Book Description
Sagas from the lands of Krynn are filled with valiant heroes destined to discover ancient secrets and vanquish terrible evils. Like those great champions, you will band together with brave companions to set forth on daring adventures. The tales of those bold deeds will become the newest legends in the world of
Dragonlance.
From Solamnic Knights and Dragon Riders to kender, tinker gnomes, and draconians, the rich tapestry of the
Dragonlance world comes alive in this campaign setting for the
Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. With historical content covering eras from the War of the Lance to the War of Souls, along with expanded rules for aerial combat, the
Dragonlance Campaign Setting
provides the charcter races, prestige classes, feats, spells, monsters, and maps you need to fully explore the world of
Dragonlance.
Customer Reviews:
Great for content.......2007-05-14
Pros: Great for content and getting players excited about the setting, Made for 3.5e
Cons: Lots of spoilers for the novels (They don't ruin the story but lessen some of the drama if you haven't read them since you know how they are going to end.), poorly organized (in contrast to the FRCS), and no full-size world map (unlike the FRCS, but a full size map can be downloaded from the publisher's website)
Overall, I really think it could have been a lot better if it was done by game designers and not the author of the novels.
At Last.......2007-05-10
I still remember the day I first saw the ad for Dragons of Despair in Dragon Magazine. I still remember playing that adventure for the first time. I still remember when Dragons of Autumn twilight became the first fantasy novel to hit the New York Times best seller list. These are some of the defining moments in my gaming career.
So it only stands to reason that I'd be excited to see this revisiting of one of my favorite settings. There was a certain feeling of trepidation as well. I thought that Dragonlance Adventures had lots of problems. I never cared for the Saga System at all. Still, I sucked it up, forced my expectations low and opened the book.
I have to admit, I liked it. It brings the Dragonlance rules nicely into the 3.5 game system. Prestige classes alone were something that the Dragonlance setting desperately needed. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves Dragonlance.
The book starts with the obligatory race chapter. There are some surprises, though. Fatherless dwarves (dwarves without a home), thinker gnomes (the "insane" opposite of tinker gnomes) and afflicted kender (kender who have had the spunk scared out of them) leap out immediately. Then there are the draconians. (When I was a kid we didn't have player character draconians. Draconians were the enemy and we liked it that way!) The irda have entered the player character arena, crushing the hopes of all the munchkins out there by presenting an official (and balanced) treatment of the race. On the strength of this chapter alone, I decided the book was worth it.
Then we enter class-land. The mystic (a divine version of the sorcerer) and the noble base class are two pleasant surprises. There's a nice little boxed text explaining why certain classes (like the paladin) aren't appropriate in Krynn. Then we move onto prestige classes, with a more reasonable treatment of the Knight of Solamnia than in Dragonlance Adventures (no week long spell prep times, for instance). Then we move onto the evil knights and the Wizards of High Sorcery (which are one class with plug and play powers). There are several other classes, the most notable being the dragon rider. The chapter rounds out with a nice selection of world-specific feats.
From there we move on to the chapter on magic. If you've seen the former Dragonlance treatments and know 3.0 or 3.5, there aren't really any surprises here. This section even has its own domains, ala Forgotten Realms. While it might not be anything too surprising, it's well done. After that is the deity chapter, which is more of the same.
The book then moves onto Geography and then Creatures. There isn't much to say about these, except that they bring some of out favorite old creatures into 3.5 (spectral minions, anyone?). Then we have a chapter on Dragons and ariel combat (very important), and a final chapter on Eras of Play.
This book is very satisfying and I look forward to future supplements (which I hear are being done by Sovereign Stone). It is on sale this year at GenCon, but goes onto the market en masse on August 22. Look for this book and enjoy.
P.S. Yes, they did reduce the power of the Dragonlance to the level of an item you can actually give your players. Now the dragons are waiting in the sidelines, itching for a rematch with your players.
amazing..........2006-09-22
this book is awe-inspiring!! Ive never been happier with my purchase before!!! If you play DnD, Buy this(while its still 9 bucks used!!!)
Dragonlance.......2004-08-25
First off, yes, I'm a little bit biased. I've loved Dragon lance for a long time, but this book seems to be getting a lot of bad reviews that aren't all that justified.
Yes, there is an inch and a half margin which really shouldn't be that large. They should have at least added the chapter titles into the margin if they were going to make it that big.
The art isn't all that great. In fact there isn't a lot of art at all. Which means that the inch and a half margins don't sacrifice text, but rather pictures.
The other peeve I have about this book is that there is a lot of repeated information. The whole Chapter on other eras of play really isn't necessary, and everything that is in that chapter should have appeared somewhere else in the book.
The good thing is there are two new character classes, several prestige classes, and a lot of history for those people who don't feel like reading ALL of the Dragon lance books. But once again there is a lot of repetition of the history. There are also stats for some of the magic items used by the characters in the novels, and 2 mini adventures.
I want to comment on one prestige class. The dragon rider. Even if the dragon rider isn't used in your dragon lance campaign it can be easily changed to a different animal. I think I'm going to convert it to Star Wars and use it for the Rancor Riders.
Mainly for campaigns set during and after the War of Souls........2004-08-03
This is a pretty good campaign setting.
Though not without a few errors here and there, it is better produced and edited than the "World Book of Ansalon" that came with the AD&D 2nd ed. "Tales of the Lance" set. The main things it seems to be missing are details of non-standard weapons and equipment (kender in particular), information on famous heroes and NPCs from before the Age of Mortals (no Heroes of the Lance or Dragon Highlords), details of many famous locations (Foghaven Vale, High Clerists Tower, Istar) and almost anything regarding the Dragon Orbs, the Device of Time Travelling, the Portals to the Abyss and several other key artifacts from the Age of Despair.
What it does have is enough to run fairly detailed adventures in the post War of Souls period and somewhat generalized campaigns in all the major time periods since the Cataclysm (or First Cataclysm for Age of Mortals folks). It is effective for updating older Dragonlance settings, modules and characters to 3rd edition or 3.5. What it lacks in detail of maps and NPCs it makes up for with sections allowing for PC Draconians and Knights of Neraka (or Takhisis) among others, as well as very detailed chronologies and geographical information.
I am running a game using both the old, out of print Dragonlance Classics reprints of the original DL module series AND this new campaign setting. I am finding this combination very effective for running the original campaign using v.3.5 rules. The Classics series and the original DL modules are all available from retailers such as NobleKnight.com and TitanGames.com. If you like modules the old ones definitely still stand up, but 3rd ed. has many significant changes. If you want to make your own campaign in the old period I recommend the Sovereign Press book coming out later this year (see next paragraph).
So once again I emphasize that this product is designed mainly for playing in or after the War of Souls period. It is also (currently; see below) the only good way to play in the Dragonlance setting using D&D 3 or 3.5. Hopefully the "War of the Lance" expansion (published by Sovereign Press, due out later this year) will solve many of the problems I have mentioned here. Ideally, it will give enough information to allow play in that period without purchasing this WotC Dragonlance campaign setting, but I wouldn't bet on it.
Book Description
First person stories of 155 fighter pilots who flew in a special Top Secret mission during the Vietnam War. There has never been a book like this. These are their personal stories - full of emotion, drama, tragedy and humor.
Customer Reviews:
bob cassaro.......2007-06-19
Bob Cassaro is my father.
My name is bret branon.
b@westparkfoundries.com
Yesterday was fathers day, and we didnt talk.
Sometimes I wish things were different.
Misty : Riveting First Hand stories of Misty FAC Group in Nam.......2006-11-06
An absolute must read for anyone interested in Viet Nam War History, flying and adrenaline. First hand stories from the pilots who flew recon and rescue missions in Nam. Repetitive? Absolutely not as each person tells his story, as it happened to him. You get a well rounded view of each mission. I couldn't put it down. It is an adrenaline rush just to read. Bess Carnahan
Stories Well Worth Reading.......2006-09-23
This book is, in my view, a companion to another book entitled "Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail." That book took a slice in time through the "Misty" mission and discussed the actions of a narrow group of flyers, apparently those with whom the author served and with whom he was most familiar. This book takes a broader view and essentially presents the complete history of "Commando Sabre," termed "Misty," as told by many of the men who flew in that top secret unit during the Vietnam War. As such, it is a valuable piece of military history and well worth reading.
The book did, however, come across as a little repetitive, but in all probability that couldn't be helped. For many of the stories were written in 1970, seemingly for some other purpose, while others were written in response to solicitations by the author/editor, apparently without specific guidelines (e.g., Don't tell us how the unit was formed or why, how many missions you had to fly in the back seat to qualify, etc.). Furthermore, since "Mistys" flew in pairs and when in heavy action were often supported or replaced by other Mistys, more than one story author often wrote about the same event from his own perspective.
Nevertheless, this is a great read, particularly for those interested in military history or the Vietnam War. For all others, I would suggest that you at least check this book out of the library and read the following excerpts: "A Trip to North Vietnam," by Don Jones (pgs. 162-170); "Combat Photographer," by Wells Jackson (pgs. 240-252); "Rescue in POL Valley," by Steve Amdor (pgs. 280-283); "What Was That?," by Bob Bryan (pgs. 306-309); "Tidbits," by Bob Cassaro (pgs. 314-319); "Gutsy Gunner," by Tony McPeak (pgs. 338-341); "War," by E. Lynn Farnsworth (pgs. 411-419); "The POWs" (pgs. 435-477); and "Then and Now," by P. K. Robinson (pgs. 523-537) These are the best written stories, and most are told in an entertaining way. They will give you the flavor of Misty and tell you much about the brave men who flew in the Vietnam War, in general, and those who flew in this top secret unit, in particular.
The RAF in Vietnam.......2006-08-21
This is the companion book to "Bury me Upside Down". Any complaints that you might have about that book not staying on message are immediately dispelled in the more than 600 pages and 81 personal "stories" by the Misty pilots. The stories would seem fantastic if fictional, but these are real life stories. From the training in the US to the POW camps in Hanoi, from the multiple ejections to the "Mig sweeps" at the officer clubs, you will be fascinated by each person's stories. The references in the back are beyond useful. I found myself constantly flipping back to see what this pilot was doing today or who the other pilots were in his "generation" at Phu Cat.
And the ultimate farce of war is also present. Joseph Heller did not even com,e close to the truth in "Catch 22". When Colonels from Saigon would complain about the FACS getting their F-100 "damaged" by ground fire and write up the pilots and maintenance people for not taking better care of the US Government equipment, you had to wonder how we ever made any progress in that war.
If you want a read on what the "real" war was like for the US Air Force in Vietnam get this book and read it. You will not be disappointed.
This books deserves 6 stars!.......2004-11-11
This book is terrific, plain and simple. Any person interested in the courage and bravado of true fighter pilot heros in the VietNam War will be well-served reading this work.....you'll be glad you did!
Customer Reviews:
Early writings of the great Lincoln.......2007-10-18
The writings of Lincoln are pervaded not only by an enormous intelligence and great power and feeling for the language, but by a wisdom and humility. Reading just a small part of the speeches and letters collected here gives the feeling nonetheless that the political leaders and the American public of that time were far more demanding, disciplined and intelligent than the public is today. Can you imagine anyone today having the patience to listen to six three- hour debates as was the case with the Lincoln-Douglas debates?
Another aspect of reading this work is simply learning and knowing more being more in the presence of America's greatest President and perhaps most exemplary moral figure. In this sense the feeling is that this volume is for those who truly admire Lincoln and wish to know his thought in greater depth.
Lincoln was not simply America's greatest President he was also the President whose writing and thought were unsurpassed. This volume gives further evidence of the greatness which most will know of from his even more famous works, the Gettysburg Address, and 'The Second Inaugural '.
Lincoln Source Documents in a Gorgeous Printing.......2007-08-03
The Library of America's collection of original Lincoln source documents in two volumes is a wonderful addition to the library of any person interested in this portion of American history. The two volumes represent the best scholarship available today in terms of organizing and duplicating Lincoln's own words as they are found in personal letters, speech transcriptions, notes, memos, and other forms of written communication. This is a collection that is a fascinating look at the inner thoughts of Lincoln as he progresses from a congressional candidate in the 1850's, then as a candidate for President in 1860, and then as he prosecutes the war of the states until the time of his assassination.
The Library of America represents a rare and welcome to the world of print publishing. Funded from a continuous trust that is structured to keep every single volume perpetually in print, the Library prints only on the finest paper, using only the best inks, and implementing the best binding technology available. These books are true library quality, with ultra-high quality paper from Germany and bindings from the Netherlands, and truly represent the finest book quality typically seen in today's book world. The perpetual trust of the Library nevertheless keeps the price of these volumes at a reasonable level, with most volumes available between $20 and $40 dollars. Once you handle one, you'll undoubtedly see what a real value this series represents.
Lincoln's writings and recorded speeches are incredibly interesting to read. These works provide remarkable insight into this most unusual of people, and posterity is pleased that so much of these items were saved and eventually collated for later review. Can we make ourselves belief that this is largely a self-educated man who writes English prose at a level rarely seen even in the most educated of individuals? Following the logic posed in many of these letters, coupled with the piecing insights into human nature that Lincoln seemed to exude, can give us an experience that extends our thinking and challenges our views. Because Lincoln is canonized in history, we really don't understand the real man all that well. These personal writings of Lincoln help de-mystify the true person behind the persona, and make us see the man, not just the legend.
Great volume culminates in the Lincoln-Douglas debates.......2005-05-11
Abraham Lincoln was a great President. Where he falls on your list is a private judgment, but most put him at or near the top. It is true that there is a more vocal element of detractors nowadays, but those voices tend to also advocate versions of America that most of us would not recognize nor care to legitimate. This volume begins with Lincoln as a young man of twenty-three beginning political career.
The letters are quite interesting and cover a range of topics. It is interesting to note his private correspondence on various topics such as the Mexican War and compare those notes to his public speeches. While he is clearly a politician and aware of the need to garner votes, he uses his powerful intellect to find the line that will hold to his principles and still be convincing to the electorate.
This volume culminates with the seven famed Lincoln - Douglas debates when those two candidates contended for a seat in the Senate representing Illinois. Remember, this was before Senators were directly elected. These were debates to win popular support, but also to show political viability so when the public selected the legislature, the legislature would choose the preferred candidate for the Senate. These debates received national attention, which pleased both candidates. The format was this: first speaker for one hour, response by the second speaker for an hour and a half, the first speaker responds for a half hour. They alternated who spoke first with each debate. They went after each other directly with challenges, personal attacks, interruptions, and appeals to the crowd. Can you imagine any of our candidates even attempting such a risky format nowadays?
As I read the debates, Douglas seems to be a panderer and clearly supporting slavery in a way that seems odd for someone seeking office in Illinois. However, he was really positioning himself for the Presidency. Stephen Douglas did become Senator while Lincoln did not. However, two years later, Douglas did not get nominated as a candidate for President and Lincoln won the Presidency.
This great volume has a chronology of Lincoln's life and notes on the texts and an index.
#3 in my list of Libary of America books...(of 4).......1999-12-14
I bought both volumns of this over the summer. I first bought Libary of America's publication of Jefferson which is a must have. Then Franklin. Those two are extremely good and I highly recommend them to anyone interested in raw historical material.
Now as for the volumes on Lincoln, don't get me wrong; they are also extremely good. As with all of these books, it is a rewarding reading experience to peruse collections of un-edited letters and speeches in their chronological order.
These volumes have every conceivable bit of correspondence imaginable. Lincoln apparently preferred the short letter, as there are several single paragraph letters to generals on the field and the like. He also wrote with simplicity and suprising bluntness. Volume 1 has a number of early speeches and famous debates which give you a sense of the lawyer turned politician. These of course are very lengthy. But also in volumes 1 and 2 there are numerous short letters which include urgent notes to General McClellan and others that would have made me quit the post had I been the receiver! In contrast there are letters revealing Lincolns more sensitive personal side.
I'm rating Lincoln's volumes just behind those of Jefferson and Franklin because there are no references detailing the circumstances for each writing. I felt a little lost not knowing what the impetus was behind the letters and correspondence. This is a departure from the Jefferson and Franklin books, which provide very detailed notes.
Finally I should say that Library of America's books are of very high quality for more than their authorship and reading content. All are bound nicely and printed on bible paper-like acid free paper. They are of exceptional quality just as books. I would say they are the best quality available.
Additionally, Library of America is a non-profit organization with the aim of distributing the work of America's essential writers without commercial gain.
Book Description
The Ancient Book of Myth and War presents to you a time capsule, a glimpse into a strange and wondrous world, where myths and legends still roam freely and wars rage in the hearts and minds of the noble and the feeble alike. Experiments in color, shape, line and composition enrich each and every page, accompanied by text that will enlighten the audience with atmospheric facts concerning origins, eras and even media used in the production of the art itself. The Ancient Book of Myth and War is a fine art hardcover collection of images produced by some of the most highly sophisticated animation designers in the industry.
Customer Reviews:
Here's What War Is Good For!.......2007-06-13
The only point to be made here, is that you simply must do yourself a favor and buy this art gallery they call a book. Speaking as an animator and as a collector of the 'Art of Book' genre in general, I find it a refreshing and rare jewel that we have been given access to the creative side-genius of the wonderful artists that call Pixar their collective home. If you already own any of the books that explore the art of Pixar's films, then this is a wonderful companion. It not only features the same talented artists behind those masterpieces, but also allows the reader/viewer a more personal and intimate look at the explorations of these creative minds when given carte blanche in the playground of myth and mayhem. Each piece of art is given a page opposite to the piece upon which the artist of that work describes the subject of the painting, often with a tongue-in-cheek whimsy that is as delightful as the art itself. Sometimes the artist chooses to divulge some personal input on the creation of the work itself. The ONLY downside of the book is that one wishes that we could be allowed just a bit more time with the artists themselves and see what makes them tick, but the obvious goal of the book was to put the art first, and for that alone this book is worth every cent. Enjoy!
Book Description
Brand-new chapter exclusive to the paperback edition
Colonel David Hunt has dedicated his career to fighting terrorism. A U.S. Army veteran for nearly thirty years, he has helped take out an active terrorist camp, trained the FBI and Special Forces in counterterrorism tactics, and served as security adviser to six different Olympic Games.
And Colonel Hunt is angry. Why? Because even after the attacks on our country and on Americans around the world, the people charged with protecting us—the politicians and the bureaucrats in the military and in intelligence—still aren’t getting the job done. In They Just Don’t Get It, you’ll learn:
• How many of the government’s recent “reforms” are actually counterproductive
• How we can fight this war and still safeguard our civil liberties and the American way of life
• What you can do to keep your family safe
• How to fix the intelligence disaster (and yes, the politicians in D.C. still haven't fixed it)
As politicians posture and pundits bicker, we’re losing sight of the problem: We’re still not equipped to win the war on terror. Hunt shows us there are changes we can make at every level—as individual citizens, as a government, and as a military power—in order to win the war on terror and ensure our survival as a free, proud, and strong nation.
Customer Reviews:
good, common sense-based book.......2007-09-05
Col. David Hunt's book is a good read. He is not the most polished writer around -- the book is written more like an extended conversation -- but he gets his points across. The book tends to get redundant at times, but it remains an interesting book to read which one can easily complete in one evening or two. If even a small fraction of what Hunt alledges is true, Americans should be very concerned about our safety and the glaring lack of leadership in our country.
They Just Don't Get It.......2007-06-12
Of the 30 books I've read over the last year, this is the worst. If I were to equate this with anything written in the last 5 years it would be the last book by Ann Colter. I'm glad I forgot the title of that book. An uneducated person may like books like this, but can come away from the experience with a pedestrian view of history.
Hunt Should Be The Secretary of Defense.......2006-09-14
Col. David Hunt has written a superb plan for fighting the war on terror. It is bold, decisive, and politically incorrect. It is also far better than what we are doing or anyone else is talking about.
The author traces the history of terrorism from the 1972 Munich Olympics through 9/11 and beyond. He shows how our leaders have been ineffective in responding. He is not partisan. He reviews botches by Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush.
He also critiques many problems with our current approach to dealing with terrorists. Some of those include the following: Failing to use the best troops (special ops.) effectively and fully, allowing Pakistan to harbor bin Laden, failing to secure the Iraqi borders allowing the Syrians and Iranians to continue to supply terrorists, continuing to be cozy with the Saudis in spite of their financing of terror, having too much bureaucracy interfering with decision making, and many more.
Along with the problems, the author also presents numerous solutions. Some of those are politically incorrect; Some may seem outrageous. Most are worthwhile and should be pondered and discussed. Some of his ideas (including some highly controversial ones) are as follows: a total reorganization of intelligence with unity of command, de-bureaucratizing the defense and intelligence arenas, creation of a 'Terrorist Killing Agency', mandatory national service (not necessarily military) as a way to overcome personnel shortages, and the elimination of the ill conceived and nonsensical color coding system that the Homeland Security Dept. created. There are many more as well.
While I certainly don't agree with all of his ideas, I do think that every American elected official and voter should read this book. Its ideas should be debated and considered. If several of these were implemented, we would all be much safer.
A Must Read To Understand Winning The War On Terror.......2006-08-26
In his mundane, conversational style, Colonel Hunt cites many of the terrorist attacks which have killed innocent citizens, profiles the killers responsible for these atrocities and offers political as well as logistical solutions to combat terrorists in this insurgent style of war.
Detractors will hurl insults at the messenger and his message to complicate his clearly stated, basic premise: This is not a traditional war. We must retaliate against these killers using our special forces, trained to defeat terrorist aggression without bureaucratic interference from politicians and the military hierarchy.
This book is must read for all who understandably feel confused by the doublespeak of our politicians, military leaders and journalists.
Good views expressed poorly........2006-08-23
Much of what Col Hunt has to say is quite interesting and I agree with his views and arguments, however, the book is more like a +200 page rant and rave than a well written book. I felt like he was just complaining most of the time about what's wrong with politicians and he offers "simple" solutions to all of our problems which are entirely unrealistic. It's a good example of why are our government is not run by the military and why we need civilians ultimately in control. A great man, who has served his country with great honor, but in my view is not a very good author. Ultimately, I did not enjoy this book, and struggled to force myself to finish it.
Book Description
• Did America win its independence because British generals were too busy canoodling with their mistresses?
• Should America have annexed Mexico—all of it—and Cuba too?
• Did 1776 justify Southern secession in the nineteenth century?
• Should Patton have been promoted over Eisenhower?
• Did the U.S. military win—and Congress lose—the Vietnam War?
• Was it right to depose Saddam Hussein—and is it wrong to worry about a possible Iraqi civil war?
The answer to these questions is a resounding yes, says author H. W. Crocker III in this stirring and contrarian new book.
In Don’t Tread on Me, Crocker unfolds four hundred years of American military history, revealing how Americans were born Indian fighters whose military prowess carved out first a continental and then a global empire—a Pax Americana that has been a benefit to the world.
From the seventeenth century on, he argues, Americans have shown a jealous regard for their freedom—and have backed it up with an unheralded skill in small-unit combat operations, a tradition that includes Rogers’ Rangers, Merrill’s Marauders, and today’s Special Forces.
He shows that Americans were born to the foam too, with a mastery of naval gunnery and tactics that allowed America’s Navy, even in its infancy, to defeat French and British warships and expand American commerce on the seas.
Most of all, Crocker highlights the courage of the dogface infantry, the fighting leathernecks, and the daring sailors and airmen who have turned the tide of battle again and again.
In Don’t Tread on Me, still forests are suddenly pierced by the Rebel Yell and a surge of grey. Teddy Roosevelt’s spectacles flash in the sunlight as he leads his Rough Riders charging up San Juan Hill. American doughboys rip into close-quarters combat against the Germans. Marines drive the Japanese out of their island fortresses using flamethrowers, grenades, and guts. GIs slug their way into Hitler’s Germany. The long twilight struggle against communism is fought in the snows of Korea and the steaming jungles of Vietnam. And today, U.S. Navy SEALs and U.S. Army Rangers battle Islamist terrorists in the bleak mountains of Afghanistan, just as their forebears fought Barbary pirates two hundred years ago.
Fast-paced and riveting, Don’t Tread on Me is a bold look at the history of America at war.
Also available as an eBook
Customer Reviews:
war history.......2007-06-27
if you had to pick one book, conservatively written (i.e. right wing) that was both a review of early American history and a history of our military fighting from infancy to today this is the book.
by the time I got to the end of the book i was ready to reenlist, 'semper fi'
A refreshingly different take on History........2007-03-29
I was helping a friend's kid with preparing a school assignment. It was about the Aztecs, the teacher rejected the paper because it contained a few references to human sacrifice. The prescribed school history book only tells about a great and noble civilization destroyed by greedy, fanatic and intolerant Europeans. Not one word of the Tlaxcalans role in the downfall of the Aztecs or of the unsavory side of Aztec culture, like human sacrifice.
History is the story of man, hence it will contain the moments of great glory where the brilliance and ingenuity of man shines and other times when the depraved side of man comes through. There is no country of culture or civilization which does not have its uplifting moments or its depressing failures. Re-telling history to suit a political agenda is a great de-service to mankind, because it does not let one learn from history.
This book is very interesting because the author chose not to go through the politically correct route. He tries to tell history as it actually happened. This book is refreshingly different from most other books because of this. While the author for most part has done a very good job, there are times when his pro-southern, ultra right bias does come through; like for example, his justifying the South's cause.
Any history buff reading this book will probably learn something new. While I think the author has done an honest job, researching and presenting his facts, I do disagree with the author on a few of his interpretation of history. But then, this is how history is to be told; Give the honest facts...both the good and the bad, and let the next generation make up their minds about the deeds of their ancestors.
new perspectives on US history.......2007-03-14
My title says it all. Often politically incorrect, well written. I don't agree with every single thought in it, but I am smarter now than before I read the book. Highly recommended for fresh thinking, challenging ideas.
One of the most sweeping military histories in print.......2007-03-12
DON'T TREAD ON ME: A 400-YEAR HISTORY OF AMERICA AT WAR, FROM INDIAN FIGHTING TO TERRORIST HUNTING is one of the most sweeping military histories in print: it comes from a journalist who offers a close analysis of America's military over the past four hundred years, contrasting wars, strategy, ideology and methodology across the decades. From current insights on why a civil war in Iraq needn't be a U.S. disaster to how 1886 justified Southern succession in the 19th century, many eye-opening discussions arm DON'T TREAD ON ME and make it a top pick not just for general-interest and military collections, but for college-level classrooms debating American military and political policies.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Only the action please!.......2007-01-14
All our wars skillfully compressed into only 400 pages. Not only does the author summarize our wars, he also outlines his view as to why the expansion of the American Empire was and is a good thing, and how some Presidents made some serious policy blunders and thus sacrificed lives and freedom, because they were confused about what America's role in the world should be.
Average customer rating:
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Don James: Pre-War Surfing Photographs
Manufacturer: T. Adler Books
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1890481122
Release Date: 2004-06-15 |
Book Description
Description: Don James: Pre-War Surfing Photographs Portfolios. The portfolios chronicle the lazy, golden days of the emerging surf culture on Southern California's coast in the spring and summer of 1936, and form an elegant collection that compliments interests in surfing, history, or fine photography. Each of the five deluxe editions contains four different 6.8" x 4.6" archival prints reproduced from the original negatives found in Don James's studio shortly after his death in 1996. The photographs are printed with soy-based UV inks on 100% cotton rag, acid-free paper. Each print is mounted on an acid-free 4-ply board with a numbered certificate of authenticity, and enclosed in a glassine sleeve.
Book Description
Vibrant color paintings illustrate soldiers and battles of the war
Color photos of seldom-seen period artifacts such as uniforms, weapons, and other equipment
In this collection, renowned artist Don Troiani teams up with leading artifact historian James L. Kochan to present the American Revolution as it has existed only in our imaginations: in living color.
From Bunker Hill to Yorktown, from Washington to Cornwallis, from the Minute Men to the Black Watch, these pages are packed with scenes of grand action and great characters, recreated in the vivid blues and reds that defined the Revolutionary era. Troiani's depictions of these legendary fife-and-drum soldiers are based on firsthand accounts and, wherever possible, surviving artifacts. Scores of color photographs of these objects--many of them from private collections and seen here for the very first time--accompany the paintings. Items range from muskets and beautifully ornate swords to more unique pieces such as badges with unit insignia or patriotic slogans and Baron von Steuben's liquor chest.
More than just a glimpse into a world long past, this is the closest the modern reader can get to experiencing the Revolutionary War firsthand.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Work!.......2007-09-07
A wonderful gallery of accurately painted forces of the Revolutionary War era including Loyalists & German hired troops as well as weapons & artifacts. All that seemed to be "missing" might be the 1st Continental Light Dragoons or the Continental Marines. It was also great to see that for the first time since John Mollo's 1976 Uniforms of the American Revolution the uniform of the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons correctly depicted with white facings as opposed to the inaccurate buff color.
A must for AWI fans.......2007-07-14
Yet another excellent book by Don Troiani. A must for any AWI fan. I found the mixture of paintings and original weapons, uniforms and accoutrements a refreshing touch. However, those who have copies of 'Battles of America' and 'Soldiers of America'will find many paintings repeated in this new book.
A NEW WINDOW ON THE REVOLUTION.......2007-02-04
With nearly two and one-half centuries having passed and literally thousands of books on the topic having appeared since the events of the American Revolutionary War, calling a new volume "pioneering" seems a bit bold. Relative to this important and exciting new gift to students by master artist and collector Don Troiani, though, that term is fully appropriate. In literally no other book to date have such historically valid visual perspectives of our War for Independence been gathered, through both a remarkable array of original artifacts and Troiani's impeccably researched and executed artwork. For this pre-photography American military epoch, no other source yields such a "you are there" perspective
While the bookshelf of "material culture" albums relating to Civil War memorabilia is both broad and expanding nearly every year, the number of significant books on Revolutionary War artifacts and relics ever published can literally be counted on one's fingers, with most of the still best-selling volumes having appeared during the bicentennial years of the 1970s. That sharp contrast, of course, is a direct reflection of the exceptionally greater rarity of the arms, equipment, apparel, and everyday-life items that can be proven to have been used by the armies of the 1770s than is the case with the militaria of the 1860s. Troiani has done all Revolutionary War students a great service by expanding the presentation of such earlier artifacts beyond those from his own fine collection with a startlingly superb array of items from other private and institutional collections, most never before published and many rarely ever seen by the public. These historic jewels are brought to the reader through close-up, full-color photos of such striking detail and beauty as to almost produce the experience of having these fascinating artifacts in one's hands.
The element that weaves together and breathes life throughout this gallery of fine militaria, of course, is Troiani's peerless artwork. With more than 50 of his paintings beautifully reproduced in this volume, the artist has brought true vibrancy to an era and its people almost habitually misperceived as lifelessly archaic or, worse yet, patriotically "quaint." In particular, the single-figure and small-group studies clearly reflect the precise documentation yielded by author James L. Kochan's exacting material culture scholarship. Such world-class historical accuracy, together with artist Troiani's insistence upon "period-correct" faces and physiques, has produced for us a strikingly innovative window upon the Revolution.
A groundbreaking glimpse of America's Revolutionary heritage.......2007-01-30
Not since George Neumann's landmark "Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution" has there been such a remarkable assemblage of artifacts and images. The former, drawn from public and private collections from across the nation include many items that have never been published, let alone in color. Don Troiani's exquisitely detailed images, some new, some drawn from previous works, provide invaluable context for the objects, as well as documenting the bewildering variety of uniforms worn during the war. Both artifacts and images are described within the impeccably thorough research of noted historian James Kochan. This volume is destined to be the standard reference for the student of the American Revolution that "Echoes of Glory" is to devotees of the Civil War, and is a must for anyone from historian to general reader who is fascinated by the drama of the war that gave birth to America.
A must-have book for the student of the Revolutionary War.......2007-01-29
Although the world is filled with books on the various sorts of things which armed and equipped the Revolutionary War soldier, this book moves into uncharted territory. While Troiani's paintings brings these diverse sorts of soldiers to life, the full color photographs of many of the most important surviving artifacts from the war adds a dimension found nowhere else.
Book Description
No more politics—just the truth about what we can and must do to protect ourselves.
Fox News military analyst Colonel David Hunt has dedicated his career to fighting terrorism. A twenty-nine-year U.S. Army veteran, he has helped take out an active terrorist camp, trained the FBI and Special Forces in counterterrorism tactics, and served as security adviser to six different Olympic Games.
And Colonel Hunt is angry. Why? Because even after the terrorist attacks on our country and on Americans around the world, the people charged with protecting us—the politicians and the bureaucrats in military and intelligence—still aren’t getting the job done.
They Just Don’t Get It provides a much-needed wake-up call to all Americans. As politicians posture and pundits bicker, we’re losing sight of the fundamental problem: We’re still not equipped to win the War on Terror. In fact, the terrorist threat is far worse than we feared, as made frighteningly clear by the fifty pages of documents published here for the first time—including a shocking manual taken from the terrorists themselves.
But instead of just complaining, Colonel Hunt tells us exactly what we must do—without regard to political game-playing—to emerge victorious in the challenge that history has given us. These are changes we can make at every level—as individual citizens, as a government, and as a military power. As he shows in this book, while the government and our military lead the fight to protect us, ordinary citizens can and must contribute.
They Just Don’t Get It reveals:
• What you can do to keep your family safe
• How many of the government’s recent “reforms” are mere window dressing or, worse, counterproductive
• How we can fight this war and still safeguard our civil liberties and the American way of life
• How to fix the intelligence disaster (and yes, the politicians in D.C. still haven’t fixed it)
• How we got into this mess in the first place: it’s mostly because our government let the problem fester for three decades
Colonel Hunt is no cautious bureaucrat or finger-pointer looking for political gain. He is a straight shooter with deep insight into what’s happening in the War on Terror—on the ground and in the government. They Just Don’t Get It lays out in clear and compelling terms the steps we must take—all of us—to win the War on Terror and ensure our survival as a free, proud, and strong nation.
From They Just Don’t Get It
We’re fighting a war for our very survival, so we’d better figure out how to win. That’s why I’m writing this book—to show us how we can win, how we can protect ourselves. As a Fox News military analyst, I’m paid to offer insight into how our armed forces are conducting the fight against our enemies. But this book shows that to win the War on Terror we need to concern ourselves with more than just military tactics.
For one thing, we need to look at what our political leaders are doing. The sad truth is that they still don’t get it.
Then there’s intelligence. You’ve heard about our intelligence failures, but I doubt you know how bad it really is—even after the “reforms.” I’m going to tell you.
And another critical dimension to this story usually gets overlooked—what you can do. The fact is, you can do a lot. Hell, you must do a lot.
A selection of American Compass
Customer Reviews:
The REAL DEAL.......2007-05-12
Great book for those interested in reality, versus the political garbagr being spewed by our "representatives" in Congress and the stories being relayed by the media outlets...Colonel Hunt is correct "They Just Don't Get It"... and neither does the majority ...
Sometimes the truth hurts - Col Hunt beats you over the head with it!!!!.......2007-05-10
This is required reading for those who have doubts about terrorism and our ability to deal with it. This is required reading for those who believe we are doing what is necessary to win. This is required reading for the spineless masses following the "leadership" of this country (from both sides of the aisle) down a path of death, destruction, and failure.
Col Hunt's ability to speak frankly and lay it on the line in this very Non-PC manner really speaks to everyday Americans. It is boldly written, in your face, and so scary that it will leave you shaking your head in disbelief. His resume/qualifications to speak to this topic are above reproach, he's been there, he's seen it first hand, the good and the bad. 10-20 years from now, if things do not change, this man will be looked at as one of those bold enough to say what needed to be said. It will be a shame to allow his words to go unnoticed. READ THIS BOOK!
Required reading for every American.......2006-10-31
Easy to read, full of common sense, this book should be read by every American.
On the mark.......2006-09-11
I think that Col. Hunt has written a superb book of the challenges facing the US regarding the terrorist threats to us all. He writes in a very deliberate and to the point style that I find refreshing.
Fact vs fiction.......2006-04-26
Col Hunt spells out the truth of the war we're in as compared to the bias of the media.
Book Description
The contemporary companion to Sun-tzu's The Art of War, this brilliant distillation of the strategies of war can help us gain mastery in the modern world.
Spanning world civilizations, synthesizing dozens of political, philosophical, and religious texts and thousands of years of violent conflict, this is a comprehensive guide to getting ahead and staying there.
Each chapter outlines an approach that will help you win your life's wars. Learn the offensive strategies that require you to maintain the initiative and negotiate from a position of strength, and the defensive strategies that enable you to respond to dangerous situations and avoid situations where winning is impossible.
As in The 48 Laws of Power, Robert Greene uses illustrative examples from history: Lyndon Johnson's tenacity, Julius Caesar's decisiveness, Joan Crawford's refusal to compromise, Ted Williams's competitive drive, and the folly and genius of everyone from Napoleon to Margaret Thatcher, Shaka the Zulu to Ulysses S. Grant. Great warriors of the battlefield and the drawing room demonstrate prudence, agility, balance, and calm. The rational, resourceful, and intuitive always defeat the panicked, uncreative, and stupid.
Informed by the most ingenious and effective military principles in war, The 33 Strategies provides all the psychological ammunition you need to overcome patterns of failure and forever gain the upper hand.
Customer Reviews:
Best book out there.......2007-10-15
All I can say is great learning from Robert Greene. What amazing book. It shows you no formulas but real life samples from War, which can teach you what to look at. When life becomes complicated, you can easily understand what to do in different situations. It is rich in examples, and it is easy to read and understand. Useful in every single way for life, business. This is a MUST have book for anyone who want to succeed in life.
It's a great read, but put it in context........2007-09-21
Being a lover of history I think this is a great read. I enjoyed Greene's 48 Laws of power mainly because of all the historical examples he used. This one was no different in that regard.
However, I would caution anyone who considers this some kind of manual for competition and conflict. When reading some of the illustrations I often got the feeling the people involved were more lucky than calculated.
Also, there are so many things that can not be controlled by one person. It would be foolish to think a person could refer to this book and get detailed direction on what to do in a situation. First off, the person would have to correctly diagnose their situation and know which `law' to apply. Knowing which 'law' to apply in a given situation is not automatic.
For me, it is a great read that provides some mental stimulation. If you love history like I do then check this out. If you are looking for some kind of blueprint to wage 'war' on others you probably have already lost and do not know it.
Another tour through history.......2007-09-17
I loved 48 laws of power ( after I got past the shock of reading a truly amoral book. 33 Strategies isn't quite as good. I have been trying to think about why and my guess is that Robert Green is just not a top military strategist and when he keeps saying you must this and you must that, my intuition is just sharp enough to have a bit of doubt.
The short history clips are great, I enjoyed them just as much as I did in 48 laws. By the time I got to chapter 18 ( about 2/3 of the way through the book), they were really all I was reading.
Completes the series nicely.......2007-08-13
When purchased with "The 48 Laws of Power" and "The Art of Seduction", this book completes the series so nicely that one could go from a passive personality to a dominate one (or at least someone who can easily read people) in very little time.
The emphasis of this book is on mind games and what to expect from people whenever you feel vexed by their actions. It also shows how to test people to better understand their true nature and from there how to guide them into whatever direction you wish for them to go. There is even a chapter on friendship and how it applies to the workplace; for example, even the most verbally supportive friend can harbor jealousy that will show itself in very hard to notice ways. Recognizing this early on will keep you safer from being let down when you happen to find yourself needing someone. It shows how it is better to depend on someone you are not friends with rather than turning to the people you trust... (it was odd at first, but not that I have the hang of it, I have increased my productivity ten-fold at work and even received a promotion that I was not being considered for til after I read this book)...
Like the other two books, this one will have parts that are simply too evil for most people to pull off let alone attempt. I reserve these tactics for vengence or keep them in mind for when I encounter someone who does not have my reservations when dealing with others and has the type of personality to deliver these tactics without conscience (I can either avoid them completely no matter how close we have to work together or turn their own game around on them)..
When considering office politics, government politics, or just life in general, this book (along with the other 2) is what you need to get you ahead.
Tactful.......2007-07-18
This book is very descriptive in it's insightful grasp of conduct and how to stategize in winning and getting ahead. This book is Awesome!
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- Fretboard Logic SE: The Reasoning Behind the Guitar's Unique Tuning + Chords Scales and Arpeggios Complete (The Fretboard Logic Guitar Method Parts I and II) (Fretboard Logic Guitar Method Ser)
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- Hindsight: Boris Vallejo : His Photographic Art
- History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
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Books Index
Books Home
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