What first drew me to this novel was the fact that Susan Cooper is from my hometown of Slough. When I was growing up in Shaggy Calf Lane in the Seventies, the bottom of our garden still had a rusting Anderson shelter that my siblings and I never really bothered to explore. Along with the coal cellar, it seemed a part of everyday life. But times change. I still remember having a coal boiler, which went out of use as the years passed. The Anderson shelter was just a very familiar object. Much more vivid were the stories told by my great grandmother of having to dive under a kitchen table as she heard a bomb whistle to earth. Our Anderson shelter was guarded by brambles, impossible to enter, and quite uninviting.

I hadn't thought of that Anderson shelter for years until I read 'Dawn of Fear'. Very early on in the book, Cooper also introduces to us the Morrison shelter, which was designed to live under your kitchen table. However, Derek's family has use of the more famous, external Anderson shelter. Very vivid are the scenes where Derek and his family take to its cover. In one telling moment, Derek's mother says that they should stop talking lest they wake up Derek's baby brother - the little boy has already learnt to take as normal the sound of air raid sirens and bombs. During the less frantic cold war, I seem to recall hearing those chilling notes being tested once or twice. At first, it seems as though Cooper is writing this novel very much for a younger audience than her 'Dark is Rising' sequence. However, there is also much to interest the more mature reader. Particularly significant is the adults' agonising over the upbringing of their children during a war. They want their children to act with caution, but they don't want them to live in fear. But the war has already changed their lives, whether it is in the collection of shrapnel, or the playing of imaginary wargames.

However, Derek and his friends seem to be far more interested in the act of creating their own camp. Their inspiration is drawn from the ancient fortifications of the Chilterns and the Thames Valley. To Derek and his friends, it's just going to be a secret camp. But the role of such forts in the past comes to haunt them as everything they have built is threatened. Together, Derek and his friends decide to retaliate and embark on nothing less than a territorial war with a rival gang. Cooper cleverly juxtaposes this conflict against the real war. How easy it is to take up arms against your 'neighbours'. Like the real war, the rival gang seems to have way more resources and bodies to call upon, and in the shocking demise of the cat, they show early signs of psychopathic tendencies. If you're able and willing to harm an animal, current thinking goes, then you're not far from harming people.

Derek's gang has a hero of sorts in Tom Hicks. He's an older boy who's just signed up in the Merchant Navy just because they can take people younger. Here, Susan Cooper's historical research shines subtly through. Tom Hicks signs up even though he knows that the Merchant Navy is by far the most hazardous service, and where fatalities are high. Cooper is also subtle in her suggestion that all the boys will be touched by death: Geoffrey proudly mentions that his uncle is serving on the destroyer, HMS Hood, little knowing, as we do, that this ship and most of her crew are doomed. Tom also talks a great deal about Churchill's Dunkirk speech. But there's also a quote from Queen Victoria: "We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not speak." The Empress, of course, was referring to a far less noble British cause: the war for Boer gold in South Africa, where we unfortunately invented the concentration camp. Both sides, Cooper seems to be suggesting, have blood on their hands.

To me, it seems as though a part of this world has vanished for good. When nettles sting Derek, Peter suggests that he rubs a dock leaf on the rash to alleviate the pain. That sort of knowledge about the natural world was practically lost to my generation. If I'd known about dock leaves, I might have saved myself a great deal of pain as a kid. It's hard to say where exactly in Slough Cooper has set her story. I can't help but think of Elliman Avenue. Then again, that was fairly close to my own childhood home. So to me, the world of Susan Cooper's novel is a familiar place, but there are a number of extraordinary revelations. This may be a children's novel, but the conclusion shows signs of a more adult view of the world all too soon.

I read this book when I was eleven or twelve years old, and I bawled my heart out at the conclusion. This was one of three works that moved and upset me enough for others to notice (I seem to remember my mom walking in from hearing me crying). Another was "Sleepers", by Lorenzo Carcaterra (whether or not it was true) that I read when I was eighteen, and the third is the movie of Hyde's "Pay it Forward" which I recently saw on Pay Per View this past summer. This novel, along with the others, has had a tremendous influence on me and has made a mark in my writing. Hopefully, the world will witness it sooner or later.

I liked Dawn of Fear for three reasons.One reason I liked this book is because I lerned something in life.The thing I learned was that you should cherish the things in life that you have and don't let them go away. Another thing I learned is that many people die in a war.War is something that we should all try to avoid.After all we are going to be adults in our world in a few years.This book is for kind of people who like to read about war.

Okay, the text is hard to read as it is handwritten, but once you open the book, you are immediately transported to the deep, dark laboratory where the monster was created. It's like the actual diary with pencil-sketched illustrations on ancient looking paper, scrawly handwriting. THose who read Neil Gaiman's Sandman comics will love this book for the art alone.

Fabulous art! why, why, why!is this book out of print! put this masterpiece back into print- everyone should be able to see this wonderful,rich work of art. The entire book in itself is a piece of art to own. I am going to research artist Timothy Basil Ering, he has an incredible sensitive touch. His textures, colors and drawings are exquisit. One thinks of Da Vinci or Michaelangelo when exploring this ancient feeling, hand crafted diary. Great story. Bravo!

this is a great book that doesnt act like it will tell you exactly about dr victor's creation... It IS Dr. Victor's sketchbook and that is a great idea! Timothy B. Ering has made the drawings be exactly like how Dr. Frankenstien would have had them lots of detailed anatomy drawings and charts of his medical work in making his monster. Timothy's art turns frankenstien from a fiction into a real study into making a monsters. I would like to find more about timothy erings art work and what other books he has illistrated?

"Island on the Bay" begins with a lot action and continues that way throughout the entire novel. The story "clicked" immediately and I became very involved with its characters. It never lacked in excitment and was very inspiring in that it told the story of a self-consumed young man who learned that there's more to life than just himself. He struggles along the way, but is moved by the people he meets. There's even a good lesson in forgiveness as you hear the story about the town "bully".

Being a new resident of the Eastern Shore, I was fascinated with the history Mr. Cooper revealed in his story and excited by the fact that it actually took place in my own back yard. His writing is superb, very descriptive and sensitive. It's wonderful to pick up a book and feel inspired the whole time you are reading it -- very worthwhile reading.

"Island on the Bay"is an action packed story of the transformation of Josh Mathews from wealthy Baltimore playboy to a courageous, moral and capable leader in the Chesapeake Bay community of the mid-1800's. While the story line is totally fictional, Mr. Cooper's saga reflects detailed research into the history of the Bay, its commerce, its flora and fauna and most importantly, the life of the watermen. As the novel progresses, all of his major players grow in character as they meet the awesome challenges of the times. His treatment of their growth is most impressive. The story of the battle between the islanders and the Picaroon pirates to protect their island and their homes is especially gripping. I couldn't put the book down until the final suspenseful chapter of that battle was completed. Mr. Cooper's 5 star novel is superb!

I am a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, having been born on one of the "islands on the bay. I was facinated by the educational and entertaining qualities of Grover Cooper's novel. This novel presents, in a factual way, life as it really was in the 1800's on Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Cooper has captured the flavor of the life of watermen on the Bay's islands, and has skillfully interwoven an element of suspense throughout. I easily give the novel a 5 star rating. John Neild

I bought the book because the cover looked nice and I usually like to read female writers. The story is about loss and pain - I'm not experiencing neither, but I kept on reading it until the end. I was sitting on the bus,caught in a bad traffic jam in Rio - the final pages came and suddenly my eyes filled with tears. The ending brings a beautiful message of optimism. This woman has delicate feelings and an intelligent mind. Funny to think I read her story two years after I bought the book

This book is an unexpected jewel that was given to me by a friend during a time in my life where I was struggling with myself and my path in life. Everyone can associate with the events and emotions conveyed in this touching account of a mother losing her son. Honest, personal, and moving, the author invites us into a sacred place and shares her tragedy with the world with loving care. At times I felt embarassed, as if I were trespassing into a private and personal memory. It is more than a book about loss and heart ache, it is a book about life.

Anyone who does not cry upon reading this book cannot possibly have a beating heart. Ms. Vanderbilt's account of her son's life (and death) is honest and heartfelt. In reading about the love she has for her family, one grows to love them along with her, and ultimately feels a measure of her pain with her narration of the loss of her husband, Wyatt Cooper, and later of her son Carter's suicide.

At one time or another, all of us have felt isolation from our loved ones, an inability to allow them to touch our lives for whatever reasons. We employ many different mechanisms to shut ourselves off from the rest of the world, whether we are conscious of it or not. Gloria Vanderbilt's "glass bubble" imagery certainly gives voice to those feelings, and the way she escapes from the bubble is simultaneously (yet paradoxically) heartbreaking and inspiring. One's own "glass bubble" becomes weaker when reading about the great losses in her life- losses that are uniquely tragic, yet echo the experiences of anyone who's ever lost a loved one.

This book, in addition to Ms. Vanderbilt's recollections of Carter's life and death, includes diary entries describing the innocence and love surrounding Carter Cooper's early life as well as contributions from close friends and from his younger brother, Anderson. The book indirectly assumes a rudimentary prior knowledge of Gloria Vanderbilt's life; reading _Once Upon a Time_, her autobiography, before this book will provide a great deal of necessary background. _A Mother's Story_, although it is painfully personal, is a clear picture of the common emotions- love, grief, and empathy- that bind the human race together.

I have not read this book, although I have done extensive research on D.B. Cooper and Richard McCoy Jr. and I had read in my research that Richard McCoy Jr. was sentenced to 45 years in 1972 for hijacking and endangering the crew. I never heard that he had been shot, and would like to find out more. I will most definately be buying this book, but I just wanted to get the word out there.

Absolutely fascinating, thoroughly researched book. This story is amazing but tragic--I came close to shedding a few tears for poor McCoy at the end of the book.
The author does a great job of backing up his claims with research, and honestly expresses his regrets about the things he wishes he would have asked McCoy.
Excellent read.

I wrote a review before, but I was very wrong. I went to the library and checked out this book. It was so great, I learned small details that I didn't know before. This book goes into so much detail, it's amazing. When before I didn't know much about Richard Floyd McCoy Jr., now I know so much more. It seems that people can relate to him for being just an ordinary guy. The Cooper-McCoy similarities are too many to be coincidental. For a Cooper-McCoy fan it is very interesting. Although, if someone is into true crime, it is also great. I am sorry for my review earlier.

On the whole, Cooper provides a clear introduction and set of practices, and for those I highly recommend this book.

The two major flaws: The editing is horrific, with many more punctuation, grammar, spelling and sequencing errors than you would expect from an established publisher. For example, on one page he makes the point that the Tree of Life has 3 pillars as a manifestation of stability, and then a few pages later, he says an astute mind will have noticed the same relationship. I mean, duh, did he read his own book before it went to press? It doesn't take an astute mind to notice what was explicitly stated a few pages prior. Another is that he often assumes knowledge on the part of the reader which makes no sense in an "intro" text. These errors can be fixed pretty easily, so it makes you wonder how they got past the editors? Were they trying to get it out for the Christmas season?

But much more importantly, Cooper constantly whines about the oppressive and flawed beliefs of others while presenting his own as blindly and dogmatically as those he criticizes. He "says" you should think independently, and then goes on to present so many things as "the real truth and don't you believe anything else", that either he didn't mean it when he recommends independent thinking, or he fails to understand how his own language functions. It also seems clear he has a beef with someone and needs to get it off his chest. What isn't as clear, is what made him choose to do that all throughout this book in particular, or what prevents him from seeing his own rigidity. This seems to point to a lack of emotional and intellectual maturity, which you'll simply want to step around in your mind as you pick out the rest in his book of true value. The unfortunately ironic thing is that his hypocrisy sets the same trap for the naive mind that he seems to want to help his reader avoid. In both cases the naive mind ends up seduced into unconsciouly accepting the presuppositions of the writer, because the writer either can't or chooses not to make them explicit.

Nonetheless, I think with a bit of rewriting and re-editing,, this could definitely be a 4 or maybe 5 star book.

Although no expert, I have studied a good amount and have numerous other books on Kaballah (not to mention other magick, ritual etc. books). This is not only the most useful, but also the most intelligently presented introduction to the subject that I've found. Cooper does seem to grind an ax about magickal orders throughout, but I don't exactly disagree with him, and it's an important point, so the redundancy isn't altogether out of hand.

Buy this book and use it, if you are ready to think for yourself and do "real magick".

First off, I am not a fan of Phillip Cooper. While I thought his sigil book was decent, I have seen better. And I found his basic magic book to be 'okay.' That said, I was not all that enthusiastic about this new book on esoteric magic and the Cabalah, but my curiosity got the best of me because this is a topic which I have much interest.

After a few minutes with this book, I realized how different it was than other books I have read on the topic, let alone by Cooper. I found very clear explanations of all the topics he covers, and he does cover the basic/necessary ones in this book. I particularly liked his tone of self-discovering, encouraging the reader at every step to modify/personalize anything in the book to suit his/her particular point of view.

The topics include the elements and symbols, assuming god forms, working with sephirothic power, and a really exciting section on pathworking. His technique is fresh and IAM anxious to get started with the exercises. Many occult books on these often-discussed topics use the same formula-style techniques, but this book is different.

The book can be easily adopted by the novice magician/Cabalist, though I feel having a little background will make the book that much more enjoyable.

The history in this book is great and it's full of pictures; however, many are no longer accurate. The book was published in 1975 and much of what used to be there is no longer there and/or the properties are inaccessable because they are on private lands.

This book is filled with pictures. It is a great book to read the history of the ghost towns and mining camps that can be found in NM. The authors have obviously done a lot of research and this results in a book that is informative, but fun to read. I particularly like how the authors have told various stories that are associated with each town. I find this to be a very accurate book also.

If you're interested in the camps of early New Mexico...it's where to get the info. It's very accurate & has nice pictures....

Despite the inherently difficult task of "cold-canvassing" VCs, this book helps to target potential investors based on prior investment criteria and average investment amount. I'm still waiting for "The Gold Book on Angel Investors and Clubs", which would actually be worth its weight in gold!

If the content (i.e. names, addresses, etc) prove to be accurate, I would highly recommend this book as a source of contact information for VC's through out the country.

Not only is it the most comprehensive directory of venture capital firms I have been able to find, but it is also well organized with a valuable introduction. Thumbs up.

A romance should be sweet and neat, but not unbeliveable and outdated. These stories are wonderful romances for young girls, but lack enough steam and substance for anyone over the age of 21.

Jilly Cooper's books are fastly becoming my favorite past-time. I keep one in my desk drawer on a daily basis. I find myself sneaking quick peaks in between meetings. These wonderful short stories are just what you need for a mid-day pick me up of romance. Imogen and Prudence is another winner in my book. Her charcaters are so funny, warm and full or mischief. I just love them... I think that the British charm that I have come to love and adore in fiction, hits the mark with these wonderful little gems. This one if full of all the wonderful things that a Jilly Cooper book promises. Pick them all up.. QUICK!

Its so lovely to see these books re-released! Cooper is such a hilarious author that I could only wish she had written more than 6 of these short novels.

Prudence, written in the first person, is the story of a girl who is singularly misnamed. She falls for the wrong man but refuses to admit it. He takes her home for a long weekend with his family in the Lake district and here we meet a gorgeous ensemble cast of irresponsible mother, brooding older brother, precocious children, annoying vegetarians and a host of others.

In Imogen a shy, plump librarian is whisked away by international tennis star, Nicky, whose sole purpose is to seduce her. Her disastorous trip is peppered with the requisite numbers of haughty models, arrogant athletes and one sleepy eyed Irish Journalist.

Cooper writes with such enjoyment it is hard not to enjoy her books too.

I used this book in conjunction with Exam Cram and found it more thorough, as well as more understandable. I got an excellent score on the test and purchased more books in this series.

I found this book good for my exam revisions. All the practise questions were useful as well. The format of this book is excellent, and Exam tips and traps are very helpful. And the section where they reverse-engineer several practise questions is excellent, as it show how the tests are made, and what the commonly used "confusers" are.

However, I must add a ", but". The book misses some of the things you must know for the exam. Even worse are the errors in this book. There are several errors that should have been spotted by the author and the technical advisors.

I like the format of this book, but it does miss out on some things, and there are errors in the book. A good alternative to this book is the Sybex "MCSE exam notes" series.

I used this book in combination with the Transcender exams and was seriously OVERPREPARED for the test.

It has tons of useful pointers and tells you which areas you are most likely to be tested on.

It also comes with a handy tear-out guide in the front that you can use as a quick reminder of key points from each section. Perfect for last-minute cramming!