3 comments about Before it Hits Home..

1. I'm a Senior at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and we performed this play last fall. If you are looking for a moving piece that is thought provoking, insightful and a tear-jerker...this is it! I played Wendal, the young man who gets AIDS. One of the things I liked about this play was that no matter what character you chose to study, the play justified their actions and reactions.. Also as the author said, it takes a long hard look at a situation that "isn't supposed to happen" in the black community. Cheryl West, thank you for giving us this opportunity to educate and inform....



2. Playwrights have a short time frame to present a story that is entertaining and, if the reader/vierwer is lucky, inspiring. Cheryl West uses her time wisely. This play is staged well, the characters are realistic, and the reactions of her characters are a bit unexpected. What a pleasure.



3. Before it Hits Home was a heart tugger the entire book. It grabbed your attention at the very beginning and did not let go until the end, and even then did not want to let go. You will have to take a few moment to regoup your emontions at the end. This story told of the love of a Mother and Son, but really brought out the the unspoken bond between a father and son. It digs deep into the family grabs you and hold you close to its heart.

No comments about Key Concepts in Drama and Performance (Palgrave Key Concepts).

1 comments about The Ultimate Interior Designer.

1. Works with a plan in mind, a scheme which is carried through beginning with a scale drawing, and then maneuvering the pieces and elements around to achieve the style and effect desired.

   Proceeds to discussion of color and lighting and window effects, then to a room-by-room decorating helps and aids. This is particualarly helpful, as focuses attention on area(s) where one is. Even addresses those odd areas as corridors and landings and ends with a nice section on the various period styles.

3 comments about Great Escapes: New Designs for Home Theaters by Theo Kalomirakis.

1. Whether your interest is home theater, or movie palaces from the 1920's and 30's, Great Escapes is sensational!
   Once I opened it, I couldn't put it down and trust me with 204 pages loaded with 140 color photos of breathtaking architectural eye candy, this book will demand your focus.
   Kalomirakis brings the elegance of yesteryears movie palaces home with the help of writers Steve Castle, Dean Koontz and photographer Phillip Ennis.
   You can truly see Kalomirakis' love for the big screen in the architectural details he adorns his private cinemas with. No details are spared in Kalomirakis' work from neon marquees and ticket booths welcoming visitors to his theaters to opulent lobbies adorned with domed mural ceilings and snack bars and timeless columns.
   A few times while reading this book, I had to remind myself that the featured theaters I was viewing were in someone's personal residence.
   I have to say my personal favorite theater in this book was created for author Dean Koontz called "The Moonlight." Koontz also has an introduction in the book.
   Even though most of the theaters in this book take up more square footage than the average persons home. And even though theaters designed by Kalomirakis are beyond the financial means of most people, this book can serve as inspiration for those that want to bring home the silver screen on a lesser budget and do it in style.
   Theo Kalomirakis' newest book Great Escapes definitely brings home the look of the movie palaces of yesterday.



2. This is a book to die for. The photography is amazing, the architecture out of this world and what Theo Kalomirakis does for his lucky clients will blow you away. I am already wearing out my copy and I only have had it for two days.



3. Lavishly illustrated with one hundred gorgeous color photographs by Phillip Ennis, Great Escapes: New Designs For Home Theaters By Theo Kalomirakis by Steven Castle presents extravagant designs for "media rooms" in private homes. These are specialized entertainment oriented rooms set aside to take full advantage of surround sound, acoustics, and visual appeal to bring forth the same quality experience as visiting a theater. Great Escapes showcases the work of interior designer Theo Kalomirakis as it artfully presents his work in creating home theaters of celebrities such as Dean Koontz, Eddie Murphy, Roger Ebert, and others in this unique source of enduring ideas.

4 comments about James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. This is great! The guide offers the ultimate walk through of 007: everything or nothing! If you are having trouble locating an objective, or just want a basic overview of the game this is for you. There are sections on multiplayer strategy, and general sigle player stratgey. The guide has detailed maps of each level. If I was you I would get out and buy this guide and the game also because they are gonna go quick!



2. This is not a bad guide at all, but first of all, it's a universal guide, covering all three consoles. This is fine, except that I prefer a guide tailored to my own system, so that instead of the guide saying, "press Action to...whatever," it says, "press X or Circle..."

   Also, the guide assumes you'll play the game at the second difficulty level and doesn't account for the fact that some people, me included, play at the easy level at first. The guide is then very confusing, because it tells you to do stuff that the game doesn't want you to. There really should have been two sections, detailing the Easy and the Hard walkthroughs separately.

   Though it can be tricky, the game itself is awesome. The guide on the other hand could have been better.




3. You can always trust Prima when it comes to game guides, and you can still trust them. This guide has everything for someone playing through EoN for their first time. Maps that layout entire levels, pointing out important things like weapon pick ups and bond moments. And the walkthrough itself will get you through any level, single player and co-op. It isn't whats in the guide that made me shy of giving it five stars or calling it a must-buy, but what they left out. First off, there are three difficulty levels, operative, agent, and 00agent. this guide is for agent only. It points out armor locations and objectives for agent. It doesn't point out which objectives are left out in operative, or which armor locations aren't there in 00agent. Sometimes htere will be another person here or there on 00 that there isn't on agent, but it still gets left out. Another thing that's missing, a section on how to get the gold awards. If you cant quite get 450,000 points on the last mission, it will take more than the listed bond moments to get you there. Another problem is that there really isn't a guide for getting platinum medals on the levels. There are paragrpah long tips at the end of a mission walkthrough on how to get platinum, but no real guide. The largest problem I had with this guide was that it was either too vague or nonchalant about how to obtain the gold and platinum medals throughout the game, and basically left you guessing once you tried to unlock them. This guide is only good (but very good) for getting to the last level on agent, and ignores helping you unlocking the awards.



4. The guide is very detailed and informative. It tells step by step how to play each stage and how to obtain all the 007 moves. I highly recommend this guide to the serious Bond player.

4 comments about Home Theater Master Guide: From Start to Finish.

1. First of all... let me say that spending $30 on a 80 page book... i expected a little more insight and information that i can't already find by searching the internet... the author builds himself up as an expert in home theater design... and he may very well be... but it doesn't show in this book... the only informative section in the entire book is on room acoustics and speaker placement... which spans about 5 pages... it felt like i was reading a "101" type book and suddenly when i got to speaker placement it turned into a 5 page master's course... i wish the rest of the book could have been written with such detail... my final complaint on this book is the lack of editing if there was any at all other than spell check on microsoft word... There are plenty of grammatical errors throughout the book that could have been spotted by a high school freshman... In conclusion, I am very disapointed with this purchase... paying so much for so little and being annoyed by unedited writing is not worth your time...



2. Anyone can bill themselves as being "an expert" without much proof to back up the claim. This book could have been written by anyone who has ever bought a HTIB or hung out at a Best Buy store. Lacking in detail, references, new to market technologies, sources for each level of equipment, pricing averages, etc. etc. etc. It appears as though this is a self-published book with very little meat. NOT a good or even decent source.



3. Having been involved with home theaters for many years, I must say that the author obviously has a lot of experience based on his discussions of acoustics and room design. While other reviewers appear to be looking for more, I feel that this text covers it all - from room design to programming remotes to speakers placement and troubleshooting electronic "gremlins" in your system. I very good book for anyone looking to take their home theater to the next level of performance.



4. I purchased this from Barnes & Noble sight unseen. After receiving it I was very disappointed.

5 comments about Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Theater Systems.

1. This book gives a good overview of what it takes to put together a small to medium sized home theater system (big screen TV, A/V receiver, speakers, DVD, HIFI VCR, etc..). The book was published this year so it is pretty up to date on all the latest technologies (HDTV, progressive scan DVD,..) which is important in this rapidly changing field. I think the book goes into just the right level of detail in explaining the different technologies available. If you haven't started looking at getting a system yet you will be astounded by the many brands, systems, options, and devices you have to choose from. This book will help you make the choices intelligently. If you don't read this book and think the salesperson at your local electornics store is going to sell you the system that is right for you then you will probably be disappointed with your purchase. Get this book and be an informed consumer.



2. What an awful guide! Reads like the author was being paid by the word -- it takes him forever to say not much! The basics covered here could be (and are!) communicated better in a 20-page FAQ; just search the web for home theater. And if you were looking for more detailed info than that, you'll be very disappointed in this book. This is one of those books that's going to sell a lot better online, because no one can flip through it and realize it's just too much of not enough!



3. Having decided to plunge anew in the world of TV (now no longer just TV it seems but home cinema), I found the amount of new jargon and abbreviations overwhelming coming from a salesperson. I found this an excellent guide to understanding the basics and getting a firmer idea of what I really needed.



4. It's difficult to up to date on such a fast hanging market, but this book does a very good job.



5. I went out and got Home Theater for Everyone (Harley), Build Your Home Theater in a Weekend (Bruyn/Karabian), The Complete Idiot's Guide to Home Theater Systems (Miller), Use Your PC to Build An Incredible Home Theater System (Farkas and Govier), and Home Theater for Dummies (Briere and Hurley). (I've posted this review in each of the books).

   There's a clear difference among these books, and approaches. In order, I would get these books:

   1. (tie) Home Theater for Everyone; Home Theater for Dummies. This surprised me. I've heard a lot about Harley's book and it is great. It's getting dated though, and some stuff was simply way over my head for what I'm going to do with my home theater. But it's one of those books you have to read even if you don't understand a lot of it (and mind you, I've got seven computers in my house, a 100Meg LAN, multiple wireless systems, etc...I'm not scared of technical stuff.) It's not so much not understanding it, as much as it is that a lot of it while important to a magazine editor such as Harley, it's not something that you're going to use in putting in your home theater.

   Home Theater for Dummies surprised me. I must say, I found it incredibly well researched, practical, and more homey and less academic than Harley's book. I think the title would keep a lot of the HT mags from reviewing it, thinking it beneath them. And the authors clearly know how to have fun (they have sections on how to create your own drive-in and another on bathroom theater.) They cover home theater PCs and Windows XP Media Center PCs, as well as wireless projectors -- so this is truly up to day at publication time because these are relatively new things. (Harley's book does not even mention HTPCs and gives relatively small coverage to personal video recorders (PVRs) which HT for Dummies covers well. I'd say just get this book, but no one would believe me.

   3. User Your PC To Build An Incredible Home Theater System. This is a niche book for the techies that like to build their own PCs. Sort of like me :-) I found it knowledgeable and fun, but like I said, you would not buy this book to build a home theater.

   4. The Complete Idiots Guide to Home Theater Systems. I liked this book's coverage of budgets and little facts in the book. However there was nothing on HTPCs, the pricing is already dated, and there was nothing in it not covered in Home Theater for Dummies. So if I have to choose between being a Dummy or an Idiot, I'd say I'm a Dummy.

   5. Build Your Home Theater In A Weekend. This was basically a waste of money. It was a nice effort, but outclassed by the competition above. It's not worth a longer review.

   If you are looking to put a home theater in your home, I'd recommend Harley and Briere/Hurley. Briere/Hurley also wrote Smart Homes for Dummies which they referenced in the HT book -- I'm getting that now, because it basically tells me how to extend my home theater all over the house. Since I spent a lot of money on my home theater, I'm betting, based on HT4Dummies, that their book is worth the price.

   My two cents.

1 comments about Full Spectrum Warrior (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. I bought this book thinking it would apply to the PC version. It is only somewhat helpful. Some of the Chapters are different on the XBox. It should be more obvious when you order the book that it is an Xbox Guide. After reading the book and playing the game, however, I decided that it was of some help, particularly as the game became more difficult the second and third time through. I am updating my rating accordingly to three stars.

5 comments about The Shakespeare Stealer.

1. This is a well-written adventure story for children ages 11 and up. It does an excellent job of immersing the reader in 16th century England, mostly London. The dialogue contains enough hints of old English dialect to feel real, but is easy to understand. It was fun to read about what life might have been like for an apprentice at the Globe theater, working with Shakespeare. There are enough sword fights and adventure to keep boys interested. I would have liked more details about Widge's moments on stage, how it felt to become an actor, etc. The story is told almost entirely from back stage, and it would have been exciting to have been inside Widge's heart and head while he was on stage. What did he see in the audience, etc? But a fun book, nonetheless, and I recommend it.



2. 
   This novel for young teens and its sequels follow the adventures in theatre and language of a boy named Widge. Those readers with an interest in theater, history, weaponry, England or linguistics will find this especially interesting. The names of streets and buildings will be familiar to those who have read other novels of London. Though some events are harsh, I found this quite appropriate for my son to read. Those who enjoyed reading this story of a boy in theatre might also like reading the similar adventures of a girl in choir in the historical novel A Murder for Her Majesty by Alice Hilgartner. The Shakespeare Stealer is recommended.
   
   This is the first of a series that includes Shakespeare's Scribe and Shakespeare's Spy. All three are in the single-volume hardcover The Shakespeare Stealer Series. The series should be read in order. The Shakespeare Stealer is a complete novel and does not leave you hanging while you scramble to find the sequel.



3. This novel is a terrific example of historical fiction. The author blends true and fictional elements in a stirring and adventure filled story. The author ingeniously uses the spelling and language usage of the time to lend credibility to the characters and the setting. The characters presented are round and dynamic. The protagonist, Widge, undergoes the maturation of a typical adolescent attempting to form his or her identity. Other characters develop in their own way, each with their own distinct personality and desires. The author places authentic historical characters as well, Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth. These characters are also historically accurate. The queen's white make up and Shakespeare's personal tragedies are described precisely. The main conflict is an internal one, Widge must decide if he should steal the play or remain among his new friends. His predicament mirrors Hamlet's `to be or not to be' dilemma. This struggle is universal and relevant to modern day readers. This book will appeal to readers who are interested in the time period, Shakespeare, theater or an exciting, well-told story. Another high point of this book is the use of humor, both lowbrow slapstick and highbrow allusions and word play. The themes of choosing right from wrong, finding your identity, racism and gender issues are all explored throughout this rich novel. A teacher may use this book as an introduction for the life and times of Shakespeare as well as any of his plays. The Shakespeare Stealer is a highly entertaining and rich look into the past.



4. "The Shakespeare Stealer" is basically a Shakespeare based historical fiction young adult novel. It's light, exciting, and fun.
   
   The story is about an orphan boy who learns to write in a fast, secret code. He is taken from his master to a man and is told that he is to work for this new man with his talent. Widge is told to attend a play by Shakespeare and record every word heard, then return it to his new master, who will in turn sell the rights to the play, earning money that should go to Shakespeare.
   
   Widge encounters difficulties, and ultimately joins forces with the actors. From then on, the story becomes a bit more complicated, but still maintains the simple, fun feel throughout.
   
   There's some action in this book, some excitement, and some interesting historic facts. But on the whole, it's simply a story. The characters aren't nearly as engaging as one would hope, and on the whole the story has its aspects of disbelief and improbability.
   
   An interesting, fun read, but not particularly amazing. Good.



5. My students read this for their literature club at school. It was definitely one of their favorites. Several told me they read the book in one afternoon!

2 comments about Good Housekeeping The Complete Household Organizer.

1. It's good to have all of your info in one spot, easy to access, but I felt that this book was too detailed. If you want every possible base covered, this book is for you.



2. We moved into a new home in November 2006 and at times need to call different people or need information on put appliances. It takes time to fill out the information in the book but, it saves a lot of time and business card mess to be able to open it and find the information that you need!!! I am happy that I bought it and plan on buying a copy for my son and daughter.