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Whoosh Boom Splat: The Garage Warrior's Guide to Building Projectile Shooters
William Gurstelle
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
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Gonzo Gizmos: Projects & Devices to Channel Your Inner Geek
ASIN: 0307339483
Release Date: 2007-03-27 |
Book Description
These are the homemade machines that you’ve dreamed of building, from the high-voltage Night Lighter 36 spud gun to the Jam Jar Jet, the Marshmallow Shooter, and the Yagua Blowgun. Including detailed diagrams and supply lists, Gurstelle’s simple, step-by-step instructions help workshop warriors at any skill level achieve impressively powerful results. With Whoosh Boom Splat, you can build:
- The Jam Jar Jet—the simple pulse jet engine that roars
- The Elastic Zip Cannon—a membrane-powered shooter that packs a wallop
- The Mechanical Toe—a bungee-powered kicking machine
- The Vortex Launcher—a projectile shooter that uses air bullets for ammunition
- The Clothespin Snap Shooter—the PG-17 version of a clothespin gun that fires fiery projectiles
- The Architronito—the steam-powered cannon conceived by Leonardo da Vinci
And many more!
In addition to learning how to make these cool gadgets, you’ll find sections packed with information on what makes each machine unique. Gurstelle describes the machine’s historical origins as only he can: with verve, fun, and the sort of quirky details his legions of fans love. Whoosh Boom Splat is a must-have for every extreme tinkerer.
Customer Reviews:
Another Gurstelle Great!.......2007-04-24
I just received this book in the mail and was so excited that I did a quick scan to see what I could "put together" NOW! There were so many fun things to do in this book. Very inventive. I love the way Gurstelle gives praise to the past by creating a steam cannon designed by DaVinci (which was inspired by Archimedes). I can't wait to build even more!
Book Description
The Beyonder's Battleworld might seem a strange place to get new threads, but it's Spider-Man who becomes unraveled when his shape-changing costume attempts to darken his life as well as his fashion sense! But ridding himself of his riotous raiment proves an even greater mistake when its alien enmity bonds with mortal madness to form our hero's most dedicated decimator! Plus: the first appearances of Puma and the Rose! Mary Jane Watson's startling secret! And the debut of the battling...Bag-Man!? Guest-starring the Black Cat, the Fantastic Four and more! Collects Secret Wars #8; Amazing Spider-Man #252-259, #298-300 & #315-317; Fantastic Four #274 and Web of Spider-Man #1
Customer Reviews:
good.......2007-09-15
this graphic novel is goos if you really need to know the history of venom but at times it gete REALLY boring but at the end you will be happy
It's OK, but it disappointed me.......2007-08-01
As you read. "Spider-Man: Birth of Venom" focuses more on Spidey wearing (and eventuelly trying to get free of) his alien costume than in the fan-favorite vilain. Yeah, Venom appears and fights spidey a lot of times, but not enough to call the book "Birth of Venom". The right name would be "the symbiote saga".
.......2007-07-14
tells the entire tale. the editors selected all the comics that told the story and assembled them in a nifty Tocc McFarlene drawn cover. A must for spidey lovers.
A good source for info but not much else.......2007-06-09
Perhaps I had overly high hopes for this collection, and to be fair, the "Birth of Venom" does exactly what it states: it explains and presents the origins of the black suit symbiote and its merger with Eddie Brock to become Venom. But as thankful as I am for those inclusions, this collection suffers from an incredibly disjointed, thrown-together feeling and approach. As a few others have mentioned, some "issues" are only one or two pages thrown in there to move the story along. It's disappointing since it gives the reader of something bigger going on, but without knowing the full story. On that same subject, 1/2 of Venom himself, Eddie Brock, is not even mentioned until his full appearance as Venom, despite being in previous issues. Why they didn't just throw a page or two of him in there, like they did earlier on, is baffling and undermines a big part of who Venom is and why he does what he does. Sure, he explains it through flashbacks, but flashbacks aren't quite the same as reading it in "realtime." Another big problem with the collection, and probably one that just couldn't be worked around, was the inclusion of issues with no closure. The symbiote suit, much more than the character "Venom", was the focus here, but several issues throw in plenty of villains, such as Kingpin, the Rose, Jack O'Lanter, and Hobgoblin, but never reaches a conclusion with any of them really. The issues at the time weren't focused on Venom, so their inclusions and conclusions feel especially jarring. A big part of the Spider-man mythos is the development of these stories and its characters, so it's a tad frustrating wondering what happened to Hobgoblin, or why Hydro-man suddenly popped up. The inclusion of a few issues that don't even HAVE any developments of the symbiote suit undermines the inclusion of the ones that do, as they could have been exercised in favor of more plot and drama.
Speaking of which, while the collection doesn't exactly flow, it does have some great old-time Spider-man moments that were a wonderful reminder of a time long passed. In this volume, Spider-man dates The Black Cat, Mary Jane confesses her knowledge that Peter's Spider-man, and Peter and Aunt May have a spat over college. But, like the rest of the volume, these dramas never reach fruition, but they're interesting scenarios.
Also, the art, as some mentioned, is a mixed bag. It goes from rather poor (early on) to phenomenal (later on.) Having read up on Todd McFarlane, it's interesting to see how his style evolved. With issues jumping forward by months and years, it's shocking to see his Spider-man go from lackluster to the artistic Renaissance man that established McFarlane as a power player in comics. Some of the later issues have poses and action scenes that are almost frame worth, and it's absolutely jarring to compare that to the earlier issues in this volume.
But, even that has its problems. Venom himself has evolved artistically since his introduction, and the Venom in this collection is a very rough version of the character. While he went on to be really overexposed later, he wasn't quite developed enough in this collection either. Visually, he just starts off as a bigger version of the black Spider-man with a toothy grin. Later, his teeth get sharper, he gets more developed, and looks much better... but as good as Todd draws him, Venom truly reached his peak later on, sporting a bluish hue to his costume and getting his trademark tongue and green spit. Those later incarnations are not included in this collection, which would have been a nice touch to see how he developed.
In the end, this collection does its job, but I can't help but feel it could have been done better. I can understand that trying to cram almost 10 years of development into one volume can be daunting, and cuts had to be made, but some inclusions and omissions are baffling, and the complete story feels distinctively lacking. If you're a Venom fan, I can give this a recommendation, but you'd do better reading "Maximum Carnage" or "Venom: Lethal Protector".
The Venom flows.......2007-04-30
With Spider-Man 3 looming, fans will finally get to see Venom on the big screen. However, for those who have less experience with the old Spidey comics, this TPB serves a big purpose. Spider-Man: Birth of Venom showcases the original stories that have been condensed and adapted for the mega budget film, as this large TPB focuses on the seperation of Peter Parker and the black, alien costume that turns out to be a symbiote. Soon after, the symbiote bonds with the disgruntled Eddie Brock, and Venom is born. Like previous reviewers have stated, these issues were crafted before Venom was massively overexposed and re-written as a dark hero. This TPB showcases Venom as the best Spider-Man villain since the Green Goblin from the Lee and Conway days, and features a variety of talent including a pre-Spawn Todd MacFarlane, legendary John Byrne, and the great Mike Zeck. Some of the dialogue and writing, namely from Tom DeFalco, is a bit dated, but the good definitely outweighs the bad here. All in all, Birth of Venom is a significant chapter in the aching Spider-Man saga, and this TPB should definitely be given a look by Spidey and/or Venom fans new and old.
Book Description
Video Shooter is a guide to both the mechanics of the video camera and the craft of shooting. Written by a veteran in the industry and utilizing an engaging, conversational style (including illustrative anecdotes from the author's many years of experience), the book takes the reader beyond "button pushing" to teach the complete range of skills required to capture compelling images. Topics include equipment selection, camera setup and operation, shooting techniques, and working with lighting and audio. Although the techniques illustrated in Video Shooter are appropriate for users of a wide range of camera models, the book focuses on the most popular 3-CCD DV and HDV cameras. A chapter on issues and techniques relating to DVD output makes the book especially suitable for industrial, educational, and government video producers. The book also features a companion DVD with tutorials, footage demonstrating storytelling techniques, and technical matter such as a comparison of various filters.
Written by a veteran in the industry, Video Shooter is a guide to both the mechanics of the video camera and the craft of shooting.
Customer Reviews:
Listen to the wisdom of great experience.......2007-08-13
Video production is a complex and expensive process. Barry's book takes the mystery out of the craft and SAVES YOU MONEY by telling you just what you need...and what you don't. I loved his wonderful, meaningful stories and personal shooting experiences mixed within his narrative of the craft and its myriad toys, gadgets and gear, all laid out clearly for the reader's benefit. Those willing to take the plunge into this artform will find this book an indispensable companion. A gifted shooter giving us all the clues we need to tell real and compelling stories of our own, available at a glance...awesome. It's like having a DP angel on your shoulder. You will find other reference books out there, but none are so beautifully laid out, comprehensive or complete as this one. Buy it. Read it. You'll be glad you did.
A Must Have Item.......2007-08-12
For a video shooter this is a "must have book". Impaired vision is corrected with appropriate eye glasses, impaired video-knowledge with Video Shooter...
Fast shipping, affordable price. Thank you.
Lots of Real-World Insights.......2007-06-26
Although I'll never reach the level of shooter that Barry is, this is a great book for learning about the issues a real-world shooter faces. Lots of examples and stories, photos, and musings on equipment. This is probably the best of the many books I have on learning to shoot.
Excellent intermediate info -- glad I read it as a beginner.......2007-06-23
I'm a neophyte to videography, and although this book went a tad over my head at times, and was certainly more than I needed as an amateur who wants to make quality videos for personal use, I greatly appreciated the comprehensive introduction to this complex art form. Because of this book, I've jumped into my new hobby with more respect and appreciation for what's involved in a quality production. I did pick up some great tips that even a beginner can use, and probably more useful, I understand the point of hiring a professional. Now that I'm a MUCH more savvy consumer of video services I will know how to judge the quality of their work.
A book about hardware.......2007-06-16
The subtitle of this book is Storytelling with DV, HD, and HDV Cameras. What I saw, when I read that, was the word Storytelling. I thought it would be a book about how to tell a story with images and sound to get across a "message". I should have read further along the sentence. This book is not about storytelling. It's about DV, HD, and HDV Cameras and their supporting equipment. The book is aimed at amateur videographers who have aspirations of turning professional and think that professional equipment will make that happen. And who have a 5 or 6 figure bank account. There are equipment recommendations on all sorts of things that make a professional shoot. All of the equipment ranges from slightly expensive to horrifically expensive. Of course this tight focus on the latest equipment means that the book will soon be out of date. If you need some equipment, have a healthy bank account, and want to buy now, this book is a good choice. If you want to learn how to tell a story with video, keep looking.
Book Description
With more than sixty confirmed kills, Jack Coughlin is the Marine Corps' top-ranked sniper. Shooteris his harrowing first-person account of a sniper's life on and off the modern battlefield G unnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin is a divorced father of two with an Ivy League background who grew up in the wealthy Boston suburb of Waltham. He had thirty-six kills in Iraq- thirteen in a twenty-four hour period during Operation Iraqi Freedom-and has one of the most successful records of any sniper on active duty.Now, after twenty years behind the scope of a long-range precision rifle, Coughlin has written a highly personal story about his deadly craft, taking readers deep inside an invisible society that is off-limits to outsiders. This is not a heroic battlefield memoir, but the careful study of an exceptional man who must keep his sanity while carrying forward one of the deadliest legacies in the U.S. military today.
Customer Reviews:
.....wow...........2007-08-10
Shortly into the story it becomes pretty evident that this wasn't the "confession" of an honored and admirable soldier. This is not a warrior who wanted to share his story with the world to ease the burden of killing men who were fighting for their beliefs, even if those beliefs where not the same as his.
Jack was a soldier and sniper who saw "the dumbest man in all of Iraq" in the first day of battle. The Iraqi fighter was not dumb to Jack because he watched him do something truly stupid, like load bullets into his AK47 backwards. This fighter was "the dumbest man in Iraq" because he was 1/2 mile away and felt secure and concealed enough behind a thick bush to attack from that position (remember that these soldiers are fighting based on experience and not from years of hardcore training like our Marines). Jack took this son/grandson/cousin/fathers/brother/friends/Iraqi soldier's life from his family. I honestly believe that the Iraqi fighter should have been killed because he was attacking our countrymen. However, I would respect Jack a little more if he treated a man that was so destitute in his beliefs he was brave enough to attack an entire force of American soldier, with a little more grace and respect. Instead, Jack takes credit for his cold bore 1000 meter (hahaha...oh but his rifle was already zeroed into the EXACT, no kidding he says it in the book, distance of the target haha) shot that saved an ENTIRE BATTALIONS MAIN COMMUNICATIONS HUBS from the ONE GUY ONLY PACKING AN AK47.
Sorry for the brief ramble, but this book is filled with complete ego. I am ex-military and have been hunting and shooting for 17 of my 25 years on this earth and I have more respect for the deer/elk/beer/mtn. lions that I harvest than Jack has for the soldiers he has killed in battle. Through the book I was trying to tell myself that a sniper has to have an inflated confidence in themselves, but this was ridiculous!
By the time I finished I thought of Jack as a supply and backline soldier who wanted to try to convince SOMEONE that he was good at his job as a sniper because he couldn't convince the Marines. It seemed that he killed not only because it was his job, but because he enjoyed it as well.
~Cam
Top Ranked Marine Sniper.......2007-08-05
Very realistic and updated perspective of what a modern day sniper might face in battle !!!!I have previously read the encounters of snipers in Vietnam.....and that was most interesting also ,but this book is the most recently published technology and tactics !!!
Coughlin.......2007-07-06
I didn't read this book yet but I knew Jack back in the day when I referred to him as a Sh** Bird. He actually was a good Marine as were most of us. If this book is anything like the Coughlin I knew back in the 80s, then I am sure it will be quite a read. Semper Fi.
RICK SHAQ GOLDSTEIN SAYS: "SUPERSTAR OF SNIPERS!".......2007-07-04
I would first, like to make a point about the title, that I picked for my review. Some people, might possibly find it offensive. But if you were watching a motion picture, or a TV program, that had Jack as one of the main characters, and his comrades referred to him in that exalted way, you would take it in stride. Imagine Jack, as the young sniper in "Saving Private Ryan". With that being said, let's continue with the review. I felt this was an excellent book, and one of the things that appealed to me, as a U.S. Veteran, is that Jack and his co-writers, wrote in the "language", that is truly spoken between men, not only in war, but in training for war. Another thing that I really liked, was the fact, that as bad as Jack wanted to be a sniper, he then had even higher goals. He had the desire, to not just be the best sniper, but he had the drive and vision, to try to improve the entire operating procedure of snipers. The battlefield, was not the same as in World War II. A couple of earlier Marine marksmen, Hathcock and Mawhinney, showed in Viet Nam, "that snipers could be much more aggressive and effective by getting out of their holes and going on the hunt." I know what Jack meant, when he describes the anguish, of not only keeping classified missions to yourself, but also, dealing with the uncontrollable memories of death you've created, that reverberate in your dreams, that you can't discuss with anyone, including your wife. Jack says: "If I awoke suddenly in the middle of the night, with a start so violent, that it shook the bed, Kim knew not to question why or what was going on in my head. She was careful not to startle me with a sudden touch." This passage, sent chills up and down my spine, since in my own life, twenty years after I was out of the service, I was a single father, who always wanted my young son to wake me, before he left for school, and give me a kiss. He got scared, at the way I would wake up, swinging and yelling, about things I never told anyone. We then used a procedure, where he would come into my bedroom, tap my shoulder, and then run to the doorway, and after I got back to normal, I would give him a hug and kiss goodbye. I would like to give one last comparison of Jack's stature, especially, for the benefit of people that weren't in the military. I was awarded the "Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, (SAEMR) with an M-16. Comparing that, to what Jack did, is like you comparing your two-year-old son's, hitting a wiffle ball, off a plastic tee, to the accomplishments of Babe Ruth. There are three things I'm happy for, after reading this book: 1) That Jack was on our side. 2) That Jack got home alive. 3) That Jack and his cohorts wrote this book. God Bless America!
P.S. The 2007 movie with the same name, has absolutely nothing to do with this book.
I would have given zero stars if that was an option.......2007-05-19
Reading all the praise below, I had to double check to make sure I was reviewing the correct book. As an avid reader of military non-fiction, I found this to be among the worst I have read. Coughlin takes great pains to declare that he took no joy in his job, yet the book is peppered with with cliche'd macho phrases and terms, like "smoke-check" (used over and OVER again) and "invincible gunslinger persona". I actually laughed out loud a few times at the ridiculous ways that Coughlin refers to himself. The relentless back-talking to superior officers is also a pretty hackneyed feature of this work. And then there is the story, which is really just a loosely assembled account of some events that happened during the initial push to Baghdad. The author's poor command of prose couldn't even make that interesting in and of itself. By the end of the book I suspected that the author was really trying to convince himself, not the reader, that he wasn't getting off on every kill he logged. If you like reading arrogant, self-praising accounts that make use of every military cliche' ever penned, look no further. If you appreciate writing quality, humility, interesting content, and a believable author, seek elsewhere.
Book Description
Published annually for more than 80 years, the Shooter's Bible provides gun enthusiasts around the world with the most complete reference guide containing new products, specifications and up-to date prices for thousands of firearms and related equipment. With a newly expanded color section, the 98th Edition of the Shooter's Bible continues a long tradition of providing pertinent information on the newest products on the market and also for firearms and equipment that have been around for years. This 576-page informative reference guide includes a collection of full color feature articles covering a wide range of topics of interest to hunters, shooters and firearms enthusiasts.
Customer Reviews:
"Shooter's Bible" continues to be an essential, core addition .......2007-08-04
Stoeger Books is the premier publisher of reference books on rifles and pistols. First published in 1924, and now in it's newly revised and expanded 99th edition, Stoeger Books "Shooter's Bible" continues to be the preferred and comprehensive firearms reference guide covering new products, specifications, and prices on thousands of firearms and related equipment. In addition to informed and informative feature articles, this edition of "Shooter's Bible' covers handguns, rifles, shotguns, black powder, sights and scopes, ammunition, ballistics, and reloading. Superbly organized and profusely illustrated throughout, "Shooter's Bible" continues to be an essential, core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library firearms reference collections. Also very highly recommended from Stoeger Books for firearms reference collections is the new 30th edition of their "Gun Trader's Guide" (9780883173442, $24.95).
SHOOTERS BIBLE.......2007-07-19
As the title says this is the book for any shooter, if its not in here it probably does not exist!
shooters bible.......2007-01-16
Contains every thing in one easy to locate volume. has been my first choice firearms manual since 1966.
not as comprehensive as I once thought.......2007-01-04
I grew up reading this book. It has been several decades since I last bought one. I recently ordered one and found it lacking several well known brands. Of the ones that it lists, it also fails to document other choices one could have in guns. For some reason nothing is said about the LEE reloading system, maybe there is a fee that manufacturers have to pay in order to be listed
Average customer rating:
- Blood In the High School
- Realistic
- mixed feelings
- Weird but Good
- Shooter
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Shooter
Walter Dean Myers
Manufacturer: Amistad
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ASIN: 0064472906
Release Date: 2005-03-29 |
Amazon.com
Cameron, Carla, and Len were fascinated (for different reasons) with guns and target shooting at the Patriots' club range until the day Len brought his Kalashnikov rifle, his AR-18, and his Ruger pistol to school, and shot and killed football jock Brad Williams, and then himself. Here is yet another school shooting story that begins with bullying and ends with disaster--a type that is becoming almost a sub-genre of YA fiction. Yet Walter Dean Myers, winner of many awards for his young adult novels, brings freshness and new anguish to this familiar tale (and growing social problem) of unstable victim tormented by bullies to homicidal rage. Following the example of his own masterwork Monster, Myers uses different perspectives in the aftermath of the "incident" to reveal the characters and to tell the story: interviews with Cameron and Carla by The Harrison County School Safety Committee, newspaper reports, a police report, Len's handwritten "die-ary" of his deranged thoughts, and finally, a grim medical examiner's report. The contrasts and contradictions in these various perspectives challenge readers to produce their own versions of why Cameron and Carla became Len's followers and what could have prevented this tragedy and others like it in real life. (ages 12 and up) --Patty Campbell
Book Description
Cameron: "Deep inside, you know that whoever gets up in your face gets there because he knows you're nothing, and he knows that you know it too."
Carla: "What I'm trying to do is to get by –– not even get over, just get by."
Leonard: "I have bought a gaw–juss weapon. It lies beneath my bed like a secret lover, quiet, powerful, waiting to work my magic."
Statement of Fact: 17–year–old white male found dead in the aftermath of a shooting incident at Madison High School in Harrison County.
Conclusion: Death by self–inflicted wound.
Ages 12+
Customer Reviews:
Blood In the High School.......2007-04-24
What would you do if were being bullied at your school? Would you go
and tell you're the problem? Well, Cameron Porter did something worse
in the book Shooter by Walter Dean Myers.
Cameron Porter is seventeen years old who goes to Madison High
School. Cameron is an African American who lives in Harrison County.
In his school he got tired of the problem that went on the school and you
Will find out.
Walter Dean Myers writes the book Shooter as if he were writing a play
With the characters names beside the line he speaks. My opinion is that I
Love the way he writes. I recommend this book who likes shootouts and
then you would actually feel that you were the main character
Realistic.......2007-04-06
I got this book on tape from my local library. When I picked it up I hadn't immediately remember I'd heard the review for this. It was realistic yet clichéd. I'm tickled pink they actually used an African American voice actor for the role of the African American boy as well as Leonard. I'm sure Cameron's parent's felt they were doing their duty in trying to bring him up right but they never listened to him or valued his opinion. It's no wonder he'd hook up with Leonard who was equally as starved for attention.
I hadn't realized Myers is indeed African American. I feel he brings integrity to his portrayal of African American's in a way that I haven't experienced before. Not all African American's are illiterate, rap lovers with no ambition. It's possible to have too much ambition & no intuition.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I was listening to about a half a dozen composites of high school shootings. Been there, done that. It's still a good read/listen on my way to work. The last CD where we read or hear Leonard's diary thoughts is really amusing in a sick kind of way.
mixed feelings.......2007-02-19
"Shooter" is the story of a school shooting told from the perspective of the two friends of the perpetrator, in interview format after the tragedy has occurred. Cameron Gray is the shooter's friend, and Carla is their mutual friend. Both teens have problems in the form of indifferent or abusive parents, bullying by peers, and in the girl's case, sexual abuse.
However, neither is as troubled as Leonard, who plots to blow up the school and eventually makes an attempt.
The book's strength comes from the fact that both Carla and Cameron are entirely believable teens. They don't speak in pop culture soundbites, they aren't endlessly snarky, and they don't have insight into their situation more appropriate for an adult of the author's age. I appreciated the fact that none of the young characters sounded as if they were on a primetime teen TV drama. The reader is given enough clues to piece together what happened and figure out why, without it being overly obvious or "message-y".
So why the semi-low rating? When it comes to the shooter, Leonard, himself, the author makes it impossible to figure out what is making this guy tick. Is he mentally ill? His diary entry has the language usage of someone suffering from perhaps either schizophrenia or manic depression. At times, I found it nearly unreadable, though that could have also been the font. While I felt sorry for the teen, I was unable to glean any insight into his behavior. While this is an interesting direction to take with a character, it removes a lot of responsibility for his actions, and makes the issue of bullying, bad parenting, etc., secondary. At least if you believe these conditions are caused by nature, not nuture.
"Give A Boy a Gun" by Todd Strasser uses a similiar format as "Shooter," only expanded to include interviews with the shooter's classmates and teachers. I think that might have helped provide more insight into the Leonard character.
Weird but Good.......2006-12-01
This book was an exceptional book. Although it was very disturbing it had lots of good writing in it. It seemed to be based on Columbine with many of the themes the same. The way the book was set up was interesting, through many interviews with the people involved with the incident. It is about a boy named Len, who has numerous mental problems. He abuses prescription drugs, is bullied at school hates, and his parents. He has been arrested and suspended from school. His only friends are Cameron and Carla. Carla is his ex girlfriend and she hates him too after he reveals some information about her to the whole school. Cameron stays with him until the end but there he stops. Overall I highly recommend this book to people but probably ages 12 and over.
Jeremiah
Shooter.......2006-10-03
It's a great book with suspense in every page! However it is not for kids.
Customer Reviews:
True Tales of the Old West.......2006-12-27
A compendium of interesting biographies of emminent gun-fighters in Western lore.
Inside you will find the factual, un-mythologized accounts of several well-known historical figures, of the American West: Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, John Wesley Hardin, Billy the Kid, and Pat Garrett, for example. You will find the stories of some who should be more well-known than they presently are!
-Clay Allison was medically-discharged from his original Confederate regiment because he went into enraged psychotic fits during battle. He finished the war in a regiment that didn't care about his psychological state as long as he fought. When sober, Clay was said to be a well-mannered fellow. However, when intoxicated...he caused a public disturbance once by riding about the main street of town, firing off his pistols, wearing nothing but boots, hat, and gun-belt...and waving his member at passing ladies!
-Sheriff Elfego Baca once withstood a siege from over 100 outlaws, taking shelter in an old shack. They blasted the shack with dynamite, but Baca survived, and took a terrible toll of them with his superior marksmanship. When the bodies began to pile up, the outlaws decided it was better to retreat.
-Pearl Hart, a petite and attractive woman, was one of the last stagecoach robbers. After her stint in prison, where she was the only inmate to become pregnant...and the only female inmate, she was largely forgotten.
Many of the famous westerners described within spent considerable time on both sides of the law. Some were fully criminal, some were fully law-abiding. All were dangerous.
Mr. Metz' book also features interesting historical eras and events from the period, besides biographical sketches.
If you like this book, you will very likely enjoy "Deadliest Men", by Paul Kirchner, as well.
Is that really what happened?.......2006-09-30
The Old West has given us an unbelievable number of stories,books,songs,movies and above all a seemingly endless list of characters. But what was the real truth,what was embellished,and what was
pure legend? Long time fans of the Old West will probably say it is a mix of all that,and much more.
This book goes a long way in giving what the author has been able to research and find what the facts were on a number of the more famous as well as a number of those we don't hear so much about.I tend to think of the Old West being the period 10 years before the Civil War,roughly 1850, up to the turn of the century.The limits are not precise as many of the characters and events proceeded this period,and many of the characters lived well into the 1900's.
The author presents a lot of facts that will surprise you for the simple reason that you have probably just not thought about some of these things.
The characters were generally a lot younger than you think,many still in their teens at the height of their careers.Many were shot,hung,or otherwise met their demise in their 20's or 30's;and even more surprising a number lived to a ripe old age. The author also fills us in with a lot of details about their place of birth,family backgrounds,why they came west,why they chose the paths they did,who their friends were ,their siblings and their spouses and children.
The author gives a lot of detail about the towns of Deadwood,Tombstone,Socorro,El Paso and a number of others and is very specific on locations for events and what now occupies the spots where things took place.Some of the landmarks may now be gone as this book was first published some 30 years ago.
Another thing the author shows is that the weapons and skills were a far cry from what we see in the movies. The division between good guys and bad guys was indistinguishable at times and in many cases went back and forth.It will also surprise you how many times some got shot before dying or recovering from multiple located bullet wounds.It seems that the one shot,one kill was a rare event.The fact that any recovered with such rudimentary medical help is surprising.
Our "old friend" Ned Buntline shows up as he does in many books on the Old West.He is the writer whose real name was Edward Zane Carroll Judson, was born in upstate New York in 1823,after many adventures,arrived out west,teamed up with Buffalo Bill,and wrote many stories of the Old West and is often credited with creating much of the legendary aspects of the stories and characters we all enjoy. If interested ,you'll find more about him in "The Real Wild West" by Michael Wallis.(see my review on December 17,2003).
Any western reader must wonder at the differences between the titles of Marshals,Sheriff,Deputies,Rangers,Pinkertons aand other Lawmen.I know I have and we are given some pretty good distinctions here;but I suppose there were many inconsistancies;particularly in how they were appointed and controlled.However;that is not surprising as the Old West was anything but a situation of law and and particularly order.
An excellent read and a worthwhile reference for any one interested in the Old West and its legendary Gunfighters and Lawmen.
Varied and thorough.......2006-07-04
The Shooters is a pretty darn good book that covers alot of Old West figures. Half of them are pretty well known (James, Billy, Hickok, Buffalo Bill, Hardin, Earps, Holliday) and then there are many of the lesser known to the general population. There's lots of history here and some well done research. This book covers quite a bit of the history of the 'Shooters' or gunmen of the West giving us brief life histories of them. Recommended for Old West buffs and to the history buffs. Not a bad book for passing interest either.
Scholarly writing that stands the test of time.......2006-03-17
Leon Metz is one of my favorite Old West authors because of his scholarly approach, and his unrelenting search for the truth. This book was written in the 1970's, and although there have been many new tidbits of truth that have surfaced about all the subjects in this book since then, Metz's thorough research still stands out. The book shows him to be a master of the Texas and New Mexico cowboy scene, and it is apparent that his knowledge is especially brilliant concerning the town of El Paso. I thought his research was the weakest in the chapter about Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch. But overall, this book tells a very truthful tale of some of the most exciting lives that are remembered from the days of the Wild West.
Read this book.......2004-07-15
If you are like me and care to know the real story behind the usually embellished legends of the Old West, then this book is for you. Metz offers a personal glimpse into the real lives of the West's famous and infamous lawmen and killers with such detail that you can almost smell the powder burning.
He dispels long held falsehoods and fairly shows all sides of any given story.
An exceptionally fast read, The Shooters is a biograph of men you've heard of and some you likely have not.
Product Description
The completely revised and updated Ammo & Ballistics 3 is now available and better than ever! Ammo & Ballistics 3 contains data and illustrations on virtually every sporting cartridge sold in the USA. Besides clear and concise writing that clarifies the complexities of ballistics coefficients and energy versus momentum, this revised edition covers 160-plus calibers from .17 Mach2 to .700 Nitro Express. It contains information on rifle and handgun calibers, and it covers manufacturer, bullet weight, type, and construction. There are over 2,200 tables with ballistics for every available loading for each caliber. Tables include velocity, energy, wind drift, bullet drop, and ballistic coefficient up to 1,000 yards. Manufacturers include A-Square, Aguila, Black Hills, CCI/Speer, Cor-Bon Bullet, Dakota Arms, Eley Ltd., Federal Cartridge, Fiocchi, Hirtenberger, Hornady, Patria Lapua Oy, Lazzeroni, Kynoch (Kynamco Ltd.), MagTech, Norma, PMC (Eldorado Cartridge Corp.), ! Remington, Dynamit Nobel-RWS Inc., Sellier and Bellot, Ultramax, Weatherby, and Winchester.
Customer Reviews:
Ammo book 3.......2007-08-26
Nice book if you are not shooting some of the old military weapons such as the 303 British,30-40 Kreg, 6.5-55 Swedish round,or any MM type round.
Average customer rating:
- Um...Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Awesome Review-Stylz?
- Graphic SF Reader
- The Smell of Nostalgia
- Best of the best...
- pretty awful...
|
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
Jim Shooter ,
Mike Zeck , and
Bob Layton
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Similar Items:
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Infinity Gauntlet (Marvel Comics)
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Infinity War (Marvel Comics)
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DC Versus Marvel Comics
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Spider-Man: Maximum Carnage
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Civil War (Marvel Comics)
ASIN: 078511873X |
Book Description
The first mega-crossover of its kind, Secret Wars still stands as a milestone in the comic-book industry. The fate of the entire Marvel Universe hangs in the balance as all of Earth's greatest super heroes face their deadliest foes on the mysterious planet known as Battleworld! The classic 12-issue limited series is back in print!
Customer Reviews:
Um...Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Awesome Review-Stylz?.......2007-09-15
The product was in great condition. I happen to love comics, and this is a classic mini-series. Secret Wars paved the way for many comic book crossovers and epic storylines in the future, the most recent being Civil War: A Marvel Comics Event.
Incredible. Thanks, Amazon. I would do you if you weren't simply a series of html code pasted together and trapped as a web page on the internet, with my monitor serving as the only barrier standing between you and I.
Damn you, monitor! DAAAAAMN YOUUUUUU!
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
A fun, no holds-barred superhero slugfest in the grandest sense. Yes, it is a Marvel pimpfest for their line, but in this case, it doesn't stop it from being entertaining in the biff the bad guy sense. They probably wanted an event to match up with Crisis a little bit to get back some attention. Sound familiar?
Anyway, a whole bunch of popular Marvel Heroes and villains are kidnapped from earth for a small time via an all powerful being called the Beyonder, sent to a planet, and ordered to beat each other up, basically.
Much craziness and violence ensues. Hulk get mad, Hulk lift mountain range, etc.
The Smell of Nostalgia.......2007-06-12
The issue of Crossovers always was some kind of a big deal to fans. On one hand it combines, mostly, the greatest characters in the comics-world, sometimes even cross-companies. On the other hand the oh-so-high cost.
This is the first Crossover. It is the one who started it all, at least in the large-scale sense of it. It's not perfect, it got some holes in it both story/plot-wise and both continuity problems, but do not mistaken - it is a great story. The question is - why?
It got the best of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, and not skipping even the mighty Galactus himself. It got a great theme that maybe can't work in the modern days in a modern comic-book but back in its day - it was an amazing concept. It had many plot-twists, for the good. Great dialogues - it's been a long time now since I actually felt the character's personality via the dialogues, and it fits their back-then character marvelously. It's even funny!
But still, it just don't sit well in this fast-pace modern world, because it's too slow, taking it's time to explore the characters thoughts too much for the modern reader, and it's not the best story there is in the modern very harsh comics world.
I still think that it's one of the best there is,
Maybe because I'm simply old-fashioned.
Check my blog -
The issue of Crossovers always was some kind of a big deal to fans. On one hand it combines, mostly, the greatest characters in the comics-world, sometimes even cross-companies. On the other hand the oh-so-high cost.
This is the first Crossover. It is the one who started it all, at least in the large-scale sense of it. It's not perfect, it got some holes in it both story/plot-wise and both continuity problems, but do not mistaken - it is a great story. The question is - why?
It got the best of the best characters in the Marvel Universe, and not skipping even the mighty Galactus himself. It got a great theme that maybe can't work in the modern days in a modern comic-book but back in its day - it was an amazing concept. It had many plot-twists, for the good. Great dialogues - it's been a long time now since I actually felt the character's personality via the dialogues, and it fits their back-then character marvelously. It's even funny!
But still, it just don't sit well in this fast-pace modern world, because it's too slow, taking it's time to explore the characters thoughts too much for the modern reader, and it's not the best story there is in the modern very harsh comics world.
I still think that it's one of the best there is,
Maybe because I'm simply old-fashioned.
Check my blog -
http://mindlessechoes.blogspot.com/
Best of the best..........2007-03-08
The one and only. Simply the best of the best in sagas/stories!!! A must buy...
pretty awful..........2007-02-24
it took a lot for me to read past the second issue, secret wars is that bad. in comics there is old-school kind of cheesy 60s style marvel writing, like kirby and lee stuff, which even though it's not graphic more-adult-oriented comic fiction like some of the good stuff of today it's still really great reading. secret wars is an example of trying to write like that and failing miserably. it's cheesy, it's bad, the ideas and the whole premise of the story is stupid, it's just all around poor. there are much better comics works out there for you to read. also there is something very wrong as others have stated with the printing of this book, some pages look like a elementary school class copied them on a library printer.
Amazon.com
Smart, direct, precise. These are adjectives viewers of NBC's hit reality show, The Apprentice might use to describe Donald Trump's left-hand woman, Carolyn Kepcher. Kepcher is a tough judge who can make or break hopeful contestants vying to get hired by Trump. In Carolyn 101, readers find a respected business executive and familial leading lady. Kepcher's personal stories draw an entertaining and inspiring picture of a scrappy, former waitress and restaurant manager, with a no-holds-barred approach to getting hired and succeeding in a mostly male-dominated environment in New Jersey--and, eventually, in The Trump Organization.
In Carolyn 101, Kepcher describes how she successfully synthesized her learned-on-the-job business acumen and motherhood duties to become a respected leader in the Trump empire. Plus, readers will love the snippets Kepcher shows of her famous boss, including his empathy to her personal life and foresight in choosing Kepcher for a management role at the age of 25: "I was twenty-five, a woman, and had never run a golf club in my life. But since Donald Trump trusted that I could handle it, I trusted myself to handle it."
It's clear from Carolyn 101 that Kepcher is a renaissance woman through and through. She balances the demands of the show, her job, and home-life, making her success that much more impressive. Those joining the workforce or already in the trenches will appreciate the firm advice she offers through personal stories and short blurbs dotting the pages, like this gem: "When someone hands you an opportunity, don't be afraid to take it." Case in point: Carolyn Kepcher, EVP and COO, The Trump Organization. --E. Brooke Gilbert
Book Description
Known to the millions of viewers of the hit reality television show The Apprentice, Carolyn Kepcher attracted enormous media attention for her cool demeanor and her no-holds-barred assessments of the show's candidates in the boardroom each week. In Carolyn 101, the woman Donald Trump has described as a "killer" businesswoman reveals the secrets of her success.
Geared toward those just entering the workforce or seasoned employees looking to distinguish themselves, Kepcher's book provides readers with guidance for their professional lives. Illustrating her advice with examples taken from her own career, she shows them how to:
- ace an interview
- deal with a difficult boss
- maintain a healthy balance between work and home life
- spot potential business opportunities
- be a strong team member or team leader
Straightforward and inspirational, Carolyn 101 shows ambitious professionals what they need to do to get ahead and take their own careers even further than they had imagined.
Download Description
"Known to the millions of viewers of the hit reality television show The Apprentice, Carolyn Kepcher attracted enormous media attention for her cool demeanor and her no-holds-barred assessments of the show's candidates in the boardroom each week. In particular, she was not shy about speaking out about her disappointment with the professional conduct of the female candidates, whom she felt too often resorted to using their sex appeal to move ahead and gain the favor of Donald Trump. But if anyone knows what to do to impress Donald Trump, it's Carolyn, his longtime employee and trusted adviser. In Carolyn 101, she reveals the secrets of her own success and provides readers with guidance for their professional lives. By looking at the types of people most often encountered in the workplace, she illustrates her advice with examples from her career -- largely within The Trump Organization -- showing readers how to: . ace an interview . ask for a raise or promotion . maintain a healthy balance between work and home life . deal with a difficult boss . spot and seize potential business opportunities . dress for success . be a strong team member or team leader Inspirational to both recent college graduates entering the workforce for the first time as well as seasoned employees looking to distinguish themselves, Carolyn 101 will show ambitious professionals what they need to do to get ahead and take their careers even further than they had imagined. "
Customer Reviews:
Business Primer For Women.......2007-06-24
Despite her high profile, or because of it, this book should be required reading for every young woman going into the business world. Ms. Kepcher has succinctly covered the important topics found in most business offices in America today. While the world of business is commonly thought of as a man's world the author instills the reader with the belief that yes, there is room in that world for women. She gives praise where praise is due. Basically, she reiterates that common sense, ambition, hard work, and attention to details are the precepts of success.
Only good.......2007-05-16
Althogh some chapters are good remainders of what a good manager must do / must behave, it's quite boring sometimes to read so many praises for her boss (now former boss).
I'm happy I bougth it used (US$ 1).
Not worth your money.......2006-05-15
I was really disappointed with this book for two reasons: 1) Carolyn praised Donald Trump throughout the entire book (I understand that she is very grateful for working for Mr. Trump but she comes off more like a starry-eyed love sick puppy. 2) She really did not provide any real business tips beside those that are pretty much common sense.
This book was not worth the money if she writes another book I will make sure I check it out from the library first before spending anymore money.
Worth the Quick Read.......2006-04-17
I wish Carolyn had addressed her snarky tone with Apprentice candidates. From another manager, it's an abuse of power. I don't agree with Carolyn's advocacy of outsourced parenthood. What's the point? But I was pleasantly surprised by the content of her book. It was likely written by her, given the errors in grammar and content organization. But it is very open about office politics, a topic rarely discussed so openly and personally. And her advice on how individuals need to position themselves relative to employers to promote success is spot on.
Good workforce intro.......2006-01-29
The title to this book is very succinct in explaining its content. Carolyn Kepcher's account of her rise to the top includes very basic business tips for anyone who's embarking on their careers, climbing the corporate ladder, or new to their executive role. The beginning of Carolyn 101 was great; Carolyn gives insight into what it took for her to achieve her career goals as a young woman and carry on her executive duties after having two children. She discusses tips for how to ace an interview, ask for raises & promotions, becoming a good manager and the importance of a team enviornment. All of this was wonderful but the book starts its decline as Carolyn finishes the book by talking about experiences from the Apprentice & I believve the last few chapters used the Apprentice as a crutch to make the book longer. Overall though, it's a good read.
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