Asphalt : A Novel

Book Description

Already a celebrated performance artist, vocalist, poet, playwright, and visionary, Carl Hancock Rux now presents a brilliant debut novel--a profound and lyrical portrait of urban life that will take its place among the classics of American literature.

Racine is a reserved young man, but his passion for music lights him up inside. He's just returned from Paris where he'd been invited by a friend to produce music, make recordings, and earn a living. The plan didn't quite pan out, and now he's back in New York, where fate, providence, or just plain chance leads him to a once-glorious brownstone turned into a squat by a few eccentric loners.

There's Manny, who wears sarongs and glitter but has no trouble attracting beautiful women, and Couchette, a gorgeous second-generation dancer whose mother has gone to Bali to live and bear a child with a man who built her a house in the midst of a rice paddy. What binds the characters is a deep sense of loss. Each is--like the city they live in--wounded and seeking healing and connection with and through the other housemates.

Rux's poetic fiction blurs the lines between characters' dreams, memory, and reality. Asphalt--the name representing the essence of the city and the hard, layered, yet vulnerable sensibility of its inhabitants--is part post-modern parable, part urban mythology, and altogether relevant to contemporary reality. Asphalt is daring and unforgettable, marking the arrival of an original and astounding new voice in American literature.

Customer Reviews:

Intriguing Read.......2005-04-16

In the lush heady atmosphere of a house party in a decaying Brooklyn mansion Racine mixes A Tribe Called Quest, Arvo Part, Rakim and Mary J. Blige. The DJ moves the crowd through a throbbing bass line. Loc's, Betty Paige bangs and sheared heads abound in the rich aesthetic of the underground in a post-war New York. The nuances of the urban moment and the self-discovery of colorful characters provide the backdrop for an artful piece of literature for the hip hop and neo-soul generation.

Racine is the quiet DJ who deftly blends genres and sounds and expresses himself through his wheels of steel. He finds himself in the deteriorating yet vibrant post-war Brooklyn after the death of his older brother and dearth of love under the care of foster parents in the south and New York City. While finding lodging in a neighborhood devastated by poverty and despair, he meets a band of intriguing souls. Manny, the ambiguously gay free spirit with a penchant for architectural history, Mawepi the stout bouncer and translator for the clairvoyant Holy Mother and Couchette, the scarred dancer mired in denial comprise his new family.

Immediately Racine finds himself creating the sonic backdrop for intense parties, orgies and conversations while Manny and the other residents chase their dreams in a transitional New York. Couchette is the troubled spirit with whom Racine shares physically intimate and emotionally frustrating moments. The story weaves in depictions of Racine's childhood, including his experiences in fostercare and ultimately forces a young man to reconcile his past and move on.

Rux infuses a tale set in a modern urban environment with ancient Greek mythology that informs several themes in the book. Racine the character is influenced by Hippolytus' Phaedra which was re-written by J.P. Racine. The story of a young man who is physically dismembered by a monstrous force on his journey is a recurring thread throughout Asphalt . The characters have to lose parts of themselves that they may not be aware are hindering their growth, in order to move on. And the personalities in Asphalt all employ different strategies for abandoning experiences that have consumed and distorted their views of reality and themselves.

As an Obie-winning playwright, spoken word artist and now novelist, Carl Hancock Rux has a masterful use of language which is evidenced throughout Asphalt . His description of a taciturn woman lying on the road and an intimidating lanky street orator selling socks are examples of the imaginative supporting characters. Similarly, Rux 's portrayal of the glorious yet depressed New York and the intensity of Racine's past, deeply orient the reader. At times the language is a bit too cerebral which obscures the clarity of events. Yet the descriptive quality of Rux 's work differentiates him from other contemporary young authors. Asphalt is compelling due to its complex and beautiful handling of topics such as child abuse, sexuality and the urban environment. Ultimately, the empirical emotion Rux integrates into his work coupled with his gift for prose makes Asphalt a challenging yet intriguing read.

Breakdown of Society.......2005-03-22

No one is better equipped to deal with the breakdown of society than the poet and playwright Carl Hancock Rux, who incidentally is also an awesome interpreter of his own work. Who knew that among his many skills was the ability to write a novel too? ASPHALT stands by itself as one of the year's most interesting novels. Have you ever seen the Altman movie, QUINTET, with Paul Newman? If so you will be viscerally reminded of that movie when you begin creezing through the opening chapters of ASPHALT, the ones that establish Racine as an underground DJ par excellence and the rundown brownstone he camps out in becomes a sort of United Nations of lost souls, each tenant lonely and frustrated, and frightened for the future, each one coming from a different post-colonial background.

In the Altman film, which treats a similar post-apocalyptic future, the survivors were largely white, even blue-eyed (including Newman, and co-stars Bibi Andersson and Nina Van Pallandt). There were a few "Latin types" including Fernando Rey and Vittorio Gassman, but outside of that it was all about racial blankness amid the Alaska tundra. Here the Brooklyn setting and the rapid back-and-forth flashbacks jarred by the frequent musical interludes give the reader the sensory excperience someone like David Mitchell is aiming for in books like CLOUD ATLAS.

Magnum Opus.......2004-12-01

Just finished this book. OUTSTANDING! Complicated in the most divine way. Rux is on to something that has nothing to do with the average easy read bookstores are pumping right now. This book is so relevant to right now and I haven't seen any other new black writers dealing with the political climate in America from the standpoint of people of color. Correction; Rux doesn't even paint a picture of the current political climate, he's on to the next canvas and it's stunning and heartbreaking.

Captivating.......2004-11-01

An urban tale written in a refreshing challenging intellectual style. Set in post apocalyptic Brooklyn, the main character struggles to build a life in a war zone. His physical surroundings play as an apt metaphor for his internal quest to make sense of who he is, where he came from and where he ultimately belongs.

Asphalt acclaim.......2004-10-31

LA Times
"Asphalt," (is) a hallucinatory journey...set in a sooty, just-a-day-after-tomorrow future. The book blends speculative fiction and myth with real-life post-9/11 unease embroidered throughout...enamored with densely arranged assemblages -quirky juxtapositions, blurry borders-spinning dross into gold...a grand-scale collage."

Jill Nelson, author of Sexual Healing
"Daring, intense, and provocative, in ASPHALT Hancock Rux fast forwards the novel form into a future that is unexpected, seductive and healing."

New York Press
"Asphalt, (is) a book taken with future apocalypses and the funky, oddly swaddled cast of characters littering that not-too-distant time in Brooklyn. In Asphalt , you get hetero guys in sequins and sarongs, back-from-Paris DJs and couch dancers named Couchette all vying for attention in a newly gentrifying netherworld that Rux ably and surrealistically, sweetly, ties together before the next set."

The Daily Pennsylvanian
"(Asphalt is) both arresting and disorienting. The cryptic opening scenes illustrate Rux's masterful use of language-remarkable....Asphalt is a triumph in several senses...a piece of true urban literature that appeals to the jaded sensibilities of young modern readers."

Greg Tate author of "Everything But the Burden"
"Asphalt gets at how the urban myth of 'keeping it real' must continually run up against the abstracting roadblocks and revelations of one's fractured inner truth and the even sexier surrealism of a Cosmopolis determined to remix your imagination at every turn. Like Celine's Journey, Baraka's System and Delany's Dahlgren this is a novel where the mythopoeic modern city is the real protagonist and the ostensible hero, like all of us, is just a squirrel trying not to nut out."

LA Weekly
"Asphalt...is thick with images of and meditations on terror and terrorism...underscoring emotion and politics, allowing Rux to excavate the damaged inner lives of his characters while ruminating on how the world around them feeds their despair and dares them to rise above self and surroundings. "

Booklist
"Rux's lyrical writing blurs the lines between dreamscape and reality. A dazzling portrait of urban life."

Publishers Weekly
"Lyrically drawn...an elegantly gloomy addition to Rux's artistic achievements."

Brooklyn Rail
"Asphalt is a beautifully written book...as horrifying to read as it is full of hope."

Black Issues Book Review
"The first lines of this first fiction effort promises a mélange of literary forms and edgy melancholy characters...part postmodern parable, part contemporary urban portrait...parts aside, it is fully formed, like an existential poem."

Blether Book Reviews
"Carl Hancock Rux provides a deep look at disturbed individuals in environs in which no one can dodge a world on the abyss."

Average customer rating:

Crime in The Dark City
Seminal caper novel
classic caper novel
a forgotten classic; the orginial Reservoir Dogs

The asphalt jungle
W. R Burnett
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

ASIN: B0007FU4QS

Download Description

A film noir style thriller about the Chicago gangland

Customer Reviews:

Crime in The Dark City.......2004-10-06

THE ASPHALT JUNGLE is probably one of the earliest crime caper stories written in which the details of the planning, execution and aftermath of a crime are explained. It may not be the first book of its kind but it's certainly the earliest that I can remember reading and is a terrific study of the interactions of a diverse group of individuals who are all dependent on one another for the success of their operation.

We are softened up right at the opening of the book with a statement from the new Chief of Police acknowledging that the crime rate in their (unnamed) city was at disturbing levels. He follows this up by vowing that he was going to make a difference and clean up the city while he was running the police force.

We switch over to the criminals where a plan is being organised by a mastermind criminal known as Herr Doktor, a very unlikely looking little man who has just been released from prison. Doc is after three reliable men to help him carry out his plan and asks a small-time bookie named Cobby for help assembling them. Cobby's link to Doc is through Doc's cellmate from prison. The plan that Doc has cooking is of a jewellery heist that could be worth half a million dollars.

They recruit Gus, a small hunchbacked man with a bad temper as their driver, Louis "Schemer" Bellini as their lockman and the largely unknown quantity of a man named Dix as their muscle. They then turn to a crooked lawyer named Emmerich to stake the operation. Emmerich is well known in criminal circles for his wealth and tight lips, but little do the conspiring thieves know that his fortune has dwindled to the point where he is now just about broke. The prospect of such a huge take is almost too much for Emmerich to conceal his enthusiasm agreeing to finance the operation while secretly planning a double cross would solve his financial woes.

Even though the planning is impeccable, problems occur during the heist and the way in which the makeshift team works together is critical to their success. It's this aspect of the story that becomes the main focus once the robbery is over and the pressure of evading an ever tightening police dragnet is applied.

W.R. Burnett has written a wonderful story of desperation, deception and mistrust set in a gritty world of tough criminals and equally tough cops. He has given his caper the suitably dark setting of a brooding city rife with corruption as he dangles the promise of vast wealth just out of reach of his flawed characters.

Seminal caper novel.......2003-10-14

In Little Caesar ,W R Burnett wrote a classic and pivotal novel of the rise of gangsterism .Twenty years later ,in 1949 ,he wrote The Asphalt Jungle and in so doing introduced most of the elements of the caper novel -a complicated robbery for big stakes is planned and we the reader watch as events unfold from planning to execution.
The switch from the emphasis on individualism and the charismatic figure of the gangster to this novel where the emphasis is on teamwork ,planning and the meticulous application of specialist skills is in many ways refelective of societal change and the shift away from crime as an individual response ,to crime as a corporate entity .

The plotting ,as befits the subject,is mechanical and the caper is laid out before the reader ;it is precisely timed and requires absolute adherence to detail and schedule in order to work.

The contrast between this cold impersonal planning and the unpredictability of human emotions and behaviour is pivotal to the story and exposes the folly of any plans which fail to take the human element into account

Burnett is good at showing the clash between the criminals and the cops and succeeds in dividing reader loyalties -the two sides are opposed but share common characteristics.

Good pulp writing and a slick piece of gem bright plotting

classic caper novel.......2003-01-30

Though numerous susbsequent imitations have taken some of the edge off this classic novel, it is still a powerful look into the seedy underworld of post-WWII America (Burnett knows the milieu-- he was one of the first on the scene of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and once worked as a night clerk at a hotel frequented by lowlifes and criminals). While it is a caper novel (the first one, in fact), it has less to do with the mechanics of carrying out a major crime (in this case, a million-dollar jewelry store heist) than it does with the interplay of the gangsters. H. R. F. Keating ranks it as one of the 100 best crime and mystery books, yet it seems as if Burnett's work has been largely (and unjustly) forgotten today.

a forgotten classic; the orginial Reservoir Dogs.......2002-11-03

The Asphalt Jungle is perhaps best known for its 1950s film adaptation (..supposedly a real good movie). However little do most folks realize the screenplay was co-authored by the man (Burnett) who wrote the original novel. The novel is generally available in paperback form in the UK but only as an "e-book" in the USA. This is a shame because I was surprised at how wonderful a story The Asphalt Jungle really is.

Okay, so what *is* the story? It is about a bunch of low-life criminals planning a jewelry store heist. The characters are an eclectic bunch (rednecks, blue collar immigrants, a German "doctor", a wealthy lawyer). Each person is greedy and distrustful of each other. Despite carefully planning the heist doesn't come off terribly well. Tragically, it is the individual weaknesses of the characters and the mutual distrust which ultimately leads to catastrophic consequences.

While the story might sound somewhat formulaic (..Reservoir Dogs seems almost like a modern film adaptation of it) I found the book to be a most enjoyable read. The prose has a tight feel, and the characterizations are simply wonderful. I plan to seek out other works by Burnett such as Little Caesar.

Bottom line: a classic. Strongly recommended.

Book Description

Naoto starts to feel more and more at home in Orgos, the world of his dreams, than in the real, waking world. Magic-user Lusia awakens to the voice of Lucavifate that rings out within her-in a voice that tells her to kill their oppressors, the Elphis. It looks like she's going to lose total control, but then she realizes that there's something that can help keep her in check - Naoto. Naoto continues to be chided for his lack of progress in his magical training. He can't seem to get things to work when he wants, but when he least expects it, magical powers manifest themselves - sometimes disastrously! Naoto works himself into a fever trying to master the magical arts. Meanwhile, the Elphis start to realize the threat that Lusia poses - and prepare to take action. Will Naoto be able to focus his power long enough to help?

Average customer rating:

Desert Coral, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 141767458X

Average customer rating:

Sparta has to solve another crime, but this time its on the Moon.

The perfect series for young adult girls

A Great Story

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 2
Paul Preuss , Jim Burns , and Arthur C. Clarke
Manufacturer: I Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Clarke, Arthur C. | ( C ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Preuss, Paul | ( P ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
High Tech | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 4: The Medusa Encounter

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 3

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 5

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 6

Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime 1

ASIN: 0671038990

Book Description

The second volume of the spectacular science-fiction thriller evolving from the works of Arthur C. Clarke, grandmaster of science fiction and author of 2001: a space odyssey..

Her code name is Sparta. Her beauty veils a mysterious past and abilities of superhuman dimension-the product of advanced biotech engineering.

When a team of scientists is trapped in the gaseous inferno of Venus, Sparta must risk her life to save them, unaware that her actions will help recover a mysterious artifact: irrefutable evidence of life on another planet. .

As the secrets of the artifact are revealed, Sparta uncovers a mystery which may lead her to the truth of her own destiny.

This gripping saga brings together the genius of Arthur C. Clarke and the talents of distinguished science-fiction writer Paul Preuss.

The book has an introduction by Arthur c. Clarke.

You can share your thoughts about Arthur c.

Download Description

A sci-fi thriller evolving from the works of Arthur C. Clarke

Customer Reviews:

Sparta has to solve another crime, but this time its on the Moon........2005-07-13

Sparta is a biologically enhanced woman who is on a personal mission to find her parents or the man who killed them. In order to do this she takes on a new identity, Ellen Troy, and rises to the rank of investigator in the Board of Space Control. With the help of her childhood friend, Blake Redfield, she begins to unravel the mysteries behind her biological enhancements and the group that calls themselves the Free Spirits.

In this second volume, Preuss does an excellent job of continuing the suspense and drama that made the first book so intriguing. Not only does each book hold a mystery in and of itself, but the series as a whole is a mystery in which the reader picks up clues along the way. Quite an interesting concept that I've not seen in the mystery/suspense genre. However, this technique does seem to lend itself to sci-fi where the reader is used to stories that continue past a single book.

The perfect series for young adult girls.......2001-03-01

I love that Sparta's intelligence is what we see as her "super power" along with her technological "improvements". She is not a heroine who has "super strength" but rather super character. The plot is fast paced keeps you guessing and defineltly can hold even the video gamers attention. Only complaint; the book describes Sparta with blue eyes not hazel which is on the cover and her body is described not quite as thin and "top heavey" as on the cover.

A Great Story.......2000-12-17

I found this book to be a really excellent story. There were many places where I did not want to put the book down, so I made time to finish the section I was reading. Several times I exclaimed, "wow" aloud while reading on the Metro. It is easy to image-in what the author was writing, so I felt as though I was right there. I am looking forward to finding and reading venus prime 1 thru 5!

At first I felt put off by two things. First, the picture of the woman on the cover, while appealing, did cause me to refrain from leaving the book lying around for my 8-year old daughter to see. This book does not need sex to sell. Second, I was put off by the fact that Arthur Clarke was not authoring it. But I gave it a shot anyway, and I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised.

Average customer rating:
Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime, Maelstrom (Volume 2)
Paul Preuss
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000S5UTVC

Average customer rating:
First 4 Titles in Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime Series - Volumes 1 2 3 4 - Breaking Strain - Maelstrom - The Medusa Encounter - Hide and Seek
Paul Preuss
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000PGATIM

Product Description

First 4 Mass Market Paperback Titles in Arthur C. Clarke's Venus Prime Series - Volumes 1 2 3 4 - Breaking Strain - Maelstrom - The Medusa Encounter - Hide and Seek

Average customer rating:

Really unique recipes

Excellent!

just like mom's

Lebanese Family Comfort Food

A Classic

Lebanese Cuisine: More than 200 Simple, Delicious, Authentic Recipes
Madelain Farah
Manufacturer: Four Walls Eight Windows
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Middle Eastern | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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Kibbee 'N' Spice and Everything Nice : Popular and Easy Recipes for the Lebanese and American Family

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The Arab Table: Recipes and Culinary Traditions

From the Tables of Lebanon: Traditional Vegetarian Cuisine

ASIN: 1568581793

Book Description

As a young girl, Madelain Farah spent hours watching her mother cook. Capturing her mother’s “a pinch of this” technique, she has re-created recipes for everything from Arabic Bread, Lentil Soup, and Eggplant Salad, to Baked Fish with Tahini Sauce, Supreme Lamb Stew with Kibbi, and the classic Cucumber Yogurt Salad.

Customer Reviews:

Really unique recipes.......2007-05-08

I wore out my first copy of this book. The book contains many, healthy and unique recipes. I highly recommend.

Excellent!.......2006-08-09

This is a great choice if you want to cook great tasting Lebanese food. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes to eat.
Five stars all the way!

just like mom's.......2006-06-26

This book has the best recipes. They remind me of my mom and grandma's. The preface sounds as if I wrote it myself. My sisters and I have been tiring for years to get the exact measurements of our favorite dishes and cookies. Thank you for writing them down. Even the smallest details are there (use cold water when mixing the kibbi meat. Thanks again, I'm ordering for each of my children and friends.

Lebanese Family Comfort Food.......2006-06-06

I discovered this book about 25 years ago and have been using it and giving it as gifts to children, relatives and friends for so many years. My edition is stained and worn but I have kept a new one wrapped and tucked away for the day on which I will retire the original. I'm delighted that it has been reissued; I can stop saving that wrapped copy.

My family is Lebanese; my grandparents emigrated at a young age to the U.S. in the 1890s and although my grandmother and aunts taught me many recipes, we moved to another state before I could learn everything. Dr. Farah's book filled in many of the blank spots as did Rose Dosti's wonderful "Middle Eastern Cooking" and Anissa Helou's "Lebanese Cuisine."

I prepare Lebanese food several times a week at home because we like it and it is so healthy (not including desserts). When I became a chef/owner of an upscale catering business some years ago, I used many of Dr. Farah's recipes for my clients who were constantly asking for more. We are fortunate in my area to have a large Middle Eastern grocery where I can find all ingredients specified but many can also be ordered from on-line retailers or found in some health food stores.

Sometimes when I make a recipe it reminds me so much of being at Sitti's house that I just want to cry -- the aroma, the taste, the texture -- I can just see us all sitting around the big wooden kitchen table when I was a little girl. This book is not only about the cuisine, it is about family and wishes that so many of those family members were still alive to enjoy our meals with us.

A Classic.......2005-09-27

This is the best basic cookbook for Lebanese food. My family has been giving the book as a gift to new members for years, so that each generation can learn how to keep the traditions going. The recipes are concise and easy to follow. Everything tastes just like grandmother's!

Book Description

"A practical, down-to-earth guide...Well organized and easy to read and to understand."

CAT FANCY

World-renowed pet behaviorist Warren Eckstein shows you how to walk with your cat, make it come when called, play for hours without ruining your plants and furniture, and more, in this warm, readable guide for feline lovers everywhere. Here are on-the-mark observations, wonderful insights, and step-by-step advice for: Alleviating kitty stress and nervousness; Coping with feline old age; Exercising your beloved mouser, and much more. Plus: diet, grooming, and dentistry tips.

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

My Kitties Of Mass Destruction.......2007-06-28

Hmmmm... this book was a little too warm and fuzzy for me, and my cats still don't do what I want them to do. I like to call them my kitties of mass destruction.

I know the above statement doesn't really offer any constructive criticism so let me see if I can put into words what I didn't like about this book. Warren and Fay seem to be very caring and compassionate animal lovers but there didn't seem to be a whole lot of practical advice regarding getting cats to do what you want.

There were however, lots of cute stories about their animals sprinkled with a bit of advice - most of which I'd already heard. It was a nice read if you like animals (which I do) but not much help in the whole "getting them to do what you want" area.

Fluffy book about "Fluffy".......2007-03-11

I found this book uninformative and a waste of money. I'm sorry that I din't buy a used book. This book was too cute with too many cute stories. I was more interested in learning about cat behavioral problems and how to solve them. I lost patience with this book. A very silly book.

All fluff and no facts.......2007-02-09

If Warren Eckstein had chosen to market this book as a collection of entertaining pet anecdotes and essays, I would have no problem giving it five stars.

However, he's attempting to pass this book off as a step-by-step animal training guide, which it is not.

I found it unstructured and impractical in terms of how to physically train a cat to do anything; perhaps the advice was hidden among the inane Kittyspeak, in which Eckstein insisted on writing? It's good that he understands that cats are intelligent and need to have their attention engaged so they don't becoming bored furniture fungus. Unfortunately he doesn't get that many readers are the same way. Both cats and humans of a bookish bent will end up languishing in their chairs and reading Nietzsche when continually addressed like four-year old children -- i.e. bored out of their skulls.

This book offers little in the way of research or references to support his perspective on animal training. There is no bibliography, and in fact, he often claims that his beliefs are to the contrary of most trainers' experience or scientific findings.

For example, he believes that cats only purr when happy, despite the fact that studies have shown the purr's frequency helps to mend broken bones (which is why cats also purr when stressed). He disses behavioral theory in such an off-hand way that I wonder if he knows who BF Skinner is at all, and that numerous modern trainers utilize the methods of positive reinforcement (for both animal and human subjects) with excellent results.

Karen Pryor's book "Don't Shoot The Dog!" was a far more insightful, contructive and beneficial read in terms of training my cat (as well as dealing with animals and people in general). I would recommend it over this ball of fluff any day.

How To Get Your Cat To Do What You Want.......2007-01-12

This book has so much good information - even for a long time cat owner like me. Warren Eckstein has an impressive background in animal training and understanding in animal psychology! In this book he provides wonderful insights into the psychology of cats. This book has greatly helped me with an adopted older kitty. His recommendations have helped me establish a better relationship with a sensitive kitty who has had a difficult history. I highly recommend his book!

Helpful and funny.......2006-03-17

The book gave some really great pointers...but I wish it would have mentioned how do deal with different cat personalities. He generalized a bit...I still cant get my little brat to make eye contact with me but he does enjoy baths.

Average customer rating:

How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want

Manufacturer: Villard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HOG8DC

Product Description

Help on training your cat to sit, take walks, stop scratching the furniture. How to treat your cat in a loving manner and become friends.

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How To Get Your Cat To Do What You Want
Warren Eckstein
Manufacturer: Villard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PUSFMA

How to Talk to Your Cat and Get it to Do What You Want

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How to Talk to Your Cat and Get it to Do What You Want
Lynn Allison
Manufacturer: Globe Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000IZV5R4

Average customer rating:

How to talk to Your Cat and Get it to Do What You Want
Lynn Allison
Manufacturer: Globe Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N13WKG

How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want: A Loving Way to Teach Your Cat to Sit, Stay, Take Walks--And Anything Else You Want

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How to Get Your Cat to Do What You Want: A Loving Way to Teach Your Cat to Sit, Stay, Take Walks--And Anything Else You Want
Warren and Fay Eckstein
Manufacturer: Villard Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000HMSH6A

Book Description

Not since 1956 when Elmer Keith came out with his classic Sixguns has such a comprehensive book on handguns been offered! In Handbook of Handguns, Timothy J. Mullin, author of the "Testing the War Weapons" series, brings pistols into the 21st century. This handbook features more than 40 chapters on all aspects of handguns, including choosing the right police, military and personal defense pistol; learning to shoot one- and two-handed; getting the right pistol-ammo combination; carrying spare ammo and guns; selecting the proper carry method; setting up a shooting school curriculum; collecting handguns; and much more. A must-read for all those interested in firearms or combat shooting.

Customer Reviews:

Better title would be: "Handbook of Handgunnery".......2003-08-25

First of all, the title was misleading, second, the author threw in a few chapters of instructions on making guns trace-proof, how to make zip guns, and other extreamist rightwing jargon. On the other hand, the rest of the book is informative, and provides a nice overview of handguns in general. So, its a good book to have if you are thinking about aquiring a pistol, but not for details about specific guns.

Not recommended.......2003-02-16

This book is quite disappointing. It's title is misleading, since it is in no way "A Comprehensive Evaluation of Military, Police, Sporting, and Personal-Defense Pistols." Mr. Mullin does not evaluate any particular pistols. He does go into the history of the pistol in general and he discusses certain points about revolvers and automatics and calibers, however, this book promises a lot and delivers little. Anyone with a basic knowledge of handguns will find little new or worthwhile here.

The "chapters" of the book often consist of a page or two and offer no real useful information or advice. The author also loves to speak about himself and even includes himself in his list of "shooting notables"...a highly questionable inclusion! One definately gets the impression that Mr. Mullin loves himself and Smith & Wesson, but he doesn't give shooters new to handguns what they need.

I don't want to bash a fellow gun-lover, and Mr. Mullin does offer a few points of interest, but anyone looking for good info on handguns is better served elsewhere. If you are looking for a real evaluation of handguns, try books by Gene Gangarosa Jr. Also, a great book on almost all other aspects of handgun shooting, training and concealed carry is "The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery" by Massad Ayoob.

One reviewer here (Midwest Review) quoted the back of the book and then gave it 5 stars. I think it gives every book it reviews 5 stars...I would question that and would suggest that Amazon check into that reviewer's practices and (fake?) reviews. I give this book 1 star.

Authoritative referemce that needed editing.......2002-08-10

Useful for the reader, like myself, who knows nothing about handguns. But wordy, poorly organized, and assumes knowledge of guns (&gun acronyms) that novice readers don't possess. Still, this is apparently the only up-to-date reference available on all aspects of handgun ownership, so worth owning for that reason.

An authoritative discussion on all aspects of handguns.......2001-06-05

In Handbook Of Handguns: A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Military, Police, Sporting, And Personal-Defense Pistols, Timothy Mullin presents a comprehensive and authoritative discussion on all aspects of handguns. This invaluable and informative reference will enable readers to choose the right pistol for their purposes; shoot a handgun accurately with both the strong and weak hands, as well as with two-handed grips; learn the gunfighting rules that give the best shot of surviving an gunfire exchange; arrive at the proper handgun/ammo combinations for specific scenarios; determine which modifications can make a handgun better (and which are best left undone); whether or not to carry spare ammo and/or a spare gun; considerations for carrying concealed weapons; selecting an appropriate carry method for any situation; setting up a shooting school curriculum; and even collecting handguns for fun and profit. If you are contemplating obtaining a pistol, or how best to care for and employ and pistol you already own, the Handbook Of Handguns is an invaluable reference and highly recommended reading for your safety and well-being.

Average customer rating:
Clever Clay Creations: 11 Cute Polymer Clay Projects for All Through the Year
Shelly Comiskey
Manufacturer: Hot Off the Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1562314408

Book Description

11 x 8 1/2 50 color and 200 black-and-white illustrations North American Distribution GRAPHIC NOVEL An enthralling history of the American comics industry from a renowned leader in the field, packed with dazzling artwork of the comic book characters readers know and love. The Amazing World of Carmine Infantino offers a fascinating first-hand history of American comics, from its infancy to the formation of a thriving industry-all through the eyes and experiences of a living legend. During his unprecedented 60-year career, Carmine Infantino has held nearly every job there is in the field of comics. As a young freelancer, he contributed to comics' Golden Age with memorable renditions of Green Lantern, Flash, Airboy, and the Heap. Later, he became an architect of DC comics' Silver Age with his co-creation of the new Flash and other science fiction-themed comic books. In 1964, he became indispensable to the Batman legacy, revitalizing the Caped Crusader with the "new look" Batman. Ascending the corporate ladder, Carmine was first Editorial Director, then Publisher, and ultimately President of DC Comics. After leaving DC Comics, Carmine went on to teaching as well as animation and comics work. A treasure trove of incredible artwork, as well as a wonderful source of personal anecdotes from a legend in the field, The Amazing World of Carmine Infantino offers a rare insider's view of the comics industry that will fascinate comic lovers everywhere. Includes introduction by comics industry leader Joe Kubert

Customer Reviews:

A Must Buy for Comics Fans.......2005-11-26

This wonderful book tells the story of Carmine Infantino- one of the true legends of the comic's biz. In addition to being one of the most prolific cover artists of DC's Silver Age, Infantino is credited with a host of distinctions. He drew Green Lantern and the Flash during the Golden Age and co-created Black Canary. He designed the look for Barry Allen and as such is the very first artist to draw the Silver Age Flash for Show Case #4- credited with launching the Silver Age of Comics. His artwork is generally regarded as the very best to ever grace the covers and pages of the Flash. His work on Adam Strange outsold all other Sci-Fi comics before or since with the exception of one title- Star Wars (and it was Infantino himself who, as the artist drawing the early Star Wars comics for Marvel, helped the series beat his own record on Mystery in Space). He also designed and was the first artist to draw Barbara Gordon as Batgirl, creating the Silver Age character that would go on to appear in the hugely popular Adam West and Burt Ward TV show. He also created a new Batman villain, Poison Ivy. His other credits include Airboy, the JLA, Spider-Woman, Suberboy, Charlie Chan, and other titles too numerous to list. Perhaps most importantly Infantino is credited with saving the Batman line of comics from cancellation with his "new look" Batman, re-designed Batmobile and other Bat gadgets. He became editor, publisher, and ultimately president of DC Comics. "The Amazing World of Carmine Infantino" is a true must buy for any comics fan!

tribute to a past master.......2004-07-24

This is a long overdue book. From the Flash to Adam Strange, Infantino has (along with Jack Kirby) practically defined the look of the Silver Age of comics. Very nicely illustrated and with an intelligent text, you will not be disappointed. A "must buy!"

Average customer rating:

AMAZING WORLD OF CARMINE INFANTINO
By Carmine Infantino and J. David Spurlock. Introduction by Joe Kubert.
Manufacturer: Vanguard,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RFBW6E

Amazing world of Carmine Infantino: An autobiography

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Amazing world of Carmine Infantino: An autobiography
Carmine Infantino
Manufacturer: Vanguard Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1887591117

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Amazing World of DC Comics No. 1
Carmine, Pub Infantino
Manufacturer: National Periodical Publications Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VDX71A

Amazing World of DC Comics, July 1974 (1)

Average customer rating:

Amazing World of DC Comics, July 1974 (1)
Publisher Carmine Infantino
Manufacturer: National Periodical Pubs.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OHD0SI

Average customer rating:

Please Save Us From This Non-Sense!

Terrific Read

Be responsible for yourself

A Christian woman let this be the title of her book

Brilliant!

Pimps, Whores and Welfare Brats: From Welfare Cheat to Conservative Messenger
Star Parker
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

African-American & Black | Ethnic & National | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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Customer Reviews:

Please Save Us From This Non-Sense!.......2007-06-19

I am so tired of "Christians" in the media wrongly defining Christianity. New flash, Ms. Parker: Christ was about compassion, not judgement. How does a born-again Christian possibly support so many conservative views? Is she kidding? I'm an African-American born-again Christian who is a liberal. How can that be? Well, I believe that people should be hired and advance on their jobs based upon their education and experience, so I support Affirmative Action programs that ensure fair hiring practices. I don't like the idea of abortions and I do believe that life begins at the stage on conception, but I would never stand outside of an abortion clinic and judge the women who choose to exercise their constitutional right because I don't know what their story is and what brought them to the clinic that day. I pray for their social and mental healing instead. I believe, as Christ expressed when He was here on earth, that salvation is possible for anyone, even murderers. Therefore, I do not support the death penalty. In fact, I'm not sure how any Christian can settle injecting another person with a lethal combination of drugs. Didn't the Lord say, "Vengence is mine"?
Ms. Parker has a right to her opinions and to write all the books she wants, but let's not confuse her views with that of Christian beliefs. Christ is about love, grace and forgiveness. So, Ms. Parker, with your foreward by of all people, Rush Limbaugh, please stop dragging Christ into you mess!

Terrific Read.......2007-05-26

Hahahaha I wonder how many "Christian Women" reviewing this book are welfare cheats, ho's and drug users as well as chronic gamblers playing lotto and the illegal church run numbers rackets. She is exposing you and your phony christianity and you hate her for it. You cant sleep with a new preacher or drug dealer every night then jump into your church outfit and play god on the weekend to make amends with your conscience. This has been the game for too long and it has led you to more drinking and carousing as well as thousands of unwanted children.

Be responsible for yourself.......2006-08-01

Star Parker began life as an Air Force brat. She hung with a bad crowd and ended up on welfare. With the moral support of friends she got out of all that and made something of her life. Star Parker is proof that welfare is not for generations to live on, but with a little personal ambition and responsibility for one's self you can be someone.

A Christian woman let this be the title of her book.......2005-12-12

All i can say is that how can a christian woman have this as a title to a book

Brilliant!.......2005-05-02

Ms. Parker's story is a true eye-opener, exposing the tragic consequences of misplaced American compassion whereby people are given fish rather than taught to fish, creating hopeless dependency rather than joyful self-suffiency. This should be required reading.

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