The book's plot was not original; character development could have been better. Suspense was lacking all the way through. Books by former Peace Corps volunteers tend to be more insightful than books by former Foreign Service Officers since Peace Corps volunteers were closer to the mainstream population as oppposed to the 'power elite'. The setting of the book is apropos of current events in this region.

I found the book to be very tight, although with a few errors easily fixed by a good copy editor. The author doesn't waste words, unlike so many "popular" writers - no wading through pages of unecessary decriptions. Anyone who's been involved in diplomatic circles can easily recognize many of the characters and thier motivations, and for those who haven't, you may see many aspects of some regular old people you know. The local colour is indicative of the author's familiarity with his subject, and is very easily fit into the story. The plot is not a new one, but who's seen anything in the news lately which hasn't been there before? There are twists and turns, some anticiapted and many not. It's overall a good, well written story with the ability to take you into the pages, and with an uncomplicated, un-Hollywood, plot - just like real life.

I am a B.Comm. student and i found it useful as a spreadsheet program. It is fun and easy to use but if you want to hone your marketing skills get a job. The book would be better suited for high school level

The game does an excellent job of taking marketing theory, pricniples and concepts learned in text books and applying them to simulated market conditions. It is no replacement for the real world, but if you want to pratically apply theory and achieve deeper understanding this is an excellent excercise.

This is a book written as an introductory text, and thus, it contains many words in bold. If you are looking for more than bold words like "Home page", "Frame", "Icon", or "Applet", then you may wish to consider a different text.

Most importantly, the examples of good site design given by this text are bad... which makes it hard to take some of its design principles seriously. This book is for those who want to talk about web design, not do it.

This book does provide a good start for someone totally new to the "I-way" (It hurts me to type that...) as it dose deal with the basics. However, I just couldn't help but feel that most of the text was giving new, bold names (I'm talking typeface here), to concepts with which most are already familiar.

The authors of this book lead you progressively through the development of a commercially successful e-sales site that they themselves were involved in. During this, you progress methodically through the general theory and development that justify their web design.

The strength of this book lies in its range of topics and the chapters on cross-linking pages using 'information domains'. However, their documentation of a genuine commercial web site for small-medium companies has not been matched for conciseness (in my experience, please inform if wrong).

I read this book in an afternoon. This doesn't mean that the book is lightweight, just that it is well-written and gets to the point. Another bonus: this book is refreshingly free of padding; i.e. old NewYorker/Dilbert cartoons, references, glossaries, psycho-babble and large margins 'for your own notes'.

Captain Hugh North, D.C.I. is investigating a shooting in a bar in Zamboanga. A pearldiver named George Lee is dying from a wound inflicted by an unidentified American soldier. The murderer is probably from Fort Winfield on the nearby island of Sanga Sanga. Before dying Lee tells North about some lost pearls.

As an officer of the Department of Criminal Investigation, North proceeds to Fort Winfield to find the killer. Based on a description of the murderer given by witnesses, Private Paul Laval is identified by the post's commanding officer as the leading suspect. Laval claims self defense but is locked up in the fort jail.He later escapes and shortly thereafter Lt. Patrick Keene is found murdered. The killings seem to be tied to a valuable collection of pearls lost with the recent sinking of the junk Chu Shan.

This is not a spy story. It is a story about an investigation of a series of murders. In fact, North is sometimes referred to in the novel as a detective. The author gives the strong impression that he is very familiar with the Philippines and the Sulu Sea. This review refers to the original edition of THE SULU SEA MURDERS published in 1933.

Colonel Hugh North and Lieutenant Kenny Trotter are sent first to Zamboanga and then to Fort Winfield, an American guided missile base on the island of Sanga Sanga in the Sulu Sea. Their mission is to retrieve a microfilm containing the names of enemy agents still operating in the vicinity of the Philippines.

George Lee, a key aide to the deceased World War II enemy spy Arnulf Hansen, had recently been released from a Communist Chinese prison. Lee had known much about the current operatives of the Hansen spy ring who were still in the espionage business. However, Lee was murdered by an American soldier in a seedy bar in Zamboanga before North and Trotter were able to reach him.

When North and Trotter finally arrive at remote Fort Winfield, they find five senior officers and four wives whom North identifies as possible enemy agents or suspects in the murder of George Lee. In addition to the microfilm, there is also a collection of valuable pearls at stake. From this point on the story becomes one of old-fashioned detection with Colonel North playing the role of sleuth and Trotter as his admiring assistant.

The Pocket Book edition of THE SULU SEA MURDERS was completely rewritten by the author and published in 1958. An earlier version was published in 1933 for The Crime Club, Inc., by Doubleday, Doran & Company, Inc. This review was based on the 1958 edition.

The whole story was actually pretty boring. It had it's moments, but it was the worst book I read so far on Connie Mason. The main point in the story was that Blade was being discriminated beacause he was a indian and because of this, he and Shannon could not be together. And even after they had gotten married, the discrimination included Shannon. It was more on the indian heritage of being outcasted by the white society than a romance novel. I thought Shannon and Blade lusted after each other than felt any love toward each other.

This is probably my second favorite book that Connie Mason has written (only being outdone by My Lady Vixen). I honestly don't read much Connie Mason anymore because it seemed like she was just rehashing the same story over and over again, but with different names given to her characters.
She absolutely hooked me with Beyond the Herizon, and I ended up tracking down the rest of the Branigan stories. I must say Mason's novel is stylistcally different from the rest of series, but I think that is to it's credit. It's definately the best installment in the series and definately a keeper.
The story does have a serious theme thread through out the novel, in that it deals with the descrimination of Native Ameriacans towards the end of the Indian Wars. It's a beautiful story really and I definately believe that if you're a Connie Mason fan, or even if you are not, that you'll definately enjoy Blade's and Shannon's story.

A book that keeps you interested from start to finish!

Red and white, Indian and settler, male and female, they came together in a fierce clash of wills as the wagon trains rolled ever westward, following the dream of a new life . . . BEYOND THE HORIZON.

As the sheltered daughter of the once prosperous Branigan family, beautiful Shannon was ill-prepared for the rigors of the Oregon Trail, but she was still less prepared for half-breed scout, Swift-Blade. His dark eyes seemed to pierce her very soul, stripping away layers of civilization and baring her hidden longing to his savage gaze. His bronzed arms were forbidden to her, his searing kisses just a tantalizing fantasy; but as the countless miles passed beneath the wagon wheels, taking them to the heart of Indian Territory. Shannon sensed that this untamed land would give her new strength and the freedom to love the man who could fullfill her wild desire.

Don't miss the other exciting books related to Swift Blade Stryker and Shannon Branigan... PROMISED SUNRISE by Robin Lee Hatcher tells the love story between Shannon Branigan's brother Tucker Branigan; and A PROMISE OF THUNDER by Connie Mason is the love story of Swift Blade and Shannon's son Grady Stryker and Storm Kennedy.

Mallory Heart was spoiled, selfish and didn't really know that much about life in the real world. In walks Ellis Carson, a man who made his own way in the world.

Ellis touches Mallory in a way no other person has ever done. I think helps her realize you have to communicate and trust another person. Mallory doesn't really know about real love, because she was never shown real love by her mother Justine. Mallory only knew about revenge and playing hard ball. This was a wonderful story and I am glad Ms. Mason softened Mallory. When she was first introduced in her cousin Cole's story, I didn't like her at all. The only bad thing I can say was it was too short. Hopefully, the next Heart's story will be longer.

I throught there was some great scenes between Mallory and Ellis. Mallory was a rich girl who was use to having her things her way, then she meets Ellis who makes her think different about things.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of the books ever written by Ms Mason. Body and Soul was one of my favorite's but this one dedicated to Mallory Heart who made her debut in Foolish Hearts has taken center stage. I enjoyed this book basically because I knew in Foolish Heart there was more deep seated issues with Mallory that caused her to be so mean spirited. Well Ms Mason brings a story to us that forces us to see it at first hand how Mallory's life is transformed. Of course, we had to have a handsome man involved which happens to be Clint and then there is always a refree who happens to be Bailey as his job is to show Clint and Mallory the errors of their ways. This story offers us, laughter at the way Mallory keeps putting her foot in her mouth, understanding of how both the lives of Mallory and Clint are similar. They both fight hard at trying to control the feelings but in the end, well you got to read the story and find out! But Ms Mason has done a fantastic job by illustrating this story to us and what can happen when you foster deep seated feelings and the impact it can have on your life. Mallory and Clint are good for each other, the only downside is the book was TOO SHORT!

As a tot, my introduction to Santa Claus was through Clement Clarke Moore's enduring and marvelous poem 'A Visit from Saint Nicholas.' Here, Santa is a being of great mystery and wonder: he is an elf; he drives a miniature sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer; he smokes a pipe; he slips down the chimney; he carries a pack filled with toys. I have fond childhood memories of snuggling up with my brothers and sisters on a wintery eve as Mother brought the poem to life.

'Jolly Old Santa Claus' is another tale indeed. Here, Santa is the supervisor in charge of elfin productivity. Cookies are baked by the hundreds; (turn the page) trees are harvested by the hundreds; (turn the page) glass ornaments are blown by the hundreds; (turn the page) toys are made by the hundreds. Jolly Old Santa Claus is a middle class supervisor with lots and lots of job duties and responsibilities.

Sadly, there is little mystery or wonder surrounding this Santa or his circle. He's of normal adult human height and proportions, he has an office and a workshop, and - most distressing of all - he has a wife. (The presence of a 'Mrs. Claus' in any tale of Santa distastefully suggests a sex life for the great elf.)

The best illustrations in my opinion are the dustjacket cover, the half-title, the frontispiece, and the one in which Santa is harvesting trees. I recall Santa smoking a pipe but in this edition Santa is a non-smoker. (My spies tell me Santa's pipe has been edited out of this edition to make the jolly old elf acceptable for modern moms and dads. However, in the illustration of Santa in his office, a tobacco jar and an ashtray were missed by the censor and remain temptingly within Santa's reach.)

No tot needs to have his or her imaginative life scarred by meeting Santa for the first time in this book. 'Jolly Old Santa Claus' is pedestrian and a book best reserved for the older child whose imaginative life has been able to grasp adult realities like offices, assembly lines, and spouses. Moore's classic is full of wonder, unforgettable, and the still very best choice for bringing the tyke and Santa together.

The pictures in this book are amazing but this edition is a disapointment. The original editions have 2 full pages for each picture with the text on the back so it can be read to children sitting in front of you, they look at the pictures & you read. This one has the pictures shrunk to an obscenely small size with the text often taking up more of the page than the picture. Whoever did this one should be ashamed & republish the original!

I had to come see the reviews for this book. I got this book last year for Christmas from my mother. It was my oldest sons first Christmas, and it was thrilling to see they reprinted this book. I remember reading the original, a book that was owned by a Great Aunt who lent it to us ,and was returned when she has grandchildren. I remember the text being on the back, and if I am not wrong, wasn't there a picture of the elves sleeping?? The pictures seem cut up. It is wonderful to see that this book remains in some form today, however, I wish they just reprinted the original as was. It was a beautiful book and it now butchered.

One morning in 1989 gay school teacher Tom Mason unlocked his Chicago classroom and opened the door to one of the most successful mystery franchises in gay fiction--the real mystery being the apparent popularity of this implacably mediocre series.

And yet there is much to be said for Zubro's work. His plotting, though predictable, is crisp and clean, a balance of action and analysis, with all loose ends tidily knotted. Through the (currently) eight books of the series--not even counting the Paul Turner series--Zubro worked out a formula which has served him well, although his characters, ex-Viet Nam vet and high school teacher Tom Mason, and southern baseball star Scott Carpenter, never evolve. When we first meet them they have already been a couple for eight years. Scott, we are given to understand, is initially closeted, but it never puts much strain on their relationship. The differences in their personalities are never explored--possibly because there aren't any. The books are written in a passionless, simplistic style ideal for teaching English in ESL courses.

In ARE YOU NUTS?, the seventh book of the series, Tom echoes his 1989 entrance by finding a body in the school library. (No wonder the PTA is in an uproar; it probably has less to do with Tom's orientation than the fact the man is a walking health hazard, an academic Jessica Fletcher trailing death and disgrace in his wake). As usual one of Tom's closest friends and allies (there's still some alive?) is arrested for the murder, and Tom and Scott (Scott, suffering mild depression--and who could blame the guy) set off in flat-footed pursuit, following the blueprint so successfully laid down eleven years earlier.

That, eleven years after Tom Mason stumbles on his first body, there are still very few gay mystery series' probably explains the relative popularity of Zubro's books. It's interesting that this series is published by the Stonewall Inn imprint and Keith Kahla, who recently asked in "Having Our Say" why so many gays seem to have abandoned the written word? Just a clue, Keith, but possibly if publishers offered something a little more substantial in the way of genre fiction, readers might be more interested.

The value of the book as a mystery is pretty average. However, I found, as usual, the portrayal of gay characters very affirming and supportive. Especially good for gay teens or people just coming out.

They have been a happily married, faithful couple for years. Scott Carpenter is a well-known professional baseball pitcher while his spouse Tom Mason is an English teacher. They hid their sexual preference and their relationship out of fear for their careers, especially the athletic Scott. However, unable to hide any longer, they reveal their relationship to the world and to their sock and joy, most everyone supports them.

Tom and Scott begin to openly support gay rights, but soon become symbols and targets of the opponents. Things begin to turn ugly forcing Scott to hire bodyguards. Scott assumed that he, being the more public figure, would be the target if tragedy struck. Instead, while Tom is at the Human Services Clinic, a series of bombs go off destroying a whole block, killing many people. Tom is lucky to survive, but is badly injured. Scott wonders if Tom ultimately was the target. He begins his own investigation that will lead to a dangerous person with a deadly goal who will do anything to attain it.

ONE DEAD DRAG QUEEN is as much a relationship drama as it is an amateur sleuth mystery. The tale stars two heroic, realistic males trying to make the world a better place. Mark Richard Zubro has written a mystery inside the mystery. The technique can slow down a story line, but works extremely well in this plot because the author never loses sight of the main theme and ties the subplot back to it. By providing color and insight, the secondary characters are vital to the beat of the tale and lead to a special treat for readers.

As a professional geologist, I use this reference often but I have found numerous errors. An example is that the mineral Pentlandite, an important ore of nickel, is not listed in the index. A German website is compiling an errata list on this book and it is many pages long of spelling, locality, formulae and indices errors. Other complaints are: The information concerning the economic use of the minerals is too sketchy and incomplete; and the page paper is too thin and fragile.

I can't believe that John Wiley & Sons (the publisher) actually tries to sell this book as "compact". It's 1100 pages! The Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals is a much better "compact" guide. This thing should really be on CD-ROM.

I use the book almost daily while working on a large mineral collection. It is up to date and comprehensive with valuable references to localities. The book is fragile with thin pages so must be used with care. It should be published as a CD ROM.

Where do I start? Poor maps, chaotic organization or boring writing? Or perhaps ugly, poor quality photographs (except cover which is really nice - this is the trademark feature of this honest publisher, which is only [inexpensive] as far as publishing costs are concerned, without bothering to reduce the price of the book itself).

There are countries where Lonely Planet does a very good job (in West Africa, I would be lost without them), but oh my God how they can mess up things elsewhere! Kyoto is one of them.

With so many good guides to Japan available (Eyewitness, Frommer, Fodor, even Rough Guide, for goodness sake), why bother with Lonely Planet? Well, probably because many readers feel that they have a spiritual affiliation with this seemingly hippy-ish, seemingly anti-Capitalist, seemingly slightly rebellious serious of guides. I can only imagine how they are laughing - this lean and mean publishing house, an efficient money-making machine, being funded by mostly a naive bunch of tree-huggers.

If you feel good because you identify their sandal-wearing image, go and buy this book, by all means. This is only an image, a marketing tool - clever publishing people are laughing all the way to the bank. However, do not expect to have the best available travel advice. Usually LP guides are praised by those who have not read anything else.

A few years ago we discovered Lonely Planet travel guides. They have been a staple of every trip ever since. The Kyoto book was no exception.

The major highlights of this book include:
- Great walking tours
- Fun listings of out of the way places
- Interesting history and background
- Good tips and recommendations for everything from getting around on the subway (complete with a handy map), to reliable restaurant recommendations.
- Restaurant & place names written in Japanese in the book. Even if you don't read Japanese, this was very handy for doing symbol comparison to make sure you were in the right place.

Lonely Planet guides are really excellent for helping you see the sights that not everyone else is seeing, and to help you get more out of the culture you are visiting. The authors have a good sense of humor and seem to aim towards a slightly more liberal and adventurous audience.

On their own, I found both the guide and the maps very helpful (although I do agree with the other reviewers that the varied orientation and scaling of the maps could occasionally be disorienting). However, when attempting to cross reference these I often got frustrated. Many of the references to maps in the guide were just wrong (wrong map listed), and many things just weren't on the maps. Similarly, many things on the maps were difficult or impossible to locate in the guide. Example: "We need to find a restaurant near were we are right now. Oh look, here's one a block away. I wonder what type of food they have?....... Hmmm...I can't find it...." I know Lonely Planet knows how to do this effectively (see the Condensed guide to Tokyo as an example), it was just frustrating that they did not apply that knowledge to this book.

As the title indicated, this book is reasonably priced and practical. It does a very good job in introducing the history of Kyoto and the local custom. This is not only useful for traveling but also for gaining a better understanding of an interesting and graceful culture. The book also covers widely all of the points of interest, which includes a good selection of hotels and restaurants. One weakness of the book is the organization. The book separates places of interest and maps into two different section and this makes it difficult to cross reference. You have to make your own plans in connecting all the interesting places into one walk. It would be better if the book can organize a few walking tours that allow us to visit all the highlights.