Annotated Bibliography/Reading List

Rating System:

Interesting Fiction/Informative Non-Fiction
6 = A Classic, excellent book for anyone to purchase
5 = Recommended for everyone to read or even purchase
4 = Very good book (A must read if you’re interested in the topic)
3 = Worthwhile book
2 = Not very worthwhile
1 = Not Recommended

Writing Quality
E = Excellent writing, clear and beautiful, sparkling poetry or masterful prose
* = Outstanding book, writing is clear, perhaps beautiful
G = Well written
   = Satisfactory
- = Writing muddles the information

5* Geography Brunsden, Denys, J. Malcolm Wagstaff, and Caroline Burgess. eds. World Atlas. 1st American ed. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999. 338pp. (208pp. of maps). Well thought out color scheme with highlights and shadows conveying the 3D topography. Excellent selection of maps from world to local maps, from physical to political to specialty maps, with copious amounts of background information and data. Wise use of big maps for core topics, extensively supplemented with smaller maps and diagrams for extra topics. Beautiful and informative, in every way one of the best books compiled by DK, perhaps the best publisher in the world of non-fiction books with graphics. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G Languages Coe, Michael D. Breaking the Maya Code. 1st US paperback ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1992. 304pp. (112 illustrations) A basic background to language decipherments and pre-Columbian American history. Well-written and packed with details, but quickly and clearly sets forth the requirements for any decipherment and then dives into all the details of the tortuous road that Mayan scholars took to get there. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G Fiction Historical Mystery Davis, Lindsey. The Marcus Didius Falco series, 16 vols. The tales of Marcus Didius Falco, an ex-Roman Legionaire and low-life informer (read, classic tough detective in the mold of Sam Spade). Marcus solves 1st century AD crimes in Rome and across the Empire with his loyal buddy in the police force, Petronius, and his elegant dame, Helena, a nobly-born Senator’s daughter. Every novel is dressed with a delicious look at some aspect of Roman history or culture as seen from the inside by the Romans. But what truly sets this series apart is its beautifully developed relationship between Marcus and Helena and Lindsey Davis's marvelous wry wit. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

4G ---. Silver Pigs. Marcus Didius Falco. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991. 241pp. Begins the adventures of Marcus Didius Falco as he travels to Britain to break a plot to overthrow the new emperor, Vespasian. The chapters in the mines will haunt you, but the story is necessarily bogged down in exposition and introducing characters. A good series openner, but better is to come. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

5* ---. Shadows in Bronze. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 2. New York: Crown-Random House, 1990. 384pp. Marcus must track down loose ends, as a mysterious stranger is trying to resurrect the plot against Vespasian. The first great book in the series, boasting a clever well-ploted mystery and vivid characters whose relationships hit their stride in a way they never quite managed in Silver Pigs. Davis has a perfect turn of phrase and a beautiful sense of dramatic timing that builds to a riveting climax. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

3G ---. Venus in Copper. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 3. New York: Crown-Random House, 1991. 288pp. Suffers by comparison coming after one of the best books of the series, which is too bad. Falco tries to solve the death of a disgusting nuevo riche property manager which is actually one of the most intelligent and unexpected in the series. However, this novel explores Roman tenement life, an interesting social issue often ignored historically, but perhaps one which should have been ignored by Davis. The book drags for significant sections as Marcus looks for a new place. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

5* ---. Iron Hand of Mars. 1992. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 4. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994. 320pp. If Roman tenements are boring to read about, not so the dreaded German frontier. If there’s a book where the “Roman history lesson” overshadows the vivid characters, Iron Hand of Mars is it. From the sheer scale of a gigantic Roman frontier fortress laid out with its main streets, to the fate of the three legions destroyed by the Germans, Davis brings alive the horror of the German frontier for “civilized” Romans circa 100AD. The rich background provides the perfect setting for Marcus to investigate reports of a new revolt by the Germanic tribes. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

5* ---. Poseidon’s Gold. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 5. New York: Crown-Random House, 1994. 352pp. Where Iron Hand of Mars succeeds by reveling in exotic parts unknown, Poseidon’s Gold is equally brilliant by staying close to Rome sweet Rome. Marcus and his estranged father delve into the shady past of the “perfect” older brother whom Marcus has always felt inadequate next to. While we’ve seen plenty of the women in his family, Marcus is vulnerable and authentic with his male relatives (and their memory) in ways that make for utterly compelling reading. A fabulous book. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

3G ---. Last Act in Palmyra. 1994. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 6. New York: Warner Books, 1997. 432pp. If Germania made for gripping reading, how can the Roman Middle East be so uninteresting. The wandering acting troupe goes down with the Roman tenements as a good history lecture, but lousy reading. I did not follow Marcus and Helena, now expecting parents, all the way to exotic Palmyra just to see the inside of the theater. After beginning with international intrigue in the city of Petra, chiseled into the Arabian cliffs, this story was disappointing. At least compared to Davis's usual quality. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

5* ---. Time to Depart. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 7. New York: Mysterious Press, 1997. 432pp. Back to Rome, back to basics, back to the sleazy underlife of the city. Davis’s sense of dramatic tension which builds to the climax is exceeded only in Shadows in Bronze. Davis introduces a series of underworld characters important to later books who create havoc at Rome, when their boss is exiled. Naturally, Marcus won't leave his policeman friend, Petronius, in the lurch as he investigates them. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G ---. A Dying Light in Corduba. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 8. New York: Mysterious Press, 1998. 464pp. Davis finally seems understand the value of the supporting characters she’s developed in Rome. While this book explores corruption in the forgettable olive oil production of Roman Spain, Marcus and a now VERY pregnant Helena, split time with Rome, which saves an otherwise uninteresting plotline. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G ---. Three Hands in the Fountain. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 9. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 432pp. Marcus must track a nondescript serial killer. While the final chase fails to deliver a truly great climax, it’s still a well-written smart mystery. One standout of this book is the “history lesson”. The killer’s grisly habit of cutting up his victims lead Marcus down into the gargantuan and creepy Roman sewers. Even better, Marcus and Helena’s transformation into parents adds a new twist to the series. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

    ---. Two for the Lions. 1998. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 10. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 464pp.

    ---. One Virgin Too Many. 1999. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 11. New York: Mysterious Press, 2000. 368pp.

    ---. Ode to a Banker. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 12. New York: Mysterious Press, 2001. 384pp.

    ---. A Body in the Bathhouse. 2001. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 13. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 304pp.

4G ---. The Jupiter Myth. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 14. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 336pp. A funny thing happened on the way home... Marcus is still stuck in Britain to solve another murder and break a crime syndicate. The supporting cast is especially strong. His friend, Petronius is both poignant and realistic struggling to build a romance with Marcus's sister, Maia. And his wife is forced by the case to consort with his sleaziest and most infamous old girlfriend. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

    ---. Scandal Takes a Holiday. Marcus Didius Falco. 15. New York: Century, 2004. 320pp.

    ---. The Accusers. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 16. New York: Mysterious Press, 2004. 384pp.

5* Computers Grannell, Craig. Web Designer’s Reference: An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSS. New York: Friends of ED Co., 2005. 389pp. Excellent reference that includes a great deal of explanation and is well organized even for someone seeking to learn XHTML and CSS. It definitely helps to have an understanding of HTML first, but no background in XHTML and CSS are required. Lots of code side by side with the graphical output it creates. Lots of tips for executing particular elements with real world experience. Lots of workarounds for getting visual CSS to do things it doesn’t necessarily do well, and get them all the way done so they look nice. [Chroniclemaster1 2006/01/03]

6* History Haywood, John. Atlas of World History. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 121pp (facing pages have the same page# so it actually has twice as many pages + index). Excellent resource with over 120 detailed full-color maps. Topical maps highlight key empires and/or historical periods with accompanying essay that provides an excellent historical summary, similar to other high-quality historical atlases. However, almost unique among history books, Haywood includes 26 world maps stretching from 2000BC to 1999AD. You can use one map to place nations in context to one another, e.g. 800AD shows that when Charlemagne ruled the Holy Roman Empire, the Abbasid Caliphs ruled the Middle East, and the Tang Dynasty ruled China, or you can trace from one world map to the next, e.g. see how China's Han Dynasty expanded from 200BC to 1BC and then fragmented by 400AD. This is invaluable when trying to keep the Mongols straight from the Mughals and stay sane, especially if you're a visual learner. Chroniclemaster1's favorite historical desk reference. Limited edition book, usually hard to find. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

3 Computers Kentie, Peter. Web Design: Tools and Techniques. 2nd edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2002. 436pp. Divided into beginning, intermediate, and advanced web design. Well put together, but it’s strength is also it’s disadvantage. Aside from the beginner’s section where pictures appear next to HTML, the book explains how web designers really do things using the tools web designers really use. So, if you don’t have all those specialty programs to help you build a website, large sections of the book may be useless to you. If you have one or two of the more important, and you may at least have something similar, it is helpful. I found it interesting just to glean general information about the world of web design, especially the section on XML. [Chroniclemaster1 2006/01/03]

5* Science Kerrod, Robin. Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe. 1st US ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc., 2003. 192pp. The ultimate coffee table books for nerds. The text is interesting, is logically laid out and does a decent job (3/4 rating by itself) of both explaining fundamental background information and discussing some of the latest discoveries in very general terms. The entire book is laid out with a general audience in mind. However, all the information is just an excuse to drape page after page with dazzling, eye-popping images of stars, galaxies, and nebulas. Often we’ll hear in a newspaper about some amazing picture from the Hubble Space Telescope, with a grainy newspaper image next to it and a blurb with the link to the actual picture at NASA’s website. But most of us have not really seen many of the actual images. You will probably never “read” this book, but it’s more than worth the time to check it out of your local library or buy it yourself for the amazing vistas. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

3* Fiction Fantasy Lewis, C.S. Til We Have Faces. 1956. 1st HBJ ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. 324pp. A very difficult read, but tremendously rich adaptation of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Lewis’s story presents the depth, difficulty, power, and obscurity of great myths in a narrative form. Elements of surrealism are the most instrumental way that the story both transcends and loses itself. However, it is very beautifully written, almost poetic, and it gets better and better the more times you read it (but it still rates a good 3 the first time through). [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

3G History Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Trans. Jon Rothschild. New York: Schocken Books, 1984. 352pp. Interesting and well-written book for a lay audience. Full of good information but it's arranged first and foremost so that Maalouf can tell the stories of the Crusades. Presenting a clear and understandable history takes a back seat as he jumps around geographically and chronologically to follow the threads of his accounts. As Arabic scholarship and documents are being translated in a woefully slow manner, this is still a valuable book. European records of the Crusades are nowhere near the scholarly caliber (or credibility) of the Arabic sources, so this book fills an important gap in English-language Medieval history. Consider Maalouf a good read (and your only choice) while we wait for a history book on this topic to be written in English. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

5* History MacMillan, Margaret. Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. 1st US ed. New York: Random House, 2002. 608pp. Tells the story of the conference and of the many fascinating personalities behind the monumental 1919 Treaty of Versaille that ended World War I. One of the few books to be both entertaining reading and a truly excellent history of its topic. The story of the conference is interspersed throughout the book to enliven the historical narrative of each nation’s portion of the treaty and how it developed. MacMillan’s country by country arrangement makes clear and understandable sense of the mammoth conference that becomes a confusing hodge podge in so many other accounts. Paris 1919 is in clear lucid prose with astute observations and demonstrates a clear understanding of the successes and failures, impact and limits of the peacemakers of 1919. Spiced with the flavor of what it was actually like to be there in Paris after the war, this is the quintessential comprehensive history of the end of World War I. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G History Norwich, John Julius. The Byzantium series, 3 vols. Well-written for a lay audience and a good read for history buffs, Norwich sets forth the oft ignored history of the Eastern Roman Empire which survived until the Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453AD. Follows a generally chronological account, but told in stories so it back tracks on occasion. Extensive history of military, politics, and the royal family life of an empire that’s generally neglected in English-language scholarship. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

4G ---. Byzantium: The Early Centuries. 1st American ed. Byzantium. 1. New York: Knopf, 1996. 416pp. Traces the origins of what would become the Eastern Roman Empire, when Constantine refounded the greek colony of Byzantium in his own honor, as the city of Constantinople. Follows Constantine's emergence in the reign of Diocletian. Continues through the fits and starts of Christianization, and collapse of Rome, to Christmas 800AD when Charlemagne was crowned as a rival to the emperors of Constantinople. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

4G ---. Byzantium: The Apogee. Byzantium. 2. New York: Knopf, 1992. 416pp. Traces the histories and the accounts, some competant some suspect, that are all we have left of the resurgence of the Eastern Roman Empire around 1000AD. The most important volume in the series, because it deals with history that is almost wholly untaught in Western Europe. Also traces the cultural accomplishments of an empire that gave much to the Islamic Middle East at a time when Western Europe used stencils so kings could sign their own names. Fills a major gap in European history. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

4G ---. Byzantium: The Decline and Fall. Byzantium. 3. New York: Knopf, 1995. 461pp. Follows the political collapse of East Roman government that allowed the Turks to consolidate their crushing victory at Manizert. However, the Fall of Constantinople in 1453AD, is revealed in all its ironic detail to be the work of fratricidal wars between the Christians states of Europe. Follows the devastation wreaked by the 4th Crusade which sacked Constantinople, (and marked the end of the East Romans as a major power) and the numerous other adventurers who spread devastation and slaughter in the Balkans in pursuit of the title of emperor. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

5* Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff, and Michael Shaara. The US Civil War series, 3 vols. Excellent, well-researched historical fiction trilogy on the American Civil War. Written by father, Michael who won the Pulitzer Prize for The Killer Angels, but then passed away. His son, Jeff, completed the other two books in his father’s style as a tribute, but created perhaps the most powerful historical fiction trilogy ever written. Each chapter follows an eye-witness to the unfolding carnage of the US Civil War, complete with their feelings, ideas, and impressions drawn from diaries and research. Like watching history as it happened. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

5* Shaara, Jeff. Gods and Generals. US Civil War. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson dominate this tale of the opening battles of the US Civil War. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain gives perspective to the conflict both in contrast of his view from behind the Northern lines, and in the similarities between these dedicated, driven soldiers. Shaara does an admirable job following in his father's footsteps. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

6E Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. 1st Ballantine ed. US Civil War. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 384pp. James “Pete” Longstreet's wisdom collides with Robert E. Lee's faith. Behind the Northern lines, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain wages a desperate struggle to hold Little Round Top, the exploit for which the North's most decorated soldier is best remembered. Shaara's style is both simple and revolutionary, hopping from character to character giving the reader a front row seat for all the important events of the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara's gripping prose, vivid characters, and careful research earned him the Pulitzer Prize. The very best in historical fiction writing. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

5* Shaara, Jeff. The Last Full Measure. US Civil War. 3. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. 640pp. Jeff Shaara's second book, completing the transformation of his father's novel on the Battle of Gettysburg into a sweeping trilogy of the entire US Civil War. Follows the two senior commanders Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. Melded with views of the battles on the front lines, Shaara starkly contrasts the ineptitude and heroism of commanders with the bloody brutality of the final battles of the war; leading to the mournful finale at Appamattox Courthouse. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/23]

3G Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff. Gone for Soldiers. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. A prequel to the US Civil War Trilogy, it traces the follows future commanders as they see combat for the first time. Follows General Winfield Scott on his daring invasion of Mexico that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. Well-written and interesting but unquestionably the weakest book he’s written. It is quite possible that this is because Shaara is all too accurately representing the character of the Mexican-American War. Shaara's other series on the US Civil War and the US Revolution are charged with the driving moral force of those conflicts, the clash of dedicated, deadly soldiers and the ideals they will kill and die for. Gone for Soldiers fails to live up to Shaara's standards because the subject has no such ideals or passions at stake. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

5* Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff. The US Revolution series, 2 vols. Excellent two volume recreation of the figures of the American Revolution and their impact on the defining moment of North American history. We are party to their ideas and impressions as they watch the events unfold making for moving biographical portraits and riveting history. From the fields of Lexington and Concord, to the halls of the 2nd Continental Congress, to the all important campaigns in the South, Shaara illuminates history in human terms. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

6E ---. Rise to Rebellion. US Revolution. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Shaara returns to top form after the readable but disappointing Gone for Soldiers. We see history unfold from the eyes of the Ben Franklin on diplomatic assignment in London and Paris, John Adams giving shape to American politics and government, and George Washington as he faces off against General Gage for control of Boston. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/22]

5* ---. The Glorious Cause. US Revolution. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. The action loses just a touch its edge as it dives into battle after battle, but is engaging and brilliantly written. Like riding at the side of George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine, or General Greene on his march through the Carolinas. General Washington and his subordinates fight campaign after deadly campaign against General Cornwallis to determine the fate of the fledgling United States. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/22]

4* Computers Teague, Jason Cranford. DHTML and CSS Advanced. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2005. 424pp. Well written guide for intermediate and advanced users of CSS and Javascript. Writing is very clear and professional, but with enough personality that it avoids being overly dry. (For example, Teague uses text and illustrations from the gorgeous original editions of Alice and Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking-Glass (1872).) Focuses on specific tasks or ideas to add to a website or use. Consistently puts complete code (with important lines highlighted in red) next to the graphical output, with explanations interspersed throughout as necessary. 5* resource if you want to perform any of the tasks included. [Chroniclemaster1 2006/01/03]

6E Fiction Fantasy Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings series, 3 vols. For a treat there’s the beautiful Alan Lee illustrated edition: Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Illustrated ed. Illus. Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. 1198pp. (50pp. of illustrations). The quintessential fantasy trilogy, and still one of the best series ever. For Tolkien, he was exploring ancient mythic tradition to tell stories that he, as a scholar, found interesting. For the rest of the world, he was pioneering an entirely new genre, fantasy, that flared into life following in his footsteps. The settings are amazing, the story telling rich and deep, and the writing is deliciously and poetically readable. However, it is still the characters and their tremendously meaningful human relationships that elevate this book to the status of one of the greatest all-time classics. The somewhat tainted reputation that the fantasy genre has acquired since then, is a testament to how difficult it is to do it well, and attests to the phenomenal talent of this quiet Oxford professor. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/6/27]

6E ---. The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. 432pp. In some ways the best book in the trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring is both the most intimate of the books and the most non-traditional. Setting aside epic scope, the story follows the story "before" the quest of the Ring for almost half the book. Then ratchets up the dramatic tension with the flight from the Nazgul, the path through Moria, and the clash between Gandalf the wizard and the demonic Balrog. The most personal of the books and the the most beautiful, packed with twice the poetry of the other volumes. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/22]

6E ---. The Two Towers. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 352pp. The most gripping book of the series, Two Towers follows the Fellowship as breaks in three and scatters across the lands of the South. Frodo and Sam meet Gollum a twisted creature of the Ring, while the rest of the company converge on Isengard to battle Sauruman, a treasonous white wizard. A tense tale of high adventure that climbs to the pinnacle of Cirith Ungol where Frodo falls before the dark spider, Shelob. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/22]

6E ---. The Return of the King. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 3. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 448pp. The promise of the first two volumes, at last give way to the epic grandeur, and mythic imagination of the Return of the King. Like tales of ancient legend, The War of the Ring unfolds in the vivid clash of good against evil, the few against the many, and fate of the Ring & the world hangs in the balance as Frodo plunges into the nightmare land of Mordor. [Chroniclemaster1 2005/9/22]

By Title

    The Accusers. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 16. New York: Mysterious Press, 2004. 384pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

6* Atlas of World History. Haywood, John. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 121pp (facing pages have the same page# so it actually has twice as many pages + index). History

    A Body in the Bathhouse. Davis, Lindsey. 2001. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 13. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 304pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

4G Breaking the Maya Code. Coe, Michael D. 1st US paperback ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1992. 304pp. (112 illustrations). Languages

4G The Byzantium series. Norwich, John Julius. 3 vols. History

4G Byzantium: The Apogee. Norwich, John Julius. Byzantium. 2. New York: Knopf, 1992. 416pp. History

4G Byzantium: The Decline and Fall. Norwich, John Julius. Byzantium. 3. New York: Knopf, 1995. 461pp. History

4G Byzantium: The Early Centuries. Norwich, John Julius. 1st American ed. Byzantium. 1. New York: Knopf, 1996. 416pp. History

3G The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Maalouf, Amin. Trans. Jon Rothschild. New York: Schocken Books, 1984. 352pp. History

4* DHTML and CSS Advanced. Teague, Jason Cranford. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2005. 424pp. Computers

4G A Dying Light in Corduba. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 8. New York: Mysterious Press, 1998. 464pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

6E The Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien, J.R.R. 1954. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. 432pp. Fiction Fantasy

5* The Glorious Cause. Shaara, Jeff. US Revolution. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Historical Fiction

5* Gods and Generals. Shaara, Jeff. US Civil War. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Historical Fiction

3G Gone for Soldiers. Shaara, Jeff. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Historical Fiction

5* Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe. Kerrod, Robin. 1st US ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc., 2003. 192pp. Science

5* Iron Hand of Mars. Davis, Lindsey. 1992. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 4. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994. 320pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

4G The Jupiter Myth. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 14. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 336pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

6E The Killer Angels. Shaara, Michael. 1st Ballantine ed. US Civil War. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 384pp. Historical Fiction

3G Last Act in Palmyra. Davis, Lindsey. 1994. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 6. New York: Warner Books, 1997. 432pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

5* The Last Full Measure. Shaara, Jeff. US Civil War. 3. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. 640pp. Historical Fiction

6E The Lord of the Rings series. Tolkien, J.R.R. 3 vols. Fiction Fantasy

6E The Lord of the Rings. ---. Illustrated ed. Illus. Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. 1198pp. (50pp. of illustrations). Fiction Fantasy

4G The Marcus Didius Falco series. Davis, Lindsey. 16 vols. Fiction Historical Mystery

    Ode to a Banker. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 12. New York: Mysterious Press, 2001. 384pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

    One Virgin Too Many. Davis, Lindsey. 1999. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 11. New York: Mysterious Press, 2000. 368pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

5* Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. MacMillan, Margaret. 1st US ed. New York: Random House, 2002. 608pp. History

5* Poseidon’s Gold. Davis, Lindsey. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 5. New York: Crown-Random House, 1994. 352pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

6E The Return of the King. Tolkien, J.R.R. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 3. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 448pp. Fiction Fantasy

6E Rise to Rebellion. Shaara, Jeff. US Revolution. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp. Historical Fiction

    Scandal Takes a Holiday. Davis, Lindsey. Marcus Didius Falco. 15. New York: Century, 2004. 320pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

5* Shadows in Bronze. Davis, Lindsey. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 2. New York: Crown-Random House, 1990. 384pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

4G Silver Pigs. Davis, Lindsey. Marcus Didius Falco. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991. 241pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

4G Three Hands in the Fountain. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 9. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 432pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

3* Til We Have Faces. Lewis, C.S. 1956. 1st HBJ ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. 324pp. Fiction Fantasy

5* Time to Depart. Davis, Lindsey. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 7. New York: Mysterious Press, 1997. 432pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

    Two for the Lions. Davis, Lindsey. 1998. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 10. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 464pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

6E The Two Towers. Tolkien, J.R.R. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 352pp. Fiction Fantasy

5* The US Civil War series. Shaara, Jeff, and Michael Shaara. 3 vols. Historical Fiction

5* The US Revolution series. Shaara, Jeff. 2 vols. Historical Fiction

3G Venus in Copper. Davis, Lindsey. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 3. New York: Crown-Random House, 1991. 288pp. Fiction Historical Mystery

3 Web Design: Tools and Techniques. Kentie, Peter. 2nd edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2002. 436pp. Computers

5* Web Designer’s Reference: An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSS. Grannell, Craig. New York: Friends of ED Co., 2005. 389pp. Computers

5* World Atlas. Brunsden, Denys, J. Malcolm Wagstaff, and Caroline Burgess. eds. 1st American ed. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999. 338pp. (208pp. of maps). Geography

By Topic (then alphabetical by author)

Computers

5* Grannell, Craig. Web Designer’s Reference: An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSS. New York: Friends of ED Co., 2005. 389pp.

3 Kentie, Peter. Web Design: Tools and Techniques. 2nd edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2002. 436pp.

4* Teague, Jason Cranford. DHTML and CSS Advanced. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2005. 424pp.

Fiction Fantasy

3* Lewis, C.S. Til We Have Faces. 1956. 1st HBJ ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. 324pp.

6E Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings series, 3 vols.

6E ---. The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. 432pp.

6E ---. The Two Towers. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 352pp.

6E ---. The Return of the King. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 3. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 448pp.

6E ---. The Lord of the Rings. Illustrated ed. Illus. Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. 1198pp. (50pp. of illustrations).

Fiction Historical Mystery

4G Davis, Lindsey. The Marcus Didius Falco series 16 vols.

4G ---. Silver Pigs. Marcus Didius Falco. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991. 241pp.

5* ---. Shadows in Bronze. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 2. New York: Crown-Random House, 1990. 384pp.

3G ---. Venus in Copper. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 3. New York: Crown-Random House, 1991. 288pp.

5* ---. Iron Hand of Mars. 1992. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 4. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994. 320pp.

5* ---. Poseidon’s Gold. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 5. New York: Crown-Random House, 1994. 352pp.

3G ---. Last Act in Palmyra. 1994. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 6. New York: Warner Books, 1997. 432pp.

5* ---. Time to Depart. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 7. New York: Mysterious Press, 1997. 432pp.

4G ---. A Dying Light in Corduba. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 8. New York: Mysterious Press, 1998. 464pp.

4G ---. Three Hands in the Fountain. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 9. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 432pp.

    ---. Two for the Lions. 1998. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 10. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 464pp.

    ---. One Virgin Too Many. 1999. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 11. New York: Mysterious Press, 2000. 368pp.

    ---. Ode to a Banker. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 12. New York: Mysterious Press, 2001. 384pp.

    ---. A Body in the Bathhouse. 2001. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 13. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 304pp.

4G ---. The Jupiter Myth. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 14. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 336pp.

    ---. Scandal Takes a Holiday. Marcus Didius Falco. 15. New York: Century, 2004. 320pp.

    ---. The Accusers. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 16. New York: Mysterious Press, 2004. 384pp.

Geography

5* Brunsden, Denys, J. Malcolm Wagstaff, and Caroline Burgess. eds. World Atlas. 1st American ed. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999. 338pp. (208pp. of maps).

Historical Fiction

5* Shaara, Jeff, and Michael Shaara. The US Civil War series, 3 vols.

5* Shaara, Jeff. Gods and Generals. US Civil War. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

6E Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. 1st Ballantine ed. US Civil War. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 384pp.

5* Shaara, Jeff. The Last Full Measure. US Civil War. 3. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. 640pp.

3G ---. Gone for Soldiers. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

5* ---. The US Revolution series. 2 vols.

6E ---. Rise to Rebellion. US Revolution. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

5* ---. The Glorious Cause. US Revolution. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

History

6* Haywood, John. Atlas of World History. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 121pp (facing pages have the same page# so it actually has twice as many pages + index).

3G Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Trans. Jon Rothschild. New York: Schocken Books, 1984. 352pp.

5* MacMillan, Margaret. Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. 1st US ed. New York: Random House, 2002. 608pp.

4G Norwich, John Julius. The Byzantium series, 3 vols.

4G ---. Byzantium: The Early Centuries. 1st American ed. Byzantium. 1. New York: Knopf, 1996. 416pp.

4G ---. Byzantium: The Apogee. Byzantium. 2. New York: Knopf, 1992. 416pp.

4G ---. Byzantium: The Decline and Fall. Byzantium. 3. New York: Knopf, 1995. 461pp.

Languages

4G Coe, Michael D. Breaking the Maya Code. 1st US paperback ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1992. 304pp. (112 illustrations).

Science

5* Kerrod, Robin. Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe. 1st US ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc., 2003. 192pp.

By Rating (then alphabetical by author)

6E Historical Fiction Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. 1st Ballantine ed. US Civil War. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 384pp.

6E Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff. Rise to Rebellion. US Revolution. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

6E Fiction Fantasy Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings series, 3 vols.

6E Fiction Fantasy ---. The Fellowship of the Ring. 1954. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1987. 432pp.

6E Fiction Fantasy ---. The Two Towers. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 352pp.

6E Fiction Fantasy ---. The Return of the King. 1965. 2nd ed. Lord of the Rings. 3. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1988. 448pp.

6E Fiction Fantasy ---. The Lord of the Rings. Illustrated ed. Illus. Alan Lee. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1991. 1198pp. (50pp. of illustrations).

6* History Haywood, John. Atlas of World History. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1998. 121pp (facing pages have the same page# so it actually has twice as many pages + index).

5* Geography Brunsden, Denys, J. Malcolm Wagstaff, and Caroline Burgess. eds. World Atlas. 1st American ed. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1999. 338pp. (208pp. of maps).

5* Fiction Historical Mystery Davis, Lindsey. Shadows in Bronze. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 2. New York: Crown-Random House, 1990. 384pp.

5* Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Iron Hand of Mars. 1992. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 4. New York: Ballantine Books, 1994. 320pp.

5* Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Poseidon’s Gold. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 5. New York: Crown-Random House, 1994. 352pp.

5* Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Time to Depart. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 7. New York: Mysterious Press, 1997. 432pp.

5* Computers. Grannell, Craig. Web Designer’s Reference: An Integrated Approach to Web Design with XHTML and CSS. New York: Friends of ED Co., 2005. 389pp.

5* Science Kerrod, Robin. Hubble: The Mirror on the Universe. 1st US ed. Buffalo: Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc., 2003. 192pp.

5* History MacMillan, Margaret. Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World. 1st US ed. New York: Random House, 2002. 608pp.

5* Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff, and Michael Shaara. The US Civil War series, 3 vols.

5* Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff. Gods and Generals. US Civil War. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

5* Historical Fiction ---. The Last Full Measure. US Civil War. 3. New York: Ballantine Books, 1998. 640pp.

5* Historical Fiction ---. The US Revolution series, 2 vols.

5* Historical Fiction ---. The Glorious Cause. US Revolution. 2. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

4* Computers Teague, Jason Cranford. DHTML and CSS Advanced. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2005. 424pp.

4G Languages Coe, Michael D. Breaking the Maya Code. 1st US paperback ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1992. 304pp. (112 illustrations).

4G Fiction Historical Mystery Davis, Lindsey. The Marcus Didius Falco series 16 vols.

4G Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Silver Pigs. Marcus Didius Falco. 1. New York: Ballantine Books, 1991. 241pp.

4G Fiction Historical Mystery ---. A Dying Light in Corduba. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 8. New York: Mysterious Press, 1998. 464pp.

4G Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Three Hands in the Fountain. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 9. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 432pp.

4G Fiction Historical Mystery ---. The Jupiter Myth. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 14. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 336pp.

4G History Norwich, John Julius. The Byzantium series, 3 vols.

4G History ---. Byzantium: The Early Centuries. 1st American ed. Byzantium. 1. New York: Knopf, 1996. 416pp.

4G History ---. Byzantium: The Apogee. Byzantium. 2. New York: Knopf, 1992. 416pp.

4G History ---. Byzantium: The Decline and Fall. Byzantium. 3. New York: Knopf, 1995. 461pp.

3* Fiction Fantasy Lewis, C.S. Til We Have Faces. 1956. 1st HBJ ed. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1980. 324pp.

3G Fiction Historical Mystery Davis, Lindsey. Venus in Copper. 1st American ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 3. New York: Crown-Random House, 1991. 288pp.

3G Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Last Act in Palmyra. 1994. 1st Ballantine Books ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 6. New York: Warner Books, 1997. 432pp.

3G History Maalouf, Amin. The Crusades Through Arab Eyes. Trans. Jon Rothschild. New York: Schocken Books, 1984. 352pp.

3G Historical Fiction Shaara, Jeff. Gone for Soldiers. New York: Ballantine Books, 1996. 512pp.

3 Computers Kentie, Peter. Web Design: Tools and Techniques. 2nd edition. Berkeley, CA: Peachpit Press, 2002. 436pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery Davis, Lindsey. Two for the Lions. 1998. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 10. New York: Mysterious Press, 1999. 464pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery ---. One Virgin Too Many. 1999. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 11. New York: Mysterious Press, 2000. 368pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Ode to a Banker. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 12. New York: Mysterious Press, 2001. 384pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery ---. A Body in the Bathhouse. 2001. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 13. New York: Mysterious Press, 2002. 304pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery ---. Scandal Takes a Holiday. Marcus Didius Falco. 15. New York: Century, 2004. 320pp.

    Fiction Historical Mystery ---. The Accusers. 1st US ed. Marcus Didius Falco. 16. New York: Mysterious Press, 2004. 384pp.