The Two Swords (The Hunter's Blades Trilogy, Book 3)

Book Description

Paperback version of the #4 New York Times best-selling hardcover.

This title is the third and final book in the latest trilogy from R.A. Salvatore, which once again features his popular dark elf character Drizzt Do’Urden™. The hardcover release of this title had the highest debut ever on The New York Times best seller list for a Salvatore title with Wizards of the Coast at #4. The title stayed in the top twenty for five weeks. Both of the previous titles in the series were also New York Times best sellers upon hardcover release, and the first title, The Thousand Orcs, hit the list upon mass-market release as well.

Customer Reviews:

Shallow Writing for Shallow Readers.......2007-08-02

RA Salvatore's writing is very pedestrian in style and seems more like a play by play commentary of some D&D game than anything resembling a novel. This book is only recommended for 14 year old fanboys who judge a book's quality by the numbers of magic items carried by the heroes.

Drizzt Still Has It, Mostly.......2006-12-31

The protagonist certainly lives a tortured life: wanting to be part of life topside but the target of bigotry that effectively excludes him for the most part. This is what makes his few close friends even more valuable, which is why I dropped one star. His companions seemed a bit plastic and two-dimensional at times. I hope that the author is not getting tired of this world and these characters, and can rejuvenate them a bit in future offerings.

Great.......2006-11-15

The lastest one in a great number of book on Drizzt,and surprising enough I'm not tired of him yet! I read this one almost overnight, every entertaining.

Reveiw for last book in Hunter's Blade Trilogy........2006-11-06

As this is the last book the the Hunter's Blade Trilogy, and the story of Drizzt Do'Urden, this book lives up to what it's supposed to be: gripping, dramatic, and full of action. This book is all good because it ends how all good fantasy books should end: evil guy dies, and they all live happily ever after.

Absolutely Tantalizing.......2006-11-04

R.A. Salvatore has outdone himself. I couldn't put the book down. I continue now to read the new books coming out of the story of Drizzt, Artemis, and the rest. I almost hope that the story of Drizzt and the others does not end!

The Two Swords (Forgotten Realms: Hunters Blades Trilogy)

Average customer rating:

"Kill your darlings" (Spoilers within)
Another classic from R.A.S.
excellent conclusion
Written for money and nothing more
Simply Terrible

The Two Swords (Forgotten Realms: Hunters Blades Trilogy)
R. A. Salvatore
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786933607
Release Date: 2004-10-14

Amazon.com

As The Two Swords begins, newly ressurected dwarven King Bruenor Bruenor Battlehammer and his subjects are sealed in Mithral Hall. Beyond their gate lies the slavering orc army of King Obould Many Arrows, who schemes beyond the mere death of dwarves and seeks to establish an honest-to-Gruumsh kingdom--the Kingdom of Dark Arrows--at the foot of Mithral Hall. Meanwhile, the dark elf Drizzt Do'Urden still believes his dear companions dead and seeks to exact his vengeance on the mighty orc king. But Drizzt and Bruenor may have met their match with Obould. It will take a new dwarven-elvish-human alliance and dark pacts with the likes of the evil frost giants and a familiar sentient sword name of Khazid'hea to be rid of this new orcish blight.

This novel is a must read for fans of Salvatore's version of The Forgotten Realms as it redraws the D&D-inspired world's political borders with the requisite teeth-rattling combat. And while it concludes the trilogy, the tale will leave readers primed for the showdown to come with Kingdom of Dark Arrows. Also, for fans of the author's more lovey-dovey plottings, Salvatore includes a shockingly cruel revelation involving a vital supporting character and, believe it, that pesky talking sword, Khazid'hea. --Jeremy Pugh

Book Description

The final title in the latest New York Times best-selling trilogy from R.A. Salvatore.
This title is the third and final hardcover release in the latest trilogy from R.A. Salvatore, which once again features his popular dark elf character Drizzt Do'Urden. Both of the previous titles in the series were New York Times best-sellers upon hardcover release, while the first title in the trilogy, The Thousand Orcs, hit the list upon mass market release as well. The second title in the series, The Lone Drow, had the highest debut ever on the New York Times best-seller list for a Salvatore title with Wizards of the Coast, Inc. at #7, and it stayed on the list for 10 straight weeks.

Customer Reviews:

"Kill your darlings" (Spoilers within).......2007-07-27

I have always been a huge RAS fan. But when this series ended and Breunor was on his deathbed, NAY was dead with absolutely NO WAY of coming back. Viola, he's back and he is alive! Wha-? Huh?? He was d e a d. DEAD. There should be no reason for him to miraculously survive. It made no sense other than RAS is afraid to kill/ maim his characters. Maybe he should read Paul S. Kemp or GRR Martin for a glimpse of good authors who are not afraid to kill their characters. What a collosal letdown.

Another classic from R.A.S........2006-12-06

I have to say, I have loved almost all of the Drizzt books, and even the spin-off novels. Some are better than others, true, as is the case with all authors. This series, which focuses around Drizzt's and friends' dealings with an unusually powerful orc king (who is actually an old nemesis of the dwarves), is a very good addition to the series. Packed with action, cliff-hangers, and a couple very good villains, this series has it all, and the final book is no exception.

The characterizations are nop-notch, as usual, with some frighteningly savage outcomes for some secondary characters. Concluding the series with his usual flair, R.A.S. brings dark elf Drizzt (again) from the brink of self-loathing and hopelessness back into the light...pun intended, on a few levels. Much of the North gets pulled along with the waxing and waning of the dark elf's mood.

Though I can see how some would tire of Drizzt's see-saw bipolar outlook, Salvatore's flare for writing about these nuances never cease to amaze me - he manages to keep them fresh, despite their obvious reoccurences. That said, I think it's getting time to let the poor elf have a NICE time with his buds for a change!

I look forward to the next series, which is hinted at throughout this series - the hunt for the lost dwarven kingdom that daddy Bruenor thinks will save the Northlands once and for all, while also lending one more adventure to the old dwarf's ledger.

excellent conclusion.......2006-10-18

Reading some of these reviews I find it hard to believe so many people have called this book predictable. Predictable would have been if Drizzt would have killed Obould. Predictable would have been Drizzt returning to Mithral Hall with Kazidhea instead of the surviving drow running off with it. I could go on but you get my point. I think people were more disapointed because the book spent and in fact this trilogy spent more time than it probably should in developing Drizztz's character. That is the only flaw I could see, but overall an excellent story and well worth the read.

Written for money and nothing more.......2006-07-10

This is a bland tale with no suspense or unpredictability whatsoever. It has become obvious with Drizzt books that RAS is only now writing them for money and not for actual content. and for god's sake, kill somebody already!

Simply Terrible.......2006-07-09

With this series, Salvatore has become incredibly stale. His storylines have become incredibly predictable. In order for me to maintain interest in Salvatore's currently very bland work, he NEEDS to kill off one or a few of the main characters. The near-death teases are ridiculous because you already know that the character isn't going to die.

A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows

Average customer rating:

I really enjoyed this book
So Much Potential Wasted in this Frustrating Book
Still going strong
Good stuff!
Flawed Genius?

A Fortress of Grey Ice: Book Two of Sword of Shadows
J. V. Jones
Manufacturer: Tor Fantasy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0765345498
Release Date: 2004-07-29

Book Description

"Wonderful . . . J.V. Jones is a striking writer." So says Robert Jordan, the author of The Wheel of Time epic fantasy series. And Jones lives up to that praise in the highly charged epic adventure of Ash March and Raif Sevrance, two outcasts whose fates are entwined by fate and by need, in the cold, dark world that threatens to be torn asunder by a war to end all wars. They are but two of many who fight the dreaded Endlords, but both Ash and Raif are special in unique ways that isolate them, yet which also enable them to perform heroic acts that might save their world.

Raif, wrongly accused and cut off from his clan by the treachery of their new headsman, has a talent for killing that is part of his curse and his burden. But he bears another burden of greater weight. Ash is a sacred warrior to the Sull, an ancient race whose numbers have declined.Raised as a foundling, she never knew her true heritage, she must learn to accept the terrible gifts of her heritage.

But as Ash learns more of her greater fate, Raif's task looms dark and desperate, for he must journey through the nightmare realm of the Want, a place where even the Sull now fear to tread. For deep within the Want is the Fortress of Grey Ice, and there he must heal the breach in the Blindwall that already threatens the world. Should he fail, not even Ash's powers can save them...

Customer Reviews:

I really enjoyed this book.......2007-06-12

I enjoy fantasy books. Allot have underdeveloped and totally unreal characters. This one is not like that at all. I picked up this book at Wal-mart on clearance sale. I thought I might get through a chapter or two. I couldn't put it down.

So Much Potential Wasted in this Frustrating Book.......2007-05-14

A Fortress of Grey Ice had great potential. The author definately has a knack for developing characters who are interesting and complex and putting them in a compelling world.

But the potential is lost because the book is so weakly plotted, so poorly written and so tedious.

First off, as others have mentioned, there is too much narrative and too little dialogue. In the second half of the book I found myself skimming along reading the rare dialogue between characters and the first sentence of narrative paragraphs. In other words I was interested in the characters but bored by the tedious exposition.

Secondly, there are eight or ten main characters and, for the whole length of the book, with the exception of Angus Lok who flits from here to there, they have nothing to do with each other. The entire novel could have been broken down into ten short stories each telling the tale of a single character.

Third, the author has hopelessly screwed up the character of Raif. Perhaps she just can't get into the mindset of a young man but Raif, as written, is a muddle. I never for one moment believed that he would choose to go live with the maimed men. I think it was just a plot device to get him to the rift. Meanwhile he gives no thought to the Uncle who befriended him and saved him. Why doesn't he go look for his uncle? Because it would not suit the plot, that's why.

And we are supposed to believe that he would take part on a raid on his old clan and kill clansmen when, at the same time, he still holds clan honor so high that he won't speak a single word against clan, even to save himself? It makes zero sense. He would run first. Or kill himself. Anything before that.

Also, in the first book, it was made very clear that Raif has the gift of heart killing living things. But it was also made very clear that he was an average target bowman. Now, suddenly, even injured and out of practice, he can out-shoot the best bowman in the known universe? Why? Because it makes a dramatic scene? How? The Gods helped? Fate?

In the end the author creates compelling characters. But she doesn't let them talk. She doesn't let them interact. And she makes them act in ways that are radically out of character in order to further the "plot". It all adds up to 2 stars but it could have been a lot more.

Still going strong.......2006-06-30

Although I do agree with other reviewers that the second installment in the "Sword of Shadows" series did not benefit from the high level of narration and pacing that made the first book so addictive, it was still a very engaging novel, and she's quickly becoming one of the better Fantasy acts out there nowadays. The novel still focuses primarily on Raif and Ash, and the relationship that we all know them to be developing, but it's the accessory characters and the landscapes that truly elevate this novel. With characters like Vaylo Bludd, Marafice Eye, Mace Blackhail, Angus Lok, Drey, Effie, and Robbie Doone, J.V. Jones has truly populated her world with well written and believable people, and with few exceptions, she avoids the wretched fantasy stereotypes of the "too good" or "too evil" character.

Much like the first novel, the description of the landscape is stark and breathtaking, and provides the second great strength of the novel. Even though this wasn't as pleasing as the first installment, Ms. Jones has laid the foundation for a heck of a series, and I can't wait to see where she's going next with the story. For the most part, it's a great combo of drama, action, and fantasy, and if she can straighten out the narration a bit, there's no reason not to expect a 5 star effort on the 3rd installment.

Good stuff!.......2006-03-19

I like fantasy and I enjoyed this series so far. There is plenty of intrigue and magic to keep you reminded that this is not just another series and the author is not afraid to kill one of the good guys. I like the fact that she is able to track multiple cultures and settings so well.

My only irritation is that I can't seem to locate anything to finish the series. I hate having to wait this long to see what else is going to happen.

Flawed Genius?.......2005-09-22

First of all, I should state emphatically that this book (and the earlier book in this series) is excellent. Jones has a strong, detailed, highly imaginative writing style that is refreshing to read in a genre that has nearly run out of promising authors. Most other reviewers on this site have thoroughly covered all of Jones' many strengths, and it serves little purpose to rehash them.

That being said, I have noticed several problems that seem in stark contrast to her otherwise great writing. It would be unfortunate if one were to buy these books after hearing nothing but rave reviews that will not discuss her faults.

One of the more frustrating of these is the authors desire to endow her characters with almost supernatural mood-reading abilities. Personally, I have never been in a conversation with someone and read much into a "darkening of the eyes", whatever that even means. In fact, so much is conveyed in the conversations in this book "under the surface", without words, that I'm starting to doubt my own conversation skills. There's a whole world of communication that I've been missing! I want to emphasize how distracting this writing style is. There are conversations that involve more thinking and analyzing of the other's thoughts than actual speaking. Imagine a converstation like that! "Thank you for coming. We have a lot to talk about." Five minute pause while both people stare at each other, analyzing every minute facial movement and gesture. "Well, you asked me to come here. Should we start?" Five more minutes...you get the point. Its more than a little ridiculous.

A second, more glaring issue is Jones' overuse of narration. There are literally whole chapters where no action takes place and no words are spoken between characters. Perhaps if that were to happen in just one chapter, when all others moved swiftly, it would be powerful. But the author seems to feel the need to TELL us what her characters are thinking, rather than SHOWING us through actions or dialogue.

This point may be a little niggling, but I've noticed that no one ever does anything "roughly", it is always "not gently". There have actually been several times I had to re-read a sentence to understand exactly how character A grabbed character B, and what that implies, because of the author's reluctance to use a phrase that does not involve a qualified gentle action.

Finally, and this is perhaps my most serious critique of Jones' writing, is the egregious lack of judgement--or worse, lack of action--of her characters. So many of the problems in the story could be solved if people simply DID something, usually the painfully obvious thing. For instance, so many of the problems in the Blackhail clan could be solved if Raina would simply tell everyone she knew that her bastard of a husband had raped her to force her into marrying him, which was itself a rather ridiculous plot device in the first book. In another example, Raif suffered days of torture and faced imminent execution for a crime he never even committed, but refused to tell his captors of his innocence because he did not want to stain the honor of his clan--who had banished him, and had in fact committed the very crimes Raif was being accused of! Simply put, it is maddening. It reminds me of those old 80s sitcoms where the entire infuriating episode is driven along because of some ridiculous misunderstanding, and where if one character just stopped for a moment and had an open conversation with someone else, the entire problem would be solved.

Don't misunderstand me. This is very, very good book. However, these problems are so distracting that I cannot honestly say it deserves more than 3 stars. Any fan of the fantasy genre will definitely enjoy it. Think Robert Jordan mixed with George Martin. If Jones manages to avoid the "Jordan Bug" and wraps this up in another book or two, this could well be one of the best series to be published in the past 10 or 15 years.

Excalibur Classic, Vol. 2: Two-Edged Sword (X-Men)

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Developing chracters

Excalibur Classic, Vol. 2: Two-Edged Sword (X-Men)
Chris Claremont , Alan Davis , Ron Lim , Marshall Rogers , and Art Adams
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 078512201X

Book Description

The British mutant team's earliest incarnation is still trying to find its feet, only to fall headfirst into the Inferno! Meanwhile, Mojo's first batch of X-Babies escape to Earth, but Excalibur has much worse doppelgangers to deal with before the Cross Time Caper commences! Guest-starring the New Mutants! Featuring dinosaurs, demons, rock stars and royalty! Collects Excalibur #6-11 & Excalibur: Mojo Mayhem

Customer Reviews:

Developing chracters.......2007-05-17

This volume collects Excalibur (v.1) # 6-11 and Mojo Mayhem. All are written by Chris Claremont, and the artwork is by pencillers Alan Davis, Arthur Adams, Ron Lim, and Marshall Rogers, and inkers Paul Neary, Josef Rubinstein, Terry Austin, and Bob Wiacek.

The first couple issues crossover into the X-Men Inferno event, and while Excalibur isn't key to understanding Inferno, reading Inferno helps to understand what's happening in Excalibur. Phoenix responds to the psychic distress call of her "brother" Nathan Christopher Summers, and the rest of Excalibur follows, but they all get trapped by the chaos of New York before they can help with the major event. Claremont uses his oft repeated plot trick of having one or more of the characters getting corrupted, in this case Meggan and later Captain Britain, and the team is forced to fight each other.

After the battle, while still in New York, is the character development issue where Meggan deals with her empathic shapeshifting identity crisis (she tends to look like what people want her too, so how does she get to know herself?), Captain Britain's powers seem to be fading, Kitty deals with the loss of yet another friend from her X-Men days, Nightcrawler steals the X-Men's old jet (not knowing that the X-men are actually still alive) and Phoenix checks in on her baby brother.

Then, back in England the dimension hopping story that's been building since issue #1 (in Excalibur Classic vol. 1, 'natch) comes to a head as Hauptman Englande leads a Nazi version of Excalibur into our dimension to retrieve the Nazi Moira MacTaggart and Callisto. This of course has gets a big reaction from Kitty Pryde, who is Jewish. This story also sets up the next volume "The Cross-Time Caper."

And in Mojo Mayhem the newly cloned X-Babies rebel against Mojo and escape to Earth. They turn to Kitty Pride for help, and together they try to manage a cross country trip while being pursued by Mojo's newest agent . . . the Agent! He can look like anyone and if you sign the dotted line, he owns you body and soul!

Excalibur is the lighthearted spinoff of the X-Men line, and these stories are plenty of fun, but don't expect anything epic. The character development is good, but in signature Claremont style it can take years before a concept is resolved. The Alan Davis/Paul Neary artwork is some of the best in the business, and my personal favorite from this period in Marvel history, but they only illustrated three of the six regular issues collected here. The Lim/Rubinstein and Rogers/Austin artwork isn't bad, but by comparison it seems a bit lacking. It's always nice to see Arthur Adams illustrating the Mojoverse characters he help create in the original Longshot miniseries, and to this day nobody can draw Mojo like he can.

If you're looking for a stand-alone story, this isn't it. But if you enjoy comics from the era of single issue stories with dangling subplots, when you could pick up and enjoy a single issue, but long term readers were also rewarded, then this is a good example of the time. Also, if you're planning on picking up the other Excalibur Classic volumes, then this is definately an essential prelude to the third volume.

Sword & The Serpent: The Two-Fold Qabalistic Universe (Magical Philosophy)

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Sword & The Serpent: The Two-Fold Qabalistic Universe (Magical Philosophy)
Denning & Phillips
Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0738708100

Sword in Two Hands: A Full-Color Modern Training Guide based on the Fior di Battaglia of Fiore dei Liberi

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Sword in Two Hands: A Full-Color Modern Training Guide based on the Fior di Battaglia of Fiore dei Liberi
Brian R. Price
Manufacturer: none
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1891448137

Product Description

Sword in Two Hands is a full-color modern training guide based on the 14th & 15th century Italian swordmaster, Fiore dei Liberi. In the sumptuous volume, Brian R. Price, Principale and co-founder of the Schola Saint George, presents a detailed curriculem designed to guide novice and intermediate combatants through the efficient and powerful swordsmanship based on Fiore's three surviving books. Translations of the Fior di Battaglia are included for the sections covered alongside transcriptions of the original text and neverbefore seen color images from the Getty edition of the Fior. Hundreds of full-color photographs accompany Mr. Price's interpretation of Fiore's work in what is sure to become a classic of the field. This book is a perfect guide for anyone interested in one of Europe's pinnacle systems of swordsmanship.

Swords for Hire: Two of the most unlikely heroes you'll ever meet

Average customer rating:

Ranks right up there with The Princess Bride...
fresh and funny
Adventure Galore
Charming and funny
A fast, easy read for all ages...

Swords for Hire: Two of the most unlikely heroes you'll ever meet
Will Allen
Manufacturer: Centerpunch Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0972488200

Book Description

National award winner, with foreword by Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson. The day Sam Hatcher turns sixteen he meets Rigby Skeet, a wise-cracking guard, and their adventure in the ancient kingdom of Parmall begins. They embark on an exciting search for King Olive, who was betrayed by his evil--and very strange--brother, and imprisoned in the Boneman'ss dungeon.

Customer Reviews:

Ranks right up there with The Princess Bride..........2007-04-22

Some time back, I ran across a posting somewhere that said Swords For Hire: Two of the Most Unlikely Heroes You'll Ever Meet by Will Allen was a fun read in the mold of The Princess Bride. Having loved Bride, I decided Swords had to go on my library hold list. I started it last night around 7:30 and didn't put it down until I finished it at 9. It really is a fun read that had me shooting the movie of the book in my own mind...

King Olive is locked up in an ultra-secure dungeon of The Boneman. This is because his brother, a strange individual named Boonder, slowly poisoned him in order to take over the throne. But really, Aleron is running the kingdom as Boonder's aide, as Boonder spends most of his time putting worms on his head. Olive is able to smuggle a note out about his existence, and it ends up in the hands of two rather strange and quirky potential heroes. Rigby Skeet is a crazy soldier who didn't fit in with the regular regiment, so they let him find his own quests. Sam Hatcher is the son of a farmer (and former war hero) who wants more than what life is giving him. He doesn't fit the mold of a soldier either, but they send him off to Skeet for an apprenticeship. These two oddball adventurers get the message and decide that this is the quest they must pursue. They're really not sure how they'll pull it off, but something will come to them as they head in that direction...

The characters in the story are crazy and would turn into screen characters with little effort. Skeet's off-the-wall behavior and dialogue is reminiscent of The Princess Bride and that cast of characters, and it's no stretch to think that fans of Bride will enjoy this one as well. The only sad part is that Will Allen died many years ago of cancer. This book is something he wrote but that was never published. His brother decided to release it to the world, and the reaction has been unanimously positive. It's disappointing that he can't follow up on stories involving these people, but I'd love to see this go to the big screen...

fresh and funny.......2007-02-23

Will Allen wrote with the total freedom of knowing this was for people who loved him, and with the understanding of the fantasy tradition.

As a result, Swords for Hire is a fast-paced, witty nod to fantasy--observing cliches when that seems fun, blasting them when blasting them seems fun.

If I hadn't known this was the only full-length work of a dying young man, I still would have enjoyed it. OK, so it's not Lord of the Rings--it's not meant to be. It's also not meant to be Princess Bride (I actually preferred Swords for Hire to PB), but is a tribute to good writing. As that, it works.

Adventure Galore.......2006-11-09

This book is so much fun to read, whatever your age. I was able to read it in one sitting- it is quick, light, funny and smart. Swords for Hire pokes fun at the epic fantasy novel in all its various elements, succeeding in about 160 short pages what most fantasy authors take three long books to do. And this book *is* complete with a quest, a visit to a sorcerer, dangerous battles and evil villains. The humor is easy for children to understand, but that doesn't mean that even the most refined adult won't be chuckling (after all, who can help but laugh at a man who puts worms on his head?). And everyone will be satisfied with the perfect ending! Great fun for everyone- read it and see for yourself!

Charming and funny.......2005-05-13

Farm boy Sam Hatcher has just turned 16, the age of "manhood." Having a serious heart to heart talk with his father, Sam leaves the safety of his farm to join the Royal Guard.

The next day Sam is interviewed by Captain Clerret of the Royal Guard. Due to his youth and inexperience the captain refers Sam to Rigby Skeet for his education and training. Rigby Skeet is the kingdoms resident Sword for Hire. Eccentric and quick with the puns Rigby takes Sam under his wing.

King Olive has been dethroned and imprisoned by his scheming brother Boonder. Boonder has employed the evil Boneman to hold his brother prisoner while he enjoys the distinction of being King. King Olive has thought of only two things during his years of captivity, his escape and his hatred for Boonder.

A smuggled note in King Olives' writing reaches Rigby and Sam and it's now their mission to find and return their beloved King to his rightful throne.

SWORDS FOR HIRE is a charming and funny, wholesome and entertaining story from beginning to end. Being fast paced and engaging SWORDS FOR HIRE will keep the interest of any child.. My own children took one look at the cover and couldn't wait to get their hands on it. Listening to my kids giggle and hearing them quickly turn pages is a testimonial to this book.

A fast, easy read for all ages..........2004-10-07

I'm always on the lookout for a good read and found this little gem via sfsite.com, a sci-fi/fantasy website. Since the reviews there compared Swords for Hire to "The Princess Bride," (one of my all-time favorite books) I decided to take a chance and order it and, in fact, it does have a very similar tone and humor.

Short chapters (a la James Patterson) make this book a quick and easy read (perfect for younger readers) but the wit and intelligence of the writing sets Swords For Hire above the typical run-of-the-mill fantasy so that older readers can enjoy it too.

Humor isn't an easy thing to write and there were sections in this book that literally made me laugh out loud. An extremely enjoyable, witty read that I can highly recommend to readers of all ages.

Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword and Other Essays Oriflamme 1

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Difference of Opinion, I Guess
cOTO does something right once in a while....

Freedom is a Two-Edged Sword and Other Essays Oriflamme 1
John Whiteside Parsons
Manufacturer: Thelema Media, L.L.C.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0972658327

Customer Reviews:

Difference of Opinion, I Guess.......2007-03-31

Parsons was brilliant, and Parsons was stone crazy. I find his insights questionable at best, and deluded at worst.

Admittedly, I come from a "fourth way" perspective, but Parsons' philosophy strikes me as superficial and rather self-serving. His ideas are great for those building their own personality cult, but for real insight, Parsons is lacking.

_Freedom_ is useful as a study of the foundation of certain modern ideologies, but only in an academic sense.

cOTO does something right once in a while...........2005-07-19

Its nice cOTO (Caliphate OTO) ocassionally publishes something decent and useful like this instead of suing people and behaving like a scary little sister of Scientology, Inc. (Which Parsons can legitimately be co-credited with creating, due to his formative influence on L. Ron Hubbard)...

The Book itself? Classic Parsons, though it avoids some of his sharper and more controversial material (ie his letters and his 'Autobiography of a Master of the Temple') ; Its a good introduction to the wild mixture of deep insight and bullgoose insanity that was Jack Parsons.

A 'complete works' would be much more useful.

Third Intifada/Uprising: NONVIOLENT But With Words Sharper Than A Two-Edged Sword - Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory

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A Must Read for Anyone Interested in the World
Jimmy Carter opened a window: Eileen Fleming blew the doors off

Third Intifada/Uprising: NONVIOLENT But With Words Sharper Than A Two-Edged Sword - Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory
Eileen Fleming
Manufacturer: Outskirts Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1432702548

Book Description

For One Woman, September 11 Sparked an Odyssey of Faith to the Palestinian Territories" In my dream I stood at the edge of a dried up pool where crumbling stone columns were overgrown with vines and weeds and scores of doves and pigeons nested and flew. To my right was a large shade tree, but to my left I saw a few square squat dwellings with large satellite dishes attached to them. I remembered thinking the moment I woke up from that dream what a strange place it was, but then I quickly forgot all about it. That is, until the afternoon of June 12, 2005, four years later, when I found myself standing at the edge of a dried up pool where crumbling stone columns were overgrown with vines and weeds and scores of doves and pigeons nested and flew."

Impelled, compelled, and propelled by her faith as a progressive Christian, Eileen Fleming has journeyed four times to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. There she met with democratically elected members of Hamas, scores of Palestinian Christians and Muslims, and a few 21st-century prophets. The pages within this brave new work contain some of those interviews and her experiences listening to Christians, Muslims, Jews, secularists, anarchists, Nobel Peace Prize Nominees, and the whistleblower of Israel's underground WMD Program. This fascinating portrait will open your eyes and heart, and you will look at the Middle East in a new light.

"You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free." -John 8:32

Customer Reviews:

A Must Read for Anyone Interested in the World.......2007-07-15

Eileen Fleming's Memoirs is both an extremely interesting and highly informative account of the history and current situation in occuppied Palestine. The author provides a considerable amount of well documented information regarding the roots, history and anti-semitic nature of Zionism in both it's Chrisian and Jewish forms. She clearly delineates the Theocratic Ethnocracy that is today's Israel and demonstrates though example after example how it disciminates against all Goy (non-Jews and obviously inferior peoples), whether they be Christian, Muslim or of any other religious belief. As a result of this persecution, Christains today make up fewer than 2% of Israel's population although they represented 20% in 1948. Israel's consistent persecution has forced most Christians to flee their homeland and seek asylm in other nations. Her historical explications showed me the clear parallels that exist between the Italian Mafia and the Israeli Hagganah and it's spin-off's like the Irgun and the Stern Gang. Perahps the most interesting section is her extensive description of Mordeci Vanunu, the secular Jew who told the world about Israel's Atomic Bombs and as a result, spent 18 years imprisoned, mostly in solitary confinement. She likens him to Biblical prophets, who pointed out impending doom. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the future of the world, because, as Britain's Tony Blair noted, probably 70% of the world's conflicts can be traced directly to the Israeli/Palestinian situation.

Jimmy Carter opened a window: Eileen Fleming blew the doors off.......2007-03-02

"Memoirs of a Nice Irish American 'Girl's' Life in Occupied Territory" picks up where her first book, "KEEP HOPE ALIVE" left me off.

I am looking foward to the third effort from this prolific author who speaks the truth boldly, challenges the conventional wisdom-and mainstream media as she offers HOPE and reconciliation to a dysfunctional world.

TWO-MAN AIR FORCE: Don Gentile and John Godfrey: World War II Flying Legends (Pen & Sword Aviation)

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Two Man AF generally ok

TWO-MAN AIR FORCE: Don Gentile and John Godfrey: World War II Flying Legends (Pen & Sword Aviation)
Philip Kaplan
Manufacturer: Pen and Sword
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1844151778

Book Description

American volunteers Don Gentile and John Godfrey flew together as leader and wingman respectively, with the USAAF 4th Fighter Group based at Debden near Cambridge. At the end of their missions with the 4th the two of them had accounted for over 58 enemy aircraft destroyed. Major Gentile had scored 22 air and 6 ground kills before he was returned to the USA to help raise money for the war effort. Major Godfrey was credited with 18 air and 12 ground kills before he was shot down and taken prisoner of war.

This is the story of their amazing adventures and wartime partnership from their basic training in Canada and then onto England where they first flew the Supermarine Spitfire. It continues with their transfer to the USAAF 4th Fighter Group when the US entered the war.

These two ace pilots loved life as much as flying - and as well as being hell-bent on destroying the enemy in the skies of Europe they also lived life to the full in their off-duty time in England.

Customer Reviews:

Two Man AF generally ok.......2006-07-08

My biggest problem with this book is it's poorly organized and doesn't stick to the primary topic very well. The book is about 170 pages long and has about 20 pages devoted to Godfrey and Gentile, their tactics and their interaction with each other and the rest of their group. The great majority of the book covers their development in their youth (helps showing how they got there), the personalities of their unit and other units within the 8th AF in England in WW II. I bought this book with an eye to see how these men developed their tactics and how their personalities shapped it. I have the great bulk of this book contained in a substantial collection of books about the Eagle Squadrons and 4th Fighter Group.

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