2 comments about King-Cat Classix.

1. King Cat Classix is a "selected works" of John P's past ten years' of work, and it is a hefty book! I couldn't wait for it to come out and read other reviewers, but now I'm honored to be the first. This tome is full of comics ranging from dreams, childhood memories, Zen parables, elegies to his dog Sam, animals.... a collection of mini-memoirs that add up the life of an ordinary working class man brought up in the midwest and is now in Colorado. I called his previous book, Mosquito Abatement Man, a bizarre slice of midwestern life, but the Classix is a gentler work, thoughtful, inquisitive and passionate about the woods, mountains, lakes. His earlier work is rendered in scrawling, cruder line, but full of energy and rage, and his later work calms to minimalism and simple elegance.
   
   Reading Porcellino, you truly get a feeling you know the man. Or better yet, you ARE the man, working through daily life, writing Top-40 lists, watching autumn leaves fall--getting totally drunk. The intimacy to his work is a rare and exceptional thing. There are shades of Harvey Pekar here, but also the Beats, Hemingway, the early modern greats of American lit. The Classix is such an expansive book that you can dip in at any point and read a lyric about winter, or about adolescent Porcellino experiencing the first anxieties about girls. Yet everything is done with sincerity, honesty and a painful sort of clarity. Real life doesn't get realer.



2. Picked up this book because I like how brutally honest comix can be. This is no exception. Porcellino's minimalist drawings really convey a touching story.
   
   Included in here is the entire all-Sam issue, which he created to pay tribute to his childhood yellow lab. If you can read that section without crying, you're tougher than I am--what a touching tribute.
   
   Porcellino comes from a Do It Yourself generation. It's no wonder he was inspired by the Minutemen, as another title for this could have been "This Book Could Be Your Life." There are a lot of memories packed into this book.

5 comments about The Cornell Book of Cats: The Comprehensive and Authoritative Medical Reference for Every Cat and Kitten.

1. "A cat is only technically an animal, being divine." - Robert Lynd.
   
   "The twenty-first century may be the century of the cat," says Franklin M. Loew, former Dean of Cornell University's renowned College of Veterinary Medicine in this book's preface, citing statistics according to which even at the end of the 20th century, the number of cats in the United States alone already equaled that of the entire human population of Europe (and with sinking birth rates among humans, it is not hard to guess where that particular trend is headed in the near and midterm future).
   
   Authored by the staff of Cornell's Feline Health Center, "The Cornell Book of Cats" is an indispensable reference guide for every cat owner who cares about his or her feline companion(s). The book provides detailed coverage on every aspect of feline life, from the cats' origin and breeds to cat (mis-)behavior, nutrition, anatomy, reproduction and all major instances of disease and infirmity. Particular attention is given to kittens, aging cats, skin and sensory disorders, internal disorders and medical emergencies. While the explanations do rely on a number of medical/veterinary terms, they are generally clear, comprehensive and easy to understand; in addition, most of the veterinary terminology is defined in a 22-page glossary at the end of the book. Numerous figures, tables, sketches, statistics and photos further illustrate the text; and treatment suggestions are provided for all diseases and disorders described. As the authors point out, this book is *not* intended to make a visit to the vet unnecessary in each and every instance (and sometimes, the remedies suggested here are only the beginning of the path to complete treatment) - but the book does help a cat owner determine when the often not inconsiderable expense of a visit to the vet is truly warranted. Moreover, it is a tremendous supplementary resource to even the best vet's recommendations, and it provides a wealth of background information on our four-pawed friends. Highly recommended.
   
   "A house without a cat, and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat, may be perfect house, perhaps, but how can it prove its title?" - Mark Twain.
   
   Also recommended:
   Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, Fully Revised and Updated (Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook)
   Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat--Not a Sour Puss
   The New Encyclopedia of the Cat



2. I disagree with readers who say that the book is too general or out-of-date. It's a BOOK, not an article in a scientific journal.
   
   That said, I also disagree with readers who say that it's too complicated. I believe that it's an important book for any responsible cat owner to have on the shelf. If you're worried but aren't sure whether something is an emergency or not, you can check here before making a midnight call to the vet or racing to the emergency clinic. If your vet tells you that a condition is suspected or diagnosed, it's a great reference to start to learn more about it, or to help you formulate questions for your vet. No, it's not a replacement for a visit to a vet, but it's a help.
   
   Remember how every new parent read Dr. Spock's book 40 years ago? Well, I see this in the same light. A MUST for cat owners that provides information, helps allay fears, and guides you. If you have a serious question, it gives you the right technical terms to do more research. If you don't remember all of the details that you heard at the vet's, you can use it as a refresher.



3. This copy I bought for our local non for profit shelter. I have purchased at least 10 copies of this book. It is written in a matter that both the professional and the pet owner can understand. It proofs to be most valuable for a cat owner. Educates and helps the cat owner understand both health, anatomy and illness in a cat. Also, valuable when you bring your cat home to understand "just what did the vet say?"



4. The title says it all. If you're not a vet, this is the next best thing, to help you know what to ask your vet when your cat has problems. Also is great for minor aliments and first aid.



5. After recently going through a mysterious illness with my 6 month-old kitten, I realized that my reference shelf is severely lacking in cat-care books. I used the Internet to research kitty fevers, loss of appetite, kidney malfunction, and any of the specific diseases my vet mentioned she was testing for, but despite the wealth of information available online, there is no replacement for an expertly-researched cat-care manual. Cat Fanciers maintains an outstanding cat behavior FAQ online, and the Cornell Book of Cats was one of the highly recommended titles. I am extremely pleased with my purchase. This is a book I will be consulting for years to come.
   
   The Cornell Book of Cats contains chapters authored by different subject matter experts. This does lead to some repetition throughout, but this isn't a book intended to be read from front cover to back. The reader should select articles based on his or her particular cat situation. Are you picking out a new cat and need to know which breed will best fit in your home? A new cat owner wanting to cure bad behaviors? A first-time kitten owner in search of medical and kitten-care info? A longtime cat owner with a slightly sickly cat who needs to know if the situation warrants a vet visit? A cat veteran who heard anecdotal home remedy advice and needs an expert opinion on the benefits and risks? Wondering what the reproductive cycle in cats, male and female, is like?
   
   The text is supplemented with high-quality black & white illustrations and breed photographs. Includes an index.

5 comments about Complete Book of Cat Breeding, The.

1. This book is very informative and helpful. It really gave me alot of ideas about how to breed my cats. Being a new breeder of Ragdolls, it really opened my eyes to what I was doing wrong. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that has never had experience with breeding. The only thing I found to be not included in the book, was the different breeds.



2. This is a concise, illustrated guide to cat breeding, written by an experienced DVM. I got this as a gift for someone interested, and she loved it. I may try cat breeding eventually, and I appreciate all worthy information, especially books, that I encounter.



3. This is a great book for people interested in properly breeding their cats.
   
   As a breeder myself, I've found this book so handy for quick reference topics.
   
   The book was shipped by Glen Books in great time and quality.
   
   A must for the serious breeder.



4. This book was a disappointment. It was much smaller than I was expecting and the content was superficial. The content was mainly commonsense with very little additional useful information. Almost nothing on showing. It was an easy and pleasant read but not the right purchase for someone seriously interested in cat breeding. I felt I had wasted my money.



5. Very to the point, i have referenced this book many times. Must have for any breeder.

5 comments about Red Cat (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard).

1. I didn't give this story quite five stars because of the slow and uneventful pace of most of the book (a lot of the described action is mostly what transpires between John March and his live-in girlfriend). Don't get me wrong, it is still a decent whodunnit book.
   
   March is asked by his brother David to find all he can about Wren, a woman he met on the Internet, had a subsequent affair with and is now being hounded by her (like the woman in Fatal Attraction). When John starts investigating, Wren turns up dead. John must then step-up his almost impossible search before David is tied to Wren by the police. John and David's lawyer (Mike) reason that David will be the likely suspect and the police will just focus on him.
   
   The more John investigates we find that Wren may not have really been a "fatal attraction" type personality at all and her motives were for a different reason. There are a slew of possible suspects, including two of Wren's boyfriends, some of her artistic "subjects" and possibly even David or David's wife.
   
   What makes this book interesting is the difficulty and the time constraint that John is working under (especially because David is mostly uncooperative and obnoxious)and that the author gives virtually nothing away until John finds things.
   
   The writing style is very good, though I wish it had a little more action.



2. I enjoyed the first John March book, Black Maps, very much. I don't think I finished the second. This one has a very good plot and good detective work by March, which kept me reading.
   
   However, his "tics" are getting to be a drag. He doesn't drink, enjoy food, have interesting hobbies or have any close relationships. A woman, Clare, semi-lives with him in this book, but I can't imagine that anyone would put up with him even for world class sex, and I can't imagine how someone as depressed as March could offer any but perfunctory sex. In the end she leaves. She was a very poorly developed character, to say the lease.
   
   So, Mr. Spiegelman, please lighten up a bit, give March a life or at least a taste for steak.



3. What makes Red Cat so enjoyable to read is that Spiegelman's plotting is just so well done. As you follow March, a private eye, and as he slowly uncovers depths of a mystery, you really get dragged into the story. Primarily, in my opinion, this is because the evidence uncovered by March comes forth through such great effort. I really enjoyed this aspect because in most books the clues fall into protagonists laps. Here however small bits of evidence are brutally carved from New Yorks city streets. This is a meaty gritty novel.
   
   Some things I found annoying were small, but I wanted to air them out anyways. Perhaps most grating in my mind was Spiegelman's need to start a chapter at one point in time, write a few sentences, and then jump back and fill in how March got to there. He does this over and over again. In my mind this is just a cute narrative trick and it took away something from the linear progression of a novel. Secondly, Spiegelman is not yet a master of the pen. His writing is sort of empty. I felt like I was reading one of those very slow English detective novels and thus the suspense was often non-existent. I guess I have a few more items, but they are like the above and thus are rather slight.
   
   I would recommend this book to fellow mystery lovers. It is a joy to have someone searching out and tracking down actual clues for a change. Dont see that too often any more. I totally am looking forwards to reading more of this authors work.



4. PI John March gets an unexpected phone call from his brother, he sounds quite desperate asking for a secret meet, very unusual to hear from any of his siblings John agrees. David March lays it down straight or as straight as he believes he can be, prim in his every day life and very judgmental of others in public he suddenly drops the bomb shell, his been having sexual encounters with women arranged anonymously over the internet, but this time the contact has turned nasty she's got hold of all David's private numbers and has been leaving messages at work and on his mobile phone, of course these messages could now cost him his marriage if this woman tries to reach his home.
   
   David informs his brother to track down this woman and put a stop to his harassment. All John has to go on is the internet codename Wren, he starts to dig around very quietly but stumbles straight into one of the underbelly's darkest world's. How was he going to be able to find and reason with this women but that problem just got solved, Wren turns up dead in New York's East River. John's race now is to find the killer before his brother and him are traced and arrested for a murder they didn't commit.
   
   Thoroughly enjoyed this, it's dark, smart, modern and the writing keeps the pages turning. I loved the way the author Peter Spiegelman has used this novel to explore the relationship between siblings, husband and wives, parents and children, using emotional baggage that one family the dysfunctional March family carry around and it's shown in past and present with misplaced loyalties and simmering resentment.
   
   The dialogue is straight talking, something I happen to love. Characters are nicely drawn out revealing themselves slowly and just when you thought you knew them another complex moment could throw your ideas of that person in a different direction, even makes you asks yourself the question, how well do you think you know you're nearest and dearest?
   
   The Wren character is a complicated twisted piece of work, fantastic in this piece of writing. This book also looks at the Art world and that blurry line between certain kinds of transgressive art and pornography giving you strong psychology that offers up different theories and thought provoking ideas that could deliver more than one outcome.
   
   Fast, sharp, shocking, great reading and Highly Recommended.
   
   Andrea Bowhill



5. I'm from Brazil and I read this book a few months ago while I was in the USA. I loved it. I also read Black Maps and Death's Little Helpers. My boyfriend brought them to me. I had to have these books :). I do recommend it.

5 comments about Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire.

1. The Star Wars Saga has led to many novels based of the events of the films. This novel follows our favorite characters as the prepare to save poor old Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt. The novel shows the happenings between the Episode V and VI. To me, the novel shows Luke's transformation to a full-fledged Jedi.
   
   This novel is a great book for fans of the films and fans of epic stories.
   
   PARTY ON, DUDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



2. Shadows of the Empire is a work of genius, plain and simple. Unknown to many, this novel was the elaborate plan of Lucasfilm's marketing department. Lucas had originally intended to release his Special Edition of the original Star Wars Trilogy in theaters in 1996, but when his scheduling fell behind, all of his plans for that year had to be altered. So deciding that this Special Edition would be released in 1997, and also a way to celebrate the original film's 20th anniversary, Lucas' team had to come up with some way to fill in the gap for fans during the year preceding the theatrical release. Shadows of the Empire was not just a novel, but part of an in-genius campaign that was coined "everything but the movie." It included the novel, toys, trading cards, video games, models, and all kinds of merchandise, including an original "film" score. (This soundtrack is also a great addition for any fan of Star Wars scores, by the way.) The Star Wars marketing camp even made a trailer for the novel that aired on television. Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it would answer many fan's questions about how everything fell into place for the final installment of the saga.
   
   As a novel it had a great plot and was well written. With familiar characters and a new exciting villain who was a great foil to Darth Vader (Prince Xizor), this story was exciting and highly entertaining. Two key scenes that stand out are Vader trying to heal himself with the Dark Side of the Force (which gives readers a great sense of his character and his whole obsession with Luke and the Force), and the seduction of Princess Leia by Prince Xizor. This is a fantastic read and the only Expanded Universe book that has been recognized by George Lucas himself as being the only novel to be considered official canon.
   
   Highly recommended and while you're at it you might as well get the soundtrack if you can get your hands on it. This only compliments the novel and is a fantastic piece of musical scoring in and of itself.



3. This is by far the best stand alone Star Wars book ever written. The reader does not have to have read any of the other books to understand the story behind "Shadows". This book captures the feel of the original movies and fills in a great deal of missing plot from the films. Highly recommended title!



4. Where to begin? Not only does this book have your favorite classic characters(minus Han, who is frozen in carbonite at the time), but it introduces new characters like Prince Xizor and Dash Rendar. Steve Perry did an excellent job writing this book. You feel like you're right in the middle of the action. It has an interesting storyline, including the construction of Luke's green-colored lightsaber in Return of the Jedi, and the Bothans helping the Rebel Alliance find the plans for the second Death Star. If you are a Star Wars fan, this book is a must-read!



5. Great Star Wars book. I had read this when it first came out, and I recently revisited it. Lots of fun. Quick read. Awesome.

No comments about 1000 Cat Names: From A to Z.

5 comments about The Cat Inside.

1. From his exasperating need to be at the highest point in the room, to his function as a wrist rest while I type, my cat is a psychic companion. Loki is a classic "one-man-cat", though he will stray when I am not available. This book is so true on many levels, even the wild fantasies... Definitely one for the library.



2. I just finished reading this book. Not only is it a very fast read (I read it in an hour), but it is also the most touching book I have read in a long while. Any cat lover will love this book. This is my first taste of Burroughs, and I must say it was a wonderful taste. I have been crying ever since he spoke of Ed and not being able to find him. I highly recomend this book for anyone!



3. I'll be honest with you- I only bought this book for two reasons. Burroughs was a now deceased ex-girlfriend of mine's favorite author, and the book was short. That makes my credibility fly out the window for some of you, I'm sure, regarding literature, but I'm too busy with different things to put many hours or days into reading a book and keeping it fresh in my memory. My Multiple Sclerosis doesn't help matters when it comes to remembering what happened in a book I read part of just a day before either. But being an avid cat-lover and reading nothing but 5 star reviews of The Cat Inside, I decided to give the book a shot. What did I have to lose? To be honest, I read the first few pages and was thrown off by the demi-journal entry-esque layout of the book. Some pages would be one small paragraph in the middle of the page, while others would be a sentence or two. That was about a year ago. Cut to just yesterday, when I read the book over the course of two of my three breaks at work, and I can't believe that I didn't give the book more of a chance sooner. The Cat Inside is easily one of the most brilliant pieces of work I've ever read. I understand every page of it, every point Burroughs tries to get accross...and a few parts aren't even really cat-related, but more of an observation on humans in general. After reading this book, I've become a Burroughs fan that easily, and can't wait to read his other books, regardless of what they're about. But if anything, you can trust all the 5 star reviews here- they're not over exaggerating. Trust me: I don't rave over many things easily.
   
   It's hard to summarize The Cat Inside properly, as it's not really a novel or short story on any one particular cat or anything. It's somewhat of an autobiography on Burroughs while focusing on some of the different cats he's known in his life. While this normally wouldn't sound that interesting, Burroughs manages to pull it off with great analogies, and a deeper look at the whole picture. The book starts out with Burroughs about to leave for work, when he notices that some of his cat's kittens are missing. He notices also, that his luggage is a bit heavier, and sees that there are four of them inside, as if the mother wanted him to look after them, taking on the role of the human guardian. And that's what we are really, when it comes to having pets, aren't we? Pets provide us with companionship, relieve us of stress, give us some unforgettable entertainment, and what do we do for them? We take care of them. We protect them. When the bond between a human and their pet is strong enough, they know that nothing can harm that animal, or friend I should say. That's how it is with myself and my oldest cat that I own, Toby. I won't get into detail about my life for a book review, but The Cat Inside, from the very beginning, made Toby and my bond grow even stronger. Each page had heartwarming, as well as heartbreaking stories that made me want to know that Toby was invincible, and no harm could ever come his way. But you have to face the truth, and Burroughs touches upon that numerous times here. From finding a new companion, to the loss of others, to doing otherwise "natural" things we go through such as giving away kittens once they're born. This portion of text: "When the kittens were ten weeks old I gave two of them away. And Ginger kept looking for them and crying from room to room, looking under the bed, under the couch. And I decided I couldn't go through this again". I wouldn't want to either, Bill.
   
   I knew I wouldn't be able to give much of a helpful review, given the length of the book, and that I don't want to ruin much of it for future readers. But let me tell you that The Cat Inside is one of the most honest works you'll ever read. Amazon actually postpones reviews if you use too many quotes, so I'm not able to give you more great examples of the work found here. That's unfortunate, as well as good for you all, as I'd probably just end up typing the entire book. Also, for those who haven't read any of Burroughs' work yet, The Cat Inside -is- a great introduction. I was worried that he'd be one of those many over-hyped writers, and I'd be disappointed, but that's not the case. I'll be sure to set time aside for future purchases.



4. I love cat stories and that is why i bought this book, it left a bad taste in my heart, i read it with an open mind and did not find that he was kind to cats, he did not have a cat spirit inside and he did not seem to learn anything about his cats. This book seems to be a cheap print to target cat lovers and make some money. This book is just HORRIBLE and CREEPY!



5. Who knew that old and rusted, corrugated tin woodsman, William Burroughs, had a heart after all?
   
   For all his tales of the debauched human condition in a score of books, old Bill in his later years claimed a cat-spirit as his Familiar and became friends with a succession of lean and hungry strays, dedicated hangers-on, and occasional visitors to his home in Lawrence, Kansas. Some of these outcasts were cats, apparently. Yet even cats have their "routines," like his fictional characters, and cats' hobo confidence-games make them the perfect sidekick in the Burroughs universe. As Bill puts it, "Of course he wants food and shelter. You don't buy love for nothing."
   
   "Someone said that cats are the furthest animal from the human model. It depends on what breed of humans you are referring to," he writes, "and of course, what cats." For someone whose writing has always delighted in the shock of recognition -- the varieties of human depravity are familiar, yet boundless -- Burroughs' observations throughout "The Cat Inside" are surprisingly forgiving.
   
   This isn't "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," by any means, and Fletch is no Rum-Tum-Tugger. "Warm and fuzzy" is not WSB's terrain. But it's easy to see in these notes the old sharpshooter found it comforting to view cats as kindred spirits. Ruski and Wimpy, Ed, Fletch and Calico Jane (named for Jane Bowles) shared a certain, knowing acceptance of human faults, even if it's just as long as there's a nearby tin of cat food, and someone -- their human -- to open it at dinnertime.
   
   For more about this book, visit BellemeadeBooks at Blogger.com

5 comments about Into the Mouth of the Cat: The Story of Lance Sijan, Hero of Vietnam.

1. I read this story years ago and remember being inspired by the courage of this young man. One reviewer stated that his plane was shot down, I thought that the bombs he was dropping detonated prematurely and caused the crash. Regardless, it's a great story about a guy who never gave up.



2. While in the USAF, back in 1987, I had first read this book. This is the type of book, that, when you begin to read it, you cannot put it down until it is finished. The author writes in a very easy to read style, no "big" words, but, is very descriptive and detail orientated in his telling of Sijan's heroism. Although, this is a war "related" story, I feel that it is not a "War Story". Malcolm McConnell, through his attention to detail, chronicles the extremely brave and selfless actions of an otherwise ordinary man from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After I had originally read this, 1987, I was so overwhelmed by the author's accurate depiction of what had been "Folk Lore" in the Bay View area of Milwaukee. Because of this book, I have always thought of Sijan, and all that he had endured, whenever an obstacle or challenge is placed before me. This is a very inspirational book. As I was driving on Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View, I passed by a Flag that is displayed right next to the road, in a little ballpark that is named Lance Sijan Field. And, every time that I pass it, I instinctively Salute. But, this time, I also bought this book, actually, four, one for my Father, two for my Brothers, and, of course, one for myself. By the way, this time, again, I had also read it in one sitting!



3. The story moves along quickly. Its not a book you are going to struggle to finish. It will hold your attention and is a great motivational story as far as will and mental toughness are concerned.



4. I was a young Air Weapons Controller stationed in Southeast Asia during the time of Lt. Sijan's shootdown. However , it wasn't until much later, when I read "Into the mouth of the Cat", that I came to understand what a truly amazing person Lance P. Sijan was. I have since given each of my son's copies of the book, so that they, too, could read about what the definition of an american hero really is. Some of the comment's logged in this forum question his motivation for continuing to try to escape...they need to read the Code of Conduct that those of us in the military tried very hard to live by. Many of the POW's found it almost impossible to abide by every code, and understandably so. Some of the torture tactics that were administered by the enemy, no mortal could withstand. Lance P. Sijan came as close as any human being could, and ultimately died from it. If one longs to find someone that truly lives up to the definition of "Hero", they should look no further than Lance P. Sijan. He has been my hero for many years. Mike Carbonneau, Firebase Sharana, Afghanistan, Aug. 2008



5. I read this book many years ago and it really hit me hard. I was a Navy Aircrewman who had been through SERE school. The courage and determination of LT Lance Sijan was incredible. I believe you can only relate to his story if you have in the Military and the sacrifices we make every day or have family or a loved one who has been in. I recommend this book for any Military Aviator.

No comments about Eye Wonder: Big Cats (Eye Wonder).

5 comments about Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch (Mr. Putter & Tabby).

1. My children, ages three and five, adore Mr. Puuter and Tabby, and I believe this is Ms. Rylant's funniest rendition of their adventures so far. When the box arrived, I read the book alone because I couldn't stand to wait. Ms. Rylant uses a nice collection of short and medium-length words for beginning readers, and the story rollicks along. Mr. Howard's illustrations capture the subjects' expressions beautifully. We checked these books out of the library so often that we finally ordered some to keep.



2. My three year old daughter Serena loves this book, we've read it and our two other Mr.Putter and Tabby books every night since we got it. she always laughs at mTabby's pink whiskers. This series of books is fun to learn to read from and a frolic for everyone.



3. You really cannot go wrong with Mr. Putter and Tabby. My 3 year old and 5 year old boys adore this book, we read it again and again and each time the picture of Tabby all pink makes the boys howl and me giggle... what more can you want from a book than that.



4. Everyone should read this simple, fun book! We bought this for our daughter's 7th birthday because she checked it out of the library so many times over the last few years. We like all of the Mr. Putter and Tabby books, but this one is her favorite. It is well-written, humorous, and perfectly illustrated. There are funny surprises in this story, and it makes us laugh every time we read it. What a great book! We highly recommend Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch!



5. These are some of my favorite children's books, I could read them over and over, Ms. Rylant really knows how to make children's stories shine......