The Riddle of the Traveling Skull

Average customer rating:

The Riddle of Harry Stephen Keeler

The Riddle of the Traveling Skull
Harry Stephen Keeler
Manufacturer: McSweeney's
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Lady into Fox (Collins Library)

To Ruhleben -- And Back (Collins Library)

The Case Of The 16 Beans

Icelander

The Facts of Winter

ASIN: 1932416269

Book Description

The Collins Library is proud to present the triumphant return of Harry Stephen Keeler — to some, an overlooked genius; to others, the Ed Wood of detective fiction. The Riddle of the Traveling Skull is perhaps his best-loved work. The adventure begins when a poem and a mysterious handbag lead a man to the grave of Legga, the Human Spider — and things just get stranger from there.

Customer Reviews:

The Riddle of Harry Stephen Keeler.......2006-09-13

I wish I could give this book a simultaneous review of 5 and -5 stars. For those of you that don't know, Harry Stephen Keeler is considered by many to be the Ed Wood of mystery novelists. This book is classic Keeler, and if you're interested in this long forgotten and overlooked mystery author, this is the best and easiest place to start. (Almost all of Keeler's over 50(!) novels, remain out of print.) Keeler is weird and wildy creative, and maniacally strange. The characters include: Legga the Human Spider, Ichabod Chang, "Suing" Sophie Kratzenschneiderwumpel, and the Chinaman's skull. The plot is so confusing, convoluted, and filled with coincidences, that you will have no idea who the culprit is until the last sentence of the last paragraph of the last page! This is definitely NOT Agatha Christie or Raymond Chandler.
But it's all the better because of it's flaws and eccentricities. This is a classic of what some would call "Trash" literature, and this is the best "trash lit" you're ever going to find. Plus McSweeneys has done such a great job reprinting this book, and keeping it affordable. (Hence the 5 Stars!)

Average customer rating:

The Riddle of the Traveling Skull

Manufacturer: Ramble House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000G1JDU6

Average customer rating:

The Riddle of the Traveling Skull
Harry Stephen Keeler
Manufacturer: Triangle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RTBTMW

Average customer rating:

The Riddle of the Traveling Skull

Manufacturer: Triangle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000BRYNJG

Book Description

Heart has to find a safe haven for her beloved unicorns. With Lord Dunraven looking for them -- and Heart's friends aware that helping her will bring Dunraven's anger -- she has nowhere to turn. If only she knew where her family was -- or who they were. In a mysterious bundle of paper in Dunraven's castle Heart finds a drawing that looks like the design on her baby blanket. The paper is covered with tiny symbols. If she can find out what they mean will they unlock the secrets of the dreams that have been haunting her?

Book Description

Unicorns roam the uplands of Libby Quarrels' mountain ranch. When Libby takes the AIDS-afflicted Bo Gavin out of exile in Atlanta to live with her in Colorado, she sees no connection between his disease and the fantastic secret she guards. But it so happens the unicorns suffer from an ugly, implacable plague of their own, and the parallel world that touches the high country has unleashed magic sinister as well as marvelous. While Libby's Indian ranch hand Sam is stalked by his wife's headless ghost, his estranged daughter has visions that propel her toward the grueling Sun Dance ritual, where an encounter with the spirit world may decide the fate of both the unicorns and the people whose lives they've touched.

Download Description

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly enjoyable.......2005-06-24

I found Unicorn Mountain to be an enjoyable book, but it wasn't quite what I thought it would be. Part fantasy, part more general fiction, it is a story of life and death and coming together. It's a story of conflicting cultures, of facing fears, and of finding out what really matters.

The cover proclaims Unicorn Mountain to be a fantasy novel, but I'm not sure that's quite it's primary genre. True, there are fantasy elements, namely the unicorns, but they actually play a very small role in the novel. The other elements that could be considered fantasy are actually spiritual elements from the Ute traditions, and I personally would not dream of demeaning their religion by calling it fantasy.

My other problem with calling this a fantasy novel is that I'm not sure which sub-genre I would put it in. It takes place in (relatively) modern times, but it's not an urban fantasy. I don't think that rural fantasy is a sub-genre.

Personally, I think that this would best be classified as simply fiction.

Instead of filling the book with unicorns as I had expected, Bishop uses the mystical creatures to bring his main characters together and to highlight their stories. The unicorns gave them all something to fight for and a reason to stay around each other and learn to accept each other's differences.

Unicorn Mountain was written and set in the mid 1980's, at the beginning of the widespread AIDS epidemic in the United States, and it dealt with that in a surprisingly dignified manner, given the time period in which it was written. I thought that Bishop did an admirable job conveying Bo and the people he interacted with, covering the entire spectrum of reactions. Though it was rather obvious to me that Bo was created for that reason, I still liked the character, because he was far more than just a gay guy with AIDS, which is part of what the book was about.

I did find the bits about people being overly upset by condoms and condom advertising to be amusing, because that was before my time, but it fits in with the timeframe and adds a little extra to the book, even if it does date it a little. In this case, though, I think that dating is good, because it will help people place the attitudes about AIDS and gays in context as well.

The other characters were equally engaging. I particularly liked Paisley/Alma, though I wish that Bishop had spent more time with her, and that I had been able to learn more about the Ute culture and rituals through her. That I think was the one thing that I felt was really lacking element-wise from the book. I didn't feel that Sam and Paisley were developed as well as they could have been, because a lot of the Ute culture was glossed over so that I didn't really learn anything.

Unicorn Mountain surprised me. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought that I would, particularly after I found out how different it was from what I had been anticipating. It was, however, surprisingly enjoyable, and I'm glad that I read it.

Magical Realism.......2002-09-24

I don't usually just unconditionally rave about a book, but this one deserves 5 stars and heaps of praise. The human relationships are drawn so well, the strains of Native American culture still surviving in modern society are sensitively and convincingly depicted, and we get a well-rounded portrait of an AIDS victim drawn when the disease was still somewhat new . . . all these things are wonderful, and that's not even counting the main character and the magical unicorns. Also, the device of the TV broadcasting channels from an alternate dimension -- sounds like a silly convention, but it works, as does just about everything in this marvelous, affirming book. I must find more by this author!

It haunts me still.......2002-06-30

I read this book when it was first published. I only read it once because my copy vanished. Over the years, the book haunted me - but I couldn't remember the name! Then today I thought I'd search for it using "Unicorns" and "Aids" only to find that it's gone out of print! How can that be? It's such a long time since I read the book that I can't honestly remember how well written it was - and Aids was so new in those days - but the unicorns still resonate...

If you want this book try ebay.......2000-09-08

There is a copy of this book for auction on ebay, a great place for out of print books. Amazon has several out of print books in their auctions too.

Y'all left out the Native American love interest..........1999-05-13

I noticed in the other reviews that nobody mentioned the Native American guy the main character forms a love interest with. And I think Bishop did a terrific job describing how a rural vet might react when confronted with a herd of sick unicorns. How do we get a book back into print?

Average customer rating:

Charming, Exceptionally Written, and Surprisingly Sophisticated
Beautiful Book
This is the best book ever written
Hema Chennu Martin middle
Such a good book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heidi (Little Unicorn)

Manufacturer: Unicorn Pub House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0881010790

Amazon.com

Johanna Spyri's classic story of a young orphan sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps is retold in it's entirety in this beautifully bound hardcover edition. Heidi has charmed and intrigued readers since it's original publication in 1880. Much more than a children's story, the narrative is also a lesson on the precarious nature of freedom, a luxury too often taken for granted. Heidi almost loses her liberty as she is ripped away from the tranquility of the mountains to tend to a sick cousin in the city. Happily, all's well that ends well, and the reader is left with only warm, fuzzy thoughts. Spryi's story will never grow wearisome--and this is a very appealing edition. --Naomi Gesinger

Book Description

Orphaned Heidi lives with her gruff but caring grandfather on the side of Swiss mountain, where she befriends young Peter the goat-herd. She leads an idyllic life, until she is forced to leave the mountain she has always known to go and live with a sickly girl in the city. Will Heidi ever see her grandfather again? A classic tale of a young girl's coming-of-age, of friendship, and familial love, Heidi has inspired countless dramatic versions, both on TV and in film, including Shirley Temple's famous 1937 version.

Download Description

Johanna Spyri's classic tale of a young girl sent to live with her grumpy grandfather in the Swiss Alps

Customer Reviews:

Charming, Exceptionally Written, and Surprisingly Sophisticated.......2007-10-06

Modern adaptations tend to reduce HEIDI to the distastefully saccharine--and as such do a tremendous disservice to Swiss author Johanna Spyri, whose original 1880 novel is a surprisingly sophisticated work founded on a solid plot line and including exceptionally well-rounded characters and memorably rendered descriptions of both the Alpine peasantry and the German aristocracy.

When hardnosed Aunt Dete has the opportunity to secure better employment, she wastes little time in unloading five year old and orphaned Heidi on the child's grandfather, a Swiss peasant whose personal tragedies have led him to a life of isolation in the Alps. Heidi quickly penetrates her grandfather's superficial gruffness; he quickly grows to love the child and she in turn becomes a local favorite. Several years later, however, Dete is motivated by guilt to have second thoughts about the child's welfare, and snatches Heidi from the Alps to become the companion of the wealthy but invalid child Klara, who resides in Frankfurt.

Transported to this alien city so abruptly, Heidi pines for both the Alps and her grandfather even as she comes to love Klara. She also upsets the rigidly ordered household, personified by housekeeper by the unpleasant but comical Miss Rottenmeier. When Klara's sensible grandmother suggests Heidi take her problems to God, the child does precisely that, and after several disappointments discovers that her situation is part of a larger plan that will lead to a greater happiness for all concerned.

HEIDI was written at a time when children were expected to be able to read far beyond the scope of that which we expect of modern children. As a result, it is a children's novel written that is indeed a novel in every sense of the word, including length. It is indeed "wholesome," but in the best sense of the word, and although it is not in the least preachy it works through its story to encourage honesty, intergity, kindness, and an uncomplicated religious faith.

Unfortunately, our own age leans toward such children's literature as the poorly written Goosebumps series and sets up "Bratz" doll imagery as appropriate role models. In light of such, it is a bit difficult to imagine children reading HEIDI by their own choice. Nonetheless, it remains a truly charming work--the sort of reading that parents should encourage but sadly seldom do.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

Beautiful Book.......2007-09-15

I received the book fast and in beautiful condition. This book was a gift and could not be made any wonderful. Thank you.

This is the best book ever written.......2007-07-04

This is the most precious story ever written, and the translation is wonderful. I read it several times a year, even though I'm almost 35 years old.

Although Johanna Spyri wrote many stories for children, none of them can even come close to Heidi.

Hema Chennu Martin middle.......2007-03-04

I think that heidi is a great book for kids to read. I say that because it has amazing settings like the mountains and, Frankfurt.There are also interesting characters like Heidi her self, Peter the goat boy, and a girl Heidi meets in Frankfurt. The story is mainly about a girl name Heidi who'es parents died when she was young. From then on Heidi lives with Detie who is her mothers sister. Detie took care of heidi till she was about five. Then she found a great job and had to leave Heidi with her grandfather. Heidies grandfather was a grumpy old man who lived in the mountains with his goats. When he found out that he had to take care of Heidi he got very mad. After a few days of living with heidi he got a lot kinder.when Heidi was living with her grandfather she maid a new friend named Peter. Then th story goes on about how she had so much fun there. Suddenly one day Detie came bake for Heidi. She took her to Frankfurt where Heidi had to live with a rich girl. Even though the girl was rich she could not walk. Heidi was not happy living with the rich girl. Even though she got what ever she wanted. One day the rich girls father came home and noticed that Heidi was sad and sent her back to her grandfather. There was a lot more in the middle of the story but I am not going to get into that much detail. When she returnes to her grandfather she was happy. That is what mostly took place in the story. The main thing in all of this is that the story is GREAT. I think that all kids should read this book.

Such a good book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2006-04-01

This book is very good!When I first heard of it I thought it would be weird,but I was wrong.This book is very delightful and uplifting.It is one of the best books!

The Long Escape (Bound with John Evans-halo for Satan; Sax Rohmer-shadow of Fu Manchu; Arthur W. Upfield-mountains Have a Secret.) (Unicorn Mystery Book Club)

Average customer rating:

The Long Escape (Bound with John Evans-halo for Satan; Sax Rohmer-shadow of Fu Manchu; Arthur W. Upfield-mountains Have a Secret.) (Unicorn Mystery Book Club)
David John Evans; Sax Rohmer; Arthur W. Upfield; Dodge
Manufacturer: Unicorn Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RCAEVG

Product Description

Four in one Mystery Series

Average customer rating:

Riding the Mountains Down (Unicorn)
Bettina Selby
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Travel | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0049100823

Average customer rating:

Uncle Lemon's Spring (Unicorn Book)
Jane Yolen
Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Unicorn Mountain
Michael Bishop
Manufacturer: ARBOR HOUSE + PUBLISHING
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UE5G1O

Average customer rating:

UNICORN MOUNTAIN
Michael Bishop
Manufacturer: Grafton Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000K5OGOQ

Average customer rating:

Unicorn Mountain
Michael Bishop
Manufacturer: Arbor House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K8ERHY

Product Description

Fiction, fantasy

Average customer rating:

There are some good ideas in this book, but Sears' sloppy argumentation is a burden on the reader

helpful

A Must Read

So far it's been very helpful

It's not as complicated as Sears wants you to believe

The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health (Zone (Regan))
Barry Sears
Manufacturer: Collins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Diets | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Healthy | Diets | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Special Conditions | Diets & Weight Loss | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Omega Rx Zone: The Miracle of the New High-Dose Fish Oil

Zone Meals in Seconds: 150 Fast and Delicious Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Zone (Regan))

What to Eat in the Zone: The Quick & Easy, Mix & Match Counter for Staying in the Zone

The Zone: A Dietary Road Map to Lose Weight Permanently : Reset Your Genetic Code : Prevent Disease : Achieve Maximum Physical Performance

A Week in the Zone: A Quick Course in the Healthiest Diet for You

Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0060834145

Book Description

Combat silent inflammation -- the most serious health threat you never heard of

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans.
Cancer is the #1 fear of Americans.
Dementia is the #1 concern of Americans.

What do these devastating illnesses have in common? All three have been linked to silent inflammation, a condition that occurs when the body's natural immune response goes awry. Silent inflammation attacks the heart, arteries, and even the brain -- and you will not even know it. Obesity is the primary cause of silent inflammation and excess body fat is causing today's epidemic rise in countless health threats.

Now Dr. Barry Sears shows you how to combat silent inflammation in this comprehensive guide. His research shows that following the Zone dietary plan, including supplements of ultrarefined fish oil concentrates, is the best way to ensure the future of your health. You can reduce your risk of each disease and condition, or reverse silent inflammation if you have it already -- in only thirty days. The Anti-Inflammation Zone includes a week of Zone meals, exercises that you can do at home, and tools and tests for determining your level of silent inflammation. Follow this plan and enjoy these benefits:

Better health
Greater longevity
Reduced symptoms of chronic diseases
Improved emotional control
Greater mental acuity
Improved physical performance

Download Description

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The ZoneTM, comes a groundbreaking look at how inflammation is the silent source of almost all disease - and how to stop it using the Zone dietary plan and fish oil supplements. The Anti-Inflammation Diet provides convincing evidence that shows the deleterious effects of long-term inflammation-and specific plans to combat it. Whatever your health concern, you'll learn that we are only now beginning to understand the mechanisms that make us sick. And most important, you'll have a clear blueprint toward health that starts with the Zone.

Customer Reviews:

There are some good ideas in this book, but Sears' sloppy argumentation is a burden on the reader.......2007-08-29

My chiropractor gave me this book to read after I complained that working out wasn't ceasing my back spasms. He wanted me to start a core workout program rather than continue with a bodybuilding workout program (after a month, the former has greatly reduced my back pain and increased strength in my back and legs), and he also thought I wasn't eating right. I began the core program immediately and started reading Dr. Sears' book, initially in earnest.

I don't think Dr. Sears is wrong about the significance of all kinds of inflammation as well as the health benefits of taking purified, high-dose fish oil. Like a good theorist, he compiles the work of many, many previous researchers and concludes an untested theory that truly deserves a massive study to confirm Sears' contentions. All of that is fine.

But I now understand why my doctor gave me the book while mentioning some reservations about its content. First and foremost, this is probably the most repetitive book I have ever read. In fact, I did not read every word, or even every chapter. I felt insulted when I would read the same ideas in every chapter, often the same sentences and phrasing. The exercise section is pathetic and possibly dangerous if you have a bad back. Don't bother reading it. The week's worth of meals is also weak, yet the exercise and meal sections together total 100 pages. Notes and appendices comprise another 100 pages. Discounting those sections, Sears leaves only 200 pages to explain what his book is about. And he's not going to make it pleasant. What's funny about repetition in a book is that it actually confuses the reader, because each time a concept is repeated, something new is added to it so that it becomes foreign again. Sears truly needs an editor.

That being said, the essence of his ideas is interesting, but I imagine there are not more than 100 pages of text worth reading here. In a nutshell, Sears believes you should take high-dose fish oil (make sure it's pure, like Eskimo-3, or a similarly reputable brand); avoid grains, rice, and pasta; eat small portions of protein at most meals; eat fruits and veggies; avoid sugar and juices; and avoid egg yolks, butter, vegetable oil, and a few other "bad" oils. That's it. Now if you really want to know why you should eat this way for the rest of your life, you'll have to read his book. Although it takes him a few hundred pages to get it out, the reasons for this diet and for taking fish oil are in there.

helpful.......2007-05-12

I've been on the Zone diet for over ten and a half years and now I want to help other people with the Zone diet. Dr. Sears' book was helpful along with his other books. I decided to double the amount of fish oil I take after reading this book. The Zone diet in general has been a great diet for me. My health and energy have improved greatly over the past ten years. I have lost over thirty pounds. The exercise portion was new. I don't watch TV much so exercising during my favorite TV program isn't quite my style, but it's an interesting idea and may work for a lot of people.

A Must Read.......2007-04-01

This book changed my eating habits for ever and I thought I already had good eating habits! For the first time in my life, I no longer have feelings of hypoglicemia and I lost, slowly but surely, 11lbs in 3 months, without feeling hungry. This is more a way of eating long-term than a diet. I started running at about the same time I bought this book, I am currently training for a half marathon and I find this way of eating very compatible with an active lifestyle. Since I do not eat meat, I also bought the Soy Zone.

So far it's been very helpful.......2006-11-03

I listened to the audiobook and the next day I started with the zone diet and the extra-refined fish oil, after 2 weeks I definitely feel better. I would really recommend this to others.

It's not as complicated as Sears wants you to believe.......2006-08-14

Sears wants you to think he has come up with a complicated system which he calls The Zone.

In reality, all you need is to eat naturally, like our ancestors did thousands of years ago. Eat greens, vegetables, berries, fruit, mushrooms, nuts. Eat lean meat (our ancestors hunted for healthy, lean animals). Eat egg whites, but avoid yolks. Most of the modern contaminants stick to fat molecules, and yolks are mostly fat. Plus it's the wrong type of fat, as chickens are not fed properly. Eat wild fish (but not too often; don't forget about pollutants).

That's it. Forget grains (and everything made from them). Forget potatoes and hard beans, soda and juices. Forget vegetable oils. All that junk is completely unnatural for humans to eat; our ancestors couldn't imagine that was edible. And that's why we have diseases that they didn't have.

Forget milk. Milk is only good for babies under 3 years old. Studies show that milk (and even yogurt) causes hyperinsulinemia (insulin "spikes" that lead to diabetes etc.) in adults.

Yes, his advice to take fish oil is great. Farm-raised animals are fed with junk food; consequently, they lack certain fatty acids that are vital for our health. Fish oil is a convenient way of restoring the balance. But Sears' fish oil is not the purest and cheapest on the market.

I'm a physiologist, and I've helped a number of people to change their eating habits. Those people have gotten rid of many problems, like obesity, allergies, asthma, arthritis, and excessive fatigue. And they don't complain that the food is not delicious enough. They learned to use their imagination a little bit and combine various healthy foods to create their nice and simple "recipes", and realized they enjoy their food even more than before.

La Inflamacion Silenciosa/ the Anti-inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health

Average customer rating:

La Inflamacion Silenciosa/ the Anti-inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health
Barry Sears
Manufacturer: Ediciones Urano
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Nutrition | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Alternative Medicine | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Nutrición | Salud, mente y cuerpo | Libros en español | Formats | Books
ASIN: 8479536365

The Anti-Inflammation Zone CD: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health

Average customer rating:

The Anti-Inflammation Zone CD: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health
Barry; Barry, Sears Sears
Manufacturer: HarperAudio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF13IE

The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health

Average customer rating:

The Anti-Inflammation Zone: Reversing the Silent Epidemic That's Destroying Our Health
Barry Sears
Manufacturer: HarperAudio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OF10TG

Book Description

A unique reference/guide to classic and regional Italian cuisine for travelers and serious cooks. The first part describes hundreds of authentic dishes, which are listed alphabetically by course. Contains recipe summaries for quick comprehension. The second part consists of an Italian/English culinary dictionary alphabetically listing hundreds of entries along with pronunciations and concise definitions. Covers cooking terms and techniques, ingredients, pastas, regions and regional specialties, wines and liqueurs.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books