Something Lyrical for the Night

Product Description

On the surface, twenty-six-year-old Max Bensolomon has a charmed life. In reality, the working Canadian actor is like a perfectionist with a jigsaw puzzle thats short a couple of pieces. Since childhood, Max has struggled to draw the line between reality and illusion. After learning the woman of his dreams does not want a long-term commitment, he goes off the deep end. Shortly after he is admitted into a mental institution, Max is told he has a disease in which his brain malfunctionslife as he knows it will never be the same. Max now faces the greatest challenge of his life. Can he overcome his mental illness and merge back into society? Or will his psychiatric problems impede him from building a more worthwhile life? A soul-stirring memoir you wont be able to put down.

Amazon.com

You may have heard somewhere that Neil Gaiman's Sandman series consisted of cool, hip, edgy, smart comic books. And you may have thought, "What the hell does that mean?" Enter A Game of You to confound the issue even more, while at the same time standing as a fine example of such a description. This is not an easy book. The characters are dense and unique, while their observations are, as always with Gaiman, refreshingly familiar. Then there's the plot, which grinds along like a coffee mill, in the process breaking down the two worlds of this series, that of the dream and that of the dreamer. Gaiman pushes these worlds to their very extremes--one is a fantasy world with talking animals, a missing princess, and a mysterious villain called the Cuckoo; the other is an urban microcosm inhabited by a drag queen, a punk lesbian couple, and a New York doll named Barbie. In almost every way this book sits at 180 degrees from the earlier four volumes of the Sandman series--although the less it seems to belong to the series, the more it shows its heart. --Jim Pascoe

Book Description

You may have heard somewhere that Neil Gaiman's Sandman series consistedof cool, hip, edgy, smart comic books. And you may have thought, "What the helldoes that mean?" Enter A Game of You to confound the issue even more, while at the same time standing as a fine example of such a description. This is not an easy book. The characters are dense and unique, while their observations are, as always with Gaiman, refreshingly familiar. Then there's the plot, which grinds along like a coffee mill, in the process breaking down the two worlds of this series, that of the dream and that of the dreamer. Gaiman pushes these worlds to their very extremes--one is a fantasy world with talking animals, a missing princess, and a mysterious villain called the Cuckoo; the other is an urban microcosm inhabited by a drag queen, a punk lesbian couple, and a New York doll named Barbie. In almost every way this book sits at 180 degrees from the earlier four volumes of the Sandman series--although the less it seems to belong to the series, the more it shows its heart. --Jim Pascoe

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A messed up girl named Barbie has created a dream world with some serious problems. After blocking this out of a mind for her time, and not dreaming, eventually her dream world gets to her.

This drags in her friends and neighbours, who happen to include an immortal witch, and an agent of her dream foe.

Through a drawing down the moon ritual, the women involved enter the dream world to try and rectify things and find Barbie.

Needless to say, Morpheus is not at all amused, when he finally has to act.

This part really has little to do with the Endless.

Not your grandad's comic book . . ........2007-07-30

This is one my two favorites in the 11-volume "Sandman" series, which has proven Gaiman to be a genius storyteller. I think I like this one especially because it's a full-length continuing story, not a collection of short pieces, and because the characters are terrific (all of them are just ordinary people, including the witch and the princess), and also because Gaiman is a master of poetic dialogue. The story begins in a New York tenement for mostly women, all of them genuine characters, and several of them with connections to characters in earlier volumes. Then Barbie -- Princess Barbara -- is threatened and three of her friends set off on the Moon Road to help her. But Barbie is on a quest of her own, to seek out and defeat the Cuckoo, through a land of her own dreams and imaginings. The Endless are actually rather minor characters this time, but the story doesn't suffer for it.

Exellent.......2007-02-16

Gaiman's earlier work with the characters of the Sandman Universe is very good, and the later books continue the trend. I would recommend this to any fan of the earlier books.
For those unfamiliar with the series, I would suggest starting at Volume 1, "Preludes and Nocturnes", which sets up the premise of the series and introduces many of the characters.

I think I saw Martin Tenbones on the streets yesterday..........2006-11-11

Like a huge boulder that cannot be stopped, Gaiman continues to plow through the journeys of the characters we first were introduced to in the spellbinding introduction entitled "Preludes and Nocturnes" with his fifth collection aptly titled "A Game of You". Like no other artist that I have seen in the past, Gaiman impresses yet again by taking a smaller character from his "Doll House" collection and expanding darkly into her dreams and past. That small character is Barbie - of Ken & Barbie - and the elaboration of her fantasy dream world that includes large hairy beasts, an inspector rat, a bird, as well as a monkey with a circus suit. It sounds nearly dream-like, but what Gaiman does (like no other) is give these characters moments of emotion, human traits, and a drive to see what they believe in succeed. Gaiman takes us from our physical Earth to this dream-created world with comfort and ease, nearly making us more excited to be in this fictional world than in our own. He does this through sympathetic creatures/characters, through the unknown, and through the unhinging power of Dream.

Our story follows Barbie as she attempts to reconnect with her world after her relationship with Ken soured. She has made a few friends in her apartment - one a transvestite named Wanda, a gay couple named Hazel and Foxglove that harbor a surprising secret, then there is Thessaly, an unknown neighbor that seems to know more of what is happening then the rest of our players. None the less, as it seems to be in this series, a character from Barbie's dreams escapes onto the streets of New York. Barbie sees it, realizes it, and retrieves a pendant from it before it is gunned down by the NYPD. She is struck by the idea that her dreams could become a reality. She takes the pendant home with her and deeply falls asleep only to awaken back in her dream world where she is asked to save it from the evil grip of the Cuckoo.

(Now, for the quick - quick - quick version...)

As she makes this journey with her supposed friends, Thessaly sets into motion a way to retrieve her from the lost dream world. She kills a neighbor George (who was oddly giving everyone nightmares in the apartment) and hangs the skin of his face on the wall so that he can talk to the saviors about what is happening to Barbie. Thessaly calls down the Moon God so that she, Hazel, and Fox can travel to Barbie's dream world to save her. Barbie finds the Cuckoo, but it is not who she expects it to be. Due to traveling, Thessaly has disrupted the physical Earth causing peril to Wanda - and just when we think that all is going to be lost, our heroine Dream takes his powerful step forward, wrapping up a phenomenal story that continues to build upon the world we still know little about.

This is another great collection by Gaiman in the expansion of his Dream world. I enjoyed the inception of a character that we already knew about, that we already knew her dreams, and Gaiman just wanted to grow upon it to demonstrate the overall power and depth of Dream. In a prior review, I was upset that we didn't have the opportunity to see much of Dream in a certain collection which ultimately created animosity with this avid reader, but in "A Game of You", I didn't mind. I liked not having Dream arrive until it was absolutely necessary because (unlike the past collection) there was this sense of fantasy that kept your attention throughout the book. The actions of Thessaly, the arrival of Martin Tenbones on the streets of NY, and the entirely creepy, yet bizarre world that Barbie enters that reminded me of a slanted Narnia. Gaiman gave us enough to wrap our minds around that Dream just seemed to be a mediator instead of a main character, and in this collection that worked. The eclectic collection of "real" people kept a strong balance between the realities that Barbie lived in and the dream world she created, it is only when the two combine together that we are provided with a climax like no other. While the other collections followed a similar path, I felt this one was Gaiman's strongest developed story yet. I say this mainly because he takes a similar structure as he did in "Seasons of Mists" - the onslaught of several different characters from several different walks of life - but expands it in a way that only he can develop. Gaiman is at the top of his game with this volume, and I cannot wait to see where he will take us next.

Overall, I was extremely happy with this collection. Yet again, I have no complaints as Gaiman does not seem to be slowing down at all. He brings imagination, creativity, and this layer of unrepentant darkness to the table with each page that I turn. I especially loved the insertion of Rose Walker into the finale of the story as well as seeing Dream's sister make a cameo appearance. This collection blended well, giving us yet another scope of just how big Dream's world is and how easily he has control over it. This is one of those collections that you finish, take a deep breath, and then quickly jump into the next realizing that you do not want to skip a beat at all. I strongly suggest this book to anyone that can get their hands on it. I still say you need to begin with "Preludes and Nocturnes" and follow the course, but one could read this chapter and still become an instant fan of the series. Gaiman proves yet again that this is the pinnacle of his graphic novel career.

Grade: ***** out of *****

I like it a lot, but I'm not sure I get it.......2006-02-21

I did like this book. I really have enjoyed all the Sandman books so far. But as much as it galls me to admit it, I'm not sure I understand quite what the big deal is. I keep hearing about and reading about how fabulous they are. And yeah, they're interesting. It's an interesting world that Gaiman has created and I think the character of the Sandman is intriguing/fascinating. And the Sandman is good-looking in some of the panels. But I don't understand what about these novels/comics draws people in so much. I don't understand why the Midsummer Night's Dream one won that prestigious award which ticked the other authors off so they had to change the rules to specifically exclude a graphic novel from being entered ever again. I don't understand why this series is supposed to grab women readers in a way that other comic/graphic novel offerings haven't. It's a bit like David Bowie music, to me. I like it a lot. But partly, that's because I Want to like it. I think it (the music, or the graphic novel) is really weird and I don't understand why everybody else, with no inner urging, likes it so much. And then I read the preface to this book and the guy talks about all these layers and all this depth that I guess I'm really just not getting at all. Which also bugs me because I like to think that I'm smart. But, granted, I've only read it one time and that kind of stuff does usually become more apparent with multiple readings.

Average customer rating:

Nothing Special

Excellent space-based military fiction

An unusual, and very good, SF naval procedural

Ho hum

More, Please.

A Just Determination (JAG in Space, Book 1)
John G. Hemry
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Adventure | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Burden of Proof (JAG in Space, Book 2)

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Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)

ASIN: 0441010520
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Book Description

Ensign Paul Sinclair has been assigned to the orbiting, military spacecraft, USS Michaelson, as its sole legal advisor. But when the ship's captain faces court-martial following the destruction of a civilian research vessel, Sinclair finds himself defending a doomed officer.

Customer Reviews:

Nothing Special.......2007-01-01

Read this after reading The Lost Fleet and enjoying that quite a bit. Unfortunately, like Stark's War, it seems like it took Hemry a few books to really get the hang of things. In this one, the characters weren't all that well developed, plot was essentially straightforward, and the big ethical dilemma was pretty contrived. All in all, barely as good as a mediocre David Weber.

Excellent space-based military fiction.......2006-07-12

I picked up this book not sure what to expect; I was hoping for something mildly entertaining.

What I found instead is an extremely taut, well-written, suspenseful story of a junior ensign aboard a military space ship patrolling the solar system.

While somewhat lacking in "hard science", it is a terrific tale of the stresses of the military, legalities of conflict, and the behavior of individuals under trying circumstances.

Although the characterizations were somewhat cliched (sneaky rivals, martinet commanders, Captain Queeg, etc.), I was very impressed with the author's structure and pacing of the novel. I got the sense that it was like a fictionalization of a real-life event. The situations and resolution rang true.

I literally couldn't put this book down. I had nearly the same sense of enjoyment that I had when I read my first Hornblower book. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.

An unusual, and very good, SF naval procedural.......2005-09-13

______________________________________________
This is an unusual mil-SF novel. Really, it's just barely SF, and might better be termed a naval procedural -- and very nicely-done, too. In 2098, Ensign Paul Sinclair's first duty assignment is aboard the USS Michaelson CLE(S)-3, a long-endurance space cruiser, newly-deployed to patrol American-claimed space. Young Sinclair suffers through the agonies of on-the-job officer training -- trials that will bring a twinge of sympathy from anyone who's started out green in a demanding job with a difficult boss. Hemry's portrait of the trials and triumphs of day-to-day naval life rings true [note 1] to this former naval officer -- and I'm pleased that the Supply Officer, the humble 'porkchop', is one of the more sympathetic characters, since that was my job, too.

On patrol, the Michaelson detects a South Asian Alliance ship trespassing on the American claim. Challenged, the rival vessel flees. The Michaelson orders the intruder to heave to for boarding. The intercept goes horribly wrong -- the American cruiser fires on the SASAL ship, killing all on board. The intruder turns out to be an unarmed research vessel.

Captain Wakeman is called to account for his actions at a general court-martial, described as meticulously, and as grippingly, as any fictional courtroom drama I've read. Ens. Sinclair, who doubles as the ship's Legal Officer, feels compelled to testify in favor of his disgraced Captain, even though he thinks Wakeman was a piss-poor commanding officer....

All of this is related in thoughtful, serviceable, workmanlike prose that clunks at times, but gets the job done. The job, in this case, is a sympathetic examination of how the modern US Navy actually works, with fallible people doing their duty, or dodging it, or bungling it...

Naval SF novels tend to be Hornblower-knockoffs (Weber, Drake, Feintuch, etc.), so it's a pleasure to see one drawn from the 21st century instead of the 18th. The young Ensign's coming-of-age reminded me of Heinlein's classic Space Cadet, which was drawn from his 1930's Naval service.

Hemry is a retired Naval officer who grew up as a Navy brat, so he's walked the walk, too. Hemry's space warships are, reasonably enough, extrapolated as subs/tin cans-in-space, with similarly compact and, um, challenging interior dimensions. About the only substantial change in Hemry's end-of-the-21st century US Navy is the complete integration of women into the service. This is reasonable, too, as the Navy is a *very* tradition-bound organization.

This is the first of a projected four 'Paul Sinclair' novels -- the next, Burden of Proof, is scheduled for March 2004 publication. I'm looking forward to reading it.
____________
Note 1) -- except for the language, which is sanitized for the intended YA audience.
Perhaps not the wisest choice, but a defensible one.

Happy reading--
Pete Tillman
Review first appeared at Infinity-plus, January 2004

Ho hum.......2005-01-26

This novel is OK but not wildly exciting. The plot is well constructed and well written but nothing partcularly exciting happens and there is little suspense. The character development is somewhat humdrum. I found that I didn't really care what happened to the lead characters, which is a bad sign.

More, Please........2004-11-01

I have read both of the the books in Hemry's Space Navy / legal books and eagerly await the one not yet in print. The characters are rich, detailed and believable - more human than David Drake's grim killers. If you have ever been on a warship, you will recognize there is a right way, a wrong way and the Navy way, and the Navy way is the way you have to do things, irrational or not. There was not a false note in the book, nor a miracle resolution on the last page. The plotting is more detailed, and the time frame longer than Hemry's "Starks War" books - I liked them, but these are better.

Beyond Tolerable Recovery (Moving Beyond Controlled Behavior, Strong Determination, Self-Effort, and Just Getting Better into Genuine Life-Changing Maintenance Free Victory!)

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Beyond Tolerable Recovery (Moving Beyond Controlled Behavior, Strong Determination, Self-Effort, and Just Getting Better into Genuine Life-Changing Maintenance Free Victory!)
Ed M. Smith
Manufacturer: Alathia Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QYEWUY

Product Description

Theophostic Ministry

The Challenge in Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination, and a Just Peace

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The Challenge in Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination, and a Just Peace
Sumantra Bose
Manufacturer: Sage Publications Pvt. Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Practical Politics | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

The nineties have witnessed a dramatic escalation of the conflict in Kashmir, which has become the site of a triangular contest for hegemony between India, Pakistan, and popular movements for self-determination. Based on extensive fieldwork and interviews with a wide range of those involved, this provocative and tightly argued book goes beyond the reports and posturing that informs much of the contemporary literature on this troubled region. The Challenge in Kashmir examines how an open and unconditional dialogue between the three contending protagonists in the framework of the right for self-determination can pave the way for a just and lasting peace in Kashmir. Featuring a analysis that is refreshingly free of the nationalist rhetoric of both India and Pakistan, this engaging book moves away from the views of established politicians and generals and instead focuses on discussions with ordinary citizens, grass-roots activists, and insurgents. The result is a highly readable and original contribution to the policy-relevant studies of the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. Exploring one of the most intractable and complex problems in contemporary South Asian politics, The Challenge in Kashmir will appeal to scholars, students, policymakers, and politicians interested in Indian and comparative politics, democratic theory, social and popular movements, conflict resolution and peace studies, and South Asian studies.

The Challenge in Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination and Just Peace. (book reviews): An article from: Journal of Contemporary Asia

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The Challenge in Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination and Just Peace. (book reviews): An article from: Journal of Contemporary Asia
Amalendu Misra
Manufacturer: Journal of Contemporary Asia Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00098CTW0
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Contemporary Asia, published by Journal of Contemporary Asia Publishers on August 1, 1998. The length of the article is 2035 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: The Challenge in Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination and Just Peace. (book reviews)
Author: Amalendu Misra
Publication: Journal of Contemporary Asia (Refereed)
Date: August 1, 1998
Publisher: Journal of Contemporary Asia Publishers
Volume: v28 Issue: n3 Page: p414(5)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Challenge of Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination and a Just Peace (Politics in Contemporary Asia)

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The Challenge of Kashmir: Democracy, Self-Determination and a Just Peace (Politics in Contemporary Asia)
Sumantra Bose
Manufacturer: Zed Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Determination of sample size for a proportion: The just right N

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Determination of sample size for a proportion: The just right N
Sharon Johnson Laska
Manufacturer: [s.n.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Methodology & Statistics | Experiments, Instruments & Measurement | Science | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006W5RUU

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Journal of Ecumenical Studies, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2004. The length of the article is 430 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Jesus, Judaism, and Christian Anti-Judaism: Reading the New Testament after the Holocaust.(Book review)
Author: Alfons H. Teipen
Publication: Journal of Ecumenical Studies (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 41 Issue: 3-4 Page: 466(1)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Now, for the first time, the magic properties and uses of food by both mortals and immortals as represented in the world’s myths and legends are brought together and explained in Nectar and Ambrosia. This A-to-Z volume is filled with an abundance of exotic lore and legend

Customer Reviews:

Draws intriguing connections between food & world mythology.......2001-04-28

Nectar and Ambrosia draws some unusual and intriguing connections between food and world mythology, examining the magic properties and uses of food through myths and legends. Nectar and Ambrosia will appeal to a wide audience as it provides links between culture and culinary folklore.

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The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2005, 37th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)
Thomas E. Jr Hudgeons
Manufacturer: House of Collectibles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1400048397
Release Date: 2004-06-08

Book Description

Relief carving is a challenging technique that lies somewhere between two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork. Color photographs of the author’s finished carvings of wildlife subjects demonstrate the stunning capabilities of this technique. Step-by-step instructions on how to carve a bison bust, line art and shaded contour illustrations for 30 other animal images, and descriptions of the special techniques needed to render fur, antlers, and animal faces are also included.

Customer Reviews:

Wildlife Carving in Relief.......2007-07-12

Lora Irish puts forth in amazing detail relief carving using hand tools. The book is well worth the purchase price for the artwork alone, her teaching is masterful.

Customer Reviews:

SIMPLE AND PERFECTLY PUT.......2007-06-21

This is my fav of all time design book (and I adore design books and mags.) The design theme is easy to understand, personalize and carry into your home affordably. The style is truly breathtaking in how lovely and how perfectly unfussy. And that's the balance. She's a design genious and the photography is stunning!

Easy Country.......2005-07-22

Excellent book. The examples of interiors are easy to imitate in your own home. The quilts and valances depicted are easily obtained: one can just go out and buy this stuff anywhere. The "clean country" style is very comfortable and easy to maintain. None of that impractical designer fru-fru stuff here.

Beautiful, rustic images..........2003-01-28

I spent my early years in PA Dutch country, and this book spring's forth that rustic, well-thought-out, simple, quiet, comfortable, country look. The soft colors, lack of clutter, simple collections, and throwback to an older Americana time is a breath of fresh air, particularly since I've lived in mega-metropolises since leaving the country way of life.

If you're looking for decorating ideas, this book would be wonderful for that cabin-ish/barn-ish/rustic-chic look. There are many contemporary photos, yet the flea-market, year's past look is throughout. You'll love the look if you like a mix of old and new. If you do, this is one of the best, most inspiring old country books I've seen.

I own many decorating books, and this one has prompted me to soon return to a quieter way of life, back in PA. If I can be inspired to leave the theatre, museums and fine-dining for a local-diner way of life, then this book's a keeper. The unbelievably low price makes this book a must for country affictionadios.

My absolute favorite decorating book.......2002-08-13

I adore this book. There is not a single page that does not inspire. The look is clean, uncluttered but with personality. I've used it as inspiration for a condominium redo, and have given copies as a gift to friends, all of whom love it.

Dissapointed.......1999-01-06

For those of us who fell in love with "Fabrications" this proved to be a big let down! The cold sparse presentation was unrewarding. Some of the historical backround was informative. However, that was not my reason for purchasing the book and I will probably be returning it. Besides, I have always been under the impression that "Country decor" was what ever the individual made it to be.

Book Description

Learn from the masters of digital photography with Digital Xposure. Twenty-five artists from around the world showcase the pinnacle of work that fuses the digital photographic image with digital media.

This guide highlights the work of each digitographer and features the software techniques applied and special effects utilized to create the artist's images. A visual cross-reference guide is also included linking the digital cameras and digital software with each image featured in the book. Explore the world of digital photography and create magic out of everyday objects.

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