Book Description
When a villager's property is burned to the ground, the locals think no further misfortune could befall him—until they find his son's body among the ruins. As a sinister twist emerges in what seemed to be a tragic accident, Sir Baldwin Furnshill and Bailiff Simon Puttock arrive to unravel the mystery. But then threats are made against Sir Baldwin's own family, and the investigation becomes a lot more personal.
Customer Reviews:
A Good Medieval Mystery.......2006-08-04
For those readers who are familiar with Michael Jecks books, this one is just as good as all the rest. For those who have not read Michael Jecks, but like historical novels, particularly about medieval England, you are in for all real treat.
Michael Jecks has got his subject matter down to a fine art. His characters are so well established that they are like old friends to the reader. Also to write about the area in which he lives is a masterstroke and must make researching the books so much easier.
This is another book in the series of Knights Templar Mysteries set in Exeter and the surrounding areas and features Sir Baldwin de Furnshill , once a member of the now disbanded Knight's Templars and now Keeper of the King's Peace.
When a boy disappears, the local idiot, who lost his own children many years ago is immediately put under suspicion. The local law officer whose own son disappeared years ago is determined to solve the mystery.
Sir Baldwin is asked for his assistance in solving the crime and he follows a lead to the manor of Bishop's Clyst. While he is there the body of a boy is found under a bridge, but strangely it is not the one who so recently went missing . . .
Knights Templar Mysteries .......2006-06-29
This author is always a "good bet" on an excellent read especially for those who like well researched history settings.
excellent story of Medieval Devonshire.......2005-09-10
Mr. Jeck's most recent book, THE BUTCHER OF ST. PETER'S, is a vivid account of life in Medieval England for people of a wide range of social class. His research gives us gems of information such as the description of "chimneys" as new-fangled inventions, and details such as the danger of wandering hogs to infants in cradles. I found myself very involved in the story and ended up reading it in one day because I was so fascinated by the scenes and the people. His description of the physician's difficulties in being considered a "foreigner" because he wasn't born in Exeter is a nuance that is hard for us to grasp, but a very real factor in the time period being discussed.
I particulary enjoyed seeing Baldwin's interactions with those people close to him, especially Jeanne, and to those not so close to him, such as Sir Peregrine. The painful reality of frequent death in previous centuries, and the persistence of faith, or lack thereof, was handled in a very sensitive manner. If you are interested in what life was really like in Medieval England, this is an excellent book.
Well Written Mystery.......2005-08-18
Overall, I enjoyed "the Butcher of St. Peter's although somewhat less than some of Jeck's earlier works.
In general, I had two problems. The large number of characters in the story and the way the plot jumps from scene to scene required frequent reference to the list of characters at the front of the book, interrupting the flow of the novel.
I also found the explanation for one of the murders to be less than convincing and thought that the premise somewhat stretched the imagination of the reader.
One hopeful sign - there might be a new series of books utilizing the characters of the coroner and physician who appear to be an interesting duo.
Average customer rating:
- MEDIOCRE WRITING, GREAT ART
- Could Have -- Should Have -- Been Great, But Misses The Mark
- Good Action Book
- You really can't go home again
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Shang-Chi: The Hellfire Apocalypse (Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu)
Doug Moench
Manufacturer: Marvel Entertainment Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
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Moench, Doug | ( M ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0785111247 |
Book Description
Comics pre-eminent star of martial arts action -- Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu -- is back. If Moench and Gully's seminal Master of Kung Fu successfully tapped into the Bruce Lee kung fu craze and popular James Bond spy flicks, then their revamped MOKF will appeal to the folks who are packing the seats for the latest Jet Li flick, or "Mission Impossible" sequel.
Customer Reviews:
MEDIOCRE WRITING, GREAT ART.......2005-04-09
As most fans know, this team produced a (justly) critically acclaimed "Master of Kung Fu" comic in the 70's. Too bad their legacy regarding Shang-Chi is tarnished by this tale.
While Gulacy's art is dependably excellent, Moench's plot and scripting are hackneyed. The fights seem forced and endless. Do these stories need action and conflict? Sure. Was this the way to do it? No. You'll want to take a pass on this one unless you're a real disciple of Gulacy.
Could Have -- Should Have -- Been Great, But Misses The Mark.......2004-04-14
This is a project that should have been a new classic, but falls well short of that mark by a misguided and ultimately failed attempt at pandering to the perceived wants of current comics readership.
This book features two superb craftsmen returning to the title where they earned their reputations 30 years ago. Think of O'Neal and Adams reuniting on Batman, or Claremont and Byrne going back to the X-Men. Anticipation warms the heart and gets the blood pumping. You know it will never be as good as you remember, but certainly it'll be much better than most of what's offered on the bookshelf today. Unfortunately, that didn't prove to be the case, and sadder still, it could easily have been otherwise.
The work starts off strong, with Moench's taut pacing and spot-on dialogue, and Gulacy's strong storytelling steering your eye, and then it veers terribly off-course. The introduction of Morgan Spetz and his Omega team of over-muscled/under-dressed WWF cast-offs jars the book from "realistic" spy thriller to virtual parody. The Spetz subplot seems completely forced and doesn't ring at all true to the rest of the piece, even as a failed attempt at comic relief. It's like Moench submitted his original script to Marvel and the editors convinced him he needed these steroid-popping oafs to attract the 12-year-olds (who shouldn't be reading this "Mature Audience" title in the first place). Their inclusion slows the pace to a crawl and dumbs-down the plot, leaving the reader with a sour aftertaste of disappointment and frustration at a glorious storytelling opportunity lost.
Unlike the original source material that still resonates in the minds of collectors 30 years later, this current offering is cranial candyfloss, empty intellectual calories that will have completely faded from your memory before your next meal.
It's a good Saturday afternoon read, but unlikely a book you'll ever pick up again.
Good Action Book.......2003-09-04
After deciding to live in peace following a violent lifestyle, Shang-Chi must now return to action to stop evil. MI-6 has learned of a new underworld mastermind who brainwashes assassins to do his will, and Shang-Chi is the only one who can stop him if he gets his hands on a powerful weapon that can destroy the world. Chi must reunite with old team members and face old relationships before the final confrontation with his powerful adversary.
Classic Shang-Chi creators Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy return in this new action, spy thriller. The typical 'evil genius who wants to rule the world' spy theme is evident here as James Bond, espionage, and kung-fu fans should feel right at home. Moench's fairly generic spy plot isn't exactly innovative or deep, but it is a good fit for this action story and Paul Gulacy's great artwork. Gulacy's pencils and Palmiotti's inks clearly convey all of the many action scenes as well as the overall characters. Paul Mounts' dark but vibrant colors also do a good job of matching with the story.
Comic readers searching for a good, action based comic in a market filled with many dialogue heavy titles should look no further than "Shang-Chi: Master of Kung-Fu."
NOTE: This is a Marvel MAX book and is suggested for older readers due to language and violence/gore (a comic book equivalent to an R-rated movie).
You really can't go home again.......2003-07-06
When I became a certified comics fan in the late 70s, there were two comics outside of the "mainstream" superhero fare that I loved. One was Howard the Duck, a satirical comic about politics and society. The other was a comic about family, albeit one in which the father was the ultimate evil and the son had been raised to be the perfect assassin, who then rebelled against his father. Of course, Master of Kung Fu also had the big action sequences as well as secret service intrigue as well, but I suspect it was that idea of the son not exactly wanting to follow in his father's footsteps that a psychiatrist would have a field day with if I ever found myself on the couch.
Marvel's recent successes on the movie screen along with the burgeoning market for graphic novels has them looking to the past for their future. They also, obviously, believe that since the audience that grew up on these comics are older, that such audience also wants their return to be "mature" as well, and to that end Marvel has a new line of comics called "MAX" to distinguish comics with "mature" themes. I've only read two of the MAX titles--the original creators returning to my favorite books, Howard the Duck and Master of Kung Fu, and I'm starting to think ol' Tom Wolfe was right, and you can't go home again.
It's not that Master of Kung Fu (subtitled "The Hellfire Apocalypse") isn't well done. Moench and Gulacy are a wonderful team and the intervening years have not diminished their ability to portray in flat panels the fluidity and excitement of a martial arts epic. But something is missing, and I think it's the cliffhangers and surprise of the monthly comic. Collected together in this graphic novel, the monthly wait to see just how Shang-Chi, Weiko Lu, Clive Reston and Black Jack Tarr were going to get out of this dire calamity is gone. But even then, it wasn't that cast, nor Fu Manchu, that drew me to the comic, but the ancilliary ideas, just as it isn't James Bond or Blofield that brings you back to 007, but the gadgets. "The Hellfire Apocalypse," although it tries hard, is warmed over kung fu--there's nothing in this book that we haven't seen time and time again since Moench and Gulacy took their leave of us 20 years ago.
It makes me wary to re-read any of those 1970s/1980s originals, to see if my memory has failed me and that those comics weren't as great as I remember.
Book Description
The first work in David Gerrold's Star Wolf trilogy, this tale pits the human members of the Star Wolf space vessel against the superhuman Morthan crew. Captain Jonathan Korie, hampered by the loss of most of the human fleet to the Morthans and a nearly disabled ship of his own, faces the Morthan threat driven by the need for survival and the desire for revenge. A classic of military science fiction, the Star Wolf trilogy combines rapid action with powerful studies of military character. This replaces 0553264664.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing to see here.......2007-03-14
I was inspired by Gerrold's work in the SF TV industry to check out this book with my book club here in the Pacific Northwest, but though we all enjoy the guilty pleasure of Star Trek, this book wasn't worth the read. We found it lacked strength in characterization, believability in character motivations, and especially did not suspend our disbelief with the plot line. The main villain is a superhuman cannibal (tired) named Cinnabun, or something, that melodramatically sneers every line. The plot just doesn't cut it with everyone unfairly blaming the crew of the last surviving starship in a space massacre for something ridiculous. The book is a fast read, thankfully, but unsatisfying. Maybe we'll try his much ballyhoo'd Chtorr series.
You didn't fill out your reports!.......2004-10-16
The logic in this story is odd, and unintentionally funny. Here is an example. Early on the ship is disabled, computer inoperative, captain in a coma and dying, no star drive, and stuck in enemy territory. The first officers dilemma? Can he assume command because the computer isn't online to validate it. So, in this world it doesn't matter that the situation is dire or not...you must fill out the proper paperwork! What makes it even odder is how this "dilemma" is handled later.
The transitions between chapters is a bit abrupt and doesn't flow either. In one chapter the main character is combative and depressed. Next chapter he is organizing a party.
Another problem is that the main character is never described. That is, we don't know if he is black, white, red, or pink. Is he short, tall, human, or squid? The author goes into boring detail on what the ship looks like but nothing on the main character.
Of course there is another problem; the characters are all cardboard and have the typical cliché's throughout the story but no depth.
The main problem though is that the story is three acts and only one act really matters. The first act just drags on and the second act adds to the silly concepts of the first. The final act isn't too bad, and hence this reviewer gives the story 2 stars instead of one.
I wouldn't say it's not worth reading, but don't expect must entertainment value.
Good, Hard SF.......2004-02-21
This is the way Star Trek the Next Generation should have been written. David Gerrold cuts thru the New Age, wimpy crap that plagues the modern TV series and delivers a book that gives the hard edge a star ship needs on the frontier where the bad guys would rather eat you than talk.
The book opens with the LS-1187 joining a convoy on the Silk Road. Only as soon as they join the ships, the Morthan Solidarity attacks and rips the heart out of the fleet. Commander Korie has mortally wounded captain, an untested crew and a severely damaged ship. On top of that he has the biggest warship in a 100 parsecs stalking him - the Dragon Lord. He performs the near impossible and brings his ship home, only to be sent out again (this time under Captain Hardesty) on a suicide mission.
A great story and fast read.
Takes Star Trek style story to the next level.......2001-10-01
For those of you who don't know, Gerrold is the unoffical co creator of Star Trek The Next Generation. After reading this novel it made me think of how much better the characters might have been had he been writing the Next Generation TV show. All of the characters in this novel take the Star Trek theme to a more realistic level.
A great "star-trek" style novel !!!.......1999-10-03
Gerrold is a master story-teller,this book is great example of "space opera" science-fiction. The story is about a young first officer on is last voyage before taking command of his ship,the book also speaks about the first days of a terrible war,and the struggle of a crew and his captain to engage and destroy an enemy vessel in order to gain a name for their ship. If you like true sci-fi stories and well-built characters you must read this book. Well done David,we hope to read more about Korie and his crew.
Average customer rating:
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VOYAGE OF THE STAR WOLF
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000H269TM |
Book Description
In the long war with the Palatine Empire, the pride of the Terran space fleet are its sister starships, the U.S.S. Merrimack and the U.S.S. Monitor. Now that the Palatine forces have secretly captured the Monitor and its codes, they can remotely seize control of the Merrimack-leaving her almost helpless. But as both sides struggle for supremacy, they are about to be attacked by an alien life-form-the Hive, a biological force with only one imperative: to seek and devour.
Customer Reviews:
Great punchy sci-fi sequal.......2007-05-03
This is a great, fast paced sci-fi book that carries all the best elements of a great story: Great plot, great characterization, a fast-easy-stylish punchy prose or writing style that makes it delicious to chew on. There are also a couple surprise plot twists and turns that are like a knock out punch coming out of the dark. Very fun. This book isnt quite as good as the first in the series, so my actual rating is a 4 to 4.5, but it is still great and a great component of this fabulous series.
*Read this book if you like action-adventure sci-fi with intriguing plot! Great series. Cant wait for the 3rd book coming in 11/07
Broken English throughout Wolf Star.......2007-04-19
I wonder if it's some kind of statement of style or whether the copy editor was absent or negligent, but the broken English and fragmented sentences throughout this novel greatly diminish its value. Author Meluch omits the sentence subject on page after page, paragraph after paragraph. While this might be overlooked in a work of fan fiction or a new writer's work, here it's very much out of place. Take a look and see what I mean:
From Chapter 33:
"After a slow, agonizing while, sounds of weapons fire diminished within the ship. Did not mean the enemy was on the run. You still heard enough scritching. Meant the gorgons were overwhelming the computer controls."
In one scene near the story's end, she even has Caesar, leader of the new Roman star empire, speaking in this manner. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I prefer reading complete sentences. This book severely lacks them and suffers for it.
Still a good read.......2007-04-09
I started reading this book with mixed feelings, having seen the reviews here about it. Some people felt betrayed by the ending in the first book, and almost had to fight to read the second book. Some only read the second book because they had already purchased it.
I liked this book very much. The way she shows just how completely history can be changed, from the global, epic scale of events down to the insignificant minutae of someone's life - it was almost awe inspiring to follow, remembering from the first book how it had been previously, and seeing what she wrote now.
I agree that some of the characters don't seem as "lovable" in the second book, but then again that was part of the whole point I believe. What happens to us makes us who we are, and if something had happened differently, we would be colored differently by those incidents. She does a great job of weaving this new reality into being. I can't wait to see where she goes with the next book in the series.
Excellent.......2007-01-19
I have always considered Rebecca Meluch to be one of the very best science fiction writers working today. I cannot understand why she has not received more acclaim. Wolf Star continues the series begun in The Myriad. At the end of the first book, an escape through a wormhole and back into the past slightly reset the current Universe. The Hive, the main enemy through the main section of The Myriad, seemed not to exist, and the Roman Empire was America's greatest enemy. In this book, the Hive re-appears, and it becomes apparent that the backstory of The Myriad is, with slight changes, the story of Wolf Star. As usual, Rebecca Meluch's characters are larger than life, well drawn, interesting, each with his own unique personality.
The plot is engaging, though I am not sure why she chose to write these books in what is essentially reverse order, the end of this book being the beginning of the last. Since we already have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen, a good deal of suspense is lost. Nevertheless, the details are exciting, the action engrossing and the characters sympathetic. A terrific story, and I'm looking forward to the next.
Wolf Star will not disappoint!.......2007-01-16
With the twist at the end of The Myriad, Meluch in essence, if not in reality, sends Merrimack back in time, so we have the opportunity to see a version of what transpired up to the point at which we meet the crew of the Merrimack at the start of The Myriad. All of the characters are back in Wolf Star, some with amended roles, and the story covers a first encounter with The Hive, gives a taste of war and competition with Palatine, and illustrates how the truce between Palatine and Earth may have come about and how Augustus ends up on Merrimack.
Just when I was beginning to think no other character could come close to the perfections of Niki Thea and David Tow, in barges TR Steele to demand consideration. He may not be refined, but I just can't shake him - I hope he'll be with us for the duration of this series. The character of John Farragut is expanded in this installment, and as others have noted, it would be nice to continue his interaction with Augustus in the coming books.
Obviously there is much more adventure awaiting the crew of the Merrimack - the more, the better, if you ask me. The wait for Book #3 is going to be agonizing. I'm going to have to go back and re-read all of her others to stave off the withdrawal symptoms...
Average customer rating:
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The Voyage of the Star Wolf
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000I16TR4 |
Average customer rating:
- Baking
- Very useful and clear work
- Easy text book style reading
- A "must" for everyone who bakes!!!!
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How Baking Works: Exploring the Fundamentals of Baking Science
Paula I. Figoni
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Bread
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
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General
| Baking
| Cooking, Food & Wine
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| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
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Cooking, Food & Wine
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| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
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ASIN: 0471268569 |
Book Description
Accessible coverage of the science of baking
Underlying the artistic considerations involved in baking is science, and no other text offers as in-depth coverage of the "whys" of baking as How Baking Works. By helping bakers and pastry chefs better understand the major ingredient groups and reactions ingredients undergo during basic baking techniques, this insightful book is an essential key to mastering skills, effectively adapting to today's quickly evolving trends, and understanding a wide array of ingredients from different cultures.
In a clear, easy-to-understand format, How Baking Works explains how sweeteners, fats, leavening agents, and other ingredients work, as well as how to apply scientific knowledge to answer such questions as: By doubling the sugar in a pound cake, how does that affect the appearance, flavor, and texture of the end product? Each chapter concludes with helpful review exercises and lab experiments, making this book an engaging learning tool.
Complete with dozens of informative illustrations, How Baking Works is a versatile instructional book for students in culinary and baking programs and professional bakers and pastry chefs.
Customer Reviews:
Baking.......2007-08-29
This book is great. We use it in my culinary arts course in college.
Very useful and clear work.......2004-11-25
Like most young people who bake today at home, I did not grow up learning from my mother or grandmother what happened when I added more flour or orange juice to a cake recipe. Without this knowledge, changes to recipes produce difficult-to-predict results. Though Ms. Figoni writes more for the professional pastry chef, her clear explanations of the chemistry of baking should enlighten the home baker as well.
I have used this book recently as I have tried to modify my American recipes while living in France. Before coming to France, I always followed my recipes exactly with pleasing results, but that is impossible in a different country, as various products are not always available. While for my regular cooking, this has rarely proved to be a problem, in pastries and breads, there is a complicated chemistry (particularly with products that rise) which can simply fail. Ms. Figoni's book has proven to be extremely useful in trying to deal with differently milled flour, finding baking powder (knowing the chemical composition helped), and understanding substitutions of ingredients. More importantly, reading the book has given me a more profound understanding of baking, allowing me to improve recipes systematically rather than rather at random.
Easy text book style reading.......2004-10-07
This book is more like a text book with the questions at the end of each chapter and experiments to try. I got this book to actually learn from it and try and avoid the high cost of culinary school. I read each chapter, answered the questions and did the experiments. The book is a great way to go if you really want to learn about what goes into baking great tasting breads and pastries.
A "must" for everyone who bakes!!!!.......2003-12-27
Truly a scientific vision on everything that you ever need to know about baking. The information covered in each chapter are essential knowledge for everyone, whether an experienced bake or someone who is just getting started. I have been baking for many years, but after reading this book, everything seems to make a lot more sense to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in baking whether professionally or just for fun.....
Books:
- The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle (Chocoholic Mysteries)
- The Coffin Dancer (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel)
- The Deadly Dance (Agatha Raisin Mysteries)
- The Deeds of the Disturber (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)
- The Ghostway
- The Godwulf Manuscript
- The Good Girl's Guide to Murder: A Debutante Dropout Mystery
- The Killing Hour
- The Killing Room
- The Mercy Rule
Books Index
Books Home
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- Cat Among the Pigeons
- St. Petersburg: The Hidden Interiors
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- Returning as Shadows
The Chapel of Bones (Knights Templar series)
A Friar's Bloodfeud (Knights Templar series)
Death Ship of Dartmouth (Knights Templar series)
The Tolls of Death (Knights Templar series)
The Outlaws of Ennor (Knights Templar series)
