The Last Heroes: A Men at War Novel (Men at War)

Customer Reviews:

The Master!!!!.......2006-11-12

Griffin is the master of military fiction in my mind and this is another fine example of it!!! I love the characters in his novels. They seem like they are straight out of hollywood casting for some reason. Reading one of his novels is like watching a movie unfold right before your eyes! It is almost like the reader is right there eavesdropping on what is happening! Griffin is just simply an awesome writer!!!!

Boring, misleading, too long, & anticlimatic.......2004-06-11

The last heroes is not what the back cover implies it is: a WWII action/spy book. It turns out to be the total opposite. A big bore. I agree with a previous reviewer's comments about too much intimate encounters of the main characters. Oh, and way too many characters' names to keep track of. 80% of them non-essential to plot. Affairs and adultery run amuck. The actual main mission doesn't start until around page 350 and last for about 20 pages. I also realize that setting up a mission of that sort requires a lot of preparatory work, but this was ridiculous. The book runs 384 pages and 75% of it is wasted on establishing the 2 first main characters absurd and imature personalites. As some might know, it a Men At War series of books, which I will not continue to follow. Save yourself some time and read something better and real, like To Hell And Back or Beyond Valor.

Chronicle of Heroes or Lurid Romance Novel?.......2002-06-15

The Last Heroes' dust cover promises action, intrigue, war heroes, and a gripping story. Author W.E.B. Griffin used all of these literary commodities very sparingly. In fact, this novel dispenses itself according to the following formula:

Dialogue. Travel. Dialogue. Sex. Travel. Dialogue. (Repeat X 5) 2 pages of wartime action. (Back to start.)

This work of fiction was originally published "straight to paperback" and it reads like it. I would fully expect to find Fabio as the cover model, Navy uniform unbuttoned to the waist, seducing several women at once. Griffin seems almost obsessed with his characters' sex lives, as sexual encounters outnumber battle encounters somewhere around 12 scenes to 2. When his characters aren't actually HAVING sex, Griffin luridly describes how they're wishing they were.

All sex aside, this book could have been reduced to about 20 pages of actual PLOT. The storyteller plods along, filling the pages with near useless, pointless (read: boring) fluff. Some might call this needless waste of words "character development", but I can summarize for you: The characters like dinner parties, they like to fly airplanes, and they have "itchy britches". I kid you not: our "heroes" don't even receive their first set of orders from the Navy until after page 100. The next plot turn is not revealed until page 266. Actual heroic action? It's on page 259-261 (Hardcover edition). Don't blink. You'll miss it.

In all fairness, Griffin's dialogue is sometimes clever, and he occasionally displayed some witty repartee, which doubled The Last Heroes' star count. My recommendation to W.E.B. Griffin's fans: Stick to his other novels. My recommendation to those who would like to be W.E.B. Griffin's fans: Don't start here.

Enjoyable action adventure........2001-03-20

A friend tipped me off to WEB Griffin and I started off with his "Men At War" series, but out of order. This being the kickoff to the series, it came up as my second read.

Therefore, it was most interesting to get the complete back-story on the principle fictional characters. It certainly puts a more proper perspective on chapter two ("Secret Warriorts").

I particularly enjoyed the mixing of actual events and real people from the WWII era with the fictional characters. It gives a greater feeling of reality and you feel part of the action.

The series revolves around the founding and early days of the OSS...and our quest to beat the Axis powers in the race to develop the Atomic Bomb. Here we experience the setup to covertly attain the uranium necessary to complete the task.

The primary fictional characters are remarkably portrayed in a way that would make Errol Flynn, John Wayne and Tyrone Power proud. The action and plot flow smoothly and the book is great fun.

The characters are truly well developed and you feel an intimacy with many of them. You want them to show up in the next book in the series. Mr. Griffin does a good job of getting you to care about the players and to cheer for them all the way.

I am thankful to my friend for this recommendation and plan to read plenty more WEB Griffin.

Good read, but . . ........1999-12-21

Griffin has been one of my favorite authors for over ten years, and I've read other books of the same genre. One thing to note about this particular series is that the books were all written over a decade ago (under a psuedonym), but the publisher is promoting the books as "new" now that Griffin is revealed as the author. Still, an enjoyable window into the formation of the OSS/CIA -- before it was corrupted in its mission in the Fifties.

Product Description

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgerton Series, Bk. 2)

Amazon.com

Setting: Regency England

Sensuality: 7

Wise, lovely, and kind, Kate Sheffield is determined that her beautiful half-sister, Edwina, marry a reputable man. Unfortunately for Kate, Viscount Anthony Bridgerton--London's most eligible bachelor and a notorious rake to boot--sets his sights on Edwina, and what the viscount wants, the viscount gets. Only this time, Anthony must win the elder sister's approval before he may charm the young beauty into marriage.

Hardly a problem for the impossibly handsome viscount, that is until the determined Kate, whose deep, dark eyes and lush mouth send his senses racing, presents a challenge that Anthony cannot refuse. Worse yet, Kate's response to his playful advances only confirms the ardent attraction that both seem desperate to deny. Anthony is faced with a dilemma. On the one hand, the perfectly amiable Edwina, while on the other, the most stubborn, single-minded--yet confoundedly desirable--female ever to grace a London ballroom. Anthony's quandary comes to a fast and fateful conclusion when he and Kate are caught in an innocent but compromising position. There's no choice but to marry, a resolution that leaves both parties uneasy. For despite their growing feelings, each struggles with personal demons that may destroy any chance for true happiness.

It's no surprise that Julia Quinn's setting, characterization, and plot are flawless. Add to this masterful mix deeper emotional issues offset by the trademark Quinn wit, and you truly do have romance at it's best. Nobody does Regency quite like the mighty Quinn. --Lois Faye Dyer

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Romance!.......2007-08-16

It's refreshing to read a romance book that has a female that (if it were real) you could see a good friend in them. And a male character so nice and oh so romantic.

Anthony decides it's time to marry and "chooses" Edwina (little sister to Jane). But, Jane does not like or approve of Anthony...

Those lovely Bridgertons.......2007-08-01

I am a closet romance reader. I love the stupid things. And the Bridgertons are my favorite. Julia Quinn is a lovely writer, and the family story is delightful. The women are sassy, the men are good, and Lady Whistledown is fun. Highly recommended.

Kinda boring..........2007-07-13

This book seemed very run of the mill romance...boring to say the least. I didn't find much humor in it. And it dragged on with personal character reassessment for pages...I like a little more action and interaction. This book was frustrating. I thought it would be much better after all the great reviews, it was rather like a mary balogh novel, ugh. If you like novels with real humor i'd suggest kinley mcgregor, kresley cole, or jacquie d'alessandro.

I'm in love!!!!.......2007-01-26

Oh Anthony the Viscount!!!!! He is ,without a doubt, my favorite male hero in a romance. He is funny, smart, sensitive and so naughty!!!!!I love Kate as well, but not in the same way. I'm happy that she gets the guy (sight). After hating each other, the inevitable happens, they fall in love and have lots and lots of sex. But the book is so much more than that (although the sex is great). In the end, it shows us that life doesn't always go according to our plans, it gets better!!!! If you want to laugh, believe in love and go to sleep dreaming about the viscount, this is your book.

Hooked on the Bridgerton Family Series.......2007-01-04

I started the Bridgerton Family Series out of order but it didn't seem to matter. Each book stands on it's own, but made me want to read the entire series. I started with the Viscount Who Loved Me. It is funny and sweet. I feel like the Bridgertons and the entire "ton" are my frieds and family and I just can't wait to find out how life turns out for all of them.

Average customer rating:

The Viscount Who Loved Me

Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0739414321

Product Description

A period romance set in 1814 England.

The Viscount Who Loved Me: The Epilogue II (Unabridged)

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The Viscount Who Loved Me: The Epilogue II (Unabridged)
Julia Quinn
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000TVS77I

Set of First Four Titles in The Bridgerton Series: (1) The Duke and I; (2) The Viscount Who Loved Me; (3) An Offer From A Gentleman; (4) Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series)

Average customer rating:

Set of First Four Titles in The Bridgerton Series: (1) The Duke and I; (2) The Viscount Who Loved Me; (3) An Offer From A Gentleman; (4) Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Bridgerton Series)
Julia Quinn
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000TTPECQ

Average customer rating:

The Viscount Who Loved Me
Julia Quinn
Manufacturer: Avon Books 2000
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MCA6SC

Average customer rating:

Viscount Who Loved Me

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417661550

Average customer rating:

The Quest continues...

Not Free SF Reader

Slowest of the trilogy, but still a fantastic read

Gold

Brace yourself for the most action-packed installment ...

Le Seigneur des Anneaux, Volume 2: Les Deux Tours (French Edition of Lord of the Rings, Volume 2, The Two Towers)
J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: French & European Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Tolkien's Middle Earth | Series | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings, Book 3)

The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, Book 1)

The Hobbit

The Silmarillion

The Return of the King (Lord of the Rings, 3)

ASIN: 0828810761

Book Description

The second volume of The Lord of the Rings trilogy relates a tale of the eternal battle between good and evil.

Customer Reviews:

The Quest continues..........2007-09-03

'The Two Towers', by JRR Tolkien, tells of the continued adventures of the Fellowship after its breaking. It traces Frodo and Sam's journey as they strive to come closer to Mordor, yet in the hard, barren lands, one must have a guide, mustn't they my precioussss?

Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas trail after the Orcs who have taken Pippin and Merry captive, seeking to over take them and free the prisoners. Many leagues they travel over the fields of Rohan, finding signs that are hopeful, as well as those that fill them with dread and doubt. Yet unknown to them, Ugluk, leader of the Orc troop, has troubles in his ranks, for not only does he have fellow servants of Saruman the White with him, there are also emisaries of Sauron. What will Aragorn and his companions find if and when they overtake the Orc host, and what of the strange forest of Fangorn, feared by so many in these untrusting days. What secrets does its tangled boughs hold, and what of this mysterious white clad stanger that shows up once they are in the forest?

RD Williams, author of 'The Lost Gate'

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Greed, betrayal, infighting, and indecision have led the Fellowship of
the Ring to break up. Gandalf has fallen, and Boromir is dead. The rest
of the party is split in two, as Frodo sneaks off with Sam, to go to
Mordor, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the Orcs that have
abducted the other two hobbits.

A lot of breaking stuff, fighting and sneaking to be found here.

It ends in a cliffhanger.

Slowest of the trilogy, but still a fantastic read.......2007-08-22

All three of the shorter novels published as "the Lord of the Rings trilogy" are fantastic novels, but the action taking place in The Two Towers is fantastic! This "trilogy" (originally meant to be published as one book) contains lush imagery, rich and detailed description, heart-pounding action and you can really immerse yourself in the world of Middle Earth.

In The Two Towers, Frodo and Sam continue their solitary journey to Mordor, and are eventually overtaken by Gollum (Sméagol). Gollum agrees to guide them to the Black Gate of Mordor, but their journey is fraught with danger (not the least of which is Gollum's dual-personality dilemma). Tolkien cleverly wrote his master epic in six books - two books for each volume which was eventually published. In The Two Towers, the books show the division between the Frodo/Sam storyline and the remainder of the Fellowship. Pippin and Merry become separated from the rest of the Fellowship and flee into an ancient forest full of strange and wondrous creatures. A fantastic journey filled with Orcs, Ents, a confrontation with Saruman and a reunion, not only with the remainder of the broken Fellowship, but with the reborn Gandalf, this chapter of the adventure is definitely a page-turner. Even if words on a page don't tend to excite you, this will keep you enthralled. The world that Tolkien has created in Middle Earth is so easy to lose yourself in, you might not want to come back!

Gold.......2007-07-23

I just finished reading the book, and now I am listening to it starting with the hobbit straight through the return of the king because I read them that way and I think the hobbit is in a way a part of the lord of the rings. its 60+ hours total but its worth it the narrator is great, I would of course recommend actually reading it before listening to it because as the story is a big journey, so is reading the book, its a very long story and part of appreciating it is working your way through it and for those that say "Oh I saw the movies", There is ALOT that the movies left out and gives the story a new feel. Since I read it long after seeing the movies I was not prepared for what I read, there are so many small parts that either were left out or changed slightly that its like reading a story you don't know entirely. I have to say that I love the movies and if not for them I would never have wanted to read the books. If the only way you are willing to experience the book is audiobook only then I still recommend it because they are wonderful books, my favorite actually. If you do read them first, finishing them does feel great, like a journey complete.

Brace yourself for the most action-packed installment ..........2007-07-17

Anyone who read all of The Fellowship of the Ring and bemoaned its supposed slow start or lack of action (misguided souls ... surely God will correct them im the afterlife) will finally find a home in the second part of The Lord of the Rings. The Two Towers has the benefit of an established world the author no longer needs to set up, and the story moves along from wonder to terror and back again at a most satisfying pace.

When we left Frodo, he had abandoned all the fellowship except his servant Sam, unwilling to share his seemingly certain destruction with them. Thus, Tolkien splits his narrative. Book III is devoted to the adventures of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they learn the fate of the fallen wizard, Gandalf, and seek to rescue the hobbits Merry and Pippin from the clutches of the orcs. Book IV returns us to Frodo and Sam on the hopeless trek to Mordor. Along the way, they enlist the help of a most unlikely guide ...

Epic battles, walking tree-gods, monstrous spiders, and reintroduction of literature's most tragic villain, Gollum, highlight this most worthy second part of the greatest fantasy epic ever written.

(This review has been posted by Marcus Damanda, author of the vampire fantasy, "Teeth.")

Le Seigneur Des Anneaux: Volume 2 (Lord of the Rings (French))

Average customer rating:

Le Seigneur Des Anneaux: Volume 2 (Lord of the Rings (French))
J. R. R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Distribooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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

French | Foreign Language Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Children's Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Le Seigneur des Anneaux, tome 1 : La Communauté de l'Anneau

ASIN: 2266127926

Book Description

Gentle "anti-exercises" help develop the body's freedom of movement, release constraints, and reawaken dormant muscles. By using the appropriate energy for each techniques, relief can be found for a multitude of ills. At the same time senses can be awakened and perceptions sharpened.

Customer Reviews:

Inspires us to live in our bodies.......2005-10-21

Ms. Bertherat uses a clear and inviting writing style to powerfully impress upon us the need to be more fully in touch with our bodies. Rather than always seeking beautiful theories and insights about life from others, one can be greatly nourished and helped by gaining this Understanding that Ms. B shares and by doing simple physical non-exercises which demonstrate how our body is integrated and how good it feels to live inside that body.

awaken body memories.......2001-01-22

I was impressed with the method presented. Finally, something to help me get in touch with my cell memories/feelings, correct them and be better for it! The only problem is that there is no one to teach here....... Anyone teaching this method, please feel free to contact me at Rikitikitavi97@aol.com.

The Passionate Advocate.......1999-04-29

Written by a woman whose husband - himself a medical doctor - died in hospital from suspected neglect, this book is a uniquely satisfying revenge. For here, Therese Bertherat makes bold declarations and assertions, tearing the shroud from the naked dead body of society's assumptions about the medical profession, health, exercise and physical therapy. Her writing is passionate, with the certitude of a preacher. And why not? This is hot stuff!

I have been teaching yoga professionally for 16 years, and I totally empathize with her stories of treating students with her method - gleaned from her amazing teachers and which she calls Preliminaries. She describes with sometimes breath taking clarity her viewpoints, the incidents which led up to their formulation, the difficulty in working with the bodies of unconscious people and the shadow presence of something else which resists being helped at all. So much of it was familiar to me from my own work.

No airy fairy theories here, folks. Just real life experience which can be applied practically. If you are into alternative therapies in general and body work in particular, this book is not to be missed.

Sravaniya DiPecoraro, Yoga Instructor, Hong Kong, 1999

Extradinary, Diffirent, (Actually, I'm not reviewing........1999-03-04

This not a review just a message about the names of the authors for the "The Body Has Its Reasons" You have --By Carol and Bertherat, Theresa Bernstein--.WRONG. I have a copy of the out of print book. The authors are Therese Bertherat and Carol Bernstein. Just like you have for the book;The Body Has It; Reasons: SelfAwareness through Conscious Movement. Just thought that you'd like to know.

Extradinary, Diffirent, (Actually, I'm not reviewing........1999-03-04

Customer Reviews:

A must have book .......2005-06-27

This book is very enlighting and good reference book for any Moslem.

One of the funniest books I've ever read!.......1999-10-12

This book makes an excellent case of proving that the hog is simply not fit for human consumption. It also shows the folly of mankind in that this filthy swine has been made into products that permeate every aspect of our culture. It has become almost impossible for the sensible person to avoid pork and pork products.

I have done some independent research and found that most of her facts are true. Even though some scientists argue that most hogs are not infested with the trichinae worm, do you really want to take that chance? Besides, there are many other hazards associated with the raising, slaughter and eating of this scavenger.

What I really like is the incredibly humorous manner in which Ms. Ali makes her case. A hearty laugh is good medicine and this book is chock full of laughs. It's likely that the only people who don't find this book funny are those die-hard pork eaters.

Very thought provking & humorous.......1998-12-01

Shahrazad, Ali "tells it like it is," in a very informative and humorous way. She leaves it up to the reader to make the choices but she gives the reader the "whole nine yards," on the consquences if the right choices aren't made! A must read for those trying to lead a well-being lifestyle.

Average customer rating:
American Oak Furniture: Book II (American Oak Furniture)
Kathryn McNerney
Manufacturer: Collector Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Furniture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Furniture & Carpentry | Woodworking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Antique Oak Furniture: An Illustrated Value Guide

Encyclopedia of American Oak Furniture

Field Guide to American Antique Furniture: A Unique Visual System for Identifying the Style of Virtually Any Piece of American Antique Furniture

More Golden Oak (Schiffer Book for Collectors)

The Antique Hunter's Guide to American Furniture: Chests, Cupboards, Desks & Other Pieces

ASIN: 0891455574

Book Description

There are no repeats in this companion volume to the first American Oak Furniture book. Includes detailed photographs, descriptions, dates, sizes, important facts, and current values, all written in Kathryn McNerney's colorful, personal style. 2001 values. AUTHORBIO: Kathryn McNerney was well-known for her expertise in many fields of antiques and collectibles, including kitchen antiques, antique tools, primitives, blue white stoneware, American oak and Victorian furniture, and antique iron. Her books saw many revised editions, and her books became standard references in the field. She left behind many followers who continue to consult her books and who have made them part of their permanent libraries. REVIEW: This book is the author's second tribute to the furniture made from the remarkable, enduring oak tree. The furniture shown invokes the eloquent expressions of eras past, and creates an aura of heritage for the reader.

American Oak Furniture: Styles and Prices : Book II (American Oak Furniture)

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American Oak Furniture: Styles and Prices : Book II (American Oak Furniture)
Robert W. Swedberg , and Harriett Swedberg
Manufacturer: Wallace-Homestead Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Furniture Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Furniture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0870695878

American Oak Furniture: Styles and Prices, Book II

Average customer rating:

American Oak Furniture: Styles and Prices, Book II
Robert W. Swedberg , and Harriett Swedberg
Manufacturer: Wallace-Homestead Book Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Furniture Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Furniture | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0870694243

Book Description

Jo Sharp's innovative creations, sized for men, women, and children, emphasize glorious color and fabulous texture without being trendy. Her fourth book takes its cue from the mystical landscape of Rudgyard Beach (near her home), named for the wife of the English sea captain who established a dairy farm there in the early 20th century. The book includes over 30 classic patterns for a variety of skill levels from an internationally known Australian designer.

Customer Reviews:

Colour Wonderful.......2004-02-27

This is a terrific book with very modern and imaginative patterns. I am an experienced knitter, love fine yarns and textured knitting and this book met all of my needs. What I most liked was the modern stylish garments you can make. Although I have been knitting for over 45 years, my 30 something daughter has just become interested in the medium. We both found projects that were interesting, challenging and that we were both proud to wear. No pattern in the book is this book is "the-same-old-same-old". The use of colour combinations and interesting yarns mixes made each project a joy to the fingers and the mind.

I always enjoy Jo Sharp knitting patterns and this book did not disappoint. Even if you don't knit any of the projects - just looking at the beautiful pictures and dreaming should get your creative juices flowing.

A Colorful Presentation of Knitwear.......2001-02-12

In my opinion, the author has used many colurful combination of yarns within her designs, yet she has implemented common patterns within her designs. This book would be good for a beginning knitter, to help the knitter gain confidence in knitting with different yarn combinations. However, for experienced knitters, especially those knitters who work with fair isle, or searches for many other unique designs, they would find this book a bit boring.

Rudgyard Story: Hand Knitting Collection

Average customer rating:

Rudgyard Story: Hand Knitting Collection
Jo Sharp
Manufacturer: Taunton Press, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MHOD0O

Average customer rating:

Fountain magic

Build a wide variety of impressive fountains with ease

Great book

Simple Fountains for Indoors & Outdoors

Beautiful and Useful Combined!

Simple Fountains for Indoors & Outdoors: 20 Step-By-Step Projects
Dorcas Adkins
Manufacturer: Storey Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Water Gardens & Ponds | Techniques | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Feng Shui | Stress | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Create Your Own Tabletop Fountains

Quick and Easy Container Water Gardens: Simple-To-Make Water Features and Fountains for Indoor and Outdoor Gardens

Outdoor Water Features: 16 Easy-to-Build Projects For Your Yard and Garden

Simple Fountains

Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide)

ASIN: 1580171907

Amazon.com

Few elements are as ubiquitous or as essential as water, or as appealing for the soothing sights and sounds with which it enhances our environment. Fountains are the ideal way to incorporate water's magic into our homes and gardens, and the fountain maker becomes something of an illusionist, striving emulate nature and to conceal the mechanics that make the perpetual flow of water possible.

Dorcas Adkins is certainly a magician when it comes to fountain design. Her wizardry encompasses bamboo, wood, ceramic, concrete, stone, and metal creations, from small tabletop delights to full-sized garden waterfalls. Her extremely thorough and well-diagrammed instructions make even the most complex projects approachable--and some of them are indeed fairly complex, involving woodworking skills, plaster and concrete casting, ceramic modeling, soldering, or rigging an existing sculpture. But the results are well worth the effort, yielding Zen-like arrangements in which water trickles over a miniature bonsai garden, through bamboo piping, or into a rustic stone trough filled with water lilies; or more traditional Western constructions such as a ewer-toting cherub, a shell-and-stone-and-tile mosaic, or various spouting faces.

Beginners or those seeking smaller-scale productions are best off starting with a more basic approach, like Dawn Cusick's Tabletop Fountains. But for the more adventurous fountaineers, it's hard to beat Adkins's presentation, which also helpfully includes a list of mail-order suppliers and a useful at-a-glance guide to finding general materials, from antique tubs to pond liners to wooden barrels. --Amy Handy

Book Description

Everything readers need to know to create elegant, soothing water fountains. Easy-to-follow instructions explain choosing and installing pumps and constructing fountains.

Customer Reviews:

Fountain magic.......2000-05-19

A truely awesome book. I came upon it when I looked through Angel Lee's review list and ordered it. I am indebted to her! I have been making my own fountains since I bought my 1st home 6 years ago, and wanted new ideas. These are wonderful. Some of the simpler dish-type gardens will make lovely Christmas gifts, and I look forward to starting them. For the more adventurous, there are more complex and larger fountains/ponds, all truely picturesque, which would be great fun for anyone with a reasonable sized yard. A friend has created one on his terraced front lawn, and it captures the attention of by passers, making his neighborhood The Place to visit of late. For the truely enthused, there are directions for casting subjects in ceramics, for designing cement fountains or basins, and even for making masks of living persons. Although many items can be collected from the "saved" materials everyone seems to store away in garages or from yard and garage sales, those like pumps, tubing, and other hardware items can be found at nurseries and hardward stores. There is also a very useful list of addresses where other types of supplies may be found. I can hardly wait to get started! Thanks again Angel.

Build a wide variety of impressive fountains with ease.......2000-04-03

This is a wonderful book for constructing beautiful & impressive looking fountains. The fountains here are unexpectedly easy to construct & cost far less than commercial ones. It is filled with ideas that allow the maker to add his own unique touch.

The materials selection is varied. Almost any watertight vessel can be the basis of a small fountain. Other materials include bamboo, wood, ceramic, concrete, stone & metal. Pump selection & mechanical requirements are also covered.

Projects range from small table-top fountains to elaborate outdoor units. There are even instructions for a 3' high tiered waterfall. All have clear construction diagrams & color photos of the finished work.

Helpful extras include lists of suitable plants to use with the fountains, suggestions for finding materials, & a list of mail order suppliers. This is the book to get if you want to know the joy of building a fountain of your own creation.

Great book.......2000-02-16

I knew the minute I saw the cover of Simple Fountains for Indoors and Outdoors that it was exactly what I was looking for. The cover photograph is an appealing table fountain. Inside the book is a well thought out plan designed to help the novice achieve success making tabletop or other indoor/outdoor fountains.

Every conceivable problem is addressed with buying information,pictures,diagrams and trouble shooting.

I know I can create a beautiful water fountain from the information presented in Ms.Adkins' book. I recommend it highly.

Simple Fountains for Indoors & Outdoors.......1999-11-26

This is a beautiful book & it's written by a true expert - and artist. Dorcas Adkins has been designing & making fountains & other garden art for 10 years. We had her bamboo flute fountain in our garden in Ohio, which we had to leave behind when we moved, so I was very pleased to discover this book. It provides detailed & clear instructions (along with inspiration) for indoor & outdoor fountains.

Beautiful and Useful Combined!.......1999-11-11

Adkins' treatment of these beautiful fountains and how to create them is just what is needed by those of us who want to listen to their soothing sound and see their sparkling light at home. What is best, is the steps are so easy to follow!

Average customer rating:

Funny book to read for fun, not good reference book

Not for IDing Type Faces!

The Quick Brown Fox is Done Jumping

Good for browsing fonts, less so for identifying fonts.

Hard to find fonts.

Big Book of 5000 Fonts: (And Where to Get Them)
David E. Carter
Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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Adobe Type Library Reference Book, The (2nd Edition)

Precision Type Font Reference Guide: Version 5.0

Logo Font & Lettering Bible: A Comprehensive Guide to the Design, Construction and Usage of Alphabets and Symbols

The Little Book of Business Cards: Successful Designs and How to Create Them

Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs)

ASIN: 0823004899

Customer Reviews:

Funny book to read for fun, not good reference book.......2007-08-02

If you read the text, you will be laughing so hard! This man is very funny. He knows how to make other graphic designers laugh about how we feel.
However, if you want to use it as a reference book for the names of fonts and where to find them, well, it's pretty random. Note to the author. I really wish you'd make a new edition which has fonts organized by type library (who sells it) and where to find, then by style. And I would rather that you put them in styles such as the styles in "graphically speaking," where they are organized by descriptive words like "humorous, youthful", and "powerful,"
I think maybe I should buy Adobe Type Library instead. That is all I own. I can't afford all these fonts this guy has in this book!

Not for IDing Type Faces!.......2004-09-27

This book is done in a unique fashion and I wasn't disappointed with it. If you are simply looking for type faces, it fills the bill rather nicely. If you are trying to identify a type face, it doesn't offer enough for a comparison. Unfortunately, there are few capital letters shown so one cannot tell how the type face appears when composed in all capital letters. In a few instances, the name of the font isn't the font that is shown! Yikes! In any event, it is a helpful addition to your library since many of the type faces shown in this book can be found at no other single source.

The Quick Brown Fox is Done Jumping.......2003-05-12

Carter's laid out the fonts by category:
Comic book, retro, calligraphic, block letter, roughish, display, pseudo cultural, grunge, script, technological, illustrated and kids stuff, type-label-stencil, ornamental, others sans, other serif. The organization is clean.

Instead of using the boring text sample that litters the letters sampled in font catalogs, "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog," Carter gifts us with vignettes. The font Scotty Normal is shown with the sample, "Would I have been a PGA Champion?" This could be read as a stream-of-conscious novel if it weren't a font book. With each sample, he lists the name and which type house sells it. The sources for the fonts are listed at the end, including several listings for free fonts.

It is indispensable for a new designer, or a student of typography. For me, as someone who uses typography as a secondary part of my job, I found it a strong tool for familiarizing myself with font families. I'd say a seasoned might not find it as useful, as much of this kind of information can be found elsewhere.

Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com

Good for browsing fonts, less so for identifying fonts........2003-04-01

This is a book of font samples. You won't find any information on making your own fonts or installing and using them on a computer. This book won't outline font history or anatomy. It won't tell you how to design with fonts. It's simply page after page of sentences or sentence snippets, each rendered in a different typeface. Each font's name and manufacturer is listed below each sample.

The book is great if you're a would-be font designer and are looking for inspiration. It's great if you're looking for a font to add pizzazz or personality to a graphic or flyer. It's also great for the casual typeface fan who simply enjoys looking at typefaces.

I agree with the author's statement in the book's introduction that he wanted a font book that "didn't have one mind-numbing sentence repeated time after time" throughout the book. While pangrams such as "The quick brown fox..." are standard and useful in that they (by definition) show every letter in the alphabet, it can become tedious to see the same words again and again. Having the fonts set in different sentences also adds interest to the look of the pages, and benefits those who wish to see how a font looks in a different combination of letters.

There are a few of problems with the book:
1. Fonts are listed by general category and then alphabetically by name. This makes it difficult and time-consuming to search for just one font if you don't know its name and have only a limited idea of what it looks like.

2. There just isn't enough sample text to truly get a good taste the font. The sentences and snippets probably average 8 words long and consist of a dozen different letters, which, in my opinion, is not enough to truly get a sense of the typeface.

Identifying fonts using this book will inevitably prove difficult. Each passage is unique and does not use every letter in the alphabet. So if you are relying in the distinct gap between the strokes of the letter G in a font to help you ID it, you may be out of luck if the sample text doesn't have words with G.

Ideally, font samples should display every letter twice (in capitals and lowercase forms), numbers, and punctuation characters. Granted, it's not realistic to expect that a book covering 5,000 fonts would be able to accomodate such thorough samples.

Of course, these are only problems if you're relying on the book to ID fonts for you. And in this book's defense, these weak points are common to a lot of font books.

On the whole, I found this book a welcome change from other font books that seem to think themselves pieces of art and are bent on showing me how modern and cool typography can be. If you just want a really big font book that will show you nothing but ton of samples, this is the book for you.

Hard to find fonts........2003-01-15

This book is creatively written, but has been really no use to me in finding specific fonts. I wish the book were laid out with the same sentence "The Quick Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Brown Dog" instead of a bunch of free-flowing sentences. I'm not able to find fonts in this book because I can't pinpoint a single letter.

Average customer rating:

Big Book of 5000 Fonts

Manufacturer: Nippon Shuppan Hanbai Deutschland GmbH
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 3931884953

Book Description

All the Cowboys Were Indians is adventurer Stan Brock's account of his life in the Amazon rain forest on the Dadanawa, the world's largest tropical cattle ranch. You will meet him as a fugitive schoolboy from England, longing to become a real vaquero. You will agonize with him as he learns bone-crushing lessons the hard way. You will share his triumph as he tames a killer horse. You will fall in love with Leemo, his pet mountain lion, and all the other four-footed and feathered friends he acquires during his days on the Dadanawa . . . days in a faraway time when all the cowboys were Indians..

Customer Reviews:

Deeply enchanting.......2006-05-24

I received this wonderful book from Stan Brock himself after volunteering with RAM for about a year. I found it to be a deeply rich book filled with stories that explain much of why Stan started RAM and why he returns to Guyana several times each year. Written in a delightful tone that reflects Stan's own understated sense of humor, the book is a page-turner that leaves you feeling as though the time you spent reading it was not wasted in any way.

Great!.......2006-04-22

After participating in the most recent RAM trip to Guyana, this was a wonderful book to read and enjoy. Mr. Brock was great to work with. I wish that I had read his book before traveling to this wonderful country and visiting the Dadanawa Ranch.

Charming Book.......2006-01-03

I read this book over a couple days while waiting for my students to test for their pilot's liscenses. The pilot examiner is a close friend to Stan Brock and he suggested I read it.

The book kept my attention throughout.

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