It seems like every really, really good book about Japan has the name Kodansha on it. That has become the mark of quality that I look for.

"Gateway to Japan (Kodansha Guide)" continues the trend. It is easily the best guidebook on Japan that I have seen. Each region is well outlined, with sites of interest highlighted and places to eat and places to stay ranked on a five star system. The maps are hard to read due to their size, and a larger map to accompany the guidebook is a "must have."

Of special notice is the brief history of Japan included, as well as some pithy cultural notes and explanations. Several cities's histories are examined as well. I found all of the additional information very helpful.

My friend and I bought this in a Tokyo bookstore during our trip. We had come equipped with a Lonely Planet guide, but found its perpetual bad attitude a huge drag.

The locations described range from standard tourist attractions to out of the way treasures that give the traveller a comprehensive sense of Japan. We used this guide as we travelled all over Honshuu (the main island)to several famous large (i.e. Tokyo, Kyoto) and small lesser-known cities (i.e. Kakunodate, Dewasanzan). The book gave us indispensible insight into each city, and attracted us to incredible places we no doubt would never have seen if we stuck with Lonely Planet.

The book includes housing accomodation and food recommendations, with valuable cultural information for each town.

I highly recommend this book for its thoughtful and detailed representation of Japan. The information was accurate and helpful, both for basic survival purposes and for a greater historical and cultural context for each town.

Quite simply the best guidebook I have found on Japan. I bought my copy 10 years ago and I am still using it today. Most other 10 year old guidebooks would have been garbage by now but Gateway to Japan remains timeless because the historical and cultural information on Japan is so well written it can be used as a mini introductory text book on Japan. Besides, historical information doesn't change that much with time.

I also found the decision to use photographs sparingly in the guide book an ingenious decision. I have seen too many people decide whether to visit a site based on a crummy photo in their crummy guidebook. In my experiences with other guidebooks, very often good pics make bad places look good and bad pics make good places look bad. Better to describe all the sites in words as accurately as possible and let the reader visualize his or her own preconceptions before the travel. This is what makes Gateway to Japan so good a guide.

The original paranormal investigators are back! This is the book that got me started in the realm of Sci-Fi/Fantasy. I have owned 3 copies of this book over the years and have allowed friends to borrow and lose every copy. Now, I can finally enjoy the story that got me started on my literary journey.

Well, perhaps that is a little strong, but it did influence my choice about creating a convention persona. I personally own 5 copies of this book that I spent hundreds of hours scouring used book stores for. Now Nick has republished it! WONDERFUL! It is a very interesting story about a team of special US Government agents who work for Bureau 13, a super-secret agency charged with protecting America from Supernatural and Alien threats. The team consists of an Ex-Private Investigator, a Catholic Priest, a weapons specialist, a martial artist, a Mage, and a Psionic. They work together to save the world from an ancient threat that has lain dormant in the ocean for thousands of years. The book is written in a refreshing tongue-in-cheek style. You might be saying to yourself, "Why this is just Men in Black meets Ghostbusters" but you would be wrong. Bureau 13 predates both of these two excellent movies by many years.

I would definitely suggest purchasing this book.

This book is just plain funny. As the inside cover blurb says, "X-Files meets the Marx Brothers". Not only is it a funnier version of Men-in-Black (which it predates) but it is a spoof on all those action-adventure titles, usually part of a series with names like "The Eliminator" or the "The Eraser". If you like your conspiracy theories laced with a strong dose of humor, try Bureau 13.

While reading the love letters and notes Nicholas and Alexandra wrote to each other both before and throughout their marriage I couldn't help thinking how modern day psychologists would probably label their relationship "obsessive and codependent." Even so, I found this intimate glimpse into the lives of Nicholas, Alexandra, their children, relatives, friends, courtiers, civil servants and even their assassins, most enthralling. But the book is not your so-called 'page turner'. I lingered over each page and even tagged favorite parts and quotes or cross-references with Post-it notes. This is history revealed from within the very heart of the experience. So much so, I at times had the eery sense of actually being present while the words I was reading in print were first being written in longhand or punched out a letter at a time with stubby childish fingers on an early-model typewriter. Except I don't happen to believe in reincarnation. I just think this is history presented the way it should be, through the words of the people who lived it. These people expressed themselves quite well and need no theorist's interpretation of their writing or intentions. Reading this book is not unlike going off into your grandparent's attic and finding all these letters and pictures you never knew existed and losing track of time as you untie the ribbon around the bundle of love letter and discover while reading them how half your family came into being. Only in the case of Nicholas and Alexandra I had a problem with the fact I already knew what the end was and I didn't want to get to it. The people I met in this book tugged at my heart and mind so much I desperately wanted for there to have been a mistake and learn that they had in fact escaped from Ipatiev house and lived out their lives in comfortable exile on the Isle or Jersey or in the south of France. And then I had to ask myself, would I even be here reading about them if they had lived? The lives and deaths of the Romanovs affected so many people it is difficult to fathom what the impact of their remaining alive might have been. And I think it's pointless to speculate despite the fact so many people built whole lives around pretending to be survivors of that hideous execution. Much better to enjoy the memory of what they really left that was inspired and wonderful, learn from their numerous mistakes, grieve their loss and go on to reading about other aspect of history. You see, the real danger that comes of reading this book is the fact you can easily become as addicted to rereading it as Alexandra was obsessed with trying to find a cure for her son's hemophilia, or find ways to spend more time alone with her husband. Then I shudder in realizing how she did indeed get her wish in the end, though certainly not in the way she wanted to.

I have just spent two engrossing months with the Romanov family in Russia, savoring each word in this incredible collection of letters, memoirs, diaries, and other historical documents. What an amazing story, a real-life Greek tragedy, but one filled with so much hope, faith, and love! As a fan of Russian culture and history, it was easy to fall in love with this book. However, I think that it could be enjoyed by anyone who has a passion for his family, his faith, or his country. There are beautiful love letters, revealing diary entries, international secret telegrams, and chilling memoirs of murderers. This book captures almost every emotion humanly possible, and I experienced the full range while reading it. There are parts that will make you laugh out loud, cry out loud, and parts where you'll want to go back in time and warn the characters as you see them walking right into mistakes that will ultimately contribute to their downfall.

Besides Tsar Nicholas and the Tsarina Alexandra, this book details the lives of many other fascinating characters who are not as well-known. I felt a connection with Alix's older sister Ella, and I was especially attached to the sensitive KR and his constant struggles with his faith. And I felt disgust for Prince Yusopov, while at the same time understanding his desire to protect the royal family from their attraction to religious charlatans. Obviously, there is no surprise ending to this book. Still, it is gripping up to the very last page and the lives I gained insight on will be with me for a long time.

A Lifelong Passion is, at its heart, a magnificent love story, made all the richer because, unlike most love stories, it is rooted in absolute truth. Although the dynamics of the relationship between Nicholas and wife, Alexandra, are quite complex, there is no doubt that they adored each other and their five beautiful children. Politics aside, the heart of their life lay in the family. And this was a fmaily undivided. They shared everything: their joys, sorrows, tragedies, fears, triumphs, and ultimately, their tragic and untimely deaths.

A Lifelong Passion is not a work of fiction. The authors have meticulously researched the diaries and letters of both Nicholas and Alexandra and their children, then created a compilation that reads like a passionate thriller. We really come to know the Romanovs as well as those close to them: the brothers and sisters of Tsar Nicholas, the Dowager Empress Marie, Kaiser Wilhelm, Queen Victoria, and others.

A Lifelong Passion is also a portrait of the decline of a dynasty, seen through the eyes of those who lived it. Filled with political plots and intrigue, the book serves as a sweeping panorama of the last days of the Russian Empire. We get to know Imperial Russia "firsthand" and I found myself thoroughly engrossed.

A Lifelong Passion is a long book, yet it is never boring. The pace never slows and our desire to know more never ends. Ultimately, the book ends in a tragedy made all the greater because we have come to know the victims so very well. Whether you agree or disagree with the politics of Tsar Nicholas II, whether you like or dislike the people involved, you can't help but feel you've come to know them, and their tragic demise causes you to grieve.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's a love story as poignant as The Thorn Birds, as panoramic in scope as Doctor Zhivago. A timeless classic filled with history, tragedy and love. Highly recommended!

[This is a review of the Penguin edition dual-volume of 'Prisoner' and 'Rupert']

I've long been a fan of Errol Flynn swashbucklers and the classic works of prolific (and unjustly forgotten) Rafael Sabatini, but if you want the greatest swashbuckler novel of them all, Anthony Hope's "The Prisoner of Zenda" is a classic you'll come back to again and again: over a hundred years after being written, it's still as sharp as a rapier point.

"The Prisoner of Zenda" is something of a rarity: a Victorian adventure novel that is as fresh and entertaining to read in this modern jaded age as it was in 1894. If you've ever seen one of the many movie adaptations you already know the story: Rudolf Rassendyll, an Englishman vacationing in the tiny European country of Ruritania, meets and befriends the soon-to-be-crowned King Rudolf--his exact and identical double. When the King is kidnapped by the dastardly Black Michael, Rassendyll must impersonate the King in the coronation ceremony...and in the heart of the Queen. Hope's handling of the romance between Rassendyll and Queen Flavia is both a daring and romantic love story and a subtle examination of the meaning of honor and duty to a gentleman. Of course there's plenty of swordplay and derring-do along the way (put on an Erich Korngold CD while reading for the best effect). If Tom Clancy was writing this one, there'd be nuclear weapons instead of swords and email instead of telegrams, but even he couldn't pull off the simple but subtle romantic story and the triumphant but poignant ending.

I recommend this Penguin edition especially because unlike any other editions of "The Prisoner of Zenda" currently available, it also contains Hope's lesser but still worthy sequel "Rupert of Hentzau," which brings Rassendyll back to Ruritania years later to match wits and swords with Michael's henchman, bringing an end to the saga so satisfyingly that there's no need for a third adventure. I loved both but would definitely rank "Rupert" a level below "Prisoner": "Rupert" is narrated by Fritz, the faithful royal retainer from "Prisoner," and suffers from much of the action taking place outside Fritz's personal view and being retold later on. Still, it's a stunning and emotional end to the story, and one which'll bring a proper tear to your eye. Like Rudolf of Ruritania, Anthony Hope is a king...of adventure novels. Unlike Rudolf, he has no equal.

I've long been a fan of Errol Flynn swashbucklers and the classic works of the prolific (and unjustly forgotten) Rafael Sabatini, but if you want the greatest swashbuckler novel of them all, Anthony Hope's "The Prisoner of Zenda" is a classic you'll come back to again and again: over a hundred years after being written, it's still as sharp as a rapier point.

"The Prisoner of Zenda" is something of a rarity: a Victorian adventure novel that is as fresh and entertaining to read in this modern jaded age as it was in 1894. If you've ever seen one of the many movie adaptations you already know the story: Rudolf Rassendyll, an Englishman vacationing in the tiny European country of Ruritania, meets and befriends the soon-to-be-crowned King Rudolf--his exact and identical double. When the King is kidnapped by the dastardly Black Michael, Rassendyll must impersonate the King in the coronation ceremony...and in the heart of the Queen. Hope's handling of the romance between Rassendyll and Queen Flavia is both a daring and romantic love story and a subtle examination of the meaning of honor and duty to a gentleman. Of course there's plenty of swordplay and derring-do along the way (put on an Erich Korngold CD while reading for the best effect). If Tom Clancy was writing this one, there'd be nuclear weapons instead of swords and email instead of telegrams, but even he couldn't pull off the simple but subtle romantic story and the triumphant but poignant ending.

If you enjoy this, you'll also want to read Hope's worthy sequel "Rupert of Hentzau," which brings Rassendyll back to Ruritania years later to match wits and swords with Michael's henchman, bringing an end to the saga so satisfyingly that there's no need for a third adventure. I loved both but would definitely rank "Rupert" a level below "Prisoner": "Rupert" is narrated by Fritz, the faithful royal retainer from "Prisoner," and suffers from much of the action taking place outside Fritz's personal view and being retold later on. Still, it's a stunning and emotional end to the story, and one which'll bring a proper tear to your eye. Like Rudolf of Ruritania, Anthony Hope is a king...of adventure novels. Unlike Rudolf, he has no equal.

I loved Anthony Hope's style and imagination while reading this book. It portrays the good-guy, bad-guy scenerio as we all wish it to be. Many tricky and devious criminals sceme against the King and and his little-known double, Rudolph Rassendyl.
The night before his coranation, the King is poisoned by his brother, and Rudolph must take his place at the coranation. But afterwards, when Rudolph and the King's servants come back to return the King to his thrown; he is gone.
Rudolph is now trapped as the King of Ruritania, with mixed feelings on whether to rescue the King. In the end Rudolph makes the right choice and rescues his king from his brother, the duke. After his show of heroism, he is quickly forgotten and returns to his normal life.
In the end Anthony Hope's description of the characters and misfortune leaves you begging for more and in the sequal, the characters return to finish the dispute once and for all.

Nick Clapp put together myth, archeology, technical locating devices, and theological research to compose a fascinating story of desert intrigue, history, religion, and archeology. Mr. Clapp knew that in every myth or oral tradition was a kernal of truth. He carried us along on his invetigative adventure and helped us find those kernals, in the process, he weaved an exciting tale. I couldn't put his book down and I want more of Mr. Clapp's Middle East investigations put into books. I love this book!

This is one of the best books I read in 1998. The story is fascinating. The author beginning the story with how he gained interest in the subject sets the stage & reels you in. the details capture your attention. He reviews a 500 year map drawn by a monk & discovers the latitude/longitude numbers were switched. Therefore this map & all other maps copied off it to modern times are wrong...the city is in a different location. the part of the book dealing with being in the middle east & the dig, brings archaeology to life. I enjoyed reading an account of a person who isn't a scientist. It was like taking part in an Indiana Jones movie.

It wouldn't surprise me if a hollywood producer (Steven Spielberg perhaps?) decided to make a movie of this fantastic book--it's got adventure, mystery, discovery, a lost city, and interesting characters. And to top it off, it's absolutely true! This real-life "Indiana Jones" adventure will draw you in and not let go until the very last page. It's amazing that, a mere 10 years ago, a rather eclectic bunch consisting of an archaeologist, a geologist, and adventurer, and a documentary filmaker (the author and "hero" of the story) set off to find a lost city, one that, up until then, existed only in myth and legend. Through the use of NASA radar imagery, Nicholas Clapp was able to find the road to Ubar--a long, trampled path that snaked around the sand dunes of modern day Saudia Arabia and Oman, once used by thousands of camel caravans carrying precious incense from Ubar. Clapp and crew eventually do find the lost city, buried deep beneath the sands. It's a reminder to us all how quickly history can disappear beneath the sands of time.

The book is an exciting read, and never drags. You will be captivated by their story and amazed that it's all completely true! And it all started with one man who dared to take a second look at an ancient myth, and found out it wasn't really a myth at all.

Hollywood couldn't have written a better script!

There is sound advice in this book which would be helpful to any parent. It is mainly written for dealing with the challenging ages of 2 to 6 year olds, and advocates a step by step approach over a period of 5 weeks. You are encouraged to learn a new parenting skill each week which is further broken down into a day by day schedule. This regimented and convoluted approach did not appeal to me, although I strongly agree with the principles and methods.
This book addresses the important issue of negative reinforcement which is so prevalent with strong willed children. For a more detailed insight I would highly recommend the book, "The Manipulative Child: How to Raise Resilient, Resourceful, and Independent Kids".

The second half of the book gives excellent advice and examples on how to apply the techniques. Although I did not agree with the one size fits all approach, I do recommend reading the book as it does offer much authorative advice. Other books I feel are very helpful are "Ain't Misbehavin", "Setting Limits", and "How to talk so your kids will listen and listen so your kids will talk".

If you wished your child came with a set of instructions, this book is it! The foundation of this book is what many of us feel in our hearts but don't know how to achieve: discipline from a positive perspective and rule out the shouting and spanking. This book should be mandatory reading for every parent leaving the maternity ward. It is not just for strong-willed children. The 5-step program is easily attainable for anyone committed to a better relationship with their child/children. Having read a half-dozen books related to boys and difficult behaviors in a search for answers, I guarantee this book is the best.

"Parenting the Strong-Willed Child" is a badly named book-unless you believe that all children are strong-willed. It is true that some children are much more strong willed than average, and it is to the parents of these children that the book, according to its title, is directed. However, the information in the book is suited for ANY parent. The target age of children referred to in the book is 2-6 years old. Nevertheless, most of the principles given are also applicable to older children, and many could even be adapted for using with teen-agers. Any parent (or grandparent, for that matter) would benefit from reading this book. Instead of presenting generalities (e.g., "parents should be consistent"), the authors give specific information as to when to be and how to become, using the above example, consistent. The principles given are proven (I had many people pay a lot more than the cost of the book to attend a series of parenting classes which gave basically the same information). The only time they will not work is when they are not used. They will not make overnight changes in any child (for best success use them with your children from the beginning), but enough improvements will be made to give a parent hope. And if you are raising an exceptionally strong-willed child, hope is a wonderful first step!

High Probability Selling is, without a doubt, the best of the dozens of sales books I have read throughout the years. From the very beginning of the book, I found myself unable to put it down. It takes everything you have ever learned about the sales process and stands it on its head. The idea is to work only with those few people, businesses, prospects that are motivated to buy from you NOW. How? By following a carefully thought out and practiced method of disqualification. That's right. You try to disqualify every person you talk to. Those that are not disqualified, you have a high probability of doing business with. It sounds simple, but it isn't. Is it effective? I can tell you that it is. My sales increased immediately. And it's fun. It shows you how to get off your knees in the selling relationship and, respectfully, come from a position of strength. No more "hat in the hand" prospecting. I highly recommend it. But be prepared. It is a book that will rock you back on your heals a bit. You have to read it and then study it. Then try it. You'll like it

I read a few chapters on line and WOW! This book captures the science of making "supply and demand" happens - no frills, no nonsense, just the clear steps of maximizing the "supply and demand" throughput.

If you're a sales person, it should be a handbook. If you are not, it could change the way you communicate with the people close to you.

Selling is an art of communication. The science of selling, dressed up as an obvious and simple protocol in this book, can elevate selling to a high art of precision and expediency.

The first sales book I ever read was written by a very well known sales trainer. It left me uneasy.

When I read "High Probability Selling", I wanted to start a sales career right away. I LOVED IT!

I strongly recommend this book and sales stystem to any person who values their own integrity; sanity and self-respect.

I found this book to be extremely entertaining. I am a big fan of all things martial arts/ninja/samurai and i loved reading about their histories as well as the histories of Japan, China, etc. I liked the characters and thought the story was excellent. Plus, the fight scenes were great!! Some of the violence and sex were a little excessive, but overall a very good read! PS-Brandon Lee would have made a great Nicholas Linnear!

This excellent read is the first in a series of six about Nicholas Linnear, a half-Oriental and half-Western man well versed in many martial arts. Through present-day plots and flashbacks to post-war Japan through the eyes of Nicholas's father Colonel Dennis Linnear, watch as the story unfolds. Nicholas is torn up over a Japanese woman he knew as a younger man and his present-day girlfriend Justine who is being hunted down by a ninja assassin. But who is behind the ninja's actions? How does Justine's father's company Tomkin Industries fit in, and what is the secret behind several ritual killings in New York? This book also introduces Nicholas Linnear's friend Detective Lew Croaker, who, in a related subplot, is investigating the murders. And to top it all, some explicit sex and stunning martial arts action scenes! The part where Nicholas hunts the ninja down through New York, is one of the best action and suspense scenes in literature ever. If you are new to Eric Lustbader, read this one first and then read the rest of the Linnear chronology in order, and I guarantee you'll become addicted to him! Awesome.

Eric Van Lustbader's "The Ninja" has all the trappings of a cinematic thriller: a fast-moving plot, a villain skilled in the deadliest martial arts, suspenseful encounters, a narrative fuelled by passion and revenge, lashings of sex and spellbinding action scenes. Although it is regarded as a popular book, which is to say, "a good read" on account of its standard storyline and characterisation, its sophisticated language, with choice descriptions and refined diction, elevate to the altogether higher plane of literature.

Guild's "The Assyrian" is right at the top of my favorite book list, right on with Tolkien's masterpiece. I study Assyrian culture at university level, so my interest has its source there. Guild gives a very nice and detailed description of the Assyrian culture in a genuine historical setting, and even manages to write one of the most exciting storylines I've ever read; a good mixture of adventure, love, war, sex and violonce. Guild tries not to veil any Assyrian custom which would not fit in our culture; on the contrary: he seems to take delight in describing them in detail, albeit through the eyes of someone who has just a little bit (but not too much) of Western conscience, so the reader will more easily feel at home in the rich Assyrian culture. It's also nice that Guild doesn't try to write around the religion being dead; by using divine incidents, but also by describing superstition, you get the idea that all the Assyrian gods and goddesses really exist, giving this book an almost Tolkien-like fantasy flavour. This means you will find no ethical Biblereferences or settings a la Ben Hur here. The fantasy effect is made even stronger by the adventurous kind of story, in which you will also get descriptions of other cultures through the eyes of an Assyrian. Love and sex are also certainly not neglected. If you like ancient cultures, fantasy and adventure I recommend this one. Too bad Guild never wrote a sequel (for as far as I know), as he half-so promised in the epilogue. Also too bad this title is out of print... I wonder why?

This book is an absolute must read for lovers of historical novels and even fictional books.

Tiglat Assur, the protagonist of this book, is a really great and strong hero who has to face intrigues and great battles as a commander of the Assyrian army.

There is not much what this book does not give to the reader.
It includes fabulous battle scenes, some hot sex, a true love story, many intrigues, a hero like protagonist and many interesting random characters.

Reading it I wished I had once seen the majestic Assyrian empire which was the world's greatest power at its time.
Thereby I now have an idea why this Assyrian empire could be doomed and you might feel so after having read the books as well.

In all it is on me to wonder why this author, Nicholas Guild, never became an absolutely well known name in the author business.
The book is simply marvelous for me because it includes many elements, even fictional ones, but all this makes the story even better.

At last I have to promt you to give this extraordinary book a try.
It will not disappoint your expectations for sure.

Being a German national who happens to read English, I cannot accurately express my admiration for Mr. Guild who has written this magnificent story. And for those who like to read the seond part, it is available under the name "The blood star"

I can only implore (is that the right word ?) Herr Guild to write more about Tiglath Ashur. His work ranks right alongside with Wilbur Smith's novels.

My rating on this book is really a three and a half, if given the option to rate a half-star, that is.

I enjoyed tremandously learning about the Teamsters, the politicians and of course the Mafia involvement in the Las Vegas casino operations. The book exceled in the abundance of information.

However, the writing itself was not so great therefore lowering the reading experience. Just as in real life, when people tell you their side of the story, it hardly ever concurs with someone else's account. Since the book was really a collage of vaious narrations, the author had a hard time weaving together different points of views and tones. Sometimes readers are left wondering what really happened.

I would recommend this book for people who are interested in information and stories regarding the Mafia. The topic is very interesting, but for those who prefers a bit more drama and fluency of writing, then this may not be your top choice.

Everybody who likes true life/crime/mafia/Las Vegas stories will enjoy this book. Casino shows the develoment of the mafia and their business interaction between legal and illegal operations. I could not put it down once I started. It is fascinating to see what stories life can write and what bad can happen to bad people.

This gripping narrative exposes Midwest mob influence in Las Vegas during the 1970-80's. Author Nicholas Pileggi focuses on four major characters. The most prominent was ex-sports handicapper and bookie Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, who became an innovative casino manager. Lefty ran the casino at the Stardust Hotel, the location from where the Chicago and Kansas City syndicates skimmed millions in gambling revenues. We also read about Lefty's friend and mob enforcer Tony Spilotro, front man Allen Glick, and Lefty's glamorous but volatile wife Geri. The author describes casino operations, financing by teamster pensions, and gambling executives who knew enough to look the other way. We also see how unchecked greed and ego can destroy casino operators as surely as it does some of their customers. The book's only weakness was that Pileggi seemed to go easy on a couple of the major characters.

"Casino" became a 1995 movie of the same name. Pileggi also wrote "Wiseguy," basis for another excellent mob film ("Goodfellas") by Martin Scorsese. "Casino" doesn't quite match "Wiseguy," but it's a highly readable and informative book.