La autopista del sur y otros cuentos

Customer Reviews:

La Autopista de Cortázar.......2007-09-10

This is a book in spanish, so I'll write down the review in spanish.
Cortázar es un escritor hábil que, como ya han notado muchos críticos, intenta describir la experiencia estética del artista a través de un lenguaje deliberadamente complejo que, quizá, logra captar ese mátiz particular que el artista descubre en la realidad.
"Las babas de diablo" es un típico ejemplo de lo dicho precedentemente, sin embargo, también es visible en Cortázar el gusto por lo fantástico, como en "Casa tomada", donde el misterio nunca es revelado, pero si sus funestas consecuencias. En resumén, no creo que Cortázar sea un escritor fácil, pero es un escritor interesante, y éste libro, con todos sus defectos, contiene cuentos extraordinariamente bien escritos,y, se puede añadir: intencionalmente bien escritos.

Cortazar is genious.......2007-07-09

Cortazar captures thoughts, feelings and ideas some of us have throughout our lives and creates new fictional worlds. The contrast and blend of real and unreal is fantastic. A must have!! It contains many of his greatest short stories.

Great book for a fair price........2007-03-26

Great book with an excellent selection of texts. Shipping is also good and pretty fast. Great product.

Mejor que nunca.......2007-01-06

El gran Cortazar sobrevive al mejor nivel en esta edicion del libro clasico.

Principio ideal al cuento latinoamericano.......2005-06-22

Usted no necesita ser un experto en literatura para disfrutar de un buen libro. La clave en esta colección es que reune los cuentos que contribuyeron a que Julio Cortázar se convirtiera en el maestro latinoamericano del relato. Junto a antologías de narrativa corta de los grandes escritores nuestros y que recomiendo (El llano en llamas, de Juan Rulfo; Ficciones, de Jorge Luis Borges; Doce cuentos pregrinos, de Gabriel García Márquez; y de recientes como Maldito amor, de Jorge Franco; y Desencuentros, de Edmundo Paz Soldán, entre otros), La autopista del sur y otros cuentos es la mejor introducción que cualquier lector interesado puede tener en la literatura de Cortázar y su alta influencia en autores contemporáneos, aún si no se ha decidido leer Rayuela, su obra máxima. Ya tendrá su momento. Lea este, y los demás llegarán por añadidura.

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Autopista del Sur y Otros Cuentos, La

Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 1417670444

Book Description

FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS

The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her heart_s deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
SAMANTHA JAMES

A young woman_s reckless scheme to defy her father_s ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.

FOUR BRIDES, FOUR BEGINNINGS. . .FOUR STORIES OF ROMANCE FROM THE INCOMPARABLE KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS, and JO BEVERLEY, TANYA ANNE CROSBY, and SAMANTHA JAMES

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
KATHLEEN E. WOODIWISS

The wedding of Jeff Birmingham of THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER and his new bride Raelynn inflames the jealous ire of a determined rival. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
JO BEVERLEY

A women abandoned on the battlefield discovers that dreams can cone true when an honorable commanding officer gallantly offers his name. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
TANYA ANNE CROSBY

A rebellious heiress who must wed by the stroke of midnight learns that a twist of fate has fulfilled her hearts deepest desire. . .

MARRIED AT MIDNIGHT by
SAMANTHA JAMES

A young womans reckless scheme to defy her fathers ultimatum leads to a hasty union and unexpected passion. . .

Celebrate the glorious, magical moment of new beginnings with for uncertain couples joined by a passionate promise--and surprised by unforeseen love.

Customer Reviews:

Married at Midnight an Anthology.......2007-07-04

It is a very good book. It was shipped in a timely basis. I do most of my shopping here

No problems.......2007-05-27

No problems. Book arrived in good time. Book had slight imperfection with the cover having a slight tear halfway down. Otherwise, everything was fine.

On my KEEPER shelf.......2007-02-10

I don't agree with the other reviewers...I loved it and as you can see it is on my KEEPER shelf.

As anthologies go, terrible. Don't waste your money!.......2001-11-09

I knew there was a reason I tend to avoid anthologies; this one has reminded me of it with a vengeance. Basically, most anthologies aren't worth the paper they're printed on: you get a selection of authors, some of whom may not be very good, and shorter stories than usual, some of which - if they are at all good - don't benefit from being compressed into under 100 pages.

This book is very definitely a case in point. We have novellas from Jo Beverley (normally excellent), Tanya Anne Crosby, Samantha James and Kathleen Woodiwiss - three authors I'd never come across before and whose work therefore I know nothing about. After reading this anthology, I know to avoid their work in future.

The Beverley novella, The Determined Bride, was interesting, but I kept feeling that I'd come in halfway through the story. Told by her soldier husband that their marriage hadn't been genuine, Kate desperately wants her baby to be legitimate. Unfortunately, her 'husband' has just been killed in battle. His commanding officer offers to marry her to give the baby a name. Afterwards, Kate returns to England with her son - but what of Captain Charles Tennant, the man she's just married? Does she want him? Does he want her? How does he really feel about having a legal son who is not his biological child?

An intriguing premise, written with something close to Beverley's usual style; but too rushed. Perhaps three stars.

Next, there is Tanya Anne Crosby's A Kiss After Midnight. Two children brought up together are separated when Victoria's father, a duke, becomes concerned about her friendship with the gardener's son. Can their love survive? What happens when Victoria needs to marry to save her estates? To begin with, I thought her hero, Thomas, was American; his internal narrative in the first few pages is entirely American in dialect and vocabulary. Too many things didn't ring true in this story for me to take it seriously. For instance, apparently Thomas and Victoria drove to Gretna Green in under five hours. So where were they? North of the Lake District and in the middle of nowhere fifty miles south of the border? Unlikely. And did Victoria really not recognise Thomas??

Oh, and *what* is "a'tall" supposed to mean? That simply isn't a word. It's not an expression used anywhere in the UK (or in Ireland, in case Crosby thinks it is). If she means 'at all', then she should say so. Terrible. One star.

The next story is Samantha James' Scandal's Bride. It was readable, more or less, though Victoria seemed to me to behave like a spoilt brat. I can't understand what Miles saw in her; he should have refused to marry her and insisted that her father sent her back to the country until she grew up. Two stars, maybe.

And finally, Kathleen Woodiwiss's Beyond The Kiss. This, I gather, is the sequel to another book by Woodiwiss. She spends the first dozen pages summarising Raelynn and Jeff's story to date (tedious exposition of an overly melodramatic tale) before launching into this story. The language is extremely overblown -talk about purple prose! The dialogue is stilted: I couldn't believe some of Jeff's speeches. Take this:

"In my lengthy quest for the woman of my dreams, I cannot deny that I've tested my heart with others, but they never assuaged that unsettled feeling gnawing at my vitals. I tell you no lie, madam, when I say that of those maidens I've courted, I favoured none with a plea to be my wife. Whatever enticements inspired me to seek their company were ephemeral, as fleeting as the morning dew." Ewwwww!!!!! I couldn't take this guy seriously at all.

In fact, I couldn't even finish this story. After 30 pages of it I'd had enough, and it's definitely put me off reading any more by Woodiwiss. I can't believe she's considered to be a top historical fiction writer! Zero stars.

Don't waste your money on this one.

Married at midnight.......2001-06-25

It's not easy to rate four stories with one mark, so I do it one by one:

The determined bride" - I give it 3 stars. It's not a bad story, but I found something missing there.

A kiss after midnight" - nice, but just a little bit unbelievable. How Victoria couldn't recognize her best friend? I don't believe a man can change so much! And that marriage ceremony ... oh, it was sooo long, I became unpatient! 3 stars.

Scandal's bride" - a bit cliche. I read so many books about London high society of 19th century I became tired of them. Why always London and 19th century? Why not France during 100 years war for example? 3 stars.

Beyond the kiss" - out of question the best of Married at midnight". I just love Woodiwiss and Birminghams. 5 stars.

Book Description

Brenda Joyce is a dreamweaver who spins spells that entice and enchant, a masterful creator of unforgettable characters and incomparableromance-from the spellbinding medieval passion of promise of the rose to the breathtaking sensual intrigue of the game. Now, with beyond scandall, she takes us one step further... beyond duty.

Adoring and innocent, Anne Stewart was seduced by Dominick Saint Georges, Viscount Lyons, then brazenly abandoned on their wedding night. Now four years have passed, and England's most mysterious lord has returned to Waverly Hall.

Beyond passion. Anne can never forgive Dominick for the shame he caused her. She is determined to resist his advances and ignore the gossip and speculation surrounding them. But shocking revelations and deadly intrigues are drawing her ever closer to her enigmatic husband, to whom she dares not surrender againthis secretive stranger who holds the key to her survival... and her heart.

Customer Reviews:

Murder, Adventure,Romance, 1856 England -- Enjoy !.......2005-07-17

Beyond Scandal is great historical romantic adventure. This is story about young women Anne Stewart who has always loved Dominick Saint George but he is preparing to marry her cousin. I won't give to much away but someone tries to kill Anne and there is a lot suspects. If you enjoy romance based around the historical genre than you will enjoy this book. I would also recommended `A Loving Scoundrel' by Johanna Lindsey and `All about love' by Stephanie Laurens.

Gotta love it.......2004-02-22

I must say that I was fortunate enough to have found a copy of this book recently.. I am a new fan to the old writtings of Brenda Joyce... I have read several of her true romance books.. Like splendor... and captive as well as others and just like those I found this one just a good.. I love a good book that takes you away and gives you such superb writting that it is so easy to visualize everything that you are reading..
I would recommend this and any other of Brenda Joyce's works..

BORING AND UPSETTING.......2003-02-24

I am sorry but I felt no simpathy for both heros ! HIM: his disappearance for 4 years is unacceptable if only based on his fear of love (not really realistic ). They didn't have a good conversation about that. HER : I think she is very very weak, not at all in phase with what she accomplished for 4 years (running the estate by herself). She was too influencable for my liking. She didn't back up her husband when he needed it.

BORING AND UPSETTING.......2003-02-24

Exciting Compelling and Mysterious.......2002-04-12

This book actually made me think about what was going on. I had to figure out and think Who's doing this? I thought that in fact had I been Anne, I would have added a few holes to Dom's body for being an idiot and a total [fool]. Then I also would have thought of ways of "disciplining" him. HEHE. Read it-you'll love it.

The Octopus Conspiracy: And Other Vignettes of the Counterculture-From Hippies to
<I>High Times</I> to Hip-Hop & Beyond . . .

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The Octopus Conspiracy: And Other Vignettes of the Counterculture-From Hippies to High Times to Hip-Hop & Beyond . . .
Steven Hager
Manufacturer: Trine Day
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0975290614

Book Description

From the birth of hip-hop culture in the South Bronx to the influence of nightclubs in shaping the modern art world in New York, a generation of countercultural events and icons are brought to life in this personal account of the life and experiences of a former investigative reporter and editor of High Times. Evidence from cutting-edge conspiracy research including the real story behind the JFK assassination and the Franklin Savings and Loan cover-up is presented. Quirky personalities and compelling snapshots of life in the 1980s and 1990s emerge in this collection of vignettes from a landmark figure in journalism.

Beyond the Land of Hattamala and Scandal in Fairyland

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Entertaining and fun.

Beyond the Land of Hattamala and Scandal in Fairyland

Manufacturer: Seagull Books Pvt.Ltd ,India
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Eastern European | World Literature | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Drama | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 8170460913

Book Description

These lively plays use witty, tounge-in-cheek comedy to communicate relevant social messages, which gives them a contemporary relevance seldom seen in children's theatre.

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining and fun........2004-09-08

Wonderful social commentary great for children and adults. I would also recommend 'In the Land of Hattamala' if you can find it.

Beyond the Scandals: A Guide to Healthy Sexuality for Clergy (Prisms)

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Beyond the Scandals: A Guide to Healthy Sexuality for Clergy (Prisms)
G. Lloyd Rediger
Manufacturer: Augsburg Fortress Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Sex | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0800636139

Book Description

Recent sexual scandals have rocked the North American religious scene and left the churches concerned about credibility and liability. What are the bounds of clergy sexuality? What constitutes misconduct, and what legal, moral, and religious norms apply? More broadly, what has gone wrong, and how can clergy understand their own sexuality and their lives of service?

Lloyd Rediger is a uniquely qualified national expert on all these questions with a strong message for clergy about their sexuality, spirituality, and behavior. In this timely volume, which incorporates material from his earlier volume Ministry and Sexuality, Rediger brings his extensive research, clinical experience, and theological insights to bear on the topic. He offers a comprehensive, authoritative account of clergy sexuality and sexual ethics with up-to-date legal information; helpful research on ethnic, gender, and denominational factors; a religious and moral framework for understanding clergy sexuality; and analysis of the sexual problems encountered by clergy.

This volume could well become the standard pro-fessional resource for clergy in a new era of increased accountability and moral reflection.

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Married at Midnight: The Determined Bride/A Kiss After Midnight/Scandal's Bride/Beyond the Kiss
Kathleen E.; Beverley, Jo; Crosby, Tany Woodiwiss
Manufacturer: Avon Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000VA2LIS

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Ideal Patterns, Approved Variations, Patterned Scandals and Beyond in a Small Southern Community (Ams Studies in Anthropology)
Shelby Kimbrell Zeanah
Manufacturer: AMS Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0404626106

Amazon.com

Suspense builds in this novel about scientists, physics, time travel, and saving the Earth. It's 1998, and a physicist in Cambridge, England, attempts to send a message backward in time. Earth is falling apart, and a government faction supports the project in hopes of diverting or avoiding the environmental disasters beginning to tear at the edges of civilization. It's 1962, and a physicist in California struggles with his new life on the West Coast, office politics, and the irregularities of data that plague his experiments. The story's perspective toggles between time lines, physicists, and their communities. Timescape presents the subculture and world of scientists in microcosm: the lab, the loves, the grappling for grants, the pressures from university and government, the rewards and trials of relationships with spouses, the pressures of the scientific race, and the thrill of discovery.

Timescape merits the tag "hard science fiction"; it tells the story of scientists, and readers can't help but learn something about tachyons and physics while reading it. Yet much of the story is about humanity: the men John Renfrew and Gordon Bernstein and their relationships--between husband and wife, lover and lover, English working class and upper class, professor and student, and academician and colleagues.

Winner of the Nebula Award in 1980 and the John W. Clark Award in 1981, Timescape offers readers a great yarn, in terms of both humanity and science.

Book Description

1962: A young Californian scientist finds his experiments spoiled by mysterious interference. Gradually his suspicions lead him to a shattering truth: scientists from the end of the century are using subatomic particles to send a message into the past, in the hope that history can be changed and a world-threatening catastrophe averted.

Customer Reviews:

Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-25

Global warming message in an isotope, no bottle.

Scientists thirties years in the future from the sixties discover the possibilities for sending limited information back in time through the exotic properties of a particular material. It is pretty important to them because the situation the planet finds itself in is really pretty dire.

One of the most important books of our time.......2007-09-02

This book is about our near future experience with our enviromental issues of today. The importance of these issues is brought about through a vividly realised stark reality. Concepts involving time and the relevance of cause and effect still resonate today with our philosophies of reality. A NEBULA AWARD WINNING novel which contemplates the larger issues of our existence in space and time while stating our delicate hold on life itself.

Couldn't finish it.......2007-06-30

This is a book that really tested my patience and ultimately defeated me. I gave it 3 stars instead of 2 because I couldn't finish the book and to be fair, I gave it an extra star. So, it may have a fantastic ending. Just could not get through the thing. Started skimming as fast as I could after awhile and still dragged. There's so much 'soap opera' stuff as another reader wrote, it was just taking way to long for the payoffs. It just seems to go off on tangents that weren't entirely part of the focus of the main story, adding atmospheric touches that I couldn't care about.
I do like drama and am a huge fan of Stephen King novels, but, at least his subplots are all related and move the story quickly. Timescape too me seemed like a babbling yarn that was taking its sweet time to get to the end. The characters were well designed, but, sat around pontificating rather than moved the story forward.
I'm sure it's a great humanist book, it did win the Hugo; I think I was expecting something different. Perhaps I've gotten ADD from watching too many fast cutting movies. I really wanted to like the book, but, sadly the pacing killed me. A warning to those who enjoy a faster tempo book that gets to the point, this may not be the book for you.

Terrific story, but...........2007-06-11

I have a problem with el Senor Benford: he is brilliant, and his ideas are absolutely wonderful, but his writing is tedious. I am sorry, but there it is. The story is fabulous, extraordinarily interesting...the idea of sending information back through time via tachyons in order to prevent current global crises. And the story working in two different times with different characters. Really terrific idea, and the only reason I read Benford is that his ideas are so amazingly terrific. Unfortunately, he just doesn't deal well with characters, who are pretty much cardboard across the board, or with relationships. That's okay, I don't really care, except that too much time is spent on these incidentals and it just doesn't work well. Benford really shines like a supernova when he is talking science. Any science, be it quantum physics or biology. This is what he really loves and really does well and it shows.
So, if you are like I am and ready and willing to forgive rather mediocre writing for the purpose of the really exceptionally good stuff, I would very heartily recommend Benford and any one of his books, all of which I have plowed through just to get to the heart of the matter. I absolutely hate writing reviews like this...so maybe I shouldn't....it is pretty much the same as saying that Bob Dylan cannot sing, but I love to listen to him anyway. There is a genius in Benford's books, and I at least, have decided to put up with all the junk that fattens Benford's books because the lean is just so very good.

When Dull Books Happen to Interesting Premises.......2007-06-07

To start with, I'm one of those Science Fiction readers that really likes the fiction, and not so much the science. I give it the college try, but only the basic concepts really sink in. And for this book, most of the science went over my head (more than enough for me, but apparently not enough for the seriously die-hard readers of Science Fiction). But the overall idea, one of the only viable time-travel-like premises I've yet encountered, was very interesting and innovative. And if this book had been about 100, maybe 200, pages I'd give it a 5 and have been quite happy about it. But unfortunately this novel rambled on for over 500 pages. So to most of you I'd say, read the synopsis and be done. You won't miss much.

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Timescapes of John Fowles
Harald William Fawkner
Manufacturer: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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NIGHTCHILD (Timescape)
Scott Baker
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671469312

Before & After: A Book of Nature Timescapes

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Before & After: A Book of Nature Timescapes
Jan Thornhill
Manufacturer: Maple Tree Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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SOLDIER BOY (Timescape Book)
Michael Shaara
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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

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ASIN: 0671833421

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FANE (Timescape Book)
David alexander
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0671831542

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LAST INCANTATION (Timescape Book)
Clark Ashton Smith
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671835432

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Winner of the First Hugo Award
An original and clever work still worth reading (4.5 stars)
Super Reader
Good, But Probably Better in its Own Time.
Classic?

DEMOLISHED MAN (Timescape Book)
Bester
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0671476262

Amazon.com

In a world policed by telepaths, Ben Reich plans to commit a crime that hasn't been heard of in 70 years: murder. That's the only option left for Reich, whose company is losing a 10-year death struggle with rival D'Courtney Enterprises. Terrorized in his dreams by The Man With No Face and driven to the edge after D'Courtney refuses a merger offer, Reich murders his rival and bribes a high-ranking telepath to help him cover his tracks. But while police prefect Lincoln Powell knows Reich is guilty, his telepath's knowledge is a far cry from admissible evidence.

Book Description

In the year 2301, guns are only museum pieces and benign telepaths sweep the minds of the populace to detect crimes before they happen. In 2301 murder is virtually impossible, but one man is about to change that...

Ben Reich, a psychopathic business magnate, has devised the ultimate scheme to eliminate the competition and destroy the order of his society. The Demolished Man is a masterpiece of imaginative suspense, set in a superbly imagined world in which everything has changed except the ancient instinct for murder.

Customer Reviews:

Winner of the First Hugo Award.......2007-08-18

Not to be too gushy, but this 1951 classic is one of THE towering classics of 1950's hardcore Science Fiction, and it's the winner of the very FIRST EVER HUGO AWARD.

As if that wasn't praise enough, J.M. Straczynski, the creator of the highly acclaimed and award winning "Babylon 5" series, repeatedly paid open and worshipful homage to the author, Alfred Bester, by basing his "Psi Corps" on the police force in this book. He also named the head of that organization after the author himself. Walter Koenig (Checkov on Star Trek: TOS) was cast as Bester in B5, and Harlan Ellison begged and pleaded until JMS let him made a guest appearance as a Psi Cop working directly for him.

Getting dizzy yet ? Good. I'm not done yet.

Issac Asimov has called it "one of the all-time classics of Science Fiction".

This book also the direct spiritual heir of George Orwell's dark 1949 classic "1984", and the case could also be made that Gibson's classic "Neuromancer" may have been strongly inspired, in part, by this book.

It's a hard hitting, well written, and highly original tour de force, and it rightly earns my highest recommendations. It richly deserves to be re-discovered by a new generation of scifi fans.

An original and clever work still worth reading (4.5 stars).......2007-08-09

At it's core, Alfred Bester's The Demolished Man is a murder procedural but because of the way Bester incorporates the aspect of mind readers, this has become a timeless classic of the science fiction genre.

A non-psychic man commits a murder in a future world where some can read minds to varying levels of ability. The detective on the case is a top level mind reader trying to build enough evidence to convict the killer. The two main characters are both interesting portrayals of the corrupt mega-CEO and the determined detective looking for justice. Both are highly intelligent and at the top of their respective social ladders and this makes for a high powered game of cat and mouse that works on many levels.

Bester also excels at creating an intelligent and fully realized society where telepathic people and "non-tele's", live work and interact. The way Bester integrates telepathy into the various occupations like law enforcement and sales is interesting and clever. I would be interested in revisiting this book's environment with a completely different story and characters just to further delve into the mind reading characteristic Bester has created.

What is equally impressive is how well this book holds up more then 50 years after it was written which is rare for the science fiction genre. This book also has the distinction of winning the first Hugo award for best science fiction of the year (1953).

Bottom Line: A classic sci-fi book that was original in its time and often copied since. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Super Reader.......2007-08-04

In The Demolished Man, society goes for the Doc Savage school of rehabilitation of criminals. i.e. they alter their brains and minds until they are good productive citizens. Telepaths can generally notice when crimes will be committed beforehand.

Here, a clever supervillain type is at large, and has a plan to change things. A man must try and stop him.

Good, But Probably Better in its Own Time........2007-06-21

It's difficult to judge this book fairly so many years after it was published. Many if not all of its conventions have now become mainstream, and therefore have been retold in more (and less) compelling ways, with the effect that all of its major revelations fall flat. Before the popular SF films of the last twenty years, this story--based on other reviews, at least--must have appeared very fresh and interesting.

I found the writing itself average. There were a few thoughtful passages, but overall it was a good story simply told with an ordinary command of the language. The premise is the real strength of this novel, in my opinion. It is well-conceived and reinforced throughout, not by the continuous use of jargon or laborious explanation, but by rich characters whose actions and feelings are believable responses to the strange world they inhabit.

This book is no longer new or surprising, but if you enjoy Sci-fi stories about dark, realistic characters with special mental abilities, you will likely enjoy it.

Classic?.......2007-05-06

Upon reading the many glowing reviews of this novel, I picked it up wholeheartedly thinking it would blow me away. Unfortunately, it was a struggle to get through. The idea behind the novel is far ahead of its time. It is quite obvious Bester had the gift of coming up with "far-out" ideas for the 1950s. My complaint is that the characters are amazingly wooden. Dialog was difficult to get through without flashes of 50s serials popping into my head. I kept waiting for someone to say "gee wilikers, say its not so sarge!" Much of the writing reminded me of the early comics: 'Explosion!''Whammy!' The characters never became flesh for me, nor did I care one way or the other what happened in the story. Unfortunately I could not get all the way to the end. I stopped, amazingly, at 170 pages.

I realize its 50 years old - it cannot mask its age. If you read this novel, please take this into consideration. Be ready for characters which express their emotion with wooden insencerity and for male-female relations to harken back to the days of bogey and bacall stiffness. This novel falls into the "great idea, poor execution" category. Read at your own risk.

I would give it one star, however, based upon the merit of the imagination of the writer; and the the fact that It must have raised quite a few eyebrows in 1951: I am giving it three stars.

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NEAREST FIRE (Timescape Book)
Cherry Wilder
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671447033

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BLOODED ARACHNE (Timescape Book)
Michael Bishop
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671413198

Average customer rating:

Good topic, leaves reader frustrated

Debating Calvinism by Dave Hunt and James White

Salvation

Debating Calvinism

A confusing issue, no matter how its debated.

Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views
Dave Hunt , and James White
Manufacturer: Multnomah
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christian Living | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Calvinist | Protestantism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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What Love is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God

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ASIN: 1590522737
Release Date: 2004-02-04

Book Description

A centuries-old belief system is put to the test as two prominent authors examine and debate the subject of Calvinism from opposing viewpoints. James White, author of The Potter's Freedom, takes the Calvinist position. Dave Hunt, author of What Love Is This, opposes him. The exchange is lively and at times intense as these two articulate men wrestle over what the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty and man's free will. This thought-provoking, challenging book provides potent responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.

Is God free to love anyone He wants?
Do you have any choice in your own salvation?

It’s time to find out.

Calvinism has been a topic of intense discussion for centuries. In this lively debate, two passionate thinkers take opposing sides, providing valuable responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism. Only you can decide where you stand on questions that determine how you think about your salvation.

Story Behind the Book

The subject of Calvinism has been hotly debated for many years, and now two prominent authors and researchers will debate this controversial topic in a book debate. This project came about when Mr. Hunt wrote What Love is This- Calvinism’s Misrepresentation of God. Mr. Hunt was challenged by many on the Calvinist bench and he eventually agreed to do a debate in a book format. The books purpose is to get you to think and come to your own conclusions

Customer Reviews:

Good topic, leaves reader frustrated.......2007-06-29

The topic is not new, and it's been written/spoken about numerous times. Does God foreordain salvation? Or is it something He merely has knowledge of man's free will choices? In this book, Dave Hunt--who admittedly just began his study of the topic in 2000--and James R. White go toe to toe to determine which view is more scriptural. The topics are varied, with the first half of the book starting with James White, and then the other person getting a turn, for a total of three turns per topic. Unfortunately, I think this book will leave readers frustrated for several reasons:

1) the two become quite contentious, especially in their rebuttals and rejoinders. Hunt seems especially testy and uses some strong loaded words and ad hominem attacks that were, IMHO, not necessary. White gets frustrated because Hunt so often misunderstands his points and creates straw men. (I especially got tired of him saying that Calvinists don't believe in evangelization because why do they need to--this is one tired argument that he kept up throughout the book. In fact, I know many more Calvinists who are active in evangelism compared to my Arminian friends whom I am always telling that, if they they really did believe that it is up to a person to decide for or against God, they should plan many more evangelistic outings than they currently do.)

2) the two debaters often seem to talk past each other. I'm wondering if this debate would have been better in person, though I'm thinking they may have ended up in fisticuffs by the end. But I wonder if they would have been "nicer" in a public forum. Were they really that angry as their written words sounded? As they say about the danger of e-mails, they can be read in a wrong way. I wonder if this wasn't the case here.

3) Hunt did not seem the best representative for the Arminian position since he admittedly is not an Arminian, though he holds to all the postions, including no "P," which is not always the case with Arminians. So often he ignored White's points made in the previous section and came up with very poor exegesis on some of the vital verses used by White.

What I do like about the book is that Christians should not be scared to disagree. They can vigorously dialogue about these important issues and still understand that the essentials are in place. The book is worth a read, though it really seemed to bog down for me in the final 100 pages. But Christians need to know both sides before making up their mind about such an important issue, and this could be a good place to find out what the two sides are saying.

Debating Calvinism by Dave Hunt and James White.......2007-03-10

This is a fascinating but exasperating book. Both authors go toe to toe, but their toes -- and fists -- never really get close to each other. They both seem to be making rebuttals to thin air, perhaps because both are somewhat uncomfortable with their respective positions? Hunt, the quasi-Arminian, does a slightly better job of attempting to address his opponent's points directly. White seems to spend more time on fewer points, trying to make a more solid case for them, but would have done better briefly making the case against more points. Thus, I think he barely loses on "points" (and I am on his side). Hunt, though, appeals more to human sentiment than to the stark reality of Scripture and the wisdom of God. His back never falls prostrate to the mat simply because White never takes the open knock-down opportunities given him. Perhaps the ground rules were too stifling in the creation of this written debate. Highly engaging and engrossing, this book leaves the reader longing for a real contest -- and the Calvinist reader for a due victory.

Salvation.......2007-02-16

Dave Hunt is essentially worthless. I wish that I had a better word for him, but worthless seems to sum it up. I have his book "What Love is This", and it is the same character assassination represented in this book only much more long and drawn-out (nearly 500 pages).
James R White is an extremely skilled theologian and apologist. So if you are looking for a balanced debate book on the issue of calvinism, then this isn't the book for you. White is miles above Hunt on every level.
I recommend this book for White's sections.
Since I am writing a book as well that touches on this subject I will pose a few questions for you to answer yourself. Did Jesus die and rise to save me, or to make it possible for me to save myself by faith? Could I stand in front of Jesus and say, "If it wasn't for me believing and having faith, then you couldn't have saved me." Who are the elect, and what does the Bible mean when it talks about predestination?

Debating Calvinism.......2007-01-10

Again James White presents evidence that critics can only counter with emotion and misrepresentation from all over the map. Hunt has a hard time answering scripture with scripture. He'd rather take 15 verses and chop them into 3-4 word segments than simply explain whole texts in their context.

A confusing issue, no matter how its debated........2006-12-29

Does John Calvin successfully define the underlying truths of Scripture in his "Institutes," (ergo, "Calvinism,") or is his perspective built more upon the philosophical rational of early church theologian, Augustine? This is the central issue behind the book, Debating Calvinism.

Both James White and Dave Hunt, (like there proponents,) are well convinced of their respective positions. Each holds to his opinions tenaciously, and tries to point out the errors and fallacies of the other. When reading this book, I was struck with how philosophically oriented James White is, as he continually refers to Reformed confessions and creeds, (which are supposed to be based purely on Scripture.) Dave Hunt takes the logical conclusions of these philosophies and points out the grave errors associated with them - which are not simply theological, but practical in nature.

Since John Calvin is at the eye of the hurricane, it is quite revealing to examine his works alongside his writings. While he is esteemed by many today as being a humble, faithful man who tried his best to implement his beliefs in a Christ-like way, the evidence says otherwise. As Hunt very pointedly describes, John Calvin was a very autocratic and narrow-minded dictator of an isolated Swiss city in the 1500's. His entire history in this city is one of zeal, power, and vengeance according to his ideas and beliefs of God and His justice. Using the Old Testament Mosaic Laws as his guide, he "instituted" an entire civil code of justice that left the occupants with little room for personal freedom or theological differences.

As Hunt points out very tellingly, for someone who was so understood about the inability of unregenerate souls to do holiness and good, his system of rules and punishments were the equal to anything the Roman Catholics had been guilty of in their history. (Including the Inquisition!) People were beheaded, burned, stoned, drowned, tortured, fined, banished, imprisoned, whipped, pilloried, humiliated, made to publicly beg for mercy wearing a hair shirt, etc. Throughout all, Calvin remained resolute and unrepentant, (bragging to a friend how he had "exterminated" one such heretic, Michael Servitus.)

Calvinists would do well to examine these works, since "by their fruits ye shall know them." Though White and company instinctually distance themselves from all these, (accentuating Calvin's charitable works instead,) Hunt rightly points out these crimes are all in keeping with the worldview that Calvin's philosophy draws: "The righteous must defend God and godliness at all costs." Which is always akin to "fighting for peace."

True Christian religion follows Jesus Christ. We know Him by His works, (as we are known by ours.) 1 John 3:7, "Let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous." The early church both knew this and practiced it. They understood the philosophies behind Calvin's "perseverance of the saints," and rejected them as Gnostic heresies. (Read them yourself in a dictionary of Early Christian beliefs.)

Whereas Augustine supposed the elect could never perish eternally, Calvin was the first to adamantly declare it. The historical record shows this quite plainly, as Calvinist John Jefferson Davis described in an article titled: "The Perseverance of the Saints: A History of the Doctrine" [Journal of Evangelical Theological Society 34:2 (June 1991)].

White and Hunt have been good friends in the past, (as many from both sides of this debate have been over the years.) Apart from rooting for one's side, we are rather to obey Him.

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." and, "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."

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