Bash The Rich Book Review

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Bash The Rich Book Review 

 

About the Book: In 1984, The People branded Ian Bone 'the most dangerous man in Britain'. They weren't far wrong. From the inner city riots of 1981 to the miners' strike and beyond, the butler's son and founder of Class War was indeed a greater thorn in Margaret Thatcher's side than the useless blatherings of the Official Opposition. Class War were the real opposition! It was Ian Bone who linked the inner city rioters of Brixton and Handsworth with the striking miners. It was Bone who The People spotted rioting with miners in Mansfield, attacking laboratories with the Animal Liberation Front, and who was fingered by the Guardian as the man behind the 1985 Brixton Riot. But that was only the half of it... from 1965 to 1985, from Swansea to Cardiff and London the mayhem spread countrywide. In Bash The Rich Ian Bone tells it like it was. From The Angry Brigade to The Free Wales Army, from the 1967 Summer of Love to 1977 anarcho-punk, from Grosvenor Square to the Battle of the Beanfield, from the Stop the City riots to Bashing the Rich at the Henley Regatta, Ian Bone breaks his silence. In the 1980s, Ian Bone was 'The Anarchist In The UK' with a half brick in one hand and an incendiary pen in the other. Better yet though, this is more than just a litany of riots and rucks, however exciting. Its a thoughtful examination of class, and struggle, and social change. And a wonderful, vital piece of social and political history.

Our Take: This book, 'Bash the Rich', is a rare and valuable look into the history and life of one of the most prominant Anarchists of the 20th century, Ian Bone!  Bone has been a very active Anarchist and writer for decades and his influence is intensely felt.  This book gives us a look at his childhood and beginnings as an Anarchist and writer.

Whether you agree with Anarchy or not, this book is a fascinating read.  I dare say that not everyoen that read a book about Lenin is a Communist or Hitler a Nazi.  Thats not to compare Ian Bone to either of these figures, but he is a fantastic and enigmatic public figure that certainly deserves examination, and we get it from his own pen!   This book is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, world history and current events.  This one is a very enjoyable read.

How to Buy: The Tangent Books Website or Amazon.com

Star Wars ABC Book Review

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Star Wars ABC Book Review
About the Book: Star Wars: ABC is an alphabetical adventure through the imaginative and intergalactic world of Star Wars featuring the names and images of the most popular characters, droids, spaceships, and creatures in this galaxy far, far away.



With artistic alliterative text that describes each image and emphasizes each letter, Star Wars: ABC is a completely new way to learn about the legendary story of Star Wars.

Our Take: Star Wars has a huge fan following.  It also has a very solid following of kids, thanks to the new Clone Wars cartoon.  This new Star Wars ABC hardcover board book is fantastic for either.  Its a great novelty for the adult collector and its a fun learning tool for any kid.   It includes beloved characters from all six films, including R2-D2, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi.    This is a great book, I highly recommend it.


How to Buy: Amazon.com

Star Wars Blueprints: Rebel Edition Book Review

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Star Wars Blueprints: Rebel Edition Book Review

About the Book: Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of The Empire Strikes Back with detailed plans of the Rebel Alliance in Star Wars Blueprints: Rebel Edition! See how the super high-tech vehicles, weapons, armor, and droids of the Rebel Alliance are designed and built with five fantastic, single-sided, full-color poster-sized blueprints! Placed inside a 32-page book, the posters contain technical drawings, history, movie tidbits, and more. This book-poster combo is an absolute must-have for every Star Wars fan.

Our Take: DK scores again for Star Wars fans with Star Wars Blueprints: Rebel Edition.  This book mixes a bunch of great technical information about the various ships and their designs with realistic blueprints and even full-color posters that you can hang-up!   This one is a must-have for any serious Star Wars fan, young or old.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Start Wars: Clone Wars - Character Encyclopedia Book Review

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Start Wars: Clone Wars - Character Encyclopedia Book Review

About the Book: Learn everything you ever wanted to know about Anakin, Rex, Ahsoka, Cad Bane, Obi-Wan, Yoda, Jabba and all your other favorite Star Wars Clone Wars characters! The Star Wars Clone Wars Character Encyclopedia will give you all the vital information from Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber skills to Ziro the Hutt's scheming, and everything in between. Includes characters from Seasons 1 and 2 of the hit TV series!

Our Take: DK has really outdone themselves this time!  We love Star Wars here at the Legion, but there are SO many titles that are released, how does one sift through them all?  Its easy, you always stick to Chronicle or DK for guide books.

This book takes you A-Z through the characters in the Clone Wars cartoon.  Its over 200 pages FULL of info.  This isn't a light read, although it is fun, it has a TON of info about the show.  Anyone from a novice to a Star Wars fanatic would get enjoyment out of this.  It includes full-color images of each character and a whole page of text.

This one comes highly recommended!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Remember This: Fresh Page Ideas To Scrapbook the Year Book Review

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Remember This: Fresh Page Ideas To Scrapbook the Year Book Review

About the Book: Scrapbook all year long! It’s not hard to remember life’s big events, like your son’s birthday or your annual trip to the beach. But finding fresh ways to scrapbook these events, to commemorate them in a way that means as much as the event itself—that can be tricky!

With 120 fresh layout ideas, Remember This will inspire you to scrap a variety of creative layouts during every season of the year. With pages featuring multiple photos, numerous styles and a variety of events and activities, there’s something for every scrapbooker.

Brighten your memories of each season with:

-Layouts expressly designed for holidays, seasonal activities and special occasions

-10 fully illustrated techniques—try a new technique to add some sparkle

-15 multi-photo layout sketches—capture the moment from every angle

-Checklists for keeping track of seasonal events—don’t miss the first bloom of spring

-A calendar template to plan a month’s worth of scrapping—create the time to scrapbook those seasonal memories.

Whether you’re a seasoned scrapper or new to the craft, Remember This gives you everything you need to keep scrapbooking all year long.

Our Take: Scrapbooking has overtaken as one of the most popular hobbies these days.  I won't lie, at first it annoyed me.  It was just one of those fads that I didn't "get".  At the same time, I'm very sentimental, so I was looking for some way to preserve certain memories with my kids and guess what?  Yeah, thats right.  Scrapbooking is the best option that I found.

The Remember This book offers 120 new layout ideas for your scrapbooking.  120!  Its full of great tips and very creative ideas, and I've found that really important, because you can get in a rut very quickly and you really look for some variety in your scrapbooking!  This new book is a fantastic tool and definately something I would recommend.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

The Red Pyramid Hardcover Book Review

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The Red Pyramid Hardcover Book Review

About the Book: Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set--has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe--a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

Our Take: There are few authors that have enjoyed the overwhelming success that Rick Riordan has with his various book series.  If you aren't familiar with Riordan yet, he's the author of both the Percy Jackson and 39 Clues series.  Everything he touches is gold, and now we get a new start from him with this book, The Red Pyramid.

Overall, I was pleased with this one.  Its full of adventure and intrigue, as you expect from the author, and it also addresses some of the interesting relationships between siblings along the way.  The mysteries and secrets are all revealed in the end and its a fantastic ride.  This is a great book and most defiantely worth the money!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Ghostopolis Book Review

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About the Book: Imagine Garth Hale's surprise when he's accidentally zapped to the spirit world by Frank Gallows, a washed-out ghost wrangler. Suddenly Garth finds he has powers the ghosts don't have, and he's stuck in a world run by the evil ruler of Ghostopolis, who would use Garth's newfound abilities to rule the ghostly kingdom. When Garth meets Cecil, his grandfather's ghost, the two search for a way to get Garth back home, and nearly lose hope until Frank Gallows shows up to fix his mistake.

Our Take: When I got this title in the mail I immediately gave it over to my 7-year old son.  He read through it in one night!  Straight through.  He was really into it.  This graphic novel gives us a paranormal story of a Ghostworld and a fantastic tale that deals with matters life and death.  He couldn't stop glowing about the artwork and the story.  I found the title to be very enjoyable and certainly one that is worth purchasing.  Graphic novels are a great way to get kids to read, even if they're hesitant to do so.  The visual aspect of the medium is a wonderful bonus and Ghostopolis is tops in our book!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Toy Story 3: Ultimate Sticker Book Review

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Toy Story 3: Ultimate Sticker Book Review

About the Book: Woody and Buzz are back! And so are all of your Toy Story favorites. Discover the world behind-the-scenes and the lives behind the toys in this ultimate sticker book of Pixar's first and most classic franchise - Toy Story.

Andy is off to college, but what will become of his beloved toys? Collect and decorate with stickers from the newest movie in the Toy Story canon - Toy Story 3!

Our Take: Toy Story 3 is a HUGE hit.  Big shocker, right?  I think we all saw that one coming.   Along with a huge hit in the kids market comes a score of merchandise, especially books!  The Toy Story 3 Ultimate Sticker Book from DK stands out as one of the best products for the money on the market right now.   It includes both images from the film and drawings of the characters in sticker form and gives you tons of scenes to apply the stickers to.  This one is great for kids or the adult collector!

How to Buy: DK.com

Links: www.PixarCollector.com

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder Book Review

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Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder Book Review

About the Book: When a person loves someone with bipolar disorder, life can be very stressful. From medication troubles to a partner's mood swings the demands on a partner can be intense. Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder takes a unique and practical approach to these issues. 

Written by an author who has bipolar disorder (and who lived with a partner who also has bipolar disorder) and a coauthor with over ten books on the topic of mental illness, the book offers specific, practical and realistic tips on how a couple can work together as a team to create a treatment plan that teaches them to live with the illness while still maintaining a loving and joyful relationship. (Though this book is written for couples, friends and family members can use the techniques in the book as well.).

Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder provides hope and encourages couples to work together to create a plan they can use to help stabilize bipolar disorder so that their relationship can focus on love and companionship instead of the illness. Chapters include ideas on how to create a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates medications and supplements, diet, exercise and behavior and lifestyle changes into one practical approach to this very serious illness. The partner of a person with bipolar disorder learns about communicating with their partner when they're ill, getting real about the situation and how to take on other roles in healing besides caretaking. Other specific topics include work and money, emotions, sexual issues and much more. The goal of the book is to help couples create a relationship that is based on support and prevention instead of constant crisis control.

Our Take: The purpose of this book is to help someone that is partnered or married to someone with bipolar disorder learn to manage and relate to their significant other, not to mention assist them in their times of need.  I am married to someone with bi-polar disorder, so who better to review this title, right? 

Overall this book is good.  Its helpful and understanding, although at times a bit unrealistic.  It tells the reader to advise your loved one that you won't deal with/talk to their bi-polar disorder when they are acting up.  I have to say from personal experience that won't go over well, lol.  If you have someone in a delusional state, then a statement like that isn't going to be useful.  Beyond that, the book is full of nice scenarios and solutions to help you assist in caring for your loved one.  Its certainly a helpful tool and a good read.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Bipolar Disorder for Dummies Book Review

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Bipolar Disorder for Dummies Book Review

About the Book: Bipolar Disorder affects many more people than just the 2.5 million Americans who suffer from the disease. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder also affects spouses, partners, family members, friends and coworkers. And, according to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, 15% of children diagnosed with ADHD may actually be suffering from early-onset of Bipolar Disorder. 

Bipolar Disorder For Dummies reveals some of the causes and consequences of bipolar disorder, let you in on some crisis survival strategies, and describe ways that friends and family members can support loved ones who have the disease. The book includes an overview of the causes and symptoms of bipolar disorder, explains step-by-step how to obtain an accurate diagnosis, discusses the medications available, and tells what you can and can't do to help someone with the disease. You'll learn:

• The different categories and potential causes of bipolar disorder
• How to select the right mental health specialist
• Managing employment-related issues brought on because of the disorder
• How bipolar disorder affects children
• Advocating for yourself or a loved one
• Planning ahead for manic and depressive episodes
• Selecting the best medications for you—including alternative "natural" treatments
• How to survive an immediate crisis situation
• Identifying triggers and mapping your moods

Complete with fill-in-the-blanks forms and charts, key web site and email addresses, and first-hand accounts from real people, Bipolar Disorder For Dummies gives you the latest information and self-help strategies you and your loved ones need to help everyone affected feel a whole lot better.

Our Take: There are a TON of books out there on bipolar disorder.  Its a very misunderstood illness to say the least.  I have a loved one that experiences the disease and its absolutely life-altering.  Unfortunately, most people don't even have a grip on what it really is or does.  Wiley's "For Dummies" series tackles bipolar disorder and breaks it down into managable and easy categories, so that not only the illness, but many of the treatments and survival techniques, can be easily understood.

This book is great to orient anyone with bipolar disorder or just for light reading on your own.  If you have kids that you need to explain the illness to, then this book would also be invaluable for that.  I highly recommend it.

How to Buy: Amazon.com or the Wiley Publishing website

Baader-Meinhof: The Inside Story of the R.A.F. Book Review

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Baader-Meinhof: The Inside Story of the R.A.F. Book Review

About the Book: The Baader-Meinhof Group--later known as the Red Army Faction (RAF)--was a violent urban guerilla group which terrorized Germany in the 1970s and '80s, killing 47 people, wounding 93, taking 162 hostages, and robbing 35 banks--all in an attempt to bring revolution to the Federal Republic.

Stefan Aust's masterful history of the Group presents the definitive account, capturing a highly complex story both accurately and colorfully. Much new information has surfaced since the mass suicide of the Groups' leaders in the 1980s. Some RAF members have come forward to testify in new investigations and formerly classified Stasi documents have been made public since the fall of the Berlin Wall, all contributing to a fuller picture of the RAF and the events surrounding their demise. Aust presents the complete history of the RAF, from the creation in 1970 to the breakup in 1998, incorporating all of the new information. For instance, there is growing evidence that the German secret service eavesdropped on Baader, Meinhof, and the other RAF members imprisoned in Stammheim and that they knew that the terrorists planned a mass suicide, but did nothing to prevent it. Also, there is new information about the role of the RAF lawyers (among them Otto Schily who later was Minister of the Interior in Gerhard Schroder's cabinet), and the roles of the different RAF members and the rivalry between them. The volume will also contain numerous photos.

Terrorism today is never far from most people's thoughts. Baader-Meinhof offers a gripping account of one of the most violent terrorist groups of the late twentieth century, in a compelling look at what they did, why they did it, and how they were brought to justice.

Our Take: The RAF is an infamous group that formed back in 1970.  The Red Army Faction is associated with Baader and Meinhof, two of the groups organizers.  A recent film, the Baader-Meinhof Complex, brought this legendary revolutionary group to light for many of us in the west that many not be as familiar with it as those in Germany.

There are a great many books on the Baader-Meinhof complex and the Red Army Faction.  In fact, we just reviewed one here on Book Legion back in May.  It was a great book, but what sets this one apart from that and the others out there is most definately the author.  This is truly the INSIDE story of the Red Army Faction.  Stefan Aust was involved with Baader and Meinhof from the days of writing in a subversive underground paper and he was tied to members of the group all through the events that unfolded.   His perspectives and insights into what happened, not to speak of his memories, are invaluable in putting together the picture of this historic and much glamorized series of events.

This book is the absolute end-all when it comes to the Red Army Faction.   Its a must-read!

How to Buy: Oxford University Press website

Toy Story 3: The Essential Guide Hardcover Book Review

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Toy Story 3: The Essential Guide Hardcover Book Review

About the Book: Woody and Buzz are back! And so are all of your Toy Story favorites. Discover the world behind-the-scenes and the lives behind the toys in this ultimate guide of Pixar's first and most classic franchise - Toy Story.

Toy Story 3 introduces new toys, new adventures, and new challenges to Andy's beloved animated friends. Get the inside scoop in this essential guide.

Our Take: We, like so many others, ventured off to the theaters this past weekend to see the new Toy Story 3.  Its been 11 years since a Toy Story film was in the theaters.  My wife and I saw toy Story 2 in the theater when we were newlyweds.  This time we got to bring our 7 year, 6 year and 7 month olds with us!  It was quite the treat.  The film is beyond expectations and manages not only to be funny and charming, but quite the emotionally moving epic, as we see the aftermath of what happens to the toys when Andy grows up. 

In honor of Toy Story 3, DK has released the essential guide to the movie.  This hardcover book is a fantastic look inside the new film and characters.  Beware that it's riddled with spoiler alerts about the plot, so if you haven't seen the film first, you should probably wait to crack this baby open.

The book is filled with full-color images of the new and old characters, along with a ton of data on each one!  Its a great read for kids or adult fans of the franchise.  The price can't be beat, either!  I definately recommend this one.

How to Buy: Amazon.com or DK.com

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Book Review

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I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti Book Review

About the Book: From failure to fusilli, this deliciously hilarious read tells the story of Giulia Melucci’s fizzled romances and the mouth-watering recipes she used to seduce her men, smooth over the lumps, and console herself when the relationships flamed out.

From an affectionate alcoholic, to the classic New York City commitment-phobe, to a hipster aged past his sell date, and not one, but two novelists with Peter Pan complexes, Giulia has cooked for them all. She suffers each disappointment with resolute cheer (after a few tears) and a bowl of pastina (recipe included) and has lived to tell the tale so that other women may go out, hopefully with greater success, and if that’s not possible, at least have something good to eat.

Peppered throughout Giulia’s delightful and often poignant remembrances are fond recollections of her mother’s cooking, the recipes she learned from her, and many she invented on her own inspired by the men in her life. Readers will howl at Giulia’s boyfriend-littered past and swoon over her irresistible culinary creations.

Our Take: This is a delightful little memoir that recounts the authors tribulations with love and cooking.   The writing style is very accessible and you almost feel like you're reading something written to you by a close friend.  She cooks something different for every beau and its almost as interesting to hear about the food!  Her passion is overwhelming and the book is very emotional.   Overall, a great read.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Links: http://www.ilovedilostimadespaghetti.com

Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder: None Too Fragile Book Review

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Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder: None Too Fragile Book Review

About the Book: This detailed biography tracks the meteoric rise and tumultuous history of this seminal group and its enigmatic leader, Eddie Vedder. Noted rock chronicler Martin Clarke explores Pearl Jam’s reaction to its massive popularity, its triumphs at the MTV and Grammy awards, its notorious rift with Nirvana, its creative rebirth with the acclaimed album No Code, and its recent chart-topping return to form Backspacer. Extraordinary successes are counterpointed with scandals, personnel changes, band tensions, and substance abuse, all punctuated with revealing photographs. In Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder: None Too Fragile, the author brings to life the band’s captivating story: they're traced from their beginnings amidst Seattle’s grunge underground through the excesses and pressures of superstardom, to the their current incarnation as mature rock heavyweights. Fully revised, this edition features previously unpublished facts and stories as well as an updated, comprehensive discography.

Our Take: I've been a fan of Pearl Jam since the grunge era of the early to mid 1990s.  Now, its all a part of music history.  I'm ready at 30 years of age to look back during this era of new music that I just can't get into.  This book on Pearl Jam was really interesting.  It reminds me of the books you'd get at the music shops when I was a kid, like Musicland or Blockbuster Music.  Its got tons of images and information on the formation and rise to fame of one of the most notorious bands of the 1990s.  Vedder is famous, of course, for fighting the good fight against Ticketmaster back in the day over ridiculous ticket costs.  The fans definately appreciated that.   This book is great for any Pearl Jam fan or grunge music fan.  Its a lot of fun.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Easy Yoga - Any Age - Any Place - Any Time Book Review

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 Easy Yoga - Any Age - Any Place - Any Time Book Review

About the Book: Jude Reignier's Easy Yoga is based on her ten years' teaching experience and will appeal to adults, children, and those with special needs alike. Her postures stimulate and massage the whole system, including internal organs, while gently stretching, firming, and toning the muscles and ligaments. It's easy! 

The easy approach presents clear illustrations and a concise text to demystify popular therapies. Each routine can be understood quickly, so that within minutes you are feeling good and energized.

* Learn the full 45-minute sequence and then adapt it to your busy schedule.
* See at-a-glance reminders of all the sequences inside the jacket.
* Practice your yoga at any time, wherever you go.

Our Take: Easy Yoga is a lifesaver for me.  I was looking to get into Yoga and back into shape after my wife had our third child.  I put on some of that lovely sympathy weight!  Easy Yoga gives you 127 pages of instructions and simple line-art to make sure that you can achieve each pose with ease.  I've looked through a few Yoga books and this one is without a doubt the most hands-on and helpful.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Why Men Make Bad Pets Book

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Why Men Make Bad Pets Book

About the Book: Why are men so beastly? This wise and witty Keepsake book helps us understand "Why Men Make Bad Pets." Hilarious photos of animals are paired with descriptions of men behaving badly that any woman will appreciate. You know: They string chicks along. They make a mess when you're not home. They have trouble committing. They have delusions of grandeur. And, of course, they never ask for directions. You'll laugh, you'll roar! The perfect girlfriend gift book for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions. Full-color photographs throughout. 90 pages.

Our Take: This book is a great gift or gag book.  It features cute pics of animals with snarky comments about men.  All of which, by the way, are true!  ...and this is coming from a guy.   You gotta call it like you see it.   Bottom line, a fun book and a great gift idea!

How to Buy: Amazon.com or the Peter Pauper Press Website

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To the Future Book Review

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 A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To the Future Book Review

About the Book: Michael J. Fox abandoned high school to pursue an acting career, but went on to receive honorary degrees from several universities and garner the highest accolades for his acting, as well as for his writing. In his new book, he inspires and motivates graduates to recognize opportunities, maximize their abilities, and roll with the punches--all with his trademark optimism, warmth, and humor. 

In A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future, Michael draws on his own life experiences to make a case that real learning happens when "life goes skidding sideways." He writes of coming to Los Angeles from Canada at age eighteen and attempting to make his way as an actor. Fox offers up a comically skewed take on how, in his own way, he fulfilled the requirements of a college syllabus. He learned Economics as a starving artist; an unexpected turn as a neophyte activist schooled him in Political Science; and his approach to Comparative Literature involved stacking books up against their movie versions.

Replete with personal stories and hilarious anecdotes, Michael J. Fox's new book is the perfect gift for graduates.

Our Take: Its graduation season and what do you get your kid or loved one that is taking that next step in life?  This book by Michael J. Fox is 100 pages of stories and anecdotes about his starting out in the world.  Fox is one of the most charming personalities in Hollywood, and this shows through as a writer.  I really enjoyed reading through this and I think it'd be a nice and affirming book to give to anyone you feel is going through an important transition, especially a young person.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Wacky Packages New New New Book Review

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 Wacky Packages New New New Book Review

About the Book: Wacky Packages: New New New is a follow-up title to the hilarious and colorful Wacky Packages, first published by Abrams in 2008. This new collection presents all the Wacky Packs from Series 8–14 covering the years 1974 and 1975. Featuring humorous and often grotesque parodies of common household brands like “Windaxe” cleaner and “Smoochers” jam, Wacky Packages: New New New offers a tongue-in-cheek critique of consumer culture and marketing subversion.

Created by a host of comics artists including Kim Deitch, Bill Griffith, Jay Lynch, and Norm Saunders, alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman, Wacky Packages; New New New is a colorful, edgy, and intensely creative collection of illustrations. Packaged with four never-before-seen stickers and a wax jacket, Wacky Packages: New New New will please fans and collectors alike.

Our Take: This book is a follow-up to the original Wacky Packages art book that was released in 2008.  It features artwork from stickers between 1974-75.  The great little hardcover book is easy to carry around and has a cool wax card package like dust jacket.

The Wacky Packages New New New book features stickers from the iconic series, such as CENTS: Copper Flavored (instead of Certs mints), Pepto-Dismal and TV Garbage Magazine (in lieu of TV Guide).  This series was very much in the veign of snarky magazines like Mad and Cracked and later inspired the famous Garbage Pail Kids series of the 1980s. 

The book is full of funny, gross and off-color art pieces mocking all types of products.  Its a ton of fun for adults and kids alike!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

The Left Left Behind Book Review

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The Left Left Behind Book Review

About the Book: Hugo and Nebula award-winner Terry Bisson is best known for his short stories, which range from the southern sweetness of “Bears Discover Fire” to the alienated aliens of “They’re Made Out of Meat.” He is also a 1960’s New Left vet with a history of activism and an intact (if battered) radical ideology.

The Left Behind novels (about the so-called “Rapture” in which all the born-agains ascend straight to heaven) are among the bestselling Christian books in the US, describing in lurid detail the adventures of those “left behind” to battle the Anti-Christ. Put Bisson and the Born-Agains together, and what do you get? The Left Left Behind--a sardonic, merciless, tasteless, take-no-prisoners satire of the entire apocalyptic enterprise that spares no one--predatory preachers, goth lingerie, Pacifica radio, Indian casinos, gangsta rap, and even “art cars” at Burning Man.

Plus: "Special Relativity," a one-act drama that answers the question: When Albert Einstein, Paul Robeson, and J. Edgar Hoover are raised from the dead at an anti-Bush rally, which one wears the dress? As with all Outspoken Author books, there is a deep interview and autobiography: at length, in-depth, no-holds-barred and all-bets off: an extended tour though the mind and work, the history and politics of our Outspoken Author. Surprises are promised.

Our Take: I respect everyone's right to believe what they want.  Hey, whatever keeps the sheep interested in the sky cake, right?   Its when their beliefs are thrust upon me that I get annoyed.  One things we have to hear about incessantly is the rapture.  You know, that wonderful day that I wish would happen, when all the Christians just disappear in an instant.  Oh, dare to dream.

In the Left Left Behind we get a great novel of sarcasm and wit based on what happens to those left over after the rapture.  Author Terry Bisson does a wonderful job of not only making you laugh, but pointing out a few hilarous idiocies.   A truly fun read.

How to Buy: the PM Press Website

Digital Expressions Book Review

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Digital Expressions Book Review

About the Book: Digital Expressions guides the mixed-media artist through 25 stepped-out digital projects created with Adobe Photoshop Elements. Projects like manipulating single photos, collage on a digital canvas, and digital illustration will inspire you to tackle all kinds of digital mixed-media projects using stock photography, custom brushes, textured backgrounds and your own digital photos. A team of talented contributing artists further illustrates the techniques in action. Plus, a bonus CD includes more than 20 digital design elements for you to use in your own projects!

Our Take:  The new book, Digital Expressions, teaches readers how to really utilize Photoshop to their best advantage when manipulating photos and creating various works of art.  Books like this are so advantageous, because programs like Photoshop are so vast that you can take classes on it and still not learn every function.  This way, you get tips and tricks from others that are already in the know and you can expedite your skills.

Hands down one of the best features of this book is it's accompanying CD.  The CD includes tons of custom brushes and images that you can use for your own photoshop work! 

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Heavy Metal Magazine: 25 Years of Classic Covers Book Review

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Heavy Metal Magazine: 25 Years of Classic Covers Book Review

About the Book: Every piece of cover art from 1977 to 2001... IN FULL COLOR!

A must have for all Heavy Metal collectors! 25 years of covers with over 100 artists featured inside! 112 page hard cover

Our Take:  Heavy Metal has been an American icon for 33 years now!  We're fortunate to get 25 years of those covers collected in this hardcover book!  The illustrations are beautiful, and its so fun to see covers that I missed out on, since I was born in '79 I missed quite a few!  

This is a fantastic coffee table book and a fun conversation piece.  A must-have for any fan of the magazine or fantasy art in general!

How to Buy: The Heavy Metal Online Store

The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis Book Review

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The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis Book Review

About the Book: What would happen if the Planet Express crew and the citizens of New York City in the 31st Century met the Simpsons and the citizens of Springfield . . . and how is it even possible? Prepare yourself for a Simpsons saga filled with Futurama! A Futurama fable suffused with the Simpsons! Featuring a plethora of pleasing plot devices including: evil brain spawn, lactose-intolerant space aliens, a giant ball of yarn, flying cars, mistaken identities, world domination, the brittle fabric of reality torn asunder, a comic book-collecting sentient planet, the Dewey Decimal system, self-eating watermelons, slave labor, space pirates, power-crazed vampires, super hero battles, unflattering underwear, mad science run amok, and much, much more!

This is the epic story that you've been waiting for . . . a story so big, so ambitious, so sweeping that it can only be told in a 208-page, large format, slip-cased edition, complete with new material, supplemental stories, preliminary sketches, character designs, and a pin-up gallery featuring the talents of comics industry luminaries Alex Ross, Sergio Aragonés, Geof Darrow, Kyle Baker, Peter Kuper, and Bernie Wrightson, among others.

It's a comic convergence on a reality ripping, time altering, space traveling, intergalactic scale! It's The Simpsons Futurama Crossover CrisisUncut and all comedy! First published in 2002 and 2005 as two two-part, comic book mini-series (Futurama/Simpsons Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis and The Simpsons/Futurama Crossover Crisis II), these four hard-to-find comics are collected together for the first time in a hardcover collection, encased in a die-cut slipcase, and packaged with a reprint of the very first Eisner Award-winning issue of Simpsons Comics from 1993.

Our Take: The first thing that strikes you about this book when you pick it up is the packaging.  Its a beautiful, glossy hardcover with a slipcase.  Each side primarily features either Simpsons or Futurama.  The set comes with a re-print of the classic Bongo Simpsons comic book #1 and several pages of sketch and behind the scenes art!

The story itself is well-drawn and fun. James Lloyd does a fantastic job on the pencils.  The characters are dead-on for their animation models.  The writing from Ian Boothby is great, as well.  The story is hilarious, and I won't spoil it for the fans, but its everything you can imagine.

We get a solid 158 pages of story in this great hardcover.  I cannot recommend it enough to Simpsons and Futurama fans alike!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

World of Inventors: Leonardo Da Vinci Book Review

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World of Inventors: Leonardo Da Vinci Book Review

About the Book: Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary curiosity made him one of the most prolific inventors in history: the submarine, armored tank, parachute, robot, and the self-banging drum are just a few of his creations. Now, children can not only discover what inspired Leonardo, but learn how to think like him, too. This exciting 40-page book brings the Renaissance world to life with stories, illustrations, diagrams, and hundreds of sketches by Leonardo himself. Young invenors also learn about the scientific method and how to learn from their mistakes — concepts that are put to the test when they construct their very own model of Leonardo’s amazing flying machine. 

Our Take: This book set is one of the coolest we've seen in a long while.    This book is 40 pages full of information and pics from DaVinci himself!  Its a wonderful learning tool for little ones.  Heck, I even learned a few things myself.

One of the neatest parts of the book is the pop-out creation of DaVinci's that you can build yourself.  A pic of the creation is below.

 This is a great book set and wonderful for any kid.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Links: The Silver Dolphin Website

101 Things I Learned in Culinary School Book Review

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101 Things I Learned in Culinary School Book Review

About the Book: Louis Eguaras, a renowned chef at the Le Cordon Bleu Program at the California School of Culinary Arts, provides readers with a terrific overview of what is truly involved in the preparation, cooking, and presentation of meals. He also provides invaluable insights into just what is involved in making this one's chosen profession.

The book will feature a wide range of illustrated lessons, from how to properly hold a knife... to the history of food... from food preparation and presentation... to restaurant hospitality and management, and much more.

The book will be presented in the distinctive and highly-attractive packaged style of 101 THINGS I LEARNED IN ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL, and will be the perfect gift for anyone who is thinking about entering culinary school, is already enrolled, or even just the casual chef.

Our Take: My son is very interested in culinary school, so this book caught my eye.  This one is great, its easy to read and full of great advice and tidbits.  Its in no way a thick read, with the format being more like a guide or pamphlet.  It gives you illustrations and simple tips about important culinary issues like how to put out a grease fire. 

If you're in any way interested in culinary school, or even just cooking, check out this book.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Master Engineer: ROBOTS Book Review

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Master Engineer: ROBOTS Book Review

About the Book: Robots are taking over the world! Meet some of the most amazing machines man has ever created, from battlefield 'bots to amazing androids, in Master Engineer: Robots. Before robots existed, people imagined them. In fact, more than 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci sketched plans for a mechanical knight. Since then, engineers have come a long way, introducing the first modern humanoid robot, Elektro, (who could count on his fingers!) in 1939, to today's sophisticated humanoid robots that can speak, walk, do chores and more. Throughout the book, cool photographs and diagrams bring science to life, while engaging text explains the evolution of the robot. Once kids discover the engineering behind robots, they can build a giant model (three feet, two inches tall!) of a humanoid robot using the kit included with the book. Eat your heart out, C–3PO!

Our Take: My son is an absolute robot freak!  He loves technology and Robots are the natural draw for a 7 year old boy!  This cool Robot book from Silver Dolphin not only gives an overview of Robotic technology, but it gives you a built-in kit to build your own 3' 2" robot out of cardboard!  This book was a ton of fun and a great activity to share with the kids.  With summertime coming up, its a great addition to your arsenal of things to entertain the little ones!

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Links: The Silver Dolphin Website

Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland: A Visual Companion Book Review

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Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland: A Visual Companion Book Review

About the Book: Think you know the classic story of Alice and her adventures in Wonderland? Think again. Renowned director and producer Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach, Edward Scissorhands, Beatlejuice, Batman) has applied his signature stamp to this beloved tale, and will be sharing it with audiences in 2010! This splendid "Making/Art of" will take readers to the world behind Burton’s camera, revealing the secrets of performance-capture technology, the marriage of live-action and CGI technology, and displaying its singular style in a deluxe, artistic format. Fans will delight in reading about  Johnny Depp's performance as The Mad Hatter, and Ann Hathaway as The White Queen, to name just a few of the star performances. And, of course, the book will chronicle Tim Burton's unique techniques. This gorgeous book is sure to be at the top of everyone's gift list!

Our Take:  We were blown away by Tim Burton's take on Alice in Wonderland.  His vision for this tale of what happens when an adult Alice re-visits Wonderland was visually stunning.  We saw it in IMAX 3D and there is just nothing like it.  When I saw a visual companion that was being released by Disney Press, I just had to nab it.

This hardcover book comes with a dust jacket that features Alice (see pic above).  The pages are jam-packed full of information and images about the making of the film, including tons of 'green screen' pictures of the characters in their green suits with the green backrounds that were later filled-in with computer animation.  Its amazing how much of the film was actually computer fabricated...pretty much all of it! 

Any fan of Tim Burton or Alice in Wonderland needs this book! 

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Guerilla Art Book w/ DVD Review

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Guerilla Art Book w/ DVD Review

About the Book: International street artists are currently conquering the art market, with auction houses, collectors, and galleries demanding top prices for their work. This book and DVD package features interviews with key artists including Banksy, Futura, Ramm:ell:zee, Os Gemeos, Invader, Barnstormers, WK Interact, Zevs, Blek le Rat, André, Noki, and Eine. Graffiti-inspired street art pioneers Futura, Ramm:ell:zee, and Blek le Rat discuss their own work, how street art was born out of the days of subway train graffiti, spraypainting and tagging, and how the new movement of street artists are doing things differently.

Filmed in New York, London, Paris, São Paulo, and Tokyo, the accompanying documentary shows the artists at work: Zevs practicing his 'Visual Kidnappings' of advertising billboards, Blek le Rat sticking up outsized stencils, Os Gemeos painting their lyrical, folklore-inspired murals; and Invader putting up his unique mosaic wall tile images.

Our Take: Guerilla Art is a great showcase of street art that has an accompanying DVD documentary.   The art featured is everything from the great Banksy to Futura and Invader!  The book isn't simply a showcase of images, but it also includes information.  The layout of the book is great and keeps your interest.

The DVD is attached to the cover of the book.  It wouldn't play in our DVD/VCR combination player, but it played in our Blu-Ray player just fine.  The documentary takes us on a journey through various street artists, complete with interviews and history.  It was informative and a lot of fun.

How to Buy: Amazon.com or the Laurence King Website

Put to Work: The WPA and Public Employment in the Great Depression Book Review

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Put to Work: The WPA and Public Employment in the Great Depression Book Review

About the Book: With unemployment surging to record levels and the economy in freefall, experts are looking to the Great Depression for lessonsin stimulating job creation. Then, as now, the system was unableto provide the jobs and financial support desperately needed by millions of people. But then—in the 1930s—the state intervened to create massive employment programs that put people to work on socially useful projects in states, cities, and towns across the country. The scope of these programs was unprecedented and never repeated in the decades that followed. Today, as the severity of the economic crisis increasingly resembles that of the Great Depression, the time for a reappraisal of the New Deal employment programs has never been more necessary.

Put To Work tells the story of the massive government job-creation programs of the 1930s—not only the Works Progress Administration (WPA), but also the lesser known Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and Civil Works Administration (CWA), which set the framework for the ideological and policy battles that followed. Nancy E. Rose details the development of these programs, the pressures that surrounded them, and the resulting constraints. She analyzes both their unique contributions and their shortcomings, especially in their treatment of women and African-Americans. In the process, she carefully reevaluates the charges that these were inefficient "make-work" programs, or "boondoggles," charges that continue to characterize job-creation programs to this day.

In her new introduction, Rose places the Obama administration's economic stimulus package in historical perspective as part of this tradition of government job creation programs. In her new conclusion, she explores lessons from the New Deal work programs for the current era.

Our Take: This softcover book, 'Put to Work', is 160 pages of information and history.  The WPA (Works Progress Administration) was enacted back in 1935 in order to provide work and food for American citizens suffering through the depression.

In this current time of economic instability the lessons of the depression should be on our minds more than ever.  Unemployement is on the rise and things aren't looking up anytime soon.  It was really interesting to read this history of how our country dealt with these issues.  Its a part of our past that is often overlooked. 

Anyone that doesn't have their head in the sand should check this one out.  Its not only a great history lesson it brings relevance to today's world.

How to Buy: Amazon.com or the Monthly Review Website

Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism Book Review

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Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism Book Review

About the Book: Navigating the broad 'river of anarchy', from Taoism to Situationism, from Ranters to Punk rockers, from individualists to communists, from anarcho-syndicalists to anarcha-feminists, Demanding the Impossible is an authoritative and lively study of a widely misunderstood subject. It explores the key anarchist concepts of society and the state, freedom and equality, authority and power and investigates the successes and failure of the anarchist movements throughout the world. While remaining sympathetic to anarchism, it presents a balanced and critical account. It covers not only the classic anarchist thinkers, such as Godwin, Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Reclus and Emma Goldman, but also other libertarian figures, such as Nietzsche, Camus, Gandhi, Foucault and Chomsky. No other book on anarchism covers so much so incisively.

In this updated edition, a new epilogue examines the most recent developments, including 'post-anarchism' and 'anarcho-primitivism' as well as the anarchist contribution to the peace, green and 'Global Justice' movements.

Demanding the Impossible is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand what anarchists stand for and what they have achieved. It will also appeal to those who want to discover how anarchism offers an inspiring and original body of ideas and practices which is more relevant than ever in the twenty-first century.

Our Take: Any book with a chapter on Emma Goldman is okay in my mind.  This History of Anarchism is 818 pages (including indexes) FULL of detailed information.  This is no dummies guide to Anarchy, this is a thorough and complete text that will keep you intrigued.  The author couldn't have squeezed more information into this book.

Anarchy is a concept that is often misunderstood.   Its often associated with violence, chaos and revolution.  The hilarious part is that all political systems come into power through violence, not the least of which is democracy, which continues to employ violence to spread it's wings throughout the world.  In all reality, very few Anarchists have turned to violent protest. 

This book covers everyone from Tolstoy to Goldman and Stirner.  The range of Anarchy is vast, easily as vast as any other system.  It ranges from right to left on the political scale and can appeal to everyone from a socialist to a libertarian!  If you have any interest in learning about the true Anarchism and it's history, this is definately the book for you.  Its insightful, interesting and delightful.

How to Buy: The PM Press Website