Rain Fall (John Rain Thrillers)

Amazon.com

John Rain, a Japanese American konketsu, or half-breed, learned his lethal trade as a member of the U.S. Special Forces. Although tortured by memories of atrocities he committed in Vietnam, he has become a paid assassin, a solitary man who lives in the shadows and trusts no one, even those who pay extraordinary sums for his ability to make murder look like natural death. But the aftermath of an otherwise routine hit on a government bureaucrat brings Rain to the attention of two men he knows from the old days in Vietnam: a friend who's now a Tokyo cop and an enemy who betrayed Rain long ago and is now the CIA's station chief in Japan. Like the gangster who hired Rain to kill Yasuhiro Kawamura, they want something the dead man had--a computer disk containing proof of high-level corruption, information that could destroy Japan's ruling political coalition. The search for the disk leads them to a woman Rain has come to love, a talented young jazz musician who also happens to be Kawamura's daughter. In this taut, brilliantly paced debut thriller, set in a vividly rendered Tokyo, the author manages an unlikely feat; he earns the reader's sympathy and concern for his protagonist, an amoral assassin who is one of most compelling characters in recent crime fiction. --Jane Adams

Book Description

Enthusiastic publishers around the world have become enthralled by John Rain, a strikingly fresh new thriller hero destined to be one of the most talked-about of the season. Born of an American mother and a Japanese father, Rain is a businessman based in Tokyo, living a life of meticulously planned anonymity. There are few who know who he is or what he does. Trained by the U.S. Special Forces and a veteran of Vietnam, he is a cool, self-contained loner-and he has built a steady business over the past twenty-five years specializing in death by "natural causes."

After the assassination of a government official in a crowded subway car, Rain's carefully ordered world comes under siege. Agents within and without the international intelligence communities have been circling him for some time and, having connected him to the subway incident, may now have the scent they have been seeking. At the same time, Rain is drawn outside his private world by an alluring jazz pianist, the dead man's daughter, who is the key to the very secrets her father was trying to reveal when he died.

Customer Reviews:

OK, but not enough..........2007-10-05

John Rain has something in common with John "Lilly" Lelankevitch, the main protagonist in Evil, Be Gone. Vietnam left them both skilled but scarred. In Rain Fall, I didn't find Rain's skills demonstrated enough to sustain the interest of the "action novel" reader in me and I didn't sufficiently feel the depth of his scarring to become emotionally invested in the story. I will definitely give Barry Eisler another chance to snare me as a fan, but Rain Fall fell short for me. R.J. Estko, the author of Evil, be Gone (a John "Lilly" Lelankevitch novel available on Amazon.com)

ENTERTAINING!.......2007-09-30

Was in the mood for some spy thrillers and I think I have found a good series. Rain Fall was entertaining, novel, with plenty of action. The book went smoothly and quickly and I was certainly entertained by the main character.

For a first novel, it whet my appetite for more. Shall order the 2nd in the series. Love series novels.

The detractors of this novel are right on!.......2007-08-11

Initially, I thought it was me. I found it a challenge getting through this thing. It was boring, not much action until the latter part of the book. There was so much discussion about the layout of Tokyo; so much, I truely believe a resident of this city would be confused. All this discussion of streets and subways was obviously intentional but not really necessary. Perhaps, a reader from Tokyo might find it more enjoyable.

I have no problem with the plot, however, as stated earlier, be prepared for little action.

Painfully amateurish.......2007-07-03

I can't tell whether Eisler packed this book with endless,unnecessary and insipid expositions of background material because he doesn't know how to advance his story otherwise, or is showing off, or just thinks his readers are morons. Probably all three. What is obvious is that he's clueless about how to construct a clean, efficient and interesting plot.

I gave Eisler another chance and tried reading the second book in the series, Hard Rain, but gave up around page 70. It's just as tedious as the first one. But giving it a try does allow me to add this comment: Eisler apparently thinks that demonstrating his character's (and his own) knowledge of single malt scotches demonstrates just how cool they both are. Really -- really -- clueless.

Ghastly overrated.......2007-07-01

Much hype has been made about this series and its protagonist, John Rain, an assassin operating in Tokyo, Japan.

But I can't remember the last time a novel had a hero so hard to like or sympathize with in the slightest. Rain remorselessly murders innocent people for relatively small sums of money but then expects us to care for him when he whines about how rough Vietnam was. We're supposed to accept him as slick and unflappable, but he acts like a horny 13-year-old boy around pretty women. Supposedly he is super deadly, but he never once engages in a fight where he doesn't totally outmatch (and subsequently butcher) the competition. And Rain's sudden urge to protect the hot daughter of one of his victims is never explained or written in any remotely convincing way, except to say that he wants to sleep with her.

Replete with ultra-dull prose, almost no action, and hopelessly lame descriptions of Japan, this thriller is excitement free, a complete dud.

Tears Before the Rain: An Oral History of the Fall of Vietnam

Average customer rating:

Allowing a broad range of narrators to tell their truth
Interesting, but not surprising.
Just buy it.
Tears of human tragedy. Joys of human triumph.
Yes. Once again, it's a book you must read.

Tears Before the Rain: An Oral History of the Fall of Vietnam
Larry Engelmann
Manufacturer: Da Capo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Southeast Asia | Asia | History | Subjects | Books

Vietnam War | Military | History | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Twenty-Five Year Century: A South Vietnamese General Remembers the Indochina War to the Fall of Saigon
Feather in the Storm: A Childhood Lost in Chaos

ASIN: 0306807890

Book Description

CBS camera-man Mike Marriott was on the last plane to escape from Danang before it fell in the spring of 1975. The scene was pure chaos: thousands of panic-stricken Vietnamese storming the airliner, soldiers shooting women and children to get aboard first, refugees being trampled to death. Marriott remembers standing at the door of the aft stairway, which was gaping open as the plane took off. "There were five Vietnamese below me on the steps. As the nose of the aircraft came up, because of the force and speed of the aircraft, the Vietnamese began to fall off. One guy managed to hang on for a while, but at about 600 feet he let go and just floated off--just like a skydiver.... What was going through my head was, I've got to survive this, and at the same time, I've got to capture this on film. This is the start of the fall of a country. This country is gone. This is history, right here and now." In Tears Before the Rain, a stunning oral history of the fall of South Vietnam, Larry Engelmann has gathered together the testimony of seventy eyewitnesses (both American and Vietnamese) who, like Mike Marriott, capture the feel of history "right here and now." We hear the voices of nurses, pilots, television and print media figures, the American Ambassador Graham Martin, the CIA station chief Thomas Polgar, Vietnamese generals, Amerasian children, even Vietcong and North Vietnamese soldiers. Through this extraordinary range of perspectives, we experience first-hand the final weeks before Saigon collapsed, from President Thieu's cataclysmic withdrawal from Pleiku and Kontum, (Colonel Le Khac Ly, put in command of the withdrawal, recalls receiving the order: "I opened my eyes large, large, large. I thought I wasn't hearing clearly") to the last-minute airlift of Americans from the embassy courtyard and roof ("I remember when the bird ascended," says Stuart Herrington, who left on one of the last helicopters, "It banked, and there was the Embassy, the parking lot, the street lights. And the silence"). Touching, heroic, harrowing, and utterly unforgettable, these dramatic narratives illuminate one of the central events of modern history. "It was like being at Waterloo," concludes Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes. "It was so important, so historical. And today it is still very obvious that we Americans have not recovered from Vietnam....Nothing else in my lifetime was as important as that--as important as Vietnam."

Customer Reviews:

Allowing a broad range of narrators to tell their truth.......2004-11-29

Engelmann's Tears Before the Rain is a very well balanced oral history of the fall of South Vietnam. Airline attendants tell frightening stories of commercial jets being mobbed by desperate South Vietnamese trying to escape before the flood of Norht Vietnamese troops overtake Saigon. US Military officers, an ambassador, and CIA field chief give their perspectives from the American point of view. South Vietnamese army officers and soldiers give another account, one of betrayal by the United States. I can certainly understand the perspectives of the South Vietnamese. They feared for their lives and the lives of their families. The North Vietnamese forces controlled large portions of rural South Vietnam and they were ruthless to former South Vietnamese government officials and their families. This book is a very fast read, the narrative statements have been well edited into seemless paragraphs and any prompt questions by Engelmann have been removed. Our entry into the war was a terrible miscalculation. Our leaving the war was a human tragedy for all those South Vietnamese who had grown dependent on the United States. Engelmann's book puts a personal face on these tragic times. Well done and worth 5 stars.

Interesting, but not surprising........2002-12-18

This is a somewhat tedious book that does not really break any new ground in its descripion of people's experiences with the events surrounding the fall of South Vietnam. The tediousness in the book comes from the fact that there is so much similarity in the experiences related: South Vietnam was worth fighting for, America let us down, it was hard to get out of Saigon, Thai pirates preyed on boat people, Americans who'd shed sweat or blood in Vietnam were terribly disappointed with how things turned out, etc. I would have appreciated some more diversity in people's experience (as Studs Terkel did in "The Good War" where we read not only about 18 year old combat soldiers, but also WW II draft dodgers, etc.). I also found myself getting weary of reading that America let the South Vietnamese down. ...

Just buy it........2001-01-14

I've read a fair amount about Vietnam (Fire In the Lake, Karnow's Vietnam, Chickenhawk, etc.), all definitely worth reading, but this book ... the many stories and experiences, is the most memorable. It's rare to find a singular event remembered and retold from so many different perspectives. Well balanced and presented.

Tears of human tragedy. Joys of human triumph........2000-05-04

I shed many tears while reading this beautifully written collection of stories about the fall of Saigon. They are stories of tragedy inflicted by human beings upon each other. They are stories of human spirits surviving, triumphing over the most horrible situations. You will never be able to forget the people, the stories once you read the book. I highly recommend it.

Yes. Once again, it's a book you must read........1999-10-01

Like a Gideon giving away bibles. I read and then gave away 4 copies of this book. I bought 10 more copies. I gave them away. I then bought 20 more copies and gave them away. Yes, this book is that good! You must experience it. Professor Englemann has produced a superb collection of first hand accounts by those who experienced the last 3 months of the Vietnam War. Please buy it and read it. I can't afford to buy it for everybody!

Average customer rating:

Experiments in Form and Concept
Eclectic collection
Falling For Farber
Short goodness from an enjoyable writer
Some Rain Must Fall

Some Rain Must Fall: And Other Stories
Michel Faber
Manufacturer: Harvest Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
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The Courage Consort
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ASIN: 0156011484

Book Description

Michel Faber's short stories are markedly diverse-the voice of each is so distinct that the book reads like an anthology of different writers. But Faber's radically inventive style fastens all fifteen stories into a compelling collection deserving of the high praise it garnered in the United Kingdom. One surreal story, "Fish," projects a futuristic world populated with fish swimming in the air. As sharks hover in abandoned corners and human zealots of the Church of the Armageddon loose their fanaticism on the innocent, it's a mother's full-time job to protect her young daughter. The title story, "Some Rain Must Fall," tells of a substitute schoolteacher called on in a crisis, and as she encourages her pupils to express their feelings, we learn the source of the class's trouble: a devastating act that resonates with contemporary America. As Garth Morris wrote in the Mail on Sunday (London), "these are well-crafted pieces of quiet forlorn intensity in a very real world."

Customer Reviews:

Experiments in Form and Concept.......2005-11-23

Fictional tales in long form, novels or novellas, usually work best with strong character development and steady plotting. Short stories, on the other hand, are usually the best place to explore really experimental ideas in ways that longer works don't really allow, or to play with the form of storytelling. Michel Faber's short story collection "Some Rain Must Fall" is a nearly perfect example of what short stories can be -- these tiny nuggets of brilliance each offer up a different glimpse into the ideas that drive the author, beyond what his novels show.

"Some Rain Must Fall" is a remarkably varied collection. Some stories aren't especially interesting for their ideas, but are more experiments in form, like the marginally successful "In Case of Vertigo," the only letdown in the book. Others are sharply original and frighteningly whimsical, such as "Fish," a tale about a world in which fish of all shapes and sizes have taken to the air and left the seas empty. Some, like "Some Rain Must Fall" or "Somewhere Warm and Comfortable" are fairly simple and straightforward, but compelling and deeply disturbing in their way. Others are mindbending in concept, like "Toy Story" (a young boy who discovers a new planet that he plays with and observes in his room) and "Nina's Hand" (told entirely from the perspective of a woman's right hand on its last day). A couple can be read as political statements, such as my favorite story in the collection, the wry and heartfelt "The Tunnel of Love," a story that dares to compare feminism with pornography, with thought-provoking results.

Nearly all of the stories found in this book are clever, keenly-observed, original, and well worth reading. Those who have read Faber in long novel form (such as the excellent "Under the Skin" or "The Crimson Petal and the White") will find that this collection is different from what you might expect based on those books, but very rewarding and enjoyable. Those new to Faber's work would do well to give this book a try as a peek into what this author is capable of. This is Faber when he's a little more playful, trying on different ideas and giving us a glimpse of what he can really do.

As short story collections go, there are few by any author quite like this one.

Eclectic collection.......2005-10-23

As other reviewers have noted, this collection of serial prize-winner Michel Faber's short fiction is dazzling in its variety. Touching domestic dramas sit comfortably along side Ballard-like sci-fi; straightforward three-act storytelling suddenly switches into Calvino-style abstraction. Others, like "Sheep" and "The Tunnel of Love" could happily be extended and developed into quirky comic screenplays ("Sheep" especially). Anyone who enjoyed Faber's novels, and even those who didn't, will find plenty to smile about here. If there is a weakness it's characterization, which is often eschewed in favour of essay-like musings, cleverness in structure, or a cute narrative device. Yet, ironically, female characters are Faber's strong suit. Those stories which take an interesting woman and elaborate her inner and outer experience - such as the title story here, "Nina's Hand", "The Red Cement Truck" and his novella "The Hundred and Ninety-nine Steps" - are his best. Australian readers might also note the similarity to Peter Carey's short fiction which often leans towards the fabulist. Anyone who enjoys Faber's "The Crust of Hell" should certainly seek out Carey's "Kristu-Du" (available in his "Collected Stories" published by Faber & Faber and UQP) for a similar take on African colonialism.

Falling For Farber.......2005-05-16

Michael Faber first captivated me with his novel, The Crimson Petal and The White. In his collection of short stories entitled, Some Rain Must Fall he again demonstrates his flair for character development and incredibly descriptive writing. However, what struck me in this collection is that he writes about the modern day headlines that dog society. Obesity, eating disorders, violence in schools, and abortion. Faber goes beyond the "Jerry Springer" circus media and portrays victims as real people with lives much like our own. He constantly demonstrates to us the beauty of life and the ugliness of it all.
In his short story collection, Some Rain Must Fall, Faber also explores characters of many different ages and backgrounds. He is able as a writer to convey their mannerisms, train if thought, choice and motivations. A master of the inner mind, he is always effective.
Overall, I found these short stories to be intense snapshots of modern day peril. Farber is a master of narration. His writing is easy to read, and yet he has a contemporary style all his own, with a bit of a jagged edge to it. Like life itself - shiny and pretty sometimes; sooty and dirty too.

If you looking for a newer writer to fall for - he is it.

Short goodness from an enjoyable writer.......2004-04-25

I read Faber's The Crimson Petal and the White first, was so pleased with his style that I picked up this short story collection. I enjoyed it very much, as the stories have the same style, but show off his ability in many different arenas besides the victorian England setting of Crimson Petal. Plots ranging from the fantastical "Fish" to the grapes of wrath-ish "Accountability" to the karma deliverance in "Sheep" that I think we'd all like to hand out some times.

Some Rain Must Fall.......2004-02-26

There's no denying that Faber is a good writer - not great, just good - but is that really enough? I enjoyed all of the short stories in this book, but only two or three really made me sit back and reflect on the quality of what I had just read.

The stories take one of two paths. They generally open up with something weird, a weird first sentence (After fours hours and seventeen minutes there was a raindrop, and Ivan sprang to life) then become normal, or they start out normal (Upstairs, a strange man was going through her things) and end up weird. Not a bad thing, certainly, but it was sort of depressing to know what style the story would take based upon its first sentence, or at the very least, the first paragraph.

The weird stories were enjoyable, but the normal ones were better. Faber has a very down-to-earth grip on reality, the dialogues, internal thoughts and actions of the characters all reflect this. Even when something very strange is going on (fish flying through the air, for example), a mother still has enough sense of order to want to arrange her daughter's clothes properly. At times this works really well in the weird stories, but it generally works phenomenally well in the normal ones. Probably the most normal - a sweet story about a man falling in love with a woman while working at a porno shop - was the best. The second last story, I put it down and said, wow. It wasn't earth-shattering, it didn't want to and won't change the world, but it was very nice and would resonate with most adults.

My main complaint would be the inconsistency. Faber has a flair for description and a broad imagination, surely then he could have written a 'weird' short story book and a 'normal' one, keeping the two flavours distinct? But they were all bunched together and I felt myself jarred out of the reading experience at the sudden and absolute change of tone, pace and style, which is never a good thing.

Overall, I enjoyed it. There were flaws, to be sure, but I never regretted a new page. Not a single story struck me as boring, or superfluous, and apart from the weird/normal inconsistency, the book was a good adventure into Faber's mind. I'm curious to see if he can pull off a larger book (especially considering one of his books is huge), as a lot of the stories didn't have traditional endings at all.

As Rain That Falls
Average customer rating:
As Rain That Falls
Charles Edward Miller
Manufacturer: Alba House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Sermons | Ministry & Church Leadership | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Sermons | Clergy | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0818905352

ALL FALLING DOWN : A childs view of things that fall down, like snow, rain etc.
Average customer rating:
ALL FALLING DOWN : A childs view of things that fall down, like snow, rain etc.

Manufacturer: Harper + Row
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ICPMJ4

Baby the Rain Must Fall
Average customer rating:
Baby the Rain Must Fall
Horton Foote
Manufacturer: POPULAR LIBRARY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UDTCL0

Average customer rating:
Baby the Rain Must Fall
Horton Foote
Manufacturer: POPULAR LIBRARY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SFA03O

Baby, the Rain Must Fall
Average customer rating:
Baby, the Rain Must Fall
Horton Foote
Manufacturer: Popluar
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000TY00HK

BIZARRE FANTASY TALES - Volume 1, number 1 - Fall 1970: The Great Circle; The Doom that Came to Sarnath; Never Bet the Devil Your Head; A Taste of Rain and Darkness; The V Force
Average customer rating:
BIZARRE FANTASY TALES - Volume 1, number 1 - Fall 1970: The Great Circle; The Doom that Came to Sarnath; Never Bet the Devil Your Head; A Taste of Rain and Darkness; The V Force
Robert A. W. (editor) (H. P. Lovecraft; Henry S. Whitehead; Eddy C. Bertin; Fred C. Smale; Edgar Allan Poe) Lowndes
Manufacturer: Health Knowledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVUJB8

Bushmaster Fall
Average customer rating:

review

Bushmaster Fall
C. Posey
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | United States | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1556112459

Customer Reviews:

review.......2002-07-11

I borrowed this book from a friend who got at a
used booksale.He was surprised by it and liked it.
This would be a great movie ;but,would not be very flattering
to the US military and the politics behind Reaganism of the
1980's,1990's,and (retro 1990's) present political hysteria and
military drama . Great read for Tom Clancy readers who find
Dan Quayle to be a brainiac compared to G.Dubbuh Bush--du jour of the oval office. Und you vill like it!
Very euro -esiponage of the 1980's....

Kittyhawk Down (Inspector Challis Mysteries)
Average customer rating:

Australian procedural is dark and emotionally charged

Who Cares, Hal?

terrific Australian police procedural
Kittyhawk Down (Inspector Challis Mysteries)
Garry Disher
Manufacturer: Soho Crime
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Series | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Police Procedurals | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1569473943

Book Description

"Taut and terrific, Kittyhawk Down is crime fiction at its best."-The Age

"Compelling and atmospheric."-The Weekend Australian

"A dark, absorbing read."-Australian Booksellers & Publishers

"[An] excellent thriller."-Melbourne Weekly

Homicide detectives spend their working lives around murderers, but rarely are they related to one. Inspector Challis' wife is that exception. She is serving a long term for an attempted murder because she tried to kill her husband: Hal Challis. It's given him new insights into the criminal mind, and also enormous pain. But he's moved on, dating a newspaper editor he's taken with and making friends. Two crimes interrupt. A two-year-old girl has gone missing, and an unidentified man is fished out of the sea at Bushrangers Bay. A second murder cuts into his life. This time, it's a friend, a woman who ran an aerial photography service. Her work provides the clues linking the crimes.

Garry Disher is the author of over 40 books for adults and children. His crime fiction includes numerous anthology stories and the Wyatt novels, including Kickback, winner of the 2000 German Critics Prize for Crime Fiction.

Customer Reviews:

Australian procedural is dark and emotionally charged.......2005-10-10

Disher's thoughtful, emotionally charged police procedurals, set in a bucolic coastal area of Australia, feature Inspector Hal Challis, a lonely loner, beset by pathetic calls from his ex-wife, who's imprisoned for the attempted murder of Hal himself.

Hal's relationship with journalist Tessa Kane suffers a bit from his wife's suicide threats and then a bit more with Hal's interest in a fellow small-plane buff, a woman who takes aerial photographs and suddenly needs his help when she's inexplicably attacked.

Meanwhile, readers of Disher's first Challis book, "The Dragon Man," will remember his team. Ellen Destry nabs a rapist with satisfaction, but drags her feet going home to her nagging husband; Scobie Sutton bores everyone silly with the joys of fatherhood, but his daughter has head lice again; young Pam Murphy can't seem to curb her spending or her ambition and boorish John Tankard lusts after her while despising her zeal for work.

And the Meddler, a local busybody and inveterate letter writer, who has just discovered his hurtful nickname, decides to take his meddling a step further. Shifting viewpoints keep us a couple steps ahead of the cops as the murders pile up, but with the deft use of twists and red herrings Disher keeps his mysteries until the page-turning conclusion.

Character drives these absorbing, darkish procedurals from an award-winning author whose success in Australia deserves to be echoed here.

Who Cares, Hal?.......2005-08-01

I completely disagree with Harriet Klausner's "review". I am convinced she doesn't read the books she "reviews". They can't all be "Excellent Police Procedurals" Harriet! Before her "review" of this novel, I knew she would rate it 5 stars and call it an "Excellent Australian Police Procedural". She just skims the blurb, thumbs through the chapters, and then logs on to this venerable website. I don't think she's ever given a novel anything but five stars--check her other "reviews" and you'll see that I'm right.

Now to the novel. The problem here is that one doesn't care who did the crimes as none of the suspects or victims catches our sympathy at all. One can't be all too sad if one bum kills another bum--even though we know she/he shouldn't do it. Of course, Hal is still the brooding, solitary, and quite melancholy hero of the story. Ellen is the female counterpart. Nothing happens to them throughout the course of this novel. It's tiring to read books, or worse, a series, in which the characters remain stagnant.

The writing is straightforward, and Disher is still better than most at his craft. Think of something new! Have Challis find a friend--something!

terrific Australian police procedural.......2005-06-29

Though it took him years, Melbourne Homicide Squad Inspector Hal Challis' believes he has moved past his former wife's efforts to have her lover kill him now that he is seeing newspaper editor Tessa Kane and making new friends. Still Angela keeps in contact using the threat of suicide as a blackmail ploy to get Hal to forgive her and to help get her out of her life imprisonment. Hal knows the suicide threat is real, but wants nothing to do with his ex spouse who still haunts him as he regularly visits her anyway.

Hal meets Kitty Casement, an aerial photographer who he likes in spite of his seeing Tessa. Someone threatens Kitty's life so Hal assumes she took pictures that threaten the illegal activity of the culprit although this could be part of nasty letter writer the Meddler or her spouse Rex. While searching for a missing toddler and working the latest homicide, Hal and his team struggle to identify who succeeded in ultimately killing Kitty.

Though the above paragraphs concentrate on Hal, this terrific Australian police procedural provides numerous perspectives especially that of other cops working the mundane like a teen party or the homicide. The story line is fast-paced, but the key is that all the cast seem genuine even those that could have easily slipped into stereotypes. KITTYHAWK DOWN is a fabulous tale due to the solid caseload and strong characterizations starting with Hal whose life is moving forward one day at a time.

Harriet Klausner

Plague of Knives (Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer, Book 4)
Average customer rating:

good book

The best since Conan.

Tale of the Barbarian

the best series i have ever read

You put it up and its stays there, this book is magnificent

Plague of Knives (Frank Frazetta's Death Dealer, Book 4)
Frank Frazetta , and James R. Silke
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Frazetta, Frank | ( F ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Silke, James | ( S ) | Authors, A-Z | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
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Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

ASIN: 0812503325

Customer Reviews:

good book.......2006-06-09

i've read all the death dealer books, own all them for several years. they have a special place in my mini-library of roughly 50-75 books. they are one of the series that i continuously reread. like the previous reviews, they are hard to find, but once you acquire them, they (to me) become more precious than gold. i've found all of them in a book store, or have had to order them through this website and barnes and noble. read the books, then you'll look at the new books differently.

The best since Conan........2005-04-24

This is by far the best epic fantasy I have read since reading Conan thirty years ago. It has everything: It's full of what you'd expect from the old style sword and sorcery novels. It is written well enough to be up there with the best of them, and kept me hooked from beginning to end. After finishing Prisoner of the Horned Helmet, I bought the rest of the books in the series and have never looked back. I envy people with the talent that James Silke has.

Tale of the Barbarian.......2002-05-03

I wouldn't say I am person to read fantasy books nor a ficton reader to begin with. My father has a huge collection of books. I was looking through his books one time I saw four books with really cool covers. I was looking at the books to read one for a High School Book Report. So I picked up the first one because of its awesome cover. Read the book in one day! Couldn't put it down. Then I read the 2nd one the next day and so forth till all four were done. It's a shame the books are not easy to come by any more. I was fortunate my dad had already had all four. This is by far the best series I have ever read or will read!

the best series i have ever read.......1999-11-20

i am a fantasy buff to the max and have read literally thousands of books in the fantasy sci fi genre. i own quite a bit of money and spend the majority of it on books. but one day while looking in a used book store in san antonio texas i purchesed the death dealer series and have not bought another book since. i feel now that no book will ever compare in shear brillance of imagery and wording. James Silke is a true artist and genius. i would do anything to read more books from him. i have tried to purchase the mint condition set of these books but to no avail. and to this day my original set are my most prized possesions. if Mr Silke is reading this please publish more on the tale of Gath of Baal and Robin Lakehair and Brown John. i would seriously do anything to read more stories. i had thought at one time you may write an off branch of the years Gath left Robin between book 2 and 3. but i am afraid not. to anyone looking for the perfect book this whole series is it

thank you, kyle whiting

You put it up and its stays there, this book is magnificent.......1999-07-23

I am not an avid reader who spends time reading books. I like to do other things with my time. Then one day i was at the library and saw the cover. I said,"I'll get this one." Before you know it I had finished the book in 2 days, no other fantasy books have ever kept me readin like this except for the dragonlance books and so i looked for the 1st and 3rd books in the series to complete my readin but to no avail. All in all this book is fantastic, so if you are looking for a great fantasy novel this is the one to get. Dont take my word for it, read the other reveiws(and the book)and you'll see what i mean.

Book Description

THE ESSENTIAL COMPANION FOR BEGINNING AND EXPERIENCED YOGIS ALIKE

A highly regarded organization for yoga studies and practices, the Sivananda Yoga Center created the first edition of The Sivananda Companion to Yoga in 1983. Since its publication, it has sold more than 700,000 copies worldwide and has become a standard text for both yoga students and teachers.

Now with fresh, colorful pages throughout, The Sivananda Companion to Yoga remains the classic guide to yoga. With easy-to-follow instructions, inspirational teaching, and detailed illustrations, this authoritative guide covers every aspect of the yoga lifestyle, including relaxation, exercise, dietary guidelines, breathing, and meditation. Whether you're using it in conjunction with a class or on your own, The Sivananda Companion to Yoga can help you

* Develop a fit and beautiful body

* Boost your energy and vitality at any stage of life

* Reduce stress and experience greater peace of mind

* Eat nutritiously and responsibly

* Increase your powers of concentration and discipline

Yoga is a journey toward physical and spiritual wellness. With this beautiful, bestselling guide in hand, you will experience the health, energy, and vibrancy that yoga can bring into your life.

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant for Beginners and the Experienced.......2007-07-09

Overall this book gives its user an excellent beginning into the world of yoga. It provides a step by step introduction into the breathing techniques and asanas that allows the total beginner to ease him or herself into the complex world of yoga. Once you have mastered all of the basics the book also goes on to more advanced techniques and variations as well as a comprehensive look at how to live a life in the tradition of the original yogis. Specifically dealt with are diet, meditation, and the meaning behind all of the asanas, breathing techniques, and the philosophy of it all. The pictures and drawings a very helpful, as they show the full body, instead of stick figures, in addition to step-by-step instruction on how to get into (and out of) the asanas. Overall great value for money for beginning and experienced yogis alike.

Step by Step Personal.......2007-05-12

Very good explanation and helpful way to get started and develop a practice.

Keep coming back.......2007-02-22

I bought this book (in another country, in another language)6 or 7 years ago and used it to learn how to do yoga. Since then, I've kept up my practice and expanded it to many other styles and presentations of yoga, but I keep coming back to this book. It's simply the best one I've seen, and I love it.

Good Book for Beginners.......2006-06-29

I was introduced to Sivananda Yoga in May 06 by my Shiatsu masseuse. I had several sessions of Shiatsu for back pain relief. However, a few days after the session the pain returned. My masseuse told me that if I practiced Sivananda Yoga once a day it would significantly reduce my back pain. She covered the basic asanas with me in two sessions. I ordered "The Sivananda Companion to Yoga..." and "Yoga 101 Essential Tips". I began performing the asanas on my own using both books as my guide. They are easy to read and fully explain the asanas.

"The Sivananda Companion to Yoga..." is more detailed. It gives a great (but brief) history of Yoga along with breathing, meditation, diet info. and health benefits (in detail using photos). My favorite part of this book is the chart for 30m or 90m sessions and also additional asanas as my routine advances. I use this book when I have more time to experiment with new asanas or as a reference.

"Yoga 101 Essential Tips" covers every basic asana and briefly touchs on diet, meditation, etc. I use this book daily because it covers a complete session.

I am a newby at yoga and highly recommend both books. As a result of doing yoga from them for approximately 3-4 weeks my body feels great, my back pain is relieved and I have either toned or lost inches around the abdomen and thighs which has always been difficult for me. My sugar cravings have decreased (once a daily user of Coca Cola and Haribo Gummies) and coffee is not desired. I am also working on a better diet from recommendations in the book.

Good Luck!

Beautiful book, complete, but approach with caution.......2006-02-24

This edition is a re-release of the 1983 edition. The only change I could clearly identify was the lay-out/design of the cover.

The photography in this book, the quality of the paper, and the clear prose make it a joy to read and handle. The models, male, female, young, old, and pregnant are human (not Hollywood/fashion magazine stick-figures with standarized Barbie makeup) and clearly experts in the practice of Sivanada yoga. The poses are illustrated well and the text makes the finer points very clear. The sections on diet and mediation are also clear and easy to work with.

This having been said... Approach traditional hatha yoga like Sivananda Yoga with extreme caution. In only a little time, you too can develop a degree of flexibility that can directly cause a loss of stability in your spine, in turn causing long lasting health issues. Strength and flexibility are not incompatible, but it is very easy and tempting to pursue yoga as your only fitness program, at the expense of strength, stability, muscular, and cardiovascular endurance. This is not a good health and fitness strategy for most folks. Also, the book alone is no substitute for an experienced instructor.

In all, a great book, but get a doctor's advice and professional instruction before applying yourself to traditional yoga.

Update: "(O)rthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and chiropractors across the country are dealing with the increasing fallout from yoga gone awry. Over the past three years, 13,000 Americans were treated in an emergency room or a doctor's office for yoga-related injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission." "According to a study by the American Council on Exercise, a national nonprofit organization that certifies fitness instructors and promotes physical fitness, dedicated yoga practitioners show no improvement in cardiovascular health." "it (yoga) doesn't develop the muscle-bearing strength needed to help with osteoporosis." "Part of the problem is that increasingly, the people teaching yoga don't know enough about it. Yoga was traditionally taught one-on-one by a yogi over a period of years, but today instructors can lead a class after just a weekend course." Time Magazine, Oct. 4th, 2007.

Average customer rating:

STEP BY STEP YOGA INSTRUCTION GORGEOUS ILLOS
Beautiful book, complete, but approach with caution
helpful photos and overview of yoga
I love this book!
A Great Place to Start for Learning Yoga!

Sivananda Companion to Yoga
Sivananda Yoga Center
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Yoga | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Hatha Yoga | Hinduism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Sivananda Companion to Yoga: A Complete Guide to the Physical Postures, Breathing Exercises, Diet, Relaxation, and Meditation Techniques of Yoga
The Sivananda Companion to Meditation : How to Master the Mind and Achieve Transcendence
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Accessories:

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: 0671470884

Book Description

The classic guide to yoga -- clear, comprehensive and superbly illustrated. Easy-to-follow instructions and authoritative teaching cover all aspects of this timeless discipline -- an inspiration for the beginner and expert alike.

* Develop a fit and beautiful body
* Keep youthful in every stage of life
* Eat wisely and well
* Breathe for life and vitality
* Improve your health
* Enjoy a troublefree pregnancy
* Banish stress and tension
* Increase your powers of concentration
* Experience peace of mind

Customer Reviews:

STEP BY STEP YOGA INSTRUCTION GORGEOUS ILLOS.......2007-01-25

A pioneer of yoga. One of the first to come to the USA and one of the cleanest and purest method of yoga practice is expressed in this and all material from these practitioners.
Highly recommended for the beginner or advanced yoga student.
Simple and informative covering the many life states and ways to practice for each from kids to grandfolk.

Beautiful book, complete, but approach with caution.......2006-02-09

The photography in this book, the quality of the paper, and the clear prose make it a joy to read and handle. The models, male, female, young, old, and pregnant are human (not Hollywood/fashion magazine stick-figures with standarized Barbie makeup) and clearly experts in the practice of Sivanada yoga. The poses are illustrated well and the text makes the finer points very clear. The sections on diet and mediation are also clear and easy to work with.

This having been said... Approach traditional hatha yoga like Sivananda Yoga with extreme caution. In only a little time, you too can develop a degree of flexibility that can directly cause a loss of stability in your spine, in turn causing long lasting health issues. Strength and flexibility are not incompatible, but it is very easy and tempting to pursue yoga as your only fitness program, at the expense of strength, stability, muscular, and cardiovascular endurance. This is not a good health and fitness strategy for most folks. Also, the book alone is no substitute for an experienced instructor.

In all, a great book, but get a doctor's advice and professional instruction before applying yourself to traditional yoga.

helpful photos and overview of yoga.......2004-10-24

I received this as a Christmas gift from my brother a number of years ago and have used it a great deal since then. The photos and illustrations are plentiful and helpful. There is also a good outline of a plan for doing beginner, intermediate, and advanced sequences. Though the sanskrit terms for the poses are sometimes included, they are not prominently used, and that is one drawback to the book.

I love this book!.......2004-01-23

I am just a beginner at yoga and I love this book because the instructions to the different asans (poses) are clear and understandable, AND the more complicated poses are explained through drawings and photos, not just text. You don't need to keep track of all the steps in your head as you move into the pose, it's all there in a series of drawings. So if you are a very visual person, I recommend this book. This book takes you through the most basic of asans to the most complicated. It has all kinds of drawings and photos, as well as chart-like things at the end of each section with a simple outline of the pose and a picture so you can put together your own yoga session. This book also has background on Yoga and things like diet and breathing. Some of the models are so lithe they are gross looking, and some of the poses will make you say "Holy Hell!" to yourself, but secretly you will want to learn to do them too. A great book!

A Great Place to Start for Learning Yoga!.......2000-01-17

This is an excellent resource for learning & discovering Hatha Yoga. It covers everything from the histroy & philsophy of the Sivananda Yoga Center to warm-ups, basic & advanced postures, breathing, diet, cleansing, & purfication techniques. There are excellent illustrations & inspiring photographs of extremly talented instructors performing basic & advanced asanas (postures.) It also includes a detailed outline for learning the asanas & organaizing a practice routine. There are even sections which discuss routines for the young, elderly, & pregnent. Although nothing beats hands-on instruction, this book allows you to learn the fundamentals of Hatha Yoga in a clear, detailed manner. If you are lucky enough to have a good teacher, you'll find yourself going back to this wonderful book for review & inspiration.

The Sivananda Companion to Meditation : How to Master the Mind and Achieve Transcendence

Average customer rating:

The Sivananda Companion to Meditation : How to Master the Mind and Achieve Transcendence
Sivananda Yoga Center , and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Yoga | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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

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

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Self-Help | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Accessories:

Airborne Effervescent Health Formula, Original Orange, 10 Tablets (Pack of 3)
Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor
RESPeRATE Blood Pressure Lowering Device

ASIN: 074324611X

Book Description

Realize the Power and Eternity of Every Moment

"Meditation is a continuous flow of perception or thought like the flow of water in a river."

SWAMI VISHNU-DEVANANDA

An integral part of all forms of yoga, meditation is an important key to achieving peace of mind in our increasingly chaotic lives, with regular practice enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The Sivananda Companion to Meditation outlines a simple step-by-step guide to the practice of meditation and shows you how to make it a part of your everyday routine. You will learn about the beneficial effects of meditation, including how this powerful art will help you to

• Reduce stress and experience greater clarity of mind
• Treat health problems, ranging from depression and anxiety to insomnia and chronic pain
• Develop your powers of concentration and positive thinking
• Lead a more balanced life in tune with the fivefold path as taught by the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center

The Sivananda Companion to Meditation is geared to beginners as well as those already experienced in the art of meditation. Regardless of your level, this book will help you to attain a state of profound clarity and serenity that will change your life.

Como Practicar La Meditacion/the Sivananda Companion to Meditation: Como Ser Experto De La Mente Y Como Alcanzar Transendencia/how To Master The Mind And Achieve Transcendence
Average customer rating:
Como Practicar La Meditacion/the Sivananda Companion to Meditation: Como Ser Experto De La Mente Y Como Alcanzar Transendencia/how To Master The Mind And Achieve Transcendence
Yoga Sivananda , and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center
Manufacturer: Integral Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Sadhana: A Text-Book of the Psychology and Practice of the Techniques to Spiritual Perfection
Average customer rating:
Sadhana: A Text-Book of the Psychology and Practice of the Techniques to Spiritual Perfection

Manufacturer: Swami Krishnananda
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000BPWX6S

Sivananda Companion to Yoga
Average customer rating:
Sivananda Companion to Yoga
Sivananda Yoga Center; Foreword-Swami Visnu Devananda
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MC0BKU

The Sivananda Companion To Yoga
Average customer rating:
The Sivananda Companion To Yoga
Lucy: With Narayani & Giris Rabinovitch: Photos By Fausto Dorelli Lidell
Manufacturer: Fireside Book
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VZKGOY

Average customer rating:
The Sivananda Companion to Yoga
Lucy; Narayani; Rabinovitch, Giris; Swami Lidell
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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