Trial Run

Book Description

Veteran horseman Randall Drew travels to Mosow to help the Russian royal family--but ends up caught in a world of jealousy, sabotage, and murder.

Customer Reviews:

Enjoyable mystery with a quietly competent hero.......2005-05-15

Randall Drew, a former jockey, reluctantly agrees to visit Moscow. His mission is to look into vague rumors of threat to Earl Farrington, a world-class jockey and an Olympic contender. Neither the pro-forma Foreign Office inquiries, nor reporters were able to clarify the threats; but Randall's knowledge of the horse-racing world, and his careful observation uncover some very ruthless men connected with the threat.

The portrayal of Soviet Union in the late seventies is rather bleak, exaggerated by the weather. However, despite being dated and generaly superficial, the thriller's observations are eerily prescient. The main character is pleasantly unassuming yet insightful, engaging the reader's attention. At the end, the accomplishment results in mostly intellectual satisfaction, making it less enjoyable than some of the Francis' more personal resolutions.
--inotherworlds.com

The Run of His Life : The People versus O.J. Simpson

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A good read, if a bit biased against O.J.
A great read...
Following the Lemmings Over the Cliff
The Final Verdict
Definitive Account of a Double Tragedy

The Run of His Life : The People versus O.J. Simpson
Jeffrey Toobin
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0684842785

Amazon.com

Now out in paperback (with a new chapter on the civil trial), and still at the head of the very crowded class of O. J. books, this isn't just a book for O. J. junkies; it's a book for anyone who wants to understand how the criminal justice system breaks down. Toobin, a former prosecutor, chronicles the great and small things that led to what he views as a miscarriage of justice, such as the prosecution's courting of the media, which took the grand jury out of the process and forced a preliminary hearing in which the defense got an unnecessarily good peek at the case; Marcia Clark's decision to ignore a high-powered (and pro bono) jury consultant's advice and to go instead with her "gut"; and Chris Darden's impetuous and unilateral decision to have Simpson try on the gloves. Of course, there was also a jury that utterly failed to deliberate--Toobin reports that just after returning the verdict, one black juror explained her decision this way: "We've got to protect our own."

Customer Reviews:

A good read, if a bit biased against O.J........2005-03-18

Jeff Toobin is an engaging writer who draws you into his narrative and makes you want to turn pages. His book is chatty and "dishes" about all the internecine fighting between lawyers both on the prosecution and defense sides.

As an O.J. trial junkie, I have read many books on the subject, and Toobin's certainly falls into the "he was guilty" school of thought. Toobin doesn't really hide his bias, but that doesn't detract much from his examination of why O.J. was acquitted.

I recommend the book to anyone who has an interest in the "trial of the century", but "The Run Of His Life" probably shouldn't be the only book you read on the subject. For the definitive account of the trial, read "American Tragedy" by Schiller.

As for whether O.J. did it or not, I tend towards the guilty opinion myself. I do have one nagging question, however: how did he dispose of the knife and clothes so that they were never recovered, yet took one glove back with him and dropped it on his lawn? The theory that he left both gloves at the scene (a smart thing to do) and then someone took one and "planted" it on his property has at least some measure of plausibility. I can't imagine O.J. being so savvy and stupid at the same time!

A great read..........2003-10-18

Like all good writers, Jeffrey Toobin seeks to understand human nature. In "The Run of His Life", my favorite of his books, he brilliantly distills the OJ Simpson case into an insightful examination of what drives people to do what they do.

This isn't just the story of a murder. It is a story about Los Angeles, a brutal and corrupt police force, and the dangerous allure of fame and money. Although Toobin believes that OJ Simpson committed double murder and got away with it, he also makes the case that a history of abuse by the LAPD in black communities created a political climate that allowed the aquittal to happen.

Very few people come off well in this story, and the flawed nature of the participants makes for compelling reading. The media spectacle that surrounded the case brought out the worst in human nature, and every excess is documented here. In the end, very few principles (the defendant, lawyers, jurors, witnesses, police, even the friends and family of the victims) seem untouched by hubris and self-centered motivation. Toobin understands something that many do not: that the entire thing - the crime, the trial, and the aftermath- was a metaphor for American decadence and social decay.

Following the Lemmings Over the Cliff.......2003-09-04

This well written and edited book promises to provide "a new understanding ... as well as an insightful examination". But like others, Toobin fails to quote the coroner who did the autopsies: "the forensic evidence says the murders occurred after 11pm". This chatty, gossipy book begins with the lawyer's meeting of 6/25/1994; Shapiro would go to trial and get an acquittal. The autopsies suggested that more than one killer was involved (p.7). Toobin quickly exposes his prejudice: anyone could see that OJ was guilty because of "over whelming evidence" (p.10). Toobin claims this resulted from over "two years reporting", and justifies his opinion as based on the "full documentary record of the case" (p.11). Toobin claims OJ was not framed (p.12).

Did lawyer Toobin misinterpret that June 6 letter (p.20)? If OJ let Nicole use his home address that could be a conspiracy to defraud the IRS. Nicole's response was to telephone the Sojourn shelter and claim stalking; then she found a new house on June 10 (p.19). Then some dog wailed in the night. A loose white dog followed a man; he passed it to another couple who followed the dog to the murder scene. The bodies were discovered at midnight. Toobin carefully omits the evidentiary fact that red blood was trickling down the sidewalk. This times the deaths to around 11:30pm. Who failed to call the coroner until nine hours later? Page 71 tells of 'TIME's trickery with the photo, but does not mention darkening the skin color hid the fact that OJ had no bruises or marks on his face! Paula's actions after June 12 were inconsistent with a break-up (p.88). Pages 97-102 discuss OJ's "suicide note" without telling if he was on a drug like Prozac. Marcia Clark appointed herself prosecutor (pp.114-5). Preliminary hearings record the testimony and facts when the events are fresh; this prevents prosecutors from creating new scenarios from their theories. Toobin failed to mention that witness Jill Shively had no corroboration (p.128). Toobin claimed prosecutors "never have the funds to hire jury consultants" (p.188). Pages 190-4 tell of the mock juries in LA and Phoenix; they correctly rated the people in the case (p.193)!

Toobin described Faye Resnick as having "an expensive lifestyle" (p.199)! And her book helped the defense (p.201)! Page 220 shows F Lee Bailey's knowledge of the case. Judge Ito belonged to the "truth school" where the important thing is to protect innocent defendants from being wrongly convicted (p.235). The murders did not fit the pattern of domestic violence (p.237). The 25 to 30 stab wounds on Ron Goldman say he was the real target, and Nicole the innocent bystander (p.238). The Prosecution began with "a great edifice built on a foundation of little evidence" (p.245). Toobin doesn't believe the murders occurred at 10:15, but later (p.247)! Cochran said "this case is a rush to judgment", "an obsession to win at any cost and by any means necessary" (p.250). Pages 272-3 tell of the 10/25/93 tape: OJ, however angry, did not commit domestic violence! Was this a mistake by the Prosecution? Denise Brown's testimony backfired (p.278). Toobin claims Clark's examination of Fuhrman was her biggest miscalculation (p.314). This again demonstrated his prejudice (p.315). Allan Park's testimony was most important; this convince the remaining jurors to vote "not guilty". Park saw no one enter or leave OJ's residence from 10:22 to 11pm (p.331-2). The gloves that wouldn't fit was the high point of this trial. The recall of Mark Fuhrman served as a deus ex machina to end this show.

Toobin would have learned more if he rad Stephen Singular's "Legacy of Deception", and Freed & Briggs "Killing Time" before writing this book. Clark and Vannatter met on an earlier case, when they found a fingernail sized blood spot under a car seat. I wonder how they discovered what everyone else missed?

The Final Verdict.......2001-12-11

For OJ to be guilty, you must believe that he quickly disposed of the bloody clothes, shoes, and knives so they would NEVER be found, yet brought the socks and glove back to his home! And then smeared blood all over the console!

The coroner who did the autopsies testified "the forensic evidence says the murders occurred after 11PM". The limousine driver testified he brought OJ to the airport at that time. When you read this book, note how they avoid discussing these facts.

Definitive Account of a Double Tragedy.......2001-06-20

Here's hoping this one comes back into print soon. Toobin presents a nice narrative here, with plenty of the juicy inside stuff, without losing sight of the two tragedies that occurred: the horrible, bloodthirsty slaughter of Ron and Nicole, and the acquittal of a clearly guilty murderer. If anyone out there seriously still believes in O.J.'s innocence, it's time to check out of Denial Land. The cynical playing of the race card is detailed thoroughly, as is the star-struck way that Ito handled his courtroom. Toobin is not blind to the mistakes of the prosecution, but he sees equally clearly that "Guilty" was the only possible verdict a juror could have reached (I don't know what the twelve people empaneled in this case were, but jurors they most definitely were not). Toobin has an eye for the telling detail, and his writing skills make this a sometimes fun, sometimes sorrowful, journey through the most unjust trial of modern times. Highly recommended.

Injustice on Trial: Second Bull Run, General Fitz John Porter's Court Martial, and the Schofield Board Investigation That Restored His Good Name

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JUSTICE FOR PORTER

Injustice on Trial: Second Bull Run, General Fitz John Porter's Court Martial, and the Schofield Board Investigation That Restored His Good Name
Curt Anders
Manufacturer: Emmis Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 157860110X

Customer Reviews:

JUSTICE FOR PORTER.......2003-07-09

In one of the most brutal acts of military injustice short of the Dreyfus affair, a prominent Union corps commander, Gen. Fitz John Porter, was cashiered by a court martial for his role in the Battle of Second Bull Run. It wasn't until 1878 that the disgraced West Pointer was able to win full vindication from a court of inquiry. A painstaking review of Porter's treatment by historian and U. S. Military academy grad Curt Anders, "Injustice on Trial," relies heavily on the transcripts of the 1862 court martial that convicted the hapless commasnder of failing to follow Gen. John Pope's orders and the subsequent Schofield board that uncovered the numerous errors that marked the original proceeding. In the course of producing this convincing absolution of Porter, Anders details the involvement of an amazing procession of prominent figures in the long running drama, including Grant, Pope, McClellan, Longstreet and Lincoln, himself. Anders has done full justice to his fascinating subject in this solid, substantial work.

Average customer rating:

One of the most unassuming fiction heroes that I've found.
Interesting relic of the cold war
Perfectly average Francis thriller

Trial Run
Dick Francis
Manufacturer: Chivers Audio Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 0816197997

Book Description

"The best thriller writer going."
ATLANTIC MONTHLY
Randall Draw couldn't say no to a Prince, could he? So he was headed to Russia -- the Prince's brother-in-law had his heart set on riding in the Olympics, and it seemed a jealous Russian woman had her heart set on killing him if he did.
Leaving behind his well-bred horses and high-born girlfriend, Randall went to Moscow, little expecting that the sabotage and murder he'd find would pale in comparison to the unspeakable terror that followed....

Customer Reviews:

One of the most unassuming fiction heroes that I've found........2004-10-16

Randall Drew is not the sort of person that comes to mind when you imagine someone who sets out to almost single-handidly stop a terrorist plot. He's quiet, unassuming, bespectacled and prone to chesty illnesses. He's also an event rider (steeplechaser) who has attained some notoriety in England until he was forced to stop racing with the introduction of a sight-restriction rule. Since Randall can't see at all without his glasses, the British Racing Society says that he can't race anymore. Randall is selected though by royalty to pursue an inquiry behind "the iron curtain". This secret exposes him to all sorts of danger in communist Russia. This book handles the Cold War situation quite well. I have read a number of Dick Francis books, and I think this one was one of the best I've read. Tony Britton does a wonderful job of reading the book and that helped set the stage for the espionage and danger.

Interesting relic of the cold war.......2001-06-20

I do like Dick Francis novels, and I do admit, as many other reviewers have said, that there is a certain predictability to the plots of many of them. What I find myself looking for, in mancy cases, is the philosophy beyond the plot. In this case, the plot is about an attempt to sabotage the Moscow Olympics. The plot holds together well, but what I enjoyed about this book is that it is a glimpse of the end of cold war Russia (of course from a British perspective) and it is an attempt to think about the personal decisions that humans make which shape of our lives and about personal freedom.

I think Francis does a good job with these rather weighty themes, within the framework of the mystery/thriller genre that he has perfected over time.

Perfectly average Francis thriller.......2000-12-01

I'm not sure I believe it, but there it is: amazon has Trial Run listed as out of print. Amazing.

By now I should be inured to the pace of a Dick Francis novel, which is roughly equivalent to that of a marathon turf stakes at Ascot: in order to conserve energy, the horses start off slow, knowing they have a couple of thousand meters ahead of them; the pace picks up after you get round to the backstretch the first time, and the finish is furious. Francis spent too much time on the backs of nags at Royal Ascot to forget that, I guess. And thus you know that the first three or four chapters of a Francis mystery are likely to bog down. Stick with it; it's almost always worth the trip.

Randall Drew has been forced into retirement (like many of Francis' jockeys). In this case, it's because the jockey club has seen fit to outlaw riding with glasses, and contacts and Drew don't mix well. Drew, friend and lover to English royalty, is tabbed by the Prince to investigate shadowy claims of threats to a Royal who wants to ride in the 1980 Moscow olympics, threats that are backed up by the death of a German olympic rider, supposedly of a heart attack-- but foul play is suspected. Drew heads off to Moscow, and the fun begins.

Customer Reviews:

Superbly researched and written account of early AZ.......2001-06-15

Written one of the best researchers of Western history, this chronicle of one of the little-known robberies in Arizona history gets more engrossing chapter by chapter. Major Wham escorted an army payroll horseback train that was robbed by locals in southeast Arizona. The locals who were charged were Mormons in an area thick with the LDS, and the region in general was resentful toward the federal government. Local politics and the religious overtones make this a great read.

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The Clean Run book of agility games
Bud Houston
Manufacturer: Clean Run Productions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0965399435

Nowhere to Run: The Killing of Constable Dennis Strongquill

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Nowhere to Run: The Killing of Constable Dennis Strongquill
Mike McIntyre
Manufacturer: Great Plains Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Murder & Mayhem | True Accounts | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1894283449

Omnibus: Trial Run, Whip Hand, & Twice Shy

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Omnibus: Trial Run, Whip Hand, & Twice Shy

Manufacturer: Index
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1858680409

Product Description

Three of Francis' winners of racing thriller novels. First time in a collection, complete and unabridged. Whip Hand was the 1979 winner of The Gold Dagger Award. All three expertly crafted and brilliantly written. Pictorial boards that match the dust jacket.

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Magic School Bus Science Chapter Books Boxed Set (8):Truth About Bats, Search for the Missing Bones, Wild Whale Watch, Space Explorers, Twister Trouble, Giant Germ, Great Shark Escape, Penguin Puzzle
Joanna Cole , Eva Moore , Ann Schreiber , Anne Capeci , Jennifer Johnston , and Judith Bauer Stamper
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Magic School Bus Chapter Book Boxed Set 9-16 (Science series - Butterfly Battle, Voyage to the Volcano, Electric Storm, Polar Bear Patrol, Amazing Magnetism, ... Under, Dinosaur Detectives, Books 9-16)

Food Chain Frenzy (The Magic School Bus Chapter Book #17 ) (Magic School Bus, Chapter Book)

Rocky Road Trip (The Magic School Bus Chapter Book #20) : Rocks & Minerals (Magic School Bus)

Fishy Field Trip (Magic School Bus #18)

Magic School Bus Chapter Book #19, Color Day Relay (Magic School Bus)

ASIN: 043962374X

Product Description

Includes Science Chapter Books 1-8. Penguin Puzzle, The Great Shark Escape, The Giant Germ, Twister Trouble, Space Explorers, The Wild Whale Watch, The Search for the Missing Bones and The Truth about Bats.

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Super Reader
Hellboy Mythos
If I Had A Hammer...
Great Book to Read

The Bones of Giants (Hellboy)
Christopher Golden
Manufacturer: Pocket Star
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0743462831

Book Description

"So, at some point, the age of gods came to an end."

Or so it was believed for eons...until Thrym the Hollow, Jotunheim's deposed King of the Frost Giants, rose from death.

This time, he would not rest until his foes were eviscerated, and his fearful tyranny reigned across the human realm of Midgard. Earth.

To combat the encroaching evil, the fates reveal a massive skeleton and iron hammer in an uncommon lightning storm on the frozen shores of Sweden. Sent to investigate are the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense's top operatives -- the amphibian humanoid Abraham Sapien and the equally anomalous crimson demon called Hellboy.

Only Hellboy can lift the seemingly immovable object from the lifeless figure's clutches. But when a lightning strike fuses the iron weapon to his stone right hand, the occult investigator becomes joined with the mightiest weapon in all of Norse mythology. Once wielded by the legendary thunder-bearer instrumental in Thrym's downfall, the hammer subjects Hellboy to an ancient life he has never lived, and visions no other can see. Yet even that knowledge, coupled with the aid of a talking squirrel, a beautiful folklorist and dwarfish Nidavellim warriors, may not thwart the Frost King. Regardless of whether Hellboy triumphs over Thrym and the other leviathans rising to wage war, he may still be forever lost to an essence not his own...lost among The Bones of Giants.

Customer Reviews:

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

This is a significant improvement. Mignola even states in the introduction, 'Chris is a better writer now than he was 4 years ago'. This would certainly seem to be the case. Perhaps a better editor, too. Gone are the dumbed down kindergarten sentences. The characters are handled better.

Oh yeah, and Hellboy becomes HellThor. That is pretty groovy. Mjolnir, Frost Giants, dwarves, and lots of running around in Sweden, which is certainly a pleasant change of setting.

If you were put off by The Lost Army, don't be - this book is considerably better.

Hellboy Mythos.......2007-01-10

If you enjoy Hellboy Mythos and are familiar with it, this is a must read. Otherwise, it might be worth a trip to the library, but not as a purchase.

If I Had A Hammer..........2005-12-04

Chris Golden, who has a surprising number of fantasy talents, has developed a knack for taking from one media and making novels out of them. Hence, countless tales from the Buffy-verse, and now a visit or two to an entirely different story line - Hellboy, the tales of a young demon who somehow was raised to do good. Hellboy, and several of his close, and equally spooky, friends are the action arm of the Bureau of Paranormal Research and Defense, a very secret organization formed in the days of WWII when the Nazis tried to conjure up a weapon and wound up calling up a bright ready baby boy demon with a big sweet tooth. Since then Hellboy has been Johnny on the spot whenever really bad things have to be stopped.

It all starts this time when a giant skeleton appears in Lapland, an ancient war hammer clutched in the corpse's hand. Not for long thought. Hellboy, called in to investigate with his friend Abe Sapiens (an amphibiperson) picks up the axe only to discover that it has no intention of being let go off. There's something that need to be done, and Hellboy, in a strange mind meld with Thor himself, has been volunteered. Welcome to the twilight of the gods, part two.

Thrym the Hollow, King of the Frost Giants, has been released by the actions of Professor Aickman, a greedy academic. Norse mythology is about to eat the world. Hellboy must chase after Thrym, helped by a handful of dwarfs and Pernilla, Aickman's daughter. Along the way to the reborn Jotunheim, Hellboy faces svartalves, frost giants, and his usual share of bad luck. The walls separating myth from reality have grown thin, and Hellboy must struggle as well with a legendary hero living in his head.

The story has all the action you would expect from a Hellboy, as well as plenty of the sarcastic dialog that one would expect from a large red skinned guy who has a war hammer glued to his hand. My only complaint is that Golden chose to downplay plot complexities, leaving only the main story arc. This is quite true to the comic book genre in which Hellboy originated, but one of the advantages of writing a novel is telling a more complex tale than a comic book will support. I'm not knocking comic books by any means; it's just that each media has its advantages and Golden chose the lazy way out this time. Still, The Bones of Giants is a lot of fun. If you like the red guy and Mike Mignola's artwork, you're going to want this on your shelves.

Great Book to Read.......2004-07-22

I got started on Hellboy's graphic novels, this is a great novel though. I have read it twice and find new stuff in it every time.
Its a great book to read on its own. I'd rather prefer these than the comic series.

Average customer rating:

Very different
Six Unique Voices - Six Lovely Stories
Like an evening of the very best storytelling...
good stuff, but flawed
Good Fantasy Short Fiction! Who'd Have Thought It Possible?

Giant Bones
Peter S. Beagle
Manufacturer: Roc Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451456513

Book Description

Nominated for the World Fantasy Award

Six breathtaking stories set in the bestselling world of The Inkeeper's Song.

The "best work yet" (Locus) from the award-winning author of The Last Unicorn

"Beagle is the class act of fantasy writing, the only contemporary to remind one of Tolkien, and, in his darker moments, Dineson...Beagle's fairy tales invoke comparison with yet another great name, the Brothers Grimm."--Booklist (starred review)

* Nominee, The Mythopoeic Awards
* Nominee, World Fantasy Award (Best Collection)
* Nominee, 1998 Best Books for the Teen Age
* Beagle is one of the most beloved, respected, and award-winning authors in fantasy today
* A selection of the Science Fiction Book Club
* Beagle is the bestselling author of The Innkeeper's Song, The Last Unicorn, and A Fine & Private Place

Customer Reviews:

Very different.......2006-03-09

This is a very unusual book, but none the worse for that. It contains a collection of six short stories from the author of The Inkeeper's Song, which, insidentally, I haven't read but am very anxious to.
Four of the stories are written in the first person. Usually I don't like this style of writing, as I often think the narator loses character, but Peter S. Beagle does manage not only to provide engaging narrations that keep the reader interested, but he also brings across the narator's characters really well: from the corse but likable heroine of The Last Song Of Serid Biar, to the rough tenderness of a father telling a bedtime story to his son.
The Two stories written in the third person are my favourites, but again, I think that's because I prefer that style of writing. One of the stories actually features two of the characters from The Inkeeper's Song, which makes it even more maddening that it's not on audio.
All the stories were powerful, and sometimes beautifully written. I don't think Peter S. Beagle would approve of this, but I thought they had the feel of fairy-tales, all be it for adults. No disrespect intended.
The author himself narrates the book, as I believe he does all his works, and he does a credible job. I only hope he narrates The Inkeeper's song very soon, since no one else seems inclined to record it.

Six Unique Voices - Six Lovely Stories.......2001-01-10

Set in the world of his previous book, "The Innkeeper's Song," Beagle presents six stand-alone fairy tales in this charming collection. All but one from first person perspective (Lal and Soukyan's last hurrah), Beagle continues to weave strange twists on old forms: the girl who would rather marry a thief, the powerful magician who had no love for power, two old mercenary partners who find a need for reconciliation, and - my favourite - the actors who are privy to a most unusual theatrical performance! As delightful and lyrical as these tales are, however, Beagle's world is bleak, leaving all his characters to live in a catch-as-catch can world. Beagle also feels no need to shrink from or tidy-up the language of his characters, as the first story eminently proves. While this excellent ear for the "voices" of the five story-tellers in this wonderful collection is more than appropriate but necessary to each story, young children who loved "The Last Unicorn" would be advised to wait a few years before delving into this enjoyable anthology.

Like an evening of the very best storytelling..........2000-03-27

Since all the stories in "Giant Bones" are either framed by some kind of first-person narrative or directly recounted by a participant-with the exception of "Lal and Soukyan," thus giving that story a particular distinction-reading the book is like nothing so much as spending an evening with a rich and peculiar cast of characters. The narrators are as varied as the tales they tell: an old woman paying a scribe to set down the truth, an old man in an inn telling stories with his friends, a traveling player commiserating with a fellow actor, the professional storyteller Choushi-wai regaling an audience with her favorite tale, and an impatient father recounting the family legend to his son. Each story has its own particular scope, from a disaster of a theatrical production to the clash of a power-hungry queen and a back-country magician, told in vivid, sympathetic prose to which is added the particular pungency of each narrator. Nor does the third-person style of "Lal and Soukyan" do anything to diminish its power. It's not exactly a sequel to "The Innkeeper's Song," as it answers almost none of the questions that the book's ending leaves for the readers to ponder, but it is a welcome reappearance for two beloved characters. By its very ending it seems to preclude any further "sequels" but regardless of its place in any kind of story cycle it's a very good short story and stands quite well on its own. More, it and the other the other five stories flesh out the world which was sketched so vividly, if not explored in depth, in "The Innkeeper's Song." Either as a sequel-of-sorts or as a stand-alone collection, "Giant Bones" is very good. And what more do you want out a book, anyway?

good stuff, but flawed.......1998-08-24

As usual, Mr. Beagle proves what a master he is at world-creation and character-generation (and his prose is lovely, as usual). Also as usual, the resolutions of the story just never merit their fabulous build-up. (The last three stories are somewhat better in this department than the first three--esp. "Giant Bones" and "Choushi-Wai's Story", tho' you'd expect more spice from any story with Lal and Soukyan in it, even if they are in their 80s, right?) The most glaring example of this was the third story, "The Tragical Historie of the Jiril's Players"--which was really, really good (pretty funny, too)...until the ending! I mean, the build-up is great, but you're so amused and interested in the Players, you kinda wish they'd play a larger role in the outcome! Oh, well. Anyway, despite all this (and they do get better as they go along), it's rare I've read a collection of worth-while fantasy short stories...but this is a good one!

Good Fantasy Short Fiction! Who'd Have Thought It Possible?.......1998-02-16

Good fantasy is terribly difficult to find. Good short fiction is terribly difficult to find. Good fantasy short fiction does not exist. Or, it rarely does. Giant Bones is a welcome addition to this neglected, narrow genre. Even for those who have not read The Innkeeper's Song, these tales, brought to life in wonderous, traditional tale-telling style, will suprise and delight you. A few of them, such as "Lal and Soukyan" and "The Last Song of Sirit Byar" are not really suprising for those familiar with Beagle -- they feel like a return to a well-loved home. I found "Giant Bones" to be slightly tedious in its first-person style, moreso than Beagle's earlier work. But "The Magician of Karakosk," "The Tragical Historie of the Jiril's Players," (and I point out that the reviewers were wrong -- some of these characters are present in The Innkeeper's Song as well as Lal and Soukyan) and "Choushi-wai's Story" are spectacular in their lyrical telling. You may find yourself shocked that such simple stories seem vibrant and brilliantly alive. All of these stories are worth reading -- you may find yourself reading them more than once. Another excellent work by an excellent author.

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Super Reader
Good characterizations
Excellent
MONSTERS GALORE!
NO THIS IS NOT LIKE SPAWN AT ALL!!!! That is a good thing.

Hellboy: Bones of Giants
Mike Mignola , and Christopher Golden
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1569716102

Book Description

On the frozen shores of Sweden, lighting strikes from a clear sky. The skeleton of a huge man is revealed, its fingers clutched around the handle of an iron hammer. No one who comes to see this marvel from Norse mythology can lift it - no one but Hellboy, who lifts the hammer just in time for lightning to strike again, welding it to his hand, and leading him towards a bizarre series of visions and encounters. Chris Golden, author of the popular Hellboy: The Lost Army novel, makes his return to the character, in a novel illustrated by Mike Mignola, award-winning creator of Hellboy, and production designer of Disney's summer blockbuster, Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

Customer Reviews:

Super Reader.......2007-08-04

Good characterizations.......2007-01-20

I am a Hellboy fan. It is important to know that. This book had a good plot that was well thought out. The banter was very Hellboy and lots of fun. I loved how Abe was portrayed. I think it is an excellent read. Of course the artwork by Mignola was awesome, too.

Excellent.......2006-08-14

Gripping stuff. I have no prior experience of Hellboy or BPRD work, but no introduction was required. This is a great alternative read. Great action. Paranormal conflicts. No need to have read prior Hellboy work, you'll enjoy this book

MONSTERS GALORE!.......2005-06-13

This book is full of monsters. Hellboy, Abe, Garm, Dark Elves, Giants, etc. It is one long slugfest broken up with occasional spots of character development and story advancement. But mostly it's just Hellboy kicking mythical monster butt. And that's a good thing.

Not everyone will like it, but if you enjoy Hellboy or you like Norse mythology or you just like reading fast-paced stories, this is for you. Personally, I thought it was great fun.

P.S. It's based on Hellboy the comic, not the movie. So if you're only familiar with the film, expect some small differences. But you don't need to be a comic fan to enjoy this. I'm not.

Did I mention it's got a ton of monsters?

NO THIS IS NOT LIKE SPAWN AT ALL!!!! That is a good thing........2004-07-14

First thing that is most important to let everyone know, from a fan of Hellboy, Hellboy and Spawn....compare apples and oranges. Both are fruit but are not alike beyond that. Don't listen to anyone who says contrary. Unlike Spawn, Hellboy is not some whiny self-pitying creature and has more heart than Spawn by a long shot. He's was born a demon, is a demon and accepts that but accepts also with ease, no brooding in some dump of an ally, that he can defy his heritage.

This novel though I have to admit is not as detailed as the previous Hellboy novel, is still plenty of fun. A heavy read? No, deffinetly not a heavy read. So just read and enjoy. And within a week you can get back to your heavier reading.

Again, this is not like Spawn. X-files, sure with a little of Doc Samson thrown in. But Spawn, no. The two should not even be mentioned in the same sentence unless to dinstinguish the two. No exggaterated capes to trip on from Hellboy. Just a normal overcoat.

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Giant Bones

Manufacturer: Penguin Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 156865460X

Product Description

This book has 6 breathtaking tales set in the bestselling world of "The Innkeeper's Song".

Giant Bones (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)

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Giant Bones (Audiofy Digital Audiobook Chips)

Manufacturer: Audiofy/Blackstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Cards
ASIN: 1599124971

Product Description

This Audiofy audiobook chip packs Peter S. Beagle's full 10 hour reading of "Giant Bones" on a tiny memory card. A single Audiofy audiobook chip, hardly larger than a stamp, holds a complete digital audiobook, and saves the last listening position automatically, unlike CDs. With an SD memory card slot or low-cost adapter - like those for digital cameras - this Audiofy audiobook chip can be played on Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh desktop computers or laptops (Microsoft Windows XP/2000/Me/98, or Apple Mac OS X 10.3.9 and above) or transferred to Apple iPod media players. Audiobook chips also move seamlessly to most Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld PDAs with SD expansion slots, as well as Treo and Windows Mobile "smartphones" (Palm OS 5.2 or Windows Mobile 2002 and above)... With these six tales, Beagle draws listeners into his wondrous and magical world just as quietly and enjoyably as if your grandmother were telling you tales from the Old World, with, of course, the addition of some kindly giants and fantastical creatures.

Giant Cell Tumor of Bone : End Results Following Immunotherapy (Coley Toxins) Alone or Combined with surgery and/or Radiatino

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Giant Cell Tumor of Bone : End Results Following Immunotherapy (Coley Toxins) Alone or Combined with surgery and/or Radiatino
Helen C. Nauts
Manufacturer: Cancer Research Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KAYQBY

Slocum Giant 2007: Slocum and the Celestial Bones (Slocum)

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Slocum Giant 2007: Slocum and the Celestial Bones (Slocum)
Jake Logan
Manufacturer: Jove
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Adaptive radiation in sauropod dinosaurs: bone histology indicates rapid evolution of giant body size through acceleration [An article from: Organisms Diversity & Evolution]

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Adaptive radiation in sauropod dinosaurs: bone histology indicates rapid evolution of giant body size through acceleration [An article from: Organisms Diversity & Evolution]
P.M. Sander , N. Klein , E. Buffetaut , G. Cuny , and Sute
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Elsevier | By Publisher | e-Docs | Formats | Books
ASIN: B000RQZ4VM

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Organisms Diversity & Evolution, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
The well-preserved histology of the geologically oldest sauropod dinosaur from the Late Triassic allows new insights into the timing and mechanism of the evolution of the gigantic body size of the sauropod dinosaurs. The oldest sauropods were already very large and show the same long-bone histology, laminar fibro-lamellar bone lacking growth marks, as the well-known Jurassic sauropods. This bone histology is unequivocal evidence for very fast growth. Our histologic study of growth series of the Norian Plateosaurus indicates that the sauropod sistergroup, the Late Triassic and early Jurassic Prosauropoda, reached a much more modest body size in a not much shorter ontogeny. Increase in growth rate compared to the ancestor (acceleration) is thus the underlying process in the phylogenetic size increase of sauropods. Compared to all other dinosaur lineages, sauropods were not only much larger but evolved very large body size much faster. The prerequisite for this increase in growth rate must have been a considerable increase in metabolic rate, and we speculate that a bird-like lung was important in this regard.

Explaining Giant Bones.(Review): An article from: American Scientist

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Explaining Giant Bones.(Review): An article from: American Scientist
Tim Tokaryk
Manufacturer: Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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