Book is well designed; choice of content is good. Historical selections are given a tan background which is dark enough to make the text more difficult to read than it might be. This also could be 'old' eyes. Book seems well copy-edited for textual errors. The long lists of primary and secondary sources seems to be a 'feature' of history texts these days. Rather intimidating, particularly for the beginning history student. A shorter list might be more helpful and appropriate. Problems:
If you cannot pronounce a word, you cannot learn it. Some of this may be due to my 'studying at home', but even the student who attends a regular class will be left at a loss on how to pronounce many, many words. More help is needed.
The ancilliary materials, Map Workbook and Original Document Workbook, are not up to the level of the main text. The Map Workbook uses muddy, black and white versions of the colored text maps, and answer some of their own questions, while some of the cities which the student is asked to identify are 'off the map'. The Original Document workbook is a joke. Few selections, 18pt type, lots of white space, typos, layout poor at times. Junk.
There are numerous instances in the main text of clumsy English. One example will have to do:
P.160 "Although the cultural and social developments of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, there were also significant changes as a result of the new imperial order."
Are they similar or are they different? 'Developments' is the wrong word. 'Also' is a junk word. 'There were significant changes' is weak (intransitive). Better:
"Although some cultural and social features of the Early Empire were similar to those of the last century of the Republic, the new imperial order brought significant changes." Good transition sentence. -17% word count from original.

I have 3rd edition set, and took Western Civ II with Dr. Spielvogel at Penn State. His teaching and his book are by far the best history instruction (or any instruction) I've ever had. A brilliant educator and writer, this text is definately the one you want for any course on Western Civ. Spielvogel includes "Day in the Life" sidebars, as well as the opposing point of view (e.g. the Crusaders in Muslim Eyes, an account of a Muslim's viewpoint).

Professor Emeritus Spielvogel has a unique teaching style that makes history interesting and captivating. This style is mirrored in this book. The text is enhanced by many diagrams, maps and charts. An annotated suggested reading list at the end of each chapter provides its readers with a strong base from which one can begin further research. "Western Civilization" is a very flexible book; it can be used on either the High School or College level and can easily be divided into different themes. If your purposes lead you to non-western areas of history, then try Spielvogel's "World History", co-author by Professor Emeritus William J. Duiker.

Vasari's prose is effusive but easy to follow because it says the same things over and over about each artist. If you have any interest in the Italian artists this book is a crucial and reliable source of information. Artists lives with an emphasis on their contemporaries and their development are lavishly detailed in this book. It's a crucial source for a college-level art history report. Art historians respect Vasari's analyses of the artists' lives.

Vasari LOVES the High Renaissance artists, especially Michelangelo and Raphael, so you'll find that those chapters are especially long and informative. At times the praise of these artists, and others of the Renaissance, seems exaggerated and excessive. But you get the general gist of things, and find yourself itching to see the paintings that he tells stories about after you read about each artist.

I found this to be a magnificent reference for anyone interested in learning about the Renaissance art and artists. Vasari wrote the original text between 1563 and 1568, and he knew the greats such as Michelangelo and da Vinci personally as well as many others and imparts both his knowledge and first hand impressions of these great artists not found in any other reference. Vasari himself was a very talented artist apprenticing under Michelangelo directly. This is a wonderful text and facinating source of hard to find information. You will enjoy it.

In studying up for a visit to Italy I noticed that art historians still directly and frequently cite this book, written over 400 years ago. Since Vasari was a contemporary of the High-Renaissance artists, I thought it would be interesting to read his descriptions of artists and their technical development. The book is organized into a series of essays focusing on artists from Cimabue to Titian. In this translation, the editors have included only those artists still believed to have made a significant contribution.

To my surprise, this book was not only informative, but it was also quite entertaining. Vasari focuses mostly on the artistic development of each artist, but frequently strays into fascinating stories about their personal lives. The writing style is surprisingly readable, thanks to both Vasari and the editors. The notes in the back of the book are extremely useful. They point out where Vasari has been proven inaccurate, elaborate on some of Vasari's points, and provide updated locations for some of the works.

This book was invaluable during my recent trip to Tuscany and Umbria. It was thrilling to read Vasari's descriptions of great fresco cycles, paintings, and sculptures while I was viewing them in person, whether in the Uffizi in Florence or the Duomo in Orvieto. I cannot recommend this book enough to all art lovers, particularly those who are planning a visit to central Italy.

This dual language edition of Baudelaire's revolutionary work is an excellent addition to any poetry lover's bookshelf. The translations are well thought out and can be read as works on their own if you do not speak French. However, Baudelaire's poetry is best read in the original French if the reader really wishes to appreciate the gravity and depth of poems such as 'Le Cygne' (Andromac je pense a vous) or marvel at the streets of Paris in the middle of Haussmann's redevelopment plan.

Baudelaire allows us to explore our own emotions and leads us on a journey from this world, to the classical world and then on to the next. We see love in many guises, from Baudelaire's various 'amantes' to sex with common prostitutes. We cannot help be amazed by the poet's versatility of subject matter and even of style, particularly in 'Harmonie du Soir'. This collection can be read on many different levels and every time one rereads a poem, there is always something more.

I would recommend 'Les Fleurs du Mal' to anyone who has been entranced by French literature all through the ages. You will see love, hate and Paris as you've never seen them before.

This is a magnificent edition of the seminal Fleurs du Mal, printed in its original French and a sympathetic and incisive English that retains rhythm and form in a way rarely seen in recent Baudelaires. For poetry lovers, and lovers of literature, Baudelaire is a first-stop: all of twentieth century poetry is in his debt, yet he is often overlooked in contemporary analysis of influences on poets like Eliot, even Heany. The stark, startling honesty of poems like De Profundis Clamavi, or The Balcony, wipe away the years and bring this rebel visionary of the soul full-dimensionally into our twenty-first century living-rooms. This is an important work, as important as anything in French literature. The frame of "poetry" distracts: Flowers of Evil is life lessons, a handbook more stimulating and life-affirming than any top-ten self-help manual.

This edition of "Flowers of Evil" contains all of the poems, not in their original order. However, ample introductory material and two tables of contents allows the reader to see what the work was when it was first published.

The poems themselves cover many subjects in traditional symbolist style, from cats to gypsies to corpses to a whole section on wine. A must for any student of poetry.

However, if you're looking for a translation that is true word for word and does not attempt to preserve the meter and rhyme, this is not the book for you. Mcentyre does a fabulous job tweaking the enlish to preserve poetic structure, but for students of French, and those interested in doing their own translations, other editions are preferable.

This is a well researched and written biography. Pollock was alcoholic, abusive and not someone I would have wanted to know. He hurt the woman he loved- or at least loved him. This biography travels through the world of art and money as well as the bowels of self-hatred and Hell. Was he an artist or just lucky (drip painting)? Do some brilliant moments in creativity justify such abuse toward others? Was his confusion about his sexual identity at the core of his artistic and abusive self? This biography goes into the psychological and creative mind and life of an extremely complex though not so interesting individual. Given the right circumstances just about anyone can appear interesting and brilliant. Good connections and lucky breaks can pave the way to painting a brilliant illusion. Maybe that was his greatest masterpiece. With that all said, the biography is brilliant, and that's no illusion. One of the most insightful reads on the art world during the middle of the twentieth century. You'll read about famous people, and find a new and enlightening perspective of how it evolved and the stuff it was made of. Highly enjoyable and recommended!

I read this book when it first was published.
This book made me want to see the new movie!
I balked at it's cost but it is the best biography I have ever read.
It is well researched and written.
Things from the book at linger in my memory after all this time?
His hell raising at the Canal Bar,dealing with Peggy Guggenheim, his death and the strange notion that he claimed he would supposedly "know" when a woman had her period.

Read this book, I'm going to again!

Excellent index and thorough, chronological coverage of events in the life of this important American artist.

It is a huge book but moves fairly quickly, since Pollock's life was really very interesting. Any art history student studying Pollock and the New York abstract expressionist movement will find plenty of insight here. Includes wonderful collection of black and white photos from all phases of the man's life.

Pollock had a tough time dealing with the fame and notoriety foisted upon him as a genius of the New York school, and for many years Pollock has often been dismissed as the phony he himself feared he was. It certainly is refreshing to see Pollock as a whole man (talented, wise, adventurous, flawed, tenacious, alcoholic), not just as an overrated art star. (The recent Kurt Varnadoe book on his art is also excellent in this way). Self doubting artists may find some degree of comfort in this book, actually.

Detailed, unbiased writing. One of the best artist biographies I've ever read.

I'm a voracious reader of true crime and find that too many of them are poorly written. This book is unusually well written and well organized. I came across the book by following a cable show on NecroSearch, the volunteer forensics organization that participated in helping Richardson put Luther away.

Alert, True Crime fans! For those of us who feast on the genre and who have known too often the frustration--a kind of tawdry humiliation, really, considering the subject-matter--of spending good dollars for bad product, Steve Jackson's "Monster" is superb value both content- and price-wise. At a beefy 530 pages (Amazon's count is uncharacteristically incorrect), Jackson's book is well-researched and features a clear narrative account that is beyond mere "easy to follow"--this book enters the realm of the "could not put it down." The book's length allows its author to include a wealth of detail regarding the heinous crimes of one Thomas Luther, and allows him to do so in an unstilted manner--there's not an incident recounted here that reads awkwardly. Unlike many convoluted attempts by authorial wannabes, Jackson's prose is the real deal; it reads as true as its recounted conversations ring. The book records the pursuit of Luther by Detective Scott Richardson, and documents the twists, turns, and inner turmoil involved in a case of this nature: As Richardson struggles first to find the body of Cher Elder and then to prove the case against the sociopathic Luther, a chronic repeat offender, the reader becomes an active agent in that pursuit, rather than a passive follower of it. Those of you well-read in the genre know what I mean when I say that this is an extremely difficult task for a writer. Jackson is worth two Ann Rules and three Jack Olsens, and those are writers I much admire. Indeed, other than Capote's "In Cold Blood," the Platonic ideal for a true-crime tome, I can think of no book I've found more of an enjoyable challenge. Those of you who, like me, are opposed to the death penalty will get a real run for your money here, a real test of true principles. Jackson's vivid details--yes, much blood here, much stabbing, strangling, and shooting; neckbones snap, faces are rearranged--make the argument for the prosecution. I'm still anti-capital punishment, but I'll admit I wouldn't lose so much as a nap, let alone a good night's sleep, to hear that Luther and other members of his ilk had, at the hands of the State, shuffled off this mortal coil.

I read true crime occasionally out of a need to know what makes these people tick, though I'm not sure that anyone will ever have the answer to that question. This book details the ghastly crimes of suspected serial killer Thomas Luther. Although convicted of only one murder, Luther left a bloody trail of rapes and assaults, as well as compelling circumstantial evidence linking him to numerous unsolved murders. The one victim he was convicted of killing, Cher Elder, is brought to life in these pages by the author. One shudders to think of her last moments in the hands of evil incarnate. The woman who loved and stood by Luther, a "psychiatric nurse" named Debrah Snider, is a complete cypher. Even after she was confronted with the chilling and unmistakable evidence of what he was and what he did, she remained true to her man. This book, which I made the mistake of reading while home alone at night, spares few details of the hideous carnage committed by Luther. Although I would have liked to see a chapter on Luther's childhood and the abuse he alleges he suffered, this book nonetheless gives the reader a fairly comprehensive insight into the psyche of a monster.

Nigel Jackson's Tarot is beautiful craftsmanship. Not just eye-candy, anyone with good taste who enjoys medieval and renaissance art will enjoy this deck. If you know the tarot you will find it a great divination tool, as the illustrations depict the meaning of the major arcana archetypes quite well. The minor arcana also does its job, depicting everyday people and life's situations. If you're a novice, you can benefit as well because the artwork allows you to determine what the cards mean to YOU without constantly groping for the book. The deck is somewhat over-sized compared to a standard deck, but it handles easy and allows you to fully realize its beauty. The book is also the size of the deck and offers concise, meaningful interpretations; a glossary that defines many greek terms, a bibliography, and meditative exercises, plus five spreads. This book has more to offer than the miniature booklet that comes with standard decks.

It is not clear to me what Mr. Jackson is trying to convey in his explanation of tarot origin. His philosophy on the Pythagorean Method is a bit convoluted, but in no way detracts from the deck.

For me, a deck must be appealing, handles with ease, and I must be able to interpret the cards, as well as connect. I was able to diffuse my energy witht this deck immediately. I am a collector and this deck symbolizes quality.

A beautiful deck full of bright pen and watercolor images that grab the imagination. It has become my deck of choice. The cards are larger than most decks, which I like, and the packaging is well done. This deck makes its home in my best tarot bag... I like it that much. The art is soothing to the eye, unlike the familure Waite/Smith images. The book that comes with the deck is interesting reading but for the beginner this deck and Joan Bunning's workbook are a very good match (even though Joan uses Wait, the images translate nicely... for the most part). This is Llewellyn's best deck in my opinion and you cannot help but come away from this deck anything but a fan of Nigel Jackson's talents. Highly recommended.

I own several tarot decks, and with all certainty, this is the crowning glory of my collection. The deck's unique art, a combination of line-drawing and watercolor, is some of the best I've ever seen. The colors are luminous and harmonious...The artist pulled off a rare feat in creating a truly colorful deck, but one that defies syrupy sweetness or garishness. The symbols and images of the deck are familliar (derived largely from the Waite deck I believe), yet presented in a very fresh, new way. The deck is very "user friendly". The cards are of large size, but not awkward, and are easily shuffled right out of the box. I have not yet had the opportunity to completely read the accompanying booklet, but my first impressions are that it is intelligently written and useful. Even the packaging of this deck reflects quality. The "kit" is very compact and portable. This deck/book set gets my complete approval. I absolutely love it and highly recommend it.

Sometimes I wonder why Qwill has to be so negative about everything. If he were a real person, I doubt whether I would want to be that great of a friend of his. Lillian Braun writes his attitude to be that he is always wonderful, and everyone else grows boring and tiresom. Instead it is Qwill who grows boring and tiresom. In the later books, this deficiency is corrected, but when I go back and read the earlier books, I always wonder where Qwill gets off.

As with all the books, Qwill and Koko find the killer in the end, though Qwill's life is put in grave danger to do so. There is a little character development, especially in the relationship between Qwill and Polly, and we learn a little more about Bushy the photographer and Derek Cuttlebrink finally comes into play.

Over all, it is a necessary book to read if you are intent on reading the series, but you could probably skip it.

I like this book because you would never suspect who the killer actually is. It was exciting all the way through the book. Now since I've read this book I'm thinking about reading all the other Cat Who mysteries.

This was the first "Cat Who" book I read. It started me on the world of murder mysteries. I've read better "Cat Who" books, but this one will always be my favorite.

My children enjoyed this book emensely! Wonderful illustrations ! A new "Thanksgiving read" tradition!

*Hilarious* is the only word to describe this picture book which is a take off of the classic "I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.

When an "old lady" comes to Thanksgiving dinner she swallows a pumpkin pie--whole. To wash down the pie (which was really too dry) she gulps some cider which "rumbles and mumbles and grumbles" inside her. Then to the horror of the adults and the delight of the children she gobbles the entire Thanksgiving feast!

The illustrations cap off the delightful text and add even more fantastic humor as the old lady grows in proportion with each outlandish bite.

A must read for story time--kids will be giggling more with every turn of the page. And you'll be "thankful" you don't have such a relative. Or do you?

Karma Wilson

My children and I live this story. It became more fantastical as it went on and when Judy's illustrations display the woman as a Thansgiving parade balloon, it got raves of laughter from the kids! The details of the pictures add to the story. The dead mouse was fun to look for on each page!

I am an avid audio book listener. Granted, I'm spoiled by George Guidall's excellent reading of the vast majority of Braun's "Cat Who" series. But Van Patten is a sad failure. Apparently Dove's editorial staff feared correcting him. He pronounces everything wrong: "Klingen-shone" instead of "Klingen-shane," for instance. He pronounces Nick and Laurie's last name "BAMba." The first syllable rhymes with "Tom," not "Pam." Twice he calls Euphonia Gage "Euphoria." He says Qwill will do his one-man Pickax history show for the Senior Care Faculty! He misread "Facility," and no one stopped the tape for another take. He inflects all wrong! He said Qwill "carried the cat coop-out" (meaningless) instead of "carried the cat coop out." What a disappointment for a Braun audio fan!

Qwilleran and the cats rent a house with a lot of closets. Koko is finding skelatons in the closets. An exciting story of murder and crime for unobvious reasons. Qwilleran is burdened with office tasks already, and a few surprise tasks, and now it seems there was a murder. Find out who did it when you read, "The Cat Who Went Into A Closet".

This is the 15th book in the series. I've read them in order and they get better every time. In this one, Qwilleran (and his cats) are looking into two deaths, one of which took place far away in Florida. Of course by the end everything is solved. With some mysteries you can figure out what happened early on but this keeps you guessing and you're solving it right along with Qwill. (Sometimes I pay more attention to Koko's clues than he does, though!) Good light mystery reading for those of us who DON'T like thrills and chills.

Having been with this book through several drafts, I can say with confidence that this is a very basic book for those who would like to increase their understanding of Christianity and its place in the contemporary scene. It has chapters on the Bible, God, the human Jesus, the Christ of faith, sin and human nature, grace and salvation, the Church, and a final chapter on alternative views and future prospects. The book is equallly useful for college classes in religion, for adult study groups in churches, for training courses for religions education teachers, and for the general reader. It presents the latest scholarship in lively prose, useful graphics, and with study questions and extensive references.

The author's extensive knowledge of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism add richness to the discussion of Christianity by presenting the faith within the context of alternative belief systems.

Bordering on brilliance, in my view, and begging for more extended discussion are the sections on "A Mythical Christ" and "A Mystical Christ."

Remedial Christianity is written and illustrated with a touch of refreshing humor. It is a treasure trove of information and ideas, and it is affordable.

"Remedial Christianity" is one of the best resources available to gain an understanding of the history of the Christian Church. Dr. Laughlin achieves the remarkable goal of a book that is densely packed with information, and yet still readable and humorous. The inclusion of comparisons of Christian theology to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism is instructive, and the details included in describing these theistic models is invaluable to Christians who truly think about God.
As part of a study on the history of Christian theology, my church's Adult Education Ministry offered this book to small groups for discussion. I had the pleasure of leading one of those groups, and engaging in a very thorough debate of this text. Opinions about some of the conclusions drawn by Dr. Laughlin varied - some were very supportive of his view, others were dissenting. What was so refreshing about the experience was the number of times that people in my group came to a meeting about a particular chapter saying "I never knew that." The knowledge we gained from reading this book- whether we agreed or disagreed with the views of the author - caused us to examine our own faith and understanding of Christianity. Far from causing anyone to doubt their faith, the text provides an opportunity for a deeper understanding of faith and theology, and is one of the best resources to help indvidual Christians come to their own understanding and "image" of God.
Happily, we also had a chance to meet the author and listen to lectures based on this and other material. He was content with any points of disagreement with his scholarship, and genuinely interested in alternative points of view.
I highly recommend this book, and I highly recommend its use by any congregation looking for a good study and debate about Christianity. You can agree or disagree with it as much as you want. Just do not pass up the great opportunity Dr. Laughlin provides to learn more about the Christian faith.

Remedial Christianity is the type of book thinking persons need to examine, challenge and strengthen their Christian belief system. It is a breath of fresh air in the fundamentalist atmosphere in which I live. I found Dr. Laughlin's writing interesting, informative, and entertaining-- putting words and applying research to concepts I have embraced for many years. I am using the book in a Bible Study group and it has stimulated rich and exciting discussion, both positive and negative, from women of varied backgrounds, forcing us to better define what we believe and why we believe it.