Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope--and How to Find Them
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Best Book for Prospective Telescope Owners
  • Good but...
  • Not the book for me!
  • Don't get frustrated with your small scope!!!!!!
  • Get this book for ASTRONOMY buffs.
Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope--and How to Find Them
Guy Consolmagno , and Dan M. Davis
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

AstronomyAstronomy | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0521781906

Book Description

A superb guidebook described in Bookwatch as 'the home astronomer's "bible"', Turn Left at Orion provides all the information beginning amateur astronomers need to observe the Moon, the planets and a whole host of celestial objects. Large format diagrams show these objects exactly as they appear in a small telescope and for each object there is information on the current state of our astronomical knowledge. Revised and updated, this new edition contains a chapter with ten new spreads describing spectacular deep sky objects visible from the southern hemisphere, and tips on observing the upcoming transits of Venus. It also discusses Dobsonian telescopes, with hints on using personal computers and the Internet as aids for planning an observing session. Also new to this edition are redrawn "Guidepost" figures at the beginning of each season chapter that allow readers to visualize a three-dimensional view of the sky's dome; redesigned seasonal object layouts that provide more space for the naked-eye charts; a new spread on double stars near Boötes has been added to Spring, replacing the "Shrinking Double" spread; and a unique "When and Where to Look" table has been added to the last page, among other new features. Unlike many guides to the night sky, this book is specifically written for observers using small telescopes. Clear and easy to use, this fascinating book will appeal to skywatchers of all ages and backgrounds. No previous knowledge of astronomy is needed.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Best Book for Prospective Telescope Owners.......2007-09-25

Most astronomy books and magazines for amateurs are filled with highly-processed, color photographs of planets and deep sky objects taken with long-exposures through observatory telescopes. I call these photos astroporn because they raise new telescope owner's expectation to unrealistic levels. One cannot see full color detailed images through a small telescope with the naked eye. "Turn Left at Orion" accurately describes with sketches what one will actually see.

I recommend that prospective telescope buyers check out "Turn Left at Orion" before they fork over their hard earned cash. If you decide to buy a telescope anyway, this book gives clear directions on how to find and observe over one hundred objects in a non-technical way making it the best book to start with. While this book may be too simple for experienced amateurs, I highly recommend it for it's accurate descriptions and clear instructions.

3 out of 5 stars Good but..........2007-09-01

Many have sung the praise of this book...I'm somewhat of a "newbie" had a 13" Dobsonian "light-bucket" 20 years ago, but never really did much...just bot a 102mm Celestron spotting scope. So have been buying books to aid me in getting into Astronomy better this time...This book is good for children...but a better book for adults is Neil Bone's Deep Sky Observer's Guide. It's also set up for small scopes under 100mm. The Orion book has very simple finder maps and is organized by season. Bone's book is organized by type of object, such as "open cluster" and then by easy to difficult to find. Bone's finder charts are much better in artistic value and use, being white stars on blue background, where as most of Orion's are black stars on white background. Orion has 100 objects to view, Bone has over 200...At the end of Bone's are: 8 very nice star charts as well as each constellation listing objects and a Messier List and a list of Objects by Magnitude and finally a list of Objects by Seasons (to view). All in all 215 power packed pages!...Yes the Orion is a hard back, but the binding is glue-injected pages, will the binding crack and pages fall out??...Bone's is a paperback, but the leaves are folded and stitched, so pages will NEVER fall out. Bone's book is 5X8, Orion is 9X11 1/2 much bigger to take outside and pack around. I woun't be using Orion much. Bone I will use a lot.

3 out of 5 stars Not the book for me!.......2007-06-22

I am an amateur and bought this book based on the other reviews and ratings given. I was looking for a book to help me locate some of the more interesting night sky objects and this one seemed to be "the book." Well, when I got the book, I opened it up and immediately felt a little overwhelmed by all of the text-and I do mean there is a lot of text. More than I wanted. This book just wasn't what I was looking for in a guide to the night sky. Perhaps later on, I will find this book more helpful.

5 out of 5 stars Don't get frustrated with your small scope!!!!!!.......2007-04-30

I've read a series of astronomy books, but Left at Orion and Nightwatch (by Dickinson) are at the top of my list. If I had a small refractor, Left at Orion would be the best pick. Nightwatch by Dickinson is best for picking the right scope and accessories and learing the celestrial objects (e.g. planets and stuff). However, Left at Orion is the best for learing how to locate objects in the night sky USING A SMALL TELESCOPE. I've been pulling my hair out about not being able to locate objects for the longest, but now I have a great tool that will help me. This is the book you use in the dark. I sit down by my scope with my RED flashlight and this book that is such a great guidance. So don't get frustrated and throw away your small scope just yet. Get comfortable and use this guide. You can always upgrade and have the small scope for for any company who wants to join you. I wish I didn't return my small scope so quickly. Anyways, after reading this book, I bought an 80mm refractor to travel on the plane with because I can't lug that big Newtonian Dob around. Yes, Left at Orion and Nightwatch are the best picks whether you have a small refractor or a big reflector. However, Nightwatch (by Dickinson) is a book to buy when you want to upgrade your telescope. Be ware: Dickinson does NOT have the nicest things to say about the small telescopes, however, if you want to upgrade, BUY NIGHTWATCH FIRST BEFORE PURCHASING A NEW TELESCOPE!!! Please read the other reviews to help guide your purchase.

5 out of 5 stars Get this book for ASTRONOMY buffs........2007-02-12

This book was given to an ASTRONOMY buff along with a telescope.
TURN LEFT AT ORION
Average customer rating: Not rated
    TURN LEFT AT ORION
    Guy; Davis, Dan M. Consolmagno
    Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover
    ASIN: B000M0L8VI
    Turn Left at Orion
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Turn Left at Orion

      Manufacturer: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: B000GYYYX4
      Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope-And How to Find Them (Revised Edition, Tables Updated to AD 2006)
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope-And How to Find Them (Revised Edition, Tables Updated to AD 2006)
        Guy; Davis, Dan M. Consolmagno
        Manufacturer: Cambridge Univ Press
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Hardcover
        ASIN: B000OB3LY2

        Common Plants of the Inland Pacific Northwest
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Common Plants of the Inland Pacific Northwest

          Manufacturer: Diane Pub.
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Ring-bound
          ASIN: 0756712386

          Product Description

          Provides a handy reference for the person engaged in identifying vascular plants commonly found in the intermountain Pacific Northwest. Contains a selection of 200 trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses & sedges; it is not meant to be comprehensive. Provides a "user friendly" format for the important diagnostic species used to properly key to plant associations & habitat types for the upland vegetation in portions of eastern OR, eastern WA & adjacent west central ID. Includes color plates & line drawings to provide assurance that the plant shown & the plant identified were one & the same. Info. on the champion big trees, plus a listing to the new plants codes used nationally for the species.
          Common plants of the inland Pacific Northwest
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Common plants of the inland Pacific Northwest
            Charles G Johnson
            Manufacturer: For sale by the Supt. of Docs., U.S. G.P.O
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Unknown Binding

            GeneralGeneral | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
            GeneralGeneral | Botany | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
            ASIN: B0006F41LS
            Common Plants of the Inland Pacific Northwest (S/N 001-000-04647-1)
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              Common Plants of the Inland Pacific Northwest (S/N 001-000-04647-1)
              United States
              Manufacturer: For sale by the U.S. G.P.O., Supt. of Docs., Congressional Sales Office
              ProductGroup: Book
              Binding: Spiral-bound
              ASIN: 0160608198

              Book Description

              Provides a handy reference for the person engaged in identifying vascular plants commonly found in the intermountain Pacific Northwest. Contains a selection of 200 trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses and sedges. Presented in user friendly format for the important diagnostic species used to properly key to plant associations and habitat types published by ecologists for the upland vegetation in portions of eastern Oregon, eastern Washington and adjacent west central Idaho.

              Time Out Weekend Breaks in Great Britain and Ireland (Time Out Guides)
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                Time Out Weekend Breaks in Great Britain and Ireland (Time Out Guides)
                Time Out
                Manufacturer: Time Out
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback

                GeneralGeneral | Great Britain | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books
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                ASIN: 190497838X

                Book Description

                Time Out Weekend Breaks in Great Britain and Ireland picks great places to explore the countryside and beaches: over 30 different destinations from the Cotswolds to historic York and Canterbury. Rural retreats, towns, and cities throughout Great Britain and Ireland are included, plus the coastal areas, with details on stretches of seaside, isolated marshes, and sophisticated resort towns. In-depth reviews cover the best sightseeing, hotels, B&Bs, pubs, cafés, and restaurants, with color photos and comprehensive listings information, including opening hours, prices, and credit cards accepted. Detailed maps of areas and towns highlight special attractions.

                Skin and Other Stories
                Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                • You will be jumping out of your "skin"!
                • this book sucks!!!
                • TOO GOOD
                • Such nice little stories...
                • This a thrilling book that keeps you wanting to read...
                Skin and Other Stories
                Roald Dahl
                Manufacturer: Puffin
                ProductGroup: Book
                Binding: Paperback

                HumorousHumorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
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                Dahl, RoaldDahl, Roald | ( D ) | Authors & Illustrators, A-Z | Children's Books | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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                2. Tales of the Unexpected Tales of the Unexpected
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                4. Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (Penguin Fiction) Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (Penguin Fiction)
                5. My Uncle Oswald My Uncle Oswald

                ASIN: 0141310340

                Amazon.com

                "'This is going to be a bit of a shock to you, I'm afraid,' he said." With those words, Patrick Maloney seals his fate. He has no idea that his mousy wife, Mary, isn't about to take his abandonment of their marriage lightly. He never sees the frozen leg of lamb that hits him squarely in the noggin. And he'll never know how tidily Mary cleans up the evidence--by having the local police dine on the murder weapon! The late Roald Dahl, best known for children's novels such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, also wrote many wonderfully wicked short stories, like the aforementioned "Lamb to the Slaughter," collected in Skin, a succinct, darkly humorous anthology for teen readers. Besides the murderous Mary Maloney, a host of other odd characters will leave teens gasping with surprise or chuckling with guilty laughter. In "The Surgeon," Dr. Robert Sandy is given a priceless diamond in exchange for saving a life, promptly loses it, then recovers it again from the strangest of places. "An African Story" chronicles a lonely mountain hermit's bid for revenge that involves a deadly black mamba snake, and "The Sound Machine" describes how a wacky inventor nearly drives himself mad when he creates a contraption that allows him to pick up noises outside the human range of hearing. There is something for the naughty side of everyone in this Twilight Zone-ish compilation, a recommended read for fans of Dahl's other teen short-story collection, The Umbrella Man. (Ages 12 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

                Book Description

                Before he was a world-renowned children's book writer, Roald Dahl was a master of short stories for adults. The eleven tales collected here represent his finest work. By turns shocking, ironic, humorous, and touching, these stories are filled with bizarre twists and unexpected delights, and prove Roald Dahl's standing as one of the world's foremost storytellers. Readers will be spellbound from the opening lines.

                "Packed with imaginative characters, quirky plots, and surprise endings, these eleven gems are the kinds of stories readers will want to share with their friends." (Children's Literature)

                "These stories offer teens a superbly crafted, satisfying read." (Booklist)

                Customer Reviews:

                5 out of 5 stars You will be jumping out of your "skin"!.......2005-10-28

                "...Mary Maloney simply walked up behind him and without any pause swung the big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on the back of his head..."
                Patrick Maloney was dead.
                In "Skin" come eleven chilling tales that are sure to keep you hooked from the beginning words right up until the horrifying surprise ending. Roald Dahl (Celebrated children's writer; author of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.") will shock you with his audacious writing in "Skin." Who would guess that Mrs. Maloney, after successfully killing her husband with a frozen leg of lamb, would later feed the only evidence to the police? Or that an avaricious art dealer would stop at nothing, not even an innocent old man's life, to get a painting...that was tattooed on the poor man's back?
                These wicked tales are sure to keep you open-mouthed with shock through each story, only to leave you rapacious for more once it's finished. Each story begins with a sweet and innocent storyline with what you think an obvious and predictable ending. Only until the last few pages does Roald Dahl drop the bombshell that will blow you away and keep you petrified for days afterward.
                For example in "the Sound Machine," an ingenious yet nutty inventor creates a machine that reveal terrifying and astonishing sounds unknown to the human ear. And in "The Surgeon," a man's extremely valuable diamond is stolen, only to turn up again in the most unusual of places!!
                If you enjoy "Skin", I recommend for you "The Umbrella Man" by the same author.
                This is a rare read; don't pass it up! I can guarantee you'll love and treasure this book forever. Enjoy!

                1 out of 5 stars this book sucks!!!.......2005-09-05

                This book totally sucks! When I bought it, I was like, yes! a good book finally! But majorly, this book is the worst book ever! I repeat: DON'T GET THIS BOOK!

                5 out of 5 stars TOO GOOD.......2005-07-19

                Very good. Beyond words to describe..so i won't heheh =)

                I liked it very much.

                4 out of 5 stars Such nice little stories..........2005-07-04

                Roald Dahl is such an endearing writer. His stories seem like cute little childrens stories, using very basic vocabulary and a style that does not even allude to being poetic. But then the plot twist at the end of each leaves you wondering how his sick mind comes up with these ideas. After the first 2 or 3 stories you start expecting the plot twists, and you find yourself wondering how he will spin the story you are reading into something dark and disturbing - and this curiosity drives you straight to the end of the story before you know it.

                A good book that you will be able to put down, but I doubt it will take you more than 11 sessions to finish - I simply can't imagine putting this book down mid-story.

                5 out of 5 stars This a thrilling book that keeps you wanting to read..........2004-11-15

                I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Skin" by Roald Dahl. He is a wonderful short story writer and for each short story he uses interesting and imaginative ideas that the audience can relate to in different ways. He makes the stories puzzling and mysterious at the same time which entices the audience to keep reading. I reccomend this book to teenagers and young adults as the story line is fairly envolved and the language uses a large range of vocabulary. Overall this book is a definate read!
                Skin Deep and Other Stories Featuring V. I. Warshawski
                Average customer rating: Not rated
                  Skin Deep and Other Stories Featuring V. I. Warshawski
                  Sara Paretsky
                  Manufacturer: DH Audio
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Audio Cassette

                  MysteryMystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
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                  ASIN: 0886463734
                  Black is Brown is Tan
                  Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
                  • Warm and wonderful
                  • Wow and to think this book is older than me!
                  • Only wish I had found it sooner!
                  • Absolutely delightful...
                  • A must have book!!
                  Black is Brown is Tan
                  Arnold Adoff
                  Manufacturer: Amistad
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Hardcover

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                  5. Whoever You Are (Reading Rainbow Book) Whoever You Are (Reading Rainbow Book)

                  ASIN: 0060287764
                  Release Date: 2002-03-26

                  Amazon.com

                  Originally published in 1973, Black Is Brown Is Tan was the first children's book to feature an interracial family. In this 21st-century version, with new, sunlight-drenched watercolors, Mom is still "a tasty tan and coffee pumpkin pie / with dark brown eyes and almond ears," and Daddy is "light with pinks and tiny tans / dark hair growing on my arms / that darken in the summer sun / brown eyes / big yellow ears." The happy, normal family goes about their day, drinking milk, barbecuing, spending time with grandmas and aunts and uncles, and reading stories. Throughout, they celebrate "all the colors of the race":
                  black is brown is tan
                  is girl is boy
                  is nose is
                  face
                  is all
                  the
                  colors
                  of the race
                  This warm and loving story is just as meaningful today as it was decades ago. Readers from multicultural families, especially, will appreciate this tribute to the diversity of the American family from renowned poet Arnold Adoff (Touch the Poem) and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, Emily Arnold McCully (Mirette on the High Wire). (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

                  Book Description

                  Brown-skinned mama, the color of chocolate milk and pumpkin pie. White-skinned daddy, not the color of milk or snow, but light with pinks and tiny tans. And their two children, the beautiful colors of both. For an all-American family, full of joy, warmth, and love,

                  this is the way it is for us
                  this is the way we are

                  When it was first published in 1973, Black is Brown is Tan featured the first interracial family in children's books. Decades later, Arnold Adoff and Emily Arnold McCully continue to offer a joyous and loving celebration of all the colors of the race, now newly embellished with bright watercolor paintings that depict a contemporary family of the twenty-first century. And the chorus rings true as ever:

                  black is brown is tan
                  is girl is boy
                  is nose is face
                  is all the colors of the race

                  Customer Reviews:

                  5 out of 5 stars Warm and wonderful .......2007-07-03

                  We've enjoyed reading this book over and over again. Its a wonderful story with a poetic flow that tells of a family lifestyle that is remarkable and memorable. This will be a great addition to your family library.

                  5 out of 5 stars Wow and to think this book is older than me!.......2006-12-07

                  My hubby and I have been searching for books that reflect our family to our two daughters. They are one and two......when they saw the cover they started pointing and saying "Mama and Dada!" I have bought the book for other children and parents are always surprised when I tell them how old the book is! I would recommend this for any child's library!

                  5 out of 5 stars Only wish I had found it sooner!.......2004-10-06

                  I was 17 before I read this book, when a 4yo in the preschool I volunteered at handed it to me. I fell in love with this book immediately! It is so beautifully written. As a bi-racial child, I had seldom seen images of bi-racial families growing up, much less one so like my family (my father is white, my mother is black)! Even at 17 it felt good to have such a beautiful story reflect my own heritage in such a positive light. I am now 22 and have finally bought myself a copy for my own bookshelf. I can't wait to share this with my own children someday.

                  5 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful..........2004-10-05

                  This is book is such a delightful treat to read. It's amazing to believe that this book was written decades ago during a time when race relations between blacks and whites were over all less than pleasant.It is just wonderful to read this book.

                  5 out of 5 stars A must have book!!.......2004-08-10

                  Being a proud parent of a child who was born in my heart it is important that my daughter know that families come about in all different ways and that beauty is not just skin deep but also comes from the inside. This book celebrates how beautiful our families are and is done so in a very poetic way! Cheers to both the author and illistrator! I can't wait to purchase more copies of this book for my daughter's future elementary school!
                  Skin Folk
                  Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
                  • Skin Folk an Interesting Read!
                  • Caribbean Thrills and Chills
                  • Wonderful Fantasies
                  • fairy tales, not SF
                  • Splendid Fantasy and SF Tales Graced By Caribbean Rhythms
                  Skin Folk
                  Nalo Hopkinson
                  Manufacturer: Aspect
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

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                  ASIN: 0446678031

                  Amazon.com

                  Award-winning author Nalo Hopkinson's first collection is Skin Folk, and its 15 stories are as strong and beautiful as her novels.

                  "The Glass Bottle Trick" retells the Bluebeard legend in a Caribbean setting and rhythms, for a sharp, chilling examination of love, gender, race, and class. In the myth-tinged "Money Tree," a Canadian immigrant's greed sends him back to Jamaica in pursuit of an accursed pirate treasure. In "Slow Cold Chick," a woman must confront the deadly cockatrice that embodies her suppressed desires. In the postapocalyptic science fantasy "Under Glass," events in one world affect those in another, and a child's carelessness may doom them both. The lightest of fantastic imagery touches "Fisherman," a tropically hot tale of sexual awakening, and one of the five original stories in Skin Folk. --Cynthia Ward

                  Book Description

                  Award-winning author Nalo Hopkinson's first collection is Skin Folk, and its 15 stories are as strong and beautiful as her novels. "The Glass Bottle Trick" retells the Bluebeard legend in a Caribbean setting and rhythms, for a sharp, chilling examination of love, gender, race, and class. In the myth-tinged "Money Tree," a Canadian immigrant's greed sends him back to Jamaica in pursuit of an accursed pirate treasure. In "Slow Cold Chick," a woman must confront the deadly cockatrice that embodies her suppressed desires. In the postapocalyptic science fantasy "Under Glass," events in one world affect those in another, and a child's carelessness may doom them both. The lightest of fantastic imagery touches "Fisherman," a tropically hot tale of sexual awakening, and one of the five original stories in Skin Folk. --Cynthia Ward

                  Download Description

                  "Throughout the Caribbean [there are] stories about people who aren't what they seem. Skin gives these folk their human shape. When the skin comes off, their true selves emerge. And whatever the burden their skin bears, once they remove it, skin folk can

                  Customer Reviews:

                  4 out of 5 stars Skin Folk an Interesting Read!.......2005-10-25

                  This book was an insightful and witty look at Caribbean spirituality, magic and stories written in typical Nalo style. Great read!

                  4 out of 5 stars Caribbean Thrills and Chills.......2004-11-06

                  Nalo Hopkinson has made waves with some of the most offbeat and creative speculative fiction in recent memory, with her Caribbean roots adding unexpected flavor to tales of future societies and alternate realities. She's also one of the very few black women working in the field, adding a much-needed new voice to the genre. But watch out for the "sci-fi" stereotype that has been applied to Hopkinson, because she has a more well-rounded style that also includes strong elements of fantasy and horror. Those strengths are evident in this collection of short stories, which are often built upon the unique fairy tales and folklore of the Caribbean, but then proceed into all manner of great fictional speculations.

                  Some of the tales here are rather underdeveloped and move along too quickly, with implausible plot jumps and incomplete conclusions. Examples are "Tan Tan and Dry Bone" which is merely a distilled vignette from one of Hopkinson's later novels; or the potentially terrifying, but rushed and inconclusive, "Greedy Choke Puppy." However the day is saved by winners like "Under Glass," which has a very unique doomsday/dystopia scenario, and great sketches of expatriate Caribbean characters and culture in "Money Tree" and "A Habit of Waste." The apex of the collection is the highly disturbing erotica tale "Ganger (Ball Lightning)," in which a couple learns to overcome malfunctioning and possessed bedroom toys and work out their relationship problems the old-fashioned way. This is in fact one of Hopkinson's best running themes - as technology's got nothing on culture and humanity. [~doomsdayer520~]

                  5 out of 5 stars Wonderful Fantasies.......2003-01-01

                  Review

                  By

                  Judith Woolcock Colombo

                  Hot and spicy with the rhythm of the Caribbean, Skin Folk is a collection of 15 short stories by Jamaican born Canadian author Nalo Hopkinson. These tales are bonded together by a common theme, change or shedding of skin. All is illusion; nothing is, as it first seems within the pages of this book.

                  Beginning with the first story Riding The Red, we see the illusion being stripped away by this bizarre twist on the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Here the elderly Red Riding Hood cautions her daughter to watch her granddaughter who has now begun "to ride the red." This is the time when wolfie comes around to capture and seduce. The grandmother admits "the red hood was mine, to catch his eye," but wolfie also had his dance "all hot breath and leaping flank, piercing eyes to see and strong hands to hold." Encountering wolfie is a natural consequence of riding the red or puberty. It is part of coming of age.

                  In Money Tree, Silky must reluctantly embrace the heritage of her Mamadjo or mermaid mother in order to save her greedy brother Morgan when he seeks to wrest pirate treasure away from River Mumma. In Something To Hitch Meat To, Artho is given the gift of seeing people and things as they really are by a strange spider-like little girl, and in Under Glass, a young girl living in a post apocalyptic world dooms another world with her careless play.

                  This concept of illusion and magical change continues throughout the book in stories such as Tan-Tan and Dry Bone where a soft hearted girl has pity on death disguised as a starving old man and takes him home only to learn if you pick him up you pick up trouble..

                  Although some stories were too similar, others were truly extraordinary. Skin Folk is a wonderful read, and I highly recommend it. ...

                  2 out of 5 stars fairy tales, not SF.......2002-12-30

                  I didn't like it.

                  I am unfamiliar with the rest of this Author's work, so I can't tell you whether it is like her novels or not, but when I judge this work by itself I find it wanting.

                  This is a rather long collection of rather short stories. Most of these have not been published elsewhere. The norm for the SF field is for single author anthologies to be composed mostly if not completely of previously published work. Take this as a warning that you may not be getting what you expected.

                  The stories seem to follow a very common and uninteresting fairy tale format. Fairy tales can be made interesting-- for instance Italo Calvino's Italian Folk Tales. These were not.

                  As a point of reference, I favor "literate" SF. Some of my favorite authors are Kim Stanley Robinson, Gene Wolfe, Ursula LeGuin, Bruce Sterling, Thomas Disch, early Larry Niven...

                  5 out of 5 stars Splendid Fantasy and SF Tales Graced By Caribbean Rhythms.......2002-04-07

                  Nalo Hopkinson's splendid gifts as a brilliant, often unique, writer of literary fictional prose that is also intriguing fantasy and science fiction are amply shown in this fine collection of short stories. Most of these have been published previously in relatively unknown anthologies in Canada and the United States; two are unpublished, and a third is a chapter from her novel "Midnight Robber". Hopkinson has a splendid ear for dialogue and a marvellous eye for scenery, with a taut, lean prose which effectively captures the Caribbean patois of her childhood. "Skin Folk" is a fascinating look at her artistic growth as a writer; here are stories about demons and ghosts as seen through the eyes of West Indians, along with occasional glimpses of cyberpunk science fiction. One of the most memorable tales is "Greedy Choke Puppy", an incandescent look at Vampire mythology with a uniquely West Indian twist; other compelling tales include "Slow Cold Chick" and "Fisherman" which are intriguing meditations on magic and sex.
                  Tortured Skins and Other Fictions
                  Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
                  • Independent Publisher Review
                  • A poetic treasure of prose
                  Tortured Skins and Other Fictions
                  Maurice Kenny
                  Manufacturer: Michigan State University Press
                  ProductGroup: Book
                  Binding: Paperback

                  GeneralGeneral | Native American | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                  ContemporaryContemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                  GeneralGeneral | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
                  ASIN: 0870135317

                  Book Description

                  "This new collection of short fiction from Mohawk writer Maurice Kenny pushes us to explore truth or what we may perceive as truth, showing us different truths: truth of character, natural truth, everyday truth. Tortured Skins and Other Fictions, fourteen in number, form a cohesive study of characters and the anxiety provoking landscapes they inhabit--seemingly idyllic settings are inverted, becoming corrupt backdrops for slaughter and destruction--a broad metaphor for the relationships between the natives of this continent and its later colonizers.

                  The bear, as a trickster figure, resurfaces in various guises, various 'skins,' through the pieces, confronting oblivious characters with their relationships to their worlds. These stories reflect today's world, merging its preoccupations of pop culture and paranormal "

                  Customer Reviews:

                  4 out of 5 stars Independent Publisher Review.......2000-11-11

                  "This collection constitutes a compelling blend of the natural world with the spiritual, a fusion central to Native American lore; it will long linger with its readers." -Deborah Donovan, Independent Publisher

                  5 out of 5 stars A poetic treasure of prose.......2000-08-06

                  Maurice Kenny, best known throughout the world for his award-winning poetry, has put together a set of short stories that stay with you forever. Strong imagery and subtle character building give each story punch, surprise, humor and memorability. The stories flow one to another - never straying from Kenny's strong ties to Native American themes and characters. Each morsel should be savored. I tried to read one a day to have time to reflect and digest each before going on to the next. I confess - I couldn't always control myself!
                  ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE  - and Other Stories: After the Fair; The Enemies; The Tree; The Visitor; The Lemon; The Burning Baby; The Orchards; The Mouse and the Woman; The Horse's Ha; A Prospect of the Sea; The Holy Six; Prologue to an Adventure
                  Average customer rating: Not rated
                    ADVENTURES IN THE SKIN TRADE - and Other Stories: After the Fair; The Enemies; The Tree; The Visitor; The Lemon; The Burning Baby; The Orchards; The Mouse and the Woman; The Horse's Ha; A Prospect of the Sea; The Holy Six; Prologue to an Adventure

                    Manufacturer: Signet Books - New American Library
                    ProductGroup: Book
                    Binding: Paperback
                    ASIN: B000GW68UI
                    Adventures in the SKin Trade and Other Stories
                    Average customer rating: Not rated
                      Adventures in the SKin Trade and Other Stories
                      Dylan Thomas
                      Manufacturer: Signet
                      ProductGroup: Book
                      Binding: Mass Market Paperback
                      ASIN: B000VDT3I6
                      Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories
                      Average customer rating: Not rated
                        Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories
                        Dylan Thomas
                        Manufacturer: New Directions Books
                        ProductGroup: Book
                        Binding: Hardcover
                        ASIN: B000JUV4S8
                        Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories
                        Average customer rating: Not rated
                          Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories
                          Dylan. Thomas
                          Manufacturer: The New American Library
                          ProductGroup: Book
                          Binding: Paperback
                          ASIN: B000KZLUSG
                          Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories
                          Average customer rating: Not rated
                            Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Stories

                            Manufacturer: Signet Classic
                            ProductGroup: Book
                            Binding: Mass Market Paperback
                            ASIN: B000GWWSN4

                            Books:

                            1. Walking Home: A Woman's Pilgrimage on the Appalachian Trail
                            2. Wetlands
                            3. Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
                            4. Wildlife Study Design
                            5. YOU: The Owner's Manual: An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger
                            6. A Handbook of Native American Herbs (Healing Arts)
                            7. A Seal Called Andre: The Two World of a Maine Harbor Seal
                            8. A Walk through the Heavens: A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends
                            9. Adirondacks: Views of An American Wilderness
                            10. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Vol. 2

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