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Blame it on taxes. According to SFWA Grand Master Brian Aldiss, that's the main reason he sold the movie rights to the Pinocchio-android tale "Supertoys Last All Summer Long" to Stanley Kubrick back in 1982. Bound here along with two followup short stories and nine unrelated short pieces from more recent years, "Supertoys" was to be the source material for Kubrick's last movie. Of course, Kubrick died, and then Steven Spielberg inherited the rights, intending to follow through on Kubrick's original vision.
In fairness, Aldiss has never seen his original story--nor the two pieces added later, "Supertoys When Winter Comes" and "Supertoys in Other Seasons"--as a Pinocchio fable at all. As he recounts in the wry, revealing foreword to this collection, "I could not or would not see the parallels between David, my five-year-old android, and the wooden creature who becomes human.... Never consciously rewrite old fairy stories." But the interpretation of the stubbornly eccentric Kubrick prevailed until Aldiss was "wheeled out of the picture."
These three excellent stories occupy just the first 35 pages of this compilation, but they accurately capture one of the great voices of British SF at his prime, with a plaintive, thoughtfully nuanced story about existence and the meaning of being human. The remaining tales range from intriguing to distractingly strident to borderline mawkish, but make no mistake about what's the main attraction here. In fact, the foreword alone, with Kubrick exposed at his curmudgeonly worst ("[To Aldiss:] You seem to have two modes of writing--brilliant and not so damned good"), makes this a collection worth picking up. --Paul Hughes
Book Description
David is just a little boy, a little boy who loves his mother, and his teddy bear. David wants to make his mummy happy, and tell her he loves her, but can't quite seem to find the words.
His verbal communication center is giving him trouble again. He may have to go back to the factory.
For more than four decades Brian Aldiss has been confounding the limits of satire, poetry, and science fiction, creating stories from the well of dreamscapes that come up sharp against the cutting edge of our technological society.
Customer Reviews:
Not worth the price.......2007-09-30
I bought this book because I wanted to read the stories that formed the basis for the film "A.I.: Artificial Intelligence." I knew that they were short vignettes, so I expected most of the book to be unrelated stories, which was true. I did expect at least to enjoy the stories that were related to the films, which I did not, not did I care for any of the other stories. I didn't finish the book, and likely never will. Unless you're an Aldiss fan already, don't bother with this collection.
Didactic, Hippy Tripe.......2006-02-04
Since these stories of future time really aren't stories but are instead poorly penned tracts attacking Western civilization and its Catholic roots, allow me to save you the few hours it will take to read its 232 pages. Aldiss's rant condensed is: "Trees are cool, sex is cool, and contraception is super cool as is making up cutesy names for private parts; chicks are hot, plants are hot and sometimes dudes are hot too; hippy sensuality and sentimentality totally rocks as does empiricism; but patriarchal Western civilization is icky, religion is icky, and virtue is totally nasty as is meat-eating (well, some meat at least) and the military." There you have it. The entire book in one overly long and poorly drafted (an homage to Aldiss's work) sentence.
Read any other book ever written by anyone other than Aldiss and your time will be better spent. Fortunately, the pseudo-intellectual skepticism mixed with new age spiritualism that Aldiss represents has, mostly, gone out of fashion. I can't say that I like the vulgar, cynical, and anti-intellectual secularism that has taken its place, but at least it's more honest.
Hmmm...........2004-10-11
After the Supertoys trilogy, (which dwarfs the sappy film by Steven Speilberg) we get a couple of stories that are either ideas for longer works, or longer works that turn out to be harmless, yet enjoyable SF...
After the story "Panic Button" the book becomes very un-interesting, as the stories don't seem to generate much interest....you don't get pulled into the story(unlike what you might find in a Bradbury or Heinlein short story).
The first three stories are the best, and the tightest...standing out from the rest...but for true SF readers, you may definitely have to look elsewhere...
s e r i o u s dissapointment. DO NOT BUY.......2004-06-30
this book is more than dissapointing. the book never says anywhere that the first three "stories" or chapters are only 23 pages in legenth.
the main story is fairly good, adds a new element to movie, but other than that, DONT BUY THIS BOOK, only get it at the library if you insist
Mythmaking?.......2003-06-14
The first three stories have obvious parallels (which Aldiss apparently denied) with Pinnochio (and also the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz and Pygmalion and seal-wife and fairy-wife legends). Maybe I'm reading too much into this (making me guilty of deconstructionism) but I saw a pattern of recreation of old stories. "Nothing in Life is Ever Enough" tells the story of Shakespeares "Tempest" from Caliban's angle. "The Old Mythology" is what its title suggests; a visitor from a future age is present at events (told with a sharp sense of humor) that precapitulate (if that's a word) Greek and Hebrew creation myths. "Headless" is a version of the sacrificed hero described in Fraser's "Golden Bough." "A Matter of Mathematics" is about Plato's cave. In "Becoming the Full Butterfly" the breaking of a divine law results in the destruction of a world by flooding. "Talking Cubes"= "The Picture of Dorian Grey." "Steppenpferd"=the Temptation of St Anthony (I couldn't make a connection to Hesse's "Steppenwolf").
Most of the stories have down-beat endings. Whenever anybody has a good time they get their come-uppance, so it's a pessimistic view of the future. Even "The Marvels of Utopia" is dystopic - at least it's far from Thomas More. In spite of they're enjoyable because of Aldiss's sheer good writing,excellent jokes, wild imagination and page-turning action.I
Book Description
These topical guides will deal with issues that women wrestle with today: God's Will, Living in Christ, Prayer, and Worry.
Reaching an audience across race, socio-economic, denominational, and age boundaries, these guides will enhance the lives of women in America as they empower them in their weekly devotions. The study guides can be used for both individual and group settings.
Women are asking good questions about their faith. With our study guides, we want to join them in their quest for knowledge and lead them in finding the answers they are seeking.
Book Description
God has a personal vision for our lives, and He wants us to know it even more than we do. But determining God’s will can be a difficult process, especially when we need to make a decision in a hurry. The Discovering God’s Will DVD and its companion study guide, designed for small groups or personal study, take you through the important steps of decision making, pursuing God’s will, seeking counsel from others, learning to use discernment, and understanding the mind of God through Scripture as you seek His will. The DVD includes 4 complete sermons and eight 12- to 15-minute group sessions that correspond with the study guide. The study guide, which includes a leader’s guide, will help outline the amazing plan God has in mind for your life.
How to Make Decisions with Confidence
God has a wonderful and fulfilling vision for your life. Yet determining God’s will can be a difficult process, especially when you need to make a decision quickly! Designed for small groups or personal study, this companion study guide to the Discovering God’s Will DVD will take you through the important steps of decision making: Pursuing God’s will Seeking counsel from others Learning to use discernment Understanding the mind of God through Scripture
Includes eight sessions (and a leader’s guide) that will outline the amazing plan God has for your life.
Story Behind the Book
In an effort to focus Multnomah’s mission to equip the church and to make the "bride" more beautiful, the company developed a relationship with Andy Stanley and North Point Community Church to publish a selection of the church’s resources and distribute them to a broader market. Reaching the church is a strategic goal of Multnomah, and we realize that the emerging generation needs resources that deliver truth in fresh, new ways. Andy’s leadership will keep North Point on the edge for a long time to come. North Point is one of the most influential churches in the nation and their teaching is already highly sought after. They have a voice for the 20- to 30-something generation. North Point Resources can effectively produce a vast selection of products (books, CDs, DVDs, multimedia) at a high level of quality. They share a complementary heart and vision with Multnomah Publishers, Inc.
Customer Reviews:
Buy the DVD.......2007-04-09
I do not see where amazon sells the DVD that goes with this book. This book is only a study guide to go along with the movie. Other Online Christian book stores carry the DVD and book set.
That said, this is something every Christian should watch. It did nothing short of change my way of dealing with God. So many well-meaning Christians look for signs in the stars to picking a random scripture in the Bible. This study points to a way to determine God's will in a way that everyone from the scholar to the new Christian can use.
He talks about the will of God that is "providential" (the plan he has had from the beginning that cannot change like the coming of the Messiah) and the will of God that is moral (or knowledge of the God's standards). He strongly encourages Bible reading to determine the will of God. He says that the closer we got to understanding what the Bible says about God, the easier it will be to determine his will.
For those in the beginning of their Christian life, he tells us about a shortcut when we have not yet come to know the Lord like those who have held to faith in Christ for a longer time. He shows how to seek counsel from people who are where we want to be. He tells you how to catch red flags when making a bad decision before we make it.
He warns how intuition can be valuable but how it can also be wrong. He also talks about having a vision/plan for your life.
Book Description
Practical help for finding and following God's will for your life with insights into God's dynamic, multi-faceted purpose for your life. The will of God is a way of life we can live each day.
Customer Reviews:
A thought provoking book about life.......2003-09-09
Sittser's book "Discovering God's Will" is a must read for all Christians. The book attacks the very question that everybody asks themself, "What is God's will for my life?" He goes into detail to explain the answers and how you figure out your purpose in life. It was very helpful for me and I know it will help you also. He writes in language simple enough that all ages can understand it. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Book Description
A Sacred Journey Toward the Heart of God
Go deep into the things of God by allowing God to go deep into the things of your life!
In your relationship with God, there is a romance to be embraced, a courtship to be nurtured, and a marriage to be consummated. And this relationship demands a level of intentionality. Of learning to walk with God daily, trusting in his goodness and mercy, resting in his faithfulness. Of allowing his furious pursuit to transform the nature of your relationship to him.
Inside, you’ll encounter such transforming truths as:
·What it means to be pursued by Love
·God’s quest for a willing heart
·Navigating the “thorn stories” of pain, loneliness, and rejection
·Embracing the vows of a Sacred Lover
·Accepting God’s Divine Proposal
·Recovering the Larger Story of God’s unrelenting faithfulness
Take advantage of the life-changing tools and resources, including questions for individual and group study, a daily Conversations & Reflections Journal, and daily inspirational messages available at
www.furiouspursuit.com. Let God take responsibility for your relationship with him, so you can experience the freedom and acceptance that are already yours. Frank Martin and Tim King invite you on a journey of personal and spiritual transformation, a journey toward fully embracing the Furious Pursuit of God!
The companion workbook to Furious Pursuit by Frank Martin and Tim King
Customer Reviews:
Best Workbook I've Ever Seen.......2006-10-13
Furious Pursuit is the best workbook that I have ever seen. It is actually revelant to spiritual formation, and not just a bunch of busy work. This is a real reflection and meditation guide. The workbook's unique design allows the reader to spend as little as 10 minutes in it, or as much as all day. It is broken out into 7 themes that cycle in a way to help the reader break out of our habit of being caught up in our "smaller stories." This workbook is perfect for small groups or individual study. It is complemented by the 91 daily audio messages by Tim King available [...]. I beleive you will find a great blessing with this workbook.
Book Description
Which college should I attend?
Am I ready to get married?
How do I know if this person is âthe oneâ?
My company is moving to another state.
Do I move, or quit my job?
At every stage of our lives, we face potentially life-altering decisions. Large and small, every decision has consequences. But we can take comfort in knowing that God has a plan for our lives.
You’re thinking,
Good, God has a plan for meâbut how can I know it?
In this book, Pastor Ray Pritchard offers practical lessons on making God-led decisions when you find yourself at a crossroads. You’ll read biblical accounts of men and women who followed God’s leadâand how it changed the course of their lives, even the course of history. You’ll also find personal anecdotes from the author that will give you insight into how the Lord can lead you in your life. At the end of each chapter you’ll find questions that can be used for personal reflection or group study.
Rather than trying to lay out a step-by-step plan for discovering God’s will for your life, Pastor Ray teaches us that knowing God’s will is really about knowing God, and that anyone who wants to get to know Him, can.
Customer Reviews:
Everyone should have this book!!.......2007-05-12
One of the best books I've ever read. Really loved it. One should read this book before really needing it,though. I read it when I needed to quickly make a big choice in my life. Easy and enjoyable reading as are all of Ray Pritchard's books.
Average customer rating:
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A Compact Guide to Discovering God's Will
Gordon Jackson , and
Gordon S. Jackson
Manufacturer: Navpress Publishing Group
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ASIN: 1576832562 |
Book Description
All people face a major issue at some point in their lives, whether it be career selection, choice of college, or who to marry. How does one make these decisions with wisdom and confidence?
A Compact Guide to Discovering God's Will is designed to help readers listen to God and make choices that honor him. Author Gordon Jackson introduces "The Big Five"-scripture, prayer, advice of mature Christians, consideration of circumstances, a sense of inner peace-and demonstrates why they are essential in the decision-making process. Also includes an alphabetical index for quickly finding topics of interest.
Average customer rating:
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Destination Unknown: A Guide to Discovering God's Will
Gordon S. Jackson
Manufacturer: Th1nk Books
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ASIN: 1576835413 |
Book Description
One thing's for sure: High school and college are full of life-defining choices. Whether it's selecting a career, deciding where to go to college, or even knowing who to marry, there are times when the right choice seems impossible to figure out. How can you make sure you're heading in the right direction?
Destination Unknown points students toward God and choices that honor Him. Author Gordon S. Jackson introduces "The Big Five"-Scripture, prayer, advice of mature Christians, consideration of circumstances, and a sense of inner peace-as essential elements in making solid decisions. Also includes an alphabetical index for quickly finding topics of interest.
Book Description
Perfect for anyone seeking to find lasting meaning and purpose, this timely, proven workbook will help you find out what God wants you to do and how to trust Him in the process.
Customer Reviews:
It makes a difference!.......2001-03-30
This book was absolutely wonderful. It is set up in a workbook style so that you are doing more than just reading it; you are thinking and praying as you go. It really helped me get in tune with God. I also recommend it for anyone not very familiar with the Bible or interested in learning more. It has been a wonderful resource for me! I encourage you to try it if you haven't already.
It makes a difference!.......2001-03-30
This book was absolutely wonderful. It is set up in a workbook style so that you are doing more than just reading it; you are thinking and praying as you go. It really helped me get in tune with God. I also recommend it for anyone not very familiar with the Bible or interested in learning more. It has been a wonderful resource for me! I encourage you to try it if you haven't already.
Customer Reviews:
Your Life Matters to God!.......2004-12-24
Sanders has written an excellent title encouraging readers how to discover God's will for their lives. His premise is similar to Henry Blackaby's assertion: the key to the search for God's will is knowing God Himself.
The book consists of 8 main chapters:
1. A Planned Life.
2. The Nature of God's Guidance.
3. Contributory Elements in Guidance, Part 1.
4. Contributory Elements in Guidance, Part 11.
5. Dreams, Visions, and Impressions.
6. Guidance in Mission.
7. The Hour of Decision.
8. Walking in Wisdom.
Read, enjoy, and be encouraged in wanting to know God's will - He wants you to know Him even more than you do!
Highly recommended!
Books:
- That's Not in My American History Book: A Compilation of Little Known Events and Forgotten Heroes
- The Black Cloud
- The Black Raven (Dragon Mage, Book 2)
- The Collapsium
- The Design of Modern Steel Bridges
- The Domino Effect (Doctor Who)
- The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath
- The Eugenics Wars Vol I: The Rise and Fall of Khan Noonien Singh (Star Trek)
- The Handmaid's Tale: A Novel
- The High-Tech Knight (Adventures of Conrad Stargard, Book 2)
Books Index
Books Home
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- History: Fiction or Science
- Introduction to Trees of the San Francisco Bay Region
- Diana The Queen of Hearts; & CIA/MI6 the Princedom of Darkness. STORY: Sequel to volume Five
- Citizen Paine: Thomas Paine's Thoughts on Man, Government, Society, and Religion
A.I. - Artificial Intelligence (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)
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