Pale as the Dead: A Genealogical Mystery (Signet Mystery)

Book Description

Natasha Blake is a detective with a difference. She's an ancestor detective, an ambitious young genealogist with a passion for history, whose choice of career is partly driven by the mystery of her own roots. Natasha's investigations are a matter of life and death, involving secrets, scandals and supernatural happenings; forgotten tragedies and buried crimes. The trails she must follow lead her from her Cotswold home to ancient houses, deserted chapels, overgrown graveyards and into cyberspace. Her clients could be anyone for whom the past affects the present - the haunted, the hopeful, or the just plain curious. The disappearance of a young girl, Bethany, appears to be linked in some way to Lizzie Siddall, the haunting, ethereal Pre-Raphaelite model and artist, wife of painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Lizzie's tragic life was cut short by an overdose of laudanum. Was it accident or suicide? Why is Bethany so obsessed with her, and at the same time so determined to put herself beyond the reach of her lover, Adam?

Customer Reviews:

Pale As the Dead.......2007-02-21

A great book for those interested in genealogy. Keeps you on your toes to the very end.

Heavy on atmosphere.......2006-12-06

Being an amateur genealogist and an avid mystery fan I could not resist picking up both novels when I saw them. Add the fact that my daughter is named after the sister of one of the players of the past in the little mystery I thought the novel would be a good reading fit.

It was on several levels. Natasha Blake is an interesting heroine. The genealogical process was well presented and the novel is full of atmosphere.

However I can't say I was enthralled with the other characters very much. Blake's adopted family was a bit "cold" and I did not see the attraction of her father and his proclivities. The missing girl seemed somewhat flighty (as did many of the characters she involved herself with)and as someone mentioned her re-entrance back to the story a bit anticlimatic. As in most of these stories where romance provides a motive or background the male-the photographer Adam Mason-was definitely more interesting but the biggest mystery of the novel was why anyone was attracted to anyone because frankly everyone seemed to be like ships passing in the night in their relationships.

Again the process of discovery of the genealogical family story was well done even if the rationale for the whole investigation was a bit shaky. Genealogy is like that -more of a discovery -an unraveling,time consuming discovery. Most mystery novels have a degree of urgency to reach the resolution which I did not find here. All in all an interesting story-an unusual premise-a decent main character as an investigator.

Quiet, understated English mystery.......2006-06-04

Pale as the Dead by Fiona Mountain is the first book in the Natasha Blake series. Natasha is a professional genealogist who is contacted by a mysterious young women's boyfriend after the girl's disappearance. The only clue to her identity is an old diary that Natasha uses to find out who she really is and why she's gone. At first I was a bit put off by the distant writing style Mountain uses throughout the book, but as I continued reading, I could see that it is merely Natasha's way of looking at the world and that Mountain's writing is brilliant at portraying that. I was hoping for more in the way of actual family tree investigation, but I can see that Mountain is really setting up Natasha with a series of minor characters who will make appearances in future novels, and perhaps there will be a bit more depth to everyone in those. (The next book Bloodline is already at the top of my stack).

Unusual premise for a mystery.......2005-09-01

Genealogist Natasha Blake is asked to find a photographer Adam's missing girlfriend Bethany, because the young woman is obsessed with an artist's model from 100+ years ago, and the only clue he has is that she left him a journal from one of her ancestors.

The good:
The genealogical investigation itself. It was fascinating, with its blend of historical and fictional characters, and the convincing way in which one clue leads to another.
The characters, particularly genealogist Natasha Blake and the artist's model Bethany Marshall. They're richly drawn and understandable.
The tone. The story has a dreamy, at times almost surreal feel to it, fitting perfectly with the art.
The research. It was very thorough, providing rich detail without resorting to infodumps.

The bad:
The premise. It didn't seem realistic that Adam would ask a genealogist to find his missing girlfriend, or that there was any reason to believe she could be successful.
The attraction between Natasha and Adam. It threw me every time it came up, because I couldn't see a foundation for it or point to it.
The solution. There was a lot of build-up, but the ending itself was anticlimactic.

The verdict:
I liked the main character and the genealogical investigation enough to recommend this one with reservations, and to check out the next one.

Strong on character and atmosphere, weak on plot.......2005-01-12

Pale as the Dead is a promising first mystery that -- like many first mysteries -- is strong on character and atmosphere, and a bit weak on plot. In Natasha Blake, Mountain has created a character with an interesting profession and enough personal problems to see us through several more installments of the promised series. Mountain writes evocatively of the Cotswolds (where Natasha lives) and of London and Oxford (where she often goes to do research). And she's obviously done a great deal of research on a number of subjects (the pre-Raphaelites, the profession of genealogy, medical issues), and manages to work the results of her research into the book without stopping it dead in its tracks.

The problem is that the solution to the mystery (at least, the 21st-century part of the mystery) seems anti-climactic, after everything that came before it. But everything up to that point was so good, that slight flaw won't stop me from reading the next Natasha Blake mystery.

Pale As the Dead: A Genealogical Mystery

Average customer rating:

Pale As the Dead: A Genealogical Mystery
Fiona Mountain
Manufacturer: Signet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000L907QC

Book Description

Chiaki is the orphaned daughter of the Archangel Michael and a human woman. Ororon is a devil with a bounty on his head. Together, they struggle to stay alive as the battle between devils and the angelic order rage around them.

Customer Reviews:

Surprising, Honestly..........2006-12-17

This really was a wonderful series. I went into it with a lot of doubt. Imagine my surprise by the time I got to the fourth book and read the near-heart breaking intro by the gentleman responsible for the English adaptation...I was hooked to the very end. And that gentleman was right. As a reader, I really was disappointed in the end. Life isn't a fairytale. Happy endings aren't always a guarantee even in a book.
I lift my glass and offer a toast to Chiaki and Ororon. Anyone who has doubts, don't. I promise you will walk away feeling a strange contentment. If anything, it will offer you something to think about, beyond the normal trivial longings of day-to-day life.
Enjoy.

Deviously Delicious!.......2005-09-04

The Demon Ororon is an awesome manga! I was extrememly skeptical at first because when I opened it up I saw Chiaki and Ororon's immediate attraction to her and lets just say that I was confused for a while. Was Chiaki a girl or boy? lol No seriously though, after reading further I loved it! I loved Ororon and began to connect with the characters on some level.
As far as the art goes, well its something you need to get used to. I notice that it differenciates while maintaining an almost liberal style. You can tell that Hakase Mizuki sticks to her art and doesn't copy off of others. She's comfortable with her work and thats what makes a great manga artist. In the end, all I can say is this, if you are a manga fan by any means, Ororon is one series that you must check out.

Don't let the beginning discourage you...or mislead you.......2005-05-10

This manga is wonderful, but you wouldn't be able to tell by reading the first volume. It starts off really shaky as Mizuki Hakase tries to introduce too much, too fast, and it's hard to even figure out what direction the story is heading in. Characters like the cat demons Shiro and Kuro seem to be just a failed attempt to add humor, and the developing romance between Chiaki and Ororon is as forced and unbelievable as the events that brought them together (a teenage girl practically begging a complete stranger to come and live with her...a demon king agreeing to live with some random little girl? Ooookay...)

However, once you've struggled through the unorganized chaos of the first volume, you will find yourself swept away into the lives of these unforgettable characters. Even though The Demon Ororon is full of battles, fighting, ruthless killing, and lots of blood and gore (it took me a few seconds before I realized those things that one of the characters is holding are actually his intestines hanging out of the hole in his stomach), the main focus of the story is still the characters and their complex relationships with each other. The heart-wrenching sadness that Chiaki feels when she is torn about her feelings for Ororon, the frustration Ororon feels when he realizes that he is unable to make Chiaki happy...as mismatched as the two characters were at first, by the end of the story I was really rooting for them.

But it's dangerous to become too attached to any of the characters in a story like this. The plot is incredibly dark and tragic, so if you're looking for a lighthearted, feel-good manga, this is not for you. Hopelessness and depression surround all the events in this story, sometimes lurking quietly in the background during a more uplifting scene, giving you the uneasy feeling that disaster and blood-shed aren't far away, other times staring you directly in the face as innocent children are molested and slaughtered. But the violence and blood are never used just for shock value, rather they are there to show you the extent of the horrible world that Chiaki and her friends have been unwillingly sucked into.

The story is also incredibly thought provoking, both religiously and philosophically, and it raises a lot of questions about good and evil and whether the line between them is really as defined as some people believe it to be.

The drawing style that Mizuki Hakase uses is very...different. The characters have unnaturally long limbs and strangely drawn faces that definitely take some getting used to. Some of the characters look similar and it gets really confusing trying to discern who's who, but I still loved most of the artwork and thought it fit well with the mood of the story.

Overall, The Demon Ororon is an excellent story filled with realistic and likable characters that will make you laugh, cry, and...mostly cry. But if you enjoy reading darker manga with engaging and suspenseful storylines, you will not be disappointed with this one.

Absolutely The Best!.......2004-12-05

When I went to the store to buy the third book, They had only one copy of vol. 4 and none of vol.3. So I picked up vol. 4 and I do not regret it at all. I understood what was going on most of the time and the power it brings forth is incredible. I bought the first volume because it had unique artwork and it seemed interesting. I was not wrong. The way the charachters interact with each other is phenominal and it is the most easy set of charachters to connect with.
The story moves along with such intensity and you are left with nothing but sorrow for the people and the questions it brings forth. " Is the only death the only reason of life?"," Where does a devil go when he dies?"
The only down side to the series was I was waiting for Chiaki to freak out and destroy the world or something. They say she is the savior yet all she does is cry when the one she loves suffers more than ever.
But other than that, I am glad with how the story ends, And I am looking forward to the volume I skipped.

Angels and Devils.......2004-10-01

This is one of my absolute favorite mangas out there.

The simplistic art is very deceiving. You come in expecting a typical 'Romeo and Juliet' style story and instead come away with a story filled with philosophical questions, a touch of humor, and characters who you learn to love that have to live in a terrible situation.

In the whole story the question is why. Why are demons considered evil? Why are angels considered good? Why do people have to die? Why hasn't anyone heard from God in years? Why can't people just live together happily? Why are people so alone?

The first volume is deceptive and lulls you in. It is filled with everyday shots, not yet dealing with the harshness that this group, this new family, faces. You are given shots of the characters relating to each other. The innocent pacifist Chiaki, who is enamored with the cool and moody demon Ororon, the cat monster brothers Shiro and Kuro, Chiaki's only human friend Lika, the maid Ms. Lucy, and Ororon's fancy-boy older brother Othello.

However good things can't last forever, and foreshadowing of a later conflict appears early on first when demons come after Chiaki and then later when angels come after Chiaki and Shiro.

This manga makes you think. You come away from it questioning whether or not what you consider good and evil really are as you think they are. In fact the last two volumes even leave you wondering if you knew some of the characters at all, especially Othello and Shiro.

Personally I think the art is beautiful. All the figures are very stylized.

A warning though, this series does become very tragic and violent later on.

Customer Reviews:

Wise advise.......2006-07-24

The two chapters in this book that I appreciated the most were Chapter 8 Mentoring: Seeding the Future with Wisdom where on reads that modern day families all to often turn to some 'professional' when it comes to issues involving our families, and these 'experts' don't even have to have kids or even be close to their own families. Its the sheep skin with some Latin on it that makes them more knowledgeable than our own elders.

And Chapter 9 Elders as Healers of Family, Community and Gaia. I ignored the Gaia aspect since its not something I am into. But the rest is pretty on target as far as how the inter generational health benefits are when children and young adults are around older people who have alot to offer, and how what they offer is more patience, a sense of humor and secure grounding that equates to security.

A path to follow for older age.......2006-06-29

From Age-Ing to Sage-Ing has been a personal inspiration for me. Being recently retired, it has shown me that it's important to take all of the knowledge and wisdom that I have gained and give it back to the younger generation. If all of us healthy elders volunteered some of our wisdom in the workforce, our Social Security crisis would be greatly diminished. This is a wonderfully timely book with an important message.

changing my future.......2005-08-31

this book provides an insight and perspective on changing my view of what opportunity life can create. This book has opened my mind and my heart to new possibilities. I recommend reading this philosophy when you are considering what the next step in your life may be, particularly if you are between the ages of 52 and 65 years old.

Such an Important Message.......2002-07-11

These days, in our Western culture, for many man and woman over 40, the aging process has become something to fear. Which is utterly crazy, given that most people nowadays are barely half way through their lives at that point. It's like wanting to leave the restaurant somewhere in the middle of the main course and without tasting the dessert at all.
I liked this book because it is one of the few to look deeply into the whole adventure of aging and to broadcast to the world that the later decades of life have a different - and surprisingly wonderful - agenda all of their own. It is time for us older folk to stop cringing about getting older but to open to the process and re-own our place as 'wise elders.' As I was writing my own book - ELDERWOMAN - which is specifically for women, this wise man's book was a marvellous resource for me. It is a full, rich book, worth reading and re-reading. The exercises are useful and practical and the ideas are powerful. Highly recommended.

A How-To Manual for becoming sages - but for the aged only.......2001-10-17

My attraction to the first named author, Zalman Schachter-Shalomi was due to his reputation as a cabalist, the Jewish practice of mysticsm. When I bought and first read this book, in 1995, I was a mere 48 years old, much too young to put its sage advice into practice. This book is for the retired, and even then is not for everyone. When I lent it to my retired friend in California with whom I swap jokes on the internet, her comment was "Although it was a difficult read, bogged down in places, and I didn't like how it was written, it did say a lot of important things and was worth reading" 3-4 stars would't you say?
In any event, the authors discuss the "theory of spiritual eldering." There are several paths one may take in eldering. First, however, the authors confront the "conscious transit of death." In part three of the book the authors discuss "Spirual Eldering and Social Transformation." This section includes mentoring and elders as healers of family, community, and Gaia-the living Earth.
Finally, an appendix is provided which includes exercises for sages in training.
If you are retired or facing retirement and are at a loss for how to lead a productive life in your 'golden years' your time would be well spent in looking this book over.

Average customer rating:

great

Invaluable and easy to use!

More, please!

Country Cooking for Dummies ;)

Historical, Hometown, Delightful Recipes

500 Treasured Country Recipes from Martha Storey and Friends : Mouthwatering, Time-Honored, Tried-and-True, Handed-Down, Soul-Satisfying Dishes
Martha Storey
Manufacturer: Storey Publishing, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
South | U.S. Regional | Regional & International | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Country Wisdom & Know-How

The Encyclopedia of Country Living: An Old Fashioned Recipe Book

Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance

Preserving Food without Freezing or Canning: Traditional Techniques Using Salt, Oil, Sugar, Alcohol, Vinegar, Drying, Cold Storage, and Lactic Fermentation

Hobby Farm: Living Your Rural Dream for Pleasure and Profit

ASIN: 1580172911

Book Description

The country kitchen is an American icon. Everyone, whether they live in a log cabin or a luxury high-rise, strives to capture some of that warmth, flavor, fragrance, and feeling in their own kitchens. Martha Storey, country-living publisher for more than 17 years, draws on her own country roots and on the experience of Storey's many expert authors to help readers learn or relearn the time-honored skills of the American country kitchen and revisit the classics of down-home cooking.

In this chock-full-of-recipes cookbook, Martha shares her family's and friends' favorite tried-and-true country-cooking recipes. These are the simple dishes with country soul that make your mouth water. They are the church supper recipes that are never out of style and that will become the hand-me-down recipes you pass on to your children and grandchildren. In addition to providing these classic recipes, Martha covers the skills of the country kitchen. From woodstove to microwave, Martha shares tips and techniques for making cheese, preserving food, making sausage, pulling taffy, baking bread, and making pies and ice cream.

This heirloom cookbook, with old-fashioned and updated country techniques and know-how, is as complete as your great-grandmother's pantry!

Customer Reviews:

great.......2007-01-05

i like this book , the things i have made from it have tasted great, so far bill cox

Invaluable and easy to use!.......2005-03-15

When I got my first apartment, I bought The Joy Of Cooking, thinking I could make as much of a mess in the kitchen as I wanted without worrying about a roommate seeing it. All I wanted to do at first was make a good beef stew (my own trials were OK, but nothing I'd share with anyone). Well, in The Joy Of Cooking, the task was comparable to building a nuclear power plant from scratch. Fortunately, I got this book for Christmas that year (2 months later) and have since made all sorts of dishes I wouldn't dare to try with the recipes from that "other" book. Beef strognoff - fewer than 10 ingredients. Mac and cheese - 6 ingredients. Cheesecake - 4 ingredients. And they all taste great! I'd give this book 10 stars if it were possible.

More, please!.......2003-10-31

Martha Storey (and Friends) certainly did put together an amazing cookbook here. The recipes are authentic and having made a number of them already, I might add quite delicious. (I particularly enjoyed the Johnny Appleseed Cake). Believe it or not it even has a great number of techniques and tools for making your own cheese, cured and smoked meats, root beer, real beer, wine, and even liquors. I was simply blown away by the amount of information given in this tome of the country kitchen.

I have to say, though, I was at times disappointed with the amount of recipes in the book. It seems to spend so much time on the quantity of genres and ingredients, that I felt it lost a little on the quantity of each individual section. For example, I believe there could have been more than the paltry sum of beef or chicken recipes, not to mention the soup section, which while divided up nicely into different categories really could have spent more time on soup as a whole and incorporated more authentic country dishes. I also felt one or two of the entrees were not quite that 'country' or authentic for that matter.

Still, on the whole, I would have to say that 90% of the book is authentic and country. The techniques for making your own country foods is alone worth the buy. Maybe you will find that the quantity of courses and genres therein makes up for the mere 2 pages some of them are treated with. In which case, ignore my 4 stars and give it 5 of your own. I'm sure whether or not you agree with my one star difference, you will enjoy it just as much as I do on a constant basis. I still use it all the time and find it a constant go-to in my kitchen. I know you will agree.

Country Cooking for Dummies ;).......2003-08-06

This is a must have recipe book for anyone who has even the slightest inclination towards cooking. The recipes are easy to follow, easy to make, and absolutely scrumptious! Ms. Storey explains everything from cooking utensils to cooking techniques- this is one treasure of a recipe book ;)

Historical, Hometown, Delightful Recipes.......2001-07-19

Absolutely fabulous. The first section on kitchen know-how walks you through measurements, terms, and techniques with handy reference charts. Next you'll enter the basic and well-stocked kitchen with great ideas for the novice and pro. An endearing section called Grandma's Gadgets follows with items from pea shellers to pickle forks.

Pantry staples with detailed items and storage suggestions along with a quaint glance at her "company pantry" chock full of home made goodies.

The recipes stem from old-fashioned to modern and everything in between. Martha will make your mouth water with recipes for Greek Omelette's, Orange French Toast, Waffles and Crepe's, Blueberry Cinnamon Doughnuts,and Fritters in the breakfast category.

Meal ideas and recipes are available from Hummus to Pumpkin Tempura and everything in between.

In need of a yummy dessert? Search through page after page with possibilities of Swiss Braided Bread, Soft Pretzels, Ginger Scones, Johnny Appleseed Cake and so much more.

Learn about jam's and jellies, sausage making, proper freezing methods, gift ideas and a bit of history all with a delightful country living feeling.

A wonderful addition to any baker or cooks shelf.

Average customer rating:
100 Ways To Improve Your Horse's Health
Susan McBane
Manufacturer: David & Charles Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Horses | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Equine Medicine | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books
Equine Medicine | Veterinary Medicine | Medical | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

100 Ways To Improve Your Horse's Behavior

100 Ways to Improve Your Horse's Schooling

The Sound Horse Bible: The Comprehensive Guide To Maintaining Soundness In Your Horse's Back, Legs, And Teeth

100 Ways to Improve Your Riding: Common Faults & How to Cure Them

The 100% Horse: How to create the go-anywhere, do-anything horse

ASIN: 0715320017

Book Description

Every horse owner wants the best for their horse. Here are 100 well-thought-out, practical ways to make any horse or pony happier and healthier.

From avoiding mud fever to correct feeding for fat ponies, every aspect of health is covered, with emphasis placed on improving the horse's environment to prevent problems occurring, and to reduce the effect of chronic illnesses. All the advice is practical and simple to follow, and many of the suggestions incorporate money- or time-saving tips.

Organized into chapters, which cover different topics of health care, the most relevant ways of improvement for any given situation are easy to find, and are cross-referenced with other related suggestions. This is a comprehensive and accessible problem solver for all horse owners.

Average customer rating:
100 Ways To Improve Your Horses Health
Susan Mcbane
Manufacturer: DAVID & CHARLES
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N75OWY

Average customer rating:
100 Ways to Improve Your Horses Health
Susan Mcbane
Manufacturer: David & Charles PLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K7D9Y2

Book Description

Ilonka Karasz's career spanned several decades and media, including textiles, furniture, ceramics, wallpaper, and graphic design. She produced over 150 covers for The New Yorker. Enchanting Modern: Ilonka Karasz (1896-1981) is the first book dedicated to the life and work of the artist.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent momograph.......2007-01-19

A monograph on this seminole female modernist was long overdue. Well researched, documented and illustrated; it is the most concise and informative treatise on a woman who both influenced and shaped the beginnings of American Modernism. Many thanks to Ms. Callahan for bringing out the first work on this artist/designer and making it a worthwhile endeavor, not a rush to market to fill a niche. Thanks.

Customer Reviews:

Dave's Book Review.......2004-02-05

This book is well organized. Since I'm just learning about palm trees, I found the palm identification guide especially useful - I used it to easily identify a beautiful Senegal Date Palm in my hometown. The other tables and guides are also helpful. For example, there is a scientific/common name cross reference for all the palms discussed in the book.

The chapter discussing care for your palm trees is good, but I would like to see more specific instructions for a beginner. The main reason I bought the book was that I had just planted a Canary Island Date Palm in my backyard and wanted to care for it properly, since I've killed just about every plant I've ever tried to grow by either over-watering or under-watering. I was hoping for specific information, such as, "Give the tree twenty gallons of water every three days." The instructions given in the book are more general, but if you're already an experienced gardener they're probably sufficient.

This book does provide fairly comprehensive information about the specific palms it covers (about 100), and will help you select palms for your landscape. It also provides enough basic information about palm trees in general that you will have some ability to evaluate palms not specifically covered in the book.

One weakness of the book is that some of the photographs aren't very good, even of some of the most common palm trees. For example, Pygmy Date Palms are very common and very photogenic, but if you judged them by the pictures in this book you'd never realize how spectacular they really are. Also, some of the pictures show trees that are very young, and not developed enough to be distinguishable.

Overall, a great book with lots of useful information.

a necessary guide to anyone who likes palms........2002-07-13

Being a Michigander, I was not familiar with palms other than by appearance. When I took a Florida vacation two years ago, I went to a farm near Miami that exhibited all sorts of tropical crops, and found this excellent book.

Anyone desiring to acquire one or more landscape palms should consult this book as a crucial first step. The first of three sections covers nearly all landscape palms in an encyclopedic fashion, complete with one or more fine color photos of each described species. Each palm is also reviewed in terms of its salt and drought tolerance, soil, nutritional, and light requirements, its appearance and size, its uses, and whether it has irritants to people. Also addressed are the pests the plant may be expected to confront, and how the plant propagates itself.

The second and third sections of the book, although a bit redundant at times, cover much of the foregoing material in general, and also offer more photos. Climate maps and nicknames are also included, as are excellent material for diagnosing illnesses or deficiencies in palms.

Although I am not presently a resident of Florida or any other tropical or subtropical area, I think anyone who lives in such a region, whether it be a professional horticulturalist or a do-it-yourself landscape architect, would be well served by having and reviewing this book frequently. I rate it highly.

Great Pictures and Culture Info........2001-03-03

I use this book constantly. It is full of pictures, which is great if you're trying to see what a particular palm is going to look like once grown and whether it will ultimately fit where you want to place it. It has great info. on culture, care, propagation, habit, etc. A must for every palm nut!

Excellent book for identifying all types of palms.......2000-03-21

This book was extremely helpfull in identifying the different types of palms. Great pictures, lots of information on where to plant, how to plant, how much water, different types of diseases. I would really recommend this to others.

Amazing.......1999-11-11

I was amazed at how bad this book was

Average customer rating:
Make Cool Gadgets for Your Room (Popular Mechanics for Kids)
Amy Pinchuk
Manufacturer: Maple Tree Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Experiments & Projects | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Electric Gadgets and Gizmos: Battery-Powered Buildable Gadgets that Go! (Kids Can Do It)

Electric Mischief: Battery-Powered Gadgets Kids Can Build (Kids Can Do It)

Make Amazing Toy and Game Gadgets (Popular Mechanics for Kids)

Gizmos & Gadgets: Creating Science Contraptions That Work (& Knowing Why) (Williamson Kids Can! Series)

Batteries, Bulbs, and Wires (Young Discoverers: Science Facts and Experiments)

ASIN: 1894379128

Book Description

How to make neat stuff for your room!

Power up your favorite stuffed animal, build your own electronic alarm box or make a one-of-a-kind Flashy Key Chain you won't find in any store. These are terrific projects kids can create with Make Cool Gadgets for Your Room!

Others include:

Flashing and buzzing doorbell
Motorized toy animal
Secret code machine
Quiz game

Using inexpensive, easily obtained tools and materials, children can build six awesome gadgets. The step-by-step instructions and colorful, detailed diagrams ensure success and sidebars offer fascinating facts while the glue dries.

Make Cool Gadgets for Your Room builds on the success of the Popular Mechanics for Kidsâ„¢ brand. The critically acclaimed Popular Mechanics for Kidsâ„¢ television series is broadcast six days a week on Discovery Kids, and the website (pmkids.com) draws fans.

Make Amazing Toy and Game Gadgets (Popular Mechanics for Kids)

Average customer rating:

Make Amazing Toy and Game Gadgets (Popular Mechanics for Kids)
Amy Pinchuk
Manufacturer: Maple Tree Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Crafts & Hobbies | Arts & Music | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Popular Culture | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1894379144

Book Description

Fun to play. More fun to make.

This original and richly informative book motivates kids to get mechanical and make very entertaining gadgets and games.

Fun projects using easy-to-find materials include:

Lightbox
Flashing jewelry
Blinking sunglasses
Spy camera
Buzzer game

The author provides loads of color photographs and helpful step-by-step diagrams to ensure successful projects. Handy troubleshooting tips spot problems before the job is done. This lively activity book is any budding engineer's delight.

Make Amazing Toy and Game Gadgets builds on the success of the Popular Mechanics for Kidsâ„¢ brand. The critically acclaimed Popular Mechanics for Kidsâ„¢ television series can been seen six days a week on Discovery Kids, and the website (pmkids.com) continues to draw fans.

Average customer rating:

Popular Science Book of Gadget
Rh Value Publishing
Manufacturer: Random House Value Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Home Improvement | Home & Garden | Bargain Books | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0517542803
Release Date: 1981-11-18

Book Description

As someone who works with fonts every day, you need to know exactly how fonts work in Mac OS X. Long-time Mac author Sharon Zardetto Aker has the answers you need, explaining where your fonts reside, why they are there, and what to do about duplication and long Font menus. Once that’s under control, you’ll learn things like the ins and outs of different font installation methods; how to use Font Book to manage, validate, and organize fonts; ways of dealing with legacy Mac OS 9 fonts; and how to make the most of character-rich Unicode fonts. And to help with those maddening font problems, Sharon provides troubleshooting steps and real-world advice for solving problems fast. If you’ve experienced seemingly inexplicable trouble with characters displaying incorrectly, an inability to type a particular character, fonts missing from Font menus, confusing behavior in Microsoft or Adobe programs, Font Book crashing, or Character Palette misbehaving, Real World Mac OS X Fonts has the help you need.

In this book, you’ll find the answers to questions like these:

What types of fonts can I use with Mac OS X?
In what order does Mac OS X access fonts from all their possible locations?
How can I figure out what characters are available in a Unicode font?
How can I minimize font-related troubles when sharing documents across platforms?
How do I go about troubleshooting a font problem?
How do I enter special characters?
How do I print font samples?
How do I work with legacy fonts?

Customer Reviews:

Making the Mac Safe for Fonts.......2007-09-27

What a splendid guide! Even if you are content to use TIMES ROMAN all the time, you should still look at this book to see a model of how to write a computer guide. None of the breezy self conscious humor you find in some books (the Dummy series or Scott Kelby's otherwise informative PhotoShop books). But friendlier and more attuned to the reader's anxieties and potential mistakes than the standard dry guides (e.g. the Missing Manuals series, which are not bad). Aker seems to sense exactly what you might need to know at just the right moment, but yet does not overwhelm you without a lot of detail all at once.

I recently switched from a PC (since 1980)to Mac, which is as everyone said so much more elegant, stable and better in almost every respect. But the font system is just as complicated and eccentric in OS X as in Windows XP. You need to do some housekeeping even if you are not a font maven. Follow the steps carefully laid out in Chapter 2 (rather tedious but precise), and your system will run more smoothly and you will know a lot about where your fonts are, and how to keep them behaving well.

I am almost never moved to write reviews here, and certainly not of computer books. But this is an exceptional contribution.

Solved the mess!.......2007-01-27

I do graphics and own Macs from October, 1985. I passed thru all the font technologies that were done into the computer... from enlarging 72pt bitmaps and correcting them, the early times of Adobe's ATM and so on.
But --maybe I'm getting old-- with the introduction of Mac OS X, typography went almost out of control for me. Althought I do not use per se Office I need to install it to open others files... and it destroy any organizated fonts folders that you had managed,
Then, in a desperate move, I bought Zardetto's book!
And everything came back to order: clear instructions lead me in a clever and consistent way. I confess I did it twice. First time I said myself: "I'm an old macintoshian..." But then I realized that following the step-by-step instructions was more inteligent. Then, with everything in order, I was back "in control".
So, my advice --for newbies and oldies-- follow the instructions and then personalize your fonts. OK, first buy and read the book!

Fix font problems - Flawlessly.......2007-01-24

Face it - you'd think just putting your fonts in the FONT folder would be sufficient. But, strange things do happen. And, for me it is never at a good time. Like when you upgrade Adobe CS ... which made half my fonts DISAPPEAR.
Thanks for the info and instructions about AdobeFntXX.lst alone - made this book a must have in my library.
And, that was just one small enlightened moment Aker's offered

The definitive guide.......2007-01-14

I am always astonished by Sharon Zardetto Aker's ability to explain the most complex topics in the most user-freindly way. For a technophobe like me she seems to anticipate every anxiety-provoking topic and dissipate the anxiety through a combination of thorough knowledge of her material and an informal writing style that makes you feel like she's right by your side, supporting you every step of the way. Astonishing. Even if you are not a technophobe, you will surely appreciate the breadth of information here.

Mac OS X Fronts.......2007-01-04

Good general review and explanation of fonts for Mac. You can live without this book but it is a good resource for understanding.

How to Boss Your Fonts Around: A Primer on Font Technology and Font Management on the Macintosh

Average customer rating:

Mac-Oriented Book
Everything you wanted to know about fonts...
Not so good...
Probably the best writer on typography around.
Excellent design and crash avoidance techniques

How to Boss Your Fonts Around: A Primer on Font Technology and Font Management on the Macintosh
Robin Williams
Manufacturer: Peachpit Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Macs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 1566091020

Amazon.com

Fonts can make or break a layout, and good designers know it. Knowing what a bitmapped font is might not seem like a big deal...until you go to print it. The author, Robin Williams, explains how a font that is bitmapped will have very different results on a printer than one that is not. How to Boss Your Fonts Around will also show you the merits of investing your time in organizing your fonts through a font manager.

In a day when there are now "Beat Generation" fonts for the Mac, good font use and management is essential. Williams, Mac expert and the author of bestsellers such as The Non-Designer's Design Book and The Little Mac Book, goes into great detail on the origin and creation of great fonts. Did you ever wonder why so many fonts are named after big cities (such as New York and Geneva)? Turns out, they're all in the same font family, and knowing the characteristics of that grouping will enhance how you use them. Williams provides a full glossary of terms, and the book is rich with visual examples. She treats fonts as the tools they are, showing the reader all the necessary care and maintenance to allow for great design and for the text to shine through. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Book Description

Fonts. They seem to have a life of their own. And they can cause no end of heartache to the harried desktop or webtop publisher. Perfectly lovely documents on screen can suddenly transmogrify into a perfect nightmare when printed. So how can you control these willful beasts? Get a copy of this book and end your power struggle with fonts forever.

How To Boss Your Fonts Around has been completely revised and updated for the Second Edition. It's a must-have primer on font technology and font management for anyone who works on a Macintosh. It's updated for Mac OS 8, and includes all new coverage of how to work with and manage fonts for the Web. You'll learn to identify and work with all the different kinds of fonts available, from PostScript to TrueType to Type 1, bitmapped to screen, outline to printer, resident to downloadable and more. There's coverage of Adobe Type Manager, ATM Deluxe, Suitcase, Master Juggler, Font Reserve, new font management tools and utilities, installing fonts, and solving font conflicts. A detailed reference section answers common questions and problems, tells you how to acquire fonts, and offers an amazingly detailed glossary. This is the essential troubleshooting guide to taking control of fonts and learning to use them efficiently and effectively.

Customer Reviews:

Mac-Oriented Book.......2001-09-03

Although the Amazon editorial review calls Williams a Mac expert, it doesn't make clear that this book is pretty exclusively Mac-oriented. Some of it will be useful to Windows users, but there are surely other, similar font books on the market more useful for Windows users. If I had realized this before I started making notes in the margins, I would have returned it.

Everything you wanted to know about fonts..........2001-06-14

As a typesetter in a large corporation I found this book very helpful when I recently had to organize our fonts on 12 computers. It clearly explains the difference in the various types of fonts and how to use them properly. It also covers in detail all the different type management software (ATM, Suitcase, etc.). After speaking with several designers, it appears that fonts can be the single biggest nightmare and this book would be an asset to any designers library.

Not so good..........2000-09-26

I bought Robin's book aobut 2 weeks ago and I have read it over and over. I found that the book was not helpful in getting my fonts organised. I am left with fundamental questions unanswered and a lot of frustration. I am still looking for a book that will show me how to sort my fonts what to keep what to throw and how to do it. This book has some good back ground informationon the benefits of ATM, and the history but what about open fonts, and master fonts? It's dated and not helpful.

Probably the best writer on typography around........1999-09-02

Except for her mild endorsement of grunge (why have we spent hundreds of years designing typefaces that are both readable and beautiful only to have a generation of" designers" design deconstructed faces that are likely to be used only once in a lifetime), Robin Williams is probably the most articulate and literate writer on typography around, digital or traditional. She is sensitive to those qualities that have somehow been lost on those who have been brought up facing a monitor rather than a type book, type case or drawing board. Too many people in business have been led to believe, and accept the idea, that a typist is automatically a typographer/designer. Every designer who has grown up on the computer should have all of her books at their side, along with Strunk & White, Fowler's Modern English Usage, Roget's Thesaurus and a good dictionary.

Excellent design and crash avoidance techniques.......1997-06-20

"He who dies with the most fonts wins," is a fact of life for a lot of desktop designers for print and the web. However, having tons of fonts of every weight, format and variety gobbles up lots of system memory, and corrupted or conflicting fonts cause crashes. This book tells all on how to get your collection under control, and keep your fonts organized, in good shape, and zipped in place for when you need them. This book is also well written, and will keep you alert and interested, which is most refreshing because I've found many how-to design/computer management books must be read with toothpicks propping up your eyes. It's also just the right length, concise and everything is clearly, not condecendingly, explained. It's a must read for any Mac designer, from the newest newbie to the most advanced.

A Blip in the Continuum (Macintosh Version)

Average customer rating:

A Blip in the Continuum (Macintosh Version)
Robin Williams
Manufacturer: Peachpit Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Textbook Binding

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

Graphics, Animation & Illustration | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1566091888

Desktop Publishing Sourcebook: Fonts and Clip Art for the Macintosh

Average customer rating:

Desktop Publishing Sourcebook: Fonts and Clip Art for the Macintosh
Jami Lynne Borman
Manufacturer: Prima Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1559580321

Average customer rating:

The Macintosh Font Book

The Macintosh Font Book
Erfert Fenton
Manufacturer: Intl Society for Technology in
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Desktop Publishing | Graphic Design | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Macs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Publishing & Books | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0938151371

Customer Reviews:

The Macintosh Font Book.......2000-01-29

This book fills in all the blanks for those of us without extensive Mac training. It covers so many questions about font loading,management and vocabulary. I have so many times wondered how to get this sort of information without working side by side, day in and out with an expert. Now I know.

Average customer rating:

The Gigantic Font Book
Mark Sperber
Manufacturer: Sybex
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Desktop Publishing | Microsoft | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

The MacIntosh Book of Fonts: A Desktop Publishing Handbook for Font Lovers

Average customer rating:

The MacIntosh Book of Fonts: A Desktop Publishing Handbook for Font Lovers

Manufacturer: Sourcenet
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Desktop Publishing | Apple | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0915051028

Average customer rating:

The Macintosh Font Book
Erfert , Fenton
Manufacturer: Addison Wesley Longman
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OP7NH4

Average customer rating:

Macintosh Font Book, The
Erfert Fenton
Manufacturer: Peachpit
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O6I7NW

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books