Elizabeth I: Fortune's Bastard: A Short Account of the Long Life of Elizabeth I

Book Description

Elizabeth I stands in the English imagination for one of the formative phases of English history. Her reign saw England transformed, at her command, from a Catholic to a Protestant country, with calcuable consequences for the history of Europe and of the world—starting with the attempted invasion by the Spanish Armada.

Average customer rating:

Fortune's Bastard
Neil Frank
Manufacturer: All Star Novel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SADUAE

Average customer rating:

Gut-wrenching humor & the blackest path to redemption
Alive...all over again
From the sublime to the ridiculous
Well, more like 4 and a half

Fortune's Bastard
Robert Chalmers
Manufacturer: Grove Press, Black Cat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Literary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0802141609

Book Description

After his highly popular Who's Who in Hell, Robert Chalmers delivers his second novel, a painfully funny story of disaster and redemption that recalls Katherine Dunn's Geek Love.
One morning Edward Miller, tabloid newspaper editor and reactionary alpha male, spontaneously seduces his temp in an office storeroom. The news doesn't take long to reach his cold, beautiful wife-and it just happens to be their anniversary. By morning, his marriage is over, his career in shambles, and his house is on fire. Clearly, it's time to leave town.
After a brief stint in Spain as an English teacher, Miller flees again when his cover is blown, winding up in a Florida town populated by carnies and circus freaks and ruled with an iron fist by the Half Man, a criminal and sadist with no legs. Unexpectedly, despite even a one-eyed albino hit man who seems to overhear every compromising conversation between Miller and the Half Man's wife the Lizard Woman, Miller gradually realizes this may be where he belongs.
A brilliant ensemble black comedy and a touching statement on the redemptive power of love, Fortune's Bastard confirms Robert Chalmers as one of Britain's freshest and wittiest new voices.

Customer Reviews:

Gut-wrenching humor & the blackest path to redemption.......2006-01-30

I had this book given to me, but I would have happily paid (used price only) for it. Yes, it's really two novels, two storys: the thoroughly-flawed protagonist's self-powered post-it flagged descent into a personal hell presided over by a sneering bitch and back-stabbing former colleagues and his coke-powered launch into Spain in no way prepared him for an encounter with a crippled circus troupe in backwater Florida, who, had Dante known them, might have given them a special hell of their own. This is black humor at its sickest. Don't give it to your Mother, unless she's already written her will.

Alive...all over again.......2005-06-05

Alive.

This is the last word in Chalmer's first novel, the otherwise well-written Who's Who in Hell. It is also the main theme of the cover work for Fortune's Bastard, and indeed, the theme of the book itself. Where as horror and Gothic writers have a love affair with death, Chalmer's seems to love contrasting death with being alive.

Fortune's Bastard is the story of Edward Miller, the editor of a Daily Mail-like racist, fascist tabloid that remains unnamed throughout. Miller himself is a hardcore racist and while his paper supports the Conservatives, he's such a caricature of the anti-PC set, he probably votes for the Nazi party. He's a hard-liner, a neo-con, a right-winger, and much like the recent Republicans of Note, he's diddling he's secretary, and much like our favorite conservative lackey, Miller gets caught. From the moment our womanizing hero steps out of the closet where he's been banging his assistant and steps into the cafeteria, his life as he knew it is officially over. As the title suggests, from here on out, he is Fortune's Bastard.

(One should note, Fortune's Bastard is the American title for the book, and represents a great step forward for Chalmers in how he titles things, as the title now reflects the overall theme of the book. "Who's Who in Hell" referred to a book that Linnel only briefly works on and has no other meaning or representation within the story. The same goes for the original UK title of Fortune's Bastard, "East of Nowhere" which refers to a short part of the novel that seems to be more of a short story that never went anywhere than anything else.)

The biggest problem with Fortune's Bastard is that, as has been pointed out before, it seems to be two halves of two separate novels. The second half seems to be the beginning of a sequel to his first novel and that, when that sequel ended after a hundred and fifty pages, he decided to do a find and replace for "Daniel Linnel" and change it to the hero of two other short stories he was working on. Then, he changed a few minor details, made strange tentative connections, and wrapped it all up in a nice package of Alive-ness.

The other problem with Fortune's Bastard, as is the problem with Who's Who in Hell and indeed most modern novel, is that it doesn't wrap things up properly. There are lots of unanswered questions, hanging threads, and red herrings that are never investigated but simply thrown about like a strange mixture of hastily written story, which adds to the feeling of being a part of a different story.

Overall, however, the story is good in pacing and momentum, though it could use with a bit of a re-write: grammatically it is atrocious. As I was reading it after proofreading Synchronicity Killed the Cat for David R. Williams last week, I was tempted half the time to attack the thing with a red felt pen and send it to Chalmers with an little frowny face sticker on the cover. You know, the sort you got in grammar school when you wrote atrociously. The main character of Flowers for Algernon had a better handle on punctuation. The story itself, however, redeems the book from its grammatical flaws, and the ending is a great improvement on the abrupt and random stop that ends Who's Who in Hell.

In the end, the last thing I can say about Fortune's Bastard is this, "I'll give you an Oliver for one: flawless."

From the sublime to the ridiculous.......2005-02-04

What a schizophrenic book. The first half-- following its hapless anti-hero through a series of escalating mortifications--is a great, funny read--Chalmers possesses a real mordant wit. However, the minute our hero steps foot onto the super-heated tarmac of deepest, darkest Central Florida, the book spirals into a surreal gumbo of tooth-breaking violence, tin-eared dialogue, and every "Suhthun" stereotype known to man. Being a Floridian myself, the factual discrepancies rife in this book were jarring and distracting. How disappointing.

Well, more like 4 and a half.......2005-01-06

Very interesting book. There are twists and turns you wouldn't expect unless you read the back cover first. And we come to why it's only 4 1/2 instead of five. The back gives it all away!

It does compare to "Geek Love" (a book that should also be picked up if your stomach can take it) but in a more appealing way. You could read this in almost three sittings as we go over the three stages in his life we get to witness.

My suggestion; read this then "Geek Love" and don't read the back cover!

Customer Reviews:

Not Just for Comic Book Fans.......2007-07-13

This book is recommended for all art fans--you don't need to be familiar with the Sandman character to enjoy McKean's gorgeous covers. The commentary is also very interesting, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the thought process behind many of the works. McKean progresses from producing physical pieces of art to digital manipulations as the series progressed, and although some of his initial digital effects are now dated, it's still fascinating to see a modern master at work.

difference btwn 2 versions?.......2007-03-23

is there any difference between the Watson-Guptill edition and the Vertigo edition? i noticed one says '1989-1996' while the other says '1989-1997', the size also seems to be differnt, althogh the page numbers are both 208. what i want to know is, is there any difference as far as the artworks go inside? and if so, which is the better one? (one's also more price than the other, it seems).

Modern Day Masterpieces.......2005-09-26

I bought this book as a gift for a Friend, I was familiar with McKeans art from the comics and she had recently gotten into his work... So i thought it'd make a good gift.

It was a great gift! I looked through the book thoroughly myself and was amazed at not just the artwork but the presentation of it throughout. McKean and Neil Gaiman's Commentry and Notes throughout are both Fascinating and sometimes hilarious. (Ah the Fish...)

I'm gonna pick up a copy for myself, as this really is an Amazing book... ArtFans or ComicFans alike will appreciate just how Beautiful Mckeans Art is.

Absolutely magical!.......2005-09-04

I don't know why I haven't gotten around to reviewing this collection of work before, but it is amazing! As the title suggests, it is the collected covers of the Sandman comic book series that ran from 1989-1996. There are no Sandman stories in here, just the collected covers of all the issues and some commentary on the covers and The Sandman series by Neil Gaiman himself.

"Just." I love this book. It's "Art" with a capital "A." So many different styles, forms, and moods. It's beauty and magic captured on paper. It calls to mind art as diverse Edward Gorey, Salvadore Dali, the movies of Tim Burtn, and on one startling cover even H.R. Geiger (in a non-Aliens way).

The introduction is very nice too.

I recommend this for any fan of the Sandman series.

Creepy, amazing, and with a behind the scenes peak........2003-12-30

When I had collected the original Sandman issues, I was always intrigued by the cover art as well as the story and illustrations inside. Sometimes, I would find myself staring at the covers for minutes before reading the actual story. This was the only time I had ever really done that. And now you can own this book full of those intricate, detailed, and amazing art pieces, along with commentary by McKean and Gaiman.

And there's a Sandman story that I have never read before! If you're a Sandman fan, buy this book.

Dustcovers The Collected Sandman Covers 1989-1996

Average customer rating:

Dustcovers The Collected Sandman Covers 1989-1996
McKean Dave
Manufacturer: Vertigo / DC Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000UINE82

DUSTCOVERS: THE COLLECTED SANDMAN COVERS 1989-1996. Designed & Illustrated by Dave McKean. With a new story & commentary by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean

Average customer rating:

DUSTCOVERS: THE COLLECTED SANDMAN COVERS 1989-1996. Designed & Illustrated by Dave McKean. With a new story & commentary by Neil Gaiman & Dave McKean
Neil. Gaiman
Manufacturer: DC Comics,
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Sandman | Characters | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000RJ04QE

Average customer rating:

Great light entertainment

STNG #17 Boogeymen - One for the Wesley Crusher fans!

Dumb.

ST-TNG: Boogeymen

Holodeck Gone Bad

Boogeymen (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 17)
Mel Gilden
Manufacturer: Star Trek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Science Fiction | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
General | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Next Generation | Star Trek | Media | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Perchance to Dream (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 19)

Contamination (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 16)

Spartacus (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 20)

The Eyes of the Beholders (Star Trek: The Next Generation, No. 13)

Exiles (Star Trek The Next Generation, No 14)

ASIN: 0671709704

Book Description

Eric Baldwin is the Federation's premier exologist, a specialist in all manner of alien life forms -- and one of Captain Picard's oldest, most trusted friends. But Baldwin's discoveries have made him enemies across the galaxy, and now he wants Picard to help him by erasing all traces of his existence.

but Picard soon finds himself with little time to worry about Baldwin's problems. For the U.S.S. Enterprise™. has suddenly become a strange and dangerous place -- a ship where assassins lurk in every corner, and even old trusted friends are not what they seem. Threats all masterminded by the strangest race of aliens Picard and his crew have yet encountered...

Download Description

But Picard soon finds himself with little time to worry about Baldwin's problems, for the U.S.S. Enterprise has suddenly become a strange and dangerous place -- a ship where assassins lurk in every corner, and even old trusted friends are not what they seem. The threats are masterminded by the strangest race of aliens Picard and his crew have yet encountered....

Customer Reviews:

Great light entertainment.......2004-01-08

This is probably my favourite in Next Generation reading for light entertainment. Wesley Crusher has designed imaginary aliens for use in holodeck simulations. One of Picard's old friends, Baldwin, has come on board with the intention of erasing his (Baldwin's) existence, starting with a computer virus. The two programs get together and cause havoc, first on the holodeck and then throughout the ship. The Enterprise is also investigating an alien group that cause some genuinely paranormal events to happen aboard ship.

This is written to be light entertainment and it works very well. The events that occur and the way they are written are funny, to the reader at least. The descriptions of the events are very good, although they are usually done with subjective commentary that comes close to getting in the way. The characters are generally a bit less serious than normally portrayed, but never to the point of diminishing them.

STNG #17 Boogeymen - One for the Wesley Crusher fans!.......2003-09-03

This is one of only two original Star Trek stories written by author Mel Gilden, which is kind of a shame because I found this story to be a fairly well written one. Had Mel Gilden explored farther into the Star Trek universe I'm sure he would've written several more "well told" Star Trek tales.

The premise:

As with what often happened to young Mr. Wesley Crusher, his science experiment has gone bad and it causes serious trouble aboard the USS Enterprise. Add that and a visit from a long time friend of Captain Picard's in Eric Baldwin who is the Federation's premier exologist and a very strange alien race and you have a well thought out plot that will keep you reading through this novel at a good pace.

Albeit one of the shorter Star Trek The Next Generation novels, I highly recommend this novel to any and all fans of Star Trek novels for in it you will find a well paced and thought out plot and some dead on characterizations. It is truly too bad that the author hasn't written anymore stories in Gene Roddenberry's universe. {ssintrepid

Dumb........2003-08-31

What one hopes to find in a book is a great idea, superbly executed. What one will settle for is a book that is either a great idea, competently executed, or an okay idea, superbly executed.

What one has in this book is a stupid idea, competently executed. The writing is good, but not great enough to compensate for the fact that the story idea is just about the next thing to completely worthless. There's way too much focus on Wesley (if you're actually a fan of that character, you might be able to justify bumping my rating all the way up to "three", but even so, the story is weak), and way too much of the overused concept of a holodeck program gone berserk to provide the conflict. In addition, the characterizations are inconsistent; Picard is far too tolerant of Wesley given his alleged aversion to children, and we never do get an answer to the question of whether "Eric Baldwin" is a dashing hero having a rare lapse of nerve, or an overblown windbag riding his self-created reputation (ala "Gilderoy Lockhart" from the Harry Potter books, who the character reminded me of). Nor do we see any real justification for his breakdown, nor any real explanation of how Counsellor Troi managed to settle him down. The character was completely inconsistent, but not in a way that made him feel real and "human", but rather in a way that made him feel entirely cardboard.

I've read worse "Star Trek" books, but most of them were very early "Original Series" efforts ("Spock Messiah", "Spock Must Die", "Triangle", "Killing Time", "The Prometheus Design", and "Black Fire", to name a few). This book is unquestionably better than any of those, but only just. Only recommended if you're a real "Trek" junkie needing a fix, and there just isn't anything else available.

ST-TNG: Boogeymen.......2003-06-23

Star Trek - The Next Generation: Boogeyman written by Mel Gilden is a Wesley Crusher novel along with an interesting computer race that uses the humanoid brain for warp propulsion.

A holodeck experiment that goes bad for Wesley Crusher after Data compiles a holodeck program called boogeymen and an exologist by the name of Eric Baldwin one of Captain Jean-Luc Picard's oldest most trusted friends wants Picard to erase all traces of his existence get crossed in the Starship Enterprise's computer and cause real problems for the Enterprise crew.

This is a well fleshed out story that will keep you on your toes as things really start to heat up for the Enterprise crew as the boogeymen pay a visit to the Enterprise. If you like stories about what can go wrong this is the story for you.

There are two stories that eventually blend into one major mess for the Enterprise as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and crew try hard to find out what has gone awry with the Enterprise computer. As they work their way through the ship, problems become suddenly dangerous and the boogeymen assassins lurk around every corner of the Enterprise and they want to win at all costs.

You'll find light mystery and intrigue in this story but the story moves rather quickly and you can finish this book in one setting as Wesley begins to grow up. And the messes that he creates cause Picard headaches.

This is a solid 4 star book as it is well-written and will keep your interest till the end and the ending is something that you will not suspect.

Holodeck Gone Bad.......2003-01-26

This is a nice book if you like Wesley Crusher and "holodeck gone bad" scenarios. It tries to expand with a story about a Federation exologist who attempts to erase himself from Starfleet records. All in all I felt it was a little too much at once.

5 Star Trek Next Generation Titles - 16 Thru 20 - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-In-Law - Perchance to Dream - Spartacus

Average customer rating:

5 Star Trek Next Generation Titles - 16 Thru 20 - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-In-Law - Perchance to Dream - Spartacus
various authors
Manufacturer: pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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

Product Description

5 massmarket paperback Star Trek Next Generation Titles - 16 Thru 20 - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-In-Law - Perchance to Dream - Spartacus

Boogeymen (Star Trek, The Next Generation Ser., No. 17)

Average customer rating:

Boogeymen (Star Trek, The Next Generation Ser., No. 17)

Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Boogeymen: Prodigium Pessimus De Profundus Terra

Average customer rating:

You'll be happy to stay inside
Suspenseful read
GOOD TILL THE END!
Interesting topic and characters

Boogeymen: Prodigium Pessimus De Profundus Terra
Joseph M. Bailey
Manufacturer: Writers Club Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0595261000

Book Description

Texas oilman Max Brown s wellheads are being mysteriously destroyed and people are dying hideous, terrifying deaths. When he enlists the assistance of a Fort Worth detective and a World War II veteran, he discovers that the culprit is an ancient, mysterious race of monstrous creatures. What are they? Where do they come from? Together, the men form an unlikely triumverate that must race against time to discover the nature of these creatures while rushing towards a spine-tingling, page-turning climax!

Customer Reviews:

You'll be happy to stay inside.......2003-04-11

Gave me nightmares but I enjoyed every minute of it! Guaranteed to give you ice-cube blood the next time you go outside in the rain. And no, you're not even safe in your car . . .

Suspenseful read.......2003-03-09

This is a well written and suspenseful book, with a richness of detail reminiscent of Stephen King. The fighter pilot sequences are especially exciting. I look forward to more books by Mr. Bailey.

GOOD TILL THE END!.......2003-01-09

This book is a pleasant surprise!!! I loved the premise of the story and Mr. Bailey's attention to detail is very precise. I hope to see more titles offered by Joe Bailey soon!!!

Interesting topic and characters.......2003-01-08

What an interesting look at an ancient horror. Bailey puts a different spin on the old monster genre and presents some pretty compelling characters. For those familiar with Ft. Worth like me, it is a real treat to read about familiar landmarks and real places. The book reads fast and easily and is very entertaining. It was the perfect companion for the wife and I during a road trip last week. Gave her the creeps. If you like horror with a twist, check it out.

Average customer rating:

Love songs from the boogeymen
Judith Trotsky
Manufacturer: Harper's Magazine Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0061282006

9 Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 11 Thru 19 - Gulliver's Fugitives - Doomsday World - Eyes of the Beholders - Exiles - Fortune's Light - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-in-law - Perchance to Dream

Average customer rating:

9 Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 11 Thru 19 - Gulliver's Fugitives - Doomsday World - Eyes of the Beholders - Exiles - Fortune's Light - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-in-law - Perchance to Dream
multiple authors
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Product Description

9 massmarket paperback Titles in Star Trek the Next Generation Series - 11 Thru 19 - Gulliver's Fugitives - Doomsday World - Eyes of the Beholders - Exiles - Fortune's Light - Contamination - Boogeymen - Q-in-law - Perchance to Dream

Average customer rating:

Boogeymen

Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Average customer rating:

Love Songs From the Boogeymen
Judith Trotsky
Manufacturer: Harper's Magazine Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEN4XW

Average customer rating:

Love Songs From the Boogeymen
Judith Trotsky
Manufacturer: Harpers Magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O657DK

Product Description

Be the hippest person on the block with your collection of 50 martini recipes, ranging from the traditional to today's favorites. Also, learn a little martini history and "mixology" as well as creative ways to garnish your cocktails.

Customer Reviews:

The Best 50 Martinis (Best 50) Very Nice book.......2007-01-18

My wife wanted a martini set for christmas and so I orderd this book to compliment the set. She loves the book it is very well done with great pictures and instructions. A must have for the casual martini drinker who wishes to have some great martini recipes on hand for that special occasion, or hosting party.

A bit disappointing........2004-03-08

The book is tiny, with cheap binding and mediocre photos. It won't last long around a wet space like a bar. As for the recipes themselves, they are just the standards. Ho hum.

Maybe as a gift with a shaker?.......2003-06-07

I can only see this being a good book if given as part of a *martini-themed* gift basket... On the other hand the book *shaken not stirred* is much more fun, useful and informative...

The recipes here are good, but standard...nothing to warrent an entire book, really. It would look attractive, tho, as part of a gift set...so its kind of a mixed bag.

If your looking for a book for yourself... a first martini book with recipes, tips, sayings and martini lore, go with the other one i mentioned.

Spend a few extra dollars on a book that is worth it.......2002-09-27

I puchased this book at the same time as a martini shaker and thought it would be a good companion to my new shaker and glasses.

This books is very small, flimsy and posseses a lot less than than can be found at a basic drink website. ...the book is cheap BUT it is worth about $2, thats it. In looking through this book, I felt like I could have put together something better written, more informative, and thorough in about 2 hours sitting at the computer.

Book Description

A perfect companion for the at-home bartending enthusiast

With a flash of color and a touch of elegance, Margarita Martini Mojito provides the best in classic and contemporary cocktail recipes. Thanks to clear instructions and color photographs, finding the perfect drink to match the mood has never been easier. Anyone can now enjoy a fruity margarita at a party with friends, sip a smooth pre-dinner martini, or savor a minty mojito on a hot summer's day.

Here is a sampling of these superb drink recipes:

Classic margarita
Chocolate margarita
Ginger Tom martini
Boadas martini
Lush lemon mojito
Blush pink mojito.

This handy little book provides the perfect cocktails for any party.

Customer Reviews:

Good ideas but incomplete recipes.......2006-09-08

This little book has beautiful pictures of a variety of interesting cocktails. However, a large number of them require ingredients that are not generally available. It is reasonable to expect a home bartender to have or make simple syrup. However, these cocktails include items like passion fruit syrup, melon syrup, strawberry syrup, ginger syrup, etc, and no recipes are provided.

Average customer rating:

The Best 50 Martinis
Bristol
Manufacturer: Bristol Publishing Enterprises, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000MBR6MM

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books