It was not easy being a poet and scholar in Nero's day. Since the Emperor regarded himself as the poet par excellence, everyone else was ultimately disposable. Both Petronius and Seneca were ultimately requested to commit suicide and did so, lest the Praetorian Guard were called in to "assist" them.

In the earlier days of Nero's rule, when there was some possibility that his would be one of the rare enlightened reigns, Petronius and Seneca joined Nero in a regular after-dinner literary society where the humor was frequently raunchy and the sex more often than not perverted.

The SATYRICON was originally a fairly long episodic spoof of the ODYSSEY: its hero offends the God Priapus by ransacking his temple and is stricken with impotence. He and his friends and bedmates wander through Italy recounting their adventures. The only fairly intact sequence tells of a dinner by a nouveau-riche merchant named Trimalchio who holds an elegant banquet but whose base-born origins are always showing. All the rest of the episodes are fragmentary, though not without interest.

Seneca takes the recently poisoned Emperor Claudius down a peg by spoofing his deification. Starting with Julius Caesar, the Romans turned many of their leaders into gods upon their demise. Claudius -- who was by no means the nice guy portrayed in the Robert Graves books -- gets short shrift in the underworld. A clue: The title is usually translated as "The Pumpkinification of Claudius." Seneca was treading carefully here, as Nero's mother was Claudius' wife and is generally considered to have been the one who poisoned him.

These are not works that you can sit down and read as if they were novels. The introductions are not only helpful, but mandatory to understanding what follows. Both works, along with the works of Lucan, are essential to understanding this darkly fascinating period of Roman history.

This book, when, as here it is translated well (i.e. in a fashion that renders it valid to a modern reader as opposed to one in which it is more a word-for-word translation from the Latin), is one of the funniest books of which I know. Roman literature typically seems derivative-- less real, less well-thought out than Greek stuff-- this book is one of the major exceptions to this rule.

If you know of this book and want to read it, this translation here is a good place to start. This is the first novel (whatever that means!), and just an all-around good time....

It may be tempting, but my experience with reading this book and operating a motor vehicle came out badly. There was a red light and obviously the book was good enough that putting it down to go twelve blocks was unthinkable, but it ended up being decidedly unpleasant for myself and all involved. I would suggest carving out a couple of hours where you don't need to leave the house for this hilarious mock epic about one man's quest to regain his erection.

A wonderful book that deals often with Angelic appearances in recent times and generally offers a bracing up for those who would like a positive approach to angels and what they do for humans. The book covers examples of stories of angels in scripture. Both old and new testaments. Great reading particularly for the younger or more sensitive individual. When ready perhaps the reader may want to go on to another book by the same publisher but more serious called "The Angels" which offers more detail on their actualy abilities as viewed by the Roman Catholic Church. "The Angels" by Pascal Parente which is more detailed, however covers angels in a more technical aspect. For instance how they move about and how they communicate. All categories of angels are discussed. All About Angels is a very positive book aimed at bolstering humans.

Father O'Sullivan writes an excellent book telling pretty much everything you have ever wanted to know about angels. He speaks of apparitions of angels and stories of various Saints who have been blessed with seeing the presence of their angels at all times. He tells us of the greatness of our angels' love for us, and that they are willing to help us with ANYTHING we want if we ask them. Great book for all those seeking the truth about angels and for clearing up common misconceptions the world has.

In Apple Tree Christmas, Trinka Hakes Noble gives us a glimpse into her own childhood, although the setting is a Midwestern farm in 1881. Katrina is a budding artist, whose favorite "studio" is the old apple tree. Here she gets her best ideas and dreams of the future. After a blizzard/ice storm, the apple tree is no longer standing. Katrina can't believe that Father and Mother are happy to use its old branches for firewood. Nothing seems right anymore, and even Christmas doesn't feel happy. But Christmas morning brings a surprise for our young artist. Mrs. Noble's illustrations are lovely, filled with much detail of life before the turn of the century -- life without all of our modern conveniences. Be sure to add this book to your collection!

When I was a little girl, my elementary school library carried this book and I constantly checked it out. I loved the beautiful illustrations. This book and the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder greatly shaped my childhood and present outlook on life. Simplicity.

All the songs to satisfy even the most discriminating G&S fan

It must be because of that line about the square of the hypotenuse.

When the Romanian Orthodox Church consistently refused to print the Bible in the version preferred by the Romanian Baptists during the Cold War the Baptists argued that the Orthodox translation was inaccurate ('priests' for 'elders' and so on) whilst the Orthodox argued that the Baptist translation was theologically unsound - echoes of battles fought four hundred years earlier by the English Establishment and the Bible translators!

In both cases the fear was not that the translation might encourage heresy but that the heresies of the translators, not to mention the hidden agenda of the editors, might infiltrate the text.

This book offers perspectives on the work of those English Reformers in twelve scholarly papers which bring new information to light and re-examine much that has been taken for granted, occasionally disturbing one or two cherished notions.

Invaluable for libraries and important for those who assume an unquestioned and straightforward line from Vulgate to vernacular, resisted only by a few old die-hards and marred by one or two outstanding persecutions. But what, I wonder, did the people of the Reformation really think of it all and how might their perspective differ from that of the learned scholars, both then and now?

The Bible As Book: The Reformation is a fascinating and informative collection of twelve original essays examining the complex history of the bible during the era of the Protestant Reformation. These outstanding essays cover how religious leaders helped shape the readings of the lay people able to read the bible in their own language for the first time; how the clergy controlled and suppressed heretical musing in the increasing number of annotated editions of the Bible; where the editio princips of the English bible were printed; the role illustrations in bibles played in the spread of Protestantism; and more. Based on the proceedings of a conference on the Bible in the Reformation held at Hampton Court, Hereford, England, in May, 1997, The Bible As Book: The Reformation is printed in association with The Scriptorium: Center for Christian Antiquities, and co-published with The British Library. The Bible As Book: The Reformation is enthusiastically recommended for students of the Protestant Reformation, and the history of the Bible.

Had the distinct pleasure of meeting and spending a couple hours with Floyd before his death. It is great to hear his voice again, reproduced on these tapes. He can give you an inside view of the police brutality prominent in the days of Bonnie & Clyde. The "rubber hose" method of questioning, and getting confessions.
According to Floyd, Clyde lived approximately where Texas Stadium sits today and once found guilty of minor crime as a teenager, met the rubber hose every time something happened in the vicinity.

Floyd's brother Raymond Hamilton, however was a considerably more violent and murderous criminal. Floyd joked that his mother was the only woman to ever have 2 sons on the FBI's most wanted list at the same time.

Sid Underwood has done a great job of telling the Ray Hamilton Story in "Desperation Desperado" The Chronicle of Raymond Hamilton. (ISBN# 0890159661) Ray was executed by the state at age 21. He and another death row inmate to be executed the same day, flipped a coin to see who met "Old Sparky" first!

great listening for anyone into Bonnie & Clyde. Floyd Hamilton was there for many of the escapades and outlived Bonnie & Clyde to rob more banks. He served time in Alcatraz and was almost successful in escaping the island prison. He finally found God and straightened up his life. The added commentary & old radio audio is a little cheesy but Hamilton's narrative--to those familiar with the people and places he is talking about--is spellbinding.

The book tells us what to do, how to do, and above all why should we do in a particular way. I want to give a suggestion to authors. Just like they have given an appendix that explains the whole scenario of a particular business situation (Time sheet application), same way they should give all steps including coding at one place in an appendix. If space for complete solution at one place is possible only in one language , I will suggest VB since it is widely used. At present they have given this information in pieces at various places inside the book which is good but not the ultimate.

Having experience in enterprise solution development put me directly into the path of Visual Studio 6. This book, along with my previous knowledge aided me in piecing my ideas together to form an appealing corporate solution. This is the first book I bought, and the last I need to. Thank you!

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about politics and the media. Rather than concentrating solely on Brian Lamb, this book takes a closer look at the effects C-SPAN has had on both the political world and the American public.

Dr. Frantzich knows his stuff. He does an excellent job describing CSPAN and it's impact on Congress. An important book for any Political Science Major, Professor, or any student of politics. The Naval Academy is lucky to have such a good professor.

I liked all the book as I love reading books of this sort. Moreover, the book touches the history of my country, Slovakia, and Central Europe in many aspects. I appreciate that, to my knowledge, many facts (geographical, cultural) were quite precise. Also, it seems to me that the author rather well manages to describe the life in the area and the times the story takes place. However, I wondered about some details. For instrance, why the majority of town names were true and some were made up (as "Parkan" - there is no such frontier crossing between Slovakia and Hungary); Czechs were given Czech names, Germans German, Serbs Serb,..., but one of the main figures, Janos Kotacek (the real name of the Slovak Minister of Interior during the WWII was Alexander Mach, I think) was given a Hungarian-Czech name (Janos means John in Hungarian, Kotacek sounds pretty Czech); etc. Nevertheless, these details didn't spoil my very good feeling from the book and I recomend it to everyone who likes "mysterious literature". The book made my flight from Seattle to Copenhagen even more pleasant.

The CIA was immediately ruled out for this covert operation because failure could lead to terrible repercussions for the present administration. Besides which, no one would believe a renegade like Evan Tanner would be employed by the Feds. Thus, the ultra-top secret agency turns to free lance Tanner to pull off the job. All Evan has to do is to abduct Janos Kotacek, a prisoner of the Czechoslovakian government, who is bound to be convicted and hanged for his activities.

Janos may be elderly and dying, but his role as the head of the fourth Reich makes him very valuable to United States spy operations. Unbeknownst to him, his group has been infiltrated, making it easy to keep insider tabs on the criminal, his associates, and his operations. His untimely death would leave the spy agencies seeking new sources. Evan travels by train into Czechoslovakian, but is quickly in trouble. Someone set him up to be detained by the police. With assistance, he manages to escape, but his plan is already off-stride and a large manhunt has begun to thwart his efforts.

THE CANCELED CZECH is a reprint of a classic Tanner spy tingler that, in spite of the wall tumbling down, remains a fast-paced, insightful look back at the Cold War. The story line is a delight and the support cast adds an authentic Eastern European feel to the tale. However, it is the spy who never sleeps, Evan tanner, in one of his best adventures, that keeps this period piece a fabulous entertaining novel.

Harriet Klausner

This book is a useful resource for older high school students and young adults dealing with the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Each chapter is laid out so that the important information is easy to find. The sections dispense with long details. For those who want more information on a particular subject, the end of each chapter has a list of relevant resources.

The book shows how individuals with learning disabilities and AD/HD can plan constructively for college or work. There are chapters on legal issues, psychological testing, educational strategies and job choices.

Often high school students are made to feel that traditional college is the only choice. This book takes a positive, affirming look at all the alternatives.

I have only one criticism of this excellent book. There should have been some medical input on the section on AD/HD. The brief section on medication was clearly not written by a psychiatrist.

This book is a useful resource for older high school students and young adults dealing with the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Each chapter is readable and dispenses with long details.

At the end of each chapter is a list of resources relevant to the issues addressed in the chapter. The book addresses how individuals with learning disabilities and AD/HD can deal constructively with college and work. There are chapters on legal issues, psychological testing, educational strategies and job choices.

Often high school students are made to feel that traditional college is the only choice. This book takes a positive, affirming look at all the alternatives.

I have only one criticism of this excellent book. There should have been some medical input on the section on AD/HD. The brief section on medication was clearly not written by a psychiatrist.

I have a son who is a junior in high school. He has a learning disability and an attention deficit disorder. While the classroom hasn't always been an easy environment for him, it has at least been a predictable one. But with college or possibly the work force just ahead, I worry about the supports that will be available to him as he transition to life beyond high school.

"Unlocking Potential" helps alleviate a lot of that worry by offering sound, practical advice as I help prepare our son for the next stage of his life. Advice includes informtaion on helping your child whether he is obtaining a 4-year degree or entering the military, becoming an apprentice or getting a job.

Overall, I'm very impressed with this well-organized, easy-to-read book and would recommend it to anyone dealing with A.D.D. or a learning disability.