Secret Money: The Shadowy World of Tax Evasion, Capital Flight and Fraud

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The beginning of comic perfection........2006-06-14

Here it is- the beginning of one of the most charming, hilarious, addictive comic series I've ever had the pleasure of reading. And the weird thing is, I've practically went in reverse order when it comes to reading the entire series. Starting with volume 6, I was determined to read and buy every volume of this flawless series. Seeing how it all started here, while not crucial (as this isn't a single-story series, it's a collection of different stories from different points in time...kind of), is quite a great thing indeed. I hate to compare it to such a low-quality series, but if you remember the very first strips of Garfield, and how different he looked compared to his now-classic appearance, that's what this first volume reminds me of. Michael looks a lot like how he does in later volumes, but a bit more realistic. In the very first strip here, Michael's eyes aren't as big as in later volumes, and his movements are more real than I've ever seen. It was almost weird at first, but how the strip progressed made me forget about it. If you can manage to track down this volume, you're in for a very special treat, especially if it's your introduction to the series. Me, I first read about What's Michael? almost 10 years ago, and could never find any books until last year, reading and buying them in a very out of order manner. The fact is though, if you read any WM? book, it's going to get you hooked. Michael's Album is no different.

Almost every WM? book has a great mix of hilarious, cute and just plain weird stories. Michael's Album proves that this was meant to be from the get-go. I'll get the weird ones out the way first since they aren't too big of strips. Curse of the Cat's Paw deals with a couple who finds a box of kittens abandoned, and the husband/boyfriend wants to keep them, doing the right thing. But, his woman won't have it, and demands they don't stay with them. Later that night, the man goes to the kitchen and finds...his woman scratching at the floor like a cat! It ends a little bit weirder, but that's all there is to this strip, mentioning a curse of being haunted by the spirits of abandoned kittens. Cat Coffee Shop Michael starts out fairly cute, then ends with an odd touch. It's about a coffee shop that has glass walls which display rare cats. It sounds like a brilliant idea, and looks like one when presented here. The target demographic however...it's just odd. All the other strips are great though. The first one has Michael acting very much like my own cat. When he's about to attack a mouse or bird in the wild, upon not catching his target, he pretends he was meaning to do something else all along. That is EXACTLY what kind of realism Kobayashi nails in each and every WM? comic. He knows cats. He deals with things that seem so little and insignificant, that they make you go, "hey, I know about things like that! It's so true!". He's a genius in that sense. Next with The Case of the Suspicious Sardine, Kobayashi takes us to the cat fantasy world, where they act like humans and can talk as well. Michael's being accused of stealing a sardine by two police cats. He's hesitant to give them any info, but they don't need verbal proof that he did it, as physical traits more than give away things when it comes to cats. However, the tables are turned when Michael gives out a bit of info regarding one of the officers. Later in the volume, we see the origin of the recurring Yakuza character, K. He's a deadly Yakuza member, and lives the basic Yakuza life, full of danger. But there's one thing that sets him apart from all the other members. Instead of keeping a trained attack dog, he keeps...a cat! And to make matters worse, he wears cat pajamas, subscribes to Cat Fancy magazine, and more! This isn't your typical Yakuza. What would become of him if anyone found out this secret? Speaking of secrets, Michael has his own in Michael's Secret. Granted, the title's a bit misleading since it's not quite his own secret, but more of one for all cats. It involves what'll get them to come toward you and treat you as a good person, and what'll cause them to hightail it outta there. Other instant classics in this volume include Michael vs Godzilla, Michael and the Fly, The Cat Cries at Midnight [parts I and II], and Her Obligation. I especially love the facial reactions for both humans and cats in Her those last two I just mentioned. I laughed out loud quite a few times upon seeing them for the first time, and still do.

Kobayashi's art style has always been one of the more unique in my eyes. It's not like some stunning style like that of Kentaro Miura's, but it's simple and gets the job done without looking generic like so many other Japanese comics tend to these days, and that's a welcome change. As I've mentioned previously, Kobayashi nails the poses of cats, as well as their motions without any flaw. He makes me want to stop drawing cats because mine all pale in comparison. This volume is the first, obviously, so it doesn't quite showcase Kobayashi's ability to give us great scenery here and there like in the later volumes. This one mostly focuses on the characters, who all look great and maintain their own unique looks. If there's any one problem, it's the one that all WM? books suffer from in the translation, and it's that the panels have been flipped. All WM? books in America read from left to right like "normal" comics, so for the native Japanese that reads this, some things will look out of place. But it's not a major gripe, and won't ruin the fun you'll have reading this.

What more is there to say? Once you pick one up, you'll be hooked for life. What's Michael? is without a doubt one of the finest comic series I've ever read. And I don't rave about things very often. So when I do, you know it's something really special.

What the international business lawyer needs to know about overseas employment operations: A case study on Russia : materials on expatriate benefit issues

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What the international business lawyer needs to know about overseas employment operations: A case study on Russia : materials on expatriate benefit issues
Michael J Album
Manufacturer: Seyfarth, Shaw, Fairweather & Geraldson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0006PCTK8

Customer Reviews:

aswome! book! all of them! wow! im a magician:).......2000-11-30

hey Magicians and illusnists young or old boy or girls, men or woman, theses books are acuarte especally the magic the all sawing in half illusions are acuRATE! and David Copperfields! laszy Susan TurnTABLE IS ALSO TRUE Pen Rushel the Magic WHOS BEEN ON WAVYTV 10 TO CUT CAROL HOFFMANS HEAD OFF said he knows for fact its done that way he knows somone in the Copperfield crew :) and leart jet hauled out the back with a lighing scheme with loud music inCHRIST bill :) <> < []xxxxxx[]::::::>Stage MagicAddress:http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/2766/illussionst.html Changed:9:03 PM on Friday, September 18, 1998Audio:http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Stage/2766/sound/whataw.midhttp://community.webtv.net/magic-bill

Bigger and Better.......2000-08-26

You probably have not read my review of "Big Secrets", so you have no idea of my absolute disdain for that work. So the fact that I have pumped my opinion of this one up to four stars probably will not shock you at all.

It's obvious that Poundstone has learned since releasing "Big Secrets". He's learned to tell a better story, learned to create suspense, learned what information is utterly useless dreck and what is genuinely entertaining. Both he and the reader benefit from this a great deal.

He's still making wildly speculative guesses about food contents, but here we get a nice tale about how he went about obtaining a sample of Oysters Rockefeller and sent it to a lab. He's still giving away magicians' secrets, but now we are amused by the little backstory he gives his investigation. Overall, this book is better written and is a better read.

One complaint I still have is Poundstone's attitude. His tone is snotty throughout the book; he is critical of people who don't know enough to dress for Antoine's restaurant, of Disneyland, of magicians in general. Rather than revel in the fun of discovery and slyly let you in on the joke, he uses his words to puncture secrets and deflate them, like an evil older brother spilling the beans about Santa Claus. If you are a fan of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, his expose' will seem particularly harsh.

"Secrets" is fun and will definitely entertain you. I hope the author continues to learn and grow with each book. If so, I look forward to "Biggest Secrets"

Bigger and Better.......2000-08-26

You probably have not read my review of "Big Secrets", so you have no idea of my absolute disdain for that work. So the fact that I have pumped my opinion of this one up to three stars probably will not shock you at all.

"Secrets" is fun and will definitely entertain you. I hope the author continues to learn and grow with each book. If so, I look forward to "Biggest Secrets"

Better than Big Secrets.......2000-04-15

The second book in the "Secrets" series is better and more interesting than the first but I still resist giving more than 3 stars since I know that information in his first book is false and therefore doubt is cast on all his publications.

But nevertheless, this is the best in the series.

ok.......2000-02-02

this book is not worth it you should not bye dont waste money on it get somthing else its bad

Customer Reviews:

interesting and food for thought.......2007-07-25

I admit I read this close to 10 years ago. Then I loaned it out and never got it back. I kept meaning to find it and couldn't recall the title, until a librarian helped me. Anyway: it was a very neat book about "what if they didn't die". The subjects, including Elvis, Marilyn, JFK, etc, all received their "fatal" injury from real life, but lived, and the book has a different story for each character as to what their life may have been like. Very interesting premise. I just ordered 3, want to give a few away. Stace

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Unfinished Lives What If...?

Manufacturer: Dove Entertainment Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0787110825

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Unfinished Lives 2 What If...?

Manufacturer: Dove Entertainment Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Books on Cassette | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
ASIN: 0787110833

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Not a children's book

Entertaining And Educating: You Will Finish This Book!

Also good for experienced chessplayers

A "how to" book that chess beginners will appreciate.

Clear, fun and exciting - for all ages

Tips for Young Players
Matthew Sadler
Manufacturer: Everyman Chess
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Chess | Board Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
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Improve Your Opening Play

The Art of Planning in Chess: Move by Move

Starting Out in Chess

Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master

Simple Chess: New Algebraic Edition

ASIN: 1857442318

Amazon.com

Don't let the title fool you--Matthew Sadler's Tips for Young Players is not just for children. Anyone who wants to improve their chess game would profit from this book. Sadler, one of England's top grandmasters, has a knack for demystifying some of the more abstruse aspects of the game and presenting them in a clear and easily understood manner. In the first half of this book, Sadler concentrates on establishing general principles for the opening, middlegame, and endgame. (A basic understanding of the game is assumed--if you are looking for an introductory book for absolute beginners, try Byron Jacob's Starting Out in Chess.) For instance, the section on the opening discusses the principles of good development, king safety, center occupation, and the initiative. Each section concludes with a summary of the important points and selection of exercises to help you see how much you've internalized before you go on. The second half of the book delves more deeply into the game, discussing the development of and opening repertoire to suit your individual style and the elements of planning and strategy, positional play, and some of the subtleties of the endgame. The final chapter offers tips and exercises for improving your play as well as suggestions for further reading. Tips for Young Players is sure to improve the game of casual players or anyone rated under 1400 who wants to take their game to the next level. With his lucid and engaging writing style, Sadler is well on his way to becoming one of the top chess writers around. --Laszlo Simonyi

Customer Reviews:

Not a children's book.......2003-04-02

Practically demonstrates basic opening, middle, and end-game strategies. I like the presentation of this book better than the older classics. A bit simpler, and broader in scope, than Seirawan's "Winning Chess Strategies".

I don't know if this is really the best book for "young players". Not bad, especially for high school age, but the lay-out and language are not suited to young beginners.

This book is ideal for improving players who have played a few dozen games and want to know a bit of strategy. Use this along with a book of fairly simple tactical puzzles, like "Simple Checkmates" and "Chess Tactics for Juniors". (Drilling tactics is more important than studying strategy or memorizing openings.)

For USCF 1200-1400 rating range, I think.

If you're at the high end of that range, the early part of the book will be a useful summary of what you already know.

The meat of the book is the incredibly lengthy annotation of (mostly) just a single game played by the author.

In one chapter he uses the game to show opening principles and goals, particularly in the author's chosen opening scheme, the "London System". This is more useful than the "opening ideas" books, which just tell a sentence or two about each opening, and much more useful than the repertoire books, which go far too deep into variations.

Later, he walks into the middle-game, showing the sort of attack on the castled king that he looks for in this system, some sound positional strategies in reasonable depth, and a particular position that harbors a clever tactic which would ordinarily be much too deep for a beginner, but which (on page 116) he breaks into digestible pieces so that by the end of the page you feel as if you understand something brilliant.

Then, he demonstrates important rook-and-pawn end-game themes by following this very game to its conclusion.

This single game justifies the price of the book. I have no idea where else you might look to find so much beginner-level exposition concentrated on just one game. An excellent precursor to Silman!

Combined with all the tips throughout, it's a very nice package.

Entertaining And Educating: You Will Finish This Book!.......2001-02-07

I am rated 1801 USCF and I still found the book both interesting and useful. Sadler surveys many chess themes in a style that will neither bore nor frighten "younger" (and/or newcomer) players. For instance, in the middlegame chapter, he clearly explains the dynamics of developing a plan, implementing it, changing course when necessary, and so on. I think that this slender volume will be one that you can finish without dreading it as "study." Then you'll be ready for the really hard stuff. Or not, since you'll already have enough info to crush casual players - if you're into that.

Also good for experienced chessplayers.......2000-08-12

A word or two of explanation before I launch into my review. I'm an 1800 player, i.e. average to strong club strength. This review is directed at other club players.

The title of this book is a misnomer. There is a great deal of wisdom in the 160 pages of this book. Though most club players will know the tenets given here in one form or another, it is still helpful to see them in one place, given clearly and illustrated with appropriate examples. I remember that Tal used to watch chess instruction programs on television designed for beginners. His argument was that one can't sufficiently overlearn the basics. This is the way I feel about this book. It is a manual of chess wisdom, as easy to read as a book of zen aphorisms and with as much depth.

Sadler improves with age. I have his earlier books on the Slav and the Semi-Slav. I recently bought his book on the Queen's Gambit and this book of Tips. These last two are filled with insights useful to a club player such as myself.

This book (Tips) has material covering building an opening repertoire, principles of endgame play, the definition and role of the initiative, dynamic versus static advantages, weak squares,building up the strength of a position, simplifying positions to capitalise on advantages and so on. The cognoscenti will immediately recognise these topics as non-trivial and not elementary at all.

You can't go far wrong with that.

A "how to" book that chess beginners will appreciate........2000-06-06

An 'Everyman Chess' guide to chess provide tips for beginners, Matthew Sadler's Tips For Young Players tells how to spot tactics and develop chess strategies and introduces the second level in chess playing. This is a highly recommended, first rate "how to" book that chess beginners will appreciate.

Clear, fun and exciting - for all ages.......2000-04-13

This book is full of common sense and down to earth explanations of the basic principles of Chess. Within the first few pages the author starts to demystify areas of the game that have always seemed complicated to me. Written in a fun and informal style with lots of examples I was amazed to find myself enjoying and reading it so quickly. I always knew what each piece on the board did but not what I should be aiming for to win, and thought that reading a chess book would be very hard going. Well this book is fun! The author has said that he wanted to write the kind of book that every good Chess player wished they could have read when they began. It covers everything from the general principles of the opening, middlegame and endgame, to discussing attacking, positional and endgame plays. There are also exercises to do which kept me challenged when I was unable to find anyone of my basic level to play with. Having tried Chess when young and then left it for twenty years - now having read this book, I am intrigued by the game and want to learn more! When I watch other people play I can see the principles in action and share the excitement and tension of the game. Anyway I have raved enough! If you have ever thought about learning Chess then buy this book and you will never look back.

Basketball Tip-Ins : 100 Tips and Drills for Young Basketball Players

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Basketball Tip-Ins : 100 Tips and Drills for Young Basketball Players
Nick Sortal
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Basketball | Sports | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0809299534

Book Description

Basketball, more than any other game, can be self-taught through effective practice. Basketball Tip-Ins is the ideal guide for youngsters and parents who want to learn more about playing the sport. The book features 100 tips and drills from basketball writer and high school coach Nick Sortal. All facets of basketball are covered, from ballhandling, passing, shooting, rebounding, and defensive play to positioning and proper conditioning. Basketball Tip-Ins is fully illustrated and includes an introduction by University of Miami coach Leonard Hamilton.

Secrets of the Super [Football] Athletes: Tips for Fans and Players

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Secrets of the Super [Football] Athletes: Tips for Fans and Players
Abbot Solomon
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Football (American) | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 044097979X
Release Date: 1982-07-15

Book Description

Video Shooter is a guide to both the mechanics of the video camera and the craft of shooting. Written by a veteran in the industry and utilizing an engaging, conversational style (including illustrative anecdotes from the author's many years of experience), the book takes the reader beyond "button pushing" to teach the complete range of skills required to capture compelling images. Topics include equipment selection, camera setup and operation, shooting techniques, and working with lighting and audio. Although the techniques illustrated in Video Shooter are appropriate for users of a wide range of camera models, the book focuses on the most popular 3-CCD DV and HDV cameras. A chapter on issues and techniques relating to DVD output makes the book especially suitable for industrial, educational, and government video producers. The book also features a companion DVD with tutorials, footage demonstrating storytelling techniques, and technical matter such as a comparison of various filters.

Written by a veteran in the industry, Video Shooter is a guide to both the mechanics of the video camera and the craft of shooting.

Customer Reviews:

Listen to the wisdom of great experience.......2007-08-13

Video production is a complex and expensive process. Barry's book takes the mystery out of the craft and SAVES YOU MONEY by telling you just what you need...and what you don't. I loved his wonderful, meaningful stories and personal shooting experiences mixed within his narrative of the craft and its myriad toys, gadgets and gear, all laid out clearly for the reader's benefit. Those willing to take the plunge into this artform will find this book an indispensable companion. A gifted shooter giving us all the clues we need to tell real and compelling stories of our own, available at a glance...awesome. It's like having a DP angel on your shoulder. You will find other reference books out there, but none are so beautifully laid out, comprehensive or complete as this one. Buy it. Read it. You'll be glad you did.

A Must Have Item.......2007-08-12

For a video shooter this is a "must have book". Impaired vision is corrected with appropriate eye glasses, impaired video-knowledge with Video Shooter...
Fast shipping, affordable price. Thank you.

Lots of Real-World Insights.......2007-06-26

Although I'll never reach the level of shooter that Barry is, this is a great book for learning about the issues a real-world shooter faces. Lots of examples and stories, photos, and musings on equipment. This is probably the best of the many books I have on learning to shoot.

Excellent intermediate info -- glad I read it as a beginner.......2007-06-23

I'm a neophyte to videography, and although this book went a tad over my head at times, and was certainly more than I needed as an amateur who wants to make quality videos for personal use, I greatly appreciated the comprehensive introduction to this complex art form. Because of this book, I've jumped into my new hobby with more respect and appreciation for what's involved in a quality production. I did pick up some great tips that even a beginner can use, and probably more useful, I understand the point of hiring a professional. Now that I'm a MUCH more savvy consumer of video services I will know how to judge the quality of their work.

A book about hardware.......2007-06-16

The subtitle of this book is Storytelling with DV, HD, and HDV Cameras. What I saw, when I read that, was the word Storytelling. I thought it would be a book about how to tell a story with images and sound to get across a "message". I should have read further along the sentence. This book is not about storytelling. It's about DV, HD, and HDV Cameras and their supporting equipment. The book is aimed at amateur videographers who have aspirations of turning professional and think that professional equipment will make that happen. And who have a 5 or 6 figure bank account. There are equipment recommendations on all sorts of things that make a professional shoot. All of the equipment ranges from slightly expensive to horrifically expensive. Of course this tight focus on the latest equipment means that the book will soon be out of date. If you need some equipment, have a healthy bank account, and want to buy now, this book is a good choice. If you want to learn how to tell a story with video, keep looking.

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