Streets Of Laredo : A Novel

Book Description

The final book of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove tetralogy is an exhilarating tale of legend and heroism. Captain Woodrow Call, August McCrae's old partner, is now a bounty hunter hired to track down a brutal young Mexican bandit. Riding with Call are an Eastern city slicker, a witless deputy, and one of the last members of the Hat Creek outfit, Pea Eye Parker, now married to Lorena -- once Gus McCrae's sweetheart. This long chase leads them across the last wild streches of the West into a hellhole known as Crow Town and, finally, into the vast, relentless plains of the Texas frontier.

Customer Reviews:

Wish I Hadn't Read It!.......2007-09-06

As an earlier reviewer stated, while this was a well written book, I wish I hadn't read it. Lonesome Dove ended with the hope of Newt beginning a proper father/son relationship with Call, and that July Johnson would begin a new life with Clara. With this book all the promise of reading about those relationships are dashed with the off camera deaths of both Newt and July! Totally lame! Then my sense of disbelief was heightened by the revelation that Lorena was now married to Pea Eye! WTF! I should have quit there. An unworthy ending to such a wonderful story. Stick to the prequels.

Excellent sequel to Lonesome Dove.......2007-08-01

This was an excellent novel. I had a hard time putting it down. Not quite as rich as Lonesome Dove, but certainly a very enjoyable read.

Fine Novel of the Old West.......2007-05-16

Larry McMurty has written the follow on to Lonesome Dove. The characters are a bit older and slowing down while going after a cold blooded killer Joey Garza. Reading this book you can feel the cold and sense the desolate nature of west Texas. I found it hard to put down and if you like western novels I highly recommend it.

gripping follow-up to Lonesome Dove.........2007-04-12

Lonesome Dove is one of my favorite books of all time..that said Streets of Laredo is a letdown if you compare it to LD but in it's own right it's a gripping, desperate book..Capt. Woodrow Call takes center stage and takes on the proverbial one final mission...to bring in Mexican killer Joey Garza..Pea Eye Parker is now the Captains main sidekick and while he is no replacement for Ol Gus, his own personal lie has taken some unexpected turns as has the other characters from LD..Larry McMurty writes fine prose but there seems to be reluctance to let go of the characters in this book and it seems to drag on for longer then it should..or maybe..it is just natural to feel letdown when your heroes live out their usefullness...

Don't waste your money........2007-02-03

After reading this book, I still haven't decided whether the author is a genius or a nutcase.

Most of the main characters ultimately die a particularly useless and gruesome death, and the book never seems to arrive at a particular point. Even the prologue drags on endlessly.

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The Art Kills It
The best of the Marvel Knights Punisher titles...
The return of Joan and the origin of Soap
The night is but young...
Ennis' lowpoint so far on his Punisher run

The Punisher Vol. 5: Streets of Laredo
Garth Ennis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785110968

Book Description

The Punisher discovers a strange society that lives in the subway tunnels of New York and their tie to the rampant disappearance of homeless people, takes an unforgettable trip the dentist and meets the one person maybe even deadlier than himself - Elektra!

Customer Reviews:

The Art Kills It.......2004-11-03

Much like the other stories by Garth Ennis and crew, this book contains jsut as much fun, killing, and sympathy, as the others. The content of the writing is fine but the whole concept of the mystery of the Streets of Loredo is knida stupid and predictable. Another flaw in this book is it's art. The artwork, which is mostly by Cam Kennedy is simply awful and doesn't fit the Punisher's style at all. Most of his charcters seem to look the same and have distorted faces and straw-like hair. Looking at the pictures for too long gives me a headache.

In general, this is probably the worst of Ennis run, maybe because he has set high standards for himself, but even so this is at the bottom.

Overall, if you are a strong fan of Ennis and collect the Punisher...get the book.

If you are a fan of good art (like Steve Dillon's) then don't even bother.

The best of the Marvel Knights Punisher titles..........2004-08-24

Starting with a moving story featuring Joan (last seen in "Welcome Back, Frank") and ending with a bittersweet (yet sometimes hilarious) origin tale for Soap; Garth Ennis has found a way to mix some beauty in with the carnage. In the middle, we have the Punisher doing what he does best. There's a crossover with Elektra with a body-count high enough to make Freddy and Jason blush. The mystery in The Streets of Laredo is too easily solved, but there are some interesting characters introduced and a very welcome (and unexpected) touch of social commentary. This is the best of the Marvel Knights Punisher titles.

The return of Joan and the origin of Soap.......2004-06-22

Covering Marvel Knights issues #27-32 and issue #19, Streets of Laredo is the fifth MK Punisher graphic novel. It's by no means the weakest offering, or the strongest. This is mostly due to the hodgepodge of art work. Three artists contribute- Steve Dillion, of Punisher, Preacher, and Hellblazer fame, Cam Kennedy- former Judge Dredd artist, and Tom Mandrake- Spectre, Call of Duty. Dillion's art provides the faming issues, and perhaps this is a mistake. We go from his crisp style to Mandrake's art, which tends to look like Tim Sale's of late. Then Cam Kennedy provides most of the art. While I enjoy Cam's work on other books, I felt as if it were less than perfect for this character, this story.

Speaking of stories, the writing is deep, dark, disturbing and wonderfully funny all at the same time. Only Garth Ennis can pull that off with any regularity at all. Any fan of Ennis should love adding this volume to their collection.

On a personal note, my two favorite stories were #19, which marks the return of Joan (and Joan's pies) and #32 which is the dubious origin of Detective Soap. The volume is worth adding to your collection for these two stories alone. When reading #19 note that the expressions on Frank's face and Frankie the Dog's face are often the same.

Over all, a very good book that is well worth the money. Highest recommendations!

The night is but young..........2004-01-17

After being less than impressed with the last couple of Garth Ennis-scribed Punisher TPBs, it was good to see comics' maddest Irishman get back in the swing of things (for the most part) with this release. The book's trio of one-shot stories feature light helpings of the kinds of bizarre situations and offbeat dark humor that've made Ennis infamous in the world of funnybooks. The first adventure features ol' Frankie inadvertently dropping in-- literally-- on the country home of former neighbor Joan the Mouse from the 12-issue maxi-series. Then there's the little game of "beat-you-to-it" that the sultry assassin Elektra plays on him with various mob hoods caught in the middle of the massacre. Ending the trio of one-shots is the childhood flashback sob story of the hapless and hexed Detective Soap-- AKA the ONLY member of the NYPD Punisher Task Force, and (irony of ironies) the Punisher's primary informant-- as told to a potential romantic interest at his fave waterin' hole.

Framed in the middle of this collection is the magnum opus: a modern Western-type yarn featuring the main man going up against a horde of gun-runners in a small Texas town overseen by a gay sheriff. It's a surprisingly straightforward story arc, possessing few if any of the usual Ennis staple moments of wackiness. Still, it's not too bad a read despite not being particularly inspired or original. One thing that I think would've improved this tale's standing a bit was if Marvel had hired someone besides Cam Kennedy to do the renderings. In my opinion, Kennedy's art works best in more abstract comics like what you'd see in Heavy Metal magazine, not so much in "down-to-earth" funnybooks. John Buscema, however, would've been the perfect guy to craft the kinds of visuals needed to give "Streets of Laredo" a modern-day Western look and feel... had he not been deceased by the time the story was being put together. Sheesh, how inconsiderate can a guy get?

Sadly, due to the limitations Marvel placed on his creative freedom with the Punisher book prior to its recent move to the gut-splattering and obscenity-laden Max imprint, Mr. Ennis' offbeat moments of madcap mayhem aren't nearly as shocking or disgustingly funny here as the stuff he'd whipped up in his previous works (take a look at any Preacher, Hitman, or Rifle Brigade book and you'll see what I mean). Still, more than a few of the strange predicaments contained within this tome are at least lightly amusing, and kept me smilin' through the body count the titular anti-hero racks up. While it may not be one of the man's greatest efforts, "The Punisher: Streets of Laredo" TPB is definitely worth at least one look. Especially if you're a die-hard Punisher fanatic-- or a friend of a die-hard Punisher fanatic who'll allow you to borrow his copy to read...

`Late

Ennis' lowpoint so far on his Punisher run.......2003-12-16

Fact one: Garth Ennis is a superb writer when allowed to push the limits that he is known for (don't believe me, check out the Preacher comics). Fact two: his run on the Punisher is the best storytelling to hit the character in years. However, this four part storyarc is far from the best work to come from Ennis, but not all the blame can be contributed to him. When allowed to go over the limits of what can be done in a comic, Ennis' true talent shines, but when he is restricted (this is a PG+ book after all) his storytelling suffers, and it shows here. Not only that, but Cam Kennedy's art grates on the nerves quite a bit. I just can't get into it; his misshapen character models are an acquired taste to say the least. I mean his look of the Punisher just doesn't stick well; artists like Steve Dillon and Tom Mandrake have done far better than Kennedy. All that aside however, this is a solid storyarc that is still worth reading for Punisher fans. The story finds our favorite criminal killing vigilante in the desolate Texas town of Branding trying to stop the flow of illegal military weapons from leaving the town. We are introduced to a flat villain and one dimensional characters, something that is shocking to say the least to come from the pen of Garth Ennis. Streets of Laredo is so far the worst of Ennis' run on the Punisher, but this is still better than most comics out there today.

The Good Ol' West (Includes: Red River Valley; My Home's in Montana; Git Along, Little Dogies; the Yellow Rose of Texas; Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight?); the Streets of Laredo; Home on the Range) (Hal Leonard Concert Band Series (Grade 3))

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The Good Ol' West (Includes: Red River Valley; My Home's in Montana; Git Along, Little Dogies; the Yellow Rose of Texas; Buffalo Gals (Won't You Come Out Tonight?); the Streets of Laredo; Home on the Range) (Hal Leonard Concert Band Series (Grade 3))
Arranged by James Christensen
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Sheet music

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ASIN: B000MD03G6

The Punisher, Vol 4, #30 (Comic Book): STREETS OF LAREDO

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The Punisher, Vol 4, #30 (Comic Book): STREETS OF LAREDO
GARTH ENNIS
Manufacturer: MARVEL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000QHEZU8

Product Description

VIOLENT CONTENT

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STREETS OF LAREDO
LARRY MC MURTRY
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V8XIQ4

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The Streets Of Laredo
Sam Keery
Manufacturer: Jonathan Cape
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 022402373X

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Streets of Laredo
Larry McMurtry
Manufacturer: New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NXINOO

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Streets of Laredo
Larry McMurtry
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000S1EDTK

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Streets of Laredo
Larry McMurtry
Manufacturer: Simon and Schuster c1993
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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Dead Man's Walk : A Novel

ASIN: B000ONXBDQ

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Streets of Laredo
Larry McMurtry
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O5WDEM

Book Description

As the project analyst for a network consulting company, Bram Greyson had to have every detail under control. But when a computer hacker cracks Capitol Hill's secure network and he is accused of the crime, Bram finds himself in chaos, dragged into the underworld of conspiracy and shadow governments. Uncertain of the truth or whom to believe, Bram must evade assassins, political radicals and the National Security Agency. He has only hours to re-hack the network and restore its integrity before the system's defenses fail. The Axxis Pretext is a high-tech espionage mystery seasoned with political satire and light humor. The fast pace and sarcastic edge makes it a novel that will appeal to today's sophisticated audience, yet its relaxed style and straightforward delivery will keep the casual reader engulfed and entertained.

Book Description

"Students and others looking for fascinating and painless introductions to this particular, well-traveled, but still-startling corner of the sciences will be happy with Parker as their guide."
-Publishers Weekly

In 2000, Time magazine named Albert Einstein "Person of the Century." Given the ongoing interest in Einstein's enduring contributions to science, physicist and popular science writer Barry Parker has dedicated this accessible book to explaining in the clearest possible terms the meaning and beauty of Einstein's theories.

While tracing the story of Einstein's life, Parker seizes on the crucial groundbreaking theories that Einstein envisioned. Not since Isaac Newton had anyone conceived the universe in such a revolutionary, startling new way. Through Parker's eloquence, eye for detail, and clever use of Einsteinian cartoons and vivid illustrations, he enables the reader to see and appreciate for perhaps the first time the full meaning and scope of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity and General Theory of Relativity. Parker then guides the reader to the next step in Einstein's revelations: the possibility of time travel. In exploring the fascinating implications of Einstein's thought, Parker treats us to the experience of discovering a black hole, traversing curved spacetime, and greeting our much younger twin who has just returned from a long and arduous spaceflight.

Parker's incomparable gift for language captures Einstein's uniqueness, singular brilliance, and stunning theories, while helping lay readers to understand why so many consider Einstein to be the greatest scientist who ever lived.

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Wow - a shame there aren't any other reviews for this book

Brainchild
Andrew neiderman
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671428306

Customer Reviews:

Wow - a shame there aren't any other reviews for this book.......2005-02-28

I am surprised that no one has reviewed this novel - I am hoping it doesn't mean that it's just not widely read or enjoyed. I've owned this for years and have read it twice now, it's an addictive, intelligent book I'd recommend to all.

The plot may seem far fetched and rather silly from the back cover blurb, but truthfully it's anything but. Action starts at the beginning, I was kept reading to the end, shivering when the last page was turned. The beginning held foreshadowing on what was to come, the middle never sagged or left me down, and the ending was powerful, sad, haunting.

There were great moral type lessons in the story, as well as warnings, and explorations of what man should not mess with, when we got too far, and the price of advancement.

In some of Neidermans books, I couldnt get into the characters much, such as in Perfect Little Angels. Here, though, he does a commendable job. Lois and her family were convincing enough to work.

Even though Brain Child isn't one full of suspense and nail-biting tension, the pace didn't suffer. Enough was kept happening to make me glued to the pages, it just wasn't full of flash and dazzle. Even so, it was entertaining because it was so fascinating. I don't always need gripping anguish, violence, and morbid imagery to enjoy my horror.

Neiderman's writing style was easy to understand and straight forward. Overall, this is most likely my favorite novel by the author to date. It saddens me more haven't read, enjoyed, and reviewed this. I literally read it in two sittings, having to take a break only because it was time for dinner...dinner with the family -- brings new meaning once this book is read!

John Saul: A New Collection of Three Complete Novels: Brainchild; Nathaniel; The God Project

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three great book is one

John Saul: A New Collection of Three Complete Novels: Brainchild; Nathaniel; The God Project
John Saul
Manufacturer: Wings
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

ASIN: 0517123347
Release Date: 1995-05-28

catalog copy and individual title synopsis

This collection contains terrific tales of terror and suspense from a million-copy-plus national bestseller. Brainchild: Alex Lonsdale was one of the most popular kids in La Paloma, California. Until a brilliant doctor's medical miracle brought him back from the brink of death. Now, Alex seems the same. But in his eyes there is a blankness. In his heart there is coldness. If his parents, his friends, his girlfriend could see inside his brain, inside his dreams, they would be terrified. One hundred years ago in La Paloma, a terrible deed was done. A cry for vengeance pierced the night. That evil still lives. That vengeance still waits. Waits for Alex Lonsdale. Waits for the...Brainchild. Nathaniel: For a hundred years, the people of Prairie Bend have whispered Nathaniel's name in wonder and fear. Some say he is a folktale, created to frighten children on cold winter nights. Some swear he is a terrifying spirit returned to avenge the past. But soon ... very soon ... some will learn that Nathaniel lives still--that he is darkly, horrifyingly real. Nathaniel--he is the voice that calls to young Michael Hall across the prairie night ... the voice that draws the boy into the shadowy depths of the old, crumbling, forbidden barn ... that changing, compelling voice he will follow faithfully beyond the edge of terror. The God Project: Something is happening to the children of Eastbury, Massachusetts. Something that causes healthy babies to turn cold in their cribs. Something that strikes at the heart of every parent's darkest fears. Something is taking the children one by one. Now, an entire town waits on the edge of panic for the next nightmare. There must be a reason for the terror. They all know it. But no one ever suspected...

Customer Reviews:

three great book is one.......2000-08-05

I have read all three of these books. I wish they would have had them in one complete novel when I was looking for them. These books show John Sauls amazing ability to write books.

Brainchild (G.K. Hall Large Print Book Series)

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Great Book
Thanks a lot guys.
Above Average
Why?
Vengeance takes a futuristically medical form

Brainchild (G.K. Hall Large Print Book Series)
John Saul
Manufacturer: G K Hall & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Textbook Binding

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0816140995

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2007-01-10

If you are a John Saul reader, you don't need a review. You already know how good he is. If you are not a reader already, then get this book and get started. You will be hooked like the rest of us already are.

Thanks a lot guys........2006-11-22

I just wanted to say that I was in the middle of reading this book, and I just wanted to see if people liked it. And you guys totally ruined the book for me be giving the story away. I tried not to read anything spoiler-like, but I guess it was unavoidable. In the future, try not to give away the ending in reviews for people like me who are in the middle!

Above Average.......2005-11-27

One of John Saul's better works follows his typical path involving youngsters, a curse, and mayhem. This novel is a little differant because John included a touch of scientific
evil to the plot. The ending is a bit weak which drags down the overall rating of the book, but the rest is well written and very engrossing.

Why?.......2005-01-25

Sorry all you John Saul fans but ive read two of his books and i have to say im sick already of the guy. What kind of person will write a book about children killing people and then themselves getting murdered. And most importantly what kind of people enjoy reading it.How can you keep reading book after book of that dribble. John Saul if you see this i think you need to talk to a psycho analyst because you have some unresolved children issues.

Vengeance takes a futuristically medical form.......2002-09-23

Brainchild is a well-crafted, fairly thrilling read, the story holding up very well until almost the very end; had the final chapter not have been included, I would have given this book five stars. That ultimate chapter, though--basically a postscript--changes the whole tenor of the novel and in doing so does it great harm, in my opinion. I can forgive its inclusion, though, and it takes nothing away from the engrossing read of the novel up to that point. This is a rather typical Saul plot, augmented by a technological pulse that holds together very well, despite some minor inherent problems. There is a curse of sorts involved, and yes it all started over a century ago; yes, there is a rather typically happy family that find their lives turned upside down by tragedy. These are Saul staples, yet all of this works remarkably well in Brainchild. Your typical teenaged boy does a typically teenaged thing and ends up at the bottom of a ravine inside a thoroughly wrecked automobile. His massive brain injuries should have killed him, but he survives; his father, a doctor, calls on the only brain specialist who can possible save his son--a childhood acquaintance of his wife's whom he essentially despises. Miraculously, the boy does survive; he even prospers, becoming super-smart, but the rebuilding of his brain has left him without emotion and without any memory of his life before the accident. His friends begin to avoid him eventually, and his father especially senses something very wrong, but the doctor who saved his life refuses to tell the family exactly what he did to save him. Then his mother's friends begin to be mysteriously murdered, and a tragedy that happened long ago somehow becomes an integral part of the horror that is unleashed on an unsuspecting town. The plot heats up quite satisfactorily from there, and there is enough unpredictability to the concluding events to keep you deeply involved in seeing how the story plays out.

John Saul is a talented writer, and he does a great job of keeping this story moving at all times. Brainchild is one of his more original novels--the basic theme is rather typical of his work, but the narrative flows exceedingly well, the technological marvels we encounter remain sufficiently plausible throughout, and all of my questions were answered quite satisfactorily. I did not like the last chapter, but that does not mean that others won't find it compelling; it does offer a final twist to things. A futuristic medical thriller, invested heavily in horror and science fiction, Brainchild should prove itself a compelling, satisfying read for fans of several genres.

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5 Titles By John Saul : The God Project Nathaniel Brainchild Hellfire The Unwanted
John Saul
Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000MMVP50

Product Description

5 Titles By John Saul : The God Project Nathaniel Brainchild Hellfire The Unwanted. five mmpb books.

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Celebrate women writers

All the Women Were Heroes
Brainchild Writers of Springfield
Manufacturer: Rosehill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Customer Reviews:

Celebrate women writers.......2005-10-07

this volume of poetry and short stories celebrates the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Brainchild Writers of Springfield women's writing collective.

Average customer rating:

Neural ecstasy
This book defines a new genre of Science Fiction.
"Brainchild" is a delight!

Brainchild
David Brown
Manufacturer: New Falcon Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Virus: The Alien Strain

ASIN: 0941404927

Customer Reviews:

Neural ecstasy.......2002-12-12

a scintillating, visionary tale that really delightfully trips one out page after page. I found the language sumptuous and the story intriguing, though (and because) many of the prophecies in this book have come to fruition.

DJB writes with an uncanny flair for the idealistic and the romantic with the piercing edge of a scientist. His dreams are way bigger than most and his conscious mind travels into dimensions equally vast, intricate and hopeful.

This highly unique form of writing jump starts the mind and lifts the reader into paradise.

A most enjoyable work!

This book defines a new genre of Science Fiction........2000-12-14

This is one of my favorite Science Fiction novels. It's a wild ride to a fantastic future that is not that far away.

When William Gibson wrote 'Neuromancer' he created a new genre of Science Fiction, which we now call 'Cyberpunk.' I believe that this book and 'The Diamond Age' by Neal Stephenson define a new genre of Science Fiction that speculates about a future that is similar to the Cyberpunk visionaries, but more wrapped up in the science of molecular nanotechnology. In short, it creates a new genre that I would call Nanopunk.

This novel is not only a fantastic work of fiction, it's also a dynamic and thought provoking look into human consciousness, technology, and how humans are evolving as a species. It raises questions that will get you thinking about your own true nature as well as the nature of the world around you.

Sexy, shocking, dystopian, utopian, bizarre, and subversive all at the same time, this novel is one of my favorites. David Jay Brown, much like his principal characters, is successful at invoking a world of rich textures into existence.

The introduction by Robert Anton Wilson is insightful and thought provoking as well.

"Brainchild" is a delight!.......1998-07-19

It has been a couple of years since I first read "Brainchild" and I still think about it a lot. I've read it twice and I think I'll pick it up again tonight.

I wish all books were this thought provoking, pure of heart and explosive while remaining clear, concise and fun.

The characters became my friends and were hard to let go of when the book ended. Will there be a sequel?

"Brainchild" is the next bus to infinity. The chapters are where the bus stops but the route is where ever your consciousness allows you to go.

Book Description

The simplest of ancient qi gong practices, the Swimming Dragon stimulates health, improves muscle tone, and creates beautiful skin while balancing energy and metabolism to control weight. With 15 minutes a day, it improves posture, relaxes the body, increases flexibility in joints and muscles, and calms the mind as it brings healing energy to the vital internal organs. It reaches muscles that are not close to the bones and that are not enriched by normal exercise.

Customer Reviews:

Basic writing ability. Good info........2007-03-29

Where there is nothing incredible about the style or verbage, the info. is good and the pictures are clear. I would have liked a bit more on the history of the form itself.

Excellent book.......2006-03-25

I found this an excellent book.
The information provided is very practical and clear with black and white pictures to show the movements. The Qi Gong form isn't difficult to learn. You have to learn one movement, a kind of spiraling body movement, and then have to repeat this movement 20 times. Each movement cycle takes a minute. In time, you can focus on the specific breathing pattern that goes along, which is also clearly described in the book, but I've noticed I automatically started breathing the way you are supposed to during the excercise, a breathing pattern which I found to be very natural.
The first time I practiced the full form (which takes 20 minutes in total plus a 10 minute meditation) I felt very good and remarkably relaxed and energized afterwards. I am quite a busy and tensed person and relaxing doesn't come easy to me, so yes, I found the immediate effects quite something.
Lately, I have been doing another form of Qi Gong, The Eight Silken movements from the book 'Qi Gong for Beginners' by Stanley Wilson, out of pure curiosity because that form only takes 6 to 10 minutes. But I have to conclude that I find The Swimming Dragon much more effective and powerful, so I want to pick it up again. I can only imagine what will happen if I'd do it on a daily basis...
I highly recommend this wonderful book.

great form of Qigong.......2004-12-25

This is one of the best qigong exercises there are, certainly the best exercise there is for the back, hips and neck and the abdomen, and because it massages all the meridians, it is excellent for all the internal organs. Combined in a regimen with other forms of qigong, it has a profoundly beneficial affect on the health. In addition to this one, you would benefit by looking at the books by Master Lam Kam Chuen, especially The Way Of Energy, and the very excellent encyclopedic book, Qigong Empowerment by Master Shou-Yu Liang & Wen-Ching Wu. Swimming Dragon is a very enjoyable flowing form that is not difficult to learn. And although not the same, it is akin to another profoundly envigorating moving form called Chan Mi Gong. There is a book called Chan Mi Gong by Liu Han Wen.

Clear and precise.......2001-12-21

For anyone who has practiced Quigong or Tai Chi for some time,
this book offers clear and easy to follow instructions on how
to do Swimming Dragon. For the beginner, it provides a starting
point, and with a mirror and lots of patience much can be
figured out. As for the promise of improved health: this is true
for any Quigong done consistently. Personally, I like that
Swimming Dragon can be performed in a very small space, and
that it completely moves the spine.

Excellent.......1998-10-20

This is an excellent book for beginners in Chi Kung. The photographs are simple to follow, and the movements are easy to do. The benefits to health are countless. After several months of practice, people can see a difference in your relaxed attitude and glowing appearance. However, most cannot put their finger on exactly what the difference is. Health, vitality, and radiance! I highly recommend the book and the exercises.

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