The Planescape Monstrous Compendium Appendix II, is an interesting addition to the collection of any DM interested to run adventures on the outer planes. However this book will only be of minor interest to anybody else. The artwork in the book, done by DiTerlizzi, is pretty good, altough I prefer the job he did on the first compendium. A lot of the monsters included in this book had not been featured in any other supplement before. Exemples of what you will be getting for your monney are: a new race usable for the PC'S (Aasimar), 3 new angelic species (Eladrin, Lupinal, Guardinal), and a new tanari ( Maurezhi). To sum it up the book is interesting, but considering the high cost of these Planescape's Compendiums you should only buy it if you intend to run most of your campaign on the outer planes.

While this is easily the least useful volume of the Planescape Appendices ( one containing the Baatezu and the Tanar'ri, three focusing on the Elementals), Number Two readily catches my eye with the fact that most of the creatures within have never apeared in print before, and the few that have haven't been heard from in many years (on the other hand, numbers one and three usually simply take a random, and probably well-known creature from one of the older supplements, change its stats and name, and - voila! - a "new" monster!). I find this volume to be a most enjoyable resource of absurd creatures I use to knock the ground from under my PCs' feet.

The new Sects contained in this suppliment are invaluable when you are in a clinch to make a new encounter. The monsters are a little more balanced than the ones in the other expansions and include some pretty freaky concepts.

"Paradise" is an eminently readable compilation of novellas, with appealing characters and good writing. While none of the stories are outstanding or especially memorable, all are good enjoyable reads.

"Jessie's Girl" by Madeline Baker is a sweet story, portraying a pair of lovers who are charming but somewhat shallow. Kathy, especially, seems almost too good and naive to be real. The premise, involving Jessie as a vampiric Elvis, is a bit unusual, but also feels a bit "off." Of the four, this struck me as the weakest contribution.

I really enjoy Nina Bangs' writing, and "Hunka" is no exception. The characters are appealing and well-developed, and the story brims with good humor and charm.

I really liked the premise of Ann Lawrence's "Heaven-Sent." The characters are charming, and the romance and mystery are very sound. The "heavenly" slant also made this story a little out of the ordinary.

Nance's "Best-Laid Plans" was another nice little gem. While it's not spectacular in any way, decent writing and well-developed characters make this a solid contribution.

All in all, this is a great summer read, especially for the Elvis fan!

PARADISE constitutes 4 stories revolving Elvis, the king of Rock and the romances that soared with him around as the matchmaker. The first story by Madeline Baker may proved too far-fetch and mythical - with Jessie, a manifestation of Elvis in the form of a vampire, learning love can last longer than eternity and youth. The second by Nina Bangs hit all the right keys, with a calculative business lady falling in love with a theme park operator Dylan. The others by Kathleen Nance and Ann Lawrence were buoyant, focusing more on inner feelings between two lonely characters jumping at a chance in love.

The stories are fleeting, transient like heavensteps to PARADISE - they are typical romances spiced up by wicked chemistry and rousing narrative. Not memorable nor poignant, but simply a good read taking you to heavenly dreams.

I wasn't taken with the first story. I like vampire romances but not with a former real person in the role.

I loved the other three tales by new authors, Bangs, Lawrence, and Nance. Wonderful stories with Elvis as a side character or spirtual influence. Lawrence and Nances were so well written and complex, I soon forgot they were novella's. I loved Lawrence's "Virtual Heaven", Bangs' "An Original Sin", and Nance's "More Than Magic" recent single titles as well. Leisure Love Spell has a wonderful stable of new authors, I hope we'll be hearing more from them soon.

Madeline Baker is absolutely my favorite romance author and I was very eager to read Unforgettable. It's a time travel romance about a divorced woman named Shaye that travels back in time to the town of Bodie and falls in love with a gambler named Alejandro. I don't think it was a very romantic story and I learned much more than I wanted to about Bodie. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be, but of course others are bound to disagree. Still, she is a good writer with a style of her own and I recommend A Feather in the Wind and Midnight Fire.

When i started this book i just couldnt put it down. From the start you get hooked...It took me just under a day to read it. If you read Chase the wind you'll love this book as well.

This is the most recent of Baker's books that I have read and yet again I was blown away. She gave a great background and history about the real life ghost town of Bodie. The characters of modern day Shaye and badboy from the past, Alejandro were great. The point that I got was love is timeless. I haven't read a book by Baker that I haven't liked and I've read quite a few. I like historical romance and to me this book was great example. I recommend it to anyone wanting to learn a few facts while reading for pleasure.

Thomas was given access to the church archives when researching this book, but then he was denied permission to quote from anything he read there. (At least according to a letter the author published later in response to an unfavorable review--Thomas ought to have clarified this issue in his preface to the book.)

The result is a book full of broad claims resting precariously on slender evidence. Thomas' overly vague descriptions of archival material cannot support his conclusions.

If you're interested in learning more about Eddy (as opposed to learning more about what Thomas *thinks* about Eddy based on secret information), don't waste your money on this book.

This book is supposed to be a psychoanalytic study of Mary Baker Eddy. It is anything but that.

The authors appear to be non-Christian Scientists have looked into Christian Science and decided that it is the correct explanation of Jesus's works and teachings. Although this book offers some wonderful intellectual insights into Mrs. Eddy's life and career, it is far more praiseworthy than antagonistic.

Strongly recommended, whether or not you're a Christian Scientist.

I am one of relatively few people who have had the enormous privelige of being taught by Robert Thomas - "Doc Thomas", as he was universally known. He is a man with an extraordinary and profound intellect, and an unparalleled ability to illuminate complex and intricate issues. If you desire an intellectual thrill, buy the book. Better still would be to take a class from him, an experience which in the course of nine months taught me how to think and write. He could sell tickets to his dissection of Dr. Strangelove. It was truly that fascinating.

Doc, if you read this, I want to say now that you are unequivocally the most brilliant, effective and entertaining teacher I have ever had the privelige of learning from. You have taught me more than any person ever has, and given to me the art of analysis. Thank you, thank you, thank you. My only regret is that you didn't stay one more year. I know dozens of us would have been lining up for Am Cult, myself included.

-David (no, not Big Hands who forgot his notes for the final)

A major disappointment after The Mezzanine. Baker goes to the well once too often by trying to recreate that excellent book here. That first book seemed to avoid crossing over into pretentiousness by giving us a self-deprecating narrator and by simply pouring on the wit and intelligent observations and forcing you to laugh. Here, pretentiousness and self-indulgence abound. The subject matter is just far too personal to connect with the reader and, simply, it seems that Nick didn't try as hard the second time around. If you enjoyed the pretentious and turgid essay "Lumber," then this might be for you, but if you were drawn to this book after reading more engaging Baker fare such as U and I, The Mezzanine or Vox, stay away.

I have read all of Mr.Bakers books, and with the exception of "The Everlasting Story..." (which indeed did seem to be everlasting) have read them with delight. Although he's often compared to Updike, I think he surpasses him due to his wit and his more creative sense of the strangeness of life. In "Room Temperature" we find the antidote, along with his other novels, to a modern world obsessed with speed, impersonal technology and the summational catchphrase "whatever". How wonderful it is to see an author bend his mind and spirit to the details of life with so much talent and fervor. And how wonderful to see that his books, plotless and demanding of full attention as they are, sell so well. It gives me hope for our civilization; it really does. On a sidenote - I am tired of critics and readers thinking he is cheapening his prose by writing on sexual topics. Sex is one of the most universal and fascinating and character-revealing subjects around; a great writer can make anything cerebral and holy, and a writer needs to go where his passions lie. Besides, do we really want every novel to be about rubber bands and bathroom hot air dryers?

Room Temperature is certainly about a father and his child, but there is so much more. In typical Baker style, he examines minutia with elucidating commentary. This, in itself, is worth reading the novel; however, the quality that makes it transcend happens to be his ability to unite the entire book with its central theme: Breath. From the comma, to the mobile in his child's room, to tuba lessons, breath pervades - breath as its metaphor to remember to cherish every moment.

I have never seen a novel so effortlessly and imperceptibly weave a central idea throughout a book. Read this novel for both it compelling insight but also for the extraordinary literary technique.

This book shows anyone all aspects of things that kids can know with out knowing too much that sad things happen all the time and people are brought up to be protected from that now we must let them know

In response to the person who wrote the review titled, "Senseless Acts of Violence Against Deer Provoke Anger", you are crazy. Yes, there is some violence that the youngest of children should not see. However, even my 3 year old was able to grasp that bad things happen, and that we must learn to move on. The story of Bambi is a true to life story, and is not some exploiting of 'poor, innocent' animals at all. There are also lessons to be learned about 'Hunter-oriented values' - which are not necissarily evil. Some people hunt to eat, and to live. When hunting is done in the right spirit, and not simply for sport, it can be a very good thing. I was able to teach my daughter all of this, and she is better for it, because of it.

WHAT A GREAT BOOK !, MY 4 YEAROLD ATTENDED PRESCHOOL THIS YEAR AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE BOOKS IN THE ROOM, EVERYDAY WHEN I CAME TO PICK HER UP SHE WOULD BE LOOKING AT THE BOOK, NOT THINKING SHE MIGHT REALLY BEABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE BOOK I RENTED THE MOVIE, UPOND HER WATCHING THE MOVIE SHE NOW WANTED THE BOOK, I ASKED A FREIND TO LOAN ME THE BOOK FOR A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF SHE WOULD STILL WANT IT AT HOME AND NEEDLESS TO SSAY SHE DID, SHE WOULD BRING THE BOOK TO ME AND WELL WE ALL KNOW SHE COULDNT READ THE WORDS, BUT SHE DID TELL ME THE STORY AS SHE KNEW THE BOOK WHEN SHE WAS IN SCHOOL. I WOULD ENCOURGE EVERY PARENT TO BUY THE BOOK AND READ IT TO THE ONES THAT CANNT READ AND LET THE ONES THAT CAN READ IT FOR THEMSELFS. I'M VEERY PLEASED TO SEE THIS BOOK HERE AT AMAZON.COM. I RATE THIS BOOK WITH 5 + STARS. BELIVE ME LIFE WASNT THE SAME AFTER THE BOOK WAS GIVEN BACK TO MY FREIND, TILL I WENT TO GET MY DAUGHTER HER VERY OWN... NINA

This book is a good starting point for anyone interested in the homes built in the 1920-1930's. The plans are small, but do give you an idea of the basic setup.

This is a reprint of a house plan catalog from 1925; originally, it was the catalog of the Harris, McHenry & Baker Co., a lumber company. These books from Dover are exact reprints of original plan books from the turn of the century (1880-1925, roughly - this book is one of the latest years in the series). Dover adds little or no modern explanations, just presenting the catalog as it was. So when one looks to review these books, one isn't really judging the modern-day publisher, or editing, or writing. To judge the books, one has to compare each one to others of its kind, and then to decide whether the material in it is thorough and complete according to the standards of its time. Since there are several dozen of these catalogs published by Dover, we have the basis for such a comparison.

This particular homes catalog has several unusual elements to it which make it worth adding to a collection. For starters, almost all of the houses are illustrated with photographs, rather than drawings, so we are seeing actual, finished models of the houses. The photographs include some things we'd be unlikely to see in a drawing or artist's rendering, for example, the photo of the Webster model shows the driveway, and the garage with carriage-house type doors behind the house. And the Kingston shows a car in the driveway - just the rear of the car, I couldn't identify the make or model, but it is neat to see a nice middle-class house with a car, something we couldn't take for granted in earlier years.

Some plan books have no text except the price listings and how to order; others have entire sections of articles, or extensive suggestions as to furnishings, colors to finish the house in, etc. This book falls in between those extremes as to amount of text, but what's actually written for each house, although short, is quite unusual. The company is apparently trying to push social engineering along with new homes. For example, here's the text accompanying the photo of the Van Buren model: "Clean men, both of hand and heart, are invariably the product of happy home unions. It is around the harmonious hearthstone where the glow of mutual interest and understanding temper the finer senses that men mould character of sterling worth. It would be a violation of a natural law if homes in The Van Buren class should produce other than men of clean purpose." And here's the text for the Dumont Duplex: "The Dumont cannot be surpassed as a double house, and will make homes of exceptional advantages and refinements for those whose experience and education have taught them the value of good fellowship and neighborly kindness. Learning to co-operate with our fellow creatures is the secret of overcoming selfishness and all of its poisoning effects upon our better selves." Well! Is that the best reason for living in multi-family housing you've ever heard?

This book is late enough into the century that we can take interior bathrooms for granted; the 1920's are quite modern compared to 15 years earlier. A plan book from 1912, for example, still has half the houses without indoor baths, and many not wired for electricity. On the other hand, there are not yet garages featured automatically with the houses, and the kitchen stoves still need a chimney vented to the outside. I greatly enjoy comparing books from a few years apart, to see the progress being made. Many of the houses have the "built-in" features that became popular in the teens: built-in fold-down ironing boards, breakfast nooks with built-in bench seating, laundry chutes from upstairs to downstairs, built-in bookcases next to the fireplace or between the living room and dining room.

There are quite a few houses that seem ahead of their time as to modern features. The Van Buren has two bathrooms upstairs, one for the master bedroom and the other for all the other bedrooms. Both bathrooms have both a bathtub and a shower stall. In fact, looking at the floor plan for the Van Buren, one could imagine living in it today fairly easily, with just the addition of a bit more kitchen counter space. The Chesterfield, likewise, is a house I'd love to live in, with not only two full bathrooms, but built-in bookcases downstairs, and built0in window seats upstairs in the bedrooms, a walk-through pantry with more built-in cabinets than most, and beautiful balconies. The Webster has a "radio room" off the dining room - presumably for the hobbyist! It also has a downstairs powder room as well as the usual upstairs bathroom. The Westhaven offers a dumbwaiter to the basement (presumably where there is storage), a separate laundry room, a downstairs washroom with both toilet and a double sink and an upstairs bathroom, as well as a sewing room, a clothes chute, an indoor refrigerator instead of an ice box that has to be near the back door, and a waste-burner disposal. (Remember, this is before we were worried about air pollution! A waste burner was very modern then!) Most of the houses still have the refrigerators situated right by the back door, still assuming the need for ice delivery, and many with slots for milk delivery as well, but there were the first few real refrigerators, as well as real washing machines, at this time, and this company appears to be forward thinking enough to have designed houses for these brand-new conveniences.

In summary: a must for continuity from "old" houses to "modern" and also for the unusual text which will keep you amused.

This faithful reproduction of a 1920's home plans catalogue offers a wide range of plans covering many different styles and house sizes.

Each page provides a photograph or rendering of the house exterior, a floor plan including dimensions, and a "unique" promotional blurb which shows how times have changed!

On the downside, all homes are shown in black and white and there are no interior views to indicate finishings, accessories or furniture for those who are looking for a restoration resource book. The last few pages, however, do include sections on possible additions, garage styles and renderings of interior and exterior doors.

After an interesting and thoughtful start in Chapter 1 - I found the rest of this work to be very light and not very useful.
I read several other books in an effort to hone my corporate political skills in addition to this one, including 'NetWorlding' and 'PeopleSmart' before finding one that had the depth and subject treatment I was looking for. Check out 'The Secret Handshake' by Kathleen Kelley Reardon, Ph.D.
that's my take - loopster - Chicago

This volume is one in the University of Michigan Business School Management Series. As Baker explains in the Executive Summary, "This book guides you through the process of evaluating, building, and using social capital." With precision and eloquence, Baker focuses on HOW to take full advantage of what he calls "hidden resources" in both personal and business networks. For example, in ideas, leads, business opportunities, financial capital, power and influence, emotional support, even goodwill, trust, and cooperation. Social capital consists of who you know, who knows you, and shared opportunities for you and them to derive mutual benefit. "The goal of building social capital as an organizational competence is the same as building it as an individual competence -- to increase the ability to achieve goals, fulfill missions, and make positive contributions to the world." Throughout the book's five chapters, Baker answers questions such as these:

• What is social capital?

• Why can it be so important to you?

• How to measure and evaluate your social capital?

• What are the most effective strategies for building entrepreneurial networks? (Baker suggests 30.)

• How to derive greatest benefit from your own social capital?

• How to build social capital as a competence within your organization?

If you seek answers to questions such as these, this book is "must reading."

For over fifty years, I have tied my shoes the same way. Then last month while getting a shoeshine, the shoeshiner told me that I didn't have to double them in order to keep my shoelaces tied. He told me that if I tied my laces by looping the lace under, rather than over the loop, I would tie a "square knot" that would hold. Every sailor knows how to tie a square knot but it took fifty years for this knowledge to get to me.

Just like tying your shoes correctly, there are many principles in life that we don't know, we don't know. For example, we have all heard the sayings, "It's not what you know but who you know that achieves success" and "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" but most of us still believe in the myth of individualism. We embrace this myth and go about our lives believing that it is solely up to us to achieve success---without depending on the help of others to get what we want. Yet, as hard as we try, we can't seem to get it done alone.

This new book explains that it's not just what you know (but that plus who you know) that determines your success in life. The book proves that the myth of individualism keeps us from using our personal and business networks to gain the resources we need to excel in life.

Through reading Dr. Baker's new book (based upon principles like the "small-world principle" and the "law of reciprocity"), I found out about things I didn't know existed and how to use them to improve my life. This new book could be as important to my personal development as the social and time management principles I learned about when reading Dr. Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" several years ago.

I knew I would buy this book because Madeline Baker wrote it. When I read the book description I knew immediately that it was a sequel to Apache Runaway. I loved Apache Runaway, because it was a wonderful book. It showcased M. Baker's great writing style. However, Chase the Wind was so DUMB. I don't know what else to say. Oh wait, yes I do. The son that Jenny gave up to his Apache father so long ago comes back into her life. He wants to hate her but he doesn't. So that means no conflict really. I mean this almost conflict is basically cleared up when Chase meets his mom for the first time. He falls for Beth his half-brother's sweetheart, so I'm thinking okay here comes the conflict. Wrong again. There was a minor conflict between Chase and his half-brother, who's name escape my memory. I only read this book once so, go figure, I can't remember the characters' names. Chase's half-brother suddenly realizes that he is in love with another woman so that conflict is resolved, he just has to admit it to himself. Chase and Beth have sex outside while a big party is going on, HELLO! Her father catches them. He gets some guys to beat Chase up and call his daughter some names, but in the end all is forgiven! Huh, what? The ending was just so dumb. I guess M. Baker wanted to wrap this book up, because the ending was so uncreative. I mean this book is about 400 pages, to me, it was about 380 pages too long. What can I say about Beth? Let's try DUMB! All Beth keep saying in this book was "Oh my". I said to myself if she says "Oh my" one more time I would scream while reading this book and bingo, I had to let one fly. M. Baker usually writes better characters than what I read in Chase the Wind. It seems to me that she didn't even want to write a sequel to Apache Runaway, because she didn't come up with any good ideas for this book. I wish she didn't make this sequel, because I hated it. I should give it a one star, but I just can't give M. Baker a one star lol.

Madeline Baker has done it again. This is the sequel to Apache Runaway and it is absolutely spectacular! This book had my complete and total attention. I recommend it for all romance readers. The many story lines in this book let your imagination run wild with what could happen. I don't want to let on to what happens because once you begin you can't put it down. In all her books there is never a dull moment. I am a very pleased reader with all her books, especially this one.

If you like Apache Runaway you'll love Chase the wind.It takes up the Ryder and Jenny story after their kids have grown up.Chase is a bitter man who is looking for the mother who abandon him for a white man when he was just a baby.What he finds is a love that becomes stronger with each peril they face and a family that will stand by him throught it all. Oh yes and a unbeleiveable wedding.

This book was awful. I couldn't finish it, it made me sodisgusted. A woman in an agonizing, no win love affair with a violentman who makes continous bad choices. How could this woman love this man and give up everything for him? His stupidity brought her much pain and despair. It's a story of pain and suffering and I lost all respect for the warrior whose thirst for blood seemed to be more dominating than his love of this poor girl. There is no happiness in this book. None. Yuck Yuck Yuck.

I loved this book! It's a great way to escape from personal problems and stresses. There is plenty of action, adventure and romance in this novel. I've read it at least 5 time since I got it! It is definately a great "bath tub" book.

Azalee La Fontaine is sixteen years old. But by the strict rules of Creole society in 1814 New Orleans, she is still considered a child, not even permitted to join the dancing at parties. Rebelling against the rules, she dances with Lieutenant Johnny Trent, a handsome young American soldier. But when she breaks the rules one too many times, putting herself and others in danger, Azalee's father and grandmother decide to banish her to her aunt's remote plantation. But the journey turns dangerous when the British capture her. Will anyone come to rescue her in time? And will Johnny ever see her as more than a spoiled girl who he believes led him on? I highly recommend this historical romance to teenage girls. It's really too bad that it's out of print and hard to find.