5 comments about Life: The Original Picture Puzzle.

1. I love this PICTURE PUZZLE book. At one time there was a single puzzle in our daily newspaper and, at that time, I mentioned to my husband that there should be a book of these puzzles because they are sooooo much fun. Now I have this one and the previous one that was also published by LIFE. They are not only fun to complete but at my age, 74, they are very good for my brain activity.



2. Bought these for some children who are in the car traveling on a regular basis. Challenges the mind and helps the time pass. Good for all ages.



3. It arrived totaly on time and was in very good form
   the book is of high standards and am completely happy with the purchase.



4. "Life: The Original Picture Puzzle" is the second book to come from the feature in the currently defunct Life Magazine. The book has over ninety puzzles in which readers look at two pictures of the same thing and try to find the differences between the two pictures. A few of the puzzles have six pictures of the same thing and solvers have to find the one puzzle out of the six that has been changed. There are also some new puzzles called "Cut-Ups" in which the editors took a picture, cut it into 4, 6, 9, 12, or 16 pieces and scrambled them up and solvers have to figure out how to unscramble the pieces.
   
   For the most part, "Life: The Original Picture Puzzle" is a fun, challenging book. There are five puzzle levels: Novice, Master, Expert, Genius, and Classic (which features old pictures that once appeared in Life Magazine). The editors do a good job of sorting the puzzles into the appropriate difficulty level. Each puzzle has a suggested amount of time to solve it and a change in this book from the first is a keep score section where you can put a check mark after you've found a change. The answer section should be checked for a couple of reasons even if you find all the changes - for one thing many of the explanations of the changes are humorous. Also, ten of the puzzles have an extra bonus change and the answer section lets you know which puzzles have the additional change. However, in order to find that extra change, you need to go on Life's website to find the answer but I could not find it on the website.
   
   While I enjoyed most of the puzzle book, I did not like the new "Cut-Up" puzzles. The puzzles with four pieces were easy enough, but the more pieces, the harder it was to solve the puzzle just by looking at it. I don't want to ruin the book by cutting up the pictures and copying the pictures isn't all that effective since the pictures are in color.
   
   Outside of the "Cut-Up" puzzles, "Life: The Original Picture Puzzle" is well done.



5. I have bought all of the picture puzzle books and love giving them for gifts. There is not an age group, gender, or personality type that has not enjoyed them. Great for traveling, waiting rooms, or coffee table. I bought the whole series for my friends 5th grade class room; she "lets the kids play with them as rewards". The kids beg to play! You or the intended receiver of gift will not be disappointed. 100% guarantee A+++++

3 comments about The New York Times Sunday Crossword Omnibus Volume 9: 200 World-Famous Sunday Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (New York Times Sunday Crosswords Omnibus).

1. Do you look forward to the New York Times Sunday puzzle? This book has 200 of them for you along with the answers (so you don't have to wait for a week). At this price you can't go wrong.



2. This strongly recommended 'omnibus' volume collects 200 New York Times Sunday crossword puzzles that were originally published between August 6, 2001 and June 19, 2005. Some of these puzzles were originally reprinted in recent spiral-bound, fifty-puzzle volumes of the NYT Sunday series. One puzzle appears on each page and all answers are in the back. This is slim enough for most travelers yet still offers good value, costing about a nickel per 21 x 21 puzzle. Volume 10 presumably will not be released until at least Spring 2010.



3. I've been doing the NY Time crosswords for years and years, and I have a book of 1,000 of their puzzles which included everything from Monday through Saturday and maybe even a Sunday, too. I thought this would be similar, but it isn't. Either the clues or I am too obtuse.
   
   Perhaps others like puzzles that have four to six clues that run the length of the puzzle, and start with "First line of quote." If I can't get the first line or a few words, I'm certainly not going to be able to get the rest. These must be "world famous" because they've stumped all but the best puzzlers.

5 comments about Monster Manual V (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying).

1. Well, I thought this book was very good, some new ideas and a nice format, and the monsters actually seem real, not a bunch of made up things just to fill a book. I really liked it until.......
   
   Unfortunately I found out a few days ago at GenCon , that Wizards is putting out Dungeons and Dragons Version 4 in May 2008, so Version 3.5 will be retired. Be ware before you go gung ho on buying a lot more 3.5 stuff.



2. I bought this more to round out the collection than thinking it would have a lot of high-class monsters to use. I was right. Most of the monsters are either regular humanoids with levels and feats tacked onto them or very esoteric monsters that would have little impact on a regular game. That being said, the production values and artwork remain impressive, and I would reccommend it for the hard-core gamer. People on a budget could use their money better elsewhere.



3. This is a very nicely done book of monsters - many of them are very strange and unusual. One of my favorites is the mockery bug, basically a disgusting bug-like creature that lives inside a host (the image of the creature bursting out its human shell through a persons head is one of the bloodiest, graphic pieces of art in a D&D book you'll find - well done!). Many of the monsters are very creative and interesting to read about - the undead fool is just creepy weird, hopefully your PC will never encounter him. The artwork in this book is top notch all the way, better than just about any other monster book I've seen in the 3rd edition line. I definitely recommend this book for anyone looking to populate their world and dungeons with interesting monsters.



4. This is a very very solid addition to your dnd library. It has a LOT of good monsters. The new mind flayer section is amazingly good, and I really like the hobgoblin/kuo-toa sections. However the vampire section is just vampire template added to a normal class, nothing special and a waste of space. Also I do not like the added "mini-adventure maps" for some sections as they take up space and no players will use them as well as very few and desperate DMs.



5. Once the 4th edition came out, I found a lot of good 3X edition books on sale. The 3.5 Monster Manuals are great - not really compatible with the new rules, but they give you good ideas for monsters. I bought the whole series, Monster Manual I through V, and the Fiendish Codex, Hordes of the Abyss, and the Lords of Madness. All good!

5 comments about Mosaics: Inspiration and Original Projects for Interiors and Exteriors.

1. Always an inspiration is kaffe Fassett. Gives some really fresh and colorful info which I will apply soon



2. I love the explosion of colors that Kaffe uses, both in mosiacs and quilts . This book has a ton of brightly colored mosiac pictures in it...lots of interesting ideas...fairly good instructional pictures but all in all , I didn't like it and returned it . There was only one project (the broken pottery flower pot) that I would have even considered doing and it, too , was just to busy looking for what I was interested in doing. If you love the color explosion that always come with Kaffe projects then this book is for you. If you prefer something a little toned down , or a little structured, then this book is not for you. Hope this helps someone decide!



3. If you find yourself covering everything that doesn't move with mosaics then this is the book for you! See stunning examples by people who may just be crazier than you are. Just great.



4. This is the most beautiful and inspiring book on mosaic I've ever seen. I'm going to tackle my first big mosaic project soon--doing the back of the chimney of my fireplace. It is under a covered porch outside, and after seeing the beautiful photos in the book, I'm inspired to do something that will amaze anyone who sees it.



5. I own quite a few books on this subject, and this is one of the best. The photography is great and all instructions are very clear. There are also large and small projects to get your teeth into. My copy had come unbound from the cover, and despite my email Amazon have not replied, I can't hold this against the book itself, so would thoroughly recommend it.
   If you live in the US and your book is in the same condition as mine, you can return it, but from the UK it hardly seems worth it!

No comments about Hunter: The Vigil.

5 comments about The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams (Origami).

1. The author of "The Complete Book of Origami" has become notorious for producing some of the most advanced origami models in the literature and this book contains a range of models which cannot be considered anything but difficult. Most of the pieces will not be possible from ordinary paper but will require either foil or very thin bank weight paper to work well. Wet folding would also be suitable for some of the models though the diagrams for the elephant sail into a patch of fog when making its behind!
   
   Be prepared to spend some hours making each piece and you may well find yourself starting over again several times until a series of folding procedures becomes clear.
   
   That said the book contains some excellent models - I have always liked the Cuckoo Clock and the Viking Ship, and can confirm that the action pieces really do work.
   
   The diagrams are hand drawn rather than computerised which may explain the level of verbal instruction; however some of the sets of folds are very complex and the verbal instructions provide that much needed extra to understand what is going on.
   
   This is a book for the seasoned folder and most paper folders who have reached the high intermediate to advanced skill level will enjoy it.



2. I agree with several of the reviewers here. As a "purist" I object to models that don't start with a square, of which there are many here. I am also bothered by measurements that do not arise from the creases themselves (eg "fold into thirds".) Finally, Lang jumps from very easy to very advanced, with virtually nothing in-between (and uses harder folding sequences than neccessary IMO, Montroll achieves similar complexity in his finished models with far less difficulty.)
   If you are willing to look past these objections, the finished models themselves are frequently amazing.



3. this book would fit nicely on a shelf in bill gates mansion. If you're a hardcore nerd and grew up within the 80s and 70s, played with erector sets and studied quantum physics at the age of 2 then you may be able to decode the rocket science behind the drawings and instructions given in this book. nay on the origamay



4. An excellent book for beginners and continuing students of origami. Many color photo step-by-step illustrations of simple and more complicated models. Well worth buying.



5. This book has some of the most original models I've seen among origami books (including a particularly impressive clock). However, many of the instructions are vague or extremely difficult to fold as described. Some of the more advanced models will take lots of experimentation to figure out what the intended fold is.

5 comments about Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Collector's Edition (Revised): Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides).

1. La guia esta muy bien, todo lo que puedes pedir de una guia de Legend of Zelda la puedes tener, aparte de los mini regalos que vienen en las guia. PERFECTO!! Solo eso :)



2. I would like to review this product, but I can't because I don't own it yet. I ordered it almost 6 months ago from Amazon using super saver shipping. I keep getting delay notifications from Amazon stating: "We're still trying to obtain the following item[s] you ordered". But everytime I've viewed the item on the web page it states: "In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.". Maybe if you pay for shipping you'll actually get it.



3. It looks like I will never have to look anything up on the internet for this game. as for everyone complaning there is no index they must not have looked through it good enough. if you check the very last page there is a content page with page numbers for each task, equipment, moves and abilities, characters, enemies, bosses, overworld maps, enviromental effects, weapons,dungeon and the legendary checklist. though even if it did not its nothing to cry about b/c the guides so straight forward that you should not even need any help.sure there is alot of content and going through it all is exausting but its better to be exausted then to be lost and miss something. XD



4. This guide tells you everything you need to know to beat the game and the artwork is beautiful. Best guide for this game available.



5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Guide Collector's Edition is a very well written and well made. This guide is very very good.

5 comments about Modern Coin Magic.

1. Although this book is not really "modern" anymore, I found it to be the most comprehensive and helpful book on coin magic that I have ever read. It gives detailed illustrations and step by step instructions (unlike some other books) and is well worth the effort. I definitely reccomend this book as a great buy, especially if you have been looking around on the internet for some coin magic that you can easily learn. There really is no website, but this is a great buy at a great price. Definitely buy this book, whether you are a novice magician or an expereienced one.



2. You find the best magic in books.
   
   To many magicians these days learn from videos and DVD's. While these are useful tools, book are where it is really at. The skill it takes to read a book and put it all together is what makes a magician great.
   
   But you have to find the right books and this is certainly one of them. Every magician worth his salt should have certain books in his library and Bobo's Coin Magic is one of them.
   
   Tim "Santiago" Converse
   Enter a World of Elegant Magic
   Santiago's Magic



3. This review will be simple and to the point. One of the best coin books you can possible find. By reading it, you won't just gain skills with coins. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. Anyway, great book.



4. This book is great for learning good old fashioned magic. There is a ton of different coin handling techniques. Trick coins will only take you so far, "Modern Coin Magic" will help you to learn the coin skills to amaze your friends and family with any coin. Of course with lots of practice.



5. Modern Coin Magic, or the 'Bobo Book', is one of the CLASSICS of coin manipulation and deserves a prominent place in the library of any magician. Thanks to Dover we can avail of this book more than 5 decades after its first publication.
   
   Commencing with the basics of palming, sleeving, concealment, production, vanishes, etc., this book builds on with quick simple 'tricks' to ever more complex routines - including suggestions on patter & mis-direction. Never before have I seen such clarity of explication & illustration in books devoted to sleight of hand. And there is hardly any sleight of coin manipulation that has not been covered in this book. While one can come up with one's own routines based on a thorough mastery of the 'primitives of the trade', the most famous routines of its day have also been documented to the tiniest relevant detail.
   
   However, be warned that a complete mastery of coin manipulation is 'earned' only after hours & hours & hours of practice. This book is not the place to be looking for trivial 'self working' coin tricks (though they may well be in here).
   
   An excellent companion to this book is Expert Card Technique: Close-Up Table Magic which is to Cards as the Bobo book is to Coins.
   
   Overall a MUST HAVE for any budding/practising magician. Highly Recommended.

5 comments about Monster Manual III (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying Supplement).

1. no monsters in there worth buying the book.
   Stick with the first monster manual.



2. This book covers the holes in the Monster Manual. With these two books you are set for a solid D&D game. It is heavy on the Eberron and Forgotten Realms stuff though. If you have a lot of Eberron books you will probably feel a little gypped at the reuse of material.



3. There are many imaginative creatures within the MMIII and I have enjoyed using the new Lizardfolk and Voidminded Creatures. Having more creatures for your adventures is always helpful to keep your players challenged but this book suffers from one major problem. The creatures tend to be under rated and therefore can be extremely deadly if you use the CR ratings in the book to balance your fights. Easily overcomed if you take the time to review the creatures you are using to make sure they fit what you have planned.



4. I found the Monster Manual III to be a useful tool in my D&D book collection. Many new monsters, friend and foe alike, can be found within the 224 pages. However, a great deal of the monsters that grace the material are of the outsider/demon/devil types, or are undead. There are quite a few more creepy crawlers too. Any DM who is tired of the same old encounter will find Monster Manual III to be an enjoyable reference.



5. Wizards is really scraping the barrel with this one. Wizards has obviously run out of ORIGINAL ideas. It's like a bunch of guys got together in a room, smoked allot of pot and just threw together a bunch of chracteristics from other monsters and combined them into one monster. I can't believe people pay for this **it When are people going to THINK for themselves. Wizards does not own D&D. The people who play it do. The game was finished decades ago. Every reiteration is just money for Wizards. Wizards is in it for the PROFIT. If a pile of steaming dog **it on a plate could be sold for profit they would do it. Wake up!

5 comments about Creative Whack Pack.

1. When you're stuck, this helps get you unstuck. The cards force you to change your train of thought - helpful for when you can't seem to think of anything new. I write a lot of press releases on somewhat mundane and repetitive topics, and the whack pack has inspired some new ideas and made the task less tedious.



2. This book comes with poker-like cards to remind you think different all the time. You will find that it is the small book that you will reread again and again! To me, it is just like a tool. Every one should read to break the ordinary thoughts.



3. I have two sets of the Creative Whack Pack. It is a very useful tool in helping to get unstuck when brainstorming for ideas. I used it in a "Creative Decision-Making" class in my MBA studies and it was useful in helping a group of mixed thinkers (creative and very linear thinkers) become unstuck. Our team actually came up with several creative solutions to a couple of problems.
   
   It is also a valuable tool to use on one's own - sometimes it is fun just to pick a card and then use that as a basis for one's thinking for the day. This can be used in conjunction with the Innovators Whack Pack.



4. I got this as a gift at a Christmas party. It is the worst thing in the world. Maybe it is meant for people who can't think for themselves, I don't know. If you actually have a brain and can use it, then you don't need the whack pack.



5. I ordered this hoping it would be good for idea generation. I'm an experienced entrepreneur and hoped it would prompt some helpful exercises. I found it to be 2nd rate in terms of quality of ideas and applicability to business and product innovation. I did find the perfect pack, namely the IDEO Method Cards which give fantastic ideas for product design and customer role playing.
   
   I could be helpful for someone trying to rethink their careers and life, but not a rich source of ideas or well presented.