The Glass Castle: A Memoir

Amazon.com

Jeannette Walls's father always called her "Mountain Goat" and there's perhaps no more apt nickname for a girl who navigated a sheer and towering cliff of childhood both daily and stoically. In The Glass Castle, Walls chronicles her upbringing at the hands of eccentric, nomadic parents--Rose Mary, her frustrated-artist mother, and Rex, her brilliant, alcoholic father. To call the elder Walls's childrearing style laissez faire would be putting it mildly. As Rose Mary and Rex, motivated by whims and paranoia, uprooted their kids time and again, the youngsters (Walls, her brother and two sisters) were left largely to their own devices. But while Rex and Rose Mary firmly believed children learned best from their own mistakes, they themselves never seemed to do so, repeating the same disastrous patterns that eventually landed them on the streets. Walls describes in fascinating detail what it was to be a child in this family, from the embarrassing (wearing shoes held together with safety pins; using markers to color her skin in an effort to camouflage holes in her pants) to the horrific (being told, after a creepy uncle pleasured himself in close proximity, that sexual assault is a crime of perception; and being pimped by her father at a bar). Though Walls has well earned the right to complain, at no point does she play the victim. In fact, Walls' removed, nonjudgmental stance is initially startling, since many of the circumstances she describes could be categorized as abusive (and unquestioningly neglectful). But on the contrary, Walls respects her parents' knack for making hardships feel like adventures, and her love for them--despite their overwhelming self-absorption--resonates from cover to cover. --Brangien Davis

Book Description

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

TO INQUIRE ABOUT SCHEDULING JEANNETTE WALLS FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS PLEASE CONTACT:

Keppler Speakers

Dustin L. Jones

Associate, College & University Division

703.516.4000 (P)

703.516.4819 (F)

Customer Reviews:

Inspiring.......2007-10-05

Absolutely inspirational and motivational for anyone who has lived such a life and still come out on top. It is indicative of a child who has much more intuitiveness than most adults, as well as a lesson in forgiveness.

Jeannette Walls.......2007-10-04

Thank you for visiting our school, Ms. Jeannette.
I figured you'll probably see this, since you said you like Amazon.

Your book has truly touched me. I just wanted to say I admire you more than anyone in this world.

I feel very fortunate to have had to opportunity to meet you ... at the school paper (Grits) meeting, the service leader meeting, in the Science & Technology lobby, and at the Senior Girls Lunch.

I admit, I also feel a little guilty because I mean ... PG "educates" the most spoiled Charleston kids who spend most of their time partying, drinking, and wasting time. It's a phenomenal school with a brilliant faculty, but the majority of the student body takes their gifts for granted. I hope your story and your truths have gotten through to some of them.

I'm so glad you are where you are now and I'm so glad you're happy.

For anyone else reading this review, go out and buy the book right now. It will change you forever.
For anyone who has written reviews accusing Ms. Walls of lying, please open your minds. If you ever meet her, or even hear her speak, you'll know immediately that every word is true.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Alice Phillips, Senior, PGS (Charleston).

PS: You're right - everyone has something.

A Disturbing but Positive Memoir.......2007-10-04

What an eye opener. I'd like to believe every parent does the best they can, but as I read "The Glass Castle" I really had to ask myself, "Is this the best they could do?" I found myself wincing at times as I read the memoir. However, I couldn't put the book down, and the love Jeannette Walls has for her parents despite the neglect and disregard she endured, shows the incredible strength of the human spirit. To a society in which some people blame their lack of stability on a bad childhood, this book is a gift and a must read.

THANK YOU JEANETTE and your entire family for sharing your life!.......2007-10-03

An excellent book so engrossing I could not put it down. I love to read, but this book has moved me and stayed with me longer than any other. This book shows that you can break the chains that bind when you are focused. I've been in recovery many years and I appreciate the work involved in writing, along with courage in sharing, such intimate details of a family history. I will be recommending this book for years to come. Thanks again.

Absolutely amazing!.......2007-10-02

An amazing account of how one can overcome her/his circumstances instead of "blaming" the parents. A real page turner and so well written. I had put off reading this book for many months (thinking it would be too depressing to read) until a co-worker said, "It's really a good book."

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga

Average customer rating:

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars
My Star Wars fanatic loves this book
A Must-Have for any Star Wars fan
Star Wars is a Five star choice for the ultimate fan
My 9-year-old loves this book!

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Provides a complete, comprehensive overview of the Prequel movies (Episodes I-III) and the Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI), this is the definitive photographic guide to the entire Star Wars saga.

Customer Reviews:

The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars.......2007-09-26

This book is extraordinary. The pictures are sharp and extremely detailed. There are explanations of many characters that are only seen in the background scenes. I highly recommend if you're a Star Wars fan. My 4 year old won't give it up.

My Star Wars fanatic loves this book.......2007-09-26

I bought this for my 6 year old who is a Star Wars FREAK. He sat down with this book immediately and has not really stopped looking at it since. He can barely read, but he loves examining all of the characters, and the way they are broken down and labeled is very exciting to him. He likes to see everything that he's seen in the movies, and video game, in full detail.
I can't comment on how this book is similar or different to any other book, but I can say, it's very detailed, it covers a lot of information and describes alot of the relationships and uses of the characters & items. My 6 year old can identify way more than I can. This book is well set up, with loads of information and LOTS AND LOTS of details full color high quality photos which is just what we were looking for.

Good luck!

A Must-Have for any Star Wars fan.......2007-09-21

My son constantly wants to look at this book, and he is only 6 and has never seen any of the movies. That pretty much says how good this book is. I grew up with the original Star Wars movies, so looking through this book is like looking into the past for me. It is well put-together, very concise with a lot of nice photos and a plethora of Star Wars information. An excellent resource for any Star Wars aficionado.

Star Wars is a Five star choice for the ultimate fan.......2007-09-09

This book is just fantastic, and it is worth every penny. I originally bought it for my friends son who loves Star Wars. The kid walked around with the book under his arm like a bible! He never put it down. I recently bought it for my own two elementary age boys and they love it just as much. This is wonderful gift to get for any Star Wars fan -- Once again DK has cornered the market on wonderful visual books for young children. Their books are so well executed and so wonderfully edited, they know exactly how to appeal to this age group by giving just enough information with out making it too simple. An adult fan would actually love this book too. It's a great purchase.

My 9-year-old loves this book!.......2007-09-03

I purchased this book for my 9-year-old son who has been a Star Wars fan for a few years. He has spent hours looking through the book on his own or alongside his friends. I have never seen the movies and I have little knowledge of the people in them, but I could easily learn A LOT from this book if I wanted to. The pictures of the people and tools/weapons are great! I also like the fact that they show pictures from movie scenes that depict the people or the tools being discussed on that particular page. This was a great price for a large hardcover book with great details and pictures!

Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga

Average customer rating:

OUTSTANDING REFERENCE TOOL
5 stars for COMPLETE Cross-sections!!
My 5 year old loves it!
Not What I Expected But Great Nontheless
Star wars

Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga
David Reynolds , and Curtis Saxton
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Making of Star Wars: The Definitive Story Behind the Original Film (Star Wars)

ASIN: 0756627044

Book Description

This amazing title unites all four Incredible Cross-Sections books in one volume, enlarged and updated with brand-new illustrations-including the TIE bomber, Imperial shuttle, A-wing, and B-wing-along with revised technical introductions, behind-the-scenes pages, glossary, and index. (c) 2006 Lucasfilm Ltd. and TM AUTHOR BIO: Hans Jenssen Hans Jenssen has spent the last nine years in a galaxy far, far away, co-illustrating a total of ten Star Wars books with Richard Chasemore, with whom he has developed a close friendship. They have traveled across three continents, sampled exotic beverages with Boba Fett, and partied with R2-D2. He now lives a quiet life in Devon, England, with his partner and young son. RICHARD CHASEMORE Richard Chasemore has worked as an illustrator and 3-D computer artist in the United States and Europe, most notably on DK's Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections and, Inside the Worlds of the Star Wars series. Lately he has written educational books for budding digital artists. He lives on the south coast of England, where he enjoys sports involving boards and high speeds!

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANDING REFERENCE TOOL.......2007-09-14

Previously, DK Books has release four volumes in their Star Wars cross-sections series, covering the various Star Wars films. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Star Wars, they've now combines all four of those volumes, along with new illustrations into the massive Star Wars: The Complete Cross Sections. This coffee table-sized hardcover book packs information on every ship and vehicle used in the six films into 152 full-color pages. John Knoll, the Visual Effects Supervisor for episodes I - III, provides the foreword to the book.

The book is basically an encyclopedia for Star Wars ships and vehicles. The items are shown in a cutaway art, allowing the reader to not only see the outside, but also see the interiors as well. This gives fans a unique viewpoint as you generally didn't get a chance to see inside many of these ships and vehicles in the films themselves. Most of these are given a full two-page spread which include data files about each one. The data files provide information such as design and manufacture, wingspan, speed, crew capacity, armament, dimensions, ship or vehicle type, and other special features.

The book begins with Episode I, The Phantom Menace with each of the first three episodes getting their own chapter while the original three films are combined into the last chapter. In addition to the data files, a host of other information is provided on each vehicle as well. Text keys with map lines are drawn to each, pointing out important features of each vehicle. These are about the next best thing to the actual ships blueprints. The detail is simply amazing! On the Naboo Cruiser for example we see where the fuel tanks and fuel lines are located, along with coolant ducts, deflector shield projectors, sensor arrays and even mundane things such as the crew lounge and locker areas. These allow the reader to get inside these massive vehicles and ships and almost take a virtual tour through them.

Get up close and personal with Jango Boba Fett's heavily armed Slave I ship with its blaster cannons, laser cannons, missile launchers, and mine layers. Other ships included from the episodes I to III include Padme's Starship, ARC -170 Fighter, General Grievous's Wheel Bike, Pod Racers, and Palpatine's Shuttle.

The final chapter dealing with the three original films has certainly the most popular ships for fans including the Millennium Falcon, AT-AT Walker, Jabba's Barge, and Darth Vader's Tie Fighter. Several of the major ships and vehicles get fold out sections that provide four full pages worth of data. Chief among these is the first Death Star. The Slave I makes a second appearance here that includes the modifications made by Jango Fett's son, Boba.

Hats off to DK Books for also profiling the two artists whose brilliant work is on display here, Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore. The detail and effort that went into these drawings is truly phenomenal. This is one of those items that is tailor-made for the hardcore Star Wars fan, a reference tool that can be consulted over and over again.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

5 stars for COMPLETE Cross-sections!!.......2007-08-23

People should get Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections.
Here are three reasons why anyone who likes Star Wars should get this book.

1. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections includes information about ALL six episodes in one book. It's great to have it all in one volume instead of four separate books (Episodes I, II, III, and the Trilogy).

2. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections has extra content not included in the separate volumes. The Imperial Shuttle, the RZ-1 A-Wing, and the B-Wing Star Fighter are new material in the combined book.

3. Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections is jam-packed with large full color illustrations and tons of fascinating facts. The pages are crowded, but the information is great.

The Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections book rules the galaxy and any Star Wars fan would just love to have a copy. I checked it out of the library, but now it's on my Christmas wish list!!

My 5 year old loves it!.......2007-08-11

I purchased this for my 5 year old because he loves Star Wars. We have a couple of other Star Wars guides. He loves the cross section book because "it shows all the ships and details and that's cool". He loves finding something small that I would have missed. Great book for all ages.

Not What I Expected But Great Nontheless.......2007-07-05

Don't know why but I was expecting technical drawings of the Star Wars vehicles. Instead I get beautiful drawings of the vehicles and some of the characters which was an unexpected plus. Especially for scale comparison with some of the bigger vehicles. The reason this item dose not get five stars from me is because when reading the book things can get somewhat confusing there is so much info on each page it practically spills out from the sides. I would recommend it to anybody who wants more information on their favorite Star Wars vehicles!

Star wars.......2007-06-09

My son has not put this book away since we bought it. It goes on every car ride with us, and even to school for free time reading. The pictures are beautiful. He absolutely loves it.

Average customer rating:

For the budding Artiste
Awesome pokemon drawing book
Wonderful
Pokemon Book
Easy to follow directions.

How to Draw Pokemon
Tracey West
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Grab your pencil. Pick up some paper. And get ready to tdraw the coolest, most action-packed Pokemon art ever. Catch step-by-step secret tips on drawing your favorite Pokemon, like Pikachu, Togepi, Chikorita, Meowth, Pichu, Houndour, Lugia, Cyndaquil, and more!Plus, draw bonus poses of Pokemon in action, and create your own battle scenes!You'll be a Pokmon drawing-Master in no time!

Customer Reviews:

For the budding Artiste.......2007-06-19

Set by step instructions made it easy for my some to draw his favorite Pokemon characters.

Awesome pokemon drawing book.......2007-05-13

I bought this for my 7 years old daughter because she loves to draw
and also is into Pokemon. The step to step drawing was easy to follow.

Wonderful.......2007-05-13

I bought this for my son as a reward for doing well in school. He is 9 years old and in the fourth grade. It turns out my 5 year old and 4 year olds both enjoy it immensely, much to the dismay of my son (no girls allowed, lol.)

My son decided to trace the images for a quilt we are making to donate to kids in a loval hospital.

Pokemon Book.......2007-05-13

The step by step instructions is so easy anyone can do it once you practice with it. Once you get the hang of it you will be drawing Pokemon like a pro. This is a really good way to learn to draw some of your favorite Pokemon. I give it an A+++.

Easy to follow directions........2007-05-09

This book was wonderful for my 7 and 5 year olds who are addicted to anything Pokemon. Most of the drawings are quite challenging for a 5 year old, but he was just happy to be drawing something resembling a Pokemon character. I'd definitely recommend. However, it looks like a big thick book but it's only about 30 pages.

Blonde Ambition: An A-List Novel (A-List #3)

Average customer rating:

Super third novel!
Parents BEWARE! Lots of sexual content.
A-List #3: Blonde Ambition
THE A-LIST DOES IT AGAIN!
I Loved it!

Blonde Ambition: An A-List Novel (A-List #3)
Zoey Dean
Manufacturer: Poppy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316734748

Customer Reviews:

Super third novel!.......2007-07-19

Zoey Dean is at it again, with her third book in the A- List Series. In this book Anna gets an internship with Clark Sheppard, Cammie's dad, after Margaret gets angry at her. Things are going great in the set, and Anna may be falling in love with another guy. Ben goes back to Princeton, worried that Anna will fall in love with another guy. Cammie, on the other hand, tries to destroy Anna's intership. Information is leaked to Hollywood tonight about the show, Hermosa Beach, and everyone believes it is Anna. Clark fires Anna for this and Mia, Cammie's new stepsister has had enough with Cammie and tells her stepfather, Clark, that it was Cammie, for which he takes away her credit cards and car. Clark offers Anna the job back, but does not apologize, so Anna turns him down, so she an work on her film with Sam.

Parents BEWARE! Lots of sexual content........2006-07-10

These books are touted as "teen" books, but are highly sexual and completely inappropriate for young people. I read one just to keep up with what my 13-year-old stepdaughter is reading and could not believe that her mother allows her to read this trash. Passages where teens are kissing, then "moaning", then "moving on top of her" are common. This is adult material, not suitable for teens.

A-List #3: Blonde Ambition.......2006-06-28

Once again, I am addicted to the A-List novels. I started reading it, then got bored, then picked it up again a few days later and read it all the way through. I loved it. This one had more action in it.
Okay, so Ben and Anna are together, and then Anna gets an interneship with Clark Sheppard, which is Cammie's dad. Cammie is really mad, and she tries to get revenge. She's also mad at Sam and Dee because they seem to be hanging out with Anna more, so she starts trying to get Adam from Sam but then when she kisses him she thinks there's something more.
Anna and Ben have problems too, when Ben doesn't go back to Princeton. Then, when he does she and Danny are together.
I wish Anna wouldn't do this. I mean, maybe Ben isn't best for her but she is being such a player.
Either way, I loved this book

THE A-LIST DOES IT AGAIN!.......2006-06-27

The a-List yet again does not cease to amaze me! This book was a wonderful read and I thoought it was as good as the others! Anna and Ben are finally back togther,but what is up with ben's jealousy problem? Ben obviously can't stand to see Anna with another guy, and thats why he's put Princeton aside. Sam continues to be a good friend to Anna. But really, what is going on with the Cammie and Adam thing? Adam is such a great guy and Cammie is amazingly catty, can their relationship work? Or is it doomed to fail like all other hollywood relationships? Is Ben going beck to Princeton?ever? Is Anna going to grow tired of Ben and his jealous ways? Or will she stay by his side in the name of love? Read the book to find out!!!!

I Loved it!.......2006-06-19

This was a great book! Ben really started annoying me because he was becoming so protective. I finshed this book in 2 days and i'm on " A-List" withdrawl right know. I l,oved all the new chartcters that evolved.

Average customer rating:

Review
Wanted more of an autobiography
Intriguing,surprising insights about foucs & tenacity
The Women Who Raised Me
A wonderful book

The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir
Victoria Rowell
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 006124659X
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Book Description

The story of a remarkable woman's rise out of the foster-care system to attain the American dream—and of the unlikely series of women who lifted her up in marvelous and distinctive ways

Born as a ward of the state of Maine—the child of an unmarried Yankee blueblood mother and an unknown black father—Victoria Rowell beat the odds. Unlike so many other children who fall through the cracks of our overburdened foster-care system, her experience was nothing short of miraculous, thanks to several extraordinary women who stepped forward to love, nurture, guide, teach, and challenge her to become the accomplished actress, philanthropist, and mother that she is today.

Rowell spent her first weeks of life as a boarder infant before being placed with a Caucasian foster family. Although her stay lasted for only two years, at this critical stage Rowell was given a foundation of love by the first of what would be an amazing array of women, each of whom presented herself for different purposes at every dramatic turn of Rowell's life.

In this deeply touching memoir, Rowell pays tribute to her personal champions: the mothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors, teachers, and sisters who each have fascinating stories to tell. Among them are Agatha Armstead, Rowell's longest-term foster mother, a black Bostonian on whose rural Maine farm Rowell's fire to reach for greatness was lit; Esther Brooks, a Paris-trained prima ballerina, Rowell's first mentor at the Cambridge School of Ballet; Rosa Turner, a Boston inner-city fosterer who taught Rowell lessons of independence; Sylvia Silverman, a mother and teacher whose home in a well-kept middle-class suburban neighborhood prepared Rowell for her transition out of foster care and into New York City's wild worlds of ballet and acting and adulthood.

In spite of support from individuals and agencies, Rowell nonetheless carried the burden of loneliness and anxiety, common to most foster children, particularly those "orphans of the living" who are never adopted. Heroically overcoming those obstacles, Rowell also reaches a moment when she can embrace her biological mother, Dorothy, and, most important, accept herself.

Ultimately, The Women Who Raised Me is a story that belongs to each of us as it shines a glowing light on the transformational power of mentoring, love, art, and womanhood.

Customer Reviews:

Review.......2007-09-07

This was a well written book. The author gives a heartfelt account of her life in foster care. She begins her story as a small child in rural Maine and concludes as an adult actress in Hollywood. This is a great book that deals with foster care, mental illness, achievements, and adversity in a young woman's life.

Wanted more of an autobiography.......2007-08-16

I know the title says the women who raised me, but I really wanted to read more about how she got into acting, what it was like to be on the young and the restless and work with dick van dyke. She spends many chapters about her ballet years, but doesnt mention what it was like to get into tv acting, which is really her career, not ballet. She is known for being a TV star. She did a great deal of research into her families/friends - I think too much. I had to skip many many pages because it got boring. She mentions her marriage, but never talks about getting divorced. I never knew if she married Wynton or not, had to look it up on the net. She doesn't get into her relationships with men much or her children. I got the impression Wynton was raising her son? but who knows. She seems very multi talented though and it was great that she put so much time into writing a book in addition to her other charities/career.

Intriguing,surprising insights about foucs & tenacity.......2007-08-10

This is an exceptionally touching journey through the life of a foster child that was exposed to a number of phenomenal women.

All their lives were woven together beautifully by the author [Rowell]and revealed that despite backgrounds that were so different, these women all exhibited determined, giving spirits through their own talents.

A must read!!

The Women Who Raised Me.......2007-07-28

A very touching story , well written and informative. So sad at times. I loved that there were pictures of these incredible women to put faces on the heroes! Inspiring too, that with love and guidance, our children can thrive in difficult life situations.
As a grandmother to a mixed race child, very distubing also, that we still have so far to go in the US.

A wonderful book.......2007-07-01

I could not put down Ms. Rowell's life journey. I knew very little about her, only that she was an actress in a soap opera. She is an incredibly strong woman. I have great admiration for her. She could so easily have turned her back on her painful past and distanced herself from orphans; but she chose not to. She embraces her birth mother and all who assisted her.

Average customer rating:

very enjoyable
the gift
Four-Year-Old's Dream
A book for hard core fans and anyone new to Star Wars
what every fan needs

The Ultimate Visual Guide to Star Wars
Ryder Windham
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0756614201

Book Description

Providing fans and newcomers everything they need to know about the highest-grossing movie saga ever, this is the first-ever visual guide to the entire Star Wars franchise

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2007-08-16

bought this for my son. he is just crazy about star wars. he loves this book because of all the great pictures.

the gift.......2007-07-22

I bought this as a gift for my sister who is a major Star Wars fan and she absolutely loved it. It was in excellent condition when it arrived and t came on time.

Four-Year-Old's Dream.......2007-05-13

My four-year-old boy talks day and night about Star Wars, even though he's never seen the movies. With a few beginning-to-read books, and this great, comprehensive one, he is a true Star Wars geek (in a good way!). We first saw this book at the library, where my son's eyes just about popped out of his head. It's appropriate for any age, from child to adult, because the information is robust but broken down in small parts on each page, making it suitable for reading small chunks to a kid.

A book for hard core fans and anyone new to Star Wars.......2007-05-08

Some books just have an appealing to die hard fans of the Star Wars universe. If you are new, or happen to be a little overwhelmed; then this is for you! Great insight about places, characters, and a very neat time-line and map that illustrates where every planet is located. This is a formidable add to my collection. I liked how it covered events and characters from the expanded universe, since it gives you an idea about n how many events took place before and after episodes I-VI. The hard-cover depicting Lord Vader is second to none. This book is really a "must have".

May The Force be with us, all.

what every fan needs.......2007-05-07

This is a great source to just go over a timeline of the star wars galaxy span over 25,000 years worth of star wars history from the formation of the Republic to formation of the Galactic Alliance and everything inbetween

The Complete Locations of Star Wars: Inside the Worlds of the Entire Star Wars Saga

Average customer rating:

Where you've always wanted to go
A great source for background information
Great visual drawings!
Hypnotic Journey into Star Wars
awesome buy for Star Wars Fanatics

The Complete Locations of Star Wars: Inside the Worlds of the Entire Star Wars Saga
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Ultimate Visual Guide to Star Wars
The Complete Visual Dictionary of Star Wars: The Ultimate Guide to Characters and Creatures from the Entire Star Wars Saga
The New Essential Chronology to Star Wars
Star Wars Complete Cross-Sections: The Spacecraft and Vehicles of the Entire Star Wars Saga
Incredible Cross-sections of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith: The Definitive Guide to Spaceships and Vehicles

ASIN: 0756614198

Book Description

The dramatic culmination of DK's best-selling Inside the Worlds of Star Wars series, The Complete Locations of Star Wars uses breathtaking illustrations and insightful text to reveal the planets from every movie in the Star Wars saga, including the hotly anticipated Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Customer Reviews:

Where you've always wanted to go.......2007-09-03

This book is great!! I love how it approaches Star Wars as if it where real in the telling of each local or spot. It makes you feel even more apart of what's going on in the Saga and only improves the feeling of the movies for me anyways. If you've always had questions about each place you've seen on screen then this is the book for you!!

A great source for background information.......2007-08-30

The complete locations is a great source that brings all the locations together. One does not have to buy book after book of each movie to see their perspective location. As always, the schematics are detailed and will aid anyone who like to build diorhamas. I do recommend this book.

Great visual drawings!.......2007-05-18

See beyond the locations of the places where all the events take place. You can explore the little sections of what rooms are in the Jedi Temple, the routes from the pod race and more.

Hypnotic Journey into Star Wars.......2007-04-19

Star Wars fans will easily get lost in the fantasy worlds so brilliantly evoked in this book. Thousands of hours have been expended by hugely talented artists and writers to bring to life the small and large details of the Star Wars galaxy.

I'm grateful that someone in the Lucas creative hierarchy gave these artists the go-ahead to add new story exposition and perspective that was never in the movies. Fascinating new detail - did you know that Ben Kenobi had a secret basement in his house on Tatooine? Its shown here, along with what he hides in it. Did you know the Cantina in Mos Eisley was owned by a Wookie who bugs his customer's conversations? Did you know the carbonite freezing chamber in the Cloud City on Bespin was inside the gas processing vane? These and a thousand other details provide the essential Star Wars backstory and immersion craved by true fans.

This a a book to be read and examined slowly, preferably at night before sleeping, because your dreams will be of Star Wars.

awesome buy for Star Wars Fanatics.......2007-01-19

I bought this item for Christmas for my Star Wars fanatic husband. It turned out to be the hit for him and my 2 fanatic boys ages 5 and 8. They haven't stopped looking it over and discovering new trivia.

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide: The Ultimate Guide (Transformers)

Average customer rating:

A gift for my fiancee
Pretty comprehensive title
Ultimate guide?
transformers, ultimate guide
Ultimate Transformers guide is Ultimate!!!

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide: The Ultimate Guide (Transformers)
DK Publishing
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Transformers - The Movie (20th Anniversary Special Edition)
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The Transformers: The Movie Prequel (Transformers)

ASIN: 0756603145

Book Description

Transformers: The Ultimate Guide is a detailed look at the fantastic world of these mechanical marvels. Follow each character's history and witness the amazing evolution of the Transformers, from physical structure and weaponry to personalities, alliances, and important battles. Detailed illustrations show exactly how each character "transforms" from warrior robot to high-powered vehicle. Special feature spreads cover all aspects of the Transformers' world and include specially commissioned maps and detailed city plans of their home planet of Cybertron, descriptions of the giant space ark in which the Transformers traveled to Earth, major wars in Transformers history, and much more.

Customer Reviews:

A gift for my fiancee.......2007-09-10

The item arrived on time in NY and is waiting to be opened on Christmas morning.

Pretty comprehensive title.......2007-09-02

This book does a nice job of covering the Transformers universe, from comics to small screen to toys to fan fiction. Long-time fans will appreciate the G1 homages, a look at the UK comics and G.I. Joe cross-overs. New fans will appreciate that the Beast Wars and Beast Machines continuities are also covered.

The only things not included are the 2007 live-action movie or a comprehensive look at the several Japanese anime series. If you're interested in those, this book is not for you.

The graphics are a nice conglomeration of comic art, screencaps, new art and actual pictures of toy lines. The book covers general storylines in the many comics and animated series, including the many continuity problems that arise. However, this is not a catalog of every Transformer character out there. If you're looking for a bio on your favorite character, you probably won't find it in this book. The main characters highlighted are Optimus Prime and Megatron.

The only shortcoming the book might have for some is its preference for the Furman continuity, which is presented as gospel. If you're not a Furman fan, or are unfamiliar with his work, it might be confusing.

Continuity problems aside, this is a fun product. Worth having for fans new and old.

Google search: Quotable Optimus Prime

Ultimate guide?.......2007-08-12

This book comes with some good artwork and nice facts, but it is nowhere near what could be called an ultimate guide, it's more like a quick factbook. It spans very little of the toylines, and each series, in very few pages. I wouldn't recomend it for the fans to the extrreme fans unless you just want a nice small book with good artwork in it.
Increase this book size by about 2000 pages and put a gigantic ammount of information in it, then maybe it would be a nice thing to buy, but comon a paragraph at most for each transformer other then the leaders, Unicron or Primus.
Again in a nutshell this is not a book for any fan or diehard fan, it's more of a begginers book for children who have recently gotten into the Transformers via the series or the recent movie.

transformers, ultimate guide.......2007-08-05

for newbeebs to transformer generation 1, this is an excellent review guide
well illustrated and very imformative

Ultimate Transformers guide is Ultimate!!!.......2007-07-31

This guide is absolutely excellent!!! Has alot of history behind the trasnformers and waht they are about, and ALOT of great information and pictures on Generation 1. A definite pickup for any Transformer collector!!

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episodes IV, V, & VI: The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars Characters and Creatures

Average customer rating:

Great pictures.
The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars
Excellent book!
Very informative!
Perfect gift for my 10 year old son

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episodes IV, V, & VI: The Ultimate Guide to Star Wars Characters and Creatures
David Reynolds
Manufacturer: DK CHILDREN
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars, Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
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The Ultimate Visual Guide to Star Wars

ASIN: 0789434814

Amazon.com

Watch the Star Wars trilogy enough times and you'll find yourself straining to catch all the little details. Not the subtle plot points (Darth is Luke's dad, check; Luke and Leia are brother and sister, check), but all the cool gear and gadgets that keep flashing in front of the camera. Like what are those pointy things on Boba Fett's kneepads? And what's with all that ammo on Chewie's bandolier? And does an Imperial Probe really need that many legs? Finally, we've got some answers.

David West Reynolds, a boyish Ph.D. in archaeology who looks like he just rode in on the last Bantha, has catalogued the artifacts and inhabitants of the Star Wars universe with the same clinical thoroughness one typically reserves for studying Mesopotamia. His oversized, eye-pleasing picture book is packed with scrutinizing photos of actual props and characters from the movies, complete with systematic, scientific labels. And Reynolds's friendly, pseudo-academic style seamlessly blends new information with old. (In the Sand People description, you can't help but hear Alec Guinness's voice when Reynolds reveals that "Sand People ride in single file to hide their numbers.") In a few instances, the book shines an embarrassing light on the movies (Max Rebo is clearly no alien lifeform, just a poofy, blue elephant muppet), but the countless close-ups of thermal detonators, imperial blasters, and gaffi sticks more than make up the difference. --Paul Hughes

Book Description

The Visual Dictionary is an essential guide to Star Wars. DK's renowned Eyewitness style brings the characters, costumes, droids, and gadgetry of the Star Wars universe to life in astonishing visual detail. Highly defined, annotated photography shows and explains the culture, background, and technology of the Star Wars trilogy. Fans of all ages will enjoy detailed revelations of Star Wars secrets like how a Stormtrooper's equipment works, what the insides of a light saber look like, and what Sand People keep in their bandoliers. A visual glossary explains all the technical terms used in the trilogy. Together with Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections, these books comprise a definitive classic Star Wars reference library.

Customer Reviews:

Great pictures........2007-09-07

I have 2 little boys who love Star Wars. I like the pictures in this book. The words are too advanced for small children but I try to ad lib. My boys love to look at the pictures.

The Visual Dictionary of Star Wars.......2007-08-13

I bought this book and the complete guide for the entire saga. I was more impressed with this book than the other. This book was missing atleast the one character I was looking for Niem (Sullustan) that flew the Falcon with Lando in 6. So I looked him up on the internet and found his info readily availble on some star wars website. I was hoping that they would atleast list the name and race for ever character shown, but they don't.

Excellent book!.......2007-03-22

This book was just what we needed. My five-year-old son has developed a sudden interest for Star Wars, and since he's too young to watch the films, this book was perfect for him. Excellent pictures, everything is well explained, all the major points of interest are covered.

Very informative!.......2007-02-08

This was one of my very first Star Wars books and I half credit it with my burgeoning interest in the expanded Star Wars universe.
Includes great pictures and information such as what those little knobs on Darth Vader's chestplate are for to what exactly Salacious Crumb (that little Kowakian monkey lizard that works for Jabba the Hutt) does! If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then read this book!
Great for the enthusiast, beginner/amateur/expert and all!

Perfect gift for my 10 year old son.......2007-01-02

I bought this book as a gift for my 10 year old son who is a serious Star Wars buff. He told me he likes it because it has a lot of information about the characters, weapons, vehicles and technology.

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