Nodelman's book is an essential purchase for anyone who wants to understand how children's picture books work. He is scholarly, witty, and informative. This is an important reference book for those of us who seriously study children's literature.

This is a fabulous book of beautiful illustrations and endless imagination. The author combines ideas of reality such as cats that fly, a cubed moon, and even a mouth full of toes. The ideas are simply presented in a way that stretches the mind and builds creativity. A must for every reader young and old!

This is a terrific book--fascinating, charming, insightful--about a chapter in American history most people know little about. We're wasting time and money on bad Pearl Harbor movies, but this is a story that begs to be filmed. It has everything.

Just as it is titled, this is a good first book of yoga for children. It is written so one can look at the easy-to-follow directions to get going or take more time and read the detailed tips on how to get the most from each yoga pose.

Such wonderful letters! They are so descriptive and interesting that all ages will enjoy this book. It would be great for teachers of the Civil War Era. It has such intersting facts about the day to day life of a soldier in South Carolina.Thank you to the author of the letters and the editors of the book for caring enough to share these wonderful words!

Human behavior is a fascinating subject. This book covers everything - from yawning to dealing with change, from doodles to shyness, from brain construction to hugs. Written in concise chapters, filled with useful, thought-provoking information. One can learn how to cultivate creativity, how to make successful small-talk, how to overcome nasty habits, how to problem-solve, the role of natural light in physical and mental health, plus much more. This is a fascinating, informative read.

Perry Anderson, one of the leading minds of the NEW LEFT REVIEW, has collected here a series of critical engagments on some of the most important intellectuals of our time. Cosmopolitan, internationalist,multilingual, Anderson has provided a series of essays that are breathtaking in their wideness of vision. He begins with a complex essay discussing the fall of the Roman Empire in comparison with G.E.M de Ste Croix's The Class Struggle in the Ancient Greek World. He then provides a compelling explanation for the development of modernism and modernist culture. He examines and intelligently and sympathetically critiques wide-ranging analysis of the development of human society by Lord Runciman and Michael Mann. From examining the Italian liberal Norberto Bobbio, to the Brazillian communitarian of Roberto Unger, and to the czech sociologist Ernest Gellner, he moves on to discuss the nature of witchcraft with Carlo Ginzburg, pluralism and the development of liberty in Isaiah Berlin, and nationalism and national character with Fernand Braudel. Finally he discusses Francis Fukuyama and asks whether Marxism has any meaning after the end of history. He concedes nothing to sentiment, but still provides a clear defence. If there is a weakness in the book, it lies in a perhaps too sympathetic account of German diplomatic historian Andreas Hilgruber, and a surprisingly uncritical citing of Vaclav Havel. But otherwise Anderson consistently shows a profoundity and range of reading that makes the intellectuals of the New Republic and the New Yorker appear insular and narrowminded.

Resident Evil, The Umbrella Consieracy is a narration of the first game it the series. I had my doubts, expecting a pale carbon copy of the game. I was wrong! The book follows the game's storyline pretty closely, but it is different enough not to be repetitive. Example: instead of seeing through the eyes of one character, you adventure with everyone (even the bad guy!)

One draw back is that Perry doesn't describe what the characters look like. So if you haven't played one of the games you'll have no idea what the characters are suposed to look like.

This doesn't mean the overall characterization is bad. You really get to know the characters better and how they think to the author's perspective. They seem very realistic. These characters don't do stupid things (and if they do they learn from their mistakes.)These aren't the characters that go into dracula's lair in the middle of the night to kill him when they could wait till dawn. These characters are smart (most of the time.) These character's have feelings. Jill feel's sorry for the sleeping, enclosed Tyrant and wants to put it out of its misery (at least until it tries to tear her apart...Silly Jill.)
They aren't invicible either. They don't sit there taking hit after hit from zombies and still be "fine." They get hurt, scared, and try to come up with alternative to fighting.

If you haven't played the game you could find yourself feeling lost, but Perry describes enough for it to be a good read even with no knowledge of the games. If you HAVE played the game, you find yourself reminicing. Remember those puzzles that drove you crazy? Who in their right mind would go through all that trouble to make it hard for you? Perry explains that. Which brings me too another point. If you didn't understand the game, the book helps.

A deffinite must read for Resident Evil Fans!

As the story begins you read about a recent string of murders, in the small mountain community of Raccoon city. To investigate the murders the police force deployed the S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics And Rescue Squad) alpha team. After a few days of radio silence from the alpha team the second half of S.T.A.R.S., the bravo team, is sent in. After arriving at the last reported position of the alpha team, the bravo team is attacked by "inhuman" creatures. The surviving members seek shelter in a near by mansion, but after they get a chance to regroup the situation only gets worse from there.
This was a great book and very well written. The setting comes to the reader as being very real and vivid, and that characters are described in great detail. Although basing a book off of a video game might be a challenge to some, S.D. Perry managed it perfectly. She kept the feel of the book the same as it was in the game. She keeps you guessing, and makes you want to read more. Using mysterious tones she never gives away the whole story at once and saves the answers to the riddles for the very end. This was a great multi media novel, and a great book all by it self. This is a great book for fans of mystery and a must read for fans of the game.

I don't own the game, as I don't have a PS, but I've played it at
a friend's house, and it's a good game. This novel by Perry is even better, it doesn't exactly describe the characters, but. . .
who cares?! All of us who have played the game know that Wesker is evil, the S.T.A.R.S try to stop him. Then there's the mutant zombies, Tyrant, hunters, ect. and that something ALWAYS blows up
in the games.
But this is better, (note to parents: it's really gorey and cusses alot). S.D. Perry does a great job, telling the story from
every character's point of veiw, Chris, Jill, Barry, Brad, Wesker
and Rebbeca.
This and the other books in the series place you in the realm of horror, evil, sci-fi, action and violence as the S.T.A.R.S. try to stay alive in Spencer Estate.
I know you may notice it isn't all that well-written, but Perry really does a good job. Why? Because the GAME isn't too well-written.
The reason this "ties" for second place (with Code Veronica) is
because Book #5 is better.
Hope this reveiw helped, this is a good book in a good series, strongly recommended for hardcore fans and even just people who like a lot, and I mean A LOT of gore.
(WARNING: Once you buy this, get some diapers and some sleeping pills, you'll need 'em, unless you want to wake up in the middle of the night with your sheets somewhat wet.)
What the hell are you waiting for? ...

Having read this book roughly 4 times now,I can fully back the review of 5 stars. It is by far the best tale of Revolutionary France that I've ever read. Sir Percy's foppish tendencies keep the reader entertained while Chauvelin chases after him,adding much suspense. Percy's love, Marguerite, is who every girl would like to be. She is famed, beautiful,and wife to the swashbuckley and elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. Of course,one cannot forget the abundance of run-ins with Madame la Guillotine! I highly recommend reading this book, no matter what your usual preference of literature may be. It's amazing! "They seek him here,they seek him there. Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven? or is he in hell? That demmed elusive Pimpernel." ~*

Before there was Batman, Superman, and Spiderman, there was the Scarlet Pimpernel, the greatest of all masked heroes, a man who uses his great intelligence and bravery to save French aristocrats from certain death at the guillotine. He, with the help of his band of brave English gentleman, risk their lives time and time again for this "sport." He's famous throughout England, infamous throughout France - and yet no one knows his true identity.

Enter Marguerite Blackenly, nicknamed "the cleverest woman in Europe" yet married to the inane fop, Sir Percy. In an effort to save her brother from the clutches of the new dangerous French government, she consents to help her old friend, and new enemy, to discover the identity of the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. But with the knowledge she gains, she becomes more deeply involved than she bargained for.

An adventure, a history, and a romance all rolled into one, The Scarlet Pimpernel is a book you'll never forget.

This note is mostly for people who are surprised at the wonderful reviews this book gets then find the first few chapters rather gruesome. I want to say, keep reading.

The first few chapters only set the scene. After you wade through them, the story picks up marvelously.

A college friend begged me to read this book when I was in college. I picked it up but couldn't stomach the first few chapters. I put it down. When I was studying for my master's degree, I picked it back up and loved it once I got past that stuff in the beginning.

Also, if you saw the movie first (any version), you won't find the movie ending in the book. The movie ending comes from a SP sequel.

I catorgize this book as a romance. Yes, there is adventure, but the conflict is that the Scarlet Pimpernel married the love of his life only to lose trust in her on their wedding day when he discovers that she was responsible for a dasterdly deed that cost a French family their lives. His secret life must be hid from his wife as well as the rest of England and France. As the story unfolds, the wife must learn to depend on her husband, whom she comes to regard as a complete idiot, and he must learn to forgive her.

Once you get past the gorey beginning, the story is great.
So, hang in there and read, read, read, and enjoy.

While I liked parts of this book (especially the beginning) and felt Xizor to be a decent villain, this book can't compare to the better Star Wars novels published. Many parts of this book were included only because the committee overseeing the entire "Shadows of the Empire" project (the book, video game, comic, toys, etc ...) told Perry to do so. It is obvious that certain chapters were written to justify part of a video game or a new plastic vehicle to sell in the toy stores. This is an intolerable way to tell a story and probably the reason "The Phantom Menace" disappointed so many as well.

As for specific elements of the story, I agree that Dash Rendar is a shallow version of Han Solo and his insertion into the Battle of Hoth was anything but seamless. Guri was fairly interesting but the huge disappointment was the ending. The battle scene finale could not have been more unrealistic or poorly written.

I'm guessing the great number of positive reviews posted earlier are from children who have read the book after playing the video game. They seemed to have found it entertaining but after having their minds numbed by am simplistic, arcade-style game, I would guess that nearly anything would seem thoughtful by comparison.

Known as episode 5.5, Shadows of the Empire delves deeply into the characters who fight during the final Battle of Endor. Perry writes an excellent story, perfectly capturing the personalities of all the best Star Wars characters. Luke, Lando, Leia, Chewie and the droids are all written magnificently. The inclusion of Dash Rendar as a more mercenary and sarcastic Han Solo is another strong addition to this book. The backstory involving the Death Star is great, although Xizor though craft and evil is not one of the best Star Wars villains. While its nice to see an enemy who has no force skills, Guri is the more interesting character from the Black Sun crime syndicate. It was also interesting to see the conflicting sides of Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker. The conflict between good and evil plays out on a smaller scale in this case, but that makes it no less intriguing. The little hints about the conncection between Luke and Leia make the story stronger, while the inclusion of Luke's flying skill in an X-Wing coupled with Vader's return to a TIE fighter make for an interesting parallel between father and son. Overall, Shadows of the Empire is among the top stories of the expanded Star Wars universe, an execellent read for any Star Wars fan.

Shadows of the Empire is a wonderful, fast paced , and action packed addition to the Star Wars series. Perry's representation of the characters is marvelous, and I dont think I've ever seen a better supporting villian than Xixor, head of the infamous underground crime syndicate, Black Sun. The way Perry usurps the role of transforming Luke from a young(and in some ways immature)man to a hardened Jedi Knight is done brilliantly. The plot couldnt have been written any better either. Perry does a great job of balancing out the many conflicts that seem to be occuring at one time(as seen in the Trilogy). Dash Rendar, the other new main character,is a piece of work as well. He is a smart-mouthed, arrogant, and fast talking smuggler who eventually drops the hard outer shell revealing that he is really a nice guy(kinda like Han Solo). This book, all and all, is great on many platforms. It combines the typical problem of the Star Wars Trilogy: The evil Galactic Empire, with the introduction of Xixor and his quest to be the Emperor's right hand man. And it combines them well. Fans like myself couldnt have asked for anything any better, and if you havent read it already, PLEASE DO.