Escape Clause (Berkley Prime Crime Mysteries)

Book Description

Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent Bill Tasker has been under stress lately, and his boss has a perfect getaway for him-Manatee Correctional Prison, where the governor wants an inmate homicide investigated. But there's a whole lot more than murder going on at Manatee. The prison captain likes to enforce discipline by "unorthodox" methods. The psych ward has been known to misplace the occasional patient. A trustee named Luther has something far more ambitious on his mind than working in the prison library. And something very unpleasant is about to happen to Tasker's next-door neighbor.

Customer Reviews:

No Rest for the Weary.......2007-01-24

Some people are always in the right place at the right time; others aren't. Florida lawman Bill Trasker is the latter. Just off a stressful case, he was standing in line at the bank with his 8-year-old daughter when a bank robbery ensued. To help him unwind, his boss sent him to do a review on an inmate homicide at a secluded prison. Bill's trouble magnet, however, continued working at high capacity. Murder, attempted murder (of Bill), kidnapping, and a prison break move Bill's temporary duty from simple to complex and dangerous. Those same complications make for a compelling, fast-paced thriller! James O. Born is now on my must-be-read list.

There Is No Escaping The Talent of James Born!!.......2006-06-04

James Born is on a roll. Following up on his first two novels, Walking Money and Shock Wave, Born goes on to hit three in a row with his main man, James Tasker of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)and an assortment of new charactter, plus some returning characters from the previous novels.

After stopping a bank robbery while there as a customer, Tasker is given a job during his cooling off period of investigating the death of a prisoner at Manatee Prison. The prisoner is the son of a well connected citizen and the governor has asked FDLE to look into it.

On his way to the prison, he is stopped for speeding by a state trooper named Miko which sets up an interesting piece of dialogue about FDLE people which seems to haunt Tasker throughout all three novels:

"I'm a cop."
"Do you have any ID?"
"Yes,Sir."
"Slowly reach for it and show it to me."

Upon showing him his badge the trooper says:

"I thought you said you were a cop."
"I am. Look, with FDLE."
"You guys have uniforms?"
"Nope."
"Work shifts?"
"Nope."
"Drive marked cars?"
"Obviously not."
"Then how can you call yourselves cops?"

Well, as the story unfolds involving correctional people, local police, lunatic inmates, some very attractive ladies and others in the area of Gladesville, Florida it becomes apparent that Tasker is very much a cop and that he is sticking his nose into things that will become hazardous to his health.

When he first broke on to the literary scene I mentioned that Florida had produced some well known and very successful novelists who use the Florida scene and lifestyle and that if he continued in this vein he would be joining some select company. Suffice it to say that Mr. Born is no longer an aspiring novelist in this genre...he has arrived.

As this novel concludes and all of the questions are answered and all of the bad guys are brought to heel, the guarantee of a fourth novel is set out with the meeting of two characters from novels one and two. What antics these two will cook up for Bill Tasker and others is just so delicioius to contemplate, but in the meantime, this book is a keeper. All of them are!!

Great Entertainment, South Florida Style.......2006-04-07

James Born has south Florida down hot! He brings the area vividly to life with an authenticity developed by someone who has apparently served his time on the streets as an investigator at the bottom of the pyramid, a guy who knows what it means to be doing the grunt work.

To that he adds a finely tuned sense of how organizational politics work, from the local level through the state and federal cops and on to the big hitters in Tallahassee. His hero, Tasker, is an idealist in a cynical world and you can't help root for a guy with such "ah shucks" optimism, honesty and sincerity.

Born is a student of human behavior and knows what motivates people, he hones in on the essence of his characters, which makes them interesting, real and alive. There are plenty of plot twists to keep one turning the pages. The dialogue is "spot on" and flows effortlessly, the characters are real because each one is dented and bruised by life, including the hero, Tasker, but each tries to manage with what he/she has to bring to the game, and what the game brings to them. His assortment of DOC oddballs, on both sides of the barbed wire, range from comical to vicious. While leaving no loose ends to ponder he also skillfully leaves the door open for some interesting future entanglements.

Looking forward to Born's next romp in the slightly screwy, but never dull world of Bill Tasker.

Escape Clause is great!.......2006-03-01

James O. Born has done it again! Each of his books is better than the last, and his newest release, Escape Clause, is no exception. Jim Born comes up with the most imaginative plots and his characters, particularly the continuing ones, are beautifully developed and memorable. And only an experienced law enforcement officer could write with such authenticity. His nod to his favorite authors--especially the reference to the unnamed Sun Sentinel reporter who is touring to promote the mystery he just wrote--is fun. I found Escape Clause riveting from the first page to the last. A must read

A compelling and suspenseful novel from a marvelous writer.......2006-02-23

It's always exciting to pick up a novel by an author who started off with great work and who keeps getting better with each new book. Jim Born fits that description. ESCAPE CLAUSE, his third novel featuring Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) agent Bill Tasker, is easily his best, not an easy mark to reach considering the high quality of WALKING MONEY and SHOCK WAVE, his first two novels.

Tasker is, it would seem, a natural creation for Born, given Born's FDLE status as a special agent, his former membership of the FDLE special-ops team, and his duty as a DEA agent and as a deputy U.S. Marshal. Born's background, however, constitutes only half of the equation, which results in the addictive nature of his novels. Along with his real-world background, Born can write.

While reading ESCAPE CLAUSE, one gets the feeling that they are not so much turning pages as looking at scenes unfurl across a canvas, or, better yet, watching the private screening of a riveting film. Born infuses a real-world setting into his narrative, eschewing dramatic exaggeration and concentrating on the believability of his characters to move his story along. Tasker accordingly is a likable, not perfect guy, smart but not brilliant, tough but not indestructible. He has real-world domestic problems as a single dad, which he resolves well if not perfectly. Tasker is also a bit of a babe-magnet, but they aren't falling into his bed within an hour of meeting him. And when he shoots someone, even in self-defense, Tasker has the grace to feel bad about it.

When Tasker is involved in a shooting incident while breaking up a bank robbery, his supervisor sends him on what is supposedly a restful assignment: investigating what appears to be an inmate homicide at the ill-named Manatee Correctional Facility. Born, while introducing Tasker into Manatee, subtly makes the facility a secondary character in ESCAPE CLAUSE, and a realistic one. The prison is not a hell hole, though it is certainly not one in which you would choose to spend an evening. And, it seems, there is as much to fear from the administration of the facility as there is from the inmates.

It becomes clear that at least some guards --- from the bottom on up --- are trying to stymie Tasker's investigation, if not scare him off entirely. The resistance, however, only causes Tasker to dig in deeper, and when his next-door neighbor comes to harm, Tasker begins to take the resistance personally. His biggest problem though is finding someone he can trust --- his list keeps getting shorter, even as the methods used to stymie his investigation become more and more deadly. Events reach a cataclysmic and ultimately ironic end, from which Tasker learns who his friends, and enemies, truly are.

Born is nothing less than a marvel, a writer who in the short space of a few novels has made a multitude of must-read lists. And, speaking of must-reads, ESCAPE CLAUSE sets up a possible plot line for the next Tasker novel, which hopefully we will see sooner rather than later. Highly recommended.

--- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

Santa Clause 3, The: The Escape Clause (Junior Novelization)

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Santa Clause 3, The: The Escape Clause (Junior Novelization)
James Ponti
Manufacturer: Disney Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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Escape Clause, The: A Very Merry Frostmas (The Escape Claus: Santa Clause 3)

ASIN: 142310112X

Escape Claus, The: What to Do About Frost? (Santa Clause 3)

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Escape Claus, The: What to Do About Frost? (Santa Clause 3)
Kate Egan
Manufacturer: Disney Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1423105060

STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE; MORE STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE; NEW STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE - and TWILIGHT ZONE REVISITED: The Mighty Casey; Escape Clause; Walking Distance; The Fever; Where is Everybody; The Monsters are Due on Maple Street

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STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE; MORE STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE; NEW STORIES FROM THE TWILIGHT ZONE - and TWILIGHT ZONE REVISITED: The Mighty Casey; Escape Clause; Walking Distance; The Fever; Where is Everybody; The Monsters are Due on Maple Street
Rod (Revisited has been adapted by Walter B. Gibson) Serling
Manufacturer: Bantam Books; Tempo Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVUDQO

Escape clauses ruin appraisal process. (FC&S on Lines).(state laws, commercial property appraisals): An article from: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management

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Escape clauses ruin appraisal process. (FC&S on Lines).(state laws, commercial property appraisals): An article from: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management
Michael K. McCracken
Manufacturer: The National Underwriter Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management, published by The National Underwriter Company on April 8, 2002. The length of the article is 946 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Escape clauses ruin appraisal process. (FC&S on Lines).(state laws, commercial property appraisals)
Author: Michael K. McCracken
Publication: National Underwriter Property & Casualty-Risk & Benefits Management (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 8, 2002
Publisher: The National Underwriter Company
Volume: 106 Issue: 14 Page: 27(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Five-year escape clause gives Meritage a friendly out.(news & analysis): An article from: Tooling & Production

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Five-year escape clause gives Meritage a friendly out.(news & analysis): An article from: Tooling & Production

Manufacturer: Nelson Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Management | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Tooling & Production, published by Nelson Publishing on August 1, 2004. The length of the article is 475 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Five-year escape clause gives Meritage a friendly out.(news & analysis)
Publication: Tooling & Production (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2004
Publisher: Nelson Publishing
Volume: 70 Issue: 8 Page: 6(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

How to draft exculpatory clauses that limit or extinguish liability. (The Great Escape)(Cover Story).(Florida law): An article from: Florida Bar Journal

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How to draft exculpatory clauses that limit or extinguish liability. (The Great Escape)(Cover Story).(Florida law): An article from: Florida Bar Journal
Steven B. Lesser
Manufacturer: Florida Bar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Florida Bar Journal, published by Florida Bar on November 1, 2001. The length of the article is 7832 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: How to draft exculpatory clauses that limit or extinguish liability. (The Great Escape)(Cover Story).(Florida law)
Author: Steven B. Lesser
Publication: Florida Bar Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2001
Publisher: Florida Bar
Volume: 75 Issue: 10 Page: 10(9)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Twilight Zone Collection Radio Dramas: Collection 7 (Dramatized)

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The Twilight Zone Collection Radio Dramas: Collection 7 (Dramatized)

Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B000NHG8KG

The analysis of causality in escape clause cases (Working paper / Bureau of Economics, Federal Trade Commission)

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The analysis of causality in escape clause cases (Working paper / Bureau of Economics, Federal Trade Commission)
Kenneth Kelly
Manufacturer: U.S. FTC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00071FWDM

Destabilizing effects of exchange-rate escape clauses (Center for International and Development Economics Research working paper)

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Destabilizing effects of exchange-rate escape clauses (Center for International and Development Economics Research working paper)
Maurice Obstfeld
Manufacturer: University of California at Berkeley, Dept. of Economics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006QMSX0

Book Description

After a fire at Llanfair's new French restaurant makes murder the dish du jour, Constable Evans is on the case.

• Fourth in the popular Constable Evans series

Customer Reviews:

Your Grandmother's mystery.......2006-10-13

This is the fourth entry in the mystery series of Evan Evans, the constable of the small Welsh village of Llanfair, who is somewhat of an underachieving Dudley Do-right, honest, fair, respectful and always pleasant. The books are "G" rated, with little violence and swearing, and any romantic situations Evan finds himself in are somewhat Victorian. There is a cast of regular characters in the village including Evan's match-making coddling landlady, a pair of feuding reverends (and their respective wives), a nosey postman who reads everyone's mail, an older, more experienced sargeant from the neighboring town, (who relies on Evan heavily), and several available women vying for Evan's eye. In a word the series is quaint and not without charm. In this adventure Evan investigates several fires that appear to be set by a xenophobic arsonist with the most serious involving a mysterious French restaurateur and her recently opened eatery. Said restaurateur's dialog is somewhat comical in that her accent is portrayed by simply substituting the letter "z", (and sometimes the letter "s"), for "t" and "th", with a few choice French phrases such "Voila", "Mon Dieu" and "Ooh-la-la", and is reminiscent of Pepe Lepew's, (of Bugs Bunny cartoon fame). She also smokes, drinks wine and is a "romantic". The chase takes Evan, (and his friend, "Sarge") to Southern England, then coastal France and finally into the big city of Paris before this one is solved - a slight departure from the earlier books. These are "light" mysteries and this one is even lighter than the previous three without much build-up or suspense or even a mystery. As stated elsewhere this series' books are quick reads and then alas, quickly forgotten.

gentle mystery.......2003-05-27

I have to confess that I enjoy reading Ms. Bowen Welsh mysteries. Getting that out of the way, I find them to be a very pleasent diversion, but not much more. Her plots tend to become a blur a day or two after I finish a book.And this one is no exception. Its very charming and cute and unimportant. Even so you will have a very good time reading it.

Arson in Llanfair.......2003-04-03

A serial arsonist is loose in the Welsh mountains. He seems to be targeting properties owned by foreigners. Is there a connection to some of the nationalist groups? Village constable Evan Evans thinks so. Meanwhile, the owner of the new French restaurant just down the mountain is receiving threatening notes. But when her place goes up in flame, a body is found in the rubble. Who is it? And who is setting the fires? Meanwhile, Evan is thinking about applying for a promotion that would take him out of Llanfair.

Rhys Bowen offers yet another charming tale of life in a small Welsh village. Llanfair grows more familiar and fun with every visit. This is probably the best plot to date. While I suspected the direction this book was going, it took several twists along the way to the satisfying conclusion.

With this, the fourth book in the series, these people have become friends. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

EVAN & ELLE--------A HIT!!!!!.......2001-07-13

I really liked Evan & Elle. I have read all four books and enjoyed them all. Evan Evans is in his usual mode. A policeman that is concerned about the people around him. He does not use bad language nor is he trying to kill someone. In this book Evan has really two mysteries going at the same time. Who is setting the fires and who killed the man found dead after one of the buildings burn? How is the newcomer, Madame Yvette involved and is she Madame Yvette????? I like the barmaid Betsy and her play for Evan. Bronwen is his girl though, they make a good couple. I fear if they ever married it would not be good for the series. I can see the town of Llanfair and the surrounding countryside in my mind as I read, also the characters involved. Bowen does an excellent job of writing. Make me wish that is where I lived. I would suggest reading the books in order but I feel most will like Evan Evans and the people of Llanfair.

Evan Evans gets better and better.......2001-05-24

Latest in series of Police Constable Evan Evans who is the sole law enforcement officer in a rural Welsh village. Part of the fun is reading about series recurring characters and their evolution. At long last, it appears Evans-the-Police is ready to start thinking about committing to Bronwen Price, school teacher. More happens in this book about their relationship than has happened in all the previous books togeher! All in all, a good read, especially if you've read the earlier ones in the series.

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Wizard By Trade, Includes Summer Knight & Death Masks

Manufacturer: SFBC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0739465813

Product Description

Fantasy: For Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the Chicago phone book, when it rains, it pours. In fact, it pours toads, always a sign something bad is about to happen, But Harry takes such omens in stride, given that his rattletrap VW Bug needs constant upkeep, and his 30 pound guard cat wants regular meals.

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There's no place like home
The Great Adventure
the fairy tale of the wizard of oz
A "not so" wonderful wizard of Oz
A "not so" wonderful wizard of Oz

Wizard of Oz (Play Mask Books)
L. Frank Baum
Manufacturer: Troll Communications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

ASIN: 0816723737

Amazon.com

For many of us, the adventures of Dorothy in Oz will forever be associated not with Judy Garland singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" but with W. W. Denslow's exceedingly odd line drawings for the original editions of Baum's Oz series. The Viennese artist Lisbeth Zwerger, however, goes a long way toward providing a new and refreshed set of images for the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the humbug wizard. These illustrations are often cockeyed, with occasional realistic details thrown in, like a crow with a corncob in its beak in the first portrait of the Scarecrow. The characters have a poignance and oddity that escaped the makers of the Oz movie.

Book Description

`The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick,' said the Witch; `so you cannot miss it. When you get to Oz do not be afraid of him, but tell your story and ask him to help you.' A cyclone hits Kansas and whirls away Dorothy and her little dog Toto to the magical Land of Oz, where wild beasts talk, silver shoes have magic powers, and good witches offer protection with a kiss. But Dorothy has made an enemy of the Wicked Witch of the West. With her new friends the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion, they brave many dangers in search of the Wonderful Wizard in his Emerald City at the heart of Oz to ask him to grant each of them what they most desire - only to find that they already possess it. Published at the dawn of the twentieth century, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) immediately captivated child and adult readers alike. This new edition includes many of W. W. Denslow's original illustrations, and the introduction considers both the famous MGM film version and recent literary theory in a fascinating discussion of this children's classic.

Customer Reviews:

There's no place like home.......2007-04-12

I read this book recently after reading Maguire's Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I was very familiar with the movie The Wizard of Oz (Two-Disc Special Edition) but had never got around to reading the book, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it.
Read it by yourself or with your child, you will be surprised how different it is from the movie we all know.

The Great Adventure.......2007-02-20

This book was a great adventure!! You meet a lot of imaginary creatures and go through the woods through a town made of china and its good for children or adults!!!!!! So if you want your child to read more often give him/her the wizard of oz it will be imposible for your child to stop reading it!!!!!!!!! So if you want to read read read than read the wizard of oz!!!!!!!!!!!ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the fairy tale of the wizard of oz.......2007-02-07

THE WIZARD OF OZ

The Wizard of Oz is about a girl, Dorothy, who's house was carried up in a cyclone with her and her dog Toto still in it. It turns out she landed in the Land of Oz. She meets some munchkins and a nice witch who tells her to go down the yellow brick road to meet the Great Oz who can get her back to Kansas where she lives. On her journey, she meets bad creatures, and friends who also need to get to Oz. They have some difficulties along the way. Will Dorothy ever get back to Kansas to meet her Aunt Em again?
This book has a clear message that you should keep trying, even if it's hard. Dorothy and her friends keep trying to get to Oz and anywhere else they need to be, even though the challenge is difficult.
This is a great fairy tale. I loved this book! So if you're looking for an exciting fairy tale, read The Wizard Of Oz!

A "not so" wonderful wizard of Oz.......2007-01-08

The reason I read this book was because of all the high praise I hear about it. Don't get me wrong the book was wonderfully written for a 5 year old. There were some parts I enjoyed but most parts left me bored and wondering when it will end.Most of you have seen the movie, some of you have seen it many many times. What i'm getting at here is that book was actully worse than the movie. The book has a bunch of different and wierd parts that the movie didn't have.After awhile dorothy get annoying when see keeps complaining that see wants to go home and she seems not to care about anyone exept for her dog toto.
To any child or,parent looking for a book for a child, this book is for you. But to the teenagers and adults that don't enjoy children's books, this book isn't for you. It may seem that i've been harsh on the book but there is some good parts too. Its also a classic so it wouldn't hurt to read this book.

A "not so" wonderful wizard of Oz.......2007-01-08

The reason I read this book was because of all the high praise I hear about it. Don't get me wrong the book was wonderfully written for a 5 year old. There were some parts I enjoyed but most parts left me bored and wondering when it will end.
To any child or,parent looking for a book for a child, this book is for you. But to the teenagers and adults that don't enjoy children's books, this book isn't for you.

Cut and Make Wizard of Oz Masks in Full Color

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Super looking 3-D masks
Too much work to be worth it...

Cut and Make Wizard of Oz Masks in Full Color
Dick Martin
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0486243060

Customer Reviews:

Super looking 3-D masks.......2001-05-24

I ordered this book for my three year old daughter who had a Wizard of Oz birthday party. I made all the masks and the kids enjoyed trying on all the characters. I think they turned out real cute. I had to use paper clips on some while the glue dried to hold the parts in place.

Too much work to be worth it..........2001-01-30

My son LOVES the Wizard of Oz movie, so I thought I'd get him this for Christmas...well, it's February, and we still haven't cut out any of the masks. Not only are they very difficult to cut out, but you need a whole bunch of other tools, like an X-acto knife, and the old time paper prong connectors that I can't seem to find anywhere. This will probably go unused for quite a while.

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Uniquely written in the style of the epic poem

The Mask of Ollock
Robert F. Kauffmann
Manufacturer: Arx Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1889758337

Book Description

Olgo, the elderly mage-king of Umbra, in hopes of preserving his dynasty, fashions a magical golden mask for his beloved son Ollock. However, Olgo's fatherly eyes are blind to the arrogance and ambition that festers in his son's heart. Such overwhelming pride wedded to the awesome power of the Mask dooms Umbra to a nightmarish reign of terror and an unwanted war of conquest.

The Mask of Ollock is a dramatic fantasy epic written in a highly poetic and evocative style. It is the debut offering from New Jersey artist Robert F. Kauffmann, and features 15 illustrations done by the author.

Customer Reviews:

Uniquely written in the style of the epic poem.......2002-06-05

Robert F. Kauffmann's The Mask Of Ollock is a wonderful and distinctive fantasy, uniquely written in the style of the epic poem. The lengthy saga of a world torn in conflict among politicians, wizards, and demonic spirits is recounted in rhyming verse and powerfully illustrated with stark black-and-white artwork. A superb book for fantasy enthusiasts who tire of the same old prose and long to enjoy a thrilling new experience. Ollock grinned in his golden mask/in deep abiding satisfaction:/"Let us withdraw to yonder hill/To discuss our imminent alliance together/Chosen from among our faithful following."/And Arrack and Ollock withdrew as stated,/Signaling soldiers to follow in train.

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such a yawn...
Addictive plot & vivid narrative
Fantastic

Mask of the Wizard
Catherine Cooke
Manufacturer: Tom Doherty Assoc Llc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

Magic & Wizards | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0812533844

Customer Reviews:

such a yawn..........2005-04-12

it is hardly to regret that this book is out of print: the quality of its content perfectly mirrored by that of the artwork (?) on the cover: professional (barely) but cold and stiff.

ms cooke's writing is professional enough and she has a sufficient skill in plotting but the story itself is not interesting, her characterization is dull and her characters hardly endearing; to cut it short this book stirs no emotion, no reaction whatsoever beside a certain amount annoyance because of some typos and plot inconsistencies.

further annoyance is amply provided by some basic ideas: i realise that this book was written about twenty years ago (1985) but i wonder whether it is tolerable that all the main characters are either younger than 22 or definitely old, that they show no kind of depth and that the villain is contemptuously depicted as indulging in a "vice", the "vice" being his proneness to young male soldiers.

i rather suggest you do not take the trouble of seeking this volume in second-hand book stores: an old fashioned, boring, low cost romance such as this is is not worth your time and money.

Addictive plot & vivid narrative.......2005-02-05

What I liked best about this book is that I really cared about the main characters -- of which there were several. The author writes in such a way that the personality of each character is distinctive -- no cardboard look-alikes. The lead characters are *heroic* but not superhuman. Plus they are reasonably ethical, but not unbelievably perfect. There are complex relationships among the characters, which evolve in interesting ways over the course of the story.

The story itself involves evil wizards who are out to conquer the world. They invade & attack with large armies composed of human soldiers who have been magically enthralled into berserk status. These berserkers have no fear of death, & take no prisoners.

During battles, the wizards use their spells mainly as a form of magical artillery -- blowing away city walls and doors and entrenchments.

The main leading characters (the good guys) have a bit of magic of their own, and warriors, but are no match against the forces of the evil wizards. Therefore, the good guys are mainly in a state of fight-escape-run-skulk throughout much of the story. There are lots of exciting battles, clever tactics, innovative escapes, & thrilling sneaking around.

Also, there is an on-going set of mysterious bad guys (WHO are they?) & ominous foreshadowing (WHY is she acting so strangely?). Jolly good fun! A superb read. I just ordered everything this author has written -- with my fingers crossed that she has sustained or exceeded the superb quality of this book -- her first effort (I think).

Fantastic.......2000-05-29

I do not read fantasy books but this book has hooked me to it. The story is kind of mysterious and I love it. I 've been reading this book over and over again. Its a great book.

PIPE AND PEARLS - A Gathering of Tales - Underground; In the Prison; At the End of The Lane; The Mask; The Steamer Trunk; The Chalk Circle; The Dream Master; The Wizard of the Danbury Wood

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PIPE AND PEARLS - A Gathering of Tales - Underground; In the Prison; At the End of The Lane; The Mask; The Steamer Trunk; The Chalk Circle; The Dream Master; The Wizard of the Danbury Wood
Michael Bedard
Manufacturer: Gardenshore Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0920134033

The Wizard of Oz. A You're in the Story Book. Includes Storybook, 3 Masks, Emerald Glasses, in Reclosable Case

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The Wizard of Oz. A You're in the Story Book. Includes Storybook, 3 Masks, Emerald Glasses, in Reclosable Case
L. Frank. Adapted By Peter Archer. Illustrated By Harry McNaught Baum
Manufacturer: Tormont Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UMPEOK

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Mask of the Wizard
Catherine Cooke
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000LNGFB4

Book Description

This is the most comprehensive guide to the chemical and subtle nature of gemstones and their use throughout history. Johari includes detailed instructions for the creation of gem talismans and the rituals surrounding the use of gems to obtain desired effects. He also uses Hindu astrology to explain the gems you should wear to maximize your physical and psychological well-being.

New edition of a popular classic.

This is the first book in this subject area to draw on the ancient Hindu sciences of Tantra, Ayurvedic medicine, and astrology, as well as on the author's own family tradition of gemology.

Customer Reviews:

A gem of a book!.......2003-03-29

This is a guide to optimising physical and psychological well-being through the use of gemstones, with reference to the disciplines of Tantra an Ayurveda. The author discusses how Indian astrologers, Ayurvedic healers and Tantric alchemists use gems in their practices and provides clear instructions for the creation of gemstone talismans and the performanc of rituals involving gems to bring about desired effects. The book serves as both a practical guide to the subtle nature of gemstones and as an overview of their use through the ages. The introduction looks at gemstones and the human race and gems and astrology, while Part 2 deals with particular stones and their ruling planets: ruby, pearl, coral, emerald, yellow sapphire, diamond, blue sapphire, hessonite and cat's eye. There is also a chapter on semi-precious stones and gems of medicinal value plus one devoted to healing with gemstones. It was interesting to learn that gems work with both Physicochemical and Pranic energy, whether the are worn as jewelry or taken orally in the form of pastes or oxides. Beautiful illustrations, Sanskrit script and figures enliven the text and there are many tables and astrological charts.

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