Judy).

Having had the pleasure to take a bookmaking workshop from Michael, I know first hand that he is an inspirational and informative instructor. He also has a great sense of humor and offers practical sound advise while making the art of book making fun. His book, Books Unbound, displays all these qualities and more.

The book offers well-written step-by-step directions on 20 well-crafted projects that are as fun to look at, as they are fun to make. They include a fold-and-cut book that features French doors; a criss-cross book with overlapping books mounted on a base; a matchbox structure that contains miniature books; and a whole lot more.

The book starts out with an introduction on making books, which includes the tools and materials needed. The tools are broken down into a basic tool kit as well as an auxiliary tool kit.

The introduction also provides techniques that are important to know before starting the projects in the book. They include determining grain; using a ruler; scoring, folding and creasing; and basic book making instructions.

The projects are divided into two sections. The first section includes simpler projects for the beginner just getting started in bookmaking. However the stimulating designs offers even the more experienced bookmaker inspiring and delightful projects.

The second section has more complex projects that build on the skills from the introduction and first section of the book. These projects are more challenging but the detailed step-by-step instructions walk both beginners and experienced bookmakers through the process effortlessly.

This book is highly recommended. It's full color, detailed pictures along with clear step-by-step directions will have any one interested in making books well on their way to making beautiful, artful book structures.

These projects sizzle and pop!.......2006-01-22

Books Unbound is the perfect title for this book since it is filled with unusual books, sculptural books and architectural books. The projects in this book are not the kind of books that sit still and quiet, no, these books happily announce to the world "Pick me up! I'm no ordinary book!" They are intriguing, the sort that you want to pick up and see what else is in them. The sort of books that will stretch your idea of what makes a book a book.

Written with Michael Jacobs trademark humor, the book projects begin with simple books and progresses to more complex structures. Michael's exacting directions and accompanying photos are here, as is the metric equivalent of each measurement given.

Possibly the most useful segment of the book is the section on techniques. This section has directions and photos for every skill you need to make any structure in the book. Included are measuring, covering boards, adding flaps, making triangular accordion fold books, creating two button ties, two kinds of stitches, making sleeves, making accordion fold inserts.....nothing has been left out, and there no assumptions that everyone who reads the book has those skills.

More experienced readers haven't been left out, The second section of the book is full of projects suited to advanced bookmakers who will find the projects both inspirational and challenging. There are directions for capacity folds, expandable spines, hinges, adding legs, throwouts, shawl closures, and a bit on wire work scattered throughout.

Having been through books and magazine articles lately whose directions on how to make something say "use a certain kind of die ` and "use this brand or that brand of something" I am delighted to see that the tools and materials needed for the projects in this book are readily available, don't have brand names and don't cost a lot of money.

Michael Jacobs is a 3D kind of guy, and nowhere is his expertise in this area more apparent than in this book.

The book is divided into two sections, with the easiest projects in the first section and the more complex in the second.
Most projects in the book have an "Add Some Kick" and "Alternate Endings" section which takes the project further and gives you ideas to go your own direction. Useful tips are peppered throughout the book, and templates are included for any project that needs one.

The book's first section contains projects under the headings "Super Simple Books", "Travel Journals", and "Books With Pockets". These projects, while simple, are in no way boring or traditional, in fact they are a lot of fun, to make and to look at.

The books in this section in particular would appeal to a wide audience; scrapbookers who want to add surprise elements to their pages, stampers who want something new to work on, and anyone interested in altered arts would enjoy these structures as they are easy to construct and there is plenty of opportunity for embellishments of every kind.

The second section of the book proceeds to books that are moremore sculptural and architectural. There are segments on "Boxes with Books", "Modular Books", and "Wired Books".
The Wire Edge Album is a welcome addition for anyone who is interested in Wire Edge Binding.
This section also contains books that have hidden compartments, various shapes and structures, and are very interactive.

The books in this section appear harder to make than they are. Assembly is broken down into small, easily understood steps. Combined with the technique section at the front of the book, almost anyone can create these projects.

While all 20 projects in the book are sculptural in some way, there are no pop-ups in this book. If you are looking for pop-ups and other fun elements that move, check out Michael's previous book, "Cards that Pop Up, Flip, and Slide".

Highlander Unbound (Lockhart Family Trilogy, Book 1)

Average customer rating:

Highlander Saddled with a Terrible Lassie
It was disappointing
I won't be continuing with the series
Light, Good Read
highlander unbound

Highlander Unbound (Lockhart Family Trilogy, Book 1)
Julia London
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

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Highlander in Disguise (Lockhart Family Trilogy, Book 2)
Highlander in Love (Lockhart Family Trilogy, Book 3)
The Dangerous Gentleman (Rogues of Regent Street, Book 1)
The Ruthless Charmer (The Rogues of Regent Street, Book 2)
The Hazards of Hunting a Duke (Desperate Debutantes, Book 1)

ASIN: 1416523871

Book Description

USA Today bestselling author Julia London begins her acclaimed Lockhart series in this stunning novel of a love that knows no bounds.

On leave from his Highland regiment, Captain Liam Lockhart comes to London on an urgent mission: to repossess the stolen family heirloom that could save his ancestral estate. He never dreamed it would involve surrendering his heart, but the beautiful and scandalous socialite Ellen Farnsworth sets his Highland blood aflame with a will as strong and reckless as his own. Though bound to Liam by a soul-searing passion, duty impels Ellen to commit a terrible betrayal.

Now, driven by passion, pride, and vengeance, this fearsome Highlander will reclaim not only his family's ancient treasure, but the one daring woman he was meant to love for all time.

Download Description

"On leave from his Highland regiment, Captain Liam Lockhart comes to London on an urgent mission: to repossess the stolen family heirloom that could save his ancestral estate. He never dreamed it would involve surrendering his heart. But the beautiful and scandalous socialite Ellen Farnsworth sets his Highland blood aflame with a will as strong and reckless as his own. Though bound to Liam by a soul-searing passion, duty impels Ellen to commit a terrible betrayal. Now, driven by passion, pride, and vengeance that know no bounds, this fearsome Highlander will reclaim not only his family's ancient treasure, but the one daring woman he was meant to love for all time."

Customer Reviews:

Highlander Saddled with a Terrible Lassie.......2007-08-02

This book was my first book by London and I wanted to like it so much that I persevered and completed it in spite of my very strong desire to pitch it into the fire after reading pages 238-245.

The story starts out v-e-r-y slowly but is mildly interesting thanks mostly to the sweet hero, Liam. After Liam and Ellie establish their relationship, Ellie commits a heinous crime and behaves like a vile witch for the next 100 pages despite the hard knocks she's suffered in her life. You'd think she could have come up with a better solution to her problem such as, I don't know, TRUSTING LIAM! Her flimsy excuse for doing what she does did not at any point convince me or cause me to feel empathy or even sympathy.

I appreciate that the author tries to create "real" characters, warts and all, and I think she succeeds with Liam but willful stupidity is not a flaw I'll forgive in a heroine. I was actually hoping that Ellie wouldn't get her happily ever after.

Buyer beware.

It was disappointing.......2007-03-31

At first I thought I was really going to enjoy this book simply because I love Scottish historicals. I understand that life in past centuries was brutal at times but that does not excuse the violence toward each other by two people who are supposed to be "in love." The plot made no sense at all once the family heirloom had been found and obtained. I can easily understand a man really getting into being tied down for sex but I DO NOT accept nor will I "understand" a man violently tying up the woman he loves and essentially sexually torturing and raping her without even asking her why she was in his family home in the first place.

This really soured me on this story and I don't think I want to read the others. Ms. London build the foundation of your stories a bit better and I may try to read them again. Pah!

I won't be continuing with the series.......2007-03-19

This was just alright for me. Nothing really special. I liked the story, but I think what ruined it was that halfway through, Ellie made a really idiotic mistake (which I won't go into detail about here, so as not to ruin the book). What she did seemed like a really dumb move, but then at that point, both she and Liam were being stupid, (in neither admitting their love for one another which would have just solved all their problems) and in a book like this, they've got to be stupid to keep the book and/or series going. I mean, had they solved their problems by confessing their love for each other halfway through the book, there would really be no book, and no way to continue the series. As it was, I just came away with a vaguely irritated feeling towards Ellie and the entire storyline.

Another problem for me also was that I felt absolutely no connection to "Grif" at all and so, given my feeling for this first book, and my complete ambivalence about "Grif," I just can't bring myself to want to buy his story. I just don't care. I really wish there had been more scenes with him where I could have worked up some emotion for him so that I could care enough about him to want to read his story, thus continuing on with the series, but there was nothing to draw me to him.

I do have a bit more of a curiosity about Mared and her story. Though, again, not enough to continue on, and I really feel that if the first book were stronger, if I was able to get to know the other siblings more and get a bit more emotionally invested in them, I might have wanted to go ahead and take a chance with Mared's story. As it is, this will be the first and only book of this series that I will be reading.

Light, Good Read.......2006-12-11

I really did enjoy this book, althought I too was disappointed with Ellie's actions mid way through the book. As a mother, I understood her situation but still felt she should have been honest with him and asked for his help. Anyway, I really liked Liam's character. I really laughed at his going to the park to do hunt, clean his clothes and pick flowers. I also loved his repeated mention of being afraid of trolls. He was a truly enjoyable character and he really made the book. Can't wait to read about Grif!

highlander unbound .......2006-08-23

story is a little slow but the love parts are very interesting

Shades Of Memnon Book 3: African Atlantis Unbound (Shades of Memnon)

Average customer rating:

The true Atlantis revealed

Shades Of Memnon Book 3: African Atlantis Unbound (Shades of Memnon)
Greg Walker
Manufacturer: Seker Nefer Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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"Ra Force Rising": Brother G (Shades of Memnon)
Shades of Memnon

ASIN: 0966237439

Customer Reviews:

The true Atlantis revealed.......2007-06-30

Brother G has done it again. This book is a hit. He breaks down the history that has been ignored for years by the mainstream academics and historians. Its amazing the Amazons, his sister fighting, The Xiu kingdom and more. There a few minor typos but its a great read. I would have like a few more description of fight scenes and more about Xiu people and Mayans. I love the 2 different clans Nommo and Kommo Tigi. If you like the first 2 you will love the third also. MORE MEMNON BROTHER G!!!!!!!!!!!

Average customer rating:

The Scales of Promethean

Appleseed: Prometheus Unbound/Book Two
Masamune Shirow
Manufacturer: Eclipse Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

Appleseed: The Promethean Challenge ( Volume 1 )

ASIN: 1560600829

Customer Reviews:

The Scales of Promethean.......1997-11-04

Masaume Shirow's second Appleseed book definitely qualifies as one of the most complicated graphic novels there is. Even more complicated than Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, this book pulls you in and fills your though with some of the most complicated technological/political/scientific scenarios imaginable. Every detail is accurate, and the fast-paced action makes it an engaging reading. I credit this book in my starting graphic novel collection. I didn't even plan to buy this book. It just happens that once I read it, I couldn't put it down!

Appleseed #2 deals with such delicate issues as: Can we trust machine? Are humans programmable? Do we have the right to improve humans by mass brain-washing? The layers present in this book is mostly a continuation from Appleseed #1, although they were presented in a totally unique viewpoint as to give them yet significant brain food.

You owe it to yourself to read this book. You may be forgiven if you skip Appleseed #3 and #4, but not if you skip #1 or #2.

The Second Book (Writings from an Unbound Europe)
Average customer rating:
The Second Book (Writings from an Unbound Europe)
Muharem Bazdulj
Manufacturer: Northwestern University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Temple of Iconoclasts

Encyclopedia of the Dead (European Classics)

ASIN: 0810119366

Book Description

The protagonists of The Second Book, are connected vertically and horizontally by their struggles. Nietzsche, on the edge of madness, spends a number of mornings contemplating his sweeping ideas and the tiny details of life through hazes left by "the gluey fingers of sleep." In "The Hot Sun's Golden Circle," the pharaoh Amenhotep IV, discoverer of monotheism, embarks on a search for the only true god of Egypt. Bazdulj's charming and funny "The Story of Two Brothers" examines the lives of William and Henry James from the shadows of the Old Testament and the age-old archetype of conflict between an eldest brother and the "maladjusted impracticality" of the younger.

Muharem Bazdulj has broken from the pack of new Eastern European writers influenced by innovators such as Danilo Kiš, Milan Kundera, and Jorge Luis Borges. Employing a light touch, a daring anti-nationalist tone, and the kind of ambition that inspires nothing less than a rewriting of Bosnian and Yugoslavian history, Bazdulj weaves the imagined realities of history into fiction and fiction into history. To quote one critic, for Bazdulj history "is the sum of interpretations while imagination is the sum of facts."

Average customer rating:

If Only Antieau Had Mercy on Her Reader ...
Didactic Disorder Not an Eating Disorder
stupid book
Intriguing and suspensful
Haunting Narration

Mercy, Unbound
Kim Antieau
Manufacturer: Simon Pulse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Waking
Massive
Skinny
Skin
The Passion of Alice

ASIN: 1416908935

Book Description

Mercy O'Connor is becoming an angel.

She can feel her wings sprouting from her shoulder blades. They itch. Sometimes she even hears them rustling.

And angels don't need to eat. So Mercy has decided she doesn't need to either. She is not sick, doesn't suffer from anorexia, is not trying to kill herself. She is an angel, and angels simply don't need food.

When her parents send her to an eating disorder clinic, Mercy is scared and confused. She isn't like the other girls who are so obviously sick. If people could just see her wings, they would know. But her wings don't come and Mercy begins to have doubts. What if she isn't really an angel? What if she's just a girl? What if she is killing herself? Can she stop?

Customer Reviews:

If Only Antieau Had Mercy on Her Reader ... .......2007-08-07

Simply, almost cruelly put, this book is a failure. It clumsily strives to engage the young reader in a dialogue about eating-disorders ... and only succeeds at thoroughly confusing its audience. Let's begin with its "cardinal sin" ... in NO way can a young adult relate to the main character, Mercy. She has been raised by former hippies (Mom is a whacked-out environmental lawyer, Dad does the cooking). Fine. But ... she is a non-practicing Jew who chants "Om Tara tu tare ture" on her japa mala (Tibetan), is questioning her sexual identity, has a dead brother, thinks she's transforming into an angel (no joke), develops amnesia (no joke), has a grandmother who suffered through a WWII concentration camp ... and her character becomes more and more removed from reality as the story progresses. Mercy is a complete aberration. Where does a teen find her/himself in this odd construction? Good question.

At points it becomes difficult to discern if this text is focused on the AIDS crisis, on WWII concentration camps, or on feminism. I see what the author was trying to achieve, but it's artless. While a skillful writer could weave these thoughts into a coherent text (if need be), Antieau awkwardly stacks these topics on top of one another ... The result reads like a complete lack of focus. And, again, if the text wants to illuminate this topic for young people, why not keep the focus as narrow as possible.

Antieau references obscure material with which even some Ph.D. candidates are unacquainted. Foremost, she frequently weaves Mary Wollstonecraft (late Eighteenth-Century feminist) and Mary Shelley (early Nineteenth-Century Gothic novelist) into the text. Their incorporation seems more the "inside-joke" of a pompous grad-student than a genuine attempt to reach-out to young people. Second, she all-too-often compares the emaciated girls/women of The Mercywood Clinic to the zombies of Romero's "Day of the Dead." A B-film from 1985, most of my undergraduate film-studies students have never even seen this work ... let alone a ninth-grader (the target audience for this text). Likewise for references to Forman's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975) and frequent allusions to "The Twilight Zone's" episode #73 "It's a Good Life" (1961). And, this is JUST the beginning! (I am not even going to launch in the gratuitous mention of Kate Wilhelm, Margaret Sanger, Sappho, Georgia O'Keefe, Carl Jung, Franz Kafka, et al). At worst, it appears that this author seems rather insecure of her own education/knowledge of pop culture ... and feels compelled to slam everything she knows into this minuscule book. At best, she is shockingly inept at reaching young-people.

Antieau's use of profanity is both awkward and unnecessary. Simon & Schuster has placed this text in their "Simon Pulse" division: one AGAIN aimed at "young adults." However, Antieau peppers her text so thoroughly with every vulgarity imaginable, I don't imagine too many parents would be amenable to having their children bombarded with such words. And, though I personally do not object to the language, I find it stilted and a transparent effort to connect to a younger audience. It's a cheap ploy.

As a college instructor, I am always searching for texts to recommend to my students both in and out of class (read both "academically" and when "emergency" dictates). Under no circumstances would I ever suggest this text to a suffering student or even for class analysis. Like the librarian below, I am back to searching for another text on this topic.

Didactic Disorder Not an Eating Disorder.......2007-03-11

This book is divided into four parts, the reason I gave it more than one star
was because of the second part. This second part describes the main character's
(Mercy O'Connor) experience at a clinic in New Mexico for anorexics. Not knowing or even
really ever thinking about what goes on at one of these clinics it gave me insights
into a disorder that I have not read much about. Additionally, the second part
had less political commentary than the rest of the book.

This is my main complaint with the rest of the book. The narrative will move along
and then BAM! p. 5-"She(Mercy's Mom) does not believe in God. She said she can't because
if there was a God who could make things better and didn't, then that was a God
was crazy evil sonofabitch...." A few sentences later on the same page BAM! "He(Mercy's
father) was raised in the Midwest on a farm an organic farm, no less....". As an aside here
funny that Mercy's grandparents are organic farmers as her dad describes that his family came
over to the United States due to the "potato famine" in Ireland caused by
phytophthora infestans. Uhhhhh, if it was me and my family had to leave Ireland
because of some fungus I would make sure I would be killing anything that threatened my crops with pesticides.
Anyhow, narrative continues, BAM! p. 11-"Just like the Catholic Church to make a man
the saint of a kitchen. How many men do you know cook?" At least Mercy responds to her mother
that her father does the cooking at home. Narrative continues BAM! p. 12-"That is essentially
what they're doing in Africa. Denying women their reproductive rights. Here in the United States
women died so that other women could have the same rights as men", her mother explains. Alright,
I think I have made my point, God knows the author has made hers.

Mercy thinks she is growing angel wings, I found this distracting. Not only is the reader
trying to figure out why Mercy has anorexia, she comes from a solid family, not sexually abused,
denies that her anorexia has anything to do with onset sexuality, but then the reader has to
deduce why she thinks she is growing angel wings. If the author's point is to get the reader
to think about a lot of things at once she has accomplished her goal. Mercy then inexplicably
is found running around in desert, naked and has blacked out for four days. She is found,
starts eating and regains her memory. Well, I guess if I had a problem and was taken care of by nice
people at the Mabel Dodge Luhan house I might be cured as well. I found part four to be maudlin
and saccharin. A fourteen year old girl may not feel the way I do about this book, but if she is
as smart as Mercy is she will at least see that it is not the book that is described on the back cover.

Lastly, the author is a librarian and I am as well, therefore I was disappointed at some lax fact
checking that occured in the book. Mercy remembers her dead maternal grandfather Max who was an
Amercian soldier. Grandpa Max met Grandma Dottie when Grandpa Max liberated Grandma Dottie at Ravensbruck
concentration camp. Unless Grandpa Max was also a member of the Red Army this could not have happened.
Ravensbruck was a concentration camp for women that was liberated by the Soviets. It is odd that the movie
"King of Hearts" is mentioned and lauded twice in this book. It is a great anti-war movie, but if it were not
for people like Grandpa Max whether he fought for the Americans or the Red Army Grandma Dottie would probably
have died.

If a young library patron wanted a fiction book about a girl with anorexia I am afraid I could not
recommend this one, therefore I will have to find one and read it.

stupid book.......2007-02-10

This girl keeps thinking that she is an angel which had no point to the story. It made a treatment facility for eating disorders as a way to just ask on your eating disorder and not show how treatment can help you. The end of the book makes no sense at all---she loses her memory and then when regains it she is recovered from eating disorder. completely unrealistic.

Intriguing and suspensful.......2006-12-29

This has probably been one of my favorite books that I have read in the past six months. And, mind you, I have read my fair share of books. This particular book happened to catch my eye in the young adult section of the Tenafly Public Library. The blurb (back cover of the book), I found particularly intriguing. And to be honest, I have never read a book anything like it. Which is a good thing. I know I'm not the only one who has picked up a book that was nothing special and then later read something almost exactly like it. I would strongly recommend this book to girls over the age of 14. (Mostly because of all the cursing that is done by some of Mercy's friends.) I certainly enjoyed it.

Haunting Narration.......2006-08-01

Mercy is a fifteen year old girl with an eating disorder; she's on the verge of starvation when her parents send her to a treatment facility in New Mexico. But these facts, clearly evident to the reader, allude the patient in question.

Kim Antieau has created an incredible novel narrated by Mercy. Seen through her eyes, her warped, diseased perspective, Mercy is not sick. She doesn't need treatment. Her problem? No one believes what she holds to be true. Mercy is an angel-in-disguise whose wings are always days away from sprouting on her back. She feels the wings itching beneath the surface. She sees the world differently. She feels that once she is an angel she can help people...she could help ease some of the world's pain. As a human, she's useles...but as an angel there's endless possibilities for her to change the world. Food just stands in the way of her destiny. Angels don't eat. And she is almost there. If only people wouldn't pressure her, they would see the truth...

Mercy's breakthrough from almost-insanity to recovery leads the reader on an exciting, realistic journey of the psychological impact of eating disorders.

TeX Unbound: LaTeX and TeX Strategies for Fonts, Graphics, and More

Average customer rating:

MetaPost fans will *love* Chapter 13!
Best discussion on TeX/LaTeX and fonts yet
Is it a beginner's book? Is it an advanced text? I dunno.
A great resource for the font freaks

TeX Unbound: LaTeX and TeX Strategies for Fonts, Graphics, and More
Alan Hoenig
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Printing | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The TeXbook (Computers & Typesetting)
LaTeX Companion, The (2nd Edition) (Tools and Techniques for Computer Typesetting)
Computers & Typesetting, Volume C: The Metafont Book (Computers and Typesetting, Vol C)
The Advanced Texbook
LaTeX Graphics Companion, The (2nd Edition) (Tools and Techniques for Computer Typesetting)

ASIN: 019509686X

Book Description

LaTeX is the premier software system used for presenting scientific and technical information on the printed page, being the system of choice for writers in mathematics, the sciences, computer science, and engineering. It is also increasingly used by nontechnical writers interested in superior printing and document presentation. Authors wishing to take full advantage of this powerful software often have questions that go beyond how to use the basic style files or commands. For example, how can you integrate any of the high quality commercial fonts that are available? How can you typeset mathematics in anything other than the original TeX fonts? How can you generate complex graphics for use in a LaTeX document? What Internet resources are available to a LaTeX author? How can you connect TeX and LaTeX to everyday office software? In general, writers need clear, accurate, and concise instructions, solutions, and explanations for common problems and situations. This unique book provides this assistance, containing many examples and summaries of procedures to follow. TeX Unbound will be the reference of choice for every writer wishing to express technical information.

Customer Reviews:

MetaPost fans will *love* Chapter 13!.......2001-12-05

Alan Hoenig's book is a real tour-de-force when it comes to discussing TeX's arcane font-handling. If you want to learn how to install fonts for use with TeX, this is the book for you. Virtual fonts, PostScript fonts, MetaFont +... they're all covered. Want to mix-and-match new maths typefaces -- you'll find nearly 30 pages of examples (the "Rogues' Gallery").

It is quite apparent, to me anyway, that the author has a love of typography and you'll find lots of examples and hints for good "typographic style".

The book abounds with examples of what is possible -- if you think "TeX = Maths only", think again. As this book shows, TeX is about fine typesetting -- whether mathematical or straight text.

It is, as others have commented, quite an eclectic mix of topics, but, for me, one topic makes the book's price worthwhile -- the coverage of MetaPost (John Hobby's graphics programming language). MetaPost is a little "tricky" to learn, so the fact that the author devoted a whole chapter to it (Chapter 13 -- some MetaFont too), is what made me buy the book.

Personally, I would like to see more MetaPost at the expense, perhaps, of some of the more exotic font material, but that's a personal preference. The MetaPost examples are well chosen, and well explained. If this book comes out in a second edition, I'd ask the author to (at least) double the size of the MetaPost chapter -- good introductory information on MetaPost programming is very hard to find :-(. Publishers, please publish a book about MetaPost!

Overall, this is not the sort of book you'd read in one sitting, but you'll certainly find yourself dipping into it on a regular basis to make use of the wealth of ideas, tips + tricks.

Nice one Professor Hoenig, but more MetaPost, please :-)

Best discussion on TeX/LaTeX and fonts yet.......1999-08-10

I'll agree that this book is a bit of a hodgepodge of issues on the TeX/LaTeX typesetting systems. One of the various topics covered, however, and as I recall it's also the most extensive part, is a comprehensive discussion on one of the most arcane of all TeX issues, that of fonts. Even after many years of experience as a fairly advanced end user, I realized, while reading that book, that there were, to my shame, countless details I had up-to-now failed to _really_ understand. The discussion on the use and installation of type-1 fonts alone, to my mind, is well worth the price.

The discussion on graphics, while interesting, cannot obviously be compared to the definitive work by Goosens, Rahtz et al., but it doesn't take anything away from my general appreciation: it's one of the few books on TeX/LaTeX in recent memeory that made me feel I was actually learning something I didn't know. Hoenig makes a point of using a rich, fluent, and extremely acurate prose which further enhances the reading enjoyment.

Is it a beginner's book? Is it an advanced text? I dunno........1999-06-10

I'll admit I'm just a LaTeX junkie who doesn't have a lot of time for plain TeX commands. I picked up this book because it looked as though it had some LaTeX stuff on fonts in it, and I was bored. Once again, I had recently skimmed my way through Knuth's "TeX Book" in yet another ill-fated effort to motivate myself to learn some plain TeX commands. ("\hsize" in TeX, "\hspace" in LaTeX--oh, I'll just confuse myself.) The short Appendix in this book (for which Hoenig is way too apologetic) which starts the reader out on TeX was much more fun to read, and I immediately sat down, picked up Knuth's bible to use as a reference, and re-coded some of my LaTeX documents into plain TeX, all the while muttering, "This isn't too onerous. Hmmmm, maybe in a couple of weeks I'll write my own TeX style set." The LaTeX Appendix is less successful as a primer, but that's okay because you aren't really buying this book for the appendicies. Or are you? The rest of the work deals with advanced topics regarding fonts and graphics and is set forth in lucid fashion with a good and concrete discussion of the NFSS. (Why is it that most of these TeX/LaTeX books are so vague and nebulous concerning fonts? This book proves that you can concisely write about TeX fonts without forcing the reader to read between the lines or piece together nuggets of wisdom from multiple sources.)

Sure, it's geared toward advanced TeX users, I think. But LaTeX afficianados should give it a look or at least buy it and photocopy that little Appendix to pass around to friends.

A great resource for the font freaks.......1998-07-22

Alan Hoenig's "TeX Unbound" is a very remarkable book which differs greatly from any other TeX-related book seen so far. This is not a book about using TeX or LaTeX; it is about related topics that are equally important to good typography, namely setting up and making proper use of PostScript fonts, and creating high-quality graphics illustrations with TeX-friendly methods.

The first five chapters provide a brief but comprehensive overview about TeX, LaTeX, METAFONT and METAPOST, with particular emphasis on how it all fits together, how the production cycle works, and what kinds of files are involved. While the material is generally adequate, it might be a little terse at times, and the coverage of recent TeX distributions and Internet resources is not quite as up-to-date as one might have wished.

The second part, comprising chapters 6--10, is one of the greatest strengths of "TeX Unbound" and delves deeply into the topic of fonts. Starting fr! om the basics of setting up a standard font family, it moves on to more and more fancy and extraordinary applications, covering a wealth of material you don't find anywhere else. For example, it explains how to generate special effects fonts, or how to set up a font family containing alternate character sets or symbols. This part is rounded off by a chapter on math fonts, followed by 30 pages of examples showing how various combinations of well-known text typefaces might be used together with the few choices of math fonts currently available.

Finally, the third part of _TeX Unbound_, comprising chapters 11--15, discusses graphics applications, with particular emphasis on TeX-friendly methods such as METAFONT and METAPOST, the PSTricks package, PicTeX, or MFpic.

If there is any other book that covers a similar range of topics as "TeX Unbound", it might be "The LaTeX Graphics Companion" which, however, sets different priorities.

In the area of fonts, &! quot;TeX Unbound" is clearly the winner. While "T! he LaTeX Graphics Companion" has a good coverage of the basics, "TeX Unbound" goes far beyond that, providing the deepest and most comprehensive coverage of the topic ever published so far.

In the area of graphics, both books are about equally good in their coverage of some of the best methods, but "The LaTeX Graphics Companion" covers a wider range of graphics applications, including quite a few methods you don't find in "TeX Unbound". Nevertheless, "TeX Unbound" provides enough to get you started.

In summary, "TeX Unbound" is a great resource if you like playing with fonts (and if you have a sufficient range of typefaces at your disposal). If your primary interest lies in designing graphics illustrations, "TeX Unbound <" does a good job of what it covers, but it is not the most comprehensive reference available.

New Living Translation New Testament- Believers Life System (Believer's Life System)
Average customer rating:
New Living Translation New Testament- Believers Life System (Believer's Life System)
Moody Publishers
Manufacturer: Believers Life System
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unbound

New Living Translation | Translations | Bibles | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
New Testament | Bibles | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0802427669

Book Description

What better way is there to keep the Word of God at your fingertips throughout the day, every day, but by carrying it with you at all times? To help you do just that, a loose-leaf format of the New & Old Testaments in the New Living Translation (NLT) is available to you. By pulling out several chapters of Scripture and putting them into your Believer's Life System, you can easily study God's Word in any location.The New Living Translation (NLT) incorporates the latest biblical scholarship through the work of ninety world-class Bible scholars. The NLT translates the meaning of the Greek and Hebrew texts, rather than substituting English words for Greek or Hebrew words. The result is a Bible that provides a wonderful balance of readability and accuracy. Passages that once seemed difficult and foggy will be crystal clear. You'll feel as if they were written just for you, in this situation, at this moment.

JaLor Medical References - Quick Reference - Clinical Worksheet

Average customer rating:

Excellent Product
promotes organization and confidence

JaLor Medical References - Quick Reference - Clinical Worksheet
Jane Sennett
Manufacturer: JaLor Medical References
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unbound

Book Description

This unique and effective worksheet provides organization and time management for both students and professionals in the clinical setting. It is designed to organize patient information during shifts and assist with documentation and shift reporting. This worksheet provides space for shift reports, physical assessment guidelines, and other pertinent information, such as lab results, medication times, IV's, shift treatments, intake & output, wound care, and PRN's. The worksheet provides you with information from the previous shift side-by-side with information from your shift to make comparative references allowing you to monitor changes in a patient's status. In addition, memory joggers of physical assessment components are also provided - aiding in the physical assessment procedures as well as gathering data from the previous shift. This worksheet will improve your organizational skills, accuracy, and consistency while facilitating documentation. JaLor's Quick Reference - Clinical Worksheet and Quick Reference System for Physical Assessment compliment each other, however they may be used independently.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Product.......2000-01-23

This is an excellent product for both nursing students and experienced nurses. The worksheet helps nurses organize and manage time much more effectively, as well as guide them through pertinent assessment information. I highly recommend this product.

promotes organization and confidence.......1999-10-11

The quick reference clinical worksheet has helped me to feel more confident and organized in my clinical experience. As a nursing student, going into the clinical setting can be intimidating, but with the worksheet, I feel that I am well prepared. I am more confident, not only making for a more productive day for myself, but also a more comfortable day for my patients.

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