Equinox Books

This activity book is great for trips, no matter what kind of transportation you use. My younger son (5) had a harder time getting all of it but it still kept him occupied. Everything you need is contained in the ziploc bag attached to the booklet. This is key since the dice, pens, etc. would get lost otherwise. My two boys love to play the license plate game on long car trips.

I highly recommend this activity book. I've tried a few and many have been tossed away after 15 minutes but this one kept their attention. Anything that keeps my boys occupied during the boring part of getting to a vacation is a beautiful thing in my book.

I have 9 year old twins who thought this was a good book. The packet of activities came with some items that needed scissors. Make sure to pack your own. They had a fun time with it and it was a good hit on the 10 hour road trip we had. While they didn't play it the whole time they did use it through out the trip. It was a good sturdy book that will last for some time to come.

This book was worth every cent to my girls ages 12 and 9. We took it on a trip just recently and it kept them busy for a long time. They love the friendship bracelet craft, the doodle area, the game boards, cats cradle string games and the licence plate checklist! My son was not particularly interested in this item since the crafts seem more geared toward girls. I don't recommend it for younger children, since it will be a little above their level. It's perfect for kids age 7-8 through teens.

There are some used ones for sale, but you need to purchase a new one for this type of book. The used ones will be written in, and have the activity pages filled in already which is no fun. Each child needs their own copy.

My children are getting a little older and needed some more engaging activities for road trips, and this book was just the thing we needed. The Klutz books are always fun, and this one is one of their best, and it is perfectly designed for back seat survival! We road test lots of different items because of my website, and this item was definitely a hit. I give it two thumbs up, and so do my girls. We will be bringing it on all our trips from now on.

It is a truly excellent book. It really does the job of keeping a child occupied. I bought it for my 9 y.o. and he was totally consumed by it. I didn't hear a single peep during the whole trip! He had some other activity books on the back seat, but this one was his absolute favorite! We played games from the book together, he tested the adults' IQ, he checked if we really knew traffic rules, he marked down all license plates of states other than his home one, and so on... Everything from the book was real fun for everybody in the car! Highly recommended!

A long roadtrip can be hard on kids no matter what they're ages. This had something for everyone. It had crafts for the daughter and games for the son. It included everything that was necessary (no hunting for makers or pens) and included a two page list of all the license plates of the US with a spcae to mark the date and where you saw them. They kep a look out for unusual ones along the way.

The story follows the wanderings of Tomis, a member of the Watcher's Guild which looks to the stars in anticipation of a foretold alien invasion of Earth; invasion, which comes. The invaders have rightful claim for earth ownership via Galactic treaty due to Earth's prior enslavement of the inhabitants of H632. Earth's glory and civilization has fallen since and various specialized Guilds form the society. At the beginning, Tomis' companions include a lovely, beautiful, young Flyer, Alvuela (a winged slim damsel) and and an enigmatic Changeling who turns out to be traitor and agent of the invaders. Unfortunately the Watcher's Guild code does not allow Tomis to fall in love. With Earth conquered the now purposeless Watcher begins a new journey with overthrown former ruthless King, who clings to this aristocratic heritage. In his journeys, Tomis seeks redemption in various Guilds for himself and all humans.

This story, and the entire novel, skillfully skirts the line between science fiction and fantasy. The world is like from medieval 17th century with freemason-like Guilds and King with absolute power. Technology is held by few and more inherited than developed. This is incredibly well-done story. Nothing what you would expect. Take for example Avluela. A fairy-like, winged human, who can use her wings only at *night*. That reminds from a Greek tale of Icarus who burnt his wings in the Sun. And Tomis, whose inner agony and his moral hiatus discomforts the reader. These all are skillfully blended with the events encountered in the journey. The society is varied and reader is conveyed from Guild to Guild to see the ranks and social order.

Five (5) stars. In spite of being clearly more fantasy than SF, the story has undeniable charm. Touch of fine pen from writer who has won major awards in six consecutive decades (from the 1950s to the 2000s), an accomplishment which may not ever be equaled by another science fiction writer. Silverberg is stylish and sophisticated as usual and you can't go wrong with reading this novel. It is lyrical and mesmerizing. Equally enjoyable by both men and women readers.

This is one of my all-time favorite books. It tells the story of sin and redemption - not only of one lonely wanderer, but all of fallen mankind.

On a future earth, an aging Watcher scans the heavens four times a day, looking for signs of a promised and long-overdue invasion. The Watcher has begun to lose faith in the invasion, however, and feels that his life was wasted in a meaningless occupation.

The book is divided into three sections. At the beginning of the book, the Watcher is traveling to the ancient city of Rome (Roum, in the book) with two companions: a winged Flier, and a deformed Changeling. Unhappy surprises await him in Rome, and he leaves the city a different man, sadder and wiser, and no longer a Watcher.

The second section of the book tells the story of his journey, now accompanied by a new and surprising companion, to the city of Paris (Perris) to join the Rememberers in their work of safekeeping mankind's past. In Paris he learns much, and leaves the city with a great stain on his soul. And the third section tells the story of his journey, under yet a new guild and with a different traveling companion, to the holy city of Jerusalem (Jorsalem) where he will seek redemption and renewal.

The book skillfully weaves together several obvious religious motifs, and I am surprised that other reviewers did not mention this. There is, for one thing, the pervasive presence of the Will throughout the book, which the former Watcher comes to trust. Other important themes include the notion that sin is both personal and planetary, the notion that enemies can be used as the tools of our salvation, the redemptive value of suffering, spiritual and bodily renewal in the watery tanks, and the directive, at the end of the book, to go forth and abroad with the good news.

I found this book by chance, and I'm glad that I did. Highly recommended.

As there are a number of excellent reviews of this book that praise both Silverberg's elegant writing and the poignancy of the novel's themes, I'd simply like to correct the glaring inaccuracies of Amazon's wretched editorial reviews.

1. Alveula's "wings" do not lead the Watcher to Roum. He happens to be walking there and meets her along the way.
2. The Watcher does not "in a moment of weakness" fail in his vigil. In point of fact, he gives the alarm that warns Earth of imminent invasion.
3. The Watcher does not "set out alone" for Perris. He travels with the deposed Prince of Roum.
4. It isn't "the secret of Earth's salvation that lay hidden" in the deep archives of the Rememberers, but the truth about the ways in which haughty and disdainful human beings had mistreated the aliens who whould one day conquer them.
5. Avluela does not know the "riddle to free all men". She is simply, like the Watcher, one of the vanguard of a new Guild that holds the promise for humankind to rise above its degenerate state.
6. The invaders certainly do come and "conquer", but nothing much changes. It's simply a decrepit Earth under new management.

The Amazon editorial reviews were written by someone utterly unfamiliar with this story. Indeed, the novel isn't about Avluela at all, it's about the Watcher - his journey, his experiences, his transfomation. It's about the consequences of hubris. It's about the possibility of renewal. It is many things, but it is most assuredly not about Avluela and her "riddle".

Back in the seventies, Silverberg really could do no wrong, at least by my estimation. Pretty much everything he did was an interesting bit of SF in its own right and often explored topics that SF didn't normally cover, or did it in ways that were new at the time. And he did this without being overly avant-garde or lessening the emotional impact of the work. "Nightwings" is probably overlooked because it was in its most famous form as a novella and in fact won a Hugo (and was also nominated for a Nebula) that year. Novellas are hard to release because they aren't long enough to warrant their own publication, so you either have to bundle them up in anthologies or piggyback them onto other books that may or may not have anything to do with the story in question. Fortunately Silverberg seemed to get around that problem by writing two other novellas to act as continuations of the story begun in "Nightwings". In the story he takes us to a far-future Earth that exists in the wake of a far more technologically advanced society that collapsed some centuries back. In this world humanity had fragmented into guilds, each serving their own purpose. Our viewpoint character is a Watcher, one of those who scans the skies in the event that we're invaded. Nobody really expects that to happen. But it turns out that everybody is wrong. The invasion, though, is almost beside the point. While it's the main bit in the first novella, what Silverberg does in the other two is deepen what we've already seen, exploring the intricacies of this new society and also how it reacts to sudden outside influence. In doing so, the Watcher sees humanity attempting to figure out if it has a place on its own planet, as well as trying to face its own shameful history that led it to this point. Its telling that for all the attention paid to the pretty flying people, they barely figure into the story, except to symbolize what most of us can't do. Silverberg manages to sketch out a fairly complex society in what amounts to very few pages, giving us enough for the big picture while letting us fill in the blanks, especially when it comes to the past history of Earth. He does this without making the novel six hundred pages and part of a larger trilogy. His prose, as is typical of this period, is sharp and lyrical, and he gives us plenty of nice mental images to take home: Pilgrims slouching toward renamed cities of our day, Fliers soaring into places most people can't go, people walking amongst the ruins of a past nobody can fully contemplate, decadent palaces and men both petty and bestial. It's fascinating and what other writers would spend entire series exploring, Silverberg nails it all in barely two hundred pages. And at the end we don't need to see more, he's shown us enough. Its impact isn't as great as his better known novels (it appears to share some of its themes with "Downward to the Earth") but the images it leaves us with of a future that is still recognizable even after everything is changed makes it one of his more notable works, and well worth giving your time to.

"Nightwings", an elegant collection of three novellas, shows the young Robert Silverberg at his lyrical best, telling a haunting, mesmerizing tale of a far flung Earth subjugated by the citizens of a distant planet once ruled by a brutal, imperial Earth. Told through the eyes of a "Watcher" - a former member of a feudalistic guild whose members were in charge of Earth's defense - the entire book works as a memorable tale of almost insurmountable loss, followed by redemption. Silverberg takes us on a magical journey through the streets of Roum (Rome), Paris and Jorslem (Jerusalem). Not surprisingly, the first novella, "Nightwings" - which chronicles the Roum adventures of the Watcher as the city is conquered by aliens - earned a Hugo Award.

Great book. I have not found a book that E. Dugan has written that I didn't like.

I am so loving this book. It has wonderful ideas of ways to celebrate the coming of fall... which is my favorite season, and the authors too! LOL There are many projects to do, stories, recipes... it is fabulous! Great addition to any home, but especially a pagan home.

Heather mama of 5

Another great work by Ellen! This is one of the installments of Llewellyn's sabbat series, not all of which are created equal. However, this installment by Dugan is a jewel. She provides many ways to celebrate the holiday and season with your family. Great recipes and simple rituals let you honor the Equinox in a simple effective way. I always look forward to fall, and all the cozy days ahead and lovely Autumn weather. This book helps you make the most of those times.

Each Llewellen book has a cool introduction about the history of the holiday. I recommend all the sabbat books in this series - - they have a lot more information than in any individual sabbat book. Also good is Mabon: Celebrating the Autumn Equinox - these are two different book & both have new information.

Wow! Another absolute WOW! Ellen Dugan had done it again. If you are a fan of this witty and wonderfully charming author, "Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon" is a must have for your Craft collection. Inofrmation, ideas, spells, recipes, traditions...it's all in this easy,accessible, 208 page package.
As a practicing Wiccan for 7 years, I thought that I had always had a handle on the Sabbats. You know...cast a cirlce there, whip out the athame here, say your stuff and move right along, right? Sure...for a beginner. I've always wanted to move on to the history, the ideas and the knowledge behind these absolutley fascinating holidays. What better way to learn than from one of Llewellyn's hottest up-and-coming authors with my favorite Wiccan holiday of the year?
As always, Mrs. Dugan breaks it down clear and simple, beginning with her own personal stories of this bewitching time of the season, continuing with the mythological backbones to autumn through the tales of Persephone, Demeter,Elen, Pomona, Dionysus, the Green Man and Herene the Hunter. However, Ellen only does this after humoursly deciphering the meaning of the word "maize" (you have to read and find out for yourself now, won't you?). And just what else would this Garden Witch include as a chapter in her book? You guessed it! A chapter completley dedicated to "The Garden in Autumn: Fall Flower and Foliage Fascinations"--with an included Cold Hardiness Zone Map to easily pick out whether an Oakleaf Hydrangea or a Sweet Autumn Clematis would be better to plant in your backyard.
All I have to say is that with spell after spell, charm after charm, tid-bit after tid-bit, you come to wonder how the Autumn Equinox became known as the "forgotten sabbat" as Mrs. Dugan dutifully points out. I mean this season deals out the most recognizable changes of any other Sabbat. Just look at the leaves in your own neighborhood! If you want to come and fully experience such a wonderful holiday and time of year, I strongly suggest for you to pick up this fabulous book, get readin' and prepare to experience Mabon in a whole new "changed" way.

This is a well-documented and very thorough review of chemotherapy. Gives an overview, but then documents benefits or lack thereof for most specific cancer locations or types.

Perhaps the single most important issue facing our aging society is how do we better care for those facing cancer. Why is it that we question our mechanic before he goes to work however we are wholly unprepared to defend a position when it comes to our own safety.

Dr. Moss is a brilliant and gifted communicator and in this book he explores the known and unknown concerning chemotherapy. I read recently that oncology as a whole in the future will be seen as a tremendously barbaric way of treating cancer. I agree wholeheartedly, how is it that we can pour poison into our body to kill a mass at the expense of the rest of our systems. You know hair is not the only fast growing cells in our body and in fact 1/3 of those cancer cells we are hoping to destroy are dormant at any given time.

Approach this book with an open mind and you will find yourself questioning allot more than just chemotherapy.

Thank you Dr. Moss for educating us to the questionable use of chemotherapy in a profit driven system determined to kill the tumor at the expense of the patient.
[...]

If you or someone you know has cancer, get this book.

My mom was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. Her oncologist tried to manipulate her into getting chemo and radiation. Even the radiologist who had been consulted said that radiation would not help her cancer.

He had an agenda. He didn't care if it would help her at all. He was the director of the cancer center, you see. He was motivated by greed and the desire to make everyone bow to his wishes.

She still refused chemo due to the information I gave her.

A few years after her diagnosis, she was written up in a journal because her cancer was so rare. In this journal they said that her kind of cancer had NEVER responded to chemo or radiation!

There was no known evidence of chemo being a help to her, yet he was determined to shove it down her throat.

It is 5 years since diagnosis and she is fine. She takes a lot of cleansing herbs and Chinese herbs and is healthier now than she was 5 years ago.

Do not let the cancer industry manipulate and scare you into taking POISON. Chemo is not medicine. It is poison. It is a race to see if the chemo kills you first or if the cancer does.

Usually people die of the effects of the chemo and radiation, not the cancer. Yet family members are so misinformed that even if the patient does not want chemo, the family begs them to take it.

Dr. Moss reveals the real effect of chemotherapy far removed from the advertised benefits that are promoted by the medical establishment. It can open up a whole new world for the reader, one the drug companies would like to leave closed.

This book explains how chemotherapy is a poison and how it is truly ineffective in the majority of cancers. With a few exceptions of some very rare cancers, chemotherapy in fact often kills the patient - even before the cancer itself does. I feel very relieved after reading this book that if I were ever faced with this dreadful disease that I would know there are other options. This book alludes to that, as the author apparently has written several others books about alternative, non-toxic treatments. I am going to read his recommended cancer prevention books. I have heard doctors say that in many cases cancer CAN be prevented through diet and excercise as well as through cancer screening and regular health exams. I am going to do all that is within my power to live a healthy life, and this book is one step in validating that people do not always need to resort to poisons in order to live.

I know bad Outlanders novels are possible but thankfully, they're not frequent.

Equinox Zero is about as good as the series gets, fast-moving, two locales which are about as different as they can be (a tropical Pacific island to Antarctica)with several surprises along the way.

The return of the mad Zakat was a big surprise, since he was one villian I never expected to show up again. What was even more surprising was who he showed up with--not just Vikings, but a lost race of Norse warriors. They are very portrayed very dramatically and colorfully and I wanted to see more of their culture.

The heroes are in fine form, and even Philboyd (one the immigrants from the Moon colony) gets a chance to shine both as an ally of Kane's and possibly a rival for Brigid's affections.

Equinox Zero is winner on all counts.

Equinox Zero is a nice filler novel, one where there really isn't anything as drastic as we had with The Dragon Kings and previous novels.

Sure the novel revolves around another world-threatening event, but it's resolved quickly and quite memorably at the end.

We need the occasional -breather- novel as we have had with this one. There is plenty of action, to be sure, but at the same time, there is even more character development, which compliments the action quite beautifully.

The novel begins with Kane and Domi hunting for a prehistoric monster on Thunder Isle, to make the violent and primordial island just a little bit safer for the Cerberus exiles, while they explore the ruins of the Operation Chronos facility.

The author gives even more depth to the outlander girl, Domi, and adds a little tension between her and Kane, as she makes it quite clear that she is interested in him, despite the relationship that has blossomed between her and Lakesh, after Grant rejected her.

Speaking of the ebony giant, he has decided to leave Cerberus, as he is tired of all the fighting and the near endless stress that he's been subjected to. He really doesn't believe that it's his fight, and he just wants to retire, to settle down with Shizuka and the Tigers of Heaven on new Edo.

Another old enemy has apparently arisen from the grave, a man we haven't seen since Iceblood. He managed to find his way to Utlima Thule, a haven of Vikings that has remained essentially untouched for thousands of years. Using his influence, he is trying to take over the isolated civilization, and to bring about another great Deluge, not quite of biblical proportions, but one that would destroy the emerging civilization, plunging the already fragile planet back into another dark age, of which it might not ever recover.

Zakat and a ship of the people from Ultima Thule raid a ship belonging to the Tigers of Heaven, all the while being witnessed by Grant and his new love. That prompts him to return to Cerberus to ask for Kane's help in tracking down the criminal and putting an end to him and his plans once and for all.

Bringing Philboyd with them, they jump to the gateway that was first discovered in Hell Rising. They find the entrance to Ultima Thule and make their way to the underground city. It is very much a lost civilization, even though the Nazi's tried to take it over nearly 250 years previously. Tried, but failed miserably, and paid for their efforts with their lives.

Here, Kane is forced to fight Zakat's lover, a Valkyrie named Sif. It is truly a memorable battle, one which Kane nearly loses his life, but as is the case, the hero triumphs, and not only defeats the woman, but spares her life. Zakat meets his end in a very appropriate manner, and the threat to the world is neatly dealt with.

Keep them coming!

Equinox Zero is another excellent entry in the Outlanders series, this time featuring a lost race of Vikings under the polar ice cap.

Lots of action and adventure in this one!

Recommended!

This latest OL novel features the return of a character that has not been seen for almost five years and was presumed dead. I enjoyed this novel for a number of reasons. First and foremost is that the characters right now are in the midsts of an avalanche of emotional and phsyical changes, that are not going to be easily solved or solved in the near future, which is great. This particular novel in typical OL fashion took of like a cannon shot, on the fourth or fifth page, and didn't seem to slow down at all, until the last three or four pages when the story was wrapping itself up. With a trip to the South pole and a dino hunt that is one of the best written scenes in the entire OL series in my opinion, Equinox Zero has something for everyone. Starting off with Dino hunt that was like something out of Jurassic park only better, and ending in a climatic battle in the middle of the South Pole, this novel couldn't have been better. More of the secrets surrounding Thunder Island are revealed, as well and we learn a bit more about the Cube (the redoubt on Thunder Island.) Secondly this novel returns us to one of my favorite settings, the Artic redoubt on the South Pole which was first introduced in Hell Rising. With the discovery of an old enemy lurking in the shadows, sightings of Vikings raiding all up and down the west coast, and information that the artic ice sheet that makes up most of the south pole threatening to break away and slip into the ocean as cause a new ice age, this novel accelerates to a break neck pace that leaves the reader breathless and somehow feeling satisfied but with the nagging doubt that they missed something in all the excitement. There is bit of rehashed material in this book, but it is information that is essential to the plot, and a bit of a refresher about past novels that have an impact on this latest plot. All in all this book was a great read, which is what most of us have come to associate with Mark Ellis. This one gets a 10 out of 10 from me.

I always wondered by Grigori Zakat never returned after his first appearance in Iceblood, considering the obvious effort involved in creating him.. Now the twisted Russian priest is back to bedevil the Cerberus warriors as they learn Zakat's ultimate goal is to trigger a another ice age and unite the survivors under his rule, his edicts enforced by Norse warriors from the lost land of Ultima Thule!

The set-up for Equinox Zero is terrific, featuring a Kane and Domi team-up on another "Lost World", Thunder Isle which is populated by all sorts of creatures pulled from different epochs of time. I think this element of the Outlanders saga is wonderful, offering many story springboards.

The scenes of Zakat's piracy with the Thulians are exciting. A standout sequence is a sea battle between Zakat's forces and a trading ship from New Edo, which tips off the Cerberus warriors that their old foe is back. Grant's anger directed toward Kane when he learns this is very realistic .

The exotic scenes in the timeless world of Ultima Thule are extremely well- wrought. Mark Ellis portrays the city from the days of ancient Norse mythology with colorful splendor,

There are a lot of high points in this novel: a great villain, excellent characterizations, a fast-paced plot, and incredibly exciting action sequences. Add them together and you have a superior Outlanders novel on every level. A must-read!.

I've never hunted before - game or fowl. I grew up in the city, and have never held a shotgun in my 40 years. I had no understanding of hunting - it's potential for beauty and forging a connection with nature - until I read Dan O'Brien's Equinox.

Dan's connection with nature through falconry is moving, and at times tangible throughout Equinox. He reveals hunting as a truly noble sport - if approached with reverence for nature and respect for predator and prey.

Dan's prose is straightforward, without frills or fancy, well-suited to the rustic life he describes, stalking grouse on the South Dakota plains with bird and dog.

I think most people will enjoy Equinox, regardless of background, but I especially recommend it to people who have negative feelings about hunting but are open to thinking about it in a new way.

I just finished reading the book in two settings, spending most of a Sunday afternoon and Monday evening enjoying this excellent novel. I was captivated by the people, dogs, birds, and environment. This is a must read. I loved it.

I was surprised at how good this book was. I expected it to be a primer for my interest in falconry but found it to be so much more. It is a fantastic account of the training of a raptor and the relationship between man and bird. Obviously passionate about his undertaking the author describes the training process in vivid detail making a compelling story to the end. With an equally interesting personal story that parallels his bird of prey adventure this book makes for a very enjoyable read.

I liked this book. At times, there may have been too much emphasis on the dogs, or too much on just falcons (red-tailed hawk coverage would have been great, but the author caters to peregrine falcons, so it is obviously his choice). Regardless, the amount of detailed coverage is impressive and written very well. Fortunately, the author eases you into the detail and doesn't toss it in your lap like some books. Whenever a new falconry term is mentioned in the text, there is a small side-bar definition of that term.

Some have said that the author's attitude gets in the way. When I read the few pages from the website, I also got a little of that. However, when I read the rest of the book, I did not get that at all. Often, appearances can be deceiving.

Having begun working with birds of prey (in a rehabilitation center) in the last couple of years I have searched for books that gave more personal insights into the practice of falconry. Mr.O'Brien certainly knows his subject and does a fine job of describing the sport and the birds themselves. His accounts of hacking (early training) young peregrines in particular are excellent. I found his descriptions of what can go wrong, as well as right, in the caring and training of these birds quite illuminating and engrossing. His use of falconers-speak is well balanced with the story and the annotations quite helpful for those unfamiliar with the sport.
I unfortunately found the overall concept of a man in midlife attempting to convince the reader that he is on a quest for some sort of middle age epiphany a bit trying. His relationship with his wife - an anesthesiologist who spends the majority of her time in a sleep deprived state, taking hospital call, and generally supporting his rather indulgent and self-centered lifestyle- frustrated me and was distracting from an otherwise interesting story about the training of a gifted young peregrine falcon.
I give much credit to Mr. O'Brien for being a man in touch with nature and clearly environmentally sensitive and conservation oriented. But, as my wife said after finishing the book, he comes across as something of a jerk in his personal life. Given that Mr. O'Brien's skills in describing the beauty of the land he lives on and the animals he has the great privilege of interacting with are most enviable, it's a shame that this aspect diminishes an otherwise excellent story.

Published and updated for the year 2000,this book is nevertheless another "stellar" contribution by author Terrence Dickinson.Spiral-bound,it is easily transported and accessed while out "seeing." Well-presented, and down-to-earth(pardon the reverse pun) for those of us who are newbies to this most wonderful adventure of amateur astronomy.Dark skies!

While echoing the positive comments of all other reviewers, the reader should be cautioned that the new Third Edition (1998) has been released.

The planetary tables in the back of the "New Edition" (1989) only go through the year 2000; those in the "Third Edition" are good through 2010.

Make sure that you are ordering the Third Edition!

This is an excellent book! If you are a beginner and just starting out like I am, this is the book for you. The topics are excellent. They are written in easy to read and understand words and terms. This book covers all the topics including what to look for in your first telescope. The charts are wonderful and easy to read. The pictures are awesome. In addition, Terence provides a list of stars and constellations along with their pronunciation and meaning. Terence shows and explains how to use major constellations to find other constellations and stars. I found that I couldn't put the book down. This book will hook you on backyard astronomy.

After perusing a number of books, I found this one to be the best. It is the easiest introduction into astronomy and star gazing that is offered. Many of the confusing explanations of other books are ommitted. Moreover, the essentials of finding the constellations are easily explained and easily followed. Lastly, the book had a great further reading and information section that was very helpful. I recommend this book to anyone with a budding astronomy interest.

This is the first book I've read explaining the universe that keeps it simple enough for a beginner to understand. I checked the book out at the public library and can not wait to get my own copy and a highlighter. Fantastic!

I think the book speaks for itself; the accounts within mirror the fact that Miles' 80's music is a real mixed bag that is perceived very differently from one listener to the next. This is well-written and extremely thorough; a definitive guide to this music and into it, I think. I am so impressed by this book that I wish Cole would work backwards and cover the other periods of Miles' career in this depth and with this candor.

This, to me is a very good book. The reason I'm calling it dangerous is that while reading it I went out & bought some of the CDs & have since bought another book (the one by Paul TingenMiles Beyond : Electric Explorations of Miles Davis, 1967-1991). I had several live CDs fron this era but hadn't really got into the studio ones until I started reading this book. I must say that I'm quite glad that I did. This helped finally catch up with what Miles was doing. If you have any interest at all in Miles I can't recommend this book enough. It has lots of facts, stories (that sometimes don't agree from person to person) and a very good recording breakdown of the CDs covered. The only thing that I would have liked to see included is more on the many "bootleg" CD that can be found. I don't think anyone picking this up will be sorry that they did.

Well written and well researched book about the last years of Miles Davis. Typically, critics and listeners have downplayed the music of Miles after his comeback in the early 1980's. This book argues that the music of this period was of a high standard and should not be overlooked.

One interesting note - friends and colleagues of Miles Davis have some drastically different views of his retirement years - 1975-1980.

Cole really went all out to get interviews with the band members and other key people in this phase of Miles' life. If you don't like the music of the period covered (1976-1991), this book isn't going to change your mind about the records. But you will still get a great deal of insight about Miles as a person from many voices (I think 31 band members, road crew members, producers, and others). In cases where memories have dimmed and conflicting accounts have been given by different interviewees, Cole puts those quotes together and makes a best guess about what really happened in the instance being discussed. It's extremely thorough writing--Cole also cross references his interview material with published accounts from magazines and other books on Miles. It's worth a look, and isn't a second rate rehash of the other books on the electric Miles period.

The music covering the period 1980-1991 of Miles Davis tour de force career is perhaps the most overlooked and least documented of them all. In his book "The Last Miles", author George Cole meticulously documents this controversial period through countless interviews with the thiry-plus musicians of the period as well as producers, engineers and nearly anyone else who had a hand in the music of this time. Also included are interviews with members of Miles family as well as close friends.

I call it controversial because many critics didn't give Miles the respect he was due and much of the music was just immediately dismissed without further review. Cole writes the book in direct chronological order from recording session to recording session and from the shifting perspectives of the ever changing members of Miles Davis' bands throughout this period. Much insight is given to not only the music that was created and released, i.e., "Tutu", "Amandla" and "Doo Bop", but also all of the wonderful gems that are setting in the Warner Brothers vault mind-numbingly unreleased. Cole also goes in depth about the unreleased materials that are out there from this period available through imports and previously unreleased.

It's quite obvious that Cole is a writer that took his subject matter very seriously and was careful to be accurate with the facts and all quotations. I have read nearly every book written on Miles Davis in various states of his career including his famous autobiography written with Poet/Author Quincy Troupe. It is my opinion as an avid reader and jazz afficianado that Cole's book is the most objective look into this much neglected final phase of Miles brilliant career ever written. Cole gives detailed insight to each band member, the recordings, the tours and even details leading up to Miles' premature death with compassion, objectivity and accuracy.

I would recommend listening to each of the recordings which are broken down cut by cut as you read the book. I found this method of reading the book enjoyable and I listened to some recordings that I've heard a hundred times in a brand new light.
If you don't take my word for it, read some of the reviews that the reputable members of Miles last bands have written at www.thelastmiles.com

From John Scofield, to Kenny Garrett, Adam Holzman, Darryl "The Munch" Jones, Bill Evans and Mike Stern, just to name a few. This is a MUST read for all Miles historians and music lovers alike. Don't hesitate, order this book today!

This book offers some major insight into his ritual of the 30 Aethyrs. It includes several other workings in much detail, and has so much symbolism in it just like the rest of his books. Check it out for a good read and valuable insight.

This is more esoteric philosophy than religion or magick. Philosophy is the reasoning behind things and deals a lot with morals. This is more occult oriented and harder to find. I noticed in this book several innuendos used by gimmicky shock rockers. It is worth getting just to see a different side of the beast besides the religious aspect.

Liber 418 takes over where Dr. Dee and Mr. Kelly left off. One of the great works of Aleister Crowley. Put this on in your Shopping Cart, it's a long read, but worth every hour!

This is a must buy for those whom wish to travel the Aethyrs from TEX to LIL, as it is very descriptive of the sign posts that one must correctly identify. You can be well assured it is worth the money if one is rise upon the Aethyrs, and it is obvious that no other man but the Beast himself has writ such a book, as there are no others out there in resemblence.

I think this book should belong in the Library for all those whom practice the wondorous magick of the Enochiana. If you ever wondered what it was like traveling the Aetheyrs from TEX to LIL, then this book is un-equaled in it's class. If you ARE to travel the Aethyrs, this book gives each practitioner each of the necessary guide posts, that are unique to each Aethyr, that you should look for. It was well written, and gives you insight on what to expect and what you should avoid. On a side note, I think that you should find your own means of traveling to ZAX, pushing aside the rather dangerous method that is given in this book.

I see this has been revised and is now entitled "Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt" which makes sense because it is really is focused on how the culture of Egypt is a reflection of the geography and natural environment and how humans learned to adapt it to them. This was one of the books we used in a course I had back at Columbia University and I've kept using it ever since. The maps are wonderful, the insets about the society are great, and the pictures both drawn and photographs of surviving artifacts are very useful. I plan on using the updated version of this for my own class on Egyptian history.

I see this has been revised and is now entitled "Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt" which makes sense because it is really is focused on how the culture of Egypt is a reflection of the geography and natural environment and how humans learned to adapt it to them. This was one of the books we used in a course I had back at Columbia University and I've kept using it ever since. The maps are wonderful, the insets about the society are great, and the pictures both drawn and photographs of surviving artifacts are very useful. I plan on using the updated version of this for my own class on Egyptian history.

Having visited Egypt during January, 1998 and travelled through Cairo, Alexandria, El Elamein, Hurghadah to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbal I have found the book very interesting. Contains excellent photographs, text and explainations.

A great book for anybody proposing a trip to Egypt or having been to Egypt to re-inforce where they have been and what they have seen.

Highly recommended.

The first part of the book introduces a comprehensive, condensed yet accurate summary of Ancient Egyptian history. The second part presents archaeological details and plans of the main cities of Upper and Lower Egypt, as well as Nubia. The last part offers a description of Ancient Egyptian society, with its scribes, its army, its religion, and its gods. The authors have also included a list of kings and pharaohs. Readers will see how the pyramids were hypothetically built through reconstructions and diagrams. Excellent maps, a glossary and a bibliography are to be found at the end of this wonderfully illustrated book. Highly recommended, it makes a good reference for all.

Research on my two novels--THE WOMAN WHO WOULD BE PHARAOH, to be released by Kunati Books, May, 2009,and COME KILL THE PHARAOH, published in Germany as DER GELIEBTE DER NOFRETETE and in France under the title L'AMANT DE NEFERTITI--depended heavily on this excellent atlas. It saved me hundreds of hours of additional research, and brought into focus the geographical history of ancient Egypt. See Amazon in Germany for review.