5 comments about Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar - World Companion: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides) (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. The LotRO World Companion is probably the single most useless book I've ever purchased. Every single item in the game is included, but they are all listed by name in alphabetical order. This means it's impossible to look up weapons or armour by the level; it's impossible to look up creatures based on their level or by the areas in which you'll find them; it's impossible to look up quests based on the level. It's almost as if the authors merely took a computer database and just transposed it directly into the book.
   
   Also, there are no hints in the book. The only information it gives is what can be found in the game, and the game is actually more helpful than the book, in that it gives you a context from which you can better figure out where to look for creatures etc.
   
   Altogether this book is a complete waste. It's so poorly laid-out that I doubt I'll ever be able to get any useful information from it. I urge players to avoid this one like the plague.



2. i was in fact a little confused when i found out that this book served better purposes in the fire place than anywhere else... i wonder what in the world were the people at prima thinkin when they cuncocted this book..
   
   "oh hey guys lets make a book that repeats everything that states word for word everything in the game and make all the other info in it completely useless to the point that we only make money off the pre-orders because the poor victims can't read the book for themselves at the time.".. maybe it went somethin like that i'm guessing?
   
   sounds about right anyway.. anyone that wanted to make a couple hundred bucks could of done this by taking nearly thousands of screenshots and putting them in photo shop and they could of duplicated this book on their own at a cheaper cost for the exact same info.. i'm done ranting .. i feel as though i've wasted time and money...



3. Too bad there's no rating for zero. A great mass of info, designed to emulate an PRG players' guide, organized not by race, class, zone, or level, but alphabetically. Info in the book appears to come verbatim from the game itself, which is often, by the nature of the game, cryptic -- hence the need for a guide. This is a recap, not a guide. The book lacks the one thing that might have given it a redeeming value -- quest hints. There are none. I've done far better in the advice channel. I've considered asking for a refund based on uselessness.



4. This book has numerous lists about monsters, quest, feats, and etc. The tips for the quests are quick one liners, if you need more than that you should look elsewhere for the FAQs and etc.
   
   The book is cool for experience rewards, traits, deeds, quick info on monsters. However this book contains no maps to go along with these quests, areas or hints. This is a giant LOTRO index and nothing more.



5. This book could almost be rated 0 stars... HOWEVER, the only useful thing I found is the Quest Chains where it tells you what quests are available to you at what levels, and what is before or after each of those quests chains. It also tells you the difficulty of the quest. Also, one thing that is good is that it tells you the monster and enemy type and its location. That is only useful for hunting and doing deeds. However, everything else is horribly placed.
   
   Why in the world would PRIMA, a well know company that does guides, do such a horrible thing. If I was to be the last one editing it, I'll be throwing it in the trash and tell them to redo it.
   
   First off- anything dealing with items such as jewelry, armors, weapons are all listed in alphabetical order, which makes no sense at all. Why the heck would you mix staves and swords, to daggers and bows altogether? I had to go page by page just to look at the possible way to build my character only to get a migraine that it is annoying and undeveloped well. If I am to tell you, I'd say to buy the digital copy (if you are desperately in need or want this volume) that you can download, at least that way you can try to copy and paste the whole thing and short it in Excel yourself into categories. Again- why go through all that hassle when the guide is supposed to have it all done for you?
   
   As for jewelry, how stupid is it to tell us the level and rarity of it, but not the bonuses and stats it gives like the armors and weapons do? The book is entitled on the back that "With this guide your knowledge will be complete" however it helps with little knowledge.
   
   There are some sections such as quests that are not even completely written. It just gets cutoff. I don't know how they missed it, or if they just did not care thinking no one will notice it...
   
   Overall for what this book is worth (and not worth), I highly recommend you not getting it. I give it 1 star, and to me, seriously I have had it for over a month and hardly ever use it since Vol. 1 is more useful in many, if not all, cases.

5 comments about Bust: How I Gambled and Lost a Fortune, Brought Down a Bank--and Lived to Pay for It.

1. This is supposed to be a self help book or a "cautionary tale" for gamblers and addicts looking to break the pattern. This book barely discusses the underlying causes for addiction and it reads (in my opinion) as a self serving and vile vehicle for the author, Adam Resnick to brag about his exploits (business, sexual, social) while offering no redeeming value to people with real problems. I would argue that this book makes James Frey's novel (which is clearly Mr. Resnick's model for this novel) look like a masterpiece in its' factual content.
   
   Mr. Resnick seems to have delusions of grandeur and used gambling to obtain friends, fame and wealth. All he really is is a simple conman that got caught trying to complete his latest scheme. This book is a continuance of that life long need for self importance exploiting peoples' lives to sell a few books in hopes of paying back an enormous debt to the innocent customers of a small community bank. I hope Mr. Resnick takes his long days ahead of him to think about what he's done to those that care about him because writing a book like this shows he still has not learned his lesson.



2. This book is a very well-written book that provides good entertaining reading while attempting to at the same time to reach out to people and family members in the need of help (to show them how ugly things can get when gambling takes over your life).
   
   Hey "EyeInTheSky"? Do you have a life? Or do you just visit these postings daily and try to ridicule them out of angst, bitterness, and jealousy? You ridiculed Mr. Sanjay about being honest and telling it like it is; why don't you stop hiding behind your post-name and reveal your real name and insecurity as to your knowledge/involvement in Mr. Resnick's downfall?



3. I picked up this book after hearing about it on the radio of all places! The Talk Show host talked about the book with a sense of awe that anyone could do the things that Resnick did to feed his gambling habit. It is the sense of someone who is liable to the flash and celebrity associated with addition rather than the realities of broken families and broken lives.
   
   Bust is a good story and while the people are real, I would suggest that readers look at this as a piece of fiction -- really a tribute to the incredible hubris of a person who is addicted to the action. The books prose works at a quick clip, the stories are almost too cute and perfect for the subject.
   
   Resnick is an addict and in the book you get the sense that he has mentally internalized his problem, yet psychically he has not. In that regard it is a somewhat tragic tale until you realize that may be exactly what Resnick wants you to think.
   
   Recommended as a first person study of the destructive effect of addition and the fact that it is always there even when you recognize you have a problem.



4. This book really captured my attention. I spent most of my time reading it with my mouth agape wondering what could possibly happen next. Adam's gambling exploits are so adroitly captured between these pages.
   
   It is really a study of how an addiction really gets you in its grip and doesn't let go. I applaud Adam's wife Meredith for sticking with him all this time. I find it hard to believe he had fooled her so completely.
   
   Adam finally hits bottom towards the end of the book after many narrow escapes along the way. I found myself rooting Adam on while at the same time hoping he gets what is coming to him for all his deceit.
   
   The sacrifice his wife Meredith makes at the end of the book ripped my heart out.
   
   This is a sensational book and I highly reccommend it to any and all inveterate gamblers out there.



5. What an amazing story! This is one of those books you can't put down. Even if you don't gamble will find the book very interesting! When your setting in Jail I guess you can put A lot of effort into writing A great Book!

5 comments about The Crafter's Companion: Tips, tales, and patterns from a community of creative minds.

1. This book is for people who enjoy making things. Contributors are from the craft blogging community. The first section is about the crafters and contains an entry from each of them entitled "Why I create", "Inspiration", and "Workspace". The second section contains 17 projects (one from each of them) for you to try. Inspirational and highly recommended.



2. This was not a bad book by any means, just not what I wanted it to be (which is not its fault!). It is a bit inspirational, but the patterns/ideas that each author presented for me to do were not inspirational at all, and in fact most were things that I would NEVER make, and often strange and a bit ugly. Nothing like the pictures of the author's "real" stuff. They all seemed to be holding out. Like "Here are some pictures of beautiful things I make and sell, here is a pattern that is perfect for you because it is plain, uninspirational, and something I won't mind giving to you because I could never sell anything like it!" I felt quite insulted.
   
   Buy this to be inspired, but not as a craft book with real ideas. You will be disappointed.



3. I felt like I had bought a book that my friends had written when I got this in the mail. As an avid reader of a lot of these crafter's blogs I thoroughly enjoyed getting a peak into their process. The instructions for most projects are very detailed and easy to follow and so appealing!



4. I thought that this book would be great by the cover and the reviews that I read. I was more than disappointed. There were really nothing worth making in it. It was mostly profiles of other crafters. They had great pictures of the things that they made, but the projects that they submitted were less than exciting. I keep looking through this book for something to make. As I flip through I'd get excited to see something cute only to find that it is not one of the projects, but and example of the highlighted artist's other work. I would save my money.



5. When I purchased this book I thought it would be helpful in my crafting, but what it is, are stories about a bunch of different crafters and how they became crafters. At the end of each story is a pattern and not that great of patterns at all. This book is not what I thought Crafter's Companion would be.

3 comments about A Gentleman Entertains A Guide To Making Memorable Occasions Happen.

1. "A Gentleman Entertains" takes a surprisingly unpretentious look at men entertaining, though the book is by no means without merit for women readers. The practical advice and simple, elegant recipes cover a broad range of entertaining scenarios, from casual cocktail parties at home to dining out, to family reunions. The South is perhaps the only place left where it is still fashionable to be genteel, and Bridges lives up to his Southern upbringing without coming across stuffy. Leaving no stone unturned, the book touches on everything from tipping to starting a charcoal grill to choosing the wine. Though the title suggests a certain level of sophistication, the author is just as quick to advise readers to use paper plates when the situation dictates as he is to recommend the proper way to garnish a cocktail. Bridges writing style is crisp and on the wry side, though he had more room to shine in "Keeping Up," a delightful series of essays on his upbringing in Slapout, Al., as well as witty observations on life and martinis. I would have liked to have seen him cut loose in this book a little more stylistically, but being the proper gentleman that he is, he wrote a respectable book suitable for any coffee table. It is a fine follow up to his previous outing, "How to be a Gentleman." I recommend it to anyone who is looking for the kind of practical advice on entertaining that bears repeating and never goes out of style.



2. A great, easy read, filled with practical advice. This book takes the "who me??" out of cool entertaining. Highly recommended by the editors of SharpMan.com.



3. This is a rare book that actually deserves 5 stars.
   
   Most books in this genre (including some in this series) are too superficial to be of any help but Bridges does a great job of filling each page of this little book with helpful, practical hints.
   
   There isn't much in the way of recipes or cooking specifics, but that isn't the idea here. Spend $12 on this and $12 on a cook book and you will be set.
   
   In conclusion, the two best things I can say for this are: 1. I have not had to call my mom for any entertaining, non-cooking questions since I got this book. 2. My wife has looked things up in this book.

5 comments about Chrono Cross Official Strategy Guide.

1. Normally on my RPG games I like to play them through without the help of guides, but Chrono Cross is so non-linear and has such a wide base of characters there is no real way you could find many of the cool stuff in the game without this guide.

   Simply put, it's well laid out, as bright and colourful as the game itself, details where all the items are located, and gives advice on how to beat the more difficult bosses.

   Yes, you can complete the game without this, but you would most certainly miss out on a lot of awesome subquests, groovy characters, and very helpful items, you woulnd't want to do that now, would you?




2. ok this book is great help. It tells you how to get each charater and illstrates each one also. It's worth getting.



3. First of all, the game's layout is just beautiful. Lots of artwork, screenshots to help you out, and full-colour maps.

   The walkthrough is rather good, (even though you keep having to flip to the back for the maps) The boss tips are right on, and all the items you can find are listed as well as enemy info and pictures. Info on New Game+ is also included (though i did notice a few things missing..) Also, all the characters, the specials, and info on how to recruit them is listed flawlessly.

   This game isn't difficult (and a guide isn't needed to beat the game) but if you're a completist, and want to get everything there is to get in Chrono Cross, this guide has everything you need.




4. ~The guide is sufficient as it includes all the basics taht a guide should have. ... The guides also does not includes many important side quest things such as a list of monsters that can be mimicked. The guide also does a poor job of explaining some of the consequances of the choices you make. The maps in the guides are also annoying as they are located in the rear so you'll have to flip back and forth.~~ However this guide gives fairly good illustrations as well as complete list of charachters, their quests, items, elements, boss strategies and such. A def. buy if you really like the game and Def. superior to other bradygames guides (such as FFIX)~



5. You need to play it through at least once on your own. This book really ruined the game for me. I used it the first time through and all I did was look ahead to see what items were around, the bosses, and who I could get on my team. There was no mystery left in the game. By the time I finished I had gotten all the genies, weapons, and characters, so why play again? I think that you should play the game first without out it. Games are fun because you don't know what is going to happen. That is what creates the adventure.

5 comments about Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and Designers (Graphic Guide).

1. This is a good reference for framing details, which I turn to frequently as we work on the design for our new home. That said, there are numerous gaps and while some might be excused as esoteric, like framing a swept roof at the eaves (though it is pictured on the cover of the book), many others are not, such as flashing at masonry entry steps. I would like to see the book updated to include more "Building Science" lessons, OVE (Optimum Value Engineering)and perhaps SIPS. Still a good book, overall.



2. Have been using this reference for years as an Architect. Probably the best one out there that covers all the basics. Not overly complicated. Could use an advanced version for more complicated details, especially in roofing (half-hips, etc.) and foundations.
   Great reference for the nomencalture of all the parts.
   Do not expect to build from it as codes and structural sizing are required and vary too much, but good, basic detailing and understanding overall with plenty of illustrations.



3. I do a lot of non-professional new construction. For me, visualizing the right way do do something is the problem. Once the skin is on a building I have no idea what lies underneath -- I have no 'guide' to model my construction after. Also, building according to convention is useful -- for instance, it's good to know that you can expect to find a vertical stud in a wall every 16 or 24 inches, regardless of who built the building and when -- and this book clarifies what those conventions are.
   
   This is a great book. The graphic representations are exceptionally clear and detailed. Many alternatives are given, and in building you simply choose the alternative that gives you the most of what you want and follow the diagram.



4. This book has a lot of good framing scenarios interesting tidbits. Both a good reference and interesting to page through.



5. A great reference for the DIY homeowner. Lots of drawings to show you the right way to do things from foundations to framing.

No comments about Munchkin Cthulhu 3 The Unspeakable Vault (Munchkin).

3 comments about Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments.

1. In this review of the top 100 moments of Thoroughbred racing you will find all of the captivating moments you would expect. However, you also get a glimpse into some other, less publicized events and how they have affected the game. The inaugural Breeder's Cup, for example, was much more important that I had imagined. The chapters are well written by educated and experienced individuals who make strong points for their 'moments.' This book can be at home on a coffee table, or in my bookshelf with 50 other horse books.



2. Compiled by the staff of Blood-Horse Publications, Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments is a nostalgic compilation of great instances in the history of the sport of kings. Each two-page spread of this trade paperback is devoted to memorable occasions ranging from Cigar's historic victory of the first Dubai World Cup, to the very first race call as conceived by George Schilling in the mid-20's, to the broadcast of Man o' War's funeral, each great moment is described in clear prose and illustrated with vintage black-and-white and color photographs. An enjoyable treasury and giftbook especially for horse racing enthusiasts.



3. My husband is an avid horse race lover and this book provided him with alot of enjoyment and facts. He thoroughly enjoyed it.

5 comments about Fundrum My Conundrum: A Book of Riddles.

1. I bought this book because I'm a riddle fanatic. I was really pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of riddles. This book kept me busy for hours! The illustrations and the design are great too. This book makes a great gift for people of any age and is great at parties! It would be great if the authors did a follow-up book.



2. This book is the pinacle of riddle fun! I popped like a spring chicken when I bought this book because it's so small, but HUGE with entertainment and mind-titilating fun. Most riddle books are really joke books, but this one is the REAL THING! There are hours of enjoyment and tons of mind-stumping exercises- Great for the whole family!



3. i bought this for my riddle-crazy 11-year-old, and it has drawn in her 14- and 18-year-old sisters and me as well. the level of the riddles is not too hard for an 11-year-old, but not too easy for an adult. the layout of the book is engaging, and the way the answers are arranged at the end means that when looking up one answer it is hard to accidentally read the answer to the next one. absolutely perfect.



4. I purchased this book because I saw it online while researching riddles. I use this book in my classroom as a transition tool. When moving from one activity to another, I will write a riddle on the board or read one out loud. This allows the students to stop focusing on their previous activity and focus on solving the riddle. After we solve the riddle, we can move on to our next activity.
   
   This book also proves to be a lot of fun just to have around the house. Many of my friends have picked it up and tried to solve some of the riddles.
   
   I suggest this riddle book for anyone who wants to start a collection or add to their current collection.



5. I bought this book based on the other reviews below, but wish I had not. The riddles in this book are much, much too difficult for children under the age of 13 or 14. My grandkids found them so difficult, they soon lost all interest. Fortunately, I had brought some other games along in the car for our long trip. I feel mislead; who wrote those reviews anyway? No child of "5 years old", as one reviewer said, could possibly do any of these riddles. Maybe a good gift for a high school or college student, but elementary kids definitely are not ready for this. Wish I could get my money back.

5 comments about Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents).

1. I have enjoyed this book greatly both times I have read it. The examples of stupidity contained in it made me laugh out loud.



2. This is a sensational collection of tales of stupid people, governments or decisions which span for one or two pages each. This easy to read format makes the book ideal to read as either a few stories at a time or from cover to cover. Dumb movie festival is an excellent inclusion in this collection as well where you get to actually read negative reviews by real publications and not just the positive ones the public relations departments of the film industry put out. I have read many of this genre of books such as The Darwin Awards Trilogy, Ripley's Believe it or Not and other Uncle John's collections and I have no doubt that this is the best of them all. You'll laugh, you'll smile, you'll be glad you bought this masterpiece.



3. The anecdotes, stories and articles featured in Uncle John's Presents The Book of the Dumb are very, very funny. It's hard for me to believe that so much idiocy exists in the world (well, outside of the men in my family), but writer Scalzi's collection of dumb acts, dumb criminals, dumb movies, and dumb quotes proves that stupidity is everywhere.
   
   The only thing that bothered me was that I felt somewhat stupid for having bought this book, or should I say this half-book. Large type, wide margins, and lavish use of white space makes this book seem far smaller than 312 pages. Perhaps this book would better suit a reader who enjoys reading at a very leisurely pace, say ten pages a day. Those who like to plow through a book might feel disappointed.



4. I love the bathroom reader series, and the content of this book is mostly up to their usual standards, but I have to agree with the last reviewer. Uses large text, wide margins, and half empty pages to get the page number so high. Could have easily fit into less than 100 pages.
   
   Funny, but not worth it for the money.



5. "Hand me my lighter so I can see if the gas tank is full...."
   
   If that sounds like a good idea to you, there's probably a profile of your finest moments in this volume from Uncle John!
   
   Stupid criminals, stupid movies, stupid comments, stupid quizzes... I think you get the idea. If it's dumb, it's in here, and it's all amazingly funny.
   
   I'd like to tell you this is fiction, but I'm not that dumb -- or optimistic.
   
   Recommended!