Dry Ice (Dr. Alan Gregory Novels)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • They Just Keep Getting Better
  • The Guru of Psychological Thriller
  • Alan Gregory is like a lot of us.
  • Stephen White hits his target again
  • Everybody's waiting....
Dry Ice (Dr. Alan Gregory Novels)
Stephen White
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0525949976
Release Date: 2007-03-06

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Stephen White brings back his popular character, psychologist Alan Gregory, to take on the sociopathic killer from White's first novel—who, many years later, has walked away from a mental hospital, hungry for revenge.

It has been years since the mayhem was unleashed in Privileged Information. Now Michael McClelland, the brilliant, determined killer introduced in White's first novel, has left the Colorado State Mental Hospital—and he's coming after Alan Gregory's family. The timing couldn't be deadlier; like a cornered animal, Alan is in a deeply vulnerable state, facing severe doubts about his professional life, his marriage, and his own psyche. And McClelland holds the most powerful weapons of all: secrets from Alan's past. Secrets Alan thought he had successfully buried years ago. Secrets not even his wife knows. Time is running out as Alan scrambles to outwit his nemesis while confronting each of his worst nightmares. His becomes a captivating psychological journey into the events that forever change us, and the relentless drumbeat of the past. Faithful readers of the series and newcomers alike will be mesmerized by this searing view into the revered doctor's heart—with a haunting conclusion that will secure Dry Ice's place as the most memorable of White's novels.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars They Just Keep Getting Better.......2007-10-16

Seldom am I inspired to start at the beginning of a 15 book series and read all of the way through to the end. Stephen White's Alan Gregory series is one of those times. White tries new things with the books, different points of view, even giving his 'star' character back seat status in more than one of the books.

Dry Ice, picks up a few months after where Kill Me left off. Alan is more troubled and flawed than we have seen him before. But then again, seeing your patient murdered on the evening news can do that to a guy. While his coping mechanisms aren't psychologically healthy, they are human. This book deals with secrets. If you haven't read Privileged Information (the first book of the series) I recommend reading it first.

Previous characters are further developed. There is a major event at the end, that I won't spoil. I was disappointed to see it, but it does open the way for further progression of the series.

A highly recommended book and series...

5 out of 5 stars The Guru of Psychological Thriller.......2007-09-15

Stephen White did a very good job in Dry Ice. This book is gripping, enthralling, and mesmerizing, all at once. The characters are very real, they speak to you. They have their own complexities......and SECRETS yearning to be revealed. Read this book to feel and touch the mysterious dryness of the ice. Cold Eyes

4 out of 5 stars Alan Gregory is like a lot of us........2007-08-29

Despite being a clinical psychologist, Dr. Gregory at times finds life challenging as he continues to relive the memories of a horrendous childhood trauma. Alan tries to bury them, however it is difficult to do so when a madman, bent on revenge, reenters his life upon escaping from a mental institution. This psychotic genious will do just about anything to ruin both Alan, Sam, his detective friend, and Lauren, Alan's ill wife who is an assistant district attorney. My only problem with the story is Alan's unwillingness to not tell anyone about his past despite the fact he was an innocent child when the incident occurred. This, somewhat unbelievable denial lays the groundwork for what remains a pretty credible and interesting story.

5 out of 5 stars Stephen White hits his target again.......2007-07-04

I am a big fan of White and love his books--every one. And this was not a disappointment. It was great to have Alan Gregory back again. And all those secrets? Wow------who knew?
The humor is fun and witty. The story keeps you guessing and waiting to see what was going to happen next. A true page turner with surprises at almost every turn.
And the ending-----I won't give it away----but could lead to another sequel and continuing story with the characters we love in this one: Alan, Sam, Lauren just to name a few.
Sit back and enjoy this one---it's a fun read.

5 out of 5 stars Everybody's waiting...........2007-06-24


For former villain Michael McClelland to seek revenge on the those from Boulder who sent him to the State Mental Hospital some 15 years before (As told in Stephen White's series intorduction, "Privileged Information"). McClelland is a charming sociopath, capable of almost anything, and seeking revenge.

And while we wait, with White's hero, Alan Gregory, for McClelland's onslaught, McClelland quietly and insidiously finds ways to begin to destroy Alan's way of life, along with those of the deputy DA (Alan's wife Lauren) and the cop (Alan's friend Sam Purdy)who helped bring him to justice. "Dry Ice" proves that everyone we have watched through the first 14 books in the series, has a secret that has not yet risen to the surface. And in wrenching out those secrets over the course of this, the 15th book, White keeps us eagerly turning pages.

Some will be disappointed by the human frailities of White's major characters -- some will be angry that the story wraps with so many loose ends, some will want McClelland's revenge to be more forceful and straight forward...but most, if not all, of White's faithful readers will find "Dry Ice" chock full of expert plotting and subtle nuance as White takes his characters in a slightly different direction for the future.
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Fun book!!
  • All and all, not a bad book
  • Love this book!
  • Ben & Jerry's Ice CReam book
  • I'm in love @}->---
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream & Dessert Book
Ben Cohen , Jerry Greenfield , and Nancy Stevens
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0894803123

Book Description

With little skill, surprisingly few ingredients, and even the most unsophisticated of ice-cream makers, you can make the scrumptious ice creams that have made Ben & Jerry's an American legend.

BEN & JERRY'S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM & DESSERT BOOK tells fans the story behind the company and the two men who built it-from their first meeting in 7th-grade gym class (they were already the two widest kids on the field) to their "graduation" from a $5.00 ice-cream-making correspondence course to their first ice-cream shop in a renovated gas station.

But the best part comes next. Dastardly Mash, featuring nuts, raisins, and hunks of chocolate. The celebrated Heath Bar Crunch. New York Super Fudge Chunk. Oreo Mint. In addition to Ben & Jerry's 11 greatest hits, here are recipes for ice creams made with fresh fruit, with chocolate, with candies and cookies, and recipes for sorbets, sundaes, and baked goods. The 90-plus authentic recipes are spiced with Lyn Severance's bright, quirky, full-color illustrations. Over 383,000 copies in print.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Fun book!!.......2007-10-09

They make some of my favorite flavors, and this book can help you make the same ones at home!! Fun for the family!!

4 out of 5 stars All and all, not a bad book.......2007-10-01

The first time I tried a recipe out of this book, it was way too icy. The next time, I took the time to read the intro and all the technical information and the next batch of ice cream was way better. They tell you ways to make your ice cream more or less rich. I have only tried about 4 of the recipes but first time was the only time I was disappointed.

5 out of 5 stars Love this book!.......2007-09-07

I love ice cream and I love this book. I have made three of the recipes so far and will try the fourth today. All have been scrumptious!

5 out of 5 stars Ben & Jerry's Ice CReam book.......2007-08-20

I bought this to use with my new ice cream maker and love it! It gives a fun history of Ben & Jerry's plus some great recipes. If you have an ice cream maker, you need this book.

5 out of 5 stars I'm in love @}->---.......2007-08-12

While I'm not the best cook in the world, even these recipes have turned out well for me. I love this book and now I'm hooked on trying out new flavours. They are easy to follow and definately great tasting and creamy. I love the Oreo Mint especially. When Summer rolls around here, I can't wait to try the sorbets. This is definately one of the best dessert books I've bought and you don't ever need to get bored with options when there is more than 90 recipes to try. Go get this and have fun in the kitchen. It's great.
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Book
  • Arrgh
  • Great novel but...
  • Twice as long as necessary -- but I still loved reading it...
  • Fading Fast
A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire)
George R.R. Martin
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 055358202X
Release Date: 2006-09-26

Book Description

Few books have captivated the imagination and won the devotion and praise of readers and critics everywhere as has George R. R. Martin’s monumental epic cycle of high fantasy. Now, in A Feast for Crows, Martin delivers the long-awaited fourth book of his landmark series, as a kingdom torn asunder finds itself at last on the brink of peace...only to be launched on an even more terrifying course of destruction.

A Feast for Crows

It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. Or so it appears....With the death of the monstrous King Joffrey, Cersei is ruling as regent in King’s Landing. Robb Stark’s demise has broken the back of the Northern rebels, and his siblings are scattered throughout the kingdom like seeds on barren soil. Few legitimate claims to the once desperately sought Iron Throne still exist—or they are held in hands too weak or too distant to wield them effectively. The war, which raged out of control for so long, has burned itself out.

But as in the aftermath of any climactic struggle, it is not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters start to gather, picking over the bones of the dead and fighting for the spoils of the soon-to-be dead. Now in the Seven Kingdoms, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed, while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—are seen emerging from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges ahead.

It is a time when the wise and the ambitious, the deceitful and the strong will acquire the skills, the power, and the magic to survive the stark and terrible times that lie before them. It is a time for nobles and commoners, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and sages to come together and stake their fortunes...and their lives. For at a feast for crows, many are the guests—but only a few are the survivors.


From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

George R.R. Martin sold his first story in 1971 and has been writing professionally ever since. He has written fantasy, horror, and science fiction, and for his sins spent ten years in Hollywood as a writer/producer, working on Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast, and various feature films and television pilots that were never made. In the mid 90s he returned to prose, his first love, and began work on his epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. He has been in the Seven Kingdoms ever since. Whenever he's allowed to leave, he returns to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lives with the lovely Parris, a big white dog called Mischa, and two cats named Augustus and Caligula who think they run the place.


From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2007-10-11

Minimum Maturity Level - Adult
Strong violence. Strong language. Sexual situations.

Previous Reading Required - Major
You must read the previous three books, starting with "A Game of Thrones".

Reading Level - Average
Very easy to follow.

Rate of Development - Extremely Fast
Picks up where "A Storm of Swords" left off.

The Story - Anything said will be a spoiler. Mainly for those who haven't read the previous books.

My Suggestion - Highly Recommended
This book pretty much winds down when it comes to the action. There is still action, but not at such a grand scale as the battle of King's Landing. There is some shocking moments again, just like how GRRM likes doing it. I have heard many people gripe about this book but it is still an essential read to keep up with what is going on with all the characters. Part of the reason of gripes, I would think, is because GRRM had to split this book in two, which is why "A Dance of Dragons" will feature the other characters that everyone likes so much. Still, it's a great book to read.

2 out of 5 stars Arrgh.......2007-10-10

I think he could have made this a five book series rather than a seven. While I have enjoyed the format and the character development, and the plot twists, its started to get hackneyed. Every time you start to take an interest in a character they are cruelly maimed or killed. We get it, life is tough, and if you are in any way involved with anyone in power, you are going to die a horrible death. If you are a nobody, you still die horribly, but with less ink. If you are cute and spunky, you die slower. And if we start to run out of the hundreds of cannon fodder characters, we just introduce new ones.

I don't know if I'm going to buy the next book.

5 out of 5 stars Great novel but..........2007-09-30

I write this review with mixed feelings. Let me begin by saying that I think this book is great. Mr. Martin shows the same quality here as in the first three books. It is true that there is less action here, but every story has different stages with different requirements. It is obvious that the aftermath of a great war cannot be as tumultous as the war itself. Many people complain about their favorite characters not being here and I understand them. One reads this saga because of the characters. So, no matter how well written is something, if you don't care about the characters, you will not enjoy the book. I was fortunate, because my favorite character is Arya. Eventhough there were only a few chapters about her, I turned every page with the hope that there would be another Arya story. In short, I think this book is worthy of the same praise the other three received, but...

Let me now explain why I have mixed feelings. It is true that the pace of this book is slow. Not much happens in more than six hundred pages. At first sight this is not a problem. When one is reading quality literature, the more the better. But when one considers some implications, this point of view changes. At this pace, I think it is impossible that the series will end in three more books. A Dance with Dragons will not go in time beyond A Feast for Crows. This means the whole Cersei thing won't be resolved until book six. But not only that, we have to consider all the loose ends remaining in Feast added with those of Dance. Even assuming that some plots resolve quickly in book six, this means that there remains only one book and a half of story, and still the Starks are children, Jon and Daenerys are still teenagers. Despite all the talk that the series doesn't depict clearly good or evil characters, the truth of the matter is that the Starks and Daenerys are "the good guys", at least the leading characters. Not for nothing the saga is named A Song of Ice and Fire. I have been waiting to see them grow and become the characters they potentially are. For me the greatest strength of this series is that we have witnessed all the struggles and trials these characters endured in order to become the people they are. But the thing is that moment doesn't arrive, they continue to be children. This could mean that Bran, Sansa and Arya will not play a major role in the climax of the story, and that Jon and Daenerys will defeat rivals which surpass them in experience. If this is going to happen I will be dissaponted. On the other hand, this could mean that we will read only a book and a half with the grown protagonists. But then this would be a let down. If reading about children and teenagers has been a profound experience, can you imagine reading about them as mature and experienced people. I can't wait to read that. I have been waiting more than five years and I am ready to wait whatever it takes. I would like to read at least as many books of them as adults as have been published.

This takes me to the final point. If George Martin enjoys writing about Brienne in such detail, I think he will enjoy more writing about an adult Arya or Bran. This makes me think that the series will have more books than seven, which is a good thing for me due to what I have said. At the same time is a terrible thing, because that means that the most probable thing to happen is that the series will never be completed. Let me say the truth. Mr. Martin is a first class writer. In my opinion he is at the same level of Borges or Joyce, but most of his life he was just a little known writer with no fans. Then he began writing what could be one of the best works of literature of all time, and with it came fame and success. And he is enjoying that, because he waited his whole life for this, and he deserved it. The problem, I think, is that he lost his way in the process. He spends so much time with the fans, traveling, editing other books and many other innumerable projects, that he hardly has any time or energy to write his magnus opus. He took five years to publish what he calls half a book, and he will take probably three years to write a book which he said he had more than half already written. This means he will take at least seven years to complete the sixth book (or four if the publishers force him to split it too). Mr. Martin isn't young and if he dies before finishing his saga, all will be lost. What could have been one of the greatest stories of all time will be nothing. Cervantes wouldn't be what he is if he hasn't finished "El Quijote". Eventhough the Tuft stories are good, eventhough Fevre Dream is the best vampire story I've ever read, Mr. martin will be rembered by A SoIF.

I hope he realizes that he is an artist and that his legacy is at risk, I hope he finds again happiness in writing instead of being a torture that keeps him from going to conventions. I hope he finishes this series in a way that fulfills all expectations. I hope to see him occupy his rightful place in literature history. I hope and I wait.

3 out of 5 stars Twice as long as necessary -- but I still loved reading it..........2007-09-20

Not since the Lord of the Rings has an author written a series that has such amazing SCOPE as GRRM has pulled together with these books. While arguments will be made for YEARS about the contributions of Terry Brooks, Terry Goodkind and others, it seems hard to place them in the same league simply because I consider those books good and entirely worth reading, but Martin has created one of the few Fantasy series that can also be considered true Literature. Again, some may disagree, but that is essentially how I consider it.

I finished this book quite a long time ago and while I normally post my reviews within a day or so of closing the last page, I kept putting this one off as I attempted to just figure out exactly what I thought of it. I believe the bulk of us Song of Ice & Fire readers have all heard that this book originally began as a single novel, and due to several unforseen circumstances, ended up being divided into two separate-but-equal parts of basically the same book. You can REALLY tell, too. The obvious omitting of several MAJOR POV's is the first and biggest obstacle against giving this a full 5 Stars. As MANY have also noted, even though there ARE some incredibly important issues brought up which help the plot move forward here, again it is nearly impossible NOT to notice how LITTLE forward the book takes us overall. Several reviewers have noted the possible absence of an editor with the stones to actually trim the fat, which this novel really needed. I would have rather waited an extra year and had what was cut out to make 'A Dance With Dragons' ADDED and then properly edited in order to seriously move the overall storyline AHEAD. There is little doubt that GRRM is likely the most talented Fantasy Author writing today (although the debate continues...), but if this series is expected to finish up before the end of the next century, I sincerely hope that GRRM steps up the pace--even if by just a little. Robert Jordan recently passed away, and so far (at least as I write this) the end of the Wheel of Time Series remains unfinished...now he may have finished writing the last novel before he passed away (gosh I hope so...) we can see what happens by doing this and dragging things out longer than necessary. While I honestly believe GRRM really DOES have a handle on where the story is going and he honestly does know the end from the beginning, I also hope that the end is in sight. Making us all wait what seems like decades in between these books is nothing short of torture and possibly against the Geneva Convention if I am not mistaken...

With that said, I STILL had a great time reading AFFC. Yes it dragged and lost momentum and I felt that my journey was basically 'Hurry Up And Wait', I have invested so much into these characters, (although through sad experience I have also discovered not to become TOO attached to any one character in particular) that even a SMALL glimpse into their world is better than none at all. I anxiously await the arrival of the 2nd half of this tale begun in 'A Feast For Crows', I also bite my nails wondering if part 2 isn't just more of the same here. I have learned to give the benefit of the doubt in a lot of instances, and because GRRM is so dang good at writing, I feel compelled to extend it here as well. But hopefully my patience won't have to be tested quite to this degree much longer...

1 out of 5 stars Fading Fast.......2007-09-19

Where have all the editors gone?

With Feast, the 4th installment of the Song of Ice and Fire series, Martin has begun to get carried away with himself. Much like what readers experienced with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, Feast represents a serious departure from the tight narrative drive that powered the first three books.

Very little time is spent on the characters we came to care about in past installments and, even worse, the "splitting" of this volume leaves several major characters out of the mix altogether. The vast bulk of this book is dedicated to two characters who are either dead or marginalized by the end of the book and I found myself wondering how much of their plot impact could have been accomplished with several hundred less pages?

After all, if you spend 200 pages having someone wander about the countryside only to die at the end, the hope is they accomplished something that will have future plot implications. If they didn't, you wasted our time. If they did, then the importance of their accomplishment(s) must be weighed against the time taken to tell the story. Without seeing the impact in book 6, it's impossible to say how much of book 4 was unnecessary drivel, but I suspect that much of it should have hit the editing room floor.

Eric-
The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Absorbing with some lose facts
  • Chilling, rivoting story
  • Awesome!
  • Very little Credibility
  • The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer
The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer
Philip Carlo
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0312349289
Release Date: 2006-07-01

Book Description

Richard "The Iceman Kuklinski" led a double life beyond anything ever seen on The Sopranos, becoming one of the most notorious professional assassins in American history while hosting neighborhood barbecues in suburban New Jersey. Now, after 240 hours of face-to-face interviews with Kuklinski and his wife and daughters, author Philip Carlo tells his extraordianry story. Kuklinski was Sammy "The Bull" Gravano's partner in the killing of Paul Castellano at Spark's Steakhouse. John Gotti hired him to kill the neighbor who accidentally ran over his child. For an additional price, he would make victims suffer; he conducted this sadistic business with cold-hearted intensity, never disappointing his customers. By his own estimate, he killed over two hundred men, taking enormous pride in his variety and ferocity of technique. Kuklinski's story, once known, captivated the public and became the subject of three HBO documentaries about which the New York Times raved "Few viewers are ever likely to forget this thoroughly chilling portrait. As for possible movie competition, it would work on the level of The Silence of the Lambs." The Ice Man is the most complete portrait of a killer since Peter Maas' New York Times bestselling biography of Sammy the Bull, Underboss, or Gay Talese's Honor Thy Father.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Absorbing with some lose facts.......2007-10-14

I found this book to be fascinating from cover-to-cover. This coming from an avid true-crime reader and author of the same genre. There were a few missteps from the author who seems as if he didn't throughly check out all Kuklinski's stories, in addiiton to the constant repetition which is littered throughout the book.

I can understand that Kuklinski was a true psychopath, and we can't expect him to tell the truth about everything, like his involvement in the Paul Catallano murder. Men have been tried and convicted recently in that hit, and nowhere has Kuklinski's name surfaced. So if he lied there, did he lie about the Hoffa murder? Probabaly.

Given Kuklinski's expertise with true weapons of mass destruction, how could he consistantly refer to a favorite method of dispatching his victims with a silencer-equipped .38 revolver? Even a novice genre writer knows that supressors on revolvers are useless.

These gaffs (and others) lead one to believe that Kuklinski snowed the author on more than one occasion. I watched an interview on YouTube recently where Kuklinski describes his first murder, which is competley at odds with the depiction of his first murder in the book.

Given all this, it still can't be denied that this book was a page turner and highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Chilling, rivoting story.......2007-10-13

This audio book was a gift for my husband who wanted to have it after hearing an interview with Richard Kuklinski. I didn't think I would want to hear about all the murders he committed but this book is addicting. From his horrible childhood through the end you couldn't help but actually feel for the "Big guy". You could understand why he was the way he was.

5 out of 5 stars Awesome!.......2007-10-01

I recently finished this book and found it to be incredibly insightful, thought provoking and extremely gruesome - but I loved it!!
I think Mr. Carlo touched every aspect of Richard Kuklinski's life that you may have been wondering about - from his childhood, parents, wife, kids, etc. It's so unfortunate that all those people had to die, the families lives that were ruined (not to mention his own family), and the horrible beatings Richard had to endure - but this book did an excellent job portraying it all.
I couldn't put this book down. I have since lent it to a friend who can't put it down either.
Mr. Carlo deserves every 5 star review that's given!

2 out of 5 stars Very little Credibility.......2007-09-30

I bought "The Ice Man" because I had viewed the HBO documentary, which was terrifying. I read this book once and gave it away. According to Richard Kuklinski, hardly a major killing took place in the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s without his involvement. Among his incredible assertions are that he participated in the murders of Carmine Galante, Paul Castellano, and even Jimmy Hoffa. Had he been somewhat older, it wouldn't have surprised me had he stated that it was he, and not John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated President Lincoln. Since it's been some time since I've read this tome, my recollection of many of his allegations are somewhat hazy, but I do remember questioning many of them. Philip Carlo's writing is flawless and gripping, but Kuklinski's credibility, in my opinion, is somewhat debatable.

5 out of 5 stars The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer .......2007-09-22

I saw a documentary on televison about this man so I was intrigued and bought the book. The book is excellent, but sad. It is a riveting story of so many lives lost. Excellent reading.
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • For Everyone
  • Great Book
  • Where do you go after Martin?
  • Great Read that Leaves You Feeling Icky
  • Excellent work...
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)
George R.R. Martin
Manufacturer: Spectra
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0553573403
Release Date: 1997-08-04

Amazon.com

Readers of epic fantasy series are: (1) patient--they are left in suspense between each volume, (2) persistent--they reread or at least review the previous book(s) when a new installment comes out, (3) strong--these 700-page doorstoppers are heavy, and (4) mentally agile--they follow a host of characters through a myriad of subplots. In A Game of Thrones, the first book of a projected six, George R.R. Martin rewards readers with a vividly real world, well-drawn characters, complex but coherent plotting, and beautifully constructed prose, which Locus called "well above the norms of the genre."

Martin's Seven Kingdoms resemble England during the Wars of the Roses, with the Stark and Lannister families standing in for the Yorks and Lancasters. The story of these two families and their struggle to control the Iron Throne dominates the foreground; in the background is a huge, ancient wall marking the northern border, beyond which barbarians, ice vampires, and direwolves menace the south as years-long winter advances. Abroad, a dragon princess lives among horse nomads and dreams of fiery reconquest.

There is much bloodshed, cruelty, and death, but A Game of Thrones is nevertheless compelling; it garnered a Nebula nomination and won the 1996 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. So, on to A Clash of Kings! --Nona Vero

Book Description

Here is the first volume in George R. R. Martin’s magnificent cycle of novels that includes A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. As a whole, this series comprises a genuine masterpiece of modern fantasy, bringing together the best the genre has to offer. Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction.

A Game of Thrones

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

Download Description

A Game of Thrones is a contemporary masterpiece of fantasy.

The cold is returning to Winterfell, where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime. A time of conflict has arisen in the Stark family, as they are pulled from the safety of their home into a whirlpool of tragedy, betrayal, assassination, plots and counterplots. Each decision and action carries with it the potential for conflict as several prominent families, comprised of lords, ladies, soldiers, sorcerers, assassins and bastards, are pulled together in the most deadly game of all -- the game of thrones.


"George Martin is assuredly a new master craftsman in the guild of heroic fantasy."
   KATHERINE KERR

"The keen and complex human characters and the convincing force of their surroundings operate as magic...setting George R. R. Martin's first fantasy epic well above the norms of the genre."
   LOCUS

"Offers the rich tapestry that the very best fantasy demands...few created worlds are as imaginative and diverse."
   JANNY WURTS

"A vast, rich saga, with splendid characters and an intricate plot flawlessly articulated against a backdrop of real depth and texture."
   KIRKUS REVIEWS

"A dazzling fantasy adventure... with a great cast of characters that weave a tapestry of court intrigue, skullduggery, vicious betrayal and greathearted sacrifice."
   JULIAN MAY

"A colorful, majestic tapestry of characters, action and plot that deserves a spot on any reader's wall."
   ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL


Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars For Everyone.......2007-10-11

I was hesitant to pick this up after a recommendation from a friend being as I am not the hugest fantasy fan. I have zero interest in wizards and fireballs and white knights in shining armor. From the first 100 pages I knew this book would not be your typical fairy tale. All characters, of which there are a lot, are wonderfully fleshed out and interesting. The plot is plausible with just a hint of mysticism and there are no characters who are pure good or pure evil, they are all just human; they have their good sides and their bad sides.

Every chapter is as engaging as the last, and before you know it you turn the final page and are looking around for the next book.

Fantastic start to what I surmise will be a fantastic series. I am elblow deep in the second book now.

5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2007-10-11

Minimum Maturity Level - Adult
Strong Language. Extreme violence and gore. Sexual situations.
Not for kids.

Previous Reading Required - None
This is the start of an epic series of 7 books.

Reading Level - Average
Very easy to keep up with. Not surprising since GRRM used to screenwrite. The book basically reads like a movie.

Rate of Development - Average
It takes a while to get a good character backgrounds. And there are A LOT of characters. But once you get halfway through, you come to know the characters very intimately. The story develops into intrigue and mystery fairly quick. By halfway through the book, it becomes a "page-turner".

The Story - The King's Hand (the king's right hand man) has died. Some think he was murdered. King Robert Baratheon then appoints Eddard Stark, a lifelong friend to succeed the position. Reluctantly, Eddard accepts. Anything after all this, is a spoiler so you MUST read the book.

My Suggestion - Highly Recommended
Like I said in the story section, anything I try to tell you after Eddard agrees to be the Hand IS a spoiler. GRRM has a way of getting you to like, love, and hate all his characters in the book. All the characters have their own personality and seem like real genuine people. Every chapter is a person's perspective and not a number. So when you read the chapter entitled "BRAN", you are reading what is going on through HIS eyes and his eyes only. It's a very immersive way of writing and I come to like it a lot. I said before that development is a bit slow for characters but the mystery and intrigue happens rather quickly. Some mysteries actually carry on into the next few books. Some of you with quick minds may uncover some mysteries before the characters actually do and that is part of the fun. If you want a good epic fantasy that is down to earth with war, intrigue, and suspense, then this is your book. Just be ready to buy all the other books that follow, because the get even better.

5 out of 5 stars Where do you go after Martin?.......2007-09-28

George RR Martin is, in my opinion, one of the best Fantasy authors currently writing. He's great at exploring and deepening characters without them coming out and saying "I'm brave but flawed by my childhood experience", but instead he shows them by their reactions and choices. Yes, this shouldn't be a big deal, but hey, it's fantasy.

I also love that his characters are fully grey. The ones that are truly honorable heroes are also unyieldingly cold and the cruelest villians are at least human and understandable. But man! Martin doesn't mind killing anybody.

Which brings me to my title. One of the hardest things is picking up the next book that isn't from this series. You can always go back to some of the classics, but it's really hit and miss on picking up a new book, and Martin really raised the bar for me.

3 out of 5 stars Great Read that Leaves You Feeling Icky.......2007-09-26

I feel dishonest only giving this book 3 Stars because the truth is I could not put it down and there is no doubt in my mind that I will end up reading this entire series. I enjoyed the complexity of the plots, the character development, the multiple perspectives, the detailed worlds, the unconventional blur between good/evil and the unpredictable plot twists. There is much in this book to enjoy and praise.

That said I only gave this book 3 stars because it left me feeling, well, kind of disturbed. Multiple times, during the course of reading this book, I told whoever was around that I felt like I was being emotionally abused by the author. I usually like disturbing/dark stories but something about this one troubled me. For starters the sex and sexual violence in this book was a bit much for me. Almost all the sex scenes are about a thirteen year old child. The sexual acts that happen to Dany in this novel constitute at least a dozen felonies in any civilized society. Not only could I not discern a reason the author had to make Dany SO young (especially if he wanted her character to be highly sexualized) but the aspects of sex he chose to discribe and the manner in which he discribed them were random, weird and came across as nothing more than a perverted indulgence. I would read something and simultaneously roll my eyes while feeling an icky shudder up and down my spine. I have no problems with sex in books I read, but the manner in which the sex scenes were written in this book are not reflective of real life and left me feeling grossed out. They felt exploitive I guess because they were so gratutious and strange.

Also, as a women, the constant rape and violence towards women was hard to read. I realize rape and misogyny are part of the world, particularly in times of war, but the amount and detail was hard to stomach. While the male characters (good and bad) generally die or get injured bravely in battle the women must be systemically humiliated before dying unceremoniously. Not only is raping them bad enough, they must be gang raped. And just in case gang rape wasn't degrading enough they have to be gang raped from behind. This combined with the constant womanizing of the main characters, the constant put downs related to the worth of women relative to men and after a while it makes you start to wonder; has Martin created a world filled with systemic female degradation because he is laying the foundation for an ultimate commentary on oppression, violence and human dignity? Or has he created a world filled with female degradation because that is what he likes writing about? I have 6 more books to read before I can answer that question but I have a suspicion it is the latter which is where the icky feeling I have towards this book comes from. Hopefully, it turns out I am wrong.

Even though this book left a bad taste in my mouth in some respects, I will continue to read the series because it is wildly entertaining. I've already started the second book.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent work..........2007-09-04

so far! I am excited to read the next three books. Instead of expounding on the virtues of the novel, I would like to address two common complaints that one finds in these reviews. Firstly, the reports about sex/incest/bestiality are vastly exaggerated. There is ONE incestuous relationship between atomic family members, and the sexual description is limited to less than a paragraph. Certainly, the novel mentions other kinds of incest, such as the marriage of first and second cousins, but that is to be expected where royal families are concerned; and sexual acts regarding these are never described. Also, in line with medieval societal norms, there are a few ultra brief descriptions of sex involving teenagers; girls in royal families were frequently married off early and were expected to produce as many male heirs as possible. Yes, there are several moderately explicit scenes of rape (especially near the end of the book), violence and sex, but they pale in comparison to many other historical fiction novels. Sexual descriptions are about on par with an Anne Rice novel, and way softer than any of that romance/Fabio-on-the-cover drivel. If you cringe at the slightest graphic description of violence, then I would stay away from anything that involves the history of humankind. Certainly avoid the Conan and Warhammer 40K fiction series, and you should retain your sanity (and wimpiness).

Regarding complexity: this first book is EASY to follow. Each chapter is titled with the name of the character from whose point of view the story will be narrated. There are only eight such characters. If you have trouble keeping everything in your head, just go back to to the previous chapter with the same character name and re-read the last few paragraphs...it's that simple folks. I like this style because at several points, as you might find on TV or in the movies, the author leaves you hanging with some suspense at the end of the chapter until he "cuts" back to that (possibly concurrent) point in the story.

Anyway, my opinion is no more valid than that of anyone else on Amazon. If you like historical fiction, then I think there's a good chance you will like low fantasy. This series is as good a place to start as anywhere. Use some common sense: first, take it out of the library if possible. Second, read as many chapters as it takes for you to get a sense of the style and characterizations. Third, if you don't like it, STOP READING...it will NOT get better. I hereby deliver a VIRTUAL SLAP to reviewers who claim that they read the glowing reviews, read all 806 pages of the novel, and then felt debased or felt like they wasted their time or money...this is the United States, a playground of choices. If you don't like something, change the channel or turn off the device!
The Harry Bosch Novels: The Black Echo, The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent first three novels in the Harry Bosch series
  • Wonderful writer
  • Great stories
  • Connelly
  • Gift
The Harry Bosch Novels: The Black Echo, The Black Ice, The Concrete Blonde
Michael Connelly
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316154970

Book Description

Michael Connellys most famous character, Detective Harry Bosch, has been thrilling readers for a decade. Now available in one omnibus edition are the three books that brought him to life. First introduced in The Black Echo, Bosch hunts the brutal murderer of a Vietnam buddy. Then, in The Black Ice, a narcotics officers disappearance sends Bosch on a trail of murders leading from Hollywood Boulevard to Mexicos dusty back alleys. In The Concrete Blonde, Bosch must hunt down the Dollmaker, a macabre serial killer, before he strikes again. Together, these three novels are the perfect way to discover, or rediscover, one of our most fascinating and well-loved sleuths. A Darkness More Than Night, also featuring Harry Bosch, is a New York Times bestseller and a national bestseller. Connellys sales continue to rise. Since its January 2001 publication, A Darkness More Than Night has shipped more than 235,000 copies. The Black Echo won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Connelly has also won a Nero Wolfe prize, a Macavity Award, and an Anthony Award.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent first three novels in the Harry Bosch series.......2007-10-11

Couldn't put this down. I was glad I had all three books to read at one time. Excellent homicide detective stories set in LA.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful writer.......2007-05-14

Michael Connelly is an incredible mystery writer. The plots are well-done, the characters believable. I would highly recommend any of the Harry Bosch mystery novels.

4 out of 5 stars Great stories.......2007-05-12

Another hit by Michael Connelly. I love his Harry Bosch books, the depth of character, attention to detail and beautifully tailored plots make for a completely enjoyable read. This one is great because you get three complete Bosch books for the price of one. Of course, if you like to lie in bed and read the 3 in 1 format makes it really heavy to hold up, but it's worth the effort.

I'm a writer myself so I know how hard it is to turn out such consistently great tales. If you'd like to check out my book click on The Towers Of Greed and if you buy it please buy it from seller Whitebear54 since that's me, the author.

5 out of 5 stars Connelly.......2007-02-12

As a Connelly addict I have to say this is the place to begin...the beginning. One read and you too will be hooked.

5 out of 5 stars Gift.......2007-01-12

I have no idea what this book is like, I ordered it for my niece for Christmas, he is her favorite author :)
Holidays on Ice: Stories
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Too dark for my taste
  • Holidays on Ice: A Satire on the Holiday Season
  • More odd and disconcerting than his usual works..
  • Revisitations of familiar journeys
  • Holidays on Ice
Holidays on Ice: Stories
David Sedaris
Manufacturer: Back Bay Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0316779237

Amazon.com

Holidays on Ice is a collection of three previously published stories matched with three newer ones, all, of course, on a Christmas theme. David Sedaris's darkly playful humor is another common thread through the book, worming its way through "Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!" a chipper suburban Christmas letter that spirals dizzily out of control, and "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol," a vicious theatrical review of children's Christmas pageants. As always, Sedaris's best work is his sharply observed nonfiction, notably in "Dinah, the Christmas Whore," the tale of a memorable Christmas during which the young Sedaris learns to see his family in a new light. Worth the price of the book alone is the hilarious "SantaLand Diaries," Sedaris's chronicle of his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. In a sly way, it carries a holiday message all its own. Read it aloud to the adults after the kids have gone to bed. --Ali Davis

Book Description

Holidays on Ice is a collection of three previously published stories matched with three newer ones, all, of course, on a Christmas theme. David Sedaris's darkly playful humor is another common thread through the book, worming its way through "Seasons Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!" a chipper suburban Christmas letter that spirals dizzily out of control, and "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol," a vicious theatrical review of children's Christmas pageants. As always, Sedaris's best work is his sharply observed nonfiction, notably in "Dinah, the Christmas Whore," the tale of a memorable Christmas during which the young Sedaris learns to see his family in a new light. Worth the price of the book alone is the hilarious "SantaLand Diaries," Sedaris's chronicle of his time working as an elf at Macy's, covering everything from the preliminary group lectures ("You are not a dancer. If you were a real dancer you wouldn't be here. You're an elf and you're going to wear panties like an elf.") to the perils of inter-elf flirtation. Along the way, he paints a funny and sad portrait of the way the countless parents who pass through SantaLand are too busy creating an Experience to really pay attention to their children. In a sly way, it carries a holiday message all its own. Read it aloud to the adults after the kids have gone to bed. --Ali Davis

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Too dark for my taste.......2007-10-09

Huge disappointment. I have read three David Sedaris books previously and had found them laugh-out-loud funny. "Holidays on Ice" nearly ended up in the fireplace when I hit a particularly dark chapter. His humor has always been on the sarcastic side, which generally appeals to me, but I didn't find this book amusing. If I want to be horrified, I'll read Dean Koontz.

5 out of 5 stars Holidays on Ice: A Satire on the Holiday Season.......2007-09-21

"This afternoon I sat in the eighth-floor SantaLand office and was told, ` Congratulations, Mr. Sedaris. You are an elf.'" This is one of the many hilarious quotes from David Sedaris' novel Holidays on Ice which contains six enlightening Christmas stories. Also known for his other hilarious books Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, middle aged humorist Sedaris writes about his own experiences and thoughts on the Christmas season.
In the first essay entitled "SantaLand Diaries," Sedaris tells his about his crazy encounters working as an elf in the department store Macy's after getting rejected from UPS. He describes the shoppers and fellow employees with sarcastic humor. He tells about his various jobs that he works, and explains about the Magic Window position. He has to stand there and exclaim, "Step on the Magic Star and look through the window, and you can see Santa!" One day he gets bored of saying the same fifteen words over and over again, so he decides to mix things up a bit. "Step on the Magic Star and you can see Cher and Mike Tyson!" People start to get upset when they sacrifice their spot in line to see Santa to go into the Magic Star line. Needless to say, David Sedaris is never positioned in the Magic Star line again.
The next essay, "Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!" is a fictional story about the ridiculousness of long family descriptions on Christmas cards. "He's made the honor roll every semester and there seems to be no stopping him!!! A year and a half left to go and already the job offers are pouring in! We love you, Kevin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" exclaims the narrator Mrs. Dunbar. Mrs. Dunbar's ideal world, however, soon comes crashing down when a stranger named Khe Sahn suddenly comes to live with them. As it turns out, Mrs. Dunbar's "perfect" husband had a daughter in Vietnam named Khe Sahn. As the story unfolds, Khe Sahn turns their world upside down.
"Dinah, the Christmas Whore" is another essay describing the bizarre world of David Sedaris. He tells how his sister Lisa brought her friend Dinah home one day four days before Christmas. He describes the humorous way in which his family reacts to her, and the questions they ask her about her interesting life in prison and about her experiences as a prostitute.
Another essay, "Christmas Means Giving," tells the fictional story about one family's competition with their neighbors, the Cottinghams. Every year, the neighbors try to out-do the other's Christmas deeds, and as you will see it gets pretty crazy as the families try to be the best and most "giving" in the neighborhood.
Holidays on Ice is a hilarious book of essays that will keep you laughing non-stop. I recommend this novel for anyone who wants a good laugh, young or old. I personally give this book two very enthusiastic thumbs up for its dry humor. Each sarcastic and humorous essay will make you want to read the next. By the way, this collection of essays would make a great Christmas gift!

2 out of 5 stars More odd and disconcerting than his usual works.........2007-07-03

I'm a huge fan of David Sedaris' books, but other than the "Santaland Diaries" and "Dinah" stories, I couldn't get into it. The other stories weren't funny, the pace was plodding despite the fact that these were short stories, and I was actually somewhat uncomfortable reading them.

I'd recommend most of his other books, just not this one.

3 out of 5 stars Revisitations of familiar journeys.......2007-05-07

I enjoyed the opportunity to read David Sedaris' stories, some of which I had read elsewhere. It is a good format to launch someone on 'the good ship Sedaris' but for those who have been initiated, it was all too brief in the newness arena. It rattles along very comfortably, like an old Chevrolet, but we do like the smell of a new car every so often, don't we?

5 out of 5 stars Holidays on Ice.......2007-03-24

Another collections of hilarious short stories by David Sedaris. All of them were hysterical. I loaned this book to many a friend and have yet to find an intelligent person who does not get this author! He is so well crafted at the art of writing, I laughed so hard I cried reading it!
The Black Ice (Harry Bosch)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • "I found out who I was"
  • This is NOT about cross-border shopping!
  • A Thrilling Mystery
  • A Real Page Turner
  • Black Ice leaves one cold
The Black Ice (Harry Bosch)
Michael Connelly
Manufacturer: Vision
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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  4. Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Novels) Trunk Music (Harry Bosch Novels)
  5. City of Bones (Harry Bosch) City of Bones (Harry Bosch)

ASIN: 0446613444
Release Date: 2003-12-02

Book Description

The corpse in the hotel room appears to be that of a missing LAPD narcotics officer. Rumours abound that he had crossed - selling a new drug called Black Ice from Mexico - and the LAPD brass are quick to declare his death aside.But Harry Bosch isn't so sure; prompted by odd, inexplicable details from the crime scene, and attraction to the widow, he begins his own investigation. An investigation that takes him over the border to Mexico and into a dangerous labyrinth of shifting identities and deadly corruption.

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eBook Special Feature: Read a chapter excerpt from LOST LIGHT!

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars "I found out who I was".......2007-10-18

The first thing that stood out about this book is how good the writing was. I started reading it and even though the events where not following at a very fast pace, I found myself halfway through the book in no time. The main reason behind this was the skill Connelly displayed for describing the different characters, and the ability for creating engaging dialogues.

There are two reasons why I did not give this novel the top rating. The first one is that I felt a little cheated by one of the points near the end. Halfway through the book most readers will likely start thinking about a likely solution to the mystery, but will discard this due to a very specific piece of information, which at the end gets explained in a not too convincing way. The other reason for a less than excellent rating is the number of mistakes on Spanish expressions. It is surprising that an author of this quality cannot take the time to verify that the little Spanish he is using throughout the novel is accurate. Instead, we find several cases of gender incompatibility in the expressions, and misspelled words, like beer as "Cervesa" instead of the correct "Cerveza", not once, but many times in a row.

The good points are much more prominent though, and it is really hard to pinpoint all of them. I would have to say that the thing I like most about these novels is the main character. Harry Bosch is a detective that does not care about politics in the department, or about what the press may think; he just wants to find the culprits and deliver justice for the victims. He also has a heavy personal baggage related to his childhood and upbringing, which still affects him to this day and makes for some mesmerizing psychological aspects. But this character is just one piece of the puzzle, since the author clearly has a great ability for weaving an interesting plot and then uses the detective to start revealing the facts layer by layer, as if he was peeling an onion until getting to its core. And in this case, there are many layers to consider. Harry gets involved in a series of murder investigations that include among its victims a member of the force, an informant, and a laborer. Adding some romance to the dangerous mix works wonders, and we are drawn into the story as a moth to the fire.

I am confident that most mystery readers will find this book to be very satisfactory. The fact that the author has created a complex main character, and has displayed a natural writing ability leads me to believe that this series can only get better. I am looking forward to reading the next installment!

4 out of 5 stars This is NOT about cross-border shopping!.......2007-09-25

Calexico Moore, a depressed NYPD detective who is treading on the illegal dark fringes of the drug culture he's investigating, eats both barrels of his own shotgun in a dreary motel room only days before Christmas. With Moore gone and another officer about to be placed on permanent disability leave because of alcohol abuse, the homicide unit is clearly under-staffed and overwhelmed with an outstanding case load. Lieutenant Harvey "98" Pounds, in a callous bureaucratic gesture, pleads with Harry Bosch to pull some overtime and begs him to clear just one case before New Year's - that will put the unit's clearance ratio over 50%, a marginally acceptable level in the eyes of the public and the police brass! Bosch digs in and quickly determines that not only are two of the outstanding murders related but the confusing road he must travel to solve them enters the high stakes world of designer drug smuggling and also crosses paths with the tortuous trail that led Calexico Moore to the motel room in which he took his own life.

Most readers will agree that the Harry Bosch series is within the "police procedural" genre. But the ending twist and resolution to these complex murders rivals the endings of the finest thrillers on bookstore shelves today.

As a character piece, "The Black Ice" firmly entrenches Harry Bosch as a very complex man to fathom with depths that are almost impossible to plumb - compassionate at times and yet outrageously brutal and callous at others; openly contemptuous of the rules of the police bureaucracy and yet rigid in the establishment of his own personal code of conduct and integrity; often shallow in his relationship with women and yet clearly longing for the depth of a meaningful relationship based in true love and compatibility; he is also an obvious "user", entirely willing to use a personal relationship for the achievement of his own short-term goals. In short, he is entirely human and not entirely likeable - but as a complex protagonist in a thrilling police procedural that you will be cheering for - well ... Connelly has simply hit the nail right on the head!

Because of an underlying thread of multi-layer character development, references to past events and the slow but sure revelation of Bosch's history, "The Black Ice" is best served as the second entrée in a multi-course meal which begins with the first Bosch novel, "The Black Echo", followed by "The Concrete Blonde". Ten further courses are available for your gustatory delight! Enjoy.

Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

4 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Mystery.......2007-09-11

This is the second novel of the Harry Bosch series and I enjoyed this book more than Black Echo, the first novel of the series. In Black Ice, there is a new drug on the streets and the plot unfolds giving the reader an insight into the vicious drug dealing world that generates crooked cops, with lots of twists and turns. There are numerous subplots in the story, and about the midway point I was a bit confused, but the author ensured that I didn't stay lost and it all worked out in the end. If you enjoy a great mystery, coupled with a thrilling tale then check this book out or any of the books in the series.

5 out of 5 stars A Real Page Turner.......2007-07-13

This is the 2nd book in the Harry Bosch Series. I would recommend reading all the Harry Bosch novels in the proper order. Most all of these books are either rated 4 or 5 stars by me. I have been very pleased with the way Michael Connelly writes. He leaves nothing out and as usual Harry Bosch is a real fascinating character. You will not be disappointed if you like police investigative mysteries.

3 out of 5 stars Black Ice leaves one cold.......2007-07-10

Another one of Connolly's books where all the answers are given in the last couple of chapters. I want to have insight into the characters and plot as I move along. I have read most all of the Harry Bosch series and there are a few that feel like, "whew, I need to end this book somehow."

In this book he has killed the husband of the cop's wife, has a continuing relationship with her, living the lie. Nice going Harry.

Connolly is a good writer, he sometimes doesn't know how to get off the stage. The Last Coyote and Angel's Flight are well done and worth reading.
The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • GREAT!!!!!
  • Great intro to Science for kids
  • Fantastic!
  • good choice to start some new things with a youngster
  • Fun, fun, fun!!!
The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)
Tom Robinson
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

School & EducationSchool & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Experiments & Projects | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Ages 9-12Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
School & EducationSchool & Education | Reference & Nonfiction | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Experiments & ProjectsExperiments & Projects | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
GeneralGeneral | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 DealsAll 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Pop Bottle Science Pop Bottle Science
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ASIN: 1580625576

Book Description

Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space.

You'll discover answers to questions like:
Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it?
What is inside coins?
Can a magnet ever be "turned off"?
Do toilets always flush in the same direction?
Can a swimming pool be cleaned with just the breath of one person?

Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms like "photosynthesis," and know fun facts like how many latex balloons per day can be made from a rubber tree. Each section has a great science fair project, complete with all the details you need to wow your teachers and friends.

You won't want to wait for a rainy day or your school's science fair to test these cool experiments for yourself!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars GREAT!!!!!.......2007-08-16

2 things - 1) you have to do the dissolving egg experiment... it's fabulous!! 2) pay attention to the age range - my nephew (the intended recipient) loves science (okay, exploding things...) just turned seven and he is definitely too young for the detailed explanations. He didn't like the delayed gratification but he did get a kick out of the results the following week... for the younger kids you might want to do the experiments yourself and then once you have results let them get excited about it... the bouncing egg... after accepting that it didn't happen just then!! ... was a huge hit the next week. This really is just an AWESOME book...

4 out of 5 stars Great intro to Science for kids.......2007-05-14

My 7 year old daughter and I have been going through some of the experiments in the book. The experiments are easy to follow and the explanations are basic enough for a 7 year old to understand.

4 out of 5 stars Fantastic!.......2007-05-08

The experiments are simple enough to implement yet the results are very REACTIVE! Which is GOOD!
Also the kits are not difficult to find. Just stuff you'll have in your kitchen,really.

5 out of 5 stars good choice to start some new things with a youngster.......2007-01-12

I am happy with the choice and so was the family who received it as a gift for their young daughter who is ready to start something new to do with her father in the cold winter months of Maine.

5 out of 5 stars Fun, fun, fun!!!.......2006-08-28

I have a just turned 5 year old that LOVES science and experiments. Although this book I believe was recommended for older children, there are plenty of experiments that I can do with him at his age and get immediate results. Since there are experiments that are targeted for older children, this is one of the rare books that we'll be able to use for several years down the road. I love it so much it's going to be one of my staples in gift giving - it's easy & fun enough for those even not interested in 'science'.
The Ice People
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • My Favorite Book!!
  • Beautiful French Science Fiction
  • Life was perfect
  • The best book I ever read!!! ASIN: 0688018602
  • The best book I ever read!!!
The Ice People
Rene Barjavel
Manufacturer: William Morrow
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Science FictionScience Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Adventure | Alternate History | Anthologies | General | Graphic Novels | High Tech | History & Criticism | Series | Short Stories | Space Opera
ASIN: 0688018602

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars My Favorite Book!!.......2007-05-05

My dad gave me this book a few months ago, and I LOVED it!! I was an incredible book. I've recomeded it to all my friends, but I don't think anyone else is going to read it sonce they are not avid readers and we are only in grade nine! But I still anyone who listens that this is the best book ever written. I don't understand why it's not famous and why it is so hard to find...

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful French Science Fiction .......2007-01-16

In "The Ice People", Scientists discover a perfect sphere buried deep in the continent of Antarctica - not in the ice but below the ice in the ground. A major undertaking is commenced...dig to the object. What they find astounds everyone - perfectly preserved humans, a man and a woman; young, healthy, and beautiful, these two are the last people from an advanced civilization 900,000 years ago.

Scientists rush to revive they two from their stasis. The woman comes to first and she begins to tell the story of their lost world. It is a beautiful story, and a heartbreaking one. But, as the man nears revival, chaos ensues and things will never be the same.

Thirteen years ago, on a road trip in the heart of California, a friend told me of this French Science Fiction novel he had read when he was younger called "The Ice People"; this was a book that had stuck with him for years and he lamented that he did not own a copy and had looked for a used copy for years to no avail. One of the purposes of this road trip was to hit used bookstores to find new treasures; this is what prompted his sharing of this book. The very first bookstore we entered ended up having a paperback copy on the shelf! He was astounded and of course bought it in a flash. Later that day, in another bookstore - and after more talking about the book - we came across another copy, and I promptly bought it after all of his influence for the day. I was not disappointed!

5 out of 5 stars Life was perfect.......2004-05-12

This book was the best book I ever read! I read in portuguese and english and both times I realized that life could be perfect. We are able to have a perfect world as the book show us, but we are also kind enough to destroy it. My hope from the book was beliving that life was once perfect!! Great book, great history, great science!

5 out of 5 stars The best book I ever read!!! ASIN: 0688018602.......2002-11-16

I read that book some years ago...I read it in Spanish (Nuit des Temps), so when I was looking for an English version, it was very difficult...Who can belive the name that it has in English? After reading some review I understood The Ice People, must be the book I loved. It was great to find people thinking the same about it.
Now I will tell my best friend to buy so she can read in English. (Of course, I will ask her to let me read it again)
THE BEST FICTION BOOK!!!

5 out of 5 stars The best book I ever read!!!.......2002-11-16

I read that book some years ago...I read it in Spanish (Nuit des Temps), so when I was looking for an English version, it was very difficult...Who can belive the name that it has in English? After reading some review I understood The Ice People, must be the book I loved. It was great to find people thinking the same about it.
Now I will tell my best friend to buy so she can read in English. (Of course, I will ask her to let me read it again)
THE BEST FICTION BOOK!!!

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