This is the second book by this master storyteller that features the adventures of U. S. Marshal Oscar Schiller. The story is set during the early 1900's in the Oklahoma Indian Territory and Fort Smith, Arkansas. It is replete with the author's vivid characters and graphic situations. Jones also sprinkles much colorful history throughout the story and this adds to the reader's enjoyment. His imperfect principal character and the period chosen for the plot have a close similarity to the PINKERTON EYE. The only negative factor in the book is that it's editor repeatedly substituted "Marshall" for the correct form, "Marshal." The author, Douglas Jones, died during production of the book and probably was not involved in reading proofs. I enjoyed every page of this book and enthusiastically recommend it to others.

What a masterpiece! This book is truly magnificent. Someday critics will review this historical fiction and recognize it for the great literature that it is. The audio version with Ed Sala's narration is perfection itself. Please read or listen to the audio version of this book. Great writers like this must be appreciated.

A liberating and fascinating introduction to the historical evolution and practice of Tantric sexual ecstasy. This book goes a long way toward promoting a healthy understanding between men and women of their differing sexual personalities. Intriguing and candid, Nik Douglas' "Spiritual Sex: Secrets of Tantra from the Ice Age to the New Mellennium" deftly explores how the concept of consciousness expansion, human sexuality and spirituality are intricately bound. His detailed review encompasses not only the historical origins and nature of Tantra, but also its diffusion and practice in the Judeo-Christian sphere. The author's thorough presentation of Tantric sexual techniques, culminating in "The Tantric Great Rite of the Five Essentials", offers a no-nonsense guide for serious seekers of sexual ecstasy. The abiding relevance of "The Science of Tantra" and "The New Tantric Sexual Paradigm" is clearly articulated in the closing chapter. The works useful "Chronology: People and Events Pertinent to Tantra, in a Historical Context", its exhaustive bibliography and comprehensive listing of germane Internet sites render this scholarly book an invaluable reference tool. Highly recommended reading.

When most westerners hear the term Tantra, they typically think of Oriental erotic sex using secret rites. In reality (a strange word to use in this context), the Tantra is Sanskrit and means to expand, spread like a universal "cosmic weave". Tantra deals with a spiritual sex that when applied correctly expands the horizon of the individual and subsequently that of society.

Nik Douglas, renowned for his previous works on erotica and the Orient, provides the definitive work on the Tantra with this intriguing work. The book provides a historical perspective, but is not limited to just the east or the ancients from which Mr. Douglas affectionately provides information. Instead readers are also guided through the interface of sexuality and spirituality in the Judeo-Christian philosophy, and in other western thought. Mr. Douglas also provides more fresh insight into spiritual sexual topics than this reviewer or her spouse has ever seen in any book, including college social science courses. Finally the book provides a section for those readers who want to delve deeper into this concept with a comprehensive list of other sources.

SPIRITUAL SEX - Secrets of Tantra From the Ice Age to the New Millennium is an intriguing nonfiction work that is clearly not for everyone. It is for anyone either interested in the New Age, Oriental philosophy that wants to set their spirit free, or is just plain curious about an intriguing new concept. Not only will they want to read this book, they will find themseves opening their psyches to an radically different but believable mindset. One warning : although sexual topics are graphically pictured and described, this is not a pornographic book. Those looking for a quick thrill, need to turn elsewhere because this nonfiction work is a serious tool designed to enhance the mind and body of the reader.

Harriet Klausner

One of the best books I have ever read! It will be in my heart forever. I just didn't want it to end and can't wait to get my hands on "A Squirrel of One's Own". It is really a treasure.--Lee Ratcliffe, Portland Oregon2002

I had seen reference to the book "A Squirrel Forever" many times in my quest for information on squirrels...

I had NO IDEA that this guy is such a FANTASTIC author...I laughed, I cried, I LOVED the book so much, I was following people around reading it to them.. It was as if I had written the book myself...

I was a little partial to the book though as I too had a baby squirrel in my house... The book is hilarious, educational, and somewhat scary... His other book "A Squirrel of Ones Own" is also excellent

2 thumbs up!

Unless you speak/read German, this is as good as it gets. Not only is this most comprehensive compilation of relative values of German States issues, but the other information helps with the overall history lesson. This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST for anyone at the German coin beginner/intermediate level of collecting, and I suspect it has become quite useful to the advanced collectors/dealers.

Krause Publications has brought under one cover the vast numismatic production of the German cities, states, and colonies from 1600 to date. Every serious collector of German coins needs this book. This book is a real bargain because it eliminates the need for the German coin collector to purchase Krause's regular world coin books that are now broken down into different centuries (this single volume pulls information out of the four volumes that would otherwise be required).

Here are some good points:

1. Collectors of Thalers will be pleased to see Davenport numbers incorporated in their favorite areas.

2. Numerous illustrations aid the collector in identifying unknown coins.

3. Prices appear in at least four grades for each coin.

4. Helpful sections include an "Instant Identifier" with illustrations of various coin designs specific to a particular area, and "Legend Abbreviations" which give the collector a big leg up in identifying coins based on the legends alone.

5. A decent attempt is made at listing Pattern pieces (those coin designs never officially adopted).

Here are a few areas where the book could be better:

1. Prices appear to reflect the American market for German coins which, in many cases, is substantially lower than the German market for the same coins.

2. Some of the States higher in the alphabet (Saxony, for example) seem to be lacking data on the earliest coins.

3. I'd like to see the Pattern section expanded and possibly include the numbers from Schaaf's reference book on this area.

4. Cross-references to Jaeger (the German "Guidebook") would be helpful to our friends across the big pond.

Lest I appear too critical, let me state that the positive impact of this book and the obvious time and effort that went into its production are immensely important. No other reference on German coins comes anywhere close to matching the sheer volume of information contained herein. No other single book opens up the world of German coins like this book does. Thus, whether you're a beginning or an advanced collector, this book should be an essential part of your reference library.

Douglas Cooper's Steel Shadows is a gem. Although it is specifically about Pittsburgh, it is really about how we see, portray, and interact with the landscape around us, urban or rural. Cooper is first a wonderful visual artist, and has allowed us a rare glimpse into his methods here. Rather than look far afield for his subject matter, he has taken on the challenge of visioning his native city, in immense and powerful murals, which are remarkably well re-produced in the book. Cooper can also write, and illustrates with his words the process of producing the murals and the logic behind them. Together, his drawings and text serve to usher us into the world of Pittsburgh, that singularly muscular and angular American city, and to cast some light on what it is to be an artist at the top of one's game, working hard to make that art - in this case drawing - relevant and useful in a changing world. A very pleasing, entertaining, and thought-provoking book.

Imagine you are standing at the top of a cliff in a hilly city or on top of a skyscraper in a flatter one. Slowly rotate 360 degrees, taking in all that you can see as you turn. Then imagine doing the same thing 10 years ago, 20 years ago, 30 years ago and work older landscapes into your contemporary ones. Then imagine wrapping all that you see and imagine onto a flat surface. I don't think I could actually do that - but Douglas Cooper can and has. Cooper's new book, STEEL SHADOWS, does three distinct tasks. It offers an insightful autobiographical sketch on how Cooper, an architect/professor at Carnegie Mellon University, came to draw the way he draws. Writing in a naive style, he recounts 2nd grade experiments on perspective, his education at Carnegie Tech, his sojourn to Europe to study buildings, and the evolving style which puts myriad angles continuously onto a flat piece of paper in a way which makes sense - to the viewers as well as to Cooper. The second task is to help the reader fall in love with the landscape of Pittsburgh as Cooper did, first as a 6-year-old enamoured of trains. Cooper's drawings in STEEL SHADOWS, excellent reproductions of the massive murals installed permanently in a variety of sites in Pittsburgh, give one the feel of the steep mountainsides, winding streets, and crumbling industrial landscape of the city. Cooper seems to love it all, and his amazing drawings draw us into his love affair. The third element of STEEL SHADOWS is an illustrated collection of writings on Pittburgh including excerpts from architectural historian Franklin Toker, poet Peter Blair, writer Annie Dillard, historian William Serrin, and novelist Marcia Davenport. My favorite excerpt in the last section is actually by Cooper, himself. "Living with Meg across from Forbes Field" allows him to indulge in his second passion after Pittsburgh: baseball. Along with stunning drawings of the old ball park, Cooper tells us of the neighborhood of South Oakland, life in the bleachers in Forbes Field, and his life as a young married man sitting on his porch directly across the street from Forbes Field waiting for foul balls to be hit out of the stadium and to him. One might question whether this book would be interesting to those who are neither artists nor Pittsburghers. I am not an artist, but as a longtime fan of Cooper's work, was intrigued with his thoughts about how he came to draw the way he does. His writing is simple but not simplistic; even technical sections were clear to me, a layman. I am a Pittsburgher, so cannot state how one from another city will enjoy STEEL SHADOWS. Cooper's drawings, though, transcend the specific place he portrays. His urban landscape and his vision of the ways in which places and times come together have universal appeal. It is Pittsburgh that he draws, but it is Cooper himself as well as his city that we see.

Some 39 of the best Texas writers get a chance to tell about themselves with essays about favorite meals, stories about growing up, and recipes that have special meaning. It's a wonderful way to showcase some of the best writers in the country -- letting us have a slice of their personal life. Entertaining stories from Kinky Friedman, Liz Carpenter, Naomi Nye, Robert and Jean Flynn, Molly Ivins and many others. And some of these folks can actually cook. The author, Deborah Douglas, writes witty, insightful essays as introductions to each of the writers' pieces. There's even a web site for the book.

This is a fresh look at some (most?) of Texas's most talented literary sons and daughters. Whether you're following Cindy Bonner's recipe for Bohemian Kolaches or soaking up some of Clay Reynold's Texas attitude, this book is an easy read. And Deborah Douglas's intros are insightful and funny.

In Straight Talk: Turning Communication Upside Down For Strategic Results At Work, Eric Douglas draws upon his considerable business management expertise to show how anyone can identity their own communication style, as well as that of others, and modify that style for improved strategic results. Highly recommended reading for business managers at all levels of responsibility for corporate affairs, Straight Talk offers exercises, surveys, and real-life case studies to enhance the reader's telecommunication skills and effectiveness, and demonstrates how competent communication can play a significant, vital role to solve today's most urgent organizational problems and difficulties.

The author skillfully weaves case studies with practical tools to give you a very complete look at strategies and techniques for guiding group communication. For couples it's also great, because the Communication Styles Survey gives you instant insights into your relationship. Highly recommended for anyone in a consulting role.

Struggle For The Heartland: The Campaigns From Fort Henry To Corinth by Stephen D. Engle (Professor of History, Florida Atlantic University) relates the Civil War campaign that began in early 1862 with Union penetration under General Ulysses S. Grant into the Confederate held west that culminated with the Northern capture of the Southern defended town of Corinth, Mississippi. Historian Stephen Engle also examines how prewar economic relations formed in this region, how relationships between locality and loyalty were developed and expressed, the commanders on both sides of the conflict, as well as other civil and military authorities. Engle also describes the campaigns' significance within the larger theater of war and the post-war era of Reconstruction. The Struggle For The Heartland is an informed and informative contribution to Civil War Studies and an enthusiastically recommended contribution to academic reference collections, as well as Civil War buff reading lists.

Struggle For The Heartland: The Campaigns From Fort Henry To Corinth by Stephen Engle (professor of history, Florida Atlantic University) is the exhaustively researched, in-depth story about the military campaign that was the first significant Northern advance into the Confederate west. This campaign crushed all hopes the South had for avoiding a protracted battle, and set the stage for a grim and bloody war of attrition. Highly recommended for Civil War studies reading lists and reference collections, Struggle For The Heartland is an alternately fascinating and disturbing portrayal of a pivotal aspect of American military history.

I love this book. My favorite character is Syssal Kipican. But it disappointed me when I heard that the First Quest series was no longer being printed. They're all very imaginative and fun to read. My dream was actually to be able to write a First Quest book myself, but I guess that's out of the question. *Note: DUH. It's a TRIad, so why would it have a fourth book?

Like the other book this one iss absolultly great! By the way if anyone knows if there is a book four then please let me know

This book is like all the other Wodehouse books, Galahad trying to bring a couple together. It is a wonderful satire on all the earls, lords, dukes etc. etc. This one is about a lover who is posing as a person who is going to paint a pig, the Empress. Wodehouse never finished the book (because he died while writing it), but that makes it even more interesting. But be careful, once you start reading his books, most likely you will not stop. Everybody will be able to enjoy it a little bit, for his books make you laugh until tears come rolling down your cheeks. Cheers! :)

It was a bitter-sweet experience to read this book years ago, knowing it was P.G.'s last, and unfinished to boot. However, the editor (a Wodehouse biographer) included manuscripts and early drafts, showing marginal notes and erasures, Wodehouse's outline of his plot, and false starts of plot lines, and the editor's own analysis. A fascinating look into the process of writing.