Yerka and Ellison make an unstoppable team of creativity in this book. The only suggestion I'll make is look through and enjoy Yerka's paintings before reading Ellison's fiction.

If ever two artists created works that were meant for each other, Yerka & Ellison fit the bill. The art of Jacek Yerka is so wild and imaginative (with just the proper amount of Daliesque and Boschian elements) that it could have sprung full blown from the imagination of Harlan Ellison. Yerka's art seems even better suited to Ellison's prose than that of Jill Bauman, Jack Snyder (who illustrate the Whitel Wolf omnibus covers)-- maybe even better suited than that of the Dillons. Sensing this, Ellison took the time to sit down and cobble up 33 short-shorts for this artistic collaboration. All of which were virtually hot off the press when the book was published in '93 & '94 (in trade paper). But, perhaps because it was an art book, most fiction book reviewers failed to notice it. Which is a shame, because MINDFIELDS is one of Ellison's best books. The tales are so short they can't be vivisected without draining the life from them; but each one evokes just the right sentiments, just the right images to compliment the drawing that inspired them. Stories like the heart-wrenching "Susan," the satirical "Europe," the hard-boiled "Base" or "Attack at Dawn," the surrealistic "Ellison Wonderland" and the poetic "Darkness Falls on the River." Like DEATHBIRD STORIES, THE ESSENTIAL ELLISON, ANGRY CANDY or SLIPPAGE, this is one of Ellison's finest collections. The inclusion of artwork by the brilliant Mr. Yerka makes it that much more of a valuable addition to anyone's home library.

The day I stumbled on this book, I was merely looking for a fantasy art collection with pretty pictures. As I plunged into the book, realizing what it was really about, I couldn't and, to date, haven't put it down. That was five years ago. Never has a collection such as this forced me to continually look into and out of each picture in order to find something new. Both Ellison's and Yerka's imagination form a synergy unrivaled in this genre. While I have since collected another collection of Yerka's art, I have snatched everyhthing I can find from Ellison. While I am often drawn into each of his stories with a similar intensity, ("The Beast that Shouted. . . " is my current favorite) none of his work affects me as much as "To Each His Own", "Foraging in the Fields", "Amok Harvest", "Darkness Falls. . ." and most others in this collection. For a quick jaunt into the minds of these two artists, I thoroughly recommend this book. For those new to Ellison, his author notes at the end of the book give a brief view of some of his opinions of the Real World.

This is a sweeping examination of the world scene that moves easily from analysis to tough recommendations.

If you want to put current questions about what is happening around the world into context, especially questions about the source and role of global terror, Unfinished Business is a book well worth reading. Its author, Harlan Ullman, has inner-office access to both Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld; indeed he has had access to most of the leaders of the last two decades. In Unfinished Business, he not only focuses on the likely need for the current President Bush to finish what his father surprisingly left undone in the Gulf War. More importantly, Ullman also focuses on America's -- indeed western civilization's true and more profound unfinished business: spurring strong economic and social/political progress around the globe. This Ullman sees as the fundamental means of eradicating most of the sources and causes of terror.

On the way to discussing the need for global growth, Ullman also suggests we pay more attention to our own homeland security system, lest the unfinished business that gets finished first is another attack on the United States. Ullman?s view is that our openness makes us very vulnerable and that upsetting the U.S. economy is a principle objective of bin Laden and his followers.

As Under Secretary of the Navy from 1997 through 2000, I often met with Harlan Ullman to discuss defense policy. Like his book, his insights were always tough-minded and worthy of thought and action.

With a foreword by Senator John McCain, this book should be read by anyone who now plays, or hopes to play a guiding role in America in the next decade. If you are leading a "great issues / great decisions" study group in your local community, I would highly recommend Unfinished Business as a way to inform and excite minds that are eager to learn more about world affairs.

Dr. Ullman has, with startling clarity and prescience provided the reader with a blueprint for international stability and national security. His analysis is sound and uncompromising and his recommendations capture the essence of not only today's strategic environment, but the future's as well. This book needs to be required reading for the present presidential administration, as well as the entire defense establishment. More importantly, it should be in the library of every informed American. To turn a nautical term denoting excellence: Bravo Zulu!

A truly well written and concise book offering an excellent historical perspective and most effectively utilizing specifics to describe, analyze, and clarify positions. Through a common-sense approach, the author offers detailed background information to support his insights into many of the most urgent challenges facing the United States at the present time. While presenting a realistic view of the current worldwide situation, Dr. Ullman captures the key decisions facing American Foreign Policy with most logical options and appealing solutions.

In this 3rd Myron Bolitar mystery, Myron finally realises his dream of playing NBA basketball, although the circumstances aren't exactly how he would have expected to gain the start. As with all of the Myron Bolitar books, the tone is light while the content is actually a little more serious. The interplay between Myron and Win, and Myron and Esperanza is always a highlight of these books, and certainly doesn't disappoint in this one.

Myron is asked by the owner of the New Jersey Dragons to search for the missing star player, Greg Downing. Myron has a history with Downing, which plays a bit of a part with Myron being hired for the job. While searching for Downing, he can't let on to anyone that Downing is actually missing, making the job particularly difficult. His search uncovers numerous surprises, which threatens Myron's hard won acceptance of past failures.

This is a fast-paced thriller that continues on what is a very entertaining series. It's better to have read the earlier books, if only to get a better idea of how the characters have come to depend on each other and why they put up with their behaviour. It's also worth reading the others because they're all just plain enjoyable reading.

Fade Away is the best of a series that is by far the most entertaining mysteries available today. Harlan Coben has created characters that are full of life and humor and a plot that will cause your jaw to drop on more than one occasion. This book is so good that I read all the other M. Bolitar books within 14 days. They are all great. If you like mysteries, you will LOVE all of Harlan Coben's books. I cannot believe how few people are familar with these outstanding works. Mr. Coben is a real find and I hope he continues to write for a very long time.

series. Harlan Coben is at his best in this thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end. The internal conflicts of the characters are so evident and well desribed you feel as though they are real people. I love this series, and this would have to be my favorite one yet. And in no other book is Cobens humor more evident than this one. I have recommended this book to all my friends. So read it, already!

Harlan Ellison, "Mefisto in Onyx"
[OMNI, sometime 1993]

It's nice to see Ellison returning to stories with plot and character, after the indefinable "Eidolon" and "The Man Who Rowed Christopher Columbus Ashore." Ellison states that this story took ten years to write, and it shows an affinity with that Ellison of ten years ago--passionate, filled with rightous anger, and burning up the pages with his rage. "Mefisto" is the story of a serial killer, who may or may not be the person we think he is, and of the District Attorney who prosecuted him, then fell in love with him and believes him to be innocent now, and, most importantly, with Rudy, who can jaunt (shades of Alfie Bester) into people's minds (i.e., read them). A love triangle made in hell, made even more unholy by the amount of killing gone before, and the possible miscarriage of justice. Hey, let's face it, this story has everything--so why aren't I wild about it? Can it be that Ellison's jocular, biting, ironic style has staled? Maybe it's just dated, more a product of the radical sixties than the disturbed '90s. Ellison has updated his references, but the manner is still the same as can be found in "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs." And he's damned clever, but unsurprising, since we expect something of a twist from him. With Ellison, I have so many expectations, and am easily critical. Under the by-line of any other author, I might be raving; from Ellison, I expect so much more.

At one point in "Mefisto in Onyx" Harlan Ellison relates an old Japanese saying: "Do not fall into the error of the artisan who boasts of twenty years experience in his craft while in fact he has had only one year of experience--twenty times." The thought seems quite apropos of Ellison as a writer, once you completely reverse the thought and change the point entirely. This jumbled thought applies to "Mefisto in Onyx" because he will have Harlan Ellison taking his turn at that old chestnut about the man on Death Row about to be executed who really may be innocent. Chief Deputy D.A. Allison Roche believes condemned murderer Henry Lake Spanning is really innocent, so she asks her friend Rudy Paris to check out Spanning. Rudy can do this because he is a rather special person who can go "jaunting" through a person's mind and read all their thoughts. Rudy will do it because Allison thinks she is in love with Spanning.

That is the basic premise for this short story (I do not think it is long enough to be called a novella), but knowing that "Mefisto in Onyx" was written by Ellison (come on; who else could get away with a title like that?) should be the main reason for checking it out if you have yet to do so by this point in the history of the universe. Ellison was an executive producer on that first revitalized edition of the "The Twilight Zone" they did many years aback and certainly this story is that grand tradition of playing with your mind. The cover art by Frank Miller, who also pens the introduction, is a simple but effective black and white drawing that helps set the mood for the telling of the tale. This is not one of those classic Ellison stories that will work its way into the pantheon of speculative fiction, but it is worth reading as is pretty much everything written by one of America's greatest living gadflies.

Exceptionally well-written by one of our generation's best science-fiction authors, this book is both disturbing and thought-provoking. Though it is short, I cannot remember being so affected by a science-fiction story for years.

The premise is simple. A black man named Rudy has the ability to read minds. A dear female friend of his, a lawyer, asks him to read the mind of a murderer she has recently sent to Death Row, to find out if he's really guilty. Rudy goes to see this murderer, and is astonished by some information he learns. There are many twists and turns to this tale.

The actual tale isn't what makes this story, however. As barebone plots go, this one isn't the most original I've ever seen. It has to be the actual storytelling. Ellison has a way of writing that reads almost like the breathless banter of a conman. It is engaging, engrossing, and, dangit, fun to read. Every page has some new gem to discover on it. Ellison is right: This is one of his finest works, perhaps even the best he CAN write. Don't miss it. (Don't miss his acknowledgments page, either. It's one of the funniest ones I've ever seen.)

The Storm of Heaven, (TSoH) is the 3rd book of author Thomas Harlan's compelling tale of an alternate world where magic is real, and Rome never fell.

It is 624 A.D. In the previous 2 books, the Emperors of the Eastern and Western Roman empires had joined forces to devast and defeat Persia. But the tactics of the Eastern Emperor cost some of his allies dearly, resulting in the destruction of the city-state of Palmyra. Prince Maxian, youngest brother of Galen, Emperor of the West, had discovered that there was an Oath which cast restrictions on the Empire, attacking and destroying anything that the Oath perceived as a threat to Rome.

Maxian set out to destroy the Oath, convinced that the Oath was actually harming Rome. He was blessed with healing magical talent, and quickly grew in power, resurrecting Julius Caeser and Alexander the Great.

But there are other plots and stories, all intertwined. A young student named Dwyrian, from far off Hibernia (Ireland) is drafted into the Roman army, and gains magical powers far faster than he should.

Dwyrian's teacher, coming after him, meets a merchant named Mohammed of Mekkah. And there is an evil, inhuman sorcerer, Dahak, who is in league with Persia. There is Thyatis, an agent in service to the Emperor of Rome, and more characters and subplots than you can shake a stick at.

Book 1, The Shadow of Ararat, was sheer brilliance. Book 2, The Gate of Fire, was well done, but not as good as the 1st volume, due to a host of new elements which were introduced without enough foundation being laid.

The Storm of Heaven is not as good as Book 1, but it is better than book 2. Maxian deals with the devastation that he wrecked by accidently causing the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Thyatis deals with her own survivor's guilt, and ends up in the arena of the Colosseum. Dwyrian grows in power. Mohammed leads, along with Dwyrian's one time companion, Zoe, who is now the Queen of the destroyed city of Palmyra, the march for vengence against the Emperor of the East. Empress Martina of the East struggles to hold the Eastern Empire together for the benefit of her young son, while her husband is wracked by an illness of mysterious origin. Her Uncle, Prince Theodore, the brother of her husband, has his own plans for who should rule the Eastern Empire.

Gaius Julius Caesar and Alexandros, have their own dreams of power, which they have not given up, even though they have been cast aside by their master, Prince Maxian. Oh, and the Persians are on the march as well.

ALthough a long book, TSoH, suffers from covering too much ground with too few pages. THe author's note at the end indicates that the author exceeded the size limit which had been decreed by the editors, and excised portions are available via a website.

Still, despite that flaw, author Harlan has created a highly detailed alternate Roman world, with compelling characters and a complex and entertaining storyline. I look forward to Book 4 of this series.

Having just re-read Thomas Harlan's third installment in his epic "Oath of Empire" series, the "Storm of Heaven," in anticipation of the next and final novel, I must say that the books just keep getting more enthralling. "Storm" follows the further actions and fates of the characters introduced in the earlier novels. Without revealing too much, we learn what has become of Thyatis, Maxian, Mohammad, Nicholas, Dwyrin, and their companions. And let us not forget Gaius Julius, Alexandros, Dahak, "The Boar," the Queen of Cats, and many other characters...

Yes, Thyatis does battle in the arena, in among the most vivid and adrenaline-producing descriptions of gladiatorial combat this reader has ever experienced. Yes, Maxian does grow a bit wiser, and yes, Dwyrin comes into the fullness of a power only hinted at in the previous novels; Harlan's brilliant imagery of sorcerous combat produced as much a rush for me as his heart-pounding descriptions of more "conventional" battle.

As Rome attempts to recover from the disaster of Vesuvius, the reincarnated Julius Caesar finds great opportunities, which entwine his fate with other characters. Alexandros marches off to war, for Rome, but not with Romans. Mohammad communes and continues to act as a channel for his god, but who is using who?

There are so many twists of fate and events of such magnitude that even the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius at the end of "Gate of Fire" seems to pale in comparison. Much is resolved, but more remains unresolved, and as the climax of each novel eclipses the one before it, "The Dark Lord" should have an ending that will be literally earth-shattering. I, for one, can't wait!

The leaders of Rome, both east and west, seem hopelessly sunk into grief and guilt. Meanwhile, a revived Persia and the desert armies of Mohammed win victory after victory over the dispirited Roman armies. Even Prince Maxim, who has tried to break the Oath of Empire that holds Rome together while preventing any progress, seems unwilling to do anything to prevent destruction.

In this third novel in the OATH OF EMPIRE SERIES, players with more minor roles in the earlier books come to the fore. The revived Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great have to act independently because Maxim refuses to give them direction. The wizard-boy Dwyrin has found incredible powers. Thyatis has lost her memory and must fight for survival on her own.

With two books under his belt, Harlan has mastered the impressionistic style. His plot still jumps from one action-center to the other across the Roman and Persian worlds, but these transitions are less jarring and the overall plot moves forward more smoothly than in the earlier novels.

I look forward to the next volume in this fascinating series set in a 7th century world where magic works and where the power of the Oath has kept Rome from falling.

I am a fan of most of Le Guin's books. Although I don't like every one of them, several of her books are among my favorite novels. I really admire her explorations into the "otherness" of gender, which was the primary theme in her greatest novel "The Left Hand of Darkness." In "The Birthday of the World", Le Guin revisits Karhide (where "Left Hand of Darkness" took place) and plays with the idea of complex marriages, unbalanced societies, and the loss of innocence, all themes she has touched on throughout her writing career.

If you are new to Le Guin, I'd recommend you read one of her great novels first ("Left Hand of Darkness", "The Dispossessed) Then, these stories should flesh out an appreciation for her work. If you are working on writing your own science fiction or speculative fiction, I'd highly recommend this book of short stories along with "Steering the Craft", her writing workshop handbook. These two volumes really should be packaged together for fiction writers.

To coin a term for a form of prose that's lacked one, Ursula K. Le Guin as chosen "story-suite" for a collection of short stories that are connected by theme, location, or events. This book mirrors her last SF story-suite, Four Ways to Forgiveness, in connectivity by theme but diverges from connectivity by place. At least, it makes wide ranges 'round the setting of many of her SF stories, called her "Hainish Universe." (Le Guin, typical of her self-deprecating humor, talks of her laziness in re-using this setting in her forward.)

The theme of these stories is relationships. With ourselves. With our lovers. With our society. They use various tools to explore this topic and reveal the complexities of being human. Stories range from a first-contact tale with a deeply anthropological tone to a "comedy of manners" among some of the most complicated relationships in the universe. Along the way, we touch on some familiar settings (the world of Left Hand of Darkness, that of Four Ways) and get a look at some new.

The final tale in this collection, a novella entitled Paradises Lost, is a bit of a divergence from the rest. It does not reside in the Hainish universe setting but upon a ship bound for a distant planet. Generations are born and die upon the ship as it crosses the vastness of space towards its destination. We watch one of those generations grow up and deal with a crisis of faith. In the end, we are presented with the answer chosen by the characters through whom we see the story. Typical of her skill, however, Le Guin does not present this solution as an absolute. That these people are protagonists does not make them absolutely right; other choices remain valid and are not demonized.

Most refreshing for me, is the number of stories in this collection that have, for at least part of their narrative, the voices of children. For her last couple of books, Le Guin was excercising a mature voice, one of parents, grandparents, rulers burdened with great decisions. I suspected the trend followed Le Guin's own aging; that she was now writing the books of her maturity while previous ones were the books of her youth. In this collection, however, we see that her talent cannot be so easily pigeon-holed. The youthful voices speak with vigor and candor. The ideas are fresh, whole; they make a maddening sense and immerse you fully in their gossamer worlds.

With each new release, Le Guin demonstrates that she is master of her craft.

In this collection of short stories, Le Guin returns to her fictional universe of the classics "The Left Hand of Darkness" and "The Disposessed." The stories in this volume equal the power of her best works. Le Guin discusses superstition and religion in the title story; however, it is surpassed by the novella "Paradises Lost," in which she portrays human nature, sexuality, and deontology vs. teleology in a stunning way. Although this book is not appropriate for young children, all other Le Guin fans and newcomers to her work will certainly enjoy it.

First, I should make it clear that I bought this book when it
was new back in 1967. I thought the stories were terrific,
and the commentary Ellison provided was both entertaining
and informative. If nothing else, it helps form a picture of
the times--and there's where we start approaching the qualms I
have about the book.

An anthology of original stories, no matter how good, is a time
capsule. It contains a snapshot of the period, and the yoking
of all these dissimilar stories written within a few years of
one another certainly gives me that sensation after all these
years. People who are interested in this aspect, either for
personal or scholarly reasons, would find this book valuable.

However, when such considerations are eliminated, I ask myself
who would want to read this book in this format today? There are
wonderful stories in this book: the stories by Silverberg,
Leiber, Delaney, Zelazny, are, I think, particularly accomplished;
many other stories here are worthy of rereading.
The problem is that the book is to some extent a victim
of its own success. The best of these stories have become
widely known in the intervening decades. They're practically
all available elsewhere. I fear that familiarity with the
material here may lessen the impact of the book.

For all that, I still like the book alot, and it is incredibly
important in science fiction history. But obviously, there are
questions that did not exist when the book was new.

Bravo to ibooks for bringing back this classic book of sci-fi stories written by some of the best writers in the genre and edited by a modern master, Harlan Ellison. If you're even a moderate fan of science fiction you owe it to yourself to get this book.

Say what you will about Harlan Ellison, but you've got to admit he's got great taste.

I was lucky enough to this up for a measly $.75 at a local used bookstore. Believe me, it was money well spent.

There are a few duds in this collection (doesn't every anthology have some?), but they are by far outweighed by the gems. Some examples of the latter: the outrageous Joycean wit of Philip Jose Farmer's "Riders Of The Purple Wage", the dream-like beauty of Carol Emshwiller's "Sex And/Or Mr. Morrison", John Sladek's shockingly prophetic "The Happy Breed", and Kris Neville's Salingeresque humor in "From The Government Printing Office".

If you like science fiction, or just enjoy well-crafted stories, by all means - seek this out.

I bought this book having read some other short "speculative" fiction by Ellison, and was disappointed to discover that only half of the volume is fiction, the other half being a series of non-fiction essays and articles. So, I worked my way throught the fiction, dreading turning the page into the boring non-fiction. But when I did... I was stunned, awed, delighted. Ellison's voice is that of an incredibly wise man. He has done more than just live, he has EXPERIENCED so much and so intensely that he can make us experience with him. From the seemingly trivial to the world-changing, Ellison's point-of-view from the heart of the story makes our emotions soar and plummet through the whole gamut of human experience. What comes through his writing is a sense of the man's awesome intelligence, sensitivity and down-to-earth level-headedness. After finishing An Edge in My Voice, I had to drastically re-evaluate my perception of Harlan Ellison as a writer. Despite his acclaimed skill with the short-story form (hardly challenged in recent decades by any writer in English), his superlative fiction is far outshone by the humanity of his non-fiction, whether amusing anecdote, thought-provoking philosophy or spleen-venting tirade. Everyone who considers themself a student of life should hear what this man has to say. So let's not get too upset about typos. Yes they're unfortunate, unnecessary, annoying, but some things are worth putting up with.

This book is a great place to start with Ellison. You get two shining examples of each type of the writing he's known for: short-stories and essays. Collecting re-vamped versions of two of his classic books, you're treated to solid stories (though better stories eixst, these are fine to dabble in) and probably his best collection of non-fiction essays/editorials in one place. Some of the references may seem a little dated, but the ideas...ah, the ideas.

Incredible, smart collection for the open-minded.

This is a great collection of short stories and essays by Harlan Ellison. If you are a fan, you will probably already have read much of what is in the book, but this is your chance to have your own copy. The An Edge in My Voice columns have been updated with remarks made in 1996 which is a cool addition. I am very disappointed in the printing of this book. There are numerous typographical errors throughout the entire book. Considering that the goal of this series is to print the definitive collection of his works the result is nowhere near high enough quality. I hope this is remedied in future editions.

In Back Spin, Harlan Coben not only manages to provide a glimpse into the psyche of a champion (whatever their field of expertise), but weaves together a chilling tale of kidnapping, family secrets, and the beauty and eccentricity which is golf. While Myron Bolitar, sports rep and rival of Henny Youngman for king of the one-liners, attempts to enter the world of professional golfing at the US Open, he is more than a little side-tracked by frantically working to find the missing son of the leader of that prestigious event. This is a story of violence, in the graphic, physical sense and also in terms of betrayal; particularly the pain that family members can inflict upon one another. Back Spin also moves us along in our understanding of Myron, Esperanza and especially the charming, but lethal Win. For those already acquainted with those characters (in every sense of the word!), Back Spin is a "must read." For those not yet acquainted with this trio, or the author, you can look forward to a great story, with more twists and turns than the golf hole of your worst nightmares, and more empathy and eloquence than all the jokes and snappy come-backs might lead you to expect. Whatever the author's golf handicap may be, with this latest addition to the Myron Bolitar series, Harlan Coben shows he definitely qualifies as a Master of his craft

Please order all of Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar novels at once. Not only will you read about the world's most honorable sports agent Myron Bolitar but you get a murder mystery to follow as well as some memorable characters to cheer for. The mysteries are excellently written, hilarious and fast-paced. Once I started reading the book, it is hard to put it down, so I didn't, I finished it the day I received, as I did with the previous Bolitar novels. What draws me to this series is Myron's interactions with the people closest to him - his girlfriend, his parents, his assistant/partner(?) Esparanza and last but not least Win Lockwood - psycho-yuppie. I can only read books in the mystery genre and this is one of the best series ever. To all you potential Cobenatics - order all Bolitar novels at once! Please note that you can reserve the new novel - The Final Detail before its release in June. Hurry - catch up with Myron, Win (my favorite) and crew before the June deadline.

Yes, I couldn't resist all of the golf puns in my review title. Needless to say, this book is a lot better than my title.

Once again, Myron Bolitar, the college basketball superstar turned FBI agent turned sports' agent, and his wonderful supporting cast are back once again in another fast-paced book. Jack Coldren, has a large lead in the U.S. Open on the same course he choked on 23 years ago. His wife, Linda, is the number one player on the women's golf tour, and they become Myron's lastest clients, when he agrees to help them find their son, Chad, who has been kidnapped.

Myron wonders through the darkest parts of Philadelphia, running into all kinds of seedy individuals along the way. The ride is one of non-stop twists and turns, and to make matters worse, the Coldrens are part Win's, Myron's best friend, family. Myron has to solve this case alone.

Most of the regular characters are back for this novel, as well as a few more. Win and Esperanza are the perfect compliments to Myron, and as always in Coben books, all of the characters are well-developed. The storyline is chock full of surprises, which makes for an enjoyable page-turning adventure. Coben uses a literary witty dialogue between his characters, peppered with humorous observations, that helps the book flow so well.

This fourth book in the Myron Bolitar series lives up to its reputation. It is entertaining and humorously suspensful. BACK SPIN in one unpredictable, exciting book.

This is one of those rare little gems where almost all of the stories are excellent and you really don't mind the ones that are kind of boring. The Ellison piece is a time travel Chanukkah story, while Clifford Meth's anti-Lubavitcher story is depressing but not entirely inaccurate either. Neil Gaiman's reversed Eden story seems like it was taken out of some of his earlier work and other stories lean just a little too much towards the borsht-belt humor (do we really think that someone 200 years in the future will be throwing Yiddish into every other sentence or that eating kosher will save him from an intergalactic plague?) and there's one dud where a guy is explaining to a large-headed bigot in a bar that not all Jews are alike

But the real star of the book is the Messner-Loeb story that casts Dr. Frankenstein as a Jew that decides to hide his fellow Jews and gets thrown into jail by the Bavarian authorities for that one act of solidarity. Won't say much more about it, but it is definitely a story that I really wish I had read when I was reading that awful The Ultimate Frankenstein book with a couple dozen stories abotu Frankenstein being sad. I would say that the Messner Loebs story is worth the cover price alone, but it is a steep cover price for an extremely thin book.

These are all great stories, or at least most of them are great stories and it's unlikely that you'll see them in other anthologies. Still for 9.95 it would be nice if the book was more than 100 pages instead of less, and none of the stories are great enough to warrent such a high price tag.

So if you have the money, buy this book. It is an excellent and strange book. I would also recommed Jewish Tales of Fantasy and Occult by Neurosgal (sic) which has some great turn of the century Jewish fantasy stories including the Golem and selected works by Ansky (who wrote The Dybbuk)

This story, plain and simply, is about the lubavitch hasidic sect two thousand years in the future, how it has changed for the better and for the worse. For me the story I Geza really hit close to home.In addition to knowing the Lubavitch, Yeshiva system first hand, I also have attended the Rabinical College of America in Morrisstown N.J for 2 years and so I was able to understand many of the subtle jokes and charachters thrown into the story by Meth(many which relate with the Chabad residents of Morrisstown), who is himself a morrisstown resident.

I understood and related very much to the charachter of Pheobus a young BT yeshiva bochur who is starting to grow doubtful about the Lubavitch way of doing things as he grows more mature and starts taking things less for granted. However, I would not use this story to try and illistrate things that are wrong with the chabad movement, because it is totally innacurate of it's portrayal of the chabad Hasidic movement. Although i will admit Meth does bring home some very good points about some things, it doesn't mean that it is all true. I feel that he wrote it in a [bad] mood and didn't mean half of the things he said in the story. Still in all it is a good entertaining story (more so if you understand the puns). To end off, il leave you all with a word to the wise, "Dont take this story to seriously, it will only aggravate you if you do." So...whether you are a lubavitcher, misnaged, a plain yid or a goy =) . just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Strange Kaddish was suggested to me by a colleague. Although not Jewish, I thoroughly enjoyed the anthology. The collection of authors was exquisitely comprised, although surprising. It's not everyday you get to read Gaiman, Ellison and Messner-Loeb bound together. Nice work and congratulations to the editors. I also liked CL Meth's story, I Gezheh. Great storyline. He's coming into his own as a sci-fi/horror writer. I can't wait to read his latest...Perverts, Pedophiles and Other Theologians. Count me as another addition to his growing list of readers! I highly recommend Strange Kaddish. I hear a sequel is to follow. I can't wait