This is really not such a good book. It is mainly a series of quotations from other sources. In my opinion, the best book about Augusta is David Owens' book. Curt Sampson's book is interesting, but has many factual errors, and reads like a next to last draft in need of a thorough fact checking. In any event, save your money on this one.

A very nice book on a very beautiful subject for golf purists. Augusta National is ruled by stiff old grey men in green jackets. But the course and annual tournament are stuff of legends. All nicely presented here.

The TARDIS arrives in the Lucifer system, where a scientific expedition is about to face the greed of the Intergalactic Mining Corporation. Some secrets from the past of recently returned companion Ace will lead to as many complications as the lost history of the previous inhabitants of Lucifer...

This book sees the debut of two authors who will return to write further books in this series solo. And an interesting debut it is, too...

Drawing extensively on ideas from both the original TV series and the novels, it contains an original story which sets in place a number of features which will form a backbone for the Virgin Doctor Who range. It expands on the idea of the Guild of Adjudicators, members of which will be allies and enemies of the TARDIS crew in both the New and Missing Adventures ranges, and draws together elements that have been used in the past into a more coherent view of the universe.

As well as doing that, the Doctor, Ace and Benny find themselves and a complex and convoluted plot which will add to the tension already existing between them. This particular thread runs for many books, which is a good thing in terms of the depiction of the characters, but can be a little unpleasant for the reader.

If this book has a major flaw, it is that it suffers from being a first novel. It is longer than it might be, and contains some extraneous elements that the authors might have removed without any harm to the book.

However, it is a book that certainly does reveal the potential of the two authors which bore better fruit in their future works.

When seeing the two names listed as authors and then looking at the size of LUCIFER RISING (it was the longest New Adventure when it was first released), I had to wonder if perhaps some editing would have been in order. Now after reading it, I would say that my hunch was vaguely correct, but that those problems don't have a hugely adverse effect. The book could have done with either a little more editing or perhaps another draft, but these complaints are minor enough to not stand in the way.

Despite its length, LUCIFER RISING still doesn't quite manage to flesh everything out to its potential. Rather it uses its size to add more plot threads and intriguing characters than the average New Adventure would contain. The leisurely pace allows the characters and setting to develop gradually, and the result is quite effective. We get a very good feel for these people and their situation, so we really empathize with them when everything starts going wrong in later chapters. The scale feels much larger here than it does in the general Doctor Who story. True, this is a story does span a planetary system, but even the scale of the plot has a larger feeling. The authors aim big and they achieve much of what they attempt.

Some of the prose is quite fantastic. Not only are the authors (well, one of them at least) adept at the art of creating three-dimensional characters, but much of the imagery contained here is awe-inspiring. The hard science-fiction concepts of the beginning sections are fleshed out in a sublime fashion that manages to be both detailed and epic. Instead of the familiar Doctor Who characters and themes being dominated by the sheer size of the story, the regulars fit comfortably inside this weighty science-fiction story.

I quite enjoyed LUCIFER RISING. I liked the slow start; the science-fiction concepts are handled quite well and the authors don't let them fall into clichés. While the book goes more in the direction of having lots of fairly developed characters rather than fewer but more distinct people, this does work to its advantage. Parts of the book seem slightly fragmented, but this was definitely a story that I appreciated.

This book is made mostly from second sources such as already printed books, but uses very few primary ones. In fact, it is missing key authors such as Hakluyt, he uses only the 1724 edition of Captain Johnson book (neglecting the 1726 which is the most complete), and it seems he used only a resumed version in one volume of Labat's massive work of more than 6 volumes, among other shortcomings. Then he puts in his bibliography the __Don Quixote__, but this novel has nothing to do with piracy in the Americas. I bought this book because it was advertised as being composed of many Spanish sources. But sadly, it has very, very few. In fact he only uses _one_ primary Spanish source (Alsedo), and about two or three books written by Spaniards of our time. His "select bibliography" is very short (68 books in all), and I doubt he read any more. In general terms, the information he provides is okay, and he is carefull not to make mistakes. Problem is, it is not an original book, nor it keeps up to what it promises. Readers that expect to find in it a rich quantity of Spanish references, archives, chroniclers, etceteras, do not be misleaded.

Kris Lane apparently grew up with the same wide-eyed awe of pirates that most of us grew up with. His "Pillaging the Empire" does it's best to reshape our opinions of pirates as a fun-loving bunch of misfits and saucy rogues, but like many recent works on the subject of piracy, he doesn't quite do it. One can't help but retain a skewed view of pirates, despite the unpleasant tales of how dirty ships were, how rotten the food was, how murderous the population was, etc. Like David Cordingly's excellent "Under the Black Flag", the pirate myth is largely debunked, the truth is revealed to be stranger than fiction, but you can still tell that at the end Lane (like Cordingly before him) still gets a kick out of recalling the pirate lifestyle.
The book itself tells the story of American piracy in a fun manner, but everything is presented scholarly; sources are cited and there are enough annotated footnotes to keep dorks like me happy. The sidebar pieces are handy, and cover related topics like gambling in the 17th century, a typical pirate's diet, etc. Interesting stuff for the curious and a good awakening to those who think pirates are all guff-talking, one-eyed parrot owners with scurvy and gangrene.

The book appears to deviate from the uses of the Radha Soami tradition of books, most of which contain the path to enlightenment. Maybe if the book was an entertaining read, I might have taken it seriously, but overall, getting into the book was almost as hard as not falling asleep while trying to read it. However, it's originality may not impress the followers of the Radha Soami path, but those who wish for an unbiased view towards the background happenings should not miss this, just because of the rarity of this type of book

Professor Lane's critical history of Radhasoami is the best book of its kind ever published in English. Lane examines the politics surrounding the succession of Sawan Singh, Kirpal Singh, and others, and develops a unique theory in which to explain why certain gurus emerge as viable successors. Dr. Lane has broken ground on Eckankar, MSIA, Sathya Sai Baba, Gary Olsen, and now his own tradition, Radhasoami.

The man is a genius in exposing cults. I heard him lecture once at the London School of Economics (at a conference on New Religions in Europe) and he basically stole the show. In a tour de force I will never forget Professor Lane proceeded to critique Scientology right in front of the President of Scientology who was in attendance that night. The man has guts. Of course, Lane has taken tremendous heat for his positions.

I don't understand. This isn't Reba or the Dixie Chicks. Why is there a book about SheDaisy? In all honesty, I didn't even finish the book. It was that lame. Ok ok, I understand that every artist has a story.. but this reads more like they pulled this to earn another dollar. This is quite a let down for SheDaisy fans.

To answer the person who derided this book, I'd like to point out that it's simply a book of sheet music for each of the songs off of SHeDAISY's first (and quite good) CD called "The Whole Shebang". It's not some rip-off biography, as alluded to by the other reviewer. This songbook is for people who can play guitar or piano, and want to play along with the songs on the CD.

This 1924 book tells about five famous murders that occurred decades earlier. Pearson was "one of the best trial and crime reporters" in the 1920s-30s. "In all five cases, the determination of guilt or innocence rested on circumstantial evidence".

"The Borden Case" attracted national attention, and divided public opinion as no criminal prosecution had ever done before, or since. Families were divided, and argued over this fascinating case. The Bordens were not of a class where these crimes are common. The verdict did not solve this puzzle. On that "intensely hot morning of Thursday, August 4, 1892" (p.9) Andrew Jackson Borden walked back to his house. In half an hour he was dead; later the body of his pre-deceased wife Abby was found. His youngest daughter Lizzie was charged with these crimes, and found "Not Guilty". This crime remained a mystery until Arnold R. Brown's "Lizzie Borden: The Legend, the Truth, the Final Chapter" was published in 1991 with its solution.

"The Twenty-Third Street Murder" of Friday, July 29, 1870 was of Benjamin Nathan, a New York financier. He was beaten to death in his own room, while his two sons slept in their house. The blood spattered walls and door spoke of a violent struggle; the open safe and empty cash box spoke to the motive (p.132). A newspaper pointed suspicion to one son of irregular morals. The inquest named no one. A convict in Sing Sing named a burglar. This burglar was found in Texas and brought to New York. But a case could not be made (p.155), and the suspect returned to jail in Illinois. It was never solved.

"Mate Bram" concerns the voyage of the barkentine 'Herbert Fuller' from Boston on July 3, 1896. Most of the crew was new to the ship and each other. The boat carried a load of lumber below and on top of the deck. There were some quarrels between the first and second mate. Early on the morning of July 14 the captain and his wife, along with the second mate, were murdered. The Grand Jury indicted Thomas Bram, the first mate (no bloodstains were found on him). Seaman Charley Brown testified he saw Bram kill the captain. Cross-examination revealed incidents from Brown's past that lessened his credibility. Bram was sentenced to life in prison; he served 15 years before being paroled. Six years later he was granted a full pardon. He became a prosperous businessman (p.224).

"The Hunting Knife" is about the murder of Mabel Page on March 31, 1904. Her retired father came home at 2:10PM and found her dead; money was missing from her purse. The police questioned all who had been in the neighborhood. One of these had his picture in the newspaper. A driver who gave him a ride saw this; he found a leather sheath for a knife afterwards. Charles Tucker was taken to the police station and given the usual warning of having his words used against him (p.241). While examining his overcoat, the police asked if this sheath was his; he admitted it was (!), then denied owning a knife. When his house was searched they found a pin of Mabel Page, and parts of a knife; he now admitted it was his. He was then arrested, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. No plea for mercy was considered (p.255).

"Uncle Amos Dreams a Dream" is about the Boorn case. Russell Colvin disappeared on May 10, 1812 from Manchester, Vermont. Seven years later his Uncle Amos dreamed that Russell was murdered by his brothers-in-law, and buried in a filled-up cellar hole. A dog began to dig by a hollow stump; bones were found. Some physicians said they were human, one didn't agree. Jesse Boorn was arrested, jailed, then admitted his brother did the killing. Stephen Boorn was arrested, but protested his innocence; he was chained in the "inner dungeon". The Grand Jury indicted them both. Russell's son described a fight; a forger in jail testified to a confession from Stephen. Stephen then confessed and said it was self-defense. Both were found guilty and sentenced to death. The brothers protested their innocence, people petitioned the State Legislature. Jesse's sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, Stephen was left to the gallows. The Rutland Herald printed an advertisement for Russell Colvin, and the death sentence of Stephen. The NY Evening Post reprinted an article from the Albany Daily Advertiser. A man from Shrewsbury NJ said a Russel Colvin from Manchester Vermont was living there. This person was asked to visit New York, then taken to Troy, then to Bennington. He was recognized and identified beyond all doubt. The Court was criticized for allowing a conviction without a dead body. A new trial was held, the charges dropped, and the Boorn brothers freed. They later moved to Ohio. People wondered why they would confess to a crime they didn't commit, but no answers were given except an "Act of God" (p.285).

Outstanding overview of five famous murders of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with the lion's share of the pages going to Miss Lizzie Borden and the bizarre goings-on in Fall River, Mass in 1892. The other, less familiar cases are at least as interesting. I especially liked the chapter on the Nathan murder, a cause-celebre in New York City in the 1870's. Pearson's wonderfully biting sense of humour comes out in his disdain for the masses, and for those bizarre characters who, simply for the notoriety, manage to insert themselves into famous cases.

I would like to point out to the reviewer from Perth Amboy that the Borden case was not solved by Arnold Brown or anyone else. He came up with a solution, and like so many true crime writers, labeled it "Final". The genre is filled with books purporting to be the "Final Chapter," "The Final Solution" etc. But the real solutions to cases like this are lost in time. We can't solve the Borden murder (though I think we can all figure out the LIKELY murderer in this case without too much difficulty), we can only luxuriate in it's delightful domestic creepiness, preferably while sitting by the fire on a winter's evening reading this book.

Enjoy.

I love Catherine Coulter books. I always have. Until I read this book. I wanted to throw it in the fireplace when I read parts like where Graelim is sleeping with a servant, rapes his wife, yells at her when she miscarries his baby (she dosen't even know she was pregnant- She is tring to please him), then accuses her of adultery, then is mad when she finally leaves him!

If I had known how bad this book was I never, ever, whould have bought it!!

This is a story that you cannot put down until you finish. The hero, Graelam, was introduced in a preceding novel by Catherine Coulter called Chandra. I read Chandra before Fire Song and read about the way Graelam ruthlessly raped a young woman who was a virgin. He did it out of some sort of power trip, and it made me thououghly disgusted with his character. After reading that, I could not see him in any sort of heroic light and it sort of ruined fire song for me. A man who commits any kind of rape, is no hero and I don't like how the author makes him out to be one in this novel. I believe it gives the message that rape is okay and it makes me sick. I do not care what century this book takes place in, rape is wrong.

I bought Fire Song because I read Warriors' Song first and had to find out what happened to Graelan de Moreton. He such a bad boy that you can't help but be intrigued by him. I spent most of my time waiting for Kassia to hit him over the head and knock some sense into him. Don't misunderstand me, Kassia was a fighter and she had a way of putting him in his place but it was done gradually and effectively. I enjoyed this book and read it in one day because I couldn't put it down. Ms Coulter is a great writer!

I was a very big fan of Mr. Lane's first guide. I thought it was a wonderful collection of observations, quotations, and conclusions that really brought a new perspective and enjoyment to watching the series. However, I found this latest volume to be uninspiring and in fact unhelpful. Mr. Lane notes that he is upset about many facets as to how the series ended, and as a result, his enthuasism for the show has dwindled considerably. This results in a book heavily laced in bias and the personal angst of the author. Rather than highlight and add new information and perspectives to the remaining episodes, I felt he simply summarized the episode and added only those observations which allowed him to express his personal disatisfaction. The first volume of this series should be best remembered for its non-biased analysis of both the good and bad aspects of the show. This latest volume focused on the contraversies and weakpoints of the series and offers little new information about the episodes. While it still remains a helpful summary of the 4th and 5th seasons, I'm afraid the author's personal feelings and bias have ruined the potential for another successful book.

A splendid attempt to give information about the information not covered by the first volume. However i found that book was very lacking in background information. I don't know if this was done to keep the book size/cost down or he lacked the nessary information to fill the pages. Many points were missed and details that first Volume had which made it great, were not in the second one. The essays and insight by actual actress of the show were great! Window to why things were happening the way they did. I give the book 3 stars out of 5. There was considerably less book for the dollar than previous vol had. Mr.Lane should have reviewed the series more closely if he didn't delibrately leave inforation out.

Most episode guides seem to be rather boring and a labor to read. This is NOT one of those episode guides. Everything that made Babylon 5 fun and interesting is represented in this entertaining guide - the characters, the story and the ever present questions and sense of wonder are discussed here. Though vol.2 is not yet published, I'm sure it will be as informative as the first and will, of course, have all 5 seasons as opposed to only the first 3 1/2. If you watched the show and enjoyed it, or if you are currently catching up on the reruns, this book is for you. I have found it very interesting to watch the episodes then run to the book thereafter - it was almost like watching them for the first time.

Research on David Lane reveals that he will attack any religion that comes close to the teachings of his beloved Charan Singh. Lane wrote this one 25 years ago as a college term paper, just after becoming a devotee of Singh. Naturally, since he believes his way to be the only way, anything coming close *must* be stolen from his precious master. His attacks on Eckankar are mild compared to his attacks on the various Indian branches of Sant Mat. This book does a grave disservice to anyone interested in seeking spiritual truth.

This book contains some enigmatic information about Eckankar and Paul Twitchell, the founder of this modern day religion.

Being that he is a Professor at a small California college, this book is generally considered to be a credible scholarly work.

In actuality it is his term paper written twenty years ago, as a twenty year old student.

On 12/28/2000 in postings to the alt.religion.eckankar newsgroup David Lane has finally admitted the truth about this paper.

Writing about his "own biases" he said:

"I agree that there are some slants and some interpretations of mine that cannot be so universally duplicated and those can become arguable points of contention.

First, THE MAKING was written NOT as a sociological treatise but as a 'critical expose'.

Second, I wrote the paper when I was an undergraduate in religious studies.

Third, I am NOT a member of ANY sociological association.

Fourth, I NEVER claimed that the MAKING was a sociological treatise.

I wrote the paper AS AN EXPOSE!"

By intention this book may be shocking to those that do not see that the conclusions he draws and assumptions he makes are just the beginning of his twenty year campaign to defame all religious teachings.

From Catholicism to small innocuous teachings like Eckankar, Professor Lane believes that all religious experience has no reality beyond the neural synaptic firings within the brain.

So this is not a serious work of research but a paper intended to provoke negative opinion about Eckankar. At that it is a compelling success.

I am a former student of Doctor Lane, and I consider the time I spent in his classroom as the most influencial experiece of my short life. I recently reread this piece, and I can honestly say it is testiment to my affirmation that he is a reveloutionary scholar in religious studies, and has pumped life into a dying field. Be warned, you will question your faith when studing his material, but what is faith when it is untested?

Ron McVan's Creed of Iron is dynamic book and should appeal to Odinists/Wotanists/Asatruar of a folkish persuasion.

Creed of Iron covers much ground and presents Wotanism as a faith for today's world. It is neither dry nor overly scholarly. Instead it presents the Wotanism as a spirituality of power and might.

There are a few things with which I am uncomfortable which is why I only awarded it four stars. The first, is that various sources are hinted at but never given. I find this frustrating because I would like to read them. The second is that some of the information seems to come from Kabbalistic sources and this seems at odds with Wotansvolk's socio-political stance.

These small difficulties aside it is a book to which I constantly return as much for its inspiration as for its information.

Read Creed of Iron and awaken the powers within! Hail Odin! Hail the Folk!

Some people read various meditation books to jump start their days. My day is kicked into overdrive by this astounding book. If 6 stars were possible, that is what it would rate as it is an honest, read; real assessment of our Nordic heritage. It is not perfect and I would not want it to be. The effect of a graphic in the book is one I can't forget, it has a Viking that speaks a thousand languages but only one translated, the heart. It is also technical in that it has the ancient holidays and the mysterious tree of life. It is indeed a book that you cannot allow to sit idle for long as it calls out as the runes it discusses do. This must be experienced first hand to understand the effect. One last item concerning this amazing book, my little girl who is 6 loves it, and is starting to be able to read and understand it. If I were a missionary, this is the book I'd peddle.

The most precious book in my library. It's a pitty that people from Russia and Ukraine hardly can't get it. I rated Creed of Iron 5 stars, but if it will tell you something - I'm going to translate and publish in Russian this book - that's my rating.

Creed of Iron - impressive and perfectly illustrated book for those who want not only read about "Nordic Gods and the stuff", but who feels the Northern Blood running through the veins, the blood of Gods. For those who live like our pride ancestors, and honors them with their deeds. Read this book and you will find the way to LIVE respecring your true heritage, not to play or "study" your ancestry. Hail Ron MacVan! Long life to you Brother!

Hail Our Gods!May them live in our deeds!