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The item was received on time, and it was in great condition as stated in the description.

My only real complaint on this disc are the tracks that have mainstream band tie-ins. With exception of track 2 "Blow me Away" I could do without all the other 'non-score' tracks. Other than that I like the disc and listen to it often. Good stuff!

I recently bought this CD and listen to it with my Halo obsessed boys. Upon the beginning of each song, I'm given a lesson -from my boys- about where the song is in the video game and what is happening at the time- Master Chief's continuing struggle to save the world. Listening to the songs apart from the video game has given me a whole new listening experience...one that I very much enjoy. I feel the struggle and determination. Wonderful!

Halo 2 sounds a lot different from the first one, but still keeps some of its signature tunes. The "Halo" song from the first game gets a makeover with rock. Also included are recorded songs from Breaking Benjamin "Blow me Away" which is good but I wish it was the instrumental from the game. Incubus brings all 4 "Movement of the Odyssey" with the best one (in my opinion) being the first one "Follow." Hoobastank's "Connected" was good in the game but it's not my favorite from the album. Great music overall! "Ghosts Of Reach" begins beautifully and gets into the drums towards the end, "Heretic, Hero" "Flawed Legacy" and "Remembrance" have some of the original sounds from the previous album all which have been remade and they're quite good ("Remembrance" is "The Maw" with more female dominant vocals). "Never Surrender" is your fix of dance, a remix of the Halo them with "never surrender" and Cortana's voice used throughout. There is also the beautiful "Heavy Price Paid" which is used during the game's loading sequence, the battle-ready "Earth City" Flood-ridden-creepy "Ancient Machine" dreamy-like "Orbit of Glass" simply amazing "The Last Spartan" a fix of classical of rock and the most beautiful song "High Charity" is completely atmosphereic. Truly, it sounds like a dream! Best: Halo, Blow me Away, Ghost of Reach, all 4 Odysseys, Heretic, Hero, The Last Spartan, Heavy Price Paid, Orbit Of Glass, Earth City, High Charity, and Remembrance. Another Halo soundtrack that doesn't disappoint! If you liked the first one or you enjoy movie/video game soundtracks, get this! One quick note, not all the music from Halo 2 is on this CD. If you want more of the score or to complete the collection, "Halo 2 Volume 2" has what you're looking for. The "Mad Mind" has spoken.

The Cd is Great. It arrived very fast, and faster than I what I expected

Reviews

this soundtrack is just classic the audio quality is pristine the cd is packaged very well it also has a fun montage of HAL quotes that are sure to please

Product came through in good time and in excellent shape, containing everything I had anticipated.

This is a pretty good sounding remaster, except that on track 11(Lux Aeterna), there is some pretty nasty distortion in the vocal choir. I have seen this movie many times and this seems to be on the original print of the movie (I have heard these nasties every time). I was hoping that when they re-mastered this recording that they would fix this problem. I know this is a really old recording; is it possible that this distortion is on the original master tape - that the technology at the time was so limited that the choir just overloaded the tape? I don't know. Otherwise, this is a very nice sounding recording. The next-to-last song on this disk is very weird. I think I read that they had intended to include it in the movie; I'm glad they didn't! Overall this sounds noticeable better than I remember the original CD being.

A flawed collection, partially because of the editing as other reviewers have pointed out. However, in its own way, it was somewhat daring at the time in its inclusion of more avant-garde works (mainly the Ligeti pieces) alongside more traditional classical favorites (Blue Danube etc.). Ligeti is a modern master and the use of his works in this film probably gave his works the most exposure to a wider audience than he had received to date or may ever receive. His pieces are stunning on their own, and their effectiveness in the film is devastating. My parents had this on LP soon after the film came out and I, curious about the images of space ships etc. on the cover, plopped it on. The Ligeti pieces scared the living crap out of me and convinced me in no uncertain terms at an early age of the effectiveness and power of great, if avant garde, music. Powerful stuff. Do not attempt to operate heavy machinery while listening. In some ways, I haven't been the same since....

This soundtrack recalls an all time classic film. With its well thought out musical portfolio it helped to portray the magnificence and beauty of space travel in such a manner that, when combined with the stunning space shots and lunar landscape, it created pure visual poetry. My order was fulfilled promptly.

Reviews

This is a wonderful compilation of music.I havnt seen all the movies representing the music in the cd but like the producers of this cd said, even if you havnt seen the movies in this cd one should focus on the material at hand and not judge the music by the film that represents it and get ready for an enriching, delightful surprise at the wonders of the beautiful and distinct value of the music presented.Totally awesome cd.This is a must have and you will be glad that you purchased such a wonderful selection of music and the composers represented.

Released several years ago for the 25th Anniversary of Varese Sarabande, the entreprising label devoted almost exclusively to film scores, this inexpensive compilation is good way to sample many compelling scores from the last few decades of movies. I will run down through some highlights. The first disc contains much of the best music on this collection. Angelo Badalamenti's theme from David Lynch's "Blue Velvet". Also a selection from Maurice Jarre's score to "Witness". John Carpenter's simplistic yet creepy theme from his classic "Halloween". Charles Bernstein's sinister opening credits music to "A Nightmare on Elm Street". Howard Shore's beautiful and dramatic end theme to the Cronenberg film, "The Fly". One of my absolute favorites on this disc is undoubtedly the "Robocop" theme by the late, great Basil Poledouris which is one of the most inspiring action themes from the 1980s. Then we get the familiar march from "The Empire Strikes Back" by John Williams. I also love the all American score by Bill Conti composed for the film "The Right Stuff". Alan Silvestri contributes a selection from his score to James Cameron's "The Abyss", mixing orchestra with a grand choral contribution. It's strange that most of the best music at least to my ears is contained here on the first disc. The other three CDs have much less interesting material but how can one forget Poledouris again in the big march from "Starship Troopers" as well as a selection from Don Davis' score to the sci-fi blockbuster "The Matrix". It's clear that Varese Sarabande intended for this compilation to be more of a sampler to whet your appetite for the full scores instead of giving you much in the way of musical substance. Most tracks don't run much longer than four minutes but it's plenty enough to hold all the famous themes and melodies from these movies. Varese Sarabande has also released a 30th Anniversary Celebration recently with no overlap with this set whatsoever. I get a bang of having these themes in my library as most of the full scores aren't exactly great classics, so it's a great idea to have a compilation of all the winning and recognizable numbers together in one place. The very low asking price also helps greatly indeed.

I am enjoying Varese Sarabande right now as I write this review. It is a true stress reliever. Totally love it. I also play this CD and the 30th anniversary edition to my third graders. They recognize some of the music from movies that they have seen. What a wonderful learning atmosphere it helps to create in my classroom.

This collection is bound to capture your heart and evoke a tin ear on successive tracks. I found much to like and some duds - easy to skip over. Very good value.

Good mix of films! I'm a big fan of this soundtrack music and will be looking for more CD's like this.

Reviews

I first acquired this book compliments of the US Army, while I was in Vietnam. Every 10 days or so, a large box of books would arrive for troops "in the field"; mainly the books were westerners, mysteries, pulp fictions, but bless whoever packed the box, because they always included a few worthwhile one, and one day, down at the bottom of the box, lay Ellison's classic book. How far we have come now, since the times depicted; and yes, how far we still have to go. I've been re-reading the triumvirate of Black, or Afro-American writers if you will, best known for there searing accounts of the injustices that were still being perpetrated, as a legacy of America's "original sin," slavery, during the days of segregation, legal and de facto. There is Richard Wright, James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison, and I'd welcome reader comments if others should be included. I normally mark the books I read, for memorable passages; concise and pithy formulations; or just beautiful prose. On this re-read, I noticed a mark I made 42 years ago, at the beginning of a paragraph. But there was no corresponding closure mark...until 16 pages later! It was the first time I had ever mark a passage that long - the entire first chapter. Re-reading it again I felt the same awful, horrible unease that I did the first time - that people nominally like me, white men, could do... no, far more than do, derive pleasure from the actions described towards black men and a white woman. It remains a brilliant depiction of the awful corrupting influence of power. The next chapters are equally disconcerting. The unnamed narrator - invisible, you understand - goes off to a Black college (a thinly disguised Tuskegee Institute?) intent on "succeeding." He plays "the game" to his utmost ability, but "fate" has a different outcome in mind, as he is assigned as the driver to one of the rich, white, Northern trustees. The trustees periodically come South, in part, to feel good about their efforts in funding this educational institution for Blacks. The narrator inadvertently shows the trustee the `underbelly' of Black Southern life. The trustee is profoundly disturbed. Bledsoe, who is the ingratiating, hat-in-hand, President of the college tells the narrator that it was his duty to lie to the Whites, and tell them what they want to hear. The narrator is expelled from college, and is later betrayed by Bledsoe. There is a prescient observation at the beginning of the chapters involving college life, and it concerns a bronze statue at the front, with a Founding Father figure apparently lifting a veil from the eyes of a slave: "...and I am standing puzzled, unable to decide whether the veil is really being lifted, or lowered more firmly in place." With the emphasis on football, and the coach's salary, so many years later, this observation may well be true of all colleges. Like so many other Blacks before him, the narrator seeks solace in the North, fleeing to Harlem. He has a stint trying to work in a paint plant, but it is ultimately his visceral oration which occurred when he witnessed the eviction of an elderly Black couple that led him to "The Brotherhood," (a thinly disguised Communist Party?), and his new career as a community organizer (hum, speaking of invisible no longer). Ellison presents a wide-range of insights into New York, society, and the human condition. One scene describes the simple, almost Proustian pleasures that can be derived from smelling and eating yams on the street. From that he renders now time-honored insights into the Party or as he calls it, the Brotherhood; the endless machinations of those who desire and exercise power on behalf of that wonderful abstraction: "the People." There are two separate sections that address that ancient `taboo', miscegenation; the mutual attractions and dynamics of a white woman - black man relationship way back when it was considered "radical." Ellison also manages to portray the "street-hustlers," in the personification of Reinhart, who is a numbers man, a pimp, and, of course, a preacher too. The climatic portion of the book dealt with the murder of Clifton, as topical as last week's trial in Oakland, whereby a white policeman guns down an unarmed Black man. There was so much anguish in that scene, since Clifton had once been one of the most influential Brotherhood workers on behalf of their youth movement, but had suddenly left, only to be found by the narrator, selling dolls that ridiculed his race. Numerous quotes are worthwhile, and they may serve as antecedents for similar sentiments in other books, or, they may be derivatives also. Consider: "...as the defeated come to love the symbols of their conquerors." Or, "Play the game, but don't believe in it..." Or, "I could glimpse the possibility of being more than a member of a race." Or, "After the Struggle: The Rainbow of America's Future." (amen). Or, "I'd been so fascinated by the motion that I'd forgotten to measure what it was bringing forth." I'm evolving my "top ten American novel list," and have identified three others that will make the list for certain; this one will be the fourth, an essential read for anyone concerned with what Gunnar Myrdal once called "The American Dilemma." And shouldn't we all be concerned? A 6-star read.

This is NOT an editorial review. The criticism is for the terrible quality of this particular printing. My daughter is reading this book for a class, and she has found an unacceptable number of typos: Letters missing, zero's instead of "o"s, 1's instead of L's. Ten dollars is a very reasonable price, but the typo's are distracting in such an intellectually intense work and we would have purchased a different issue if we had known about the poor quality of this one.

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is many things, all of them great: one of the twentieth century's best novels, a landmark identity exploration, one of the most brilliantly vivid dramatizations of existentialism and other Post-Modern intellectual concerns, one of the most relevant sociopolitical works since World War II, a revolutionary novel in structural terms that proved highly influential, and a milestone of African American art. It is essential for anyone even remotely interested in such things and, indeed, anyone even slightly concerned with twentieth century literature. Invisible is often called a "black novel," and while this sells it incredibly short, it has much to admire in this regard. The protagonist and most major characters are black, and the book gives a fascinating peak at mid-century African American culture, especially black intellectuals, political dissidents, early black power movements, and urban blacks. We get a good idea of such movements' ins and outs as well as their members' thoughts, speech, and behavior. The novel memorably deals with many themes of great importance to African Americans, from poverty to racism to identity issues. It is also steeped in black history. However, it is important to realize that Ellison did not set out to write a "black novel" in the sense of Richard Wright or James Baldwin. He was in fact disturbed by those pressing such strict sociopolitical readings, stressing that he wished Invisible could be seen "simply as a novel." To be sure, it has much to say about African Americans and their status then and now and is at least as political in its way as anything overtly meant as such. However, it is extremely complex and ambiguous; critics and readers still debate just what Ellison meant more than half a century later. This was clearly intentional; nearly every aspect of the book has great sociopolitical relevance, but it never even comes close to didactic. Ellison dramatizes supremely meaningful themes and raises many profound questions but knows better than to give answers; that is up to us. As with Zora Neale Hurston, his refusal to take a definite stand on "black" issues did not sit well with the more forceful politically engaged black leaders, but this is to the book's literary benefit. Released in 1952, it is an important link between Modernism and Post-Modernism; its relentless staging of profound philosophical issues with an existential awareness of the impossibility of definitive answers is distinctly Modern, while its political aspect is very Post-Modern. It walks a similar line between African American literature and general literature with the former's trappings and the latter's breadth. The bottomline is that it has the strengths of both and is great on both fronts. Important as Invisible is to black concerns, it is also grandly universal - politically, philosophically, and otherwise. Above all, it is an eloquent illustration of the underdog in all facets - an extremely vivid account of what it is like to be an outcast in various societies. The Invisible Man symbolizes everyone who is downtrodden, whether from race, class, beliefs, or whatever else. It is thus a supremely searching and stirringly affecting portrait of modern alienation; whether in the rural South or Harlem, the Invisible Man is essentially down and out and in the most fundamental sense alone. There is a strong criminal, even revolutionary, element to his plight that shines a much-needed light on the vast dark side of a mid-century era that many think of as idyllic. A far cry from the official Leave It to Beaver world, it was a loud wake-up call to a complacent society and remains a vibrantly relevant paean to outcasts everywhere. Many Post-Modern themes abound - paranoia, distrust of authority, etc. -, but identity crisis is preeminent. One of the most truly existential novels, Invisible focuses largely on the prime existential question - how to find oneself in a world where traditional authority, from government to religion, has become extinct. One can no longer rely on higher sources but must find the answer in one's own heart and mind. Invisible is thus a bildungsroman on top of everything else - one's man's struggle to find the answer. Traditional fallbacks fail one after another, and he is left truly alone but not without a certain dignity and even a certain (very unconventional) strength. His fight for true independence has some success, and the self-awareness and clear-sightedness he gains is in many ways at least as valuable as the illusions he loses. Probably no one would want to be him, but all honest thinking people can see themselves in him - a disturbing thought reinforced in the unforgettable closing words. We certainly do not envy him, mainly because we can see ourselves becoming him so easily; he is an extreme version of the darkness that can befall an intelligent, capable person unable to fit into modern society. We identify with the darkness at his heart because we see it in ours - hopefully barely kindled but in danger of becoming a conflagration at any moment, just as his unexpectedly does when he seems on the very brink of success. Important as the content is, the structure is also integral. The back of the book claims that Invisible gives "an entirely new model of what a novel can be," which is not much of an exaggeration. Non-linear and distinctly anti-realist with a highly symbolic, often surreal plot, it again straddles Modernism and Post-Modernism. This is one of the main reasons that calling it a "black novel" is severely limiting. For one thing, it is highly allusive, referring to many works by non-blacks; Homer's Odyssey is an important source, and Dostoevsky's Notes from Underground and H. G. Wells' Invisible Man are essential antecedents acknowledged by Ellison. Though not near-impenetrable as the likes of Joyce, Faulkner, and Pynchon are at their most abstruse, Invisible is challenging; the content was audacious and is still provocative, and the protagonist is not the usual sympathetic one, but the structure itself is demanding. One can read - and even enjoy - Invisible on a surface level, but those willing to dig deeper and truly engage themselves will get so much more out of it. We must make an effort to identify with the protagonist even when he seems most alien precisely because this is when he is really most familiar, and we must be alive to the frequent symbolism. Those willing to do so will be well rewarded; few novels are broader in scope or more complex in execution, not to mention more thematically meaningful and relevant. Invisible is a masterpiece on every level, making the fact that Ellison never finished a second novel a truly tragic loss to literature; it thankfully stands alone as a towering monument that will make him a literary immortal. It is a canon in itself, essential for anyone struggling with or curious about modernity's unique problems.

Invisible Man is considered a classic of the 20th century. I had avoided it until now as I had a difficult time imagining that I'd enjoy it. It overwhelmed me. This is especially true since was written in the late 40s and early 50s. The book is about an unnamed African American man from the southern U.S. who is intelligent and seeks to be a role model and exemplary representative of his race. In the 40s and 50s, the concept of representing your race was an expectation as racism was more explicit. The novel contains many, many extremely vivid scenes. The power really begins with the famous Battle Royal scene. It needs to be read to be fully appreciated. This is where the jarring, hard hitting novel really takes off. This is followed by an extremely confused scene at a bar called The Golden Day which is chaotic, confusing and exciting. These two scenes set the stage for many more memorable events that I won't go into but that are equally intense. Race riots, the Paint Factory scene, interracial sex experiences (very controversial for the time), the conflict between the socialist Brotherhood and the more radical black leaders. This book is packed with wonderfully written, unforgettable scenes about a man's struggle in America. Clearly, from other reviews, this is not everyone's cup of tea but I am surprised several people found this such a chore to get through. I honestly found it to be a page turner and read it very quickly. I've focused on the intensity of the novel which is a key aspect. This shouldn't take away from the exploration of many underlying themes of racism in America in the 50s that still ring true today. I think this is a major work and very highly recommend it.

Invisible Man, released in 1952, is truly an immeasurable work of fiction in the annals of African-American literature. You will follow the nameless protagonist as he narrates his journey from youth to an HBCU located in the South (think Tuskegee), then expelled and sent to New York, to joining 'the Brotherhood', and finally, to a series of disappointing events in which he realizes his invisibility. Besides the narrator there are quite a number of characters, most of which are continually referred to throughout the story. All characters have names except for the narrator. Ellison maintains the narrator's 'invisibility' by alluding to his name but never fully disclosing it. Along the way, the narrator collects an assortment of items; tokens that possess particular meaning to him and, at times, provides strength and security. Ellison parlays a heavy dose of symbolism, metaphors and vivid imagery into a nationally acclaimed novel about one African-American man's odyssey to conquer his charade-playing foes. Also by Ralph Ellison: Shadow and Act, Juneteenth: A Novel and Three Days Before the Shooting . . . (Modern Library); the latter two posthumously released after his death in 1994

Reviews

This coming of age book, is for me, what I had hoped for when I read Catcher in the Rye. Some might think of the two writers as apples and oranges, but I couldn't help but to compare the two books as I read. Augie is a character that is made real by his creator. There is nothing at all contrived, self important or intentionally rebellious and yet Augie is a rebel of the highest order, one who is forced to face the real world and chooses his own path.

At this point in my life, I believe that American literature peaks when the topic is relatively simple: describe a rags to riches odyssey by a young person whose urban environment's school of hard knocks leads him or her to great fortune - monetary or otherwise. Among those great novels, I would have to include "The Adventures of Augie March." The incredibly well written and thoroughly descriptive narrative covering the life of boy Augie to his expatriate life amid the city of lights, Bellow proves his achievement awards for his literature is both deserving and inevitable. This book, centering upon Chicago, makes me think the author is like another Chicago-themed author of American literature: Theodore Dreiser. Augie is not much different than the great protagonist Carrie Meeber of Sister Carrie. Like Sister Carrie , this is a tome. Well over 250,000 words, this book can be a great read, but it will require some significant time by the bed stand. Both Carrie and Augie fall upon success. Neither seeks it, it falls upon them. And, each is very humble upon the receipt. And, those around them are envious and admiring. The importance of education then, and even more true today, is outlined in one discourse. "You should go out and find what you can do, and then after four years if you aren't any good at any special thing, you at least have this degree. And it won't be any sonofabitch who can kick you around." Good advice. Then. And, today. But, going to school would not make a great storyline. So, we follow Augie who washes dogs, aids a pool hall owner, helps his brother in the in-law's business, trains eagles in Mexico, works with intellectuals in writing books, and eventually works on deals in France.. A war stint here, a time on the open sea there, and a few other diversions, not forgetting the women he wooed - as well as those who wooed him - make this an incredibly entertaining tale. And, we are truly glad that his wishes had not become true when he states, "Sometimes I wished I could become a shoemaker too." Great writing mixed with a great tale make this a great novel.

I have definitely found a new favorite in Auggie March. Definitely a slow read, but the episodes of thought and emotion were definitely worth the work. Maybe I am biased though as the more and more I read this book the more I realized I had some things in common with Senor March, in thought and experience. It was rather odd, even one of the character names was right on to my experiences. Freaked me out a little. All in all I thought it was an amazing read, but I definitely would not recommend this book to everyone.

Honestly, I, like many readers, found this book at times quite tedious. Bellow creates a world with many, many characters, each with their own unique characteristics and outlooks. This is a work which requires concentration and dedication to the story, which some readers may be unwilling to give. The work is soaked in references to classical literature, especially Greek and Roman literature, which I found very entertaining, being very interested in classics. After nearly six-hundred pages, one does develop a deep, psychological understanding of the character, and begins to develop opinions about his fate. The story is in this sense engrossing. The introduction is excellent. Mr. Hitchens is brief and lucid.

"I am an American, Chicago-born, that somber city ...and go at things as I have taught myself, freestyle, and will make the record in my own way: first to knock, first admitted, sometimes an innocent knock, sometimes a not so innocent. But a man's character is his fate, says Heraclitus, and in the end there isn't any way to disguise the nature of the knocks by accoustical work on the door or gloving the knuckles." This, the opening paragraph of Bellow's large, sprawling, and exuberant novel, "The Adventures of Augie March" (1953) announces its themes at the outset. We have the narrator's, Augie March's, own voice, both pugnacious and reflective. First and foremost, Augie March is "an American". His story will be a reflection on the American experience, especially as it involves large cities and the Chigago where Augie March grew up. Augie, looking ahead to the story he is about to tell, describes himself as free-wheeling, and learning about things as his life impulsively proceeds. Augie is also a lover of books and learning, as witnessed by his allusion to the Pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, Heraclitus who taught that "a man's character is his fate." Augie will learn and expand upon this lesson as he goes along and also will learn about many other books and ideas. Augie's story is centered in Chicago. It begins just before the Depression, when Augie is a young boy and continues through WW II and its aftermath in the 1940's when Augie is married and living as a black marketeer in Paris, wondering where life will take him next. In between, Augie tells a long yarn full of adventure, turns and twists, difficulties, and women. Augie is also a highly reflective individual, and the boisterousness of his story is accompanied by thoughts on the course of his life and its significance. Augie has two brothers, the ambitious and successful older brother Simon and the feeble-minded George. Augie's father abandoned the family at an early age. Augie and his brothers are raised by "Grandma Lausch" who in fact is unrelated to him and by his quiet and unassuming mother. Simon is intelligent and alive to the main chance. He graduates first in his high school, marries well, and becomes a highly successful entrepreneur. Augie's life takes a different course and is harder to define. He partly goes where life takes him and he partly makes his own opportunities. As an adolescent he becomes involved with an entreprenurial swindler named Einhorn who becomes the first of Augie's many protectors. He takes up with a rich family in Evanston, Ill, who offer him security and who wish to adopt him. But Augie goes his own way. He has many jobs, some honest, some not, reads voraciously even though he never graduates from college, has numerous love affairs, serious, and casual, and somehow works himself through a life of ups and downs. He becomes a labor organizer, travels to Mexico training an eagle with an eccentric woman whom he loves, enlists in the Merchant Marine, where he spends days on the open sea with a crazy mate before he is rescued, and ultimately marries Stella, an actress and one of the many women from his past. With his marriage to Stella, Augie finds he learns the meaning of love, for all his shortcomings and those of his wife. Augie learns to see himself as an individual, neither determined by his circumstances nor fully independent of them. He becomes a life-long thinker who learns from books as well as from his own experience. He tries to learn to shape himself, to the extent he can, and to take his experiences and be happy. His story is a massive commentary on being an American and on the meaning of Heraclitus's dictum that "character is fate", the themes announced as the book begins. The book rejects the themes of alienation and of being an outsider that were and remain a feature of American intellectual life and that were prominent in Bellow's first novel, "Dangling Man." Alienation gives way to activity, a commitment to the promise and value of American life, and a sense that literature, philosophy, and learning can help to better the human condition. "The Adventures of Augie March" was the first of three of Bellow's novels that received the National Book Award. It is a rewarding but difficult read that pulls in many directions, steet-wise tough and intellectually demanding, simultaneously. Bellow captures the voice of the streets of Jewish Chicago, with long, involuted sentences, passion, humor, and swagger. The book is long and diffuse and at times it flags. In its robust and energetic portrayal of a person, a city, and a nation, and in its devotion to literature and thought, "Augie March" remains an inspiring story. Robin Friedman

Reviews

This review is split into 2 sections, first a review of the translation itself and then a review of the Kindle edition. Translation: Homer's stories are great and in this translation extremely easy to read. They were originally written in dactyllic hexameter, a very difficult-to-read metric. Some translations (Chapman's and Pope's) attempt to maintain the rhythm and while they succeed in maintaining a rhythm, the convolutions necessary to make the story fit make them very difficult to follow. The Butler translation does away with all attempts at poetry and is written in prose. This makes the story very easy to follow. One glaring problem is that while the Iliad follows the original Greek (and hence the Greek names), the Odyssey suddenly changes and Zeus becomes Jove, Poseidon becomes Neptune and so on. This makes the story extremely difficult to follow as every character "changes name". Kindle edition: In terms of the Kindle conversion, this well done. This edition does not suffer from broken lines as other Kindle editions do.

With many books, translations are negligible, with two obvious exceptions, one is the Bible, and surprisingly the other is The Iliad. Each translation can give a different insight and feel to the story. Everyone will have a favorite. I have several. For example: "Rage--Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus' son Achilles, Murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses, hurling down to the House of Death so many souls, great fighters' souls. But made their bodies carrion, feasts for dogs and birds, and the will of Zeus was moving towards its end. Begin, Muse, when the two first broke and clashed, Agamemnon lord of men and brilliant Achilles." -Translated by Robert Fagles "Sing, O Goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a heroes did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures for so were the counsels of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles first fell out with one another." -Translated by Samuel Butler "Rage: Sing, Goddess, Achilles' rage, Black and murderous, that cost the Greeks Incalculable pain pitched countless souls Of heroes into Hades' dark, And let their bodies rot as feasts For dogs and birds, as Zeus' will was done. Begin with the clash between Agamemnon-- The Greek Warlord--and godlike Achilles." -Translated by Stanley Lombardo "Anger be now your song, immortal one, Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous, that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss and crowded brave souls into the undergloom, leaving so many dead men--carrion for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done. Begin it when the two men first contending broke with one another-- the Lord Marshal Agamémnon, Atreus' son, and Prince Akhilleus." -Translated by Translated by Robert Fitzgerald "Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus' son of Achilleus and its devastation, which puts pains thousandfold upon the Achains, hurled in the multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished since that time when first there stood the division of conflict Atrecus' son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus." -Translated by Richmond Lattimore "Sing, goddess, of Peleus' son Achilles' anger, ruinous, that caused the Greeks untold ordeals, consigned to Hades countless valiant souls, heroes, and left their bodies prey for dogs or feast for vultures. Zeus's will was done from when those two first quarreled and split apart, the king, Agamemnon, and matchless Achilles." -Translated by Herbert Jordan "An angry man-there is my story: the bitter rancor of Achillês, prince of the house of Peleus, which brought a thousand troubles upon the Achaian host. Many a strong soul it sent down to Hadês, and left the heroes themselves a prey to the dogs and carrion birds, while the will of God moved on to fulfillment." -Translated an transliterated by W.H.D. Rouse You will find that some translations are easier to read but others are easier to listen to on recordings, lectures, Kindle, and the like. Our story takes place in the ninth year of the ongoing war. We get some introduction to the first nine years but they are just a background to this tale of pride, sorrow and revenge. The story will also end abruptly before the end of the war. We have the wide conflict between the Trojans and Achaeans over a matter of pride; the gods get to take sides and many times direct spears and shields. Although the more focused conflict is the power struggle between two different types of power. That of Achilles, son of Peleus and the greatest individual warrior and that of Agamemnon, lord of men, whose power comes form position. We are treated to a blow by blow inside story as to what each is thinking and an unvarnished description of the perils of war and the search for Arête (to be more like Aries, God of War.) Troy - The Director's Cut [Blu-ray]

I like Samuel Butler's prose translation of these epic stories. He used the Greek so that we can read of Odysseus and not Ulysses, Zeus and not Jove, Athene and not Minerva making it extremely readable. My eleven and twelve year old are reading this edition and it is easy for them to understand. The Iliad centers around the theme of Kleos- or glory and the Odyssey centers around Homecoming. This classic is a must read and it is a delight with this translation.

Reviews

great game, that didn't get a lot of attention. The pacing is a little slow but is a very satisfying experience.

This game is fantastic! The random battles can become tedious, but the story is very involved and intriguing. The characters are well-developed, you even find yourself becoming attached to them. The environment is just gorgeous and the background and characters are very well-rendered. Some of the portions where your party is divided can be annoying, but you always find all sorts of cool items during those phases. Overall, a beautiful, smooth, intriguing game.

Well first off the ordering through Amazon was PAINLESS. The fact that a brief description of the product condition really helps when you get ready to decide to buy. The game it self is really good. JRPGs have a separate feel than ARPGS, in that you have to understand the terms that spells do. LO is a deep game, the play mechanics are simple to pick up but it'll take time to master them. Overall my only complaint is the disk switching, but all in all I think the whole experience and the game it self are really good. GFX: 8 / 10 SND: 8 / 10 GamePly : 9 / 10 Presentation : 9 / 10

Ok, This is my FIRST ever review on a game. I am pretty old school in the rpg department and am a sucker for a good story and old fashion type rpg's. This one fit the bill for me. It does have a feel of the final fantasy games but SO FAR SO GOOD! I am on the 3rd disk now and I have to tell ya, this story line is definitely a winner. I am not really keen on the whole critic reviews because I am really not that into games that I could make a living trashing or praising game titles. All I know is that this story and these graphics are quite impressive. It has all the key components to a great story with its suspense, love story, drama, action, family values, comedy, and all out draw you in captivating thrills. I haven't been able to play any other game thus far. The battle system is a bit slow on loading and there are a lot of loading times, however, with a story like this it can be overlooked. The main character, Kaim, get these dreams that unfold in the main plot of the story throughout the travels. Very well written these stories are. My only complaint is that it is sometimes rather difficult to see the words at points do to them blending with the background colors. Not a deal breaker though, you get the overall jist of the story. I enjoyed this game so far and if you are anything like me I'm sure you would love it too. It is definitely worth the money to purchase.

This game is what you would expect from an RPG: An epic story with familiar gameplay. Taking elements from the Final Fantasy series, this game does the RPG genre justice. The story is interesting and epic and apart from the awkward character design I find little to complain about. This is a relatively long game if you take the time to explore and do everything available to you. This is one of those games that truly makes you feel like you've traveled the world given to you and with ample locations to explore late in the game that even without a real "exterior world" to explore on foot there are plenty of hidden locations on the world map accessible through your sea-craft. I think the true hidden gem in this game is the wonderfully written "dreams" that the characters recover over the duration of the game. As "immortals" that live forever many of the characters have had their memories erased so their years of memories are not known until recovered within the game so as the characters learn about themselves you go along for the ride. It's easy to just ignore the written dreams as they are somewhat long, one could call each dream a literary short-story, but these recovered memories add to their character "re-development" and give you an insight into the wonderfully emotional memories from their past. The rest of this game is familiar if you've played any RPG especially from the Final Fantasy series. Not everyone will truly apreciate this game, but those that enjoy a little reading and an emotional story that ultimately leads to an epic final battle should take the time to play this game. As is the case with most RPGs I find the replay value of this game is low. However there is DLC (downloadable content) but I haven't bothered with it. I would recommend borrowing this game instead of buying it or splitting the cost with someone as this isn't a game you'll keep coming back to once you've completed the story. However if you're a big fan of RPGs and are looking for a good play I recommend this game even if it isn't the best I've ever played.

Reviews

If you're looking for a difficult dungeon crawler that will hold your attention for 40+ hours this is the title for you. The leveling up system was pretty well done, and its simple to customize your characters. Graphics are pretty good and the character portraits fit the classes well also. An interesting feature of the game is that it has you draw your own map with the stylus on the bottom, while it can be tedious at times drawing in walls it isn't really necessary to complete them on each floor. The game features random battles which often has moderately difficult creatures. The main feature that makes it difficult however are the FOE's in the game. These are significantly stronger creatures that often roam around, chase you, or sometimes even spawn nearby when you walk over certain spots. I felt this system made it very challenging and made me wonder what they would throw at me next. If your looking for a casual game this likely isnt your cup of tea, but if you want a RPG with plenty of challenges in it this is your game.

This game is the sequel to Etrian Odyssey, one of the most difficult games I have played in years. Here's the rundown: you create a team of adventurers, and explore the labyrinth found within the giant tree your town is built around. The plot is stays simple, but it's more of a plot than the first game had, and it's enough to give you a reason to keep going. Basically, you map out the many levels of the labyrinth. fight monsters, gather treasure, create new weapons, level up, etc. Just beware: this game gets very hard, very fast. Within a single battle, your heroes can quickly be brought from "top fighting form, we can take on anything!" to "low on health, low on tech points, and oh god I forgot to buy warp wire and there's a FOE between me and the way back!" But if you played the original, you knew that already. In fact, I'm going to assume you've played the original and finish this up with some pros and cons between the two games: PRO: -The new auto button. In the last game, trudging through the lower levels was a chore, because you had to keep mashing on the A button to get through battles with weak enemies that can't possibly pose a threat anymore. Now you just hit L, and watch as you party makes short work of the enemy. -Improved mapping. More icons and the ability to stick more of them on the map really improves the experience. -More characters. This gives you much more flexibility in forming a party, because you no longer absolutely NEED to use certain characters. CON: -FOEs no longer give experience. This means that not only are you out a valuable source of experience, but also that the developers could stick more of them on each level! And there's nothing quite like defeating the boss of the previous stratum, only to have your entire party wiped out in one hit by a FOE on the next level. -The auto button. Yes, I also listed that as a pro, but you'll be tempted to abuse it, and it WILL kill you. Either you'll take too long and a FOE will stumble across your battle, you'll take too long and discover that one enemy can summon a stronger monster, or (most frequently) the enemies will use a status-affecting ability and by the time you've canceled the auto-battle your healer and primary damage-dealer will be out of action, and all you can do is desperately try to revive your healer or escape as one by one the rest of your party is KO'd. It's a hard game, no question. But it's also fun, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a challenge.

Make no mistake, this game is HARD, you will die and lose minutes, NAY HOURS, of game time! But that's something you have to accept playing this wonderfully hardcore dungeon romp.

A classic dungeon crawler with lots of equipment and items. Extremely difficult, several hours into the game I was forced to level up to continue, then again just a couple floors later. If you want a challenge, this will be worth it. Overall a great game, just a little steep of a learning curve.

I am mainly a brain game person but I like to relax and just play also like Luxor or Clubhouse Games. I read the reviews on how difficult this game is and fun also. It will be a great brain challenge. Just getting your team formed is difficult and I have to admit my first run in the forrest we all got killed. So if you need a great game for a gamer or someone who just wants a challenge this is it. The rating is E 10+ I have seen nothing offensive yet. I am quite conservitive and so far it is alright. I think any adult who like fantasy stories/games will enjoy this challenge. To me it's on the level of MYST which I also have not mastered.

Reviews

My kids (9 and 11) loved this game and didn't want to play anything else until they solved the "puzzle." I appreciate having games that I don't have to worry about, and I know I can trust Adventures in Odyssey for that. There is nothing questionable - no violence, etc; instead, there are great moral lessons. There is enough action in it for the kids, and I like that they have to actually use their brains to figure it out. We liked it enough to purchase another of the Adventures in Odyssey games, Sword of the Spirit.

I cannot get my 8-year old grandchildren to stay with this game. The story moves along v-e-r-y slowly, the animation is not particularly good, the acting is terrible -- it sounds like adults (trying to sound like kids) simply reading a script. Also the player has to play the game as different characters requiring much too frequent switching, which the girls find annoying. I'm sure there is a beautiful moral message in this game somewhere; it is too bad more effort wasn't put into the game itself.

Reviews

My son enjoyed playing this game, but my wife and I were disappointed by how little there was to it. It claims to be educational and teach "life lessons," etc., but the claims are pretty bogus. If you want a game that's moderately entertaining and innocent for your kids, go for it. If you really are looking for something that will teach, don't try this one.

It's a fun game that is for sure! My son is enjoying it but I think it is better for a younger child, at least in our case. There is only one game to really play and the story line is the stame all the way through. So after the third time my son was kind of bored with it. But it is really neat how it is set up. I wish there were more like this with a bit more of a challenge!

We were looking for a game for the PC for my brainy 8 year old. Most games for his age cause boredom, but so many "older" games have violence we dont want for him. This was the perfect balance! He has been on the computer with this game from the first day he received it (almost a week ago) and has enjoyed hours of play. As, parents, we are pleased to have found something we highly approve and something he likes...cannot wait to purchase the other Odyssey games!