Watching the film 'Shadowlands', or seeing the play of the same name, gives you the impression that Lewis was remote and awkward around people.

Reading this fine youth biography shows you that underneath he had an innate sense of wonder that was stifled by his upbringing and work. It found an outlet in his books for children and camaraderie with the 'Inkspots'.

This is a revealing biography because it is written for young people. A suitable vehicle for finding out about the author of the Narnia Chronicles! I found it much less precious than other books on Lewis - probably because this was written by a fellow native Northern Irishman, rather than a fan.

It also wrecks several pompous academic careers by including a letter from Lewis to a young girl, explaining what each of the Narnia books is about.

Moving, heartwarming and fun.

In planning a family vacation to California, we found the book by Julie Douglas to be very informative and loads of fun for our children. We all learned a lot and had such fun doing it. Hope to see more books like this. Very creative activities!

Is Hollywood cinema harmless entertainment or sophisticated propaganda? Is what we see up on the screen a passive reflection of our social world, or does it actively shape it? These are just some of the themes this excellent study explores. The authors suggest that the way cinema communicates meaning is not just a matter of content but of form. That the use of certain camera angles, editing techniques and narrative strategies can be read politically as well as the script these techniques articulate. They also maintain that conservative cinema is inherently metaphoric in style, presenting its historically specific worldview as a timeless domain untouched by material reality. They oppose to this a cinema that do does not attempt to transcend its material underpinnings, but instead highlights the provisional nature of our most deeply held beliefs, thus opening up the possibility of exploring new ways of seeing the world.

Perhaps Kellner and Ryans most controversial idea is that Hollywood played no small role in ideologically preparing the masses for the oncoming conservative onslaught that was Ronald Reagan. Kellner takes up this idea again in his "Media Culture" where he convincingly argues that films such as "Top Gun", "Missing in Action", and the latter Rambo movies played a significant part in engineering the subsequent pro-Gulf War hysteria.

Published in 1988 when Derrida was all the rage, Camera Politica does tends to overdo the deconstruction thing a bit, but this is a small criticism in what is a genuinely illuminating study.

I found this book when I was in Banff. It made the rest of my trip very enjoyable. Outstanding guidebook of the Canadian Rockies. Very informative and interesting. Has all kinds of info on geology and wildlife in addition to history and general sites to see. Highly recommended. All of the Altitude Superguides are great.

I read a draft of this work back in the early seventies and this new version has been greatly expanded. Capricorn is one of the most mysterious signs, even its symbol is shrouded in secrecy as it may be the actual signature of God, and thus the true symbol of Capricorn is not given to us. Capricorn is esoterically ruled by Saturn, that great lord of karma. Everyone has Capricorn somewhere in their chart. No better true source on the subject than this work. I found that much of what is contained here is also found in Baker's master work Esoteric Astrology, which also includes the other signs as well as the ruling planets and houses.

A super book for Hawaii lovers! The photos are mostly spread over two pages to give the full impact and the colours and sharpness of the images are good. The photos span most of the Hawaiian islands and focus on landscapes as well as seascapes and towns. The written accompanying information is brief but concise and useful, as the main focus is on the beauty of the image. Certainly a book you can lose yourself in for a while. My only regret, is that there were not more pictures!

Carleton Watkins is an overlooked figure in the history of American photography--Artistically we could not have wanted for more in someone recording the "wilds" of the West. Beautiful photographs of San Francisco and the Northwest's industrial beginnings, and timeless representation of Yosemite's natural wonder.

The reason I really liked "Carving Bears and Bunnies" by Tom Wolfe, was the step-by-step instructions and color photographs.As a beginner they really helped me to get the proportions right on the carvings. I really enjoyed this book of Tom Wolfe's and I am hoping to get some other ones of his.

I am a clay artist and I used this book to teach me how to carve caricatures in clay. I loved the outcome and learned a great deal from Pete Leclair. I had borrowed the book from the library and liked it well enough to order my own copy.

Long before Midnight Louie adopted Temple Barr, or as much as this womanizing cat can settle down with anyone, he made his home at the Crystal Phoenix. Nicky Fontana and his wife Van von Rhine own the classic Vegas small hotel and casino and are making it a must go to place in Las Vegas. Inside the hotel is the Crystal Curtain Music Theatre where Gentleman Johnny Diamond sings the tunes that have made him the heartbreaker of millions of women.

Someone stalks Johnny, sending him letters threatening to kill the performer. Nicky beefs up security to the point that the crooner begins to go stir crazy and needs a taste of diversion. Professional gambler Jill O'Roarke is hired to teach Johnny how to play poker. They fall in love, but each of them conceals secrets that could tear them apart.

Superstar Midnight Louie's role in this delightful prequel from his seafood salad days is that of watcher. He studies the strange behavior of humans as if he is a social anthropologist struggling to understand an alien race. His witty, ironic observations entertain the audience as few charcaters can. Still, he also plays a pivotal role in the superbly designed romantic suspense. Louie proves why he is such a favorite of readers, as Carole Nelson Douglas leaves her audience purring for more.

Harriet Klausner