'Winter Garden', by Ms. Beryl Bainbridge is both an earlier work, and one of her novels I have most enjoyed. Best known for the historically based fiction she has been writing as of late, this work while taking part in a referenced period of recent history is not predicated on a given event.

This is a tale of deception and misdirection from the opening page. A group is making a trip to Brezhnev's Russia. The core is a group of artists who ostensibly are going to travel and meet with their peers in The Soviet Union. Guests are allowed and one is an Admiralty Lawyer who takes the trip to share the company of Nina, and not to Scotland to fish, as he would like those he has left behind to believe. All is well until they board their flight and trifles like seating arrangements emerge as problems. From this point on nothing is as it seems, and the truth is not revealed until presented literally in the closing sentences.

Between the first and final page Ms. Bainbridge assembles a plot worthy of the great Hitchcock himself. In some of her books the Author does not always immediately bring the interest of the reader to a high pitch. She does however keep the reader interested enough, so that as she proceeds bits and pieces are brought to notice, and the more carefully they are noted the faster the trapdoor she drops you through at the end is reached. However this is not to suggest that the fall you finally take is the only one you stand upon. Ms. Bainbridge is brilliant at letting you believe the obvious only to have it dashed as meaningless the solutions you anticipate.

I have read and commented upon most of this Author's work, and while not all are perfect, none disappoint, and all should appeal to a very wide audience.

In Earth Made of Glass, a sequel to A Million Open Doors, Giraut and Margaret are sent to the hostile planet Briand, where two artificial human cultures have been forced to live together. One is based on Tamil literature, the other on Mayan culture. The two peoples hate each other bitterly.

Giraut and Margaret's team try to work with some of the "good people" with the on-planet culture, people who are trying to work for peace. But at the same time serious stresses are showing in Giraut and Margaret's marriage. The two crises come to a head at much the same time.

The novel is full of neat inventions, and the cultures are intriguingly portrayed. I also felt that the depiction of a decaying marriage was very well done, and very believable. I found the depiction of the cultural difficulties a bit less believable: dependent on people established as good acting quite evilly. Perhaps I am simply too much of an optimist, but I was not convinced.

Interesting, ambitious, but not quite successful.

I started to read this, saw how good it was, stopped so I could read "A Million Open Doors" first (wise decision) and then went on. The two books together gave me tremendous pleasure. "Earth Made of Glass" was a page turner for me, partly because I became very engaged with the troubled, interesting characters - Giraut, Margaret, Kapilar. The book also draws a fascinating portrait of a prophet -- Ix -- although he was almost too saintly to believe, I could understand him and the power he had over others. These two books put John Barnes on my "must read" list.

It sounds cliched but this probably isn't the best place to start with John Barnes. He seems to excel at smaller novels, probably because he can present the idea, write an interesting situation around it and throw in some characters and jumble the plot around and everything just works out fine because he keeps it nice and simple. When he shoots for the more complex stuff though, he doesn't make out as well. Case in point, this here novel . . . itself a sequel to the excellent A Million Open Doors, this makes a valiant attempt to deepen and further the scenario given in that book, and for the most part succeeds. Barnes has to be given credit for ambition, because what he attempts here is to give a in depth look at manufactured cultures and deep seated hatreds and tries to find solutions. However his ambition tends to outstrip him here, unfortunately. He brings back the Giraut and Margaret from the first book, now married and when the book starts their marriage is beginning to fall apart. Again, he gets credit for broaching the subject in SF, a place generally not associated with such things . . . but he tends to beat the subject to death. In the beginning of the book every scene they have together turns into childish bickering and Margaret is even worse . . . I don't remember her that clearly from the first book but I don't remember her being this annoying, she acts completely unreasonable, starts fights for no reason, all while a confused Giraut basically stands back and wonders, "What did I do?" . . . which is the same question the reader has. Instead of making the reader sympathetic to their marriage, you're left wondering halfway through the book why he just doesn't give her the heave-ho (her "revelation" is blatantly to anyone even remotely paying attention and when it's revealed you want to shout to Giraut "What are you, blind?" especially since hints are dropped like every other page). So that drags the book down a little simply because the main characters act immature but Barnes' depiction of two cultures who think they are the Universe's gift to everything is absolutely fascinating, his world building skills are in full effect and the conflicts are detailed realistically . . . it does look pretty hopeless. It's so hopeless that Barnes nearly writes himself into a corner and winds up resorting to having the Maya create a quasi-mystical "prophet" (and that really comes out of nowhere) who preaches love and gets people to listen mostly because he's, uh, a quasi-mystical prophet. However, unlike a lot of others who feel the ending is too downbeat, I felt it was completely realistic given the circumstances and about the only logical outcome, anything else would have required the book to be even longer (and nearly multi-generational) or devolving into a "deus ex machina" solution. The way it turns out is sobering, but I give him credit for going with the not so happy ending (Scottish SF writer Iain Banks, also highly recommended, has a habit of doing the same thing), even if it does come off as rushed. Still can't see why Giraut keeps Margaret around though. Maybe another sequel will explain that one. All told, it's entertaining, if not exactly cheerful reading and shouldn't be your first choice, go with one of his more compact works and if those thrill you, head here next. Just don't prepare to be as delighted, even if you have to give him a lot of credit for trying.

I got this as a loaner from a friend and can say that this one is worth buying. The story opens with Walt, a survivor of the Battle of Hastings returning home to his native England. It may confuse readers at first but this is actually the end of what happens at the story. One wonders why the author may do this but at the end of the book you understand. It then jumps back in time right after the battle, Walt meets an ex-monk named Quint and from there the story becomes two in one. The adventures of Walt and Quint journeying to the holy land and then Walt telling of his times as a bodyguard to Harold Godwineson, the defeated king of England on the Hastings battlefield.

Rathbone is good at making each character disinctive. Showing different points of view very effectively. But there is very little compassion to be felt for them and I found myself to be ultimately indifferent save for Harold and that was toward the very end. He does, however, manage to make William the Conqueror a comics relief, which is a feat. Some may feel a bit of trepidation after what I just said, but he balances it very well by treating the character with respect and it's a highpoint in the book. And the way he presents Edward the Confessor is, to play on the pun, divine.

Those who are fans of this period of history (such as myself) will find his conclusions very entertianing and interesting. Where he excels again is his narrative when presenting the battles both at Hastings and Stanford Bridge. Where the book drags however is the adventures of Walt and Quint in the holy land. After they leave Turkey, it meanders. They pick up various characters along the way and the author is blatant about embodying his moderatly interesting but ultimatley unnecessary philosiphy into them.

Despite the critisms, this is a good book and great historical fiction. Just be prepared that a third of the book takes place after the Conquest and out of England. Those who are fans of Mary Renault will not be dissapointed. I'm looking forward to reading more of Julian Rathbone.

Author Julian Rathbone immediately introduces Walt, a likable character who will not only serve as guide through his 11th Century world but also acts as a participant in one of its most significant events - the Battle of Hastings. While this reader often finds books that ignore linear chronology in telling their story annoying, here the technique works quite well. We meet Walt, once guardsman to the late King Harold II shortly after the decisive battle. Injured, defeated, guiltridden, he trudges across Europe in search of either oblivion or expiation. The angst Walt carries around makes him accessible to a modern reader, but he is never made to seem either offensively anachronistic or unduly gloomy.

In brief, but compelling narrative the author recreates the sensation of traveling through the countryside in what was still, effectively, the Dark Ages. When he reaches the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire and then Constantinople itself, Rathbone cleverly sums up the wonders of the city through Walt's literally stunned reaction to a religious service he witnesses in the Hagia Sofia.

During the course of his journey, Walt encounters Quint, a quirky, nomadic character with an inquisitive nature. As he and Walt take to the road together, Quint begins to question his companion about his former life. It is in these discussions that the author sets up the social milieu in which the battle will ultimately take place. The two travelers are then, in effect, left "on the road" and Rathbone takes up the tale from the early years of Edward the Confessor's reign, focusing on his interactions with the powerful Godwin family as well as the King's relationships with his mother and his lover.

This is as far as I've gotten, and while it may seem strange to write a review before actually finishing the book, I feel that it has been such a fascinating read up to this point that I can't imagine being disappointed by what will follow. The non-linear chronology allows Rathbone to simultaneously spin multiple strands of the story thus keeping interest high on many levels: the battle itself, the perils of 10th Century travel, the tensions between Norman and English, King Edward and the Godwins, Walt and Quint, Walt and Harold Godwin. The narrative is so rich, I could continue on in this strain. Anyone appreciating historical fiction that shows a strong respect for the facts on which it was based will thoroughly enjoy this book.

One critic has called "The Last English King" a work that has embroidered fact with fiction, much as the weavers of the Bayeaux Tapistry did. That may be a comment made of whole cloth--or even pulling the wool over our heads--but nonetheless the yarn that Julian Rathbone has spun is a fascinating tale. The author pulls few punches as he needles his way through a carpet of historical myths, tales, and fact in portraying King Harold, unlucky enough to be the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings of England.

The year 1066 was the last time that England was invaded by land by foreign troops and but for a few quirks, William the 'Illegitimate' (B&N won't accept the other word!) out of Normandy (responding to the promise that King Edward the Confessor had made to him a few years earlier) invades to take "his" crown. The Battle of Hasting proves to be William's "day" and a new chapter of British history is born. In "The Last English King," set some three years after the invasion, we find Walt, one of King Harold's personal guards, wandering around Europe, broken, guilt-filled, despondent. He meets up with Quint, an ex-man of the cloth, and they soon decide to journey to the Holy Land, for a number of reasons, catharsis being the foremost (the guilt seems to hang around forever!).

Walt, having been the most faithful of faithful of servants to his king, was able to see first hand the plots, the intrigues, the betrayals of the two kings, as they jockeyed for the final thrust for the throne. (Harold had been quickly crowned following the Confessor's death before William could arrive from Normandy.) Clearly, Rathbone favors Harold, whom he depicts as being fair-minded, just, admirable. In turn, it's William who's the heavy, whom he labels a psychopath, among other things. Rathbone's account of the Norman invasion very cleary combines fact with fiction--but understanding this--after all, it's a novel--makes the story flow more smoothly, become more palatable. (Historians certainly will disagree on some of his assumptions and "revelations"!) That said, however, Rathbone's story is one of intrigue, of despair, of hope, of expiation. It's a book that's filled with "historical fare"--and one that should keep you attentive throughout. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

This is the first of Linda Barnes' books I have read and I enjoyed it very much. I could not ignore some of the similarities to Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone (single, female private eye, ex-cop, ex-wife, quirky landlord-tenant relationship, broken nose), but the plot was well paced and the mystery kept me guessing. I look forward to reading other Carlotta tales.

First of all let me say this: How anyone could possibly give this book, or any other Carlotta Carlyle mystery a bad review is so entirely beyond me. I think these people must be aliens from a distant and uncultured, illiterate planet, where they read the trash of such authors as William Faulkner that are supposed to be out-of-this-world brilliance. I think not.
This Carlotta Carlyle is not, in any way, bad or under-written. Barnes consistenly slams us with an enormously entertaining Carlotta novel. And "Flashpoint" is no exception that literarily-gifted rule.
Whenever I mention Linda Barnes to my friends or family, bringing up her mysteries in a conversation with my best friend's mother, I refer to her as my "beloved" Linda Barnes, same as authors like Joan Hess (only in reference to her Claire Malloy books since I loathe Arly Hanks), Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, and Mary Higgins Clark.
"Flashpoint" is no way a bad novel. Read this book, and all other Carlyle mysteries by Barnes. I believe that "The Snake Tattoo" was the first in this series.

~Steven Harvey

Am I ever glad I read this book before I read most of these reviews! Different people have different tastes, which makes life more fun, but I just can't agree with the negative reviews this book has piled up. Flashpoint shows another level of depth for Carlotta, and masterfully weaves the "usual" characters in with the new ones. Maybe she didn't have quite as much "fun" as she usually does, but business hit her right up front and demanded her attention; can't argue with that. I eagerly await the next. Please keep at it, Ms. Barnes!

The sequel to Legacy of Heorot(LOH), takes you back to Avalon 25 years after the Grendel Wars. The community is split between the orginal settlers and the "Star Born". This rift is evident during the novel, and only gets larger. The colonists finally take a step to settle the mainland, in which they meet a deadly new "Avalon Surprise". Unfortunately, this book lacks the raw intensity and power of LOH. The book plays more on social structures and issues. On the positive side, the book does create an intersting new threat found on Avalon, and makes you wonder if there will be a sequel.

I just read this long awaited sequel to the Pournelle, Niven and Barnes trio that gave us Legacy. While I did find that it lacked the pure sci-fi adrenaline of Legacy, it did give me a better incite into Cadmann's motives and the other originals that had "ice on their minds". Even the children, ignorant of the Grendal wars, have interesting dialogue and character development.It has been a very long time since I read Legacy and Beowulfs Children was confusing at times. Thankfully I was able to revert to the Personnel file at the beginning of the book to see where I was. Their story is a classic of Sci-fi taking us to the far reaches of the galaxy to only find that man and his infinite wisdom is bound to make the same mistakes over and over again only to find that the lessons learned from previous experiences are soon forgotten. I have often thought that the Legacy story and now this one would be a natural for a hi-tech director like James Cameron to exploit. The Grendel is a fine antagonist, showing only bits and pieces of it's personality and traits as the book reads on. Only upon the conclusion of the book do we find that there is hope man after all.

This book really explores the idea of what life in a coloney on another planet might be like. Easy to get lost in for a while. Also, there is a book that came before this one called Legacy of Heorot. Pick up both books and enjoy. I had the books in soft covers and when I finished I bought both books in hardcover to have in my library. I know I will be reading them again!

John Barnes' book is a very easy to read, complete coverage of a powerful language. The book is intended for those with some knowledge of programming, providing both details and, especially, rationale for the language features.

Explaining the rationale and possible use of language features is, in fact, the best aspect of the book, and has long been a characteristic of Barnes' writing. So many books in this category simply reiterate syntax and semantics; read this book and you will *understand* Ada as well as recognize it.

If you pay attention there is even subtle humor strewn throughout, making an otherwise potentially dry subject a pleasure to read about.

As a long-time Ada developer and a provider of industrial Ada-related courses, I strongly recommend this book to those who have no prior experience with the Ada language. As the owner of over forty books on the subject (including both editions of this one!) I rate this second edition in the top handful of all books concerning the Ada language.

If you really want to understand the Rationale behind Ada95, this book is a must read. It is not for beginners in programming, but experienced programmers- even if they don't know Ada - will learn a lot from this book. They will never have the same look at their favourite primary programming language, even if it is already Ada.

If you believe all the bad reviews you've read about this book...don't! Anyone who thinks this book is hard to read and should only be used by experienced programmers probably shouldn't even be trusted to tie their own shoes. I didn't know a thing about Ada before buying this book and after reading it I feel I know as much as Mr. Barnes himself. The history of Ada83 and Ada95 - as well as OO programming - is well-organized and top-notch. The sections clearly mark differences between Ada83 and Ada95. It has numerous real-world examples which are helpful for my every day applications. It's also a great progressive learning tool with numerous exercises at the end of each section.

OK so it is really out dated, but I enjoyed reading it. It's not something that would get you ready for your next big tournament, but it has some great "rec ball" scenarios.

I enjoyed the book very much. It is excellent for anybody who is starting thier first team or is rather new to the sport. Do realize that this book was written ORIGINALLY close to 10 years ago. The sport has dramatically changed and so has the equipment. A lot of the tactics in the book are still used today even by Professional teams. There are tactics in the book that are very outdated though with the advent of semi and full auto, direct fed paintball markers. Also, check with your local field about some of the rules of the game that Mr. Barnes mentions in his book. They may not be part of the game anymore. (IE: Red paint and yelling "Dead man" instead of "hit") Realise that paintball is a sport of teamwork, comraderie, and most of all, FUN! We do not condone war, death, or any other such terrible images that USED to be associated with our sport. (Circa early '80's) Thanks for the forum! Please note: I don't in any way think Mr. Barnes is condoning war in his book. It's just that paintball STARTED out as a survival game. It is not that way anymore

Scott "WileyCat" Hanline Captain, Team Terminal Velocity

I enjoyed this book a lot. Sure it's a little outdated, but paintball ain't that complicated, folks, and this book explains the basics clearly. It also provides some good ideas for non-Capture the Flag games and general team motivation and strategies. I definitely recommend it.

This book had so much potential; interesting ideas and concepts are plentiful in its future world. Unfortunately, the authors did not develop those ideas and as a result the book reads more like a romance novel.

The reviews and descriptions would lead one to believe there is an element of excitement to the book: war, riots, ninjas, pursuit. As one review put it, "Lenore is in a race for her life against a truly formidable foe." Well, she's not. She's largely ignored by the foe except for a brief section. In fact, there is very little tension throughout the whole book. There's a lot of exposition and discussion of the characters flaws, too much in fact (the whole thing about Kato's 1st wife could have been removed with no affect on the story or on his development as a character). It's as if the authors spent so much time on setting up the story they forgot to actually write the story itself (except for that parts that read like a romance novel).

The writing is a bit melodramatic as well...in places I felt the descriptions were worthy of entry in the Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest.

To sum up: no interesting action, over-characterization, occasionally ham-handed writing = avoid this book. There are too many better books that need to be read.

A very rational and well written novel. It is the year 2020 and biotechnology is well advanced, particularly on the artificial floating island Xanadu, one of several floating islands. This novel has intrigue, terrorism, and a love story mixed in, and the outcome keeps you guessing. It illustrates also that any technology can be used for both good and evil. SATURN'S RACE is a page turner if there ever was one, fast-paced action, a great story in a relatively short novel.

This book would make an excellent movie, but Hollywood seems obsessed with monsters on Mars and other inane sillyness, but I digress. Anyway, this is excellent science fiction from Larry Niven, one of the masters, and Steven Barnes, another superb writer. Now, if I can only get that song by Olivia Newton John out of my mind!

This was an excellently paced read containing some nice tidbits of not-so-far-out tech. The story pulls you in somewhat gradually, then about half-way through, in the space of a page, you remember: "This is Larry Niven" - the thing grabs you and locks you down.

Just so I don't slight Steven, this *team* has done it again - Larry alone, and Steven alone could not create this wonderful and engaging piece. It has the same blend of hard sci-fi, mystery and sensitivity to human interaction that earmarks a Larry Niven/Steven Barnes novel. In the gadget bag there's nanotech, augmented awareness, and computer conciousness. All excitingly attainable.

If you are a Niven fan, or just out for a good read, you will not be dissapointed - even considering you will have to buy this book and the other new release "The Buring City".

I enjoyed the premise of the book, given that England seems to be well on its way to becoming one big theme park, almost overflowing with so-called "experiences" to milk tourists. But Barnes doesn't quite deliver on the promise, although the writing is good and the book has its funny moments. I enjoyed the list of essential English traits and objects- only notable ommission was the Beatles (if I remember correctly). Having said this, the book is still worth reading, although I enjoyed The History of the World in 10 1/2 Chapters more.

I bought England, England after watching an interview with Julian Barnes on French television. The commentator made it clear that, in her view, the English had received the book badly, being upset that somebody could mock their monarchy and their traditions. Being Manx (which is British, but NOT English) I couldn't wait to get my hands on the book, and sat feeling smug as the postman arrived.

I wasn't disappointed. Barnes lets rip at commercialisation, and at the outdated English acceptance of things they feel to be beyond their control. He portrays England as a Disneyland, with the prince (guess which one!) as one of the buffoon Mickey Mouse characters. Good for him - he hit that one right on the nose!

Whether or not the English didn't like England, England, I can't say (there are plenty of non-Monarchists over there), but the book was a worthy read and kept me giggling and guffawing for some days. Barnes' characterizations are somewhat mixed (some good, some less so) but his portrayal of 'Sir Jack' makes up for any shortcomings in that particular department.

Julian Barnes didn't impress me much with his first book, "Metroland", so it was with some scepticism and doubt that I started on his 1998 Booker Prize nominated "England, England". The prognosis was good after reading the first short section entitled "England" and any reservations I had quickly lifted. Though this promising introduction proved relevant, it didn't quite point to the direction the novel was headed for. What ensues is an engaging mix of some pretty serious ideas, brilliantly executed. Barnes' craft, his razor sharp wit and sense of humour reminds me very much of Martin Amis, another luminous contemporary novelist with an uncompromising yet dazzling style. Here, in "England, England", Barnes uses satire to present, analyse and explore the modern day obsession with "replicas", the advantages of which over their sources have been touted without any genuine understanding of its implications. Sure, "originals" are a true slice of life and therefore, messy, smelly and unpredictable. Replicas, on the other hand, are neat, run like clockwork, and given to stage management for optimum commercial effect. But they're sterile and false and the antithesis of life itself. Notice how the actors in the Isle of Wight (England, England) grow unruly, break down, or start to invent human forms of activity after the loss of contact with the real world. Ironically, Martha, the damaged heroine, learns a few hard lessons from her real life interaction with the likes of Paul and Sir Jack. Barnes punctuates his tale with hilarious surprises along the way. These little flourishes only serves to whet your appetite. But he delivers each time and...how ! The last instalment is an absolute coup de grace, an elaborate painting (almost) of the future of old England. The effect is both poignant and ambivalent and to be relished by the reader. "England, England" is serious fiction of the first order. It is thematically rich, full of humour and wit, and a joy to read. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

This story starts a little too slowly for me. The real action begins at about one third of the book. However, I learned a good deal on weather patterns. The most interesting event is the joining of human and computer. It is very originally presented. The technology in this world is convincing.
Characters are the usual: industrialist, president and aides, astronaut; an exception here is a XV porn star.
Humanity is not wiped out but is given a wakeup call. I suggest this book to everybody who likes this author and disaster novels mixed with science, in this case, meteorology. Not a ground breaking novel but very good in its genre.

In spite of the book's many flaws, fans of David Brin's "Earth" and Bruce Sterlings "Heavy Weather" should buy "Mother of Storms." It's definately a vacation-read, sort of a semi-cyberspace semi-disaster semi-scifi fastpaced interesting Brin-eque book. I found the characters interesting: what a previous reviewer so sarcastically and cynically dismisses as "the redeemed porn star" I thought was actually a compelling portrait of the struggle any actor has. If you think you're about to read something literary, check out Donaldson -- for a good sci-fi read, this is a darn fine book.

On the surface, "Mother of Storms" is basically a book about a global ecological disaster, a calamity novel along the lines of "Lucifer's Hammer" or "The Forge of God", in which numerous storylines are followed simultaneously as the world goes to hell. Barnes pulls this off quite well with a solid grounding in science and with characters that are interesting and believable. But what makes the book special is the way he describes the first mating of human and computer intelligence. His may be the best depiction ever written of a positive feedback loop taking effect and the result being a runaway superintelligence. It's stirring.