Most people think of the Spiders as working for the Weaver. The truth is they work as all parts of the Triat to correct it. The only confusing thing about them is that their aren't enough rules about how to kill a Spider swarm. This makes them nearly unstoppable and VERY hard to notice when they sneak up behind you. To make things even more unbalanced they can eat a persons brain and take over their body! That really isn't to pretty. All in all this book was well written stressing RPing over Rules.

This book rates very highly on the 'I want to play one scale'. Whereas werewolves are designed as warriors, the werespiders are the regulators, taking on the tasks that the three primal forces of the universe have screwed up at. They serve all three and are dominated by none.

The alien perspective (spiders are a lot further from humans than wolves, reptiles or even sharks) is explored well. Werespiders aren't evil as such, just very detached and callous about others (if it's a choice between sacrificing their best friend or failing in their mission, well, time to look for a new best friend).

Their worldview is also explored with lots of interesting bits and pieces, such as the Ananasi-hunting monster stalking Australia and the dark fate of werespider metis (those with two shapeshifter parents) The retelling of world history is worthy of note, mainly because it's told from the point of view of the werespider goddess, Ananasa, who was actually there to witness it all.

Character templates, and non-player characters are also given (including the builder of the first human city and a collector whose hobby is the corpses of serial killers). Overall, a good, comprehensive book, and well worth a purchase.

Talk about aracnia phobia. This book tells you how to build and play a were-spider, now how cool is that! This should put the fear back into you world of darkness games

A collection of poetry by Brooks, probably the most honored African- American poet. It also includes "Maud Martha," Brooks' single novel to date. I liked the novel, but felt it was a little too much for me. I like poetry, but I think I like it in small doses, where I can relax and read and reread it without concentrating on how much time it is taking me to do so. Her fiction is like poetry, in the sense that it had as much to do with the vision of things as it did with the characterization or the plot. This is my failing as a reader: I've never cared that much for description, and the longer it continues, the more likely I am to tune out.

But the short poems here, especially from her earlier period, I like a lot. The subjects are strong and powerful, the economy and purpose of the prose admirable. One of my favorites was a poem called "Queen of the Blues," which contrasted the stage persona of a Billie Holliday-like singer with the treatment she receives as an African-American woman. Queen or no queen, she still has the blues. Or "The Murder," about a young boy who sits his toddler brother on fire then doesn't understand when the little brother isn't around afterwards. I did not care as much for her later poems, which were much more experimental in form and harder to follow in content.

"Blacks" is a collection of several decades' worth of the work of Gwendolyn Brooks, who is one of the most significant figures in 20th century American poetry. At over 500 pages long, "Blacks" is a truly monumental text. Included are several books in their entirety ("Annie Allen," "In the Mecca," etc.) as well as excerpts from some later books ("Primer for Blacks," "The Near-Johannesburg Boy and Other Poems," etc.). Although most of the books represented are works of poetry, "Blacks" also contains the text of Brooks' 1953 novel "Maud Martha."

Brooks is a stylistic virtuoso, proficient with the sonnet, ballad, free verse, and other forms. She is an expert with alliteration, rhyme, and other musical effects. Her vocabulary is encyclopedic; she evokes not only African-American vernacular speech, but also the entire sweeping history of the literary tradition in English. In this collection are both short poems and longer poems.

Many of Brooks' poems deal with aspects of African-American life. She writes of anti-Black violence and other forms of racism, and reflects upon enduring figures in African-American cultural history. She also writes of family relationships and intimate personal crises.

Her novel, "Maud Martha," is a poetic chronicle of the life of a dark-skinned urban Black girl. We follow Maud Martha through her girlhood, marriage, and motherhood. "Maud Martha" is a memorable vision of an African-American woman's life, and, in my opinion, should stand beside such literary works as Harriet Jacobs' "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl," Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God," and Audre Lorde's "Zami."

Of Brooks' long poems, I found the most memorable to be "In the Mecca," a tragic and haunting narrative poem that takes place in a Chicago apartment building. "In the Mecca" is a sort of urban, African-American "Odyssey" in which we encounter the various inhabitants of this world.

In her poetic tribute to Langston Hughes, Brooks writes that he has "a long reach, / strong speech." I would say the same of Brooks. Her amazing body of work deserves to reach into the 21st century and beyond.

Gwendolyn Brooks is one of my favorite poets and this anthology of her work gives a glimpsing answer to the question 'why?' "Blacks" is a veritae encyclopedia of the America experience written in Brooks' lucid but unsettling style.

It's people like T.S Eliot which make us think art is an inclusive privilege of a born, elite few. And then artists -like Brooks- go right along and prove that, at its best, art is inclusive, fun and thought-provoking. Rather than tying itself up in esoteric knots, Brooks' poetry flows along personal but recognizable paths that most blacks have experienced at one time or another.

I go to Northwestern U. and we've had the privilege of her speaking at our school many times. And after meeting her my respect only grew.

Forever "young, gifted and black" Gwedolyn Brooks deserves nothing less than the attention given to the likes of Langston Hughes or Phylis Wheatley. This books shows us why.

Brook trout are my favorite trout (or Char, as the author corrects us) and there's a lot more to this book than the fish itself. It describes the history of the fish from a regional perspective, explaining why, for example, the fishing in New York is the way it is and how amazing America's brookie rivers once were. After reading it, I had a new perspective on American history.

Karas provides ample attention to how environmental problems have damaged the quality of brookie rivers as well.

One thing a reader should be aware of, however, is that the book is light on tactics for actually catching brookies. It's much more about why the fish is in the state it's in and what it used to be before man ruined the brookie's habitat.

Nevertheless, I was so engrossed in the history provided and the beautiful photos that I didn't mind not getting out of the book what originally inspired me to buy it--how to catch brookies. I've read the book twice and enjoyed it each time.

I have fished brook trout for 25 years both in lakes and streams, and this book BROOK TROUT is right on the mark. Full of informative information that was not obtained over a short duration. The author of this book gives the brookies the credit it deserves. Rich in history and sad at times, this book tells why the brook trout should be American proud symbol for all fishermen.

Brook Trout by Nick Karas is among other things a life history of America's great trout species. The book spans millions of years of evolution and the ice age telling the species story. The science is well researched and written in a manner that may be understood easily.The book also presents information about the decline of Brook Trout populations over the last century and a half and the prospects for the species future. Brook Trout according to Karas were first pursued by early settlers soon after their arrival in the new world. That pursuit among other things was responsible for much of the species decline. Brook Trout are rebounding in many areas of its range and its prospects for survival are good. Many anglers are interested in restoring habitat and seeing the species recover and this book presents some ideas to facilitate a recovery plan. This book is a must read for everyone interested in the species recovery or angling opportunities and is well written and informative. Included in the book are some great photographs of Karras and trout. If you fish for brook trout, don't miss reading this book.

I enjoyed reading Ghosts in the Gallery. Jenny is an endearing character who wins your heart. Who wouldn't love a poor orphan child left to the mercy of relatives she has never met? The mystery is well written and keeps the reader guessing about what will happen next. At times it was difficult to keep all of the characters straight, but all comes together in the end. Barbara Brooks Moore writes in such detail that the reader feels as if she were at Graymark Manor itself.

Jenny had tragically lost her parents by the time she turned eleven years old. Although American, Jenny had lived her whole life in China and had no one to take care of her once her parents were gone. Prior to her death, her mother made arrangements for Jenny to travel to America to live with her only remaining living relative, her paternal grandfather Graymark. Upon arrival at Graymark Manor, however, she was told that, in fact, no arrangements had been made, it was not believed that she was actually related to the family she found there, and the only way Jenny would be permitted to stay would be as a servant. As Jenny slowly met and learned more of each of the family members and fellow servants, the truth about what was going on in this dark, mysterious house became more and more elusive, and we are taught that things are not always as they seem! Wallace's wonderful imagery and array of characters make for an exciting adventure into the past. This is historical fiction and suspense at their best, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. Although recommended for ages 8 and up, I would personally think it more appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Growing up as one of the few Americans in China during the Victorian era, young Jenny never knew her real father, who died when she was just an infant. The only father she knows is the kindly man who married her mother when she was a young widow struggling to provide for herself and baby Jenny. The three of them lived a spare but comfortable life over the years. But sudden tragedy strikes Jenny when she is just eleven, when her stepfather and mother die within weeks of each other. On her deathbed, Jenny's mother provides her with the instructions and money neccesary to make the long voyage to the American east coast to live with her paternal grandfather. Along the miserable ocean crossing and railroad trip across the United States, the one thing comforting Jenny is the fact that she will soon be with her grandfather, safe and loved. Instead, she arrives to misery: her mother's letter never arrived, her grandfather is ailing, and her uncle does not believe that Jenny is his niece, but is trying to swindle the family fortune. So Jenny is sent to a dank room in the cellar to become a servant. With many mysterious people surrounding her, she begins to wonder just what is going on in gloomy Graymark House, and whether someone could possibly be plotting against her. Bringing to life a brave, resourceful young girl, this novel spins a dark tale of treachery and sinister plots set against a shadowy 19th-century backdrop.

This book has good insights into the Wall Street of the 1960's. This was the period of time most similar to the present (not identical) regarding the boom in tech stocks and new issues. Brooks has some interesting insights into the players in that period of time and what went wrong.

OK, there can be some EXCELLENT ideas and analysis. But, he has some chapters that aren't interesting or very relevant (the book is originally from 1973). But, he gets inside the market. Also, the chapter on the back room operations of trading firms is fabulous, thinking about new firms like E-Trade, etc. (Make sure you track EVERY trade). A good read (but know how to skip).

Wiley Investment Classics typically fall into two categories, fascinating troves of banking wisdom that are well-written and insightful, and painful diatribes that while full of good intention are best put on the shelf for display. "The Go-Go Years" is definitely the former - this is an incredibly well written book about what has really become one of the forgotten times in American financial history. While the booom of the 1920's and resulting crash, as well as the excess of the 1980's are frequent subjects of many financial authors, Brooks has picked a relatively infrequently discussed portion of our financial history, the booming 1960's and the resulting crash of the early 1970's.

There are many outstanding sections of the book; the introduction to Ross Perot in the first chapter, the history of Gerald Tsai and Fidelity, the rise and fall of the conglomerates, the description of the back-office and its staff, and finally the description of Wall Street that begins Chapter 5, which is without question the best description of the area ever written. These few pages (104 - 111) are simply an outstanding piece of prose.

There are just too many good things about this book to fit into a 1,000 word review. Too many of the lessons from only 40 years ago are maddeningly similar to the lessons many dot-com and IPO investors are learning now, and the structure and actions of many Wall Street establishments are all too easily explained with this simple peace of previously "missing" history. If you are up to date on the current view of the 1929 collapse, and the bull market of the 1980's, then this is the book that goes a long way towards filling out the major events that shaped the markets in the interim.

Go read this book.

Favorite Excerpts:

"Goaded by stock underwriters eager for commissions or a piece of the action owners of family businesses from coast to coast - laundry chains, soap-dish manfacturers, anything - would sell stock in their enterprises on the strength of little but bad news and big promises." - Brooks (page 28)

"Some accused him of being a habitual liar; they forgave him because he seemed geniunely to believe his lies, especially those about himself and his past." - Brooks (page 63)

"In the nineteen twenties, Wall Street's last great era before the present one, it was a kind of super university as well as a marketplace." - Brooks (page 105)

"'We were all sheep,' one of them would admit, sheepishly, years later." - Brooks (page 120)

"A smooth operator with a streak of the gambler; a company more interested in attracting investors than in making real profits; the resort to tricky accounting; the eager complicity of long-established, supposedly conservative investing institutions; the desperation plunge in a gambling casino at the last minute; the need for massive central-banking action to localize the disaster; and finally, reform measures instituted too late - we will see all of these elements reproduced with uncanny faithfulness in United States financial scandals and mishaps later in the nineteen sixties." (page 125 - 126)

"Economics have never been my strongpoint" - Salinger (page 273)

In this book the arthur I think did very well in describing the baseball game. He really brought entertainment into the book. In the book a rookie baseball player became the general manager of a MLB team. That is very weird. One thing I really like is that the arthur put alot of problems in the team like the playeres were prejudice of a Jewish rookie.

Despite starting more slowly than the other Tunis novels I've read, the book quickly makes up for lost time Spike and Bob Russell are slick-feilding brothers who come to a Dodger team whose manager fails to inspire. Spike is apointed manager and success increases. But when Babe Stansworth, the Brooklyn catcher is injured, it falls to Jocko Klein, a young Jew, to fill in. In a world of religous bigotry Jocko cracks, making his teamates and opponents alike belive all the more that "Jews are yellow"-that he can't take it. It falls on Spike to stop this horrible stream of verbal (and physical-pitchers throw beanballs to him) attacks and make the team WORK as a team.

It's hard to believe this book was written before Jackie Robinson made his debut with the real Dodgers in 1947, because "Keystone Kids" touches on many things that were dealt with when Robinson became the first black player in the majors. Bobby and Spike Russell are a pair of middle infielders brought up from the minors to the Dodgers during the WWII era. Both encounter the usual difficulties that rookies face in the Tunis series. The difference here is another rookie, Jewish catcher Jocko Klein, who has to endure prejudice from opponents and even his own teammates. While the title of the book suggests the Russell brothers as the main characters, Jocko is the real story here. To me, this book and "The Kid Comes Back" are the two most socially relevant of the Tunis series. Any parent wishing to instill a sense of conscience in their kids could do a whole lot worse than getting them "Keystone Kids."

In this works,the author depicted Sherman's temperament and the fighting style.Analyzed the compaigns through Georgia and the Carolinas.

Although Lewis seems to be a Sherman fan, he is very fair and is not patronizing. I am impressed with the number of sources Lewis drew upon in his writing. This is a long book and starts slowly, but picks up speed during the Civil War years. This is the first biography I've read about Sherman, and I feel like I "know him" very well. I think ultimately, this is a very good book that serious Civil War buffs should read.

THIS BOOK OF LLOYD LEWIS' ON WILLIAM T SHERMAN IS AN EXCELLENT READ. LEWIS MUST HAVE SPENT A LONG TIME RESEARCHING SHERMAN AND HIS FAMILY, HIS LIFE AND TIMES. ANYONE WHO HAS READ THE BOOK WOULD AGREE I AM SURE. SHERMAN WAS AN INDEPENDANT THINKER AND A MAN OF HIGH RESOLVE. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO RESTORING THE UNION ARE CERTAINLY EVIDENT IN THIS BOOK. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT AN HISTORICAL EXPERT ON THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR, I AM SURE THAT ANYONE WHO READS THIS BOOK WILL BE MORE INFORMED AN EDUCATED ON ITS HISTORICAL ASPECTS AS WELL. LLOYD LEWIS , IN ONE OF THE CHAPTERS REFERS TO "SHERMAN AND HIS INEXHAUSTABLE PEN". AFTER READING THIS NOVEL, YOU WILL FIND ALSO THAT "THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD". AFTER READING "SHERMAN - THE FIGHTING PROPHET", I FELT LIKE HAD KNOW THE MAN. W.MUNRO

This first novel is an amazing romp through a part of life few of us have had the chance to experience. The characters are real and you come to care about them as the plot unfolds. This action filled, yet spiritual, journey into the lives of the main characters, and those who surround them, is unforgettable. Jake and Sadie are a force to be reckoned with.

Watch out ladies and gentlemen! This book is going to send on a rollercoaster of emotions! One minute you will be on the edge of your seat with antiipation and the next crying or laughing out loud. A Snake Around the Moon has a great story plot and a really interesting and "close-to-home" type villian. The "heroes" in this book are very good! Sadie and Jake are very interesting characters and I personally felt connected to them through the authors wonderful wriing and description. The authore made me feel like I was there and that I was in the middle of every action. I also like the authors desription of the land and areas in this book. You really feel like you are there. This book is now on my top 10 favorite books of all time! I wish the author luck in his upcoming ventures!

I picked up Snake Around the Moon because I was bored, never intending for myself the sense of adventure and catharsis I experienced as I tore from one page to the next. So many new authors work overtime to impress us with their command of the English language, so much so that they forget to tell their story clearly and concisely. Such is not the case with Alan Brooks' tale of adventure, hopelessness, joy, despair and human triumph. If you don't feel like you've been on the roller coaster ride of your life after you read this one, go back and read it again because you were not paying attention.

Though the central character of the book is a tad unbelieveable in the breath and scope of his serenity, wouldn't we all like to like to be as laid back and mellow as Gabe? Though I enjoyed the message and the journey through the world according to Gabe, I found myself at times disturbed by the contrasts between Gabe's life and my own. Not everyone can just walk into the woods and hide because that's what they need to do so they can discover their humanity and then their divinity. I found myself upset at Gabe's lack of responsibility, while at the same time marveling at his ability to shrug off the conventions of societal norms.

This book angered, intrigued, entertained, jaded and enlightened me. It is a rolling inquiry into where in the hell we are all going with our lives. It is impossible to read it without engaging in self examination. If you are afraid of the truth, stay away from this book.

A great mixture of real life experiences mixed with trememdous opportunities for self understanding. I found myself wanting to know more as each page ended. Well written and heart touching. A healing book for those in need and inspiring for all others. Read it - you'll be glad you did!

A wonderfully light yet insightful look at our humanity - its foibles, its struggles, its challenges, its temptations and its joys - all illustrated through the minds-eye and peace-laden words of the central character, Gabe. This book buoys your spirit and helps to strenghten the connection between the power of the universe and man. Not for the casual reader, Brooks has something to say through the Gabe conduit, but the message is easy to extract, sensible and hope provoking.

Bill Clinton, please come back, the editorial cartoonists need you! Without him it just is not the same because scandals, vices etc are all much more palatable if they become flesh, so to speak. So it just is not the same without him, he should come back. On the other hand ...

Charles Brooks edits the 2003 edition of BEST EDITORIAL CARTOONS OF THE YEAR, a powerful and pointed collection which packs in political commentary and cartoon renditions of major events of 2002. Newspaper readers will find these satires hilarious.

Best Editorial Cartoons Of The Year 2003 Edition is a superb collection of black-and-white political and social cartoons that aptly summarize the turning points of the year. Including numerous award-winning cartoons among its 420 selections, Best Editorial Cartoons Of The Year 2003 aptly captures the range of political turmoil, governmental indecisions, social ills, and sardonic looks at the near and far future. Highly recommended, especially for political science students in need of a little levity showcasing what are often keen political insights.