Neither significantly worse nor better than the other books in the series, this seventh and concluding volume of THE INVISIBLES is of a piece with the work as a whole. Throughout the series, Morrison's references to -- and excursions into -- Gnosticism, Aliester Crowleyian occultism, William Burroughs-type language viruses, general pop culture, '60's psychedelia, drugs, chaos magic, Mexican mysticism, and your odd British politician threaten to weigh the story down through sheer preposterousness, like a really long novel by Thomas Pynchon or Robert Anton Wilson. But invariably the narrative pulls through and proceeds to get entertaining.

Fortunately, Morrison parcels the obfuscating seven-volume meta-story out to readers in digestible chunks, usually in four-chapter story snippets. INVISIBLE KINGDOM contains three such snippets, and a final chapter that shows the characters decades in the future (albeit in typically hallucinatory fashion).

My favorite stories from the series include the first 4 chapters of SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION (where Jack Frost is initiated into the Barbelo), the single-chapter story "Royal Monster" from APOCALIPSTICK (where the guy has to feed that creature behind the mirror), Lord Fanny's biography tale (also from APOCALIPSTICK), and the 3-part title sequence from ENTROPY IN THE U.K (which deals with King Mob's interrogation).

Several colorful characters, particularly King Mob, Lord Fanny, Jack Frost, foxy Ragged Robin, and repugnant little Mister Quimper, kept me reading through even the most annoyingly byzantine passages of the series. However, I could have done without the wearisome Marquis de Sade altogether. Also, I don't think the time travel aspect was necessary to the story: I would think the idea of Ragged Robin writing herself into a piece of fiction could have been handled without the time-warping aspects, which only added to the confusion. And I wasn't completely clear on the significance of Jack Frost's Messianic status, which is hinted at throughout the series but not resolved to my satisfaction in the final volume. Also, I've completely lost track of the significance of that green hand.

Of course, I can recommend this last volume only to those readers who have read the previous six; you really don't want to pick this story up at the end. I can certainly recommend the whole series, however. This sort of thing has been done in books before (Pynchon, R.A. Wilson, and Philip K. Dick being examples) but not, I think, in comics.

This seventh and final collection unites nearly all the past characters and story archs into a grand unified theory of metaphysics (an explanation of the nature of the world- and what lies beyond it.) In fact, it ties together some loose story threads that I had given up on entirely. It reads like a teflon-coated bullet; what isn't action packed is shocking, what isn't shocking is arousing, and what isn't arousing is an intellectual roller coaster. If you read it through in one sitting like I did, you are going to need a bottle of aspirin....

There is some pretty deep philosophical stuff imbedded in here. I recognised concepts on the true nature of time that could have come right out of Ouspensky. In fact, that's what the whole grand opera seems to be leading up to here- Morrison is trying to shake us out of our complacent sleep walking and open us up to looking behind the accepted "reality" of things. This can lead to either individual transcendence, or, as Morrison seems to speculate, it can lead to a leap in evolution for the entire species. You see, all the strange and unexplainable stuff that is breaking into our world these days are just the growing pains of an expanded consciousness. Larval man is about to break through the veil, enmass. What is terrifying to us now will later be seen as aspects of reality that were only temporarily frightening because of their newness and strangeness. Even opposites unite at the next higher level.

My only criticism is with the unevenness of the artwork. With so many pencillers and inkers working on the project you lose consistency. You can go from an almost photographic level of draftsmanship in one section, to cartoonish caricature in the next. That can distract from the smooth flow of the story line.

Oh yes, and if you get to Benares- don't drink the water....

I bought 'Say You Want a Revolution' for a dollar at a used bookstore just for the hell of it, after which feeling as though a Roman might have if a bird landed on his shoulder. I was confused, amazed, mystified, and overjoyed.

I've accumulated all of the editions since and feel immensely satisfied with the world. These books mind you are not for people who need a quick fix; they require both time and intense introspection.

This final book answered most of my questions and those that it didn't I'm delighted to answer on my own, happy they were posed to me. The book is read best as the Book of Changes is, with personal meaning and associations. If you try to read it in a linear style, you'll fail.

As for criticism, I have no pertinent ones. The artwork is spectacular, appropriate for the stories. I try not to associate the story with authors that influenced Morrison for I read into their frailties rather than enjoying the book in a pure form.

I cannot describe the book, nor it's meaning without betraying the message in it, so if you have an open mind buy it, steal it, photocopy it...whatever. All the people that say that the books could change your life are quite right.

As a final warning: Don't read them with preconceived notions. They have absolutely no place here, nor will you be able to find them when you're done.

Altogether, a very good collection. Not just single-sided -- I noticed both Roe v. Wade and a recent pro-life speech, for example.

To correct the earlier post... this book DOES include all Constitutional amendments. What may have confused jraven is the fact that the amendments are grouped in chronological "chunks"... one for the 18th century, one for the 19th century, etc.

Along with the unfortunate (and surprising) lack of an appendix, the chronological ordering of the documents makes it a little more difficult to trace a common theme (e.g. individual rights). But grouping documents together with others of their period makes it easier to grasp the historical context of a given speech.

And somehow, the fact that it's in paperback makes it a little less intimidating to read.

I plan to get a copy for each of my kids, next.

This book is a wonderfully complete anthology of the writings and spoken words that have shaped America - its ideas, its culture and its politics - from the earliest colonial settlements in Virginia and New England through to the present day.

In the aftermath of the September 2001 catastrophe in New York and the related tragedies in Washington and Pennsylvania, this book will be of outstanding value to Americans as they refresh their sense of identity and renew their familiarity with the core values that they share with their friends around the globe.

In speaking of America's friends, we British will not be alone in finding strength and inspiration in this remarkable body of thought and expression. However it is you Americans who have most to gain by re-discovering the spoken and written words of the foundational geniuses of your national spirit.

Take the opportunity now to read or re-read the Declaration of Independence - the moment of your birth as a nation. Remind yourselves what your Constitution actually says, and rejoice in your astonishing Bill of Rights (we have neither in the UK).

Draw strength from the righteousness and resolve of the heroic characters in your history. It may be fashionable to discount the epic poems about (say) Miles Standish and Paul Revere as divorced from the reality of their lives, but that is to miss the point. Revere's importance is not so much in what he historically did, as in the light that his legend sheds on the American character. It was in fact in these embellished accounts that the great poets most truly captured the spirit of the American people and passed the snapshots on for posterity.

There is so much more here - too much to list. The book contains all the most important documents, essays, sermons, speeches ("Give me liberty, or give me death!"), poems and songs that have shaped America's view of itself and of the world. So much more than just a civics text, this is a brilliantly selected and edited encapsulation of the U.S. identity.

Over the next few months, America is going to begin rebuilding its faith in God and its faith in itself. That is going to involve reflection on the successes and the mistakes of the past, and a rediscovery of the core values that America has built itself on (and to a large extent passed on to the world). In that process, "The Patriot's Handbook" can be of incalculable value.

America's friends should read it. Even America's enemies should read it - they might find understanding and the hope of reconciliation. Every American should own it.

Most people, (me included - until I read this book),are most likely unaware of many of the documents contained in this book. Writers from Christopher Columbus through Alan Keyes are featured. They discuss what they were thinking when they helped form our nation. Many of our greatest documents are contained. If for nothing else this is a great resource book to have in the house. I am a radio talk show host at Newsradio 780 KOH in Reno (www.therustyshow.com)and have used this book often for my show. It is FANTASTIC!!

Much insight on the band on and off stage. And Peter Grant, this brilliant and threataning manager is brought out from behind the shadows and emerges as a pivotal individual in rock history.

Simply a fascinating man, who was just as human as you or I. If he made any errors, the worst in his life were hiring John Bindon onto his security staff, and marrying a woman who was not a "single man woman.". I also now understand why he was referred to as the "fifth member of the Band".

The Book is very informative and thorough. The only problem I had with the book is that Welch even considered using Richard Cole as a source of information. That cost him one star. I also don't like the photographs of Peter giving us the finger. That almost cost him another star.

...by Chris Welch, and this time on the heavy-hitting mananger behind Led Zeppelin: Peter Grant. Despite a few glaring factual errors, such as the story behind Swan Song's (Zeppelin's vanity 70's record label)logo, and a few typos this is another good Welch-penned Zeppelin effort. Being a big fan of the band I was very surprised on the chapters devoted to the group's film Song Remains The Same, and their devastating 1977 US tour. These chapters alone are worth your time and money. This book, S. Davis'Hammer Of The Gods, and Richard Cole's Stairway To Heaven, read back to back will tell you all you'll need to know about the best hard rock band the world has ever known: Led Zeppelin!

I really appreciated this book. Chris Welsh has been one of the greatest insiders of Led Zeppelin and provides numberless details about Peter and his relation with the band. I liked very much the info that came from interviews with people related, like Mickie Most, Allan Callan, Ed Bricknell and Warren Grant, among others.
The book also has the merit of being original on a very worn out subject. Indeed a very good buy for both Zep die-hards and neophites.

I purchased this book hoping to fill the void that the passing of James Herriot has left. Grant Kendall's book falls far short of the warm, touchable, expansive writing style of James Herriot. Reading about a day in the life of vet Grant Kendall, I got the feeling that it's just business for him. He describes heart-wrenching situations with a detachment that I find disappointing. While certainly he does no harm to the animals that he serves, his means of expression does not clearly convey that he embraces them with the good brotherly grace of James Herriot. If you are looking to feel good while reading about animals, consider passing this book by. The author provides one painful story without leaving the reader with a speck of hope. That story haunts me still... And incidentally, he *hates* cows.

I was very sad when James Herriott died, knowing that there would be no more beautiful stories to read. Then along came Grant Kendall! He's funny, articulate, engaging, and a lovely writer. MORE, please!

This is a must read for cabin fever.The stories are short and very humorous.I didnt put it down until I read the last page.

When I first started reading the presented story in this collection (it collects 'Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1-4') my interest was sparked. It all started off rather promising and seemed to be something more than your average Batman tale. Jeremiah Arkham is an interesting character and Arkham Asylum is a scene with great potential for psycho-thriller storylines (take for example "Arkham Asylum" by Grant Morisson). It's too bad that when the story was half done, in a good way, it seemed to shift over as if on automatic pilot. It then evolved into a cliche Batman-knows-all-and-hunts-down-the-crook story of which we have so many already.

A short intro to know what it's about a little:
In Arkham Asylum, Gotham City's nutthouse for the criminally insane, we find a rather unexpected inhabitant, Batman. He was put there because he went berserk and lethally attacked an officer. This because of his frustrations about not knowing what to do in the multiple-murdercase he's trying to figure out. All the clues lead to only one person, Zsasz, but he is already in Arkham Asylum and has been there all the while the murders took place. Batman is puzzled and him being locked up doesn't seem to help too.

Like I said, it all starts off rather promising and intriguing. But it lacks an evenly interesting conclussion and instead just hops over on an already paved path. The art is not spectacularly good either, but it's sufficient. It's only painfully obvious that the artist mostly concentrated on making Batman look good, and hurried a little doing the rest of the panel. Fans of Nightwing will not appreciate how he looks here. And a thing I don't mind easy is something which bugs me more than a little in this book: the coloring is .. let's just say "not good". It looks a little like the colorist really wanted to do it with other colors but that they weren't there right then, and than just opted for the next best thing.
All in all it isn't exactly the worst Batman story imaginable, but it isn't good or bringing something new to the character neither. If you're looking for a good Batman story than you could get it if you have most of all the other modern day Batman stories already. If you don't you'd rather get something like 'Prey','Faces','Knightfall (collected in two trades)','Joker: Devil's Advocate' or one of the more obvious choices like 'Long Halloween', 'Year One' or 'Return of the Dark Knight' which are all superior to this.

One of the finest pieces of graphic literature the Batman storyline have spawned during the 90s, 'The Last Arkham' was the storyline that made up the four first issues of 'Shadow Of The Bat' in 1992. Written by the spectacular Alan Grant and drawn by Norm Breyfogle, 'The Last Arkham' goes far beyond the quality and subject matter usually found in the monthly comics, and reminds me of those wonderful days of Dennis O'Neil and Neil Adams in the 80s. Resisting the urge to use any of Batman's classic foes, Grant did the impossible here: He created two new 'classic' characters - Jeremiah Arkham and Mr. Zsasz, both of whom are fascinating characters and were used often in the Batman comics since - not an easy task after fifty years of Batman comics.

Like the best of Batman stories, 'The Last Arkham' creates a good mix of action, suspense and some criminal psychology - I wouldn't call it deep, Jeremiah Arkham's behaviorism theories, but it's highly intelligent and well written. Commissioner Gordon and Nightwing play important parts. The lead villain, Mr. Zsasz, is a great creation, and since he's not an established enough character to make for a good one-on-one story, the rest of the rogue gallery are thrown into the mix to make some nice scenes in the asylum as well as the terrific action scene in the beginning of part four. The storyline and dialogue are sharp and mature.

The artwork is basically standard, but at that it's terrific: Under the flat coloring, Breyfogle's linework is superb. The page compositions are fantastic; I especially loved the very last page of part four.

Highly recommended for Batman fans, a terrific book to add to your collection.

The thing I found so interesting about Last Arkham was the insight that was provided into the inmates at Arkham. Especially when put under the cruel fist of Jeremiah Arkham. Breyfogles art is (as usual) clean and crisp with a gritty darkness few artists are capable of. Of course Grant provides a fantastic story to match. Particularly interesting is the Jeremiah Arkham/Zsazz interview, which reminisces the reader to Silence of the Lambs. A truly excellent read - highly recommended.

The book was very informative, but to me not entirely realistic--not all the characters are very likeable. Also, I found the children in the book improbably precocious. While I think most children could handle the material, some may be upset by it.

I read this book at the age of 10, and it meant a lot for me. My friend had surgery for a heart murmer and I was comforted reading this because I knew what she was going through. This book is a great book for anyone, young or old because it has a great plot and even if you have never been in a hospital, it's easy to relate to.

When I was born, I had a heart murmer (what that girl had in the book) and when i was about 1 month it closed. This book has taught me a lot about the heart problem.

Gene Smith's Lee And Grant was a well-written documentation of the lives of these Civil War generals. The way the book was set up kept it interesting and almost fun to read. The format was such that consecutive chapters paralleled each man's life. For instance the first chapter pertained to Lee's father and his childhood while the second chapter was about Grant's Father and childhood. One warning I have to potential readers: this is a great book for those interested in the Civil War and these two men. If one doesn't have any interest in the topic, then this book is not for them. There aren't and underlying driving plots or surprises that make the book suspenseful. This is a historical piece highlighting two great men in our country's history. It's a great book for those who want to read specifically about these two men, not for a reader just looking for a book to read.

I enjoyed this book very much. The contrast between Grant (who led a hard scrabble life, even resorting to selling firewood by the side of the road to make a living) and Lee (perhaps the greatest man of the South) and Grant's triumph was a great story. You get a great introduction to the Civil War, even though there is a focus on the Virginia campaign because this is a biography of these two men, not an overall history of the Civil War. Highly recommended.

I was enthralled by the unique view that this book afforded. I have read many histories of the Civil War from many perspectives. This is the first time that I was introduced to these two pivotal historical figures from the human side. The juxtaposition of each of them to the other was very helpful to put the time and sequences of the war into perspective and give true scale to all that happened.

A well-written, clear, and perfectly adequate introduction to the life and thought of John Boyd, arguably the most influential American military thinker of modern times.

Coram's BOYD is the "good read", this one's for the student and theorist.

Curiously, some of the anecdotes involving Boyd's life differ completely from Coram's volume, e.g., the events surrounding the birth of Energy Maneuverability at Georgia Tech. I'm inclined to give the nod to Hammond here on the grounds that his versions tend to make more sense.

Although unquestionably an admirer of Boyd, Hammond's assessment is reasonable and balanced-he's quite open about Boyd's manifest flaws, his willful eccentricity above all, and makes it clear that Boyd was far from alone in his efforts to better the U.S. military.

There's a solid discussion of the OODA cycle, probably Boyd's greatest insight and most effective contribution to tactical thought (as the Republican Guard recently discovered). Hammond carries out preliminary work in placing Boyd's concept among those of other military thinkers, in particular Clausewitz, which is valuable if not as detailed as it might have been. He shows little familiarity with Asian strategists, many of whom were direct influences on Boyd's thought. (e.g., Miyamoto Mushashi: "In strategy there are various timing considerations. From the outset you must know the applicable timing and the inapplicable timing, and from among the large and small things and the fast and slow timings find the relevant timing... It is especially important to know the background timing, otherwise your strategy will become uncertain." -["A Book of Five Rings", Harris translation, P. 48.] How's that for your Boyd Cycle! )

In Hammond's eyes, Boyd was a synthesist, applying previously isolated bits and pieces of knowledge to construct an overarching theory. A serious analysis of Boyd's work would require familiarity not only with strategy, but with quantum physics, modern clinical psychology, management theory, and half a dozen other equally arcane disciplines. To fully understand Boyd, one might be required to become Boyd!

One annoying note is Hammond's dismissal of Ronald Reagan's attempts to rebuild the military (something also found in Coram), implying that Boyd shared this loathing. If any actual evidence of this exists, I'd like to see it.

Finally, though he fails to make note of it, Hammond makes it quite apparent that Boyd was, above all else, a phenomenon better known in the East than our hemisphere. He was a sensei, a master, one who teaches arcane and difficult knowledge to a select group of followers, who then move on to teach others. This explains so much about Boyd-the almost medieval loyalty he inspired (even among people who never met him, as Gerald Martin points out about Coram in his insightful review of BOYD), his penchant for using the briefing as a teaching tool, the unwillingness to fit into any organization, the wandering from post to post, even the cheap and ragged clothes!

The sensei approach has its flaws (among them the master's unfitness for family life) sensei rarely do well at writing, which explains why Boyd never progressed with his magnum opus, "Creation and Destruction". This tends to throw the teachings into the hands of interpreters, some of whom may be less than capable. There's a danger that Boyd's thought might become Californized, in much the same way that the perfectly legitimate scientific field of quantum mechanics was rendered unrecognizable by various New Agers in the 70s and 80s.

But Hammond is not one of these. We need more--a carefully edited and annotated edition of the Green Book, to start with. (not to mention the tantalizing question: is there a videotape?) But we'll be discussing Boyd for a long time to come. Hammond's book is a fine introduction. It'll be awhile before we see better.

While I find it hard to disagree with some of the comments in the previous reviews, I would suggest that describing this as hagiographical is to criticize Hammond's performance of a job that he never undertook. The Mind of War, strictly speaking, is not a biography of John Boyd. It is better described as a presentation and discussion of Boyd's ideas. A person who is interested in learning about both Boyd's life and his ideas should read Robert Coram's book Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War along with The Mind of War. Grant Hammond has written a very important book. John Boyd's preferred form of communication was the military brief and, as a result, his ideas are virtually undocumented. Hammond had the opportunity to know and work with Boyd for six years and, to a significant degree, has written the book that Boyd never did.

Grant Hammond has written a long-overdue book on Col. John P. Boyd, USAF, the man who was the American genius behind maneuver war. Unfortunatley for Boyd, being a amverick thinker, he was shunned by his service. Fortunately for America, others, especially the US Marine Corps, listened to Boyd and incorpoated his theory into their doctrine of manuever warfare. America is safer because of this man's vision, and Hammond brings the man and his accoplishments to the light of the public-- atlong last.

An intriguing view into a possible future for Earth. Grant Macaw creates a future full of interesting characters, challenges and ethical questions--once you get started you won't want to put this book down.

I love this book. I was especially impressed with the science involved. One portion, (I am ashamed to say) made me cry. I can't wait for the next book. I hope there is a next book. This story begs to be continued.

You can't beat this story for keeping your attention. If you look hard enough, you can see the thread of some contemporary human problems addressed. The characters are what hold you and the story line can make you think (even if it does hurt your brain). But the ending puts the capstone to the book. It was unexpected...who are these people of the future, anyway? Even in the future, all is not what it seems and what we think we know about ourselves may not be what we need to know.

One wouldn't want to be stranded on a nearly deserted island with this heroine. Nor should anyone rely upon Elizabeth MacPherson's detective skills - it takes 3 murders, a pseudo-suicide and several casualities before she solves the mystery. Furthermore, the Elizabeth/Cameron "romance" looks like a dysfunctional family prototype. But, if you take the lighthearted fare as offered, it's still an enjoyable journey and a pretty good read. The unabridged audio recording (read by Davinia Porter and Ian Stuart) doesn't quite do the trick, Elizabeth with a British accent? Mr. Stuart seems clueless, but with little or no charm at all. Somewhat strident in tone, and not a particularly good pairing of readers and books.

Elizabeth MacPherson is a delightful, clever lady who is a very likable character. She does not pretend to have full knowledge and she does not come across as being pretentious. She also has a nice sense of humor. Like all the books that feature her, this one also has that nice, light touch that will certainly evoke laughter. Sharyn McCrumb has a delightfully lyric voice and she breathes life and freshness into her characters. This is a book I would gladly recommend to anyone. This is excellent.

This book was excellent. I actually felt the dread of the Scottish Island. The characters were believable and the book is easily read.