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Average customer rating:

Another Donati gem.
Read This Series
More of the adventure
Donati recalls she's writing for the romance genre
This author's work is basically a rip off of another much better writer.

Fire Along the Sky
Sara Donati
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Lake in the Clouds
Dawn on a Distant Shore
Into the Wilderness
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A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander)

ASIN: 0553582771
Release Date: 2005-11-29

Book Description

With epic sweep and breathtaking adventure, Sara Donati’s bestselling saga of an Early American family’s struggle for survival in the Northeast wilderness continues with the story of an indomitable woman and an unforgettable journey of redemption across a young nation threatened by the flames of war.

The year is 1812 and Hannah Bonner has returned to her family’s mountain cabin in Paradise. But Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner can see that Hannah is not the same woman as when she left. For their daughter has come home without her husband and without her son…and with a story of loss and tragedy that she can’t bear to tell. Yet as Hannah resumes her duties as a gifted healer among the sick and needy, she finds that she is also slowly healing herself. Little does she realize that she is about to be called away to face her greatest challenge ever.

As autumn approaches, news of the latest conflict with Britain finds the young men of Paradise—including eighteen-year-old Daniel Bonner—eager to take up arms. Against their better judgment, Nathaniel and Elizabeth must let him go, just as they must let his twin sister Lily, a stubborn beauty, pursue her independence in Montreal. But on the eve of the War of 1812, an unexpected guest arrives from Scotland: It is the Bonners’ distant cousin, the newly widowed Jennet Scott of Carryckcastle. Far from home, Lily and Jennet will each learn the price of pursuing their dreams and the possibility of true love.

But it’s Hannah herself who must risk everything once more—this time to save Daniel, who’s been taken prisoner by the British. As the distant thunder of war threatens Paradise, Hannah may learn to live—and maybe love—again in one final act of courage, duty, and sacrifice.

A gifted writer, a master storyteller, and a first-rate historian, Sara Donati has written a powerful, poignant, and movingly romantic novel that chronicles the lives and adventures of a family as compelling and unforgettable as any in American fiction.

From the Hardcover edition.

Download Description

With epic sweep and breathtaking adventure, Sara Donati¿s bestselling saga of an Early American family¿s struggle for survival in the Northeast wilderness continues with the story of an indomitable woman and an unforgettable journey of redemption across a young nation threatened by the flames of war.

The year is 1812 and Hannah Bonner has returned to her family¿s mountain cabin in Paradise. But Nathaniel and Elizabeth Bonner can see that Hannah is not the same woman as when she left. For their daughter has come home without her husband and without her son¿and with a story of loss and tragedy that she can¿t bear to tell. Yet as Hannah resumes her duties as a gifted healer among the sick and needy, she finds that she is also slowly healing herself. Little does she realize that she is about to be called away to face her greatest challenge ever.

As autumn approaches, news of the latest conflict with Britain finds the young men of Paradise¿including eighteen-year-old Daniel Bonner¿eager to take up arms. Against their better judgment, Nathaniel and Elizabeth must let him go, just as they must let his twin sister Lily, a stubborn beauty, pursue her independence in Montreal. But on the eve of the War of 1812, an unexpected guest arrives from Scotland: It is the Bonners¿ distant cousin, the newly widowed Jennet Scott of Carryckcastle. Far from home, Lily and Jennet will each learn the price of pursuing their dreams and the possibility of true love.

But it¿s Hannah herself who must risk everything once more¿this time to save Daniel, who¿s been taken prisoner by the British. As the distant thunder of war threatens Paradise, Hannah may learn to live¿and maybe love¿again in one final act of courage, duty, and sacrifice.

A gifted writer, a master storyteller, and a first-rate historian, Sara Donati has written a powerful, poignant, and movingly romantic novel that chronicles the lives and adventures of a family as compelling a

Customer Reviews:

Another Donati gem........2007-03-13

For any readers who haven't indulged in Sara Donati's series of books about Elizabeth and Nathaniel Bonner, this is one of the later books in the series. It's a fine book to read without having read the others, but
it's much more informative to start with the introductory novel. Sara Donati is one of those writers who is gifted at writing historical fiction.

Read This Series.......2007-01-09

Do yourself a favor and read this series. It's great fun without the guilt because it's a love and adventure saga rolled inside a history lesson. I actually missed the characters when I finished the last book and I can only hope Sara Donati is hard at work on the next installment. Start at the beginning so you know who everyone is and how they influence the story as it progresses.
1. Into the Wilderness
2. Dawn on a Distant Shore
3. Lake in the Clouds
4. Fire Along the Sky
5. Queen of Swords
Enjoy.....

More of the adventure.......2006-11-15

I do admit that if you haven't read the preceding three books in this fabulous series, this probably won't be as meaningful to you as it would be to a devotee, but, having siad that, perhaps I can convince some readers who wouldn't normally be fans of an historic epic, to start at the beginning..in fact I'm almost envious of what you have ahead! This story continues lives of the Bonner family, their neighbours and friends who live in a settlement high in the mountains of New York State. Elizabeth and her husband Nathaniel's younger son, Daniel, has been captured by the British forces and held prisoner on Ile de Noix, just over the Canadian border. Nathaniel's cousin, Lady Jennet, has arrived from Scotland to marry Luke, Nathanie's son by an early romance and, accompanied by Hannah, Nathaniel's half Indian daughter from his first wife,and Luke, travels incognito to the Island, in an attempt to rescue Daniel who has been badly injured in the fighting. If there seems to be too many half sisters and brothers to take in, it is all perfectly clear in the reading of the book which, while partly ends in happiness, also begins another episode which continues on to the next volume, Queen of Swords, which has just been released and which I'm happily devouring at a great rate!

Donati recalls she's writing for the romance genre.......2006-06-22

Really... a 4.5 review, but I rounded up for the stars. This is a fun 'escapism' read - not too thick on history or romance, and delightfully thin on military action.

I don't typically think of myself as a fan of romantic historical fiction - bodice ripping or 'fair maiden meets warrior' sorts of books - but occasionally I find books that have more meat to them than what one thinks of in this genre.

As a fan of Diana Gabaldon (particularly the first 3), I was pleased to find Sara Donati's series. Into the Wilderness (her first) caught my attention so much that I simply went out and bought the remaining three published thus far. Dawn on a Distant Shore and Lake in the Clouds were somewhat disappointing, and I began Fire Along the Sky out of a sense of obligation. What I discovered is that Donati gave up attempts to write 'action' and returned to her romance roots. The result was a much more satisfying book.

While lean on historical accuracies, this book delivers if you are looking for an entertaining story with some sexual tension and interesting characters. It is simply a very enjoyable read - nothing more. Just fun!

The drawbacks are that the story does build upon events from books One through Three, and readers will be far better informed if they've read the series in order than if they attempt to pick up here. Over the years Elizabeth Bonner's character has become slightly annoying, and Curiosity Freeman is practically a cliche. I missed Nathaniel Bonner as well; he's a bit too far in the background in this book.

That said, the characters of Lily Bonner and her cousin Jennet Carryck are more interesting. Further, Donati delivers realistic portrayals of how grief and mourning may rob the very life of a person when writing Hannah Bonner and Daniel Bonner, and how their painful silent inward anguish pains and haunts all who love them.

The draw in this story is the romance between Lily and Simon. Does it come out of nowhere as other readers mention? Yes. But you won't care after a bit. It simmers, nearly boils, then cools and simmers some more... and repeats that cycle again. The presentation of their growing relationship - particulalry their sexual one - is a bit 20th Century, but that just made it fun to read. Donati skillfully stokes anticipation, and brings back memories of feeling giddy. Enjoy!

This author's work is basically a rip off of another much better writer........2006-04-21

I have read her first three books and they were pretty good but very familiar. I think she tends to copy her style from another well known series writer. Her work has gotten progressively worse from book to book. Basically read Into the Wilderness and possibly Dawn on a Distant Shore but stop there. If you want a great series you can sink your teeth into, read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series and Dorothy Dunnetts Lymond Chronicles, they are vastly superior.

Game Design: From Blue Sky to Green Light

Average customer rating:

Any college-level collection strong on games development needs this.
Deb's the Best!

Game Design: From Blue Sky to Green Light
Deborah Todd
Manufacturer: A K Peters
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 156881318X
Release Date: 2007-03-01

Product Description

From the initial blue-sky sessions to pitching for a green light, Deborah Todd uses creative exercises and examples from classic and contemporary games to highlight different aspects of the game-design process: the decision and brainstorming phase, story and character design, content creation, testing, design documents, and flowcharting. Many of the game industry s brightest professionals share insights on key elements in game design and their analysis of what makes a game a blockbuster hit.

Customer Reviews:

Any college-level collection strong on games development needs this........2007-06-10

From the initial blue-sky sessions to pitching for a green light, Deborah Todd's guide uses exercises and examples for all kinds of games to build a working knowledge of the game design process, from brainstorming and character design to content, testing, and flowcharting. Interviews with top game producers supplement the author's position as an award-winning designer and writer, with exercises and a puzzles checklist at book's end for maximum learning and reinforcement. Any college-level collection strong on games development needs this.

Deb's the Best!.......2007-06-08

Deb Todd has been a leading force in game design for 15 years (or so) and this book echoes her profound knowledge of it. The recent explosion in interest in game design has brought many parvenues to the field. This book is the opposite: solid advice from a proven expert. She also interviews many key people whose advice is valid and worthwhile.

The Urban Astronomer's Guide: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos for City Sky Watchers (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)

Average customer rating:

Great Book for City Dwelling Amatuer Astronomers!
Indispenisble definitive guide for citybound deep-sky enthusiasts!
Another quality book from Rod
Outstanding Repeat read value

The Urban Astronomer's Guide: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos for City Sky Watchers (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series)
Rod Mollise
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1846282160

Book Description

Most amateur astronomers yearn to observe more frequently. Many of them, however, live in urban and highly developed suburban areas that are heavily light polluted. Due to this light pollution, they are under the impression that deep sky objects—nebulae, galaxies, star clusters—are either invisible or not worth viewing from home. This book describes the many objects that can be seen in a bright urban sky, and shows the city or suburban astronomer how to observe object after object, season after season.

This book covers the "why," "how," and "what" of astronomy under light-polluted skies. The prospective city-based observer is told why to observe from home (there are hundreds of spectacular objects to be seen from the average urban site), how to observe the city sky (telescopes, accessories, and moderns techniques), and what to observe. About 50% of the book is devoted to describing "tours" of the sky, with physical and observational descriptions, at-the-eyepiece drawings, and photographs.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book for City Dwelling Amatuer Astronomers!.......2007-02-16

Living in the South Florida Peninsula, you get used to light pollution. In 2005, I purchased my first "real" telescope and soon learned how badly light polluted South Florida really is. Although a trip to a dark sky site is only 60 miles away, I live in the suburbs outside of Miami and wanted to take advantage of my decent sized back yard. My sky's limiting magnitude is around 4, the sky towards the north is a grayish white haze where only Polaris is visible and the big dipper if high enough in the sky. The rest of the sky is a little better but after 2 years of limited success in searching for DSOs, I decided to look for help.
The Urban Astronomer's Guide may be the help I require. The book is well written and easy to follow. This book was written where beginners as well as intermediate amateur astronomers would find it interesting.
Part I of the book entitled: Telescopes and Techniques covers everything from the why one would want to observe from the city to the writers experience with types of telescopes and needed techniques to beat the light pollution blues. Mr. Mollise explains the advantages in large and short focal length telescopes and which objects benefit from either type. The author discusses in great detail the differences between the different types of Light-Pollution Reduction Filters, eyepieces, finders, computer software, print atlases, etc.
The book discuses techniques which experienced amateurs may be familiar with but beginners and intermediates may have heard have but not understand completely. Things like the use of averted vision, "jiggling" the telescope to tease out details in faint objects. Dark Adaptation is discussed and it's importance, all invaluable lessons that every amateur astronomer should learn.
Part II of the book entitled: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos is what makes this book a keeper. This section of the book goes over examples of objects that are perfect for city observation. The four chapters as you might imagine are broken up by season, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each season gives 4 lists of objects that the Author feels are viewable for the given season and time. An example of such a tour is Spring's Tour 1. Objects included in this tour are M94, M51, M106, M63, M81, M82, M101, M97, M3 and the Double Star Cor Caroli.

Each object is discussed in detail with the author's notes from his personal journal. Mr. Mollise discusses the use of filters that can enhance a particular object, magnification that should be used to view certain objects, and what you should expect to see at the eyepiece. The author also includes his personal illustrations of objects he's included in his journals, which gives you a good idea of what you should be able to see in the eyepiece. The illustrations are very good and to me are much more useful than the Hubble type images commonly seen in astronomy books.
The only thing I found a little odd about this book would be the inclusion of such difficult to see objects as M1 and M51. The author even writes: "Sadly, I have to admit that in the city it (M51) is something of a dud." He also writes: "you have to be satisfied just to say you've seen it (M1)." These are just two of several objects the author himself confesses are extremely challenging, if not impossible to view from a light-polluted location. Why not focus on objects that are less challenging? Maybe have one object at the end of each tour that might be a challenge.
This is not to say the book does not reward the reader with some surprisingly easy to see objects. I was recently treated to a "hidden treasure" in the open cluster M46. As it turns out there is a small planetary nebulae (NGC2438) within this semi-impressive cluster that makes M46 a showpiece object in my opinion. If not for this book, I may not have spent much more than 10 minutes viewing M46. I now find myself going back to it time after time just as I do with M42 and M45.
Overall the book is a good read. This book in written for beginner's with some experience and can be useful to intermediate amateurs who might not be getting the most from their telescopes due to light pollution issues within the Urban setting. Part II in particular I've found invaluable and it will definitely keep me coming back for more.

Indispenisble definitive guide for citybound deep-sky enthusiasts!.......2006-09-02

This is a work that has been long overdue. A book on urban astronomy that focuses soley on deep-sky objects, and practical recommendations for how to view them, equipment and techniques. A most comprehensive list, more than any other book of its kind. But by no means the only things that can be seen, there are more than in this book (as I have discovered). But by showing what you can see, you can try for more.

Another quality book from Rod.......2006-07-05

Rod writes with an authority about many subjects at hand, but his style is very approachable and appreciated by us amateurs. His subject matter is applicable to my Miami (Florida) skies and I am proud to display this book among the many astronomy books that I own.

Adam Stuart
Miami, Florida

Outstanding Repeat read value.......2006-07-04

This is an excellent book for anyone who lives in light polluted skies (OK, this includes EVERYONE EAST of the Mississippi river, and a good part of the rest of the civilized world).

Rod's approach and writing style, make this a good book for amateur astronomer's of all levels.

The first half of the book is filled with tips, and ideas, and how-to's that are worth the price of the book alone, all designed to help everyone get the most out of their skies no matter how much light pollution they have. Nothing will make the light pollution go away, so Rod's book is the perfect inspiration for those of us who feel like giving up when we look up and see so few stars from our urban or suburban locations.

The second half holds the key to making this an outstanding book for generations to come, because Rod goes into detail with personal observation's and descriptions about a large number of objects that those of us with "darkness-challenged" skies will still be able to enjoy. All of this gives Rod's book a very high repeat read value, since Rod covers objects for all seasons, and his Southern wit, charm, and humor combine to make this a 5 stars book.

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A Collegue's Review
Great Historical Fiction
My Heart Breaks for Poland
Culture Website Review
Entertaining sequel, though some characters could have been more developed

Against a Crimson Sky: A Novel
James Conroyd Martin
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Push Not the River
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ASIN: 0312326823
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Book Description

Against a Crimson Sky tells the stories of four characters who are irrevocably linked in the aftermath of Polands violent dissolution in 1794, a break culminating in the doomed 1812 winter march into Russia. Countess Anna Maria Berezowska has finally married her true love, Jan Stelnicki, but life is anything but ideal. Shortly after their union, Jan takes to the battlefield in the hopes of ensuring a sovereign Poland for his children. Meanwhile, his best friend on the front lines continues to pine for Annas cousin, Zofia, but she has her sights set on Emperor Napoleon. Against a Crimson Sky interweaves these tales of intrigue, love, and betrayal as one proud nation and one strong family struggle for unity.

Customer Reviews:

A Collegue's Review.......2007-05-15

It was my pleasure to receive a signed copy of Jim Martin's second book as a gift from the author. I had read "Push not the River" several years ago and hoped for a sequel. When I read the first few lines, I was immediately entranced. The writing is beautiful, the characters are clearly drawn and the plot is engaging. I could not put the book down, as Mr. Martin takes us through the years of the French Revolution from the viewpoint of the Polish involvement. One must read the book carefully to find the characters moving "Against a Crimson Sky." I eagerly await the continuation of this series.

Great Historical Fiction.......2007-03-13

"Against a Crimson Sky" left me longing for a trilogy as much as its predecessor "Push Not the River" left me longing for this sequel. This book brings history during the Napoleon era to life. If you like historical fiction such as Leon Uris's "Trinity" or "Exodus" you will love these novels too. "Against a Crimson Sky" is a captivating story with exceptionally well written historical connections. I wish I could see the movie!

My Heart Breaks for Poland.......2007-03-04

I learned so much about a country and history of Europe that I knew nothing about. What a proud country and courageous countrymen, loyal to the last.

This book continues the story of Anna Maria and Jan from Push not the River. The first book was based upon Anna's diary (and Zophia's), while in this book the author pictured his characters after the diary was ended and what could have been, placing them into known historical settings and battles.

This book also differed from PNTR, that book being based upon Anna's early and danger filled life, almost like the Perils of Pauline (no offense intended to this author or his book). Against a Crimson Sky focuses not only on Anna and Jan, but their children, Zophia and the madness of war and the power hungry Napolean. Some of the battle scenes went a bit too slowly for me, but finally culminated in a nail biting ending while hoping for a good ending to the tale for Anna and Jan.

Highly recommended for any lover of historical fiction, and eye opening to the history and culture of Poland.

Culture Website Review.......2007-02-13

Historical fiction is my favorite genre-both for intriguing reading and for bringing a personal dimension to events that are usually portrayed in a dry, factual way. James Conroyd Martin's book, Against a Crimson Sky, is the best of all possible worlds: a well-plotted, well-written, fascinating account of a strong and unique heroine. The setting in Poland is the piece de resistance: my ancestors, while not of the nobility (minor or otherwise), were Polish, and Martin's book brings to life a time and place that has been difficult for me to imagine.

Against a Crimson Sky continues the story, begun in the author's first novel, Push Not the River (St. Martin's Press, 2003) of Anna Maria Berezowska, an ancestor of Martin's friend, John A. Stelnicki. The Stelnicki family kept Anna's diary, written in her teens, sealed in wax for several decades and only recently translated it from the original Polish. Set in partitioned Poland in the 1790s, some of the events in Push Not the River seem hard to believe: Anna's dangerous winter journey and Zofia's promiscuous behavior among others. As the story develops, however, both the individual characters and the historical events taking place in Poland bring this important era in Poland's history vividly to life. As the book closes, Poland has been erased from the map of Europe by those who feared her Third of May Constitution, the first democratic constitution in Europe. Anna's stormy early years take a turn to what she hopes will be a quiet life with her handsome suitor, Jan Stelnicki.

Against a Crimson Sky picks up where Push Not the River ended. Anna's diary did not continue past 1794, therefore Martin had to imagine Anna and Jan's life over the next 20 years. His imagination is more than equal to the events laid out for him in the diary: the emotion and turmoil of the first book are not abated in the second. Anna becomes Jan's wife and is mother to three children, only two of whom are Jan's. A strong Polish woman struggling during bitter and lonely times, Anna does whatever is necessary to keep her children safe from those who would manipulate or harm them. Her cousin Zofia's eyebrow-raising exploits add another bittersweet note to the story, and provide a glimpse into the life of the Polish szlachta (minor nobility) as well as some of the Polish social customs of that era.

Poland's situation at the turn of the 19th century provides a riveting setting. It is the time of Napoleon, who plays on the hopes and dreams of the Polish people, promising much in return for their support of his ambitious plans. Hoping for a return to an independent Poland, Jan joins those who fight for Napoleon. Ultimately, his sons participate in Napoleon's ill-fated march to Moscow, where Poland's hopes of liberty are crushed along with Napoleon's reputation.

While Anna and Jan's story will captivate any reader who enjoys historical fiction, Poland's story is even more compelling, especially for those of us whose ancestors originated there. The ideals and strength of these determined people, who vowed never to lose their national identity-and did not, through many years of partition and expatriation-will resonate with anyone of Polish ancestry.

The Polish-American community has recognized Martin's contributions. The American Institute of Polish Culture recently chose him as a Gold Medal recipient, to be awarded in January 2007. But even beyond that, James Martin is a fine writer, whose skills in his first book are even more evident in his second. Whether or not he chooses Poland as the subject matter, I eagerly await his next book.

Reviewer: Nancy Maciolek Blake

Entertaining sequel, though some characters could have been more developed.......2007-02-12

As a sequel to "Push Not the River," "Against a Crimson Sky" continues the story of the Polish Countess Anna Maria Berezowska. Martin originally began writing about her after discovering her unpublished diary, which recounted her experiences as a 17-year-old orphan who falls in love with her handsome neighbor Jan Stelnicki, but is brutally raped and married off before their love can be realized. Behind her misfortune is none other than her cousin Zofia, and "Push Not the River" follows Anna up until the Russian army invades Poland. "Against a Crimson Sky" picks up right where the first book left off, which is great, but unless you have read its predecessor the characters' actions and motivations will not make much sense. At this point Queen Catherine of Russia has taken control of Poland and Napoleon Bonaparte's army has begun their ill-fated march whose aim is conquering Russia. Because of their noble status Anna and her family cannot help but become entangled in the political and military intrigue that encompasses their country. From fierce loyalty and bittersweet longing, to blackmail and murder, this story has a bit of everything. Martin does a fine job of incorporating Polish history into his novel and I especially loved the chapters that dealt with Anna's sons, who by this time are old enough to be soldiers in Napoleon's army. I only wish that he had devoted more time to the character of Zofia, whose beauty, intelligence and ruthlessness makes her a riveting tale waiting to happen. Perhaps he is saving her for book number three?

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Light Up the Sky: Grade 5
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0153004258

The North Light Pocket Guide to Painting Skies (North Light Pocket Guides)

Average customer rating:

Dont Leave Home Without It !!!!!!!!!
A perfect pocket guide

The North Light Pocket Guide to Painting Skies (North Light Pocket Guides)
Patricia Seligman
Manufacturer: North Light Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0891347798

Customer Reviews:

Dont Leave Home Without It !!!!!!!!!.......2001-11-25

This little book is absolutely wonderful for many different reasons. For starters, it is small, bound in a nice hard cover with a spiral spine, making it easy to use in the field and easy to fit into your Artbin paint case.

Every beginner struggles with painting skies, and this book is a very nice, focused treatment of the subject. Patricia Seligman lays out many colorful examples in a wide range of media, all organized systematically (Clear Sky, Light Cloud, Dense Cloud, Layered Cloud, and each of these with examples at Early Morning, Midday and Evening). Seeing how many different ways artists have approached this one subject is both inspirational and educational.

There is a nice section on how to mix blues and grays, with lots of color swatch examples of color progression.

For such a small book, there are also lots of general painting techniques, tips and composition theory are included.

I paint in the field, and of all the books on painting I've acquired, this is the one that goes with me.

Very Highly Recommended.

A perfect pocket guide.......2000-09-22

I have been using a borrowed copy of this book and want to get my own copy as I find it so useful. In a compact format that can be taken on location easily, it provides a comprehensive guide to painting skies in all weathers, times of day and media. Indispensable for any landscape artist.

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Best so far...
The best of the series - The Ethan & Juliet Story
Dark Sky
Ms. Neggers does it again!
tense romantic suspense thriller

Dark Sky (Mira Romantic Suspense)
Carla Neggers
Manufacturer: Mira
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0778323137

Book Description

Deputy U.S. Marshal Juliet Longstreet has made her share of enemies, and now one of them is out of prison and threatening to kill her. Her mission: find him first.

But hot on her suspect's trail is Special Forces officer Ethan Brooker, who has a way of dropping into Juliet's life without warning. Haunted by his wife's death, Ethan is a man Juliet knows she should avoid. And now he's focused on a related mission of his own and can't -- or won't -- give Juliet any details.

When she finds her doorman dead and her New York apartment ransacked, Juliet tracks down Ethan -- this time she wants answers.

They agree to team up, and as they fight their growing attraction to each other, their race to stop a ruthless killer takes them north to Juliet's family in Vermont…and into the heart of a dangerous web of lies, greed, deceit -- and murder.

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Fresh from providing crucial information to help free an American hostage, Deputy U.S. Marshal Juliet Longstreet returns home to find her doorman dead and the killer ransacking her apartment. Certain that the intruder is one of the hostage's kidnappers, Juliet tracks down Special Forces officer Ethan Brooker for answers. Juliet and Ethan must rush to end the murderous scheming before it comes crashing home.

Customer Reviews:

Best so far..........2005-09-24

Of the three books I have read by Carla Neggers (Nights Landing, The Rapids, and Dark Sky) this one has been the best. Carla stumbled upon a great charachter in Juliet. All I can say is read it, and I don't think you have to read the other 3-5 books in this ongoing series to enjoy.

The best of the series - The Ethan & Juliet Story .......2005-09-06

This was my favoriate Carla Neggers book so far. This story has a nice mix of danger, mystery, healthy romance and past characters. I would buy this book and enjoy the adventure.

Dark Sky.......2005-08-16

When one of the men she put in jail gets out, Juliet Longstreet finds herself right in the middle of danger, not an unusual position for her, considering her job, but the fact that her present situation endangers her niece, is unacceptable. Working with a man she could love if he could get past the ghosts that haunt his memories, she tries to keep from becoming the prize in a game of revenge more twisted than she knows. The true villain is not who she thinks it is, and that could cost her, Wendy, and Ethan dearly.

*** Though this story does not rely heavily on knowledge of the prior book in the series, there are spots where that would make the reading easier and perhaps the confusion that arises at some points could be avoided altogether. However, longtime fans of Ms. Neggers will undoubtedly be thrilled with the results of her work. ***

Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

Ms. Neggers does it again!.......2005-08-16

I am a fairly recent reader of Carla Neggers' work. When I first picked up one of her books, I quickly found as many of her past works as possible in my favorite used book store. Once read; I had to wait anxiously for her next book. I wasn't disappointed in her latest, Dark Sky. It was an exciting, nail biting adventure. Although I was able to figure out who the "bad guy" was fairly early on; it was still a great book to get lost in! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good romantic suspense.

tense romantic suspense thriller.......2005-07-27

New York based Deputy U.S. Marshal Juliet Longstreet knows she must be cautious as Bobby Tatro was just released from federal prison after serving four years. He vowed to avenge his arrest when Juliet took him down in Syracuse and she believes this violent man will come for her. In New York she finds her apartment house doorman murdered and her place searched as if someone was looking for an edge to get at her. Wanting to insure the safety of her family though most are law enforcement types, Juliet vows not wait for Tatro to make any more moves.

While she searches for Tatro, former Special Forces officer Ethan Brooker seeks the actual killer of his wife though he helped expose Nick Jannsen who called for the hit on his beloved Charlene. He believes that they have a mutual enemy as Tatro pulled the trigger. Ethan keeps Juliet on edge more so than the killer coming for her, but she persuades him to team up to keep her family safe as Tatro is coming for them.

The latest Carla Neggers deputy US Marshals tale is a tense romantic suspense thriller in which the lead couple tracks down a killer while trying to ignore their attraction to one another. The joint investigation seems at first simple enough to the lead pair and readers, but takes twists into a deadly conspiracy in which avariciousness leads to homicide and places her family at risk. Though similar in tone to previous tales like NIGHT'S LANDING, Ms. Neggers' fans will enjoy this strong tale while wondering if Juliet can capture her men, one to lock away and one to shower with love.

Harriet Klausner

Why the Sky Is Blue: Discovering the Color of Life

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Why the Sky Is Blue: Discovering the Color of Life
Gotz Hoeppe
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Geophysics | Earth Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Optics | Physics | Science | Subjects | Books

Weather | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0691124531

Book Description

Why is the sky blue?

Parents don't know what to say when their children ask.

Why the Sky Is Blue answers this ancient and surprisingly complex question in a more entertaining and accessible way than ever before. Götz Hoeppe takes the reader on a historical and scientific journey to show the various ways people in different times and places have explained why the sky looks blue. The richly illustrated story begins with ancient myths and philosophy and ends with the cutting-edge science of optics, statistical physics, and ozone depletion. Most importantly, it is the story of how scientists discovered that the sky's blue depends on life on Earth and the makeup of our planet's ozone layer. Without microbial life's impact on the composition of the atmosphere, the clear daytime sky would probably lack its distinctive color. And without the ozone, the twilight sky's color would also be very different--not the sapphire tone of l'heure bleue, but rather a yellowish or greenish hue.

Why the Sky Is Blue shows that skylight can be viewed from a surprising variety of vantage points. We learn how our physiology and cognitive capacities govern our perception of the sky's color. And we discover why this everyday experience has been such a source of fascination and controversy over the centuries.

Delightful and intriguing, Why the Sky Is Blue shows how the attempt to answer this age-old and deceptively simple question only enhances the magic of the blue sky we see above us.

Average customer rating:

A well written book

River of Sky
Karen Harper
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Historical | Romance | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0525938222

Customer Reviews:

A well written book.......1999-07-09

I first came across this book as a story in a magazine. I enjoyed reading it so much I intended to go to the bookstore and buy it, but I never got around to it. Then 4 years later I came across that magazine again boxed up with some books and papers. I flipped through it until I found the story "River of Sky" and right then I looked the book up here on Amazon.com. Karen Harper has done a great job of weaving in the fictional characters so they fit into the story with the actual historical characters that lived in that day. The book had lots of nice twists, but also a great story. This is a book about self-discovery, following your dreams and your heart, and also about a tribe of Native Americans called the Mandan. Some of the actual historical events included in the book about the Native Americans are indeed very sobering, and sad. If you like books with romance, adventure and enjoy reading about the Native Americans in the early days of the frontier I recommend it to you.

Lights in the Sky & Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at Ufos and Extraterrestrials

Average customer rating:

Provides reasonable answers
A truly rational christian answer to UFOs...yet, averagely presented
Well-researched & Well-reasoned = Satisfying Answers
A Balanced And Reasoned Response
Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men

Lights in the Sky & Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at Ufos and Extraterrestrials
Hugh Ross , Kenneth R. Samples , and Mark Clark
Manufacturer: Navpress Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

UFOs | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

UFOs | Astronomy | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1576832082

Book Description

By combining scientific and historical analysis with Scriptures, three authors lead us in the quest for truth about UFOs and extraterrestrial life.

Customer Reviews:

Provides reasonable answers.......2007-04-28

From when I was a small child to sometime in my college years, I believed in UFO's, aliens etc... Slowly, as I gained knowledge in science, especially physics, and grew in my faith, the ideas of intelligent alien life became more difficult to rationalize.

I couldn't just dismiss all the claims though. They couldn't ALL be weather balloons could they? I've seen interesting videos and heard some very chilling accounts. So, if even a very small fraction of these UFO's cannot be explained away, where does that leave us, especially as Christians?

Hugh Ross tackles that question in a concise and well-written book. He explains what could be happening with that small amount of "encounters" that cannot be explained.

A truly rational christian answer to UFOs...yet, averagely presented.......2005-10-14

Written by three Christian authors with different background (an astronomer, a political scientist, a philosopher and theologian), this book attempts to explain the growing UFO sightings all around the world and the so called contact with extra-terrestrials.

I have to say, I completely agree with this book conclusion. The authors classify people in two main categories: 1/ those who firmly believe that stories of close encounters, sightings, abductions are very real and that they are indeed experience with alien beings, something the government is trying to cover up (a conspiracy theory) and 2/ "natural scientists" who explain these experiences either as natural phenomenon, hoaxes and frauds, psychiatric delusions, denying any supernatural side. But, the authors here disagree with both of them, saying that although over 95% of the so called UFO sightings are perfectly explainable by science, there remains a true number of truly bizarre and "ab"normal cases where there is physical effect either on persons, animals, plants, trees, etc... That is what they call RUFOs for "residual unidentified flying objects" (the rest being identified).

After explaining why aliens visiting planet earth from distant stars is a scientific, logical and mathematical absurdity (discussing the probability of life beyond earth, the feasibility of interstellar travel, etc..), the author affirms that those RUFOs have only one origin: the extra-dimensional spirit world! That's what explains the bizarreness like a saucer or an alien suddenly disappearing, making unrealistic turns, lights, and their effect on the person emotional state. A closer look at the cases will reveal that people who experience these encounters have a background with occultism (new agers, channeling, ..). Also, they present the many similarities between demonic/poltergeist encounters and the UFO cases. The book also examines the UFO cults who claim to have received a message, an ultimate truth from beyond the stars.

Reading this book, it's hard to disagree with the authors as their case is very rational and plausible, especially for people like me who believe in God and his word. I liked the many insights and new info I learned from it.

But this book isn't perfect. Some subjects are presented very quickly and without much needed analysis. This is especially true (and frustrating even) when it comes to the main theory of the book (RUFO = evil spirits): it took the authors almost till the three-forth of the book to start explaining their view, which left few place for a deeper presentation and explaining, scripture use, real life examples... Too bad. Plus, although the subject is very intriguing, the style with which it was written isn't exactly what i call captivating.

A 3.5/5 is what I would give this book. More or less recommended.

Well-researched & Well-reasoned = Satisfying Answers.......2005-02-25

Hugh Ross is the only author on the subject of UFOs and extraterrestrials (that I am aware of) that avoids both the unsubstantiated claims of the "true believer" as well as the unsubstantiated skepticism of the typical "scientist."

He is able to unravel truth from fiction, and like the good scientist (astronomer) that he is, looks hard at the data without trying to make the data fit a preconceived framework.

He comes to the conclusion that, though most UFO "sightings" can be explained by natural causes, there are a small but substantial number that cannot be explained naturally, but that the evidence, nevertheless, supports as being real. This leads to the conclusion that some UFO phenomena are real but not natural, i.e. not of the physical dimension, nor subject to the laws of physics that govern the entire universe. Therefore they are of another dimension, not simply from another part of the universe.

Ross and his co-writers bring out thoughtful and orthodox Biblical teaching to explain what these "beings" could possibly be, and why some people seem to be more subject to their spooky visitations than others.

I found the book well-reasoned and well-researched. I feel satisfied that it offers the only reasonable explanation that encompasses all of the data, and explains all of the unusual phenomena.

Even for those who do not believe in anything spiritual, the clarity of the research and the collection of data alone is worth the price of the book for those interested in this issue.

A Balanced And Reasoned Response.......2005-02-24

This book provides an incredible insight to the issue of UFOs and a Christian's response. It gives a fair analysis of all the relevant scientific data, a look at alleged government cover-ups, and ties it all up with a theological outlook that is consistant with sound Christian doctrine.

Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men.......2004-12-14

If you are looking for a good book this one is ok, but It does get into to much science mumbo jumbo. If you are looking for more of a book with fortean and sightings this is not the book you want. However the book is well written.

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