I purchased this book as a supplement to round out research I'm doing on the experience of an Anglican minister in Georgian and Victorian England. I had no idea I would be distracted by a tangent so unexpectedly worthy of my time. What a delightfully detailed and well-written book, interesting subject matter with great references. The author is passionate and extremely thorough. Not only does he cover the more famous hymn selections, authors and styles, but he educates the reader about other popular forms of praise - choral, instrumental and otherwise - practiced throughout the Georgian and Victorian eras. I was particluarly surprised and intrigued that the author as well as addressed issues of prejudice and political manipulation in certain denominations concerning the utilization of music. I was so taken with the topic, I've had to resist the urge to purchase even more books on it and direct my own writing in another direction to incorporate what I learned.

The history of hymns - who would have known it would prove such a tantalizing topic?

Having bought this book for research purposes alone, never would I have expected such an enjoyable reading experience. Not only was every line packed with more information than I could wrap my pencil around, but the material was intriguing, the anecdotes well-researched and very accessible, and the references relatable for even the least learned student of the Georgian and Victorian eras (both of which are covered in the book). The author succeeded well at a difficult task by educating his readers, and making a seemingly bland topic enticing - I had no idea hymns could be so political, controversial and liberating. Last week they were staid, measured and over-used songs I was forced to sing as a child in church; today, they are tales of conflict, humility, celebration and seeking, and even more, a complex, inspiring art-form of which I was not fully aware. Author Ian Bradley's own enthusiasm and intrigue for the topic are wonderfully contagious.

This book is thorough, scholarly, entertaining, and very readable. It reveals the immense significance of hymns to the Victorian world and should appeal to readers from diverse backgrounds.

This is a wonderful version of the difficult title to find in its original format. This is just spectacular and Mr. Pastore should be proud.

What a lovely book! Crane's poetry, usually so stark and fresh, is made all the more wonderful by this edition. Crane deserves this book as a tribute to his lasting memory.

This Crane book will set new standards for the way classics should be handled. The editor has taken a big risk and comes out on top with this beautiful volume. What a great addition to my library.

I suffer from hyperventilation syndrome and had Amazon "search for an out of print copy". Months went by and no book. Eventually I gave up on Amazon after repeated e-mails. Finally, I ordered the book from Barnes and Noble.com and the book arrived with no problem. B&N seems to be a better service. And yes, the book is very helpful! The book is not out of print as stated by Amazon, it just does not have the demand they require!

This is a great book for people who unknowingly hyperventilate. It is written in easy to understand language. I use it with my patients in general (family) practice in New Zealand and find it by far the best resource on hyperventilation.

As secretary of The Hyperventilation Syndrome Support Group based in Auckland, New Zealand I can verify how invaluable this book is for HVS sufferers.Many of our members refer to it as their "Bible". The 3rd edition, now available in NZ, covers many personal stories and a guide to BETTER BREATHING by true and tested methods.The new edition also includes a Work Book which enables people to graphically illustrate the identification of their symptons and chart their own performance of good breathing/relaxation exercises. Many Respiratory Physicians and GPs keep this book on hand which they lend out until patients obtain their own copy. Until a new publisher is appointed in the USA you could contact Tandem Press, 2 Rugby Road, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand. PH 64-9-480-1452 Fax 64-9-415-1455

All I can say is I'm glad there is SOME funny guy out there. I have always read serious books until my friend Brie gave me this book for my 27th birthday. I was laughing on the floor before I got to the second page! Bradley, you are brilliant! Congrats on a fantastic book.

Some of these cartoons are priceless and extremely funny. They remind me of the ones in The New Yorker with a twist, and I think the author is a little twisted. Every time I look at this book I just keep laughing. If you love lady liberty get this book. It grows on you.

Wit, humor, and style combine in this collection of cartoons depicting the much-loved statue in situations she never expected. The perfect souvenir for anyone who's ever been to (or even thought about traveling to) New York.

Living Better is a comprehensive book that explores all aspects of coping with an illness from the practical (dealing with hospitals, tests, finances) to the spiritual (finding a purpose, nurturing yourself). The authors own experiences with illness make this book a valuable companion to anyone who is trying to cope and live fully in spite of an illness.

When Norman Cousins wrote, "The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started," he offered us motivation to meet our challenges head-on. The Langenfelds do the same. With clarity, compassion, professionalism and a rich understanding born of personal experience, this husband and wife team examines the process of coming to terms with disease and chronic illness. Together, the authors help the reader to not only define their experience of illness, but also explore the complex interface with their physician, treatment options and the larger medical system. Their practical heads up and informational approach is laced with gentle humor as well as their own experiences which serve to reassure the reader that he or she is not alone. The artful examination of the mind body connection offers a framework to understand this dynamic relationship. These chapters serve as an invitation to segway into the interior journey of discovering how to live with chronic illness and create meaning and purpose in one's life.

Living Better is written for people coping with illness, but its value extends to family caregivers, and beyond that, to those for whom life long self-care is a priority.

When Norman Cousins wrote, "The capacity for hope is the most significant fact of life. It provides human beings with a sense of destination and the energy to get started," he offered us motivation to meet our challenges head-on. The Langenfelds do the same. With clarity, compassion, professionalism and a rich understanding born of personal experience, this husband and wife team examine the process of coming to terms with disease and chronic illness. Together, the authors help the reader to not only define their experience of illness, but also explore the complex interface with their physician, treatment options and the larger medical system. Their practical heads up and informational approach is laced with gentle humor as well as their own experiences which serve to reassure the reader that he or she is not alone.

The artful examination of the mind body connection offers a framework to understand this dynamic relationship. These chapters serve as an invitation and segway to enter the interior journey of discovering how to live with chronic illness and create meaning and purpose in one's life.

Living Better is written for people coping with illness, but its value extends to family caregivers, and beyond that, to those for whom life long self-care is a priority.

If Mark Twain comes back from the dead to write a guidebook of the state where he was conceived (in Jamestown, as Bradley explains on p. 196), then buy that. But old Sam Clemens would be wasting his time, because in Moon Handbooks: Tennessee, Bradley's already written the "Life on the Mississippi" of Tennessee travel guides.

Like "Mississippi," Bradley's "Tennessee" is so fascinating in in its details and anecdotes that I kept finding myself reading far more than I "needed" to for the travel at hand. And like Clemens, who clearly wrote from a genuine love of the river and the bygone steamboat days that he wanted to capture on paper, all of Bradley's local lore and country cookery reviews and sidebars on everything from roots musicians to the development of the the atom bomb in Oak Ridge...well, these all swirl together to create a sort of love song to the author's native state.

Bradley isn't afraid to criticize where criticism is due--look at his coverage of the outlandish developments near the Smokies. But even then, it's clear his concerns are not based on some disaffected political agenda, but from a genuine, familial concern for a cousin who has lost his way. Consequently, Gatlinburg doesn't "outrage" Bradley, it breaks his heart because of its failed potential. And even then, Bradley doesn't just sneer and proceed into the pristine National Park, shaking Galinburg's dust from his feet. Just as any good family member will make a point of telling you that old yellow-eyed aunt Ruth used to knock 'em dead at the USO dances and can still cook a mean casserole and belt out a showtune, Bradley lingers and explores Gatlinburg on its own terms. He points out its cherished place in many Volunteer hearts (including his own) as a childhood wonderland, and shows that he's not above enjoying the small simple pleasures of a candy shop, or even the more garish wonders of Ripley's aquarium.
If you don't know Tennessee, you won't find a more comprehensive introduction to the entire state. And if you already love Tennessee...you'll find all of the states most endearing qualities captured between the covers--and in the spirit--of this book.

I have the first edition of this book, and I've raved about it to my circle of friends. I heard this third edition was vastly improved, and I doubted this, but figured I couold always give it as a gift.
This book is going nowhere but to a choice space in my book shelf!
It covers more material, has a format which invites digging deeper into a topic at hand, highlights special topics, has a clearer type face, and is simply loaded with URL's for further cyber digging. I got out my Tennessee Atlas and Gazetteer by Delorme mapping, a topo coverage of Tennesee, my state, and put a "mark" by all the towns and villages Mr. Bradley covered. Not a page without copious markings. What a living history exprience.

He begins in the East as our state did, moves west, and brings out information about people, about the locale, gives historic facts and loads of human interest materal. He covers the Civil War as it progresses in various locations and is in fact more historical than a course or two I've had in Higher Eduction. And READABLE!! His wry, delightful humor graces most every entry. And as you follow this through the topo maps you SEE how history unfolds. Now I know where the Cumberland Gap is, I know where the mysterious Melungeons 'are', I've followed the tragic trail of tears, I know where to find barbeque all across Tennessee etc etc. I know where that terrific meteorite hit Tennessee, where biggie dinosaur fossils are found etc. .
What a book! What a marvelous travel companion, what a history of my state. And I have a store house of "stories and tales" I'll make good use of.
If you have an interest in Tennessee and can get only one book: THIS is it! Hands down. I'm grateful to Mr Bradley for doing it.
Hap Eliason

I'm a lifetime Tennesseean, and I couldn't put Mr. Bradley's book down. I know Middle Tennessee and the Smokies fairly well, but as I got into his marvelous book I couldn't believe one author could capture and capsulate so much in such limited space. I've garnered information about my State- so much new to me- that it just blew me away--some info right at my doorstep, so to speak. About locales I know fairly well his presentation is right on target. I especially value the boxes about history, personalities, buildings etc. Don't hesitate. Buy the book!

In his introduction to "The Territory," the opening story of One Day Closer to Death, author Bradley Denton states:

"The greatest moment in all of American literature occurs in chapter 31 of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn when Huck says--- 'All right then, I'll go to hell.' And he tears up a certain piece of paper." *

*A letter he had written to Jim's owner, Mrs. Watson, revealing Jim's whereabouts.

Later, Denton says that that moment set the "literary high bar" for him as a writer, that henceforth his goal would be to give readers the same kind of epiphany he felt when Huck made his decision.

If you've read Denton's novels, you know that he usually meets this lofty goal. One Day Closer to Death, featuring seven previously published stories and one new novella, proves he also meets this standard in his shorter work. Composed of various milestones from his thirteen-year career, each story contains characters who face personal hells, some forced on them by circumstance, others self created.

The collection's strongest stories are three novellas, "The Territory", "The Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Comedians", and "Blackburn Bakes Cookies". "The Territory" (an alternate history that will surprise readers who think Howard Waldrop holds exclusive rights to this type of story), relates young Sam Clemens' experiences as a member of Quantrill's raiders, and the choice he is forced to make when that savage band decides to invade the abolitionist stronghold of Lawrence, Kansas. "The Calvin Coolidge Home for Dead Comedians", features the controversial Lenny Bruce, who, after his tawdry death, discovers that the line between heaven and hell is very thin. "Blackburn Bakes Cookies", provides a fitting epitaph to the Jimmy Blackburn saga. Although not physically present (unless you count his ashes), Blackburn's presence pervades this twisted tale of family ties and hero worship.

Rounding out the collection are "Skidmore" (wherein the ghost of a serial killer accompanies the story's narrator on a grim trek), "Killing Weeds" (a story of the continuing ravages of the Vietnam War), "Captain Coyote's Last Hunt" (in which a sadistic hunter gets his comeuppance from the Trickster himself), "We Love Lydia Love", (a tale of obsessive love and self destruction which could have easily come out of Ellison's "Love Ain't Nothing But Sex Misspelled"), and "A Conflagration Artist" (about a woman shares her personal tragedy with others via combustible performance art).

The stories are arranged chronologically, so readers can, in Denton's words, "see his evolution as a writer". They show an author constantly refining his gifts, constantly improving, constantly pushing literary boundaries. At once sad and funny, lyrical and prickly, One Day Closer to Death demonstrates Denton's formidable talent, and attests to the ever increasing depth of his perceptive and beguiling work.

Dentan is one of the great humorists at present working in American letters. He has not published anything (to my knowledge)that is not worth reading. I got this book as a Christmas present and stayed up until the wee hours of Boxing Day to finish it. It is simply super writing. Do yourself a favor and get this book and, while you're at it, check his earlier work out too. You will thank yourself for the treat.

Filled with unique tales, off-beat humor, memorable characters, and skillful writing, "One Day Closer To Death" is a Whitman's Sampler of literary confections. And, though tours of his home will be discouraged, Bradley Denton should be declared a state treasure. (copyright 1998, San Antonio Express-News)

I enjoy Abigail Padgett's books so much that I buy them in hardback. That's the highest accolade I can give a book, since money is the thing hardest to part with, for starving artists.
When I was a child, I listened to "The Shadow" on the radio, and Orson Welles' rap about knowing "the evil that lurks in the hearts of men..." marked me for life. Well, not only the Shadow knows, but also Padgett and her protagonists.
Men will not like her books; honest women will. Witty, insightful, entertaining, telling a gripping story.

This book was wonderful. It was unpredictable with no clear-cut villain. It's very inspiring to have a competent heroine with manic-depression, or any mental illness for that matter. It adds a whole new dimension to the story and an unusual one at that for a detective story. The characters are all complex and well-written. This book, like Padgett's other Bo Bradley novels, are wonderfully written and lovely to read. I have read this book over and over again and pick up new nuances each time.

Abigail Padgett is my numero uno favorite mystery writer. My choice is based on her characters (I feel that I know Bo Bradley better than some friends). superb plotting, and excellence in her way of telling the story. "The Dollmaker's Daughter" is a page-turner spiced with some wonderful comments on bureaucrats. I laughed at Bo Bradley's spunky handling of her officious boss, and I kept turning the pages to find out "Who is Janny?" and "Who is trying to hurt Janny", and "Will life work out for this lovable girl?"

My 3 1/2 y.o. son loves to read this book while using a flash light which really help the stars & clouds shine when we turn off the light.

The story sparked such interest in both of my children to pick the book up over and over again and re-read it. They find it even more exciting when they get to read it under the covers.

Reading this book to my child was a real joy. To see her eyes light up as the pages glowed in the dark was wonderful. This book has now sparked an interest in my child to learn more about the moon and the stars. Great book.

This story is a romantic tale...Even the creators make this point clear within the foreward. This is a tale of what could have been and what it actually became. This visual masterwork guides this fictional tale of events based on the USSR and their invasion of Afghanistan. It's a wonderful piece that breaks up the montony of the comic medium now.It's a wonderful value at the price now. Back issues exceed the price of the TPB, plus it contains a brillant sketchbook and outlines to this extraordinary medium. Plus, for you completists (after all, you are buying the TPB instead of sold out individual issues), Team Red Star has special URLs to let you more aware of the story. Most of the links are rather like summaries, but the Makita piece is exceptional and well needed, considering the site has nothing on her dossier. All and all, this is a great story for history and comic fans alike.

This book is great. The story is very interesting, as it deals with an epic story of a revolution. There are many parallels to the Soviet Union, and this makes the story somewhat more realistic. The art is fantastic. I have not seen such splendid art in a comic book in such a long time. I definitely would say, "you NEED to read this book."

The best book of it's kind. This puts most " Art Of " books to shame, including Star Wars. Anyone with even a remote interest in sci-fi, fantasy or historical drama will get a lot pleasure from this. 3D rendered skyships and architecture blend with hand-drawn characters and outstanding computer color (by the one and only Snakebite) into a stunning, cinematic presentation. Beyond the beautiful artwork, the story is appealing, literate, and exciting. Printed on oversize glossy sheets with tons of behind-the-scenes art, THIS BOOK IS HUGE. This is the kind of story that would translate perfectly into an animated feature or mini-series; just add animators. It's a safe bet that this book will make a big splash in Europe and Japan, as well as the already established manga markets. America is ravishingly hungry for more from Team Red Star, as nobody else in the world of print is doing work quite like this. Image MUST print more of these if they know what's good for 'em!