One day, the first officer of a spaceliner brought in a ring with a dull stone that was found in interstellar space, far from any star, on the finger of a spacesuited corpse. The crude stone is plain and cloudy, but has a remarkable hardness. The stone gives an impression of great power to Hywel and Murdoc, but not to the rest of the family. Hywel is obsessed with the stone and arranges an apprenticeship for Murdoc with Vondar Ustle, a master gemologist who searches for new sources of precious stones, so that Murdoc can search for more information on the ring and stone. Hywel is well satisfied with his life as apprentice to Vondar and, when he returns for a visit, finds that he no longer fits into his family. One evening, Hywel stays home to conduct some business while the rest of the family goes to a party. Leaving the party earlier, Murdoc returns home to find his father tied to his chair, bloody and dead. Murdoc takes the ring and stone from its hiding place and leaves his home forever.

In this novel, Murdoc and Vondar have come to Koonga City on Tanth searching for gems. They are dining in a taproom when the Green Robes, native priests, enter, spin their selection wheel to point between Murdoc and Vondar, and try to take both men. Murdoc kills one priest, fights his way clear, and then finds sanctuary with the priests of Noskald. These priests arrange for a Free Trader, the Vestris, to take Murdoc off-world. The crew treats him in a distant, but civil manner, but his only companion is the ship's cat, Valcyr. When the ship sets down on a primitive planet, Valcyr accompanies Murdoc as he explores the area. When Murdoc finds some bits of a curiously dull black substance that forms an extremely hard but fuzzy oval, Valcyr takes the largest specimen and starts to lick it. Murdoc tries to take it away from her, but gets clawed for his efforts. When a crewman tries to get the specimen, Valcyr runs off with it and hides. Murdoc and the crewman find her again, but she then swallows it.

When they return to the ship, the Medico tests Valcyr and the specimens; he determines that the black ovals are alive at a low level as if hibernating and that Valcyr is now pregnant. Since there is a possibility that Valcyr is not carrying ordinary kittens, she is locked in a cage within the sick bay. About four weeks later, she disappears from the cage and is next seen in Murdoc's cabin with a newborn animal, Eet, that is not a kitten. And then Murdoc finds himself covered with purple blotches and feeling feverish. At this point, Murdoc and Eet leave the Vestris, Murdoc in a spacesuit and Eet in a clear-sided box, to escape the plague-fearing, frantic crew.

This novel has some of the signature characteristics of the author's space adventure tales, including the outcast Murdoc, the telepathic Eet, and alien artifacts. However, this story is one of the wanderlust kind, much like Star Man's Son and the Solar Queen series, where the hero/heroine goes on to discover new adventures.

The creature Eet is rather unique in the author's space adventures, having a human level of intelligence, yet possessing an animal body. Eet combines the friendly alien, symbiotic animal, and mutated talents aspects of these tales, all in one body, sort of a highly evolved version of the meerkats in The Beast Master.

While this story is not one of my favorites, it still provides the same high level of storycraft one expects of the author. The characters are interesting but not as enthralling as some of the other tales. The relationship between Murdoc and Eet is not clear, but one feels as if Eet is much superior to Murdoc, yet is handicapped by his inadequate body. Is Murdoc a pet to Eet?

Recommended for Norton fans and anyone who enjoys space adventures involving a young hero and a mysterious alien.

I am especially involved in the study of history. The play was actually quite accurate except for all the singing and dancing which was added for theatrical purposes. The play had great lyrics and music. Not only was the book version well done the movie was also excellent. The movie stayed word for word with the book.

This play attracted my attention to a specific theme. When John Adams was desperate and discouraged he did not give up. He kept on pushing and pushing untill he had the outcome he wanted. A major theme of this novel would have to be to not give up when faced with tremendous odds. If John Adams had given up then we would most likely still be under British rule.

This play should definitly be read by all u.s. history classes. It inspires patriotism just at the mention of the title. This play is a great source and accurate account of exactly how this great nation became so great. A truly outstanding book.

My favorite part of this book is when the authors take one outfit (say, white blouse and black pants) and show it with different accessories. This tactic really illustrates what a difference accessories can make. It also makes me look at my own wardrobe and think how I can achieve different "looks" with accessories rather than buying different clothes.

The other gem of this book is the accessory checklist at the back of the book, divided into categories: basic gear, ornamentation, work, evening, summer, and winter. These two pages are worth the price of the book alone.

The story and its characters is simply captivating! It only took a few pages before I found myself attached to the three main characters: Fiona, Wallace, and Kip. Their personalities take on real dimensions very quickly; I felt as if I actually knew them...they were so believably real! They most certainly could be young people any of us may have met in this present day.

Each of the children has an endearing uniqueness: Wallace - a precocious, unconventional, idealistic, and sensitive child - unaware of her desire for value until it is 'given' to her. One is immediately drawn to her character because she is so easy to like, even love...it was as much for her I wanted to read this book as it was for anyone or anything else in the story! Kyp provides all the boldness, daring, eagerness and self-assuredness oft equated with a youthful spirit. With his genuine honesty and acceptance, he is the balm that adds balance to the triangular relationship of these three children. Finally, Fiona's narration of this tale allows us to connect with her observations, her memories, her feelings, her desires, her hopes, her longings. She has been created with vividness and vulnerability! I think every child with an overriding dream in their heart can relate to her character...as can many adults. I know I did!

There are not many people today who can say that they were acctually present in Moscow when the Bolshevic revolution was unfolding. Michael Stone was there. In this meticulously researched volume, Mr. Stone vividly describes how he survived the bloody two-year civil war when his mother was brutally killed. He goes on to describe his family's flight from Russia to the Weimar Republic. He provides a first-hand account of the World War II from the German perspective. Mr. Stone writes with passion about his experience of being arrested by the Gestapo on charges of high treason, which carried a mandatory sentence of decapitation (He was ultimately pardoned by Hermann Goering, personally!) We are fortunate that Mr. Stone, who was thrust into the middle of the century's greatest historic events, survived to preserve the truth from his unique perspective.

This is a must read for all history buffs.

This lovely work truly distinguishes itself from other memoirs about the loss of a parent. Instead of making the author/daughter the "heroine" who rescues her mother and becomes a saint in the process, Susan Stone sees herself in a dynamic where her mother is the teacher as well. This is about Buddhist practice, not just daughterly responsibility.

What I like best is how Stone catches herself in moments of arrogance or manipulation that other, less mindful people wouldn't even notice. She walks through the map of her own behavior and responses, and points out what she did, and what she thinks she could have done. Her behavior is quite exemplary, but it is also evident that she had enormous help from a mother who *also* worked very hard to do what was right. The book ends up being an homage to her mother's enlightenment.

My own father was dying when someone gave this book to me. My first thought was "Thanks, but I don't need a book to tell me how to feel." When I actually read it, though, I loved it, and learned so much about how to honor my dying father, rather than just focus on my own needs, strengths, and weaknesses. Stone is adept at shifting the focus to the strengths and gifts of the dying parent.

It's a beautiful book, and I hope it finds a large audience.

Carole Sargent, Ph.D., English professor

I know Japan enough to say that these comments are not true, in other words lies. One may have special feelings for Japan, the same as I do, but these comments are misleading.

The Samurai teachings live on in Japan as a part of society, but are considered modern and not solely of that era.

In particular, the book outlines the aspects of Bushido philosophy:

Justice
Courage
Benevolence
Loyalty
Honor
Self-control
Sincerity

The book of course gives the meaning of Samurai rituals, including seppuku (hari-kiri) and discussing the training of a warrior. Lest you think this is old hat, business leaders in Japan today all study Kendo, the martial art of the sword and the closest to Bushido's heart.

Even women are not exempted from the Bushido code. They are expected to do their part as warriors, and women traditionally have used the naginata (halberd or pike) as a defensive weapon. It's funny to think that the naginata is considered "effeminate" and watch a Japanese sportswoman wielding that deadly blade against eight opponents during a martial arts demonstration. It's wise not to take Japanese women in business lightly. They nearly all study naginata in school.

I've worked briefly in Japan and have studied Aikido in the past. I found "Bushido" to be one of the most valuable books I own on the subject of Japanese culture and mindset, as well as an additional good book on military philosophy.