Even if you don't think you're interested in ancient Egypt, Barbara Mertz's lively history of the land of the Pharaohs is likely to be entertaining reading. Far from being a dry list of dates, this is a knowledgeable, reader-friendly survey of what scholars know (and just as often, what they *don't* know) about the mummies, pyramids, and other accoutrements of Egypt's mysterious past. Those who own the decades-old original edition will want to upgrade to this copiously updated revision, which covers several of the newest and thorniest controversies among expert Egyptologists with concise erudition and able wit.
Actually, Colbert appears to have scammed Powell's out of $8 (a TV news report quotes a Powell's spokesperson to the effect that they sent him a check). In most cases, an author gets the same royalty whether the retailer sells his book at list price or discounts it, and the usual royalty on a $26.99 trade hardcover is $2.16 to $4.05 (which he will in fact get from his publisher on that very copy of the book, six months to a year from now, assuming he's earned out his advance). Thus, if he cashes that $8 check, you can make a case that Colbert has successfully committed extortion on national television.
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(24 of 65 readers found this comment helpful)
There's much more than mere parody going on in this ingenious autobiography of girl detective Nancy Drew; Chelsea Cain's novel expands Nancy's horizons much as Laurie King's "Mary Russell" novels expand those of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, there's humor here -- but it's wry wit rather than slapstick comedy, and Cain knows her material as well as any Sherlockian. Longtime fans of Nancy and her fellow teen sleuths shouldn't miss this book -- and neither should those just meeting Nancy via the new feature film.
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(6 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
Many people will tell you this book is exceptionally funny -- and they will be right. Many people will tell you that this book is exceptionally breathtaking -- and they will *also* be right. This is a novel that's one part old-fashioned bedtime story, one part utterly authentic Chinese folk tale, one part Saturday afternoon movie serial (think Indiana Jones crossed with Jackie Chan crossed with "Lord of the Rings" crossed with "The Sting"), and about nine parts sheer genius.
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(11 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
There are any number of military-SF writers out there, many of them very good. Some of them manage to successfully blend front-line fighting action with political intrigue. But Elizabeth Moon goes one step further, adding a completely convincing personal and civilian dimension to the conflicts she creates. This is a series that's gotten deeper and richer as it's progressed -- and that doesn't happen all that often. Highly recommended.
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(6 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)
JCBunnell has commented on (5) products.
Temples, Tombs, & Hieroglyphs: A Popular History of Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz
JCBunnell, April 11, 2008
Even if you don't think you're interested in ancient Egypt, Barbara Mertz's lively history of the land of the Pharaohs is likely to be entertaining reading. Far from being a dry list of dates, this is a knowledgeable, reader-friendly survey of what scholars know (and just as often, what they *don't* know) about the mummies, pyramids, and other accoutrements of Egypt's mysterious past. Those who own the decades-old original edition will want to upgrade to this copiously updated revision, which covers several of the newest and thorniest controversies among expert Egyptologists with concise erudition and able wit.I Am America (and So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
JCBunnell, October 11, 2007
Actually, Colbert appears to have scammed Powell's out of $8 (a TV news report quotes a Powell's spokesperson to the effect that they sent him a check). In most cases, an author gets the same royalty whether the retailer sells his book at list price or discounts it, and the usual royalty on a $26.99 trade hardcover is $2.16 to $4.05 (which he will in fact get from his publisher on that very copy of the book, six months to a year from now, assuming he's earned out his advance). Thus, if he cashes that $8 check, you can make a case that Colbert has successfully committed extortion on national television.(24 of 65 readers found this comment helpful)
Confessions of a Teen Sleuth: A Parody by Chelsea Cain and Lia Miternique
JCBunnell, June 7, 2007
There's much more than mere parody going on in this ingenious autobiography of girl detective Nancy Drew; Chelsea Cain's novel expands Nancy's horizons much as Laurie King's "Mary Russell" novels expand those of Sherlock Holmes. Yes, there's humor here -- but it's wry wit rather than slapstick comedy, and Cain knows her material as well as any Sherlockian. Longtime fans of Nancy and her fellow teen sleuths shouldn't miss this book -- and neither should those just meeting Nancy via the new feature film.(6 of 13 readers found this comment helpful)
Bridge of Birds: A Novel of the Ancient China that Never Was by Barry Hughart
JCBunnell, March 12, 2007
Many people will tell you this book is exceptionally funny -- and they will be right. Many people will tell you that this book is exceptionally breathtaking -- and they will *also* be right. This is a novel that's one part old-fashioned bedtime story, one part utterly authentic Chinese folk tale, one part Saturday afternoon movie serial (think Indiana Jones crossed with Jackie Chan crossed with "Lord of the Rings" crossed with "The Sting"), and about nine parts sheer genius.(11 of 18 readers found this comment helpful)
Command Decision (Vatta's War #04) by Elizabeth Moon
JCBunnell, February 28, 2007
There are any number of military-SF writers out there, many of them very good. Some of them manage to successfully blend front-line fighting action with political intrigue. But Elizabeth Moon goes one step further, adding a completely convincing personal and civilian dimension to the conflicts she creates. This is a series that's gotten deeper and richer as it's progressed -- and that doesn't happen all that often. Highly recommended.(6 of 12 readers found this comment helpful)