Customer Reviews:
Awesome Book For The Perfect Trip !!!.......2007-09-21
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World is all you'll need to plan the perfect Walt Disney World vacation!
This book tells you everything you need to know from A - Z. After reading it, you'll feel like you just got back from Walt Disney World.
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World is perfect for first time visitors or for returning vacationers. It will help you pick a hotel, decide which rides to ride, where to eat and when to go. This book is a priceless vacation tool.
You will find because Walt Disney World is always changing that some of the information is outdated, just make sure you get the most recent edition. For instance, if you're going in 2008, get the 2008 edition instead of this 2007 edition.
This is a fabulous book!
The Bable for a trip to Disney.......2007-08-31
There is all the information you can possibly need for a successful trip to Walt Disney World under one cover.
This is an especially useful tool for first timers to the the Parks.
It does not provide much information for those who are planning to include other sightseeing or staying outside of Disney.
If you are planning to stay exclusively in Disney you will find everything you need to know in this book.
To the person that even hinted that this guide was not good enough.......2007-08-15
Just a note to the person who said this guide did not have the downsides listed on hotels+restaurants (and the attractions) in the birnbaum guide...Birnbaum is a DESCRIPTION of everything they were able to review...NOT a "You should go here but not there" guide. -After reading about each item, it should totally be up to you where you stay,where you go to eat and what you ride+see....not someone else. -I can describe to you how to tie your shoes but it should be up to you to decide what the up and downsides to doing this is...(aka personal preference.."Oh,let me see....should I tie my shoes slow or fast? -Should I tie them in the AM or PM?" -Get it? -THIS BOOK IS THE MOST INFORMATIVE OF ALL THEY OFFER I'VE EVER SEEN!!!! -It's a GREAT GUIDE (again...NOT AN ITENERARY or to tell you what to do for your day or wether you should avoid an attration or not while at Disney)!!!!!!!!!! -BIRNBAUM ROCKS!!!! (for those of us who understand why and how it was written and who don't need everything spelled out for us so we don't make a mistake while on vacation). -Thank You.
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World 2007.......2007-08-11
This book is a wealth of information on Disney World. Provides enough info to help you plan your stay a disneyworld.
Very disappointed.......2007-07-30
Lame! Published by some offshoot of Disney, this is just a thrown together piece of propaganda. I wasn't expecting anything critical, but the information is so weak! There's no depth and the "tips" have no real insight. Plus the dumb-downed design looks so amateur the book made me embarrassed to be seen with it. Try The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 (Unofficial Guides) or The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World instead.
Customer Reviews:
Fun for the kids.......2007-07-19
When planning our annual trip to Disney I alway order one of these as there are great kids tips and fun things for the kids to look at and anticipation of the big trip. We are huge fans and go every year our daughter is already planning the next trip out she is only 3. This guide book is her favorite thing to look and and remember wonderful times.
Disney World for Kids.......2007-07-16
My three grandchildren are going to Disney World in October this fall. I wanted to get something that was easy for them to read and understand. I can't wait until I can give them their own book. Their mom and I decided that we will take the suggestion in the book and wait until 10 days before we actually go. Their ages are 15, 10, and 7 and its the first time for them at Disney. This book has a lot of helpful hints and the more organized we are when we go the less time we will be wasting. 7 people altogether and thats a lot of people making decisions. I am writing an agenda so we don't miss a thing. Don't take everything the reviewers say as gospel. It's all a decision for each kid to make but this will help a lot. The cost is so much, we all want to make the most of a 7 day trip.
This is THE BEST Guide for Kids to Disneyworld.......2007-07-16
If you are planning a trip to Disney World and have kids...this is the book to buy! We have had so much fun reading, planning and preparing for our trip to Disney World. My little girl has memorized every page of this book and can't wait to take it to Disney with us for Character Autographs, Hidden Mickey Hints and so much more! This book is great for kids and adults, too. Lots of pictures, tips on Disney, entertainment for all, very helpful for your little one to feel involved in the trip planning. Also see the other Birnbaum Books...they are all terrific and fun for everyone...don't forget to take the book with you when you go!
The Standard.......2007-05-17
This is the standard. It's still the best guide to Disney World. Birnbaum's Disney guides have been a standard in our household for years.
Great Disney Book for Kids.......2007-05-16
We bought this book for our grandson before his first visit to Disney World. It gave him a great introduction to the parks without overwhelming him. The book not only lists hints and ideas of what to do and see, it also includes what kind of food is available and where to get it! All the parks are discussed and there are descriptions of many of the rides. Kids' comments are on almost every page. The format is kid friendly and easy to read, the illustrations are good, and actually it's fun to read as an adult, too. If our grandson's fanny pack had been larger, he would have carted it around all day since there were pages at the back of the book to collect signatures from the characters. By the way, he told us he loved the book and read every page more than once!
Book Description
Now fully updated for version 1.5, this comprehensive book-DVD combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Version 1.5's new features are completely covered, including the new image editing tools, expanded search capabilities, new Loupe tool, and support for many more RAW file formats. It delivers comprehensive training - the equivalent of a two-day course - in one project-based book. You'll learn time-saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images for use in different jobs, and effective ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, keep your online portfolio up to date automatically, color-manage your workflow from input to final print, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including fashion, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. All the files you need to complete the exercises are included on the DVD.
Customer Reviews:
Easily understandable and complete!.......2007-09-12
For those who are serious about organizing their didgital photos, this book is a "must have" to accopmpany their purchase of Aperture 1.5 software.
The software covers all of the frustrations that we have felt in trying to organize our images in a safe and usefull manner.
I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with some of the instructions, but everything is so very clear; it was refreshingly understandable!
It's OK.......2007-08-20
I can't say whether or not this book will adequately prepare you for the Aperture certification exam as I'm having a great deal of trouble finding anyone who actually offers it in my area, but I can say that if you own Aperture you own a copy of the Aperture user's manual, and you're not going to find a lot of information in this book that isn't already in there. I was honestly going to return it, but then I carelessly set a glass of water down on top of it while I was on the phone and crinkled up the cover.
Excellent tutorials and very easy to get through.......2007-07-24
I have had mixed luck with tutorial books and self paced learning, but this is an excellent example of how to do it correctly. Not too much and not too little. I immediately was able to get 10 X as much out of my Aperture investment after just the first few chapters. I've dramatically improved my ability to deal with the hundreds of pictures I take every shoot. It really should be the manual for the program. Don't think twice. This is the book to get if you want to get more out of Aperture.
IF YOU LIKE HANDS ON LEARNING, THIS BOOK IS GREAT.......2007-03-19
Because I enjoy photography so much, my husband purchased an entire Mac system for me for Christmas and included Aperture in the package. The program came with a "Getting Started" manuel that gives the basic "how to's" of the program. However, I learn best by doing step by step projects. I purchased Aperture 1.5 Pro Training and it definitely fit the bill for me. It took me step by step through the features of this great program by using actual projects downloaded from the CD included. I learned about features I am not sure I would have discovered on my own. I am also using features I would have probably thought I would never have a need for had I not done a project with them using this book. Because you get to do actual projects, it is also easier to remember how to use the features when you go to try something with your own pictures. If you like step by step hands on learning and you are new to the Aperture program, this book will serve you well.
A Great Hands-On Learning Tool.......2007-02-16
Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 1.5 provides the new user with a very
well thoughtout approach to learning the basics and intricacies of Aperture.
By providing a CD containing the files that are referenced within each of
the lessons, the book guides you through the steps for ingesting, sorting,
storing and modifying your images. The text is, for the most part, very
clear and logical. Once in a great while the program seems to not quite act
as expected, but figuring out some small added step is relatively simple.
Overall, a great way for a beginner to learn how to access the power of
Aperture.
Book Description
The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook explains everything you need to know to locate and purchase real estate bargains from banks, public auctions, and other sources. Whether you are a first-time homeowner or an experienced property investor, The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook is a tremendous guide for buying pre-foreclosed homes in any market. You will learn the simple formula (developed from real-life experience) that can build massive wealth through real estate foreclosures.
The Federal Reserve Bank indicates"....that foreclosed properties average 22% less than typical properties."
Home foreclosures are at their highest peak in years; you can be one of the thousands earning six-figure incomes in this lucrative segment of the real estate marketplace. You can do this part-time or full-time. Learn how to buy directly from property owners whose mortgage loans are in default and stay away from courthouse-bidding feuds. With the help of this new book, property investing can be a very lucrative line of work. You will learn how to identify the most valuable properties and control every step of the procedure.
We spent thousands of hours interviewing, e-mailing, and communicating with hundreds of today's most successful real estate investors. If you are interested in learning hundreds of hints, tricks, and secrets on how to make money (or more money) investing in real estate foreclosures, then this book is for you!
The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook is the resource for novices and pros alike; it will guide you through every step of the process including finding properties, negotiating, and closing on your first deal. This new exhaustively researched book will arm you with hundreds of innovative ideas that you can put to use right away. This book gives you the proven strategies, innovative ideas, and case studies from experts to help you get more with less time and effort.
Customer Reviews:
Good Background Information.......2007-09-20
This material is good basic information for anyone wanting to get started in buying potential foreclosure properties. Begins by explaining basic terms and processes - eg. mortgage foreclosures lead to Sheriff's Sales, while Deeds of Trust lead to "Trustee's Sales" and lack a redemption period (owners can buy back their property during this period, leaving you with nothing to show for your effort, though you do get your money back).
On average, foreclosure buyers have 90 days + 20 days publication time to work a deal with the homeowners. Buying from onwers prior to foreclosure also eliminates the redemption period. FHA and VA loans are much more likely to be assumable.
Buying at auction means having to contend with competitors, an inability to inspect the property prior to bidding, and all sales being final. After foreclosure one is less likely to get a good price, it is harder to inspect the property (utilities probably turned off).
Finding foreclosure properties is eased by looking in public records for "Lis Pendens" (judicial process) or the "Notice of Default" (non-judicial process); there is also the later Foreclosure Auction notice. Other sources include looking in the newspaper of record and/or the County Recorder database. Still other sources include divorce proceedings (likely problems with the lawyers involved), probate filings, FSBO listings, Internet sites (eg. foreclosure(s).com, street signs, Internet ads.
Author also recommends a full title search ($100-$350), and contracts written "Subject to" eg. inspections.
great book.......2007-03-08
i wanted to learn about investing in foreclosures so i purchased this book. it's full of resources and solid advice. it's obvious that the writer has much experience in this field. the writing is easy to read and humorous at times. highly recommended.
Pre-Foreclosure R.E. Handbook.......2007-03-04
Excellent book, writer F. Orlando give's Great insight to
the whole foreclosure process and the way to approach
this business investment. Book written in Easy to read
style, with good legal issues to consider in this business.
Great Read!
Very good for beginners.......2007-01-22
The book's strategy offers a simple method for identification for properties, including how to approach owners AND lenders. Sending attractive offers such as short sales and how to wait out lender approval. This is a very good read for beginners wanting to enter into the foreclosure market, especially in the current situation of higher interest rates and lower consumer demand for real estate. There will be a spike of foreclosures.
-Matt
Illustrator for The Ultimate Foreclosure Kit
The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook: Insider Secrets to Locating and Purchasing Pre-Foreclosed Properties in Any Market.......2006-12-28
The Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Handbook: Insider Secrets to Locating and Purchasing Pre-Foreclosed Properties in Any Market by Frankie Orlando is an excellent resource for people seeking information in a practical, hands-on approach to purchasing pre-foreclosure real estate. The text is organized in a logical manner with sufficient examples and clear explanations of the concepts presented. Although the text is very easy to follow, it also includes an extensive glossary to assist with the more difficult terminology used throughout. Step-by-step instructions and worksheets that are included are particularly useful. This text is recommended with a 5 star rating out of 5 stars.
Book Description
EC Comics (Entertaining Comics) were all published from the late 1940s until around 1956, when the Comics Code Authority whitewashed all comic books to remove all themes of horror and violence. Psychiatrist Fredric Wertham and Senator Estes Kefauver's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency attacked horror comics as causes of the rise in juvenile delinquency and crimes by minors. These comic books were accused of having no redeeming value to society and were effectively banned by the actions of these groups in creating the Comics Code. EC Comics were superior to other comics of the 1950s because of a higher quality of writing and artwork, and they were widely imitated by other comics publishers. The subject matter for EC Comics were horror, science fiction/fantasy, crime stories, war stories and stories with a social message that generally had a twist or "shock" ending. This volume reprints the first six complete issues (24 stories) of the comic book Shock SuspenStories, originally published in 1952, and features a mixture of horror, crime, war and social issue-based stories, characterized by ironic "O. Henry" type twist endings, and including the first attempts in the comics medium to teach moral lessons about racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, gang violence, corrupt officials, etc.
Customer Reviews:
A REAL TALE TO TELL !!!!!!.......2007-05-07
Never imagined i would get a chance to read the EC collections of Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science, Shock Suspenstories etc, that too in good quality bound volumes in glorious color on art pages.All are real collector items. A good investment to treasure and re-read on lonely rainy nights. Boooooooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow.......2007-04-28
I am 35 years old, jaded, hardly young at hearted believe first and foremost that most comics as is most sci-fi are for people who have never had a girlfriend or hit a home run. But I have always heard good legendary things about EC comics, things which might make them transcend genre.
So when this collection finally came out after a lifetime of waiting I plunked down my milk money like any other dime store dork.
I cannot begin to tell you how impressed I was. The stories, plots and picture book quality of the stories are simply too good, too rich, too detailed, too good for this world. It is no wonder they were stopped by the powers that be.
A tome of fun for future generations or the ULTIMATE coffee table book? Either way, I am going to collect them all. And look forward to the NEW issues being released this June of Tales From the Crypt.
A Historic Masterpiece.......2007-04-23
The current age of the comic book and graphic novel has seen so much classic work with technical and artistic virtuosity that could only have been dreamed of in 1950. What they had back then, and is so beautifully reflected in this reprint, was a deep desire to tell a story unlike anything that had been seen or read before. I won't spoil any of the material for you, but I must say the level and depth of social ills dealt with in these stories is far more unflinching than even the current crop of verite and dark side of life style of writers and artists provide. The art in some cases, as seen in the work of Wally Wood, Jack Davis, Joe Orlando and Jack Kamen, is precise and stripped down in order to serve one cause- the furtherance of the story being presented. This book has beautiful production values, a great paper stock, some interesting historical tidbits, letters pages, pristine restoration and enhancement of the originals. The title says it all folks, these truly do shock and also manage to drum up a bit of suspense at the same time. A must buy, as are all the EC Archives books now out. I remember these comics in the hands of my older cousins and neighbors, I even inherited shopping bags full of old EC books from them as they all entered High School, went to College or left for the miltary. Moldy and a bit raggedy in some cases, they were nonetheless fascinating. But these more mature themed works could not escape the all seeing eye of my Mom, and in a heartbeat they went out in the garbage. A shame, because the books, as you will see with all edtions in this series, are anything but garbage.
Nostalgia for the 1950s.......2007-03-24
Whether inspired by the success of Marvel Comics Essential or DC's Showcase reprint editions, EC Comics have excelled with the first of their series of collected editions from their late 1950s archive. These volumes give the average comic collector (even with a full set of the 1990s reprint editions) and avid fan of B movies access to many hard to find and prohibitively expensive gems, reprinted larger than the original comic size in full glowing colour. Even the forewords presented by icons like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and John Carpenter (on Tales From The Crypt) show the significance of the stories that are contained within each volume, many of which giving inspiration to sci-Fi, mystery and horror tales in the intervening years.
I can heartily recommend these collected editions to lovers of nostalgia of every age.
Finally!.......2007-02-04
Just as I started thinking about the old E.C. titles and how I'd like to get my hands on some of the reprints that came out in the 1980's, I found out they were getting reprinted in hardcover trades! I was young when I first started reading the E.C. books, picking up the single-issue reprints of whatever was available at the supermarket or drug store. All of those copies were thrown away as a punishment nearly 20 years ago, along with all the other comics I had. I started reading comics again in 2001, and lately I've been dying to read these old stories from the 1950's that I connected with so heavily, forty years after they had originally been collected.
I've picked up this title and Weird Science, so far, and they both deliver even more than I thought they would. The original art was used in the re-printings. The lines and shading of the reprinted art is just as crisp as it may have been in the 1950's, perhaps crisper. The lettering is also amazingly clean and it's a blast to read Al Feldstein's thoughts on how each artist had his own distinctive style of bubbling/boxing in the letters that matched his artistic style.
And the colors, well I can't say that I ever laid eyes on the original printings, but I would imagine that the re-colorings are at on par. Even if they are not, they are certainly more defined than in the reprinted issues from the 1980's. Those issues are what I have to go on, and the reprinting in the hardcover surpasses them in quality--I managed to find a couple of back issues of the "Tales From the Crypt" and "Vault of Horror" reprints so I am able to compare them. Plus, everything is printed on high-quality, glossy paper. It's really a great job. And the writing is, of course, unchanged. It's amazing how Feldstein had so many stories in his head, churning out four stories per issue plus one or two one-page short stories. They hit just as hard as ever, with the "preachies" standing out like lightening blasts. To have read these fiery anti-bigotry stories in 1952 must have been a shock, indeed. All the letters pages and E.C. ads are also faithfully included.
Only downsides? It sells for $50 in the comic shops. Personally, I think it is worth the price considering just how well these stories are reprinted and the fact that it just gets harder and harder to find any trace of the older reprints, including the old hardcover reprints. The price just puts the younger readers out of range, though, kids will have to rely on their parents to fork over the cash if they want to be shocked and in suspense. The other downside is that it seems the volumes are going to be coming out just as slowly as every other comic book company puts out their trades, and that Weird Fantasy (the stories I am most interested in!) isn't scheduled until lord only knows when. They are putting out just one new volume every two months! Maybe if they sell fast and well, the release schedule will be quickened....hint, hint...BUY THEM!
To further answer the questions from die-hard fans about how faithful the re-colorings are, here is a quote from Russ Cochran, in charge of the project, from an interview by Jim Patterson for "Tales of Wonder" (Google it):
"RC: I remember when I saw the Nostalgia Press book Horror Comics Of The '50s. I was very disappointed in the color. It was garish and so strong in some cases that it tended to obliterate the artwork. The original ECs were printed on the cheapest grade of paper which absorbed the colors and kept them from being too garish. When these same color separations were printed on a better quality paper, the color was too strong. This has been a problem in virtually all the Archives projects from DC and Marvel and I wanted the EC Archives to solve that problem, and I believe it has. First of all, the earliest EC Comics from 1950 were not colored by Marie Severin. They were colored by employees of Chemical Color Engraving and this coloring left a lot to be desired. Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein were very unhappy with the coloring from Chemical. Toward the end of the first year John Severin mentioned that his sister, Marie Severin, could do a better job of coloring all the ECs. She was hired and subsequently colored all the EC product. Every page in the EC Archives has been re-colored using modern computer technology to include fades and blends, modeling on faces and clothing, and other modern techniques to achieve a more pleasing color page. But in doing this Marie's original color schemes and style were followed."
Book Description
Inside this book is all the information you need to have the family vacation of a lifetime at the Orlando theme parks. Up-to-date and written with the help of more than 500 families this guide is packed with details on all the attractions at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld. It's user-friendly, fun, and designed for at-a-glance reference. And it will help you and your family plan the vacation each of you wants.
Inside you'll find:
- Time- and money-saving tips, insider's secrets, and scare factors for every ride and venue
- Clear, easy-to-read maps
- Full restaurant and hotel descriptions, with star ratings
- Quick Guides, Don't Miss Lists, and favorite attractions by age group
- Updates on Disney's FASTPASS system and Universal's EXPRESS system
- Know-how for Disney cruises
About the Author:
Kim Wright Wiley, mother of two, wrote the first edition of Walt Disney World with Kids in 1989, and 17 editions later she's closing in on her 50th visit to the parks, a statistic that stuns even her. Her Disney favorites? "I'm addicted to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, my favorite character is Eeyore, and if I have anything big to celebrate, I do it at the California Grill." When not at the theme parks, she lives in Charlotte, NC.
Customer Reviews:
Great family times at Disney.......2007-09-06
Must have for families headed to Disney. This book helped us decide what to focus on with the kids and not do too much. We took a five yr old and almost two year old and they did not have any break downs! We just had a great time.
Essential planning guide for toddlers.......2007-09-05
This is a great book to plan for a disney vacation with little kids. We have used two editions now, and take it with us to leave in the stroller for reference. Even though we are veteran Disney travelers as adults, this really helped plan for our preschoolers.
This was the BEST BOOK to read before our trip to Disney World!.......2007-07-02
This book is a must-read for anyone (with OR WITHOUT KIDS) who is going to visit Disney World. It has information on everything! From tips on drinking water inside the park (a must to know if you have ever been to Disney Land!), to the ins and outs of hotels to choose from (both on and off site), to restaurant details, to what each ride is like along with height and weight requirements for each. You are able to get all kinds of information in order to plan your up coming visit and make informed decisions accordingly! We were able to loosely plan our vacation so that we weren't wasting precious time while in the park, trying to figure out what attractions to see and where to eat. WELL WORTH the money and the time to read this book. I plan on buying an updated copy everytime we get to go back to Disney World so I can keep informed and up-to-date on everything!
Pretty good, on many counts.......2007-06-14
A useful guide for anyone planning a trip to Disney World. Especially helpful are the charts in each chapter that give detailed information on attractions. The information includes a brief rating on the ride or show, the length, and any minimum height requirements. As I got this "2007" guide for Christmas, six months before our trip, I should say that there were some pieces of information that were outdated when I got it in 2006.
However, the publisher has done a respectable job to gather and include information from families who have visited Disney. These insights apply to the parks and surrounding resorts. Its not perfect, but proved to be one of several useful tools in planning our family vacation.
Reading it now!.......2007-06-13
I'm in the process of reading this in preparation for an upcoming vacation to Disney World. Helpful tips that I plan to use.
Book Description
This volume reprints the second six complete issues (24 stories) of the comic book Weird Science, originally published in 1951 and 1952, and features science fiction and fantasy stories, flying saucers, aliens, other worlds, space travel, similar to the first science fiction movies of the same period.
Customer Reviews:
Flawed and Loving It!.......2007-05-24
First of all, the book is not flawed in any physical way. The printing is great, the binding is great, and the color is great.
What's flawed are some of the stories. But the flaws are fascinating! For instance, in a story about going to the moon written the decade before it actually happened, we have a man, in a space suit, granted, falling back to earth through space and merely floating to the ground with a parachute. Nevermind the whole tendency to catch on fire when entering the earth's atmosphere at several hundred miles an hour.
Fabulous! I mean it. Far from being a negative thing, such a flaw really points up the refusal of writers like Feldstein to let ignorance get in the way of a good story. It's great to see him stretch a plot to make way for an effect, too. Like introducing a character called "peach pit" (because he likes to suck on peach pits of course) in order to allow for an alien seed to get into his body to be "born" in a way that anticipates Alien, once again, by decades. You would think the government would be pretty careful with such life-threatening cosmic nuts, wouldn't you? Well, I won't spoil the ending. Hilarious!
Even the flaws reveal Feldstein's wonderfully playful talent for either making up altogether or finding stories like these and adapting them to comics. He was so unafraid! For instance, what do you do with a multi-dimensional creature that appears only partially as a floating blob in the air? You theorize about it a bit before harpooning the thing and tying it to a couple of trees with some good, stout rope, that's what you do! And why? To destroy it of course. After all, it's already made the neighbor's cow go poof! That's humanity in a nutshell.
These comics are a monument to the power of the imagination to do the best it can with whatever it has to work with in order to have a little fun (or to defend the planet, presumably . . . without all the red tape). Even the flaws are fantastic!
Book Description
EC Comics were superior to other comics of the 1950s because of a higher quality of writing and artwork, and they were widely imitated by other comics publishers. The subject matter for EC Comics were horror, science fiction/fantasy, crime stories, war stories and stories with a social message that generally had a twist or "shock" ending. This volume reprints the second six complete issues (24 stories) of the comic book Shock SuspenStories, originally published in 1953, and features a mixture of horror, crime, war and social issue-based stories, characterized by ironic "O. Henry" type twist endings, and including the first attempts in the comics medium to teach moral lessons about racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, gang violence, corrupt officials, etc.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic.......2007-07-21
Where it all began. Amazing art, great stories, beautiful new color on heavy glossy paper. These E.C. Archives are well worth buying. I intend to get them all.
Amazon.com
Written in a narrative style that captures both the scope and detail of the Russian revolution, Orlando Figes's history is certain to become one of the most important contemporary studies of Russia as it was at the beginning of the 20th century. With an almost cinematic eye, Figes captures the broad movements of war and revolution, never losing sight of the individuals whose lives make up his subject. He makes use of personal papers and personal histories to illustrate the effects the revolution wrought on a human scale, while providing a convincing and detailed understanding of the role of workers, peasants, and soldiers in the revolution. He moves deftly from topics such as the grand social forces and mass movements that made up the revolution to profiles of key personalities and representative characters.
Figes's themes of the Russian revolution as a tragedy for the Russian people as a whole and for the millions of individuals who lost their lives to the brutal forces it unleashed make sense of events for a new generation of students of Russian history. Sympathy for the charismatic leaders and ideological theorizing regarding Hegelian dialectics and Marxist economics--two hallmarks of much earlier writing on the Russian revolution--are banished from these clear-eyed, fair-minded pages of A People's Tragedy. The author's sympathy is squarely with the Russian people. That commitment, together with the benefit of historical hindsight, provides a standpoint Figes take full advantage of in this masterful history.
Book Description
It is history on an epic yet human scale. Vast in scope, exhaustive in original research, written with passion, narrative skill, and human sympathy, A People's Tragedy is a profound account of the Russian Revolution for a new generation. Many consider the Russian Revolution to be the most significant event of the twentieth century. Distinguished scholar Orlando Figes presents a panorama of Russian society on the eve of that revolution, and then narrates the story of how these social forces were violently erased. Within the broad stokes of war and revolution are miniature histories of individuals, in which Figes follows the main players' fortunes as they saw their hopes die and their world crash into ruins. Unlike previous accounts that trace the origins of the revolution to overreaching political forces and ideals, Figes argues that the failure of democracy in 1917 was deeply rooted in Russian culture and social history and that what had started as a people's revolution contained the seeds of its degeneration into violence and dictatorship. A People's Tragedy is a masterful and original synthesis by a mature scholar, presented in a compelling and accessibly human narrative.
Customer Reviews:
Absorbing and comprehensive.......2007-05-05
Wonderful. If there's a man who can write non-fiction books Orlando Figes is one. I wish he would write about other times and places, I would buy his books immediately. His other book on Russia's culture (I forgot the title) is also great. The best thing about this author is that anything he writes about, no matter how complicated it may seem or how foreign it may be, he makes it vivid and absorbing. Reading him is like having your best friend trying to make you understand something you've been studying but still can't get the gist of.
I like the way he presents us with the facts. It's not deferential to any political side. He talks about the people, not about ideas or policies. He lets us know how people lived, their environment, their heritage and personal backgrounds, how they felt and what they believed in, what they lacked and what they wanted. It's all about people. You see what they did, you know their circumstances, then you judge. I love that.
I did notice, though, that the author tends to explain (or should I say blame?) failure many times on lack of a consensus between factions, which seems to me a childish excuse, an easy scapegoat. Then, when he presents other versions of the facts, and compares them to his, he always makes sure his version stands middle-of-the-way between the "rightist" and the "leftist". But I doubt if there really exists any "rightist" version at all in some cases. Anyway, this book was a pleasure to read.
Exceptional, comprehensive and erudite.......2007-04-12
Figes is a historian of the very highest calibre, and this book is nothing short of breath-taking -- in its scope, in its fluency, in its mastery, in its impact.
As the title makes clear, this is a tragic story, told with force and coherence, on the ascendancy of Communism in Russia. Leninism was not an inevitable consequence of conditions in Russia at the start of the 20th century. Rather, as Figes argues, it was an outgrowth of circumstance, of cowardice, of miscalculation and missed opportunities. Into this breach stepped Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks.
The book, ultimately, stands as the most fitting possible epitaph for the unmourned death of the Soviet Union.
Book condition is not as good as described.......2007-01-08
The book is clean, but the condition is not as good as described.
A Brilliant and Unforgettable History.......2006-09-26
Rarely, one stumbles across a book that is of such surpassing excellence, and whose scholarship is worn so lightly, that you know, reading it, that you will never be able to forget it, and what you learn from it. Figes' A People's Tragedy is this rarity. I have read many books about the Russian Revolution, but no book has the sweep, the clarity, the balance, and the heartbreak of this. I literally had to put it down every so often because the sheer tragedy of what I was reading was more than I could bear.
First, Figes briskly deals with all those things you thought you knew about the Russian Revolution, Lenin, Stalin, Trotsky, Kerensky - the liberals, the Bolsheviks, the Tsar. Again and again, I realized I had picked up myths either promoted by those who lost, or those who consolidated, the Revolution. The mythmaking machine was going full tilt from 1917 onwards (particularly during the Stalinist and Cold War Years) and this book would be irreplaceable if only for stripping away so much that you thought you knew - which was wrong.
Second, by starting the book in 1891 (with a famine which revealed the incompetence of the Tsarist beaurocracy) and ending with the death of Lenin in 1924, Figes permits himself a sweep of events that makes what actually happened even more dramatic than it was. Again and again, you not only read about, but hear from the survivors of, mistakes, errors, misconceptions - indolence, arrogance, foolishness, well-meaning idiocy - in a way that, as a human being, is more than heartbreaking. Again and again, the Revolution might never have happened, a democracy might have developed, steps taken could have been taken back - but they weren't. Instead, one of the great mass tragedies of history occurred, and you feel like a helpless bystander, watching it happen.
This is remarkable history and it is an extraordinary achievement. It is bound to upset those with fixed ideologies on both the left and the right. If you ever read only one book on the Russian Revolution, make it this one.
review of A People's Tragedy.......2006-07-22
I have read many books on the Russian Revolution, and this one is among the best. He presents many vivid anecdotes which give one the sense of the confusion and violence, but also the euphoria and promise, of Russia during the revolutionary period. He clearly sides against the Bolsheviks (though he is fair enough to present some valid reasons why they imposed some of their policies, and carefully distinguishes the different strands of this variant of Marxism), and seems to favour Prince Lvov's liberalism and Maxim Gorky's leftist humanism, but I myself have no problem with this: of all the perspectives of the Russian revolutionary period, the latter seem to be the most humane, even if they were ultimately doomed.
Book Description
Completely updated for 2007, Frommer's Walt Disney World & Orlando is the perfect trip-planner for America's #1 vacation destination—
Disney World. A total of 16.2 million people visited the Magic Kingdom—the world’s top theme park—in 2005, according to Amusement Business magazine. Epcot attracted 9.9 million visitors, Disney–MGM saw an attendance of 8.6 million, and Animal Kingdom racked up 8.2 million visitors.
This book will cover all of the highlights of the city, including the opening of Disney's latest thrill ride,
Expedition Everest. It also features detailed itineraries for all of the Disney and Universal Orlando theme parks.
The guide also includes info on Cypress Gardens adventure park, Busch Gardens, and Disney's newly revamped ticket structure. You'll also find individual park maps, up-to-date advice on finding the best package deals, and a free color fold-out map.
Customer Reviews:
We found this book to be a great resource!.......2007-01-15
My husband & I went to Orlando for the first time over Xmas 2006. This book really gave great information and suggestions for our time there. We enjoyed the restuants that they recommended and great reviews of the parks (what to see & what to skip) were very helpful!
Not for the Disney Fanatic.......2006-11-06
This book is what it states: an excellent tool for learning about any of the new or newly rehabbed rides and shows at Disney world and several other Orlando area parks. It's as up to date as the books press time would allow and the maps of the parks are decent if not totally encompassing. This is not the book to get if your debating on where to stay on the Disney property as the hotel descriptions are extremely brief. You're likely better off cruising the web with as many informative web sites as fellow Disney fanatics have created out there.
My biggest complaint with the book is that this author doesn't actually seem to like Disney World. From the tone of her writing maybe she just OD'd on too much Disney, stood in one too many lines, heard one too many crying children in her quest for Disney detail-whatever. If I'm buying a book about a place I'm going to on vacation, I want to feel happy and excited about the place...and I definitely didn't get that feeling from this author I'm sorry to say.
An absolute MUST for your Disney World Trip!.......2006-09-30
This book is very detailed and gives you information on everything in Disney World and the surrounding theme parks (including a very detailed map!). From the prices and what to expect at the restaurants to very detailed descriptions of the rides including age recommendations.
Compared to other Walt Disney World guide books (and believe me I own them all) this one is above and beyond the best available.
I am an obsessive planner and this book has all the information I need to plan a wonderful Disney vacation.
Very highly recommended!
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- Cinema for French Conversation: Le Cinema en Cours de Francais, Second Edition
- Class and Schools: Using Social, Economic, and Educational Reform to Close the Black-White Achievement Gap
- Cocktails In Tahiti
- Criminal Law: Examples and Explanations (Examples & Explanations Series)
- Designing and Developing Multimedia: A Practical Guide for the Producer, Director, and Writer
- Dreamquake (The Dreamhunter Duet, Book 2) (Dreamhunter Duet)
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Travel
| People & Places
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The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2007 (Unofficial Guides)
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids, by Kids 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World for Kids By Kids)
Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide 2007 (Birnbaum's Walt Disney World Dining Guide)
PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake! (Passporter Walt Disney World)
Fodor's Walt Disney World® with Kids 2007 (Special-Interest Titles)
