Theros Ironfeld (Dragonlance Warriors, Vol. 4)

Book Description

A young boy stood on the dock of his fishing village and watched the minotaur war barge approach. It would change his life from a lad who would have grown to follow in the footsteps of his father, to the greatest weaponsmith in the history of Krynn.

As a boy, Theros Ironfeld was captured and pressed to service under the minotaurs. As a man, he first fought draconians to a standstill in Solace, and later, by mysterious means, acquired a silver arm. And when the evil dragons came to conquer, he was the only man who could forge the fabled dragonlances necessary to defeat them.

The Warriors series details the exploits of the heroes and villains of the War of the Lance.

Customer Reviews:

Theros Ironfeld.......2003-05-08

I was very dissapointed with this book, the reason i thought it would be so exciting is how they would tell how theros got his silver arm, and how he got around the making the legendary dragonlances. The book never got around to this large detail in theros's life, the author wrote too much about the low parts of theros's life instead of getting to the meat of his life. I was looking for a sequel to show me what happened to the rest of his life. i think that margeret weiss and tracy hickman should get around to writing a proper biography of Theros Ironfeld.

It was untypical of the DL "The Warriors" series.......2002-04-30

To those familiar with the classic Dragonlance, Theros Ironfeld would be no stranger - the weaponsmith with the silverarm, the second in Krynn's history to forge the legendary dragonlances.

As his story was not well-detailed in the Chronicles series, DL fans would rightly expect the tale of how he got his silver arm and skills to forge the weapons that turned the tide against the Dark Queen's dragon armies. These fans would be disappointed.

The book Theros Ironfeld dealt with the protagonist as a boy volunteering to join the minotaurs when the latter raided his coastal village home. It depicted a lonely boy whose mother died and was unloved by his father, yearning to find a place for himself in the world.

There was a lot of promise in the beginning for the boy who won personal recognition from the god of the minotaur Sargas for his sense of honor. From the minotaurs, Theros learned the skills of a weapons and arms maker, equipping him for his destiny.

However, the story went downhill from there. Freed from slavery by the minotaurs for his personal honor and loyalty, Theros went knocking around Ansalon, from Sanction all the way to Solace over many many years. A few things of interest happened, I would leave the readers to discover those for themselves, which are supposed to shape the mind and character of Theros.

However, while the events were exciting, they were not lived to the potential and frankly, quite anti-climatic. Encounters which began with promising sparks simply fizzled out as Theros turned his back on the road less travelled and seemed bent on shutting himself personally from the world, concerning himself with nothing else but setting up a forge and dooming himself to a mundane life.

Readers would have thought that Theros' personal contacts with the minotaurs, Solamnic Knights and Baron Dargon Moorgoth would play significant roles later in his life but nothing doing, Don Perrin seemed to be intent on just planting the seeds which readers would never see to bloom.

The ending was rather abrupt, Sargas behaved in a rather uncharacteristic manner which would leave DL fans disappointed at the quickness the author chose to end the book.

BTW, Theros was never a gladiator under the minotaurs, nor was he ever a soldier nor chose to follow Paladine. Then again, his story in this book seemed different from those in DL gamebooks too.

Don Perrin writes well, but the story itself is lacking.......2001-07-15

What were the other people thinking when they wrote they're reviews for this book? It isn't worthy of a 5 star review, thats for sure. This biography on Theros just goes to show how much of a scumbag he really was, helping the bad guys the whole time. And just a few pages after he turns good, he gets his arm cut off (from the Chronicles) and the story ends shortly thereafter. When i bought this book, I expected a story about how the idiot got his silver arm and forged those nice lances, but Perrin chose to stop in midtrack. A very sad depiction of a figure in the DL world who's supposed to be noble.

The best of the Warriors series.......2000-10-24

They should have started the Warrior's series off with this book, and built upon it. This was an extremely exciting book to read. Following the life of Theros is captivating. This was one of my favorite DL books.

I reccommend this book to anyone who likes good fantasy writing

One thing I should say is "AN EXCELLENT BOOK TO READ!!".......1999-02-05

The first time I saw this book, I thought it was a boring one to read, but when my friend told me to read this one, I was finally convince that it was really a great. Find out the life of Theros when he was young until he got old being a great Master Smith in the history of Krynn. Theros is also a true devotee of Sargas, and almost gave his life to honor him. I'll make sure you will never regret this, and you will never waste your time reading this!! .

Average customer rating:

Theros Ironfeld
Don Perrin
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MWC8GA

Amazon.com

In Hero in the Shadows, Waylander, the assassin hero of some of Gemmell's earlier books, is now a middle-aged man looking for peace in a world that will, for the most part, let him alone. The crimes of his past come back to haunt him, as he finds himself responsible for a young prince whose grandfather he murdered, and as creatures of doomed legend come back to rule the world with blood and horror. An aging paladin, a loud-mouthed braggart whom a magic sword has chosen, and a kitchen girl who is unusually handy with her knives become his allies, along with a priestess who is not telling all she knows, or all she is.

Gemmell is one of the best writers of fantasy adventure--this new book is attractively gloomy in its atmosphere and has a pervading sense of the ironic. The action sequences are powerful and well visualized; Gemmell always knows how a particular sort of fight would feel. And there are no simple morals here--most of the characters, heroic or villainous, exist in the gray hinterland between dark and light, where evil acts are often performed in sorrow and good actions often have mixed motives behind them. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

The ruined city of Kuan Hador reeks of dark mystery. Shunned by brigands and merchants alike, it is home to fearsome wild things and legends that freeze the blood--tales that speak of slavering white beasts, locked behind a powerful wall of spells, who possess an insatiable appetite for death. Millennia have passed since they were bound, and the spell of imprisonment has begun to fade. Soon the foul minions will be free to wreak a horrible vengeance against all that lives.

But no army waits to oppose them, only a ragtag group of unlikely heroes. Leading them is the mysterious Gray Man, an enigmatic figure with a blood-drenched past who has killed for principle and for payment--a man of destiny known throughout the lands of the Drenai as Waylander the Slayer . . .

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-26

Waylander is getting on the elderly side, and is a retiring businessman known as Daykeyras or the Grey Man. He has some wealth and influence, and a large household.

Action calls when he rescues a young woman, whom he takes into his household, and ends up training to be a warrior.

When the joining priestess Ustarte seeks his help, he is drawn into a final battle against dark sorcery to prevent a cataclysm.

No-one beats Gemmell!.......2007-08-16

Being an absolute fantasy-fan, I have read a lot of fantasy-books from different authors such as R.Jordan (wheel of time),G.R.R. Martin (song of ice and fire),R.Feist,T. Goodkind, etc.
For me personally there is no-one better then D. Gemmell, he has ( well he had, since he died a few weeks ago) an incredible gift to create characters,which you want to identify yourself with, which never are just "bad guys" or "good guys", but show a complexicity, which makes them very believable.
The best books are ,for me personally, the 3 volumes of Waylander, this one being the best of them.
Also excellent are the latest books of Troy.
Really a shame , that Gemmell had to die so young, my condolences to his family!

Another fantastic tale from Mr. Gemmell.......2007-07-10

Hero in the Shadow is the next book in the Drenai Saga, I believe it is book 9 in the series. For people who have little to no idea who David Gemmell is, you are in for a treat as you embark on this incredible journey through his plethora of novels. The first book in this saga is simply titled Legend (Drenai Tales, Book 1). It's a great read and one that starts a grand adventure. If you have not read Waylander (Drenai Tales, Book 4) and In the Realm of the Wolf (Drenai Tales, Book 5) by Gemmell you really need to at least read those two before reading this one. It will add much more depth to the main character and the demons he carries with him.

This novel actually has many plot layers to it. The main plot involves attempting to stop an invasion by demons in the land. This takes on many interesting turns and provides a brief history lesson to some things that have been mentioned in earlier books. Some of the sub-plots involve very emotional pieces such as Waylander's personal demons, Chardyn doubting his belief in the Source, Ustarte wanting to prevent deeds from happening, and a few more I won't mention due to being possibly spoilers. I think it is safe to say that no matter what type of fantasy books you enjoy there will be something in this novel for everyone. There are large scale battles, there are political underpinnings, there is the human element of striving for goals, there is revenge and retribution, but most importantly the story itself is well written and highly entertaining.

Mr. Gemmell has a knack for writing very engaging characters. Every character seems to be the most important character in the novel when they are on the page. Main characters such as Waylander and Eldicar all the way to minor characters such as Matze Chai and Lalitia. Gemmell imbues each of these characters with very real elements that allow the reader to love or hate them at the reader's discretion. Also, the character development in this novel is second to none. From where Walyander starts in the novel to where he ends up is simply fantastic. The journey the priest Chardyn undertakes in his search for believing in the Source is very good as well. Rarely in fantasy books is an author able to capture both great characters and a great plot. Mr. Gemmell has done just that in this novel.

When picking up a Gemmell book it is much like putting on a pair of old shoes, it's comfortable and you know just what to expect. While Mr. Gemmell may not write epic plots like G.R.R. Martin his novels are certainly worth while. His prose allows for an ease of reading. He doesn't use the flowery language one can expect from, say Tolkien. His books are much like he was in life, to the point and honest. If you are a fan of the fantasy genre and have not yet read a Gemmell book you are doing yourself a tremendous disservice. Take a chance and pick up Legend today and maybe you will continue on in this saga as I have. I will surely recommend these books to many fantasy fans.

Another Fantasy Classic.......2007-03-07

I've just finished listening to the audio version and it's just as good as when I read the book. Gemmell's world and characters feel real, as if you look hard enough there are history scrolls that will verify the existence of Drenai. Hero in the Shadows gives us the final chapter of Waylander, a hero who's past includes assassinating a good king for money to finance his personal revenge of the men who murdered his wife and children. How more complex of character can you get then that?

On one level the story is about Waylander, having taken on a new name, tries to live the life of a wealthy merchant. He builds a utopia in his huge palace for learning and culture. Beginning with the opening rescue, followed by the pending invasion of an evil race expelled from the world 3K years before, violence finds Waylander and drags him back into what he does very well: Dealing death. Magic, demons, religion, good citizens, and men with frozen hearts builds the story to its final climax. As with all Gemmell stories expect that evil men may commit acts of great horror and generous sacrifice, heroes come up short or suffer terrible losses, and common people step up to be heroic.

If this is your first Waylander book, STOP, first read "Waylander" followed by "In the Realm of the Wolf." Hero in the Shadows is the final in the Waylander trilogy. Although you could read this and get a full story, but much historical context and texture will be lost. Reading this Gemmell story, you won't be disappointed. Unless you're like me and have read all his work then you have only to reread these great works. Of course, Gemmell would want it that way!

hero in the shadows.......2006-08-28

as an avid fantasy reader, i have to admit that i read my books quietly, mostly cracking a smile at a good twist of a plot. Enter mr gemmell and i catch myself -several times- cheering aloud while reading. i only surrender his book(s) under
heavy eyelid pressure, very late at night.
let's talk about the actual book; while Tolkien puts immense talent into the creation of unforgettable places like Valinor, the pits of Thangorodrim or the mines of Moria,Gemmell puts the same immense output, to create unforgettable characters, like
Dakeyras (waylander) and Eldicar Manushan. This goes for all of Gemmell's other books, spanning haunting characters like the macedonian stratego Parmenion, the swordsman Skilgannon or the rigante giant Jaim Grymauch. The well never dries. every book comes with its array of awesomely described characters that it's agony to see some of them killed and i can promise you the loud cheering whenever they narrowly escape their predicament.
what's even better is the uniform way in which gemmell treats his characters:the bad ones get the same depth of personality as the good ones, you end up uncertain where lies your preferences in the middle of the book. so you'll decide
to go beyond both sides (like nietzsche would want us to), admiring them both for their boldness, courage, decisions and blunders.
the awesome reality and vividness of the characters is solidly encased into a context of magical realism where the characters can travel through astral planes and parallel worlds and encounter ancient magics that could help or destroy. you'll never know.
when the story will physically end and you close the book, you can be sure your mind will keep swarming for months -and possibly for good- with the names and deeds of great individuals with whom you shared an intense experience of life, thanks to that wizard of an author, david gemmell.

Shadow Warrior/the CIA Hero of a Hundred Unknown Battles

Average customer rating:

The definition of a freedom fighter
This book is a joke
He REALLY hated Castro
Fantastic book of a true hero

Shadow Warrior/the CIA Hero of a Hundred Unknown Battles
Felix I. Rodriguez , and John Weisman
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0671667211

Customer Reviews:

The definition of a freedom fighter.......2006-10-23

Maybe it's because I'm close to the subject but I enjoyed every single line writing in this book. This book tells the story of a person that had an early understanding of the damage that communist governments could inflict on the freedoms and human rights of individuals.

Felix's fight against communism went from being inserted inside Cuba helping to support and created armed resistance, to training and advising locals in Latin America to fight Castro communist trained and sponsored guerrillas that have brought so much pain and death into Latin America. He also fought in the jungles of Vietnam and had an essential role in the tracking down and capturing Ernesto Guevara in the Bolivian jungles.

Che seems to be a hero by many that have been only touched by Fidel's Castro propaganda machine, but for people like me that were born and lived under Castro regime, we have a first hand knowledge of how Che agreed and supported the repressive steps taking by Castro against the Cuban people to increase his grip on power.

Felix Rodriguez fit, in my opinion, to the definition of a hero. This is a book that anyone interested in cover operations should read, but particularly Cubans that have lived under Castro regime and want to know the side of their history that is impossible to find under the Castro's regime's Cuba's history books.

This book is a joke.......2005-02-25

This book is about an individual who obviously has a lot of imagination. Unless you intend to consider this as a fantasy novel, I would strongly recommend against wasting your money on this piece of propaganda.

He REALLY hated Castro.......2004-06-09

Rodriguez reminds us that being anti-Castro does not make him pro-Batista. He's pro-Cuba.

The son of a well-to-do doctor who escaped to Miami, Felix has spent his entire life fighting against Castro and his communists. One of the last men to see Che Guevara alive, he said he greatly regretted the man's execution and protested against it. He even relays the ironic anecdote of how a physician (Che) wound up as economics minister for Castro, and their brief but informative discussion on why the Communist rebellions in Africa failed.

He also has no love for the CIA, detailing the number of times in the Americas and South East Asia that the Agency screwed up his missions from bureaucracy or sheer stupidity, and the pathetic budget they were allowed to use. He considered them to be useful idiots in his own crusade.

Idealistic to a fault (Several faults) and yet quite shrewd, it was Rodriguez who warned LTC Oliver North that the arms coming in were being grossly overcharged for and that someone was pocketing the money. That he was ignored by North and others shows again the frustrating universe he had to operate in. And yet he persisted.

The writing drags a little here and there--this was one of Weisman's first projects, I believe. But it's not bad overall and there's plenty of content. A great counterview to the numerous bios of Che and others, and a rare examination of the very underplayed US response. The CIA didn't smash the Communist Revolution. The Revolution failed due to it's own (greater) incompetence and dishonesty. A comparison of the players on each side makes that obvious, and Felix was one of those players.

A fine addition to my library.

Fantastic book of a true hero.......2003-07-25

This is a fantastic book first of all. It tells the story of Felix Rodriguez who despite being Cuban born fought for this country's ideals and in fact became an American citizen. I won't go into the whole book, I'll leave that to anyone who reads it, although it is a great book, and you will see that Rodriguez does not deserve the things that he has been unjustly accredited with. A must read for those interested in CIA or Special Ops hiistory!

In the Roughrider's Shadow: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. -- War Hero

Average customer rating:

Vague and mildly interesting biography......
Fascinating, albeit brief, account of the son of a legend
An American Hero!

In the Roughrider's Shadow: The Story of Theodore Roosevelt Jr. -- War Hero
H. Paul Jeffers
Manufacturer: Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0891417974
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Book Description

Here is the extraordinary true story of Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the son of a president who refused to languish in his father’s shadow.

During World War I, Ted (as he was known) was the youngest American regimental commander to see combat. After the war, he returned to civilian life and founded the American Legion, as well as receiving a succession of important presidential-political appointments, including secretary of the navy, governor of Puerto Rico, and governor general of the Philippines. Early in 1941, Ted petitioned the army to return him to active duty. In April of that year, despite his advanced years, poor eyesight, weak heart, and arthritis so bad he had to use a cane, Colonel Roosevelt was back in uniform. Promoted to brigadier general, Ted fought with the 1st Infantry Division and served with distinction in North Africa and Sicily.

At Normandy, General Roosevelt was the oldest American and only general to land with the first wave on Utah Beach. His valorous leadership on the beach saved the day for his troops and earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Throughout his life, Theodore Roosevelt Jr. strived to be a credit to his father. As this marvelous biography demonstrates, he succeeded beyond expectation. When Gen. Omar Bradley was asked to name the bravest act he had ever known over his more than forty years of military service, he replied with four words: “Ted Roosevelt. Utah Beach.”

Customer Reviews:

Vague and mildly interesting biography.............2005-03-15

If I had a chocie, I would rate this book as 3.3 stars. The author tries to do justice to the first born son of one of the most famous Americans of the first quarter century of the 20th Century. He rightfully painted Theodore Jr. as a man totally overshadowed by the legacy of his father but yet managed to put his own imprint into history. I also thought it was insightful that Theodore Jr. did right to followed his father's examples even although by doing so, he ran the risk of being accused that he was merely mimicing his more famous sire. On these points, I thought the author did well. But when the author tries to paint a general picture of what kind of the man Theodore Jr. was but he was only partially successful. I would regard this a very friendly and sympathatic book on Theodore Jr. being that all of his strengths, accomplishments and great deeds were highlighted but there is nothing much written on his negatives or failures. (Even his defeat for his race for New York govenor's office was sugar coated.) As any reader would know, no one is perfect and no one is perfect as Theodore Jr. was portaryed in this biography.

Another weakness of the biography lies in Theodore Jr.'s military career. He won the Medal of Honor of his actions on 6 June 1944 when he landed on D-Day in Normandy but I am still wondering what he did to earned such a prize. Outside of reading how brave, courageous, and a great leader of men that Theodore Jr. was, I didn't get any picture that separate him from any other brave, courageous and great leader of men that thousands of American officers who served in World War II outside of the fact that he was a high ranking officer. Maybe that where one of the main weaknesses of this biography lies, that the author's knowledge of Theodore Jr.'s military skills proves to be quite mininal. Citing Stephen Ambrose and reading out citations of valor exactly don't do justice to a man's military career. The author's sources appears to be somewhat limited. (That is bit ironic considering that the subtitled of this book is "The Life of a War Hero".)

Overall, although its pretty well written and easy to read, I found this biography to be pretty limited. But it still the only one we have on the life of Theodore Jr. that I know of and perhaps some day, a more ambitious writer will tackled Theodore Jr. with more gusto.

Fascinating, albeit brief, account of the son of a legend.......2004-04-30

So much has been written about Theodore Roosevelt that one can feel like they personally know the man. Alas, TR's star was so bright that, in history's eyes, it has flashed over the lives of those close to him, especially those of his children. What is a shame is that little has been written about his namesake son, Theodore (Ted) Roosevelt, Jr. Most of what is known about him comes from anecdotes gleaned from biographies of his famous father. What was it like to live with the pressure of that famous name? Fortunately, author H. Paul Jeffers has taken the separate scraps of knowledge about Ted Roosevelt and crafted a relatively absorbing biography of a man who, it can be argued, was the equal of a his father on many levels.

"In the Rough Rider's Shadow" is a very appropriate title because it describes how Ted Roosevelt had lived most of his life. What Jeffers is able to reveal is a very accomplished man who bore the name Theodore Roosevelt as a mark of honor instead of a burden. Ted's path in life was not dissimilar to his father's. He attended Harvard, and while not the other-worldly student that his father was, still graduated with honors. He served in the United States Army bravely in the Great War and with conspicuous gallantry in World War II (earning the Congressional Medal of Honor). He was an admired family man who was a loving husband and caring father. He even developed a love of outdoor expeditions that his father was so famous for. The only real difference between the two men was that Ted didn't have the love of politics that TR did. He served a few terms in the New York Assembly before an unsuccessful bid for the 1924 New York governorship. After that, he was through running for elected office. Instead, he did wonderful work in appointed positions such as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (once again emulating his father) and colonial governor in both Puerto Rico and the Phillipines.

Most of what is known about Ted Roosevelt comes from the movie "The Longest Day" where his bravery on Utah Beach (which earned him the Medal of Honor) during D-Day was portrayed by Henry Fonda. Because the book is less than 300 pages, the reader is not able to develop a close connection with Ted the way one could with his father via such remarkable books at Edmund Morris' "Theodore Roosevelt" saga. Still, thanks to Jeffers research and the assistance of a wonderful memoir by Ted's wife, Eleanor (not THAT Eleanor Roosevelt), we are able to get a little closer to a remarkable man.

An American Hero!.......2004-02-14

As the son of a former president, Ted Roosevelt, Jr. could have chosen just about any life for himself. The life he chose was one which placed him in the service of his country. Ted was the only American general on the Normandy beaches on D-Day and led his troops to succeed in their mission. (Henry Fonda portrayed Roosevelt in the Longest Day recreating his participation in the Utah Beach landing.)

While Jeffers' book may be classified as military history, it is much more than that. Jeffers traces Ted Roosevelt's life from his days growing up the son of the flamboyant Teddy Roosevelt, adventurer, Rough Rider, and president, to his adult life which in many ways mirrors his father's life and in other ways excells beyond what his father could have hoped to accomplish.

Ted Roosevelt is frequently mentioned in histories of the Allied invasion of Normandy, but Jeffers is one of the few who makes him the focus of an entire volume. Jeffers struggled with spotty sources depending heavily on Ted's wife's autobiography and Ted's own writing. Still, he manages to put together much of the life story of this exceptional American hero. Jeffers does a fine biography, though there are some gaps in the story. Roosevelt's WWII service appears to be why most remember him, but Jeffers is unable to put together as complete a narrative as he does for other events in Ted's life. Ted's son Quentin participated in the Normandy landing as well, landing at bloody Omaha beach, but little is said of his experience on that day.

Even with weaknesses, this is a must read for WWII buffs and military historians. It is hoped that this will serve as an invitation to a more extensive work.

This book was previously released with the title "Theodore Roosevelt, Jr--the Life of a War Hero." Additional reviews are available under that title.

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More here than immediately meets the eye.....
Projecting the Shadow: The Cyborg Hero in American Film (New Practices of Inquiry)
Janice Hocker Rushing , and Thomas S. Frentz
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0226731677

Book Description

Part human, part machine, the cyborg is the hero of an increasingly popular genre of American film and, as Janice H. Rushing and Thomas S. Frentz so provocatively suggest, a cultural icon emblematic of an emergent postmodern mythology. Using the cyborg film as a point of departure, Rushing and Frentz examine how we rework Western myths and initiation rites in the face of new technologies.

Through in-depth examinations of six representative films—Jaws, The Deer Hunter, The Manchurian Candidate, Blade Runner, The Terminator, and Terminator 2—Rushing and Frentz track the narrative's thread from the hunter to his technological nemesis, demonstrating how each film represents an unfolding hunter myth.

For each movie, Rushing and Frentz show how uninitiated male hunters slowly lose control over their weapons. In Jaws, a 'soft' man, dominated by technology, can re-acquire the heroic hunter qualities he needs by teaming up with a 'savage' man and a 'technological' man. In doing so, he can still conquer the prey. The Manchurian Candidate charts how technology can turn a human into a weapon; Blade Runner perfects the artificial human with its manufactured replicants who are "more than human"; and The Terminator introduces a female hunter who leads humanity in its struggle against technology.

Customer Reviews:

More here than immediately meets the eye............2007-02-24

This book can be read and enjoyed on the surface for what it is.....analysis of archetypes of human experience as expressed in the dominant method of 'storytelling' in our present culture-the motion picture.

It's entertaining at that and I recommend it.

It can also be considered, IMO, as a condensed worldview and deep commentary of the deficiencies in our present culture. This is especially true in the case of our weak or nonexistent male rites of passage. Hey, I could be wrong, but I literally felt the lament of the authors that we have given up so much in order to have our present technological culture.

Many times in my life I have also lamented not having a village, wise older men to guide me, and stability from generation to generation. Yah, I looked up at the moon in July '69 and listened on my transistor radio to Neil speaking from the surface.....but we gave up more than most people could ever imagine for these stunts. We gave up our basic humanity. We are not technological beings. We are human beings. Our technology separates us from our humanity. I think the authors sense this.

I haven't the academic background to really understand or "grok" this book. My only criticism is that is presupposes knowledge that many readers , myself included, simply don't have. Mildly well educated I'd have to admit that I don't know what "postmodern" and similar terms mean. The academic jargon is not oppressive, actually kind of quaint and interesting, but detracts for the average reader. And....what will all these words man in a few more decades?

I wish I had not learned of the existence of this book in the obituary of one of the authors in my quarterly university magazine. I think much more and even better would have grown from her mind, extraordinary sensitivity, and off the scale but humble intellect which I still remember back over the gulf of almost forty years.

You did good Janice. I just wish you'd had time to do more. I am glad I read this book and recommend it. By golly time flies.

Average customer rating:

This book is about a small family trying to get into varnia
Beautifully written

Shadow of a Hero
Peter Dickinson
Manufacturer: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0385321104
Release Date: 1994-10-01

Book Description

As Eastern Europe lurches toward chaos after the fall of communism, at last it seems possible to Letta that she and her grandfather will be able to visit his homeland, the tiny country Varina.

Varina is presently split among three big neighbors, but why shouldn't it be free? It has its own language and history, its own songs and dances, its own dogs and cheeses. Can Varina take its chance or must it go the tragic way of Bosnia and Croatia? Can one old man make any difference? And how can Letta help?

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

This book is about a small family trying to get into varnia.......1998-11-19

I liked the legend part of the book and the book is quite compelling

Beautifully written.......1997-03-21

Peter Dickinson's skilfully woven tale of fictional Varina's attempts to become independant is an excellent story. Its bitter, deceitful history becomes evident as Letta, an English teenager, visits Varina with her Varinian grandfather, only to be met by soldiers and guns. A must-read

Shadowhawk III #1 (Through the Past, Darkly, Volume 3)

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Shadowhawk III #1 (Through the Past, Darkly, Volume 3)
Jim Valentino
Manufacturer: Image Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic
ASIN: B000L0WXF4

Product Description

Shadowhawk Volume 3, Issue #1 of 4. November 1993. Special Red Foil Highlighted Cover.

Batman Armageddon 2001 No. 15 Annual 1991

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Batman Armageddon 2001 No. 15 Annual 1991
Alan Grant
Manufacturer: DC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

Batman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: B000NQAQF0

Batman Detective Comics No. 574 May 1987

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Batman Detective Comics No. 574 May 1987
Mike W. Barr
Manufacturer: DC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

Batman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Batman | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NXIQ00

Batman Detective Comics No. 579 Oct 1987

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Batman Detective Comics No. 579 Oct 1987
Mike W. Barr
Manufacturer: DC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

Batman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Batman | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NXMGGK

Batman Detective Comics No. 580 Nov 1987

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Batman Detective Comics No. 580 Nov 1987
Mike W. Barr
Manufacturer: DC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Comic

Batman | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Batman | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000NXMI68

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