The Mini Love Voodoo Kit (Miniature Editions Pocket Pack)

Customer Reviews:

Great!.......2004-04-09

If you're looking at the reviews on this page/info on the book to just quietly think to yourself, "This is such crud, who could waste their money? You people need the power of Jesus!" then just leave. Subconciously, however, you are interested in the subject. Why else would you be here? Anyways, I bought this kit and was fairly impressed! My spells, no matter how simple they were, always worked. I also found that the doll can be used for more things than love+relationships, I cured my migraines. Believe it or not, I stand my ground.

For what it is worth..........2002-12-20

I bought this voodoo doll for a friend who needed a little spicing up in her love life. She brought the doll home and immediately cast a *love* spell on her particular obsession and attached it to a personal effect of her subject. She came home the very next day and found that her cat had managed to remove the doll from the personal effect and drug the doll off to some unknown death. Rather than find the doll and try it again, she didn't do anything. Two weeks later.....her romantic interest has been null and void. Coincidence? Or voodoo? You do the math.

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Love Voodoo (Mini Lifestyle Kits)

Manufacturer: Top That! Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Interpersonal Relations | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1845106016

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Love Voodoo (Mini Lifestyle Kits)

Manufacturer: Kudos Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1845105893

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Mini Love Voodoo Kit
Lou Harry
Manufacturer: Running Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K7EBX0

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Storyteller's Story--Completely Satisfying

Writing as beautiful as cherry blossoms

Less compelling than The Fox Woman

Fabulous and satisfying

A fantastic and down-to-earth story
Fudoki
Kij Johnson
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Johnson, Kij | ( J ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0765303906

Book Description

n her skillful debut novel, Kij Johnson turned the classic Japanese myth of the fox who dared to be-come a woman into a luminous, lyrical tale of love, desire, joy, and the nature of the soul. Set in the same universe as The Fox Woman, Fudoki reveals the world of the creature who comes to be known as Kagaya-hime, a sometime woman-warrior and confidante to noblemen. This is the story of a being who started her journey on the kami road as a tortoiseshell cat. Her family was destroyed by a fire that decimated most of the Imperial city. She has been rendered taleless, with no one left alive but her to pass on such stories as The Cat Born the Year the Star Fell, The Cat with a Litter of Ten, and The Fire-Tailed Cat. Without her fudoki-self and soul and home and shrine-she cannot keep the power of her clan together. And so a small cat begins an extraordinary journey. Along the way she attracts the attention of ancient gods who are curious about this new creature come to their lands. They will give the little cat a different shape and set her on a new kami road . . . .

Customer Reviews:

Storyteller's Story--Completely Satisfying.......2007-09-11

A delicious story of a cat-turned-human--with the matter of fact sensibility of circumstance proper for tales where gods toy with hapless mortals--dotted along the way with writer's notes from the fictional weaver of the tale: how she knows what she knows and why she imagines the rest. Impeccably composed; in a word, fabulous.

All through, I was riveted--both to the fantasy and to the tale of the teller. Fudoki drew me in with the promise of a unique animal transformation fantasy, held me tight with richly sensuous descriptions--colored through the eyes of its feline hero and flavored with the worldview of the princess who created her--and nourished me with an understanding for the book's strange and distant setting.

I yearn for more fiction from Kij Johnson.

Writing as beautiful as cherry blossoms.......2007-04-14

"Fudoki" in Japanese literally means "description of natural features" - an ancient record created in feudal Japan of the culture, topography and folklore of a particular place. However, the word has far more meaning for the character of the story-within-a-story told in Kij Johnson's novel of the same name.

Kagaya-hime is a black tortoiseshell cat who has lost her family and extended clan in a fire. They and their predecessors were part of Kagaya-hime's "fudoki" - a cat's hearth and home, soul and line of succession. In her search to find a new place where she belongs, Kagaya-hime travels along the Tokaido - one of the ancient routes connecting Edo and Kyoto - and is watched by the spirit of the road, a kami. The kami decides to test the cat on her journey by changing her into a beautiful woman... albeit a woman whose behavior and words are those of a cat.

The cat's tale is being told by the elderly Princess Harueme, who feels compelled to fill the pages of a notebook with a story before she goes to spend her final years in solitude and religious contemplation at a Buddhist convent. The novel deftly weaves back and forth between the tale of Kagaya-hime and Harueme's own story, which is sometimes peppered in as commentary to the cat's story. The princess readily admits to being jealous of her own creation, who is free to experience both pain and the freedom to roam which are denied to a member of the royal court. Harueme cannot help but share some of the joy and pain that she has experienced during her long years.

Just like her previous novel "The Fox Woman," Johnson has taken the world of Heian-era Japan and imbued it with a fresh take on some of the Japanese mythology which originated during that period. As other reviewers have noted, Johnson is one of those rare Western authors who is able not only to successfully spin a tale using characters and themes from the East, but also effectively utilize an Asian storytelling style in the English language. Her prose is quite delicately crafted and her descriptions of the people and places of long-ago Japan are very richly detailed.

I highly recommend this book, and am very much looking forward to the final installment of Johnson's Heian trilogy.

Less compelling than The Fox Woman.......2007-03-11

The second reviewer (12/24/03) took most of the words out of my mouth--this book is not as successful as The Fox Woman. I did not find it slow, however. It is shorter and simpler than Johnson's previous book, and characters who appear in both are somewhat re-worked. It answers one or two of the questions left hanging at the end of The Fox Woman (no, not *that* one).

I enjoy Johnson's ability to portray the animal characteristics of her shape-shifter--the cat-woman behaves very much like a cat--and her avoidance of modern, Western sensibilities to create a world both historical and mythical.

Fabulous and satisfying.......2006-05-29

This is one of the best books I've ever read. The story is compelling, the writing is beautiful and the magic is enchanting.

A fantastic and down-to-earth story.......2005-04-26

There's a saying that I can't remember at the moment, something about painting a picture with words. I wasn't really aware until I read this book that it was possible to paint an entire world with them - that's the way this book comes across to me, as broad strokes on rough canvas.

Fudoki takes place in Japan round about 1000AD-ish, and the story is that of a princess, Harueme, who is nearing the end of her life. She, in turn, is telling a story about a cat, and the book takes us through both her own and her character's tale, weaving back and forth between them at Harueme's whim.

I'm glad I bought this book, because I knew even half way through reading it that I would want to re-read it in the future - so much is touched on in the story. I think it will be well worth going through it again, knowing the characters better right from the get-go. There are some great themes, and they're touched on in so many different ways: death, freedom, strength, and how they all intertwine. This is one of those stories that I didn't want to end - I kept checking to see how many pages I had left - but am glad it did where it did. Open-ended, and yet extremely satisfying.

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IZUMO FUDOKI
Michiko Yamaguchi Aoki
Manufacturer: Sophia University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M0QBS8

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Izumo Fudoki
Michiko Yamaguchi Aoki
Manufacturer: Sophia University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JHI0I8

Records of Wind and Earth: A Translation of Fudoki, With Introduction and Commentaries (Monographs of the Association for Asian Studies)

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Records of Wind and Earth: A Translation of Fudoki, With Introduction and Commentaries (Monographs of the Association for Asian Studies)

Manufacturer: Educational Instructional Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Japan | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0924304324

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Asakura fudoki

Manufacturer: Jukai Shorin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4915521249

Bungo no Kuni fudoki: Kugyo bunin (Reizei-ke Shiguretei sosho)

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Bungo no Kuni fudoki: Kugyo bunin (Reizei-ke Shiguretei sosho)

Manufacturer: Asahi Shinbunsha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4022403470

Chugoku fudoki no kuni (Furusato densetsu no tabi)

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Chugoku fudoki no kuni (Furusato densetsu no tabi)

Manufacturer: Shogakkan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4093910103

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Fudoki itsubun chushaku

Manufacturer: Kanrin Shobo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4877371168

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Fudoki no kami to shukyoteki sekai

Manufacturer: Ofu
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4273029944

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Fudoki no sekai to Nihon no kodai
Yasushi Nagafuji
Manufacturer: Daiwa Shobo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 4479840168

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Slow Moving Fantasy

Ian Myles Slater on: A Military/Political/Philosophical Adventure Fantasy

Ian Myles Slater on: A Neglected Gem

Please -- Reprint This!

An oldie but a goodie!

Well of the Unicorn
Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books | Authors, A-Z | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | Fantasy | Gaming | Large Print | Media | Science Fiction | Writing
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The Compleat Enchanter (Millennium Fantasy Masterworks S.)

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Silverlock

ASIN: 0345250125
Release Date: 1976-04-12

Book Description

Robbed of lands and heritage by the rapacious Vulkings, young Airar Alvarson had only his limited gift for sorcery to aid him against a world of savage intrigues. Then he met a mysterious sorcerer and was given a strange iron ring -- a ring that led him into a futile conspiracy and soon had him fleeing for his life.

Driven by enchantments and destiny, he found himself leading a band of warriors against the mighty empire of the Vulkings. With him was a warrior maid who mocked him while she sought to serve by fair means or foul. Then he met the Imperial Princess who preached the peace of the Well but it soon became apparent she would bring him only turmoil and strife!

Customer Reviews:

Slow Moving Fantasy.......2007-03-14

I have a bit of a dissenting vote here. I am a big fantasy fan who is not often disappointed by the literate fantasy genre. Working through David Pringle's 100 Best Fantasy Novel list, I began Well of the Unicorn.

Pratt's book includes an occassional battle and his main character is a novice magician. But there are very few other fantasy elements in this book. The reader is asked to wade through an incredible number of names and places, none of which, of course, really exist. That is the point of fantasy but if I am reading a book that resembles history more than fiction, I would prefer to go directly to a work of non-fiction.

I also found the narrative somewhat stilted and Pratt lacks the critical skill in this genre of developing compelling names for people and places. The hero's name is Airar and some of the places we almost visit include Os Erigu, the Isles of Gentebbi, Dodekapolis and Scroby.

The book lies uncomfortably between history of what never occurred and light fantasy. I would skip to another work on Pringle's list.

Ian Myles Slater on: A Military/Political/Philosophical Adventure Fantasy.......2005-09-16

"The Well of the Unicorn" should be recognized as one of the outstanding fantasy novels of the first half of the twentieth century, or any other time. It was first published by William Sloane Associates in 1948, as by the previously unknown author, George U. Fletcher, with a dust-jacket and frontispiece and chapter heading maps by the well-known illustrator Rafael Palacios. That edition was reprinted in hardcover (minus the dust jacket, which itself included an illustrated map) in the Garland Library of Science Fiction in 1975, with the same attribution.

It was in fact the work of Fletcher Pratt (as acknowledged, not very prominently, in the Garland edition). In the late 1940s Pratt (1897-1956; not to be confused with the group "The Fletcher Pratt"!) was a well-known military historian; several of his works in this field are, or were recently, still in print (including one of the others with Palacios maps).

He was also a science fiction and fantasy novelist, alone and in collaboration with L. Sprague de Camp, with whom he also did a series of humorous short stories.

When the Garland edition appeared, "The Well of the Unicorn" already had been published in mass-market paperback under Pratt's name in 1968, by Lancer Books. It was issued again in this format by Del Rey Books in 1976, and, with a new cover, in 1979 -- this last being version currently shown on Amazon.

It was most recently published in a British edition in 2001, as part of the Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks series of trade paperbacks, with the original pagination. This can be found on the Amazon.co.uk site, and, although it does not seem to be readily available in the U.S., is sometimes offered by Amazon directly. (Check for availability on this page!) I have not seen a copy of the edition described here, and can't be sure if "Diane" is an American outlet, the current corporate identity of Gollancz, or a mistake.

I have described the reason (if you can call it that) for the confusing and unnecessary pseudonym, and other details of the publishing history, in a review posted with the Garland edition, which is listed on Amazon, at least for the moment, as by George U. Fletcher. If "Well" is effectively out of print in the United States, in any edition, as you read this, I suggest checking there for some helpful hints on their differences if you are trying to decide which version of it to order used.

If it has gone out of print, with any luck a U.S. publisher will also re-issue the beautifully-produced Sloane edition, as a trade paperback, under Pratt's name, (perhaps without the original publisher's unnecessary prefatory note), in the near future. It should be in print, and Palacios' maps deserve the full size (and often higher-quality paper) of such an edition.

Under any author's name, this is an extraordinary example of fantasy, pre- or post-Tolkien. It is adult in tone, very literate, and intentionally thought-provoking. There is plenty of action, and we meet a variety of appealing (and sometimes annoying) characters. Magic plays a part, but has limits, and its solutions don't always match up well with the problems. Pratt has interesting things to say about a number of topics, from sex to politics, not all of them immediately evident, but clear enough when you start looking for them, in the words and actions of minor as well as major characters. Readers of his "Ordeal by Fire" (otherwise "A Short History of the Civil War," and various combined forms of the title) will recognize some elements. So will those familiar with his less readily available book on medieval Denmark, "The Third King."

Pratt drew on a vast knowledge of military history and political organizations to get the details right, without going into elaborate explanations. His setting has echoes of medieval Scandinavia (his Dalarna is not the Swedish province, but someplace like it), and of the Hanseatic League, but also the Holy Roman Empire. (Neither called by these names, of course; and Pratt's Empire has rather better claims to being Holy, although not exactly Christian, than its historical counterpart.) There are also, I suspect, a few hints of the history of the Balkans. Off in the distance is a quasi-Islamic empire, the realm of "the heathen Dzik," about whom Pratt was planning to write a story, in which, he told his friends, they would have turned out much nicer than reputed by their old enemies.

It sounds like a precursor of more recent fantasy novels with political and military themes and sub-themes. It may be, although you would have to ask their authors. Unlike many of those books, "Well" never preaches at the reader, or tries to offer doctrinaire solutions. (Pratt seems to have felt that inflexible thinking was often a source of problems in itself.) Characters express views, often tied directly to their experiences, and the reader is left to draw conclusions. But it differs markedly from Eddison and Dunsany, whose political theories ranged from pre-modern to non-existence.

"The Well of the Unicorn" is, it should be said, unrelated to Pratt's other major fantasy novel, in a setting resembling Revolutionary France "The Blue Star" (in the omnibus "Witches Three," 1952; separate edition, 1969) -- at least, the geography and system of magic both seem incompatible. The actual sequel to "Well" was one of a number of projects Pratt was planning at the time of his sudden, untimely, death.

Ian Myles Slater on: A Neglected Gem.......2004-10-02

"The Well of the Unicorn" should be recognized as one of the outstanding fantasy novels of the first half of the twentieth century, or any other time. It was first published by William Sloane Associates in 1948, as by the previously unknown author, George U. Fletcher, with a dust-jacket and frontispiece and chapter heading maps by the well-known illustrator Rafael Palacios. That edition was reprinted in hardcover (minus the dust jacket) in the Garland Library of Science Fiction in 1975, with the same attribution.

It was in fact the work of Fletcher Pratt (as acknowledged, not very prominently, in the Garland edition). In the late 1940s Pratt (1897-1956; not to be confused with the group "The Fletcher Pratt"!) was a well-known military historian; several of his works in this field are, or were recently, still in print (including one with Palacios maps). He was also a science fiction and fantasy novelist, alone and in collaboration with L. Sprague de Camp.

When the Garland edition appeared, "The Well of the Unicorn" already had been published in mass-market paperback under Pratt's name in 1968, by Lancer Books. It was issued again in this format by Del Rey Books in 1976, and, with a new cover, in 1979 -- this last being version currently shown on Amazon. It was most recently published in a British edition in 2001, as part of the Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks series. This edition can be found on the Amazon.co.uk site. It does not seem to be readily available in the U.S., although Amazon lists it from time to time.

I have described the reason (if you can call it that) for the confusing and unnecessary pseudonym, and other details of the publishing history, in a review posted with the Garland edition, which is listed on Amazon, at least for the moment, as by George U. Fletcher. Since "Well" is now out of print in the United States, in any edition, I suggest checking there for some helpful hints on their differences if you are trying to decide which version of it to order.

With any luck, a U.S. publisher will soon re-issue the beautifully-produced Sloane edition, as a trade paperback, under Pratt's name (perhaps without the original publisher's unnecessary prefatory note). It should be in print, and Palacios' maps deserve the full size (and often higher-quality paper) of such an edition.

Under any author's name, this is an extraordinary example of fantasy, pre- or post-Tolkien. It is adult in tone, very literate, and intentionally thought-provoking. There is plenty of action, and we meet a variety of appealing (and sometimes annoying) characters. Magic plays a part, but has limits, and its solutions don't always match up well with the problems. Pratt has interesting things to say about a number of topics, from sex to politics, not all of them immediately evident, but clear enough when you start looking for them, in the words and actions of minor as well as major characters. Readers of his "Ordeal by Fire" (otherwise "A Short History of the Civil War," and various combined forms of the title) will recognize some elements. So will those familiar with his less readily available book on medieval Denmark, "The Third King."

Pratt drew on a vast knowledge of military history and political organizations to get the details right, without going into elaborate explanations. His setting has echoes of medieval Scandinavia (his Dalarna is not the Swedish province, but someplace like it), and of the Hanseatic League, but also the Holy Roman Empire. (Neither called by these names, of course; and Pratt's Empire has rather better claims to being Holy, although not exactly Christian, than its historical counterpart.) There are also, I suspect, a few hints of the history of the Balkans. Off in the distance is a quasi-Islamic empire, the realm of "the heathen Dzik," about whom Pratt was planning to write a story, in which, he told his friends, they would have turned out much nicer than reputed by their old enemies.

"The Well of the Unicorn" is, however, unrelated to Pratt's other major fantasy novel, "The Blue Star" (in the omnibus "Witches Three," 1952; separate editon, 1969) -- at least, the geography and system of magic seem unrelated and incompatible. The actual sequel to "Well" was one of a number of projects Pratt was planning at the time of his sudden, untimely, death.

Please -- Reprint This!.......2002-03-25

I read this book ages ago and fondly recall it as a really good piece of adventure/fantasy, and one written by a historian well capable of handling its military theme. It deserves reprinting and revival by a major publisher. If you can find it in your library, or anywhere, get it. It's good.

An oldie but a goodie!.......1998-07-19

Long before the days of Robert Jordan's mega-epic, or even before Lord of the Rings, Fletcher Pratt, better known for his collaborations with the likes of L. Sprague De Camp, wrote THE WELL OF THE UNICORN.

More in the tradition of Lord Dunsany than anything else, Well of the Unicorn paints an ever widening scope of a uniquely imagined fantasy world, stocked with locations and people you will never forget.

If you've read Robert Jordan and wished for a fantasy world that was a tad more realistic, or if you have never tried fantasy and want to begin with something literary rather than catering to a lowest common denominator, then Well of the Unicorn might be the book to hold your attention.

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The Well Of The Unicorn

Manufacturer: Lancer 70-056
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: 0447749110

Product Description

Heroic fantasy in the classical mode: First, create your imaginary world, with logical consistency a must. Second, fill your world with people. Finally, plot and write your story. Fletcher Pratt was a military historian as well as a professional writer. This book was ahead of its time, antedating to popularity of Tolkein and his imitators by several years; as a result, it was not publicized, quickly went out-of-print, and is, sadly, largely forgotten today.

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The Well of the Unicorn
George U Fletcher
Manufacturer: William Sloan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KK7YF4

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The Well of the Unicorn
Illustrated by Darrell K. Sweet Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K2P292

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The Well of the Unicorn
Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: NY Lancer 1967.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J5FUSS

The Well of the Unicorn (The Garland Library of Science Fiction)

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Ian Myles Slater on: Confusion Confounded for a Great Book

The Well of the Unicorn (The Garland Library of Science Fiction)
George U. Fletcher
Manufacturer: Taylor & Francis
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

Ian Myles Slater on: Confusion Confounded for a Great Book.......2004-10-02

"The Well of the Unicorn" was first published by William Sloane Associates in 1948, as by the previously unknown author, George U. Fletcher. It featured a lovely dust jacket, a frontispiece map, and inset maps as chapter headings, the beautiful work of Rafael Palacios, whose maps had graced many other books, including some highly-regarded military histories by Fletcher Pratt. Considerable trouble had obviously been taken to produce the book, and many of its readers eventually would agree that it was worth it -- when they had a chance to see it.

A story of revolution and love in a world both like and unlike medieval Europe, it might have reached a wide audience, at least by the pre-Tolkien standards for fantasy. Although highly original in many ways, it acknowledged a debt to Lord Dunsany's play, "King Argimenes and the Unknown Warrior," the events of which were supposed to lie in the book's distant past; and it fairly clearly reacted to the vague political and military thinking in E.R. Eddison's "The Worm Ouroboros." (As was later pointed out in a fine critical essay by Dave Hulan, "Of Worms and Unicorns" -- reprinted in "The Conan Grimoire" [Mirage] and "The Spell of Conan" [Ace], if you can find copies.)

However, in a masterpiece of poor judgment, someone at Sloane had decided that, since the ACTUAL author, Fletcher Pratt, already HAD a major reputation as a military HISTORIAN, his new FANTASY novel should be published under a pen name; something about not confusing readers.

This decision also ignored Pratt's *other* reputation as a science fiction and fantasy novelist -- the latter usually in collaboration with L. Sprague de Camp (who later desribed the origin of the pseudonym in several articles and books). Sloane Associates also insisted on a clunking "Publisher's Foreword" in addition to the "Author's Note" -- apparently, someone was having second thoughts about a novel of war, politics, love, sex, and magic in a place for which maps had to be invented!. (They might have better asked for revisions in a couple of paragraphs, in which, as de Camp put it, an "excess of subtlety" can leave readers confused about elapsed time.)

As a result, the new book by "George U. Fletcher" was largely ignored at the time by not one but two groups of readers. Fans of military history, who might have enjoyed Pratt's variations on the lessons pointed out in his non-fiction, had no reason to look at it. Mr. Fletcher was also a complete unknown to those who mourned the loss of "Unknown Worlds," the magazine that had published most of Pratt's fantasy in the early 1940s. Pratt (1897-1956) didn't keep his authorship a secret, but this was no great help to people who learned of it after the book was out of print. Pratt's obituary in "The New York Times," which did mention his science fiction, described "The Well of the Unicorn" as "straight fiction," which (at best) suggests a guess at its contents. (It now may be necessary to warn against confusion with the group "The Fletcher Pratt" -- search engines, at least, have trouble with the distinction.)

"The Well of the Unicorn" finally appeared under the author's own name in a Lancer Books paperback in 1968, with a new, intelligent, Introduction by Baird Searles, new cover art (uncredited, but very attractive), and the frontispiece map (not too badly reproduced in the smaller format). Lancer, which was then issuing the Robert E. Howard Conan stories as edited by L. Sprague de Camp, foundered for complex reasons a few years later, and "The Well of the Unicorn" was again unavailable. In the meantime, it had missed being included in the Ballantine Books Adult Fantasy series, which did include another of Pratt's major fantasy novels, "The Blue Star."

In 1975, Garland included it in a library-oriented series of high-quality reprintings of classic science fiction and fantasy. They had the good taste to go back to the Sloane edition, reproducing it in full (except for the dust jacket). Unhappily, this edition reverted to the "George U. Fletcher" pseudonym on the title page and cover, so it was again likely to be missed by anyone looking for books by Pratt. It was also rather expensive (by *1975* standards for science fiction and fantasy), although not unreasonably so; the paper and binding were of far more durable quality than the usual acidic stock.

Fortunately, Del Rey Books (the then-recent science fiction and fantasy imprint of Ballantine Books, which had been acquired by Random House) picked up the title in paperback in 1976 -- not a big surprise, because Lester del Rey had been involved in the Garland "Library of Science Fiction" project. It was back under the author's real name, and included the chapter heading maps (although not the excellent Searles Introduction from the Lancer edition), and dropped the clearly unnecessary Sloane Foreword and its "explanation."

As originally published, the Del Rey edition had a cover by the Brothers Hildebrandt. This depicts an actual scene from the book quite accurately, but personally I have always thought it discouragingly ugly as a composition. (The Sea Demon is appropriately unpleasant-looking, but that is a different matter.) The frontispiece map was printed on the inside front and back covers, which made for very clear reproduction.

An elegant Darrell Sweet cover, showing the major characters in a wilderness landscape, graced the book from the second Del Rey printing (1979) on; in this and later printings, the frontispiece map was again on a regular page. The Sweet cover is the version shown in the current (October 2004) Amazon listing for the Del Rey edition, which is not necessarily what you will get if you order a used copy without checking its date carefully. And, unfortunately, at least for now, it seems that a used copy is what you will have to order, in any American edition. "The Well of the Unicorn" was most recently reprinted in a British edition in 2001, as part of the Gollancz Fantasy Masterworks series (not seen); this edition can be found on the Amazon.co.uk site, but does not seem to be available (officially) in the U.S.

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Well of the Unicorn, The
Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: Victor Gollancz Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Willowby's World of Unicorns (Willowby's World)

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Willowby's World of Unicorns (Willowby's World)
Christine W. Vrooman , and Christine Wells-Vrooman
Manufacturer: Cloud Ten Creations, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Folklore & Mythology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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Well of the Unicorn
Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: LANCER BOOKS INC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SEOEPU

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Well of the Unicorn
Fletcher Pratt
Manufacturer: GOLLANCZ
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLJC22

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excellent

love it!

Great chocolate desserts!

Amazing chocolate creativity

UN BUEN LIBRO

Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herme
Dorie Greenspan
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Chocolate | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Desserts | Baking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Diabetic & Sugar-Free | Special Diet | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Desserts by Pierre Herme

Paris Sweets: Great Desserts From the City's Best Pastry Shops

La Maison du Chocolat: Transcendent Desserts by the Legendary Chocolatier

Pure Chocolate: Divine Desserts and Sweets from the Creator of Fran's Chocolates

Bittersweet: Recipes and Tales from a Life in Chocolate

ASIN: 0316357413

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Since Pierre Hermé is probably the best pastry chef in the world, and chocolate the best dessert flavor, it's no surprise that this stellar combination, presented in Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé is dazzling. Hermé's beautiful recipes are written by Dorie Greenspan, who also worked with him on his award-winning Desserts by Pierre Hermé, and the resulting creations are photographed as works of art by Jean-Louis Block-Laine.

Although Hermé is best known for his multilayered extravaganzas, this collection was written and tested for American home kitchens. So while there are a few mind-boggling, taste-bud-stretching experiences like Plaisir Sucre (hazelnut dacquoise, milk chocolate ganache, milk chocolate whipped cream, sheets of tempered milk chocolate, and a crunchy chocolate praline spread), most of the recipes are more than manageable, and just as scrumptious. Lacy Coffee-Cocoa Nougatine Cookies are crisp and delicate and extremely flavorful. The Chocolate Macaroons are the perfectly smooth, ganache-filled ones you see all over Paris, and with Hermé and Greenspan to walk you through the steps, the best results are guaranteed. Pistachio Waffles with Chocolate Cream are crispy outside and moist and tender inside, and the combination of hot and cold makes them even more memorable. Chocolate Rice Pudding is far from old-fashioned, and while it makes a delectable stand-alone dessert, Hermé suggests making it part of a truly grand dessert: his Pear and Fresh Mint Tempura with Chocolate Rice Pudding is an amazing combination of flavors, textures, and temperatures.

In recipes for everything from Hot Chocolate to Bittersweet Chocolate Sorbet, from Moist and Nutty Brownies to the legendary chocolate caramel extravaganza the Faubourg Pave, readers will benefit from Hermé's 25 years of experience, his limitless creativity, and his obvious passion for his profession. This volume is destined to become a classic. --Leora Y. Bloom

Book Description

Since Pierre Herm+ is probably the best pastry chef in the world, and chocolate the best dessert flavor, it's no surprise that this stellar combination, presented in Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herm+ is dazzling. Herm+'s beautiful recipes are written by Dorie Greenspan, who also worked with him on his award-winning Desserts by Pierre Herm+, and the resulting creations are photographed as works of art by Jean-Louis Block-Laine.Although Herm+ is best known for his multilayered extravaganzas, this collection was written and tested for American home kitchens. So while there are a few mind-boggling, taste-bud-stretching experiences like Plaisir Sucre (hazelnut dacquoise, milk chocolate ganache, milk chocolate whipped cream, sheets of tempered milk chocolate, and a crunchy chocolate praline spread), most of the recipes are more than manageable, and just as scrumptious. Lacy Coffee-Cocoa Nougatine Cookies are crisp and delicate and extremely flavorful. The Chocolate Macaroons are the perfectly smooth, ganache-filled ones you see all over Paris, and with Herm+ and Greenspan to walk you through the steps, the best results are guaranteed. Pistachio Waffles with Chocolate Cream are crispy outside and moist and tender inside, and the combination of hot and cold makes them even more memorable. Chocolate Rice Pudding is far from old-fashioned, and while it makes a delectable stand-alone dessert, Herm+ suggests making it part of a truly grand dessert: his Pear and Fresh Mint Tempura with Chocolate Rice Pudding is an amazing combination of flavors, textures, and temperatures. In recipes for everything from Hot Chocolate to Bittersweet Chocolate Sorbet, from Moist and Nutty Brownies to the legendary chocolate caramel extravaganza the Faubourg Pave, readers will benefit from Herm+'s 25 years of experience, his limitless creativity, and his obvious passion for his profession. This volume is destined to become a classic. --Leora Y. Bloom

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......2007-06-27

This has become my favorite baking book. Whenever I need to impress, I make one of these desserts. Herme doesn't skip any steps or skimp on quality. As a result, the desserts are rich and satisfying. (My favorites are the black forest cake, the mousse, and the linzer torte. The black forest cake comes out better than that made at the local French bakery.)After you make the recipes a few times, you can easily adapt them to incorporate other flavors.

It's not a beginner's book, by any means--simple things like the best way to separate eggs are not explained in this book (unusual procedures are explained, though), and most of the recipes are extremely time consuming. If you're serious about cooking, this book is well worth the effort.

love it!.......2006-11-30

Although I have no professional training this book is rather straight forward and there are some simple recipes. I've tried making the chocolate rice pudding, which was rich and delicious and am looking forward to trying other recipes soon!

Great chocolate desserts!.......2006-07-22

I like this book very much. It is loaded with beautiful pictures as well as recipes for delicious desserts. I have tried several recipes with good results. The recipes are easy to make, but time consuming in some cases. Recipes are well explained with full details. The book has recipes for cakes, tarts, ice creams, cookies, plated desserts (like the fabulous pistachio waffle with chocolate cream) and confections.

Amazing chocolate creativity.......2005-11-02

I've been furiously purchasing chocolate books to learn as much as possible about the food of the gods and Pierre Herme's book is the most spectacular, creative and amazing.

Everything is in metric weight...which is great. Compared to Robert Linxe's book for La Maison du Chocolat, I gotta say Pierre's shines. Whilst La Maison was good...with nice pix, the recipes were horribly noted and one feels like Linxe is hiding the real recipe.

Pierre's book gave inspiration, lots of ideas, and most importantly, lots of great recipes I can use.

Amazing amazing amazing. Can't wait to try his creations at his stores in Tokyo.

UN BUEN LIBRO.......2005-08-09

ESTE ES UN LIBRO QUE EMPEZANDO POR EL AUTOR ,ES MUY COMPLETO.
PIERRE HERME ES UN CHEF DE TRAYECTORIA MUY BUENA Y CON LIBROS DE MUCHA CALIDAD EN SU CARRERA.
ME GUSTAN SUS POSTRES PORQ SON DIFERENTES Y CUIDA MUCHO EL ASPECTO DE DECORACION,,SIENDO TOTALMENTE SOBRIA Y ELEGANTE SIN CAER EN LA YA CONOCIDA Y SATURADA DECORACION CARGADA.
RECOMIENDO ESTE LIBRO YA Q SU PRECIO ES MUY COMODO PARA EL PRODUCTO QUE SE OFRECE!

Average customer rating:

Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Herme
Dorie, Herme, Pierre Greenspan
Manufacturer: Little, Brown and Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUBO24

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