My department has found this and previous additions extremely helpful in cutting through IRS compliance language. However, it is outdated in some areas. Inquiries to the publishers regarding a new edition have not received any response.

This guide is excellent in providing a comprehensive review of tax reporting requirements. The authors have taken a complicated subject and simplified it, telling you what you need to know in a format that is easy to read. This guide also contains detailed excerpts from the IRS tax regulations for your additional reference. A must read for those wishing to understand the basics and some of the details about tax reporting requirements.

I really enjoyed the story. The plot was good and the characters were nicely developed. Where this book suffers is in the editing. The publishers should be ashamed to issue a book with so many problems, from superfluous punctuation to excessive line breaks that make it hard to follow a conversation and who is saying what.

The one weak spot in the writing was when the protagonist looks out her window, sees a dark shape on the bank and suddenly knows what it is. There needed to be a reason for this insight and it was not given. Otherwise a good book... good enough that I was inspired to track down the first book in the series "Deadly Resolutions", written in 1989 and hard to find now. I am looking forward to her third, "Metamorphosis for Murder".

Red Roses For a Dead Trucker is entertaining and well-written.
I particularly like the protagonist, Abby Doyle. A good role model for women, she is tough and courageous. As with all of Anna Ashwood Collins's mysteries, this one tackles environmental issues. Strong on characterization and suspense, it is thought- provoking and insightful

Although I didn't read the entire book, I found this book very practical and excellent for people who want to use reliability methods. The book provides excellent examples and recommendations for using different reliability techniques. Also, it provides references for more in-depth information on these techniques. Generally, I liked this book.

There are many books on Reliability Methods on Engineering. I think that many of them are difficult to understand and not practically oriented. This book is easy to understand . Examples are great. All the solution techniques and steps are explained in great clarity and detailed manner. Even a child can learn something from that book. Important concepts on probability and statistics are also emphasized. I've a thesis on Application of Reliability Methods on the Design of Engineering Structures and with the help of this book I've solved all my problems. Many thanks to the writers of this very good book.

The Scepter and the Star by John Joseph Collins is an in-depth study of the complex problem of messianism and the varied messianic expectation(s) and speculation(s) during the time of Second Temple Judaism. The subtitle of the book, "The Messiahs of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Other Ancient Literature" is important because Collins does not restrict his study to the Dead Sea Scrolls. He goes through the Pseudepigrapha (a large, open-ended collection of biblically-related and biblically-dependant literature that is not a part of the Bible), the Apocrypha, the Hebrew Bible/Tanak/Old Testament and the messianic ideas contained within those works. Collins also deals with Jesus and the New Testament in this work, although it is on the side that these discussions take place.

Collins' knowledge of the Hebrew Bible is extensive on both theological and historical levels. His knowledge is also useful because in the Hebrew Bible are the roots of the problems with messianic interpretation - the scriptures themselves. Once Collins places particular scriptures in their historical context, he then goes on to show their influence(s) and interpretation(s) in various post- and extra-biblical works of literature. We find a pre-existent, heavenly messiah, a priestly messiah, a kingly messiah, and a militant messiah in the works Collins analyzes. At least one messiah was expected and possibly and two, depending on who wrote the work. Collins also deals with the history of the word "messiah" and its various uses in the Hebrew Bible.

In reading the book, the reader will gain some insights as to how and why the writers of the New Testament understood Jesus the way that they did, but the goal of the book is not to connect these works to Jesus. The book is, in many ways, a survey of the messianic thought during and before Jesus' time.

This book is not an introduction by any means. It is an in-depth study; some previous knowledge of the Scrolls, the Pseudepigrapha, and Second Temple history will be useful to the reader. A glossary would have been nice and helpful and would have opened the doors for less knowledgeable readers to read and understand the book. Overall, this is an excellect read. However, previous knowledge will enable - and perhaps even be necessary - for reader to grasp the many insights in Collins' work.

The Scepter and the Star is an excellent and indepth study of the controversy between Judaism and Christianity. In this book we find substantial support for the reasons that many Jews did not accept Jesus as their Messiah. The Jews were looking for two Messiahs- not one. There is scriptural support, which is well documented by John Collins that points to two Messiah figures of the Apocalypse. Collins also references Dead Sea Scroll material that specifically points out two figures- a Davidic and a Priestly Messiah . This book explains how two diverse religions came and stayed- Judaism and Christianity- over these differences. It shows how the Bible was more than a religious book, but a history book as well. This is an excellent, well written book that should get people to look again at the Bible and perhaps read it with insight instead of letting others TELL you what it says!!

The book I read is called Simon and the Witch. There are six chapters. They are called, Chapter one, The Backwards Spell. Chapter two, The lost magic wand. Chapter three, The Witch at the seaside. Chapter four, Witch has measles, Chapter five, Halloween, Chapter six, The Witch's visitor. I like chapter Three the best. The book is about a boy called Simon, and the Witch. I read it in one day. I like that book because it was great. I liked it because it was exciting.

The story is about a boy called Simon whose friend is a witch. I enjoy this story very much.The best part is when the witch makes the whole beach full of sand pies. It was cool when the witch had a trolley race in the hospital. Anyway the witch is silly. Simon enjoys being with the witch. In one chapter the witch loses her wand and finds it again. The witch teaches Simon a spell to turn the gardener into a frog. Simon felt horrible when he knew there is no back wards spell but the witch tricked him.

If you are an old fan of TOS you will enjoy this story homage to that episode that focused on that computer call Landru. This time the computer is bought by a Ferengi trader name Daimon Phug.
Well the computer system takes over the ship and calls itself Milia. It makes all the Ferengi nice and friendly to each other. Now it is heading for the home world and from there conquer the galaxy.
The DaVinci gets involved when it finds the escape pod of Daimon Phug. They are soon captured an it is up to the SCE to save the day.
Good story has plenty of action and I enjoy the SCE series making connection with other episodes we have seen or read. They blend in them well. The only new thing we learned of the SCE chracters is that Corsi knows a lot of the Rules of Acquisition and Gold's daughter or granddaughter is dating a very important Klingon.

Docile, generous ferengi. Something is definately wrong and boy is it a funny story. This series just gets better and better.

A sever speech impediment makes it difficult at best for twenty-six year old Robin Lee to communicate with anyone one on one. Having to stand in front of a classroom as demanded by the University of Denver in several of her classes is impossible for her stuttering has left her extremely shy thus her fantasy of a college degree in literature seems impractical. Even working at the Davey's Diner as a temporary fill-in waitress proves demanding on the TONGUE-TIED woman.

When the other students whisper loud enough for her to hear their pity, Robin turns bold and kisses a customer. Johnny Dayton is stunned that this lovely vision is kissing him even as he reviews legal papers for a contentious board meeting the next day. Soon Johnny recognizes that the lips belong to his best friend's kid sister, Robin and that he wants more from her, but her timidity may prove stronger than their growing love.

Readers will delight with the way Colleen Collin cleverly blended a verbal communication challenged female within a strong erotic tale of love. Though in this age of the Disabilities Act, readers will question the professor's humiliation of Robin, the story line shows her as a capable person able to communicate in other ways other than verbal. She makes the tale and Johnny is a likable hero struggling between meeting the corporate image and his audacious concepts to improve business. The audience will realize that TONGUE-TIED is a triumph for fans as Ms. Collins pens an enchanting heated tale.

Harriet Klausner

Extreme stuttering makes ordinary conversation virtually impossible for twenty-six year old Robin Lee. Her dreams of graduating from college reach a sudden halt when a professor humiliates her in front of the entire class, leading to her withdrawal from the university. Even her job at the local diner becomes a tremendous challenge when she must fill in for a waitress who storms off the job. Then in a stunning moment of bold attitude, Robin overcomes her inability to speak by allowing her body to speak for her.

Johnny Dayton does not know the horrible day Robin has endured. Nor does he hear the whispered gossip from the students at another table. He only focuses on the legal papers in front of him as he prepares for a board meeting the next day. Then suddenly the most beautiful woman he has ever met stuns him with a lip lock from heaven. When he comes up for air, Johnny recognizes his best friend's kid sister, and suddenly Robin becomes the bridge to a time when life was less complicated and more understandable. And he wants more; a lot more.

Colleen Collin's unique approach to communication lends TONGUE-TIED a dynamically erotic twist. On one hand, Robin may not be able to speak her mind, but her body expresses her needs and desires quite clearly. She also has a gift with her pen that allows intense self-expression. On the other hand, Johnny dislikes himself for the corporate man he has become, but Robin allows him to become the bold thinker had been before pr campaigns determined company lines.

Author Collin's meets the unique challenge of a mostly silent heroine with pizzazz, keeping the narrative lively even as she exploits the challenges of silence with grace. She carefully balances the mundane world with a sizzling world where words are unnecessary. Further, she gives her heroine a unique, powerful voice that combines sweetness and heat in a vibrant mix. Add TONGUE-TIED to your keep shelf! Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.

Jeffrey Deaver is well recognized for his visciously violent mind. And the ability to dig deep from within and transfer those thoughts to paper has been rewarded with two Edgar nominations. I just read the Amazon review he did with Barrie, and am anticipating his computer thriller presently being molded. As he stated, "Noone will ever go on-line again after reading this one".

In, "A Maiden's Grave", eight deaf girls and their teacher are pulled off a school bus along a wheatlined Kansas road. They are held hostage in an abandoned slaughterhouse by escaped murderer, Lou Handy, and two fellow inmates. The threat--to kill one hostage an hour unless demands are met.

Enter Arthur Potter, the FBI's senior hostage negotiator. Killer Lou Handy may just be Potter's downfall. This book moves like an out of control train. Of course with Mr. Deaver, you never know where those solid serpentine tracks will take you.

Tick-tock Tick-tock--do not miss this emotional crime novel.

other reading suggestions: "The Devils Teardrop" by Jeffrey Deaver and "The Lions Game" by Nelson DeMille

I appreciate your interest & comments--CDS

It was a while ago that i read this book, and it was my first of Deavers. Since then i have bought every single book he has ever written, and have read all but a few of them.

This is simple an outstanding book. it is the best hostage thriller i have ever read, and that i expect i ever will.

Deaver mounts the tension beautifully...every now and then it gets so high that you literally feel it as he lets a little of the tension out...it's a wonderful display of suspense writing.

Deavers characters are vivid, and his characterisation is wonderfully subtle. they are well rounded and very human. Arthur Potter is a compelling hero, and his "invisble" relationship with Melanie is brilliantly done. the way they feel connected to each other during the hostage negotiation even though they have never met is wonderful. I felt very moved.

As well as being a very suspenseful book, this is also an extremely emotional one. there are times when you really feel very sorry for the characters, and an insipid hate for their characters. I felt particularly sorry for poor Donna Hawstrawn. I really wanted this book to keep going, just so that i could see if she would be okay...there are also a couple of moments in the book when you might be moved to tears. there are some devastating events, which really tug at you.

Deavers portrayal of the Deaf is completely unpatronising. He is extremely good at writing about people with what might be termed "handicaps", and in this case i think he was at hsi most sucessful. He wrote about it in such a way that you did feel slight sympathy, but moreover you felt proud of these people. Also, i felt a strange but strong urge to actually really try and get a feel for what it might be like to be Deaf...

This is a brilliant book, with a good twist at the end. good characters, emotional writing, stunning suspense, and an excellent hostage thriller. Deaver is simply the best.

Jeffrey Deaver's mind is an interesting place. I'm not sure I would want his dreams after reading this book and The Devil's Teardrop. I also know that I will always look at a hostage situation with much more insight and understanding as a result of having spent 419 pages with the FBI's top negotiator, Arthur Potter. The bad guys are really bad. One of them (Handy) is really deviously clever. You don't ever want to be held hostage by him. The plot twists and turns as deadlines arrive and hostages are in peril, not only from their captors, but from some of the misguided politicians and law enforcement folks on the good guys side. Through all of the plot changes, Art Potter keeps his eye on the target. And just when you thought it was over...it isn't. If you are looking for an author to keep your interest and attention...Mr. Deaver is your man.

I picked up a copy of this book as soon as it hit the shelves. I tore into it ravenously (being a Benchley fan from "Jaws" days), and found myself shaking my head at the unbelievable expectations the author wanted me to believe as the story-line unfolds. To me the whole book read like a great white shark meets a storm trooping Edward Scissorhands or, maybe, Freddie Kruegger.

First of all, the author appears to be reaching deep for any kind of sympathy or group you can hope to pull into a story -- Nazis and those who hate them, reporters and those who hate them, even sharks. Sharks are, by the way, only peripheral characters in this book, maligned and mauled by the main creature/character.

OK, I usually don't tell too much about what's in a book, but I want to save many of you who haven't read this book already. A deranged Nazi scientist develops an amphibious biological based on a human form (an ultimate amphibious warrior) that has metal teeth and claws, a ravenous appetite, and nasty disposition to match.

No one in the book knows what to make of the remains they find scattered along the beach and, later, on shore. Only at the end of a predictable series of events do the "good guys" finally figure out what's up and put and end to the situation.

I worked my way through the book in good order, mostly because I was on vacation at the time and had little else at hand to read. The book is a quick and, compared to JAWS, a shallow read.

I wish I could recommend this book, but I cannot in good conscience do that. I can't imagine who in the world I would feel good recommending it to. It's too bad that not everything out there is a 5-star item.

I gave it a couple of stars primarily because I enjoy stories with a marne setting.

I hope these comments are helpful to you.

Alan Holyoak

WHITE SHARK is perhaps one the best written dead ends in history. Although packed with ideas, some adventure, and many, many ten mile wide close calls, by the end of the book you are literally left wondering what is it you just read. Its pacing and narrative are written like the tides breaking on the shore... it rolls in, it drags out, repeat until end of novel. Every so often the waves bring up something that sparkles, but it never truly shines through. The creature here is a crackjack idea (although a lift from the film SHOCK WAVES), but Benchley spends little or no time with it. And the major players in the book are made from the thickest carboard there is - they hold no surprises, and are so routine that Benchley never breaks a sweat when writing them, because we already know them and know what will happen to them. The hero and herione will get together at the end (they do), the sidekick will pull through (he does), the son will find his first love (he does, a deaf girl with telepathic powers which Benchley mentions once, and then drops, almost like she was going to play a larger part in the story, but Benchley found it too time consuming to continue with), and the monster will die (it does, pretty quickly and easily). Not his best work. For fans, it's worth the read. For those just picking up Benchley, start and stop with JAWS.

At first glance, this book appears to be about a great white shark. This is not the case, however, as Benchley takes the reader back in time to when Germany's Third Reich is about to collapse at the end of WWII. A secret experiment German scientist's have been working on, which is nicknamed White Shark, is lost in the depths of the ocean as the U-Boat it is being transported on sinks.
Then Benchley brings the reader back to the present day where Simon Chase runs a small marine institute on a small island he bought after he and his wife divorced. His son, Max, has come to visit him, which has been rare over the years since the divorce. Simon is studying sharks with his employee, an indian named Tall Man, and much to their delight a pregnant great white shark has been hanging around. Simon and Tall Man are able to tag it and study it.
In the meantime, a whale and sea lion expert named Amanda arrives with her sea lions to study the passing Atlantic Humpback whales at Simon Chase's rather broke institute for a hefty 10,000 a month.
Strange, horrific things begin to happen around the area. People mysteriously disappear, a bird sanctuary is ravaged, one of Amanda's sea lions disappears, and the great white shark is injured. The only evidence left at each of these terrible scenes are two stainless steel teeth that resemble those of a sharks, and five slashes on the great white shark that look like those of a human hand with claws.
This book is suspenseful, engaging, and will keep you reading until the end. I liked it as much as I did Benchley's most famous book Jaws if not a little more. This is a good read for those who can suspend a little disbelief and especially good for those who like books that take place in or around a marine setting.

If you're a veteran of the original West End Games Star Wars RPG, then how much you like this book is going to vary widely. Its a better system overall, but the source material isn't quite as high quality.

First off, this is not D&D 3e in space. The mechanics are nearly identical, yes, but the game has a markedly different feel to it. Playing Star Wars with this system, you will not be constantly thinking "I'm surprised that there's no elves around here." Don't worry about it.

The book's presentation is excellent, for the most part (kudos to whoever designed the galaxy map on pages 208-209). The art is clean and crisp, and generally high quality. It consists of maybe 80% movie stills and 20% new art, all of which is quite well done. The book has the futuristic "prequel" look to it, but it's much better integrated than in the original core rulebook, with more space dedicated to text instead of graphics.

The mechanics are clear and simple, and if you don't like a given rule, it's extremely easy to fudge itaround to get the feel you're looking for. Combat, a hallmark of d20, is extremely well done and feels quick and exciting, with simple, yet verbose rules.

If you're into RPGs and like Star Wars at all, you won't go wrong buying this book. It includes both GM and player sections, allowing your group to jump right into the action. So pick this puppy up, and get ready for adventure in a galaxy far, far away.

Holy cow!! This is one well done gamebook!! First off, it is graphically splendid, and it really captures the feel of the Star Wars universe. Secondly is the use of the D20 system adapted from D&D 3rd. I am a huge fan of the original West End Games system and had my doubts that a class and level system could be flexible enough to play the diverse types of characters that live in the Star Wars galaxy. But even an old grognard like myself has to admit that it works, and with the multiclassing rules, you can have exactly the kind of character you want. I especially enjoy how Force skills are treated exactly like more everyday skills, making the system more consistent. And you can be the bad guy..Did I mention you can play the bad guys? See what life is like on the other side of the Force for a change.. A minor flaw includes the very clever graphical layout, which looks really cool, but can sometimes make the information within more challenging to read and use. But other than that I really like this product. If you liked the old game, buy this game. If you like gaming but have never tried Star Wars, buy this game. If you like Star Wars but have never gamed, buy this game. It is a little pricey at $34.95, which is nearly twice as much as WOTC's Dungeons and Dragons books, but hey, this book is packed to the gills with information and is the only book you need to play the game. But enough typing. I have characters to make and adventures to cook up for my unsuspecting players!! Bwah ha ha!!!

I actually own both the original core rulebook and the revised core rulebook, and wow is there a heck of a difference. First of all get this book even if you are not going to be running a game of Star Wars yourself. This book has resource upon resource for the player to draw on, which will help save the Game Master time and energy and allow the GM to focus more on the game.

Improvements? Changes in the system! It's no longer a simple derivative of 3rd Edition D&D, it is growing in it's own direction. Also, there are prestige classes which were not there before.

There is so much in here of worth just for players, and for Game Masters, this update is a must. It has many things that will allow you to help the players understand the game, and gives ideas for campaigns, etc.

The current GM for our game is using this book, and he thinks it is great too.

Are there things left unexplained? Sure, it's just a general start into the roleplaying universe of Star Wars. There's other books for more specific things like time periods or ships/weapons or Jedi/Sith related questions.

And that is why it is a 5 star book for me. Because it covers the bases it needs to cover.