THE BLACK CAROUSEL is an intriguing beginning but feels like a prelude to further works, rather than a complete story. How about bringing the rest of the Oxrun Station novels back into print so we can read the rest? Grant's prose is, as always, a pleasure to read.

Once again Charles Grant takes the reader on a chill inducing visit to his haunted town of Oxrun. The Pilgrim's Travelers Carnival has arrived and it is something to see, just stay away from the Carousel, as the quartet of novellas introduced by Oxrun's resident, and always anonymous, writer and reluctant historian repeatedly warn. Like Ray Bradbury's 'Something Wicked this Way Comes', which a cover blurb compares this novel/collection to, Grant's The Black Carousel is a sweetly melancholic and unsettling reading experience. New readers beware, you are in for an addictive treat. One that should be read while wrapped in a blanket so you can try and smother the chills it will give you. Also be prepared to start combing the used book racks for Grant's other Oxrun titles, you'll be wanting to visit Oxrun again and again. Highly recommended.

I just recently read this book and loved it. My only complaint is that there weren't more stories to make the book last longer. Each short story was wonderfully written and completely eerie. It was very reminiscent of Ray Bradbury whose books I have read over and over. I have to say that Charles Grant is now up there with some of my favorite horror writers of all time.

One story that particularly spooked me was the one about the little girl who moves to Oxrun Station. The part where she sees the boy under the tree watching the house is so spooky that I actually had to peer out the window during a thunderstorm just to make sure there was no one out there. Since I've read so many horror stories all my life, I find it great when I can find a story spooky enough to scare me out of my wits. This whole book is kind of like that. I think its great.

The reviewer who makes the "homoerotic" remark reveals the residue of the tabloid smear campaign made against Cary Grant in the 1930s and 40s in response to his refusal to give the tabloids what they wanted. Graham McCan, in his excellent and painstakingly detailed book on Grant, which reviews the facts so minutely there can be no doubt, demonstrates this unfortunate fact. It is too bad that gay people are so intent on fabricating a coral of famous gays in history, that they utterly ignore the available facts. You would think that Leonardo Da Vinci, Proust, and other bona fide gay people in history would be enough, but no, everyone must be brought into the fold, regardless of the truth, and regardless of the consequences this has on their surviving family members. His daughter is today, in the year 2000, only 34 years old.

This is a great chronological account of CG's movies and his life in between and during each one as he made them. There are lot of common pictures, and some you rarely see. All the same, though, it's a wonderful biography, one of the best I've read.

I found this book to be a wonderful insight into the glorious life of Cary Grant....many have said it before ,however the combination of wonderful photographs and truthful respectful
wording makes this a must for Cary Grant Fans ....just great!!!

Provides an in depth account of the evolution of contract law. It has aptly been described as an "epic".

Law students, lawyers and lay people alike will find this to be intriguing and thought provoking on many levels. Gilmore of course shows how contract law developed, but inquisitive people will also be intrigued at some of the other issues regarding what we think of as law, the development of law and the concept of precedent.

In addition to the interesting subject matter, the author's tale is delivered in a wonderfully humorous writing style.

Best enjoyed and fully appreciated only after law school.

PS
If you're considering tossing around allegations that Yale Law School legend Grant Gilmore's work is "incorrect", consider bolstering your credence by not remaining anonymous.

When I took Contracts as a first-year law student, I read the cases, went to class, and didn't have the faintest idea what it all meant. It seemed to be a mind-numbing mix of similar facts with different conclusions. Then I read this book and--voila--it all seemed to flow together so cohesively and clearly. And, on top of that, the book is well written, has flashes of humor, and is very short. What a great book this is for any law student.

If you are a law student or lawyer or just anyone interested in the law (from a technical perspective) this is a great history of contract. Gillmore is a very entertaining writer and I actually found myself laughing out loud. A working knowledge of Williston, Cardozo, Posner and the seminal cases in Contract law makes this book a lot more fun. You should definitely know your legal history first. Gillmore is not going to help you along.

The vast majority of people, since time immemorial, favor insurance and dislike risk (and risk taking). That's how Warren Buffet got rich, and why the US leads the world in buying insurance. That's why people have centralized since the days of the Chinese emperors and Egyptian pharoahs. Economies of scale and lack of risk = Roosevelt style Big Brother government. It's what the people want--that's democracy. Wasn't it Mechken that said "Democracy is giving the people what they want--good and hard?"

Insofar as the poem goes, it's fun, "Dr. Zuess meets Ayn Rand" as somebody said. Not sure it's worth the price listed though.

The original version of this book was privately published back in 1966 and the two-part poem in the back pages of that edition -- the most complete version and also my favorite version of Richard Grant's provocative poem -- was copyrighted January of 1964! Commercial publishers wouldn't touch Grant's controversial manuscript back then -- but (luckily for us all) Grant's friend Richard Bray got it into print and available as an inexpensive grey softcover, complete with etensive footnotes and index. It sold by the thousands almost entirely on word of mouth. I am very glad for the current generation of libertarians and conservatives and Objectivists that Fox & Wilkes has made it available once more, as updated by the original author himself, in this edition. While I am not sure this new, revised edition actually surpasses the original IBM classic, that may be partly nostalgia on my part. But it is near enough to the original, with more modern examples to illustrate the timeless principles discussed, that it remains one of the all-time classics on liberty, private property rights, and free-market capitalism.

This book discusses some of the misconceptions about capitalism, such as the "robber barons" and the Great Depression and goes on to challenge prevailing assumptions about the need for government intervention in the private affairs and voluntary (market) relationships of peaceful people. It identifies the three basic principles of a free society, applying them to contemporary issues including education, the environment, Michael Milken, Bill Gates, altruism, the dangerous intellectual, "compassion" in government, and much more. The book includes excellent distillations of some of the best insights and ideas from such key figures and writers of the modern pro-freedom cause as F. A. Hayek, Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand, Andrew J. Galambos, Murray N. Rothbard, and Henry Grady Weaver. It is a "must read" for anyone who wants a good, lucid introduction to the case for individual freedom in a social context and a policy of laissez faire imposed on government. Although it is hard to identify one single book that I could recommend to anyone (such as a high school or college student) as a "first book" on the freedom perspective, this would probably be that book.

My copy of this book dates back to the '70's. It pops to mind often when the more Liberal of our politicians try to solve economic discomfort through law.

The joke that was the 'deregulation' of utilities in California, and the laughable solutions to higher oil prices offered by Democrats today make this book must reading.

The problem is that since this book was written our children have received less and less education in economics, Americans actually believe left wing politicians who say they can manipulate the laws of supply and demand to the peoples' advantage.

Chuck out the heavy reading of Adam Smith and Von Mises, this simple and concise book should be required reading in all High Schools. It may be the clearest and most easily understandable case for free markets in print.

Great little Quick reference tool for those that want to get into leather braiding. Easy to understand directions and illustrations can get you started right away. Also great because it is an inexpensive way to get started braiding

This is one of those books for us custom leather workers that is a must. Having done leather work and fancy knot work for around 16 years I found this book full of ideas I could use. Most of the illustrations are fairly accurate (some definately need to be checked .....i.e. the Herringbond knot). Minus the flaws in the illustrations this book is a keeper.

The author writes well enough for the common person to understand without talking down to the reader. He approaches the subject assuming the reader knows nothing (and in my case was entirely correct). The information is pertinent, easy to follow, and the illustrations are wonderful!

The mission section of the book was one sided and showed one way to go. Not the best route is described every time. Some times your ammount of artillary, camera drones and weight are wrong. Despite flaws, a decent book.

Like all that came before this is another great Strategy Guide. An easy guide for anyone to follow from us HARDCORPS MECH MANIACS to someone just looking for a bit of help with a particular tough Mission this has it all.

Prima never fails to deliver, sure there are a few flaws between the book and game play but show me a Strategy Guide that's perfect.....I rest my case. No I do not have any association with Prima other than the fact that I like to spend my hard earned money wisely and they have not failed me yet.You definitely get a BANG for your buck.

This book can be used in (at least) two different ways: 1. To enhance the rather small briefings given by the game. 2. To treat Mech Commander as an adventure game.

So for those of you who want better mission briefings (few surprises), or would rather focus more on the single player adventure concept, then this book is for you.

It also is packed full of general tips, and will not spoil the game if you limit yourself to reading only small portions of the text.

Each mission is explained in full detail, with a labeled map, and a "blue print" walk-thru. Just read the parts you want to read.

Enjoy!

Neal

Boston, with its many districts, is a city that welcomes exploration by foot. Boston: Mini Rough Guide (though not a walking guide per se) gives you enough concise information to launch your pedestrian journey. Each district highlighted in the guide contains the necessary information to discover all the worthwhile sites. Impressive, are the twelve pages of colored maps at the back of the guide. Accommodations, eateries, drinking, night life, performing arts and other listings normally found in a travel guide are adequate. The uniqueness of this guide is its size and concise and accurate listings.

However, a few noticeable shortcomings need to be mentioned. In this day and age any guidebook should have a listing of the top web sites that are worth viewing prior to your trip. The Boston Mini Rough Guide does not. Also, this Rough Guide tries to be all things to all people, where in today's world, differentiation in audience focus is critical. It states that the Boston: Mini Rough Guide is designed for, travelers of all ages and all budgets. For such a small condensed guide this spreads its coverage too thin. The Boston: Mini Rough Guide has failed to find a distinctive marketing niche.

In SUMMARY: Boston: Mini Rough Guide is an adequate, informative guide that is very a reasonable price and packaged in a convenient size. Conditionally Recommended.

Customers may wish to learn that this book won a prestigious Lowell Thomas award from the Society of American Travel Writers -- I think the only Rough Guide to do so. The writing evokes the city well and the listings are kept current. Good format. A great buy for all those who need a few tips for making the most out of Boston, what the authors say is "as close to the Old World as the New World gets." And how.

I have found more terrific places from this guide,,from the Marliav restaurant to shopping tips. I can tell alot of reseach went into this comprehensive book

I agree with the editorial (Kirkus) reviewer; which you ought to read and pay attention to before buying. This is strictly one man's impressions of what the Colorado Plateau means to him. It is not authoritative as to the ruin's archeology or anthropology. It could better be classed as poetry.

One of my favorite books about one of my favorite destinations. This is a collection of brief essays that is the perfect companion for a trip to the Four Corners area and the abounding ruins and sites of the Anazasi. Its not a book detailing where to go and how to get the most for your tourist dollar. Rather its a musing reflection on what its like to visit these places from the perspective of a 21st century traveler. These writings draw our attention to the feelings evoked by the experience of wandering among the reminders of another people, another culture, another cosmology and way of understanding what life is about. I have been to Keet Seel. Its a demanding walk. I appreciated having the opportunity to travel back there with someone who provided words to some of the feelings I experienced at the time. A subtext of these writings is the idea of the sacred in a postmodern world that has chased that concept into small corners of carefully bounded scholarship. The author discovers it abounding all around us and that we are desperate to recover some sense of it for ourselves. The trip to Keet Seel and the other destinations is a rediscovery of its significance and meaning for human existence.

I beg to differ with the reviewer from Kirkus associates. The guy's a pompous windbag and if he actually read the whole book, I doubt seriously if he understands what he read. The book is not and does not profess to be a work of anthropological science. It is a look into one man's reactions to historical places which cannot be described, but have to be experienced to feel their effects. Again and again, Reg Saner captured these effects, along with his "show me" quest, poetically with a mastery of language seldom seen anywhere. The reviewer claimed that the writing style hurt his teeth. I suggest he sees a dentist, for the writing is great. Like the places they describe, the essays need be experienced for their full effect. I won't do them the dishonor of inadequate description here. The book is an informative, thought-provoking read. As one who has been researching the Anasazi, Pueblo, and Hopi for some time, I place this book near the top of my favorites list of the last 25 books I've read on the subject. The essay, "Spirit Root" should win an award of some sort. It's fabulous. To anyone reading my review, I say get the book. To the reviewer who was so shallow, wishy-washy and unkind, I say get a life.

Shooshie

Linda Grant has just won the British Orange Prize 2000 for her new book "When I Lived in Modern Times". As with her first well-received novel "The Cast Iron Shore" (out of print), this is a skilful combination of the personal and the political. In the Orange winner book, we follow the fortunes of Evelyn Sert who leaves postwar UK after her mother's death for a new life in Palestine. Evelyn never knew her father and grew up in what she describes as a 'shadow family', her mother the mistress of a married Jewish businessman. Arriving in British-ruled Palestine, Evelyn is like a blank canvas, in search of an identity for herself. An admirer of all things modern and with no interest in the past, she finds herself in a country with its face turned firmly towards the future. Evelyn settles in the modern city of Tel Aviv and soon becomes involved with the struggle for Jewish independence. Assuming the identity of hairdresser enables her to pass information about the policemen husbands of her British clients to her lover in the Jewish underground movement. Tel Aviv is home to the Jewish refugees of the world and Evelyn soon discovers that it is one thing to survive, but another to survive intact. Grant produces strong visual imagery and dynamic characters with memorable voices that resonate throughout this enticing and satisfying novel. A deserved prize, then.

If you've ever had a relative or loved one slip away into dementia, this book will strike home. And if you've had a friend going through this experience, this book will help you to understand what they are going through. This book, like the experience of living with dementia, is at times funny, at times tearful. It's an honest picture of what it's like to be with someone who is rapidly losing who they were.

I bought this book after hearing the NPR interview with the author, because a close friend was coping with a similar situation (mother slipping into dementia, angry outbursts, fighting to get out of nursing home). This book is a fascinating portrait of the author's parents, their good points and bad. Very readable. I didn't want to put it down.

I have found that with Richard Grant's books--including RUMORS OF SPRING, THROUGH THE HEART, and SARABAND OF LOST TIME--it works best if I read the first couple of chapters, set the book aside for a few months, then start again at the beginning. By then the mythos has had time to infiltrate my mind then I can go back and have fun exploring the world. The near-yet-far future settings are lovely, the character interplay delightful.

I just reread RUMORS OF SPRING after originally reading it in college about 10 years ago. I enjoyed it as much if not more so than the first time. The world is intricate enough that I can focus on a character I didn't pay attention to before.

Richard Grant can be read as a postmodern writer who just happens to negotiate within science fiction. Rumours of Spring is a postmodern science fiction tale that hints at the exploration of a postmodern environmental ethic. While slow to get started, for the dedicated reader who is willing to engage the delightful prose on its own terms, ultimately Grant's tale is a rewarding experience. In the end you to will want to be in love with Vesica and escape to the Grand Bank Forest.

When the world's last surviving forest begins to fight back against its exterminators, a motley band of Crusaders sets out to find out why...but that's just the beginning.

Although set in the future, Rumors of Spring is more fairy tale than science fiction. Richard Grant has woven the elements of fantasy, satire and mythology into a beautiful dreamscape populated by characters as complex and true-to-life as our closest friends--that is, if our friends lived in a world where owls could talk and little boys lived five hundred years.

By the time you've finished this book, you'll want to live there, too.