I didn't have much in the way of expectations for this book but in all seriousness I was as surprised as anyone could possibly be at how immensely entertaining and informative it is. Great pictures throughout, humourous anecdotes, backstage shenanigans. I'm a member of the International Sinatra Society and I have just about every note Frank Sinatra ever sang on cd and I take my fandom pretty seriously. I would never intentionally steer a fellow Sinatra fan the wrong way (read my scathing review of Donald Clarke's book) and I give you my word of honour that you will experience not a single moment of disappointment in the purchase of this book.

I came across National Public Radio many years ago just tooling around the FM dial. I found "Fresh Air with Terry Gross" and was hooked by the interview at the time, with Clint Eastwood. The questions were ones I would want to ask him. I was intrigued by this voice I have never heard before on radio, sophisticated, smart, smooth, curious, and down to earth. No commercial radio hype, none of the exaggeration for a big news story, not a celebrity exclusive. I've since heard this audio compilation of the the comedians interviewed on "Fresh Air laughs" and loved it. This isn't just a side splitting laugh a minute tape, it also brings you a realization that these are real people. The Bill Murray interview is so unlike his performer identity we all know that you have to listen to it carefully, because Terry brings out his humanity with her interview style. We get to listen to conversation that has substance and not just style. This is a tape you can sink your teeth into, it's that thick.

This is an entrancing account of how real Russians overcome the exigencies of daily life in present-day Russia. The author, a fluent Russian-speaker, lived for a year as just another teacher at a Moscow secondary school. Unlike other writers (cf Colin Thubron) where a travel writer or journalist bases an account an accoun on interviews, often conducted through an interpreter, Dora O'brien participated fully and was invited to share her colleagues' lives as one of them. Structured around the powerful effects of the seasons, the book provides real insights into the ups and downs of ordinary people's lives. The book is un-put-downable.

Ask any visual effects artist working in the bowels of Industrial Light & Magic who their childhood idols were, odds are that their most common replies would be Ray Harryhausen and Willis "Obie" O'Brien. The stop-motion creations of these cinema pioneers have sparked the imaginations of countless moviegoers, and provided imagery which serves as stunning landmarks in the history of filmmaking. From King Kong standing atop the Empire State Building, to the hulking Cyclops and scimitar-wielding skeleton of "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad", the cinematic creations of these two legendary artists have ingrained themselves into places of honor in our popular culture.

_From the Land Beyond Beyond_ is a splendid overview of the careers of these remarkable individuals, packed with photos and behind the scenes details on how Harryhausen and Obie brought these magical creatures to life. The book goes on to touch upon the early careers of some of the effects artists who were inspired by the Masters, who themselves have now gone on to occupy prominant positions in the industry. Together with _Ray Harryhausen's Film Fantasy Scrapbook_, this volume is an vital addition to the library of any fantasy film enthusiast.

Cruiskeen Lawn was the title of the long-running column in the Irish Times (1940-1966) written by Myles na gCopaleen. Wildly innovative, funny, biting humor, wit and wordplay characterize the column. There are three collections: The Best of Myles, Further Cuttings from Cruiskeen Lawn, and The Hair of the Dogma that give a taste of Dublin's daily bread. In addition to writing as Myles, the author, whose real name was Brian O'Nolan, wrote five novels, all available under the name Flann O'Brien. If you want a laugh, try any one of them. If you've only dipped into the font with the Best of Myles, you'll be doubly blessed by Further Cuttings.

Gertrude Bell was an English woman who lived an extraordinary life of adventure. She rode with bandits, braved desert shamals, was captured by Bedouins, and sojourned in a harem. The counselor to kings and prime ministers, her illustrious colleagues included Lloyd George and Winston Churchill. Very highly recommended reading for women's studies, and 20th century studies reading lists and library collections, Gertrude Bell: The Arabian Diaries, 1913-1914 is wonderfully illustrated with her photography and exemplifies her elegant, vibrant prose, as well as documenting her on of the 20th Century's most daring, resourceful, independent, and larger-than-life characters.

This was a wonderful book. I highly recommend it for preschoolthrough early elementary ages. The illustrations of dinosaurs next toeveryday objects show children (and adults) how big these creatures really were. The book also translates the name of each dinosaur, and gives a fact to accompany each page. A wonderful read, well worth owning!

Has been replaced by 1998 second edition

I have been collecting these Great America Quilt books since the very beginning. They are highly treasured among the quilt books I own. I enjoy the variety of quilts from first quilts to quilts from very experienced quilt makers. They are all beautiful photographed and the color just leaps out from the pages. Patterns are included for most and sometimes actually quilting motifs are included. What I love most about this book is that it covers a range of quilters all over the country. I enjoy seeing the photographs of each quilter, but most of all I enjoy reading the stories as to how they began quilting or what inspired that particular pattern or the history behind the quilt. My particular favorite are quilts begun a generation(s) before and finally ended up being finished by the current generation. Can you imagine what treasures those quilts are? Also included in this book are quilts done by Bee Quilters. This book is a wonderful way to become inspired for your next project or just enjoy the quilts for 19993.

What a find! This resource book is a treasure chest of organizers to help students ( and teachers) of all ages understand the connections between reading and writing! These helpful graphic orrganizers could practically BE a curriculum for the reading/writing teacher! This is a book that every one commited to making students better readers and writers should own!