Funny autobiography. A must-have for avid Alice Cooper fans.

I read this book on the internet. After reading it I was hungover for a week while consuming no alchohol that week. This book has lots of interesting information on the Alice Cooper band. Particulary from the mid to late 60's Before they hit it big. this book shows that bands today are no match for the A.C. Band. Also show's music at its most interesting time when Bands were aloud to have fun being a rock stars. The A.C. Band achieved this in spades while keeping the integrity of their raw, organic sound unlike popular music today. This book is like a welcome passport to that time and revisit a great band gone but not forgotten.

I am a huge fan of Alice and Me, Alice is a great book to read if you're like me. It tells you about his childhood and about his adulthood. I think all Alice lovers should read this book.

In this second book we find Tarod 'prisoner' in a castle with the time stopped, he himself provoked this stasis. His soul is trapped in a jewel and he waits...

Until Cyllan, the drover girl he had met in the first book is caught by a warp and ends in the shores of the castle. Tarod and Cyllan get to know each other, but mainly they discover Tarod, his true nature and what a startling nature that is! Cyllan becomes very loyal to Tarod, and eventually the stasis is broken and they are again loose in the world...

This book is more fast paced than the previous and the relations between the characters are very interesting. We begin to see that it's wrong when only one side rules (in this case order), there needs to be an equilibrium.

I found this book absolutely fantastic. I read it about ten years ago and lent my whole set to somebody who never returned them. I'd love to read them again but have only been able to purchase the first and last one as 'The Outcast' is out of print at present. Please, please, if anybody out there knows where I can get a copy, please let me know - I'm desperate! I can't wait to get back into the story of Tarod and after reading the reviews above, I want to read them even more.

babs@phil57.freeserve.co.uk

Louise Cooper is a great author, I'm in the process of reading all her books (to bad they're so hard to find). But I think The Outcast will always be the best. It's fast paced and the plot is spellbinding. I read this book before the Initiate but I still caught on to plot okay, yet its not redundant. The character development is so good that it makes you fall in love with the good guys(Chaos) and forever despise the bad ones (I can't even make myself type the evil -O- word, that's how much I hate them). This book brings out the best and worst in a person's emotions, at times I wanted to cry and other times I wanted to kill. The plot revolves around Tarod, who in the previous book, was almost executed before he stopped time, living soulless, timeless, and alone in the castle while the rest of the world lived on, until Cyllan and the Heir Margrave, Drachea, broke through the barrier. A barrier of mistrust, misunderstanding, and dislike quickly arises between the three of them. Until one of them (I won't say who) breaks through it so they can work together to restore time and Tarod's soul then leave the castle and live together and not bother anybody. But something interferes (I won't say what) and screws up their plan. You'll just have to read it to find out.

I borrowed this book from a friend, and I am upset that I have let this treasure sit in my apartment for 2 months without reading it. This book is awesome! The writing is simple, wisdom-filled and flavorful! Without making her characters heroic, you find yourself admiring them, because they are so human... full of good, but full of frailties at the same time. I didn't want this book to end, and I'm about to order any book of hers that I can get my hands on. Ms. Cooper is a good writer, with an obvious love and respect for her craft. More than that, without being preachy she manages to impart insight into human nature. I loved this book! The book and the woman who wrote it are classics!

I'm enjoying the work of J.California Cooper more and more. I've never been one to read short stories but I'm hooked now. Each story touch my heart and reminds me of someone I know. I feel as if I'm sitting on the porch talking to my grandmother when I read some of these stories. So heartwarming. God's Blessings.

A wonderful, quick read. Her stories touch the heart and some even make you say "you go girl". Iloved this book and would pass it on to many friends. You won't put it down!

Make sure you read the previous Tintin Adventure, "The Secret of the Unicorn," otherwise you will really not know all about the background on "Red Rackham's Treasure," despite the fact Hergé offers a bit of a recapitulation in the form of a conversation overhead in a bar. The main thing is that having collected all the clues regarding the titular treasure, Tintin and Captain Haddock are prepared to go forth and find it. However, almost as important as the search for the treasure is our introduction to the final pivotal member of the Tintin family, as Professor Cuthbert Calculus offers the service of his small shark-proof submarine for exploring the ocean floor. Tintin refuses the offer, but it turns out that Professor Calculus always hears somkething other than what somebody is really saying. Adding to the fun are the Thom(p)sons, who come alone with orders to protect Tintin. "Red Rackham's Treasure" is mostly a pure adventure story, with Tintin using the small submarine and a deep sea diving suit to look for the treasure of the Unicorn. But there is still some detective work left to be done to decipher the final cryptic clues left by Sir Francis Haddock concerning the treasure's location. I still like Hergé's two-part adventure that sent Tintin to the Moon, but this two-parter is not far behind. This is the last of the Tintin stories Hergé wrote during World War II, and after this point we will definitely see his stories become much more allegorical in terms of post-War Europe.

Tintin is great. I never tire of re-reading him.
Red Rackham's Treasure sees our erstwhile hero gallivanting off with Snowy, Captain Haddock and the Thompson Twins after the adventures outlined in "Secret of the Unicorn'. In this book we are introduced to the absent-minded Professor Calculus - it's always great to see how the drawing of characters change after a couple of adventures! - and his amazing shark submarine. Suffice it to say, deep-sea diving, bottles of rum, the odd shark, all lead to the golden treasure in a most unexpected place.
Everyone should read Tintin and this adventure is one of the best.

Tintin is a legendary character and this is one of his best adventures ever. It is just breathtaking, funny as usual and full of thrill. This is a must for any comics lover. God Bless you Herge.

This is the first part, the second part is 'Red Rakham's Treasure'. This is also the series when Marlinspike Hall makes its appearance. The second part is also when Prof Cuthbert Calculus enters Tintin cast for the first time. This is a story every Tintin lover will cherish and other readers will also enjoy. Despite being more than half a century old the story has lost nothing of its charm and sense of fun.

The plot concerns miniature models of boats that bear a striking similarity to a boat in a portrait of one of Capt Haddock's ancestors. From there begins a tale of pirates, of a treasure, of theives after the same treasure, of three hundred year old rum, of our adventurers' attempts at getting to it. The story finally culminates in the Marlinspike Hall, with Capt Haddock being restored to what turns out to be his ancesteral home.

This is the first and perhaps the best of the three adventures Herge wrote that ran into two books. The others two book adventures are 'The Seven Crystal Balls' and 'Prisoners of the Sun', and 'Destination Moon' and 'Explorers on the Moon'.

All in all, an excellent comic book to read, anytime, anywhere.

First off, be forewarned that "The Secret of Unicorn" is only the first half of a two-part Tintin adventure, which is concluded in "Red Rackham's Treausre." So do not get all bent of shape when you get to the end of this 1943 adventure and Tintin looks out and you and tells you to find out what happens next in "Red Rackham's Treasure."

As our story opens, the Thompsons are trying to solve a rash of pockets being picked and Tintin decides to buy on impulse a model of an old galliard ship. But suddenly two other gentleman want to buy the model from Tintin, who refuses because he intends the model to be a gift to his friend, Captain Haddock. Then Tintin finds a small piece of parchment that was hidden in one of the masts talking about a treasure and a ship called the Unicorn. The mystery deepens when it turns out that Sir Francis Haddock, an ancestor of Tintin's good friend, was the captain of the Unicorn. After the captain tells the exciting story of Sir Francis and his glorious victory over the dreaded Barbary buccaneers, Tintin races off to track down the final pieces of the puzzle that will tell where the treasure of the Unicorn can be found.

This is only Captain Haddock's third Tintin adventure but he is already as important to the story as Snowy. Nestor and Marlinspike Hall make their first appearance in "The Secret of the Unicorn" with Professor Calculus making his unforgettable first appearance in the second half of the tale. Herge is obviously staying as far away as he can from what is happening in Europe during World War II, but that does not take away from the fact this is a first rate tale of detective work by our intrepid hero and the second half is an equally fun adventure as Tintin and company race for "Red Rackham's Treasure."

How would you feel if you bought a boat and found a treasure note inside? How would you feel then, if the boat got stolen? This is what happens to TinTin and his dog, Snowy, in The Secret of the Unicorn, by Herge. Once they try to find the boat, but are not successful. After looking for the boat, they start looking for the treasure. They search by submarine, by scuba diving,and by swimming in shark infested water. Do they find the treasure? Read The Secret of the Unicorn to find out.

I loved this book! It was for girls and I really loved it! It told me how to make friends, how to be in shape without starving myself! I just loved this book! It talks about boy problems! It was just perfect for me! I always read it all the time. No matter if I read the whole thing. I still read it over and over again. Schools about to start. Maybe I should read it again! :)

hey, it's two of us. We just finished reading the awesome book what a girl wants. It's great. It's helped us through everything: boy trouble, zits, friends, stress, family, pets, nail polish, hair, shyness, emotional rescue, being organized, shaping up, nutrition, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, three meals a day, smoothies, do-it-youself, personality collages, relationships, even with myself, how to make hip hair accesories, what to do w it medium, short, or long hair, serious skin and body care, what to do if i have oily skin, what to do if i have dry skin, what to do if i have normal skin, to exfoliate or to exfoliate, how to make a honey moisture mask for dry skin, and we left out a few, but basically it is my bible and it has taught me how to live me life.
it has taught me stuff that my history teacher, mrs. gagnon, couldn't have! I LOVE THIS BOOK, and i LOVE YOU KAREN!!sorry i'm getting a little emotional. ok, bye!

What A Girl Wants

The novel, What A Girl Wants, by Kristen Cooper, is a wonderful book for teenage girls to help them get throw there teens. For instance when girls grow older they start getting in more fights with their parents. This book will help you learn ways to prevent fights from happening with your parents.
What I like about this book is that it will help you prepare for you're a teenager. What I don't like about this book is well, well; well I actually love everything about this book. The theme of the book is to help young immature girls and turn them into beautiful mature healthy adults. I was satisfied with the ending, because Kristen Cooper put all of the rules to becoming a teenager and called them, The Ten Rules To Becoming A Teenager.
Kristen Coopers writing is so cool. She splits things up and puts rules and quotes from other kids that keep you interested with the book. What I really hate about books is when there's that word that word that you totally don't get, but Kristen lays the facts out for you. I would personally recommend this book for little children around 9-13, because at 9 your growing in to a teenager and at 13 you're a teenager but a little late. I recommend this book for all teenagers out in the world.
*****

One valuable lesson on every single page. Required reading for designers, engineers, information architects and technical managers. Buy yourself a copy and another one for your boss.

even as a 14 year veteran of interaction design, i learned much more than i would have imagined. well written, well organized, full of great insights.

This is the first book and aspiring developer should read. It is also the next book they should read. After they get that big-bucks job and are writing code for a living ... read it again. When you finish a project, that would be a good time to pickup the book and see what of it applies to your "complete" software project. Alan has an engaging, no-nonsense style that is uniquely his. Like his first About Face and The Inmates Are Running the Asylum, this book is loaded with sage advice.

Reading rev 1 of this book a few years back changed my view of how programmers should program and gave insight on how to design programs the correct way. The second release is sufficiently different so that it still a bargin for those that have the first one. The biggest impact of those not familiar with the value of software/interface designers will be the altered view-point you may emerge with. A programmer (as i have been for the last 20 years) tends to get tunnel vision. It's not that we think we're doing things badly and do it anyway; we just don't see the opportunities opened by taking a different viewpoint on the functionality and design of software. Alan and Robert Reimann effectively describe this "enlightened" view of software design through effective use of examples and critique.

A final point is that the book is somewhat granular. The chapters build somewhat on each other, but it is the kind of book that can be read a chapter at a time in any order.

Thanks Alan and Robert!

What a wonderful debut! This book has all the elements that make a great historical romance...great story, characters you fall in love with, unpredictibility. I read somewhere that she was working on her next book, a spin-off of "Prince Of Hearts" that tells Sebastian and Beatrice's story. I CAN'T WAIT!

A unique premise, a satsifying development and conclusion, and beautiful writing--what more could a reader ask for? Ms. Cooper's style will entrance you from page one. The characters are very appealing and multi-dimensional. The deft handling of alternate history will fascinate readers familiar with the time period, but the story functions equally well as an historical romance even if you don't have the background to appreciate the writer's careful and imaginative handling of the historical details. At its heart, this is a beautiful and compelling love story.

This is a wonderful read. The author's words flow beautifully and the love story is delightful. I started smiling on page one and never stopped. Talented author Katy Cooper's Prince of Hearts is a keeper.

This is the Apollo 13 story almost exclusively from the Mission Control perspective. It very thorougly and completely details what went on in Houston from the moment of the "accident" to the recovery of the astronauts. This book helped me to understand how critical Mission Control is to space flights, how the astronauts are not necessarily piloting their spacecraft but that it is a joint effort. I was surpised by many facts given here such as that Mission Control had more information about the status of the spacecraft than the astronauts themselves. The author does an outstanding job of expalining the technicalities of what happened and why without making you feel like a dummy.

Through the lens of 25 years, it is very interesting to read this account and feel some of the respect and almost naivete the author and the public felt for NASA and the government at large that has long since been lost. I also enjoyed how the book was divided into three sections "Out" "Around" "Home".

I did feel the book suffered from its narrow focus on Mission Control only during the duration of the "event," and no pictures -- none and only one line diagram. These are small complaints, however. The book makes a wonderful companion to Jim Lovell's account.

The first detailed account of the Apollo 13 accident (this book originally came out in the early 70's) and one of the best (second only to Lovell's "Lost Moon"). Cooper tells the entire mission story and uses many of the Mission Control transcripts that (in my opinion) are the difference between a third person telling of a mission story or a feeling of actually being there. This book has been re-printed, so it's availability isn't an issue. Read this along with Lost Moon and you'll see the blatant errors in the movie "Apollo 13". Highly recommended.

A short anecdote:

After reading "A Man on the Moon" by the great A. Chaikin (space author, god-like genius) I developed a ravenous hunger for any reading material relating to the early space program (and Apollo in general). So when I saw this old book, "13: the flight that failed", in my school's library, I HAD to read it!

I was not disappointed. Mr. Cooper's book is THE story of Apollo 13.

I appreciate the fact that Jim Lovell's book "Lost Moon" was written as a first hand account but it seems a little mishandled (most likely Kluger's influence) and didn't live up to it's full potential. Furthermore, It is more of a biography of Jim Lovell. "13: the flight that failed" sums it all up nicely in a gripping yet thoughtful manner.

btw: "A House in Space" (i think by Cooper also but i'm not sure) is a great story of the Skylab space station

I bought this book unseen from Amazon (based on the other reader reviews) and I love it! Before buying, I looked at these 2 other books in a bookstore and was not satisfied with their contents: 1) Winslow Homer: Artist and Angler focuses only on Homer's passion for fly fishing; 2)The Watercolors of Winslow Homer by Miles Unger (published by Norton) has a nice variety, but too many of the watercolors are printed across the gutter of the book, thus ruining the effect. This book by Cooper is lovely - It is based on an exhibition of Homer's watercolors that took place in the mid-80s, and so is comprehensive. It has a wonderful variety of all of Homer's watercolors spanning his entire career, and is nicely written. The watercolors are beautifully reproduced (not in the gutter) on fine-quality paper and the book itself is nicely designed. It is just beautiful.

This book provides a great analysis of Winslow Homer's growth as an artist. The author uses each chapter to analyze a different period of Homer's life as he, basically, self-taught himself through observation and experimentation based on where he lived, whether it was in the Bahamas, England, or the Northeast Atlantic coast of the United States. The pictures within the book are very good quality. The author emphasizes analysis of Homer's work over actual biographical information. If you are looking for more of a biographical-type book of Homer read Lloyd Goodrich's book Winslow Homer. Enjoy!

Since seeing a show of Winslow Homer's works a few years ago, I have been in awe of this artist's talent and versatility. So it was natural for me to pick up this beautiful and informative book which focuses on his watercolor career. In addition, the author gives us Homer's earlier background as an oil painter and illustrator. She is certainly well-qualified to write about Homer---she holds the position of Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture at the Yale University Art Gallery.

The color plates in this book are gorgeous and the text gives good information about Homer, his life, times, and techniques. It was a delight for my eyes!

In 1873, at the age of 37, Homer began serious work with watercolor while in Gloucester, Massachusetts. These paintings were characterized by broad brushstrokes and extensive use of light and color.

The Gloucester watercolors began Homer's lifelong pattern: he would focus for a certain amount of time on a singular theme inspired by a particular location. Some of these themes included rural life, especially childhood, and seascapes/marine scenes. He lived for periods of time in Gloucester; Cullercoats, England; Prout's Neck, Maine; the Bahamas and Cuba;, the Adirondacks; Quebec; Bermuda; and Florida. His need for privacy led him to live in somewhat remote locations, and during these years he was constantly experimenting with new techniques. Prout's Neck was his home base for his last 30 years although he often spent time in other places during that period. It was in Cullercoats (1881-82) that he developed his mature watercolor technique and his love of sea themes which he painted for the rest of his life.

Homer's late works are very thought provoking, often showing heroic subjects or themes; they show nature's beauty and its power and humans' mortality.

Homer lived a very solitary life, never truly realizing how really famous he was. He died at the age of 75, his last five years spent even more withdrawn from society and battling many illnesses.