OOP! She was a gambler and a winner. Would she risk everything for one man's embrace?
Beautiful, passionate, ambitious,Raven McCord used her charm and her gambling skills to escape the poverty of post-Civil War Texas. Left penniless by her father's excesses, Raven made her way to the top of the demi-monde as queen of an elegant gambling casino.

Though still obsessed by the memory of Mark Bennett, her first, lost love, Raven was drawn to two powerful but very different men--Carl Randall, rising cattle baron, devoted and determined; and Devery Scott, wealthy author, aloof but magnetic. When Mark returned, she was forced to gamble all on a choice that would determine her happiness--and the future of her daughter Rebel, as lovely and headstrong as Raven herself.

Accurate and thorough description of the U.S. part of the public Internet circa 1990. Good historical document; lots of the people mentioned in the text are still hard at work keeping the net running.

I'm not sure what this book was trying to get at. The story is not only totally unfeasable but it is so poorly written that it took a great amount of willpower, and more than one boring evening, to get through it. If you consider this book a character driven, exciting, or in any way enjoyable book you really need to broaden your reading horizons. This is scraping the bottom of the literary barrel for sure.

As far as literary works go this book is trash, it's pure dime store pulp, not worth of sharing the room with a serious literary work.

However, considering it from the point of view of someone who would be willing to go to the lengths nessisary to find a book like this (a fan of the Post-Appocolyptic genre) this book is about avarage in writing quality, and above avarage in plot and story.

This ain't sayin' much though, when the genre is filled with for the most part trash novels. Then again, I think it's rare to find any action/adventure book series that would be considered a great literary work.

This being said, I liked the book, when viewed within it's genre and compaired to others of it's ilk it is above par.

The tenth book in this excellent post-WWIII series has the Guardians not only trying to find a desalinization plant, but also play political go-betweeners for the U.S. Government. The state of Texas has been divided into two parts: The Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. And if that wasn't enough, a group of religious fanatics from Mexico are trying to take over the area as well!

As usual, the characters are well-crafted. The comradare between each of the Guardians is so natural, you think you're observing a conversation and not reading a book. It takes a while to get to the final showdown, but it's well worth it. Overall a good read if you're into men's adventure books, especially post-apocalyptic fiction.

James Lawson jdlawson@cybrtyme.com

This book is frustrating because the learning consists of taking tests. There is not enough how to information. Also, the cd is supposed to randomly search the database and give a new test each time. However, after many practice tests I found that the cd did not access all the questions. Only because I also went through the written questions did I discover this. If you don't know this, you will not see all of the questions and you may need them all. On the plus side, the diagrams are what you will see in the real tests and the rules of the road are in the back of the book. I think it is very useful for drilling, not learning. This book should be considered a supplement. I recommend The Coast Guard License by Budd Gonder along with Chapman's and Dutton's for learning, and this book for practicing

I used this book and CD to prepare for an inland master's exam. The CD is very helpful and allows you to rapidly practice the exam and receive a score. Two major warnings:

1) The "master and mate inland rules of the road" practice exam on the CD doesn't really test the USCG "inland only" questions. You have to set it up to do a "custom" exam and select inland only.

2) All the navigation problems on the CD were just course - speed - time problems not involving a real chart. On the real exam the problems were specific to an actual chart as in "Starting from a point two miles due East of Ferndorf Light plot a course......". You are therefore probably going to need some other source of training on the navigation problems besides this book and CD.

I recently used this book to help me pass my Unlimited Master's Exam. I wholeheartedly recommend it as a study guide and as a drilling tool. I did not have access to the CD-ROM and only used the Questions and Answers Sections. I agree with other reviewers in that you must already have advanced knowledge in the subject areas to get the maximum out of this book. I like the fact that all the questions and answers are in one book and that the price is quite cheap compared to "Murphy's" 6 volumes and ... price tag. I would also recommend "Formulae for the Mariner" and getting a 1981 Nautical Almanac from the start to study with.

I am the same Tom Cai who reviewed this book about 1 year ago, and feel it is necessary to review it again. I admit Dr. Freeman has written many successful detective stories, but they can not be credited to this particular one. This book holds a place in the history of detective stories, because it created Thorndyke, but as a detective story, it is definitely not a very good one. It borrows various parts of Holmes and then pieces them together with a slightly different character and slightly different narration, then the job is done.

Many people disagree with me, because the thumb mark is made in a way different from the Norwood builder's. But this is really a minor issue. Once the author decides the thumb mark is fake and actually conveys this idea to the readers, it is no good to spend much pain on how it is made. A detective story is not supposed to be a science story. The former emphasizes on DEDUCTION rather than profound science knowledge, because not every reader is a PhD or MD as Freeman. Even if someone is, he might well be in a different discipline. Doyle is in no way less educated than Freeman, but he always applies the most practical method with the least scientific knowledge in the conducting of a crime. This makes Doyle's story not only full of surprises (Watsons would say: ah, it's that simple), but also more read-able than Freeman's lecture. Even in the view of science story, people would question whether Polton's (Thorndyke's assistant) various patents are realistic.

Nevertheless, I can't deny it is helpful for Freeman's future career, which makes Thorndyke a distinct character rather than a mimic of Holmes. The only difference between Doyle and Freeman is that the former is a genius while the latter is just talented.

Edwardian London: a city of squalor, pea-soup fogs, and primitive detective work. Into this city, is introduced Dr John Thorndyke, a pathologist, who appears as an expert witness in court cases for both the defence and prosecution. He is also a detective who seeks to solve cases.

In this first Thorndyke story by R Austin Freeman (the first of many in the series), Thorndyke takes on a new assistant Dr. Jervis. Dr Jervis is the foil to Thorndyke, just as Dr Watson is to Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Thorndyke also explores more than just the case, by having Jervis fall in love. Dr Jervis' love affair is an interesting diversion in how it reveals middle-class values at the turn of the century.

The basis of this story is interesting: can forensic science be wrong; can you fake fingerprints on evidence ? The book is not a 'who dun it' in the conventional sense. Most readers will identify the obvious villain early on. The challenge is to work out how the crime was done and then to prove that it was done that way. Of course, Thorndyke frees the innocent man in the end.

Thorndyke is a more scientific detective than Holmes and achieves surprising results, even within the primitive knowledge and techniques of his day.

The Red Thumb Mark is the novel that introduces to the world one of the greatest "scientific" detectives in all literature: Dr. John Thorndyke. It is rightly regarded as one of the all-time classics in mystery fiction. Raymond Chandler, for example, who typically hated British detective fiction for its consistent implausibilities, found Austin Freeman's work and The Red Thumb Mark highly entertaining and readable.

The novel concerns Thorndyke's attempts to clear the name of a young man accused of stealing diamonds from a safe. A thumb mark (finger print) near the scene of the crime is the only evidence against the young man, but it is decidedly damning. Add a little romance, a sinister villian lurking in the background, and you have the ingredients that make up this story.

I found the work to be wonderfully exciting. Watching Thorndyke break down the evidence against the young man is a fascinating expereince. Though a person could argue that too much detail is given to the "science" aspect, you have to understand that these scenes are the backbone of this type of detective story.

In a day and age of corporate villiany, brutal crime bosses and hideous serial killers, The Red Thumb Mark might seem to some readers as painfully old-fashioned. Freeman's writing is similar (and often compared with) Conan Doyle, and there's little doubt that Freeman found inspiration from the Holmes canon. However, the novel's old-fashioned flavor is the very reason to recommend it. It's fun to walk the streets of Edwardian England, to see the sights, to hear the gentlemanly discussions, to share the thought processes of one of the great detective minds. This is the real magic of the novel.

Sadly, most of Freeman's work has long, long been out of print. I would recommend hunting among the used book stores for his other great mysteries, especially The Silent Partner, The Eye of Osiris, and my all-time favorite Mr. Pottermack's Oversight. These great novels are as highly recommended as The Red Thumb Mark. Someday, I hope the world rediscovers this highly talented writer and that he is placed along side with the other great names where he belongs.

This book reads more like a pamphlet, with a very basic summary of a man's career. The selected stories are spotty at best. Obviously the Author was more interesting in making money than chronicling one of the most famous performers in pro wrestling, especially considering the many other 'The Story Of' "books" he's done. After finishing it in 15 minutes, it reminded me of one of my son's 5th grade book reports.
As someone else mentioned, there are also many errors. The pictures are more valuable than the knowledge contained within it.

A man who gets popular by cursing, drinking, and using lewd body language gets a biography meant for little kids. This man is not what children should be learning about. But I sound like an old lady..

The entire book was in character. It was basically the story of his wrestling career dumbed down. Too many good things were left out. Too many lies were put in. This book was horrible and I'm afraid to read Ross' OTHER wrestling biographies.

This book is one of the best books I have ever read in my life! It tells all about his life in wwf and his outside life. It really tells that he is the best wrestler in the world!

The Texas Rattlesnake is a story about Stone Cold Steve Austin's life. His name when he was born was Steven Anderson. His father left him, so he took his stepfather's last name. It is mostly about his career in wrestling.
I think this book is good if someone likes wrestling. If Stone Cold actually said anything to the author, the book may have been better. It is a good book to me, but some people might not like it.

This pocket paperback can be polished off in about 2 or 3 hours or so, and as noted elsewhere does not offer many scoops or insights into SCSA's career. I think if it had been written by him or on behalf of him instead of generally about him, it would have been more entertaining. The multiple choice test at the end was unnecessary. The book does offer a quick run-through of his career up until early 2000 when he was on the sidelines recovering from major neck surgery. It was presumably published before his most recent PPV appearance, when he clearly was not at his earlier fitness level. There is very little new material not already available elsewhere. There could have been a few more photographs thrown in for good measure. At this price it could be considered a must-read for serious SCSA fans, but for the casual wrestling fan it might be better to wait until something more comprehensive and duly authorized comes along. Recommended with reservations.

This a real great book even though Austin is gone at of WWE you
can still find a "lot" of interesting things about him for only
A well worth deal hear is a brief parts of the book.

This is the real story of Steve Austin and his meteoric rise to
the top in today's hottest and wildest entertainment. With his
bold take-no-prisoners style,this bullet-headed boss of the ring demands respect-and get it every time. From ECW to WCW and WWE,
Steve Austin delivers the goods, leaving his dazed opponents stone cold!

chapter 1-Rattlesnake Fever
chapter 2-Texas Tornado
chapter 3-The Bottom Line
chapter 4-The Hollywood Blond
chapter 5-"Stone Cold" is Born
chapter 6-King of the Ring
chapter 7-Rattlesnake at Rest
chapter 8-Austin Powers
chapter 9-Austin Has Balls
chapter 10-That's Sports Entertainment
chapter 11-The Lovely Debra
chapter 12-Injuries
chapter 13-Tomorrow Never Dies
trivia quiz-How Well Do You Know the Rattlesnake.

_________________________________________________________________
if you do not have this book you "should" get it right now or some time in the future.

I want to thank the other readers for warning me about the dangers laid out in this book. It sounded like a nice book and I almost bought it, then, I read the reviews. I appreciate people taking the time to warn others. I am new to aromatherapy and would not have known better. So thank you for warning me!!

I have been using essential oils and aromatherapy a great deal on myself. Milli Austin's book does suggest using essential oils in much higher dosages than most aromatherapists recommend, but if anyone tries her baths, they are life changing. I don't believe she is negligent at all. She is simply attuned to using the oils in a different way than they are generally used. If you are a sensitive person you may want to use a bit less oil than she recommends but her baths do what they are meant to. Taking the baths weekly on a regular basis helped me to get in touch with my issues with anger and emotional inhibition. I had startling past life flashbacks emerge that were very relevant to my life today. I feel like I underwent an absolute transformation using the bath recipes suggested in her book.

As the category says it, this book is for "Health, Mind & Body" therefore you will be a bit confused by the reviews planted on the Web, which seem to come from people who hate Ms Austin personally, somehow....I found all this very upsetting, because this book is indeed special, and it is not just for anyone, true. For those who love to read about what the soul is all about, whether you believe or not in reincarnation, you will love Milli Austin's surprising approach and angelic style. Those few who trashed her book did NOT even read her introduction, where the author is stating very clearly that her therapeutical approach should not be defined as simple AROMATHERAPY, because it is not ! Indeed, you will be surprised and pleased and you will want to actually meet this woman in person, as I want to. Even if you do not want to spend money buying this book, go to a library and borrow it, or go to a book-store and read patiently the first 20 pages. Afterwards, you will decide to buy it, provided you have a soul inside you.....God bless Milli Austin.

After reading this book and then rereading it again to think maybe I missed the point I have come to the conclusion that the author of this boring leads a very dull life with little or no imagination. There was little to no humor and basically the story had no plot... my recommendation... don't waste your money!

The writer of this book lacks direction and creativity. I would definitely not recommend this book.

This book has some funny parts to it. I would recommend the book to anyone looking for a good laugh or two.

The first reviewer of Born to Sing admirably summed up this work with one star. I did get a few useful tips out of the book/cassettes but as a self-tution book it is seriously flawed. The first weakness is the quality of the singing on the tapes. Maybe it's my ear or the technology of the cassettes but at times the two authors sound like donkeys braying at each other from separate fields.
I could get over that if the structure was better. There is no attempt to teach the beginner a song, merely various bits of technique. Even simple things like numbering the tapes is missing, so that once you remove them from the case, you have no idea which order they're in!
I could live with all this except one of the authors will rattle off an impossible piece of singing and then, deadpan, say "Now you try it"!
There are some better books w/cassette/CD available. by Susan Sutherland, pub by Teach Yourself (NTC Publishing Group), for instance, is cheaper and better, though you'll have to put up with her archly Brit accent! Nothing's perfect.
M

I don't even know where to start in describing how bad these "lessons" are. Do yourself a favor and look elswhere.

i think the book and tapes were great they really helped me and i think this is one of the best voice lesson books i have read