This author has a gift for dialogue and plotting. She is also not afraid of the contentious and controverisal storyline. This is a very interesting installment in the Kate Brannigan series. Like all Kate Brannigan stories, you need to take it all a bit tongue-in-cheek, and just go along for the fun ride.

This is definitely a great book by a generally underrated author.

I am a huge fan of McDermid's work, and the Brannigan series is my favourite. Blues Genes brings together all the great characters, with a special focus on Kate's best friend, the wonderful Alexis, who is caught up in creative procreation! Apart from well-structured plots and well-drawn characters, I love the humanity and humour which these books have. Highly recommended.

The books about Kate Brannigan are all worth reading but in "Blue Genes" Val McDermid has really made it! Kate's life is changing in this book; her lover is gone, her partner wants to be bought out and her best friends are having a child.. However, in this particular case the parents of the child are both women-made possible by a doctor who appears to have her own strange ways...Something is wrong and Kate are going to sort it out. This book takes a grip at You immediately: Well written, intriguing and raising thoughts a- bout genetics and etics. Worth reading anytime

anyone who's parent was a pacific war vet should read this book. Manchester tells how it was, how it worked and how he delt with it in his life. He fills in some of the history, laid out as he revisits some of the islands taken by the marines, fleshes that out with good and bad memories of his experiences in marine life and combat on Guadalcanal and okinawa. it is a very personal story, much like any vets story who survived that theater of operation, more upbeat than say Robert Graves Goodby to all that, and not so combat specific as Wheelers book about 3 days on Iwo Jima. If you like personal stories, this is for you.

My uncle is a retired US Marine who was in the Pacific Campaign. I am retired Navy (VietNam era) and we compared notes on this book. We shared stories of "Blood That Never Dries" I would recommend this book to anyone who served in the military.

This book lets you know what you were fotunate to have not had to go through.I can see why William Manchester had to write this, I would not have slept either.He puts you in the jungles,and in the holes.Once you pick up this book, you will finish it before you put it back down.

If you are into photojournalistic photography, then you have undoubtedly heard of Magnum. This book is for you if you care about Magnum and are interested in seeing the work of prominent Magnum photographers and reading a bit about the history of Magnum and photography in general.

The book is quite big and heavy. This makes it great to display on a coffee table and to view the powerful photographs, but not so easy to read the 3 essays. Also, the book only covers up to the mid to late 80's. It should be updated to include the Magnum photographers of the 90s. That said, it's is still packed with important and inspiring work.

The world as seen by the legendary Magnum photographers is really increadable. This book is and will always be a photographic masterpiece. When do we get further editions? Well done Magnum

This book is a "must-have" for anyone who has even the most remote interest in photojournalism. Every time you turn the page of this book, you will enter a new era and meet a new person or feel a new experience...and surely you will envy the talent and experience of the photographers who bring it all to print.

The original, U.K. version of "Queer as Folk" broke through many barriers. When I first watched the DVDs for Series 1, Parts 1-4, I had difficulty understanding the Manchester accent and some of the vocabulary. I kept replaying Vince's introductory speech until I could figure it out. The accents got easier with practice, although some characters, especially Donna, Nathan's friendly classmate, were still hard to understand. One gets the gist of it on the first pass-through, but it took more for my American ear to catch all the words. When I got the Series 2 DVD, the same issue arose. So, I checked Amazon to see if there were a QAF script available. There was; so I ordered it.

The good points: The script contains detailed staging and motivation directions. I can understand some conversations better now than before. The script contains Davies's original thoughts. There are some good color photographs inside (although none of them is risque).

The not so good points: The DVD uses a script somewhat different from what appears in the book. For example, Vince's prologue is not in the book. It would have been nice to have had additional, bracketed material to help the viewer parse out what was said on screen if it was not in the original script. The book is only for Series 1; I had been hoping for Series 1 and 2, combined. Finally, the quality of the paper in the book seems low.

Since the series has widespread popular support and since the accent issue is what kept the series off the air in the U.S., I am a bit surprised scripts were not distributed more generally in the U.S. to help potential enthusiasts feel more comfortable in knowing what was happening. Overall the book supplies extra clarity and insight into QAF.

The British series of QAF is available for purchase on VHS or
DVD. It is worth every hard-earned dollar ([and it] includes the "Making of QAF". If you are financially-
challenged at the moment, then at least purchase this book.
Do keep one thing in mind: the book is not the *exact* script
for the British TV series; actually, that makes it more
interesting because it contains all of the lines that were
removed for one reason or another. As an aside, do a Yahoo
search for the American series on VHS: it is available in a
wonderful, high-quality pirated version that has not been
cut because of time and censorship reasons. I'm much more
partial to the British version; and these scripts make it
even more rewarding.

When the television series Queer as Folk appeared on England's Channel 4 in 199 it caused quite an upheaval. QAF tackles the complex story of three Manchester gay men and their conflicts and relationships. It deals with sex and does not shy away from controversial subject matter. Fortunately, because of its beautiful handling, layered storylines, and complicated characters, it was a huge success. QAF, which follows the characters of Vince (Craig Kelly,) the overly kind and unintentionally celibate grocer, Stuart (Aiden Gillen), a wildly promiscuous executive, and Nathan (Charlie Hunnam), a 15-year old who falls in love with Stuart, is a highly important step for TV. This script is a good addition to the tape or DVD. It makes it easier for Americans to understand some of the British slang.

This is the story of Manchester United in the 1970's. You get up close and personal with the Red Army and all the different insights into what makes them tick. If you are faint of heart and fear random acts of violence, skip this one. If you remember the 70's and English Football with a certain bit of nostalgia (to go along with your steel toed Doc's) buy this book!

I love Manchester United. I hope they will win the Toyota cup next December.

Just outstanding historical stuff. A must-read for all the folks who have been turned onto United since their success and the accessability of soccer through the internet and cable TV

i picked up City of Anger for much the same reason William Manchester wrote it---as a "distraction". curious about what kind of non-fiction would the author write i was about a third of the way thru when i experienced a visceral horror at an event in the action. and this in a piece of non-fiction! i put the book down unfinished and will pick it up, later, when i am ready.

Another masterpiece of the great non-fictional writer which is William Manchester, The Arms of Krupp is a personal, amazingly detailed and breathtaking view of the last 100 years of German history. By telling the story of the Krupp family - one of the leading industrialists and the most important arms producer of Germany - Manchester actually re-tells the well-known story of how Germany enflamed the world twice. The book is a spellbiding saga of human thrive, errors and new beginnings.

Like all Manchester books, he brings to life a time that was filled with far more intrigue than whether or not Oswald was the lone gunman. On that, he convincingly explains that he was, and rivets the reader with surprisingly interesting minutae on who rode in the motorcade with whom, along with the historical debate of when LBJ became President and whether he should have taken the President's plane back to Washington.

What strikes me as irresponsible is/was Manchester's characterization of Dallas, and seemingly blaming it for the President's assasination. Throughout we have to read of how "radical" right Dallas was, how it was chock full of "John Birchers", and that the city itself was hospitable to right wing murderers. This strikes the reader as a foolish waste when you consider that the killer was the exact opposite, such a communist sympathizer that he lived in the Soviet Union, and tried to seek asylum in Cuba.

For that, the book pales in comparison to other Manchester works in that it's harder to take his historical views seriously given his self-interested, and seemingly paranoid, efforts to discredit the big bad right wing.

William Manchester provides a fascinating account "from the eye of the storm." For the younger generation, for whom Kennedy's assassination is an historic fact rather than a horrible memory, "The Death of a President" invokes the feelings of the time--the promise of the Kennedy presidency, the unthinkability of his untimely death, and the chaos that ensued before order was restored.

Manchester begins by describing the political in-fighting within the Texas Democratic party that prompted the Kennedy-Johnson trip in the first place. Some of the funniest moments in the book (yes, despite the subject, it does evoke a smile now and then) are the efforts that Kennedy aides made to get a reluctant Senator Yarborough to ride with LBJ in the motorcades. The many seemingly inconsequential decisions that ultimately led to the slow-moving motorcade through Dealey Plaza make the reader want to cry out, "No! Put the bubble top! Speak at a different site!" As the book nears the fateful hour, the reader is left with a sense that there's still a chance to avoid this tragedy.

The hours and days immediately after the assassination are equally fascinating. Jackie's wait at Parkland Hospital and her trip home on Air Force One are told with heart-breaking detail. (Lest this aspect seem overly invasive, the reader should note that the book was written with her blessing and cooperation.) The story of how the memorable funeral and Arlington burial came about are fascinating. The tensions between the Kennedy and Johnson aides provide a good lesson in how NOT to act after a tragedy.

If you're only interested in the conspiracy theories, however, this is not the book for you. Manchester wholeheartedly backs the lone gunman hypothesis, and his descriptions of Oswald's movements at this time are hard to swallow in light of the details that have emerged in the decades since the assassination. Since most of the book focuses on the Kennedy family, the Kennedy and Johnson aides, and other political figures, however, this one drawback does not significantly detract from the book.

Very intriguing book. A bit long at times; somewhat predictable at other times. However, the main character, Fitz is presented as a complex and fascinating person who really makes this novel very enjoyable. I've never seen the actual television series, but the book was definitely interesting.

The English police admire psychiatrist Edward Fitzgerald for his help in solving difficult cases, but most members of the force abhor the doctor's personal lifestyle. Fitz loves to gamble, drink and smoke cigarettes to excess, and cannot resist the women. Though he has returned to his beleaguered spouse, Fitz still finds himself attracted to police inspector Jane Penhaligon.

The police have asked for Fitz to help them on the investigation of the murder of a school boy. The circumstantial evidence points towards the lad's teacher as the killer. Even Fitz is convinced that the man is guilty. Still, to the credit of both the psychiatrist and the police, they continue their inquiries to insure the right person is charged with the murder.

Fans of the BBC series that this novel is extracted from will enjoy this novel that emphasizes Fitz's personal problems to include an interesting self analysis. However, the story line seems less than the plot of a novel and more like a script of an on-going TV series. Anyone who loves the TV series will want to read CRACKER: ONE DAY A LEMMING WILL FLY to learn more about the psychiatrist with numerous addictions and problems.

Harriet Klausner

I HATE novelizations. But these done for the great British TV mystery series starring Robbie Coltrane actually improve upon the teleplays, adding rich details and psychological insight to the already intense plots. These books could easily stand alone as a great series of psychological crime novels, unified in tone despite the fact that half a dozen different authors have been involved in their creation. Leave it to the Brits to once again do the impossible. First The Battle of Britain, now this...

The text is lucid in its presentation of what is often viewed as a difficult subject.

Starting with no more than a sound understanding of sixth form (high school) Mathematics and Physics, the authors proceed to underpin elementary concepts of electrostatics, simple circuits, and magnetism with the rigour and completeness demanded at University level. New mathematical ideas are introduced gently (so naturally, in fact, that the reader does not feel that (s)he is being asked to learn some new things!) and blended into the key Physical concepts.

The book accelerates through a whole lot of material and tacitly introduces the reader to Maxwell's Equations without calling them so. Only after all of the core physical concepts - Dielectrics, Steady Currents and Magnetic Fields, Ferromagnetism, Electromagnetism/Induction - have been covered, do the authors venture to integrate the mathematics into Maxwell's equations. This emphasis on the Physics (with the Mathematics working merely as a tool) works really well and is central to the readability of this book.

The latter chapters explore Transmission Lines, Electromagnetic Waves (which the mathematically inclined texts like to boast about as solutions of Maxwell's Equations), and the beginnings of Relativistic Electrodynamics.

All in all, an excellent, enjoyable book - highly recommended! Makes Physics fun!

Lastly, I might add that I was one of the "guinea pigs" at Manchester who benefited directly from the materials in this book and others in the Manchester Physics Series.

The text is lucid in its presentation of what is often viewed as a difficult subject.

Starting with no more than a sound understanding of sixth form (high school) Mathematics and Physics, the authors proceed to underpin elementary concepts of electrostatics, simple circuits, and magnetism with the rigour and completeness demanded at University level. New mathematical ideas are introduced gently (so naturally, in fact, that the reader does not feel that (s)he is being asked to learn some new things!) and blended into the key Physical concepts.

The book accelerates through a whole lot of material and tacitly introduces the reader to Maxwell's Equations without calling them so. Only after all of the core physical concepts - Dielectrics, Steady Currents and Magnetic Fields, Ferromagnetism, Electromagnetism/Induction - have been covered, do the authors venture to integrate the mathematics into Maxwell's equations. This emphasis on the Physics (with the Mathematics working merely as a tool) works really well and is central to the readability of this book.

The latter chapters explore Transmission Lines, Electromagnetic Waves (which the mathematically inclined texts like to boast about as solutions of Maxwell's Equations), and the beginnings of Relativistic Electrodynamics.

All in all, an excellent, enjoyable book - highly recommended! Makes Physics fun!

Lastly, I might add that I was one of the "guinea pigs" at Manchester who benefited directly from the materials in this book and others in the Manchester Physics Series.

I had to read this book cover to cover for E.M. class and I found it's layout and presentation very well done. Excelent review of magnetostatics, electrostatics, H & D fields, Maxwell's Eqns, etc. In conjuntion with E.M. Fields and Waves by Lorrain, provides all the necessary texts needed for undergradute courses in E.M.

This book provides alot of good basic information about MT's maybe alittle more than you would get doing an intense web search.
I still feel I want another book or more information. Maybe I can only get the information I want from speaking to owners or breeders directly.
The pictures are super high gloss, almost scarely glossy.
This book has a bias to Toy Manchester Terriers purely because the author is a toy breeder. A lot of the pics are of toys.
I would recommend this book to prespective owners.

I am purchasing this book and have not read it yet. This book was recommended to me by the breeder of my Toy Manchester Terrier. My husband and I first heard of the breed in a dog book and we started looking for a breeder. As luck would have it, we found a breeder on the other side of our state. They are a hard breed to find but well worth any work put into the search. Our dog is the sweetest baby and has been a delight to our families and friends and we are always asked about her by people on the street. It is true that it is hard to find much information on the breed. I am heartily in favor of any publication that gets the word out on the many virtues of this breed of dog and am looking forward to receiving my copy of this book by Phil Shane.

If you have ever looked for books on Manchester Terriers, you will know that there are not many out there. This book is incredible. Everything you would have ever wanted to know about the breed is included. Their past, proper diet, classifications, known illnesses etc. I would definitly recomend this book to owners of the breed.