Nick Mamatas infuses this "weird tale" that intersects New York's Civil War Draft Riots with a contemporary gay black man's life in Greenwich Village with a smart, and clearly politicized viewpoint. The inexorable play of events seems pitiless on the surface, but the subtly creeping horror works so well because Mamatas refuses to make demons out of the people who are caught in this storm of events. Skip "Gangs of New York" (well, for lots of reasons), and read this instead. It will get under your skin and engage your mind for days afterward.

Nick Mamatas is now officially on my ones-to-watch list...

This book really took me off guard. A friend recommended it to me, and I began leisurely reading it on a Sunday afternoon...the next thing I knew it was late evening and I had finished the book! It's tightly written and keeps you turning the page...

It's a gutsy book, and has one of the most original plot lines I've read in some time...Definitely one to read...

Mamatas is a stunning new talent; his prose is evocative and his turns of phrase alternate between horrifying and fall-down funny. When I finished Northern Gothic I wanted /more/. There's a verisimilitude to the scenes that make it clear that Mamatas has done his research and has a keen sense for the inside of his characters' heads.

A very good demonstration of the Moi Fah form. Unlike some of the books that came out of Hong Kong in the early 1980's, Kwon Wing Lam includes the applications of the techniques. Also includes Chinese and English table for the techniques of the set, and well written sections on the history of Northern Shaolin (or Sil Lum) and kung fu in general.

This book is limited in its scope, and i think that's the best thing about it. It teaches number seven of the ten basic Shao Lin forms, and little else. It's a great place to start for beginners, or even better for students of Kung Fu who have not been taught short forms in all directions yet. I too wish the author would complete the entire system in a similar fashion, for we could all learn Sil lum kung fu with a minimum of kwoon time. Can't recommend it enough...

Si Fu Kwon is a brilliant practitioner of Shaolin (Sil Lum)Kung Fu. He has impeccable form and his instruction is clear and precise.This book is a very good introduction to the latter forms of the core sets of Bak Sil Lum. I find the book good to learn from because I use it in tandem with My own Si Fu's teachings. I only wish Si Fu Kwon would write the rest of the sets into book form!

After checking this book out from the library many times, I've decided I need to purchase a copy of my own before it goes out of print! I especially loved the way music was interwoven throughout the book. The characters are real people who make rational decisions (unlike many "romance" books). They grow and develop throught the book. I've just signed up for Amazon elerts to alert me when Susan D. Williams next book will come out. Soon, I hope!

I loved the characters because they were the kind of people I'd like to be friends with & share with. I liked the gentle patience for the heroine as she grew, the fabulous descriptions of N. Calif., the mouth watering food, the decor, the unconditional love, & the priest...'just say Yes to God' is great wisdom. Where's her next book??? I keep looking!

I think this book is so awesome! I'm used to books that make the girl wait untill the guy became a Christian or vice versa, but in this book the woman becomes a believer after she receives a proposal from the guy. So its like she's accepting God because its the only solution for her life, not because the guy is giving her a spiritual ultimatum.

The book, Ardennes Offensive - VI Panzer Armee, is a must have for the serious reader of the Battle of the Bulge. It covers the battles on the northern front from the German point of view. This book provides excellent detail which I have not found in other books. In particular, it provides detailed maps for each significant action. These maps are usually in a scale of 1 inch per mile and they show tree lines, elevations, and locations of buildings and combat units. I was also impressed that the maps showed which bridges were destroyed by American engineers and how it altered the advance of the German formations. I got a better sense of what was happening by studying these maps than reading many narratives. The book's narrative was also excellent in that it listed the types and quantities of tanks in the German divisions and the ones used in combat. Because this is just the first book in a series, it does not provide an overview of the offensive as a whole. Also, it concentrates on what happened and offers little insight on the human elements of the battle (ie, what it was like from an individual soldier's view or from a civilian's view who were there). I'd suggest that a person maybe read an overview book such as Osprey's Ardennes 1944 for a quick overview or Combined Books' Battle Of The Bulge for an overview with additional human interest insights. The second book in the series, Ardennes Offensive - V US Corps & XVIII US Corps, is another excellent book in the series. It covers the battles in the northern front from the US viewpoint. Like the companion book, Ardennes Offensive - VI Panzer Armee, it provides excellent battle detail. It provides detailed maps for each significant action which are usually in a scale of 1 inch per mile. They show tree line, elevations, and locations of buildings and combat units. But unlike the companion book, the breakdown of the types and numbers of US tanks is not quite as detailed. This was disappointing since some Sherman tanks did have the better 76mm gun and it is unclear which units had them. Also, it would have been interesting if the book could have indicated what type of AP ammunition was carried by the units since some units had HEAT in addition to AP rounds. Both of these books only cover the period of the German offensive until its containment. They do not cover the Allied counter attacks after Dec 26. Overall, I'm very pleased with the books and look forward to purchasing the remainder in the series. I hope they will include books on the Allied counter offensive. I also hope that they do a series on Bagration.

This book, the first in a series of 6, is a must have for the serious reader of the Battle of the Bulge. This is because it provides detailed maps of the actions showing tree lines, elevations, and locations of buildings and units. Most maps are in the scale of about 1 inch per mile. The book also lists the number and types of tanks involved in the actions. People may prefer reading an overview book of the battle such as Osprey's Ardennes 1944 or Combined Books' Battle of the Bulge before reading this series.

This book is a must for serious readers of this battle. Unlike others, this book provides detailed maps and troop lists for each significant action fought. The maps are usually 1 inch per mile and show woodlines, elevations, and locations of buildings and units. The book also details the quantities and types of tanks in the engagements. I understand this is the 1st in a series of 6 books which cover the battle. People may want to read an overview book of the battle such as Osprey's Ardennes 1944 or Combined Book's Battle of the Buldge before reading this series.

The third book in a series (Northern England & Scotland & Southern England the other two) that allows you to get off the beaten track to see the countryside and quaint remote areas of England.

Laid out in sixteen chapters, with each chapter a separate day itinerary,makes this an easy-to-use book for those who want to avoid the tour buses and tourist traps. The Best of Britain's Countryside helps you find good food and lodging, while giving the reader tidbits on custom. Language and architecture.

Good maps are generous in this book, however to make The Best of Britain's Countryside an excellent book the weak b&w photos need to be replaced, as well as a better, more readable page layout that uses bullets and/or boxes that highlight the explanation of a various places would really help.

If you want to see another side, especially the countryside of England and you like to venture out on your own I have not found a better guide book to recommend than this.

I own all three book covering England - they are an excellent resource. I have many books on this topic but these are really the best. I'm very disappointed they are out of print - would love an updated version. The authors really do provide reliable recommendations for the best places/sites/hikes. Wish they would write about other countries - Italy, France and Switzerland.

Thanksgiving time several years ago, my husband, two friends, our 12-month old son and I used this book to guide us on a walking trip in Northern England. We started in the Harrogate area, had a fabulous time on the walks. B&B recommendations were first rate. Bill and Gwen should update the book, if that's the impediment to keeping it in print!

To begin, I believe that books are an inadequate didactic medium within the martial arts world; only a live instructor can point out the subtleties and variations in the motions of the arts. However, many books, this included, are a valuable resource to practitioners.

Although the greater part of the book was very thorough, I have some caveats about those parts which are not as acceptable. The beginning covers a brief history of Chinese swords (mainly of the jian variety). I'm not sure if this is a misconception by the author or a mistake in editing, but some of the pictures misrepresent the weapons they are supposed to illustrate; a slight rearrangement would fix this in most instances, but the fact that they are not arranged properly may result in trouble for the less cautious reader, or for the amateur. I further disagree with some of Yang's descriptions of the jian; the paragraph about the "blood groove" in especial. Although he is a respected martial artist, I maintain that those writers who know little about the weapon itself should write less; knowledge of its use does not, in many cases, signify knowledge of construction/history.

Yang does not go into as much detail as I would like in some aspects; the martial merit of some techniques should be explained more deeply. In many cases, he suffices to say that these techniques were efficient and worked, but did not really provide any reason besides vague references to balance or qi.

However, I am impressed with the thoroughness with which Yang tackles the subject. He covers basic stances, guards, and attacks, and depicts three very detailed forms (he dedicates approximately 100 pages to the first!). I was also pleased to note that he included the hanzi for many of the terms he uses, although he uses the English translation of the terms throughout the text rather than the Pinyin; e.g. he would refer to the Horse Stance rather than to Ma Bu. As something of a purist, I would rather see the Chinese than the English, but some may prefer the contrary.

One last point with which I was pleased was his enthusiasm to warn the reader that his book is NOT a comprehensive manual, and that actual instruction is required to reach any real level of skill in jianshu. I agree with this whole-heartedly. Even though this book is excellent for beginners, no beginner should rely solely on it to attain skill.

Overall, a very decent book indeed; certainly worth a look, and a good foundation for building new skills or for refreshing old skills.

History, Exercises and Forms are all in this book. I believe it has 3 complete forms. The forms are easy to follow and I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good sword book.

I found this book is the most comprehensive guide to learn Shaolin Sword. The picture and the explanation are clear and detail. I recommend this book for sword practisioner. I hope someday Dr. Yang will also produce "Southern Shaolin Sword" book.

One reviewer here called this book `poetic' and I wonder why. There is certainly nothing very poetic about this book: the prose is very stark and detached. Obviously McNamee is trying to capture the dark passages of a land torn by civil unrest and ridden in human bondage. I must admit, however, that the novel is certainly well written, almost brutal in its gripping descriptions of the murderous minds and violent manifestations that pervade the novel. One cannot come across a better book on serial killings, internecene war and human fragmentation than the `Resurrection Man.'

I am adding this to my wishlist although I remember the sense of discovery very vividly from first reading more than 2 years ago. One of the few authors, along with Brian Moore, to present a vision of life in the North, again Belfast here too. And his style is bril -- absolutely groundbreaking. Remember being mesmerized by the hypnotic pace, the phrasing, and complete innovation in style. I would be eager to read more of his work.

McNamee's Resurrection Man is a dark, poetic novel, the prose of which conveys emotions, and mental images of the people, places and deeds it describes, with a clarity unlike any other novel I have read. I found myself often rereading passages two and three times to fully immerse myself in their precise and poetic imagery. While I have never been to Belfast, and do not have intimate knowledge of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, this book gave me a vivid sense of both, while capturing my attention and anticipation until the very last page. It is an important novel by an author who demonstrates a command of a unique and penetrating style of writing; a style I shall not soon forget. Well worth the read!

Reviewer: A reader from United Kingdom
Jack's book is very good and realistic, it is an exceptional read and is a testament to all those unsung heroes who served their time in NI. Many lives were altered from the experience of serving within the conflict, many were just doing what they thought was an ordinary job in different circumstances just like Jack. What is refreshing is that Jack has written what we all wanted to say, but then we havn't the talent as a Writer. Whatever your standpoint when reading the book you can't help but feel sorry, not just for Jack but for the many other who were affected also.

A concrete bunker deep in bandit country that is surrounded by a wire mesh fence and claymore mines. There is a mast next to the bunker and the only way in or out of this location is by chopper.
Excerpt from the book:
'Bring your gear over,' shouted the load master.
We lugged it and stowed it under his supervision, then went back to our original spot, and waited. Power was fed into the chopper motor and the whir grew louder, shriller and more intense. They started to rotate slowly to begin with, then picked up speed until all blades blurred into one. The pilot looked back through his window and gave the thumbs up to the load master, 'Come on,' he shouted waving his arm.
We boarded and sat facing the door as the load master clipped a line hanging from the roof to the harness he was wearing. The engine reached full pitch after he spoke into his microphone and we quickly rose into the air. As soon as we were clear of the buildings, the pilot banked a sharp right and shot forward catching all three of us unaware. A tickle of fear crept into me as I grabbed hold of the seat to prevent myself falling out of the open door.
The load master turned around and looked at us, smiling. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. He could see by the look on our faces that they'd achieved what they'd set out to do. It was tactical flying all the way since the IRA had downed one of their choppers. It was exhilarating with no warnings of maneuvers. The big bird would suddenly rise or drop, or bank right or left to give us sinking and rising feelings in our stomachs.
THE CLIMB:
They stood by their slits. Switched on their night scopes. Scanned and adjusted. I waited until they came fully alive, then fastened on my belt.
It had turned into a clear night. Might as well have been daytime it was so light. The moon was like a giant searchlight beaming down. It revealed every detail in perfect clarity. Trees loomed on the surrounding hills beyond the fence. Bramble bushes could be seen distinctly at two hundred metres. The parts of the concrete bunker not covered by earth seemed to act like giant mirrors, and reflected the moon's rays everywhere. There was no hiding, and no turning back. The area was alive with animals scurrying and rustling in the undergrowth, calling to each other. If it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I'd often thought about taking a weapon up with me. I'd been through this many times. Each time realizing that the only thing I'd want to do if shot at would be to run down. I wouldn't be able to see where the shot came from, and the weapon would get in the way, on my mad rush down.
Gone were the days of jangling spanners and antennae banging on the mast. My rigging techniques were honed and perfected. No more shaking hands. No more trembling knees. No more breathlessness. Every move and ounce of energy spent were deliberate, and directed.
The wildlife sensed the tension in me. Went quiet. Waited.

A customer review at amazon.co.uk

A very interesting and easy-to-read book about a subject that I never really knew much about until now. I know all about the SAS and 14th Intelligence and Security Group, or whatever they call themselves nowadays, but neglected to think of the people, without whom the aforementioned security forces could not communicate, that risk their lives to climb 400+ foot masts to either put up or maintain antennae whilst under IRA gunfire, sometimes with fatal consequences. I read it in a night, but that was because I couldn't put it down. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the conflict in Northern Ireland and the military in general, but it is also a story of personal achievement. A very good read!

I no longer live in the Midwest, but my sister gave me this book so that I would never forget my roots in the heartland.

I think I love the "Come for Coffee" and "Pride of the Heartland" sections best. The lebkuchen recipe tastes exactly like my mother's. And I love the gingered fruit crisp recipe, with all of its variations.

As for the savory dishes, they are also tasty. The country sauerkraut would make a kraut lover out of anyone. I've made several of the soups, which were all very satisfying. My Thanksgiving guests always love the wild rice, cranberry, walnut and vegetable salad.

This book also has many asides which comment on the culture which created Midwestern cooking: thrifty farmers' wives, potlucks at the church, and agricultural fairs. In all it speaks to the values of the heartland: frugality, community, generosity, and excellence.

I have purchased this book for not only myself, but for family members and friends as well. I would describe the work as Alice Waters meets the Midwest. The results are a book you could practically devour! The book emphasizes freshness and local produce as the key to producing outstanding food.

I am also part of the diaspora of Midwesterners on the West Coast, and this book helped reconnect me with those roots. The historical anecdotes about food ways of the past sparked a spirited discussion with my grandparents about their favorite "old-fashioned" foods and our family food traditions.

The recipes are clear and concise with great results. I have tried the Sugar cookies, corn pudding, Radish and Cucumber salad, Roasted Vegetable Strudel (YUM!)and the Chicken Sautee with Seasonal Variations (Summer).

Thanks Lucia!

I came across this cookbook while browsing the bookshelf of my local public library. Being from Wisconsin, I enjoyed reading the recipes and the stories between! It was a wonderful book, so much so, that I was willing to pay a "late fee" in returning it! We tried several recipes, and loved them! It immediately went to the top of my "Books to buy" list! I am very disappointed to find that it is out of print. Until it is available again, I will be borrowing it from the library frequently!

Stevenson does an outstanding job providing a backdrop to the current political and social culture of Ireland for the American reader. He describes Ireland's troubled history siting specific watershed events, rhetoric form all sides as well as the major laws that created the political climate the troubles stemmed from. This book is a quality read for anyone interested in understanding why Ireland is divided, and a must read for all Irish Americans.

This book is fantastic. Stevenson's understanding of Irish politics makes this book an invaluable addition to the scholar's bookshelf while keeping it accessible to readers who may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of Irish history.

The heart of Mr Stevenson's book is the personal history, much of it told in their own words, of thirty-one Northern Ireland terrorists and ex-terrorists--fourteen republican, seventeen loyalist. Along the way Mr Stevenson fills in all the necessary details of recent history, and a good deal of more general historical and social matter. Mr Stevenson is an American who lived in Belfast 1993-1996. He has written a very good, very worthy book.

The first thing I want to know about a book on the Irish "Troubles" is: does the author make excuses for terrorism? Nobody who has seen terrorism at close hand can believe that it is a proper method in the pursuit of any goal, nor that unrepentant terrorists are fit people to govern any polity. In this respect Mr Stevenson is clean, his moral sense absolutely sound--an unusual thing among American writers on Ireland. While offering full coverage of the frequent nastiness and illegality of the British state's counter-terrorist actions, and of the cruel viciousness of "loyalist" terrorism, he knows--and shows--Sinn Fein/IRA for what it is: the last (it was also one of the first) of the European fascist parties. No matter who you are--Irish, British, republican, loyalist, Protestant, Catholic--if you disagree with Sinn Fein, they do not disagree politely back (except, of course, on American TV): they break your legs. Then they go and break your mother's legs. That is the reality behind Gerry Adams' unctuous smile. "Ah, but they're only trying to get back their lost land," murmur the apologists. This is like saying that Al Capone was only trying to make a living--an equally true statement. It's a question of METHOD.

Here are the actual trouble-makers of the Troubles. The broad picture Mr Stevenson assembles from his portraits is familiar to anyone who has followed the course of events; but it is told with an admirable objectivity and an appealing undercurrent of optimism--not only optimism for this poor tortured piece of land, but for the possibilities of individual human redemption. In spite of the occasional atrocities of 1996-7, Mr Stevenson believes that the real violence is over, and that the hard men of both sides are struggling to adapt to constitutional methods. I hope he is right