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Get a glimpse at the life of the author, Chris D'Lacey. Read about his education, analysis of his most popular book series, The Last Dragon Chronicles, and much more. Whether you are a true fan or just want to know more about the author, you will find this book comprehensive and perfect for your needs.
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Where the Suckers Moon is about one thing. how a good ad agency and a good car company got together to produce ads that didn't sell any cars.If you're not interested in that-as a driver, as an ad fan, or as a story of hubris and failure-you might as well skip it.But if you are interested in it, Where the Suckers Moon is absolutely the book for you.The book chronicles a few parallel stories. how Subaru was created out of the wreckage of post-war Japan, how a street-smart American company started importing it and selling it in the 60's, and how a crafty ad agency (Wieden and Kennedy) turned their countercultural success with Nike into a long-term franchise.The problem Wieden and Kennedy had with Subaru was that the Subaru is a practical car, and they didn't want to sell on practicality.Where the Suckers Moon details their attempts to make an arty car commercial-rejected.And then their attempts to measure it with focus groups-a failure.They also tried, at the last minute, to create some local ads with the usual recitation of features-closer, but still not compelling.In the end, Wieden and Kennedy couldn't take the account seriously enough to create ads for Subaru.When they made an ad touting the car's specific benefits, they couldn't help but focus on how this ad was superior to other car ads.Where the Suckers Moon makes it clear that they just didn't know how to pitch a regular car to regular folks.Wieden and Kennedy continues to make great ads, and Subaru continues to make solid cars.They're both good at what they do, but as Where the Suckers Moon emphasizes, they didn't fit well together.It's a key lesson. great advertisers and a great product aren't always a great fit-finding the right advertiser for a product is far more important.
C.S.Lewis wrote seven connecting stories for children titled the "Chronicles of Narnia." These stories are extremely similar to those found in the bible.Lewis used his religious background and beliefs to create Narnia and its characters, along with the conflicts and experiences that they go through.The stories teach children biblical tales in a fun and exciting new way and they do not even realize it is happening.The first story written in "The Chronicles of Narnia" is "The Lion, The Witch, and Wardrobe." This story introduces us to the world of Narnia.During World War II four siblings. Peter, Susan, Edmond, and Lucy are sent to live with the interestingly odd Professor Kirke.The youngest child Lucy, when exploring the house, comes across a wardrobe in one of the rooms.She steps into the wardrobe and arrives in a snowy wooded area.This is Narnia.Narnia becomes a parallel universe for all that enter it.The world is filled with characters and situations that parallel the bible stories.This first story connects to the gospel stories in the bible from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.None of the children believe Lucy when she tells them about Narnia until one day when Edmond follows her into the wardrobe and encounters the White Witch.She feeds Edmond an enchanted Turkish Delight, which makes him crave chocolate.The Witch uses Edmonds greed to trick him into bringing his other siblings into Narnia.The witch can be compared to the devil throughout the series.She tempts Edmond to manipulate him into doing things that are wrong.Edmond still says that Lucy is silly for believing in Narnia and one day the children hide in the wardrobe from a housekeeper and end up in Narnia.Lucy takes them to Tumnus' house where they find that he has been arrested for treason.Tumnus was the first character Lucy met when she went to Narnia.The children set out on a mission to rescue Tumnus from the Witch and meet a doubtful Mr.Beaver who leads them to Aslan the lion.Edmond runs away to warn the Witch of his siblings plan and she is nervous because of an ancient prophecy that says four humans will overthrow the Witch and reign over Narnia.Edmond betrays his siblings much in the same way that Judas betrayed Jesus."Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?' They paid him thirty pieces of silver, and from that time on he looked for an opportunity to hand him over." (Matthew 26.14) Judas was driven by his greed for money when he betrayed Jesus, and Edmond is driven by his greed for Turkish Delite when he betrays his family, and more importantly Aslan, who's character as we will see parallels Jesus.The children race to beat the Witch to Stone Table and meet Aslan to end the spell.The Witch is desperate to reach the Stone Table and treats Edmond poorly on the way.Aslan promises to help get Edmond back and Peter saves Susan from a wolf.Aslan sees another wolf and they follow it hoping it will lead them to Edmond and the Witch.Peter can be compared to the disciple Peter because both seemed to take on the leadership role of their groups.Peter, alongside Aslan, helped his sisters out of trouble and led them to the Stone Table much as Peter, alongside Jesus, helped the other disciples and led them.The group saves Edmond just before the Witch kills him, and she vanishes into the landscape.The witch and Aslan make a deal that makes him very sad and depressed.The girls walk with him to the Stone Table where he tells them they must turn around and go back.The girls do not leave, but instead watch as the Witch tortures and kills Aslan, who has sacrificed his life for Edmond.The girls stay with Aslan all night and awake to the Stone Table being broken open and find that Aslan has risen from the dead.Aslan takes the girls to the castle where the prisoners in stone are freed.Aslan proceeds to kill the Witch and Peter's troops finish off her followers.Anyone who has ever read the bible or heard the story of Jesus can easily pick up on the parallel between Aslan sacrificing his life to save Edmond and Jesus sacrificing his life to save mankind.Aslan died and expunged Edmunds sin, allowing him to live.Christ died on the cross for the sins of humanity, allowing mankind to live."The hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners." (Matthew 26.45) Aslan handed himself to the Witch as Jesus handed himself to the sinners.The Stone Table played an important part in the story and references another important person in biblical history."Moses .Wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments." (Exodus 35.29) Moses brought the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments the people to live by.When Aslan rises from the dead, in front of Susan and Lucy, and breaks the Stone Table it is a symbol of the old, cruel ways of our past being shattered and birth of the new, lighter times that lie ahead.Susan and Lucy stay with Aslan all night after he dies and are there when he resurrects the next morning.For this they can be compared to Mary Magdeline and "the other Mary." (Matthew 28.1) In both cases the two women were the first to find out about the resurrection and see the spirit of the saviors."There was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it." (Matthew 28.2) Though it is not exactly alike, the similarities are strikingly close."At that moment they heard from behind them a loud noise - a great cracking, deafening noise as if a giant had broken a giant's plate." (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, pg158).The story ends as the children grow up and reign over Narnia, until one day they return to the lamp post and fall back into the real world where they find that they have not aged at all.They tell Professor Kirke and he assures them that they will visit Narnia again.The second of Lewis' works that was analyzed was "The Magicians Nephew." This story tells the tale of Polly and Digory, two neighbors who become friends.They follow secret caves and lead themselves to a house that they believe to be empty, but find that it is fully furnished and a man called Uncle Andrew lives there.Curiosity and temptation drive this story along and create an alliance between today's world and the biblical times.Uncle Andrew tells them of an experiment he is running, and gives Polly a yellow ring before he sends her home for dinner.She disappears to another world.Digory is determined to find her and takes the two green rings, that will get them out of the alternate world, and a yellow ring to get him into it.He found himself in a wooded area, similar to what the children in the first Narnia book entered into.Digory sees a girl under a tree, who says she has always been in this world, he also claims to be from the world.They see a guinea pig with a yellow ring and remember Uncle Andrew and the experiment.This is the set up for the religious symbolism that is to show up for the remainder of the story.This book is compared to the book of Genesis from the bible.Uncle Andrew put a male and a female into a wooded area and had them thinking that they had always been there and that they were created to live there.They are mystified by the new worlds they have been put into and choose to venture around and figure out where everything goes before they go home.Adam and Eve also ventured around and figured out their surroundings when their adventure led them to the Garden of Eden.As the children look around they find themselves in a hall with wax statues of people.They turn from kind and gentle to cruel and evil.The final figure is the most ferocious of all, beautiful but cruel.I believe Lewis is showing how at first Eden was perfect for Adam and Eve, but slowly and surely as Satan continued to pursue them it turned.The final figure is the forbidden fruit that eventually led them to perform the first sin and change life on earth forever.Digory suggests that the pair check out a pillar in the center of the room.The pillar contains a small golden bell with a hammer to strike it.There is writing on the pillar suggesting that if they strike the bell there could be danger, and if they do not then they would go mad wondering what happens if they do ring the bell.Digory wants to do it, and though Polly objects, he does it anyway.Immediately there is an unbearably loud sound echoing throughout the hall and parts of the ceiling collapsed until the awful sound ended.Adam and Eve had a similar experience."The serpent asked the woman, 'Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?' The woman answered the serpent. 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; it is only about the fruit in the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'" (Genesis 3.1) The serpent proceeded to tell them that, "No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad." (Genesis 3.5) Eve ate the apple as Digory did and though the ceiling did not collapse, the world as they knew it certainly did.When the pair thinks the incident is over, the fiercely beautiful creature rises from her chair and questions the children of her awakening.God found Adam and Eve after their incident and questions them of their awakening as well."The Lord God said to the woman, why did you do such a thing?" (Genesis 3.13) The beautiful creature informs Digory that he is not of royal blood and wonders how he arrived there.Polly says it was by magic, and when Digory agrees she figures that he is not a magician, but has traveled on another's magic.Uncle Andrew.The Lion character of Aslan returns in this story, again as the Jesus or God figure.He sings a beautiful song that makes vegetation and animals begin to fill the wooded area and color the land.Everything that comes out of the ground hails the Lion, Aslan, knowing that he is in command.This is an obvious reference to God creating the world."God said, 'Let the earth bring forth all kinds of living creatures. cattle, creeping things, and wild animals of all kinds." (Genesis 1.24) "God also said. 'See, I give you every seed bearing plant all over the earth and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit on it to be your food; and to all the animals of the land, all the birds of the air, and all the living creatures that crawl on the ground, I give all the green plants for food." (Genesis 1.29) God created the earth and its vegetation, and Aslan brought vegetation to the land of Narnia.Digory approaches Aslan in an attempt to learn a secret, perhaps a miracle that could save his sick mother.Aslan says that Digory must undo what he has done (letting the Witch out) and Digory again says he needs help for his mother, but sees that Aslan has tears in his eyes and shares his pain.This is a typical scene in the bible describing Jesus when asked for help.He always showed that he could feel the pain and that as those around him hurt, he also hurt.For Digory to fix his mistake he is told to travel to west of Narnia and pick an apple from a tree that grows in a garden there and return it to Aslan.Polly goes along with Digory on this mission and when they arrive at the garden there is a message saying that they should only take fruit for others, and not for themselves.Digory picks a silver apple from the tree and encounters the witch who tries to manipulate him into picking another apple for his dying mother.She claims that Aslan does not care about his mother and wants the apple for Himself.This is a clear depiction of when Satan tempted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.The interesting twist, however, is that Digory did not pick the extra apple but instead retreated and returned to Aslan to show that their task has been completed.Because Digory followed his directions he was able to take an apple for his dying mother.When he returned home, he fed her the apple, and buried some of it in the back yard where another beautiful apple tree grew.I believe Lewis did this because he wanted to update the story a little bit.It is possible to learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing in the future.Digory was tempted, but did not bite.The story ends with a surprising connection to "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe." The tree that Digory planted in his yard was knocked down by a storm, and he could not bear to see it cut up and burned as fire wood.He decided to have it turned into a wardrobe to be placed in his old house in the country.Though he never knew that the tree truly did hold some magical properties a young girl in another story was sure to find it and travel between London and Narnia and have adventures of her own.The final work from C.S.Lewis to be discussed is "The Last Battle." This is the final story in the series and brings the progression to a full circle."The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" was based on gospel stories, "The Magician's Nephew" was inspired by Genesis, and "The Last Battle" follows suit as it parallels the book of Revelation.This final chapter in the "Chronicles" is darker than the other stories, but because of the biblical references it only makes sense that this is how the series would end.The story begins with Puzzle the donkey and Shift the ape sitting around a pool.A lion skin flies into the pool and Shift tells Puzzle to wear it and pretend that he is Aslan so Narnian's would listen to his every command.Shift manipulates Puzzle into wearing the suit and pretending to be Aslan.Puzzle is a prime example of the type of idol that the bible warns us against."You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath" (Exodus 20.4).The story continues, but the really interesting connections do not come until the end.Characters from the previous books begin returning to Narnia.The final chapters of this book are almost identical to the final chapters in Revelations in the bible.In the story, Peter is told to lock the door to the old Narnia behind the group as they venture forward with a key that he was given.The bible has a similar idea."Then I saw an angel come down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss .He seized the dragon, the ancient serphant, which is the Devil or Satan, and tied it up for a thousand years and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray," (Revelation 20.1) Peter plays the part of the angel and they both lock up the evils of the past as they move forward to a better future.Narnia collapsed and was destroyed as it became nothing more than deserted land.Water crashed over the land and covered the area that was once the beloved Narnia in front of Aslan, just as "the earth and sky fled from his presence" in the bible.(Revelation 20.11) Aslan sat at the edge of this deserted area and all of the characters and creatures from Narnia, living and dead, ran to him to be judged and see if they would be sent to his left to disappear in his shadow forever or separated to his right to continue further up and further in.The bible reads, "I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened.Then another scroll was opened, the book of life." (Revelation 20.12) The book of life is how their fate was decided just as looking into Aslan's face was how Narnian's fates were decided.The characters followed through until they found themselves in a new Narnia.All realized that everything was more beautiful there.They saw England within England and could see Professor Kirke's old house and even their parents.Again, the similarity is astounding."Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth.The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." (Revelation 21.1).They felt young again, as if they were children and could run around and do anything.They attempted to run to their parents, when Aslan appeared in front of them.Lucy voices concern about returning to their real worlds, and Aslan tells them that they are dead and can stay forever.He then turns from a Lion into a greater and more beautiful form.The children move westward and come to a new Narnia where they climb a high mountain and find a golden bridge.They continue through and many familiar faces from Narnia watch them as they travel further up and further in.In a section titled, The New Jerusalem, another comparison is formed."He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God." (Revelation 21.9) In both cases they are traveling to the gates of heaven where they will enter and spend eternity.The religious symbolism throughout the chronicles is astounding.Lewis found a way to teach children tales from the Bible through fantasy and epic storytelling.The books have held through time and were found to be classics in children's literature.The idea that the children passed from today's world into a world when these issues were happening is both creative and impressive.Lewis created a way for children today to relate to the biblical stories and learn them without even realizing that they are doing it.Works Cited.Lewis, C.S.The Last Battle.Macmillan Publishing.New York.1956.Lewis, C.S.The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.Macmillan Publishing.New York.1950.Lewis, C.S.The Magician's Nephew.Macmillan Publishing.New York.1955.The New American Bible Saint Joseph, ed.Catholic Book Publishing, New York, 1970.
ON OUR WAY TO MALELANE .When Faaiz Oz is around me there is never a dull moment.Oz mentioned to me about going on a tour with Awesome Kruger Tours who is also family into the Kruger Bush.Tiny Loonat was to lead the expedition of about 7 guys in an Open Safari Vehicle, stay in a tented camp in the Bush, communal showers and toilets in the bush and of course 3 days of Solid Adventure.At first I was reluctant because of time etc.Faaiz convinced me along with Azee Hansrod from Benoni.That was it.I was in and we began counting down the days.We were to leave on Wednesday.On Tuesday night I met Faiz at the Caltex in Glenhove.We finalised all the details.Our money was paid to Awesome Kruger Tours which meant that all we had to do was get to Malelane.From that point on every inch of the Safari was sorted.On Wednesday morning we headed off to pick our mentor, ranger and guide and owner of Awesome Kruger Tours, Tiny and Naeem up and we loaded the vehicle with the essential groceries, spare tyres, and the gear we would need to make the trip In order to survive you need to make sure you travel well and with plenty of food and essential supplies."Dan tun tun tun Dan"-The Oz Safari Survival Chronicles (in the voice of Bear Grills).All loaded we set of to Malalane with the vehicle loaded.Azee and Nelson were to meet us there after midnight, Myseld, Faaiz, Tiny and Naeem set off to Malalane which is an hour or so from Nelspruit.We were excited and made a pact to not discuss Kruger on the way lol.All stories were to be saved for the fire.As we reached Malalane and the Mpumelanga province we were greeted by overcast weather and drizzle.Malalane is about an hour away from Nelspruit.Quite a picturesque town surrounded by Mountains and just two km from Malalane gate and the Kruger National Park.The notorious Leopard Creek is also next to the gate.We met Frank, Tinys Game Ranger, collected the Safari Vehicle, did a cross check and our excitement was building.We finally were going to get to see the Kruger National Park from an open Safari Vehicle.We packed out and sorted the supplies.Food, Meat, Torches, equipment, cameras, utensils, drinks, cooler boxes and other essential items needed for a Safari specified by Tiny.We checked into overnight accommodation in Malalane and relaxed and had a few smokes.We were getting there.We put the Safari vehicle to the test and headed of to Chicken Licken in downtown cbd.The cool wind bellowing on me and Oz in the back.Oh we couldnt wait for Thursday morning.Everybody was excited.The Benoni boys introduced us to Wings, I grabbed a Chicwich sandwich.We had a good supper and headed back.En route my Cap and Oakleys flew off lol, retrieved though by Naeem Abdul who was going to experience the Kruger Park for the very first time.We got back to our lodge, headed off outside, sat with some smokes and experienced the famous Enrista Coffee for the first time.Now Im a Coffee con nosier but lemme tell you this coffee was something else.Legend has it that this specific coffee tastes this way only in the Kruger.There was more to come.The chaps wound down and talked a few stories and heard the birds and the frogs in the peaceful Malalane air.It was then that Tiny said."You have no idea whats in store for you guys in terms of the sounds of the Wild.OUR ENCOUNTER WITH BUSHMAN BOBBY .While we were messing about in the lodge a rather strange character dressed in a Safari Suit and armed with a rifle and a big beard approached us for a cigarette.Who was this man.He introduced himself as Bushman Bobby, a man who claims to know the Bush better than anybody.Who is Tiny.Tiny is small compared to this guy.As he smoked and heard our stories he always retaliated with a story that was better.We chatted about Scorpions, he recalled of an incident where they were surrounded by large Scorpions and they made a circle and read the Manzil to drive the scorpions away.We spoke of snakes he reckon that he once encountered a Mozambican spitting Cobra and he spat in the Cobras eyes before it could spit at him.This man was remarkable.He counter acted Tiny in every way.He also mentioned that he seen an Impala kill a Lioness at the Kruger Park once.He even out laughed a Hyena, has a bigger trunk than an elephant and his said his beard was once bigger that the Bergandal King.We talked about Mosquitoes and he said that in Zambia once he seen Mosquitoes the size of a dragon fly like in the movie JUMANJI.His one cigarette turned into ten, he took a pack from us and left.The okes were just shocked.Were we going to see the last of Bushman Bobby.When he left we hit the sack, In the process Azee and Nelson arrived and it was an early morning on Thursday.We were set to wake up at four.The excitement was unbearable and the day approached.KRUGER PARK DIARY DAY 2 .We awoke on Day 2 full of excitement.15 minutes away from Malelane gate.We got up, got ready, loaded the Safari Vehicle.Put our gear into black plastic packets and placed it on the back of the Safari Vehicle.We were good to go.Azee, Myself, Faaiz Oz, Nelson, Naeem & Tiny.That was the crew.We drove by car toward Malelane and we were to meet our guide Tiny at the gate.Once we reached Malelani gate we seen the picturesque Leopard Creek Resort as Dawn broke.It was early.5.30 am.And rainy.Tiny briefed us again on some rules and regulations of the Park and we went through the gate.The smell of the air and the sounds of the Wild was so welcoming.Peace and mystical sounds of the early birds in the Kruger National Park.Just too good.We drove to Berg-en-Dal Camp seeing a few elephants and Giraffes along the way.At Berg-en-Dal we left Azees car, took a stroll around the camp, boarded our Safari vehicle and set off on the journey to our camp Tamboti.About 100 kms to the North at 50 kmph.We estimated arrival at about 4pm.We hopped on the Safari Vehicle and experienced the magic of an open Safari Vehicle in the wild.It was a bit chilly early in the morning with the drizzle but the sight and sounds experienced from above, purely fantastic.It was about 7.am and our first stop was majulu dam.A watering hall near the bridge where a Ranger was once killed by a leopard as he answered the call of nature under the bridge.So picture this, Enrista coffee which was now becoming the best coffee Ive ever tasted with Choc Chip cookies overlooking the bush and listening to the sounds of the Kruger including a woodpecker along side us.It was the first time I actually ever took notice of the birds of the Kruger in all its color and splendour.And the coffee went down like you cant believe.As we drove on Tint stopped the vehicle and picked a leaf.He sent each one of us one and told us to split it.We pondered why.Once split and inserted in water you can actually make tea with these.Amazing "To survive in the wild after a big meal you need tea.And if you need tea you know where to look".Dan Dan Dan din Dan-Oz Survivor Safari chronicles.We drove on toward a camp near Lugmag dam where we were set to have lunch.En route we seen lots of birds, Elephants again, buffalo, some Kudu and a lazy croc on the banks.And always kept our eyes peeled with the Binoculars.It was fantastic to view game in the open air.We pit stopped for a break at the famous Skukuza camp which has now developed into a yown over the years.Its always tradition to stop over at Skukuza.You just have to take a stroll to the river and enjoy the view A little later we got a beautiful site of some Black Rhinos and an elephant that gave us a show by uprooting trees and having a feast.He was really up close and personal.As we approached Lugmag dam Nelson made the ominous mistake by pronouncing it a s LUGG MEGG.The lads tore into him.Tiny then used his experienced and we seen our first group of Lions.Resting on the dirt near the river a km away from where we supposed to have lunch.Its always an amazing feeling of success when you spot Lions in the Kruger Park.Sometimes you could go on for days and not see a thing.We said wed return after lunch as the lions looked like they were not going anyway.We braced on a dirt road and to our joy about 50 m in was a gorgeous leopard resting on a tree.Lions and Leopard in the space of an hour.We were lucky.The boys were excited.We sighted a Leopard.What a beautiful creature which was Tinys favourite hence the logo of Awesome Kruger Tours.Amazing.Truly Amazing We reached our Lunch destination.And guess what we were surrounded by about 200 buffalo.Lunch was at a camp where you enter at your own risk.Its not fenced off but fairly safe as there is a lot of movement.But burgers on a skottle braai with 200 buffalo? Can you ask for more? Beautiful site.And the burgers with a Steers rave sauce and nandos peri peri was awesome.We drove back to LUGG MEGG dam and parked off.Switched off and listened and watched.A hippo and her baby were wallowing in the shallows and our Lions by now made their way nearer to us on the bank.They lazed and we watched.Awesome.We had to push on as we needed to be at Camp before sunset as we still had to pack and we were staying in tented camps in the Bush.We pressed on en seen the rare Sable and then a beautiful sighting.A male and female Ostrich and their chicks.First time Ive ever seen Ostrich babies.And watching the mother scurry over and safeguard them as they straddled away was remarkable.At about 5pm we reached our camp Tamboti.My first here.Normally camps like Skukuza and Satara etc are built up and are like towns.Tamboti was different.It was luxury tents surrounded by Bush and well the toilets and showers were communal and 100meters away from our two tents.We faced the fence which was like 20 meters away.We off loaded our gear and food and Tiny briefed us about Tamboti and its surroundings.There was a resident Leopard that was spotted in the camp regularly so we were told not to go walk about at night.The gates of the camp stay open.Scary though LOL.Be careful what you step on and check the corners of the tent.This was mamba and puff adder territory.And check your shoes for Scorpions.All said and done we loaded our gear, checked in and started an early fire.Now this is the Kruger in all its splendour.The sounds of the night, the eerie Hyena shriek, the Owls and the rustling near the fence.As we sat near the burning fire we shone our spotlight against the fence.We had a visitor.A Hyena stared at us as we waited to place our massive Dinosaur steak and Wors on the Braai.A braai in the wild is tradition and goes down ever so well.We were stuffed.Had some smokes and our Enrista coffee which was now compulsory.Then Tiny introduced us to a magical ritual.We lined our chairs up, stared at the fence with our coffee and no one was to utter a word for fifteen minutes.That was the rule."In order to survive you need food.And if you need food you need protein.Steak has plenty of protein.Dan Dan Dan din Dan"-The Oz Safari Survivor chronicles.There was no better insight into the sounds of the Kruger National park at night.With that feeling we went to bed.Myself, Oz and Naeem laid down on our pillows and simply passed out.We were to wake up at 5am on Friday Morning for a morning Drive.
As we kick off a new year in cinema, I thought I'd take time to look ahead at the films we'll be hit with over the course of the year.In this article, I'll be going over what my 15 most anticipated movies are for the year.Now it should be noted, these aren't the movies that I feel will be the best of 2011 necessarily.Rather, they're the ones that, as of the time of this writing, I am anticipating the most.So without further ado, here are my most anticipated movies of 2011.1.Sucker Punch.Director. Zack Snyder.Writer. Zack Snyder and Steve Shibuya.Stars. Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens and Abbie Cornish.Release Date. March 25, 2011.Genre. Action Fantasy Thriller.What is it. A young girl is institutionalized by her wicked stepfather.Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the facility.Why it should be good. Really hot and badass chicks wearing schoolgirl outfits and other skimpy clothes, with swords and guns, coupled with Snyder's awesome visual flair? Yea, definitely count me in.The trailer for this thing just looks completely awesome.From the style to the action, even the story (while seeming a bit out there) seems cool.I'm beginning to thoroughly enjoy Snyder's work.If The Adjustment Bureau could be this year's new Inception due to its mindfuck story, then Sucker Punch could absolutely be this year's Inception meets The Dark Knight meets 300 meets Inglorious Basterds due to it's style and epic adventure, yet dark tone with alternate realities.This movie just oozes style and badass-ness and I really can't wait for what is sure to be an absolutely entertaining, epic adventure.Why it could suck. Snyder can be a bit off his mark sometimes.While Watchmen was enjoyable, it did get a bit boring.And Legend of the Guardians is said to suffer from some pacing issues as well and has drawn mixed reviews from critics.Though to be fair to Snyder, he wrote neither of those movies, but is responsible for the writing (or at least screenplay) of the badass 300.2.Sherlock Holmes 2.Director. Guy Ritchie.Writer. Kieran and Michele Mulroney.Stars. Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace and Stephen Fry.Release Date. December 16, 2011.Genre. Action Mystery.What is it. Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr.Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.Why it should be good. I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan.The Doyle stories still stand as my favorite books today.I love Sherlock.He's such a badass.And finally, a movie seems to have captured that pretty well.The first was one of the better portrayals of Sherlock I had seen.Rather than being portrayed as a snooty, 'proper' and sophisticated Englishman, he was shown with all the rough edges that Doyle wrote him with.While the movie was indeed Hollywood-ized beyond anything you'd find in the books, it was a fun adventure and quite an enjoyable movie.Guy Ritchie is a very good filmmaker as well.For these reasons, and my love for Sherlock, I'm very much eager to see how Part 2 turns out, especially as they go head-to-head with Moriarty.Also, I'm eager to see how well Noomi Rapace (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,etc) does in her Hollywood debut.Why it could suck. New writers.The original writers from the first aren't coming back instead Kieran and Michele Mulroney are taking over the job.So let's see how they handle it.Relatively new to writing, the two previously wrote Paper Man which didn't fair so well with critics.3.Paranormal Activity 3.Director. Tod Williams.Writer. Christopher B.Landon and Michael R.Perry; characters by Oren Peli.Stars. Katie Featherston.Release Date. October 21, 2011.Genre. Horror.What is it. Well, we have no idea what this one is going to be about as nothing has been given.However, the first movie followed a couple that were being haunted by an evil spirit who possessed Katie.The sequel (which was more of a prequel) followed Katie's sister's family as that same spirit haunts them and their baby.This all culminates to the two stories converging at the end of Part 2 where it gets to the point where Part 1 ends and we see what happens after the whole event.Undoubtedly, Part 3 is set to pick up where Part 2 and 1 left off.What happens from there? Your guess is as good as mine.Why it should be good. The first Paranormal Activity became something of a cult phenomenon/sensation.Hailed as the scariest movie of the year, people flocked to the film making it a huge success.And rightly so in my book.It was a minimalistic horror movie that took it back to the roots of the genre by using tension and suspense to really instill fear and terror in the minds of the audience.Part 2, while some people seemed to not like it as much as the first, did more of the same.I actually thought Part 2 was pretty much right on par with the first.And the ingenious storytelling that created a parallel prequel to the first was definitely cool.The creator and writers of this franchise have really shown that the horror genre can be revived and doesn't have to be all about gore and such.They've done a good job with instilling that fear in the audience as well, tapping into that fear, leaving the audience's imagination to run wild while being completely captivated.I expect no less from the third.Why it could suck. If you feel the second was worse than the first, then you may be in for some disappoint when you find out the same writers and director of the sequel are back.However, like with Part 2, Oren Peli (the creator of the franchise) is still very much involved and is serving as producer on this film.4.Paul.Director. Greg Mottola.Writer. Nick Frost and Simon Pegg.Stars. Nick Frost, Simon Pegg and Seth Rogen.Release Date. March 18, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Comedy.What is it. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite for the comedy adventure Paul as two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America's UFO heartland.While there, they accidentally meet an alien who brings them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever.For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base.For reasons unknown, the space-traveling smart ass decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town-a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost).Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman that they accidentally kidnap, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship.And as two nerds struggle to help, one little green man might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.Why it should be good. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost back together again.That should be enough.Seriously.When these two guys get together it's gold, as evidenced by Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.This might be my favorite duo around these days.They'll also be pairing up to write this which is always a good thing as well (well, this will be Frost's first real writing job, but Pegg has been responsible for their first two outings together).Now, they won't be reuniting with Edgar Wright for this one, instead they'll be teaming with the director of Adventureland andSuperbad, two movies which I definitely enjoyed.On top of all of that, they have comedic star Seth Rogan joining them.Sounds like quite the team really and I'm rather excited for what I'm sure will be a very funny movie, and possibly end up being the comedy of the year.Why it could suck. You do have to wonder if some of that magic from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz will be lost as Frost and Pegg carry on without Wright.I think they're great comedic talents though and can stand on their own.And the somewhat all-star get-together should compensate.5.The Adjustment Bureau.Director. George Nolfi.Writer. George Nolfi; Based on Short Story by Philip K.Dick.Stars. Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Terence Stamp.Release Date. March 4, 2011.Genre. Thriller.What is it. Just as he is on the brink of winning a senate seat, politician David Norris (Matt Damon) meets a ballerina named Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt).Though David is smitten, mysterious men conspire to keep him away from the beautiful dancer.David learns he is up against the powerful agents of Fate itself, and, glimpsing the future laid out before him, must either accept a predetermined path that does not include Elise, or defy Fate to be with her.Why it should be good. Honestly, this sounds like it could be this year's Inception.With plenty of mindfucks going on, it's a thriller involving different levels of reality and mysterious forces.Matt Damon really tends to shine in these types of movies.The trailer has me rather intrigued and looks like it could provide quite an enthralling adventure.While this is Nolfi's directorial debut, he did write The Bourne Ultimatum, thus will be teaming up with Damon once again.The movie is based on a short story by Philip K.Dick, whose work has been the grounds for such movies asBlade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, Paycheck and A Scanner Darkly.So with presumably some good source material, and a writer that can definitely do the part (as illustrated with The Bourne Ultimatum) we could be in for a real treat.Why it could suck. This is Nolfi's first time in the director's seat, so we'll have to wait and see if he's in over his head.Furthermore, it is being billed as something of a romance thriller.So let's hope they don't go overboard with the romance part and make it some sappy romance film for which they sacrifice some of the plot to focus on the romance.6.Pirates of the Caribbean. On Stranger Tides.Director. Rob Marshall.Writer. Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio.Stars. Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penelope Cruz and Ian McShane.Release Date. May 20, 2011.Genre. Fantasy Action-Adventure.What is it. Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.Why it should be good. Some people have hated them.Some have thought they've gotten worse as they went along.I've found the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise to be a fun adventure.Just a fun movie with plenty of adventure, some cool special effects, and just good times.And maybe it's my man-crush I have on Depp, but I'm absolutely thrilled to see him back as Jack Sparrow.The character is so much fun and always provides for some entertainment.Should be interesting to see how they go about freshening up the franchise as well as they get a new cast of characters while Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann are out.Why it could suck. It's a Hollywood sequel, those always have chances of sucking.Also, the exclusion of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann could put a damper on things.While there is a chance that it could freshen it up, there is just as much a chance that some of that magic might be lost as they look to replace those characters.Also, while we do get the same writers back, we have a new director taking on this sequel.Pirates seems to be out of Rob Marshall's comfort zone (best known for Memoirs of a Geisha and Chicago) so we'll have to wait and see how he can handle an action adventure of this scope.7.The Hangover 2.Director. Todd Phillips.Writer. Todd Phillips, Scot Armstrong and Craig Mazin.Stars. Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha.Release Date. May 26, 2011.Genre. Comedy.What is it. Not a lot is known about the plot of this sequel.What is known is that the gang is back to get into more trouble as they travel to Thailand.And Phillips promise a lot of fucked up surprises and hilarity.Why it should be good. The Hangover was hilarious I thought.The cast of the original had good chemistry and the writing was hilarious.It provided for several laugh-out-loud moments and was one of the funniest movies of the year (one of the funniest I've seen in a while too).Hopefully, getting the gang back together will provide for more hilarity that the first one delivered.Why it could suck. New writers.The writers from the first aren't coming back and have been replaced.Instead we get Scot Armstrong and Craig Mazin that have brought us such garbage asSemi-Pro, Starsky and Hutch, Scary Movie 4 and Superhero Movie.If their past work is any indicator of their talent, the writers could really butcher this franchise.8.Transformers. Dark of the Moon.Director. Michael Bay.Writer. Ehren Kruger.Stars. Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson.Release Date. July 1, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Action-Adventure.What is it. The Autobots learn of a Cybertronian spacecraft hidden on the Moon, and race against the Decepticons to reach it and learn its secrets, which could turn the tide in the Transformers' final battle.Why it should be good. I've enjoyed the franchise so far.While Part 2, was blasted pretty well by critics, I didn't hate it that much.Granted it wasn't as good as the first, but I still found it fairly entertaining.And the movies are always a fun visual treat.Also, Michael Bay.I still have no idea why he receives so much crap while James Cameron is given a pass.Bay is just as adept a director as Cameron is.Anybody that still likes to tell me there's a difference between Pearl Harbor and Titanic will kindly receive a "fuck off" as you buy into the pretentious drivel.At least Bay knows his place (a mindless action director who can make pretty movies and fun explosions).Whereas Cameron believes his some gift to cinema which often leads to his films being poorly written, yet pretentious as hell.Seriously, I'll take Armageddon, Transformers, The Rock and Bad Boys over Titanic, Avatar, Aliens, and T2 any day of the week.Even though, yes, I know that will enrage many people and get me flamed for that opinion.Now, this movie (Transformers. Dark of the Moon) surely won't be a great cinematic piece.But as a mindless "let's make some cool special effects scenes and also blow some shit up" type of movie, it should be entertaining.Why it could suck. Well, if I had to pick one movie from the franchise that was better, it's definitely the first.The writer for this third film, unfortunately, is the same writer from Part 2 rather than the first.Also, it's still Michael Bay.He's not the greatest of directors.9.X-Men. First Class.Director. Matthew Vaughn.Writer. Jane Goldman, Ashley Miller, Jamie Moss, Josh Schwartz and Zack Stentz; story by Bryan Singer.Stars. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence.Release Date. June 3, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Action.What is it. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time.Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.Why it should be good. A look at when Xavier and Magneto were younger.A backstory to where it all started.For such a thrilling franchise, this could be a nice take on the story and provide quite some entertainment and thrills.Plus, having directed movies like Kick-Ass andStardust, Matthew Vaughn is, I believe, much more adept at creating a movie like this than say a Jon Favreau or such.Vaughn also has the enjoyable Layer Cake under his director's belt, which very much shows off that he learned well producing Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels andSnatch.Furthermore, his friendship and learning under the great Guy Ritchie, only further adds value to his role as a filmmaker.Meanwhile, the writers have brought us such movies as Stardustand Kick-Ass as well as TV shows such as Fringe and Chuck.Also, it has a pretty good cast.Why it could suck. Well, those writers did also bring us The Sarah Connor Chronicles andAndromeda.Also, prequels sometimes have a tendency to not do so well.It's, sometimes, almost as if a prequel is a last resort when the writers have run out of ideas of where the current story can go, so they decide to go back and cash in on the name once more by filling in some gaps from the beginning.I guess only time will tell if this becomes a Batman Begins (ie a very good prequel movie that did very well to reboot the franchise) or it falls more in line with The Scorpion King (ie a complete waste of my time that probably shouldn't have even been made).10.Source Code.Director. Duncan Jones.Writer. Ben Ripley.Stars. Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga.Release Date. April 1, 2011.Genre. Action/Sci-fi-Thriller.What is it. An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he's part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.Why it should be good. The trailer just makes this like it could be a cool creative story that provides for an entertaining thriller that could keep you on the edge of your seat.This is Duncan Jones sophomore release, after 2009′s highly acclaimed Moon.So, if he delivers again, we could have a nice treat on our hands and he could solidify his place as a talented filmmaker.I also really enjoy Jake Gyllenhaal.I think he's a great actor and should do fine in leading this movie.Vera Farmiga is also a really talented actress and one I definitely don't mind seeing.Meanwhile, Michelle Monaghan isn't too bad either.Why it could suck. This is coming from an unproven writer.And while Duncan Jones' Moon was well-received, it's not rare that a filmmaker comes in to become something of a one hit wonder.Let's just hope Jones can deliver a worthwhile follow-up.11.Battle. Los Angeles.Director. Jonathan Liebesman.Writer. Christopher Bertolini.Stars. Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynahan.Release Date. March 11, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Action.What is it. A Marine platoon faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles.Why it should be good. The official trailer makes it look so damn bad-ass.Maybe that's in part due to the great song selection for the trailer, but it looks just completely thrilling.It looks to be a sci-fi action movie that actually has some depth too.It sort of reminds me of Independence Day but with the seriousness, depth and emotional-center of some type of good post-9/11 movie.It's like we may finally get a really good sci-fi movie with the heart of the best war movies, coupled with the awesome actual and visual treats of some of the best sci-fi/alien movies.Eckhart is a good actor that should do well in this movie as well.Also, the writer's only past feature film work was The General's Daughter which I thoroughly enjoyed.So if that's any indication of the type of writing we'll get for Battle LA then we should definitely have a compelling story to go with the visual flare of it all.Likewise, Jonathan Liebesman has brought us The Killing Room which I felt was a fairly enjoyable suspense/thriller movie.Why it could suck. Liebesman also brought us Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The Beginningwhich was garbage.On top of that, movies like this can often take themselves too seriously and often times become pretentious and/or preachy and just plain unimaginative with no real heart to the movie (I'm looking at you War of the Worlds).Let's hope they avoid that here.12.Cowboys and Aliens.Director. Jon Favreau.Writer. Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof; based on the comic book by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg.Stars. Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford and Olivia Wilde.Release Date. July 29, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Action-Thriller.What is it. A spaceship arrives in Arizona, 1873, to take over the Earth, starting with the Wild West region.A posse of cowboys are all that stand in their way.Why it should be good. It just looks fun.It's like Indiana Jones meets Men in Black with a good western feel to it.This also comes from the writers that brought us such movies as Transformersand Star Trek, and such TV shows as Alias, Fringe and Lost (though in my book "Lost" might be a bad example, though others seemed to enjoy it).Also, there's a good cast (Craig, Ford and Wilde), coupled with a nice supporting cast which includes Sam Rockwell and Paul Dano.At the end of the day, it may end up being a mindless action movie, but still looks to be fun.Why it could suck. Jon Favreau.I'm sorry, but the guy hasn't sold me.People seem to like him, but I'm not entirely sure why.The guy hasn't delivered any really great movies.And only a few decent ones.Well, Elf I thought was really funny.Both Iron Man movies were really nothing to write home about though.Both were enjoyable, but they definitely weren't spotlights in their genre.And the second one was panned quite a bit (though I enjoyed both, but the second was a bit lacking).And that's really the only movies (Iron Man) that he's done in this genre/realm.So that doesn't give me a big vote of confidence in the guy.His other movies. Zathura was crap andMade was decent.Nothing else to note really.On top of that, the writers did also give usRevenge of the Fallen, which I enjoyed well enough, but wasn't on par with the first Transformersmovie.And they're also responsible for such things as The Island and Legend of Zorro.13.Apollo 18.Director. Gonzalo Lpez-Gallego.Writer. Brian Miller and Cory Goodman.Stars. None Given.Release Date. April 22, 2011.Genre. Sci-fi Horror-Thriller.What is it. Apollo 18 is a found-footage movie that claims to be "a film about the real mission to space in the 1970′s that was canceled by NASA." With the tagline "There's a reason we've never gone back to the moon", while implying a government cover-up of monsters existing on the moon.Why it should be good. With these found-footage movies, they tend to go terribly wrong or be very entertaining.This one is looking to go the way of the latter.It's giving a fresh take on the rising sub-genre and taking us to an interesting location.Furthermore, it's basing itself on some real actual events, thus adding some extra layer to it.The viral marketing on this movie is going along nicely and the film has become something of a hot ticket.Gonzalo is a Spanish-born director who has had a couple of critically-acclaimed films in the past as well.Why it could suck. It's kind of the nature of the genre.If they don't hit they mark, then they tend to really suck.Couple that with a pair of brand-new writers, and there are no guarantees for this movie.I'm getting a feeling though that this will end up being up there with Paranormal Activity.14.Unknown.Director. Jaume Collet-Serra.Writer. Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cromwell; based on the novel by Didier Van Cauwelaert.Stars. Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger and January Jones.Release Date. February 18, 2011.Genre. Drama Mystery Thriller.What is it. A man awakens from a coma, only to discover that someone has taken on his identity and that no one, (not even his wife), believes him.With the help of a young woman, he sets out to prove who he is.Why it should be good. Liam Neeson is a bad-ass.Watching the trailer, I'm reminded of Neeson's past movieTaken.Seems to be that similar mystery action thriller type movie.And I absolutely loved that movie.Neeson made it a very good film showing off his bad-assness in it.If Unknown turns out to be as good as Takenwe'll have a very entertaining movie on our hands.Didier Van Cauwelaert, whose novel the movie is based on, is an award-winning author with multiple best-selling novels.The novel this movie is based on has met plenty of praise.So, we're sure to find that the story/source material is good.Why it could suck. Two virtually unproven writers.While the source material may be good, they could mess it up and adapt a bad screenplay.On top of that, the director is responsible for such things as Orphan and House of Wax, neither of which were that good.15.Red State.Director. Kevin Smith.Writer. Kevin Smith.Stars. Melissa Leo, John Goodman and Michael Angarano.Release Date. TBA (Screening at Sundance 2011).Genre. Horror Thriller.What is it. A horror film in which a group of misfits encounter fundamentalism gone to the extreme in Middle America.Why it should be good. Kevin Smith.Smith is one of my favorite directors around.While last year's Cop Out was rather bland, this year he returns to writing his own material with Red State.Furthermore, he'll be treading into a new genre with his first horror movie.I love Kevin Smith as a writer/director and have been fond of pretty much all of his work.From Clerks to Mallrats to Clerks II to Jay and Silent Bob, everything Smith has actually wrote and directed, I've enjoyed really.Couple that with the enjoyable John Goodman and the "fresh off an Oscar-worthy performance" Melissa Leo, and we should be in for a real treat.Why it could suck. As stated before, this is Kevin Smith's first venture into the horror genre.Some writers/directors find that there are just some genres that they can't do, while they're better suited for another particular genre.We'll have to wait and see how Kevin Smith's foray into the horror/thriller genre goes.
The Review.The narrative opens with a letter to the Wizard Milward from his old associate Alten Baldrisson Grisham's Librarian.Milward was notified that war is underway, Adam continues to fulfill dwarfish prophecy, earth quake and a state of siege by the Ortian army are proving bothersome to those living in Grisham.The reader is carried forward with old acquaintances and new.The Emperor, Duke Bilardi, Bardoc and Captain Bilardi all play important roles.Adam and Ethan decide to leave Grisham and before long meet another group in the tunnels beneath the city.Neely, Flynn, Circumstance a elf and adopted son of Ethan and Adam's twin Charity make up the second group.Charity is amazed to learn Adam will soon become a father.Both groups agree Duke Bilardi is a strong contender for the title of Most Evil Personage in Grisham.The Empire has been ripped into individual fiefdoms, Inquisitors practicing dark arts of torture abound and McCabe is on the loose.McCabe, former petty thief now a conduit for a shadow creature.A Seeker is a force to reckon with.Gilgafed the Sorcerer begs Milward for help in dealing with McCabe.Gilgafed is loath to admit that McCabe is on the loose due to his foolishness.Adam finds that while his magical abilities are improving they do need a bit of fine tuning now and again.The story roars on with travel by vortex, on foot and aboard Drinaugh the dragon.Adam appears to defeat McCabe, however the stench of rot proves that is not the case.Adam must use all his power to assure the safety of the known world.On the pages of The Patriarch of Pestilence. Book 3 of the Wells End Chronicles writer Beers weaves an interwoven account against a imaginative framework of multiple narratives and innovative, exceptional characters including humans, dragons, machines, elves and wizards.All come hurdling from Beers fertile imagination to offer the reader a most exciting read.Writer Beers presents readers a lavishly drawn anecdote pumped up with all the deceitfulness, hubbub and machination fantasy lovers enjoy the most.The Patriarch of Pestilence. Book 3 of the Wells End Chronicles is a finely-written yarn filled with supposable, meticulously wrought characters striding purposefully through the chronicle.The reader is carried along on a stimulating trek as author Beers deftly presents propensity, enigmatic scenarios and puissant wonderment, consternation and tumult necessary to hold the reader fully engrossed.Credible, often abrasive dialogue pulls the reader into the narrative from the opening paragraph and holds reader attention right to the last lines where we find Adam enjoying new found respect.The Patriarch of Pestilence. Book 3 of the Wells End Chronicles is filled with the spirit, dialogue and character of fantasy settings known and loved by young and old alike.Ingenious author Robert Lee Beers has constructed a fascinating domain infused with both base and charitable, blameless and depraved, loveable and detestable characters the reader is sure to find engaging.Teeming with strife fittingly resolved in this masterfully engineered suspense filled narrative; The Wells End Chronicles Book 2. Whispers of War paints a razor sharp, focused account of destiny, cupidity and perseverance.Effect dialog, well-drawn scenarios and characters to love and hate the book is an enjoyable read.Meant for pleasure reading, The Patriarch of Pestilence. Book 3 of the Wells End Chronicles target audience of young adults will find the book has all the ingredients they wish for in a good fantasy work.Fine book to enjoy by the fire place on a long winter evening or in the porch swing during a hot summer afternoon.Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend.Genre. Fantasy.Author. Robert Beers.EBook Publisher..PO Bx 372 Atherton QLD 4883.Http.//www.Writers-exchange.Com/The-Patriarch-of-Pestilence.Html.$4.95 various eBook formats.ISBN. 1920972722.
One of the most famous and highly collectible of the early genre series is the renowned Adult Fantasy Series published by Ballantine Books between 1969 and 1974.The series grew out of the popularity of Ballantine's paperback editions of J.R.R.Tolkien's now famous quartet, as well as a number of other fantasy classics seen in paperback for the first time.Capitalizing on the success of the first set of books and seeing a growing desire for fantasy literature, Ian and Betty Ballantine enlisted author/editor Lin Carter to produce a series of paperback fantasy books.Carter produced a seminal series of fantasy including many works that had been out of print and unavailable for some time.The series is identifiable by a distinctive "Unicorn Head" colophon in the upper right hand corner and/or the phrase "A Ballantine Adult Fantasy" in the upper left hand corner of the cover.The colophon was redesigned in December of 1969 and appears first on that month's publication, Hannes Bok's The Sorcerer's Ship.Each publication also featured an introduction by Carter.Most collectors of the BAF series include the sixteen books published by Ballantine prior to the series inception, beginning with Tolkien's The Hobbit, as precursors to the official series.Also usually included are two non-fiction books by Lin Carter himself concerning the works of J.R.R Tolkien and H.P.Lovecraft.Additionally, two other books are commonly considered part of the BAF series though published after the series colophon was dropped.The first, published in June of 1974 is H.Warner Munn's Merlin's Ring which includes the Carter introduction and the second, Evangeline Walton's Prince of Annwn, which lacks the logo and Carter introduction but completes the Mabinogi cycle started by Walton's three books issued under the Unicorn Head colophon.Due to being a paperback series, having a well defined checklist, a finite number of books and the generally inexpensive cost of most of the BAF titles, collecting the series is both easy and satisfying.Copies of many of the books frequently show up in yard sales and used bookstores.Dealers at conventions usually have a number of titles available and much of the series is available online.It is an excellent series for the beginning collector.All books in the series proper bore a distinctive Unicorn's Head colophon on the cover and included an introduction by Carter.Series precursors (August 1965 - April, 1969).Ballantine's initial line of fantasies, published before hiring Carter as editor and considered the inspiration for the series.The Hobbit, J.R.R.Tolkien (Aug.1965).The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R.Tolkien (Oct.1965).The Two Towers, J.R.R.Tolkien (Oct.1965).The Return of the King, J.R.R.Tolkien (Dec.1965).The Tolkien Reader, J.R.R.Tolkien (Sep.1966).The Worm Ouroboros, E.R.Eddison (Apr.1967 - later reprinted with colophon).Mistress of Mistresses, E.R.Eddison (Aug.1967).A Fish Dinner in Memison, E.R.Eddison (Feb.1968).The Road Goes Ever On, J.R.R.Tolkien and Donald Swann (Oct.1968).Titus Groan, Mervyn Peake (Oct.1968 - later reprinted with colophon).Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake (Oct.1968 - later reprinted with colophon).Titus Alone, Mervyn Peake (Oct.1968 - later reprinted with colophon).A Voyage to Arcturus, David Lindsay (Nov.1968 - later reprinted with colophon).The Last Unicorn, Peter S.Beagle (Feb.1969 - later reprinted with colophon).Smith of Wootton Major and Farmer Giles of Ham, J.R.R.Tolkien (Mar.1969).The Mezentian Gate, E.R.Eddison (Apr.1969) .The BAF Series proper (May 1969 - April 1974).Based on a listing by Lin Carter in Imaginary Worlds (Jun.1973), with the inclusion of additional of volumes published up the series end in 1974.The Blue Star, Fletcher Pratt (May 1969).The King of Elfland's Daughter, Lord Dunsany (Jun.1969).The Wood Beyond the World, William Morris (Jul.1969).The Silver Stallion, James Branch Cabell (Aug.1969).Lilith, George Macdonald (Sep.1969).Dragons, Elves, and Heroes, Lin Carter, ed.(Oct.1969).The Young Magicians, Lin Carter, ed.(Oct.1969).Figures of Earth, James Branch Cabell (Nov.1969).The Sorcerer's Ship, Hannes Bok (Dec.1969).Land of Unreason, Fletcher Pratt and L.Sprague de Camp (Jan.1970).The High Place, James Branch Cabell (Feb.1970).Lud-in-the-Mist, Hope Mirrlees (Mar.1970).At the Edge of the World, Lord Dunsany (Mar.1970).Phantastes, George Macdonald (Apr.1970).The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath, H.P.Lovecraft (May 1970).Zothique, Clark Ashton Smith (Jun.1970).The Shaving of Shagpat, George Meredith (Jul.1970).The Island of the Mighty, Evangeline Walton (Jul.1970).Deryni Rising, Katherine Kurtz (Aug.1970).The Well at the World's End, Vol.1, William Morris (Aug.1970).The Well at the World's End, Vol.2, William Morris (Sep.1970).Golden Cities, Far, Lin Carter, ed.(Oct.1970).Beyond the Golden Stair, Hannes Bok (Nov.1970).The Broken Sword, Poul Anderson (Jan.1971).The Boats of the 'Glen Carrig', William Hope Hodgson (Feb.1971).The Doom that Came to Sarnath, H.P.Lovecraft (Feb.1971).Something About Eve, James Branch Cabell (Mar.1971).Red Moon and Black Mountain, Joy Chant (Mar.1971).Hyperborea, Clark Ashton Smith (Apr.1971).Don Rodriguez. Chronicles of Shadow Valley, Lord Dunsany (May 1971).Vathek, William Beckford (Jun.1971).The Man Who Was Thursday, G.K.Chesterton (Jul.1971).The Children of Llyr, Evangeline Walton (Aug.1971).The Cream of the Jest, James Branch Cabell (Sep.1971).New Worlds for Old, Lin Carter, ed.(Sep.1971).The Spawn of Cthulhu, Lin Carter, ed.(Oct.1971).Double Phoenix, Edmund Cooper and Roger Lancelyn Green (Nov.1971).The Water of the Wondrous Isles, William Morris (Nov.1971).Khaled, F.Marion Crawford (Dec.1971).The World's Desire, H.Rider Haggard and Andrew Lang (Jan.1972).Xiccarph, Clark Ashton Smith (Feb.1972).The Lost Continent, C.J.Cutcliffe-Hyne (Feb.1972).Discoveries in Fantasy, Lin Carter, ed.(Mar.1972).Domnei, James Branch Cabell (Mar.1972).Kai Lung's Golden Hours, Ernest Bramah (Apr.1972).Deryni Checkmate, Katherine Kurtz (May 1972).Beyond the Fields We Know, Lord Dunsany (May 1972).The Three Imposters, Arthur Machen (Jun.1972).The Night Land, Vol.1, William Hope Hodgson (Jul.1972).The Night Land, Vol.2, William Hope Hodgson (Jul.1972).The Song of Rhiannon, Evangeline Walton (Aug.1972).Great Short Novels of Adult Fantasy #1, Lin Carter, ed.(Sep.1972).Evenor, George Macdonald (Nov.1972).Orlando Furioso. The Ring of Angelica, Volume 1, Ludovico Ariosto, translated by Richard Hodgens (Jan.1973).The Charwoman's Shadow, Lord Dunsany (Feb.1973).Great Short Novels of Adult Fantasy #2, Lin Carter, ed.(Mar.1973).The Sundering Flood, William Morris (May 1973).Imaginary Worlds, Lin Carter (Jun.1973).Poseidonis, Clark Ashton Smith (Jul.1973).Excalibur, Sanders Anne Laubenthal (Aug.1973).High Deryni, Katherine Kurtz (Sep.1973).Hrolf Kraki's Saga, Poul Anderson (Oct.1973).The People of the Mist, H.Rider Haggard (Dec.1973).Kai Lung Unrolls his Mat, Ernest Bramah (Feb.1974).Over the Hills and Far Away, Lord Dunsany (Apr.1974).Additional books associated with the series.Published after the Unicorn's Head colophon was retired, these are usually included with the series.The first has a Carter introduction and the second lacks Carter's introduction but completes a set begun under his editorship.None have the series colophon on the cover.Merlin's Ring, H.Warner Munn (Jun.1974).Prince of Annwn, Evangeline Walton (Nov.1974).Companion books associated with the series.Tolkien. A Look Behind the Lord of Rings, Lin Carter (Mar.1969).Lovecraft. A Look Behind the Cthulhu Mythos, Lin Carter (Feb.1972).
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All of this is perfectly natural.We are, after all, apes with less hair.We strive to be the alpha male and female; to fit in with the society or "tribe" that surrounds us.And often that society is just a larger version of our selves; it is created by groups of selves.But, in the times gone by, our ancestors saw through all of this and recognized that there was another way.They discovered that in-order for man to elevate himself above the level of the grind-stone, he needed to alter his internal dialogue.Man needed to understand himself and the forces that drive him.This unique understanding - that there could be a higher goal for mankind, whether collectively or individually - evolved into what we now know as Gnosticism.Of course this is a massive oversimplification and we should always take into account the mystics - those who have experienced what we would call other-worldly emotions or visions.Also, regardless of popular perception, the Christian's were not the only Gnostics and mystics.Gnostic comes from the Greek word gignoskein meaning simply to know.It was applied to "one sect of so-called philosopher's in the first ages of Christianity.".However, the term is now being used more loosely and I personally see the term slightly differently to others and probably in a controversial light.To me the Greek term implies all-knowledge.This is a kind of knowledge gained much like plugging ones mind into the world wide web and being able to download every single piece of data in an instant.In the same way, the true Gnostic, much like the mystic, could understand all things in a unique way.Whether this is the mind tapping into the collective unconscious, the Akashic records, or any other name given to the process, does not matter for the purpose of this article, the fact remains, it was believed.And because of this belief, physical manifestations of the internal belief system emerged the world over.In this way, the temples of man, were exactly that - Temples of Man.Gnosis then, means knowledge of the most esoteric kind and this is the story that has been hidden from our eyes for too long.This is the truth of the secret societies that we on the outside are supposedly too worldly to comprehend.The Temple.So, let us now try our best to comprehend the Temple of Solomon and in doing so, let us walk upon Holy ground, trodden only by the initiated.In the years of my own searching there were times when I would be found at the feet of the Magi, sitting and listening to the wise words of the Sufi, joining in the debate at some Freemasonic Lodge.All the time I was learning and viewing the process with an open ear and an open eye, and yet also balancing it all with the knowledge of modern day science and reductionism.Both worlds, the one of the esoteric and the one of science are useless apart - both are needed today if we are to truly understand and believe.And so down to facts about the Temple of Solomon.Well, unfortunately we are sadly lacking in any archaeological evidence, regardless of what you read on some literal fundamentalist website.What we are told is that in the 10th century BC, the wise King Solomon erected a great Temple to the Lord.Unfortunately, if any of this is true, then we actually find that it was a Temple, which encompassed many pagan religions.According to Professor James Pritchard in his book, Solomon and Sheba (1974, p.35)..".The so-called cities of Megiddo, Gezer and Hazor, and Jerusalem itself were in reality more like villages.Within were relatively small public buildings and poorly constructed dwellings with clay floors.The objects reveal a material culture which, even by the standards of the ancient Near East, could not be judged sophisticated or luxurious.The 'magnificence' of the age of Solomon is parochial and decidedly lackluster, but the first book of Kings implies exactly the opposite.".In fact and in the bright light of day, what we actually have, and what most writers are afraid to say, is no evidence whatsoever for Solomon's Temple.In fact, we have no evidence for Solomon, other than these peculiar Biblical texts.Neither do we have any evidence for the Queen of Sheba, or any of the other characters involved.Instead, there is more depth than could ever be imagined, more meaning than we would dare to believe.John Michell in The Temple at Jerusalem. A Revelation, (Gothic Image) gives us an insight to the real meaning..."Legends of the Temple describe it as the instrument of a mystical, priestly science, a form of alchemy by which oppositely charged elements in the earth and atmosphere were brought together and ritually married.The product of their union was a spirit that blessed and sanctified the people of Israel.".How right Michell is.The Temple is an instrument of mystical and priestly science or even magic.The secret unravels before our eyes the more we learn.You see the true Gnostic, the true disciple or perfect one, must be a man or woman of balance.He or she must unite the two sides of the mind, the male and female principles as they are called.We are all both male and female and the alchemists used this concept of balance and revealed it in their images of the Hermaphrodite, half man and half woman.Solomon, was no real man, and Sheba was no real woman.Instead they were symbols of this internal and often external process.The whole story of Solomon, Sheba and the Temple, which is the perfectly formed body, both physical and spiritual, is the story of our own psyche.It is an esoteric truth, misunderstood in its exoteric form.Hiram.Hiram was the son of a Jewish mother and a Phoenician father and is credited with the decoration of the Temple of Solomon.He was said to have been the "son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali.He cast two bronze pillars" 1 Kings 7.13-15.We must also note something of interest mentioned in 1 Kings 16.."Then he made two capitals of cast bronze, to set on top of the pillars.The height of one capital was 5 cubits; and the height of the other capital was five cubits.He made a lattice network, with wreaths of chainwork, for the capitals which were on top of the pillars. seven chains for one capital and seven for the other capital.".These pillars became known as Jachin, meaning "he establishes" and Boaz, which means "in him is strength" and these are now familiar to most modern Freemasons as central to their own Lodge or Temple.Copies of these can be clearly seen at the infamous Rosslyn Chapel as we shall discover.But, what is interesting here is the original text about these pillars.Firstly bronze is used for the capitals, just as bronze is used for the "Brazen Serpent" of Moses and is indicative of the fiery aspect of the serpent as one of the channels in the Kundalini process.Their "heights" were 5 cubits, matching the five hooded cobras seen across India and atop many pillars, although the Bible calls them Lilies, which are symbols of balance anyway.Leading up to these capitals then were "wreaths" of "chainwork", seven on each pillar.Strangely these chains were "for the capitals," and so we conclude that these seven levelled chains (coils) were pointing towards the head (capital) just as the serpents of the Kundalini do.There are more real links between Hiram and the serpent.For instance, we noted above that he was of the Tribe of Naphtali.The standard of the Tribe of Naphtali, according to Jewish tradition, is a serpent or basilisk and this could have come from Egyptian origins, as Jewish tradition states that Naphtali was the brother of Joseph, chosen to represent the family to Pharaoh."And now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram [Hiram] my master [father] craftsman, (the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre), skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him, with your skilful men and with the skilful men of my lord David your father." 2 Chronicles 2.13-14.Here, Hiram is said to be a son of the Tribe of Dan and even the tribe of Dan had an emblem, which was amazingly also the serpent, this time with a horse.Incredibly there is also a hidden truth and repetitive pattern in this little statement about the real skills of this literary character.Follow this pattern..Hiram is skilled in.-.1 gold and silver,.2 bronze and iron,.3 stone and wood,.4 purple and blue,.5 fine linen and crimson,.6 and to make any engraving.7 and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him.Note that there are seven 'balanced' elements to the skill of the man who will build the Temple! This is a real clue to the Temple's secret indeed.According to this book of Chronicles Hiram was a cunning man (a word used for the serpent) endued with understanding, skilful as we can see in the work of gold, silver, brass, stone and timber.But he was also credited with certain tools, which could pierce stone.Stone, as I show in Gnosis is symbolic of wisdom and foundation.Hiram's tool therefore pierced the veil or even the very root of wisdom.According to the book of Kings the Temple was built of stone (or wisdom) before it was brought to the site.Something like a prefabricated building.It was said by tradition that neither hammer nor axe, nor any tool of iron was used in the building.So how was it built? This in itself is a paradox, which can only be answered by the true secret of the Temple being revealed.According to Rabbinical teaching the prefabrication of the Temple was performed by the Shamir, a giant worm or serpent that could cut stones (incidentally worm means serpent).Not dissimilar to Norse and Celtic beliefs where Valhalla and Camelot were built with the fire of the dragon and in China where building is aided by the serpent energy.This is a universal concept as can be seen in India, where it was the serpentine linked Naga's of fable who escaped their country and took the architectural wisdom abroad.The architect gods, such as Thoth of Egypt, are linked strongly with the serpent wisdom because they are linked with the building of "Temples of Wisdom" inside our SELVES.The Shamir, according to one legend had even been placed in the hands of the Prince of the Sea (Shamir by Wilhelm Bacher & Ludwig Blau), which of course is symbolic of the Prince of Wisdom.In essence what we really have here is the Temple of Wisdom being built by the serpent and that serpent is none other than that of, or similar to, the internal Kundalini, later to be developed into the Kabbalah.This is a psychological training manual; a method of self-improvement; a way for society to become One; a multi-layered method of getting closer to the deity which resides in each and everyone of us; a deity, that the ancients saw as being the same in each of us.The whole process repeats again and again throughout the Bible.The Temple is reduced (like the alchemical method) and is remade.Then again and again, until finally the Christ is the Temple which is reduced (killed) and then rises again for the last time.And now, according to the texts, we can all meet with this Christ and we can all have the knowledge.We just need to understand that the true Christ is all and in all.But this wasn't the end of the story.
While searching through my collection of old books I came across a golden oldie.It was like finding buried treasure or reuniting with an old friend.My copy of TWICE TWENTY-TWO is actually two books in one, THE GOLDEN APPLES OF THE SUN and A MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY, a collection that includes some of Ray Bradbury's most famous tales.Mine is a book club edition published in 1966.It's been reprinted since and you can find reasonably priced used copies online.Ray Bradbury may be best known for THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES and FAHRENHEIT 451 but you would be wrong to think of him as only a writer of science fiction.Many of his best and most classic stories take place in the past, some are emotional vignettes.These forty-four tales are proof that he is also a master of dramatic fiction, deep characterization and social criticism.For example THE BIG BLACK AND WHITE GAME, written in 1945 and included in this collection, is a controversial tale of racial prejudice.Bradbury writes about a bygone era with keen insight and sensitivity.Whether the stories are contemporary or set in the future quite a few of them revolve around themes of childhood and loneliness such as ALL SUMMER IN A DAY.It's about children living on Venus, but like children everywhere they can be cruel bullies.The story tugs at the heartstrings.Bradbury paints a beautiful setting and like many of his other stories this one contains a lesson applicable today.But there are also stories of aliens, technological advances and a few fantasies such as THE FOGHORN.The stories are short, but each one should be savored for its imagination, beautiful writing, realistic characters and the feelings they will engender in you.With forty-four of Ray Bradbury's short stories in one volume you can't go wrong.Following are brief descriptions of the contents.THE GOLDEN APPLES OF THE SUN was named after a W.B.Yeats poem, "The Song of Wandering Aengus." The first story is one of my favorites.When "The Fog Horn" sounds a lonely sea monster comes to call."The Pedestrian" which takes place in the same world as "Fahrenheit 451" is about a writer, who discovers even the simple pleasure of a walk, is misconduct."The April Witch" is a creature who takes possession of a young girl so she can experience love.In "The Wilderness" two women face their last night on Earth before they meet their men on Mars.It's an interesting story with outdated stereotypes of women."The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl" is a mystery with a Hitchcock type twist.It's a story of an obsessive compulsive who commits murder and tries too hard to remove the evidence.In "The Invisible Boy" an old woman uses witchcraft to keep a boy with her.In A.D.400 the Emperor of China sees "The Flying Machine" and makes a farsighted decision."The Murderer," written in 1953 seems to be a portent of modern times.In "The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind" two cities build and rebuild their walls until they reach the perfect compromise."I See You Never" is a short tale of a man who leaves Mexico City for a better life.Three women work on their "Embroidery" while they wait for the end of the world."The Big Black and White Game" is a story about two baseball teams competing in a bygone era of racial prejudice."The Sound of Thunder" is a tale of time travel gone wrong.An illiterate woman longs for "The Great Wide World Over There." In "Powerhouse" a woman explores faith and being alone."En La Noche" Mrs.Navarrez cries over her husband's departure and her sleepless neighbors look for a solution.A photographer uses a poverty stricken neighborhood as a backdrop in "Sun and Shadow." "The Meadow" is a movie set, to all but the night watchman."The Garbage Collector" is satisfied with his job until everything changes.Nobody can put out "The Great Fire" because it's Marianne who's on fire.In "Hail and Farewell" a forty-three year old man who looks like a boy keeps looking for new parents.A ship heads for the sun in "The Golden Apples of the Sun." A MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY is another old collection of Bradbury classics first printed in the UK."In a Season of Calm Weather" a man meets Picasso on the beach.Two men on a moor meet "The Dragon." A family searches for "A Medicine for Melancholy" hoping to cure their daughter's ailment.In "The End of the Beginning" a manned rocket is sent up to build the first space station.Six poor men pool their money to buy "The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit." The doctor assures Charles' parents that he is only having a "Fever Dream" when he complains he's being taken over by his illness.In the "Marriage Mender" a young couple argues and then realizes what's really important.A man gets off a train in "The Town Where No One Got Off" and meets a mysterious old man."A Scent of Sarsaparilla" in an attic beckons an old man.In "Icarus Montgolfier Wright" an astronaut thinks about the history of flight before his rocket is due to take off.A man hopes "The headpiece" will help him win a woman."Dark They Were and Golden-eyed" takes place on a future Mars where stranded colonists start seeing changes in themselves.In "The Smile" hatred for a past which destroyed their world has people waiting in line to spit on the Mona Lisa painting.In "The First Night of Lent" a cab driver gives up drink.An old man with a premonition of death decides it's "The Time of Going Away." "All Summer in a Day" takes place on Venus where it always rains, except for two hours every seven years.The kids are jealous of a young girl who remembers the sun from a time she lived on Earth and they play a cruel trick on her.On Christmas a boy takes his first rocket ride and is awed by the "The Gift." "The Great Collision of Monday Last" takes place outside an Irish pub.A man and his wife wonder about the couple next door who they've named "The Little Mice." Greedy men find a mermaid on "The Shore Line at Sunset." In "The Strawberry Window" a family on Mars misses their home on Earth.Men in the desert pray for rain in "The Day it Rained Forever." Publisher. Doubleday (1966) ASIN. B000HHEKVQ.
