The Lost Colony (Artemis Fowl, Book 5)

Book Description

Ten thousand years ago, humans and fairies fought a great battle for the magical island of Ireland. When it became clear to the fairy families that they could never win, they decided to move their civilization underground and keep themselves hidden from the humans. All the fairy families agreed on this, except the eighth family, the demons. The demons planned to lift their small island out of time until they had regrouped and were ready to wage war on the humans once more. However, the time spell went wrong, and the island of Hybras was catapulted into Limbo, where it has remained for ten thousand years. Now the tainted time spell is deteriorating and demons are being sucked back into the present space and time. The fairy council is concerned about this and is monitoring any materializations. But when the spells deterioration accelerates, the materializations become unpredictable. Even the fairy scientists cannot figure out where the next demon will pop up. But someone can. Artemis Fowl, teenage criminal mastermind, has solved temporal equations that no normal human should be intelligent enough to understand. So when a confused and frightened demon pops up in a Sicilian theater, Artemis Fowl is there to meet him. Unfortunately, he is not the only one. A second, mysterious party has also solved the temporal equations, and has managed to abduct the demon before Artemis can secure him. Once again, Artemis will have to pair up with his old comrade, Captain Holly Short, to track down the missing demon and rescue him, before the time spell dissolves completely and the lost demon colony returns violently to Earth.

Customer Reviews:

amazing book.......2007-10-17

i started reading the series in elementary school, and i have every book. this is definitely the best book of the series so far.

Positively Brilliant.......2007-10-07

Out of the entire Artemis Fowl series, this is easily my third or second favorite!
Well, assuming you've read the title to my review and assuming you've acknowledged this first sentence, you must realize just how great I believe this series is.
For starters, the concept in itself is brilliant. The stories are centered around the main character Artemis Fowl, a young (once evil) genius slowly growing a concience (I greatly apologize to everyone for spelling that last word wrong.) His partner is the young boy's bodygaurd, Butler, and his only real friend at first. He soon discovers a fairy civilization living beneath the surface of the earth where he makes friends with Holly Short, the newly annionted member of sector eight, Mulch Diggums, dirt eater extaordinare, and Foaly, the genius with four legs and a serious case of paranioa. Toghether they team up in order to save an entire species from extinction while preventing war between the human world and theirs.
Eoin Colfer knows exactly what he is doing. The Lost Colony, although a little monotonous at first, quickly became a fast paced nail biting ride in which he flawlessly combines magic and science into one great story. In fact, I only have a few complaints. First, the beginning was a little boring. Second, the ending surprise (in which Artemis finds out he is a big brother) is unecissary and did not particularly arouse curiosity for the next book. Still, these are negligible compared to the wonderful writing Colfer has done. Great job, 4.8 stars.

Another enjoyable Artemis adventure.......2007-09-26

I found certain aspects somewhat predictable, but it's nice that Artemis has met another genius to contend with. Can't wait for the next one!

The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer.......2007-09-10

As usual Eoin Colfer takes us into the world of the Elves with our No1 criminal Artemis Fowl.But is the young lady who appears in this book to be his nemesis or love interest.You wont find out till the end.

Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony.......2007-08-31

I enjoyed this book as much as the other books. I couldn't put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone to read.

Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry

Average customer rating:

Born in Blood - is there any name more suitable?
Following a trail
GREAT
A Fascinating Read, But.....
A most plausible view of history

Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry
John J. Robinson
Manufacturer: M. Evans and Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0871316021

Book Description

Lively...illuminating. A refreshing example of scholarly detective work.--Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews:

Born in Blood - is there any name more suitable?.......2007-10-17

First off - there is a wealth of information here for anyone searching for answers about The Knights Templar. Before reading this book I read "The Knights Templar: The History and Myths of the Legendary Military Order" by Sean Martin. This was a good starting point and a factual book that you can reference to time and time again.

Regarding Born in Blood - I learned a great deal about the Templar's, but also of King Philip of France, Pope Clement V, the Church, different kingdoms and their deceitful way of handling certain matters. If you were a man of power at that time, it seems there were so many factors to take into consideration. Everywhere you looked - someone had intentions of taking over a throne/kingdom (making malicious power plays) etc. There was a never-ending story of people in high places looking to conspire, and scheme against their enemies (and their friends) to achieve specific goals at ANY cost. But, what's great about this book is that the author is very easy to follow, hence, you see these evil plots unravel right before your eyes. NOTE: something can be learned (in a business sense & life in general) from reading these malevolent schemes, for "History always repeats itself".

I found many fascinating facts in this novel like the Papacy's voracious thirst for money, land, political connections, and above all POWER. I have come to realize the Church (just like any other organization) has had their fair share of a dirty past riddled with bodies, and covered in bloodshed. On more than one occasion, you had 2 popes ruling in the same timeframe with both popes conspiring to cause the downfall of the other. I never knew the church had this kind of history...I will definitely be reading more about the ancient "evil papacy" in the months to come.

Then we cover the 2nd part of the book about the Freemasons, their origin, and their behind the scenes life right up to where the book touches on modern day Freemasonry. John J. makes a very believable argument that the Templar organization (so rich, powerful, and politically connected) could reach the goal of: escaping persecution, set forth underground, start a new association and survive for centuries to come. You also read about the "cover-up origin" of Freemasonry and their machinations behind it all. You see their early dealings, and how they came to light. There is also some discussion of a few famous figures of America's early history as well.

Through the trials, and tribulations of this book, you realize that the desire for MORE money and MORE power can never be harnessed. There is NEVER enough for figures of authority, and it is virtually their undoing. I think John J. Robinson is a good author with a very clear writing style. He makes the book enjoyable, and I think he made a very good connection between the 2 organizations (he has made me a believer). This book has also made me very interested in the medieval era. I plan on purchasing a few more books based on the same time period.

Following a trail.......2007-06-27

Scholars doing research on a subject often uncover information the leads to a different path. Most scholars will ignore that information to finish the work they started, but other scholars follow that path to see where it leads. Thus it was for John Robinson, the author of "Born In Blood".
Mr. Robinson doing research about the Peasants' Revolt in England in 1381 uncovered information about the Knights Templar and subsequently their connection with the Freemasons.
Mr. Robinson, who is not a Freemason, took the information he gathered and presented it in a well written book. The facts uncovered and the conclusions reached will get both Masons and non-masons to look at the world's oldest and largest fraternity in a new, more positive, light.

GREAT.......2007-04-10

I am pleased to read another book that is not set to trash history makers but instead to make some sense out of the ignorance of many for the benefit of a true free society.

A Fascinating Read, But............2007-03-18

I have read and re-read this work a couple of times. Robinson writes a fascinating account of the Knights Templar and what may have happened to them after the Order was suppressed. As has been noted in most of the previous reviews, the author writes a good story. My gripe with it, and I say this both as a Master Mason and also as one who majored in History and minored in Bio Sciences in college, where are the footnotes? The references, the research notes to back up his statements? Without this supporting evidence that can be checked by other researchers, the work borders on being largely just speculation. I realize that much of the history of Freemasonry was never written down, and thus opens it up to a lot of speculation about its possible origins. A more recent work, The Secret History of Freemasonry, may actually be closer to the truth of the matter in that the Templars were patrons and financial backers of much of the great cathedrals and fortifications built during the two hundred years of their existence. And thus they would have had extensive connections to the operative masons who built these structures, and some of the refugee knights might have sought refuge within the stone mason guilds. Paul Naudon, the author of this work, backs up his work with numerous references -- something that unfortunately Robinson, now deceased, failed to do. So enjoy Born in Blood, but take it with a grain of salt.

A most plausible view of history.......2007-02-11

Maosn's, of which I am one, have an enigmatic past. In 1717 the United Grand Lodges of England (UGLE) suddenly appeared. Yet Masonic Lodges had existed for a long time. Why go so public that year?

John Robbinson set out to answer a simple question. How could the English Peasant's Revolt of 1318 been so well coordinated and executed in an era parish laws, illiteracy, and servitude? It took him, quite by chance from that revolt to Freemasonry. This book is well researched and well thought out. What he does, and what I find most fascinating, is to use the language of the Knights Templar- French, to support his thesis. Certain words recording in the reports of the uprising are generally ignored because when thought of as English, had no meaning.

His conclusion is fascinating and in a much better class historical writing than Holy Blood Holy Grail. A good read. It could serve as outline for a great epic movie.

While I do not subsribe to the Templar - Masonic School of origins, I do believe that he is correct on the Templar-Peasant Revolt connection.
(I prefer the enlightment - civil society school of thought: see books by Margaret Jacobs Ph.D) .

Average customer rating:

One of the better military science fiction reads.
Good Easy Read
Disappointing
Outstanding Space Opera
EXCELLENT SPACE ADVENTURE

Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Book 1)
Jack Campbell
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0441014186

Book Description

The Alliance has been fighting the Syndic for a century-and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is Captain John "Black Jack" Geary-a man who's emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief. Now, he must live up to his own legend.

Customer Reviews:

One of the better military science fiction reads........2007-10-02

The book starts out with Captain 'Blackjack' Geary being handed command over the Alliance fleet as the fleet commanders leave to discuss terms of surrender with the Syndic fleet. You soon discover that Geary was found en route to the battle scene in an emergency escape pod and revived. He had been frozen for nearly a century. His captaincy was granted posthumously as the Alliance believed he was dead. He had become a legend in the Alliance for his courageous stand against the first Syndic attack and now was a living legend among them. The Alliance-Syndic war was still being waged from that original battle. Losses of command personel were so severe over the intervening years that battle strategies and tactics were mostly lost and battles consisted mostly of charge the enemy until destroyed. The surrender negotiations were a deception in which the fleet commanders were slaughtered. Captain Geary's first mission is to try and rescue the fleet as surrender terms are too grim to accept. For the rest of the book Captain 'Blackjack' Geary must deal with the misconceptions of his legendary figure and try to keep the fleet alive as well as together.
It was hard to put the book down once I started reading it. There is so much poor science fiction out there that you read a page or two and put the book away that its refreshing to find one that is such and easy and enjoyable read. Its certainly not in a class with Frank Herbert's Dune series or Gene Wolfe's Long Sun series but its a good read.

Good Easy Read.......2007-09-18

Good Easy Read with mostly action and no lovey dovey scenes that feel awkward in sci fi books. If you like this, try Scalzi. Internal monologue of the main character might be a little unconventional and weird but it works in this book. Will read the sequel.

Disappointing.......2007-09-13

The book was fine. It sounded a lot more interesting than it was. The story is not compelling, but it is reasonably well-written and the characters are not completely shallow. I probably won't buy the next books in the series unless I am totally desperate. I simply see no reason to. Will the Lost Fleet get home? Of course. So what's the point of reading the other books?

Outstanding Space Opera.......2007-09-06

Very much in line with David Weber's works, this is excellent space opera. Black Jack Geary is a likeable and interesting character. Sometimes the characters are a little cardboard or one-dimensional, but overall this is good, fast-paced action with an interesting plot and lots of conflicts, both internally and externally.

There are plenty of reviews here that cover the storylines, so I'll just throw my hat in the ring with a 5 star review and recommend it if you even remotely like Weber's sci-fi.

EXCELLENT SPACE ADVENTURE.......2007-09-05

I won't go into details- many already have...What I enjoyed about this book and book 2 is that it reads smoothly- a Story- not a textbook with lots of scientific "data" and convoluted made up equations...just enough "space talk" without drowning the reader in it! ..I know many will dismiss this book because it lacks what I call the Headache feature-overdose classroom syndrome...I buy a book to READ not study and discect!- escapism at its best, Thank you -and this one nicely fits the bill....smooth transition from Dauntless to book 2 Fearless and I am looking forward to book 3

Average customer rating:

To wait or not to wait for the whole thing!
Imagine you're a sailor in a space fleet far from home
Excellent followup to Lost Fleet: Dauntless
Fearless & Dauntless
Military Sci-Fi at its Best ... and Getting Better!

Fearless (The Lost Fleet, Book 2)
Jack Campbell
Manufacturer: Ace
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0441014763

Book Description

Captain John "Black Jack" Geary tries a desperate gamble to lead the Alliance Fleet home-through enemy-occupied space-only to lose half the Fleet to an unexpected mutiny.

Customer Reviews:

To wait or not to wait for the whole thing!.......2007-10-08

The review and comments by Mr. McCallister have pretty much hit all the points about the book to tell you if it might be your cup of tea. With perhaps one exception, the ability of the books to stand on their own. Again a personal preference, and this appears to be one of those series that falls somewhere in the middle - not as standalone as some of the greats, like Miles Vorkorsigan (Bujold), or the Laiden novels (Lee, Miller), or even Kris Longknife (Shepherd), but nowhere as badly done as the artificial division of "The Final Encyclopedia" into 2 volumes.

Perhaps it will be a series more like Honor Harrington, some novels in the series stand alone well and others not quite, though hopefully none of those *really* aggravating cliff hanger plots.

Unlike a John Scalzi novel which goes on my pre-order list instantly, I might try to wait, at least until there's a plot with some sort of resolution to the original objective of the first book (getting the fleet home). Of course, because it's such an enjoyable read, that plan is likely doomed!

I hope there are plenty of novels in this series (or longer ones), but I also hope I don't have to wait too long for resolution of some of the plot story lines...

Imagine you're a sailor in a space fleet far from home.......2007-10-02

Imagine that you're a sailor in a space fleet far from home. Your fleet is running from a larger enemy force, fighting hit and run battles when it can. You're trapped in the space ship that you've been assigned to. Day after day, its either your assigned tasks or the fear of infrequent battles. The food is bad, you dream of open skies, the touch of your lover. You have no idea when you're going to get home, or even if you're going to get home. The mission just goes on and on.

If you can imagine the scenario above, then you can pretty much imagine the contents of Fearless and its predecessor, Dauntless. The books just go on and on, one space battle after another, where we're only distracted by the inner turmoil of the fleet commander. Dauntless was engaging, but Fearless was just more of the same. After a while I felt like I was trapped in the space fleet with the protagonists. The idea of reading book three, Courageous (to be released in December 2007) really is not appealing. The books just get claustrophobic and boring after a while.

Excellent followup to Lost Fleet: Dauntless.......2007-09-06

I liked Dauntless ever-so-slightly better, but this was still a solid read and highly recommended if you like space operas ala David Weber. Great premise and action packed. A little predictable at times as you are told "something didn't look right" and you knew there would be something that wasn't right and that Black Jack Geary would figure it out and win, but this is fun sci-fi - not Old English Literature - so it accomplishes its goal.

My biggest complaint about this book is the early exposition which is to bring you up to speed if you haven't read the first book in the series (Dauntless) or if you haven't read it in a while I guess. That is tedious and it pops up from time to time in the book. But I suppose that is one of the challenges to writing a series.

I'm definitely pre-ordering Courageous (Book 3) and Valiant when possible. Highly recommended if you like space operas.

Fearless & Dauntless .......2007-09-05

I consumed Dauntless and Fearless on a recent airplane trip. They're OK but not great entertainment. Character development seems to be the missing ingredient. Relatively few characters have common sense and that's just not natural. Everyone but the main character is binary and uncompromising at random, critical points in the narrative. Other than the main character, there's no one else that I found likable or entertaining.

Military Sci-Fi at its Best ... and Getting Better!.......2007-09-05

If I could give this novel 6 stars, I would. Like its prequel ("THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS"), "THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS" delivers drama and action in spades. This novel is, I believe, the better of the two novels because Jack Campbell (the author) really begins to define and develop the primary characters, and he gives us a major hint about the real motive(s) behind the Alliance/Syndicate War. I cannot wait for "COURAGEOUS" to come out in autumn 2007! As I recommended with my review for "DAUNTLESS", if you like this genre of fiction, read this book!

Average customer rating:

Too Short
comic book style
Warriors Manga?
The Lost Warrior: Graystripe In Twolegplace
bought this for a niece...

Warriors: The Lost Warrior (Warriors)
Erin Hunter , and Dan Jolley
Manufacturer: TokyoPop
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0061240206
Release Date: 2007-04-24

Book Description

When the Twolegs destroy the warrior Clans' forest home, Graystripe—second in command of ThunderClan—is captured trying to help his comrades escape! Trapped in the pampered life of a kittypet, Graystripe has all the food and shelter he needs from his affectionate Twoleg family, but this is not the way he wants to live. The forest is calling him, and he never stops longing to go home. When he makes friends with a feisty kittypet named Millie, she encourages him to go in search of his lost friends. But will Graystripe ever find his way back to the Clan?

Customer Reviews:

Too Short.......2007-09-29

Well, as usual, this book was written masterfully, and I would expect nothing less from the Erin Hunters. The artistry was amazing, but it was just too short. I finished it in under half an hour, which is just not like any of the other books. All in al, though, this book was pretty good.

comic book style .......2007-09-26

My two boys (ages 11 and 8) LOVE the Warriors series. However, this particular book is written in comic book style and they read it in less than an hour. They liked it, but it wasn't what we expected.

Warriors Manga?.......2007-08-23

I tell you, this was interesting. It was very good though. Graystripe was one of my favorite characters, and I was so disappointed when he left. I'm glad they're addressing that. I'm not sure about the manga, which makes the cats look odd. But I guess since I'm not much of a artist myself I can't say anything. This isn't a must-read, but it's quick, easy, and fast-paced.

The Lost Warrior: Graystripe In Twolegplace .......2007-08-01

As anyone who's read Dawn knows, Graystripe was captured by Twolegs when rescuing cats from their traps. This manga follows his adventure in Twolegplace and his desperate attempts to escape...and what happens when he meets Millie, a kittypet in the same Twolegplace.
The Lost Warrior is good...just not spectacular. They could have made the story a lot longer and made a better, more detailed manga.
Now for the storyline. It's good. But... a little boring. And short. Graystripe wants to get out of Twolegplace but seems to have given up hope. He's seemingly lost all his warrior instincts, and after (spoilers begin here) losing a fight with a kittypet, Graystripe begins to believe he'll never get out of there.
Then he meets Millie, another kittypet. Fascinated by the forest life, she wants to be taught how to fight and hunt, and Graystripe meets her demands. Slowly, his warrior instincts begin to return, though Graystripe still has little hope. Eventually Silverstream convinces Graystripe to look for the Clans, and he goes, though he meets obstacles along the way. (spoilers end here)
So it's good. But not totally awesome, and the plot could have been expanded a lot more. I HAVE flipped through it again and still enjoyed it, but don't expect the most amazing book in the world...it pales much in comparison to the regular Warriors.
So this book is worth buying, just don't walk into the bookstore expecting the best manga there is to read. If you do, you may be a bit disappointed.

bought this for a niece..........2007-07-25

I bought this for a niece ( 9yrs ) and she loved it, of course she had already read every other book in this series and loved all of those as well.

The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries (P.S.)

Average customer rating:

Includes Some Spirited Obituaries
A Shining Star!
"I write about dead people!"
It's the stories, stupid
Short stories of the dead...

The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries (P.S.)
Marilyn Johnson
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060758767
Release Date: 2007-01-30

Amazon.com

Once upon a time, journalism profs duly instructed their greenhorn grads to seek out community papers and the obit pages as logical entrance points into the world of newspaper reporting. Working for cash-strapped local papers allowed novices to practice writing everything from hard news to lifestyle features. Obituaries, meanwhile, were a rung on the ladder of major publications, albeit the lowest. The musty, dusty obit pages also traditionally hosted aging reporters put out to pasture. Not any more, argues Marilyn Johnson in her unabashedly knock-kneed love letter to the obit pages, The Dead Beat. Today, august publications like The New York Times, England's Daily Telegraph, Independent, and The Economist, and Canada's Globe and Mail use exalted members of the fourth estate to turn out smart, hip tributes to widespread, almost cultish, acclaim. Why? Because, as Johnson persuasively demonstrates in her book, truth is almost always stranger than fiction and a well-written, deeply researched obit is not only a vital historical record but a damn fine read over coffee and toast. "God is my assignment editor," cracks Richard Pearson of the Washington Post and if that isn't more interesting than what's going on in your city council chambers, author Johnson and those working the so-called Dead Beat don't know what is.

As Johnson explains in free-wheeling prose, today's obit writers are virtual folk heroes with global Internet followings and their own conventions. With care and an ear for gentle humor, Johnson guides her readers through the surprisingly structured, labyrinthine obit scene, pausing to meet the writers while pondering both the essence of our being and why, in the right hands, the life of an average Joe can be just as riveting as the shenanigans of a high-flying playboy. And infinitely more resonant. Savvy J-school professors and their students are advised to take heed. --Kim Hughes

Book Description

Marilyn Johnson was enthralled by the remarkable lives that were marching out of this world—so she sought out the best obits in the English language and the people who spent their lives writing about the dead. She surveyed the darkest corners of Internet chat rooms, and made a pilgrimage to London to savor the most caustic and literate obits of all. Now she leads us on a compelling journey into the cult and culture behind the obituary page and the unusual lives we don't quite appreciate until they're gone.

Customer Reviews:

Includes Some Spirited Obituaries.......2007-10-01

This review focuses on just one obituary, that of Frank Zielony. First appearing in the OREGONIAN, it included the following: "Frank Zielony might have lived his entire life as a Polish farmer and brick maker like his father, in the plains of what is now the Ukraine. But in 1939, war came. Soviet troops showed up at 7 o'clock on a dark morning in early 1940 and told the entire village...that they had half an hour to prepare to leave the country. They were packed in cattle cars and deported to Siberia--among more than a million non-Jewish Poles forced into slave labor camps. That's how Frank...came to be cutting down trees and making railroad ties in sub-zero weather." (p. 122)

In commenting on the foregoing obituary, Johnson writes: "The story of Zielony's survival and immigration to the Pacific Northwest, and his life helping other Polish Catholics survive, was one of those great obituaries that are made to be reread. Dark and gritty, but suffused with spirit, it was written by someone inspired." (p. 123)

A Shining Star!.......2007-06-28

Brilliantly written, absorbing and full of incredible details, this book is one of the best non-fiction volumes I've ever read!

"I write about dead people!".......2007-03-26

It's difficult to imagine an entire book dedicated to telling the average reader about those folks who write obituaries for a living. This book, however, takes on that daunting task, and fully delivers, with information and humor. Those of us who don't do this kind of writing can't imagine that it is an intense experieance for the writer, especially those who sytrive to give the reader a close insight into the person who has died. We learn about the newspapers that contain the "best" obituaries, and also those writers who are considered at the top of this unusual pyramid. If you want to be informed, and entertained, about a very unusual subject, you can't go wrong with this book.

It's the stories, stupid.......2007-03-13

Marilyn Johnson proves that good stories are the product of good reporting. Her inquiry into the art of the obituary takes her to far-flung corners of the globe,and she gets the goods wherever she goes. Through her, we meet some of the finest obituarists on the planet, and we learn how they capture and tell the stories of lives great and small. This is a jewel of a book, joyfully free of typographical and grammatical errors. It has been written and edited with care, and it holds your attention from the first page to the last.

Short stories of the dead..........2007-02-19

Who could predict that the obituaries would become the most widely read portion of today's newspapers. Just as Mary Roach's "Stiff" explored what happens to your body after you're dead, Marilyn Johnson's "Dead Beat" opens our eyes to the written legacy that the obituarist leaves--essentially the short story of a life. There is an art to this, as revealed in some of the delightful excerpts in her book--the best obits don't just recite vital statistics, but rather spotlight the "specialness" (quirky habits, unusual talents, life-changing moments, etc) of the individual as gleaned from interviews with families and friends. I like the idea that the obit focuses the reader's attention on the life of one person, whether famous or not, and then demands an acknowledgement of the loss of that particular bundle of DNA, never to be duplicated. Full of wit and thoughtful exploration of a rarely discussed subject, this book is a real winner.

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Museum of Lost Wonder
Unleashes something between strange and wonderful
Still thinking
Admirable in spirit
Delightfully Enlightening and Indulgently Educational!

Museum of Lost Wonder
Jeff Hoke
Manufacturer: Weiser Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1578633648

Book Description

The Museum of Lost Wonder is a book with a mission, simply stated: To illuminate life's mysteries. The execution is nearly indescribable. Think McSweeney's production values and design pyrotechnics. Think traditional esoteric symbols in a childhood garden of wonder. Think graphic novel and an adult version of the coolest activity book ever made. And you'll be somewhere in the neighborhood.

Jeff Hoke has created a history of the human imagination with visual cues and clues and wonderment about and around everything you ever thought and everything you wish you'd been crafty enough to think. He has built a museum accessible to all, in book format, arranged with 7 halls (representing the seven stages of alchemical process) in which the questions of the universe unfold. All one needs to enter is some basic understanding of the human experience.

Open The Museum of Lost Wonder, and step into an alternative world full of beautiful drawings, interesting historical tidbits, thoughtful challenges to common myths, and projects and pursuits to complete at home. Pages pull out with cutouts for building models. Hoke's museum is graphic novel meets quantum physics meets mythical journey meets spirit.

Hoke begins with The Calcinatio Hall where the featured exhibit is The Beginning of Everything and leads us into halls like The Sublimatio Hall, with the exhibit How To Have Visions. In The Separatio Hall the exhibit Where Are You Going challenges us in our own journey. Through each hall we are led into an exhibit that questions our own understanding of life and urges us into new ways of thinking. As in wandering the great, immense halls of an ancient museum with endless corridors and fascinating exhibits, the reader is instantly pulled into this enormously imaginative pursuit. Each page is full of depth and questions. And each hall features a special fold-out interactive page.

The Museum of Lost Wonder is a ray of hope in a dreary world. It is an oasis in an age when we are inundated everywhere we go with messages of consumption and materialism. It is an invitation into the imagination of a brilliant artist as well as a welcome back into your own imagination. It is a call to challenge your mind and your mind's eye to re-assess what you believe to be true and what you know to be true. Once you enter the museum, there is no turning back. For the price of admission you get a whole new perspective on the meaning of life and your purpose in it.

Customer Reviews:

Museum of Lost Wonder.......2007-07-18

What do you think of when you hear the word museum? Do you see glass encased exhibits with little tags of text beside various artifacts? Can you hear someone complaining about the loud whispers that can be heard? Can you feel the boredom setting in?

The Museum of Lost Wonder is an example of a completely different kind of museum. The pages of this book lead the reader on a journey of exploration and freedom of thought. Instead of stuffy scientific displays, this museum encourages the visitor to wonder and ask all of those questions that they always wanted to ask but thought they'd sound foolish or be glared at for even coming up with the idea.

This book is divided into eight alchemy themed exhibit halls: Calinatio (technology), Solutio (aquaria), Coagulatio (zoological), Sublimatio (observatory), Mortificatio (history), Separatio (science and faith), Conjunctio (arts), and Circulatio (the entrance and exit). Within each of these sections readers explore scientific, mythological, spiritual, and fantastic renditions that explain our world. Many of the exercises encourage visitors to use their creativity to come up with alternative explanations, to explore their own questions, to try various experiments, and to construct models of the various exhibit halls.

Unleashes something between strange and wonderful.......2007-02-07

I'm not sure what this book set out to do, but it certainly fires up the imagination of anyone who looks at it. The drawings and constructions are masterful, the little experiments and mental expeditions are thought provoking and the organization is absolutely indecipherable. If you have a brain and it could use a little exercise, get this book.

Still thinking.......2007-01-22

A beautiful book, interesting, creative, but somehow a bit quaint. The last forty pages seem very disjointed, but maybe I just missed the point. The artwork is meant to be in an old style, 1900's style with broad and heavy lines and unrealistic imagery. Yet intriguing.

It is worth the price of purchase just because it is so intriguing while at the same time being sometimes a bit too cutesy in a seeming effort of being creative.

Give the book a try. It is worth the mental tweaking.

Admirable in spirit.......2007-01-02

First allow me to extend my thanks to the several other reviewers who gave lengthy and informative reviews of this book. Without them, this review would be much longer.

This book has filled for me a very personal need for synthesis in science and mysticism. It is excellent in both its content, but also its approach. Jeff Hoke has managed to balance his satire of both mainstream science and orthodox religion very well. Regardless of what your personal background may be, this book will make you question some aspect of your current paradigm of thinking.

Further merit must be extended to Hoke for his popular delivery of some very interesting and profound ideas connecting alchemy and psychology. Although these ideas are largely due to the work of Carl Jung, the simultaneous presentation of a physical process of transformation (alchemy) and a mental process of transformation (a quest for transcendence) reflects the authors deft abilities as a museum exhibit designer. Having done some museum exhibit design for a course at MIT, I see that the themes of repetition and symbolism, visual splendor and quality text-based content, show the mark of a true master.

For someone who is interested in general patterns of varying systems, this book is a true delight. The focus on archetypes found in multiple settings, whether it be the origin and evolution of things in the physical universe, or the stages of personal development one encounters throughout life and one's quest for self-actualization and transcendence, is truly inspiring. Having the isomorphism between the physical and the mental sketched out in broad strokes is what really earns this book its five stars.

Before signing off, I must comment on some of the negative aspects of the book. There are sections and quotes, which make me question the historical accuracy of the book. This is a minor point and pales in comparison to the book's better qualities. I am not a professional historian, so take the following critiques with a grain of salt. Hoke tries to bill Socrates as an important figure who, upon sentencing, "escaped [the Athenian government's] wrath by suicide." (page 76) A read of Plato's dialogues Crito, Phaedo, the Apology, etc. show that Socrates was ordered to drink Hemlock posioning as his sentence, which he faithfully obeyed (seeing it as a commitment to the democratic process of Athens). This historical fact is extremely important for understanding a large section of Plato's work. Hoke's portrayal of Socrates as a coward escaping punishment through suicide, left a really bad taste upon first reading. The book still has its merit, but a little fact-checking would have prevented this unnecessary blemish.

Finally, I have to vent a little on the all too common popular packaging of just plain false things about quantum mechanics. Mr. Hoke joins in on this saying that a century of quantum mechanics has taught scientists that "the key to objectivity is to be emotionally detached to the point where we don't taint our experiences with projections of personal expectations" (page 84). This statement is true of the scientific method in general, pre-dating quantum mechanics handedly. Hoke, like so many other popularizers tries to bill the idea that somehow the Schrodinger equation includes a variable for the experimenter's mental state, where it certainly does not. Fortunately for all of us, Hoke sticks mostly to what he knows and appeals only generally to science.

Delightfully Enlightening and Indulgently Educational!.......2006-11-13

If you're looking for some "adventurous" reading during the coming cold winter months, you don't have to look further than Jeff Hoke's "The Museum of Lost Wonder." When I was preparing my thoughts about reviewing this book, I kept trying to figure out just where I was going to place this book as far as literary genre is concerned; How to categorize it? -- Where does it fit? Externally, it looks like just another "coffee-table" contribution. But even coffee-table books can be categorized for the most part. This book, however, is almost encyclopedic in its coverage, drawing its information from a vast variety of resources, including philosophy, astronomy, religion, biology, physics, psychology, the arts, ancient alchemy, modern quantum mechanics, and even Eastern intellectual thought. I have decided, therefore, to place this book in the seldom-used literary genre called intellectual "potpourri" (and, yes, there is such a category).

As for me, I'm going to leave it on the coffee table in my living room for quite a while so it can be easily perused by my guests and myself. It will be a coffee-table book in my home, at least for a while, although it is much more than merely another "showpiece." You see, this is a book not meant to be read from cover to cover in, say, one or two or even three sittings. This is a book to be, well, "savored"; think in terms of tasting and appreciating a fine wine or some unusual hors d'oeuvres. The enjoyment of the experience should be spread over time.

I think the best approach to this book is this: pick it up, read the introductory parts, and then skim through it, briefly pondering the excellent (and should I say, "tantalizing"?) artwork offered, and stopping here and there to read some of the text as one's interest is piqued. Then come back to the book now and then, find a section of particular interest, read that section, maybe do a few of the suggested experiments (yes, there are some interesting little adventures here!), and maybe put some of the models together. Models? Oh, yes, this is much more than a book to be read. It is also an "activity" book and, I suggest, mainly for older teenagers or adults (most of the models would prove difficult for young children to assemble, in my opinion). There are seven models that can be put together to illustrate the seven themes (or "exhibit" halls) of the "museum."

And, yes, it is truly a "museum," although not like one most of us are familiar with. The purpose of this museum is clearly stated by the author: "Discover...forgotten things in the world around us. Recover...forgotten things in the world within you. Uncover...forgotten things not in this world at all." There is no doubt that the museum -- that is, the book -- lives up to its purpose. As the author's bio in the back of the book points out: "This is not just a book, but an experience." And that, it truly is. One of the experiences you'll have is being accompanied through the museum, er..."book," by "Gnomon," a cartoonish stick-figure who appears now and then in comic strips or individual panels and seems to function as sometime guide and sometime thought-provoking character.

Each one of the seven exhibit halls has a specific theme, beginning with "Calcinatio" (Hall of Technology), continuing with "Solutio" (Hall of Aquaria), Coagulatio" (Zoological Garden),"Sublimatio" (The Observatory), "Mortificatio" (Mausoleum of History), "Separatio" (Science and Faith), and ending with "Conjunctio" (Gallery of the Arts). Each of these exhibit halls has its own "Muse"; now, if you don't know what that is, you'll have to find out for yourself. Within these informative halls the reader will recognize the likes of famous philosophers, including Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes, some very influential scientists, such as Abraham Maslow and Sir Isaac Newton, as well as discussions of topics both futurific and arcane. How about playing the "Heroic Vacation Game"? How about building a "Carousel of Life" model? How about performing a "sensory deprivation experiment" right at home? These and much more are here in "The Museum of Lost Wonder."

Now, a few words of warning to potential readers -- and these reflect strictly my own personal assessment of the book. If you have a closed mind, limited in its capacity for imaginative thought, this may not be the best book for you (although, I guess it could help open your mind a little if you gave it a chance!). If you are really squeamish about uncomfortable and unfamiliar ideas, you may want to think twice about reading this book (on the other hand, maybe this is just the antidote you need!). And, finally, if intellectual "weirdness" and wandering into "strange" territory will challenge your own beliefs and you're fearful of having to rethink those beliefs, you may want to pass this book by (but, of course, you'll pass up an opportunity to expand your horizons and enhance your life!). So, if you decide to go ahead and experience a trip through this "museum of lost wonder," don't say I didn't warn you.

In conclusion, just let me say that Hoke's book is delightfully enlightening and indulgently educational and the artwork is extraordinary, witty, and, in many ways, downright clever. And speaking of the artwork, which is really the bulk of the book (at least it seems that way), I'm glad that he was the one drawing it all because I wouldn't attempt to take on such a massive project (and it would be interesting to know how much time it took him to draw all the illustrations!). I highly recommend this book to everyone who really enjoys the experience of "wondering," that childlike phenomenon that we adults all too often lose, much to our own regret. This is a thought-provoking, mind-expanding, and thoroughly engaging book and, if you actually do the experiments and assemble the models, you'll get some physical exercise, too! What more could a reader ask for the cold winter months to come?

The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System (Magic School Bus)

Average customer rating:

Magic school bus does it again!
This book rocks (asteroids)!
Lost in the Solar System
The Magic School Bus
Magic school bus "lost in solar system"

The Magic School Bus Lost In The Solar System (Magic School Bus)
Joanna Cole
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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Fiction | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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

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ASIN: 0590414291

Book Description

The fieldtrip to the planetarium is foiled when the museum turns out to be closed, but Ms. Frizzle saves the day. The Magic School Bus turns into a spaceship and takes the class on a trip zooming through the atmosphere, to the Moon, and beyond! With up-to-date facts about the solar system, revised for this edition.

Customer Reviews:

Magic school bus does it again!.......2007-02-06

All the magic school bus books are fantastic. This one is no different.
It is great for learning about the solar system.

This book rocks (asteroids)!.......2006-02-10

This book is a blast (no pun intended)! Mrs. Frizzle and her class travel to every planet in the solar system. The bus breaks down in the asteroid belt and the students have to find Mrs. Frizzle on a very cold planet. You'll love all the colorful pictures and Arnold's crazy cousin! Blast-off to this book and learn a lot about space in a fun way!

Lost in the Solar System.......2005-12-10

I like this book because it makes me wonder about the solar system and everything happening in it. I love imagining what things are like in other places and this book makes me think but it also taught me stuff about the solar system too. This book makes me want to visit the solar system myself.
Alyssa Seifferly

The Magic School Bus.......2004-02-12

This book is about a class who goes to the musuem but it is closed. So they see it up close. Janet was bragging about everything. After the trip they had learned a lot

I think the book is about being nice. The book is about learning new things. Learning new things is part of life. The book is saying to learn. The book is telling us to try new things.

I think the book is nice. The book has a series. It teaches you stuff. It also is funny. It's my favorite. It's fun to read.

Magic school bus "lost in solar system".......2004-02-04

I like this book because it has to deal with the solar system and i like to learn about space. It does a very good job teaching you about it, and the book was really fun to read. I like how the bus turnes into a space ship and goes to all the planets.

Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors

Average customer rating:

Amazing combination of science and history
Well written, good science, and fascinating
A great read
This field has NOT been standing still!
How did I get here?

Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors
Nicholas Wade
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

History of Science | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 014303832X

Book Description

Nicholas WadeÂ's articles are a major reason why the science section has become the most popular, nationwide, in the New York Times. In his groundbreaking Before the Dawn, Wade reveals humanityÂ's origins as never beforeÂ—a journey made possible only recently by genetic science, whose incredible findings have answered such questions as: What was the first human language like? How large were the first societies, and how warlike were they? When did our ancestors first leave Africa, and by what route did they leave? By eloquently solving these and numerous other mysteries, Wade offers nothing less than a uniquely complete retelling of a story that began 500 centuries ago.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing combination of science and history.......2007-09-14

Wade effectively recreates the history of our human ancestors by combining the disciplines of science and history. Some parts were clearly controversial, (his assertion that race does, in fact, have a biological basis) but I think such controversial assertions only add interest to a book and allow the reader to enter into an imaginary dialogue with the author. Wade's criticisms of Diamond (Gun's, Germs and Steel" and "Collapse") were a little harsh and just incorrect in my opinion. This book is ideal for anyone with an interdisciplinary interest in science and history.

Well written, good science, and fascinating.......2007-08-28

Since 1968 when I received my BA in Cultural Anthropology, the science about human origins has gone through radical change. Back then we were taught that moderns humans emerged about 40K years ago and have not changed since then. Nicholas Wade explains how modern genetic researcher reveals that we are still an evolving species. I appreciated Wade's clear and entertaining writing style. I think that if every high school teacher in the country read this book it would bring us out of the mythological dark ages and seperate two completely valid realms, science and religion.

A great read.......2007-08-12

Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in human pre-history. A well written overview of human origins and culture that highlights recent findings in molecular genetics (DNA sequencing and gene function) that provide unique insights into where we came from and how we got here. Very read-able, the author does a great job of making the information accessible to, and understandable by, all.

This field has NOT been standing still!.......2007-08-10

Wade reports diligently on many breakthroughs in understanding human prehistory made possible by the melding of genetic with archaeological evidence. Much of this insight has been achieved in just the last few years, thanks to computerized tools for analyzing the genome. If you have not been following this field closely, you'll be astonished at the progress.

Sometimes the "asides" are gripping. There are just a few pages about the domestication of the dog, for instance, that alone almost make the book worth the read. It seems that all modern dogs were derived from (most likely) a single litter of wolves in central Asia, and startlingly recently -- 15,000 years ago. They had three genetic changes that specialized them for domestication -- "tamability", a tendency to bark (wolves can bark but hardly ever do), and a knack for reading human body language. The combination of these traits made dogs indispensable, and they spread across Eurasia in the blink of an eye. The initiative for domestication probably sprang from the wolves themselves (Wade explains why). This is just a tiny sample of the book; there's a lot more like it.

How did I get here?.......2007-07-31

An interesting explanation of human evolution based on genetic discoveries. If you want to know why you look the way you do, live where you live, talk and behave the way you do this book provides some answers. Many interesting insights into modern animal and human societies. This book covers a lot of ground in an understandable way.

The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It, How to Get It Back

Average customer rating:

Sullivan's recantation
Disappointed
Honest & Direct
Competing Definitions of Conservatism
Highly Recommended

The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It, How to Get It Back
Andrew Sullivan
Manufacturer: HarperCollins
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Political Parties | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0060188774
Release Date: 2006-10-10

Book Description

what does it mean to be a conservative anymore?

With the Iraq war, the rise of Christian fundamentalism, exploding government spending, soaring debt, insecure borders, and an executive branch with greater and greater power, Republicans and conservatives are debating this question with more and more urgency.

The contradictions keep mounting. Today's conservatives support the idea of limited government, but they have increased government's size, power, and reach to new heights. They believe in balanced budgets, but they have boosted government spending, debt, and pork to record levels. They believe in individual liberty and the rule of law, but they have condoned torture, ignored laws passed by Congress, and been indicted for bribery. They have substituted religion for politics, and damaged both.

In The Conservative Soul, Andrew Sullivan, one of the nation's leading political commentators, makes an impassioned call to rescue conservatism from the excesses of the Republican far right, which risks making the GOP the first fundamentally religious party in American history. Through an incisive look at the rise of Western fundamentalism, Sullivan argues that conservatives cannot in good conscience keep supporting a party that believes in its own God-given mission to change people's souls, instead of protecting their liberties. He carefully charts the arguments of the new conservatism, showing why they cannot work in today's America, why they fail the test of logic and pragmatism, and why they betray the conservative tradition from Edmund Burke to Ronald Reagan.

In this bold and powerful book, Andrew Sullivan criticizes our government for acting too often, too quickly, and too expensively. He champions a political philosophy based on skepticism and reason, rather than certainty and fundamentalism. He defends a Christianity that is sincere but not intolerant, and a politics that respects religion by keeping its distance. And he makes a provocative, heartfelt case for a revived conservatism at peace with the modern world, dedicated to restraining government and empowering individuals to live rich and fulfilling lives.

Customer Reviews:

Sullivan's recantation.......2007-06-27

Andrew Sullivan explains at some length, and with some digression, how
he became disenchanted with what he calls the fundamentalist wing of the
current Republican party. His brand of conservatism is Burkean; he considers that the prevailing ideology of the current administration is
not conservative at all, but springs from a tradition of literal evangelism. Some chapters are better than others. The chapter
on sexuality seems labored and occupies more of the book than it should. On the whole, it is an honest and thoughtful book and would be useful reading for people who shared Sullivan's early enthusiasms for the Rovian revolution.

Disappointed.......2007-06-24

Without question, Andrew Sullivan is one of my favorite writers. Even when I do not agree with his analysis of a situation, be it political or philosophical, I find him to be interesting, thoughtful, and passionate. And when it comes to the Bush Administration and the handling of Iraq and other facets of the conflict with Islamic terrorists, I have to say that a good deal of his attitude (though not, I think, development of ideas) has mirrored my own over the course of the past several years. So I was very much looking forward to reading his most recent book, The Conservative Soul. I am also disheartened to say that I was tremendously disappointed. Although there are some interesting nuggets of good ideas buried in the book, I find that on the whole it was sloppy, muddled, disorganized and -- I'm sorry to say -- not very well written. Although I would highly recommend that everyone read Sullivan's blog and essays, I would not recommend this book.

Honest & Direct.......2007-06-04

Great book! Andrew Sullivan spoke at my local library and he was loved by all. Had him sign this book for my collection.

Competing Definitions of Conservatism.......2007-05-18

Andrew Sullivan's book is a thoughtful, well-crafted critique of current Republican party conservatism. His view, essentially, is that what is currently termed conservative is, in fact, the promotion of a fundamentalist Christian agenda that is not conservative at all, certainly not the conservatism of his heroes, Reagan and Thatcher. He argues that "fundamentalist vs. conservative" is not a continuation, but a usurpation. He claims that a shift has occurred changing conservative emphasis from freedom to "remoralization."

Although this book is lucidly written and cogently argued, I reject its thesis that in order to return to true conservatism, the influence of the Christian right must be removed. The fundamentalist impulse in politics is in response to intolerant political correctness, the radical relativism of the Hollywood left, media elites, and the kook fringe left (now the base of the Democrat party). It is reasonable to believe in moral absolutes; Sullivan espouses values closer to libertarianism. The Republican party does not have to be "fundamentally religious" to believe that there is such a thing as right and wrong; it has always believed so.Conservatism is not based on theory but on practical observation of life. I surmise that Sullivan is one of the many today who confuse freedom of religion with freedom from religion. Freedom vs. Morality (p.128) is not freedom from morality. I don't agree with even mildly linking Osama Bin Laden with the American religious right, although Sullivan is by no means alone in this distorted view, Al Gore and many in the media do it too. Sullivan exaggerates when he draws a distinction between visions for America; no rational person wants to remake the U.S. in Iran's image.

This is not supposed to be a harrangue from me; I enjoyed the book. For the reluctant, you don't have to agree with everything he proposes to learn from this book. It is nonjudgemental in tone; you won't be offended.

Highly Recommended.......2007-03-24

This is one book that has had a huge influence on my political philosophy. Both the author and I grew up in conservative homes, grew up in Christian homes, and voted for G.W. Bush in 2000. Before I picked up the book, that's where the similarities ended.

Sullivan is truly a fascinating man. A homosexual, British, Catholic who voted for John Kerry in 2004. Sullivan lives with HIV and I say that only to say that it doesn't stop him from living life to the fullest, from speaking passionately about the America he still believes in, his adoptive country. That is where the differences begin. But as I read his book I felt his ideas resonate with me strongly.

The term conservatism has been taken over in the last 15 years or so and abused and Andrew Sullivan's mission is to take it back. If you lament what conservatism used to be, and dream of what it truly can be, this is the book for you. His main theme is that our politics should be a politics of doubt, that is, a realization that individual humans don't have all the answers for everyone else at any point in time. Thus the beauty of the freedom that has been written into our constitution here in America.

If you know of a conservative or a fundamentalist, who is thick-headed, blindly passionate about their views, not willing to consider error in their own perspective or listen to sound reason, this is the book that just might break them down. So do be careful.

Other Information: It is a quick read with large margins and double-spacing and it is a page-turner. It is the kind of book you will want to pass on to your friends and family.

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