SD Perry has done it again, in style!

First I was sceptical of this book thinking that it might not be able to top the other excellent books in the series. After ordering and reading the first 4 books of the Resident Evil series, I completely fell in love with the books! None of the suspense from the game is missed and even more things are revealed which you cannot see in the game!

In Resident Evil: Nemesis, the excellence of the author still continues. This time Jill Valentine is fighting off the zombies once again in Raccoon City. It is much different because the incredibly strong Nemesis is after her, with vengeance!

Perry's style really keeps you going and makes you want to read more and more. The suspense really adds to the storyline and makes you want to read on.

Hard-core Resident Evil fans must own this book. Worth all the money!

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was a great game. At my age, I'm always playing Resident Evil games--I've beaten 2 and 3, and the new game Survivor, but haven't beaten 1 because it's a bit hard in my opinion, and I don't like renting it. I own Resident Evil 2, but I've borrowed Resident Evil 3 from my friend many times, and also rented it from Blockbuster. It's a really, really fun game. S.D. Perry keeps me from jumping reading this book (jumping out of fright). She is truly a great author, I don't know how she does it! But I hope she novelizes Resident Evil-Survivor, Code Veronica, and the game before Resident Evil 1--Resident Evil: Zero. Also, check out her original novels, Caliban Cove & Underworld, which are both fantastic books that I also own! Also check out The Umbrella Conspiracy & The City of the Dead--they're awesome novelizations of RE 1 + 2! You rule, S.D. Perry! Keep writing books! I highly reccommend this book for any horror fans.

At the time of this writing, I have not yet played RESIDENT EVIL. However, I have read the novel adaptation of the game (THE UMBRELLA CONSPIRACY) and that novel intrigued me so much that I wanted to check the continuing adventures of my favorite character from that novel, Jill Valentine, by reading NEMESIS. The book was exactly what I expected.

The story is fairly engaging. The plot doesn't just focus on one character, but revolves around several. There are several surprises (if you've never played the game) and lots of action. I also enjoyed the final epilogue about Trent which made the novel that much more enjoyable to read.

Great book for Resident Evil fans or anyone interested in reading mindless action/horror adventure.

I read this book with absolute no knowledge of C and have found it a useful tool. It is great for the absolute beginner like myself. If you buy this book and expect more than you should re-read the title because it is an intro book and not a book supposed to teach you advanced concepts such as link lists. Today I am going to purchase Perry's C by Example book. This book doesn't go far enough for me either, however, I cannot find a book, which explains things such as functions with such explicit (nice diagrams... no details left out) detail as Perry does nor does any other book do it with such non-technobabble. I looked at the K & R book last night as well as a few other books. While the K & R book is the "Textus Receptus" of C programming at my level, it does not offer the amount of explanation that Perry does. Perry as an author is great for explanation as well as keeping your attention. I rate this book a five star for what it is. If you rate it anything less than you should have bought a different book in the first place.

I start off with saying that this is the best book to buy if you have never even programmed before. This book gives you the best start you can get..Dont buy books like "C for dumbies" by googin or whatever his name is. I seriously reccomend this book. It starts of with standard I/o like printf() and scanf() et cetera...Then goes on to teach you data structers, loops, heap memory, intermediate i/o, and making your own functions. It teaches you how to organize your code and make it more easier to read. The writer puts everything in a CLEAR easy to read way, unlike other books that explain things in a very difficult manner and don't put much depth into it or make jokes to get the point through like your stupid. After this book I reccomend "The C Programming Language" by Kernighan and Ritchie. Buy this book and you won't regret it...That's a fact. Just don't think that your a master at C after you read it. Practice will make you a better programmer.!

Just wanted to add my name to the list of highly satisfied purchasers of this book. This is an excellent programming book for beginners, even if you have never programmed before. I originally started out with K&R C, but it was just too dry. Perry's book gives you the basics and the confidence to move on to more advanced books (like K&R C, Pointer on C, etc).

The only downside to the book is that there are no "problems" to work out. (Sure you can put his code in and watch it run--but where is the problem-solving in that?) However, there are numerous Computer Science Departments out there that do post their course work problems on the Net which can be easily downloaded and printed. Although, few also post the answers, so...good luck :)

Watch out for the chapters on getchar() and getch(). getch() only gets a page or two of explanation and leaves a hapless beginner to founder. K&R C did help here at this point, takes some hacking away at it, but it comes eventually. (Or maybe it will come really quickly and you'll think, that tripped him up? What a geek!)

Lastly, don't waste your hard-earned cash on a fancy-smancy C compiler. There are lots of good (and free) C compilers out there (GNU's gcc, borland DOS-based from www.borland.com, etc). Pick one, spend some time learning the switches and optimizations on it and then get to coding.

From there on out it is just code, code and code. And then debug...and debug...and debug...cry...and debug...

After this book I recommend cutting your teeth on K&R C (there's a reason they call it the C Bible). You can easily see the basics you picked up with Perry in K&R. It was a big help for me when I could see something familiar in the concepts and was able trudge on through.

Sixteen year old Lenora is a headstrong, brave and rather spoiled princess who lives in a world where everyone has the power to make the things they imagine real. Unfortunately for Lenora, using this power is strictly forbidden, not that it stops her much. Shy and logical Prince Coren lives in a world where everyone has the powers to read everyone else's mind, a power that he would do anything to get rid of. When Lenora and Coren discover that they're arranged to be married, none of them are too happy about it. Lenora is furious. She doesn't see why she's supposed to marry this boring boy that she's never met before. In an attempt to run away she ends up throwing herself in a completely different world. Unfortunately she accidentally brings Coren around with her. Everything seems perfect in this world to Lenora, from the people to the dashing ruler, Hevak. Coren is a bit more cautious. Everything seems to perfect. It's this caution that ends up getting him in trouble. Now Lenora's the only one who can save him. That is if she can resist the persuasive powers of Hevek.

Although this book isn't all that advanced it's still an original and entertaining work of fantasy. The plot is fast paced, exciting, and easy to get addicted to. The different worlds are wonderful and very well described. The only problem I really see with it are the characters are awfully underdeveloped and flat. They don't seem to grow too much through the book. But since this is a series, that could be fixed in the next four books. I'm very interested in reading the other books in the quartet, the next one being More Minds. I would recommend this to younger readers and older readers looking for a fun escapism book.

I really did like this book because it's just so much fun to read! It doesn't go very deeply into character analysis or the complexities of love, however, which was probably the intent of the authors since this was directed at children. The authors really did make these two worlds--one of Gepeth and Andilla with their petty preudices and hates and one of Grag, with its seemingly "perfect" society--realistic enough to appease even the most inquisitive eight-year-old. Caught up in the middle of this conflict is Lenora, who is enticed by the "perfect" society and pulls her betrothed Coren, who is inexplicably linked to her, in the conflict as well. Add the strange powers that both Coren and Lenora abuse in different ways and it makes an interesting read at the very least. The characteristics of these powers are not fully explained as it is complicated, but a bit of thinking and it will become clear.

This book is not as serious as some of the great books i've read ( aka:His Dark Materials, stuff like that), but the writing is just as good. In this humorus fantasy, the bored Princess Lenora runs away from an unwanted marrige to the kind, but boring, weakling Prince Coren. When Lenora runs away, Prince Coren follows her. They get trapped in another world that Lenora has accidently created, a world thats completely controled by the evil Hevak. This book shows that people aren't always what they seem, and everybody has a gift that will help in hard times.

I have played through the three Resident Evil (R.E.) adventures, and I am a big fan of the series. Which was why I set off looking to devour books on the R.E. series. If you're a hardcore R.E. fan, this would be one of the few books on the market that mention characters/organisations in the games, e.g. Claire Redfield, Leon Kennedy, STARS, Umbrella etc. It's an interesting take on what else the characters could have been up to before and after they were involved in the R.E. games, although sometimes it feels like the world in the book is in a separate, parallel dimension, with little in common besides the names of the characters.

The story in this book sounds like it belongs more in the world of Jurassic Park than Resident Evil. The main creatures in this book are bio-engineered monsters, not zombies as in the games. The link between Umbrella--a pharmaceutical company--and why they created monsters, is not explored fully. The general impression is a theme park for creatures, like in Jurassic Park.

If you're just looking for an adventure book to read, this book is a light, digestible tidbit for bedtime reading. The monsters won't give you nightmares, but the author manages to keep the story going at a fairly good pace. It kept my attention, but I couldn't help thinking that there were too many coincidences in the book, e.g. events that were just too convenient for the story. Character development is kept to a minimum--don't look for any breaking news on a character. The author did try a little romantic involvement, but that got buried in the action one-fifth into the story, and didn't return.

Overall, I would consider this an average adventure book with almost nothing to do with the R.E. games. Character and plot development aren't a serious consideration here, since the author is probably restricted by the storyline in the games. Instead, she has concentrated on a pure action book that has monsters, guns, and problems that require the team's attention.

I had one problem with the book. S.D. Perry leaves out some important details of the story. For one, no zombies. What is resident evil without zombies. Now I admit that Perry is a good author. But you need the details to tie a story together. the first of the book was starting off great until about half way. What is the deal with mutated dinosaurs and goats. Come on, put zombies where they belong. And what killed me the most was Leon and Claire. There relationship didn't go nowhere, but to say be careful, or I care about you. If S.D. Perry makes a resident evil #5. She needs to put the full details of Leon and Claire. so overall the best part of the book was Finding out Trent's pass. Now that was neat.

I am so glad that Perry was asked to write this series. She is a gifted writer, and has managed not only to portray the games in an imaginative and lively way, but also to make the story her own. This book is pure Resident Evil. I couldn't put it down! Read this and be amazed. Well done Perry.

Laura Fairly is the innocent, the young, sheltered, Victorian maiden who abides by her departed father's wishes. On his deathbed, he bids her to marry Sir Percival Glyde. Enter villainy. The grasping, frightened, short-tempered Sir Percival insists on a speedy wedding. He handily dispatches any obstacles thrown up in his path; he is damned and determined to wed Laura--and her fortune. But Laura has a sister, Marian, a strong-willed, independent, fiercely loyal sister who at first champions the marriage and then recoils once she realizes the true nature of Sir Percival. The man is a monster. And Marian will do anything to protect her sister. Heroism, and then some. There is also another, a drawing master named Walter Hartright, commissioned to teach Laura and Marian the fine art of watercolors. He falls in love with Laura, and she with him--before her marriage to Sir Percival. The drama should be obvious.

But what of the title? Who is the Woman in White? Her chance meeting with Walter Hartright on the road to London provides the catalyst upon which the entire narrative turns. She is at once and both the key and the puzzle. She is a victim. She is a harbinger. She scares Sir Percival out of his wits.

This book offers vivid portrayals of Victorian England, its mannerisms, its wardrobe, its inhibitions, its attitude. This book eerily reflects our own time, our own angst, in the 21st century. Once you read it, you'll know what I mean. Deception has no age.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't turn your back on Count Fosco!

Laura Fairly is the innocent, the young, sheltered, Victorian maiden who abides by her departed father's wishes. On his deathbed, he bids her to marry Sir Percival Glyde. Enter villainy. The grasping, frightened, short-tempered Sir Percival insists on a speedy wedding. He handily dispatches any obstacles thrown up in his path; he is damned and determined to wed Laura--and her fortune. But Laura has a sister, Marian, a strong-willed, independent, fiercely loyal sister who at first champions the marriage and then recoils once she realizes the true nature of Sir Percival. The man is a monster. And Marian will do anything to protect her sister. Heroism, and then some. There is also another, a drawing master named Walter Hartright, commissioned to teach Laura and Marian the fine art of watercolors. He falls in love with Laura, and she with him--before her marriage to Sir Percival. The drama should be obvious.

But what of the title? Who is the Woman in White? Her chance meeting with Walter Hartright on the road to London provides the catalyst upon which the entire narrative turns. She is at once and both the key and the puzzle. She is a victim. She is a harbinger. She scares Sir Percival out of his wits.

This book offers vivid portrayals of Victorian England, its mannerisms, its wardrobe, its inhibitions, its attitude. This book eerily reflects our own time, our own angst, in the 21st century. Once you read it, you'll know what I mean. Deception has no age.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't turn your back on Count Fosco!

Laura Fairly is the innocent, the young, sheltered, Victorian maiden who abides by her departed father's wishes. On his deathbed, he bids her to marry Sir Percival Glyde. Enter villainy. The grasping, frightened, short-tempered Sir Percival insists on a speedy wedding. He handily dispatches any obstacles thrown up in his path; he is damned and determined to wed Laura--and her fortune. But Laura has a sister, Marian, a strong-willed, independent, fiercely loyal sister who at first champions the marriage and then recoils once she realizes the true nature of Sir Percival. The man is a monster. And Marian will do anything to protect her sister. Heroism, and then some. There is also another, a drawing master named Walter Hartright, commissioned to teach Laura and Marian the fine art of watercolors. He falls in love with Laura, and she with him--before her marriage to Sir Percival. The drama should be obvious.

But what of the title? Who is the Woman in White? Her chance meeting with Walter Hartright on the road to London provides the catalyst upon which the entire narrative turns. She is at once and both the key and the puzzle. She is a victim. She is a harbinger. She scares Sir Percival out of his wits.

This book offers vivid portrayals of Victorian England, its mannerisms, its wardrobe, its inhibitions, its attitude. This book eerily reflects our own time, our own angst, in the 21st century. Once you read it, you'll know what I mean. Deception has no age.

P.S. Whatever you do, don't turn your back on Count Fosco!

this is a pretty funny book about an errant-knight and his many misadventures. only problem is, there's really only one joke in this massive (1000+ page) book, namely, what a fool and madman this gallant knight is. after a while, the joke begins to wear thin. i don't think this is the greatest novel ever written. it's too poorly stuctured and one-dimensional for that grand distinction. i think the reason this book IS so famous is because of the character of don quixote himself. the image of the mad don charging giant windmills is one of the most colorful and memorable in all fiction. don quixote is one of the few examples of a character who transcends the book that created him. hamlet and falstaff are two other examples.

a good read, but doesn't live up to the hype.

I read this book in its original language, spanish (since it is my first language too), and I found Don Quijote's adventures fascinating, comical, and sometimes even slightly pathetic.
"El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" is about a man, Alonso Quijana, who reads so many books of knights from the middle ages (this was written in the baroque times, NOT the renaissance or the enlightement as other reviews say) that he loses his mind and decides to become a knight as well. This anacronysm is the first clue of the comic life Don Quijote leads from then on.
The whole novel is a mockery of other books about knights (although not about the knights themselves), as Don Quijote continually struggles to do justice and to right wrongs, but is met with nothing but sad defeats.
Overall, although it is very long and uses somewhat complicated language (it is written in spanish from the 1600s, although I suppose that the translation makes it simpler as it is to modern day words), Don Quijote and his adventures are something that I'd reccomend to anyone with the patience to read it.

I took the time to read both volumes of Don Quixote, starting at the end of this past summer, and just finishing up in mid-November, and even better, in the New Century Library version, lovely old leather bound books with gold ribbons for markers. I didn't read it straight; it was interspersed with many other books on my stack.

Oh my. What a satisfying read. Of course you are familiar with the basic premise of this book, the mad Don Quixote tilting after windmills, his faithful squire Sancho Panza at his side and always on the lookout for a good meal. What I was not prepared for, and was totally delighted by, were the many and varied side stories, the topsy turvy relationship between madness and sanity (and who is which, anyway?), the wisdom of Sancho Panza as Governor (at long last!) of his very own island, and the surreal relationship between the narrator, the author, and the narrated.

This is a complex work, and could be discussed with many different themes in mind--idealism vs. pragmatism, honesty vs. duplicity, madness vs. sanity, the follies of the rich vs. the follies of the poor. Chivalry. Romantic love. Storytelling. Renunciation. The Quest. Devotion. Class structure. Religious persecution.

The only thing that bothered me about this book was that everybody was endlessly enchanted and ready to give the benefit of the doubt to beautiful young men and women, that beauty in this book equaled virtue and a kind heart, a small complaint indeed regarding this masterpiece.

If you've already read this book, this is just preaching to the choir. But if you're trying to decide whether or not to take the time, the answer is yes, yes and yes! You won't regret it, and your heart and soul will thank you.

The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Programming is an excellent first book for beginning programmers. The explanations are clear and help to bring a sense of continuity to topics otherwise confusing to novice computer users. You don't have to be interested in programming to benefit from this book. I teach beginning computer applications, and I pride myself of being able to communicate to persons who don't believe themselves to be computer literate in the least, the fundamentals of computer operations. I have gained valuable information not only for my interest in computer programming, but for my classes as well. Thank you Mr. Perry. Your book has helped me immeasurably.

I had bought a couple of books on basic programming for the PC that have taught the rules of the language but, not how to design a program. Lessons learned include flowcharting, pseudo code and program structure. A quick history on programming languages and there evolution (without choosing one over the other)gave me a good understanding of the programming feild. The last half of the book teaches QBASIC principles without getting to much into the depth of the language. My freind was starting a course in web page design and borrowed the book; I thought he would have it for a few weeks, he read it all in one night and then offered to buy the book from me,I sent him out to get his own copy!

This book takes the subject of programming from a beginner's point of view and instructs its readers quite well. Starting with a basic understanding of what a computer is, what it can do with the proper software, and a brief history, it then goes on to describe a program's "anatomy." There's also descriptions of the early programming languages like FORTRAN, COBOL, even RPG and Pascal (which would later be the forerunner to C). And then on to "modern-day" languages like C, C++, and Visual Basic.

In fact, the book devotes much of its concept to Visual Basic (VB), stating that a lot of the concepts in learning VB can be applied to other programming languages. The book devotes several chapters about VB, along with numerous helpful diagrams that help to show the different concepts being described. Subsequent chapters take on other languages like C and C++, along with batch and scripting languages. I never realized how simple a scripting langauge could be to put together.

There's also a big section on "Internet programming languages," like HTML, DHTML, XML, Java, and Javascript. While they are only touched upon briefly, you still get a general idea of how each langauge works. While it may be a stretch to call HTML and XML "languages" per se, they are still obviously important to know if you plan to do any web programming.

This is an excellent book for a beginning programmer or even for a technical writer who wants to know a little bit about programming concepts.

The author has done a pretty good job of resurrecting the characters of DEEP SPACE NINE. It is written so that someone new to the environment of DS9 is not lost, but includes elements from the series that tickle a familiarity die-hard fans will understand and appreciate.

The new characters are in one word, intriguing. The new XO has a background reaching the highest classifications in Starfleet. Also, the new science officer, it's great to see Andorians still exist in Star Trek. And a Jem'Hadar ambassdor? It leaves a lot of room for expansion, but the author gives enough of a taste to keep us coming back for more.

The only disappointment is the epilogue. I got the impression it was added as an after thought, when the author realized she had left one character hanging out there and needed to comment on it. And indeed, it was a comment. There is no elaboration on the situation, and reads as if hastily put together in an attempt to leave a substantial question/opening for another book.

I think this was a good start to what I hope will be an extended series of new DS9 stories.

It took two years, but the powers that be at Paramount and Pocket Books have finally given us the beginnings of the continuation of the story of Deep Space Nine. Colonel Kira, now in command of Deep Space Nine after Sisko's departure, struggles with her almost-breakdown, and none too soon the station is attacked.

We are re-introduced and introduced to many familiar and new characters, including Kira, Jake, Kasidy, Nog, Ezri Dax, Quark, Ro Laren (from TNG), Jast, Shar, and many others who don't survive the book. The TNG cast makes a nice cameo, linking it to the second book in the series. I like the fact that Kasidy is actually used as a major character, not just "Sisko's wife."

Basically, this book is a wonderful read if you've been looking forward to it (I have), and even if you just ocassionally dip in and out of Trek fiction, it's still a very interesting read. Very highly recommended.

In May 2001, Pocket Books published Avatar, a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine novel, in two volumes. It's written by S.D. Perry, who has previously contributed two stories to The Lives of Dax and has written the novelizations of Timecop and Virus. Under the name Stella Howard, Ms. Perry has written an original novel based on the series Xena: Warrior Princess.

Avatar begins three months after DS9's finale, "What You Leave Behind," and focuses on Colonel Kira's command of the station. A surprise attack by what's left of the Dominion kills hundreds of Starfleet and Bajoran militia officers as well as civilians. As well, an ancient Bajoran text is discovered that incites religious controversy among the populace - one of its prophecies is that the birth of the son of the Emissary (Kasidy Yates' unborn child) will require the death of 10,000. What that actually means will be revealed at the end of the second volume, but several of the more conservative elements of Bajoran religious hierarchy have their own interpretation of it.

We meet again a former Enterprise officer who becomes the station's new chief of security, and are introduced to three new characters - Commander Tiris Jast, a Bolian senior officer who commands the Defiant; Shar, the reticent Andorian science officer; and Elias Vaughn, a longtime Starfleet officer at a crossroads in his life.

I found both volumes of the novel hard to put down. In the post-TOS era, Deep Space Nine has always been my favorite and I'm glad to see the "8th season" begin with a well-considered blend of action, characterization and thought-provoking issues of religion, culture and society. Pocket Books is taking up the threads of themes begun in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine quite effectively and I look forward to further adventures in this series.

Both my husband and I read Saved by the Light by Danion Brinkley, and we want to share with everyone who ever reads our review that this book is a milestone in the spiritual growth of humankind! It reaveals the purpose of everyone's life's mission, - to Love and help everyone on Earth. Whaterver anyone's previous life experiences were, they are probably a combination of mistakes and victories, happiness and grief, joys and tears - we all gain only from loving and caring for each other. It was great to learn that everyone who is born on our Mother Earth is a Mighty Spiritual Being who by one's own willpower can make a positive change not only in one's own life, but also in the lives of people on Earth. We are here on Earth with a great Mission of Love, and our every action, every word, every thought resonate their meaning and put it to practice. After having read Saved by the Light both of us found the strength to cope with the challenges of our lives, and we came to the realisation of what our missions on Earth are. Thank you very much Danion for the fantastic experience that we had when reading your book!

This is one of the most intelligently written NDE (near death experience) books I've ever read. (And I've read a few...) Dannion's story was an amazing one and he told it very well.

It is a compelling book - I found myself devouring the book cover to cover and then perusing it a second time.

One of the most interesting things I picked up on in this book is his experience of returning to this life.

He had been sent down to the morgue, with a sheet draped over his body, when he came back to life.

And he talked about the moment of decision - whether to go back or to remain in the next life - and once that decision was made, his body stirred and he was alive again.

This (to me) was a wonderful proof that there is no power in the body. It is not the body that makes decisions about life. Dannion's body was dead but once he decided to return to (this) life, the body was restored.

The human scene shifted to correspond with the spiritual reality and the spiritual decisions.

Read the book and draw your own inspirations, revelations and education. It was a great read and a book with much depth.

One of the most moving, compelling accounts of the Near-Death-Experience that I know of, Brinkley's story is a powerful antidote to hopelessness and nihilism, and in particular to fear of eternal damnation instilled by the Christian religion. His experience shows that death is not to be feared. It is neither the end of existence, nor is it a time of divine punishment. But most importantly, it teaches us the importance of love. After death, neither money, nor power or status count, only how much love, compassion and kindness we have given others.

Brinkley's story, endorsed by the leading NDE researcher, Raymond Moody, is highly credible, even though most of his predictions turn out to have been inaccurate. For those who would take this as evidence that Brinkley is a fraud, two observations are in order:

1. This work is not primarily about PSI ability. It is about a profound, life-changing spiritual experience.

2. As part of that experience, Brinkley was shown a probable future that was likely to happen if he didn't change his ways. But he changed, and the world changed with him. That's the point of a negative prediction: to motivate personal change for the better.

This book will of course not impress those who are looking for scientific proof, but for the others, it will be inspiring and spiritually enlightening.